Wandering Sword Seller's Life in the Qin Dynasty

Wei Zhuang and Zi Nu suddenly fell silent.

Xu Qing's words were like a key, easily unlocking their deep-seated, yet unrevealed, ambitions.

Only the flickering candlelight remained in the room, and the air was so still it was suffocating.

"Nonsense!" After a long silence, Wei Zhuang finally shouted, breaking the suffocating silence, "Do you even know what you're saying!"

"Nonsense?" Xu Qing looked surprised, shook his head and sighed softly, with a hint of genuine regret, "It seems I guessed wrong..."

His tone shifted abruptly, his gaze sharp as he stared directly at Wei Zhuang: "I believe that the disciples of Guiguzi throughout history have always considered themselves the masters of the game, intending to stir up the winds and clouds over the land. Brother Wei Zhuang, as the successor of the contemporary School of Diplomacy, your return to this weak and precarious Han is surely intended to place a move on this chessboard that will shake the very foundations of the world?"

Xu Qing leaned forward slightly, his words deliberately sharp: "Or are you willing to succumb to this gentle embrace, indulging in romance and fine wine? When you joined Ghost Valley, was it merely for some martial arts skills to defend yourself?"

This pointed question hit the nail on the head, like a heavy hammer.

This silenced Wei Zhuang completely.

He intended to conceal his purpose, but he did not expect that Xu Qing's insight was far beyond his imagination. Based solely on his identity as Guigu and his presence in South Korea, he was able to deduce the deeply buried chess game to this extent.

The private room was enveloped in a deathly silence.

"Indulging in wine and women?" Wei Zhuang finally spoke, each word seemingly ground between his teeth for a long time, carrying a chilling coldness and an unyielding arrogance. "Naturally, absolutely impossible!"

"But..." His hawk-like gaze pressed down on Xu Qing again, his sharp edge revealed, "How can you be so sure that I will fight Bai Yifei to the death?"

Xu Qing met his gaze without fear, her voice firm as iron, "Because, in your eyes, this night is the root of South Korea's weakness. It is because of this dark night that South Korea's sky has never seen a clear day and is always shrouded in gloom."

"If you want to change Korea, the first step is to tear through the darkness. Once you have this thought, it will be a fight to the death with Ji Wuye, Bai Yifei, and others!"

Wei Zhuang's pupils suddenly contracted as he scrutinized his "old friend" once more.

“You… know a lot.” His voice was deep and unfathomable as he looked at his friend Xu Qing again, his eyes now holding a different kind of meaning.

"I spent a long time in Xinling. Although I did not join Lord Xinling's entourage or become his retainer, the place in Xinling was a mixed bag. I don't know how many people either admired or hated Lord Xinling. They talked freely about the state of the world in the marketplace. As an observer, I also gained some understanding of the state of the world."

"The states of Han and Wei were both part of the Three Jin states, and they were also related by marriage, so they were naturally among the most talked-about countries."

Xu Qing smiled and explained a few things.

Will this explanation convince the public?

Obviously not.

In Wei Zhuang's mind, Xu Qing, this 'friend,' was becoming increasingly mysterious and unpredictable.

Just then, Xu Qing spoke up again, bringing up another matter.

"You're not the only one who wants to change South Korea."

"During my journey to Korea, I met a new friend named Han Fei, the ninth prince of Korea. Despite his title, he was not favored by his ruler. Therefore, he traveled far away to study. However... even in a foreign land, his heart remained with Korea. His resolute return was a testament to his determination to transform his weak homeland!"

Upon hearing this familiar name, Wei Zhuang and Zi Nu exchanged a glance.

They looked at each other in bewilderment.

Unexpectedly, the person in front of me was also Han Fei's friend.

Han Fei was an old friend of Wei Zhuang.

Even though Wei Zhuang had never revealed his true form to Han Fei, he had indeed received an unintentional favor from Han Fei when they were children. Because of this, he had always paid close attention to Han Fei and knew exactly what kind of person Han Fei was.

Guiguzi, after completing his studies, always chose a country and a ruler to assist him, never claiming the title of king himself.

But in Wei Zhuang's cold and hardened heart, the chosen wise ruler was none other than Han Fei.

Since Han Fei resolutely returned to his country, his every step and every move has been under the watchful eyes of Wei Zhuang and Zi Nu. Their eyes have never left him, only to assess whether this man is truly worthy of being entrusted with a game of chess that could shake the world.

“Your friend…” Wei Zhuang’s lips curled up almost imperceptibly, and a rare hint of interest flashed in his cold eyes, “He must be an extremely… interesting person.”

"Naturally, it's extremely interesting."

Xu Qing nodded in agreement and began to vividly recount several anecdotes about Han Fei from his journey.

The tense atmosphere in the private room eased slightly upon hearing the name "Han Fei." Mentioning this shared "old friend" seemed to silently melt away the invisible ice between Xu Qing, Wei Zhuang, and Zi Nu.

Chapter 54 The Lingering Charm of the Purple Orchid, The First Exploration of the Hidden Dragon

After a conversation.

Xu Qing had become a distinguished guest of Zilan Pavilion.

Wei Zhuang eventually accepted the Heart Sword.

He was actually somewhat speechless at the result.

It can only be said that, compared to a swordsmith, Xu Qing is more like a master, eloquent and persuasive, with all sorts of sophistry.

But there was one thing Xu Qing was right about.

That is, Ye Mu, Ji Wuye, and Bai Yifei are all enemies in front of him.

Even though we haven't had any conflicts with these people yet, we will inevitably have to confront them sooner or later.

As Wei Zhuang gently brushed his fingertips across the cool spine of the sword, a sliver of doubt remained in his mind: "Can this sword truly subdue that Blood-Clad Marquis Bai Yifei?"

Xu Qing spoke of the night scene with great familiarity, clearly demonstrating his profound knowledge. Wei Zhuang was not without the desire to investigate, but ultimately restrained himself.

There's plenty of time; there's no need to rush.

Naturally, after obtaining the Heart Sword, Wei Zhuang signed a "Sword Contract" as Xu Qing had always done. In fact, this was not a mandatory requirement. Normally, as long as someone used Xu Qing's sword, Xu Qing would gain reputation. The signing of the Sword Contract was just Xu Qing's way of obtaining an extra reward, a one-time reward.

Therefore, if it is a sword of a relatively high grade, or if the sword owner is extraordinary, Xu Qing usually wants these people to sign a contract.

After all, people like this usually have some good qualities inside them.

They either possess unparalleled martial arts skills or have extraordinary talent.

Xu Qing naturally didn't mind being able to extract an extra reward from these people.

After signing the sword contract, Wei Zhuang wanted to return the old sword he had acquired in Xinling to Xu Qing. He had always adhered to minimalism, and two swords were already the ultimate; three swords would not suit his style.

"No need." Xu Qing waved his hand in refusal, his tone casual yet unquestionable. "Whether you keep this sword for yourself or give it away is up to you. Of course, if the sword is damaged, I will provide repair services."

This nonchalant attitude left Wei Zhuang with no choice but to give up.

"Speaking of which..." Xu Qing changed the subject, his gaze shifting from Wei Zhuang to Zi Nu, who stood quietly to the side, with a hint of inquiry in his smile. "What kind of sword does Miss Zi Nu prefer?"

Once the deal was done, this big customer lost his appeal.

In the Purple Orchid Pavilion, the gentle and beautiful women are always more delightful than the cold and hard swordsmen.

"Oh?" Zi Nu's eyes sparkled, and the corners of her lips lifted slightly.

She had already witnessed the wonders of the Heart Sword. As soon as Wei Zhuang obtained the sword, he tested its abilities. Its healing power was indeed rare, and its sharpness was also remarkable. Rather than being a weapon specifically designed to counter Bai Yifei, it was more like a surprise weapon that could provide strong endurance in chaotic battles.

"Mr. Xu, are you planning to forge one for me as well?"

"To meet is fate." Xu Qing smiled, his words carrying a hint of seduction. "What's wrong with forging a sword for a beauty?"

"Although I rarely engage in conflict with others, I do have my own means of self-defense," Zi Nu said tactfully.

"When traveling the world, having an extra weapon is always a good safety net..." Xu Qing skillfully unleashed his sales pitch, speaking fluently and at length.

Zi Nu listened quietly, gaining a deeper understanding of this newly acquainted "friend." Her sword-making skills were extraordinary, and her eloquence was even more remarkable.

After Xu Qing finished speaking, Zi Nu smiled and calmly replied, "When Mr. Xu's new sword is finished, if it catches my eye, I may consider purchasing one."

She had run Zilanxuan for many years and was financially well-off, so Xu Qing's "quirk" was still within an acceptable range.

It's not incomprehensible that a top-tier swordsmith has some unique rules.

"Don't worry, I won't keep you waiting too long," Xu Qing said confidently.

Zi Nu smiled inwardly. She also knew a bit about metallurgy and knew that the creation of a good sword was not something that could be accomplished overnight, so she did not take Xu Qing's words to heart.

More concerned about Han Fei than about forging the sword.

Director Ji Wuye's "Ghost Soldiers Robbery" murder case is aimed directly at Zhang Kaidi's faction, intending to eliminate dissidents. After returning to the country, Han Fei seems to be indulging in wine and women at Zilan Pavilion, but in reality, he is secretly investigating matters related to the ghost soldiers, clearly wanting to get involved.

Wei Zhuang and Zi Nu discussed and decided to secretly give Han Fei a push, which would also be a test of Han Fei's abilities.

The key question is whether Han Fei can solve the puzzle they have set up.

So last night, when Han Fei was drinking at Zilan Pavilion, before he left, she had instructed her maid to "unintentionally" reveal to him that a treasure exchange event would be held at Qianlong Hall outside the city in the coming days.

Wei Zhuang asserted that Han Fei would surely arrive.

Although Zi Nu was skeptical, she waited and saw.

……

Xu Qing did not stay overnight at Zilan Pavilion, but returned to his own inn.

After all, we paid a lot of money to book these rooms, so how could we easily cancel them?

While the enchanting beauty of Zilan Pavilion was captivating, the hustle and bustle after nightfall couldn't compare to the tranquility of the inn, which was more conducive to him sorting out his thoughts.

Sitting quietly in the room, Xu Qing's mind was once again filled with various "plots" about this world.

The main storyline in the early stages is simply about how Wei Zhuang, Zi Nu, and Han Fei came together to form "Quicksand," which is nothing special.

But it was the "Hidden Dragon Hall" that he paid special attention to.

As far as he knew, the Qianlong Hall's treasure exchange conference was hosted by an "old acquaintance," Situ Wanli, which clearly indicated the influence of the Farmer's Clan.

In the original story, it was there that Han Fei used a valuable jade cup to exchange for a mysterious wooden box from Zi Nu, and ultimately, based on the clues in the box, he uncovered the mystery of the ghost soldiers' robbery of the funds.

After asking the innkeeper, Xu Qing confirmed more information about the Hidden Dragon Hall.

There is indeed such a hall outside Xinzheng City, which frequently holds auctions and treasure-selling events. Officials and nobles from the city flock there, often finding rare and precious items.

“Situ Wanli…” Xu Qing tapped the table lightly with his fingertips and murmured to himself.

Regardless of his character, he is definitely a qualified businessman, and Xu Qing prefers dealing with shrewd businessmen.

Another night has passed.

The next day, Xu Qing paid a hefty sum to pave the way and had the innkeeper arrange a carriage for him.

Then, they headed straight towards the Hidden Dragon Hall outside the city.

He had no interest in participating in things like EasyPay Club.

That said, apart from Han Fei and Zi Nu, the other participants in the Yi Bao Meeting in the original novel seemed like they were just there to make up the numbers.

Leaving Jing Ke aside for now, he had a good relationship with Yan Dan and probably came to participate with Yan Dan.