We Agreed On Experiencing Life, So Why Did You Immortals Become Real? Chapter 397: No Matter How Many Lifetimes, No Matter How Many Times

A missive, penned by Xiao Mo himself, was dispatched via flying sword transmission, conveying the somber news of his father's demise to the imperial palace of the Qin Kingdom.

Upon receipt of the intelligence concerning Xiao Shi's death, Qin Shengtian, the ruler of the Qin Kingdom, remained in solitary contemplation within his study for an extended period.

Word of the passing of the Northern Pacification Prince, Xiao Shi, rapidly disseminated throughout the entirety of the Qin Kingdom's court, subsequently echoing across the vast realm.

It subsequently became known to all that Xiao Shi, in his final moments, had bequeathed the mantle of Northern Pacification Prince to Xiao Mo.

The fifty-seven generals of the Northern Frontier, the formidable Snow-Treading Dragon Cavalry numbering four hundred thousand, and the Northern Frontier infantry, a host of one million two hundred thousand, collectively swore their allegiance to Xiao Mo.

When combined with Xiao Mo's own prior dominion and the territories held by the various Northern Frontier generals, the three provinces of the Northern Frontier and the region of Wei now rested entirely under Xiao Mo's dominion.

Though Xiao Mo possessed the capacity to establish his own sovereign nation at any moment, a universal conviction held that Xiao Mo would abstain from such a path of rebellion.

The sovereign of the Qin Kingdom promptly promulgated an imperial decree, affirming Xiao Mo's inheritance of his father's hereditary station without any diminishment. His appellation would persist as the Frost Prince, yet he was additionally vested with the authority of Northern Pacification Grand General, thereby succeeding his father in the management of the Northern Frontier's three provinces and its formidable army.

No objections were raised concerning Xiao Mo's ascension to the position of the new Northern Pacification Prince.

It was universally perceived as a natural progression.

Naturally, no one would dare voice dissent.

After all, the Northern Frontier army acknowledged no other leader besides Xiao Mo.

"My origins lie in the crucible of battle; it is upon the battlefield that I shall meet my end. Let my funeral rites be conducted with simplicity."

Adhering to Xiao Shi's final wishes, Xiao Mo officiated a funeral ceremony for him within the Northern Frontier.

The attendees comprised exclusively the soldiers of the Northern Frontier and the officials representing the various cities across the Northern Frontier's three provinces.

The solemn occasion was devoid of any obsequious court dignitaries.

Xiao Mo also elected not to bring his mother or Siyao to the imperial capital.

The rationale behind this decision was straightforward.

In Xiao Shi's dying testament, he explicitly stated his aversion to witnessing timid and hesitant women with tear-filled eyes at his funeral.

In truth, Xiao Mo understood that his father harbored a general dislike for overt displays of grief, particularly the shedding of tears during his final farewell. Nevertheless, Xiao Mo did dispatch a missive to his elder brother, Xiao Yichuan. The response Xiao Mo received, however, was penned by the sect master of the Tao Mountain Sect.

The sect master of the Tao Mountain Sect conveyed that Xiao Yichuan was presently engaged in secluded cultivation, endeavoring to achieve a breakthrough to the Nascent Soul stage, and thus would be unable to attend the funeral. He requested Xiao Mo's understanding for this unavoidable absence.

Xiao Mo found himself capable of comprehending the situation.

The process of attaining the Nascent Soul realm was fraught with peril, allowing for no margin of error. Should his elder brother learn of their father's demise during this critical juncture, it could profoundly destabilize his Dao heart. At best, his great Dao might suffer damage; at worst, he could face utter annihilation, both body and soul.

Despite this understanding, Xiao Mo could not suppress a sigh.

When his elder brother eventually emerged from his seclusion, who could ascertain the number of years that would transpire? What emotional state would his elder brother be in upon receiving the news of their father's passing then?

Following the interment of Xiao Shi.

Xiao Mo raised a vessel of wine, pouring the Sangluo wine before the funerary stele of his father.

Behind Xiao Mo, a grand retinue of one million six hundred thousand Northern Frontier soldiers mirrored his action, pouring the Sangluo wine from their own vessels and standing in solemn reverence.

On the eighth day subsequent to the funeral rites, Xiao Mo concluded his period of filial mourning and formally assumed the administration of all Northern Frontier affairs.

This seamless transition was facilitated by the meticulous preparations Xiao Shi had undertaken prior to his demise, effectively neutralizing potential ambiguities within various organizations and clearing impediments for Xiao Mo's succession.

Consequently, these established organizations offered their full cooperation to Xiao Mo.

Upon learning of the Northern Pacification Prince's demise, both the Qi Kingdom and the Zhao Kingdom perceived an opportune moment to strike, anticipating a potential period of disarray within the Northern Frontier army. Their intention was to leverage this perceived weakness for a counteroffensive, aiming to reclaim territories previously lost. However, Xiahou Nan, Li Jing, Zhao Guang, and their counterparts had foreseen such machinations.

Not only did the Qi and Zhao kingdoms fail to regain any lost ground, but they were also ensnared in an ambush orchestrated by Xiahou Nan, Li Jing, and their associates, resulting in catastrophic losses for their armies.

For a significant duration, the Qi and Zhao kingdoms found themselves compelled into a state of renewed quiescence.

Following Xiao Mo's return to the imperial capital of the Qin Kingdom, a considerable number of individuals expressed a desire to visit the Frost Prince's Manor, offering condolences and demonstrating their solicitude. Nevertheless, Xiao Mo remained inaccessible, refusing to receive any court officials or accept any offerings.

Upon receiving news of Xiao Mo's return to the imperial capital, Qin Siyao hastened back to the Frost Prince's Manor.

Qin Siyao perceived this event as the passing of Xiao Mo's biological father, and deep concern for his emotional state consumed her. However, Xiao Mo offered only a gentle smile and a pat to her head, assuring her, "I am alright."

Yet, Qin Siyao knew Xiao Mo was far from being alright.

Despite their limited interactions, Xiao Shi was, after all, Xiao Mo's father.

How could anyone be truly fine after the loss of a parent?

This was evident in Xiao Mo's recent days of vacant staring in the courtyard. Qin Siyao felt at a loss for what to do, but each day, after attending to her mother and assisting her with her medicine, Qin Siyao would journey from the palace to the Frost Prince's Manor to remain by Xiao Mo's side.

During mealtimes, Qin Siyao would prepare and serve dishes for Xiao Mo.

In the afternoons, she would also brew tea and bake pastries for him.

If Xiao Mo found himself lost in thought within the courtyard, Qin Siyao would simply sit beside him, sharing in his quiet contemplation.

"Aren't you weary from the constant journeys between the palace and the Frost Prince's Manor each day?" Xiao Mo inquired, a smile gracing his lips as he addressed the young woman beside him.

"Not at all," Qin Siyao responded, shaking her head. "You and Mother are the people most precious to me. How could attending to those I cherish most ever be tiring? Moreover, I am your fiancée. I am destined to accompany you for all of our days."

Gazing at the woman by his side, Xiao Mo felt a subtle tremor in his heart. He slowly extended an arm, drew her into his embrace, and tenderly stroked her hair.

Qin Siyao reveled in Xiao Mo's embrace, pressing herself against him as if seeking to merge her yielding form with his very being. Her fair, delicate cheek nestled against his chest.

Xiao Mo's gaze calmly surveyed the flora of the courtyard, while Qin Siyao quietly attuned herself to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.

After a period of silence, Qin Siyao tilted her delicate face upwards, her eyes blinking at Xiao Mo. "Xiao Mo, I believe I misspoke earlier."

"In what way did you speak incorrectly?" Xiao Mo questioned.

"Did I not just state that I would accompany you for the remainder of this life? However, I've realized that a single lifetime seems insufficient. Both the paths of Daoism and Buddhism speak of reincarnation. We have countless lifetimes stretching before us." Qin Siyao's eyes blinked with earnest sincerity as she spoke.

"And so?" Xiao Mo playfully hooked a finger beneath Qin Siyao's charmingly upturned nose.

"And so, in the future, with each of your reincarnations, I shall seek you out. I will persist until you grow weary of me." Qin Siyao rested her head against Xiao Mo's shoulder, her expression one of profound seriousness.

"You will never tire of me. However, reincarnation and rebirth are not pursuits of such simplicity," Xiao Mo's lips curved into a slight, teasing smile.

"I've heard that to be reborn, one must traverse the Bridge of Forgetfulness and partake of Meng Po's soup. Upon drinking it, all memories of this life and past lives are erased. What if I forget you?"

"It matters not."

Qin Siyao pressed herself closer to Xiao Mo's chest, her voice imbued with unwavering conviction.

"It is of no consequence if you forget me. For I shall forever hold you in my memory. Even if I partake of Meng Po's soup, I will still remember you. Then, I will find you. And ultimately, I shall win your heart anew. This holds true, regardless of how many lifetimes pass, or how many times it takes."