Beauties in Simulation Cross over into Reality

After leaving Tianji City, Xiao Mo returned to the Qin Kingdom’s Imperial City.

Following Xiao Mo’s return to the Qin Imperial City, the other Generals, having dealt with the Sects assigned to them, also arrived one by one in the Imperial City to report to him.

The Sovereign of Qin had temporarily entrusted Qin Siyao with the matter of the Sect Cultivators joining the army.

So, whenever the Generals reported to Xiao Mo these past few days, Qin Siyao would be at his side, listening and taking notes.

Afterward, she would compile the Generals’ reports and send them to her father, the Sovereign, for his daily review.

However, over the past few days, Qin Siyao had grown puzzled. Ever since Xiao Mo’s return, he seemed to have something on his mind, sometimes just sitting in the courtyard, lost in a daze.

”Xiao Mo... Xiao Mo... Xiao Mo!”

One day, Qin Siyao walked up to Xiao Mo and called out to him.

”Hm?”

It wasn’t until her third call that Xiao Mo finally came to his senses, a gentle smile gracing his lips as he looked at the woman before him.

”What is it?”

”’What is it?’ you ask.” Qin Siyao smoothed her skirt and sat beside him, pouting. ”I should be the one asking you that. Why have you been in such a daze these past few days?”

”It’s nothing...” Xiao Mo shook his head with a smile.

”Really nothing?” Qin Siyao’s brow furrowed as she looked at him doubtfully.

”Really, it’s nothing. I was just running through some possible scenarios for the great war to come.” Xiao Mo took her slender hand and had her sit beside him, changing the subject. ”By the way, have you given all the documents you compiled to Your Majesty?”

”Yes, I’ve given them all to my father. He’s finished reading them.” Qin Siyao nodded. ”Father told me to tell you that you have full authority to assign these Cultivators as you see fit. He said he trusts you and wants you to act freely. Speaking of which, Xiao Mo, are you planning to integrate all of these Cultivators into the army?”

”Every last one of them,” Xiao Mo said with a nod.

Hearing his answer, Qin Siyao lowered her head, a flicker of worry in her eyes.

”I know what you’re worried about, Siyao.”

Xiao Mo said with a smile.

”These Cultivators are indeed used to a lax lifestyle, while our Qin army is known for its strict discipline. If we mix them all together, it could compromise that discipline.

”But I will train them well beforehand. Besides, if they’re going to fight in the war, they must become familiar with the army. Otherwise, they won’t be able to unleash their full potential on the battlefield.

”Furthermore, most of our Qin forces are Martial Dao Cultivators. Their strength lies in their physical prowess; they can kill enemies of the same rank as long as they get in close.

”But that also makes them vulnerable to being kited by Demon Cultivators and Human Race Magicians who excel at Techniques.

”Integrating these Sect Cultivators will create a complementary force. It will be a case where one plus one equals more than two.”

”I see.” Qin Siyao nodded. ”Since this is a decision you’ve made after careful consideration, my love, then I will support you.”

”Don’t worry. Those Sect Cultivators understand the pros and cons. More importantly, they want to exchange military achievements for rewards. In reality, all we did was get the Sects to relent and allow their disciples to enlist. Many of these Cultivators came voluntarily; they weren’t forced.”

Xiao Mo gently squeezed Qin Siyao’s slender hand.

”By the way, Siyao, something has occurred to me recently. I have some ideas I’d like to share with you.

”Just listen to them for now. They aren’t necessarily all correct, and you certainly don’t have to implement all of them. You can adapt them to the actual situation when the time comes. I just want to give you a framework to think about.”

Xiao Mo picked up a brush and ink, idly writing on a piece of paper as he spoke:

”First, concerning the management of the Sects. In the future, after we unify the World of Ten Thousand Laws, we can win these Cultivator Sects over, but we must not grant them too much autonomy.

”It would be best to favor some and suppress others. Continue to offer incentives to those who support the Qin Kingdom. If any Sect fails to learn its lesson and tries to do as it pleases, we simply make an example of them. There’s nothing more to be said on that.

”Then, establish institutions to manage the Sects.

”We absolutely cannot let the Sects just reap rewards without contributing. We can require their disciples to descend the mountains for ’training,’ using them to help the Qin Kingdom slay Demons. We can then grant them resources based on their merits.

”This will also strengthen our ties with these Sects.

”However, we must also be careful not to let the Sects interfere in the affairs of the Imperial Court. We need to maintain a certain balance with them.

”Next is our Qin Kingdom’s current system of military merit.

”Right now, while the Qin Kingdom is expanding its territory, the system of military merit works fine. But if we were to continue it after unifying the World of Ten Thousand Laws, it would definitely cause problems.

”I have an idea: a dual system of recommendation-based assessments and examination-based selections.

”The latter, I call it the Imperial Examinations.

”The Hundred Schools of Thought each have their own strengths, so the categories of the examinations must be carefully considered. Perhaps a core of Confucianism with an exterior of Legalism would be best?

”All of these things will require your consideration in the future, Siyao...

”And also...”

”Xiao Mo!” Listening to her husband’s words, Qin Siyao frowned and cut him off.

”What’s wrong?” Xiao Mo asked with a smile.

”I don’t like you talking like this.” Qin Siyao watched him with a somber gaze. ”It feels... it feels like you’re giving your last words.”

”Silly girl, what are you saying?” Xiao Mo reached out and gently tapped her forehead. ”It’s just that on the battlefield, accidents can always happen. What if something were to happen to me then?”

Hearing the word ”accidents,” Qin Siyao’s face instantly went pale. Her small hands clutched her skirt as she shook her head frantically. ”No, that won’t happen! Nothing will happen to you, Xiao Mo!”

Seeing the fear in her eyes, Xiao Mo gave a small smile and stroked her hair. ”I’m just saying ’what if.’ After all, who can predict the will of Heaven...?”

”What will of Heaven!” Qin Siyao puffed out her cheeks. ”If the will of Heaven wants to take you from me, then I refuse to believe in it! And you’re not allowed to believe in it either! Do you hear me...?”

The woman’s eyes, so resolute yet filled with pleading, stirred something in Xiao Mo’s heart.

’If the Frost King does not leave the Imperial Court, your lifespan, I fear, will not exceed five years...’

The words the City Lord of Tianji City had spoken to him echoed once more in his mind.

”Xiao Mo, did you hear me? Even if there really is such a thing as the will of Heaven, you are not allowed to believe it. Did you hear me...?”

When Xiao Mo didn’t answer, Qin Siyao tugged at his sleeve.

”I hear you...”

Xiao Mo pinched Qin Siyao’s perfect, upturned nose.

”Since my lady has spoken, then even if this will of Heaven exists, I cannot believe in it. Even if I have to crawl back from the brink of death, I will return to your side.”

”Really?” Qin Siyao asked, her heart still fluttering with anxiety.

Xiao Mo smiled and nodded.

”Really.”