I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

"Lord Tachibana, I am Yoshisuke Nose, the Town Magistrate of Kyoto. I am truly sorry for today's misfortune!"

Upon seeing Matsudaira Katamori, Inaba Masakuni, and Nose Ryosuke suddenly appear, Takahashi Kinzaburo and Yamazaki Heijiro both wore expressions of near bewilderment.

As senior executives of the Kyoto Magistrate's Office, including Ginmi-kata and Riki, and the Kusunoki Group, they naturally recognized these two important figures who enjoyed supreme authority in Kyoto.

Tachibana-sama...sama...person...

Masakuni Inaba's words, "Tachibana-sama," echoed in their ears like a tolling bell, lingering for a long time.

He possesses a treasured sword engraved with a sunflower pattern; hundreds of soldiers stormed into the magistrate's office to seize people; he was respectfully addressed as "Lord Tachibana" by Inaba Masakuni; and he speaks fluent Edo dialect...

Kinzaburo Takahashi and Heijiro Yamazaki simultaneously conjured up the same terrifying thought in their minds.

The instant this conjecture was born, Kinzaburo Takahashi's expression changed drastically, and Heijiro Yamazaki's expression also went out of control.

Correction. Calling it a "conjecture" is not entirely accurate.

After all, the facts are clear, but their emotions just can't keep up with reality.

This is impossible! How could this person be the Commander of the Capital Region?!

However, upon seeing the solemn faces of Matsudaira Katamori, Inaba Masakuni, and others, and facing this undeniable truth, their lips parted uncontrollably, and they momentarily forgot to breathe.

啪挲、啪挲、啪挲、啪挲、啪挲……

The two heard unhurried footsteps approaching from in front of them.

Qing Deng walked up to the two men expressionlessly, raised the sunflower-patterned sword in his hand, and pointed it at the ground beneath their feet.

"Kneel down."

Both of them trembled violently, and their throats bobbed a few times.

Immediately afterwards, two "thump" sounds were heard, and the two of them knelt down on the ground in a tiger-landing posture.

Hands on the ground, forehead pressed against the ground—the most standard dogeza (a traditional Japanese kneeling posture).

The henchmen who were following Yamazaki Heijiro also knelt down.

The group of people trembled like grasshoppers in autumn.

"Too high, lower it."

They paused for a moment, then quickly did as instructed.

His forehead seemed to be merging with the ground, his body was curled up into a ball, and he was almost touching the ground.

"Keep your body still, raise your head."

Kinzaburo Takahashi and Heijiro Yamazaki continued to do as instructed.

They raised their heads slightly, leaving enough space between their foreheads and the ground to bury two fists.

With its body pressed tightly to the ground and its head raised, it looked just like a turtle sticking its head out of its shell.

"Yes, that's it."

At the very moment Qing Deng finished speaking—

boom!boom!

He kicked out twice, hitting Kinzaburo Takahashi and Heijiro Yamazaki squarely in the face.

Because Qing Deng required both of them to keep their heads up, their control of distance and the angle of their kicks were perfect.

The blood that splattered everywhere stained the white sand and gravel ground red.

The two men who had been stabbed in the face had their eyes rolled back, blood flowing from their mouths and noses. They were kicked to the ground, lying on their backs, and were almost unconscious.

Qingdeng held back, not going all out.

Otherwise, with his physical abilities enhanced by talents such as "Nine Bulls and Two Tigers +3" and "Leading the Way +4", killing someone with a single kick would be an easy matter.

"What's wrong? Let me see your amazing skill of killing me as easily as killing an ant."

Upon hearing Qing Deng's words, Takahashi Kinzaburo and Yamazaki Heijiro both shuddered and scrambled back to their original positions, continuing to lie prone like lapdogs, not daring to move an inch, not even daring to wipe the blood from their faces.

"I see you're quite adept at using those methods to persecute ordinary people. I imagine many innocent people have died unjustly at your hands in the past, haven't you?"

The two dared not speak, but their bodies trembled even more violently.

Qingdeng turned to look at Hijikata Toshizo and said:

"These people are members of the 'Kusunuki Group,' a rebel group. Arrest them!"

Then, he pointed at Kinzaburo Takahashi.

"As for this man, he is suspected of colluding with rebels and bandits who are disrupting the order of Kyoto, and he has been taken back to his post!"

Kinzo Takahashi's expression instantly went out of control.

Driven by his survival instinct, he cried out in a panic:

"Lord Tachibana! I am Yukichi from the Kyoto Magistrate's Office. The Governor of the Capital Region has no right to interfere in the internal affairs of the Kyoto Magistrate's Office. You cannot arrest me!"

Upon hearing this, Qing Deng let out a cold laugh.

"I didn't expect you to be so knowledgeable about the scope of authority of the Commander of the Capital Garrison."

“You’re right, I indeed have no right to interfere in the internal affairs of the Kyoto Magistrate’s Office.”

"But you are suspected of colluding with rebel groups, which has had an extremely negative impact on the security situation in Kyoto."

"In that case, I have no choice but to intervene."

Qingdeng's choice of words is very accurate.

The reason he used to arrest Kinzaburo Takahashi was that he was "suspected of colluding with rebels who were disrupting the order of Kyoto."

Although the Commander of the Capital Region was responsible for pacifying the capital region, he did not have administrative power.

Simply put, Aoto had no authority to interfere in matters large or small, such as the implementation of policies, fiscal revenue, and personnel management of the Kyoto Magistrate's Office.

However, if a "traitor" were to emerge within the magistrate's office, causing Kyoto to fall into a precarious situation of deteriorating public order, then Seito would have every reason to intervene.

Qingdeng was too lazy to waste any more words with the other party, and waved his hand dismissively:

"Take him away!"

A dozen or so Shinsengumi members rushed forward, restrained Kinzaburo Takahashi, Heijiro Yamazaki, and others, and dragged them away like dogs.

Yamazaki Heijiro and his gang were terrified. Their faces were pale, their legs were trembling, their eyes were vacant, and they were completely dazed, as if they had lost their souls. They couldn't even utter a single word.

Kinzaburo Takahashi, on the other hand, is still very energetic.

"Lord Tachibana! Spare me! Spare me! Lord Nagato! Lord Nose! Save me! Save me!"

Kinzaburo Takahashi looked at Masakuni Inaba and Ryosuke Nose—the two men he knew well, his last hope for salvation—with pleading, begging eyes.

however……

Inaba Masakuni had a cold face and didn't even glance at him.

Although Yoshisuke Nose looked reluctant, he silently looked away.

He offended the Garrison Commander of the Capital Region... and caused such a mess, no one can protect him now!

Although Qingdeng currently only has about a hundred men under its command and has neither territory nor independent sources of income, it may not seem powerful. However, any human being with a sound mind would never dare to openly oppose it.

Regardless of his extraordinary personal martial prowess, his very identity was enough to make the retainers and forces under the shogunate retreat in fear.

He was handpicked by Tokugawa Iemochi to be a regional governor, and a trusted and favored minister of Tokugawa Iemochi... He had practically stacked all the buffs!

As early as when Tokugawa Iemochi promoted Aoto to "servant of the Imperial Household and the Chief of Staff", he had already sent a clear signal to the outside world: from now on, Aoto and I are on the same side!

The strong connection between Aoto and Tokugawa Iemochi meant that the former, to a certain extent, represented the latter's embodiment in Kyoto.

In other words: opposing Aoto is opposing Tokugawa Iemochi!

Although the authority of the shogunate has declined significantly in recent years, as of now, there are fewer than two counts of people or forces that dare to disregard the Shogun.

After Kinzaburo Takahashi's wailing gradually faded away until it could no longer be heard, Masakuni Inaba walked up to Aoto and humbly bowed once again.

"Lord Ju, I truly don't know how to apologize to you for today's unexpected turn of events..."

Following closely beside Masakuni Inaba, Ryosuke Nose also bowed in apology.

Aoto reached out and helped Inaba Masakuni and Nose Ryosuke straighten up.

"Lord Nagato, Lord Nori, there's no need for this. My eyes can discern right from wrong. The culprit behind today's events has been captured and subdued. Please, both of you, stand up straight."

Upon hearing this, both of their facial expressions relaxed, revealing a look of relief.

Aoto's words were tantamount to a direct statement to Inaba Masakuni and Nose Ryosuke: I will only target Takahashi Kinzaburo, and will not escalate the situation, nor will I blame you for it.

Seeing that the atmosphere had eased somewhat, Matsudaira Katamori stepped forward at the opportune moment and said:

"Lord Ju, it was too late yesterday to host a welcome dinner. So let us do our part as hosts today?"

As soon as Matsudaira Katamori finished speaking, Inaba Masakuni and Nose Ryosuke chimed in to agree.

Although the power and status of the Kyoto Shoshidai (Kyoto Governor) and Kyoto Machibugyō (Kyoto Town Magistrate) were greatly weakened after the shogunate established the positions of Kyoto Shugo (Kyoto Protector) and Kyoto Chinfushi (Kyoto Region Pacification Commissioner), they were ultimately the representatives of Kyoto's "civil officials".

Unless absolutely necessary, one should not antagonize them.

In modern terms, they possess extremely high value.

Matsudaira Katamori's intention was clear—a minor accident had occurred today, causing some unpleasantness between Aoto, Inaba Masakuni, and Nose Ryosuke, so he wanted to use the welcoming banquet to "bring them together" and bridge the gap between them.

However... Qingdeng quietly shook his head.

"Lady Higo, I am very sorry, but I have important matters to attend to tonight. Please leave the matter of welcoming me for later."

Matsudaira Katamori was taken aback upon hearing this.

"Important matter? May I ask what it is?"

Qing Deng smiled slightly.

"It is not appropriate to discuss this matter further at the moment, so please allow me to keep it a secret for the time being."

Both Masakuni Inaba and Ryosuke Nose showed expressions of disappointment and regret.

Subsequently, they spoke up one after another, trying to "persuade" Qingdeng to stay.

But Qingdeng's meaning was quite explicit and clear—a welcome banquet was fine, but not tonight!

Since Aoto had already said so much, Matsudaira Katamori and the others could say nothing more.