Chapter 38: The Art of Strategic Maneuvering

“Junior Uncle, is the person from Guigu also serving as the palace protector and palace swordsman for the Qin court?”

Unexpectedly, the esteemed figure mentioned by Junior Uncle turned out to be him. However, given Guigu’s renowned influence over the centuries, none of its disciples have ever been mediocre.

Whether in strategy, military tactics, rhetoric, or governance, each excels remarkably. Historically, Guigu’s disciples mostly entered officialdom, directly assuming central government positions—an almost natural progression.

Zong Qiong glanced curiously at Guigu’s Gai Nie. Her spiritual senses perceived that his cultivation was formidable, yet only slightly superior to hers, still at the early stage of the Primordial Chaos realm, not yet having reached the Divine Transformation stage.

“That is likely,” came the reply.

“Considering Qin’s current situation, this is an excellent entry point. After all, the King of Qin has not yet assumed full power; entering the central government now would be ill-advised.”

“When the king truly takes command, more strategists will surface to aid Qin in ending the chaos. Uniting the nine realms is easy; governing them is hard!”

Zhou Qing nodded appreciatively at Gai Nie’s choice. With Lü Buwei, the Marquis of Wenxin, in power, a hasty entry into the central government could provoke the future king’s resentment. Serving as palace protector and swordsman allows one to remain by the king’s side for an extended period.

In time, this position offers an easier path to the central government. For Guigu disciples, martial strength has never been paramount; what intimidates the lords of the realm is never their physical power.

Elsewhere, the jovial Bai Hai, a stout man with a cheerful smile, led Guigu’s Gai Nie toward Zhou Qing and his companions. Encountering two masters from the Hundred Schools in one day was a personal achievement worth reporting.

“Master Xuanqing, as you said, he is indeed a remarkable figure. It has been decades since a Guigu disciple vanished from the warring states. Now that Mr. Gai Nie has appeared, it seems more turmoil is on the horizon.”

Bai Hai was delighted. He heeded Zhou Qing’s reminder to treat the Guigu heir with respect. Offending such a figure and driving him to aid another state would be his fault.

He bowed once more to Zhou Qing, then, with one hand, pointed to the calm-faced Gai Nie beside him and introduced him.

“Mr. Gai Nie, this is the famed Taoist Master Xuanqingzi, who has risen to prominence across the states in recent years. He is the junior brother of Chisongzi, the head of the Taoist Heavenly Sect. I believe you have heard his name!”

As they spoke, Bai Hai explained Zhou Qing’s identity to Gai Nie while nodding and smiling at Zong Qiong.

“Taoist Xuanqingzi, the two works ‘The Creation of Heaven and Earth’ and ‘The Dragon Han Calamity’ are truly fascinating. They bear a subtle resemblance to Mi Yuan’s ‘Heavenly Questions’ from Chu. Greetings, Guigu Gai Nie.”

Upon hearing Bai Hai’s words, a flicker of surprise crossed Gai Nie’s handsome face. His gaze then settled on Zhou Qing. Through his spiritual senses, he could not discern Zhou Qing’s exact cultivation—only that it was veiled by a thin mist.

As for the name Xuanqingzi, he had heard it before. Since descending the mountain, wherever there was some prosperity, one could hear tales of ‘The Creation of Heaven and Earth’ and ‘The Dragon Han Calamity,’ works imbued with the mysteries of cosmic genesis. Juxtaposed with Chu’s ‘Heavenly Questions,’ they seemed deeply resonant.

Being the junior brother of Chisongzi, head of the Taoist Heavenly Sect, placed him on the same level as his master. Holding his sword with both hands, he nodded his head. Since he appeared here, he likely sought the position of palace protector and swordsman.

“Taoist Xuanqing, greetings!”

“It is said Guigu’s teachings branch into strategies of diplomacy and tactics, balancing openness and concealment, revolving like a circle. This resonates deeply with Taoist principles. Now that Mr. Gai Nie has appeared in Qin, I wonder where the other Guigu disciple might be?”

He nodded to Gai Nie. As a disciple of Beimingzi, he represented the Heavenly Sect wherever he traveled. Ancient texts within the sect recorded conversations between Guiguzi and Taoist sages, reflecting a close bond.

From what he knew, the two Guigu disciples must compete to determine the new Guiguzi and inherit the profound teachings. With Gai Nie in Qin, could the other truly have gone straight to Han?

“When I left the mountain, Gai Nie and his junior brother separated. I do not know his whereabouts.”

Within Guigu, after years of cultivation, the two were both comrades and lifelong rivals. He truly had no information on the junior brother, but one thing was certain: he was not in Qin.

As he spoke, he bowed again and held his sword before Zhou Qing, showing no disdain despite Zhou being a child. Taoist tradition values innate talent. As the junior brother to Chisongzi, master of the Taoist Heavenly Sect, whose own master was Beimingzi, this warranted respect.

“Haha, no matter. Soon, the names of these two Guigu disciples will spread across the states.”

Zhou Qing laughed heartily, his clear voice echoing slightly before being restrained by an invisible force. Without further words, he glanced at Bai Hai and then turned to enter the Talent Hall.

“Please, the three of you, this way!”

Bai Hai smiled warmly and led them inside. It seemed clear which positions—the palace protector or palace swordsman—they might soon occupy.

Though Confucianism, Mohism, and Agricultural schools also sent masters, their status and fame among the Hundred Schools paled in comparison to these three. Did they look down on Qin?

******

“Reporting, my lord, according to intelligence gathered by the Luo Network, two years ago on Taiyi Mountain, Taoist Heavenly Sect’s Xuanqingzi slew a Luo Network member. He is currently inside the Talent Hall.”

Less than half an hour after Zhou Qing and Zong Qiong entered, within a magnificent and lavish courtyard in the western district of Xianyang—home to ministers and officials—a man dressed in black battle attire, a long sword strapped to his back, knelt in a half-bow before a middle-aged man and spoke in a low voice.

“Taoist Heavenly Sect’s Xuanqingzi, you cannot even subdue a child. What use are you? Hmph. Do not harm him for now. He is backed by the Heavenly Sect, and his master is Beimingzi. Killing him might bring unnecessary trouble.”

“Moreover, the marquis is currently troubled by other matters. You need only gather information on him secretly. Without my orders, do not approach. Also, if no ‘Heavenly’ ranked member intervenes, it is pointless for you to appear.”

The middle-aged man, dressed in pale blue brocade, turned his back on the Luo Network agent. He doubted their competence. In the past, he would have dispatched the network’s top assassins. But now, the marquis seemed to have forgotten the incidents from two years ago.

His voice stern, he waved the man away. The Luo Network was truly troublesome, yet the current political situation was even more disconcerting.