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

Chapter 390: Those Who Want My Head, Come!

Qin Jingsu led his army across the wilderness.

Not far ahead lay Shuling.

Although crossing Shuling might offer him a slim chance of survival, Qin Jingsu also knew that these Jin Kingdom lords were not fools. They would not give him this opportunity.

Sure enough, before long, the pursuing troops caught up from behind once more.

And at the foot of Shuling mountain ahead, many Jin Kingdom soldiers also appeared.

Qin Jingsu sat atop his horse, looking forward, then looking back.

Only then did he realize he was already caught in a pincer attack. However, in Qin Jingsuʼs eyes there was not the slightest trace of panic, as if he had long since accepted his fate.

”If Your Highness the Crown Prince surrenders now, we can spare Your Highnessʼs life!” the Jin Kingdomʼs Marquis Qu shouted from before the army formation.

”No need for idle talk, cough cough cough...” Qin Jingsu coughed several times, wiped the fresh blood from the corner of his mouth, and gazed ahead. ”We sons of Qin have no reason to surrender!”

”That truly is a pity. We actually have some admiration for Your Highness the Crown Prince,” Marquis Qu shook his head. ”Kill!”
The other lords led their armies charging toward Qin Jingsu.

Qin Jingsu gazed ahead and likewise swept his arm forcefully, shouting heavily, ”Kill!”

As Qin Jingsuʼs words fell, the horse beneath him stepped forward, and the army simultaneously charged toward the front!

Soon, the two armies clashed, and the sounds of battle cries and weapon collisions spread across the wilderness.

The Qin army remained as valiant as before, vowing never to retreat. However, since the siege defense began, every soldierʼs reserves had been greatly depleted.

Moreover, during this entire period of being pursued, Qin Jingsuʼs army had not gotten a momentʼs rest, their nerves constantly on edge.

Whatʼs more, the enemyʼs forces were several times larger than Qin Jingsuʼs.

”Your Highness, the situation is urgent. Let us help Your Highness the Crown Prince break through!” the deputy general named Huayang shouted to the Crown Prince, then gathered soldiers to escort Qin Jingsu toward the side but Qin Jingsu tried many times and ultimately could not break free from the Jin armyʼs encirclement.

One by one, the good sons of Qin fell in pools of blood.

Qin Jingsu knew that this time, he was truly going to die.

Yet even knowing he must die, he still swung his sword again and again.

If he could kill one more person, then he would kill one more!

…

”Big brother... Motherʼs belly is getting bigger and bigger. Is Mother about to give birth?” In the Qin Kingdom palace, five-year-old Qin Jingyuan looked up at his big brother and asked curiously.

”Mm, Mother should be about to give birth soon.” Eight-year-old Qin Jingsu smiled and rubbed his little brotherʼs head. ”Jingyuan, guess whether weʼll have another little brother or a little sister?”

”A sister!” Qin Jingyuan seemed to answer without any hesitation.

”Why is Jingyuan so certain?” Qin Jingsu asked with a smile.

”Because I want a little sister,” Qin Jingyuan said expectantly!

”Hahaha, I also want a little sister.” Qin Jingsu pinched his brotherʼs cheek. ”Then when our sister is born, weʼll take care of her together.”

”Okay, big brother!”

The second year after their sister was born, Qin Jingsu and his second brother sparred with fists and feet in the palaceʼs back courtyard.

Qin Jingsu deliberately suppressed his cultivation realm and fought evenly with his brother, essentially feeding him moves.

Two-year-old little sister squatted to the side, watching curiously, drool constantly flowing from the corner of her mouth.

After two incense sticksʼ worth of time, the defeated Qin Jingyuan was ridden around like a horse by Qin Siyao.

The three played for a long while until the exhausted Qin Jingyuan finally lay down on the grass.

Qin Siyao learned from her brothers and also lay on the ground.

Qin Jingsu sat beside his little sister.

”Big brother, recently some people have been telling me about the ʼCrown Prince position.ʼ Is this Crown Prince position really that important?” Qin Jingyuan, having caught his breath, looked at his big brother and asked curiously.

Hearing his second brotherʼs inquiry, Qin Jingsu was slightly stunned. Then he reached his arm across his little sister and rubbed Qin Jingyuanʼs head, a flash of killing intent passing through his eyes, though he still asked with a smile, ”Jingyuan, who told you this?”

”My wet nurse,” Qin Jingyuan answered. ”Not long ago, my wet nurse said I have exceptional natural talent, and that although Iʼm young, the Qin Kingdom has no rule about establishing the eldest over the younger. She said I could become the Crown Prince in the future.”

”I see.” Qin Jingsu withdrew his hand and shook his head.

”This Crown Prince position, well, you could say itʼs important, or you could say itʼs not important. If you become Crown Prince, youʼll have to be like Father Emperor in the future, handling documents every day, with no freedom. You must employ schemes, constantly worrying about this and that, bearing an immense weight.”

”Big brother, how heavy can it be?” Qin Jingyuan asked again. Even the two-year-old little sister at the side blinked her eyes, curiously watching her big brother, though Qin Siyao didnʼt understand most of it.

”How heavy is it...” Qin Jingsu propped himself up on the grass, looking at the azure sky overhead.

”This weight means hundreds of millions of common people raising their heads, staring intently at you, eagerly waiting to hear every word you say...”

…

”Father Emperor, you summoned your son?” In the imperial study, Qin Jingsu bowed in salute.

”Mm.” The Qin Kingdomʼs ruler nodded, set down the memorial in his hand, and looked at his son. ”I heard you gave Jingyuanʼs wet nurse a sum of money, then expelled her from the palace?”

”Yes, Father Emperor,” Qin Jingsu admitted.

”Why?”

”That person has improper intentions. For her own selfish desires, she dared to speak to Jingyuan about Crown Prince matters, so your son expelled her,” Qin Jingsu said truthfully.

”A mere wet nurse daring to speak of such things to Jingyuan, her heart truly deserves punishment.” The Qin Kingdomʼs ruler agreed with Qin Jingsuʼs actions.

”But Jingsu, Father asks you, what do you think about the Crown Prince position?”

”...” After a moment of silence, Qin Jingsu bowed in salute.

”The Crown Prince position can only be given by Father Emperor. How would your son dare have other thoughts?”

”You, oh you... sigh...” The Qin Kingdomʼs ruler extended his finger, pointed at his son, and sighed. ”Jingsu, at such a young age youʼre already so intelligent and meticulous in thought. Sometimes I truly donʼt know whether to cry or laugh...”

”But you are my son. How could I not know what youʼre thinking?”

The Qin Kingdomʼs ruler shook his head.

”You have ability and capability, but youʼre naturally free-spirited and take power and position too lightly. Youʼre nothing like ordinary imperial family members. To you, this imperial throne, whether you have it or not, what difference does it make? But Jingsu, many things arenʼt something you can avoid just by not wanting them. In this world, there are too many things beyond oneʼs control. Do you understand what Iʼm saying?”

”Your son... understands...” Qin Jingsu nodded.

”No, you donʼt actually understand.” The Qin Kingdomʼs ruler shook his head. ”Forget it, forget it. Let it be. Go down and think it over carefully.”

”Yes, Father Emperor...”

Qin Jingsu bowed in salute and was about to turn and withdraw but soon, the Qin Kingdomʼs ruler called out to his son, ”Oh, Jingsu.”

”Does Father Emperor have any instructions?” Qin Jingsu asked.

”Itʼs nothing much, just telling you that when doing things, you must do them cleanly and thoroughly. Donʼt be soft-hearted.” The Qin Kingdomʼs ruler continued reviewing memorials while saying, ”Iʼve dealt with Jingyuanʼs wet nurse cleanly. Remember this in the future.”

Qin Jingsuʼs mouth opened slightly, his eyes trembling faintly. Finally he closed his mouth and bowed in salute, ”Yes, Father Emperor...”

…

When Qin Jingyuan was sixteen and Qin Jingsu nineteen, the Qin Kingdomʼs ruler summoned the two brothers to the imperial study.

After leaving the imperial study, Qin Jingyuan said happily to his big brother, ”Big brother, Father Emperor is allowing us to establish our own residences. From today on, we two must compete properly. I definitely wonʼt lose to big brother. If big brother loses then, donʼt blame second brother.”

Seeing his younger brotherʼs happy expression, Qin Jingsu smiled and nodded, ”Alright, then big brother will... do his best.”

…

The day after Xiao Mo annihilated the Zhei Kingdom and returned triumphant, a retainer came to the First Princeʼs residence and bowed to the First Prince, ”Your Highness, the Second Prince has invited the Frost Prince to a banquet. The Frost Prince has already brought the Third Princess to the appointment.”

”Mm.” Qin Jingsu nodded. ”I know.”

The retainer hesitated for a moment but still spoke, ”Your Highness, the Second Princeʼs action is to win over the Frost Prince. The Frost Prince was promoted exceptionally by His Majesty and granted a princely title based solely on the battle annihilating the Zhei Kingdom. Anyone with eyes can see His Majesty wants to make the Frost Prince a trusted confidant. And the Frost Princeʼs capabilities, even the Flame Prince praises endlessly. If the Frost Prince is truly won over by the Second Prince, then this...”

”I know. I have my own judgment in this matter. You may go down first,” Qin Jingsu said slowly.

The retainer wanted to say more, but seeing the First Princeʼs calm expression, he finally gave up and only responded, ”Yes, Your Highness...”

”Oh yes.” Just as this retainer was about to leave the study, Qin Jingsu raised his head. ”Go prepare a carriage, then bring that snow-treading horse with excellent appearance.”

The retainer immediately understood the First Princeʼs intention and said with a delighted expression, ”Yes! Your Highness!”

After the retainer left, Qin Jingsu stood up, walked to the doorway, sighed, and spoke to the night, ”Second brother, for that position, youʼre even using third sister to win over Xiao Mo. Is this truly your original intention? Third sister is innocent, but third sister isnʼt foolish. She trusts you so much because youʼre her brother...”

…

About ten years later, one day Qin Jingsu strode into the imperial study and bowed deeply to his Father Emperor, his tone suppressing anger, ”Your son Jingsu pays respects to Father Emperor!”

”What is it? So urgent and anxious, and it sounds like youʼre full of anger,” the Qin Kingdomʼs ruler said slowly, flipping through the book in his hand.

”Your son has a matter he wishes to consult Father Emperor about,” Qin Jingsu said respectfully.

Only then did the Qin Kingdomʼs ruler raise his head and glance at his son, ”Speak.”

”Your son heard that second brother wishes to form a marriage alliance with the Jin Kingdom. This matter is of great importance. I implore Father Emperor to reconsider!” Qin Jingsu bowed even lower.

The Qin Kingdomʼs ruler raised his head, looked at his son, and furrowed his brow, ”Tell me your reasons.”

”First, over these years, the Jin Kingdom has adopted a strategy of befriending distant states while attacking nearby ones, constantly expanding its territory. The Jin Kingdom rulerʼs wolfish ambitions are known to the entire world. Second, the Jin King treasures his eldest daughter like a pearl in his palm, and the Jin Kingdom has had constant friction with our Qin Kingdom in recent years. This sudden desire for a marriage alliance, when things are abnormal there must be demons.”

”What you say makes sense.” The Qin Kingdomʼs ruler nodded. ”However, regarding this marriage, I also asked Jingyuan, and Jingyuan himself agreed.”

”...” Qin Jingsu furrowed his brow. ”Iʼll go persuade second brother.”

”No need.”

The Qin Kingdomʼs ruler shook his head.

”Youʼre overthinking it. Itʼs the Jin Kingdom princess marrying out, not my son marrying into their family. Right now both the Jin Kingdom and Qin Kingdom need time. Forming a Qin-Jin alliance is the best method. Even if things fall apart in the end, itʼs just Jingyuan gaining a wife, with no loss. In any case, you donʼt need to concern yourself with this matter, nor can you. Just do your own work. You may go down.”

”Father Emperor...”

”Go down!”

”Yes, Father Emperor...”

…

”Your Highness the Crown Prince! The King of Jing has betrayed the nation!” While Qin Jingsu was handling government affairs, a retainer rushed into his study and shouted loudly.

”What did you say? Who betrayed?” Qin Jingsu stood there stunned.

”Your Highness the Crown Prince! The Second Prince has betrayed the nation. Lu Province has already fallen!” the retainer repeated.

Outside Huaishan Pass, after Qin Jingsu had defended the city for four months, he appeared quite weary but the situation was developing favorably.

As long as he continued to hold fast, in at most two more months, the Jin armyʼs morale after prolonged unsuccessful attacks would inevitably reach rock bottom.

At that time he could truly counterattack!

But just then, the imperial capital sent Qin Jingsu a letter along with several million medicinal pills.

On it were written just a few simple sentences:

”These pills can neutralize the Black Beast Forestʼs miasma for five hours. You should quickly ambush in the Black Beast Forest valley and wait for the Jin army to arrive. Jingyuan will cut off their rear! Remember! Do not disappoint Jingyuanʼs painstaking planning!”

Reading this brief letter, Qin Jingsu was very happy, happy that his brother had not betrayed them but Qin Jingsu also knew that by acting this way, Jingyuan would have a nine-in-ten chance of death.

After Xiao Mo, Qin Jingsu and the others achieved great victory and returned to the capital, and the Qin Kingdomʼs ruler had completed the rewards, Qin Jingsu did not immediately leave the palace.

He forcefully suppressed the anger in his heart and questioned his Father Emperor, ”Father Emperor, regarding Jingyuanʼs matter, did you know about it early on?”

”Yes,” the Qin Kingdomʼs ruler answered frankly.

Qin Jingsu took a deep breath and spoke, ”Could it be that in Fatherʼs heart, as long as itʼs for the Qin Kingdomʼs hegemony, anything can be sacrificed? Including your own sons!”

”Exactly!”

The Qin Kingdomʼs ruler looked directly into his sonʼs eyes.

”As long as itʼs for my Great Qinʼs hegemony! Everything can be sacrificed! If the soldiers on the battlefield can die, why canʼt Jingyuan die?! Even I myself, why canʼt I die? Is it just because heʼs my child?! No! Precisely because heʼs my son, he must die with even greater value!”

Qin Jingsu clenched his fists tightly, his nails already digging into his flesh.

The Qin Kingdomʼs ruler stood up, walked to his sonʼs side, and patted his shoulder, ”Jingsu, youʼre too kind. But as a ruler, one cannot have a kind heart.”

…

”Not bad, third sisterʼs cooking skills have improved again.” The day before the expedition, the First Prince came to the Frost Princeʼs residence to freeload a meal. However, because Xiao Mo had business outside, it became just the two siblings eating together.

”After cooking for so long, if my skills didnʼt improve somewhat, that wouldnʼt do.” Qin Siyao smiled faintly. However, the young lady soon seemed to think of something. She lowered her head, a trace of loss flashing in her eyes, ”Itʼs just a pity that second brother can never eat the food I make again.”

”...” Hearing his sisterʼs words, Qin Jingsu also lowered his head.

”Look at what Iʼm saying.” Realizing her slip of the tongue, Qin Siyao quickly raised her head, lifted her wine cup, and said with a smile, ”Siyao wishes big brother to break through enemy formations, slay foes, and return triumphant soon!”

”Then Iʼll borrow third sisterʼs auspicious words,” Qin Jingsu raised his wine cup and clinked it with his third sisterʼs.

”Third sister, big brother is saying, what if, what if big brother doesnʼt come back...”

”There is no ʼwhat if,ʼ” Qin Siyao gripped her sleeve and looked seriously at her big brother. ”Big brother will definitely come back!”

Qin Jingsuʼs expression paused slightly, then he smiled, ”Alright. Then big brother... will definitely... come back...”

…

On the small plain, the slaughter continued.

As the soldiers around him fell one by one, there were fewer and fewer soldiers beside Qin Jingsu, until finally only Qin Jingsu remained alone.

The Immortal realm palace retainer who had protected Qin Jingsuʼs path was surrounded and attacked by two Immortal realm cultivators and three Jade Simplicity realm cultivators. Already injured, he had fled.

Qin Jingsu had never held much hope for such palace retainers anyway.

Qin Jingsu didnʼt know how many times he had swung his sword or how many people he had killed.

He only knew that his spiritual power was nearly exhausted, the tigerʼs mouth gripping his long sword had already split open, and his hands trembled uncontrollably from fatigue.

The last Qin Kingdom soldier fell before Qin Jingsu. Jin Kingdom soldiers like a tide, wielding weapons, gradually surrounded Qin Jingsu.

”Hah...”

Qin Jingsu raised his head, looking at the white clouds drifting leisurely in the sky above.

In his vision, the figures of Father Emperor, Mother Empress, second brother, and third sister involuntarily appeared.

”Father Emperor, Mother Empress, your son is unfilial and will make you white-haired parents send off your black-haired child.”

”Second brother, big brother is about to come see you...”

”Third sister, Iʼm sorry. Big brother cannot fulfill the promise he made to you. From now on, big brother cannot protect you anymore. Youʼll encounter many things and be forced to grow up. From now on, things will be hard for you... But rest assured, Xiao Mo is a good man. He will stay by your side.”

Qin Jingsu spoke each word as if addressing his relatives far away in the distant heavens with his final words.

”Will the First Prince truly not surrender?” The Jin Kingdomʼs Marquis Qu and other lords rode forward, furrowing their brows as they asked Qin Jingsu.

Qin Jingsu withdrew his gaze from the sky and simply smiled, ”My two hundred thousand sons of Qin died in battle, not one surrendered. How could you think I would surrender?”

”Sigh...” Marquis Qu shook his head and looked respectfully at this fine man before him. ”Does the First Prince have any last words?”

”I do,” Qin Jingsuʼs lips curved upward as he pointed his sword at them and said heartily, ”Tell your Jin King! This Crown Prince! Will wait for him! In the underworld!”

Upon hearing this, the Jin Kingdom feudal lords furrowed their brows. Some even wanted to step forward and immediately behead this person, but Marquis Qu raised his hand to stop them.

”What are you all standing around for? Is this battle over?” Qin Jingsu held a spear in one hand planted on the ground and a long sword in the other hand ready for battle, his voice amplified by spiritual power spreading across the wilderness!

”Jin Kingdom youngsters! Those who want this Crown Princeʼs head, come!”