We Agreed On Experiencing Life, So Why Did You Immortals Become Real? Chapter 348: Xiao Mo, What Do You Think?

With the main force of the Northern Frontier army charging into the fray, the battle's momentum flipped in a flash.

Furthermore, the Northern Frontier army reaching Yanmen Pass signaled that every one of the eleven southern cities had been seized.

To the Zhei Kingdom forces, such a disaster was beyond endurance, shattering their fighting spirit completely.

"Retreat!"

Though Guo Xin had advanced via favoritism, he grasped that victory was impossible now and issued a swift retreat command.

Xiao Shi himself commanded the pursuit across twenty li before leading a victorious return to the city.

Following the Northern Frontier's smashing triumph, Xiao Shi commanded a thorough battlefield sweep to locate and aid wounded troops.

Every fighter drawing breath received utmost medical care.

Within Yanmen Pass, the influx of the Northern Frontier army's primary troops brought ample supplies as well.

Additionally, the Northern Frontier army honored their earlier pledge. Merchants whose stores were commandeered got repaid in silver or foodstuffs.

Repairs to Yanmen Pass's defensive array were underway by formation experts, who even aimed to bolster its power.

The Northern Frontier leadership united to pour every asset into transforming Yanmen Pass into an impregnable fortress, a true bastion hard to assail yet simple to hold.

Should the Northern Frontier offensive falter later, they could hunker down securely at Yanmen Pass.

Three days on, tallies of casualties among Yanmen Pass defenders from the Northern Frontier army were finalized.

From the initial ten thousand Snow-Treading Dragon Cavalry Xiao Mo led forth, a mere four hundred twenty riders survived.

Infantry numbers, including recruited captives and Yanmen Pass levies under Xiao Mo, started at sixty thousand; post-battle survivors, even those dragged alive from corpse mounds, tallied just two thousand seven hundred twenty.

Qin Kingdom statutes mandated returning identifiable soldier corpses to native lands.

Unrecoverable remains meant gathering personal effects for kin delivery.

The Qin Kingdom granted generous pensions per family, plus ongoing aids and privileges to banish all hardships.

Per Xiao Mo's wish, monuments for all perished warriors rose on a Yanmen Pass peak, etched with names to honor their valor.

Five days hence, the memorials stood complete.

Xiao Mo joined surviving troops at the mountain's foot, bowls of wine raised to dispatch comrades' brave spirits skyward.

Post-battle affairs at Yanmen Pass settled, soldier commendations followed. As Xiao Mo held princely rank, Xiao Shi documented his feats for imperial submission, deferring honors till court return for His Majesty's decree; thus Xiao Mo's status stayed unchanged.

Yet this clash elevated Xiao Mo's standing in the Northern Frontier army nearly matching seasoned commanders like Fang Weiming and Zhang Kui.

Xiao Shi made a bold move, assigning Xiao Mo fifty thousand Snow-Treading Dragon Cavalry plus two hundred thousand Northern Frontier foot soldiers.

Xiao Shi further commissioned fifty thousand masks matching Xiao Mo's, allowing his Snow-Treading Dragon Cavalry to battle veiled like their leader.

This gesture appeared minor, yet commanders like Fang Weiming recognized His Highness fully endorsing Xiao Mo's prowess, grooming him as rightful heir.

Veiled faces for Xiao Mo's fifty thousand riders set them apart from standard Snow-Treading Dragon Cavalry, forging them into his personal guard.

City defenders received accolades too.

Rank-and-file earned posts or coin based on deeds, with merits logged for promotion precedence.

Mid-tier leaders advanced a grade in Northern Frontier ranks. Xiao Gui and Sheng Xia ascended to chiliarchs.

Senior officers like Zhao Guang and Li Jing awaited sovereign judgment on merits, but enfeoffment for Li Jing post-this victory was assured; exact honors hinged on Zhei Kingdom pursuits ahead.

All original city guardians stuck with Xiao Mo, eager to trail this leader who shared mortal perils.

In rest and refit days, Xiao Mo gleaned details on the eleven southern cities' fates.

Mati City, seized by Xiao Mo, saw Northern Frontier troops defend ferociously, yielding not an inch.

Northern Frontier sought to widen the gap from this foothold, but Xiahou Nan foresaw Xiao Shi's scheme?

Xiahou Nan countered Mati precisely and promptly. Yet amid the deadlock between Northern Frontier and southern front, mishap struck.

Luoxia City's lord uncovered his wife's tryst with the vice-lord.

The vice-lord slew the lord, then yielded Luoxia City.

Luoxia's sudden loss blindsided Xiahou Nan; Northern Frontier exploited it as fresh entry to shatter impasse.

Xiahou Nan could resist no longer. Accepting defeat, he withdrew laterally across Qin-Zhei borderlands.

Time pressed, so Xiao Shi skipped chase, rushing reinforcements to Yanmen Pass.

No slaying of dire foe Xiahou Nan brought mild regret, yet Zhei southern domain's total loss carved deep from Zhei Kingdom— a gash forever raw, endlessly hemorrhaging!

"It's decided then. Ten days from now, we strike Yuetong Pass. Once taken, split into five prongs toward Zhei capital."

In Yanmen Pass city lord hall, Xiao Shi conferred with Xiao Mo and generals, crafting this plan and granting ten more rest days.

"Yes."

Xiao Mo and rest saluted and departed sequentially.

As Xiao Mo neared his yard, a hunch halted him.

He pivoted to find Lian Li ahead.

"Miss Lian's been rather idle of late." Xiao Mo eyed the woman and queried.

Earlier, Xiao Mo freed Lian Li, yet she lingered.

Northern Frontier main force's Yanmen arrival saw Xiao Mo uphold release, but Lian Li stayed city-bound. Xiao Mo ignored her.

After all, in prior clash, prisoner Lian Li surfaced on walls, spotted by Zhei troops for sure.

Lian Li's Zhei return guaranteed distrust.

Plus, blame needed assigning for debacle; her first city loss made ideal target, suspicion or not.

Thus Xiao Mo figured Lian Li's Zhei survival lucky, commanding unlikely.

Lian Li knew this full well.

"Quite idle indeed." Lian Li affirmed. "Prisoner days in your cell felt fine. Freed now, I'm at a loss."

"What? Does General Lian crave dungeon return?" Xiao Mo teased.

Lian Li cocked head, advanced, proffered hands: "Not impossible. Shackle me anew?"

Xiao Mo shook head: "No chains needed. Join Qin Kingdom, General Lian, and shine brightly."

Lian Li dropped hands: "Zhei ruler's inept tyrant, yet Zhei birthed me. Can't invade my birthplace."

"Seek my master for spear arts then." Xiao Mo suggested.

"Spear Immortal Huang takes one heir. You're alive, so pointless."

"When did General Lian turn picky?"

"Qin adage: women, kids hardest." Lian Li met Xiao Mo's gaze. "General Xiao forgets: I'm woman."

"..." Xiao Mo went quiet.

"However..." Lian Li shifted. "City strolls sparked thoughts. Here to farewell General Xiao."

"Whither Miss?" Xiao Mo probed.

"Wander realms." Lian Li locked eyes. "See world's truth."

"Fine choice." Xiao Mo fist-saluted. "Fare well, Miss."

"Fare well." Lian Li final-glanced Xiao Mo, spun away.

"Oh right." Nearing yard edge, Lian Li paused, wheeled: "That Qin princess you named? Stunning indeed."

Words done, Lian Li melted into night.

Xiao Mo shook head, faced tree: "Out. She called you beautiful."

Moment later, white-gowned Qin Siyao emerged tree-back. Girl averted face, hands clasped behind, lips pursed: "Don't want her praise! Whatever!"

"What cares Her Highness then?" Xiao Mo grinned.

"You." Girl stepped skirt-long legs to Xiao Mo, eyes smiling crescents. "Miss Lian's pretty too. Don't you agree, Xiao Mo?"

"No match for Princess." Xiao Mo replied.

"Truly? Rumors say you two bonded like souls under Mati, swapped arts, sparked romance?" Qin Siyao batted lashes at Xiao Mo.

"Rubbish. Just ploy to snag Mati, rift Zhei court-south."

Xiao Mo anticipated Siyao's knowledge, rebuttal ready.

"Yet Lian Li excels arms, strategy. Thought if no yield, ship her your way."

"Really?" Qin Siyao eyed skeptically.

"Really."

"I'm no jealous shrew. Concubine her? I'd allow." Qin Siyao magnanimous.

"Pure as snow, us. When've I fibbed you?" Xiao Mo smiled.

"Fine..." Qin Siyao turned head, smile sneaking. "Gave chance. No jealousy claim..."

"Naturally." Xiao Mo saw her baiting.

Agreement earlier? Endless soothing.

"Late hour, Siyao. Why awake?" Xiao Mo pivoted.

"Sleepless." Qin Siyao ducked head. "Huasheng-sis fetches me post-morrow. Capital dread tomorrow; sought you. Missed courtyard, guessed hall war-talk."

"Sorry, swamped lately." Xiao Mo pondered, told Qin Siyao: "Join camp? Li Jing et al feast tonight; invited me today."

"Allowed?" Qin Siyao hopeful.

"Rest phase, no issue." Xiao Mo patted head. "Come."

"Mm."

Qin Siyao beamed alongside Xiao Mo.

Soon, Xiao Mo escorted Qin Siyao to camp.

Li Jing, Zhao Guang, Xiao Gui, dozen-plus circled bonfire, swigging.

"Still boozing?" Xiao Mo advanced with Qin Siyao.

"General!"

"General!"

"General, at last! Drink up!"

"Princess too!"

Xiao Mo's sight lit joys; Li Jing crew cleared dual seats.

"Halt drinks!" Zhao Guang nudged Yu Guang. "Stool? Fetch Princess stool!"

"Ah? Right... Tent check..." Yu Guang ditched jar, scrambled up.

"No, no need." Qin Siyao waved.

"Princess, we ground-sitters. Dust soils gown." Yu Guang urged.

"So?" Qin Siyao eyed Xiao Mo. "He sits, I sit."

"This..." Yu Guang peeked Xiao Mo.

Xiao Mo smiled: "Princess says no, no. Booze on."

"Got it."

Yu Guang plopped down. General's word, no stool hunt.

Xiao Mo ground-seated, Qin Siyao swept skirt—dust unheeded—nestled beside.

Qin Siyao pressed near Xiao Mo, ear to his officer banter, war tales.

Uncomprehending, yet Xiao Mo's vibrancy shone brighter.

Plus, she sensed their heartfelt reverence for Xiao Mo.

"Princess, sample Northern Frontier Sangluo brew?"

Xiao Mo's rounds done, Hong Hai grinned query.

"Must taste! Sangluo famed here." Officers chimed. "North folk all sip it. Frost Prince consort skips?"

"Then... sip?" Qin Siyao sought Xiao Mo.

"Siyao, Sangluo's no meek rice brew. Fells Foundation Building cultivators; you teetotaler?" Xiao Mo demurred.

"Fine! One gulp..."

Qin Siyao snatched Xiao Mo's cup, downed full.

"Cough cough cough!"

Blazing Sangluo scorched throat; girl hacked.

"Okay? Warned stubbornness." Xiao Mo reclaimed cup. "You lot, quit egging!"

"Hehe..." Officers sheepish head-scratches.

Jest meant; Princess drank unforeseen...

"Fine..." Qin Siyao shook head. "But Xiao Mo, two heads?"

"..." Xiao Mo helpless smile. "Drunk."

Qin Siyao ballooned cheeks, eyes wobbly on Xiao Mo: "Not drunk!"

"Sure, sober." Xiao Mo scooped her princess-carry sans assent. "Carry on; escorting Princess back."

"Yes General."

"Safe General."

All rose sendoff.

Xiao Mo bore Qin Siyao from camp to manor.

Nearing her yard drop.

Qin Siyao nestle-chested, poked Xiao Mo's heart with jade finger, murmured "Xiao Mo..."

"Mm?" Xiao Mo hummed.

"They dubbed me Frost Prince's consort..." Flushed girl whispered.

"Loose tongues. Ignore; punish tomorrow."

"Fine..."

Cradled, girl lifted face to love. Crystal gaze softened beyond moon.

"'Frost Prince consort' beats 'Princess Highness.'"

"Xiao Mo, what do you think?"