Previously on We Agreed On Experiencing Life, So Why Did You Immortals Become Real?...
Xiao Mo meets with Minister Yan to discuss the upcoming wedding rites for two consorts. He approves the proposed titles and rituals, and gives Yan Ruxue a spirit-snake jade token. Later, Xiao Mo inspects the palaces prepared for the new consorts, noting their symmetrical placement around his own hall. He then visits Empress Dowager Yan, who informs him that she will oversee the selection of palace maids. Meanwhile, two women, Si Li and Wang Xin, learn that Xiao Mo may have reincarnated as the Zhou ruler and decide Si Li will enter the palace disguised as a maid to investigate.
‘Daughter, my dear daughter!’
Yan Zhen hurried into the courtyard of the Minister of Rites’ residence, the gates flung wide.
Yan Ruxue, engrossed in a book within the courtyard, raised her elegant chin, a smile gracing her lips. ‘Has Father encountered something delightful today? You seem exceptionally pleased.’
‘Hahaha. Indeed, one has every reason to be happy today.’
Yan Zhen settled onto a stone stool, pouring himself a cup of tea.
‘You have no idea, my child. These past days, the Ministry of Rites has been swamped with His Majesty’s wedding preparations, driving us to distraction. Your father here pored over countless ancient texts until his head felt ready to split. But today, finally, it is concluded. His Majesty reviewed it, found no fault, and your father can finally catch his breath.’
Yan Zhen chuckled as he spoke.
‘However, the most unexpected aspect... was His Majesty himself.’
‘Oh?’ Yan Ruxue moved to the stone stool beside him, her curiosity piqued. ‘What about His Majesty?’
‘How to describe it...’
Yan Zhen stroked his chin.
‘It’s as if—His Majesty’s words and actions, every gesture he makes, are imbued with a profound calmness and the refined grace of a scholar.
‘Yet, when I met His Majesty’s gaze, an inexplicable tension still settled upon me.
‘That imperial aura... even now, the mere thought sends a tremor through my heart.
‘And yet, observing his demeanor, how does His Majesty align with the court’s rumors— ‘ignorant and untalented,’ ‘foolish and incompetent’? He truly possesses the bearing of an enlightened sovereign.
‘I even found myself contemplating on the way here—if His Majesty were to truly take the reins, would Great Zhou—’
Realizing he had spoken out of turn, Yan Zhen quickly waved his hands. ‘I have said too much. Far too much. Daughter, pay no mind to any of that. Pretend you did not hear it.’
‘Rest assured, Father. Your daughter understands.’ Yan Ruxue offered a subtle smile.
‘But speaking of the past—Mother mentioned that in your younger years, Father harbored great ambitions, aiming to manage your household, govern the state, and bring peace to the realm. So why is it that now you so frequently attend poetry gatherings and spend your days wandering the countryside with learned men? Previously, when that clan-uncle suggested you join the Ministry of Personnel, you refused.’
‘Daughter, you certainly know how to touch upon a sore spot,’ Yan Zhen responded with a weary smile. ‘In the beginning, when your father first entered the court, I genuinely held such aspirations. But as for the court now...’
He paused, as if on the verge of speaking, then ultimately shook his head with a sigh. ‘Forget it. Best not to dwell on it, best not to mention it...’
‘Right. Daughter, this is for you.’
Yan Zhen carefully produced a spirit-snake jade token, presenting it to his daughter.
‘What is this?’ Yan Ruxue accepted the token, cradling it in her palms.
‘This token is a gift from His Majesty to you. This year is the Year of the Snake, hence its design,’ Yan Zhen explained with a smile.
‘Very well. Your father must depart now—there is still a banquet to attend.’ Yan Zhen stood and smoothed his robes.
‘Safe travels, Father. Please, drink in moderation.’ Yan Ruxue inclined her head in a respectful bow.
‘I know, I know. Don’t mention to your mother that your father went out for drinks, or she’ll start nagging.’ With his hands clasped behind his back, Yan Zhen exited the courtyard, his demeanor remarkably carefree.
After her father’s departure, Yan Ruxue held the jade token up towards the winter sunlight.
Bathed in the warm glow, the gently swaying token cast rippling jade luminescence.
‘Miss, this token is exquisite,’ Chunyan approached, her eyes alight with delight. It was His Majesty’s inaugural gift to her young lady.
‘It is indeed pretty.
‘And quite the coincidence.’
Leaving the residence, Yan Zhen entered a carriage bound for the Drunken Immortal Pavilion.
Leaning against the carriage’s plush cushioning, Yan Zhen lowered his head, his thoughts inevitably drifting.
Particularly his daughter’s words from earlier—they reverberated within his heart.
‘Manage the household, govern the state, bring peace to the realm...’
Yan Zhen murmured softly to himself.
After a prolonged silence, Yan Zhen let out a sudden laugh.
‘Forget it... just forget it.’
Upon concluding his midday meal with Empress Dowager Yan, Xiao Mo departed her chambers.
Xiao Mo did not return to the Hall of Nurturing the Heart immediately. Instead, he proceeded to the Platform of Inquiry into the Dao to practice his swordsmanship.
The wedding ceremony was not an immediate concern, and Xiao Mo felt he had ample time for the Book of a Hundred Lives. Consequently, he dedicated more of his current period to sword practice.
At this juncture, Xiao Mo had already ascended to the twelfth layer of the Qi Refining Realm, standing on the precipice of completion.
At that point, he could contemplate initiating Foundation Establishment.
However, a lingering question troubled Xiao Mo—once Foundation Establishment is achieved, what then?
It was not within the purview of a mortal ruler to attain Foundation Establishment.
Even with the Breath-Concealment Art to mask his cultivation, the moment he reached Foundation Establishment and honed his swordsmanship, Immortal Jiang would undoubtedly notice—her spiritual power was not something one could conceal.
As Xiao Mo pondered his predicament with a troubled heart, a delicate, fragrant breeze wafted past his senses.
Before Xiao Mo could even process his surroundings, a lithe figure, seemingly from a mythical tale, materialized directly in front of him.
Instantly, a blinding flash of sword light shot directly towards his forehead.
With primal instinct, Xiao Mo focused his resolve and drew his sword to parry the assault.
Their clashing sword Qi erupted across the Platform of Inquiry into the Dao without respite, yet the woman's sword Qi possessed a far greater purity than Xiao Mo's.
After precisely ten exchanges, the woman's brow furrowed in concentration. She detected an opening in Xiao Mo's defense and skillfully deflected his blade.
In the span of a single breath, the woman's sword tip was already poised at Xiao Mo's throat.
“My sincere gratitude for the tutelage, Jiang Qingyi,” Xiao Mo conceded with a bow.
“Hmph.” Jiang Qingyi coolly sheathed her sword and turned away, her voice laced with displeasure. “The Dao of the Sword is embodied by the word ‘sharp’—it cherishes decisiveness and clean, swift movements. What was amiss with Your Majesty today? Every strike carried an inexplicable hesitation, like a severed root still clinging to silken threads, reluctant to let go.”
Xiao Mo offered a gentle smile, shaking his head as he fabricated a reason. “I have finally reached the twelfth layer of my cultivation, and reaching Foundation Establishment is inherently challenging. Moreover, I remain a mortal ruler. Lately, my thoughts have been consumed by a singular question: how am I to overcome this formidable bottleneck?”
Jiang Qingyi playfully rolled her eyes at Xiao Mo.
“As I have stated before.
“Your Majesty embarked on this cultivation journey merely a year ago, and I have been your sword practice instructor for but half that time. Yet, you have already achieved the twelfth layer of the Qi Refining Realm. This achievement alone speaks volumes of Your Majesty’s inherent talent.
“However, since the era of Ancient Qin, the destiny of rulers has been largely unfulfilled. Bound by the immutable laws of heaven and earth, it is exceedingly arduous for a ruler to ascend to Foundation Establishment. This predicament is not a reflection of Your Majesty’s shortcomings.
“Should Your Majesty genuinely aspire to attain greatness on the path of cultivation, your only viable recourse is to accompany me to the MYRIAD SWORDS SECT; only then can proper progress be made.”
Xiao Mo courteously demurred, “Perhaps we can discuss this at a later time.”
“I truly fail to comprehend what makes this place so appealing,” Jiang Qingyi stated, her irritation palpable. “Your Majesty should contemplate this matter with utmost seriousness. A sword immortal experiences a freedom far surpassing that of any ruler.”
With her declaration, Jiang Qingyi, her sword in hand, effortlessly vaulted over the high courtyard wall and departed from the Platform of Inquiry into the Dao.
“Your Highness the Princess, entry is forbidden. His Majesty is currently in cultivation!”
“Your Highness the Princess, I implore you, do not place this old servant in such a difficult position!”
Just as Jiang Qingyi made her exit, Wei Xun’s voice echoed from outside the gates of the Platform of Inquiry into the Dao—his tone strained, bordering on a desperate plea.
Following this, a cheerful, vibrant shout pierced the air.
“Your Majesty Brother… Mujiu has arrived to play with you! Your Majesty Brother!”
