We Agreed On Experiencing Life, So Why Did You Immortals Become Real? Chapter 411: You Clearly Promised Me. You Promised

The azure sky welcomed the arrival of spring. Winter had bid farewell, and migratory birds returned, filling the city's treetops with their cheerful chirps. As the days grew warmer, the clamor of shopkeepers at their doorways intensified. In the bustling pleasure quarters, women once again donned their light, cool attire. Carriages crisscrossed the streets, and many young noblewomen, accompanied by their children, ventured beyond the city walls for leisurely spring strolls. Amidst this burgeoning season, children raced through the streets, their joyful shouts echoing:

“Victory report! Victory report!”

“Canghai Pass plains—Qi’s forces defeated! The King of Qi is slain!”

“A grand triumph for Qin!!!”

“A grand triumph for Qin!!!”

In Qin, these youngsters were known as “town criers.” When significant joyous events occurred, the court would dispatch them to disseminate the news throughout the city, ensuring its rapid spread. However, the messages these town criers delivered were always carefully selected by the court, favoring auspicious tidings over ill omens.

“Lad! What was that you just yelled?”

A robust butcher seized a town crier’s wrist, his voice laced with excitement. “The battle at Canghai Pass—Qin’s army achieved a magnificent victory! Qi is finished!”

“And that Zhao State, whatever-its-name-was, is finished too. The King of Zhao is preparing to capitulate.”

“Uncle, please release me—I must continue spreading the word.”

With that, the town crier slipped from the butcher’s now-loosened grip and hurried onward, his voice soaring: “A grand triumph for Qin! Qi has fallen! Zhao surrenders!”

“A grand triumph for Qin! Qi has fallen! Zhao surrenders!”

The butcher gazed, dumbfounded, at the receding figure, struggling to process the news. The State of Qi… The State of Zhao… Had they truly fallen? The world of myriad arts… Was it finally being unified…?

….

Within the residence of the Commandant of the Palace Guards.

Lian Li, who held command over the imperial guards as the Commandant, fixed her gaze upon the battle report clutched in her hands. The document detailed the unfolding of the conflict on the Canghai Pass plains. Casualties on both sides at Canghai Pass had been devastatingly severe, to the point where it seemed both armies were destined for mutual annihilation. Ultimately, the King of Qi initiated the formation, and the Frost King entered it. The King of Qi met his end. Qin achieved a hard-won victory over Qi. The Qin army breached Canghai Pass and advanced directly towards the imperial palace. Qi’s generals and feudal lords, recognizing the shift in momentum, surrendered to Qin sequentially. Thus, Qi succumbed. Upon receiving this intelligence, the King of Zhao’s eyes rolled back, and he collapsed on the spot. Upon regaining consciousness, the King of Zhao understood the futility of continued resistance; it would only result in further bloodshed. Yet, he also knew that his past actions—colluding with the demon race to interfere in the world of myriad arts—constituted an egregious taboo, a capital offense. The King of Zhao penned a letter of surrender, accepted full responsibility, then abdicated the throne to the crown prince, commanding him to lead Zhao in its submission. As for the King of Zhao himself—he ended his own life atop the throne. For Qin, it marked a conclusive triumph. After millennia of discord, the world of myriad arts stood on the precipice of unification. However, as Lian Li surveyed this victory report, delivered via a flying-sword missive from Huanglou... she found not a trace of elation. Her eyes remained fixed on the final six words of the report, her mind utterly blank. She attempted to rise, but it felt as if all strength had leached from her body, causing her to slump back into her seat. Bracing herself on the desk, Lian Li finally managed to stand. She walked slowly outside, eventually leaning against the threshold before sinking to her knees. “How is this possible…” “How can this be…”

….

Concurrently, the majority of court officials learned of the engagement beyond Canghai Pass through clandestine channels. Unlike the town criers, restricted to proclaiming only favorable news, these officials received comprehensive reports. Yet, upon perusing the documents, they questioned their veracity. After cross-referencing with multiple sources, however, they were compelled to concede—this report… was genuine…

“Teacher… what course of action should we take now?”

An official named Zhang Qin approached Chancellor Li’s estate, his spirits heavy. Qi had capitulated. Only a fractured Chu remained, and Chu had already submitted its terms of surrender. The realm’s unification was sealed. Yet, despite everything, he could not muster any joy… Li Ge shook his head. “We do nothing. We simply await His Majesty’s decree.”

“But can His Majesty… truly endure this?” Zhang Qin inquired. Li Ge offered no reply. He merely gazed towards the imperial palace, exhaling a long, deep sigh.

….

The imperial palace of Qin.

A woman was seated upon the Observing-Heaven Tower.

By her side, the drum mallets lay shattered.

For four full days, the woman remained atop the Observing-Heaven Tower, lost in a stupor.

Her tears had long since dried, and she remained utterly motionless, like a divine sculpture...

“Tap, tap, tap...”

Footsteps echoed from the entrance of the Observing-Heaven Tower's stairway.

Huasheng ascended the steps, arriving beside the woman.

“Your Majesty, this is the battle report dispatched from the front lines,” Huasheng observed the girl she had watched mature, her heart aching. “Would you… like to see it…?”

Huasheng’s words hung in the air, yet Qin Siyao offered no reply.

Upon the Observing-Heaven Tower, only the gusting wind could be heard.

After a significant pause, Qin Siyao’s lips finally parted, her voice emerging hoarse and heart-wrenching.

“My husband… he’s gone… isn’t he…”

Hearing Qin Siyao’s somber question, Huasheng pressed her lips together before giving a slow nod.

“The Qin army and the Qi army engaged in a brutal conflict for two days and two nights, resulting in losses exceeding half for both sides.

“The ruler of Qi personally led the formation, channeling dynastic fortune to launch a final, desperate assault.

“Young Master spearheaded the charge into the formation, shattering it and aiming to strike down the King of Qi.

“The King of Qi was indeed slain by Young Master.

“However, Young Master sustained grievous wounds, his life-flame flickering precariously.

“Witnessing this, Flowing-Flame State and Creek-Valley State realized the situation was untenable. Two Immortal Realm cultivators presented the immortal weapon, Soul-Shattering Jade, intending to harness the battlefield’s blood Qi to refine a formation array – aiming to annihilate our entire Qin army and sever Qin’s dynastic fortune.

“Young Master, along with upper-realm cultivators, once again breached the formation.

“In the end… the formation was broken, and all the demon-race cultivators were annihilated. Not a single one survived.

“Immortal Realm retainers Bai Wei and Xing Can, along with Jade-Polished Realm retainers Tian Ya, Chen Yiran, and Wu Bowei—all perished in the battle.

“Young Master…

“Not a fragment remained.”

Once Huasheng concluded her report, Qin Siyao gripped her skirt so tightly her knuckles turned white, her face utterly devoid of color.

Following another prolonged silence, Qin Siyao finally spoke, her voice soft. “I understand… Sister Huasheng, please leave for now. I shall remain here a while longer. Ensure my mother-in-law remains unaware of this.”

“Yes… Your Majesty…”

Huasheng bowed and exited the Observing-Heaven Tower.

[Husband, promise me you won’t leave me, okay…?]

[Husband, I’ll dance for you forever—you’re not allowed to get tired of it!]

[When you return, we shall wed.]

[Husband, you will definitely come back, right…?]

After Huasheng’s departure, Qin Siyao drew her legs up, embracing her knees with her arms.

Images from the past played endlessly in the woman’s mind.

She pulled her knees even closer, burying her face within them. Her shoulders shook uncontrollably as she sobbed with raw grief:

“You clearly gave me your word.”

“You promised…”

“Liar…”

“Such a big liar…”