Chapter Summaries

Xiao Mo and the other nine recruits received their final day of leave before marching with the Iron Tiger Army to a war of annihilation in Wei Kingdom. After writing letters and exploring the Imperial Capital, they returned to camp, where the army prepared to march at dawn.

• Chang Xin told Xiao Mo and the other nine recruits that they would leave for Wei Kingdom at dawn and gave them a day off to write final letters and visit the Imperial Capital.
• Xiao Mo and the others wrote letters for their families and deposited them at the hut called A Name After Death.
• The recruits explored the Imperial Capital, but Xiao Mo refused to visit a brothel or see his mother at Xiao Manor because he did not want to worry her before the campaign.
• Xiao Mo and his companions ate, drank, and shared hopes for their futures before returning to camp before sunset.
• At dawn, Xiao Mo and the other Iron Tiger Army soldiers assembled on the training ground as a commander announced their march to war.

Qin Siyao passed the tests her parents had set, earning permission to establish her own residence and official household. She planned to visit Xiao Mo, while the Qin Kingdom's Lord hinted that he had already considered someone as her husband and was waiting to see if he could prove himself.

• Qin Siyao brought her embroidery, calligraphy, paintings, and Go skills to the Imperial Study to prove she had met her parents' conditions.
• Qin Siyao played the zither at a master's level, impressed Prime Minister Li with her Go, and revealed that she had reached Foundation Establishment.
• The Qin Kingdom's Lord issued a decree granting Qin Siyao her own residence, officials, stipend, and ceremonial privileges equal to an imperial prince.
• Qin Siyao told Peanut she would still go see Xiao Mo, certain that neither of them had forgotten the other.
• The Qin Kingdom's Lord told Empress Shi that Xiao Mo had gone on campaign and stopped her from proposing other marriage candidates.
• The Qin Kingdom's Lord implied he had a prospective husband in mind for Qin Siyao, but said the man still had to prove his worth.

Xiao Mo and the Qin army launched a night assault on Tingtao City, where he fought his way through the Wei forces and developed his own battlefield spear style. After killing several enemy officers and drawing the Flame King’s attention, he revealed that he was Xiao Mo of the Xiao State Mansion.

• Qin Huo ordered the three hundred thousand Qin soldiers to march from Wangcheng and attack Tingtao City at night.
• Tingtao City's lord ignored his adviser’s warning and led the Wei army out to meet the Qin forces.
• Xiao Mo removed his profound iron, joined the battle, and discovered that he could integrate the God-Slaying Spear into his own fighting style.
• Xiao Mo defeated a powerful axeman, killed an enemy officer, and fought off three Cave Mansion Realm officers, taking one’s head.
• Qin Huo tossed Xiao Mo a wine flask and asked his name, and Xiao Mo called out that he was Xiao Mo of the Xiao State Mansion.

Xiao Mo rose through Qin Kingdom’s campaign against Wei Kingdom, earning command through battlefield skill, bold tactics, and fair treatment of conquered cities. As Qin Huo prepared to attack Wei Kingdom’s Imperial Capital, Xiao Yishe arrived with five thousand Snow-Treading Dragon Cavalry to claim credit, and Xiao Mo asked for five hundred cavalry to drive them away.

• Qin Huo’s army broke Tingtao City’s defenses, and the city and its two subsidiary cities surrendered to Qin Kingdom.
• Qin Huo praised Xiao Mo’s service and recorded him as a Centurion, while Xiao Mo continued fighting as the campaign advanced through Wei Kingdom.
• Qin Huo gave Xiao Mo command of ten thousand men, and Xiao Mo captured Ruci City through deception, then enforced discipline and resolved local grievances.
• Xiao Mo’s reputation grew as he captured cities, commanded larger forces, and fought under a terrifying mask; Zhu Jian saw him at Shuanghong City and later composed Frost Red Formation Breaking Song for him.
• Xiao Mo joined Qin Huo’s army at Wei Kingdom’s Imperial Capital, where a letter revealed that Xiao Yishe had brought five thousand Snow-Treading Dragon Cavalry to claim a share of the conquest.
• Xiao Mo requested five hundred cavalry and promised to keep the Snow-Treading Dragon Cavalry a hundred li from the Imperial Capital.

Xiao Yishe led five thousand Snow-Treading Dragon Cavalry toward Tengwang Pass to join the assault on Wei Kingdom's Imperial Capital, but Xiao Mo refused to let them pass. After Xiao Mo defeated and injured Xiao Yishe, Li Jing withdrew the cavalry to Moonlight City, impressed by Xiao Mo's command.

• Xiao Yishe told Li Jing that he was taking the Snow-Treading Dragon Cavalry toward Wei Kingdom's Imperial Capital to assist Flame King.
• Xiao Mo blocked Xiao Yishe at Tengwang Pass with five hundred cavalry and ordered him to return to Moonlight City.
• Xiao Yishe challenged Xiao Mo and ordered the Snow-Treading Dragon Cavalry to charge, but the soldiers stayed still.
• Xiao Mo defeated Xiao Yishe in fewer than twenty exchanges, pinned him down, and kicked him unconscious.
• Li Jing had Xiao Yishe carried away and ordered the five thousand cavalry to withdraw to Moonlight City.

After the Wei Kingdom surrendered, Qin Huo and Xiao Mo returned toward the Qin capital, while the Qin Kingdom's Lord considered rewarding Xiao Mo with command of the Snow-Treading Dragon Cavalry. Xiao Mo's fame spread through the capital, where Qin Siyao awaited his return, and he believed she would know he was coming home.

• After a month-long siege, the Wei Kingdom's ruler surrendered the capital to Qin Huo and Xiao Mo, and the Wei Kingdom became part of the Qin Kingdom.
• The Qin Kingdom's Lord praised Xiao Mo's achievements and considered giving him command of the Snow-Treading Dragon Cavalry after he returned to court.
• A storyteller recounted Xiao Mo's victory at Frost Red City as his fame and the popularity of Asura Masks and the Frost Red Formation Breaking Song spread through the Imperial Capital.
• Qin Siyao told Peanut that Xiao Mo would return soon and said she simply knew.
• As the army approached the Imperial Capital, Xiao Mo held the Small Clay Figure and told Zhao Wei that Qin Siyao would know he was coming home.

Xiao Mo returned to the Qin Kingdom after conquering the Wei Kingdom, received the title of Frost King, and met a young woman who told him he had become even better-looking. The chapter ended with their reunion outside the palace.

• Xiao Mo entered the Imperial Capital wearing his mask at Qin Huo's order, then revealed his face to the cheering crowd.
• Qin Huo praised Xiao Mo's military achievements before the Qin Kingdom's Lord, who rewarded him with gold, silk, a residence, and the title of Frost King.
• Xiao Mo left the palace wary of the Qin Kingdom's Lord's attempt to win his loyalty.
• A young woman in a pale pink gown greeted Xiao Mo outside the palace and said he had become even better-looking.

After returning to Xiao Manor, Xiao Mo reunited with his mother, Zhou Ruoxi, and shared a meal with her and Qin Siyao. Zhou Ruoxi received an imperial title that raised her standing, while a maid arrived to invite Xiao Mo to a welcoming banquet hosted by the Second Prince.

• Xiao Mo and Qin Siyao returned to Xiao Manor, where Cuicui recognized Xiao Mo and summoned Zhou Ruoxi.
• Xiao Mo reunited with Zhou Ruoxi and ate the meal she had prepared, reassuring her about his years in the army.
• Eunuch Li delivered an imperial decree granting Zhou Ruoxi the title of First Rank Imperial Lady and elevating her status in Xiao Manor.
• A maid from the Second Prince's Manor invited Xiao Mo to a welcoming banquet that evening.

Xiao Mo attended Qin Jingyuan’s banquet, where both Qin Jingyuan and Qin Jingsu tried to win his favor with lavish gifts. Qin Siyao diverted the gifts to herself and gave them to Xiao Mo, then took him home; afterward, Qin Jingyuan was left alone drinking and reflecting on the throne he could not relinquish.

• Xiao Mo arrived at Qin Jingyuan’s residence with Qin Siyao and watched a dance celebrating his victories at Frost Red City.
• Qin Jingyuan offered Xiao Mo a Snow-Treading Horse, and Qin Jingsu arrived with wine and presented him with dragonscale armor.
• Qin Siyao claimed the horse and armor from her brothers, then gave both gifts to Xiao Mo to spare him from owing the princes a favor.
• Xiao Mo drank with Qin Jingyuan and Qin Jingsu until Qin Siyao took his cup and escorted him from the banquet.
• Qin Jingsu left, and Qin Jingyuan drank alone, laughing as he wondered why he could never let go of the throne.

After Xiao Mo escaped the princes’ drinking pressure with Qin Siyao’s help, she took him to a secret lakeside spot and he made the moonlit water sparkle with his spear. The night ended with Qin Siyao admiring Xiao Mo as much as the beautiful lake.

• Xiao Mo thanked Qin Siyao for helping him avoid drinking and for taking the princes’ gifts so he would not owe them a favor.
• Qin Siyao invited Xiao Mo to repay her by following her, then rode with him out of the Imperial Capital on the Snow-Treading Horse.
• Qin Siyao brought Xiao Mo to a lake where she often went to find peace and had planned to take him when he returned.
• Xiao Mo used his spear to send water sparkling into the night sky, and Qin Siyao gazed at him and called it beautiful.

After returning to the capital, Xiao Mo settled into Frost King's Manor and turned down marriage proposals while Qin Siyao grew increasingly jealous and preoccupied with him. Peanut told Qin Siyao that she had fallen in love with Xiao Mo and that her only cure was to grow old with him.

• Xiao Mo's mother refused to move from Xiao Manor, so he visited her often while he waited for a new post.
• Officials proposed marriages to Xiao Mo, and young women sent him love letters or watched him; Qin Siyao threw away the letters and chased off his admirers.
• Qin Siyao realized she thought about Xiao Mo constantly and felt anxious whenever other women approached him.
• Qin Siyao saw Xiao Mo laughing with several young women, ran home, and told Peanut about her jealousy and unhappiness.
• Peanut told Qin Siyao that she was in love with Xiao Mo and that only growing old together could cure her illness.

Xiao Mo hosted women who wanted to meet him, then spent time with Qin Siyao as she tried to understand her feelings for him. After learning what kind of woman he liked, Qin Siyao asked whether he could like her.

• Xiao Mo saw off the wives and daughters of Flame King's friends, then returned to studying spear techniques.
• Qin Siyao visited Xiao Mo and brought him pastries while quietly watching him practice.
• Qin Siyao recalled Peanut Sister's claim that she had fallen for Xiao Mo and wondered if she truly liked him.
• Qin Siyao asked about the women at Xiao Mo's manor, and Xiao Mo said he had no interest in marrying any of them.
• Xiao Mo described the qualities he wanted in a wife, and Qin Siyao checked how well she matched them.
• Qin Siyao asked Xiao Mo, "Could you like me?"

Qin Siyao blurted out her feelings to Xiao Mo and fled in embarrassment, while the Qin Kingdom's Lord arranged for Xiao Mo to join Prince Zhenbei's campaign against Wei. Prince Zhenbei accepted the plan, and the Lord reaffirmed his confidence in Xiao Mo's talent.

• Qin Siyao asked Xiao Mo if he could like her, then hurried back to her room and admitted to herself that she liked him.
• The Qin Kingdom's Lord rewarded Prince Zhenbei for his military service and proposed promoting and recalling several veteran generals.
• While playing chess, the Qin Kingdom's Lord praised Xiao Mo's achievements and said he wanted him to prove himself through further military service.
• The Qin Kingdom's Lord ordered Prince Zhenbei to lead an army against Wei and proposed that Xiao Mo command fifty thousand Snow-Treading Dragon Cavalry in support.
• Prince Zhenbei accepted the plan but said he would adjust Xiao Mo's position if his abilities proved insufficient, and the Qin Kingdom's Lord declared his confidence in his judgment.

Xia Qingke learned that Xiao Mo had been ordered to join the Snow-Treading Dragon Cavalry and campaign against the Wei Kingdom. Before departing, Xiao Mo visited Qin Siyao, and they confessed their feelings as she vowed to find him if he did not return.

• Xia Qingke learned from Consort Die's letter that Xiao Mo would join Prince Zhenbei's campaign against the Wei Kingdom, and she decided to summon Yichuan back from the mountain.
• Eunuch Li delivered an imperial decree appointing Xiao Mo Left General of the Snow-Treading Dragon Cavalry and ordering him to leave for the Northern Wastes in two days.
• Xiao Mo went to Qin Siyao's residence and told her he was leaving for the campaign, possibly for several years.
• Qin Siyao tried to stop Xiao Mo from going, but he explained that he wanted to win the right to marry her with a proper ceremony.
• Xiao Mo promised he would like Qin Siyao if he returned, and Qin Siyao vowed to find him if he did not come back and insisted he love her too.

Xiao Mo told Zhou Ruoxi that he had to leave for the Northern Wastelands, and Qin Siyao grew closer to his mother while helping prepare his farewell meal. As Xiao Mo set out, Qin Siyao passed along Zhou Ruoxi’s message that he would always have a home to return to.

• Xiao Mo told Zhou Ruoxi that he would leave for the Northern Wastelands the next morning, and she agreed to cook him a farewell meal.
• Qin Siyao helped Zhou Ruoxi prepare dinner, and the three shared a meal as Xiao Mo explained his mission while downplaying its dangers.
• Xiao Mo stayed overnight in the courtyard, and Zhou Ruoxi let Qin Siyao share her bed.
• The next morning, Xiao Mo left after breakfast, and Qin Siyao accompanied him toward the city gates.
• Qin Siyao told Xiao Mo that Zhou Ruoxi had said he could always return to a table of hot food in their courtyard.

Xiao Mo arrived at the Three Northern Wastelands to take up his post as Left General of the Snow-Treading Dragon Cavalry and met his father, Xiao Shi. As the army prepared to attack Bishui City, Xiao Shi asked Xiao Mo and Xiao Yishe which of them would lead the charge.

• Xiao Mo considered why his grandfather had moved the Xiao Family to the Imperial Capital and recognized the Qin ruler's plans for him and the Snow-Treading Dragon Cavalry.
• A month later, Xiao Mo reached the cavalry camp and saluted Xiao Shi, while Xiao Yishe stood nearby, still furious over their earlier fight.
• Xiao Shi reminded Xiao Mo that the Snow-Treading Dragon Cavalry recognized military ranks rather than noble titles, and Xiao Mo accepted the distinction.
• Xiao Shi and his officers chose Bishui City as their target and debated who should lead the charge against Xiahou Nan.
• Xiao Shi asked Xiao Mo and Xiao Yishe which of them was willing to lead the charge the next day.

Xiao Mo volunteered to face Xiahou Nan in the first clash and defeated several Wei Kingdom generals before overpowering the city lord. Xiao Shi stopped a Wei cultivator from striking Xiao Mo, then ordered the Northern Wilderness Army to attack Bishui City.

• Xiao Mo volunteered to take the first clash after Xiao Yishe hesitated, and Xiao Shi confirmed his decision despite the generals' doubts.
• Xiao Mo reunited with Xiao Gui, his new deputy, and told him that he would fight in the first clash the next day.
• Xiao Shi led the Northern Wilderness Army to Bishui City, where Xiahou Nan refused his offer to surrender and Xiao Mo rode out to challenge him.
• Xiao Mo killed Li Heilong, a general wielding a meteor hammer, and a Golden Core Realm Sword Cultivator in successive fights.
• Xiao Mo fought Xiahou Nan with his God-Slaying Spear and knocked him from his horse, but a Wei cultivator attacked Xiao Mo with a Mountain-Turning Seal.
• Xiao Shi blocked the seal and ordered the Snow-Treading Dragon Cavalry and the Northern Wilderness Army to charge.

Xiao Mo captured Mati City, broke through the Wei Kingdom’s southern defenses, and seized Yanmen Pass, cutting off the supply lines to the border cities. As the Wei Kingdom attacked Yanmen Pass and Xiao Shi assaulted Bishui City, Li Jing delivered Xiao Shi’s question: could Xiao Mo hold the pass for thirty days?

• Xiao Mo helped drive Xiahou Nan’s army behind Bishui City’s walls, then used a skirt and insulting letter to taunt him for refusing to fight.
• Xiao Mo studied the Wei Kingdom’s generals before Xiao Shi divided his army and sent him to attack Mati City.
• Xiao Mo spread rumors about Lian Li and Xiahou Nan, which stirred suspicion and panic at both kingdoms’ courts.
• Lian Li led Mati City’s army into battle, but Xiao Mo defeated and captured her, and the city’s soldiers surrendered.
• Xiao Mo captured four more cities and then seized Yanmen Pass, cutting off the supply lines to the Wei Kingdom’s southern border cities.
• Xiao Shi launched an assault on Bishui City while the Wei Kingdom sent troops against Yanmen Pass, and Li Jing asked Xiao Mo whether he could hold it for thirty days.

Xiao Mo rationed Yanmen Pass’s supplies, seized grain from wealthy merchants, and arranged thick porridge for the people before leading a cavalry charge that broke Wei Kingdom’s assault and reached Golden Core Realm. He returned to the city with the head of a Nascent Soul Realm cultivator, while Guo Xin vowed to take Yanmen Pass within twenty days and Xiao Shi continued his siege of Bishui City.

• Xiao Mo assessed Yanmen Pass’s dwindling supplies and ordered rationing, grain seizures from wealthy merchants, and daily porridge for the people.
• Zhao Guang and Xiao Gui seized most of the merchants’ grain, and the people of Yanmen Pass received thick porridge at distribution points.
• As Wei Kingdom attacked Yanmen Pass, Xiao Mo led the Snow-Treading Dragon Cavalry into the enemy ranks and underwent tribulation on the battlefield, reaching Golden Core Realm.
• Xiao Mo drove Guo Xin’s forces into retreat, killed a Nascent Soul Realm cultivator, and hung the man’s head on the city wall before returning inside.
• Guo Xin ordered his army to capture Yanmen Pass within twenty days, while Xiao Shi remained before Bishui City as Xiahou Nan taunted him about whose city would fall first.

Xiao Mo led the defense of Yanmen Pass through repeated Wei Kingdom assaults and a raid on the besiegers’ camp, while his exhausted forces faced dwindling supplies. After rejecting Xiahou Nan’s offer to defect and giving Lian Li a letter for the Spear Immortal, Xiao Mo appeared to accept her plea to surrender; on the fifteenth day of the siege, an envoy arrived at Guo Xin’s camp announcing that Yanmen Pass was surrendering.

• Xiao Mo repelled Guo Xin’s night attacks and tunnel assaults, then raided the Wei Kingdom camp, destroying siege equipment and taking grain before escaping with his cavalry.
• Xiao Mo’s army continued holding Yanmen Pass as its numbers, supplies, and strength dwindled, while he learned that the southern cities were cut off.
• Yang Zhu delivered Xiahou Nan’s offer of riches and a princess in exchange for Xiao Mo’s surrender, but Xiao Mo refused and sent Yang Zhu away with Lian Li’s food and wine.
• Xiao Mo visited Lian Li in the dungeon, gave her a letter for Huang Shan, and told her he would surrender after she urged him not to die at Yanmen Pass.
• On the fifteenth day of the siege, a Northern Wilderness envoy arrived at Guo Xin’s camp and announced that Yanmen Pass was surrendering.