People in the Qin Dynasty sought good fortune and avoided misfortune.

Chapter 439, The Changes of the Six-Fingered Black Knight
Six-Fingered Black Knight understood the refusal in Xu Qing's words, but was the reason Xu Qing gave a bit too weak?

Although a hostage is a person held hostage in another country, if the hostage is humiliated or something happens to him, it could very likely affect diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Unless the two countries have a deep-seated hatred, the hostages are usually very generous.

However, Qin had a history of such actions. King Zhaoxiang of Qin's imprisonment of the King of Chu caused a great stir throughout the land, and Chu even joined forces with other states to prepare for a coalition against Qin.

If Qin dared to do this when facing the six powerful states, then what about Qin today?

Moreover, Ji Dan's actions in Yan were all anti-Qin, and the deal between Qin and Yan Chun Jun was no secret. Therefore, Xu Qing...

Who knows, Qin might one day take a fancy to Ji Dan, kill him as a sacrifice to his flag, and then send troops to attack Yan.

“I understand what you mean. The Crown Prince of Yan is not a bad person. He is an upright man with a good reputation in Yan and influence among scholars. The Imperial Physician’s suggestion that you befriend him will also benefit you.”

Six-Fingered Black Knight looked at Xu Qing and began to offer advice.

“Alas, I have heard a lot about what others are saying, and I understand your desire to help Prince Yan, but there is nothing I can do even if I meet with him.”

"You may not know this, but Marquis Changxin, Lao Ai, asked me to continue praying for the Empress Dowager and the King at Mount Taiyi because the Empress Dowager is not yet fully recovered. Even if I promise you that I will no longer be able to help the Crown Prince of Yan in Xianyang."

Xu Qing looked at the still persistent Six-Fingered Black Knight, shook his head helplessly, and brought up Lao Ai and Zhao Ji.

"I apologize for my presumption, and I hope the Imperial Physician will not take it to heart."

A hint of shame flashed in the eyes of the Six-Fingered Black Knight, who lowered his head and bowed.

If he had known that Xu Qing was also in such a difficult situation, he would not have mentioned Ji Dan. He was truly blinded by self-interest and had truly let down Xu Qing's sincere friendship with the Mo family.

"What are you saying? You, the Mohists, and I are friends who have gone through thick and thin together. How could these things affect our friendship? However, I still have something I want to remind you of."

Xu Qing helped the Six-Fingered Black Knight up, looked into his eyes, and said in a deep voice.

"What did you say?" Six-Fingered Black Knight asked in confusion.

"Zhuangzi once said that the friendship between gentlemen is as bland as water, while the friendship between petty men is as sweet as wine. Zhuangzi's words are brief but incisive, and I have gained some insights from them. Please listen to what he has to say," Xu Qing said.

Six-Fingered Black Knight remained silent, gazing intently at Xu Qing, awaiting his response.

“Living with virtuous people is like entering a room filled with orchids; after a while, you no longer notice the fragrance, for you have become one with it. Living with wicked people is like entering a fish market; after a while, you no longer notice the stench, for you have become one with it,” Xu Qing said slowly.

Six-Fingered Black Knight was stunned for a moment, staring blankly at Xu Qing, repeatedly pondering Xu Qing's words in his mind, his expression constantly changing.

Whether it's Zhuangzi's words or Xu Qing's insights, it's almost as if he's openly saying that he made a bad friend, which will not only implicate himself but also the Mohist school. As for who this bad friend is, Six-Fingered Black Knight naturally knows.

"Zhuangzi's words hit the nail on the head: A gentleman is close to others through simplicity, while a petty person is distant through sweetness. Water may be plain, but it is clear and pure, without any falsehood. Sweet wine may appear sweet on the surface, but it is actually rotten inside and has long lost its essence. The sweetness it brings is nothing more than a momentary pleasure."

"A room filled with orchids and magnolias may be beautiful, but it is too high to reach. A fish market may smell bad, but you can still find pearls there."

After regaining his senses, Six-Fingered Black Knight said with a complicated expression.

If the Mohists had remained secluded in their secluded world, amidst a climate where many other schools of thought were entering officialdom, and instead continued to remain confined to the Jianghu (江湖, the martial arts world), perhaps only one of the thirteen core principles of the Mohists would have remained: righteousness.

Will the Mohists still be the Mohists by then? Will they still deserve the title of the most prominent school of thought in the world?
Xu Qing gave Six-Fingered Black Knight a deep look. He knew that Six-Fingered Black Knight understood his meaning, but the other party also had his own considerations, which forced him to continue down a path that would lead nowhere. After all, in Six-Fingered Black Knight's view, Ji Dan and Yan Kingdom were the last and best choice.

He couldn't tell Six-Fingered Black Knight without any evidence that Ji Dan approached the Mo family with ulterior motives, or that he wanted to use the Mo family as a tool to achieve his own ambitions.

Six-Fingered Black Knight would certainly not believe that, and might even have other ideas.

“Since the esteemed leader has made his own choice, I shouldn’t interfere too much. I just hope you can remember my words,” Xu Qing said, bowing to the Six-Fingered Black Knight.

He had said all he could. If Six-Fingered Black Knight was determined to go his own way, then let him be. Only when he hit a brick wall would he and the Mo family turn back.

At that time, he had the opportunity to intervene in the Mohist school and gradually bring the Mohists to the Qin state to serve the Qin state.

The mechanical arts of the Gongshu family and Qin Mo are indeed powerful, but with the assistance of the Mo family's mechanical arts, the effect is greater than the sum of its parts.

Six-Fingered Black Knight remained silent, but returned the greeting to Xu Qing with a cupped-hand salute.

The two stood on opposite sides of the stream and bowed to each other. The twilight on the horizon gradually faded, and the remaining light shone on the Six-Fingered Black Knight, while Xu Qing was shrouded in darkness.

The fish swimming in the stream had disappeared, along with the blurry reflection of the Six-Fingered Black Knight.

Night fell, and candles were lit in Taiyi Palace and Xu Qing's residence. The bright candlelight dispelled the darkness around Xu Qing, and his reflection in the stream remained as clear as ever, as solid as a heavy stone in the flowing water, unaffected by the outside world.

Han Shen and the Mo family members looked at Xu Qing and the Six-Fingered Black Knight. Although they didn't hear what the two said clearly, they could still sense something unusual from the change in the Six-Fingered Black Knight's aura.

"Brother Han Shen, what do you think the Grand Prince and the Imperial Physician were talking about? I feel like the Grand Prince seems a little different." Dao Zhi put one hand on Han Shen's shoulder and played with two strands of hair hanging down his forehead with the other, asking in a low voice.

"I am not sure as well."

Han Shen looked at the figure of the Six-Fingered Black Knight and gave a vague reply, but his grip on his sword tightened involuntarily, and a hint of coldness flashed in his eyes. The impact of some things was more serious than he had imagined.

As night fell completely, under Xu Qing's watchful gaze, Six-Fingered Black Knight led the Mo family members away.

"It's all about timing and fate; some things are predetermined and cannot be changed."

Xu Qing watched the departing figures of the Mo family members and shook his head helplessly.

He naturally noticed the strangeness in the Six-Fingered Black Knight. The other party's heart and path were in turmoil. Perhaps a true knight only needs to uphold chivalry, but the Grand Master of the Mohist School cannot just be a knight.

After making a remark, Xu Qing walked towards the courtyard. He couldn't get involved in the Mo family's affairs for the time being, nor did he have the energy to care about them.

The fortune slip indicates that he should go to Nanyang tomorrow afternoon. After experiencing a period of good fortune, his wishes will come true. It seems that his trip to Nanyang has at least a 60% chance of success.

The matters at Mount Taiyi have been mostly resolved. Tomorrow morning, the envoys from the various schools and countries will depart one after another. Once the Qin King's edict arrives, he should lead his men to Nanyang.

Just as Xu Qing returned to the courtyard to prepare for his journey to Nanyang, at a bend in the mountain road of Taiyi Mountain...

Ji Dan stood in the shade of the big tree, and the six-fingered black-clad swordsman opposite her revealed Xu Qing's attitude.

"These are the Imperial Physician's exact words. He doesn't want to have much interaction with you, so you probably have no hope of meeting him," Six-Fingered Black Knight said in a deep voice.

Ji Dan's expression stiffened, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes, but she still cupped her hands in greeting to the Six-Fingered Black Knight.
"Thank you for your help, Your Excellency. Since the Grand Master is unwilling to see me, I will not force you."

Xu Qing did not give Six-Fingered Black Knight any face, which was beyond his expectations. According to his intelligence, Xu Qing had a close relationship with the Mohist school, and Xu Qing had been frequently visiting various schools of thought in the past two days to recruit talents for the Qin state.

Logically speaking, the Mohist school, being a prominent school of thought in the world and having an excellent relationship with Xu Qing, should also be a target for him to win over, right?

It was precisely because Ji Dan saw this point that she was confident she could meet Xu Qing through the Six-Fingered Black Knight.

Given the serious conflict between the medical school, the Confucian school, and the Qin state, Xu Qing dared to risk public condemnation by instigating a reconciliation between the two schools and the Qin state. He shouldn't be afraid of a conflict between the Qin Mohist school and the Mohist school.

But reality cruelly slapped him in the face; Xu Qing didn't act as he had imagined, which caught him off guard.

"You don't need to worry. I will arrange for Mohist disciples to go to Xianyang. With them protecting you in secret, your safety should be fine."

Six-Fingered Black Knight looked at Ji Dan, and couldn't help but recall what Xu Qing had said to him. A strange expression flashed across his face, but he quickly regained his composure.

"Thank you, Master," Ji Dan continued.

“I have other matters to attend to and cannot stay long. This is how to contact the Mohist disciples in Xianyang. If you encounter any difficulties that you cannot resolve, you can ask them to notify me.”

Six-Fingered Black Knight handed a token to Ji Dan.

"Take care, Your Excellency, and be careful on your journey," Ji Dan said, nodding as he accepted the token.

Before leaving, Six-Fingered Black Knight gave Ji Dan a deep look and then left without looking back.

Ji Dan stood there, waving at the back of the Six-Fingered Black Knight. Once the other man was completely gone, his face instantly darkened.

"If there is any danger, I will have the Mohist disciples inform you. The Yan Kingdom is 108,000 miles away from Xianyang. By the time you arrive, my body will probably have already decomposed."

Ji Dan looked at the token in her hand, a cold glint in her eyes, and unconsciously clenched the token tightly with her right hand.

There was no hope for Six-Fingered Black Knight. As for Tian Guang, Ji Dan felt that he should never ask him for help unless absolutely necessary, since he still didn't know who was behind him.

Working with such a mysterious and unpredictable person, Ji Dan worried that she might become a pawn at any time.

Recalling what the Six-Fingered Black Knight had just told her, Ji Dan narrowed her eyes slightly, and her grip on the token loosened involuntarily.

"So, Marquis Changxin, Lao Ai, used the Empress Dowager's order to prevent Xu Qing from returning to Xianyang? Perhaps this Marquis Changxin can help me," Ji Dan thought to himself.

A man who wields great power, has the Empress Dowager of Qin behind him, and has thousands of retainers and servants under his command, is greedy, lustful, and, crucially, incredibly stupid, seems far easier to scheme against than Xu Qing.

"In that case, let's go to Xianyang first and see. With this token, we don't need to worry about safety for the time being."

Ji Dan's lips curled into a playful smile before she turned and walked towards her residence.

(End of this chapter)