Chapter Forty-Four: The Swordmaster Candidate

“Oh, the Right Protector of the Court!”

“What does Lord Changping think?”

It was the Eastern Emperor Taiyi again. By now, Zhou Qing was nearly certain that this Yin-Yang master, the Eastern Emperor Taiyi, had reached the realm of Enlightened Emptiness and Return. Otherwise, it would have been impossible to comprehend such profound heavenly secrets. Although he hadn’t uncovered Zhou Qing’s origins, he seemed to have a deep understanding of the entanglement between Zhou Qing and the Qin state.

Qin had invited court protectors, and according to the Eastern Emperor, there should be two. Qin’s tradition favored the right side, making Zhou Qing the Right Protector of the Court. This was quite discerning, and it seemed the King of Qin would not refuse such an arrangement.

The youthful voice was gentle yet compelling. Though the youngest and shortest among those present, standing aloft in the air, overlooking all, Zhou Qing’s eyes glowed with a faint blue light as they regarded Lord Changping Xiong Qi on the platform.

“Unexpectedly, you are the revered Master Xuanqingzi of the Daoist Heavenly Sect. Truly astonishing, Xiong Qi. If the former minister of Chu, Mi Yuan, were still alive, I imagine the two of you would have been close friends despite the age difference.”

“Since even the two protectors of the Yin-Yang school and Lord Donghuang acknowledge the Master’s prowess, appointing him as the Right Protector of the Court is only fitting.”

Lord Changping was well acquainted with the name of the Daoist Master Xuanqingzi. Over the past two years, among the various states of Zhuxia, Xuanqingzi’s works, "Creation of Heaven and Earth" and "The Dragon Han Calamity," had become widely circulated, his name famed far and wide.

In earlier speculations, the Daoist Master Xuanqingzi was at least presumed to be a figure of the same caliber as Chisongzi of the Heavenly Sect. But today, he appeared as a mere eighteen-year-old child, which was profoundly surprising. Yet, the world had many clever minds, and this was clearly one of them.

He then stepped forward, clasped his hands in a respectful bow, and responded graciously. From his perspective, having Master Xuanqingzi of the Daoist Heavenly Sect serve as the Right Protector was ideal. Compared to the Yin-Yang school, the Heavenly Sect’s reputation and strength were arguably superior.

Moreover, having the Daoist and Yin-Yang schools respectively fill the left and right protector roles would encourage both sides to dedicate themselves fully to safeguarding the King’s safety, achieving a strategic balance.

With his current status and authority, Lord Changping was naturally able to set this tone.

“And what of the others?”

There were no objections from the Yin-Yang school or Lord Changping. Zhou Qing’s petite frame then subtly shifted, her gaze turning downward toward the remaining disciples of the various schools. After the Confucians, Mohists, and Agrarians had all withdrawn, curiously, the Eclectics and the Gongshu school’s disciples also departed, leaving only the Strategists and the Guigu school.

Judging from the aura of the Strategist present, they were even weaker than the previous three schools and wielded a long sword, radiating a killing intent unsuitable for protectors. They were clearly better suited to competing with Guigu’s Gai Nie for the position of Court Swordmaster.

“Master Xuanqing’s martial skills are unparalleled; Xin Sheng is no match!”

“Neither is Li Xin!”

The two Strategists exchanged a glance and shook their heads. Both were only just entering the Innate stage of cultivation, far inferior even to the Agrarian disciple who had departed earlier. How could they possibly contend with the Daoist Master Xuanqingzi?

Furthermore, their true purpose in entering Xianyang Palace was not as protectors but as court swordmasters. According to palace rumors, there was more than one court swordmaster, which was their real goal.

Xin Sheng was about seventeen or eighteen years old, robustly built with a square face and sturdy stature, clad in military attire, wielding a long sword. His iron-blooded aura unmistakably revealed a background of military training.

Li Xin was somewhat younger, around sixteen or seventeen, with a handsome and refined appearance. Were it not for the military aura surrounding him, one might mistake him for a Confucian scholar.

Both bowed respectfully to Zhou Qing at the platform before returning to their places.

“Gai Nie as well!”

After the Strategists spoke, the remaining Guigu disciple, Gai Nie, also shook his head, expression unchanged, short hair fluttering in the wind. The message was clear: even if there were objections, he was no match for Master Xuanqingzi of the Heavenly Sect.

“Hahaha, it seems Master Xuanqing’s appointment as Right Protector of the Court is well deserved. If no one objects, I will soon submit the nominee list to our King.”

“As mentioned earlier, today’s meeting is for the provisional selection of court protectors and swordmasters. With the protectors decided, next comes the selection of swordmasters. But it seems only Guigu’s Gai Nie and the two Strategists remain.”

Lord Changping on the platform moved again, watching as Master Xuanqingzi of the Heavenly Sect stepped forward with a respectful bow. His gaze then swept over the now sparse assembly below: with Confucians, Mohists, and Agrarians gone, only three remained.

It was evident these three were vying for the title of Court Swordmaster. While Lord Changping knew little about Guigu’s Gai Nie, he was familiar with Xin Sheng and Li Xin.

Both were esteemed members of Qin’s military, seasoned by years of service with notable achievements. Xin Sheng had been adopted by Yinghou Fan Ju and recently gained patronage from the newly crowned Lord Cai Ze, promising a bright future, though further advancement was challenging.

Li Xin was well known—personally mentored by Prince Changwen of Chu and trained as a military talent. His dispatch to serve close to the King was unexpected.

Both had distinguished military records. Though not yet on par with generals like Meng Ao, Meng Wu, or Wang Jian, they were future pillars of Qin’s military. Facing off against Guigu’s Gai Nie, their odds of victory were slim.

Guigu disciples were renowned for their supreme martial prowess among the Hundred Schools. Otherwise, their formidable threat would have been eliminated long ago. It would be a pity to eliminate Xin Sheng and Li Xin outright.

“As is customary, let their merits decide who is stronger!”

After consideration, Lord Changping responded thus. Since the title of Court Swordmaster was not limited to one, allowing both Xin Sheng and Li Xin to share the position was a reasonable compromise.

“Agreed!”

With habitual ease, Xin Sheng and Li Xin clasped their fists and nodded. Xin Sheng stepped forward first, drawing his long sword. Though its blade still gleamed like autumn waters, a faint aura of bloodshed emanated from it.

His body radiated a blood-red, illusory light. Approaching within two meters of Gai Nie, he bowed in respect. Facing a disciple of the Guigu school, even in defeat, was an honor.

“Please!”

Gai Nie responded with a steady, magnetic voice as he stepped forward. A pale white light shimmered around him. He drew his long sword, his expression calm and composed, a heart tempered by profound cultivation.

With the challenge issued, Xin Sheng struck first, sweeping his sword in a broad arc. His swordplay was steady and forceful, lacking flashy tricks but embodying the raw techniques honed through military drills.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

The sharp, rapid clangs of clashing swords rang out continuously. Xin Sheng’s sword formed a battle formation, sweeping like a blockade, thrusting like an assault, and cleaving like a trap. His techniques integrated military formations into his swordplay, the bloodlight flickering with promise.

Yet, compared to Gai Nie, whose strategic mastery of tactics and deployment was supreme, Xin Sheng’s approach was still inferior. In their duel, the weaving of formations and troop maneuvers brought immense pleasure to the strategist, though he had yet to unleash his highest lethal sword technique.

Back and forth they fought, like two armies colliding and consuming each other’s strength. Ultimately, Gai Nie’s swordplay and formations prevailed, shattering Xin Sheng’s central defense with a single strike. The formation dissolved, and Xin Sheng was defeated.