Chapter Summaries

Guo Xin received Li Jing’s proposal for Xiao Mo to surrender Yanmen Pass to the Wei Kingdom and agreed to accept it while seeking the ruler’s approval. At Bishui City, Xiao Shi continued the assault, while Qin Siyao learned of the surrender and feared the report was false because Xiao Mo would never surrender.

• Li Jing told Guo Xin that Xiao Mo would surrender Yanmen Pass in exchange for an official edict granting him high rank, a fief, marriage to a Wei princess, and titles for his generals.
• After consulting his generals, Guo Xin agreed to accept the surrender, sent a message to Yanmen Pass, and ordered his army to remain vigilant.
• Xiao Shi learned that Yanmen Pass had requested surrender, reprimanded Xiao Yishe for condemning Xiao Mo, and ordered the assault on Bishui City to continue in secrecy.
• Qin Siyao found a battle report saying the Wei ruler had accepted Xiao Mo’s surrender and granted him a title, three provinces, and marriage to the Grand Princess.
• Qin Siyao asked Peanut to take her to the Northern Wilderness front lines, insisting through tears that Xiao Mo was too stubborn to surrender.

Xiao Mo accepted the Wei Kingdom’s surrender terms while secretly weighing how to protect his army from Guo Xin. He promised to open Yanmen Pass in two days, but when Guo Xin’s troops gathered outside, the gates remained shut.

• Xiao Mo accepted the Wei emperor’s decree granting him the title of Frost King, a three-province fief, and a marriage to Princess Xu Shenggē.
• Xiao Mo told Meng Cang he would open Yanmen Pass in two days, then discussed with his commanders how the Wei Kingdom might exploit their surrender.
• Xiao Mo questioned whether Wei’s generous terms were sincere and remarked that ten days remained.
• Meng Cang reported to Guo Xin that Xiao Mo had agreed to surrender and promised to open the gates.
• Guo Xin planned to force Xiao Mo’s soldiers into the vanguard and dismissed the value of the promised fief and marriage.
• Two days later, Guo Xin assembled his army outside Yanmen Pass, but Xiao Mo did not open the gates.

Xiao Mo’s forces endured Guo Xin’s renewed siege as Yanmen Pass ran out of food and its City Protection Array neared collapse. On the thirtieth morning, Xiao Mo left Lian Li’s cell insisting that the people themselves could still defend the city.

• After Guo Xin learned that Xiao Mo had used a false illness to stall for time, he ordered the Wei army to attack Yanmen Pass again.
• Xiao Mo commanded the city’s defense day and night, while more than ten thousand local men joined him and soldiers marked each day they held the walls.
• As the siege dragged on, food ran out and the soldiers resorted to eating fallen warhorses, while the civilians endured increasingly thin porridge.
• With three days left, the City Protection Array was close to breaking, and Xiao Mo admitted to Lian Li that the city could no longer hold out by ordinary means.
• On the morning of the thirtieth day, Xiao Mo unlocked Lian Li’s cell and told her that even with the food gone and the array broken, the people could still fight.

Xiao Mo gathered the Northern Wilderness Army before the final battle for Yanmen Pass, admitting that reinforcements might not arrive and offering the soldiers the chance to leave. Every soldier stepped forward, and they vowed to die with him.

• Chen Dong reflected on how Xiao Mo had earned the soldiers’ trust through his victories and his willingness to share their hardships.
• Xiao Mo addressed the gathered army on the thirtieth day of defending Yanmen Pass, saying the city had run out of food and its City Protection Array was close to breaking.
• Xiao Mo announced that his troops would fight one last battle against Wei Kingdom and told anyone who wished to leave that he would not blame them.
• All 30,000 soldiers stepped forward, and Xiao Mo asked them to die with him.
• The soldiers shouted that they were willing to die with the general.

After leaving the dungeon, Lian Li returned to Yanmen Pass’s walls and watched Xiao Mo lead the outnumbered Northern Wilderness Army into battle after the City Protection Array fell. The Wei army was driven back, but Wei Han vowed to kill Xiao Mo before his growing strength threatened them.

• Xiao Gui returned Lian Li’s belongings and told her she could leave Yanmen Pass or stay to face the Wei army.
• Lian Li hung Xiao Mo’s token at her waist and went to the northern gate, where she saw the City Protection Array shatter.
• Xiao Mo led 5,223 Snow-Treading Dragon Cavalry and 25,420 Northern Wilderness infantry against the Wei army.
• Xiao Mo repeatedly outmaneuvered Guo Xin’s forces, driving their front line back despite being outnumbered.
• Wei Han promised Guo Xin that he would kill Xiao Mo within two hours and said Xiao Mo had to die that day.

Xiao Mo and the last five hundred Snow-Treading Dragon Cavalry prepared to die defending Yanmen Pass when Guo Xin offered him a chance to surrender. Just as the Wei Kingdom army closed in, reinforcements burst from the pass, and Si Yao reached Xiao Mo and demanded to know why he would not surrender.

• Xiao Mo fought for nearly thirty days at Yanmen Pass, and the five thousand Snow-Treading Dragon Cavalry who had charged with him dwindled to five hundred.
• Surrounded by Guo Xin's forces, Xiao Mo refused to escape or surrender and led the remaining cavalry in a final charge.
• Lian Li watched from the wall as tens of thousands of Snow-Treading Dragon Cavalry emerged from the north gate, led by General Huang, Fang Weiming, and Zhang Kui.
• A Vermilion Bird attacked the Wei Kingdom army with flames after the Anti-flight Magic Array was destroyed.
• Si Yao jumped from the Vermilion Bird, ran to Xiao Mo, hugged him, and tearfully called him an idiot for refusing to surrender.

After the Northern Wilderness Army defeated the Wei forces at Yanmen Pass, Xiao Mo honored the fallen, gained command of a greatly expanded force, and prepared with Xiao Shi to attack Yuetong Pass. Lian Li left to travel the kingdoms, while Qin Siyao spent a tender evening with Xiao Mo and asked what he thought of being called the Frost Queen Consort.

• Xiao Shi's main force routed Guo Xin's Wei army at Yanmen Pass, and Xiao Shi ordered survivors rescued, provisions distributed, and the city's defenses reinforced.
• Xiao Mo and the Northern Wilderness Army commemorated their fallen comrades; Xiao Shi then placed fifty thousand Snow-Treading Dragon Cavalry riders and two hundred thousand infantry under Xiao Mo's command.
• Xiao Mo learned how the Northern Wilderness Army had captured the eleven southern border cities after Sunset Glow City's deputy killed its lord and surrendered the city, forcing Xiahou Nan to break out.
• Xiao Shi, Xiao Mo, and the generals decided to rest for ten days, then attack Yuetong Pass and advance toward the Wei capital in five forces.
• Lian Li told Xiao Mo she planned to travel through the kingdoms, then left; Qin Siyao emerged from hiding, teased Xiao Mo about Lian Li, and joined him at a camp gathering.
• Qin Siyao drank Sangluo Wine, became drunk, and told Xiao Mo she preferred being called the Frost Queen Consort as he carried her back.

Qin Siyao woke bashful and happy after confessing her feelings to Xiao Mo, then joined him for a stroll through Yanmen Pass. As they spoke about war and a future golden age, Xiao Mo promised to see it with her.

• Qin Siyao blushed as she remembered telling Xiao Mo that she liked the title “Frost Queen Consort,” and Peanut announced that Xiao Mo had come to visit.
• Xiao Mo thanked Peanut for helping at Yanmen Pass and learned that she had been cast out by the Vermilion Bird clan.
• Xiao Mo invited Qin Siyao to walk around town, and she eagerly left with him.
• Xiao Mo and Qin Siyao saw Yanmen Pass slowly recovering from the war and discussed how a united world under a wise ruler might end wars and bring peace.
• Qin Siyao asked Xiao Mo to stay by her side when the golden age arrived, and he promised they would see it together.

After conquering Yuetong Pass, Xiao Mo led the Northern Wilderness Army toward Wei Kingdom’s capital while Xiao Yishe struggled with his growing irrelevance. In Qin Kingdom, a scholar acting for Jin Kingdom’s Prime Minister offered Qin Jingyuan help in competing for the crown prince position.

• Qin Siyao left Yanmen Pass with Peanut, and the Northern Wilderness Army prepared to advance after reorganizing and absorbing surrendered soldiers.
• Xiao Shi’s forces captured Yuetong Pass in less than half a month and divided the army into five offensives toward Wei Kingdom’s capital.
• Xiao Mo learned that Xiao Manor’s eldest young master was coming from the Taoshan Sect, while Xiao Yishe hoped his brother would replace Xiao Mo in the army.
• Xiao Yishe delivered the Northern Wilderness King’s orders to Xiao Mo, then watched Xiao Mo lead 250,000 soldiers out while the formation’s officers barred his way.
• A scholar representing Jin Kingdom’s Prime Minister told Qin Jingyuan that Jin Kingdom was willing to help him challenge the First Prince’s rise.

The Wei Kingdom prepared to defend its capital as Xiahou Nan assigned commanders to confront the Northern Wilderness Army. Xiao Mo pinned Du Beiwang at Fengshang City, then feigned a withdrawal to lure him into an ambush, leaving their armies poised for battle.

• The Wei ruler spared Xiahou Nan, gave him full military authority, and let him appoint commanders to face the Northern Wilderness Army.
• Xiahou Nan asked Du Beiwang to confront Xiao Mo, who had already captured two cities before reaching Fengshang City.
• Xiao Mo defeated Gu Yuan in battle, while Du Beiwang retreated behind Fengshang City's walls and endured Xiao Mo's challenges and raids.
• Xiao Mo taunted Du Beiwang with a poem, and the two commanders fought a month-long contest of attacks and counterattacks around Fengshang City.
• Xiao Mo falsely claimed that the Chu Kingdom had attacked Qin and withdrew, persuading Du Beiwang to march out and try to recover lost cities.
• Xiao Mo revealed the deception and surrounded Du Beiwang's army on a plain; Du Beiwang ordered his troops to attack.

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.