Chapter Forty: Entering the Palace of Xianyang

The day for the State of Qin to recruit palace guardians and palace swordsmen drew ever closer. More and more elite martial artists from the various states of the east poured into the capital, and the Talent Recruitment Hall became increasingly crowded. Every school of thought with even a modicum of fame had sent representatives.

Furthermore, according to information gathered by disciples of the Taoist Heavenly Sect within Xianyang, the Yin-Yang School had entered the city and the Xianyang Palace immediately after the recruitment notice was issued. Over the past two days, they had been seen entering and exiting the palace frequently.

"Could it be that they have already been pre-selected?"

Zhou Qing felt this was somewhat underhanded. Given the Yin-Yang School’s style of operation, it was not impossible. Calculating the time, the Yin-Yang School, under the leadership of Donghuang Taiyi, was currently a formidable power. With the tyrannical nature of their Yin-Yang curses and the mysterious depth of their heavenly divination, it was entirely possible they had already caught the eye of the King of Qin and his Chancellor. However, would they dare to pull such strings right in front of the Taoist Heavenly Sect, the Confucianists, the Mohists, the Agriculturalists, and the Ghost Valley? If they truly did so, it would be a disastrous tactical blunder.

The armies of Meng Ao and Zhang Tang had already marched out from the vicinity of Xianyang, heading east through the Hangu Pass toward the lands of Shangdang and Tunliu. Given the vast distance, it would be at least ten or fifteen days before any news of the war reached the capital.

"Junior Uncle, the envoy Bai Hai is outside requesting an audience!"

Regardless of whether the Yin-Yang School had already gained the upper hand, it did not affect Zhou Qing. He decided to wait and observe. Moreover, a year had passed since the circulation of "The Calamity of Dragon and Han," and it was time to write "The Calamity of the Saint."

He sat quietly in his room, brush in hand, poised over paper as smooth and white as snow. After many improvements, the quality of the paper had finally met Zhou Qing’s standards. Yet, the cost of this progress was significant. According to rumors from Taoist disciples deep in the Ba Commandery, an increasing number of foreign martial artists were attempting to infiltrate the workshop. Without a sect elder presiding over the site, the situation risked becoming dangerous.

As the level of martial artists attempting to reach the workshop grew higher, Zhou Qing considered writing to his Senior Brother, requesting that one of the elders from the secret grounds be sent to hold the fort.

While he was deep in thought regarding the content of "The Calamity of the Saint," a knock at the door broke his concentration. Zong Qiong’s crisp voice drifted into the room. Zhou Qing waved his hand, and the door swung open. A moment later, a pair of footsteps approached—the former light and nimble, the latter steady and deliberate.

"Bai Hai pays respects to Master Xuanqing!"

"By the order of the King of Qin and the Chancellor, I have come to escort Master Xuanqing of the Taoist Heavenly Sect into the Xianyang Palace!"

After several days of absence, the envoy Bai Hai remained as robust as ever. He bowed respectfully toward the Taoist seated by the window before relaying the command from the palace.

"There are still two days left until the original deadline, are there not?"

Zhou Qing did not turn around, continuing to tidy the items on his desk. He had been in the Talent Recruitment Hall for eight days, and by now, everyone who needed to arrive should have arrived. Why the sudden summons to the palace today?

"Hehe, Master need not overthink it. This is the will of the King and the Chancellor. While most of those currently staying at the Hall are disciples of the various schools, there are differences in the strength of these schools and the standing of their successors."

"Therefore, to avoid complications in two days' time, we have come to invite several renowned individuals to step forward for preliminary selection. In two days, the final list will be settled. After all, when so many people gather, it is easy for chaos to ensue!"

Though the words were phrased politely, Zhou Qing discerned a deeper meaning: the King and the Chancellor intended to screen the top candidates beforehand and finalize the roster. The actual recruitment day in two days would likely be a mere formality, though exceptional talents might still have a chance.

Even so, this aligned with his earlier suspicion of pre-selection. Since they were inviting renowned figures, it stood to reason that Ge Nie of the Ghost Valley and other prominent disciples were on the list as well. This actually saved Zhou Qing a great deal of trouble, making things easier for both sides.

"In that case, let us depart for the Xianyang Palace now."

He packed the items from his desk into a small wooden box. With a single hand, he summoned a faint azure light that enveloped the box, sealing it with a powerful, destructive energy. Should any external force attempt to pry it open, the energy would immediately destabilize, destroying both the box and its contents.

With a flick of his wrist, the box rested on the desk. Having completed his task with fluid grace, he rose, nodded to Bai Hai and Zong Qiong, and stepped out.

The Xianyang Palace was located in the eastern region of the city, the seat of political power for the entire State of Qin. For over a hundred years, edicts of reform and decrees for military campaigns had emanated from within its walls. Though Shang Gong was dead, his laws endured, and the city he helped design left an indelible mark on the state. Bai Hai led the way out through a side gate of the Recruitment Hall, onto a wide road leading directly to the palace.

Carriages were prepared. Zhou Qing’s heightened senses perceived other disciples from the various schools nearby; it seemed they, too, had been summoned for the screening.

"Junior Uncle, as you said, none of the people sent by the various schools possess the power of the Transformation stage. At most, they are elite disciples, not the core successors," Zong Qiong remarked. With her cultivation, she could vaguely sense the varying levels of aura around them.

The fact that the schools sent such successors to compete for the positions of palace guardians and swordsmen was, in a sense, a slight to the State of Qin. As the most powerful state in the land, it was unfitting that the schools sent only practitioners of the Innate stage rather than true masters. If a top-tier expert from a rival state were to attack, such disciples would be unable to defend the King of Qin.

"The Yin-Yang School not only understands the secrets of heaven but is also exceptionally adept at reading the hearts of men. We are about to witness a fascinating show."

Zhou Qing found a comfortable position in the carriage and leaned back. He nodded at Zong Qiong. Looking at the long river of history, the gamble the Yin-Yang School had made this time would yield an incredibly rich reward.

Such a reward deserved a share for himself as well. After all, his true identity was that of the Fifth Prince of Qin—a core member of the Ying-Qin clan.

Ignoring the commotion outside, the carriage left the Hall and headed toward the palace complex. Soon, they entered the Xianyang Palace. Though the carriage did not stop, the air grew thick with the scent of weapons and slaughter. Squads of guards patrolled incessantly, their boots striking the ground in perfect unison.

Even as a carriage from the Recruitment Hall, they were still subjected to rigorous inspection. After Bai Hai and his men negotiated for some time, the carriage moved on. Half a cup of tea later, after several turns through the palace roads, it finally came to a halt.