Wandering Sword Seller's Life in the Qin Dynasty

The hall fell silent again, but the "panic" on Xu Qing's face vanished instantly, replaced by a deep solemnity.

The fact that the other party so directly identified themselves as "Luo Wang" was indeed somewhat unexpected.

But this astonishment lasted only a moment. Then, a face that was beautiful yet contained a deadly edge clearly appeared in his mind.

"Jing Ni!"

Even if it's uncertain whether Jing Ni is now a "top-tier" member of the Luo Wang organization, holding a position of supreme authority and only obeying the leader, in this small region of Ningyi and Xinling, she is undoubtedly the highest-ranking Luo Wang assassin and the ultimate messenger of all orders. So, is this recruitment orchestrated by her?

This thought flashed through my mind like a spark.

However, it doesn't matter even if it has nothing to do with Jing Ni.

The key point is that the net of snares has already enveloped him and opened a crack in the door.

If an ordinary person were targeted by the Net, they would probably be terrified and live in constant fear. But what surged in Xu Qing's heart was not fear; he was calmly weighing the pros and cons of joining the Net.

Admittedly, the Net has a notorious reputation, and once you step into it, you are often powerless to control your own destiny, as if you have embarked on a road of no return.

However, its advantages should not be ignored.

First, the Luo Wang organization's thirst for top-tier swordsmiths is real. Countless famous swords and deadly weapons within the organization inevitably suffer damage. Repairing, reforging, and even constantly creating new weapons all rely on master swordsmiths. In the original story, Xuan Jian's broken white sword was ultimately reforged and restored by the Luo Wang organization.

This in itself proves that the Luo Wang (Net of Heaven) must possess exceptional sword-making skills.

Secondly, Xu Qing knew that forging a legendary sword required a vast amount of rare and precious natural materials. These things could not be easily purchased with money; they were often hidden deep within the treasuries of feudal lords and the secret collections of aristocratic families, beyond the reach of ordinary means. With the full assistance of the vast network and resources of the Luo Wang, gathering these treasures would no longer be a difficult task.

The most crucial point is that the Net itself is an inexhaustible gold mine!

The Luo Wang organization is teeming with assassins, all of whom are sword wielders, creating an immense demand for swords. If Xu Qing could forge divine weapons worthy of being recorded in the famous sword register within the Luo Wang, these swords would most likely fall into the hands of those terrifyingly powerful "Heaven-level" or "Kill-level" assassins. These individuals would wield his forged swords, dominating the world, and every kill, every moment of fame would bring Xu Qing a massive amount of prestige.

This meant that the vast assassin network of Luo Wang became the strongest amplifier for his rise to fame.

He walked alone through the chaotic world. What did he seek? Nothing more than to find rare materials, forge famous swords, find worthy masters for these swords, and ultimately achieve his own success.

The assassins of the Luo Wang organization, no matter how dark their nature, possess unquestionable swordsmanship and ruthless methods. They are precisely the ideal group of candidates for "Sword Master"!

"This might... really be an opportunity!" Xu Qing's eyes flashed with a sharp light, and various thoughts collided and unfolded rapidly.

Moreover, joining the Net at this point in time still leaves room for maneuver.

He knew that in the coming years, the core of Qin's power would undergo a dramatic upheaval. During this transition, control of the infamous "Net of Heaven," a weapon of destruction, would inevitably change hands, and the state would experience a period of chaotic reorganization and purge. As seen in the original novel, Jing Ni was able to remain hidden for many years after her defection, until Zhao Gao seized power, and only then was her sword found. This was largely due to the information chaos that arose during this power transition.

In the original story, the current Luo Wang (Net of Heaven) even plotted an assassination attempt on the young King Ying Zheng of Qin. If Ying Zheng were to one day clear away the obstacles and truly seize power over life and death, given his great talent, ambition, and ruthless methods, how could he tolerate a murderous sword that once intended to devour its master still lurking by his side? At that time, a bloody purge sweeping through Luo Wang would likely be inevitable.

Chaos means uncertainty, and uncertainty breeds opportunity.

……

Under the same moonlight as Xu Qing was deeply considering the invitation from Luo Wang, a hundred miles away in Daliang City, the return of Lord Xinling, Wei Wuji, stirred up an even bigger storm.

With overwhelming force, he exposed the monstrous conspiracy of former Wei general Wei Yong, who colluded with the Qin assassin organization Luo Wang to eliminate dissidents and disrupt the court.

With irrefutable evidence, Wei Yong was instantly disgraced and ruined. He was then executed by Lord Xinling according to the law, and died a violent death.

After Wei Yong was executed, Dian Qing, one of his most influential subordinates and a commander of a thousand Wei infantrymen, went without hesitation to Lord Xinling, offering his unwavering loyalty and devotion. The symbolic significance of this action is self-evident.

The actual command of the Wei Wuzu, the strongest legion in Wei, which was once controlled by Wei Yong, has quietly shifted and fallen firmly into the hands of Lord Xinling, Wei Wuji.

The political landscape of the Wei court was thus completely rewritten.

Chapter 12 The Peerless Young Master, Three Encounters with the Shocking Salamander

Lord Xinling was dazzling and splendid.

The unease in the King of Wei's heart grew even stronger.

Even though Wei Wuji was his blood brother, when his brilliance was enough to illuminate the entire Great Wei and even penetrate the shadow of his brother's throne, the thin veil of kinship could hardly stop the poisonous spread of suspicion.

Ever since Wei Wuji's heroic act of "stealing the tally to rescue Zhao" years ago, the King of Wei's suspicion of Wei Wuji has grown like weeds.

Although that incident relieved the siege of Handan, it also blatantly humiliated the King of Wei. As a result, Lord Xinling went to the State of Zhao and remained in seclusion for many years until the State of Wei was in turmoil, at which point he was able to return.

Upon returning to his homeland, Wei Wuji did not fade into obscurity. Instead, he rose to the top amidst the great tide of the alliance against Qin, holding the prestigious title of commander-in-chief of the five-nation coalition.

This glory became the second, even deeper thorn in the heart of the King of Wei.

Having lost his military power, Lord Xinling had no choice but to retreat to his fiefdom of Xinling and devote himself to the natural beauty of the mountains and rivers.

If we simply fade into obscurity, that's fine too.

At this very moment, he emerged from Xinling once again, wielding an iron fist to intervene in the court's power struggles.

Wei Yong deserves to die, that's for sure, but the power to make decisions rests with the king. What virtue or ability does Lord Xinling have to dare to act on behalf of the king? Especially that centurion Dian Qing, as the former general's personal disciple, who carries the will of the Wei Wu soldiers, does not bow to the throne but instead swore a blood oath to Lord Xinling.

Where does this leave me, the dignified King of Wei?

The third time, as if by fate, the tendrils of suspicion tightly bound the heart of the King of Wei.

This time, a chilling killing intent even seeped from the depths of the poisonous sting.

So what if he's a younger brother? Since the Spring and Autumn Period, with the collapse of social order and the destruction of music and ritual, the history of fratricide and patricide, staining the ancestral temple with blood, is endless. Within the royal family, blood ties are both the most luxurious and the most ephemeral.

Fortunately, Wei Wuji was a wise man with keen insight.

After eliminating Wei Yong, cutting off the source of chaos, and gaining Dian Qing's loyalty, he did not covet the alluring military power. Instead, after the thunderous crackdown, he returned the cleansed command of the Wei Wu Corps to his elder brother, the king. Then, with only a few retainers, he gracefully returned to his fiefdom of Xinling, as if the intervention that had shaken the Great Liang was merely a fleeting memory.

This move saddened many loyal followers who had served him for years and longed for his return to the court.

However, Jing Ke saw a different kind of romantic charm in Lord Xinling.

All power and authority have been dispelled, and all has returned to tranquility.

"Truly a peerless gentleman!"

The wandering knights, forced to roam the world after the fall of Puyang, were filled with surging emotions and overflowing admiration.

……

Upon returning to Ningyi, Lord Xinling indeed resumed his old ways, with fine wine and music becoming the daily scene at his residence.

Zuiyue Tower was a favorite haunt of his, a place of pleasure and debauchery.

Upon hearing that a new courtesan named "Long'er" had been added to the brothel, Wei Wuji immediately became very interested.

So, on this day, he led his retinue of retainers into the Drunken Moon Pavilion, not for any other reason than to witness firsthand the legendary, poetic "Dance of the Cage."

With Lord Xinling's arrival, clearing the area was a natural consequence.

Even though he was naturally open-minded, unconcerned with trivial matters, and willing to chat and laugh with ordinary people, his noble status meant that his guards, for the sake of safety, still asked the others to leave.

The dispersed onlookers had little to complain about, which was an invisible echo of Lord Xinling's unique charm.

Xu Qing was unaware of the undercurrents within the Drunken Moon Pavilion.

He secluded himself for several days, and the decision in his heart had already taken shape.

"I am willing to join the Luo Wang (Net of Heaven)." Xu Qing spoke calmly as the middle-aged man from Luo Wang reappeared before him.

The other party smiled with satisfaction. "A wise choice. You have not failed the net, and the net has not failed you either."

Once the arrangement was made, the middle-aged man presented a token, which was an identification item within the Luo Wang organization.

"This item must be kept hidden in all circumstances, and must not be revealed in the slightest when it is not in a net," he instructed, then changed the subject, "There is another matter. A lord wishes to see you in person."

Xu Qing raised an eyebrow almost imperceptibly.

The middle-aged man immediately explained, "Within the Net, the hierarchy is strict. Those in higher positions hold the power of life and death. All those in positions of authority have their own followers and confidants. The person who wishes to see you now highly values ​​your talent and intends to recruit you as a right-hand man."

"When you meet that esteemed person later, you must be very respectful," the middle-aged man instructed Xu Qing.

"Is that gentleman named Shafulin?" Xu Qing asked the middle-aged man.

“Shafulin? Who is he?” The middle-aged man frowned slightly, clearly not having heard of the name.

"Oh, just a friend who's got a temper," Xu Qing said casually. "Maybe I'm mistaken."

The middle-aged man nodded silently, noting the name down for future verification.

The two then went out.

They walk openly in broad daylight, which is less likely to arouse suspicion than they do in the dark.

At the end of the winding street, an ordinary restaurant came into view.

The establishment had private rooms, providing a quiet place for distinguished guests. The middle-aged man led Xu Qing to the door of one of the private rooms and bowed to report, "Sir, the person has been brought."

"Step back." A neutral voice, its gender difficult to discern, emanated from within, sounding somewhat deliberate.

The middle-aged man bowed his head and retreated.

Xu Qing stepped inside.

Inside the private room, a figure sat cross-legged on the floor with his back to the door, draped in a wide black robe that obscured his figure.

"Your sword is quite good."

A deep voice rang out, and the figure slowly rose, his black robe flowing like the night. He turned around slowly, revealing himself completely hidden in the robe. His face was covered by a pitch-black iron mask with spiderweb-like, eerie patterns, chilling and terrifying. Only the holes in his eyes emitted two merciless beams of cold light, as if they could pierce to the bone.

That gaze was now fixed on Xu Qing.

An invisible pressure suddenly descended.

A strange light flashed in Xu Qing's eyes, but he quickly concealed it and lowered his head slightly.

"No need to be nervous." The neutral voice rang out again, but it could not hide a certain quality hidden beneath it. "The Net is eager for talent. A top-notch swordsmith like you is exactly what we have been looking for. If you serve us wholeheartedly, the Net will reward you handsomely. We have summoned you today just to see you."

"I see." Xu Qing said with relief, and looked up as instructed, examining the person in front of him with a frank and curious expression.

He was shrouded in a black robe, his face covered by a mask, and even his voice was disguised...

However, the glint in those cold eyes had already been etched into Xu Qing's mind.

“This is the third time…” Xu Qing murmured to himself. This was the third time he had met the other party.

As for the other party's true identity, Xu Qing already had the answer in his heart when he saw the mask.

On the surface, he went straight to the point and asked the other party, "I have joined the Luo Wang. May I ask, sir, when will the materials for forging the sword that the Luo Wang promised to provide for me arrive?"

His tone was enthusiastic, with a touch of a swordsmith's frankness, "To be honest, sir, I've been full of inspiration lately and in excellent condition. With the right timing and the right people, if the materials are plentiful, I might be able to try forging a famous sword."

Chapter 13: The Forge Opens, the Sword is Forged, and a Famous Sword Flies Through the Air!

The credibility of the Luo Wang organization is in a Schrödinger's cat state.