We Agreed On Experiencing Life, So Why Did You Immortals Become Real?

Chapter 352: General Xiahou Requests Surrender to the Frost Prince!

The sounds of slaughter continued across this nameless plain for a day and a night.

Cultivators fell one by one upon this land. Blood slowly flowed down, dripping onto grass tips, then sliding off the grass tips, staining the soil red.

When the sounds of slaughter ceased, standing on this frontal battlefield were mostly those in snow-white scale armor.

The last Zhei Kingdom banner was cut down and fell to the ground.

The Zhei Kingdom army had been utterly defeated.

”Those who surrender shall live, those who resist shall die!”

Several Northern Frontier army colonels used their spiritual power to transmit their voices across the plain.

Zhei Kingdom soldiers one by one laid down their weapons, placed their hands behind their necks, and knelt on the ground.

There were still some Zhei Kingdom soldiers who fought desperately to resist. However, they were merely at the end of their strength. These people soon fell silent.

In the center of the battlefield, the old man wearing armor seemed to have exhausted all his strength.
He sighed lightly, thrust his blood-stained long saber into the ground, then slowly removed his helmet and sat cross-legged on the ground.

The Northern Frontier army soldiers merely watched this old man and did not step forward.

Even though this old man of merely the Dragon Gate realm was aged, he was still like an old tiger that could bite someone to pieces at any moment.

As the Northern Frontier army surrounding the old man slowly parted, a man wearing dragon scale armor walked forward step by step.

He removed his helmet, handed his long spear to the vice general beside him, and walked step by step toward the old man.

Finally, Xiao Mo walked before the old man and sat down cross-legged.

The setting sun painted the sky with evening glow that matched the soil of the plain. Sunlight shone on everyone, edging Xiao Mo and the old man with a faint golden border.

”I have lost,” Du Beiwang slowly spoke, his tone calm and frank.

”The old generalʼs valor is no less than in years past,” Xiao Mo said from the heart.

”Ha ha ha ha...” Du Beiwang raised his head and looked into Xiao Moʼs eyes. ”Being praised by a young junior whose hair hasnʼt fully grown should make this old man feel awkward, but when you say it, this old man actually feels quite comfortable.”

Xiao Mo said, ”This junior merely speaks the truth.”

Du Beiwang shook his head and looked at the setting sun. ”After this great battle, within Zhei Kingdom, there is no longer anyone who can block Qin Kingdom. Hereafter, the Zhei Kingdomʼs lands will all belong to Qin.”

”The Ten Thousand Laws Realm originally belonged to one great nation. The feudal lords have divided and claimed territory for several thousand years already. The general trend of the world is that what has long been divided must unite, what has long been united must divide. It is also time for this to end,” Xiao Mo spoke.

”What has long been divided must unite, what has long been united must divide.” Du Beiwang repeated Xiao Moʼs words and nodded. ”Indeed, several thousand years ago, all the nations originally belonged to the Great Zhou!”

”What a pity, this great unification, this old man will not live to see.” Du Bei sighed, his breath growing increasingly weak. ”However, this old man can be considered to have not failed the trust of the two previous emperors.”

”Does the general have any last wishes?” Xiao Mo asked.

”Last wishes...” Du Beiwang thought for a moment. ”I wonder if I could trouble the Frost Prince to bury this old man in this place. Thereʼs no need to bring me back to the Zhei capital.”

”As the old sir wishes,” Xiao Mo nodded. ”Does the old sir have any others?”

Du Beiwang thought carefully again, then withdrew his gaze, looked at Xiao Mo, and smiled. ”This old man loves drinking your Northern Frontierʼs Sangluo wine. Could you let this old man have one last drink?”

Xiao Mo glanced at Zhao Guang not far away. Zhao Guang hurried to search and actually found a gourd containing Sangluo wine.

Du Beiwang took the wine gourd and drank deeply. Wine flowed from the corners of his mouth and dripped down.

”Good wine, truly good wine.”

The old man looked at the wine gourd and said with a smile. His cheeks showed an unhealthy flush, yet his voice grew softer and softer.

”Truly... strong wine...”

As the old manʼs final words fell to the ground, the wine gourd also rolled from his hands onto the ground. Wine poured out from the gourdʼs mouth, soaking the ground before the old man.

Xiao Mo stood up, stepped back one pace, and bowed deeply.

After clearing the battlefield, Xiao Mo continued leading his army toward Fengshang City.

”General...” On the march to Fengshang City, Li Jing rode his horse beside Xiao Mo and asked, ”Our army must write a battle report to send to His Majesty and the Prince, but this plain has no name and is difficult to write about. I hope the general will bestow a name.”

”A name?”

Xiao Mo gripped the reins, thought for a moment, and spoke.

”Letʼs call it Beiwang Plain.”

Hearing Xiao Moʼs words, Li Jing was slightly stunned, but quickly responded, ”Yes!”

After the Northern Frontier army left, the originally austere plain completely returned to peace.

Upon that plain stood a tombstone with only the ownerʼs name crudely carved on it.

Before the tombstone was placed a jug of Sangluo wine.

As a breeze swept past, the wine gourd gently swayed, as if an old man was holding the wine gourd and raising his head to gaze north toward his homeland.

After the Battle of Beiwang Plain, Xiao Mo arrived at Fengshang City.

At this time, Fengshang City had only five thousand soldiers left to defend it. Compared to an empty city, there was almost no difference.

When the soldiers guarding the city saw the Northern Frontier army, they were frightened out of their wits.

Especially after Xiao Mo presented the jade token of the Zhei Kingdomʼs Great Pillar of State, the Zhei Kingdom soldiers knew the Great Pillar of State had been defeated and all lost their will to resist.

The acting city lord no longer made futile resistance and came out of the city to surrender.

News of Fengshang Cityʼs capture immediately reached the Zhei Kingdomʼs imperial capital.

When the imperial court learned that the Great Pillar of State had been defeated, and that of the original three hundred and fifty thousand troops only one hundred and fifty thousand remained and had all surrendered to Xiao Mo, the Zhei Kingdomʼs ruler became so angry he couldnʼt catch his breath and nearly fainted on the dragon throne.

Besides this, apart from Xiao Shi and Xiahou Nan still being in a stalemate, the other three battle lines were all advancing. It seemed that no matter what Zhei Kingdom did, they could not stop the Northern Frontier armyʼs advance.

At this time, the voices of the Surrender Faction grew louder than those of the Fight-to-the-Death Faction.

They felt it was not too late to surrender now.

If they delayed any longer, when the Northern Frontier army reached the imperial capital, nothing would be negotiable.

The Zhei Kingdomʼs ruler thought so as well.

Previously, the Zhei Kingdomʼs ruler had been beaten all the way to the imperial capital before surrendering, yet could still become a wealthy man. A large reason for this was that Zhei Kingdom was a small nation, and the Qin Kingdom army had not faced much pressure and had taken it down very smoothly.

The Qin Kingdomʼs ruler accepting Zhei Kingdomʼs surrender could also build up a reputation.

However, the problem was that now Zhei Kingdom and Qin Kingdom were fighting a life-and-death struggle with so many casualties. If he surrendered now, perhaps there was still some room for discussion. If he waited any longer, even if he wanted to surrender, even if Xiao Shi agreed, the Qin Kingdom soldiers would not agree.

But...

The Zhei Kingdomʼs ruler looked at his imperial throne and felt very reluctant to part with it.

Even if he could become a wealthy man, how could being a wealthy man compare to the comfort of being an emperor?

And just as the Zhei Kingdomʼs ruler hesitated, battle reports of defeats from the front lines kept being delivered before the Zhei Kingdomʼs ruler.

Seventy percent of these battle reports concerned Xiao Mo!

Although Xiao Moʼs battle line was furthest from the Zhei Kingdomʼs imperial capital and the most winding and tortuous, ever since Xiao Mo captured Fengshang City and heavily defeated the old general Du Beiwang, Xiao Moʼs momentum had reached its peak.

Even in Zhei Kingdom, many generals felt that encountering the Snow-Treading Dragon Cavalry was not the most terrifying thing.

The most terrifying thing was those Snow-Treading Dragon Cavalry with their faces covered in asura masks!

At this time, Zhei Kingdom indeed had a few generals with steadfast loyalty who would never surrender even unto death, but more numerous were those spineless men who had risen to positions through connections.

Once they saw the Snow-Treading Dragon Cavalry with asura-covered faces, those city-defending generalsʼ legs would go weak immediately. They couldnʼt wait to roll and crawl out of the city to surrender.

Thus, when Xiao Mo breached most cities, it was as if entering an uninhabited territory with virtually no resistance.

During the three months the Zhei Kingdomʼs ruler spent hesitating, Xiao Mo had already killed his way to the middle section of the battle line.

If calculated this way, barring any accidents, in less than half a year, wouldnʼt Xiao Mo be the first to reach the Zhei Kingdomʼs imperial capital!

Finally, the Zhei Kingdomʼs ruler could no longer withstand it and wanted to surrender. However, under the ministersʼ suggestions, the Zhei Kingdomʼs ruler had a cunning thought, which was to send the surrender letter to Xiao Moʼs camp rather than to the Northern Pacification Princeʼs army or to the Qin Kingdomʼs imperial capital.

Upon seeing the Zhei Kingdom rulerʼs surrender letter, Xiao Mo merely smiled, finding it amusing. He naturally knew what the Zhei Kingdomʼs court was thinking. However, this kind of low-level alienation tactic, in the face of the Northern Frontier armyʼs great momentum, how could it be effective?

Xiao Mo directly sent the Zhei Kingdom rulerʼs surrender letter to Xiao Shiʼs military camp.

Xiao Shi also laughed heartily and without any hesitation sent it to the Qin Kingdomʼs imperial capital.

The Qin Kingdomʼs ruler decisively refused the Zhei Kingdom rulerʼs surrender.

Although accepting surrender at this time could avoid some casualties, in the world, Zhei Kingdom was not the only nation remaining.

There were still Chu Kingdom, Yan Kingdom, Jin Kingdom, and the most powerful Qi Kingdom, among six other great nations.

If every national ruler could desperately resist until resources were exhausted, then surrender, and after surrendering could still enjoy luxurious food and clothing and receive empty noble titles, what would the rulers of other small nations think?

The Qin Kingdomʼs ruler ordered the army to continue attacking and directly breach the Zhei Kingdomʼs imperial capital.

Actually, without the Qin Kingdomʼs ruler saying anything, Xiao Mo had already guessed what the Qin Kingdomʼs ruler would do.

Therefore, while waiting for the Qin Kingdom’s rulerʼs reply, Xiao Mo had not paused at all and consecutively breached three more cities.

On the contrary, news of the Zhei Kingdom rulerʼs surrender spread and greatly damaged the morale of Zhei Kingdom soldiers. However, Xiahou Nan was also doing his utmost to remedy the situation but Xiahou Nan was ultimately a lone tree unable to support the structure.

Xiao Shi didnʼt even need to make any progress. As long as he remained in a stalemate with Xiahou Nan, the other Northern Frontier army routes could capture the Zhei Kingdomʼs capital.

Half a month more passed.

Xiao Shi finally breached Mingyue City. Xiahou Nan retreated accordingly, even abandoning two cities, planning to contract his defensive line and redeploy.

At the same time, the eldest young master of the Xiao Manor, Xiao Yichuan, arrived at the battlefield.

Xiao Shi appointed Xiao Yichuan as the Vanguard General to lead the charge. Xiao Yichuan did not disappoint his father.

The eldest young master of the Xiao Manor transformed into a mountain-like giant as soon as he appeared, rampaging across the battlefield in an extremely shocking display.

After his eldest brother arrived, Xiao Yishe felt extremely comfortable, believing his eldest brother far surpassed Xiao Mo.

Xiao Shi was also extremely satisfied with his eldest sonʼs cultivation.

After entering Lu Pass, Xiao Shi saw through Xiahou Nanʼs intentions and wanted to send someone to garrison Huating.

As long as they held Huating, they could block the Zhei Kingdomʼs Guanzhong reinforcements from advancing west to Luʼs right flank, buying time for Xiao Shi to pacify Luxi City, thereby cutting off Zhei Kingdomʼs connection with Zhi Province and gradually eroding Zhei Kingdom.

Therefore, Huating was the eastern barrier of the Luxi defensive line. If it fell, the Luxi gateway would be wide open.

Seeing an opportunity to earn merit, especially since his eldest brother had returned, Xiao Yishe felt he was capable again, so Xiao Yishe requested to garrison Huating.

Honestly speaking, Xiao Shi was extremely disappointed in his second son. He even thought that after returning to the capital this time, he would find him a good girl from a respectable family and let him live an idle life. However, as a father, he naturally hoped all his sons could achieve something, at least not be mediocre and accomplish nothing.

After much deliberation, Xiao Shi decided to give Xiao Yishe one final opportunity and let him garrison Huating.

After all, Huating was easy to defend and difficult to attack, occupying a natural stronghold. He only needed to stay properly in Huating!

Moreover, Xiao Shi specifically assigned elite troops to Xiao Yishe.

Before Xiao Yishe departed, Xiao Shi even repeatedly instructed Xiao Yishe that he only needed to garrison and need not consider anything else!

Xiao Yishe indicated he had committed it to memory. However, after Xiao Yishe arrived at Huating, he did not follow Xiao Shiʼs orders to hold the pass and build fortifications. Instead, he abandoned the water source and strategic route, leading his troops up the mountain to set up camp.

Wang Ping repeatedly advised him, but Xiao Yishe refused with the reasoning that ”occupying high ground, the momentum is like breaking bamboo,” only dividing a small force to Wang Ping to coordinate below the mountain.

After Zhei general Zhang Hu led his army and arrived, he immediately cut off the Northern Frontier armyʼs water source and surrounded the mountaintop. Xiao Yisheʼs army, lacking water, fell into chaos. Multiple breakout attempts failed.

Zhang Hu took advantage of the momentum to fiercely attack. Xiao Yisheʼs troops scattered, soldiers fled.

Wang Ping led over a thousand soldiers to beat drums and hold firm. Zhang Hu suspected an ambush and did not pursue. Wang Ping was able to rally the remnant soldiers and retreat.

After Huating fell, Xiahou Nan ordered Zhang Hu to lead his army straight into Luxi. Xiao Shiʼs flank was exposed, falling into a perilous situation.

With no alternative, Xiao Shi was forced to abandon the three commanderies already occupied and withdraw to Wandeng City.

After the Zhei army breathed a sigh of relief, they again pressured Xiao Shiʼs left and right armies. For a time, apart from Xiao Moʼs and Liu Xingʼs two armies, the three-route armyʼs offensive was blocked!

Even more critically, this victory greatly boosted the Zhei armyʼs morale.

Xiao Yishe knew he had committed a great crime. After returning to the military camp, according to military law he should be executed. Given his fatherʼs iron-fisted military discipline, it would be impossible for him to be spared.

Therefore, Xiao Yishe led the remnant army attempting to cross the battlefield toward Chu Kingdom.

Although the defeated soldiers under Xiao Yishe were dissatisfied, Xiao Yishe used ”secret orders” as a reason for the army to advance, and they could only obey military orders. However, unexpectedly, by unfortunate coincidence, Xiao Yishe encountered Xiao Mo.

Xiao Mo very easily captured Xiao Yishe and had him escorted to Xiao Shiʼs main camp.

Looking at his son, Xiao Shi let out a heavy sigh and ordered his beheading.

Xiao Yichuanʼs pleas were useless.

On the night of Xiao Yisheʼs death, Xiao Shi sat alone in his command tent for a very long time, and no one knew what he was thinking.

The next day, Xiao Shi ordered the main army to hold back Xiahou Nan and do their utmost to reduce pressure on the other routes. At the same time, he divided troops to reinforce Xiao Mo and even gave Xiao Mo sufficient autonomy. Any decision Xiao Mo made, even if Xiao Mo ordered an attack on the Zhei Kingdomʼs imperial capital, required no report to Xiao Shi.

Additionally, all armiesʼ battle reports would be sent to Xiao Moʼs camp.

Although Xiao Mo was on a flank, Xiao Mo already had the significance of the main force.

Two more months passed.

Xiao Moʼs army was the first to arrive beneath the Zhei Kingdomʼs imperial capital walls!

Xiao Mo deliberately did not deploy a no-fly formation, allowing the Zhei Kingdomʼs ruler to send messages to Xiahou Nan.

As expected, the Zhei Kingdomʼs ruler ordered Xiahou Nan to immediately return to the capital for defense! Otherwise, he would be dealt with as a rebel.

After seeing the letter, Xiahou Nan looked up to the heavens and let out a long sigh. In one night, his black hair turned completely white.

The next day, Xiahou Nan abandoned the city and led his troops back to the imperial capital.

Xiao Mo had long been prepared for Xiahou Nan to attack him from both sides. However, unexpectedly, Xiahou Nan did not launch an attack but instead sent an envoy.

”I wonder what insight General Xiahou has in sending an envoy?” Xiao Mo met with the envoy.

The envoy Zhang Qiu let out a deep sigh and spoke.

”General Xiahou requests surrender to the Frost Prince!”