Wandering Sword Seller's Life in the Qin Dynasty

"Illusion?" Xu Qing scoffed. "Unorthodox methods, I have no interest in them!"

Of course, it's impossible not to be interested.

After all, the illusions in this world are quite powerful.

If one has mastered a superb illusion technique, one can interrogate others and uncover their secrets without having to resort to torture.

But that was clearly not enough to entice him.

According to Chu Nan Gong, this sword is related to the opponent's Dao and is of utmost importance to him.

Since it's something so important, of course I have to spend all my savings to buy it.

After all, the ultimate truth cannot be sought!

"If illusions cannot break through your defenses, I still have the art of mind control!" Chu Nangong gritted his teeth, his speech quickening. "It can forcibly invade the soul and spirit. Both of these techniques can be given to you..."

Xu Qing just looked at him silently, without saying a word.

Chu Nan Gong gritted his teeth and said, "There is even a method of soul transformation! If one cultivates it to its peak, one can seize another's body... This is the path to immortality!"

"The path to immortality?" Xu Qing raised an eyebrow, his tone laced with sarcasm. "You talk big, but may I ask, having mastered the Soul Transformation Technique, have you ever achieved immortality?"

These words were like needles, piercing Chu Nan Gong into silence.

The Yin-Yang School's Yin-Yang techniques, according to their methods of execution, can be divided into five categories: techniques, formulas, incantations, rules, and laws. In terms of cultivation level, they can be divided into five stages: alchemy, illusion, mind control, astrology, and soul manipulation.

Each advancement requires cultivators to put in many times more effort.

The Soul-Changing Technique is the highest level of Yin-Yang arts.

Within the Yin-Yang School, only a handful of people have reached this level.

Chu Nan Gong had naturally also cultivated to this level.

However, he knew that although the Soul-Seizing Technique could seemingly seize another's body and allow one's own soul to invade another's body, it was not a method for achieving immortality at all.

This method has many flaws.

Even if an elderly person takes over the body of a young person, it won't last long. On the contrary, because the soul enters another's body, the soul and body cannot be perfectly integrated, and if one is not careful, one can become a mentally challenged person.

So he continued speaking.

It must be said that the Yin-Yang School has a lot of good stuff.

Although Chu Nan Gong's specific position in the Yin-Yang School was not mentioned in the original work, he possessed quite a lot of Yin-Yang skills.

He was proficient in all five levels of Yin-Yang techniques.

Furthermore, he was proficient in many forbidden Yin-Yang techniques.

He spared no expense to acquire Xu Qing's sword.

He recounted all the martial arts techniques he knew.

As for these things being leaked?

It doesn't matter.

Chu Nan Gong never cared about these things.

This is also why he did not go to the Qin state with the other members of the Yin-Yang School.

After Chu Nangong finished speaking, Xu Qing finally spoke, his voice icy: "It sounds like they are all techniques from the Yin-Yang School."

"That's right," Chu Nan Gong said frankly.

"Old sir, what a vicious thought you have," Xu Qing sneered.

"Why do you say that, sir?" Chu Nan Gong asked in astonishment.

"As far as I know..." Xu Qing's gaze sharpened, "the Yin-Yang School has long since moved to Qin and taken root in Xianyang. Their disciples are mysterious and ruthless, and it is common for them to kill each other. I am not a disciple of the Yin-Yang School. If I learn your school's secret techniques out of greed, and they find out about it one day... how will they treat me to prevent the secret techniques from being leaked?"

Chu Nan Gong fell silent again.

He himself has no sectarian bias, and even when he encounters a talented person, he will offer some guidance.

But the Yin-Yang School headquarters... those people, in their pursuit of the Great Dao, have become almost fanatical, walking on the edge of the Dao and the demonic.

Although he is slightly better, in reality, he is not much better.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have traveled the world for so long for a mere object that embodies the Way.

"Aside from Yin-Yang magic," Chu Nan Gong said, forcing himself to be more alert, "this old man is also well-versed in military strategy!"

The art of military strategy originally belonged to the Yin-Yang school, but later generations placed greater emphasis on individual power and abandoned it.

"Military strategy?" Xu Qing shook his head. "I have no intention of getting involved in the world's conflicts. What use would it be for me to learn it? Forget it, old man, just return my sword!"

After speaking, he made a move to take the sword, but seeing that Chu Nan Gong was still holding the hilt tightly, reluctant to part with it, a fierce glint flashed in his eyes, and he secretly activated a secret technique.

hum!

The Xuan Shu Sword trembled suddenly, its sword energy humming!

Chu Nan Gong's expression changed drastically. In his panic, he finally made a tough decision.

"Wait!" he shouted urgently, his voice filled with a desperate resolve, "Besides all of the above... I still have a celestial book!"

"This was bestowed upon me by the ancient celestial being, the Nine Heavens Mysterious Lady, and was first given to the Yellow Emperor. Because the Yellow Emperor inherited the virtue of Earth, it is named—the Yellow Stone Heavenly Book!"

"The Heavenly Book contains the secrets of heaven and earth, and different people will understand it in vastly different ways. The path I seek originates from this Heavenly Book. Precisely because it is a path beyond this world, it cannot be contained by any otherworldly instrument!"

To win over Xu Qing, he chose to be honest.

"If you agree, sir, I... can lend you the Heavenly Book for three years!"

This was his most treasured possession.

The Heavenly Book is profound and mysterious. He has been studying it for over a decade and has reached his limit. It is not that the book has been exhausted, but that his talent has reached its limit.

The book had little effect in his hands.

He needs a vessel to carry the Dao, to condense the abstract Dao he has come to understand into a tangible form.

Even so, he only wanted to "borrow" rather than "give".

He was well-versed in astrological laws and had glimpsed a trace of destiny. This celestial book should perhaps be left to the truly "destined" person.

He will definitely take it back in three years!

"The Yellow Stone Heavenly Book? What a boastful name." Xu Qing's eyes flickered slightly, then he sighed, "Confucius said, 'If I hear the Way in the morning, I can die content in the evening.' Those who seek the Way should be willing to give up everything for it. Since this sword concerns your Great Way, you should give it your all. Yet you only wish to borrow the Heavenly Book for three years… It's clear your heart is not sincere…"

He shook his head, as if judging Chu Nan Gong's behavior.

However, Xu Qing knew perfectly well that Chu Nan Gong was already at his wit's end, having even staked the Yellow Stone Heavenly Book on it.

So after saying that, he suddenly changed the subject.

"Fine! Whether your faith is sincere or not is none of my business."

"I agree to this deal."

Chu Nan Gong's face lit up with ecstasy, but before his joy could fade, he heard Xu Qing speak again.

“However…” Xu Qing spoke slowly, yet each word carried immense weight, “Since you say the Heavenly Book is precious, I may not be able to glean anything from it within three years. Therefore, besides borrowing the Heavenly Book for three years… I want all the techniques and military strategies you just mentioned!”

Chu Nan Gong's smile froze, and he said urgently, "Those things... cannot be accomplished overnight!"

“It’s alright.” Xu Qing waved his hand, leaving no room for doubt. “Just record everything, and I will… study it slowly.”

He was interested in many of the skills that Chu Nan Gong had mentioned earlier.

He didn't agree, simply because he was waiting for a higher price.

Now we know how many gold coins this old man has.

Xu Qing was a greedy person.

Of course, you should choose to have them all.

So, the question is, will Chu Nan Gong agree?

His gaze fell upon Chu Nan Gong.

Chu Nan Gong's expression shifted several times, alternating between pale and flushed, his withered fingers unconsciously stroking the cold spine of the Xuan Shu Sword. Hesitation and struggle churned in his cloudy eyes, like withered vines entwining.

In the end, Xu Qing's words, "If I hear the Way in the morning, I can die content in the evening," struck his mind like a tempered iron hammer.

With the Great Dao before us, what is there to begrudge when it comes to material possessions? Even the Yellow Stone Heavenly Book can be borrowed temporarily, so what are those Yin-Yang secret techniques?

But… his throat bobbed, and he spoke in a hoarse voice, with a hint of barely perceptible probing: “Aren’t you afraid of the Yin-Yang School?”

“I keep a low profile.” Xu Qing’s lips curled up slightly, his smile cold. “As long as they can’t find me, trouble will always be one step behind me.”

"But you just said," Chu Nan Gong pressed closer, his wrinkles etched as if carved by a knife, "that you have absolutely no interest in military strategy and tactics!"

Xu Qing said calmly, "I really have no intention of getting involved in the world's turmoil, but knowledge is like the sea. The more you scoop up, the more confident you become. What do you think, sir?"

Chu Nan Gong's breath hitched.

What else could he do? Every word was like a lock, sealing off all his escape routes.

He closed his eyes, as if a blade were slicing through his heart, severing the last shred of hope and resentment.

When I opened my eyes again, all that remained in my gaze was a lifeless stillness, like a dried-up pool.

"it is good!"

He uttered a single word, as if exhausting all his strength, through the dryness of his teeth.

"This old man...accepts!"

His back was hunched even more deeply, but his voice suddenly rose in pitch, hoarse with a sense of desperation.

"All the secret techniques, military strategies, and forbidden techniques I just mentioned... I can copy them all down for you!"

Xu Qing's eyes lit up immediately.

Almost the instant he finished speaking, a wolf-hair brush and a roll of fine silk appeared out of thin air in his hands.

"In that case, let's not waste any more time, sir, let's begin!"

Chapter 115 Harmony with the Dao, the Sword of Advancement!

The sensation of a boomerang piercing your skin is a burning pain.