I formed the strongest swordsman group.

Chapter 1191 The Final Showdown! Niou vs. Ōtakemaru!
The soldiers of the Northern Expeditionary Army and the British Army racked their brains but never expected such a turn of events.

Despite Howell, Tokugawa Yoshinobu, and others' best efforts to mobilize troops and change formations to resist Ogata and his men's attack, it was too late.

Unexpectedly, panic spread rapidly.

Before the battle even began, many people were so frightened that they abandoned their positions, causing chaos in the battle formation.

To meet preparedness with unpreparedness, to meet order with disorder... the outcome is already a foregone conclusion.

The neighing of warhorses, the pounding of hooves, the fluttering of banners, the waving of blades... all these combined to form an invisible "giant wave," rolling in together!

It surged, rushed, rose high, and mercilessly devoured living beings.

One by one, the tents were torn to shreds.

One cannon after another was knocked down.

The hundred or so knights who rushed out of Dajin City wished their mounts were any faster and their arms that held their weapons any stronger.

They had forgotten their fatigue and unleashed a fierce offensive, fueled by their desire for revenge, upon the enemy!
The frustration of being trapped in a deserted city, the unbearable exhaustion, the resentment of being driven to the brink of despair... all the pressure they had accumulated in recent days erupted at this moment!

Wherever the troops advanced, blood and severed limbs flew everywhere, carving bloody paths through the enemy ranks!
The British soldiers were no longer as arrogant as before.

Despite their reputation as "the world's strongest," they are nothing special; they also experience fear and flee in panic.

If the British army was like this, then the Northern Army was even more so.

There are no tactics or formations left to speak of.

The once perfectly organized wedge formation has completely disintegrated, with each unit fighting its own battle.

Those at the back unconsciously ran to the front; those at the front fell behind in a daze, and everyone rushed and fought haphazardly—Qingdeng was no exception.

Aoto had no idea where he was or which direction he was heading. His flag bearers, Ozeki Masajiro and Shimada Kai, had also lost track of him.

Although the formation has been disrupted, it's not a big deal—just keep charging forward! Just kill any enemy you encounter!

"Moo moo moo! Moo moo moo! Moo moo moo!"

Radish went all out, unleashing the monstrous strength unique to cattle to its limit, sending enemy soldiers flying one after another into the air.

Those "lucky ones" who manage to avoid a direct collision with the radish will be harvested by the green vine.

A few drops of blood stained the black blade, but did not remain for long before being flung away due to the excessively high cutting speed... This happened repeatedly.

With Luo Bo's help, Qing Deng's attack was as swift and fierce as thunder!

Unbeknownst to them, the man and the ox ran into an open space.

There were no enemy soldiers, no friendly forces, only weeds and pebbles scattered all over the ground... This was outside the battlefield.

Just as Qingdeng turned the bull's head, preparing to return to the battlefield, he suddenly saw a familiar figure—Ogata riding a horse, carrying the Great Shiten, which was barely stained with blood.

His horsemanship was quite skillful, with his waist and legs in a perfectly relaxed state, clearly indicating that he was a master horseman.

"Tachibana-kun, I've finally found you."

Qing Deng hurriedly stopped the radish under his crotch and looked at Ogata, who had suddenly appeared in front of him, with a complicated expression.

“Mr. Ogata…”

Since there was no one around, Qingdeng addressed him directly by his real name.

Even if others hear it, it won't be a big deal.

"Ogata" is not a rare surname.

No one else would have guessed that this middle-aged man was the "Eternal Sword Saint".

He was actually riding on the same battlefield as the legendary "Eternal Sword Saint"... If others knew about this, many would probably fall off their horses in excitement.

Although he didn't know how Ogata found him, meeting Ogata at this moment was exactly what he wanted.

Qing Deng asked directly:
"Mr. Ogata, did you find all these reinforcements?"

Ogata smiled and shook his head:

"I only got started; I didn't do anything important. It was mainly thanks to Miss Lin and Jiulang that we were able to arrive on time, thanks to the horses they provided."

“…Mr. Ogata, I really don’t know how to thank you enough.”

Ogata Kanji:

"Those who have come to help you despite the hardships are either people who have received your kindness or people who admire you from the bottom of their hearts."

"Although their reasons are different, their hearts are the same—they are willing to risk their lives for you."

"In other words, this is what you deserve, and it is also a good result that you are destined to receive."

"There's no need to feel overwhelmed or apprehensive. Just accept this good deed with peace of mind and take it as encouragement."

Upon hearing this, Qing Deng unconsciously turned his head and stared with mixed feelings at the battlefield not far away where the "Northern Army" and the British army were about to be completely wiped out.

Suddenly, Ogata spoke up again:
"Alright, let's leave this conversation here. Qingdeng, I came all this way to remind you—there's a guy you shouldn't underestimate who's gone into battle."

As Ogata spoke, a meaningful expression appeared on his face.

"That guy seems to have broken free from some kind of constraint and is exuding a high-spirited aura."

Upon hearing this, Qing Deng's expression hardened.

Although Ogata didn't say it explicitly, Aoto knew immediately who he was referring to as "that guy"!

"...Mr. Ogata, do you know where this person is?"

Ogata tilted his head and gestured with his chin toward the northeast.

"This war can't end until that guy is defeated."

So... go quickly.

"This is your war, and you should be the one to write the most brilliant and moving chapter in it."

Qingdeng smiled.

He didn't respond verbally, but silently kicked the radish's belly, sending it hurtling off in that direction like an arrow.

Ogata remained where he was, smiling as he watched them go.

……

……

Qingdeng ignored all the miscellaneous soldiers along the way, focusing intently as if facing a formidable enemy.

The radish seemed to sense its owner's intention, panting heavily as it ran at full speed with all its might.

Before long, a man and an ox suddenly appeared in a flat open space.

A fierce battle had just taken place here, and many corpses lay scattered on the ground.

Looking up, there was only one living person left on the vast open space—Ōtakemaru strides forward with lightning speed, rushing through the very center of the open space.

Judging from his expression, he seemed to be searching for something.

At the same instant Qingdeng arrived, he sensed something and quickly looked up—their eyes met, and their gazes collided fiercely in mid-air.

Otakemaru: "..."

Qingdeng: "..."

Without saying a word, Qingdeng silently stopped the radish, then jumped off its back and strode straight toward Ōtakemaru.

……

...About ten minutes ago—

The sudden appearance of "divine soldiers" left the Yamata no Orochi's face filled with intense shock and resentment...

Even Tamamo-no-Mae, who had the longest friendship with him, rarely showed this expression.

After a while, it was as if he had seen through something, or understood something, and the shock and resentment on his face gradually turned into helplessness and pain.

In contrast, Ōtakemaru's reaction was much calmer.

Faced with the sudden arrival of Ogata and the others, his facial expression changed slightly, but not much—overall, he still maintained that indifferent look, completely unconcerned about worldly affairs.

However, as Qingdeng led his troops to attack, a gleam of elation flashed in his eyes as he watched Qingdeng approach.

He raised his right hand and quickly grasped the sword at his left waist.

However, the moment his palm touched the hilt of the knife, he seemed to remember something, and his right hand slowly released the hilt and hung back at his side.

suddenly--

"Cough! Cough cough cough cough!! Cough cough cough!!"

The Yamata no Orochi suddenly coughed, vomiting a large amount of fresh blood and some dark red phlegm.

He coughed so violently that his shoulders trembled, his body bent over, and he knelt on the ground.

"Lord Orochi!"

Tamamo-no-Mae cried out in alarm and was the first to bend down and support the Yamata no Orochi.

Immediately afterwards, Ōtakemaru, Aryu, and Itsumade came over to him, some massaging his chest, some patting his back, and some giving him medicine.

Ah Ling skillfully untied the gourd from her waist and poured out four grayish-brown pills.

"Lord Orochi, please eat!"

However, Yamata no Orochi pushed away the medicine that A-Ling offered.

"No need... My body... has reached its limit... Taking more medicine... won't help..."

"Despite meticulous planning... it still ended in defeat... what a pity..."

After chuckling self-deprecatingly a few times, Orochi turned to look at Ōtakemaru beside him.

The Yamata no Orochi, who is extremely adept at using expressions and language to disguise himself, revealed a gentle look in his eyes at this moment.

“Child…I know you’ve always…wanted to repay my kindness…”

"You've done a great job all these years..."

"Thanks to your careful protection... I am still alive today..."

"Now... my life... is coming to an end..."

"I... no longer need your protection..."

"So... your act of repaying a debt of gratitude... ends here..."

"You have repaid my debt of gratitude admirably..."

"Get away from me...go do what you really want to do..."

“I know… you’ve always craved a rival… you long for someone who can be your equal…”

"You're free... Stop binding yourself... Go pursue your dreams..."

After saying that, he raised his hand and gently stroked Ōtakemaru's face.

"You too... Go now... Our war... is over..."

As he spoke, Yamata no Orochi turned his gaze, looking at Alin, Tamamo-no-Mae, and Itsumade in turn.

"There is still a chance to escape amidst the chaos..."

"In the final moments of my life... let me be alone in peace..."

Having said that, the Yamata no Orochi slowly pulled a small pocket sword from its bosom.

"Lord Orochi..."

Ah Ling murmured, biting her lip.

Itsumade sobbed softly.

Tamamo-no-Mae kept her eyes down, her expression serene.

"..."

Ōtakemaru lowered his eyelids and remained motionless for a long time.

Apart from Orochi and Rin, who can read his eyes and sign language, no one knows what he is thinking right now.

After a short while, he slowly rose, faced the eight-headed serpent, bowed deeply, and solemnly paid his respects.

After the ceremony, he resolutely turned his back and ran away into the distance as if fleeing.

"Child...go..."

The Yamata no Orochi smiled, gripped the sword in its hand, and struggled to its feet.

……

……

Qingdeng and Ōtakemaru walked towards each other.

After closing the distance to about 10 meters, they stopped in unison, as if they had agreed beforehand.

Qingdeng: "..."

Otakemaru: "..."

This was the second time the two had met.

Although some time has passed since we last met, it feels like yesterday.

bass!
Ōtakemaru was the first to draw the sword from his waist.

The blade, drawn inch by inch from its sheath, shimmered in the sunlight.

Seeing this, Qingdeng slowly raised the tip of the Vairocana sword in his palm in response.

Without any communication, the two sides drew their swords and faced each other... This was to be expected, as they were unlikely to have any communication in the first place.

After all, Ōtakemaru was born deaf and mute, unable to hear Aoto's voice or respond to him.

"..."

Ōtakemaru swiftly and methodically lowered his waist, assuming a stance, and pointed the tip of his sword diagonally at Aoto's face in a mid-section configuration.

Although he couldn't speak, miraculously, Qingdeng seemed to hear him shouting—he was loudly announcing his home address!

Qing Deng exhaled a breath of stale air, held his sword in front of him, and then unleashed a loud sound that rivaled his opponent's:

"Natural Flow of Mind"

"Orange Green Dew!"

The next moment after they introduced themselves—

Snapped!
Snapped!
Two stomping sounds rang out simultaneously!
They charged out like cannonballs, instantly reducing the distance between them to zero, and the two knives collided heavily!
Collided with them were also the terrifying aura emanating from them!
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New book countdown: 2 days! (Leopard excited.jpg) Getting more and more nervous... (Tearful leopard head.jpg)

PS: I'll try to write a long chapter of 10,000 words tomorrow and finish the duel between Qingdeng and Ōtakemaru in one go! If I can finish the duel between Qingdeng and Ōtakemaru tomorrow, and then write another long chapter of 10,000 words the day after tomorrow (the 6th), then the main text of this book will be completely finished!