Recaps

After defeating Du Beiwang and taking Fengshang City, Xiao Mo advanced toward the Wei capital as the Qin forces pressed across the kingdom. Xiao Yishe's disastrous defense of Huating led to his execution, while Xiao Mo's army reached the capital and received Xiahou Nan's request to surrender to the Frost King.

• Xiao Mo defeated Du Beiwang at Northlook Plain, buried him there as requested, and captured Fengshang City after its defenders surrendered.
• The Wei ruler tried to surrender through Xiao Mo, but Xiao Mo forwarded the letter to Xiao Shi, who sent it to the Qin ruler; the Qin ruler rejected surrender and ordered the advance to continue.
• Xiao Shi entrusted Xiao Yishe with Huating's defense, but Xiao Yishe abandoned the key routes and water supply, allowing Zhang Hu to defeat his forces and open the way into Luxi.
• Xiao Yishe fled toward Chu, but Xiao Mo captured him; Xiao Shi ordered his son executed and then gave Xiao Mo greater autonomy and reinforcements.
• Xiao Mo's army reached the Wei capital first, prompting the Wei ruler to order Xiahou Nan back to defend it; Xiahou Nan instead sent Zhang Qiu to request surrender to the Frost King.

Xiao Mo met Xiahou Nan to discuss the general’s supposed surrender and recognized that he intended to seize command of the Wei and surrendered troops before turning against the Northern Wilderness. Xiao Mo accepted the risk and appealed to Xiahou Nan’s ambition and his bond with Old General Du, leaving Xiahou Nan to consider joining him; the chronicle later recorded that Xiahou Nan surrendered and fought alongside Xiao Mo to take the Wei capital.

• Xiao Mo agreed to meet Xiahou Nan after the general offered to surrender, despite his officers’ warnings that it might be a trap.
• Xiao Mo and Xiahou Nan shared wine and spoke about Old General Du, whom Xiahou Nan regretted bringing back to war.
• Xiahou Nan admitted he planned to take command of both armies and wait for a chance to defeat Xiao Mo, but Xiao Mo still offered to put the Wei soldiers under his command.
• Xiao Mo urged Xiahou Nan to help unify the kingdoms and witness the age Old General Du had hoped to see, then walked away without demanding an answer.
• The chronicle recorded that twenty days after the Northern Wilderness reached the Wei capital, Xiahou Nan surrendered and joined Xiao Mo in attacking the city.

Xiao Mo captured the Wei Kingdom's capital and stabilized its administration while the Qin army drove back Chu's forces. After reconciling with his eldest brother, Xiao Mo was summoned with him by Xiao Shi, who asked what they would think if he declared himself emperor.

• Xiahou Nan and Xiao Mo broke through Wei's capital after its protective Formation shattered, and Xiao Mo captured the imperial family while preserving order in the city.
• Xiao Mo had Wei's records inventoried, executed many officials on Xiahou Nan's advice, and released capable officials who refused to serve him.
• Xiao Shi arrived with the armies from the four fronts and told Xiao Mo that Qin Jingsu had halted the Chu advance and that Qin's forces were now pushing the Chu army back.
• Xiao Yichuan apologized to Xiao Mo for Xiao Yishe's actions and said his second brother's ambition for the title of Prince Zhenbei had been his own downfall.
• Xiao Shi summoned Xiao Mo and Xiao Yichuan to the palace hall, sat on Wei's dragon throne, and asked what they would think if he declared himself emperor.

Xiao Shi tested Xiao Mo and Xiao Yichuan on whether they would support him declaring himself emperor, then explained that he had already punished generals who urged rebellion. After the Qin Kingdom welcomed Xiao Shi back from the Wei campaign, Xiao Mo led a masked cavalry procession that thrilled the crowds, while Qin Siyao confidently decided he could only choose her.

• Xiao Mo and Xiao Yichuan opposed Xiao Shi proclaiming himself emperor, citing their loyalty to Qin, the people, and the kingdom's need to recover from war.
• Xiao Shi revealed that he had punished generals who advocated rebellion and warned his sons not to harbor disloyal ambitions unless the ruler became tyrannical or Xiao Manor was persecuted.
• Four days later, Xiao Shi returned to court with the Wei Kingdom's imperial jade seal, leaving Xiao Mo in command of his troops during the march home.
• Months later, the Qin Kingdom's Lord welcomed Xiao Shi, then ordered Xiao Mo and five hundred masked Snow-Treading Dragon Cavalry to lead the procession through the capital.
• Xiao Mo ordered the riders to remove their masks, prompting women in the city to cheer, while Qin Siyao told Peanut that no woman was prettier than her and concluded Xiao Mo could only choose her.

After the Qin Kingdom rewarded Xiao Mo and his generals for conquering Wei, Xiao Mo asked the Qin Kingdom's Lord for one more favor. He brought Qin Siyao an imperial decree granting their marriage, and she accepted it with tears of joy.

• The Qin Kingdom's Lord rewarded Xiao Shi, Xiahou Nan, Li Jing, Zhao Guang, and the other generals for their roles in the Wei campaign.
• The Qin Kingdom's Lord granted Xiao Mo six provinces, including Wei's Imperial Capital, despite Xiao Mo's hesitation about the size of his fief.
• The Qin Kingdom's Lord summoned Xiao Mo to the Imperial Study and offered to grant him another request.
• Xiao Mo went to Qin Siyao's residence and surprised her while she was making him a pair of shoes.
• Xiao Mo read the imperial decree granting his marriage to Qin Siyao, and she accepted it, promising to stay by his side until the end of time.

Xiao Mo returned to Xiao Manor with Qin Siyao and told his mother that the emperor had granted their marriage, bringing Zhou Ruoxi great happiness. As she shared why the marriage eased her worries about his future, snow began falling in the courtyard.

• Zhou Ruoxi and Cuicui prepared a lavish dinner for Xiao Mo and Qin Siyao, and Xiao Mo noticed a strand of white in his mother's hair.
• Xiao Mo presented the imperial marriage decree to Zhou Ruoxi, who rejoiced, while Cuicui congratulated the couple.
• After escorting Qin Siyao home, Xiao Mo stayed at Xiao Manor to keep his mother company, but Xiao Shi summoned him.
• Zhou Ruoxi told Xiao Mo that she had worried about his safety and loneliness, and praised Siyao for praying for him, learning to make him shoes, and keeping her company.
• Zhou Ruoxi returned the decree to Xiao Mo and told him not to bully Siyao; after he went inside, snow began falling as she watched the night sky.

After Xiao Mo and Qin Siyao’s betrothal was announced, the First Prince gained prestige while Xiao Mo refused to take sides in the succession. The Jin Kingdom then arranged a marriage between Qin Jingyuan and Grand Princess Ji Yue, delaying Xiao Mo and Qin Siyao’s wedding and leaving Xiao Mo suspicious that a major event was coming.

• The Qin Kingdom’s Lord sent Xiahou Nan to join Qin Jingsu against Chu, and their victory further raised the First Prince’s standing.
• Qin Jingsu tried to recruit Xiao Mo, but Xiao Mo refused to involve himself in the succession.
• Xiao Mo and Qin Siyao saw Xiao Yichuan off as he returned to the Taoshan Sect, and Xiao Yichuan asked Xiao Mo to watch over Xiao Manor.
• Qin Jingyuan accepted the scholar’s terms, and the scholar promised that the Jin Kingdom would not disappoint him.
• The Jin Kingdom proposed that Qin Jingyuan marry Grand Princess Ji Yue, and the two kingdoms announced their wedding for the following year.
• The marriage alliance postponed Xiao Mo and Qin Siyao’s wedding, while Qin Siyao protested and Xiao Mo suspected the timing concealed a larger plot.

Xiao Mo was summoned by the Qin Kingdom's Lord to discuss proposed reforms and urged sweeping changes to noble ranks, administration, landholding, law, and recruitment. The King kept their discussion secret and told Xiao Mo to remain in the capital, leaving the reforms undecided.

• Qin Jingyuan apologized to Qin Siyao and Xiao Mo for his marriage delaying Qin Siyao's wedding, then summoned Xiao Mo to the palace at the Qin Kingdom's Lord's request.
• The Qin Kingdom's Lord showed Xiao Mo conservative reform proposals and said he intended to reform the kingdom despite noble resistance.
• Xiao Mo proposed merit-based noble ranks, a Junxian system of commanderies and counties, state land grants, revised laws and oversight, and ranks for guest ministers.
• The Qin Kingdom's Lord asked whether Xiao Mo understood the risks to the nobles and his own descendants, and Xiao Mo argued that reform was necessary to keep the Qin Kingdom from falling to its enemies.
• The Qin Kingdom's Lord ordered Xiao Mo to keep their discussion secret and remain in the capital with Qin Siyao, then continued pondering Xiao Mo's words after he left.

Xiao Mo took Qin Siyao to a snowy mountain summit, where she performed a sword dance and worried that she was not good enough for him. He reassured her that he would never tire of loving her.

• Xiao Mo reflected on the reforms he had proposed to the Qin Kingdom's Lord and waited to see whether the ruler would act on them.
• Qin Siyao complained that her eldest brother had sent her books about being a good wife and criticized her for sulking over the delayed wedding.
• Xiao Mo took Qin Siyao to a snowy mountain summit to show her the winter landscape.
• Qin Siyao performed a sword dance for Xiao Mo and asked whether he would find her wanting because she lacked domestic skills and composure.
• Xiao Mo reassured Qin Siyao, and she told him to love her for the rest of his life without ever growing tired of it.

Qin Siyao gave Xiao Mo a pair of handmade shoes and took him to Wang Jun Mountain, where she told him a story about an Ancient Qin princess waiting for her betrothed to return. After Xiao Mo left, Qin Siyao put on an ancient mask and walked alone through the capital, leaving the story’s ending untold.

• Qin Siyao visited Xiao Mo and gave him shoes she had made, which fit him perfectly.
• Qin Siyao asked Xiao Mo to accompany her to a mountain outside the capital, and he agreed.
• Qin Siyao told Xiao Mo a story about an Ancient Qin princess whose betrothed never returned from war.
• Qin Siyao refused to reveal the story’s ending to Xiao Mo and later to her maid Mingyue.
• Qin Siyao put on an ancient mask and walked alone through the capital.

Xiao Mo settled into life with Qin Siyao while helping the Qin Kingdom recruit talented guest officials and assemble his future staff. The chapter ended with Qin Jingyuan rejecting Ji Yue’s kindness and lying drunk in the snow after she retreated in tears.

• Xiao Mo and Qin Siyao spent their days together at Frost King's Manor, where she moved in next door and filled the residence with furnishings and plants.
• The Qin Kingdom's Lord issued rules for recruiting guest officials, and Xiao Mo recommended Bai Qi, Zhang Yi, and Baili Xi, who in turn recommended Jian Shu.
• Xiao Mo recruited Xiao Yang, Xiao Fu, Xiao Dashi, and former Iron Tiger Army comrades to serve among his future personnel.
• Ji Yue arrived in the Qin Kingdom six months before her wedding and met Xiao Mo and Qin Siyao, who found her kind and elegant.
• After Xiao Mo and Qin Siyao left, Qin Jingyuan rejected Ji Yue when she tried to cover his shoulders with her cloak, called her a pawn, and drank alone in the snow.

Qin Siyao read Peanut’s romance novel and became flustered while imagining a future with Xiao Mo. Their quiet visit was interrupted when a maid announced that Lian Li had arrived with a letter from General Xiahou, leaving Qin Siyao glaring at Xiao Mo.

• Peanut fled Qin Siyao’s offer of spicy chicken, and Qin Siyao read Peanut’s romance novel instead.
• Qin Siyao imagined holding hands and having children with Xiao Mo, then went to see him as he cultivated.
• Xiao Mo finished meditating, and Qin Siyao praised his improving cultivation while nervously watching his hand.
• A maid announced that Lian Li had come with a letter from General Xiahou after passing his test.
• Xiao Mo recognized Lian Li’s name, and Qin Siyao gave him a resentful look.

Lian Li joined Qin as Xiao Mo’s deputy general and gave him a handmade Marriage Jade Pendant for his wedding to Qin Siyao. As snow fell over Qingxiang Garden, Xiao Mo and Qin Siyao walked hand in hand, with Siyao asking to admire the plum blossoms a little longer each time he suggested they return.

• Qin Siyao secretly listened as Xiao Mo welcomed Lian Li to his courtyard.
• Lian Li explained that she had come to serve Qin after hearing of Xiao Mo’s ambition to bring peace to the world, and Xiao Mo appointed her deputy general.
• Lian Li gave Xiao Mo a handmade Marriage Jade Pendant for him and Qin Siyao before leaving.
• Qin Siyao offered to accept Xiao Mo taking Lian Li as a secondary wife, but Xiao Mo said he could love only her.
• Xiao Mo invited Qin Siyao to see the plum blossoms at Qingxiang Garden, and they walked hand in hand through the falling snow.
• When Xiao Mo repeatedly suggested they head back, Qin Siyao kept asking to look at the plum blossoms a little longer.

Xiao Mo and Qin Siyao visited Qin Jingyuan and Ji Yue, where they discussed the princes’ marriage and the shifting politics of Qin Kingdom. After Ji Yue helped Qin Siyao find the courage to change how she addressed Xiao Mo, the couple called each other husband and wife for the first time.

• Qin Siyao visited Qin Jingyuan with New Year gifts and her cooking, while Xiao Mo observed the polite but uneasy relationship between Qin Jingyuan and Ji Yue.
• Qin Jingyuan tasted Qin Siyao’s dishes, praised her improvements, and sent Ji Yue to show her the Green Glass Carp; Xiao Mo watched a bird faint after eating the eggplant.
• Qin Jingyuan told Xiao Mo that Qin Kingdom’s future depended on him, then sparred with him before Qin Siyao stopped them.
• Qin Siyao claimed five fish and several treasures from Qin Jingyuan, then left with Xiao Mo while Qin Jingyuan’s cheerful expression faded and he rejected Ji Yue’s attempt to comfort him.
• On the walk home, Qin Siyao recalled Ji Yue’s advice and asked Xiao Mo to play a game in which he answered whenever she called his name.
• Qin Siyao called Xiao Mo “H-husband,” and Xiao Mo answered, “my wife.”

Xiao Mo defeated Bai Qi in a spear spar and provided him with supplies and guidance before Bai Qi left to join the Northern Wilderness Army. Xiao Mo then told Qin Siyao he planned to undergo tribulation and enter the Nascent Soul Realm before New Year, and she promised she would always wait for him to return.

• Xiao Mo defeated Bai Qi in a spear spar and gave him pills, body-tempering prescriptions, Foundation Establishment Pills, and the Xiao Family's Overlord Spear Technique.
• Bai Qi told Xiao Mo he was leaving for the Northern Wilderness Army, and Xiao Mo promised to look after Bai Qi's mother and little sister.
• Xiao Mo warned Bai Qi to control his killing intent before Bai Qi took his leave.
• Xiao Mo told Qin Siyao he planned to undergo tribulation and enter the Nascent Soul Realm before New Year because his cultivation could no longer remain suppressed.
• Qin Siyao worried about Xiao Mo's breakthrough but supported him and promised she would always wait for him to come home.

Xiao Mo underwent a Nascent Soul tribulation outside the Qin Kingdom’s Imperial Capital and survived the legendary Ten-String Tribulation, revealing himself as the Frost King. Afterward, he reunited with Qin Siyao, who said she would pursue Ascension only if he did.

• Xiao Mo began his Nascent Soul tribulation in a basin while Qin Siyao and Peanut watched from outside.
• After Xiao Mo endured nine bolts of lightning, a legendary Ten-String Tribulation gathered, and Peanut explained its danger to Qin Siyao.
• A zither-bearing manifestation of the Great Dao tested Xiao Mo with armies, demons, flood dragons, and deities, but he countered its final golden spear with his own.
• Xiao Mo completed his breakthrough, and his Manifestation of Law revealed to the Imperial Capital that the Frost King had reached the Nascent Soul realm.
• Xiao Mo reunited with Qin Siyao, who said she would seek Ascension only if he did, because life without him would have no meaning.

After Xiao Mo entered the Nascent Soul stage, he celebrated New Year's Eve with Qin Siyao, Zhou Ruoxi, and Cuicui. They welcomed the new year together in the Qin Kingdom's Imperial Capital beneath the fireworks.

• Xiao Mo refused the congratulatory gifts sent by officials, accepting only those from the Qin Kingdom's Lord.
• Xiao Mo and Qin Siyao decorated Frost King's Manor, then went to the Xiao Royal Mansion to celebrate with Zhou Ruoxi and Cuicui.
• Qin Siyao joined Zhou Ruoxi and Cuicui in preparing dinner while Xiao Mo carved a Formation to keep the food warm.
• Xiao Mo and Qin Siyao shared New Year's blessings with Zhou Ruoxi and Cuicui over dinner before heading to the Imperial Capital's lantern festival.
• Xiao Mo, Qin Siyao, Zhou Ruoxi, and Cuicui watched fireworks together as the new year began.

Xiao Mo and Qin Siyao spent the New Year visiting family, while the Qin Kingdom recruited talent and entrusted Li Bin with controlling Shu Land’s floods. The chapter ended with Xiao Mo questioning the Qin Kingdom’s Lord’s decision to grant Qin Jingyuan a fief bordering the Jin Kingdom, since Qin Jingyuan was married into its royal family.

• Xiao Mo and Qin Siyao visited Xia Qingke, then went to the palace and spent the day paying respects to the Qin Kingdom’s Lord, Empress Shi, and the princes.
• On the second day of the New Year, Xiahou Nan and Lian Li visited Xiao Mo, who decided to buy a residence beside his manor for their discussions.
• After the Lantern Festival, Qin Siyao cultivated diligently and reached the late stage of the Dragon Gate Realm.
• The Qin Kingdom’s Lord recruited Li Bin, a spy from the Zheng Kingdom, and sent him to Shu Land to oversee flood control and build a great weir.
• The Qin Kingdom’s Lord granted Qin Jingyuan the title of King Jing and a fief bordering the Jin Kingdom, prompting Xiao Mo to wonder whether the Lord feared his son might rebel.

After Qin Jingsu was named Crown Prince, Qin Jingyuan left the capital for his fief, entrusting Qin Siyao to Xiao Mo. As Xiao Mo and Qin Siyao waited for their wedding, a hawk delivered news that the Yan and Chu Kingdoms had massed troops at the border and intended to invade.

• Qin Jingyuan married the Jin Kingdom's Grand Princess in a grand ceremony attended by the Jin Kingdom's Empress and Prime Minister.
• The Qin Kingdom's Lord named Qin Jingsu heir apparent, and Qin Jingyuan prepared to leave for his fief.
• Qin Jingyuan gave Qin Siyao the last Green Glass Fish and said farewell to her and Xiao Mo, asking Xiao Mo to care for her.
• After Qin Jingyuan departed, Qin Siyao cooked for cats, dogs, chickens, and ducks while she and Xiao Mo waited for their wedding.
• A white-feathered hawk brought Xiao Mo a message that the Yan and Chu Kingdoms had massed troops at the border and planned to invade.

After the Qin Kingdom ordered Xiao Mo to lead an army against Chu, Qin Siyao prepared for his departure and tried to accept another postponement of their wedding. On the eve of his journey, she returned to his room because she could not sleep and asked if she could look at him for the rest of her life.

• The Qin Kingdom's Lord ordered Xiao Mo to lead the Northern Wastes army against Chu and Chang An to lead troops against Yan.
• Qin Siyao packed Xiao Mo's belongings and comforted him about their postponed wedding before he left the next day.
• Xiao Mo nourished the Ten Fierce Spear with spiritual energy and went to sleep.
• Qin Siyao slipped back into Xiao Mo's room and watched him while he pretended to sleep.
• Xiao Mo woke and asked why Qin Siyao was there, and she confessed that she wanted to look at him before he left.
• Qin Siyao asked Xiao Mo if he would let her look at him for the rest of her life.

Xiao Mo left Si Yao and led a million soldiers to Fengyu City, where he defeated Dragon Abyss’s Chu army and forced it to retreat. With Chu forces attacking on multiple fronts, Xiao Mo assigned Bai Qi, supported by Lian Li and Zhao Guang, to face Wu Qi.

• Xiao Mo left the Frost King's Manor after asking Peanut to care for Si Yao, then gathered his companions outside the Imperial Capital and marched to Fengyu City.
• Xiao Mo took command of Fengyu City’s forces and joined them with the Northern Wilderness Army, bringing his army to one million soldiers.
• Xiao Mo led a sortie that routed Dragon Abyss’s army, pursued it for twenty li, and attacked its camp that night, forcing Dragon Abyss to retreat to Liaocheng.
• Gongsun Shi sent forces led by Zhaoyang and Wu Qi to attack Xia City and Tiansi City while Dragon Abyss kept Xiao Mo occupied.
• Xiao Mo sent Xiahou Nan to confront Zhaoyang and appointed Bai Qi, with Lian Li and Zhao Guang as deputies, to deal with Wu Qi.

Bai Qi led Qin’s army to a costly victory over Wu Qi at Tiansi City, breaking the Chu formation and forcing a retreat. He then vowed to repay the Frost King’s kindness by destroying Wu Qi’s army and conquering Nanshan Kingdom.

• Xiao Mo appointed Bai Qi commander and sent him with Li Jing and Zhao Guang to Tiansi City with nine hundred thousand troops.
• Bai Qi chose to meet Wu Qi’s approaching Chu army in a direct battle outside Tiansi City.
• Bai Qi countered Wu Qi’s cavalry maneuvers and used light infantry and Snow-Treading Dragon Cavalry to break into the Chu army’s central formation.
• Wu Qi ordered a retreat after the Chu formation fell into disarray, and Bai Qi limited pursuit to avoid further losses.
• After surveying the battlefield, Bai Qi declared that he would destroy Wu Qi’s army, invade Nanshan Kingdom, and repay the Frost King with an entire kingdom.

Xiao Mo coordinated the invasion of the Nanshan and Chu kingdoms, while Bai Qi conquered Nanshan at a terrible cost and was recalled to the capital. As Xiao Mo and Xiahou Nan advanced into Chu, news arrived that Second Prince Qin Jingyuan had rebelled.

• Xiao Mo received reports that Xiahou Nan and Bai Qi had defeated the Chu armies, then ordered Xiahou Nan to advance through Nanshan and attack Chu while Bai Qi conquered Nanshan.
• Xiao Mo and Xiahou Nan invaded Chu as Bai Qi seized much of Nanshan, and Wu Qi died after a crushing defeat.
• Bai Qi lured Kong Quan's allied Nanshan and Chu forces into a valley, where they surrendered, and buried roughly four hundred thousand soldiers alive.
• Bai Qi captured the Nanshan capital, exterminated the ruler's household and court officials, and was recalled to the capital, where he was named Lord Wu'an.
• Xiao Mo and Xiahou Nan advanced into Chu as cities surrendered, until Xiao Mo received an urgent report that Second Prince Qin Jingyuan had rebelled.

Xiao Mo continued his advance toward Chu’s capital despite news of Qin Jingyuan’s rebellion, following the Qin ruler’s orders. In the capital, Empress Shi and Qin Siyao struggled to accept the rebellion, while Qin Jingsu left to suppress it; at King Jing’s Mansion, Qin Jingyuan rejected his wife Ji Yue as Jin’s army approached.

• Xiao Mo ordered his forces to continue toward Chu’s Imperial Capital before Guanzhong fell, citing the Qin ruler’s command.
• Empress Shi pleaded with the Qin ruler to believe Qin Jingyuan had not rebelled, but he declared Jingyuan a traitor.
• Qin Jingsu told Qin Siyao that Jingyuan had rebelled and that he was leaving the capital to put down the rebellion.
• Qin Jingyuan told Ji Yue to return to Jin, then left her alone after knocking her tea to the ground.
• Ji Yue gathered the broken teacup and wept, saying she was his wife too.

Qin Jingyuan welcomed Yan Liuyun and the Jin commanders to Luzhou with a lavish feast, while Ji Yue endured Yan Liuyun’s attempt to rekindle their relationship. The chapter left Ji Yue in tears beside her husband, torn by the danger surrounding their imperial family.

• Qin Jingyuan led Ji Yue out to greet Yan Liuyun and welcomed the Jin army into Luzhou, while the city’s people looked on with contempt.
• Qin Jingyuan hosted Yan Liuyun and the other Jin commanders at a lavish banquet and invited them to stay at King Jing’s Mansion.
• After Qin Jingyuan retired to bed, Yan Liuyun secretly entered Ji Yue’s courtyard and declared his devotion while predicting Qin’s downfall.
• Ji Yue rejected Yan Liuyun, warned she would tell Qin Jingyuan if he approached her again, and sent him away.
• Ji Yue returned to her husband, stroked his face, and wept over the conflict between her roles as daughter and wife.