Wandering Sword Seller's Life in the Qin Dynasty

His gaze fell on Xu Qing's face, and there was a hint of genuine understanding in his eyes: "Now I understand why you refused to join the peasant family back then. What you wanted was never any kind of power to rely on, but simply a freedom from constraints."

He first met Xu Qing in the State of Qi.

Later, they learned about Xu Qing's situation. Xu Qing had already appeared in South Korea and had gotten involved with Situ Wanli from their farming family. The two of them joined forces to sell swords through the Qianlong Hall's channels, and, importantly, they actually made a lot of money.

It was precisely because of Xu Qing's seamless cooperation with the farmers, coupled with Xu Qing's talent in sword forging, that Tian Guang decided to recruit him.

The farming family was expanding and what they lacked was a remarkable person who could both forge divine weapons and understand the ways of the martial arts world.

However, Xu Qing refused.

Although he was disappointed, he respected Xu Qing's choice.

Later, he learned that the swords forged by Xu Qing had caused some trouble in the State of Chu, and Xu Qing, the person involved, chose to leave the State of Chu.

He waited until the farmer's intelligence reached him.

He learned that Xu Qing had returned to South Korea and stayed at the Qianlong Hall there for a few more days.

This is combined with the many changes that have occurred in South Korea.

It's hard not to suspect that these things might be related to Xu Qing.

However, South Korea is still not the end.

The latest intelligence Tian Guang received was that Xu Qing had arrived in the Yan Kingdom.

Tian Guang wasn't deliberately monitoring Xu Qing; he simply listed Xu Qing as a "distinguished guest" of the farmhouses, and would subconsciously report the news to any farmhouse he came into contact with.

As time went by, Xu Qing's whereabouts became like spider silk, layer by layer, entangled in Tian Guang's hands.

The more Tian Guang learned about Xu Qing, the more unfathomable he seemed. He spent some time in the Jicheng tavern, wandering around Jicheng every day, ignoring the power struggles in the Yan Kingdom court, but he paid special attention to the three young boys, A Gang, not only forging swords for them but also teaching them martial arts.

Such actions are truly baffling.

"Do you need me to look after those three boys?" Tian Guang asked, his tone sincere.

Although he didn't know what was so special about Ah Gang and the other two, Xu Qing had just arrived in Yan Kingdom and had little influence there, while he had been operating in Yan Kingdom for ten years and had connections with everyone from the garrison commander of Ji City to the local gangs.

Protecting three teenagers from being bullied by local thugs was a simple matter for him.

Xu Qing looked up and accepted the kindness without hesitation: "Of course I'll have to trouble you, Brother Tian. The three of them have just come from the countryside and only know how to help those in need. They don't know anything about the underhanded schemes of the martial world. With your help, I can have fewer worries."

He had barely finished speaking when he abruptly changed the subject, circling back to the sword duel: "Speaking of which, are you really not interested in the title of the number one swordsman in Yan?"

For Xu Qing, it didn't matter who got the title; what mattered was that the person who got the title held the sword he had forged.

The reason he chose Tsuna and his two companions was that he felt life in Jicheng was too mundane. Watching the boys he had chosen grow from greenhorns into great heroes was a more exciting experience for him than forging divine weapons that could cut through iron like mud.

If we can let them first defeat the number one swordsman in Yan with their own swords, then when they truly become famous in the future, their sword fame and personal fame will complement each other, and their reputation will be doubled.

He had considered the Korean wave; that person had won sixteen consecutive matches and only needed four more to reach the top. If he were to offer the sword to the player willingly, it would undoubtedly be the fastest shortcut.

However, Xu Qing quickly gave up. Han Liu was already a famous swordsman in Jicheng, and his own sword was just icing on the cake for him, failing to show the sword's sharpness.

More importantly, Han Liu has won sixteen consecutive matches. If Yan Dan wants to control the situation in the sword fight, he will never let such a person slip out of his control.

Xu Qing could even guess that Yan Dan was probably behind the Korean wave.

Giving a sword to someone like that would only draw you into the mess of the Yan court, making it a losing proposition.

If one really has to choose a famous master, or the so-called Korean wave, it would be better to choose Tian Guang in front of you. At least he is an acquaintance, and you have already used his sword.

Upon hearing this, Tian Guang smiled wryly, "Mr. Xu Qing, please spare me!"

"You also know that my identity is extremely sensitive."

"The title of the number one swordsman in Yan may be impressive, but it's not a good thing for me."

Xu Qing had met with the farmer many times and knew his true identity, so Tian Guang didn't try to hide anything from Xu Qing.

"However, if Mr. Xu Qing really intends to choose someone and support them to become the number one swordsman in Yan, I have a good option."

"Oh?" Xu Qing raised an eyebrow slightly.

"You're not thinking of those who were defeated by the Korean wave, are you? The manager here gave me information on them before, and I don't think they're suitable candidates," Xu Qing said to Tian Guang.

“I’m not talking about them.” Tian Guang leaned forward, lowering his voice slightly, as if afraid of being overheard. “I wonder if Mr. Xu Qing has heard of that strongman who has recently appeared in the Yan Kingdom?”

"A strongman?" A knowing glint flashed in Xu Qing's eyes.

There are many people in the world who are known for their strength, but if you limit yourself to the two words "Yan State", a burly figure wielding an iron hammer immediately comes to mind.

He didn't point it out, but simply picked up his cup and took a small sip, letting the wine slide down his throat, signaling Tian Guang to continue.

Seeing his interest, Tian Guang slowly began to explain: "I have always instructed my disciples to keep an eye out for extraordinary people and talents in various countries. Half a month ago, I received news that Baiyang Village on the border of Yan was plundered by Hu bandits. Those Hu people rode on horseback and carried curved swords. I thought it would be another tragedy, but unexpectedly, a blacksmith in the village stepped forward. With just a hammer weighing several dozen kilograms, he beat more than twenty Hu people so badly that they cried for their parents and dared not even ride their horses, running barefoot back to the grasslands. It is said that he can easily lift the bluestone weighing several hundred kilograms at the entrance of the village, and he can even swing an elm tree as thick as a bowl as a stick."

At this point, Tian Guang showed a hint of apology on his face, unconsciously stroking his beard with his fingers: "To be honest, Mr. Xu Qing, the reason I returned to Jicheng this time was to see you. Otherwise, I should have gone to Baiyang Village to look for this strongman long ago. Farmers need such extraordinary people. If we can recruit them, it will be of great help to our mining operations and machinery manufacturing in the future."

"You're quite straightforward." Xu Qing looked up at Tian Guang, her gaze deep.

He was well aware of Tian Guang's thoughts, but the fact that this strongman was someone he found quite interesting.

After all, someone who can wield a hammer with such mastery must have a unique control over force. If we could forge a suitable weapon for him, it might just lead to another great achievement.

"Would Mr. Xu Qing be interested in meeting me?" Tian Guang asked, seizing the opportunity.

Once such a person with exceptional skills is discovered, they will undoubtedly be sought after by various factions.

Although he was confident, with Xu Qing by his side, the chances of winning were undoubtedly greater. After all, Xu Qing's sword-forging skills were rare in the world. If he could lure the strongman with a divine weapon, he might be able to persuade him to join the Farmer's Clan.

Xu Qing put down his cup, stood up and straightened his robes. The dark hem of his robes swept across the table, stirring up a fine dust: "In that case, let's go and take a look."

The two left Jicheng and rode their horses toward the border.

Tian Guang has been quite candid these past few days. When talking about his situation in Yan, his tone carried a hint of helplessness: "Back then, I made a name for myself as a chivalrous hero in Yan, and now I regret it somewhat. I want to keep a low profile, but the name of chivalrous hero is too conspicuous, which is why I rarely appear on the streets of Yan these days..."

Xu Qing reined in his horse and turned to look at Tian Guang: "How did you find out about that strongman?"

"It's quite a coincidence," Tian Guang smiled, gently tapping his horse's belly with his whip. "Although there are no strict requirements for disciples of the Farmer's School, they are mostly influenced by me and like to help those in need. Half a month ago, one of my disciples passed through Baiyang Village and happened to see the villagers giving eggs to the blacksmith. They surrounded him and told him about defeating the Hu people, so he reported the news to me."

He paused, then added, "That blacksmith was not only strong, but also had a rare character. When the Hu people had already stormed into the village, he could have locked the blacksmith's shop to protect himself, but instead he grabbed his hammer and rushed out. This chivalrous spirit is more precious than brute force."

"Oh?" Xu Qing raised an eyebrow, showing a hint of anticipation.

Three days later, the two finally arrived at Baiyang Village.

The village is small, mostly consisting of mud-brick houses with thatched roofs. Amidst the rising smoke from the chimneys, one can faintly hear the clanging of blacksmiths striking metal.

In the most remote corner of the village, a simple blacksmith shop stood there, with black chimneys emitting blue smoke and a roaring furnace that illuminated half the courtyard in a red glow.

A burly man stood in front of the anvil, shirtless, his bronze skin covered in sweat that dripped down his muscles and onto the hot anvil with a sizzling sound.

He wielded a huge iron hammer with great force, and with each strike, a crisp sound could be heard as the iron billet collided with the hammer, causing the wooden barrels beside him to sway slightly.

"What a hero!" Tian Guang couldn't help but praise him. This strong man was nearly eight feet tall, with broad shoulders and a thick waist. His arms were thicker than an ordinary person's calves, and his shoulders were broad enough to carry two bags of grain. Just his appearance alone was enough to make ordinary bandits tremble with fear.

Xu Qing stared at the iron hammer in the strong man's hand. The hammer weighed at least several dozen kilograms, and the hammerhead was bigger than a fist, but it was as light as a feather in the strong man's hands. The hammer was incredibly precise in its rise and fall, and every strike hit the weakest point of the iron billet. Clearly, the strong man not only had great strength, but also had extremely exquisite control over his strength.

The two walked side by side toward the blacksmith's shop, and the sound of hammering stopped abruptly.

The burly man stopped what he was doing, turned his head to look, and his pair of copper bell-like eyes scanned Tian Guang and Xu Qing. His voice was rough and hoarse, like sandpaper rubbing against wood: "Who are you two? What brings you to my blacksmith shop?"

He already had a fierce appearance and a burly physique, and with that questioning voice, an ordinary person would probably have already taken a step back.

But Tian Guang didn't care at all. He stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, "I am Tian Guang. I have heard that there is a strong man here who single-handedly defeated the Hu bandits. I have come to pay my respects. May I ask if you are that strong man?"

Upon hearing this, the burly man's face showed a hint of unease. He scratched the back of his head with his rough hand and lowered his voice: "My name is Big Hammer. That's just what I should do. It's nothing special."

Although he was honest and kind, the villagers were afraid of him because of his fierce appearance.

After defeating the Hu people, the villagers were grateful but also afraid of his strength. They rarely dared to come to the blacksmith's shop except to make farm tools.

Even the village children would walk around him, afraid that he might accidentally swing the hammer at them.

Now that someone has suddenly come to visit him, he is somewhat at a loss.

"I'm still forging a kitchen knife, ordered by Aunt Wang. Why don't you two rest for a while?" Big Hammer pointed to the half-finished product on the anvil, his tone somewhat tentative, his gaze unconsciously drifting towards Xu Qing. The man in front of him was refined and gentle, not like someone who would come to a blacksmith's shop.

Just as Tian Guang was about to agree, Xu Qing stepped forward and grabbed the wrist of the large iron hammer: "I know a little about blacksmithing. Let me do it, and you can check the heat."

The big iron hammer was stunned for a moment, and then actually let go.

Xu Qing gripped the hammer, his wrist dipped slightly, and then he suddenly swung it up. The moment the hammer fell, the large hammer's pupils contracted sharply.

The landing point was even more precise than his own, and the force was just right, flattening the iron billet without deforming it.

What surprised him even more was that Xu Qing swung his hammer twice as fast as him, yet showed no sign of panic, his rhythm as steady as a pendulum.

"Watch closely, I'll only demonstrate once..." Xu Qing's voice drifted over, and with each strike of the hammer, the crisp sound of hammering rang out again, but this time it was more rhythmic and exquisite than before.

Big Iron Hammer stood to the side, his eyes, as big as copper bells, widening and widening, his heavy breathing gradually softening until it almost stopped.

He had spent his whole life dealing with hammers, but he had never seen anyone wield a hammer with such masterful skill.

Previously, he relied on brute force and years of habit to swing the hammer, and each strike was aimed at "smashing solid and flattening". But the hammer in Xu Qing's hand seemed to have a spirit. With each rise and fall, it not only accurately hit the key points of the iron billet, but also carried an indescribable rhythm, as if he was not hammering iron, but performing a silent melody.

He was suddenly struck by the fact that blacksmithing was so meticulous. Xu Qing's hammer swings were always perfectly timed, avoiding the brittle points of the iron billet.

The force of the wrist flip may seem gentle, but when it lands on the anvil, it can cause iron filings to fly everywhere.

Even his breathing was perfectly synchronized with the hammering technique; he inhaled when he raised the hammer and exhaled when he lowered it, as if his whole being had become one with the hammer and the iron billet.

The crisp "clanging" sound was no longer a monotonous tapping, but rather like a craftsman carving a rare jade disc, each strike carrying reverence for the object.

What truly made the big iron hammer tremble was Xu Qing's posture when he swung the hammer.

The seemingly casual raising and lowering of the hammer gradually revealed an unusual trajectory in his eyes. The slight bend of the elbow concealed a clever force to deflect the force, the twisting of the wrist carried a twisting power, and even the stance of the feet subtly matched the foundation as stable as Mount Tai.

This is no ordinary blacksmithing technique; it is clearly an extremely profound martial art.

Big Hammer's thoughts instantly drifted back to ten years ago, when he was an orphan wandering the streets, but was adopted by an old blacksmith because of his natural strength.

The old blacksmith not only taught him how to forge iron, but also passed on to him an ancestral hammering technique called "Thunder God's Hammer".

The master said that this hammering technique requires strength as its foundation, and external force generates internal force. Unfortunately, the master was of mediocre talent and only managed to get to the basics after practicing all his life.

He was born with an extraordinary physique. At the age of ten, he could lift a 30-pound iron hammer. By the age of fifteen, he had mastered the "Thor's Hammer" technique. At the age of twenty, he even used this hammer technique to kill a black bear in the mountains.

Before his death, the master sighed, "Thor's hammer has a higher level, but unfortunately I will never see it in my lifetime."

At the time, he didn't take it seriously, thinking it was just his master's regret in his old age. But now, looking at Xu Qing's movements, he understood his master's words. Xu Qing's hammer technique was not as fierce and domineering as the "Thor's Hammer," but it had a more subtle way of using softness to overcome hardness. Every movement was as natural as flowing water, but it contained immense power. It was many times more skillful than the "Thor's Hammer" that he had practiced for many years.

Big Hammer's eyes gradually became obsessed, and his hands unconsciously clenched, his knuckles turning white from the force.

He seemed to see Xu Qing's movements slowed down and dissected before his eyes.

The arc of the hammer swing resembles a crescent moon in the sky, avoiding unnecessary losses and concentrating the force on a single point; the moment the hammer is retracted, it carries a slight tremor, which perfectly counteracts the force of the iron billet's rebound.