Wandering Sword Seller's Life in the Qin Dynasty

This is the official explanation given by Li Yuan after he killed Huang Xie.

Because Huang Xie had held power in the State of Chu for many years, his death prompted the State of Qin to gather detailed information about the events leading up to his death. Although Ying Zheng himself was busy consolidating his power, he still learned the details afterward.

The Xuanpu Sword held a different meaning in his heart.

In his view, that sword had a somewhat sinister quality.

On the surface, the claim that the Xuanpu Sword could grant immortality seems to be just an excuse Li Yuan made after killing Huang Xie. However, according to details obtained by Qin's spies in Chu, Huang Xie had indeed been extremely fond of that sword before that.

He kept it with him at all times, and during that period, Huang Xie's overall energy and spirit seemed to have improved a lot.

Whether it's related to that sword or not is unclear.

Gai Nie had also heard of the Xuanpu Sword, and he couldn't help but think of the "Sword Ode" written by Song Yu, which he then recited softly.

"...Using the jade peak of Kunlun as its hilt, its peach-patterned blade locks in the mist and haze, its frosty edge tempered by the waters of the Jade Pool. Pointing to the garden of the Queen Mother of the West, it severs the ladder from which banished immortals descend to mortals. Where is the hanging garden of Kunlun now? He who ascends this sword will, in an instant, witness all the springs of the human world!"

“That’s right! It’s this sword!” Xu Qing suddenly clapped his hands and sighed as he listened to the poem that Gai Nie was reciting. “This was written by Song Yu when he was looking at swords. In his ‘Sword Rhapsody’, a total of nine swords were recorded. At first, only five swords circulated in the world. That was because Huang Xie died and the commotion caused by those swords was too great.”

"It wasn't until the turmoil in the State of Chu subsided that poems and essays related to the four swords were circulated."

"This naturally attracted many people to compete for the nine swords listed on it. Although a few fell into Li Yuan's hands, there are still nine swords!"

"Sir, you know quite a lot!" Ying Zheng exclaimed again.

Since meeting Xu Qing, they have talked a lot, mostly Xu Qing talking while he quietly listens.

From the general trend of the world to overseas affairs, and then to the Seven Mansions of the Azure Dragon, Xu Qing suddenly turned the conversation to swords.

Without a doubt, the person in front of me has an extremely abrupt way of thinking.

But conversely, it also shows that the person in front of us is very knowledgeable.

Ying Zheng was extremely interested in such a person.

He was actually someone who loved to travel and had a great longing for the outside world. However, due to his status, he could only stay in Xianyang. After the fall of the Zhao state, he went to Handan, which was a long-awaited trip.

Even now, thinking about it still brings back fond memories.

"Those nine swords were forged by me!"

"It was I who presented it to Song Yu and got him to write the 'Ode to the Sword'!"

Xu Qing spoke, revealing a shocking truth.

Ying Zheng knew that Xu Qing was a swordsmith. Xu Qing had previously shown him the swords he had forged, and those swords were quite extraordinary.

Gai Nie also knew that Xu Qing was a swordsmith.

What they never expected was that the Nine Swords of Heavenly Inquiry, these nine swords with great fame throughout the world, were actually made by Xu Qing.

"This may sound unbelievable to Your Majesty."

"But as far as I am concerned, there are indeed all sorts of strange powers in the world. These powers are mysterious and difficult for ordinary people to control. Thunder, lightning, wind and rain are one such manifestation. Taoists call them the Tao, while Yin-Yang practitioners call them the Taiji Xuanyi..."

"In order to harness the power that exists between heaven and earth, they created all sorts of unique techniques."

"But my lineage has a unique approach, which allows us to incorporate these elements into the sword through a distinctive forging technique."

"The sword and the man are in harmony, and through their daily interactions, the weapon nourishes the body!"

"The Suspended Garden Sword is certainly not as powerful as the rumors suggest, capable of granting immortality. However, it can indeed draw upon the vast life force of heaven and earth to nourish the body, eliminate various hidden ailments, and thus prolong the life of its wielder..."

"Lord Chunshen, Huang Xie, was already old and frail, so after obtaining that sword and experiencing its extraordinary power, he developed a desire to possess it."

Ying Zheng gradually understood why Xu Qing had brought up the matter of immortality in front of him.

As expected, Xu Qing then said, "Whether the elixir of immortality exists or what the truth behind the Seven Constellations of the Azure Dragon is, these are all difficult to say. But I can forge a healing sword for Your Majesty..."

"Compared to pills that are swallowed and whose effects are unknown, and which may have hidden dangers."

"A sword is merely an external tool. If Your Majesty finds it unsuitable, you may discard it at will."

Xu Qing spoke eloquently in front of Ying Zheng.

Ying Zheng was gradually moved.

Although it's not about achieving immortality, if it can improve one's health and extend one's lifespan, that would actually be a good thing.

Over the years, due to working day and night and frequently handling government affairs, Ying Zheng gradually realized that sometimes he was feeling somewhat overwhelmed.

He is clearly still in the prime of his life.

"What does the gentleman wish to obtain?"

Ying Zheng asked Xu Qing.

It wasn't that he completely believed Xu Qing, but rather that there were indeed many strange abilities in this world.

Putting everything else aside, Xu Qing is well-versed in the general trends of the world and possesses great strength. Such a person is a worthwhile target for recruitment.

"Didn't Your Majesty already grant my request?" Xu Qing asked Ying Zheng. Before Ying Zheng could respond, he continued, "However, since Your Majesty has said so, to prevent your good intentions from being wasted, I want a legitimate identity within the Qin Kingdom!"

……

Zhao Gao was still thinking about when to see Xu Qing again.

So that things can be settled.

After all this time, the other party should have made up their mind by now.

He is a very impatient person, and if Xu Qing hesitates to make up his mind, he would not mind helping Xu Qing to do so.

At that very moment, the king summoned him.

Therefore, Zhao Gao had no choice but to rush to the palace. In his view, it must be that the king needed to travel and therefore he needed to prepare the carriages and horses in person, or that the king had some important task to entrust to Luo Wang and that the task had to be handed over to him in person.

Zhao Gao had done this many times before.

He is someone who is very good at understanding what his superiors want.

It is precisely because of this ability that he has been able to navigate social situations with ease and achieve his current status.

In the past, he was a eunuch under the command of Empress Dowager Zhao Ji.

Because of his outstanding abilities, he was highly valued by the Empress Dowager.

Later, upon discovering Lao Ai's plot, he decisively reported him. As a result, he gained favor with the current King Ying Zheng. Subsequently, he repeatedly tried to understand the King of Qin's thoughts, and his status rose accordingly.

It can be said that former Empress Dowager Zhao Ji, Lao Ai, and Lü Buwei have all fallen from power.

However, he, who once served Zhao Ji and Lao Ai, still stands firm.

Step into the solemn Zhangtai Palace.

Ying Zheng was behind his desk, handling state affairs.

A curtain stood in front, and through the lamplight, one could see the majestic figure of Ying Zheng.

Zhao Gao took a deep breath, concealing all his ulterior motives.

Although he had ambition, he always hid it well in front of Ying Zheng and dared not show it.

"Greetings, Your Majesty!"

"Zhao Gao!" Ying Zheng spoke calmly to Zhao Gao through the curtain while handling state affairs.

"Your Majesty, Zhao Gao is here!" Zhao Gao hurriedly replied.

"Don't be too nervous!" Ying Zheng said calmly. Although Xu Qing had told him a lot about Luo Wang before, it was his decision to hand it over to Zhao Gao. Zhao Gao's methods might be a bit extreme, but in general, Luo Wang did not make any major mistakes, nor did Zhao Gao.

The reason I summoned Zhao Gao today is not to punish him, but simply to clear up some misunderstandings.

This is how Ying Zheng saw it.

"I have met with Mr. Xu Qing!" Ying Zheng was a very direct person, and he spoke directly. Zhao Gao was stunned when he said this.

Before entering the palace, he was still thinking about Xu Qing, but unexpectedly, he heard Xu Qing's name directly from the king's mouth.

How did Xu Qing come into contact with the King?

Before Zhao Gao could think it through, Ying Zheng said, "You want to recruit him into the Luo Wang (Net of Heaven)."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Gao quickly replied, "Xu Qing is highly skilled and has made a great name for himself in the Yan Kingdom. I do indeed intend to recruit him into the Luo Wang and have him serve my Great Qin."

Although he had many questions in his heart, Zhao Gao insisted that his intention in recruiting Xu Qing was to recruit talents for the Qin state, and that he had no ill intentions.

Ying Zheng was behind the desk, and because of the curtain, his expression could not be seen, but his voice then reached Zhao Gao's ears, "He is not suitable for Luo Wang. The matter of recruiting him into Luo Wang is hereby abandoned!"

As an emperor, it's impossible to explain too much to his subjects.

For example, why is Xu Qing not suitable for the Luo Wang (Net of Heaven)? And what exactly did he and Xu Qing talk about?

In any case, as long as he gave the order, Zhao Gao would obediently comply.

"Yes!"

Zhao Gao did not press further and answered truthfully.

Deep down, he may have been very unwilling, but on the surface, he had to obey the king's orders.

Immediately afterwards, Zhao Gao heard Ying Zheng say, "Besides, as for the people around Mr. Xu Qing, since they want freedom, then grant them freedom."

"I have never heard of the saying that one can enter a net but not escape it."

Although Ying Zheng did not say who that person was, Zhao Gao understood who Ying Zheng was referring to.

Who else could it be? It's none other than Jing Ni, the former top-ranking member of the Luo Wang organization!

So he replied again, "Yes!"

These two simple words signify that Xu Qing's troubles with the Luo Wang (Net of Heaven) in Qin have all been resolved.

Perhaps Zhao Gao would secretly comply while secretly making some underhanded moves, but at least on the surface, Xu Qing no longer needed to worry about the Luo Wang (Net of Heaven) launching an attack.

Therefore, Jing Ni's vision was somewhat limited. Due to her past background, even if she escaped the Luo Wang, she would only resort to defection and hiding. Little did she know that for truly powerful figures, a single word could rewrite everything.

What are the rules of the Net?

It can be easily defined by a single sentence from a powerful figure.

"Then you may leave!"

After Zhao Gao agreed to these two things, Ying Zheng spoke up again and dismissed Zhao Gao.

"Yes!"

Zhao Gao then withdrew.