Wandering Sword Seller's Life in the Qin Dynasty

"The net is no longer a concern."

Jingni raised an eyebrow, recalling what Gai Nie had said earlier.

"Is it related to the friend Gai Nie mentioned?"

“That’s right!” Xu Qing nodded. “You were once an assassin for the Net. To you, the Net was everything. Even after you left the Net, you still felt that the Net was terrifying and that there was nowhere to escape.”

"But in reality, if we look at the whole world, the Net is just a rat in the gutter, not worth worrying about."

"In the end, it was just a weapon used by the Qin state to achieve its goals. As a weapon, it has a master..."

"The one who seems to be holding the murder weapon right now is Zhao Gao, but in reality, it is King Ying Zheng of Qin. It's just that King Ying Zheng doesn't think much of the murder weapon, so he temporarily handed it over to Zhao Gao to manage."

Recalling the request Xu Qing made when he last met Gai Nie, Jing Ni gradually understood Xu Qing's purpose in coming to Xianyang.

"From the very beginning, your goal was the King of Qin!"

Xu Qing remained silent again.

Chapter 271 Meeting with Ying Zheng to Discuss the World, the Dao of Immortality is Vague and Unreal

Three days later, before 9:00 AM, the Qujiang Pool was already bathed in a warm morning light.

The lake surface rippled gently, and the shimmering waves reflected the weeping crabapple blossoms on the shore. The petals danced lightly in the wind and landed on the green tiles of the Wanghu Pavilion, adding a touch of elegance.

Xu Qing's arrival was silent; Jing Ni, Xiao Hei, and Xiao Bai did not follow him.

After all, the person he was meeting this time was King Ying Zheng of Qin. Given Gai Nie's previous concerns, Ying Zheng's willingness to meet with him was already quite "bold." Xu Qing naturally couldn't bring more people, lest he frighten Ying Zheng.

Similarly, Xu Qing's departure from Xianyang City did not alert the Luo Wang (Net of Heaven).

During this time, the people in the net naturally did not give up monitoring him.

However, in Xu Qing's view, the surveillance of the Luo Wang was ridiculous. He had many ways to easily circumvent the Luo Wang's surveillance and shake off those people.

Ultimately, even the highest rank is just so-so and not worth taking seriously.

Upon arriving at Wanghu Pavilion, Xu Qing glanced at Qujiang Pool beside him, then shifted his gaze to a nearby secluded spot.

There, countless streams of energy were clearly revealed, which he could perceive clearly.

Those people may have thought they were hiding very well, but in Xu Qing's eyes, their presence was far too obvious.

"It doesn't seem to be the Net!"

Xu Qing's thoughts flickered. "So, it's the Shield of the Empire?"

If the Net was the sword of the empire, the weapon of Qin, then another force beside Ying Zheng was his strongest shield: the Shadow Guard, an elite organization that might not be as large as the Net, but existed solely for Ying Zheng.

Its members are few, but each one is a master.

They hid in Ying Zheng's shadow, following him closely and always protecting him.

When Ying Zheng encountered danger, they would also become his shield, helping him to block all crises.

Today's meeting is a private one.

Ying Zheng did not make a big fuss, but the Shadow Guards, who were responsible for protecting Ying Zheng's safety, did not think so. They naturally could not entrust Ying Zheng's safety entirely to Gai Nie, so it was necessary to conduct a reconnaissance of the surrounding area beforehand to eliminate any potential dangers.

Because Xu Qing understood the Shadow Guards, he didn't expose their existence.

After enjoying the scenery of Qujiang Pool, a gentle breeze blew by, and soon two footsteps sounded.

Xu Qing turned his head and saw Gai Nie leading a young man dressed in black robes, exuding an air of nobility, towards them.

The young man had a solemn expression, and even without it being intentional, he exuded an air of authority befitting someone in a superior position.

"Mr. Xu!"

Gai Nie approached and greeted Xu Qing.

"Mr. Gai!"

Xu Qing responded to Gai Nie, and then looked at the person next to Gai Nie.

Ying Zheng felt Xu Qing's gaze but showed no sign of backing down. He met Xu Qing's gaze calmly, a strange smile appearing on his lips. "These past few days, Mr. Xu has certainly stirred up quite a commotion in Xianyang!"

It was his own idea to come and see Xu Qing.

After learning about Xu Qing, he became very curious about him.

After actually seeing it, Ying Zheng became even more curious.

It can only be said that a person's first impression on others can determine a lot of things.

Back in the State of Qi, Xu Qing often mingled with alchemists. These alchemists were professionals when it came to things like pretending to be a god or a ghost. After studying under them, even though Xu Qing didn't do anything intentionally this time, it was precisely this "following the natural way" that gave Ying Zheng the feeling that this was a truly masterful person.

In addition, Xu Qing himself is handsome and extraordinary.

That temperament, coupled with that appearance, immediately made Ying Zheng feel close to Xu Qing upon their first meeting.

"I thought His Majesty didn't like these noises!"

Xu Qing looked at Ying Zheng and spoke softly.

Upon hearing the words "Your Majesty," a strange light flashed in Ying Zheng's eyes. Without a doubt, Xu Qing had guessed his identity.

However, considering what Xu Qing had previously requested from Gai Nie, it doesn't seem surprising.

"I really don't like those commotions. After all, knights use martial arts to break the law, and scholars use literature to disrupt the law!"

"Those江湖人 (jianghu people) are fond of fighting and have seriously affected the order and law of my Qin state!"

Ying Zheng frankly expressed his thoughts.

Xu Qing noticed Ying Zheng's self-reference, "Why doesn't Your Majesty refer to yourself as 'I, the Lonely, and the Wives'?"

Ying Zheng was slightly taken aback, then said, "Everyone here is a friend, so how can I be lonely?"

"What a wonderful saying, 'We are all friends!'" Xu Qing exclaimed, clapping his hands in admiration.

Ying Zheng carefully examined Xu Qing. "Previously, you defeated Mr. Gai with your swordsmanship. Without a doubt, you are the most outstanding swordsman in the world. Why is your sword not here today?"

"Could it be that you feel it's inconvenient to wear a sword when meeting me?"

Xu Qing shook his head slightly, then explained: "There are three realms of swordsmanship. The first realm is the weapon, where the sharpness is fully revealed; the second realm is the technique, which is unpredictable; the third realm is the mind, where having no sword is better than having a sword."

"Only ordinary people would be so attached to a tangible sword!"

"Of course, if Your Majesty has come here today merely to see my sword, I would not mind showing it to Your Majesty!"

As they spoke, under Ying Zheng's slightly narrowed gaze, a sword silently appeared in Xu Qing's hand.

Upon seeing this sword that appeared out of nowhere.

Gai Nie instinctively gripped the hilt of his sword.

The hidden Shadow Guards almost rushed out as well.

Xu Qing's arrival had been secretly observed by the Shadow Guards. They had relaxed their vigilance towards him because he was not carrying any weapons. However, Xu Qing's surprise move startled them.

Under their watchful eyes, Xu Qing suddenly reversed the sword in his hand, pointing the hilt at Ying Zheng.

"What does Your Majesty think of this sword?"

Ying Zheng was slightly taken aback, then suppressed his surprise and looked at Xu Qing.

Meeting Xu Qing's gaze, he finally chose to accept the sword Xu Qing offered.

Upon acquiring the sword, an indescribable power immediately surged into Ying Zheng's body.

He felt that the sword was incredibly handy, as if it had been made for him.

"This sword..."

Logically speaking, after experiencing so many great storms, ordinary events would no longer cause Ying Zheng to have drastic emotional fluctuations.

But this sword was different; it evoked a very strange emotion in Ying Zheng.

After a long while, he took a deep breath, and his gaze toward Xu Qing changed somewhat.

"This sword is quite remarkable!"

"This sword is certainly extraordinary!" Xu Qing said with unparalleled pride. "It is my creation. Although it cannot yet be considered a legendary sword, that is only because it is not yet finished. Once completed, it will surpass all my previous works!"

“Mr. Xu is quite confident!” Ying Zheng couldn’t help but say.

He still held the sword that Xu Qing had handed him, and could feel the mystery within the sword even more clearly. The sword was certainly extraordinary, but what was truly extraordinary was Xu Qing himself.

Ying Zheng had no idea that this sword was actually forged by Xu Qing.

"Confidence stems from one's own strength. Without sufficient strength, so-called confidence is nothing but arrogance and haughtiness," Xu Qing said calmly.

Ying Zheng nodded in deep agreement.

Then, somewhat reluctantly, he handed the sword back to Xu Qing.

Although this sword is compatible with him, it is not his sword after all.

"What unwavering will the King of Qin possesses!"

As Ying Zheng handed the sword back to him, Xu Qing couldn't help but sigh softly.

Ying Zheng said, "This sword is indeed fine, but it is, after all, yours, and I would never take away what you cherish."

Xu Qing took the sword from Ying Zheng, and with a flick of his wrist, the sword disappeared again, under the watchful eyes of Ying Zheng, Gai Nie, and the hidden Shadow Guards.

Ying Zheng clicked his tongue in amazement and then brought up another matter.

"Mr. Gai said that Mr. Xu has something to present to me? Something that could greatly benefit my unification of the world?"

Xu Qing smiled without saying a word, instead keeping the object a secret.

However, the more "unfathomable" Xu Qing was, the more curious and interested Ying Zheng became about him.

He felt that the person in front of him was a treasure trove.

Aside from his already known superb swordsmanship, he would never have known, had he not met him in person, that the person before him was also a swordsmith. His ability to conceal a sword invisibly was nothing short of divine skill.

"What is Mr. Xu's view on the general trend of the world?" Ying Zheng asked Xu Qing again.

Xu Qing said calmly, "Of course, it's about seeing with your eyes. But since Your Majesty has asked me, I'll share my opinion as well."

"Now that Han and Zhao have been destroyed, the remaining four states of Wei, Chu, Yan, and Qi appear to be united, but in reality, each harbors its own ulterior motives. Wei is located in the Central Plains and is surrounded by enemies on all sides, making it vulnerable to attack. Although Chu has a vast territory, it is riddled with internal factions and its ruler and ministers are at odds. Yan is remote and weak, so it is not a threat. Qi is content with its corner of the country and indulges in pleasure, so it has long lost the ability to fight."

"The Qin state is powerful and its swords are invincible. In my opinion, within five years, the Qin state will surely sweep away the six states and unify the world."