Wandering Sword Seller's Life in the Qin Dynasty

Her name is Rakuyuki, and she is also known as Yuki-onna or Yuki-hime.

Chapter 40 The sword is finished, how can there be no beauty?

After Guo Kai witnessed the sample.

Guo Kai finally acknowledged Xu Qing's sword-making abilities.

Naturally, rare treasures such as Hetian jade, South China Sea pearls, and Western Region gold were given to Xu Qing. It seemed that Guo Kai was very generous, but Xu Qing also knew that if this sword could not be forged, or if it could not satisfy Guo Kai, the next moment, Guo Kai's sword would fall into his hands.

"So what am I even after?"

He already knew Guo Kai's character, but he still took on the job.

why?

Swordsmen in the marketplace and the martial world admire his swords, but those swords are ultimately just weapons for killing. Today, however, he will use Guo Kai's treasures to forge a true "ceremonial weapon," a sword that will amaze even royalty and nobility.

After all, how can the swords of a master swordsmith be known only to people in the martial arts world?

The princes and nobles were also the "sword slaves" that Xu Qing had his eye on.

Guo Kai's men took the initiative to ask for the sword, which gave him an opportunity.

"If we're going to forge one, let's forge a sword that no one can forget."

Inside the workshop, the sound of hammers rang out day and night.

Xu Qing's technique was extremely fast yet steady. The Damascus steel was repeatedly folded and forged in his hands, and with each hammer blow, the texture of the sword became even deeper.

He did not simply pursue elegance, but rather concealed "momentum" within his sword.

Several days later, the sword was completed.

System rating: "Excellent".

But Xu Qing knew that the value of this sword could not be summed up by the word "exquisite".

……

After a busy day, mainly focused on pleasing King Zhao, Guo Kai returned to his loyal stronghold, enjoying the hospitality of beautiful women and the delicacies of the mansion.

Suddenly, a servant came to report.

The swordsmith's sword is now complete.

He squinted: "So fast?"

The previous sample was quite good, but it was still insufficient as a birthday gift for the Crown Prince. Now that the official version had been completed in just a few days, he couldn't help but feel suspicious.

"Bring it up."

A middle-aged retainer respectfully presented a gilded sword case.

Guo Kai ordered his men to open it, and his gaze froze instantly.

The sword hilt is made of rosewood with a gold-threaded sash. The gold threads are tightly wrapped, which is both non-slip and luxurious. The gold threads are not simply wrapped, but are woven in a "swastika" pattern, forming golden swirls. At the end of the hilt is a pigeon blood ruby, which beats like a heart. The ruby ​​is surrounded by tiny pearls, forming a "stars surrounding the moon" effect, which adds to the luxury.

Guo Kai held it in his hand. As he held it at different angles, golden light flowed and shimmered like flowing water. His gaze then fell on the sword guard, which was carved from a single piece of warm white jade. The jade was as smooth as cream and slightly translucent. Cloud and thunder patterns were carved on the surface, symbolizing heavenly power and nobility. The jade was delicate and warm to the touch. Its two sides were slightly upturned, like a bird spreading its wings, which not only prevented it from slipping out of his hand but also added a touch of agile beauty.

As for the scabbard of the entire sword, it is even more magnificent. It is made of black lacquered wood, with gold wire and pearls inlaid on the surface to form a pattern of "sun, moon and stars". A large pearl in the center represents the sun, and small pearls are scattered around it like stars. The mouth and end of the scabbard are carved with dragon and phoenix patterns, symbolizing nobility and auspiciousness.

The scabbard is also inlaid with a sapphire, echoing the ruby ​​on the hilt, creating a "red sun and blue moon" effect that is both solemn and mysterious.

Putting everything else aside, its appearance alone surpasses many of the famous swords Guo Kai has ever seen.

Of course, the worst thing is that something may look good on the outside but be rotten inside.

So he pulled the sword out again and finally saw the blade.

The blade is forged entirely from Damascus steel, repeatedly folded and hammered to create a magnificent Damascus pattern. Golden ripples flow like water, interspersed with dark stripes reminiscent of stars in the night sky, as if the heavens and earth meet. Under light, the blade shimmers with a soft iridescence, sometimes like the glow of dawn on snow, sometimes like moonlight flowing through it; each line is unique, like a naturally formed work of art.

The blade is extremely sharp, yet understated, its edge concealed within the patterns, like a claw hidden beneath brocade—both beautiful and deadly. The spine is slightly raised, its lines flowing smoothly from the guard to the tip, like a dragon soaring through the air, conveying both power and elegance.

"Good good!"

He couldn't help but swing his sword; his bulky body moved clumsily, but he couldn't hide the greed in his eyes.

He actually wanted to keep this sword for himself.

But then I thought, if Xu Qing can forge this sword, he can surely forge an even better one.

"A reward!" he waved his hand. "The swordsmith will also be richly rewarded!"

The retainers knelt and bowed in gratitude, but Guo Kai's mind was already racing.

The sword is ready, and a beautiful woman is indispensable.

He thought of the young girl from the Yuefu opera; after not seeing her for several years, she had grown into an exceptionally beautiful woman.

"Send someone to the Music Bureau," he said coldly. "Tell her that I do not wish to invite them a third time."

His voice was as cold as ice, utterly ruthless.

……

After the sword for Guo Kai was completed.

Xu Qing got some free time.

Finally, I had another chance to visit Handan City.

Faced with Xu Qing's request, Guo Kai's men did not stop him.

However, Xu Qing could also sense that someone was following him.

There was no doubt that Guo Kai's men were watching him.

"They seem to value me quite a bit."

He murmured to himself.

It's not surprising. After Guo Kai gave him a large reward after he handed over the sword he forged, it was clear that Guo Kai was very satisfied with the sword. Under such circumstances, it was only natural that Guo Kai would value him as a swordsmith.

"But you're not qualified to make me your personal swordsmith."

Xu Qing murmured to himself.

He was always the one who made others his sword slaves.

He has no intention of becoming anyone's personal swordsmith.

However, the most important thing right now is to visit Handan City.

It's possible that after this incident, we'll have to keep our distance from Handan and the State of Zhao for a long time to come, since offending Guo Kai will inevitably bring trouble.

As for why Xu Qing was so certain that he would offend Guo Kai?

Or it's because Guo Kai wasn't a good person to begin with.

Xu Qing didn't believe that he could part ways amicably with Guo Kai, and that the latter would politely see him off from Handan and the State of Zhao.

Handan is bustling and prosperous.

Here, Xu Qing witnessed the cityscape of this era.

Although it is far inferior to later major cities, times have changed, and there is no need to make comparisons. At least in the present era, Handan's prosperity far surpasses that of ordinary cities.

For several days in a row, Xu Qing was touring Handan City.

Naturally, Guo Kai's men remained hidden in the shadows, watching his every move.

Until this day.

In the prince's residence.

The melodious sounds of string and bamboo instruments echoed.

Many dancers gracefully performed.

A richly dressed young man sat in the main seat, enjoying fine wine and watching the dancers perform. At the same time, he turned to the person beside him and asked, "Grand Tutor, you said you had a gift for me?"

"Indeed, upon learning of Your Highness's birthday, I prepared three gifts for you!"

Guo Kai smiled and spoke to the young man beside him, Zhao Qian, the crown prince of Zhao.

Chapter 41 The Beauty Ran Away, Martial Arts Realm

Guo Kai knew Zhao Qian was an impatient person. Therefore, he didn't beat around the bush or keep him in suspense.

He clapped his hands, and a servant brought out two items.

Guo Kai smiled kindly and gestured to open the first square wooden box. "To celebrate Your Highness's birthday, I ordered people to search the four seas. This first treasure is a pearl obtained from the mermaids of the South Sea. At night, its light shines brightly enough to illuminate the magnificent hall..."

A bright pearl the size of an egg suddenly appeared before Zhao Qian's eyes.

Although it was daytime and the spectacular sight of "the moon shining in the courtyard" could not be witnessed, for Zhao Qian, the pearl itself was not important; what mattered was the Grand Tutor's sentiment.

"Grand Tutor, you've gone to great lengths." Zhao Qian was very satisfied.

Guo Kai was overjoyed to see him like this.

As a childhood playmate of the current King Zhao, Guo Kai shared a deep bond with him. He played a crucial role in the current Queen's rise from courtesan to Queen; and his behind-the-scenes strategizing was indispensable in the deposition of the original Crown Prince Zhao Jia and the installation of the courtesan's son, Zhao Qian, as heir apparent.

Guo Kai knew that his actions had already created many enemies.

Li Mu was one of them.

When the king married the queen, Li Mu had strongly advised against it, arguing that "her birth was improper, which would confuse the royal family and potentially ruin the state." However, the king insisted on his own way, and from then on, Li Mu harbored deep hatred for Guo Kai.

Times have changed. Lian Po has left, Le Cheng has been defeated and fled, and the old generals have passed away. Li Mu has become an irreplaceable pillar in the Zhao army. The king has no choice but to rely on him to resist the powerful Qin. Even if Guo Kai is extremely jealous, he can hardly find a good opportunity to eliminate this stumbling block.

Currently, thanks to the protection of the King and Queen, Li Mu, though seething with resentment, dares not act rashly against him. But how long can this protection last? Especially since the King's health has been deteriorating recently. What worries Guo Kai even more is that Li Mu has a very close personal relationship with the deposed Crown Prince Zhao Jia, who was the one who most vehemently opposed the deposition of the Crown Prince back then.

If the king were to pass away, unforeseen changes would occur...

Thinking of this, Guo Kai felt a chill run down his spine.

Reconciliation with Li Mu? Absolutely not!

His only option was to hold onto Crown Prince Zhao Qian. As the Grand Tutor, he had watched Zhao Qian grow up. Over the years, through careful study and instruction, he had gained Zhao Qian's deep trust and almost completely obeyed him.

After admiring the pearl, Guo Kai gestured to present the second treasure.

"This second treasure," Guo Kai said with a hint of mystery, "is a peerless sword, a king's sword unparalleled in this world. I searched far and wide to find it. Upon first seeing it, I understood that only a true king is worthy to wield this blade!"