Wandering Sword Seller's Life in the Qin Dynasty

After all, he had long since retired to the deep mountains and left the Guigu Sect leader's token in the old place many years ago. He no longer cared about the inheritance of Guigu or the spread of its sword techniques.

Moreover, for a top expert like Xu Qing, the Ghost Valley Sword Technique is merely icing on the cake. Even without the Vertical and Horizontal Sword Technique, Xu Qing's strength is still that of a first-rate expert, far beyond the reach of ordinary people.

"Enough, enough!" Guiguzi waved his hand and gently placed the Zhanlu sword back into its case. "I have already retired from the world, and worldly affairs are no longer my concern. It is their choice to pass on their sword techniques, and I have no right to interfere, nor do I need to."

Upon hearing this, Xu Qing nodded slightly and said nothing more.

The two sat in the bamboo house, talking about their insights into swordsmanship, the state of the world, the past of Guigu, and the path to finding the sword.

Although Guiguzi lived in seclusion in the deep mountains, he had a profound understanding of the world and spoke of the essence of the art of diplomacy with every word a gem. Xu Qing, on the other hand, would occasionally speak up and share his experiences and insights on his journey to find the sword, his words revealing his composure and wisdom.

One was a reclusive master of the Ghost Valley School, and the other was a peerless expert searching for a sword. Although they had different identities and stances, they felt a sense of mutual respect and appreciation for each other at this moment.

Since we have met here by chance and are all like-minded people, we naturally do not mind exchanging ideas and learning from each other to broaden our horizons.

After chatting for a long time, the sun gradually set in the west, casting dappled light and shadows through the bamboo window.

Xu Qing stood up, his gaze falling once again on the sword box in the inner hall. His expression gradually became solemn. His original intention for this trip was to find swords. Now that he had seen so many peerless swords, he naturally would not miss the opportunity to understand their past.

Seeing this, Guiguzi understood immediately. He smiled and raised his hand to indicate, "Mr. Xu, please feel free to do as you please. You are free to examine and appreciate these swords. I will not disturb you."

Xu Qing nodded his thanks, then slowly walked to the sword box and gently took out the Zhanlu sword.

The moment his fingertips touched the blade, he slowly closed his eyes, activated his swordsmith abilities, and a gentle aura enveloped the entire sword.

In an instant, countless images flashed through his mind: the raging fire when Ou Yezi forged the sword, the illustrious achievements of the Zhanlu sword accompanying wise rulers throughout the ages in their conquests, its turbulent past of being moved around and eventually collected by the Guigu master. Every memory was so clear that it seemed to be right before his eyes.

He slowly opened his eyes, a hint of understanding flashing in them. He then put the Zhanlu sword back into its case and took out the Chun Jun sword.

The same movements, the same focus—the past of the Chun Jun sword also emerges. The pure white blade embodies the swordsmith's painstaking efforts. It was once worn by virtuous men, witnessing their perseverance and righteousness in chaotic times. Through the sedimentation of time, it still retains that gentle yet sharp temperament.

Xu Qing took out one famous sword after another from the sword box, carefully appreciating the history and heritage of each sword.

Guiguzi stepped out of the bamboo house and sat by the stone table, quietly sipping tea while flipping through bamboo slips. It can only be said that Guiguzi's retirement life was exceptionally comfortable; he was not only leisurely and carefree, but he even kept pets.

Xu Qing's arrival was just a minor interlude for him, but it did add some fun to his life.

Chapter 388 Inviting the Lord to Come Out of the Mountain, Returning to the Confucian School

This realization took Xu Qing quite some time.

The reason is that Guiguzi possessed too many famous swords, including the legendary Zhanlu and Chun Jun swords. These swords passed through the hands of emperors and generals, and their history may not be as long as that of the three swords of Kong Zhou and the Qinglu sword that Xu Qing dug out from the ruins.

However, in terms of fame throughout the world, the Zhanlu Sword and the Chun Jun Sword are undoubtedly more famous.

The Zhanlu sword, in particular, is shrouded in countless legends.

It was no less impressive than the Tai'a sword in Fu Nian's hand.

When Xu Qing finally placed the ancient short sword back into its case and slowly opened his eyes, the solemnity in his eyes had faded, replaced by a sense of clarity and serenity. The lingering warmth of the sword energy from various famous swords still remained on his fingertips.

This immersive experience deepened his understanding of swordsmanship and allowed him to comprehend the rise and fall and legends behind each sword.

He straightened his robes, stepped out of the inner hall, and saw Guiguzi sitting at the stone table in front of the door, brewing tea. The aroma of the tea was fragrant and refreshing.

As the sun sets, its afterglow shines on the green bamboo, adding to its serene elegance.

"Mr. Xu, have you finished your contemplation?" Guiguzi heard footsteps, looked up, and smiled gently. He gestured for him to sit down. "Come, have a cup of tea to relax."

Xu Qing nodded, walked to the stone table and sat down. He took the teacup handed to him by Guiguzi, took a small sip, and the clear tea dispelled the fatigue brought by comprehending the famous sword.

He put down his teacup, looked up at Guiguzi, and got straight to the point: "Senior, do you intend to spend the rest of your life in these mountains?"

"What do you want to say?" Guiguzi understood Xu Qing's implied meaning and asked in a deep voice.

"I wish to invite you to come out of seclusion, senior!" Xu Qing said calmly, without the slightest hint of probing. "You possess unparalleled talent and are proficient in the ways of the world, as well as the essence of swordsmanship. It is a great waste that you are hiding your skills in these deep mountains. Just like those precious swords sealed in their sheaths, only when they return to the mortal world and fall into the hands of a capable person can they reveal their true value. Your talent should be treated the same way."

Upon hearing this, Guiguzi paused slightly in his teacup, his surprise deepening, clearly not expecting Xu Qing to make such a request.

He paused for a moment, then slowly put down his teacup, his tone calm and resigned: "I appreciate Mr. Xu's kindness. However, I'm afraid I cannot grant your wish."

"Firstly, I am old now. Time waits for no one, and my energy is far less than it used to be." He raised his eyes to look at the distant mountains and forests, his tone carrying a hint of the vicissitudes of time. "Now that the world is unified, it is the era of the young. Whether it is Gai Nie, Wei Zhuang, or other heroes of the world, this new order after the chaos should be explored and protected by them. An old man like me should no longer get involved."

"Secondly, as you know, the foundation of my Guigu School of Diplomacy lies in the art of alliances and counter-alliances. It can only be most effective when the world is in chaos and various forces are intertwined."

Guiguzi changed the subject, a hint of melancholy flashing in his eyes, "Now that the world is unified and the six kingdoms have been destroyed, the School of Diplomacy has lost the soil on which it depends for survival. As for Gai Nie and Wei Zhuang, I no longer care who will become the new Guiguzi and take over the Guigu legacy. They have their own choices and destinies."

He shook his head slightly and concluded, "In short, this is a completely new era. Even if I were to come out of seclusion, there's nothing I could do. It would be better for me to live in seclusion here, enjoy my old age, and find peace and tranquility."

Guiguzi had not mentioned these things before, but now that Xu Qing had taken the initiative to invite him to come out of seclusion, Guiguzi still expressed his many thoughts.

Upon hearing this, Xu Qing was not discouraged. Instead, he nodded slightly and said in a calm tone, "What you say is not without reason. However, you may not know that in the Central Plains, there may indeed be no place for strategists to use their skills, but in foreign lands, it is not the case."

"Another land?" A hint of surprise flashed in Guiguzi's eyes, and he subconsciously asked, "Could it be that Mr. Xu is referring to the land of the Donghu and Xiongnu? Although those tribes have power, they are ultimately a disorganized mess. Even with their strategic skills, they are unlikely to achieve great things."

"What you said, senior, is only a part of it." Xu Qing shook his head slightly and slowly began to recount to Guiguzi the overseas matters he had mentioned to Ying Zheng. "Besides the Donghu and Xiongnu in the north, there is a vast and boundless world beyond the ocean. There is the European continent in the west, with its numerous city-states, where various countries are in conflict and check each other, making it an excellent place to employ the art of diplomacy; and there are also the South Pacific islands, with numerous islands and tribes, which also hold infinite possibilities."

He paused, then added, "Now, the Mohists have already pledged allegiance to the Qin state, and Ying Zheng has ordered the Mohists and the Gongshu School to join forces, combining their strengths to build a giant ship that can cross the sea, in preparation for future expeditions overseas and the expansion of territory. At that time, the vast world overseas will be the stage for the strategists to display their talents, and the wisdom of our predecessors will surely shine there."

Guiguzi was stunned after hearing this.

He sat quietly for a long time, the surprise in his eyes gradually turning into shock. Then he sighed deeply, his tone full of emotion: "Ying Zheng... what great ambition! I thought he would be satisfied with unifying the six kingdoms, but I never expected that his gaze had already crossed the Central Plains and turned to the unknown world overseas."

His words conveyed both amazement at Ying Zheng's ambition and a sigh for the changing times.

However, Guiguzi did not directly agree to Xu Qing's request.

Instead, he continued, "I need to think carefully about leaving the mountain!"

"That's only right!"

Xu Qing did not rush to urge Guiguzi.

After all, coming out of seclusion is something that really needs to be carefully considered.

Of course, to be fair, he still hoped that Guiguzi would come out of seclusion.

Although Gai Nie and Wei Zhuang are disciples of Guigu and their knowledge is not low, they are too obsessed with the swords in their hands, making them more like wandering swordsmen, which is truly despicable.

It should be noted that the Guigu School possesses more than just swordsmanship; it also has military strategy and tactics. If used well, these can have an even greater impact than the sword in one's hand.

Since Ying Zheng has decided to create an unprecedented era, and given his current strength and vitality, it is clearly impossible for him to die young as he did in history. Not to mention anything else, he should be able to live for another one or two decades without any problem.

A decade or two is enough time to change many things.

Not to mention that Zhao Gao was already dead.

Xu Qing was already involved, so naturally he didn't mind doing anything.

Both the Mohists and the medical school have successively joined the Qin state. Although the School of Diplomacy has Gai Nie, it is not enough. If Guiguzi could also come out of seclusion to help, that would be even better.

Although Guiguzi was not young, such a master of the celestial level could still live a long time as long as his fundamental essence was not damaged in a great battle.

The two chatted for a while longer, and Xu Qing had a detailed discussion with him about the overseas situation until night fell, at which point Xu Qing stopped talking to him.

At night, Xu Qing naturally stayed at Guiguzi's place.

Although the conditions here are simple, for people like Xu Qing and Guiguzi, it is common to go without food or water for a period of time, living on air and dew.

Not to mention that Xu Qing herself is not a demanding person when it comes to living conditions.

Thus, Xu Qing stayed at Guiguzi's place for a few days.

In the past few days, besides discussing overseas affairs and swordsmanship with Guiguzi, Xu Qing also talked a lot about his understanding of the general trend of the world.

According to the Guigu School, if one wants to become a powerful figure who can influence the world, one must first understand the general trend of the world, so that one can choose to go with the tide or go against it.

Although Guiguzi lived in seclusion here, he was actually very knowledgeable about what was happening in the world; otherwise, he would not have known Xu Qing's name.

On this day, Xu Qing finally prepared to leave.

His journey across the world is in search of a sword.

Having lingered with Guiguzi for some time, it's time to return to the main objective.

Guiguzi escorted Xu Qing to the door of the bamboo house. Watching Xu Qing's figure, he suddenly said, "Mr. Xu, after much consideration, I have decided to go to Xianyang first."

Xu Qing paused, turned around, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes, then a faint smile appeared: "Senior has figured it out?"

"I haven't fully figured it out." Guiguzi shook his head slightly, his tone calm. "I still haven't decided whether to come out of seclusion. It's just that Mr. Xu's mention of the overseas world and Ying Zheng's ambition has piqued my curiosity. I want to go to Xianyang to see for myself what kind of era the unified Qin Dynasty will create. I'll decide whether to come out of seclusion after I've observed it thoroughly."

“Very well.” Xu Qing nodded in agreement. “Since you have this intention, then go and take a look. If you really want to meet Ying Zheng, it should be a very simple matter for you. Gai Nie is currently in Xianyang. You only need to find him to see Ying Zheng and also learn about your disciple’s recent situation.”

Upon hearing this, Guiguzi's eyes flashed with warmth, and he nodded slightly: "Thank you for your guidance, Mr. Xu."

Without saying another word, the two bowed to each other in farewell.

Xu Qing turned around, and his figure gradually disappeared into the vast mountains and forests.

Guiguzi stood at the entrance of the bamboo house, gazing into the distance, his eyes full of thought, already planning his journey to Xianyang.

After bidding farewell to Guiguzi, Xu Qing continued his journey to find the sword.

His pace was neither fast nor slow; he traveled throughout the various prefectures and counties of the Central Plains, and wherever he went, he would keep an eye out for hidden swords among the common people.

He searched for and found all the ancient swords hidden in ordinary people's homes and the precious swords forgotten in desolate hills.

Of course, calling them precious swords refers to their past. After the passage of time, some swords only had a last wisp of sword energy left. After Xu Qing searched for and comprehended them, they soon completely disappeared into the world.

But what vanishes is their form.

Their gods and the stories they experienced did not disappear because of Xu Qing's existence; they were recorded.

On the cloth that Xu Qing had previously found, he kept adding new content. The shape, sword aura, and past origins of each sword were carefully recorded by him. Every stroke was a testament to his reverence and appreciation for the sword.

These swords hidden among the people may not have the illustrious reputation of Zhanlu or Chun Jun, but they each have their own unique character, carrying the stories of ordinary people and the traces of time. For Xu Qing, they are also a rare treasure.

Day after day, month after month, Xu Qing's journey to find the sword never stopped, and his understanding of the way of the sword deepened with each search and appreciation.

Until this day, he stepped into the ancient land of Qi, and the land beneath his feet still carried the warmth and weight of the Qi-Lu region.

However, he did not head towards Linzi, the former capital of Qi. Although Linzi was the former capital, it was now the seat of a prefecture of Qin. It was still prosperous, but there was no trace of the sword he was looking for.

Instead, he turned and headed east, towards Langya County, towards Sanghai City, which was close to the sea and where the sea breeze caressed his face.

After many years, Xu Qing once again visited this land where he had left his footprints.

This time, however, he was no longer the "Master Qing" who hid in Hou Sheng's sect and kept a low profile. He no longer needed to conceal his identity or deliberately disguise himself.

He shed all pretense and, in his own name and as Xu Qing, walked step by step towards the place in Sanghai City that carried the Confucian cultural heritage. This time, he wanted to meet the Confucian scholars as his true self and settle the unresolved karmic ties from years ago.

Before long, the Confucian gate, towering on the mountainside in Sanghai City, appeared before Xu Qing's eyes.

The mountain gate remains ancient and solemn, exuding a tranquil seclusion from the world.

Although the State of Qi had been destroyed and the laws of Qin had long been implemented in the land of Qi and Lu, the Confucian school seemed to be unaffected. One could faintly hear the sound of disciples reading aloud from inside the school, their words resounding and clear, all in accordance with the teachings of the sages. They seemed oblivious to the affairs of the world and focused solely on reading the books of the sages.