Novel Full Chapter 410: Until She Lost Everything
On the plains outside Canghai Pass, the great armies of Qin Kingdom and Qi Kingdom were already stationed. The great battle could be said to be imminent.
Nearly all the soldiers on both sides knew that this final battle would decide the fate of the Ten Thousand Laws Realm!
And as each day passed, the great battle drew one day closer.
From the generals above to the ordinary soldiers below, their hearts grew increasingly nervous and excited.
This kind of excitement had enormous benefits for raising the soldiers’ morale and combat strength but this excitement also could not be maintained indefinitely.
Therefore, when the soldiers’ excitement reached its peak, that would be when the two armies were about to engage in battle.
During these past few days, aside from closely observing the opponent’s movements, Xiao Mo frequently used Heaven-Mending Iron to polish the Ten Fierce Spear in his hands.
Xiao Mo could often sit alone in one place, polishing for an entire day.
Liu Xing and the other generals who had rushed over also knew that this was their general’s way of maintaining mental calm.
Never mind Frost Prince, even if they themselves independently led troops to war, on the eve of facing a major battle, they would also do some repetitive and simple actions to let their minds completely settle.
Because deputy generals and even ordinary soldiers could all be excited, could be nervous, and could even be afraid but only the supreme commander could not.
As supreme commander, one must maintain calm at all times and could not let emotions interfere with one’s judgment in the slightest.
Aside from polishing his long spear, the second thing Xiao Mo liked to do these days was gaze into the distance.
Generally at night, Xiao Mo did not sleep either. He would just raise his head and look in one direction.
Deputy General Hong Bo and the others discovered.
The direction Frost Prince looked toward seemed to be the imperial capital and on the eve of the great battle, Qin Kingdom’s court also fell into a strange silence.
The current court was much quieter than usual.
The conflicts between the original factions and aristocratic families seemed to have suddenly stopped during these days.
Even the conflicts between those new officials and the aristocratic families had eased considerably.
After all, everyone in Qin Kingdom’s court was concerned about the situation on the battlefield.
They were using their various channels to inquire about that decisive battle outside Qi Kingdom’s Canghai Pass.
Some aristocratic families were even making preparations for defeat.
For this kind of aristocratic family, their hearts held more of their family’s interests.
As for who would be the master of this land in the future, they fundamentally did not care.
And for those officials who held ideals and had only Qin Kingdom’s interests in their hearts, they cared even more about this great battle.
They were not afraid of death but they feared Qin Kingdom losing.
If this decisive battle was lost, not only might the efforts made previously come to naught, the enemy army might even take advantage of victory to pursue and attack, entering directly into the imperial capital, and Qin Kingdom would thereupon be destroyed.
So for a time, how could the officials in Qin Kingdom’s court have any mind to attack their political enemies?
Qin Siyao in the imperial palace, on the contrary, appeared incomparably calm.
She still handled government affairs as usual, and once she had free time, she would go to the Xiao Manor to visit her mother-in-law. However, on this day, Qin Siyao entrusted Huasheng with a matter:
“Sister Huasheng, can you help me move a war drum to the Heaven-Gazing Tower?”
“Move a war drum to the Heaven-Gazing Tower?”
Huasheng was stunned for a moment and did not quite understand Qin Siyao’s meaning.
The Heaven-Gazing Tower was Qin Kingdom’s imperial palace’s tallest building, and could also be said to be the tallest tower within Qin Kingdom’s borders.
This tower was built by Mohist sect cultivators. It towered into the clouds and was used for observing the stars but what would Siyao do by moving a war drum to the Heaven-Gazing Tower?
“Mm, the kind of war drum used by the Northern Frontier army.” Qin Siyao nodded and said with a smile, “I’ll trouble Sister Huasheng.”
“I understand.”
Although she did not know what Siyao wanted to do, Huasheng still complied.
…
Chu territory, Tianji City.
Recently, Tianji City’s City Lord Wei Xingzi had declined all visitors.
Others were unclear about what had happened to the City Lord of Tianji City but Wei Xingzi’s son knew that his father’s time was nearly up.
On this day’s early morning.
Wei Xingzi woke early from his bed and had someone summon his son.
“Father.”
Tianji City’s Deputy City Lord He Qing walked to his father’s bedside and respectfully bowed.
“Mm.”
Wei Xingzi looked at his son and spoke in a peaceful tone.
“Qing’er, your father’s time will arrive today. There are some matters I must instruct you about.”
“…”
Hearing his father’s words, He Qing’s eyes wavered.
Although he had long been mentally prepared in his heart, and he himself as a Yin-Yang sect cultivator had long viewed life and death lightly.
When one’s close kin was about to pass away, one could not help but feel a trace of sadness in the heart.
“Even Ascension realm cultivators will die. How could your father not die? Moreover, your father has already lived long enough. You need not be sad. Comparatively speaking, every word I say next, you must remember, then pass it down as ancestral instructions. Do you understand?”
Wei Xingzi looked directly into his child’s eyes, waiting for his answer.
“Yes, Father.” He Qing solemnly responded.
Wei Xingzi nodded and slowly said:
“Your father once calculated twice regarding Tianji City’s survival.
The first time was when Frost Prince Xiao Mo led his great army to our Tianji City. If Tianji City refused to send troops, Frost Prince would raze Tianji City.
Fortunately, Frost Prince Xiao Mo is not an unreasonable person.
Our Tianji City sent troops for Qin Kingdom.
So this time has already been resolved.
The second time…”
Wei Xingzi paused slightly. In those aged eyes of his, it seemed as if stars were flowing:
“This second time was when I divined for Frost Prince. I glimpsed a secret of heaven. Come closer and listen.”
He Qing stepped forward, bent down, and brought his ear close to his father’s mouth.
As Wei Xingzi spoke word by word, the more He Qing listened, the more his mind shook, the more he felt it was inconceivable.
“At that time, the heavenly secret was of great magnitude. When Frost Prince asked me, I dared not speak.
If I had told Frost Prince, the Heavenly Dao would inevitably backlash. Not only would this old man’s body dissipate and Dao perish, our entire Tianji City from top to bottom would have not a single survivor.
The matter I just told you, you also must not tell anyone. Absolutely cannot write it on paper.
You can only pass it verbally to the next City Lord when you are about to die.
Do you understand?”
“I understand, Father!” He Qing nodded heavily, “This child will remember carefully!”
“Mm.”
Wei Xingzi nodded.
“From now on, our Tianji City will still maintain neutrality and absolutely cannot participate in other sects’ struggles or dynastic affairs but if the Demon Realm attacks, our Tianji City also absolutely cannot stand by and watch.
After a very, very long time, as for how long, in any case your grandson’s grandson will not see it.
At that time, among the later generations of our He family, there will be two women of exceptional talent.
One will have a forthright temperament.
One will have a steady character.
When that time comes, Tianji City must have one person go to that Great Wall to resist the demon clan.
As for the other, let her continue to remain here and guard Tianji City.
In future generations, whenever they come into contact with people surnamed Xiao, they must carefully and cautiously make contact.
If their character is acceptable, as long as our Tianji City can help, we should help them a bit.
Do you understand?”
“I understand clearly, Father.”
After Wei Xingzi finished conveying his last words, his entire person seemed to relax much more. His originally pale complexion also became more ruddy, looking not at all like someone whose time had arrived but He Qing knew this was merely his father’s final rally before death.
“Alright, the matters I needed to convey are just these. Tianji City’s road ahead will still depend on you all to walk yourselves. And this Ten Thousand Laws Realm should also change its heavens.”
Wei Xingzi looked out the window. His gaze seemed to reach that vast battlefield.
Hearing his father mention the words “change its heavens,” He Qing thought of outside Canghai Pass, that decisive battle about to occur, and asked, “Father… this time, can Qin Kingdom win?”
“Hehehe.”
Wei Xingzi laughed lightly.
“Win? What is called winning? What is called losing?”
“Frost Prince… What do you think…”
As the old City Lord’s last word fell, he slowly closed his eyes.
In the last moment of his vision, what he saw was not the courtyard outside but rather outside Canghai Pass, where the two armies had already arrayed themselves in confrontation.
A white-armored man, holding a long spear, riding a snow-treading horse, positioned before a million-strong army, slowly donned that Asura mask.
Behind him, the million-strong army also all covered their faces.
Qin Kingdom’s imperial capital, imperial palace, imperial study.
The woman who had been reviewing memorials all morning was resting her head on the desk for a brief nap.
A short while later, Qin Siyao’s eyelashes trembled slightly as she slowly opened her eyes.
“Xiao Mo…”
Qin Siyao, as if sensing something, straightened her back, pressed her hand against her heaving chest, and tightly pursed her thin lips.
Suddenly standing up, Qin Siyao ran toward the direction of the Star-Gazing Platform.
Arriving at the Star-Gazing Platform, Qin Siyao stared blankly into the distance, her thoughts involuntarily drifting.
“I don’t currently have anything I want. If Her Highness the Princess truly feels bad about it, just casually give me whatever reward you see fit.”
After the eight-year-old little boy saved the little girl of the same age, the little girl insisted on giving the little boy a gift, and the little boy had said this.
“Alright…” The little girl thought seriously, then raised her head. Bright light sparkled in her limpid big eyes, “I know what to give you.”
“What?”
“I want to beat the drum for you!” The little girl said happily.
“Beat the drum?”
“Yes, yes.”
The little girl nodded her beautiful head repeatedly.
“Father once told me that the best gift he ever received in his life was on his birthday when he charged in the vanguard and Mother beat the drum for him.
If Father said it was the best gift, then it’s the best and you’re so amazing now, you’ll definitely be a great general in the future.
So I also want to give you this best gift!
Xiao Mo, say something. Is it good for me to beat the drum for you? Is it good?”
“Good.”
“Husband… this wife will beat the drum for you…”
On the Star-Gazing Platform, the woman withdrew her thoughts.
Wearing a plain-colored long dress, her delicate hands picked up the drumsticks.
“Boom!”
The drumstick struck the drum surface. A deep and resonant sound spread through the high sky.
On the Canghai Pass plains, the great armies of both sides were like two enormous waves raised by the sea, charging toward each other.
The man in the lead brought the Snow-Treading Dragon Cavalry charging forth to kill.
Whenever battle commenced, the man was always the first to charge forth, without exception!
And whenever the soldiers saw their general’s back, they all felt from the bottom of their hearts that even if they died on the battlefield, they would have no regrets in this life!
“Boom!”
The woman beat the drum again. Her plain-colored long sleeve slid down from her arm, revealing her fair lotus-root arm.
The two armies’ weapons met. The sound of slaughter shook the heavens. Fresh blood stained the earth and stained the sky.
“Boom!”
“Boom!!”
“Boom!!!”
Again and again, sound after sound.
The woman’s drum beating became faster and faster, heavier and heavier.
Fine sweat slowly slid down from her fair forehead.
The high wind blew through her waterfall-like hair, gently lifting her garments.
On the battlefield, each thrust of Xiao Mo’s spear claimed several lives.
“Human clan! Do not be so arrogant!”
A Jade Simplicity realm elephant clan demon cultivator roared loudly, transformed into his original form, and stepped down toward Xiao Mo with one foot.
Xiao Mo’s mind focused. He leaped up, landed on its back, and thrust his spear downward into its body.
The ancient ten fierce beasts on the Ten Fierce Spear surged forth with the spear qi, tearing at this elephant clan demon cultivator’s flesh!
“Roar!”
With a miserable scream, the elephant clan demon cultivator exploded and scattered into chunks of flesh and blood, falling across the battlefield.
The snow-treading horse galloped toward its master.
Xiao Mo landed on the horse’s back and continued charging forth to kill.
Xiao Mo fought more valiantly as the battle progressed, leading the Snow-Treading Dragon Cavalry to charge rampantly across the battlefield, killing toward the center of the Qi army.
There, the King of Qi was watching everything on the battlefield.
Ten thousand zhang in the high sky, Ascension realm cultivators were engaged in magical combat, repeatedly trying to shatter the firmament.
By Xiao Mo’s ears, moreover, sounded wave after wave of war drums.
This war drum sound seemed not to come from the grasslands, but from afar.
As if a woman wearing a plain-colored dress stood behind the military formation, sleeves rolled up, striking the drum surface, each sound like thunder!
Two Immortal realm cultivators, five Jade Simplicity realm great powers, along with two hundred thousand troops, arrayed themselves before Xiao Mo.
Within the formation, the King of Qi actually transformed himself into the formation’s pivot, operating the great formation with all of Qi Kingdom’s remaining mountain and river qi fortune.
The King of Qi looked coldly at Xiao Mo and loudly said, “Junior! Do you dare enter the formation to kill me!”
At the same time, Qin Kingdom’s two Immortal realm and three Jade Simplicity realm cultivators simultaneously descended around Xiao Mo.
One hundred thousand Snow-Treading Dragon Cavalry stopped behind Xiao Mo.
The hundred thousand iron cavalry all emanated blood qi. Fresh blood stained their armor.
“Who is willing to enter the formation with me!”
Xiao Mo shouted loudly.
“We are willing to enter the formation with the General!”
The five Upper Three Realms cultivators and hundred thousand Snow-Treading Dragon Cavalry shouted in unison.
“Northern Frontier army!” Xiao Mo pointed his long spear forward, “Break the formation!”
With Xiao Mo at the forefront, the iron cavalry torrent charged toward the Qi army’s great formation.
Xiao Mo, as if sensing something, turned his head and looked far into the distance toward a certain place.
There, there was a tall tower.
The spring sunlight fell upon her. She beat the war drum again and again. Her long hair and long dress fluttered in the wind.
Although Xiao Mo could not see, Xiao Mo knew that her appearance at this moment must be very beautiful.
“Boom boom boom!”
“Boom boom boom boom!”
The woman forcefully struck the war drum. Sweat soaked her hair and clung to her dress and just as the woman struck the final time, the drumstick in her hand suddenly broke and fell to the ground.
The drum sound abruptly stopped.
Looking at the two broken drumsticks on the ground, the woman’s eyes wavered.
She slowly crouched down, picked up the drumsticks, and held them in her embrace.
The woman held the drumsticks tighter and tighter.
A layer of crystalline mist covered the woman’s eyes.
Teardrops slid down the woman’s cheeks, drop by drop falling to the ground.
The woman did not know how long she cried.
Until her tears flowed like a spring.
Until she could not stop sobbing.
Until she lost everything.