I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

However, even in such dire straits, the Five Dynasties did not give up their fight.

Despite being unable to stand due to weakness in his left leg, he stubbornly assumed a punching stance and swung his right fist towards Qingdeng's abdomen.

A fist loses much of its power once it loses the leverage of the waist and legs.

Therefore, it is not hard to imagine how weak the punch thrown by Godai, who was kneeling on one knee, would be.

Qingdeng didn't even look at his fist, and casually slapped it away—the movement was as casual as swatting a fly—effortlessly knocking away Godai's fist.

In the next instant, he stretched out his iron-like hands and firmly grasped Godai's shoulders—this was both to prevent the opponent from adopting a defensive stance and to facilitate the next attack.

A moment later, a hard knee rapidly enlarged within Godai's field of vision.

With a loud thud, Qing Deng's knee struck Wu Dai squarely in the left temple.

This time, there were no screams.

Godai felt as if his head had swelled to three times its usual size, as if a cannonball had exploded inside his head, scattering his brain matter. Countless stars flew before his eyes, and the world spun around him.

Then, a beat later, he realized with a start that the world in front of him had really "turned upside down"! The ceiling flew down to his feet, and the back of his head was hitting the tatami mat.

After delivering a powerful blow to Godai's temple, Qing Deng swiftly extended his arms, grabbing Godai's left shoulder and collar with his left and right hands respectively.

When Qing Deng's hands left Godai's body, Godai fell flat on his back like a boulder, making a loud "thud".

[Ding! Talent detected]

[Successfully Replicating the Talent: "Minor Success in Self-Defense"]

[Talent Introduction: The White-Handed Talent Amplification is 8 times the average level of ordinary people]

[Ding! Detected that the host already possesses a talent of the same type]

[Ding! Initiating talent fusion]

[Ding! The "Master of Blade Fighting" and the "Skilled Blade Fighter" have begun to merge.]

[Please wait, host... Please wait, host...]

[Ding! Talent fusion successful]

[Advanced Skills in "Bai Da Yi Cai"]

[“Hand-to-Hand Prodigy” Talent Introduction: The hand-to-hand talent amplifies abilities 85 times the average level.]

……

Qingdeng had no time to pay attention to the system voice in his mind.

Because... even the system determined that the fifth generation had lost, but he still refused to admit defeat.

"You, you fucking...! +$&￥! 《￥$#! !"

Wu Dai struggled to sit up.

Pain and shame... these emotions boiled over his face, making his facial features even more grotesque.

He continuously spewed out profanities in standard Japanese and the Satsuma dialect.

At the same time, his right hand suddenly reached for the hilt of the sword at his left waist.

However, just as his hand touched the hilt of the knife, he was stopped by a male voice that was neither sad nor happy.

"I advise you not to draw your sword."

Qing Deng said softly, his face expressionless.

"You're a samurai too, you should know the consequences of drawing your sword, right?"

"Once he draws his sword... I will draw mine in return!"

"At that point, things won't be able to end amicably."

Having said that, Qingdeng spread his legs, lowered his waist, and placed his hand on his sword.

In an instant, a terrifying and overwhelming aura pressed down directly on the Five Dynasties with overwhelming force!

This is not a "momentum".

It's just an aura—a confidence and fearlessness honed through countless battles and an undefeated record!

The Satsuma people present were mostly martial arts practitioners and had some knowledge of swordsmanship.

Therefore, they were all terrified by this powerful pressure.

If we're talking about the person with the most varied facial expressions... then it has to be Komatsu Tateto.

He first looked surprised, then frowned slightly, his surprise turning into a thoughtful expression.

As for the fifth generation who faced Qingdeng directly, his face turned pale, and large beads of cold sweat trickled down his forehead.

However, his right hand remained on the hilt of the knife, and his slightly trembling right hand could still pull the knife out at any moment.

Qingdeng silently raised his left thumb, which was supporting the scabbard, and pushed it forward—with a click, revealing the red copper latch that held the scabbard in place.

Just when the situation was at its most tense...

"...Godai, that's enough, stop."

A deep, unfamiliar male voice suddenly rang out, hovering in the air above the hall.

The moment that male voice rang out, the audience reacted in two completely different ways.

Qingdeng and the geishas led by Ziyang all looked puzzled.

As for the Satsuma people led by Komatsu Tateto... their expressions were quite complex.

A very small number of people, including Komatsu Daito, breathed a sigh of relief, looking as if a great weight had been lifted from their shoulders.

As for the others... their expressions were dominated by emotions such as joy, respect, and fear.

Especially during the Five Dynasties period.

He turned his stiff neck and looked toward the source of the deep male voice—a tall, muscular, and fat man.

"...Five Dynasties, look what you've done."

The fat man walked steadily toward the Fifth Generation.

Wu Dai swallowed hard.

"Xixi, Lord Saigo...!"

Upon hearing the name Saigo, Qing Deng's pupils suddenly contracted, and his gaze became focused.

Satsuma people, Saigo... Aoto could only think of one person who could connect these words together.

He slightly raised the straw hat on his head, raised his eyes, and carefully examined the other person from head to toe.

He wore ordinary clothes, had a round head, a thick neck, and a fat body.

Although he had a large belly, his physique was not the type that was overweight and obese, but rather more like a "general's belly" in the traditional sense.

People with this kind of physique, even without saying a word, exude an indescribable sense of oppression just by standing there...

Saigo slowly moved up to Godai and gave him a completely emotionless look.

As if sensing something, Wu Dai's lips and voice began to tremble, and even his legs started to shake.

"West……"

Bang!

Before the words could even be fully uttered, "Lord Saigo," Saigo interrupted him with a punch!

Saigo suddenly threw a punch, hitting Godai squarely in the stomach.

Judging from the force of his punch, he really put his strength into it.

The intense pain left Godai with no strength left to even groan.

He rolled his eyes back, clutched his stomach, bent his body into a "C" shape, and slowly fell down, his limbs twitching slightly.

To make himself feel better, he had to lie on his side.

Saigo calmly withdrew his fist.

"Wu Dai, how many times have I told you? Since you're prone to drunken outbursts, you should drink less outside. See, you've caused trouble again!"

His tone was like that of someone lecturing a disobedient child.

"Yes...I'm sorry...It was my...I didn't think it through..."

The fifth generation struggled, their attitude incredibly humble, offering intermittent apologies.

This guy, who never yielded even when being crushed by Qingdeng and always acted like a mad dog, was now as docile as a corgi in front of Saigo, not daring to utter a sound.

At this moment, Qingdeng seized the opportunity to interject:

"May I ask if you are Saigo Kichinosuke of the Satsuma Domain?"

Even though he was already certain, he still wanted to confirm with the other party.

Aoto's sudden words drew Saigo's attention.

He glanced at Qingdeng a few times, then revealed a peaceful smile and readily admitted:

“That’s right, I am Saigo Kichinosuke, the military tax collector of the Satsuma Domain!”

Upon hearing the affirmative answer, Qingdeng couldn't help but grin:

—Is he Saigo Kichinosuke...?

Today is truly a wonderful day.

In just one day, he encountered both Takeshi Hanpeita, the pillar of the Tosa Domain, and Saigo Kichinosuke, the pillar of the Satsuma Domain!

Aoto was still in shock... This time, it was Saigo Kinosuke's turn to speak first:

"Your skills are truly impressive. May I ask your name?"

Qing Deng replied without hesitation:

“I am merely a passing samurai, nameless and without surname, not worthy of your attention.”

Saigo Kinosuke, as if he had heard a funny joke, wore an exaggerated, mocking expression:

"Nameless? Don't be ridiculous. How could a man like you be nameless?"