I formed the strongest swordsman group

Looking at the Yakuza who had all fallen to the ground and no longer threatened them, Qingto released his fighting stance and said slowly:

"Okay, everyone who is in the way should shut up. Now, Shikizaki Jiyō, let's have a good talk."

After saying that, he turned his head and looked at the position where Shikizaki Shiyuki was just now - as of more than ten seconds ago, there was still a big living person sitting here.

But now, this place is empty.

The beautiful wandering girl who played the role of "mother" was still huddled in the corner of the room, looking at Qingdeng in horror.

On the other hand, Shikisaki Shiyō...his figure has disappeared without a trace.

Looking at the open window, Qingden understood everything instantly.

"Tachibana-kun, let that guy escape."

Boss Kiryu said, slightly staggering and moving to Aoto's side.

Qingdeng looked at the old man next to him, then looked at the wide open window where cold wind was constantly pouring in, and said angrily:

"Boss Kiryu, you must have seen him running away, right? Why didn't you catch him?"

Boss Kiryu shrugged, the corners of his lips slightly raised:

"Don't worry, can he still escape from our eyes?"

After saying that, he turned his head and looked at Qingdeng - coincidentally, Qingdeng was also looking at him.

They looked at each other with meaningful smiles on their faces.

…

…

"Whoosh...! Whoosh...! Whoosh...!"

Shikisaki Kiyo ran wildly on the street with her bare feet, "whooshing" and "whooshing".

Because he was in a hurry to run away, when he jumped out of the window, he casually grabbed a piece of clothing and threw it on himself.

It wasn't until he had run a long distance that he realized belatedly that the clothes he was wearing were "mother"... that is, the furisode of the wandering girl.

A man dressed in women's clothing is running on the street - such a scene is naturally particularly eye-catching.

A bunch of strange eyes were shot at him. In shame and shame, he covered his face with his sleeves and buried his head low.

If there was a hole in the ground around him, he would be eager to get into it right away.

But... strangely speaking, although the sights of the people around him made him ashamed, at the same time, he actually felt a faint sense of pleasure...

All in all, he didn't care about so much in order to escape for his life.

He ran non-stop, first escaping from Yoshihara, and then continued running towards the city.

Without a specific destination, just run wherever there is a road. The so-called "fearing to choose the road" is nothing more than that.

While Zhang Huang was running away, he kept turning his head and eyes, scanning around, paying attention to all the movements around him, for fear that someone was following him, like a frightened bird.

His long-distance running ability is only at the level of ordinary people.

Therefore, after a while, strong protests and painful moans came out from all parts of his body.

It wasn't until his lungs were swollen and painful and his legs were as heavy as lead that he had to stop.

"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!"

While he pressed his hands on his knees and adjusted his breathing, he turned his head and looked behind him - everything he saw was dark and gloomy, and the lights of Yoshihara had been far away by him.

——You have escaped so far, it should be safe...

At this thought, he let out a sigh of relief.

At this time, he suddenly noticed a flash of orange light - not far from him, a nighthawk noodle stall was open for business.

[Note: Nighthawk Noodle Stall: A noodle stall that operates late at night, usually selling soba noodles. 】

After running for so long, he happened to feel dry in the mouth, so he walked forward, opened the stall curtain, and said to the boss:

"Boss, is there any water? I'd like to ask for a glass of water."

The boss turned his back to him and asked without looking back while packing various kitchen utensils:

"Sir, what's wrong? Why are you out of breath? Is someone chasing you?"

Shikisaki Jiyose smacked her lips:

"Oh, don't ask. I'm really unlucky today. I met two weirdos."

The boss made a move:

"Oh? Does the 'weirdo' you call look like me?"

Having said that, the boss...that is, Qingto, turned around slowly and looked at Shikizaki Shiyō with a smile on his face.

For an instant, Shikisaki Jiyose froze suddenly, and then as if he had seen a ghost, the blood in his cheeks disappeared, and his expression was dominated by intense panic.

"Ahhhhhhhhhhhh-!"

He screamed and retreated sharply, then opened his legs again, stumbling, rolling and crawling away from Qingdeng.

However... his body, which was already on the verge of reaching its limit, really did not allow him to run for any longer.

Within a moment, indescribable fatigue filled every corner of his body, and he could no longer even take a step.

At this time, he happened to see a lit izakaya on the side of the road, so he opened the door curtain and jumped in without thinking.

"Welcome, sir, what do you want?"

An old male voice came from the direction of the counter... It should be the owner of this izakaya. Shikisaki Jiyong thought.

He didn't care to look at the boss, and dived behind the counter, tightening his body and stammering:

"Help, help, help!"

"Sir, what's wrong?"

"A weirdo is chasing me! Let me hide for a moment, please!"

"Oh? Weird? Does he look like me?"

Familiar conversations...familiar sentence patterns...

Shikizaki Jiyong was stiff again.

He turned his head with difficulty and looked around - 3 steps away, Boss Kiryu looked at him with a smile.

"Ahhhhhhhhhhhh-!"

This time, he couldn't run anymore and could only scream and fall backwards on all fours.

Seeing the other party's embarrassment, Boss Kiryu smiled helplessly:

"Shikisaki, calm down. Look clearly, it's me, Kiryu Kazuma from Senshiya."

When Shikisaki Jiji heard this, he was immediately stunned.

With his eyes flashing, he raised his gaze and looked at Boss Kiryu carefully.

"Kiryu...boss...?"

…

…

Edo, a certain izakaya, a certain private room——

Aoden and Boss Kiryu sat side by side.

Directly opposite them...that is, on the other side of the low table, Shikisaki Jiyō grabbed the freshly heated sake and took a big gulp as if to vent his anger:

"Really...Boss Kiryu, you are too mean, aren't you? Why are you trying to scare me like a 'faceless monster'?"

Faceless monster - a classic Japanese ghost story.

To put it simply, someone encounters a "faceless man" in the wild and runs away in fear. When asking for help from everyone he sees along the way, the other person will say "'faceless man'? Does he look like me?" ?", while showing his face without facial features - exactly the same as what Shikizaki Shiyuki had just experienced.

Boss Kiryu smiled:

"Sorry for scaring you. We just wanted to prove to you: you can't escape."

Shikizaki Jiji curled his lips and expressed his dissatisfaction with eyes full of resentment.

"As an apology, you have to buy this drink, okay?"

"Open your belly and drink as much as you want. Even if you don't tell me, I happen to want to treat you to a drink. After all, we haven't seen each other for a while. As an elder, I should treat you to a drink."

After hearing this, Shikizaki Shiyō no longer had any worries. He picked up the freshly warmed sake again and drank happily.

As the drink went down, his expression gradually regained its clarity.

While he was drinking, Boss Kiryu half-closed his eyes and observed his actions thoughtfully.

Abruptly, the old man suddenly said:

"Shikisaki, your life is... too depraved, isn't it?

"It's just a matter of hanging around Youkuo, but he actually borrowed money from Yakuza."

"Have you ever thought about what will happen to you if you don't pay back the money?"

Boss Kiryu's words were merciless.

Sure enough, as soon as he finished speaking, Shikizaki Jiyoshi blushed and her expression changed several times.

Looking at his appearance, Qingdeng thought he would explode on the spot out of embarrassment.

Unexpectedly, he was surprisingly calm.

After a moment of silence, he sighed quietly:

"Boss Kiryu, although your words are very unpleasant, I really have no room to refute..."

"I know, I will restrain myself a little bit later and try to pay off the debt as soon as possible."

Although Aomori didn't know the specific relationship between Kiryu's boss and Shikizaki Shiyori, judging from the current situation, the latter had a considerable degree of respect for the former.

He still listened to the other party's good advice.

However, his words of "I understand" obviously did not gain the trust of Boss Kiryu.

I saw him put on a serious face and said seriously:

"Shikisaki, why are you doing this?"

"With your skills, even if you don't become rich, you won't end up in such a miserable state today."

"As far as I know, you no longer take up the job of forging knives, and you make a living by making hoes and sickles."

"What happened?" "Why do you want to practice your talent?"

"If you don't mind, can you tell me?"

"If you think I'm nosy, you can keep silent."

"However, as someone who loves swords, I really don't want to watch a talented swordsman with extraordinary talents sink like this."

Shikizaki Shiyorimoto had an expressionless face.

But after hearing the word "genius swordsmith", he suddenly grinned, with a self-deprecating look on his cheeks.

"'Genius Swordsmith'...hehehehehe..."

Shijizaki Jiji put his hand on his forehead, seeming to smile but not laughing, and seeming to cry but not crying.

"These days...is there still any use for swordsmiths?"

As soon as he said this, Boss Kiryu's expression changed slightly, as if he had realized something.

Shikizaki Jiyoshi took a sip of wine, put on a tone of mixed emotions, and spoke:

“As far back as I can remember, I started to touch hammers and learn how to forge iron and forge knives.”

"Who would give up the skills they have spent most of their lives honing for nothing if they are not forced to do so?"

"Although I dare not claim to be a 'magic craftsman,' I believe that compared to ordinary knife makers, my craftsmanship is superb."

"But... no matter how well forged the knife is, it can't compare to Western guns."

"Boss Kiryu, with your skills, it is certainly not difficult to know how far Western guns and artillery have developed."

Speaking of this, the self-mockery on his face became even more intense.

"Let me think about it...about four years ago, I accidentally came into contact with Western guns."

"Honestly... after witnessing how easily the musket shot through the armor and how easily the cannon shattered the bricks, I felt like the world was hanging upside down."

"To be honest, before this, I always thought that swords would continue to be important companions of samurai forever."

"However...even if I am full of dissatisfaction, I have to admit: Today is no longer the era of swords."

"In front of guns and cannons, swords and the like are just toys."

"Whenever I think of this, I lose the motivation to forge swords, and I don't have the mood to be a swordsmith."

"When I came to my senses, I became the one who muddled along now."

"Swords are destined to be eliminated."

"Instead of being a swordsmith who is destined to have no future, it is better to transform as soon as possible and become an ordinary blacksmith who specializes in making farm tools."

"Comparatively speaking, this is more profitable."

"Boss Kiryu, I'm not bragging, the farm tools forged by me are well-known and have never lacked sales."

"The reason why I fell into the miserable situation of being sold to the mine to pay off my debts is purely because I'm lazy."

"As long as I work hard, I can quickly get enough money to pay off my debts."

Although his words were not long, he successfully made the atmosphere on the scene stagnate by telling the heavy facts.

Perhaps to ease the atmosphere, Shikisaki Jiyose took the initiative to ask:

"I almost forgot to ask, Mr. Kiryu, tell me in detail about the 'big business' you mentioned earlier."

"Let me make it clear in advance - I don't take the job of forging swords now."

Mr. Kiryu opened his mouth and was about to speak.

However, Qing Deng, who had not spoken since just now, answered first:

"Mr. Shikisaki, it's a coincidence that we just want you to forge a sword, and we want to recast the blade of a broken sword."

As he said this, he took off the low-brimmed bamboo hat on his head and showed his face.

Although Shikisaki Jiyose didn't recognize Qing Deng, he could see that Qing Deng was not an ordinary person, so he asked back cautiously:

"May I ask who you are?"

"I am not talented, I am Tachibana Qing Deng."

"?!"

Suddenly, Shikisaki Jiyose took a breath of cold air, his face full of disbelief.

His reaction was normal.

The legendary "Niou", "the strongest samurai", now appeared in front of him... For a moment, it was really a loss of what to do.

I don't know when Qing Deng had another title: "The strongest samurai in the shogunate".

Although Qing Deng felt that this title was too exaggerated, many people thought it was well deserved.

Just when Shikizaki Jiyose had not yet recovered from the shock, the old voice of Kiryu boss sounded again:

"Shikizaki, I understand your difficulties."

"Since this is the way of life you decided after careful consideration, then I have no right to comment."

"But... I want to ask you to take a look at this first."

After speaking, he reached out his hand and took out a tightly wrapped package, put it on the table, and pushed it in front of Shikizaki Jiyose.

When he untied the furoshiki, the unique black light of "Wanlian Steel" filled Shikizaki Jiyose's vision.

In an instant... it was really in an instant, Shikizaki Jiyose's expression changed drastically.

"This is... 'Wanlian Steel'...?!"

At this moment, he showed a much stronger shock than when he just learned about Qing Deng's identity.

He subconsciously rushed forward, staring at the steel without blinking, not missing any details.

"This light...! This color...!"

"Good steel! Really good steel!"

"Boss Kiryu, where did you get this piece of good steel!"

"This is the first time I have ever seen such high-quality 'Wanlian Steel'!"

Boss Kiryu said calmly:

"I will tell you the origin of this steel later."

"Shikizaki, I will tell you straight: We plan to ask you to use this steel to recast the blade of Vairocana."

Shikizaki Kiyose was stunned:

"Recast the blade of Vairocana? Use this 'Wanlian Steel'?"

Boss Kiryu nodded slightly:

"After fighting with 'Mogayomono' Nagase Mikoto, Vairocana suffered extremely serious damage."

"Only by recasting its blade can it be reborn from the ashes."

"The swordsmith who can take on this important task...Shikizaki, the only person I can think of is you!"

Accompanied by the sonorous and powerful voice, the old man's trusting eyes went straight to the young swordsmith.

The swordsmith seemed to feel guilty, and subconsciously looked away, unwilling to look at him.

"Shikizaki, since you have given up being a swordsmith, then leave a glorious end to your swordsmith career."

"Don't you want to try?"

"Use the best steel in the world to forge your last and best sword!"

Boss Kiryu's words seemed to have a strange magic.

After he finished speaking, the dejected look between his eyebrows disappeared.

He stared at "Wanlian Steel" intently, sometimes clenching his fists, sometimes clenching his teeth, and his eyes were filled with strong hesitation.

At this moment, Qing Deng suddenly interrupted:

"Mr. Shikizaki, I have no intention of coercing or tempting you."

"Whether to take on this big business is entirely your freedom."

"To put it bluntly, you and I are in a relationship of 'employer' and 'employee'."

"In that case, let's talk business."

After that, he took out a note from his waist and slapped it on the table.

"This is the note of our Qinjin Domain, which can be exchanged for 1,500 taels of gold at any bank."

[Note: In a sense, it is also a paper currency, similar to a silver note. The main body of the note may be the shogunate, daimyo, or merchants. Some are used as credit currency, and it is written on it how much gold, silver, rice, etc. this note is worth]

"This is a deposit. After the sword is forged, I will pay another 1,500 taels of gold."

"Lord Nioh, I will do my best to fulfill my mission!"

Shikizaki Jiyue shouted in an unprecedented solemn tone, and the remaining hesitation in his eyes immediately disappeared.

…

…

It's night——

Edo, Edo Castle——

Once the general notifies Buda that he will spend the night in Ooku, the Odaisho will bring Otenori and Onaka Nagi to meet the general at Gozashiki, and then the accompanying Otenori and Onaka Nagi will stay on duty for the next time.

Therefore, as the order was issued that "the general will stay at Odai tonight and name the Odaisho (Japanese palace) to accompany him," female officials running around could be seen everywhere in Odai.

The new month is here! Book lovers who have monthly tickets on hand, please be sure to vote for this book! (Crying leopard head.jpg)

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