We Agreed On Experiencing Life, So Why Did You Immortals Become Real? - Chapter 392: These Young People Will Do Better Than Us
Xiao Shi and Xiao Mo came to the imperial palace.
After the Qin Kingdom’s ruler rewarded Xiao Mo and Xiao Shi according to proper protocol, he began chatting with them about the many matters on the battlefield.
Although at this time the Qin Kingdom had annexed Jin Kingdom, conquered nearly half of Zhao Kingdom’s territory, and even separated Qi Kingdom and Zhao Kingdom so they could no longer support each other, which could be said to give them every advantage, the Qin Kingdom still could not be arrogant.
Until the very last step, one never knew what might happen, especially since Chu Kingdom and the two great nations of the Demon Realm had reached some unknown agreement.
This required even more careful action.
Otherwise, if there were any negligence, all previous efforts would surely be wasted.
After discussion among the three, they finally decided to first stabilize the current situation, then slowly proceed from there.
As for Bai Qi’s fault, it did not extend to his family. Moreover, Bai Qi had loyally served the nation until his final moment, so he would still receive a grand burial. As for his title, it would be inherited by his sister’s child in the future.
Three hours later, Xiao Shi left the imperial study first, while Xiao Mo was kept behind by the Qin Kingdom’s ruler.
“Does Your Majesty have further instructions for this subject?” Xiao Mo asked puzzledly.
“Nothing in particular,” the Qin Kingdom’s ruler patted his clothes and stood up from the soft couch, “Just accompany me for a walk first.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Xiao Mo nodded and followed beside the Qin Kingdom’s ruler, walking out of the imperial study.
The Qin Kingdom’s ruler had Eunuch Li leave, then strolled aimlessly with Xiao Mo through the palace gardens.
“Xiao Mo, this time we truly relied on you. If you hadn’t destroyed Jin Kingdom, the current battlefield situation would be extremely unfavorable for our Qin Kingdom.”
The Qin Kingdom’s ruler sighed from the bottom of his heart.
“Your Majesty praises me too highly. Mo only contributed a small effort. If not for the Crown Prince blocking the Jin Kingdom feudal lords, if not for the Qin Kingdom soldiers being united in purpose, this subject would have been far from able to attack the Jin Kingdom capital.”
“You…” The Qin Kingdom’s ruler smiled and shook his head, “It’s just you and me here now. There’s no need to be modest with me. When I praise you, I mean it. What, do you think I’m praising the wrong person?”
“This…” Xiao Mo hastily bowed, “May Your Majesty calm his anger…”
“Alright, alright,” the Qin Kingdom’s ruler shook his head helplessly, “Why are you always so cautious? You’re this young fellow, not very old, but you always seem much more mature than even your father.”
Xiao Mo didn’t answer, only continued walking with the Qin Kingdom’s ruler, though positioning himself half a step behind.
After a while, the Qin Kingdom’s ruler glanced at the man beside him and smiled slightly, “Xiao Mo, do you think my body is fine, not at all like someone seriously ill?”
“It is naturally best that Your Majesty is safe and sound,” Xiao Mo replied.
“Hahaha, it would be good if I were truly safe and sound, but I’m not,” the Qin Kingdom’s ruler clasped his hands behind his back and slowly said, “To tell you the truth, I actually don’t have many years left to live.”
Xiao Mo glanced at the Qin Kingdom’s ruler. He didn’t look at all like someone who didn’t have many years to live. His complexion was not much different from before, only perhaps appearing a bit haggard recently due to the war and the deaths in battle of his two sons.
“Don’t believe me?”
The Qin Kingdom’s ruler smiled slightly. With a shake of his palm, he dispersed all the mountain and river fortune wrapped around his body.
Sensing the weak life flame within the Qin Kingdom’s ruler’s body, Xiao Mo’s heart jolted.
The Qin Kingdom’s ruler’s life flame was like a candle flickering in the wind. Although it wouldn’t extinguish immediately, he probably didn’t have much time left.
After a moment, the Qin Kingdom’s ruler once again condensed the mountain and river fortune around his body and stepped forward, his tone carrying a calm acceptance of life and death, “Many years ago, about twenty years back, I made a mistake during cultivation. I failed when attempting to break through to the Jade Simplicity realm. Only your father knows of this. Although I preserved my life, my Dao foundation was severely damaged.
In the time since, I have continuously maintained my lifespan with mountain and river fortune and various elixirs.
If I focused on recuperation, perhaps I could live another ten or twenty years but I don’t like that kind of life!
Over these years, I have worried and labored too much, causing my essence to dissipate even faster. However, I don’t care.
Death comes to all, whether light as a feather or heavy as Mount Tai.
For me, living vigorously and having a clear conscience is enough but I have failed my two sons, and failed my daughter…”
As his words fell, the Qin Kingdom’s ruler turned around and looked at Xiao Mo with a smile,
“Xiao Mo, in your view, am I a heartless person? Someone who can abandon everything for the great undertaking in his heart, even placing his own son in mortal danger?”
“…” Xiao Mo remained silent.
One reason was that Xiao Mo truly didn’t know how to answer.
The second was that in Xiao Mo’s heart, he did indeed feel the Qin Kingdom’s ruler was somewhat heartless.
“You’re right to think so, you’re right…”
The Qin Kingdom’s ruler didn’t explain either, only raised his head to look at the distant trees swaying gently.
“I estimate I have at most three years left to live. You need not tell Siyao about this.
As for the next Qin Kingdom’s ruler, I have thought about it for a long time and have considerations in my heart, but I cannot tell you yet. However, Xiao Mo, if the Qin Kingdom’s ruler at that time doesn’t do well enough, you may take his place.”
“This subject dares not! This subject will certainly do his utmost to assist, to not fail Your Majesty’s trust!” Xiao Mo hastily bowed in salute.
“You…”
The Qin Kingdom’s ruler sighed.
“Do you really think I’m still testing you? In the past, your Xiao family ancestor together with the former emperor conquered the Qin Kingdom’s lands. Over five generations, especially your generation, most of the expanded territory is related to your Xiao family.
The Qin family has ruled this realm for so many years. Why should your Xiao family not be able to sit on the throne as well?”
“Please, Your Majesty, do not speak such words,” Xiao Mo said in a deep voice.
“Alas, forget it, forget it. I’ve said what I needed to say. Whether to believe it or listen to it is up to you…”
The Qin Kingdom’s ruler waved his hand.
“I want to walk alone for a while. Xiao Mo, you may go. During this time, spend more time with Siyao, and visit the empress more. Additionally, I know you and your father are quite distant.
But… your father, this fellow Xiao Shi, is actually quite a good person, at least better than me.
Talk more with your father.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. This subject takes his leave,” Xiao Mo bowed in salute and turned to leave.
After Xiao Mo left, the Qin Kingdom’s ruler continued walking forward, coming to a nearby pavilion where he slowly sat down.
“Cough, cough, cough…”
The Qin Kingdom’s ruler coughed a few times, looked in the direction Xiao Mo had left, and shook his head.
“Talk more with him. In the future, you won’t have the chance anymore…”
As his words fell, the Qin Kingdom’s ruler raised his head and slowly spoke in the direction of the Xiao Manor, “Don’t worry. After the two of us are gone, these young people will do better than us.”
