We Agreed On Experiencing Life, So Why Did You Immortals Become Real?-Chapter 396: We Welcome the Northern Pacification King!

Xiao Shi and Xiao Mo left the Qin imperial capital and headed for the Northern Wasteland.

Xiao Mo didn’t know what his father intended to do by bringing him there.

Whenever Xiao Mo asked, Xiao Shi always said, “You’ll know when we get there.”

Half a month later.

Xiao Mo entered the prefectural seat of Northern [N O V E L I G H T] Wasteland Prefecture—Wasteland City.

It was already winter. Goose-feather snow poured from the sky.

Compared to snow days in the Qin imperial capital, the blizzard here in the Northern Wasteland seemed even rougher, more unrestrained.

And as the saying goes, the land raises the people. The commoners in Wasteland City seemed as bold and open as the Northern Wasteland snow itself.

Most of the people in the city were tall, their physiques sturdier and thicker-set.

“Young master, won’t you come have some fun...?”

“Honored guest, please come in.”

“Let me tell you about Frost King Xiao Mo—he’s our prince’s third young master. I saw him with my own eyes, spear in hand...”

“Sangluo wine, the finest sangluo wine! Fifteen coins a jin! Sangluo wine strong enough, absolutely strong enough!”

The calls of courtesans soliciting customers, the shouts from taverns and inns, the storyteller’s voice, and the wine-shop owner praising his own wares all mixed together.

Ordinary as it was, for some reason it gave people an even stronger sense of the rivers-and-lakes.

And along both sides of the street, the most common sight was wine shops.

After all, the Northern Wasteland was desolate. Only wine was fierce enough—and the most famous of all was sangluo wine.

Besides that, in Wasteland City, whether man or woman, most wore blades and swords.

Xiao Mo had long heard that Wasteland City loved martial prowess, and that most people also loved to drink.

Seeing it now, it was indeed so.

In the roadside wine shops, nearly a third of those seated were women, carrying a distinct air of heroine-style boldness.

And among the Northern Wasteland’s traditional women’s attire was a skirt called the “Northern Wasteland skirt,”

A Northern Wasteland skirt, if worn in the Qin imperial capital, would be considered indecent attire. But here, it was entirely ordinary.

The skirt was slit below, though most women wore under-shorts that reached to the top of the thigh. It made the skirt fitted and convenient.

Northern Wasteland women also tended to have long legs.

So with each step, one could glimpse pale, delicate long legs beneath the skirt, extremely eye-catching.

Before long, the carriage stopped at the gates of the Northern Pacification King’s residence.

Xiao Mo and Xiao Shi got down together and entered the Northern Pacification King’s residence.

The moment Xiao Mo stepped inside, he saw attendants and maids standing on both sides, calling in unison, “We welcome the prince.”

Looking at them, Xiao Mo realized they were all martial cultivators, and some of them were at no low realm.

“Mhm.” Xiao Shi nodded and said to everyone, “From today on, Third Young Master Xiao Mo is your new master. From now on, his words are this prince’s words. Do you understand?”

“Yes, Prince!” After answering, the attendants and maids again called out in unison, “We welcome the young master!”

“Qiu Wen.”

Xiao Shi called out.

“This servant is here.”

A moment later, a maid stepped forward.

This maid was stunningly beautiful. In Xiao Mo’s eyes, she was second only to Qin Siyao—on the level of Jin Eldest Imperial Princess Ji Yue.

And her figure was astonishingly exaggerated. Even though she wore a misty-rain, clear-stream maid’s dress, her chest still looked as if it might tear the fabric apart.

“Qiu Wen, from today on, you belong to Third Young Master,” Xiao Shi said. “Do you understand?”

A flicker of surprise passed through the maid Qiu Wen’s eyes, but she still nodded. “Understood, Prince.”

Xiao Shi turned back again and said to Xiao Mo:

“Xiao Mo, these next few days, rest here in the Northern Pacification King’s residence. If there’s anything you need in the residence, tell Qiu Wen.

From today on, Qiu Wen is yours. She is pure—you may do whatever you wish with her.

Many things you don’t understand, Qiu Wen understands. She’ll tell you, slowly.”

“Yes, Father.”

Xiao Mo nodded, then glanced at Qiu Wen.

A woman like this—her bone age should be only around fifty, yet her realm had already reached the Nascent Soul Realm.

Such a woman, in any dynasty or sect, would be cherished and held in the palm.

In Xiao Mo’s view, she was absolutely not as simple as a maid.

“Alright. I still have things to handle, so I won’t keep you company.” Xiao Shi patted Xiao Mo’s shoulder. “When I’ve prepared everything, I’ll come get you.”

With that, Xiao Shi said no more and turned to leave the residence.

Very soon, the attendants and maids all dispersed.

Qiu Wen stepped forward and smiled. “Master, please follow Qiu Wen.”

“Thank you, miss.” Xiao Mo followed Qiu Wen toward the rear courtyard of the residence.

The Northern Wasteland’s Northern Pacification King’s residence was about the same size and layout as the Prince Xiao residence in the Qin imperial capital, only more plain.

There were no extravagant decorations inside, and even less were there any precious spiritual flowers or grasses.

If he had to choose between the Northern Pacification King’s residence and the Prince Xiao residence, Xiao Mo preferred the Northern Wasteland’s Northern Pacification King’s residence.

Qiu Wen, leading the way, glanced at Xiao Mo. As if she had guessed what he was thinking, she smiled and said:

“There are no wives or concubines living in the Northern Pacification King’s residence. In comparison, quite a few Northern Wasteland generals lodge here.

So this Northern Wasteland residence has many courtyards that belong to those generals.

For example, there’s General Fang Weiming’s courtyard, General Zhang Kui’s courtyard, and General Liu’s courtyard.

Oh, and the ones you’re familiar with—General Li Jing and General Zhao Guang. Whenever they come to Wasteland City, they also stay here.”

Hearing Qiu Wen’s words, Xiao Mo’s brows drew together, his tone carrying a few threads of vigilance. “It seems you know quite a bit about me, miss—knowing that I’m closest with General Li and General Zhao.”

Qiu Wen didn’t answer. The same smile remained on her face—neither too near nor too far—as she continued on her own:

“Besides the residences of the various generals, the Northern Pacification King’s residence also holds some institutions of the Northern Wasteland Army that operate in the shadows. You’ve served for many years and fought on the battlefield for so long—surely you understand.”

Qiu Wen kept walking.

Not long after, she brought Xiao Mo to a courtyard.

“Master, please stay here for the time being. These days, this servant will bring some things for Master to review. If Master has no further business, this servant will withdraw first.” Qiu Wen smiled.

“Why do you address me as Master?” Xiao Mo asked.

“Because Master is Master.”

With that, Qiu Wen said no more. After bowing in salute, she turned and left.

The next day.

Qiu Wen delivered dossiers enough to nearly fill half a month’s worth of courtyard space.

These dossiers were all about certain institutions of the Northern Wasteland.

Among them was the Artisan Forging Office, responsible for forging armor and weapons.

In the dossiers about the Artisan Forging Office, the names of blacksmith masters and Mohist disciples were all recorded—each master’s temperament, each apprentice’s potential—everything written clearly.

In the Armory Office dossiers, the quantities of weapons and armor, the grades and types of magic treasures, and even the talismans and formation banners used for slaughter were all accounted for without a single omission.

In the Horse-Breeding Office, the ages, numbers, and quality of the snow-treading horses were recorded in meticulous detail.

Even the Northern Wasteland’s intelligence-and-assassination institution in the shadows—the Wasteland Tower—its assassins’ names and portraits, their aliases and realms, even their life experiences, were all laid out before Xiao Mo.

And the Wasteland Tower’s tower master’s true name was Qiu Wen.

The portrait of Qiu Wen was identical to the Qiu Wen standing before him.

“Does Master think this servant’s portrait is pretty?” Even as Xiao Mo’s gaze sized her up again and again, Qiu Wen only gave a gentle smile.

“The real person looks better than the one in the painting.” Xiao Mo put the portrait away.

Qiu Wen froze slightly, then smiled. “Thank you for the compliment, Master. This servant is very happy. The prince instructed that for these three days, Master must memorize these Northern Wasteland dossiers by heart. After three days, this servant will come to retrieve them.”

“I understand.” Xiao Mo nodded.

“This servant won’t disturb Master. If Master needs anything, you may summon this servant at any time.”

Qiu Wen bowed in salute and withdrew again.

Sure enough, once three days had passed, Qiu Wen came to the courtyard and collected all the dossiers.

Two more days passed.

On the morning of that day, as Xiao Mo sat in the courtyard with eyes closed in meditation, someone knocked on the courtyard gate. 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Xiao Mo opened his eyes, walked over, and opened the gate.

Xiao Shi stood before him.

“Father.” Xiao Mo clasped his hands in salute.

“Mhm.” Xiao Shi nodded and said, “Everything is more or less prepared. Let’s go. You can come with me now.”

“Yes.”

Xiao Mo didn’t ask where they were going. In any case, it wouldn’t take long before he would know.

Father and son walked along Wasteland City’s streets like they were simply taking a stroll, heading out of the city.

Only, the two of them were both using a spell. It looked as if they were walking slowly, but in truth each step carried them ten zhang away.

“Those Northern Wasteland dossiers Qiu Wen sent you—did you finish them?” Xiao Shi asked.

“I finished them.” Xiao Mo nodded.

“After finishing them, what do you feel?”

“Somewhat beyond my expectations.”

Those dossiers truly were beyond Xiao Mo’s expectations.

Xiao Mo knew the Northern Wasteland had strong autonomy, but he hadn’t expected it to be independent to such a degree—almost possessing all the functions of a nation.

Beyond that, the Northern Wasteland had in fact been guarding itself against Qin all along.

For example, the life histories and preferences of Qin officials were all recorded by the Wasteland Tower, one by one.

There were even officials on the Qin court—fully a third of them—who had, to one degree or another, ties with the Northern Wasteland.

It could be said that if the Northern Wasteland wished to stand independent, all it needed was a single declaration.

Xiao Shi smiled, understanding what Xiao Mo meant by “beyond my expectations”:

“After our ancestors and the founding emperor took the realm together, the plan was that each would be assigned a territory and establish a state, but our ancestor refused.

In the end, the founding emperor handled internal governance, and our ancestor was responsible for opening new territory—expanding the borders and claiming land.

And with you—through five lives—we finally have Qin’s strength today, and its vast territory.”

Xiao Shi glanced at Xiao Mo and continued:

“When Qin Shengtian told you you could replace him, he wasn’t speaking falsely. He truly thinks so.”

“I’ve known Shengtian since we were little.

He knows that no matter what, I would never lead the Northern Wasteland to break away and found a state.”

“And I also know that in Shengtian’s heart there is only Qin, only the ancestral foundation.

So in his heart, even if he handed Qin over to my Xiao Clan, he still would not want to see Qin decline—its thousand-year foundation destroyed in a single day.”

“Xiao Mo, you and I as father and son haven’t had much contact, but I also know you aren’t the sort who values power and status. That’s good—and also not good.”

Xiao Shi spoke earnestly.

“I don’t know how you’ll walk your path from here on, but even if one day you bring the Snow-Treading Dragon Cavalry to trample into the Qin imperial capital, I won’t say much. That, too, would be your choice. Every Northern Wasteland master should have his own choice.”

Hearing Xiao Shi’s words, Xiao Mo’s brows furrowed slightly.

At this moment, Xiao Mo had already faintly guessed why his father had brought him back to the Northern Wasteland.

“Xiao Mo, the reason I brought you back this time is because I don’t have much time left.”

Xiao Shi crushed a jade pendant at his waist.

In an instant.

Xiao Mo could feel his father’s extremely weak life-flame.

Xiao Shi’s life-flame was even worse than a candle in the wind—only the tiniest spark remained.

In fact, if he weren’t holding on by sheer will, that tiny spark might have gone out already.

“After Bai Qi died, I led the army in a breakout. If Zhang Kui hadn’t protected me with his life, I would already be dead.

But even if I’ve clung to life, the injuries are too heavy, and my days are few.

In the end, I used this Heaven-Continuation Jade to hold onto my last breath, to handle the last matters I must leave behind.

Now, this Heaven-Continuation Jade has also been used up, more or less.

Fortunately, I rushed as hard as I could—the timing was just enough.”

As Xiao Shi’s words fell, he swept his sleeve, and in an instant he brought Xiao Mo to Snowflake Pass, a hundred li outside Wasteland City.

Father and son walked up onto the walls of Snowflake Pass.

Xiao Mo looked down.

A total of four hundred thousand Snow-Treading Dragon Cavalry and one million two hundred thousand Northern Wasteland infantry were arrayed in formation across the wilderness.

And before the army formation stood the various Northern Wasteland generals.

“Has the full army arrived?”

Xiao Shi stepped forward and asked the whole army.

“Reporting to the Northern Pacification King!” Fang Weiming stepped forward below the wall and shouted, “The Northern Wasteland has a total of fifty-seven generals, four hundred two thousand three hundred twenty-one Snow-Treading Dragon Cavalry, and one million two hundred five thousand Northern Wasteland infantry! All have arrived!”

“Very good.” Xiao Shi nodded, then turned and smiled at Xiao Mo. “Why are you standing there? Come here.”

Xiao Mo walked forward and stood at Xiao Shi’s side.

“From today on, Xiao Mo, you are the Northern Pacification King—the master of the Northern Wasteland. The three Northern Wasteland prefectures, eighty million commoners, and one million six hundred thousand soldiers—every last one is placed into your hands!”

Xiao Shi stared into Xiao Mo’s eyes and asked solemnly,

“Xiao Mo, are you willing to swear with your Dao heart: from this day forward, treat the Northern Wasteland’s commoners as your own children, spend your entire life, never fail the Northern Wasteland, and protect the Northern Wasteland?”

Xiao Mo bowed deeply, his voice carrying through the entire army. “Xiao Mo is willing!”

“Good!”

Xiao Shi nodded, turned, and faced the great army.

“Northern Wasteland Army—cover your faces!”

As Xiao Shi’s voice fell, the one million six hundred thousand-strong Northern Wasteland Army produced a unified clash of armor.

They took out asura masks and covered their faces.

The entire army was solemn beyond compare, gazing up at the city wall.

Xiao Shi patted Xiao Mo’s shoulder. “Back then, beneath Yanmen Pass, you had the Snow-Treading Dragon Cavalry wear asura masks and rout the enemy, shaking the world with your name. Now, four hundred thousand Snow-Treading Dragon Cavalry and one million two hundred thousand Northern Wasteland infantry all cover their faces as asura—following you into battle!”

With that, Xiao Shi shouted to the whole army, “Welcome the Northern Pacification King!”

“We welcome the Northern Pacification King!”

“We welcome the Northern Pacification King!”

“We welcome the Northern Pacification King!”

One million six hundred thousand Northern Wasteland soldiers roared to the heavens, the sound splitting the dome of the sky and rolling for a thousand li.

Within the army’s cries, Xiao Shi looked into the distance. One hand rested on the battlements. A smile lingered on his face as his eyes slowly closed.

“Northern Pacification King... the Northern Wasteland is yours...”

A gust swept across the wall. The spark of this old general’s life-flame finally went out.

Yet he still stood on the wall like a statue, keeping eternal watch over the Northern Wasteland.

Xiao Mo stepped back, adjusted his robes, and bowed deeply.

The army’s cries stopped. Like a receding tide, the entire host clasped their hands and bent at the waist, bowing deeply.

“We respectfully see off the Northern Pacification King!”