I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

Debuting at 16, graduating at 30... If you don't save enough money or find a man willing to marry you in those short 14 years, your future will be incredibly miserable.

Therefore, in order to earn money and retain customers, even geisha who sell their art but not their bodies have to use all sorts of methods to make their customers remember them.

Their methods include, but are not limited to: allowing guests to touch their faces, hands, and feet, while they themselves touch the guests' chests, waists, and legs.

As for geishas who crossed that final line and went straight into prostitution, there were countless examples of them—this kind of behavior was like walking a tightrope, gambling with their future and destiny.

Although the sex industry was highly developed during the Edo period, the shogunate did not openly encourage this industry.

The number of legal brothels is limited, and women are not allowed to engage in prostitution in places other than the aforementioned legal brothels.

In Edo, the only legal pleasure quarter was Yoshiwara.

The legal pleasure quarters in Kyoto and Osaka are Shimabara and Shinmachi, respectively.

Brothels other than those in legal brothels are considered illegal brothels.

All prostitutes other than those working in these legal brothels are considered illegal prostitutes that must be vigorously suppressed.

Those geisha who sold their bodies were called "nimae gancha", "zhengeisha", or "tsukeisha", etc.

The shogunate classified them as prostitutes, and they were people who had to be banned and arrested.

Once caught, not only will she be unable to continue being a geisha, but she will also be resold to a nearby legal brothel, where she can only work as the lowest-ranking prostitute.

The profession of geisha is far less glamorous and glamorous than it appears on the surface.

The most beautiful woman in Kyoto not only personally attends to you, but also takes the initiative to massage your lower back—the metaphorical meaning of this part is not ordinary—if it were an ordinary person, they would probably be secretly enjoying it, right?

But it's clear that Qingdeng is no ordinary person!

If I become unsettled or even smug simply because a beautiful woman is fond of me, how am I any different from a reckless lecher?

I, Ju Qingdeng, have never been a lecherous person!

So, although he didn't say it, Qingdeng quietly stretched his body and moved away from Ziyang.

Seeing this, Ziyang wisely withdrew her little hand and stopped "bothering" Qingdeng.

And so, a storm that would have erupted if discovered by Sanako, Kinoshita Mai, and Souji was calmly quelled by Aoto.

"Lord Ju, when I learned that you would be personally leading troops to pacify the capital region, I was so excited that I couldn't sleep for several nights in a row."

As he spoke, Ziyang filled Qingdeng's cup again.

"This ancient capital has been ravaged by thugs... The people of Kyoto are all yearning for the arrival of a hero—a hero who can save the city from collapse."

Upon hearing this, Qing Deng couldn't help but smile.

"Hero... such a heavy title, I can't bear it."

Ziyang covered her mouth and chuckled softly. Although she covered her mouth and nose, her melodious laughter, like the sound of silver bells, still escaped from between her lips and teeth.

"Lord Ju, humility is a good virtue, but excessive humility is not good."

"Your reputation for diligence and love for the people has long been known far and wide."

"Leaving aside your valiant achievements in eliminating evil, the many political accomplishments you made when you took office as the Vice Minister and Imperial Censor are enough to convince us, the people!"

"The title of 'hero' belongs to you alone!"

"Otherwise, who in this world is more qualified to bear this title than you?"

Hearing Ziyang's words, Qingdeng couldn't help but chuckle, thinking to himself:

—As expected of Gion's top geisha, she has a whole repertoire of flattery!

Finally, he added in his mind: She is truly a perfect geisha!

Ziyang's words and actions were as if measured with a ruler, precise and appropriate, reaching an unparalleled level.

While being close to guests, one maintains a certain distance so as not to offend them.

They use ambiguous but harmless methods to tease guests.

They will flatter their guests with vivid descriptions and witty remarks.

Such mature and skillful tactics make it hard to believe that this is a girl who is only 18 years old this year.

Although it may be a bit impolite to say it like that, Qingdeng didn't believe a single word of what Ziyang had just said—such as "I admire you so much" or "You are a great hero"!

Do not believe the words of women of the night—this is a truth that stands alongside Newton's three laws of motion.

They'll use any means necessary and say any nonsense in order to make money, retain customers, and cultivate relationships with the wealthy and powerful.

Perhaps Ziyang wasn't lying; she truly admired Qingdeng.

After all, no matter how you look at it, Qingdeng is undoubtedly a hero.

However, it is always wise to remain clear-headed and vigilant in the presence of women of ill repute.

Since being promoted to captain of the Fire Thieves Division 3, Qing Deng has always been cautious when facing every stranger.

Was the other person genuinely here to make friends? Or were they trying to curry favor with someone powerful? Or perhaps... they disliked him and wanted to assassinate him?

Although Qingdeng was reluctant to accept Ziyang's flattery, he did not dislike her enthusiasm.

Making money is nothing to be ashamed of!

As long as you don't offend him, he's happy to cooperate.

Thus, he remained vigilant on the one hand, and comfortably continued to enjoy Ziyang's company on the other.

……

……

The geisha's company filled the banquet hall with laughter.

Everyone chatted and joked with the geisha next to them in their own way.

"Lord Okita, you are so handsome!"

Souji chuckled, turned his head to look directly at Nanami, and smiled:

"Miss Nanami, you're beautiful too!"

Sincere praise + Souji's signature sunny smile = instantly melts your heart!

Instantly, Nanami's cheeks were filled with a look of ecstatic joy, and her whole body went limp.

……

“Miss Ayano, although you haven’t told me about your hobbies, I can tell you the current situation of the Edo Shogunate, which is in opposition to the Kyoto Imperial Court…”

Kondo Isami tensed his shoulders and neck, initially very reserved, but gradually relaxed, speaking eloquently to the geisha beside him about the current political situation, completely ignoring the impatience that flashed across her face, and continued talking on his own.

It has the air of someone introducing the differences between destroyers and cruisers to a girl on a date in the 21st century.

……

"Miss Riku, your hands are so beautiful."

Hijikata Toshizo boldly put one arm around the geisha's shoulder and held her wrist with the other, a faint smile on his face.

"Mr. Hijikata..."

Gazing at the handsome face so close to her, the geisha blushed and, as if losing all her strength, collapsed into Hijikata Toshizo's arms.

……

Nagakura Shinpachi half-closed his eyes and softly sang the famous folk song from his hometown (Matsumae Domain): "Esabi Oibatsu".

To be fair, the singing wasn't very good, but fortunately, folk music is a genre that focuses more on emotion than singing skills.

With the support of his emotions, his singing successfully won the beauty's smile.

……

Saito: "..."

Geisha: "..."

Saito: "..."

Geisha: "..."

A deathly silence descended between the two.

Saito picked up the wine glass on the table and drank it all in one gulp.

Upon seeing this, the geisha hurriedly reached for the sake bottle beside her legs.

However, Saito Hajime snatched the sake bottle first and filled his own cup.

"...Thank you for your company."

He said.

"But I just want to drink quietly."

The geisha pouts pitifully, her eyes lowered, and her hands clasped tightly to her chest.

"I'm...I'm sorry..."

Saito glanced at her sideways.

"...Let me make it clear beforehand that I do not mean to dislike or exclude you."

As he spoke, he handed the sake bottle to the geisha.

"Have a drink with me, maybe?"

The geisha blinked, then exclaimed, flattered:

"Yes!"

……

"Heaven and earth possess righteous energy, which manifests in various forms. Below, it becomes rivers and mountains; above, it becomes the sun and stars."

Serizawa Kamo sipped his sake and recited softly. Like Hijikata Toshizo, he directly embraced the geisha.

"Lord Serizawa, what is this? Is it a waka poem?"

"This is 'Ode to Righteousness' written by Wen Tianxiang during the Southern Song Dynasty of the Tang Dynasty. It is my favorite poem."

"Lord Serizawa, do you understand classical Chinese poetry?"