Wandering Sword Seller's Life in the Qin Dynasty

The sounds inside the room paused for a moment, then Xunzi's voice came through, sounding somewhat aged but still resonant: "Fu Nian, what brings you here?"

“Several gentlemen from Linzi wish to meet with my uncle,” Fu Nian replied.

A glint of light flashed in Xunzi's eyes.

He was a clever man. Fu Nian specifically mentioned Linzi, which clearly indicated that these people were all officials of the State of Qi.

Although I don't really want to deal with these people, being in this place, there are some things I can't control.

Xunzi asked in a deep voice, "Where is he?"

“I’m right outside right now!” Fu Nian replied.

“Since you’re all here, let’s meet,” Xunzi said.

So Fu Nian went out again and explained the matter. Several messengers from Hou Sheng immediately went forward to pay their respects to Xunzi.

Fu Nian did not go, but chose to stay outside and wait.

Unexpectedly, there was one person who did not go.

Aren't you coming with us?

Fu Nian looked at Xu Qing beside him, somewhat surprised.

"I'll visit Xunzi separately after they've finished talking," Xu Qing said to Fu Nian.

Fu Nian showed a hint of surprise, but said nothing.

Instead, they stayed quietly with Xu Qing and waited there.

The messenger from Hou Sheng did not talk with Xunzi for very long.

Or rather, Xunzi was willing to meet them purely because they were officials, and also because he didn't want to implicate Xiaoshengxianzhuang. However, after learning that these people had come for some trivial matters, he immediately refused them and turned them away.

Faced with Xunzi's rejection, Hou Sheng's envoy was somewhat disappointed, but not too upset.

As long as Xiaoshengxianzhuang makes a statement, it's essentially the same.

I met with Xunzi because, having come all this way, I felt I should at least pay my respects to this Confucian master.

As for being criticized by Xunzi?

That's a minor matter.

Over the years, there have been far too many people who have been criticized by Xunzi.

The debates and discussions among the Hundred Schools of Thought at the Jixia Academy, though called debates, actually involved a lot of arguments and arguments about the orthodoxy of different schools of thought.

Xunzi's reputation is well-deserved, as he criticized many people in the past. Apart from other schools of thought, even many Confucianists were criticized by Xunzi, since there are many factions within Confucianism.

Xunzi refused!

Xu Qing learned the result from these people, but did not comment on it.

He simply said to them, "You have already met Xunzi, now it's my turn."

After saying that, he strode towards the wooden house. Fu Nian stood there, quietly watching his back, without going forward to stop him.

As Xu Qing reached the door of the wooden house, he heard Xunzi's disgruntled voice coming from inside: "What's going on today? Outsiders keep coming to bother me, I can't even read a book in peace."

He pushed open the door and entered, replying calmly, "There's nothing I can do. Who made Xun Qing so famous? Since you didn't stop outsiders from visiting, people will naturally keep coming."

Xunzi looked up and saw a middle-aged man dressed in blue enter. The man had slightly graying temples, a short beard, and a refined appearance, but the aura emanating from him was as vigorous as the blazing sun in the sky, causing Xunzi's pupils to suddenly contract.

His initial dissatisfaction vanished instantly. He put down the bamboo scroll in his hand and asked in a serious tone, "Are you here as a persuader as well?"

Xunzi put down the bamboo slips in his hand again and asked Xu Qing.

Xu Qing shook his head, "I came for you, Xunzi!"

"I?"

Xunzi looked at Xu Qing in surprise.

"I have a past with Han Fei..." Xu Qing mentioned a name that was extremely familiar to Xunzi.

Sure enough, Xunzi's expression softened instantly, and his originally serious face gained a touch of warmth: "Han Fei... how is he now?"

Since returning to Xiaoshengxianzhuang, although he often lectured, he only regarded Han Fei and Li Si as his personal disciples.

Several years ago, the two completed their studies and left, and he never heard from them again, often thinking of them.

"Not so good." Xu Qing's words were like a bucket of cold water, extinguishing the expectation in Xunzi's eyes. "After returning to Han, although he was determined to change Han's predicament, he was constrained by the power of the court and encountered obstacles at every turn..."

Xu Qing didn't hide anything and briefly recounted Han Fei's experiences after returning to China.

"It seems his situation is really not good!"

Upon learning of Han Fei's fate after returning to his country, Xunzi couldn't help but sigh.

He hadn't expected the situation in South Korea to be so chaotic.

He was naturally somewhat worried about Han Fei's situation.

However, he couldn't help Han Fei much either, after all, he himself was a failure in politics.

Although he had once served as the magistrate of Lanling County, he was powerless to change anything in the face of corruption and the chaotic political situation in the Chu Kingdom.

As for why Han Fei persisted in the face of such a predicament?

When Xunzi was teaching Han Fei, he understood Han Fei's determination.

Some things, though difficult, still need to be done.

Although tens of thousands of people are coming.

From the very beginning, Han Fei was determined to change the state of Han.

Now that he knows Han Fei's current situation, Xunzi can only silently wish him well in his heart.

Thank you for letting me know!

Xunzi then said something to Xu Qing.

"No need to thank me." Xu Qing shook his head. "Han Fei and I are friends. It's only right and proper for me to let him know that he is safe when I see his teacher."

"You came to see me just to inform me of Han Fei's recent situation?" Xunzi asked, his eyes filled with inquiry.

“Of course not.” Xu Qing said, flipping his palm and raising a sword that suddenly appeared in his hand.

The sword is wrapped in a snow-white scabbard, and the end of the hilt is black. The black and white colors are interspersed, like ink painting. A blue glass bead is inlaid on the hilt. The bead is transparent and gleams with a faint blue light in the dim light of the room. The scabbard is decorated with silver ornaments and water droplet-shaped decorations. A white sword tassel hangs down and sways gently in the wind.

Xunzi's gaze was instantly drawn to the sword. What shocked him even more was Xu Qing's incredible skill. He thought his old eyes were still sharp, but he couldn't see where the sword came from, just as Wei Zhuang couldn't detect the secret of Xu Qing's hidden sword back then.

Considering the vigorous energy and blood that Xu Qing had displayed earlier, he felt even more favorably towards Xu Qing.

"This sword is called Ximo Kunfeng." Xu Qing held the sword and handed it to Xunzi. "It is a gift that Han Fei asked me to give to you."

Without hesitation, Xunzi reached out and took the sword. He immediately felt a warm, smooth touch. The sword was not heavy, yet it was exceptionally tough. He gently drew the sword and saw that the blade was white and crystalline, as if it had been sculpted from ice and snow. The blade was sharp and gleamed with a cold light in the sunlight.

He had seen the famous sword Tai'a, a treasured possession of the Confucian school. Tai'a was majestic and heavy, exuding a kingly aura. But this Ximo Kunfeng sword was elegant and lively. It seemed as if a faint mist was swirling around its blade. If you looked closely, you could also sense a strange power within the sword, gentle yet not to be underestimated.

Chapter 161 Kong Zhou's Three Swords, Nothing More Than That

"Han Fei is quite thoughtful."

Xunzi's withered fingers gently brushed across the sword hilt, his fingertips able to clearly touch the faint cloud patterns on the blade, as if imbued with the warmth of a thousand-year-old scroll.

He closed his eyes, and a gentle aura slowly seeped into his meridians through his palm, quietly resonating with the Confucian internal energy he had cultivated for decades. That power was not as domineering and fierce as the Tai'a Sword, but rather like a gentle spring breeze and rain, fitting him perfectly as if he were born with it.

The old man's Adam's apple bobbed slightly, and as he softly praised it, a hint of satisfaction flashed in his eyes. This was clearly a sword imbued with Confucian ideals. Perhaps the swordsmith had studied the Book of Rites and the Book of Music, otherwise it would be difficult to have such a humble and upright spirit.

He couldn't help but think of the time when Han Fei studied under him.

By sheer chance, he acquired the "Reverse Scale Sword." To others, the sword was broken and tattered, a piece of scrap metal. But like a pearl cast before swine, even a precious sword can be covered in dust. Until its true master is found, it will remain dormant.

But once it fell into Han Fei's hands, it suddenly shone with a different kind of brilliance.

Xunzi helped Han Fei appraise the "Reverse Scale" sword, so he knew about his disciple's destiny and the extraordinary nature of that sword.

Unexpectedly, one day, Han Fei actually found himself a sword that matched his own.

"But what need is there for an old man like me to carry a sword?" Xunzi stroked the patina on the sword hilt, a touch of melancholy rising in his heart.

He was more familiar with writing brushes and ink than with swords and knives. Writing books and establishing doctrines was his destiny for the rest of his life. Wouldn't it be better to leave such a fine sword by Han Fei's side to protect him?

"If you see Han Fei in the future, please tell him for me that I have received the gift." He composed himself, looked up at Xu Qing in front of him, and his eyes were filled with the gentleness that comes with being an elder.

"Yes, yes!" Xu Qing replied rather perfunctorily.

Deep down, he wasn't sure if he would ever have another chance to meet Han Fei.

After all, he had no intention of leaving Qi and going to other countries in the short term.

"Oh, right, there's one more thing!"

Xu Qing then spoke to Xunzi.

"Oh?" Xunzi thought that Han Fei had something else he wanted to ask Xu Qing to pass on to him.

All that could be seen was Xu Qing flipping his palm, and a roll of animal hide appeared in his hand.

"This sword was obtained by Han Fei in exchange for something and someone. Xunzi, you should also know that such a precious sword requires something in exchange. The person who gave this sword to Han Fei had only one requirement: the one who ultimately obtains this sword must sign a sword contract!"

"A sword contract?" Xunzi took the animal skin scroll that Xu Qing had taken out, flipped through it, and was somewhat surprised.

"That's interesting!"

"Was the original owner of this sword a merchant?" Xunzi asked Xu Qing.

"I don't know about that. I was just doing what Han Fei asked me to do." Xu Qing lowered his eyes, unwilling to say more, as if saying another word would reveal some secret.

Xunzi read the contract again, his fingertip pausing on the character "青" (qing). Although he didn't know what kind of deal Han Fei had made, he couldn't betray the sentiment hidden within the sword. Years had passed since they last met, and Han Fei's appearance had become somewhat blurred in his memory. Signing this contract was a way of responding to his disciple's filial piety.

So he found a pen and ink and wrote down his name, "Xun Kuang".

"In that case, I have completed the task that Han Fei entrusted to me."

After putting away the sword contract, Xu Qing said something to Xunzi.

Xunzi raised an eyebrow but said nothing.

He simply watched Xu Qing leave.

It was as if Xu Qing had come here merely to deliver a sword to him.