Wandering Sword Seller's Life in the Qin Dynasty

An Qisheng nodded, his tone still calm: "I have indeed dabbled in the art of elixirs, though I dare not claim to be an expert, I do know a little about it."

“Perfect.” Xu Qing leaned forward slightly, his eyes showing a hint of eagerness. “I have been studying alchemy lately, but I have encountered setbacks repeatedly. I wonder if I could exchange ideas with you, sir? This would allow me to test your true abilities. If you are not a fame-seeking person like Xu Fu, I can return to the Prime Minister’s residence to report to the Prime Minister and put the Prince of Qi at ease.”

These straightforward words startled An Qisheng slightly.

He originally thought that Xu Qing was just someone sent by the Prime Minister Hou Sheng to test him, but he did not expect that the other party would be so frank, and even made no attempt to hide his purpose of testing talent.

But he quickly composed himself and nodded in agreement, "Of course."

Then, Xu Qing raised some of the problems he had encountered in the process of studying alchemy in front of An Qisheng.

These were questions he had accumulated while studying Xu Fu's "alchemy" and "alchemy techniques," and he had originally planned to visit Xu Fu again some time later.

However, since this An Qisheng was also a renowned alchemy master, his business of selling medicine in the East China Sea was well-known.

Xu Qing naturally didn't mind exchanging words with the other party first.

Then we can go find Xu Fu to verify the information.

Whether it was because of Xu Fu's lesson or because of An Qisheng's nature, he was generous with his guidance when communicating with Xu Qing, and Xu Qing benefited greatly from the exchange.

Naturally, upon returning to the Prime Minister's residence...

He also didn't hesitate to express his feelings about An Qisheng.

"Compared to Xu Fu, An Qisheng was not a man of mere reputation!"

"This person is usable. Although his alchemy cannot help people prolong their lives or achieve immortality, it is still quite effective in conditioning the body and alleviating illnesses..."

"In that case, he is indeed a good talent." Hou Sheng nodded after hearing this, without showing too much disappointment.

Previously, Xu Fu's three levels of alchemy were described in a very mystical way.

However, after Xu Qing verified that he was a fraud, Hou Sheng also began to dispel the myth surrounding these sorcerers.

He didn't expect these alchemists to actually concoct the elixir of immortality. As long as they weren't frauds and didn't cause any harm, and the King of Qi liked them, he could tolerate their existence.

Xu Qing could tell that Hou Sheng had little interest in An Qisheng, so he said no more.

He himself became increasingly interested in this Taoist priest, and in the following days, he frequently visited the post station to discuss metaphysics and Taoism with An Qisheng.

That afternoon, the two sat and chatted in the inn, their conversation gradually shifting from alchemy to strange tales from overseas.

Xu Qing said casually, "I have heard that beyond the sea, there may be a continent similar to Kyushu. I wonder if you have heard of it?"

An Qisheng abruptly stopped what he was doing, a look of surprise flashing in his eyes.

He spent many years sailing out to sea in search of immortals, and together with many alchemists, he firmly believed that there were immortal mountains in the East China Sea. However, he always returned empty-handed from his voyages, which he could only attribute to the fact that "his destiny with the immortals had not yet arrived."

Hearing Xu Qing's words, he couldn't help but frown: "What do you mean by this, Mr. Qing? Could it be... that Zou Yan's theory of the Great Nine Provinces was actually true?"

Upon hearing this, Xu Qing understood. He knew that the Book of Documents, in its section on the Tribute of Yu, divided the world into nine provinces, including Ji, Yan, Qing, and Xu. However, Zou Yan, a scholar of Yin and Yang, proposed the "Greater Nine Provinces Theory," believing that the current nine provinces were merely the "Red Land of Divine Land," and that there were eight other similar realms beyond them.

However, this claim is too far-fetched. Qi was a country with advanced maritime trade, and its alchemists frequently went to sea, yet they never discovered the so-called "Nine Provinces Overseas." Therefore, most people believe that Zou Yan was just talking nonsense.

"While Zou Yan's theory of the Great Nine Provinces is not entirely accurate, there is indeed a wider world beyond the Nine Provinces," Xu Qing said calmly. "However, these all need to be verified personally. After all, without seeing it with one's own eyes, no amount of words can convince people."

He was unwilling to explain further. Although An Qisheng was full of questions, he could see that he was unwilling to talk, so he could only keep these words in mind.

Over the course of their time together, his understanding of Xu Qing deepened. This man was well-versed in astronomy, geography, medicine, and metaphysics, and his knowledge far surpassed that of ordinary alchemists.

He even speculated that Xu Qing was a successor of the Yin-Yang School or Taoism, but never considered any other possibility.

A few days later, Xu Qing finally stopped beating around the bush and asked An Qisheng directly, "Sir, do you know how to use a sword?"

An Qisheng was slightly taken aback, wondering why he had suddenly brought this up, but he still answered truthfully: "When I was young, I did practice swordsmanship for a few years. I can't say I'm an expert, but I do know a little bit about it."

"I wonder what kind of sword you prefer, sir?" Xu Qing asked immediately, a barely perceptible glint in his eyes.

During his interactions with An Qisheng these past few days, he learned a great deal about alchemy, but he didn't forget his primary duty. As a swordsmith, he naturally wanted to "take advantage" of a master like An Qisheng.

An Qisheng was slightly taken aback upon hearing this, not understanding what Xu Qing meant by this question.

During this period of contact, through Xu Qing's words and actions, he felt that Xu Qing was increasingly unfathomable.

After thinking it over, he revealed his preferences, which meant he didn't have any specific requirements.

The main problem is that I don't understand Xu Qing's methods, nor do I understand what Xu Qing meant by asking these questions.

After learning about An Qisheng's request from him, Xu Qing immediately had an answer in her heart.

Several more days passed.

On this day, Xu Qing came to An Qisheng again.

He gently tapped a sword on the table, the blade striking the wooden surface with a clear, crisp sound: "The sword is named Ancient Dust, a sword of heaven and man, in harmony with the Dao of heaven and earth. You will know its specific effects by experiencing it yourself. If you can inscribe your own Dao into it, it may unleash even greater power."

Compared to his previous detailed explanations of the sword's origins and effects, Xu Qing's explanations were much more perfunctory now, leaving only the sword's name and saying nothing more.

An Qisheng's gaze fell on the sword, but he couldn't look away.

This "Ancient Dust Sword" is bronze in color, with intricate cloud and thunder patterns engraved on the blade, and a faint luster seems to flow between the patterns; the hilt is cast in the shape of a tripod, with strong lines, and just one glance is enough to feel its stability and weight.

What's even more peculiar is that he sensed a unique charm from the sword, as if it were not forged by human hands, but rather born of nature and integrated with the heavens and earth.

He didn't reach out to touch it for a long time, just staring blankly at the sword, his eyes filled with shock.

"What's wrong?" Xu Qing asked.

An Qisheng then came to his senses and quickly shook his head: "There's no problem, it's just that this sword is too valuable, I..."

“Preciousness is relative.” Xu Qing interrupted him, her tone calm. “The pills that you refine are miraculous medicines to ordinary people, extremely precious, but to you, they are just things you make casually. This sword is the same to me.”

He paused, his gaze falling on An Qisheng's face: "Having spent so much time together, I have come to know quite a bit about you, but you probably know nothing about me, right? To be honest, I am actually a swordsmith."

"You're actually a swordsmith?" An Qisheng's body trembled, his eyes filled with disbelief.

During their time together, Xu Qing had become proficient in alchemy and knowledgeable about Yin and Yang. It would be reasonable for him to be a Taoist priest or a disciple of the Yin-Yang school. He never imagined that the other party's profession was actually a swordsmith.

"Why can't I be a swordsmith?" Xu Qing retorted. "Swordsmithing and alchemy are similar. Alchemy requires understanding Yin and Yang and the Five Elements, and incorporating the principles of the Five Elements' generation and destruction into the Dao of Alchemy. Swordsmithing is the same. Only by understanding these can one forge a sword that embodies the Dao."

This explanation was reasonable, but it failed to completely dispel An Qisheng's doubts.

He pondered for a moment and asked in a deep voice, "Even if you are a swordsmith, forging such a divine sword is by no means an easy task. You must have something important to ask of me by presenting this sword to you so suddenly?"

Having spent half his life wandering and witnessed the ways of the world, An Qisheng deeply understood the principle that "if you want to take something, you must first give something."

Xu Qing's solemn presentation of the sword could not possibly be without any ulterior motive.

"What should we do?" Xu Qing's eyes flickered. "There is indeed something that you need to do, sir."

“Mr. Qing, please speak freely.” An Qisheng did not refuse. During their time together, he and Xu Qing had gotten along quite well.

"Sign it!"

With a flick of his wrist, Xu Qing conjured the familiar sword contract in his hand.

After seeing the contents of the sword contract, An Qisheng was stunned again.

Seeing this, Xu Qing slowly explained, "This is my habit. When I meet someone I get along with, I will forge a sword for them as a gift to witness our friendship. If you feel unworthy of such a gift, please introduce me to some famous alchemists. I am very interested in these masters who are outside the Hundred Schools of Thought and would like to have some exchanges with them."

An Qisheng's doubts completely dissipated.

He knew that Xu Qing was quite interested in overseas wonders and the art of immortality, and that there was a small group of alchemists between Yan and Qi that would become the precursor to the "Fangxian Dao" in the future, in which An Qisheng played an important role.

Introducing fellow scholars to Xu Qing for exchanges was not a difficult task for An Qisheng.

As for Xu Qing, the main reason for making such a request was that he had personally met An Qisheng and discovered that these alchemists were indeed quite capable.

Without ability, it would be impossible to gain the trust of the monarchs of various countries and get their support in their pursuit of immortality.

This is also why Xu Qing gave An Qisheng the sword.

Simple communication is unlikely to uncover An Qisheng's true abilities, but if An Qisheng uses Xu Qing's sword and signs a sword contract, it will be different. Xu Qing will passively receive corresponding rewards from the other party through the system's capabilities.

Besides, if there is an opportunity, it is also possible to make contact with other famous alchemists.

An Qisheng was unaware of Xu Qing's inside information.

After learning of Xu Qing's intentions, he pondered for a while before signing the sword contract.

Although he doesn't use a sword, Xu Qing's sword is still quite good.

An Qisheng was still willing to accept it.

And because one is indebted to others.

In the days that followed, he devoted himself even more to explaining alchemy and the stories of alchemists to Xu Qing.

For a time, Xu Qing's life became quite fulfilling.

When I have free time, I come here to have academic exchanges with An Qisheng.

The rest of the time, he focused on forging swords.

When he visited the Confucian school in the past, he brought out the four famous Confucian masters from the Thunderbolt series and presented them as gifts to Xunzi, Fu Nian, and others.

In the world of Pili, there are many famous swords, each with a different shape and completely different abilities.

It can be used as a resource library for Xu Qing's reference.

In the world of Pili, the Taoist sect is also an extremely powerful force, and it possesses many swords.

The Ancient Dust Sword was created by the character "Sword Immortal Traces". Xu Qing was deeply impressed by that person's poem, especially the line "Three feet of autumn water, untouched by dust, unparalleled in the world", which perfectly captured his elegance.

Since An Qisheng had already promised Xu Qing that he would introduce him to those famous alchemists.

Xu Qing naturally needed to make some preparations as well.

As a result, the forging of his second set of seven swords had to be postponed again.

Fortunately, the most important sword, the Changhong Sword, has already been forged; the rest can be made gradually.

Furthermore, it is unknown whether these alchemists possess any precious materials for forging swords.

They are skilled in seeking immortality and refining elixirs, and probably possess a considerable amount of special ores.

……

Time passed, and some time went by.

That day, while strolling around the residence of Gokatsu.

Xu Qing saw a maid walk past him. The maid was beautiful, but Xu Qing sensed an extraordinary charm about her.

"Luckily I'm here. This dilapidated prime minister's mansion is almost turned into a sieve by infiltration."

Xu Qing sighed inwardly.