I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

"I swear on my integrity that I will never use a numbers game when you come to challenge me."

"Our duel will, and will only, take place in a fair and just environment!"

"If you can defeat me, the Shinsengumi soldiers will not make things difficult for you and will ensure your safe return!"

"I look forward to your challenge!"

"If, in the future, the Shinsengumi's headquarters is deserted and I see no sign of you, I will be greatly disappointed."

“‘The Kyoto’s patriots are all talk and no action. In reality, they are all cowards who only dare to show off against wooden blocks that can’t fight back. They are a bunch of cowards, and they are even less than the anti-foreign guerrillas who once made a great disturbance in Edo. You must not give me that impression!’”

"The thought of leaving my hometown and traveling all the way from Edo, only to deal with a bunch of cowardly spineless cowards, makes me feel like I have a fishbone stuck in my throat!"

Qingdeng has always been quick-witted, and with the added advantage of his talent, he is even more eloquent.

With the infectious power of "Failed Art Student +2", the volume boost of "Piercing Clouds and Splitting Rocks +2", and the facial expression control of "Emperor's Art", Qingdeng's taunt was not only melodious but also full of emotion.

Many onlookers couldn't help but laugh after hearing this.

However, those who couldn't help but laugh had only chuckled a few times when they suddenly seemed to remember something, their expressions changed abruptly, and they quickly tightened their lips, no longer daring to laugh.

At that moment, in the dense crowd, there was a warrior of ordinary build, unremarkable appearance, and a conspicuous black mole on the right corner of his mouth.

Under the cover of the crowd, he gazed intently at Qingdeng.

A moment later, he lowered his straw hat, strode away, and disappeared around the corner in the distance...

……

……

That night--

Kyoto West, Mibu Village, Shinsengumi Station—

The so-called "Kyoto West" actually means "western part of Kyoto".

With the shogunate's efforts, a long-abandoned landlord's mansion in Mibu Township was allocated to the Shinsengumi.

From this day forward, this magnificent mansion will be the headquarters of the Shinsengumi.

Every corner inside the mansion had been thoroughly cleaned by specialists beforehand.

Overall, Qingdeng was quite satisfied with the house.

It not only has a spacious courtyard that can accommodate hundreds of people, but also a separate bathhouse.

The location is also excellent, situated on a major thoroughfare with convenient access, and next to the famous Mibu-ji Temple.

Kyoto is indeed an ancient metropolis with a long history, and there are amazing ancient buildings everywhere.

Mibu-ji Temple has quite a history.

Mibu-ji Temple belongs to the Ritsu sect of Japanese Buddhism and is the symbol of Mibu-ji. Since the medieval period, it has been famous as the center of Jizo worship in Kyoto.

To some extent, Mibu-ji Temple represents Mibu-go.

The grand Buddhist chanting ceremony held at Mibu-ji Temple every April is known as Mibu Kyogen, and is considered one of the three great Kyogen festivals in Kyoto, along with the chanting ceremonies at Saga Seiryosan and Senbon Enmado.

According to legend, in the second year of the Shōan era (1300), the monks of Mibu-ji Temple created a new form of rebellious recitation of Buddha's name (kyōgen) in order to ward off plague and bring good fortune. In this recitation, on the stage of the Dainenbutsu-dō (Great Recitation Hall), Mibu villagers would wear masks and dance to the rhythm of instruments such as taiko drums and flutes.

Just over an hour ago, Matsudaira Katamori held a simple welcome banquet for Aoto and the others.

Considering that everyone had walked for most of the day and was exhausted, Matsudaira Katamori decided to hold a formal and more grand welcoming ceremony a few days later.

After the simple welcoming banquet, Aoto led the Shinsengumi to Mibu Township and officially moved into their residence.

The headquarters has four floors. As the leader of the Shinsengumi, Aoto naturally lives on the top floor, in the room with the best view.

Just as Qing Deng placed his luggage on the tatami mat in the room, he heard Sanako's elegant footsteps behind him.

Sanako crossed her delicate hands in front of her and walked gracefully toward Qingdeng.

"Zanako, what's wrong?"

Qingdeng turned around and asked.

"Tachibana-kun, are you free right now?"

Without wasting words, Sanako immediately retorted with a question.

"Now?"

Qingdeng thought for a moment and answered:

"I'll be inspecting the place inside and out in a bit, but I should be able to squeeze in a little over half an hour."

Sanako nodded slightly:

"In that case, would you please come with me to the bathhouse now?"

Qingdeng stared wide-eyed in surprise.

"A bathhouse? What are you going to a bathhouse for?"

"I hope you can help me take a bath."

Sanako said this in a very serious tone.

*******

*******

Leopard is still going strong today! (Leopard Hair.jpg)

Another chapter nearing 7000 words! Leopard has worked so hard; it would be really unfair not to vote for this book with a monthly pass! (Leopard crying.jpg)

Please vote with monthly tickets! Please vote with recommendation tickets! (Leopard crying.jpg)

PS1: Modern Japan recognizes the Southern Court Emperor as the legitimate ruler.

PS2: Sanjo Kawara has truly become a popular dating spot for couples in Kyoto. It's said that you can often see couples showing affection there.

Chapter 562 Miss Atachi! Long time no see! [7000]

The bathhouse at the residence is very large, with changing rooms, shower rooms, and all the facilities a bathhouse should have.

If there's anything lacking, it's probably the absence of a bathtub for soaking.

However, it does have a steam bathhouse.

In layman's terms, a steam bathhouse is a sauna.

Outside the steam bathhouse is a ignition point. Water is heated at the ignition point, and once the water is hot, bathers can enjoy the soothing steam rising from it.

Because the Shinsengumi was a mixed-gender unit, Aoto specially designated a women's bath for the three girls to use.

At this moment, if anyone were to approach the women's bath, they would surely hear intermittent, strange noises emanating from within...

……

……

"Zanako, are you ready?"

"Ready."

"Are you really going to pour this stuff all over yourself?"

"Yes, otherwise why would I have called you here?"

Are you sure?

"Hurry up, stop dawdling."

"Well... excuse me!"

After saying that, Qing Deng raised the large vat filled with cold water—which had a capacity of at least thirty liters—and poured it directly over Sanako's head.

Splash splash splash splash...

The icy, cascading water poured down, soaking Sanako to the bone.

In the blink of an eye, her entire body, from her hair to her skin to her clothes, was soaked.

Sanako was kneeling properly on the ground, her eyes closed and her hands resting quietly on her thighs.

His demeanor was so perfect and his expression so solemn that even the most discerning scholars of etiquette could not find any fault with him.

Her "unmoved by the icy water" demeanor is very much like that of an ascetic sitting under a waterfall, letting the mountain spring pound her body.

Because there was a lot of water in the tank, the "water baptism" lasted for nearly two minutes before it ended.

"Okay, all the water has been poured out."

As he spoke, Qingdeng casually placed the now-empty vat aside.

"Thank you, Mr. Ju. I couldn't lift such a heavy porcelain jar by myself."

Sanako slowly raised her eyelids, blinked hard a few times, shook off the water droplets clinging to her long eyelashes, and then gave a faint smile.

"You're welcome. It's just a small favor, nothing to brag about."

Sanako narrowed her eyes, staring intently at Aoto's face.

"What's wrong? Why do you look so gloomy?"

After asking the question, Sanako curled her lips into a playful smile.

"I thought you asked me to come over and help you take a bath so that I could scrub your back and apply soap."

The moment after Qing Deng told the truth, Sanako's eyes suddenly held a teasing "Hmph, I knew it" tone as she looked at Qing Deng.

"Orange-kun, you're such a pervert."

Qingdeng forced a helpless, bitter smile:

"Zanako, is it because you've been spending so much time with Tsukasa lately that you've been corrupted by him? How come you've started playing these kinds of pranks too?"

"Although I am no longer a young girl in the prime of my youth, I still have a childlike side sometimes."

Normally, Sanako always has a serious, aloof, and unsmiling demeanor.

Deliberately saying suggestive things to provoke Qingdeng... such a situation is indeed rare.

Tick-tock... tick-tock... tick-tock... tick-tock...