I formed the strongest swordsman group

Tianzhangyuan couldn't help being stunned when he heard this.

Especially when she heard the word "goodbye", her eyes, expression, and even behavior all became extremely stiff.

The brief silence was her hesitation.

After a moment, she let out a long breath.

"... Got it. Sa Chong, go and bring Sheng Qing here."

"yes!"

Shazhong responded loudly, then stood up and left.

Suddenly, as if she remembered something, she suddenly stopped and stopped where she was.

Seeing this, Tianzhang Academy couldn't help but ask:

"Sazhong, what's wrong?"

"...Your Highness, I have been suffering from the problem of talking to myself recently."

Sasaki spoke incomprehensible words while slowly turning half of his body back.

"Huh? Sasaki, what are you talking about..."

Before Tianzhangyuan could finish his words, Shazhong continued on by himself:

"Because I suffer from this disease, everything I say next is all my own words."

Speaking of this, Sha Zhong paused briefly, taking advantage of the opportunity to breathe in and put on a solemn and faint tone:

"Most people in this world are so fragile."

“Facing various sufferings such as hunger, disease, aging, and death, they are either unable to face them or unwilling to face them.”

"In order to escape these sufferings and cope with the pain, they have to rely on those who are strong."

"In this way, all heroes are born."

"In this way, all kings can be born."

"In this way, all the gods can be born."

"This can be said to be the fate of every person with extraordinary talents and those in high positions."

"Responding to the expectations of people around them and taking on the important task of 'improving the world' seems to have become their unshirkable responsibility. If they do not do well, they will attract endless abuse."

"'You obviously have unique knowledge and extraordinary talents, why do you stand by and watch?'"

"'You obviously have a high position, but you only care about yourself. Isn't it too selfish?'"

"It's like being kidnapped. You can't choose the way forward."

“Responding to the expectations of those around you, giving up selfish desires, and serving the public wholeheartedly is certainly respectable.

"But is it necessarily wrong to follow one's own heart and be a 'selfish' person?"

"I am too stupid and not a saint to answer this question accurately."

"However, there is one thing I am sure of - no matter what choice His Highness makes, I will fully support it."

"However, for me, Sasaki, the safety of this world is far less important than the happiness of 'Shimadzu Yuichi'."

Having said that, Sa Zhong, who usually kept a straight face and rarely showed any expressions, now curved the corners of her mouth in a very rare way, showing a calm smile.

"Sorry, my 'sick time' was quite long today and I talked too much. Please forgive me."

Saying this, Saizhong bowed slightly, gave a brief salute and quickly retreated.

"..."

Tianzhangyuan blinked and stared at Shazhong's back with dull eyes.

"'Suffering from talking to oneself'... Really, this excuse is too false..."

After complaining like this, she raised her eyes slightly and looked at the sky, making a hesitant gesture.

A strong expression of hesitation tugged back and forth between his cheeks.

After a while, a firm voice murmured:

"...Sasaka, thank you."

…

…

"Junior! This western expedition depends entirely on you!"

"You must defeat Changzhou! Beat them so that they don't dare to show up and do something mean again!"

"If you can find me of any use, just ask!"

"Anything I can do, I will try my best to help!"

Yae led the way while letting out bold words.

Sha Zhong followed him expressionlessly.

Listening to Yae's heroic remarks, Qingto couldn't help but smile:

"Understood. I will never let you down in this western expedition."

"If I really encounter a dilemma that requires your help, I will ask you for help."

"When the time comes, don't complain."

As soon as Qingto finished speaking, Yae put his hands on his hips and said proudly:

"Hmph! Who do you think I am! If I complain about suffering and tiredness, then I won't be called 'Eight Layer'!"

We haven't seen each other for many days, but the "two kunoichi" are still the same.

Shazhong remained taciturn.

Yae is still carefree.

Because he doesn't like to socialize, Sasaka rarely interacts with Qingdeng in private, so the relationship between the two of them is very ordinary.

On the other hand, Yae's relationship with Qingto is very good.

As soon as she saw Qingdeng, she immediately started chatting, spouting words like a machine gun, pulling Qingdeng to chat about various things.

Faced with Yae's enthusiastic conversation, Qingto did not feel impatient, but listened carefully with interest.

On the one hand, it was rare to meet Yae, and he was very happy to accompany this old friend.

On the other hand... it's to divert attention.

Chatting with Yae can calm down the panic a little bit.

He made up his mind and rushed to find Tianzhang Academy... But in reality, his mood was still complicated and difficult to describe.

How on earth should we face Tianzhang Academy?

What should I say to her after meeting her?

Regarding these issues, Qingdeng still has no confidence until now.

He had never felt that the road to the archery range was so long as he did today.

He felt that only a few breaths had passed before the archery range, which had witnessed many past events between him and Tianzhang Academy, came into view from afar...

…

…

Tsukinomiya Shrine, archery range, rest room——

Qingdeng: "..."

Tianzhangyuan: "..."

After leading Qingden here, the "Twin Kunoichi" quietly retreated.

As the two of them left, it became extremely quiet inside and outside the archery range.

Qingdeng raised his eyes and looked at Tianzhang Courtyard with an unnatural expression.

The young widow sitting on the main seat also looked directly at him.

They looked at each other and looked at each other.

Suffering from an empty head, Qingdeng was speechless after saying, "Your Highness, long time no see, sorry for the long absence of greetings." He watched helplessly as the atmosphere at the scene became weird due to the long silence.

He didn't know if it was his own misunderstanding, but Qingdeng always felt that the Tianzhang Courtyard inscribed there was... a bit strange.

At first glance, Tianzhang Yuan was sitting upright, her hands placed neatly on her legs, her face neither sad nor happy, making it impossible to guess what she was thinking at this time.

If you look carefully, you can see that the look she casts at Qingden is very deep.

It seems like he is preparing something...

It seems that he is planning something...

Just then——

"...Sheng Qing, can you accompany me for a walk?"

Tianzhang Academy was the first to break the silence.

Before Qingdeng could respond, she stood up on her own, lightly tucked her green robe with both hands, and walked unhurriedly to the small yard next to the archery range.

Although Qingdeng didn't know why, he still followed obediently.

The short ponytail specially cut short and tied up to prove his identity as a "monk" flashed before his eyes.

About three minutes later, they moved to the neat and straight corridor, next to the spacious and exquisite courtyard.

Tianzhang Hospital did not wear shoes and socks, so he walked down the corridor and stepped into the courtyard with bare feet.

As soon as Qingdeng caught up with his front feet, he heard Tianzhang Yuan's calm words on his back:

"... Speaking of which, Sheng Qing, I seem to have mentioned this to you before."

Tianzhangyuan walked forward and said slowly without looking back:

"On the day I came of age, my biological father Shimazu Tadō once asked me this question: Yu Yi, what kind of man do you want your future husband to be?"

"I answered bluntly at that time: I hope my future husband will be the number one man in Japan."

Qingdeng listened and nodded gently:

"Yes, you did mention this to me."

This has been a long time ago.

A year and a half ago, Tokugawa Iemo made a special trip to Kyoto in order to discuss matters with the imperial court on resisting the foreigners.

When his car arrived in Dajin, Qingdeng and Tianzhangyuan had a private meeting in the sedan.

On that day, there were two things that deeply impressed Qingden.

One is that Tianzhangyuan used his two little feet to tease Sanazi in front of him through the sedan curtain, causing him to accidentally make strange noises.

If Zonazi had opened the sedan curtain and happened to see Tianzhangyuan and her pair of little feet resting on Qingdeng... Even today, Qingdeng cannot imagine what consequences this would have...

As for the second one, Tianzhangyuan confided his past to him.

Her dream of "marrying the number one man in Japan"...

Her ruthless adoptive father who sacrificed his happiness for the future of Satsuma Domain...

Her unwillingness to marry a loser...

Suddenly, Tianzhang Academy threw out a new inquiry:

"Sheng Qing, do you still remember the question you asked me then?"

——The question you asked Tianzhang Academy at that time?

Qingden blinked and tried to remember.

Before he could recall what had happened, Tianzhangyuan took over the conversation and asked himself:

"You asked me at the time: 'You said you wanted to marry the number one man in Japan, but there are many kinds of number one in this world, such as number one in appearance, number one in wealth, number one in status, number one in swordsmanship. No matter how powerful it is, It is impossible for a person to win the title of "pen head" in every aspect and every field. So, in your eyes, what kind of man does it take to be worthy of being the "number one in Japan" in your mind? ?”

"I'm ashamed to say that you obviously asked the question very seriously, but I didn't give you an accurate answer. I just said, 'I don't know either' and sent it away."

"To be honest, my preferences have never changed."

"Even though a long time has passed, even though I am an old widow in her late thirties and no longer a twenty-year-old girl, my criteria for choosing a spouse are still 'No. 1 in Japan'."

"Only the number one man in Japan can come into my eyes."

“To this day, ‘Japan’s No. 1’ in my mind finally has a precise image.”

"Sheng Qing, although it's a little late, I can tell you for sure now: I like strong men who can defeat a thousand men."

"When I was young, my favorite book to read was "Three Kingdoms"."

"Every time Zhao Zilong appears on the stage, I feel my heart beat faster."

"The most favorite plot is when Zhao Zilong breaks the formation and kills the general. Every time I read it, my heart surges."

"Probably from that time on, a 'Zhao Zilong' lived in my heart."

"Therefore, the 'number one man in Japan' in my mind is a man as powerful as Zhao Zilong."

"I was trapped in the midst of thousands of troops, and a hero whose appearance he couldn't see clearly broke into the battle single-handedly. He killed enemies whenever he encountered them, beheaded generals when he encountered them, and finally broke through all the obstacles, pulled me into his arms, and rescued me - like this I have fantasized about this scene countless times since I was a child.”

"Hahaha, if you think about it carefully, my preferences are quite rough."

"Just like female monkeys, as long as they are strong male monkeys, they are willing to follow each other."

"So..."

At this moment, Tianzhangyuan, who had been walking forward, suddenly stopped.

"Shengqing, defeat Choshu and win the 'Choshu Conquest'!"

The sudden change of the topic made Qingdeng stand still.

"You are not as good as the 'Zhao Zilong' in my mind now."

"That is to say, you are not strong enough for me to think you are 'the best in Japan'."

"However, if you destroy Choshu, subdue all enemies, and make a name for yourself in history, I will recognize your strength."

"When that time comes...if you are interested, if you don't dislike me, take me to Otsu!"

At the moment of finishing the words, Tianzhangyuan turned around and faced Qingdeng.

Instantly, a face full of blush and trying to suppress shame clearly filled Qingdeng's eyes.

"Take me to Otsu"...Although it is a euphemism, how could Qingdeng not understand the meaning behind it?

Before he could even express his shock, surprise, and other emotions, Tenshoin continued:

"I want to marry the best man in Japan - even if I like you very much, I will not change my mind."

"This is my only insistence."

"So, Shengqing, please defeat Choshu, show your unparalleled strength, and become the 'best in Japan' in my mind."

"Then I can go to Otsu with you willingly."

At this point, Tenshoin seemed to have thought of something, and her face became even redder.

"Now that things have come to this, I will tell you all my 'secrets' that I have hidden for a long time."

"When I married into the shogunate, Tokugawa Iesada's condition was already quite serious."

"She lay in bed all day, and it was difficult for her to even speak."

"I rarely met him, and he never even touched me."

"So...so...although I am a widow, I am still..."

The more Tenshoin spoke, the weaker her tone became.

At the end, she couldn't say any more, and ran away with a red face, leaving a series of footprints on the ground.

When her figure completely disappeared, she shouted in shame from afar:

"Sheng Qing, I wish you good luck in martial arts! You must win!"

As the voice fell, the graceful figure disappeared into the corner of the corridor and disappeared completely from Qing Deng's sight.

Tian Zhangyuan was a rare "virgin widow" - Qing Deng was not surprised by this.

After all, the relevant rumors had long been spread all over the streets and alleys.

Not only did he make the bold statement "I will go to Otsu with you only if you defeat Choshu", but he also wished Qing Deng good luck in martial arts and victory... Tian Zhangyuan's intentions were beyond words.

After a moment of silence, Qing Deng raised his head, looked at the sky, and let out a long breath - his heart was ignited with the surging fighting spirit for the "Choshu expedition"!

Please vote for the monthly ticket! Please recommend! (Leopard head crying.jpg)

PS: This chapter was too difficult to write! Leopard Leopard was halfway through writing when he suddenly realized: Huh? Qing Deng seemed to have known that Tenshoin's dream lover was the best man in Japan.

I quickly checked and found that it was true, so I urgently revised the content of the chapter... For this reason, this chapter has fewer words (crying leopard head.jpg)