Chapter 386: Chapter 328: More Handsome Than Before

"They’re back!"

"The Flame King is returning to the capital in triumph!"

"The grand army of our Qin Kingdom is about to enter the city!"

In the Imperial City of the Qin Kingdom, citizens shouted one after another, their faces filled with excitement.

Not only that, but many young ladies from distinguished families also came out of their homes. They took to the streets, standing on their tiptoes and peering forward excitedly, hoping to catch a glimpse of the handsome young general.

Meanwhile, outside the Imperial City, Xiao Mo rode on horseback beside Qin Huo.

Xiao Mo looked up and saw the towering gates of the Imperial City.

Qin Huo glanced at Xiao Mo beside him and said with a smile, "Xiao Mo, why don’t you put on your mask?"

Xiao Mo asked, confused, "General, we’re not heading into battle. Why would I wear a mask?"

"Just put it on because I told you to," Qin Huo said in a half-joking tone. "You’re still my soldier, you know. You have to obey military orders."

"..."

Xiao Mo looked rather helpless, but since it was a military order, he could only take out his mask and put it on his face.

Soon, the grand army entered the city gates.

On both sides of the Imperial City’s streets, the people lined the roads to welcome them, tossing flowers and fruits at the soldiers.

The gazes of the vast majority quickly focused on Xiao Mo.

"Look, look! Is that him? Is that General Xiao Mo?"

"It must be! Didn’t you see he’s the only one in the whole army wearing a mask?"

"Wow, his posture is so straight and tall."

"His eyes are so beautiful. I wonder what he looks like under the mask?"

"If I could just get one look, my whole life would be worth it."

"I didn’t expect his mask to look like that, though. When I get home, I’ll have my father commission one for me."

Along the streets, the women chattered amongst themselves, their sparkling eyes fixed on Xiao Mo, full of passion and anticipation.

"Xiao Mo, that’s enough. You can take the mask off now," Qin Huo said to Xiao Mo with a smile, adding, "That’s a military order."

"..." Xiao Mo shook his head helplessly. ’He knew General Qin was building up his reputation.’

And just as Xiao Mo was about to remove his mask...

...everyone held their breath in rapt attention.

As the mask slowly came off his face, revealing Xiao Mo’s true features, all the women instinctively covered their mouths, their eyes gazing at him in a daze.

Xiao Mo was already handsome to begin with. The fact that he had achieved such great renown at such a young age added another layer of allure.

Finally, there was the stark contrast between his handsome face and the fierce, demonic Asura Mask.

All three factors combined made them feel they had never seen such a good-looking man. Some women even fainted on the spot.

Soon, flower after flower was thrown at Xiao Mo like waves from a sea.

The women of the Capital City seemed intent on burying Xiao Mo in blossoms.

"I wonder how many women will ruin their lives pining for you after just one glance today, Xiao Mo," Qin Huo teased with a laugh.

Xiao Mo remained silent, simply continuing to ride forward.

「Half an hour later.」

Qin Huo led Xiao Mo and the other generals to take a bath and change into clean clothes before entering the Imperial Palace to report to the Sovereign.

「In the Imperial Study.」

Qin Huo passionately recounted Xiao Mo’s illustrious military achievements over the past four years to the Sovereign of Qin. He praised him without reservation, as if afraid Xiao Mo’s fame would be buried.

After the Sovereign of Qin had rewarded Qin Huo and the others, he specifically asked Xiao Mo to stay behind.

"Xiao Mo, do you still remember me?" in the Imperial Study, the Sovereign of Qin looked at Xiao Mo and spoke with a smile.

Xiao Mo cupped his fist in a salute. "I saw Your Majesty once as a child. Your Majesty’s heroic bearing is unparalleled in this world. I have always remembered it. How could I dare to forget?"

"Hahaha, you kid, you certainly have a way with words."

The Sovereign of Qin said with a laugh, stroking his beard.

"But I truly never imagined that the little child from back then would now become a general whose name shakes the world. I’ve heard the stories of your deeds in the Wei Kingdom countless times. Even the common Palace Maids are full of admiration for you."

Xiao Mo shook his head. "It is all just empty fame. I am ashamed."

"But the more than twenty cities you conquered are an illustrious military achievement!"

The Sovereign of Qin said seriously.

"Draft a decree! Xiao Mo has shown great valor on the battlefield, making his name in a single battle beneath Frost Red City."

"Furthermore, he conquered twenty-one cities, destroyed the Wei Kingdom, and established illustrious military achievements."

"Reward Xiao Mo with one thousand taels of Gold and one thousand bolts of silk."

"Enfeoff him as the Frost King."

"Grant him his own manor!"

Hearing the Sovereign of Qin’s rewards, Xiao Mo was slightly stunned.

Xiao Mo had expected to be granted a title, but he never imagined he would be made a King in a single step.

’This reward is a bit too much.’

"What? Is the Frost King not going to express his gratitude? Could it be that you are dissatisfied with my reward?" the Sovereign of Qin asked with a smile.

"Your Majesty’s reward far exceeds what I could have imagined. How could I dare be dissatisfied? I thank Your Majesty!"

Regardless, Xiao Mo could only cup his fist and express his thanks.

After the Sovereign of Qin exchanged a few more pleasantries with Xiao Mo, Xiao Mo took his leave from the Imperial Study.

Walking on the path out of the Imperial Palace, Xiao Mo recalled the Sovereign of Qin’s every word and every action.

’The Sovereign of Qin is trying to win me over,’ Xiao Mo thought. ’He might even want to groom me as a confidant, trading a lavish reward for my loyalty. I don’t think much of it, but serving a ruler is like accompanying a tiger. I’ll need to be careful at all times.’

As Xiao Mo’s thoughts drifted, he found that he had walked out of the Imperial Palace without realizing it.

Outside the palace gates, Xiao Mo stopped and looked ahead.

Before him stood a young woman in a pale pink long dress, as straight and elegant as a late-blooming cherry blossom, her grace pure and exquisite.

She wore a pale pink palace-style long dress with an outer layer of whisper-thin, cloud-like gauze, embroidered with a subtle pattern of intertwining lotuses. A moon-white brocade sash was tied around her waist, adorned in the center with a pigeon’s blood ruby that perfectly outlined her impossibly slender waist.

The young woman’s figure was graceful and tall. Her shoulders were elegantly sloped, her waist cinched and slender. Her waist-length black hair was not tied up in a bun but cascaded down like a stream of ink, the ends threaded with fine silver wire and tiny pearls. As she moved, the pearls glinted, like a river of stars spilling forth.

Looking up, one saw a perfectly proportioned oval face. Her skin was as lustrous as jade, and a hibiscus flower diadem was pasted on her forehead, accentuating her exquisite brows and eyes.

Her irises were a clear Amber color. When her eyes moved, they held both affection and a hint of detachment. Her nose was slender and straight, and below it, her full lips were naturally crimson. The corners of her mouth were upturned in a slight, constant smile.

Seeing the young man standing dazedly before her, the corners of the young woman’s lips curved into a breathtakingly charming smile. "Sister Hua Sheng said that just as a girl changes so much as she grows up, so does a boy. She said you would definitely be different from when you were little."

Xiao Mo smiled as well. "Then in your opinion, miss, have I changed?"

The young woman took a graceful step forward and studied him closely. "You have!"

"How have I changed?" Xiao Mo asked.

The young woman hid her smile behind her sleeve. Beneath her long, curved lashes, her eyes glanced up at Xiao Mo, each blink like a gentle ripple on a spring lake.

"Compared to before... you’ve become much more handsome."