Chinese animation: Starting with Bad Guys

He carefully put the handkerchief away, his gaze becoming deep.

At this time, although Gai Nie had not yet reached his peak, he was still a top expert in the world of Qin's Moon.

What will his swordsmanship be like?

Chapter 12: Young Gai Nie Heads to Korea

At the martial arts training ground of Xianyang Palace, the morning light was faint, and a thin mist, like gauze, had not yet completely dissipated.

The cold bluestone ground reflected the pale light of dawn on the horizon, and a few drops of dew that had not yet dried shimmered between the stones.

Ying Zheng stood with his hands behind his back on the high platform, dressed in black robes with dragon patterns. His posture was as upright as a pine tree, and his eyes were like torches as he looked down below.

Qin Chuan, dressed in a dark-colored casual robe, stood quietly half a step behind Ying Zheng, his gaze calmly fixed on the striking blue and white figure standing in the center of the training ground.

Gai Nie looked younger than I had imagined, with clean and sharp facial features, still bearing the youthful innocence characteristic of a young man.

However, those deep eyes possessed a calmness and clarity far beyond their years, as if reflecting the autumn waters of a cold pool.

His blue and white tight-fitting robe perfectly outlined his tall and straight figure, and the metal wrist guards gleamed with a cold, eerie light in the dim morning light. The hem of his dark blue cloak fluttered silently in the cool morning breeze.

Beneath her neat short hair, her eyes were crystal clear, yet seemed to conceal a sharp insight into the ways of the world.

"Gai Nie has met the King of Qin and the young master."

He bowed with his hands clasped in greeting, his movements clean and efficient, his voice clear and resonant, piercing the silence of the early morning.

Ying Zheng nodded slightly, his deep gaze lingering on Gai Nie for a moment, filled with scrutiny and a hint of barely perceptible admiration: "I have long heard of the name of the successor of Guigu, and I am fortunate to meet you today."

Having said that, he spread his wide sleeves and pointed to ten elite armored soldiers standing in neat rows on the other side of the training ground. "There are ten elite soldiers of my Great Qin there. Can you... defeat them with a single sword strike?"

His voice was calm and steady, carrying the unique authority of a superior and a hint of testing.

Gai Nie's expression remained unchanged; he simply replied calmly, "Yes."

The moment the words left his mouth, the long sword at his waist was already drawn!

A clear and melodious sword cry suddenly pierced the tranquil morning sky, like the roar of a dragon.

The blue and white figure instantly transformed into an arrow released from a bow, shooting out swiftly!

The sword light was like a bolt of lightning, or like a fleeting glimpse of a startled swan, weaving together in the air to form a cold, piercing net of light.

Before the ten battle-hardened soldiers could even complete the basic formation movements, they felt a cold, stinging pain between their eyebrows or wrists.

Suddenly, everything went blurry, weapons flew from their hands and clattered to the ground, and people fell to the ground one after another, leaving only a faint but perfectly precise red mark on their foreheads or wrists.

Gai Nie's figure flashed like lightning, his toes lightly touching the bluestone, and he swirled around like a falling leaf. His long sword silently returned to its sheath, and his aura was as steady as ever, as if the thunderous blow just now was just an illusion.

Ying Zheng clapped his hands and praised loudly, his eyes gleaming, clearly extremely satisfied with the strength that Gai Nie had displayed.

Qin Chuan's gaze remained calmly fixed on the scene.

Just as Gai Nie drew his longsword and his sword intent surged to its peak, the long-dormant sword intent within him, like a deep pool or ancient well, seemed to be stirred by a tiny pebble, causing a very slight ripple.

It was an instinctive response to a powerful edge.

Gai Nie's sword is incredibly fast and precise, ruthless and decisive, with its sharp edge fully revealed, but it seems to lack a certain overwhelming "momentum" that can cut through illusion and cleave through chaos.

Qin Chuan's brows furrowed almost imperceptibly, and a faint hint of disappointment flashed across his eyes.

I thought I would finally get a glimpse of the pinnacle of swordsmanship in this era, but I was too hasty in the end.

As Gai Nie sheathed his sword and his breathing calmed, his extraordinary senses clearly detected a fleeting, unusual sharpness in the direction of Qin Chuan on the high platform!

It wasn't the lightness and speed of a sword, but a heavy and oppressive feeling, as if it contained immense power. Although it appeared quickly, it disappeared even faster, almost making him think it was an illusion.

He subconsciously looked up, his gaze sharp as lightning, precisely fixed on Qin Chuan. In those clear eyes, a hint of inquiry and deep doubt instantly appeared.

“Gai Nie,” Ying Zheng’s voice carried an undeniable authority and appreciation, “I hereby appoint you as the chief swordsmanship instructor of the Qin state.”

Gai Nie suppressed the surging questions in his heart, composed himself, bowed, and said in a clear voice, "Thank you for your trust, King Qin."

Ying Zheng was in a good mood. He turned to look at the silent Qin Chuan beside him and laughed loudly:

"Mr. Gai Nie's swordsmanship is superb, unparalleled in the world. Brother Chuan, would you like to learn a few moves from him? It's always good to have more skills to protect yourself when traveling the world."

His words revealed the care and concern of an elder brother.

Qin Chuan gently shook his head, his gaze calm as still water, yet his tone carried an unwavering firmness:

“Brother Zheng, I prefer the saber to the sword. The sword is light and agile, flowing and nimble; the saber is fierce and powerful, heavy and domineering. Different personalities require different weapons.”

As he spoke, his fingertips unconsciously brushed lightly across the empty space at his side, as if a knife should have been there.

Ying Zheng was visibly taken aback upon hearing this, clearly having never heard of Qin Chuan having such a preference before. He then burst into a hearty laugh: "Hahaha! Good! You have your own opinions! This is the kind of brother I, Ying Zheng, should have!"

With a wave of his hand, exuding the unique grandeur and doting affection of an emperor, he declared, "In that case, I will find you the finest sword in the world! The legendary divine weapon, the 'Great Xia Dragon Sparrow,' I will surely bring it to you!"

Although he was surprised, he thought it was just a young man's whim, but he agreed without hesitation and was willing to do everything in the country's power to fulfill his wish.

Qin Chuan nodded slightly, a faint smile curving his lips: "Thank you, Brother Zheng."

Ying Zheng turned his gaze back to the empty training ground, his heart surging with pride, and said with emotion, "If my Great Qin had more talents like Mr. Gai Nie, the unification of the world would be just around the corner."

He paused, a gleam of eagerness flashing in his eyes, "I've heard that Han Fei is about to return to his country. This man possesses extraordinary talent and strategic brilliance. I yearn to meet him in person, but the situation in Korea is unpredictable, making it difficult..."

Qin Chuan spoke at the opportune moment, his voice steady and clear: "Brother Zheng, I am willing to go to South Korea ahead of time to pave the way. Firstly, to familiarize myself with the customs and culture of Xinzheng, and secondly, to make arrangements in secret to provide you with full protection when you meet Mr. Han Fei in person in the future."

He had his own plans: South Korea was located at the crossroads of the Central Plains, with convenient transportation and good news. Moreover, it was in a period of turmoil, and many extraordinary people gathered there. It was the perfect place to secretly recruit people and establish the underground network of "Bad People".

That was the way of life he had been immersed in for many years in the previous world, the way he was most familiar with, and also the key secret move he made to assist Ying Zheng in unifying the world and conquering the six kingdoms in the future.

Ying Zheng pondered for a moment, looked at Qin Chuan's calm eyes, and nodded:

"You have always acted prudently, so I am at ease. However, the State of Han is not like the State of Qin. Xinzheng is a melting pot of all sorts of people. You are all alone, so you must be careful in everything you do."

"Don't worry, Brother Zheng," Qin Chuan replied succinctly and forcefully.

He turned around, his dark robes drawing a clean arc in the morning light, and strode away.

Gai Nie's gaze followed his retreating figure until it disappeared around the corner of the palace, then he turned to Ying Zheng, cupped his hands, and said in a deep voice:

"King Qin, that young master from earlier... forgive my boldness, but may I ask... has he ever studied the ways of the sword?"

Upon hearing this, Ying Zheng's face flashed with surprise, but he immediately shook his head, his tone resolute:

"No. I have never seen him touch any swords or weapons, and the palace guards can testify to that. Perhaps you were just testing your sword and the sword energy was too strong, causing you to misjudge the situation?"

Gai Nie was slightly taken aback, his doubts deepening, but he did not press further. He simply bowed and said, "I was overthinking it, Your Majesty. Please forgive me."

However, the doubt in my heart did not disappear; instead, it grew and entangled like a vine.

That fleeting yet profound and oppressive sense of sharpness was incomparable to ordinary sword energy, and it was not an illusion.

This seemingly calm and harmless prince of Qin was far more cunning than anyone imagined.

As night deepened, the ink-like light seeped into the glazed tiles of Xianyang Palace. In Qin Chuan's residence, candlelight flickered in bronze lamps, casting a warm yellow glow over the room.

Consort Yan, dressed in a long robe with a black background and red flame patterns, stood quietly in front of the half-open carved wooden window, gazing at the swaying shadows of trees deep in the palace garden.

Hearing the familiar sound of the door opening, she slowly turned around.

The candlelight illuminated her exquisite and refined face, and a subtle ripple appeared in her eyes, like a still pond into which a pebble had been thrown: "I heard... you're going to Korea?"

His voice was cool, yet it carried a subtle concern.

"Hmm," Qin Chuan closed the door behind him, walked to her side, and looked out at the deep night with her. "I'll pave the way for Brother Zheng and arrange his meeting with Han Fei. This trip will take at most three months, and at least a month before we return."

Yan Fei remained silent for a moment, then raised her delicate hand, took something out of her wide sleeves, and handed it to him.

It was a white jade hairpin with a smooth, lustrous finish.

The hairpin has smooth lines, and the head is carved with intricate and delicate flame patterns. The jade is warm and delicate, and the edges have been rubbed smooth and rounded, indicating that it was a personal item she wore all year round.

“This is an old item I used to tie my hair up,” she said softly, like a night breeze brushing against a window screen. “Korea is windy and dusty, so carrying this around is like seeing the person again… it’s a keepsake.”

Qin Chuan's gaze fell on the jade hairpin, and he solemnly accepted it with both hands.

As my fingertips touched that warm, smooth jade-like surface, I could almost still feel the lingering warmth and faint fragrance of her hair.

He examined the jade hairpin carefully for a moment, then gently tucked it into his inner sleeve pocket. Looking up, he met her deep eyes and said earnestly:

"I will keep it safe. As for you, stay in Xianyang and pay close attention to palace affairs, especially... the Moon Goddess's side."

Yan Fei's lips curved slightly, revealing a faint smile. The candlelight softened the usual coolness between her brows.

"Although the Moon Goddess and I follow different paths, and each holds a different view on the principles of Yin and Yang, she would not cause any trouble at this time and throw herself into disarray."

Her gaze returned to Qin Chuan's face, tinged with seriousness. "Xinzheng in Han is a place where the winds of change from the seven kingdoms converge. The cunning of people's hearts there is ten times greater than in Xianyang. You are venturing there alone, so do not be careless."

She naturally raised her hand, her slender fingertips gently brushing across Qin Chuan's chest, smoothing out an almost invisible fine wrinkle with a soft and practiced motion.

"I have instructed people to prepare your usual wound medicine and several kinds of emergency antidote pills, as well as some dried meat and rations that you usually like, all of which have been placed in the outermost layer of your luggage."

Her voice remained calm, yet it conveyed meticulous care.

A warm feeling welled up in Qin Chuan's heart as he quietly gazed at her beautiful profile so close to his.

A night breeze blew in through the window, carrying a hint of heat, flickering the candlelight and disrupting the brief tranquility of the hall. He suddenly spoke, his voice deep and clear:

"Wait for me to come back."

Yan Fei's fingers, which were adjusting her clothes, paused almost imperceptibly. She looked up and met his deep eyes.

She paused slightly, then nodded gently, her long eyelashes drooping to conceal the complex emotions that flashed in her eyes, and whispered:

Have a safe journey.

The night wind whistled through the window lattice, carrying away the last trace of warmth from the hall.

Qin Chuan knew that this trip to Han was ostensibly to pave the way for Ying Zheng, but secretly it was a crucial step in laying a dark web for him in this chaotic Warring States period.

The warm jade hairpin in his sleeve was pressed against his skin, as if carrying her body heat, becoming his deepest and most intimate attachment in this deep palace.

Without another word, he turned around, his dark robes instantly blending into the thick night outside the door, and he disappeared steadily into the depths of the palace path.

Yan Fei remained standing by the window, gazing in the direction he had left. Her fingertips unconsciously traced the spot where she had touched his clothes, as if she could still feel the texture of the fabric.

Only when that tall figure was completely swallowed by darkness, and no outline could be seen anymore, did she sigh softly, softly, into the empty night.

The wind in Xinzheng must be much stronger than in Xianyang.

Chapter 13 An unexpected encounter with Han Fei, and first glimpse of Hong Lian