Twenty miles didn’t seem like a daunting distance, especially for someone with her superpower.

However, the prospect of eliminating 50,000 people in one fell swoop presented a formidable challenge.

Qiao Xuan had never entertained such a thought. The idea alone felt surreal.

Should Shao Yunduan and the province of Huaixi fall into the clutches of malevolent forces, the consequences would be dire.

Nor would Qiao Xuan ever entertain the notion of sacrificing so many lives.

She didn’t even consider tampering with their supplies. With a mere thought, she could reduce their provisions to a muddy mess within a 500-meter radius.

But she refrained.

Beyond the city walls lay numerous villages and hamlets. The arrival of 50,000 soldiers and their menacing aura forced the common folk to shutter their homes or flee to the safety of distant relatives and friends. Should their provisions be destroyed, the likelihood of the soldiers turning to plunder the innocent villagers was a grim certainty.

Such a scenario was unacceptable to Qiao Xuan.

Her focus remained fixed on their siege equipment–ladders and catapults.

Thus, without warning, the ground beneath Sun Pu’s army, where the catapults and ladders were stationed, silently gave way. Ensnared by the roots of ancient trees that seemed to stir with life, the siege weapons were rendered useless, reduced to a heap of rubble unfit for further use.

The intermediate camp buzzed with activity, filled with the clamor of people and the rhythmic trudging of feet. Positioned inconspicuously at the northeastern corner, the ladder and catapult drew little attention amid the bustling surroundings. Hence, no one took notice of anything amiss.

Though a fleeting sound caught his ear, it seemed inconsequential, and he dismissed it without further thought.

After all, who could anticipate the ground subtly yielding beneath them, swallowing everything in its path?

Qiao Xuan deliberately moved with caution to avoid drawing attention.

Satisfied that her actions went unnoticed, Qiao Xuan smiled contentedly as she set about preparing dinner for her husband and son.

Come what may, they must eat well!

For she knew the heavens wouldn’t fall.

With renewed determination, she poured her energy into crafting a savory meal to ensure their comfort.

As the bustling camp settled into evening, Sun Pu resolved to launch his attack come morning.

Impatient anticipation fueled his eagerness for battle.

In a war, when his side had the advantage, he naturally had to kill the other party in one go. The longer he delayed, the more morale would be affected. This was not beneficial to him at all.

Being a descendant of the Sun family, he grasped such straightforward reasoning effortlessly.

His accompanying generals eagerly flexed their fists in anticipation, eager to seize the opportunity for military acclaim while in his company.

Moreover, as a defector and once the Emperor’s top adviser and the Crown Prince’s favored confidant, defeating him would catapult any general to newfound fame.

The anticipation among the generals surged even higher.

Prefect Liu, sharing Sun Pu’s conviction, joined the fray.

Like Sun Pu, he harbored unwavering confidence in their impending victory.

He clung to hopes of reclaiming his lost fortunes within the province, undeterred by Shao Yunduan’s appropriation of his wealth.

For him, reclaiming his wealth was merely a matter of carving a path through the opposition.

Sun Pu recognized his significance; after all, Prefect Liu’s tenure as magistrate held sway in these territories.