I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

……

Looking around, a large part of the entire temple grounds had collapsed.

Seeing this, Kubota Kiyone sighed softly:

"Is it too late...?"

Oishi Susumu raised his head and shouted:

"Don't panic! They're just intimidated by the 'power'! Those who can still move, quickly help those who are showing signs of physical abnormality out!"

Noburo Imai's eyes were fixed on the direction of the door, and a bead of cold sweat appeared on his forehead.

"Wow... such a powerful 'aura'! Even I can't help but feel my heart pounding...!"

……

In Baizhou, the once incredibly orderly and imposing array has been completely vanished.

Groans and cries of agony rose and fell.

The apprentices at the military academy were all crooked and disheveled, resembling a field of leeks swept by a sickle.

Qingdeng walked through them, facing the morning light, toward the venue.

The "power" emanating from him covered most of the training school!

*******

*******

Book lovers often ask me: What exactly is the use of "momentum"?

Here's my official answer: It's useless! It's just convenient for showing off!

Chapter 530: The Strongest Dungeon in Edo Unveiled! Face off against the swordsmen of the Military Academy! [5000]

Military Academy, Main Dojo —

The window is open.

A north wind was blowing outside the window, its sound emphasizing the tranquility within the temple.

Qingdeng stood in the very center of the temple, holding Vairocana and the spirit-stabilizing object in his right hand.

The gazes of Otani Seiichiro, Kubota Kiyone, Oishi Susumu, and others merged into one, transforming into a massive hammer as heavy as a thousand pounds, pressing down heavily on his shoulders. Yet, his back did not bend in the slightest, and his face remained calm and composed.

The once bustling temple is now nearly half empty, with no one else present.

Most of the apprentices and a small number of academic teachers left the scene in disappointment because they could not withstand the "momentum" of Qingdeng.

"Power" is a realm that only those with top-notch strength and lofty ideals can reach.

Moreover, it's like rowing against the current.

When you lose your ambition to strive for excellence and overcome difficulties, your momentum will disappear.

A person whose mind has been corrupted by money, wine, and women can never possess the magnanimity to look down on others!

Both Kondo Shusuke and Kiryu's boss had told Aoto that the strength and scope of "momentum" were only related to a person's spiritual level.

Unrefined iron ore can never compare to finely forged steel.

The same principle applies to people and "momentum"—forged through repeated tempering.

In other words, if someone's "power" can cover a very wide area, can shock people and even scare them into fainting... then there is no doubt: this person must be a hero who has endured many hardships and overcome all difficulties!

Since his transmigration, how many life-threatening and desperate situations has Qingdeng experienced?

There are too many to count.

With more exposure and experience, one naturally develops a strong heart and an unwavering will that remains undisturbed by external influences.

Those hardships and difficulties have all become his precious wealth.

Even today, when he unleashes his full power, those who are weak-willed and incompetent find it difficult to remain clear-headed in his presence!

"Sorry, the scene at the gate was so intimidating that it made me a little nervous, so I couldn't help but try to bolster my courage in my own way."

As he spoke, Qingdeng slowly withdrew his "power".

Those who had been struggling to hold on immediately breathed a sigh of relief, and their pale faces regained some color.

Although those who stayed behind did not experience the severe symptoms such as dizziness and weakness in their legs that those who had just been helped out did not feel much better, that was all.

To give a vivid example... they felt as if they were underwater.

The intense water pressure pressed in from all directions, making them feel suffocated and unable to breathe.

And now, they have finally surfaced.

Without the pressure of water pressure and the constraint of water flow, they could finally breathe freely and comfortably.

Only then did they belatedly realize that the backs of their clothes were already soaked with cold sweat. A gentle breeze blew by, chilling them to the bone.

"Your Excellency, I have long admired your name."

At that moment, an old male voice suddenly rang out from Qingdeng's right side.

He looked in the direction of the voice and saw that the speaker was an elderly man with white hair.

"My name is Takashima Akiho. Nice to meet you."

As he spoke, the old man, who called himself "Takashima Akiho," bowed and gave a respectful greeting to Aoto.

Upon hearing the name Takashima Akiho, a look of surprise immediately appeared on Qing Deng's face, and a solemn expression tightened on his features.

He immediately returned the greeting and solemnly said:

“Mr. Takashima, it’s a pleasure to meet you. I’ve long admired your name.”

To say who this person is, that he could earn Qing Deng's respect... he is indeed an extraordinary figure.

Takashima Shuho was born in the tenth year of Kansei (1798) and is now 65 years old.

In his youth, he studied Dutch studies and military affairs, and learned gunpowder and cannon-making techniques from the Dutch. He mastered the essentials and created the Western-style Takashima artillery.

In addition, he was proficient in the organization and tactics of infantry, cavalry, and artillery.

As early as 13 years before the "Black Ships Incident" broke out... in 1840, he suggested to the shogunate that the military system be reformed.

Tadakuni Mizuno, who was then serving as a senior Chinese official, had a keen international perspective.

He also recognized that Japan was at a disadvantage compared to Western countries in terms of military, economy, and politics.

In 1841, Mizuno Tadakuni summoned Takashima Shuho to Edo and ordered him to conduct live-fire exercises of Western-style infantry and artillery in Tokumaruhara, Musashi Province.

Tadakuni Mizuno greatly admired Akiho Takashima's vision and talent, and ordered him to "choose one person from among the direct staff who is enthusiastic about this art and teach him." In July of the following year, he was also allowed to freely teach artillery techniques to "enthusiasts from various schools."

Because of his extraordinary contributions to Japan's artillery manufacturing industry, Takashima Shuho was hailed by his contemporaries as "the father of Japan's artillery technology".

Thus, under the vigorous promotion of Mizuno Tadakuni and the selfless dedication of Takashima Shuho, Japan's military equipment began to modernize.

Unfortunately, the good times didn't last long.

With the downfall and fall of Tadakuni Mizuno, the military reforms, which had only just begun, came to an abrupt end.

Conservatives, under the banner of "whoever dares to change the ancestral rules will lose their head," launched a massive attack on Tadakuni Mizuno and Akiho Takashima.

They spread rumors and slandered Takashima Akiho, accusing him of "secretly amassing a private army and plotting treason."

In 1846, the third year of the Kōka era, the shogunate ordered Takashima Shūho to be imprisoned in the Okabe Domain of Musashi Province.

Barring any unforeseen circumstances, he will spend the rest of his life in a dark and hopeless prison.

However, the fact that he could sit obediently in front of Qingdeng meant that—as expected, he had indeed met with an accident.

In 1853, the "Black Ships Incident" broke out.

The Edo Shogunate was greatly shocked by this and immediately pardoned Takashima Shuho. They then appointed him as the Shogunate's Weapons Commissioner and Artillery Instructor at the Military Academy, and sent him to oversee the construction of the Shinagawa Battery to protect the Edo coast.

Possessing both genuine talent and extensive teaching and experimental experience, such science and engineering talents are quite rare in Japan today.

When the opportunity arises in the future, I can try to poach him... Qing Deng thought to himself.

In Qingdeng's eyes, the military training center, the military drill hall, and the foreign document exchange office were huge treasure troves.

The science and engineering talents of Edo were basically concentrated in these three places.

What era are we living in? Wielding swords and guns is no longer a promising path. The right way forward is to vigorously attract and cultivate talents in science and engineering, advance scientific and technological development, and develop large warships and heavy artillery.

—Sigh…In the end, it all comes down to “money”…

Qingdeng sighed heavily in his heart.

To compensate him, Tokugawa Iemochi has granted him a great deal of privilege.

But the mere 3000 taels of gold as start-up capital... still left him feeling uneasy.

With this amount of money, it would be difficult to even form a feudal army, let alone a modern army.

—After arriving in Kyoto, I will first establish my authority in the capital region and set up an intelligence network, and then try to expand my sources of income…

Qingdeng silently made a list in his mind of the first few important things he needed to do after arriving in Luoyang.

At that moment, a deep, weathered male voice suddenly rang out, bringing him back to his senses.

"Tachibana-kun, I'm not going to waste any more words—let's fight!"

After saying that, Otani Seiichiro snapped his fingers.

Crackling sound...

Qingdeng heard a "clattering" sound behind him—the two apprentices guarding the gate of the dojo were hurriedly closing the gate.

With the sound of wood rubbing together, the only entrance to the dojo closed.

Looking at Otani Seiichiro, who didn't even bother with an opening remark and directly announced "Let's fight," Aoto couldn't help but smile.

—I almost forgot…this old man is the epitome of “warlike”!

Otani Seiichiro always had a kind smile on his face.

His appearance would surely lead unsuspecting people to mistake him for a kind and gentle old man.

In fact, when he was young... or rather, he has always been a super fighter!