I formed the strongest swordsman group

"Shikizaki! Long time no see!"

Suddenly, Qingdeng heard a loud shout from behind him.

Following the sound, six young men with strong physiques and sturdy backs were walking straight towards them.

In this feudal era with underdeveloped productivity, it was not easy for farmers to maintain such a body.

It can be seen that the living standard of "Blacksmith Village" is extremely high, far better than that of ordinary rural areas.

Looking at this group of strong men who suddenly appeared, Shikisaki Jiyori immediately put on a warm smile.

"Eitaro! We haven't seen each other for a long time. You seem to have gained a little weight."

The strong man who was called "Eitaro" - he was the one who called out "Long time no see" just now - chuckled:

"I can't help it. Who told me to marry a good woman who is good at cooking? Shikizaki, are these two our employers?"

Eitaro said, turning to look at the master and apprentice.

Shikisaki Jiyose nodded lightly:

"That's right. Tachibana...Mr. Tachibana, Boss Kiryu, this is Eitaro, one of the top blacksmiths in the 'Blacksmith Village', especially good at forging knives."

When setting off today, Qingden specifically told Shikizaki Jiyue not to reveal his true identity casually.

In order to avoid unnecessary trouble, Qingdeng wanted to hide his whereabouts as much as possible.

Therefore, just before he spoke, Shikizaki urgently changed his title from "General Tachibana" to "Mr. Tachibana".

As soon as Shikizaki Kiyoshi finished speaking, Eitaro looked at the master and apprentice with a respectful expression, bowed and saluted solemnly:

"Mr. Tachibana, Mr. Kiryu, it's our first time meeting you! Your Excellency, Eitaro, it's my pleasure to meet you today. I hope you can give me your advice!"

Qingdeng nodded lightly and responded in a calm tone.

After both parties briefly introduced themselves, Eitarō looked at Shikizaki Shiyō again.

"Shikizaki, let's talk about the topic. What are you trying to forge this time? You actually invited this 'Zhurong Furnace' that has been dusty for a long time."

As he spoke, he turned his head and looked at the huge furnace, with a hint of excitement in his eyes.

Shikizaki Jiyō chuckled a few times, half proudly, half excitedly:

"Eitaro, our job this time is incredible - we will use 'Wanren Steel' to reforge the blade of a precious sword!"

As soon as he said this, Eitarou and the other companions around him looked surprised.

"'Wan Liangang'?!"

Eitarou screamed out in surprise, and then asked impatiently:

"Is it the 'Wan Liangang' I know?"

Shikisaki Jiyori nodded vigorously:

"That's right! It's the legendary 'Wan Liangang'! And it's of extremely high quality!"

After saying that, he turned to look at Qingdeng.

Qingden immediately understood what it meant, took out the tightly wrapped "Wan Lian Gang" from his arms, and unwrapped the furoshiki - the cold yet soft black luster illuminated the faces of Eitarou and the others. .

Instantly, as if being sucked into a black hole, Eitaro and the others were staring at the black steel in Qingto's hand, their eyes wide open, their bodies leaning forward, not even daring to blink more, their faces His expression was dominated by intense shock.

They are all blacksmiths who are skilled in forging.

Therefore, with just one glance, they can tell whether the steel is good or bad.

"Good steel...really good steel!"

Eitarou murmured, a look of intoxication appeared in the depths of his eyes.

"I never imagined that a country man like me would be lucky enough to see such fine steel!"

"Using 'Wan Lian Steel' to forge swords... Then you really need to activate the 'Zhu Rong Furnace'..."

Eitaro said, raising his head and looking at the huge furnace in front of him with mixed emotions.

"Shikizaki, after I learned that you gave up being a swordsmith, I thought this furnace would never be restarted."

Shikisaki Jiyose shrugged:

"To be honest, I have indeed made up my mind to retire and let my name as a swordsmith fade into ancient history along with this furnace."

"But... who made our employer give us too much?"

After saying this in a half-joking tone, Shikizaki Jiyue changed to a serious and serious tone:

"Okay, let's stop with the greetings and chatting.

"Now, business matters!"

"Everyone, I'm incompetent, so I have to ask for your help again!"

Eitaro grinned and smiled freely:

"No problem, as long as you are paid enough, we will work hard without complaint!"

Shikisaki Ji posted his hand:

"Have I ever wronged you?"

He and Eitaro looked at each other and smiled.

"Eitaro, pour the coal!"

Following Shikisaki Shige's order, Eitaro shouted with great momentum:

"Brothers, let's go!"

"Ohhhhhhhhhh!"

At this moment, the atmosphere of the scene changed.

The scene, which until just now had been a bit desolate due to the cold wind, was now filled with a warm atmosphere, as if even the temperature had risen several degrees.

Under Eitaro's personal leadership, they trotted toward the cellar not far away, pushed open the cellar door, and took out sacks one after another.

I saw them turning around and running towards the "Zhu Rong Furnace" with a sack in each hand, then untied the bag and poured the contents into the furnace.

Looking closely, the contents in the bag were black lumps - coal.

After pouring out the coal in their hands, Eitaro and others turned back to the cellar and took out new coal - and so on.

Bag after bag of coal was poured into the furnace with a clatter, and gray coal dust floated everywhere.

According to Shikizaki Shiyuki just now, at least 1,000 coals (3.75 tons) are used for each fire in the "Zurong Furnace".

Nearly 4 tons of coal... Both its cost and the physical effort required to transport this huge amount of coal are jaw-dropping.

Fortunately, Eitarou and the others are strong men with no shortage of physical strength.

The half-meter-long and wide hemp bags were as easy to hold in their hands as light bulbs.

Without pause or rest, they poured coal into the furnace methodically.

About half an hour later, Shikisaki glanced at the coal pile in the furnace, and then issued a new command loudly:

"ignition!"

In the blink of an eye, Eitaro picked up a burning torch and stuffed it into the furnace——

call!

A raging fire burst into flames.

Black, choking smoke drifted outwards, straight into the sky.

The next moment the flames ignited, Shikisaki Jiyose's third instruction came:

"The wind rises!"

Eitaro and others responded in agreement, taking off their clothes one after another until only a piece of crotch cloth was left, revealing their strong flesh, and then stood on the pedals on both sides of the bellows with a huff.

There is a thick rope hanging from the top of the pedal.

Eitarou and the others raised their hands, grasped the thick rope tightly, and used it to press on the pedal.

Step down on this side, lift up on that side; step down on that side, lift up here... In this way, press and step on the pedal repeatedly like a seesaw.

Under the repeated blowing of the bellows, wisps of new air are poured into the furnace to help increase the fire.

The orange-red flames jumped up "hoo" and "hoo".

But in the blink of an eye, the smoke condensed into black clouds, and the fire swelled into a sea of ​​flames.

The fire produced by nearly 4 tons of coal... is really like Zhu Rong coming to the world!

"Zhu Rong Furnace" is well-deserved!

A surging heat wave hit his face. Although he was far away, Qingden felt that his eyebrows were almost burnt.

The fire soared into the sky, illuminating everything around it.

Looking up and around, everything he could see was distorted by the heat wave into an illusory and uncertain state.

Even if you use all the words in the world, you can't accurately summarize the shock Qingdeng feels at this moment.

From just now, Shikizaki Jiyue has been giving out step-by-step instructions in an orderly manner.

The image of him looks like a general commanding thousands of troops!

The general commanded the troops and horses, while he commanded the wind and fire!

To be honest, the contrast between Shikizaki and Shikiyoshi is so great that Qingto can't help but wonder if he has a dual personality. How handsome Shikizaki Shiyō is at this time, which makes him even more eye-catching yesterday...

Lying in the arms of the wandering girl, fluttering her limbs, clamoring to drink grandma... The scenes I saw yesterday are deeply imprinted in the depths of Qingdeng's mind and will never be forgotten...

At this thought, Qingto couldn't help but turn his head and looked up and down at Shikisaki Jiyō with a strange expression.

The other party did not notice his gaze.

At this time, Shikisaki Jiyoshi had his hands on his hips, looking at the burning "Zhurong Furnace" with a look of satisfaction on his face.

"Only by igniting a flame wave of this scale can it create a fire powerful enough to beat Wan Lian Steel!"

After that, he took out a string from his arms and tied up his long hair casually.

"This fiery snake rising to the sky... It's been a long time since we last seen it."

He murmured softly, with a vague look of nostalgia on his face.

"If nothing else, this should be its...last dance!"

"That's just right."

"Refining the 'Wanliang Steel' is my final mission... This must be the best ending for the 'Zhu Rong Furnace'!"

After saying that, he stretched out his hand to Qingdeng.

Seeing this, Qingden took out the "Wan Lian Steel" with understanding, and at the same time took off the Vairochana from his waist and handed it to the other party.

After Shikizaki Jiyō took Vairocana, he pulled out the sword with a "choking" sound - the alluring purple sword light immediately filled his field of vision.

"Vairochana...I know this sword."

He curled up the corners of his mouth as he spoke, his tone full of exclamation.

"Father, he once told me about this knife."

"He said this knife was our family's crowning masterpiece."

"To be able to compete with Sone Kotetsu, the chief of the 'Mogami Great Business',...the craftsmanship of our ancestors is truly remarkable."

"The ancestors devoted all their knowledge and finally succeeded in forging this sword."

"And now, I will also devote all my knowledge to giving this sword a new life."

"Hahaha, our Shikisaki family is really destined to have this sword."

"When you think about it, I really have a heavy responsibility."

After feeling this way, Shikizaki Jiyue turned to Aonto and said:

"Mr. Tachibana, Boss Kiryu, please go back and wait."

"I can't say exactly how long it will take to successfully recast Vairocana's blade."

"Please leave me your address."

"After the forging is completed, I will personally send the knife there."

Qingdeng listened and nodded gently.

"In that case, after the sword is forged, you can send the sword to the trial defense hall in Kohinata Yanagi Town, Koishikawa."

"Trial Guard Hall? By coincidence, I happen to know this place."

Shikizaki raised his chin as he spoke, acting boldly and confidently:

"Then, please wait for the good news!"

…

…

The steel has been delivered, the sword has been entrusted - all Aonto can do next is to believe in Shikisaki Shiyori's skills and wait slowly.

The "Western Expedition Plan" that should be discussed with Tokugawa Iemo has been discussed.

Successfully found Shikizaki Kiyoshi and successfully entrusted him with the important task of "recasting Vairocana".

So far, all the tasks that Qing Deng had to complete on his return to Edo this time have been completed.

Qing Deng originally planned to "go quickly and come back quickly".

Since everything that should be done has been done, there is naturally no reason for him to stay in Edo.

In this case... he can't avoid saying goodbye to Tenshoin.

In the past, Qing Deng would have met Tenshoin as soon as possible after returning to Edo.

It's rare to come back, and it would be unreasonable not to say hello to her.

However... since Tokugawa Iemochi said those explosive words to him, he could no longer treat this young widow with a normal heart.

Now, whenever he thinks of Tenshoin's pretty face, he will think of "If you don't abandon me, I am willing to be your adoptive father", then think of Tenshoin wearing a white wedding gown, and then think of Tenshoin stroking her bulging belly while sitting beside him with a smile...

To be honest, even Qing Deng himself can't help but feel that his imagination is too rich. How can he think of so many messy pictures?

Whenever these delusions pass through his mind, Qing Deng will feel ashamed-what am I doing? Why are my thoughts so jumpy?

If it were the noble Tenshoin, she would never think about it like me!

Is Tokugawa Iemochi's "proposal" so powerful that it directly disturbs his heart?

Or are these pictures hidden deep in his heart, and Tokugawa Iemochi's "proposal" is just a lead-in?

In any case, there is only one thing that is very certain at the moment - Qing Deng has no idea how to face Tenshoin now...

For this reason, he has not met him until today.

Of course, no matter how much he delays, there will be an end, and he can't escape forever.

Qing Deng doesn't want to go back to Otsu with this unclear and confused mood.

So, he gritted his teeth and went to find Tenshoin.

Soon, he learned that the other party was at Tsukimi Shrine at this time...

...

...

Edo, Tsukimi Shrine, Archery Field--

Swish--Pah!

The arrow cut through the air and hit the target thirty meters away.

Tenshoin glanced at the score on the target, then slowly put down the bow in his hand and frowned slightly.

The arrow she shot just now did not hit the center of the bull's eye, and it stuck straight about an inch away from the center of the bull's eye.

Although it was not bad, for Tenshoin, who was proficient in archery, such a score was a low-level mistake that should never be made.

She sighed silently and put the longbow in her hand back on the bow stand beside her.

She knew why her condition was so bad.

Recently, Qing Deng was disturbed by Tokugawa Iemochi's "marriage proposal" - so was Tenshoin.

Now, when she thought of Qing Deng, she would think of Tokugawa Iemochi saying to her happily: "Mother, Tachibana-kun... No, father! Congratulations!", and then think of Qing Deng wearing a montsuke haori kimono, and then think of herself stroking her bulging belly and sitting next to Qing Deng with a smile...

[Note: Montsuke haori kimono: Edo-era men's formal wear, must be worn when getting married]

Whenever these delusions passed through his mind, Tenshoin would be furious - really! How could I be so lustful? !

If it was Sheng Qing, who had a noble character, he would never think about it like me!

Suddenly, she couldn't help but recall Qing Deng's tall figure again.

Instantly, her face turned red as if it was burned by fire.

She had to hold her face with both hands, trying to cool it down with her cold palms.

At this moment, the voice of "Gemini Ninja" Sazhong suddenly came from behind her:

"Your Highness, Tachibana Qing Deng wants to see you."

Instantly... At the moment of hearing the name "Tachibana Qing Deng", Tenshoin's delicate body trembled a few times, and her expression changed slightly.

"Sheng, Sheng Qing is here? What is he doing here?"

Sazhong replied expressionlessly:

"Tachibana Qing Deng wants to return to Otsu tomorrow, so he came here to say goodbye to Your Highness."

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Tenshoin is so cute! (Leopard hi.jpg) Long live the little widow!