Wandering Sword Seller's Life in the Qin Dynasty

The only thing that surprised Xu Qing was that he was accompanied by several more people when he left this time.

Initially, he only intended to take Madam Mingzhu and Honglian with him. Madam Mingzhu was his loyal dog, while Honglian was a rough gem with unlimited potential.

However, as the Qin army approached, the palace fell into chaos, and more and more people wanted to flee the capital that was about to fall. Among them were several of the former king's concubines in the palace where Lady Mingzhu lived, and Lady Hu was one of them.

Hu Meiren was Nongyu's aunt and Madam Hu's younger sister.

Xu Qing had no affinity for Cao Cao, nor did he intend to become one. Therefore, after arriving in this world, he never interacted with Madam Hu, only having a few encounters with Nongyu.

When he last came to Korea, the Quicksand had already disbanded, Wei Zhuang had blended into the night, and Zi Nu, along with Nong Yu, had joined the Farmer's Clan through the channels he provided.

To be honest, Xu Qing was also very curious about their current situation. In the early years, he had a very close relationship with the farmers, but in recent years, they had become quite estranged. Since Wu Kuang came to Qi, Xu Qing had rarely contacted the farmers.

This time, when he returned to South Korea, he also used the cover of night and did not contact the farmers.

Back to topic.

Because of Nongyu, when Xu Qing saw Consort Hu carrying a brocade box and running frantically through the palace gardens, her face full of panic, clearly unable to find a way to escape, he felt a pang of pity.

Out of respect for Nongyu, he naturally wouldn't stand idly by.

He had Madam Mingzhu bring Lady Hu to him, then comforted her and gave her a way out.

Naturally, since everyone chose to help Lady Hu, Xu Qing also had to help Madam Hu, after all, Madam Hu was Nongyu's mother.

Anyway, taking two more people wouldn't be difficult. With the cover of night at his disposal, taking a few people away from Korea wouldn't be a problem. He just needed to safely deliver them to Qi and help them settle into their accommodations, and then he wouldn't need to worry about anything else.

Madam Hu and Lady Hu initially did not trust Xu Qing, but when Xu Qing mentioned Nongyu and Li Kai's names, tears welled up in Madam Hu's eyes, and she immediately decided to leave with him. It was also because of Madam Hu that Lady Hu began to trust Xu Qing.

Of course, not everyone chose to attach themselves to Xu Qing; Wei Zhuang was one of them.

As a member of Nightfall, retreating with Nightfall would have been the safest option, but he refused.

On the day before the fall of the state of Han, he found Zhang Liang and, with this boy whose family had been destroyed, disappeared into the streets and alleys of Xinzheng.

Wei Zhuang once confessed to Xu Qing that he initially stayed with Nightfall for Han Fei, and after Han Fei's death, it was to protect Honglian and Zhang Liang. Now that Honglian has chosen to follow Xu Qing, he has no reason to stay with Nightfall.

When Han Yu's death was mentioned, a trace of regret flashed in Wei Zhuang's eyes. He had originally wanted to kill Han Yu with his own hands to settle many grudges, but he did not expect Xu Qing to beat him to it.

He had long known about Xu Qing's relationship with Madam Mingzhu, and he also knew that Xu Qing had been hiding in the palace all this time. With a little thought, he could guess that Han Yu's death was related to Xu Qing.

In Wei Zhuang's view, Han Yu bears the main responsibility for South Korea's current predicament.

After the treacherous officials such as Ji Wuye and Bai Yifei were eliminated, it was the best time for the State of Han to reform and strengthen itself. If Han Yu had made good use of Han Fei, with Han Fei's talent, he would surely have been able to change the fate of the State of Han, and Han Yu might have become a wise ruler.

However, out of jealousy and selfishness, Han Yu suppressed Han Fei and even sent him to the Qin state, which ultimately led to Han Fei's death.

Wei Zhuang kept this grudge in his heart, but unfortunately he was unable to settle it with his own hands in the end.

Wei Zhuang had his own thoughts about Honglian following Xu Qing, but he didn't say much.

He knew his current situation was awkward; Honglian might not believe him, and while Xu Qing was shrouded in mystery, he was by no means a bad person. Honglian following him might be a better choice. Moreover, he himself had no plans for the future, and even if he wanted to take Honglian away, he didn't know where to go or what to do.

Zhang Liang's plight made it impossible for Wei Zhuang to ignore it.

On the eve of the fall of the State of Han, Zhang Kaidi died of a sudden stroke. Zhang Liang's father, Zhang Ping, attempted to organize an army to resist the Qin army, but failed due to demoralization and ultimately died in battle. Overnight, Zhang Liang went from being the son of a prime minister to an orphan, his eyes filled with bewilderment and grief.

Looking at his former comrade from the Quicksand, Wei Zhuang felt a mix of emotions. Even without any plans for the future, he decided to leave with Zhang Liang and find him a way to survive.

……

For Xu Qing, the fall of Korea was merely a turning point in the course of history. He had already made thorough preparations and was not affected in the slightest.

But for the rest of the world, the fall of Han was like a wake-up call, ringing loudly in the ears of the rulers and ministers of all nations. Qin's ambitions had been laid bare, and now it was time for all nations to face Qin's iron cavalry head-on.

However, all of this had nothing to do with the State of Qi.

For many years, the State of Qi had been trying to be on good terms with the State of Qin.

Although it was one of the six states in Shandong, it rarely participated in the alliance and appeared to be independent.

When the Qin state conquered Han, they did not panic much.

Aside from the fact that Qi did not border Qin and was extremely far away from Qin, it was also because they were Qin's allies. Their king had just personally gone to Qin and concluded an alliance with the Qin king. How could Qin possibly attack their allies?

To be honest, this idea is quite naive.

It took Xu Qing and his men from Nightfall a long time to reach the State of Qi.

After that came the tedious task of settling in.

Chapter 196 Nightfall Leads to a Trap, Red Lotus Begins to Learn Skills

The number of members of the Nightfall Demoness who were willing to move to the State of Qi with the tide was actually not many.

After all, traveling from Xinzheng to Linzi required traversing the ancient lands of the Three Jin states. Along the way, they had to avoid Qin scouts and secretly cross the borders of various states. For an assassin accustomed to the shadow of the State of Han, this long journey was more agonizing than carrying out ten assassination missions.

Settling these people was a piece of cake for Xu Qing.

He used Hou Sheng's influence to help some people who wanted to live in the light to find jobs in the State of Qi, thus allowing them to blend into the common people of Qi.

Meanwhile, some people who were used to the darkness were recruited into the Luo Wang by Xuan Jian. By having them join the Luo Wang in Qi, Xu Qing allowed them to infiltrate the Luo Wang.

For Xu Qing, these were all things he did casually.

He himself has always remained behind the scenes, never showing his face, truly capable of manipulating events at will.

However, for some who successfully joined Luo Wang, they only felt that the people behind the night were incredibly powerful.

In the secret room of the Qi State branch of Luo Wang, Mo Ya was wiping his newly issued sword. This was Luo Wang's standard weapon, and even though Mo Ya didn't use a sword, it was still distributed to him.

Looking at the sword in his hand, he couldn't help but sigh, "So, the Nightfall has long been under the control of the Net?"

The candlelight cast a long shadow of him, which overlapped with the shadow of Bai Feng beside him.

As Ji Wuye's most trusted guards, they had watched over the night sky of Xinzheng countless times from the eaves of the General's Mansion. At that time, Ji Wuye would punish them by not letting them eat for three days if they failed a mission, but he would also throw a whole jar of strong liquor at them when they returned in great victory. Although he treated the members of Bai Niao like tools, he never allowed outsiders to humiliate Bai Niao's dignity.

Sometimes, I miss the time with Ji Wuye. Although Ji Wuye was very harsh and unkind to them, they had served him for many years and had some feelings for him.

Unfortunately, life is unpredictable, like a game of chess. First, Ji Yihu suddenly went mad, turned against Ji Wuye, and eventually killed Ji Wuye.

Afterwards, Bai Yifei took control of the General's Mansion. Bai Yifei appeared to be an extremely refined person, but in reality, Mo Ya and Bai Feng did not like him; he was too gloomy.

All signs indicate that Bai Yifei's influence is behind Ji Yihu's madness.

However, they had no evidence and no ability to uncover the truth. Instead, forced by the need to make a living, they could only seek survival under Bai Yifei's command.

Then, Bai Yifei also died, and in the darkness of night, when everyone was leaderless, it was Chao Nu Yao who stepped forward.

This most mysterious woman among the Four Fiends of the Night, with only a mysterious helper surrounded by black mist, killed many unruly members of the Night.

Mo Ya witnessed firsthand how the Tide Demoness established her authority and controlled the night, yet he did not choose to stop her. Instead, he submitted to her rule, simply because he was self-aware enough to know that someone like him was only suited to stay in the night.

Aside from the darkness of night, he really didn't know where else he could stay. If the Tide Fairy was willing to use him, then he would serve her; there was nothing more to say.

Just like how he served Bai Yifei after Ji Wuye's death.

However, another person had different expectations of it.

“You could have chosen a different path.” Mo Ya turned to Bai Feng, his tone carrying a sense of melancholy that he himself was unaware of.

He knew his friend's character all too well. Bai Feng would delay his mission to save an injured carrier pigeon and avoid innocent children when carrying out assassinations. Such a beautiful jade that had not yet been tainted by darkness should not be trapped in the mire of darkness.

During this relocation to the State of Qi, Xu Qing manipulated the Tide Demoness to give everyone two choices: either hide in the city and live as an ordinary person, working from sunrise to sunset and only acting when summoned at night; or join the Net and be completely cut off from the light.

Mo Ya chose the latter without hesitation. He knew his hands were already stained with blood, and the sunlight of the marketplace would only burn him. But he sincerely hoped that Bai Feng could take a different path.

Bai Feng was gazing at the moonlight outside the window when she heard this. She turned her head, her eyes reflecting the faint candlelight: "We've come all the way from Xinzheng to here, so we've known each other for many years."

He paused, his voice as soft as a feather, "I'm worried that you'll die silently without me."

"While I do yearn for the light, I want to walk this path with you even more!"

Mo Ya's heart clenched suddenly, as if he had been hit by something.

But he was used to being stubborn, so he immediately pursed his lips and deliberately showed a look of disgust: "If a beautiful woman said this to me, I would be willing to accept it."

He nudged Bai Feng's arm with his sword sheath. "But for a grown man like you to say this is so cheesy it makes my teeth fall out. I don't have any homosexual tendencies!"

"I didn't either." Bai Feng quickly took a half step back, but the tips of her ears turned red.

The two stood there in silence for a moment, then finally couldn't help but burst out laughing.

Since nightfall, they have been in a relationship that is both teacher and friend. Bai Feng's lightness skill was taught by Mo Ya, and Bai Feng took care of Mo Ya's wounds all night long. This awkward warmth has long been integrated into their bones and blood.

"Speaking of which, have you contacted Yingge?" Bai Feng suddenly asked.

Mo Ya's hand, which was wiping his longsword, suddenly stopped. The candlelight flickered in his eyes a few times before finally fading into silence.

Of the five members of the Hundred Birds Squad, Parrot Song is the only female leader. She is skilled at using silver needles coated with Gu poison. When she smiles, the corners of her eyes curve into crescents, yet she can take a life in an instant.

Several years ago, Ji Wuye sent her to infiltrate the Qin state to spy on military intelligence. Later, a series of changes occurred in the night, and Yingge never returned.

Mo Ya could only communicate with Ying Ge through certain channels by writing letters.

Now that the state of Han has fallen and the night has been moved to the state of Qi, his connection with Yingge has been completely severed.

Is the other party still in the Qin state?

If that's the case, now that South Korea is gone, what will happen to her, a woman alone in Qin?

After hearing Bai Feng mention this name, Mo Ya remained silent for a while.

Bai Feng realized she had said the wrong thing and tried to comfort Mo Ya.

"As long as we're alive, we'll meet again someday." Mo Ya spoke first at this moment, but his voice carried a bitterness that even he himself didn't realize.

Bai Feng looked at his tightly pursed lips and ultimately swallowed back the words of comfort. He knew all too well the fate of those who lived in the Nightfall; parting was the norm, and for some, saying goodbye meant saying goodbye forever.

As night fell, the speed at which everyone merged into the net was astonishing.

They were already familiar with assassination, espionage, and disguise. The rules of the Net were just a different name for them: they used to be called "Nightfall Laws," but now they were called "Net Iron Rules."

Previously, they obeyed Ji Wuye's orders; now they obey Xuan Jian's commands. Previously, they used the Hundred Birds symbol; now they use the Net symbol.

The only difference is that the Net has more abundant resources. The newly issued poison needles are coated with a rare poison, the night clothes can blend into the deepest darkness, and even the carrier pigeons that deliver messages have been specially trained.

"They really know how to cause me trouble!" Xuan Jian stood in the shadows of the secret room, staring at the identity register in his hand, his fingertips turning white from the pressure.

To settle these people, he not only forged dozens of resumes for "local outlaws of Qi," but also personally dealt with three verification envoys sent by the Luo Wang headquarters. Those people were too perceptive and almost saw through their identities.

Although he wanted to break away from the Luo Wang organization and become a real person, Xuan Jian was also well aware of how terrifying the Luo Wang organization was.

Therefore, when faced with such a situation, he could only be extremely careful and try his best not to let the headquarters of Luo Wang discover the problem. In order to settle these people, he had a few more strands of white hair in a short period of time, which showed how exhausted he was.

Unlike the undercurrents at the Luo Wang branch, Xu Qing lived a leisurely life at the Prime Minister's residence.