I formed the strongest swordsman group.

Chapter 938: It is an honor to die, but an humiliation to live! [5300]

The next morning,

Nangong Mountain, east slope, the main camp of the special forces team——

The sky was just turning pale yellow, and the pale yellow morning sun slowly rose from behind the mountains in the east, shedding its faint dawn light with difficulty.

The clouds were low and thick, casting dark shadows.

Since last night, the temperature in Sekigahara has dropped sharply, and a casual breath can produce a translucent mist.

Even the dawn light could not dispel the oppressive chill.

If nothing unexpected happens, it will probably snow today.

What is striking is that the current bad weather is quite consistent with the atmosphere of the special forces camp.

Inside and outside the camp, it was eerily quiet...

From officers to ordinary soldiers, all had stiff expressions and wooden looks.

Some were standing sentry, some were patrolling, some were wiping their weapons... No one spoke, everyone was mechanically doing their work.

If you look closely, you can see that many of them have very ugly expressions.

They were all the people who took the "Decisive Battle Dreg" yesterday.

It turns out that the effectiveness of this pill is as amazing as its side effects are terrible!
There is no fixed duration for the efficacy of "Juezhandian". Whether it is long or short depends entirely on personal constitution.

No matter how long it lasts, after the drug's effect wears off, all users, without exception, will feel immense pain!
The first thing that happens is muscle soreness, and it feels as if every part of my limbs is filled with lead, and the slightest movement will cause piercing pain.

The second is a dizzy head and mental fatigue, as if I hadn’t slept for several days.

In a nutshell, there was no place on my body that didn't feel uncomfortable, and even after a whole night's rest, there was no improvement.

Before distributing "Jiezhan Yodo", Takasugi Shinsaku did not hide its side effects. He explained the truth to all the soldiers without omission, and made it clear that whether to swallow this medicine in battle is entirely up to personal will and will never be forced.

Although they know that this will cost a lot, many people still resolutely swallow the "Decisive Battle Yodo"! They vow to fight the Shinsengumi to the end!

The August 18th Coup, the Ikedaya Incident, the Summer Campaign of Kyoto... After experiencing so many battles, the conflict between the Shinsengumi and the Choshu domain had long reached a point where there was no end in sight.

There are many members of the Kiheitai who have direct or indirect hatred towards the Shinsengumi.

As long as they can gain the power to fight the Shinsengumi, they would be happy to take poison... It was with this awareness that they swallowed the "Decisive Battle Yodokawa" without hesitation!
……

……

Omura Masujiro stood with his hands behind his back, gazing expressionlessly at the top of Mount Nangong in the distance - or more precisely, at the flag with the word "sincerity" planted on the top of the mountain.

With the help of "Decisive Battle Dian", they finally survived yesterday.

This is certainly gratifying, but...what about today?

They used their trump card "Decisive Battle at Yodo" yesterday, but were unable to completely repel the Shinsengumi, and were only able to slow down their attack speed.

Under the fierce attack of the Shinsengumi, they were forced to abandon the top of the mountain and retreat to the eastern slope.

Looking back at yesterday's battle, it is not difficult to find that yesterday was the same as the day before! Both were originally good battles, but failed because of someone's bravery!
The crucial "high wall" was lost the day before yesterday.

We even lost our main camp yesterday!

The guy who captured these two places is the same person!

Thinking of this, Omura Masujiro couldn't help but droop his face, clench his fists, and roar in his heart with anger:

——Tachibana Aoto...you monster...!
As a newcomer who had just joined the Kihei Team, Omura Masujiro only knew about Aoto from word of mouth.

Before the war, he was fully convinced that "I already thought highly of him" and simply classified Qing Deng as "a target who needs to be specially guarded against."

It was not until now, after intuitively feeling Qing Deng's terrifying fighting power, that he realized how wrong he was.

Ju Qingdeng is not a "target who needs to be specially guarded against", but a "target who needs to mobilize a force of a thousand or more to barely stop him"!
Using words like "one man against a thousand" or "the bravest among three armies" to describe Qing Deng seems too mild and inappropriate.

This kind of swordsman who can turn the tide of a battle by himself... Perhaps only Ogata Ittosai, the "Eternal Sword Saint" from 70 years ago, can rival him!
When he thought of this, Omura Masujiro couldn't help but feel heavy-hearted.

Although he was frustrated, he quickly adjusted himself, took several deep breaths, managed to calm himself down, and continued to think about tactics and strategies.

In fact, the current battle situation is quite clear.

To put it bluntly: There is no way to retreat! The only option is to fight to the death!
Without the west hill, there is still the top of the hill; without the top of the hill, there is still the east hill; but without the east hill... then there will be nothing!

If even the eastern slope is lost, they will no longer have the dangerous terrain to rely on in the rear, and the huge Sekigahara will be completely owned by the Shinsengumi.

At that time, there will be no obstacles for the Shinsengumi to rush east to rescue Edo!

Either hold on to the eastern slope, or be defeated... In other words, today is the day of the real decisive battle!

The soldiers who took "Juezhandian" yesterday were unable to fight again today due to the side effects.

At best they could barely pick up their weapons, and some couldn't even stand up.

The troops are seriously insufficient... The only card left is the geographical advantage which is better than nothing...

Even if Omura Masujiro had many clever ideas, he would be helpless without soldiers or generals.

—Is this the end?

Just as Omura Masujiro was thinking about this, an anxious voice suddenly came from behind him:

"Master Takasugi! Why are you up? Please go back to bed and rest!"

"Stop talking nonsense and get out of the way."

Omura Masujiro turned around and happened to meet Takasugi Shinsaku's eyes.

Looking at Takasugi Shinsaku walking towards him with a staggering gait, one step deep and one step shallow, Omura Masujiro was stunned on the spot.

"Mr. Takasugi, why are you here?"

After coming to his senses, he took two steps at a time and stepped forward to greet him, holding Takasugi Shinsaku's shoulders with his hands.

I saw that his body was wrapped in sackcloth, his face was as pale as paper, and his face was covered with blue and red spots.

Fighting Nioh in single combat without dying instantly... Few people in the world can achieve such a feat.

To be honest, after saying goodbye to Takasugi Shinsaku yesterday, Omura Masujiro had already prepared himself mentally for never seeing Takasugi Shinsaku again in his life.

Unexpectedly, the comrade who was thought to be dead actually came back alive... This was truly a pleasant surprise.

At that time, Omura Masujiro was so shocked that his jaw almost dropped to the ground.

However, although he did not die, the injuries he suffered were serious.

Even without a doctor's diagnosis, anyone with a discerning eye could see that his injuries were serious.

The two "meat bomb attacks" that Qing Deng used at the end caused Takasugi Shinsaku to suffer considerable internal injuries, and his spine was almost fractured.

Last night, the doctor repeatedly reminded me: You must rest! Don't stand if you can sit, don't sit if you can lie down, and never do strenuous exercise!
However...it was obvious that Takasugi Shinsaku completely ignored the doctor's advice.

Facing Omura Masujiro's question, he curled his lips:
"I'm still alive. Since I'm still alive, I'll naturally continue to fight."

Upon hearing this, Omura Masujiro did not say much. He just looked at the other person deeply and then silently withdrew his gaze without saying a word. He did not say any advice such as "Please go back and rest."

Takasugi Shinsaku turned around slightly, shook off the support of Omura Masujiro, raised his eyes and looked towards the top of Mount Nangong.

"Mr. Omura, how is it going? Is there anything worth reporting? Is there any movement from the Shinsengumi?"

Omura Masujiro shook his head slightly:

"No movement at the moment."

Takasugi Shinsaku pondered, pretending to be thinking, while taking out a telescope, pulling open the tube, looking at the scenery on the top of the mountain from afar, and observing the movements of the Shinsengumi.

Suddenly, a small piece of white object spun and floated into his sight.

Takasugi Shinsaku raised his eyebrows, put down the telescope in his hand and looked up at the sky.

Omura Masujiro, who was standing next to him, also raised his head, looked at the sky, and murmured:

"Snowing……"

At first there were sporadic snowflakes, and then in the blink of an eye it turned into heavy snow.

There were more and more snowflakes, rolling up into a mess, like a dense white net, covering the earth.

Looking at the snow and wind, Takasugi Shinsaku subconsciously put his hands into his arms - this is a habit of experienced warriors.

In cold weather, you need to pay special attention to keeping your palms warm to ensure that they do not freeze and that you are ready to draw your weapon and fight at any time.

"Fighting in the snow... is quite interesting. It's a pity that my shamisen is not at hand, otherwise I really want to play a song in this snowstorm."

Just as Takasugi Shinsaku finished his self-deprecating sigh, a strange shout suddenly came from the top of the mountain.

Takasugi Shinsaku and Omura Masujiro immediately raised their telescopes as if reflexively and looked towards the top of the mountain.

Figures surged... The Shinsengumi soldiers wearing light green feather robes worked together to raise a flag and placed it next to the flag with the word "誠".

This flag had no family crest or other content, only eight large characters written on it:

There is honor in death, and disgrace in life.

……

……

Nangong Mountain, the top of the mountain, the main camp of the Shinsengumi——

Qing Deng stood upright on the edge of the cliff, holding a torch in his hand. He warmed his palms with the torch while looking at the special forces camp in the distance.

At this time, Kondo Isami ran to his side at lightning speed and said quickly:

"All teams are ready."

Qingdeng nodded lightly:

"Well, thank you for your hard work."

After saying that, he casually threw the torch in his hand to his feet, then took out the water bottle from his waist, poured it on the torch and extinguished the flames.

Just last night, Qing Deng summoned all the captains and deputy captains who were still able to move and informed them of today's battle plan.

The main content of the plan can be summarized in one sentence: Attack! Attack! Attack again! Attack with all your might! No matter what happens, no matter what the situation, we must completely capture Nangong Mountain within half a day! Capture Sekigahara!
At this point, there is no need to divide the enemy into left and right wings, nor is there any need to come up with any tactics. Just order the entire army to rush down like a mountain torrent and destroy the enemy camp! Completely defeat the special forces!
Just as Qing Deng was about to turn around and leave, he suddenly heard Souji's shout from his side:
"Qing Deng!"

Qing Deng was stunned, stopped and looked in the direction of the sound.

Souji was wearing a light green haori, holding the Tsutenkeijin that Aoto lent her in his right hand, and was walking towards Aoto in a hurry.

Qing Deng gave a clear order: Souji, Nagakura Shinpachi and Saito, who were injured in yesterday's battle, must all retreat to the rear to recuperate, and no objection is allowed.

Before Qing Deng could say "Zongsi, why are you here? Go back and rest," Zongsi smiled and threw the Ding Guishen in his hand.

"then!"

Ding Guishen flew into the air, spinning and drawing a beautiful parabola, and then landed squarely on Qingdeng's head, and was then grabbed by Qingdeng.

The chief put his hands on his hips and said with a smile:

"You must be having a headache now that you don't have a good knife in your hand?"

"If I take an unmarked sword into battle again, I might get cut off by the enemy like I did yesterday, and end up in danger."

"I can't go to the front line now anyway, so I'll give it back to you!"

After hearing this, Qing Deng subconsciously lowered his head and looked straight at the Ding Guishen in his hand.

Holding the knife tightly for the first time in a long time, feeling the familiar touch and weight in his palm, he couldn't help but feel a strong sense of nostalgia.

With a clang, he pushed the knife out of the scabbard, revealing the red copper latch used to clamp the scabbard, and then pulled out the blade little by little, making a clanging sound.

Although Ding Guishen is a rare sword, no matter how powerful a sword is, it is ultimately a consumable.

After many bitter, fierce and bloody battles, Ding Guishen's sword was already covered with scars.

If it hadn't been taken in for repairs so often, it would have broken long ago.

However, grinding the blade is like peeling an onion, it becomes thinner each time you grind it.

It has been sharpened and sharpened again...Now, the blade is so thin that only a layer of iron remains and it cannot be sharpened any further.

If it is seriously damaged again, even if we invite the best craftsmen in the world, they will not be able to repair it.

In other words, the "deadline" for determining the ghosts and gods is approaching...

Qing Deng stared at the blade in his hand with mixed feelings, then sheathed it with force.

"Xiao Si, thank you!"

He turned his head and thanked Souji with a smile.

"Go back and rest quickly, recuperate in the rear, and then wait quietly for our victory news!"

Souji nodded vigorously, then turned his gaze to look at Kondo Isami next to Aoto:
"Brother Kondo, you must fight hard!"

Kondo Isami grinned:

"Whoa whoa!"

After saying goodbye to Souji, the two walked down the cliff one after the other.

Suddenly, Qing Deng said to Kondo Isami behind him:
"Yong, pass on my order - raise 'that flag'!"

……

……

All the soldiers from the remaining squads except the 7th, 9th, 10th and 11th squads gathered on a flat open space not far from the top of the mountain.

There is honor in death, and honor in life as well - looking at the flag standing on the top of the mountain, the soldiers all showed nervous expressions.

On the first day of joining the Shinsengumi, they learned the meaning of the flag.

After raising this flag, all soldiers in the army must be determined to die!
Either win or die!
Just as they were nervously waiting for the order to attack, someone shouted:
"Look! It's the Lord!"

As soon as this statement came out, the whole place was in an uproar.

Everyone turned their heads and looked back—Qing Deng's figure suddenly appeared on the cliff behind the assembly area.

Qing Deng held the Ding Guishen on his waist and looked down at the various teams from a high position.

He obviously didn't do anything, he just showed up, but he raised the atmosphere several degrees.

The team members all looked at Qing Deng with fanaticism, and their original nervousness turned into eagerness to try.

Qing Deng looked around the room calmly and said:

"At this point, I have nothing else to say."

With the blessing of the talent "Piercing Clouds and Splitting Rocks +3", his loud voice was clearly heard by everyone.

"There is only one thing I want to say: Defeat the enemy! Today, let's add a footnote to the history books that 'the Shinsengumi won a complete victory in the Second Battle of Sekigahara'!"

As soon as he finished speaking, there was thunderous applause!
……

……

The cheers of the Shinsengumi lasted for a long time.

Takasugi Shinsaku naturally knew what the banner of "It is honor to die, and shame to live" meant.

"...Mr. Omura, I'll leave everything else to you."

As he spoke, he slowly pulled out the Muramasa from his waist.

While drawing his knife, he took out a red pill from somewhere.

Omura Masujiro stared at the red pill... the "Decisive Battle of Yodo" and sighed:
"Mr. Takasugi, do you really have to die?"

"Given your current condition, if you take another pill of 'Decisive Battle Serum', you will surely die!"

Takasugi Shinsaku smiled calmly:
"I am the only one in my army who has a chance of holding back Tachibana Aoto."

"So I have to go!"

“I am a patient suffering from hemocough.”

"I'm going to die anyway, so I might as well die in a more meaningful and valuable place."

"When I sent troops to garrison Sekigahara, I was already prepared to 'die in battle in Sekigahara'."

"Just let me get what I want!"

Having said this, he paused, then changed his tone to a serious and solemn one:

"Omura-kun, after this battle, you should go and join Katsura Kogoro and assist him wholeheartedly!"

"Although I am somewhat unwilling, I have to admit that Guijun's talent is far superior to mine."

"He is well versed in the 'art of communication' and the 'art of compromise'."

"When it comes to running a country, he is much better than I am."

Omura Masujiro listened quietly and nodded slightly:

"...Yes, I understand."

Takasugi Shinsaku turned his head and looked at Omura Masujiro. Their eyes met and he grinned:
"Omura-kun, even though we haven't been together for a long time, you've really had a hard time these days."

Omura Masujiro said slowly:

"It's the same with you. Mr. Takasugi, I really enjoy the time I've spent assisting you."

After a brief farewell, Takasugi Shinsaku said no more, retracted his gaze, held the Muramasa tightly in his hand, and walked forward with big strides.

Suddenly, Omura Masujiro called out to him from behind:

"Mr. Takasugi!"

Takasugi Shinsaku stopped and turned to look at him.

"I wish you good luck in martial arts."

He said this word by word.

Takasugi Shinsaku responded with a calm smile and clenched his fist towards him.

Under Omura Masujiro's direct gaze, Takasugi Shinsaku withdrew his gaze and clenched fists, continued to move forward, and disappeared in the wind and snow in the blink of an eye.

……

……

"Kill ah ah ah ah!"

"Thief! Go to hell!"

"He who deserves to die is dead!"

"Don't stop! We must decide the winner today no matter what!"

……

Similar shouts and cries of killing were heard everywhere.

A bloody battle... a real bloody battle!
For both sides, today's battle is a decisive battle that cannot be retreated or failed!

For this reason, the Shinsengumi and the Kiheitai have all shown amazing strength! Fearless, go forward courageously!

Qing Deng led by example as always.

Holding his familiar sword, he was able to exert his strength to the maximum extent!

Wherever the blade passes, everyone is invincible!
At this moment, Qing Deng's sight suddenly caught a familiar figure.

Snap, snap, snap, snap…

Takasugi Shinsaku appeared in front of him, stepping on the snow.

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