We Agreed On Experiencing Life, So Why Did You Immortals Become Real? Chapter 623: He Is the Road I Mean to Walk, So Why Would I Need to Step Onto the Immortal Path?

After the Four Seas delegation arrived in Great Zhou’s imperial capital, three days passed before anyone quite noticed.

Over those three days, “Lord of the Four Seas” Sizhu frequently entered the palace to settle the details of cooperation between Zhou and the Four Seas with Xiao Mo.

But Zhou was a small state. It had nothing to offer the Four Seas at all. Rather than calling it cooperation, it was more like the Four Seas giving Zhou benefits.

The Four Seas’ generosity was so great that even Xiao Mo found it unbelievable.

For example, the Four Seas agreed to send envoys to select promising children among Zhou’s people who had the aptitude for cultivation and send them to the Four Seas’ sects to practice. Once their cultivation achieved some success, they would return to Zhou and protect the state for at least a hundred years. They could even be given priority to become Zhou’s official guest cultivators, after which they could choose of their own will whether to continue staying in Zhou or return to their sects.

For another example, the Four Seas agreed to provide money, manpower, and resources to help Zhou rebuild its border cities, reclaim desolate land, dredge and improve river channels, and better the people’s livelihood.

For yet another example, after the Four Seas and Zhou formed a deep alliance, the Four Seas could help take responsibility for Zhou’s national defense. If anyone attacked Zhou, the Four Seas would certainly take action, while Zhou could stand on equal footing with the Four Seas and would not need to offer tribute at all.

In addition, the Four Seas also agreed to send Zhou one million taels of gold every year.

Faced with all these terms, if the other party had not truly been the Lord of the Four Seas, Xiao Mo would have suspected she was running a scam.

Anyone who did not know better would think Zhou had conquered the Four Seas and forced them to sign some humiliating treaty that surrendered their rights and shamed their realm.

How was the other party cooperating with him? This was practically poverty relief.

Although the other side repeatedly said they valued Zhou’s potential and believed Zhou was certain to accomplish something great in the future, Xiao Mo still felt that something was wrong.

Nor did Xiao Mo immediately agree to sign the alliance pact.

For one thing, he did not trust the Four Seas that much.

Secondly, Zhou was currently still a subordinate power of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect. If Zhou signed an equal pact with the Four Seas, it would have to separate itself from the Ten Thousand Swords Sect.

At the very least, Zhou had to dissolve its subordinate relationship with the Ten Thousand Swords Sect in writing. This concerned Zhou’s reputation, and it was also a matter of giving the Ten Thousand Swords Sect face.

“Our Four Seas know what Your Majesty is worried about. Please rest assured, Your Majesty. If Your Majesty agrees to sign an alliance pact with us, we will handle the Ten Thousand Swords Sect ourselves. Your Majesty only needs to decide whether to nod.”

Sizhu looked at Xiao Mo with a smile.

In Sizhu’s view, with such generous terms, and with the Four Seas as a backer besides, even the Ten Great Dynasties of the human race would not refuse, let alone a small Zhou.

“The terms offered by the Four Seas have indeed exceeded my imagination.” Xiao Mo smiled and shook his head. “However, this matter is of great importance. I still need to discuss it with the other ministers. I hope the Dragon Lord will give me some time.”

“Very well. There is no need to rush.” Sizhu nodded. “Then I will wait for Your Majesty’s reply.”

Sizhu did not know what this ruler of Zhou still needed to discuss, but she did not press him, nor did she dare to press him. In any case, in her view, it was only a matter of time before the ruler of Zhou agreed to ally with the Four Seas.

While Sizhu was entering the imperial palace, Yan Shuang was wandering through the imperial capital.

Looking at the place where she had lived as a child, Yan Shuang felt an inexplicable sense of closeness in her heart.

As she walked, Yan Shuang somehow arrived at the Yan Residence.

“Fairy Yan Shuang?”

Yan Zhen was off duty today and had gone on an outing with his wife.

As a result, just as Yan Zhen returned with his wife, he saw Yan Shuang standing before his residence and felt rather surprised.

“Greetings, Chancellor Yan, First Madam.” Yan Shuang gave a coolly detached bow, as though her face had never held much expression from beginning to end.

“Has Fairy come here for some matter?” Yan Zhen asked with a smile.

In truth, Yan Zhen did not know why, but from the very first moment he saw this woman, he had felt a sense of closeness toward her.

“I was strolling through the imperial capital, looking at Great Zhou’s scenery, customs, and people. As I walked, I arrived here. I hope I have not disturbed the chancellor and First Madam,” Yan Shuang said slowly.

“How could you?” Madam Yan stepped forward with a smile. “Since Fairy has come to my Yan Residence, that means you and I are bound by fate. I made some osmanthus cake this morning and originally planned to send it into the palace later. It happens that you have come, Miss. May I ask whether you would be willing to do me the honor of tasting some?”

“This...” Yan Shuang hesitated somewhat.

“Fairy need not force yourself. My wife is simply like this, rather warmhearted.”

As he spoke, Yan Zhen took his wife by the wrist, his tone carrying a slight reproach.

“Fairy is the junior sister of the Lord of the Four Seas. What osmanthus cake has she not eaten before? Would she take a fancy to what you made? And she is here as an envoy to Zhou. She must be very busy.”

“What is wrong with what I made? What I made is delicious! Besides, Fairy already said she is only strolling around today, so how is she busy?” Madam Yan puffed out her cheeks, unhappy.

“It is no trouble...” In the end, Yan Shuang raised her head and looked at Yan Zhen and his wife. “Since that is the case, I will impose on you.”

“You are not imposing, not imposing at all.” Madam Yan warmly took Yan Shuang’s small hand. “Fairy, please come inside. I do not know why, but the moment I saw Fairy, I felt close to you.”

Yan Shuang did not answer. She merely lowered her delicate head, looking somewhat shy.

After entering the residence, Yan Shuang looked at every blade of grass and every tree, and her heart found them all the more familiar.

Madam Yan brought Yan Shuang to the main hall and had her sit down, then chatted with her about matters concerning the Four Seas Dragon Palace. She asked whether the Four Seas Dragon Palace had an ocean-stabilizing divine needle, whether all demons could transform, and how large the Dragon Palace was.

Although Yan Shuang’s every word was extremely cool and detached, and although she even maintained a slight distance, she answered everything Madam Yan asked without holding anything back, and answered very seriously.

Yan Zhen watched from the side. He wanted to find an opening to discuss matters between the two states with the other party and see whether he could indirectly sound out some useful information.

In the end, his wife and the other party were chatting so happily that he was too embarrassed to interrupt.

“Master, Madam, Young Lady has returned to the residence...”

Just as Yan Zhen and his wife were happily chatting with Yan Shuang, a maidservant ran in.

“Eh? Ruxue has returned?” A bright light flashed through Madam Yan’s eyes.

At the same time, Yan Shuang could not help standing, her eyes filled with reverence. She looked distinctly ill at ease.

Yan Shuang’s reaction was naturally seen by Yan Zhen.

“Father, Mother, your daughter has returned.” Before long, Yan Ruxue entered the main hall. Then she looked at Yan Shuang, who was standing off to the side, pretended not to know her, and smiled. “And this is?”

“Daughter, this is an envoy from the Four Seas, Fairy Yan Shuang.” Madam Yan introduced the two of them. “Fairy Yan, Ruxue is my daughter and also His Majesty’s consort. She was granted the title Consort Xue.”

“Ruxue greets Fairy.” Yan Ruxue dipped in greeting.

Seeing Her Majesty bow to her, Yan Shuang was startled and was about to drop to one knee, but after Yan Ruxue glanced at her, Yan Shuang calmed herself and returned the courtesy with composure.

“Yan Shuang greets Your Highness Consort Xue. I have long heard that Your Highness Consort Xue is both talented and beautiful, the foremost beauty of Zhou and its foremost talented woman as well. Seeing you today, you are indeed extraordinary.”

“Fairy Yan is too kind. Fairy possesses a transcendent bearing and is even more beautiful.” Yan Ruxue smiled.

Hearing the other party’s praise, Yan Shuang only lowered her head.

Yan Zhen looked at his daughter and this Fairy Yan Shuang and kept feeling something strange.

How should he put it?

The atmosphere between the two of them was like the way he faced His Majesty, revealing caution in every detail.

“Ruxue, Fairy, do not keep being courteous with each other. Sit, sit, and have some pastries.”

Madam Yan, however, did not care about any of that.

She only pulled her daughter down to sit, chatting with her as well and asking what had happened in the palace.

Yan Ruxue answered calmly, still saying similar things as usual, reassuring her parents.

Yan Shuang listened from the side, her delicate head lowered, her expression even carrying a trace of nervousness.

About an hour later, Yan Ruxue stood and dipped in greeting to her parents. “Father, Mother, your daughter still has matters to attend to in the palace. I will not eat at home today.”

Hearing that Yan Ruxue was leaving, Yan Shuang also stood and took her leave. “Chancellor Yan, First Madam, I also have some matters to handle, so I will take my leave first. Many thanks for your hospitality today.”

“Eh? You are leaving so soon... All right... Fairy Yan Shuang, you may come to the Yan Residence at any time.”

Madam Yan’s eyes carried a bit of reluctance. She still wanted to chat with the other party a while longer.

In the end, after the group exchanged a few more polite words, Yan Zhen and his wife saw Yan Ruxue and Yan Shuang out of the residence.

Yan Ruxue said she could give Yan Shuang a ride, and the two of them boarded the carriage together as it gradually drove away.

“Husband, do you have this feeling?” Madam Yan watched the carriage disappear down the street and asked. “I keep feeling that this Fairy Yan Shuang is someone I have seen somewhere before. I simply feel very close to her.”

“Yes, I have that feeling as well.” Yan Zhen nodded.

“And Husband, did you notice?”

Madam Yan turned and continued.

“When Fairy Yan Shuang saw me just now, before Husband had even introduced me, she decided that I was your First Madam. It was as though she already knew me.”

“Could you be overthinking it, Madam?” Yan Zhen smiled. “After all, is it not very normal for you and me to stand together?”

“Then why did she not think I was your concubine? She directly called me First Madam.” Madam Yan pouted.

“......”

Hearing his wife’s words, Yan Zhen did not know how to explain. He only looked into the distance, his gaze growing increasingly deep.

......

“Disciple asks Your Majesty to punish her for what happened today.”

Inside the carriage, after the maidservant Spring Swallow “fell asleep,” Yan Shuang respectfully dipped in greeting to Yan Ruxue.

Yan Ruxue glanced at Yan Shuang and said calmly, “What did you do wrong? Why would I need to punish you?”

“Disciple has already stepped onto the immortal path and should have severed the mortal world, but I went to the Yan Residence and allowed my dao heart to be moved. Disciple has failed Your Majesty’s trust!” Yan Shuang said in self-reproach.

“Does stepping onto the immortal path mean one should sever the mortal world?” Yan Ruxue looked at Yan Shuang with a smile. “Who told you that? I have never taught you such a thing, have I?”

“This...”

For a moment, Yan Shuang did not know how to explain.

Because Master truly had never taught her that one had to sever the mortal world after stepping onto the immortal path.

But many Daoist texts were written that way.

Moreover, the rules of the cultivation world were almost all like this. Everyone did the same, and it had practically become an unspoken rule.

Because severing the ties of the mortal world could lighten karma and stabilize one’s dao heart. Whether for future cultivation or future tribulations, it offered certain benefits.

“Yan Shuang, your natural foundation is good, and your character is good as well. You and I are bound by fate too. Otherwise, when I saved you from the river back then, I would not have accepted you as my disciple. On ordinary days, you are also diligent in your cultivation.”

Yan Ruxue spoke slowly, her words earnest and heartfelt.

“But Shuang’er, you are rather like my younger sister Xiaoqing. You can be a little stubborn. What does the so-called immortal path have to do with the so-called severing of the mortal world? If one refuses to even acknowledge the road one came from, how can one know how to walk the road ahead? What meaning would such an immortal path have?”

“Disciple... does not quite understand...” Yan Shuang’s eyes held confusion.

“If you do not understand, then think on it slowly.”

Yan Ruxue smiled faintly.

“When you think it through one day, we can speak of it then. Also, you may acknowledge your parents at any time. Do not worry. It will not affect my plan. You only need to do what you want to do.”

“Yes... Your Majesty...”

Yan Shuang nodded.

But very soon, Yan Shuang raised her head and looked at Yan Ruxue, wanting to speak yet hesitating.

“Your Majesty, may Disciple ask Your Majesty a question?” In the end, Yan Shuang could not hold back and asked.

“Ask,” Yan Ruxue said gently.

“On Your Majesty’s road to immortality, did Your Majesty also encounter an important person? And was that person only a mortal, unable to step onto the path of cultivation?” Yan Shuang pinched the hem of her skirt and raised her head, looking seriously at the master beside her.

“Yes,” Yan Ruxue answered.

“Who was that person? Were they Your Majesty’s parents?”

Yan Shuang straightened her slender waist, her eyes filled with curiosity.

In Yan Shuang’s heart, Master’s road to immortality ought to have been free of attachments, killing gods if gods blocked her and killing Buddhas if Buddhas blocked her.

She had never expected that Master’s road to immortality had also contained the mortal world.

“Him... He was not my parents. He was a scholar.” The corners of Yan Ruxue’s beautiful mouth lifted slightly, like a crescent moon.

“A scholar?” Doubt arose in Yan Shuang’s heart.

“Mm.” Yan Ruxue continued, “He and I knew each other from childhood. We lived together in a tiny village. Later, a Daoist master from an immortal sect found me and said my talent was extremely good, that I could step onto the immortal path.”

“Then, Your Majesty, when he knew you could cultivate, and that your talent was so high, what did he do?”

Yan Shuang asked carefully.

In her view, the story might not have had a very good ending.

After all, when a close friend one spent every day with could ascend the immortal path while one remained only a mortal, the gap between them could very likely draw out some darker parts of human nature.

“That foolish scholar...” A trace of reminiscence flashed through Yan Ruxue’s eyes. “He said he did not want to hold me back. He wanted to return to the dust and send me onto the immortal path.”

Yan Shuang felt somewhat surprised and continued asking, “Then did Your Majesty leave with that Daoist master at the time?”

“As if I would go with that Daoist master.” Yan Ruxue smiled faintly.

“Why?” Yan Shuang did not understand.

“Silly girl.”

Yan Ruxue flicked Yan Shuang’s forehead, her eyes flashing with a tenderness that words could hardly describe.

“He was the road I meant to walk, so why would I need to step onto the immortal path?”

......

......

[The realm for Ning Wei was wrong before. Ning Wei’s current realm is perfected completion of the Nascent Soul Realm. I remembered it incorrectly. Sorry, sorry. It has already been corrected.]