"Mm," Tuoba Yan thought of a solution. As long as he didn't understand something, he could contact the Cosmic Patrol.
By directly implanting an information reception code, he could learn it quickly.
"This set of soft armor is woven from adamantine silk, it's very light." Tuoba Yan saw that his Ninth Sister was not just happy but frozen, so he personally lifted it to show Ajiu.
As for the size, he had automatically analyzed the data yesterday while observing Ajiu's exposed body.
This size was custom-made.
Ajiu took a look, it was as thin as a cicada's wing. She took it over and felt its softness and coolness in her hands.
It was like a close-fitting vest, able to protect the chest and back.
"This is great, Xiao Yan, you're too amazing! You even know needlework."
Ajiu herself only understood bits and pieces. When it came to making clothes, she wished she could go to the Meng Hua City Xiu Zhuang and learn properly.
"There's also clothes," Tuoba Yan reminded her.
Ajiu put down the soft armor and examined it. Although the main color was a battle-red, it clearly looked like it was modified from men's military uniforms. The size comparison showed it was a perfect fit.
"You altered your own clothes for me."
Ajiu's eyes lit up. She never imagined Tuoba Yan knew more than just fighting.
"No, my height and physique are too different from yours. I took clothes from a young person in the army who disguised themselves as a man to enlist. It was easier to alter."
Tuoba Yan spoke directly.
"Ah? There are women in the army?" Ajiu asked in surprise.
"Yes, she said her family had no male heirs, and she didn't want to starve to death, so she enlisted," Tuoba Yan said nonchalantly.
The military regulations of this dynasty stipulated that women could not enlist, otherwise, if discovered, they would be punished for violating military discipline with a beating to death.
But Tuoba Yan didn't care. As long as they had courage and were willing to fight, he was willing to lead them.
"Isn't that very inconvenient? Where do they sleep? They don't eat and sleep with a group of men, do they?" Ajiu asked with a frown.
"Yes, Zhao Kun said it's always been like that, but no one else knows about it." Tuoba Yan had no intention of publicizing it. The concept of gender separation was simply absurd in his mind.
"It's too inconvenient," Ajiu said. "Why don't they move in with me from now on?"
Tuoba Yan's eyes lit up. "That's right, Ninth Sister, you've thought this through."
The carriage bumped along, and it wasn't until dark that night that the army, vast and mighty, entered the city from the south gate of Meng Hua City.
Ajiu impatiently lifted the curtain of the carriage and looked out.
She discovered that there wasn't a single civilian on the street; all of them were heavily armed soldiers patrolling everywhere in dense numbers.
The lingering scent of gunpowder and the readiness for battle permeated the air, completely devoid of any sense of civilian life or bustling markets.
The carriage stopped in front of a mansion with no nameplate, but Ajiu recognized it at a glance as the once glorious Gao family estate.
The Gao family was the prefect of Meng Hua City. When their son got married, Qian Shi's husband had brought people to organize the banquet. However, the bride had an affair with him, and the banquet ended in a discord.
The Gao residence now had none of its former grandeur. Inside the compound, only a few of Tuoba Yan's assigned soldiers were present, leading over thirty people on patrols.
The dead grass in the backyard had grown taller than people. The so-called lotus pond was long dry, and countless fissures had appeared in the cracked mud at the bottom.
Tuoba Yan sent someone back to the military camp to sort things out and, on his own, took Ajiu for a stroll in the courtyard.
"Ninth Sister, when you have free time, you can plant vegetables in this backyard. There are eight rooms in the woodshed, and the supplies are all complete." Tuoba Yan became more excited as he spoke, until he brought Ajiu to the front hall.
"This is where I usually discuss military matters. You will be in the backyard. If you need anything, you can have Zhao Kun come find me anytime, of course, including if you're not familiar with this place and can't sleep at night."
Ajiu suddenly looked at Tuoba Yan's shameless smile. "I won't be unable to sleep."
"What if you can't sleep?" As Tuoba Yan finished speaking, Zhao Kun came running over. The playful expression on his face instantly turned serious.
"What is it?"
"General, you asked me to deliver a letter to Xue Zhen. He didn't even look at it and politely declined, saying he is loyal to King Qi Ming, and meeting you privately would inevitably arouse suspicion. He also asked me to deliver a letter back."
Saying this, Zhao Kun handed the letter to Tuoba Yan.
Ajiu's pupils contracted. This person must be the cultivator Xiao Yan mentioned.
She took the letter first and quickly opened it.
"He's not coming? Does he want to die?" Tuoba Yan said coldly.
Zhao Kun clasped his hands. "Xue Zhen is not involved in the war, nor is he an enemy of ours. He is neutral. When our people delivered the letter, he discovered it but did not report it to the King of Qi. Therefore, it's difficult for me to be forceful."
"Wait." Ajiu looked at the contents of the letter and then looked up at Tuoba Yan. "Where is the returned letter?"