We Agreed On Experiencing Life, So Why Did You Immortals Become Real? Chapter 416: Until She Turned Around and Kept Walking

The day after the three imperial edicts were issued, a complex mix of emotions swirled through the imperial court and among the common folk upon learning of the sovereign's abdication in favor of the crown prince.

Despite widespread public pleas for Qin Siyao to reconsider, not a single official dared to voice remonstrance.

These ministers understood that Her Majesty had leveraged the Qin dynasty's destiny to create the three imperial edicts, binding them to the Great Dao, making them irrevocable.

Seven days later, a grand ceremony unfolded within the Qin imperial palace, where Qin Siyao formally passed the throne to Qin Lan'er, adhering strictly to all rites and procedures.

The morning following the ceremony, Qin Siyao donned simple attire and departed the imperial palace discreetly.

As she walked out of the imperial capital, Qin Siyao cast a glance back at the city gates, uncertainty clouding her thoughts about a potential return.

Perhaps, she mused, she might never set foot here again.

Huasheng, standing nearby, inquired, “Miss, are you truly not going to bid farewell to Lan’er?”

Sipping her tea, Qin Siyao shook her head. “There’s no need. Lan’er knows I'm departing—she would insist on seeing me off, and then she'd dissolve into tears. She is now the ruler of Great Qin; it wouldn't be fitting if she were still weeping.”

Her gaze shifted back to Huasheng. “Speaking of which… Huasheng, you are returning to your clan, aren't you?”

“Mhm.”

Huasheng nodded affirmatively.

“This servant once pledged to a Qin ancestor that I would serve as Qin’s honored protector.

“Firstly, because the Qin dynasty's fortune aided this servant's cultivation.

“Secondly, because I shared a close friendship with that ancestor's empress.

“Therefore, I agreed to remain in the palace.

“Truthfully, after your imperial father took the throne, this servant could have departed.

“However, upon your birth, Miss, Heaven and Earth exhibited an anomaly.

“Curiosity compelled this servant to remain—intending to stay by your side and observe.

“And the more time I spent with you, Miss, the more I found you to be truly pure and endearing.”

As Huasheng spoke, a soft sigh escaped her lips, her eyes reflecting both helplessness and a hint of displeasure.

“Now that Miss intends to journey the world in search of Young Master, this servant genuinely wished to accompany you. But circumstances arose within the clan. The clan chief insisted that the clan had forgiven me, and lamented that my mother's health was deteriorating. Thus, I have no choice but to return to the demon-race world.”

“I understand,” Qin Siyao replied, nodding. “Then, Huasheng, please return as swiftly as possible. And convey my regards to Aunt; I wish her a swift recovery and enduring peace and health.”

“Miss… will you truly be alright on your own?” Huasheng tilted her head, her worry palpable.

Qin Siyao offered a faint smile and a shake of her head. “I grew up within the palace and have not traveled extensively. However, my husband… he has fought numerous campaigns since his youth, traversing both the south and north.

“I am going to find my husband, yes—but I also wish to witness this world.

“To behold the prosperous era my husband forged.

“To visit the places my husband once tread.”

Huasheng sighed once more. “Upon my return to the clan, this servant will enlist our clansmen to assist in the search alongside you, Miss. And in the future, should the clan encounter anyone surnamed Xiao—provided that person possesses an upright heart and righteous spirit—if we are able to offer aid, my Vermilion Bird clan will extend our support.”

“Thank you, Huasheng,” Qin Siyao said, inclining her head slightly.

“Miss, there is no need for such formality,” Huasheng replied, her gaze lingering on the woman before her, a sense of reluctance to part evident. “This servant… must depart now.”

“Mhm. Until we meet again.”

“Until we meet again.”

With a flash of movement, Huasheng’s form transformed, and a crimson vermilion bird ascended into the sky beyond the imperial capital. It left an exceptionally long trail of flame in its wake, painting the clouds red as it soared into the distance.

Only after Huasheng vanished beyond the horizon did Qin Siyao retract her gaze.

From within her robes, the woman retrieved a small clay figurine, a slight smile gracing her lips as she examined it.

She then carefully put the figurine away, lifted her head, and continued her journey, her small feet carrying her forward beneath her skirt.

She was determined to see it with her own eyes.

To witness this human world.

She traversed town after town, dispelling malevolent forces and wickedness from ordinary households.

The grateful people began to call her an immortal lady.

She journeyed through village after village, offering assistance to expectant mothers in childbirth.

With both mother and child safe, those families hailed her as a bodhisattva.

In streets and alleys, she established academies for children.

Both boys and girls were given the opportunity to study.

The tuition was a mere coin, yet the knowledge she imparted was worth more than a thousand pieces of gold compared to the teachings of common scholars.

She also founded one or two medical halls.

Treatments were affordable, and her demands were minimal.

Every medical hall established for a single month found itself inundated with people, packed to the brim.

The city's inhabitants were all aware—

A compassionate young woman had graced their town, and her remedies were nothing short of extraordinary.

And even more striking than her wondrous medicine… was her breathtaking beauty.

She traversed one mountain range after another.

Wherever her path led, the spirits of the mountains and rivers kept a respectful distance, bowing low and not daring to approach.

She had encountered both fiends and phantoms.

And she had also witnessed hearts far more terrifying than those of demons and monsters.

She found solace in sitting alone by the river's edge, her gaze lost in the distant horizon.

When scholars from «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t», en route to their civil examinations, caught sight of her, they mistook her for an immortal who had descended to the mortal realm.

They spoke of having seen a celestial being by the riverside.

She journeyed to the Great Wall, spanning ten thousand li, and there, she vanquished a formidable great demon.

A collective gasp of astonishment rippled through the crowd.

Yet, her name remained a mystery to all. They knew only that this woman of unparalleled gentleness wore a mask—and beneath the ancient ramparts, her combat against foes resembled a graceful dance.

She embarked upon a modest skiff, allowing the current to carry her downstream, adrift towards the unknown expanse.

Flood dragons parted ways for her, and river gods acted as her escort.

Silently, the boatman marveled to himself—why did the river seem so remarkably tranquil and easy to navigate today compared to its usual state?

As night descended, she wandered through the mountain forests alone, observing the swarm of fireflies illuminating the sky, appearing as if a fragment of the starry cosmos had fallen into the human world.

Ten years.

A hundred years.

A thousand years.

Ten thousand years.

As the mountain sects underwent repeated transformations.

As the constellations shifted countless times.

As the vast seas gave way to fertile fields.

She continued her journey amongst the mortals.

Every location he had once frequented.

Every path he had once trod.

She retraced them all.

Thirty thousand years had elapsed. Due to the repercussions of three imperial edicts, the backlash from the laws of Heaven prevented her from ever ascending, and her existence was drawing to a close.

Despite this, she still appeared no older than twenty.

Only her raven-black hair had been bleached white by the relentless passage of time.

It was a day of heavy snowfall.

Clad in a simple gown, she walked alone through the secluded mountain woods.

Her embroidered shoes, adorned with cloud patterns, left a trail of small, neat imprints upon the mountain paths.

Xiao Mo followed in her wake.

Thirty thousand years had passed.

She was in search of him.

He was by her side, accompanying her.

[The Book of a Hundred Lives: Fifth-life reward calculation concluded. Host will soon depart the River of Time. Please prepare.

Ten.

Nine.

Eight.]

As the Book of a Hundred Lives resonated within Xiao Mo's mind, he came to a halt.

Standing motionless amidst the falling snow, he gazed out—watching that slender figure recede further and further into the distance.

[Three]

[Two]

"Siyao."

"I…"

"am leaving."

With the final utterance from the Book of a Hundred Lives fading into silence.

A chilling wind, laden with white snow, swept through the dense mountain forest.

The woman paused mid-stride. She whirled around abruptly, casting her gaze back towards where she had come.

But the path behind her… held nothing at all.

She stood there, staring for a prolonged period—

Until the soft snow began to accumulate upon her hair and shoulders.

Until she released a warm, visible breath.

Until she drew forth from the folds of her robes an asura mask, bearing the stains of blood.

Until she lowered her head and donned the mask.

Until she turned once more.

And resumed her forward journey.