I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

"We are the Shinsengumi under the command of the Governor of the Capital Region. I am Hijikata Toshizo, the vice-commander of the Shinsengumi."

"A new, new Sengoku?!"

Neng Shiliangbi was dumbfounded.

Anyone with even a slight understanding of current affairs knows that the Shinsengumi is the direct armed force of the Gyeonggi Military Governor, possessing a high degree of independence and being responsible only to the Gyeonggi Military Governor.

Aoto and his Shinsengumi officially entered Kyoto yesterday. According to the original plan of Matsudaira Katamori, Inaba Masakuni, Nose Ryosuke, and others, a grand welcoming banquet should have been held last night.

However, Qing Deng strongly requested that the banquet be postponed, citing the reason that "it is late and the soldiers are exhausted, so we should talk about it another day."

Since Aoto made such a request, Matsudaira Katamori and the others had no choice but to comply.

For this reason, Masakuni Inaba and Ryosuke Nose have yet seen Aoto's face.

The Kyoto Garrison Commander was ranked above the Kyoto Shoshidai (Kyoto Supervisor) and the Kyoto Machibugyō (Kyoto Town Magistrate).

In short, Aoto was the superior of Inaba Masakuni and Nose Ryosuke.

How could they possibly see Shangguan whenever they wanted?

—What's going on? What did we do wrong? Why are the Shinsengumi surrounding the Magistrate's Office with such menacing intent? And judging from the numbers, is the Shinsengumi mobilized their entire force?

With this question in mind, Ryosuke Nose skillfully plastered a fawning smile on his face.

"I...I am Yoshisuke Nose, the town magistrate of Kyoto. May I ask what brings you gentlemen of the Shinsengumi here?"

Hijikata Toshimi let out a heavy, cold snort.

"Lord Nengshi, how dare you! You have committed treason! Your crimes are unforgivable!"

The hundreds of gazes from the soldiers transformed into giant hammers, pressing heavily on Noriyoshi Ryohsuke's shoulders, making it almost impossible for him to breathe.

"To use, to commit insubordination?"

Nose Ryohsuke's fat face was instantly covered in cold sweat.

In that instant, his mind raced at an unprecedented speed.

From accepting bribes from a merchant last month, to going to Gion to see the "most beautiful woman in Kyoto" last week, and then to meeting his lover behind his wife's back a few days ago... After reflecting on everything, he couldn't figure out what he had done to offend the Shinsengumi.

"Sir, please explain more clearly!"

Hijikata Toshizo raised his voice, emphatically enunciating each word:

"You forcibly took away our garrison commander. If you don't give us a reasonable explanation, we will not let this go!"

"Commander?! You...you mean Lord Juju...Lord Juju?!"

"Is there another garrison commander in Kyoto?"

In an instant, Noriyoshi Ryōsuke's fat face turned deathly pale.

"I don't know anything about this! I don't know anything!"

At that moment, the sound of approaching footsteps echoed again from afar.

Splash splash splash splash!

Another hundred or so soldiers!

The troops that appeared this time were not only more numerous, but also better equipped, with each soldier fully armed and wearing helmets and armor.

Yoshisuke Nose looked in the direction of the voice, and when he saw who it was, his already pale face became even more ashen.

"Lord Higo? Lord Nagato?"

Matsudaira Katamori and Inaba Masakuni, who led the Aizu Army, walked straight toward him with furious glares.

*******

*******

Starting with this chapter, this book will resume its regular update schedule of 10 AM every day! Please, in consideration of how hard I've worked, vote for this book with your monthly tickets! (Crying leopard head.jpg) Requesting monthly tickets! Requesting recommendation tickets! (Leopard head crying.jpg)

P.S.: Nose Ryosuke, the Kyoto Town Magistrate in this chapter, is a fictional character, while Inaba Masakuni, the Kyoto Shoshidai, is a historical figure. Please be aware of this. Since I couldn't find the name of the person who served as the Kyoto Town Magistrate at the time, I had to create an original one.

Qingdeng will definitely receive an official position in the imperial court in the future. Can you guess what Qingdeng's first official position will be?

Chapter 572 My Identity Exposed! No More Pretense! I'm the Garrison Commander! [4300]

The Shinsengumi, consisting of over a hundred men, plus the Aizu Army of two hundred men—a total of about three hundred—completely surrounded the Kyoto Magistrate's Office.

Such a rare and intriguing scene naturally attracted a large crowd of onlookers.

Intimidated by the soldiers' fierce aura, none of them dared to approach, instead standing far away and craning their necks to watch.

The expression on Matsudaira Katamori's face speaks for itself; in short, it perfectly embodies the words "serious" and "solemn."

As for Masakuni Inaba, who was walking alongside him... his tightly furrowed brows, his taut facial lines, and his indignant expression made it seem as if he was learning for the first time that evil existed in the world.

"Lord Nagato...?"

Yoshisuke Nose tentatively asked in a soft voice.

Masakuni Inaba walked up to him without saying a word.

then……

Snapped!

Masakuni Inaba slapped Yoshisuke Nose squarely across his left cheek with his right hand.

Masakuni Inaba was rather thin and frail, and at first glance he seemed like a weak person, but his grip strength was surprisingly considerable.

The large-bodied Nose Ryosuke was knocked so hard that he staggered and almost fell to the ground.

As the saying goes, "A higher-ranking official can crush you."

The positions of the Governor-General of the Capital Region and the Protector-General of Kyoto are above those of the Deputy Governor of Kyoto.

The Kyoto Shoshidai (Kyoto Magistrate) held a higher position than the Kyoto Town Magistrate.

Therefore, even though his face was burning with pain and he felt wronged, Nose Ryohsuke dared not protest or make a fuss.

After regaining his footing after being slapped away, he immediately lowered his head and sheepishly returned to his original position.

"You bastards! Look what you've done!"

Masakuni Inaba launched into a tirade of profanities.

"What exactly did you do to Lord Tachibana?"

"I didn't know either! I only just found out that Lord Tachibana had been arrested"—Nose Ryosuke pursed his lips, barely suppressing the urge to say it aloud.

At this moment, Matsudaira Katamori calmly interjected:

"Lord Nagato, please calm down. Hitting people won't solve the problem."

At the same time, Hijikata Toshizo stared intently at Nose Ryosuke, pressing him relentlessly with his question:

"When Lord Tachibana was on an incognito visit, he executed a patriot who was extorting money from the common people, but was arrested by the officials of the Kyoto Magistrate's Office without any explanation—are you aware of this matter?"

Hearing these words, "Incognito patriots who travel incognito and extort money from the common people...", Noriyoshi Ryohsuke broke out in a cold sweat, which gradually turned into a downpour.

"I...I'm not entirely clear on the specifics of what happened...The people from 'Three Times' should know the full details. Shall I go and call them over?"

Matsudaira Katamori shook his head:

"No need! Release Lord Tachibana for now! We can discuss the rest later!"

"Yes, yes, yes! Of course! Of course!"

Inaba Masakuni: "Where did you lock up Tachibana-sama?"

"Since Lord Tachibana was captured, he should be in Shirosu now..."

"lead the way!"

"Yes, yes! Please follow me! Please follow me!"

Nose Ryosuke bowed respectfully and turned to the side, gesturing for Hijikata Toshizo, Matsudaira Katamori, Inaba Masakuni, and others to enter.

The crowd strode forward, and the soldiers of both armies filed in...

……

……

Kyoto Administrative Office, Hakushu—

Four matchlock guns were aimed directly at Qingdeng's torso.

At this distance, even the worst shooter has no reason to miss.

Kinzaburo Takahashi has issued a strict order: if Aoto makes any rash move, do not hesitate to shoot him!

On one hand, the musketeers kept a close watch on Qingdeng.

On the other hand, the ropes used by the rope takers to carry out the Ebi torture.

The Ebi torture involves tightly binding the prisoner's wrists behind their back and crossing their legs in front of them. The rope binding their feet is then looped around their neck, pulling their legs down towards their chin. Soon, the prisoner's entire body turns bright red, and they are writhing in pain, sweating profusely. Even worse, shortly afterward, their skin turns a terrifying dark purple, followed by an even more horrifying pale white.

It won't kill you, but it will cause you immense suffering... It's practically the most perfect form of torture.

Kinzaburo Takahashi grinned maliciously, casting a mocking and sarcastic look at Aoto with a condescending air.

"How about it? Don't hold back! If you're scared, why not beg for mercy? If you appease me, I might consider letting you go!"

Before he could finish speaking, Qing Deng replied without hesitation:

"Don't be shy, bring out your tricks, I'll be watching."

After saying that, Qingdeng smiled slightly and met the other person's eyes without the slightest fear.

Instantly, Kinzaburo Takahashi looked as if he had a fishbone stuck in his throat, revealing a suffocated and unpleasant expression.

As a connoisseur of poetry and martial arts, Kinzaburo Takahashi has seen all sorts of people in his life.

There are cowards who wet their pants after being threatened a few times.

There are also tough guys who are indomitable and fearless in the face of death.

However, according to Kinzaburo Takahashi's observations, even the most stubborn and fierce people will show some wavering and retreat in their eyes when they see the hideous instruments of torture approaching them.

However... Qing Deng's eyes remained unchanged, still calm.