Wandering Sword Seller's Life in the Qin Dynasty

"Then you can rest assured. Now that you're here, you no longer need to fear Guo Kai," Xu Qing comforted Xue Nu. "However, the same question remains: when you arrive in Yan, you still need to be careful."

"According to what you said, although the Yue family has some old friends in the Yan state, they are also traitors to the Yan state."

“I understand.” The Snow Maiden nodded, the sorrow in her eyes dissipating like a thin mist in the wind, replaced by a bright smile. “Thank you for your protection along the way, sir.”

Xu Qing smiled and said, "It's alright, I've always been a kind and helpful person."

As he spoke, he placed his arm behind his back, and with a quick reach, a jade flute appeared in Xu Qing's hand.

"We've traveled together for a long time, but the day of parting is inevitable. I originally planned to give it to you when we truly parted, but since you've told me about your background, I'll give it to you in advance."

"Xiao?"

The Snow Maiden was slightly taken aback, then looked at the jade flute held in Xu Qing's hand.

The entire body of the flute resembled a deep pool of emerald water, with wispy, cloud-like threads drifting among its jade-like texture. With a light turn of Xu Qing's wrist, the emerald hue seemed to cascade with the light, as if living water were flowing through it, and a verdant energy surged forth from the depths of the tube, like a spring stream breaking through ice.

The Snow Maiden's eyes sparkled; she had only ever seen a jade flute of this quality in the Treasure Pavilion of the Music Bureau.

“It is indeed a flute, but it is also a sword!” Xu Qing explained to Xue Nu, “When traveling the world, people’s hearts are unpredictable, so it is still necessary to carry a sharp weapon for self-defense.”

"Therefore, I have spent this time carefully crafting this item for you."

As he spoke, Xu Qing gently pressed a spot on the jade flute with his finger.

At the end of the flute, a three-inch thin blade burst forth. The blade was as thin as a cicada's wing. When sunlight pierced through it, it created transparent ripples like ice crystals. With each swing, it trailed a line of frosty air, and the surrounding grass and leaves were instantly covered with white sleet.

When Xu Qing struck the flute hole with his backhand, the thin blade had already retracted into the jade tube, fitting perfectly as before. Only the biting coldness in the air proved that the murderous intent had been there.

Chapter 46 Love's threads transform into tender caresses!

The Snow Maiden stared blankly at Xu Qing.

She seemed surprised that Xu Qing had prepared such a gift for her without her noticing.

We've been traveling together all this time.

Except for certain times, they are together most of the time.

So, when exactly were the preparations made?

Her fingertips trembled slightly as she took the jade flute. The coolness emanating from the jade tube spread through her palm, yet she felt a burning sensation in her heart. Her gaze swept over the cloud-like emerald threads on the flute's body, the patterns of which seemed to conceal the unspoken days and nights of Xu Qing.

“Sir…” she choked slightly, then suddenly pressed the flute to her lips.

The sobbing sound pierced through the twilight, like silver shuttles formed from white dew scattering across the wilderness. When the Shang tone suddenly turned, it was like a boat struggling against the current, and when the Yu tone lingered, it was like the sleeves of a beautiful woman soaked with frost.

Xu Qing listened quietly to the Snow Maiden's performance without saying a word.

The sound of the flute echoed for a long time before finally coming to an end.

Xu Qing's voice then rang out, "What a beautiful reed!"

The Snow Maiden gently stroked the bamboo flute. Upon hearing Xu Qing's words, a hint of shyness appeared on her face. She said, "I couldn't help myself; it was just a spontaneous outburst, so I played a tune." She then asked Xu Qing, "Sir, are you also knowledgeable in music?"

"I only have a superficial understanding," Xu Qing said.

Although he didn't usually display such talent, Xu Qing did know a bit about music and rhythm in this era. This was all thanks to Gao Jianli. After selling the Fengxiao Sword to Gao Jianli and signing the sword contract, Xu Qing gained some of the musical knowledge that Gao Jianli possessed. Although it was something better than nothing for Xu Qing, it did improve his artistic literacy.

Upon hearing this, the Snow Maiden's beautiful eyes flickered, and she looked at Xu Qing with even greater surprise.

Xu Qing denied being a chivalrous knight-errant, yet possessed exceptional martial arts skills. Along the way, she had become knowledgeable in everything. She had been well taken care of by Xu Qing and never imagined that he even knew about music.

This made her even more curious about Xu Qing.

Little did she know that when a woman begins to be curious about a man, it is already the beginning of her falling for him.

The Snow Woman was clearly unaware of this.

After giving the gift, the Snow Woman cherished it dearly, and she would take it out from time to time to play a tune on it.

The melodies she played were mostly from the "Airs" and "Odes" chapters of the Book of Songs, including the Zheng, Wei, and Qin sections, all of which she was extremely proficient in.

Xu Qing couldn't help but sigh as he listened to the flute music played by the Snow Maiden.

"Judging from this, it seems you don't consider it a sword."

Even though Xu Qing's original intention in making it was for the Snow Woman to use for self-defense.

But now it seems that this was ill-considered.

The Snow Woman often plays it; would she really use it to kill someone?

Xu Qing's eyes flickered, and she had an idea in mind.

Pingshu was an important border town on the border of the Zhao state.

This place is located at the junction of the three states of Yan, Zhao, and Qi, and is an extremely important buffer zone. It originally belonged to the State of Yan and served as the southeastern shield of Yan's Dukang granary. In earlier years, in order to strengthen its defense against Qin, the State of Zhao took the initiative to exchange Longdui, Fenmen, and Linle for the State of Yan's Ge, Wuyang, and Pingshu. Some of the deals did not go through, but some were successful. Since then, this place has belonged to the State of Zhao. After arriving here, going north leads to the State of Yan, while going east leads to the State of Qi.

In other words, this is the real border.

The Snow Maiden is about to leave the State of Zhao and successfully arrive in the State of Yan.

Logically, the Snow Woman should be happy, but at this moment, she only wishes that time would pass a little slower.

"I will not see you off on the rest of the journey."

Be careful on your journey!

Xu Qing gave the Snow Maiden some instructions.

As they journeyed together, just as the Snow Woman learned a great deal about him, he also gained a much deeper understanding of the Snow Woman.

Although she appears delicate, Yuki-onna has practiced martial arts since childhood. Although she hasn't focused much on it, she still has self-defense capabilities.

The snow woman nodded softly.

For some reason, when she heard Xu Qing say this, she suddenly felt a little uncomfortable and uneasy.

After a moment of silence, she opened her mouth slightly, about to utter, "May I go with you?", but then changed her question to, "Mr. Xu, will we ever see each other again?"

In the end, reason prevailed.

Xue Nu had already decided to go to Yan State to seek refuge with her grandfather's old friends, so she certainly wouldn't change her mind on a whim.

More than any of these things, she was concerned about whether she would be able to see Xu Qing again in the future.

Xu Qing said gently, “It is fate that we met in the vast sea of ​​people. We both left Zhao because of Guo Kai, which means that our fate is even deeper. So I believe that we will meet again in the future.”

Hearing Xu Qing's words, Xue Nu nodded heavily, firmly believing that the two of them would meet again.

Immediately afterwards, she saw Xu Qing take out something that looked like a bracelet.

The bracelet is made of silver with gold plating, and the body is carved with a coiled dragon pattern, giving it a rather antique and luxurious look.

The snow woman's eyes showed surprise.

Xu Qing then explained, "I didn't know you liked music so much before, so I didn't think things through. The jade flute is like a sword. Although it has hidden sharpness, given your personality, I guess you don't use that sword much, especially if it gets stained with blood. You probably wouldn't be able to accept playing it."

"So, after much deliberation these past few days, I have crafted this new sword for you!"

As Xu Qing spoke, he gently pressed on the head of the dragon, and the entire bracelet twisted and turned into an extremely short chain sword, with its head and tail connected by black iron wires, resembling a dragon emerging from the abyss.

"It's called 'Soft as a Finger'!"

Xu Qing told the Snow Maiden the name of the sword.

"Like the Jade Flute Sword before it, although it is not a famous sword, its strength lies in its ingenuity, which far surpasses ordinary sharp blades!"

Xu Qing kept talking. Originally, he was planning to design a belt with a soft sword hidden inside. He had even thought of a name for it: "Moonlit Night on the Twenty-Four Bridges," which would correspond perfectly with the line "Where does the jade maiden teach the flute?" After all, what he had previously forged was a jade flute sword.

But after thinking about it, the name, along with the belt design, seemed to lead to his death. Fearing he would offend a certain Tang God King, he gave up and instead used a bracelet as his initial form, since the Snow Maiden had worn a bracelet in the original work.

The Snow Woman was stunned after Xu Qing spoke.

She murmured the name of the new sword in her heart, and thought of the jade flute sword from before. She sincerely felt Xu Qing's concern. Although she didn't know when Xu Qing made these two swords, his original intention was to give her the power to defend herself.

"Thank you, I love this gift!"

The Snow Maiden looked at Xu Qing and spoke solemnly, her eyes filled with tenderness.

Xu Qing said, "Let me make this clear beforehand, this is a true farewell gift, there will be no new gifts."

Chapter 47 A chance encounter, all strangers in a foreign land!

This time, it's truly time to say goodbye to the Snow Woman.

Before she left, Xu Qing gave her some money and silk to help her buy a carriage.

The soft sound of wheels rolling over the withered grass beside the official road gradually faded into the distance. He stood there watching the simple carriage carrying that icy blue figure finally disappear into the dust and smoke heading towards the Yan Kingdom.

At this point, he felt he had done everything he could to be kind and righteous.

Whether the State of Yan was a blessing or a curse for Xue Nu is something no one can say for sure.

Although it is known that in the original story, she was once deeply troubled by the troubles brought about by Lord Yanchun, before that, she was indeed a highly esteemed figure in the Yan Kingdom, and was hailed as a master of dance and music who could "captivate a city with a single dance".

Xu Qing always respected other people's choices and rarely overstepped his bounds. All he could do was silently pray for a smooth outcome and then let it go.

The wind blows through the earthen city, leaving the walls mottled and worn.

As a northern border town that has endured countless battles, Pingshu bears the desolation etched by war. A sense of vastness and silence permeates the broken walls and ruins. Xu Qing is quite accustomed to the frontier scenery, having been a wandering soul drifting across the borders of various countries for many years.

Standing at this moment on the edge of the three kingdoms, to the south is the Zhao Kingdom behind me, to the north is the Yan Kingdom, and to the east is the Qi Kingdom. These three are all familiar kingdoms.

Therefore, he did not choose any of them.

The next destination has already been decided.

South Korea!

Judging by the time, those two masters of the Guigu School should be coming down from the mountain to enter the world by now. The still waters of Korea are about to be stirred up. Where the winds of change gather, there are always stories to be told.

Even without personally getting caught up in the whirlpool, simply being a spectator watching from the sidelines can be quite interesting.

Traveling alone was his usual routine, but for some reason, this time, as he embarked on his solitary journey again, without the clear and ethereal sound of the flute to accompany him, a sense of desolation inexplicably arose in his heart. He thought that when he traveled with the Snow Maiden for several days before, she would often play a soft tune during the rest of the journey, which inadvertently dispelled much of the loneliness of the journey.

"I'm all alone now..." Xu Qing murmured to himself, then shook his head, brushing away this untimely sorrow.

He followed the post road, and along the way, he would occasionally focus his mind and immerse himself in the system's "forging workshop" to forge swords.

Even if the swords forged are only of a fine quality, not famous ones.

But little by little, it can still provide him with some experience.