We Agreed On Experiencing Life, So Why Did You Immortals Become Real? Chapter 1: My Life Has Been Like Walking on Thin Ice

"Your Majesty."

"Your Majesty."

A eunuch's piercing voice echoed in Xiao Mo's ears.

Xiao Mo gradually lifted his eyelids, immediately noticing a figure clad in eunuch robes.

Gazing at the vast chamber around him, a rush of memories suddenly surged into Xiao Mo's thoughts.

In his past existence, Xiao Mo had been an orphan who struggled through education to enter college, securing employment upon graduating.

Life had been steadily improving when, strolling along a national highway, a massive truck struck him.

Xiao Mo had crossed into the form of an emperor sharing his name, "Xiao Mo," though his predecessor's circumstances were dire since the late emperor left no heirs, leading to his adoption.

Upon the previous emperor's death, he consigned Xiao Mo to four regents, yet Yan Shan'ao seized control step by step, built cliques, and ruled with brutality, even slaying Su Su, another regent minister.

These two schemed in tandem, one from within the palace walls and the other from without.

At present, he, the emperor, served merely as a puppet.

"Your Majesty, it's time for your medicine," Wei Xun announced, presenting a bowl of tonic while attending to Xiao Mo's side.

Wei Xun served as Xiao Mo's trusted eunuch, having previously attended the late emperor.

Though Wei Xun seemed to follow Yan Shan'ao's orders outwardly, Xiao Mo understood deep down that his loyalty remained unwavering.

Once Xiao Mo swallowed the acrid brew, a palace maid entered to announce, "Your Majesty, the Prime Minister learned of your minor illness and has come specifically to visit."

"Invite the Prime Minister in at once," Xiao Mo responded swiftly, starting to rise from bed to welcome him.

Despite his deep resentment toward Yan Shan'ao, Xiao Mo knew he must play his role convincingly.

Moreover, feigning innocence would mislead the foe, creating a chance to strike down Yan Shan'ao later.

Moments later, a middle-aged man with a longsword at his waist marched inside, offered a deep bow, and proclaimed loudly, "This minister greets Your Majesty."

Observing Yan Shan'ao's demeanor, Xiao Mo's eyes tightened.

Brandishing a sword within the palace demonstrated utter disdain for him as emperor.

"Prime Minister Father, no need for such ceremony," Xiao Mo quickly approached and supported Yan Shan'ao upright, "Why has Prime Minister Father come?"

"This minister heard Your Majesty has a slight cold and wished to inspect your imperial health."

While speaking, Yan Shan'ao glanced toward the room's attending palace maids.

"Guards, seize these palace maids and execute them! They failed to protect His Majesty properly—what good are they?"

"Prime Minister, mercy!"

Terrified, the palace maids dropped to their knees, pleading desperately.

Eunuchs entered promptly to haul the maids away.

Xiao Mo clearly recognized Yan Shan'ao's intent in slaying these maids as a stark warning.

It stemmed from Wang Can, Vice Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate, who had covertly visited the palace recently to plot against the "usurper" with his predecessor.

Yan Shan'ao discovered this, but as second-in-command of the Censorate, Wang Can couldn't be slain lightly, even by imperial decree in Great Zhou.

Thus, Yan Shan'ao fabricated charges to demote and exile Wang Can from the capital.

Through these executions, Yan Shan'ao signaled, "Your Majesty, abandon any foolish notions. I control everything near you."

"Prime Minister Father, the late emperor urged me toward compassion. These maids' faults don't merit death. Exile them from the palace," Xiao Mo stated calmly.

Yan Shan'ao fixed his gaze on Xiao Mo briefly before replying, "As Your Majesty decrees, then flog each with ten lashes and banish them."

With a gesture, Yan Shan'ao ordered the eunuchs to remove the maids.

"Your Majesty, preserve your imperial vigor. This minister shall choose new maids to serve you personally."

"My gratitude for your concern, Prime Minister Father," Xiao Mo replied with a naive, guileless grin.

"Rest well, Your Majesty. This minister departs."

"Farewell, Prime Minister Father. Eunuch Wei, escort him out."

"As you command, Your Majesty."

Once Yan Shan'ao departed, Xiao Mo reclined on the bed, murmuring inwardly, "My path feels like treading thin ice. Will I ever cross to safety?"

As Xiao Mo pondered deeply, a tome materialized within his mind.

Its cover bore three bold characters: Book of a Hundred Lives.

At Xiao Mo's thought, the volume unfurled on its own, with text emerging from its pages:

[Book of a Hundred Lives. With this book, the host crafts personas to live varied existences.

Each life brings unique missions. Fulfilling them grants corresponding prizes.

Activate now?]

Xiao Mo promptly selected "Use!"

[Enter the name of your desired character]

Xiao Mo pondered briefly. For true immersion in this life simulation, he'd reuse his own name.

[Avatar "Xiao Mo" generated.]

The Book of a Hundred Lives unleashed a powerful pull, akin to a vortex.

Xiao Mo's awareness vanished into it instantly.

Soon after regaining senses, Xiao Mo stood before a rustic cabin atop a peak.

The Book of a Hundred Lives reappeared in his consciousness:

[Host has formed new avatar: Xiao Mo.

Time inside the Book of a Hundred Lives accelerates 100-fold compared to reality.

Upon host's exit, internal time halts.]

[Background: You are Prince Jing's son, Xiao Jing, from Liang Kingdom. Talent middling, yet your father despises your inadequacy.

At age eight, he stunned you and grafted a natural sword bone from a young girl into you, claiming it awakened naturally later.

Thus, you rose as a sword genius. By eighteen, you've reached Nascent Soul as a sword cultivator.

Honest by nature, upon discovering the bone's origin and the girl's crippling, you recoiled in horror.

You clashed fiercely with your kin, fled home, and joined Dragon Spring Sword Sect as a nominal elder. Meanwhile, you hunt for the girl to repay her fully.]

[Mission: The girl, Jiang Qingyi, lurks on Xuanwu Street in Black Wind City (system tracks her location ongoing until found). Escort her uphill and instruct in sword arts.

Duration: fifty years.

Settlement rewards scale with Jiang Qingyi's cultivation achievement.]

"Fifty years... Good thing the Book of a Hundred Lives' time races 100 times faster externally, or this mission would be impossible."

Xiao Mo shifted focus from the Book of a Hundred Lives, approaching a pond to inspect his image.

This avatar mirrored his original life's appearance perfectly.

Ideal for deeper immersion.

Grasping the longsword from the table, Xiao Mo descended the mountain directly.

"Steamed buns for sale!"

"Hot fresh steamed buns!"

In Black Wind City's Xuanwu Street, the bun vendor shouted vigorously.

A scrawny beggar in ragged hemp garb, short-haired and filth-streaked, gender ambiguous, crept forward stealthily.

Seizing the vendor's distraction, the young beggar bundled buns in soiled rags and bolted!

"You again, stealing buns!"

The vendor noticed and pursued with a rolling pin.

"Halt! I'll shatter your legs this time for sure!"