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

Chapter 388: A Thread of Hope

In Xiao Moʼs military camp, after Crown Prince Qin Jingsu, Xiao Yang, and others learned what happened in the Zhao Kingdom, their feelings were very complicated.

Bai Qiʼs death was definitely an enormous loss for the Qin Kingdom.

Even if Bai Qi had later redeemed himself through meritorious service, it would have been better than dying in vain by taking his own life but Bai Qiʼs edge was too exposed. He was too young and too proud.

They werenʼt unable to understand what was in Bai Qiʼs heart because Bai Qi, like the Frost Prince, had never been defeated in a single battle throughout all these years of campaigning.

This defeat dealt a great blow to Bai Qi.

Most importantly, Bai Qiʼs personality was stubborn. From a certain perspective, even somewhat obsessive. He was the same way when commanding troops.

When Bai Qi commanded troops, military law was strict and impartial, regardless of closeness.

So it was also because Bai Qi issued a military pledge. He believed that since the city had fallen, then according to military law, he must atone with his death.

Perhaps in Bai Qiʼs heart, he was also thinking of ”atoning to Heaven with death.”

He perhaps thought his stratagemʼs failure was due to karmic backlash from the Heavenly Dao.
Bai Qi hoped not to bring calamity upon the army because of his own killing karma.

Whether it was coincidence or the Heavenly Dao truly didnʼt pursue punishment against the Qin Kingdom army because Bai Qi took his own life.

After Bai Qiʼs death, that Ghost Separation Fire that had been burning for several miles actually truly stopped.

Several hundred thousand Qin Kingdom troops were spared. However, the loss of Shuihou City ultimately left behind enormous future troubles.

After learning of Shuihou Cityʼs fall, Xiao Shi knew he had not only been cut off from his supply route but would also be attacked from both sides. So he decisively led his army to fight their way back.

In the end, Xiao Shi gathered the remaining three hundred thousand troops from Bai Qiʼs forces, then garrisoned Weiʼe City, which could be considered temporarily stabilizing the situation but the most ominous situation was that Xiao Shi had encountered an accident during the great battle.

He was severely wounded, and his condition seemed extremely bad.

”What are everyoneʼs views?”

Xiao Mo asked the Crown Prince and other generals.

Zhao Guang shook his head and spoke, ”Our Qin Kingdom is fighting on three fronts. The two most important points are that General Xiahou can hold back the Qi Kingdom, and our army and the Northern Pacification Princeʼs army can gain the advantage.

But as a result now, with this incident befalling the Northern Pacification Princeʼs army, Iʼm afraid that while the Zhao Kingdom armyʼs morale greatly surges, theyʼll also be able to free up their hands. Things on our side will be very unfavorable.”

”Indeed.” Li Jing nodded. ”If this continues, the disadvantage of the Northern Pacification Princeʼs army will spread to us here. Our side must immediately achieve results. Unless we capture the Jin Kingdom, otherwise in this great battle, for our Qin Kingdom, Iʼm afraid the odds are against us.”

”But the problem is, how else can we speed up our siege progress?”

Hei Daniu scratched his head.

”Although Iʼm a crude person, Iʼve also read some military strategy. The Jin Kingdom isnʼt a plain where we can push through unobstructed. Attacking cities always takes time, not to mention that after the Jin Kingdom soldiers hear news of the Zhao Kingdomʼs great victory, their will to resist will definitely be stronger than before.”

”Perhaps we can also adopt the Northern Pacification Princeʼs method.”

Just then, Crown Prince Qin Jingsu stroked his chin and spoke.

”What does Your Highness the Crown Prince mean?” Xiao Mo looked at Qin Jingsu, vaguely guessing what Qin Jingsu was about to say.

”Everyone, please look.”

Qin Jingsu pointed at the sand table and slowly spoke.

”Currently, the Jin Kingdomʼs capital isnʼt very far from us at all. The reason we havenʼt reached the Jin Kingdomʼs capital is entirely because we need to capture the surrounding cities to eliminate any worries for our armyʼs rear.

But if we advance through the line of Yaoqin City, Cangmang City, and Mingyue City, as long as we pass Three-Foot Path, the army can directly strike at the Jin Kingdomʼs imperial capital!

Once the Jin Kingdom is destroyed, we can still turn the overall situation around!”

Xiao Yang spoke, ”But Your Highness the Crown Prince, if we do this, we need someone to defend Caiyun City to the death, like General Bai Qi defended Shuihou City, to protect our armyʼs rear route.

More critically, at that time weʼll be attacked from all sides! Wanting to hold this city will definitely not be easy!”

”But as long as we hold it, wonʼt that be enough?” Qin Jingsu turned around and bowed to Xiao Mo. ”If the general trusts Jingsu, Jingsu can defend Caiyun City. I wonʼt let even a wild goose pass!”

”...”

Hearing everyoneʼs words, Xiao Moʼs brows furrowed.

Finally, Xiao Mo shook his head, ”This matter is not trivial. Let me think it over carefully. All of you may withdraw for now.”

”Yes, General!”

The various generals clasped their fists in salute and withdrew from the command tent.

Sitting in the command tent, Xiao Mo took a sip of tea, his gaze fixed intently on the sand table before him and just as Xiao Mo finished drinking half the teapot, he set down the teapot and sighed, ”I knew His Highness the Crown Prince would definitely come find me again.”

At the tent entrance, Qin Jingsu stood straight, looking at Xiao Mo with a smile, ”Brother-in-law, you should know what Iʼm going to say.”

Xiao Mo shook his head, ”This matter is too risky. If something goes wrong and Caiyun City isnʼt held, our army will fall into danger. At that time, the Qin Kingdom will truly be finished...”

”So, this Caiyun City can only be defended by me!”

Qin Jingsu walked to Xiao Moʼs side, his smile gradually fading as he spoke with extreme seriousness.

”The battle has progressed until now. General Xiahouʼs defense grows increasingly difficult. On the Zhao Kingdom front, our Qin Kingdomʼs advantage is completely lost, and the Northern Pacification Prince is even severely wounded.

If this continues, our Qin Kingdom will become increasingly unfavorable.

Rather than this, we can only take a gamble! Only then can we have a thread of hope!

And I am the Qin Kingdomʼs Crown Prince. Only if I staunchly defend Caiyun City can I better unite the soldiersʼ hearts and boost their morale.

Furthermore, brother-in-law shouldnʼt underestimate me.

In the military camp, when it comes to defending cities, I still have considerable insight!”

”...” Xiao Mo still remained silent, not answering.

Qin Jingsu continued, ”Brother-in-law, I know what youʼre worried about. Youʼre afraid Iʼll do something foolish. But rest assured, Iʼm not a fool. If I can live, naturally I wonʼt seek death! Iʼm not acting impulsively, and I wonʼt act impulsively in the future. I will definitely hold out until the Jin Kingdomʼs capital falls!”

After Qin Jingsu finished speaking, the command tent fell into complete silence.

Xiao Mo and Qin Jingsu looked at each other.

”How many troops does elder brother need?”

After a long while, Xiao Mo spoke.

In his heart, Xiao Mo also understood that to reverse the overall situation now, they had to stake everything on one gamble.

”Two hundred thousand!” Qin Jingsu spoke. ”I only need two hundred thousand troops! I can definitely hold out until the day the Jin Kingdomʼs royal family falls!”

”Good! I agree to elder brotherʼs request!” Xiao Mo nodded. ”But elder brother must also not forget what you promised me. You must return alive! Elder brother is the Qin Kingdomʼs Crown Prince. Right now, the Qin Kingdom has no other princes!”

”I understand.”

The corners of Qin Jingsuʼs mouth curved up. After bowing in salute, he turned and walked out of the command tent. His voice came from behind him.

”When I return, brother-in-law must properly prepare a victory feast for me!”