I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

He looked up and saw Aoto leading the Shinsengumi generals, standing as tall as Mount Tai, staring at him expressionlessly.

Qingdeng didn't waste any words and said directly and seriously:

“Sagawa Kanbei, you disobeyed orders, led your troops out into battle without authorization, were arrogant and underestimated the enemy, resulting in a disastrous defeat. Not only did you fail to achieve any merit, but you also lost several important cavalrymen. Am I wrong about any of the above?”

"..."

The brief silence was a reflection of Kanbei Sagawa's struggle.

After a moment, he lowered his head and squeezed out the words through clenched teeth:

"No... It was my incompetence that led to such severe and irreversible consequences... I, Sagawa Kanbei, am willing to accept all punishment..."

Seeing that the other party readily confessed, Qingdeng was too lazy to waste any more words.

"I don't have time to deal with you right now, I'll deal with you slowly later."

Having said that, he turned his head and called out to his entourage behind him:

"Bring me the bow!"

The attendant responded in agreement and then quickly left.

A short while later, the purple great bow that Tianzhangyuan had gifted to Qingdeng—the Iseza Furi Luo—was handed to him.

Qingdeng held the bow in his left hand and stroked the string with his right, carefully checking the condition of the bowstring.

A bow is a very delicate weapon.

Once it gets damp, its elasticity will be greatly reduced.

Therefore, one should not use a bow on a rainy day—of course, it is not impossible to use one, but doing so will greatly reduce the power of the arrows and easily damage the bowstring.

Qingdeng's sudden act of taking out his bow naturally puzzled everyone present.

The commander couldn't help but ask:

"Tachibana-kun, what are you doing with the bow?"

Qing Deng replied calmly:

"As I expected, this band of bandits is very unusual."

"Unless they receive assistance from a 'third party,' a bandit army that has only recently risen up could not possibly have arquebusiers capable of performing the 'triple strike.'"

When referring to the term "third party," Qing Deng emphasized it.

"So... I want to go to the front lines myself, see for myself what's going on, and preferably arrest a few people to question."

These words shocked everyone present!

Kinoshita Mai's eyes widened:

"Qingdeng, are you going to personally act as a scout?"

The commander-in-chief rejected the proposal without hesitation:

"Tachibana-kun, no! You are the commander-in-chief of the Shinsengumi! If anything happens to you, this battle... no, the entire Kyoto region will be overthrown!"

Immediately afterwards, Yamanami Keisuke, Kondo Isami, and others all offered their advice, strongly urging Aoto to stay put at the main camp and not to take any risks.

The Aizu cavalry's recent crushing defeat has proven that the rebel army possesses a considerable number of matchlock muskets.

If reconnaissance operations are conducted around enemy lines... who knows what unexpected things might happen!

Qing Deng had anticipated the intense reaction from the crowd.

He smiled slightly, a confident look on his face, and said:

"Don't panic, of course I won't go alone, I'll bring a reliable bodyguard."

At this point, he turned his head and looked at the "most beautiful woman in Edo" not far away.

"Zanako, you come with me! With just the two of us, let's take a trip to the front lines of the enemy lines!"

"?!"

Qing Deng's sudden call to name Sanako startled her for a moment.

Looking at all the generals of the Shinsengumi, only Sanako, who came from a distinguished family, received strict education from a young age, and was proficient in all eighteen martial arts, knew how to ride a horse, and her riding skills were not bad.

After a brief moment of surprise, Sanako expressed her astonishment in her voice:

"Tachibana-kun, do you mean... to go scout out the enemy's situation by ourselves alone, without anyone else?"

Qingdeng nodded slightly:

"This is a reconnaissance operation that requires quick entry and exit; having too many people would only be a hindrance."

He paused at this point, then added with a smile:

"I wield my bow and arrows, and you follow with your naginata; what can a million men do to me!"

The next moment, he commanded Sagawa Kanbei in an unquestionable tone:

“Sagawa-kun, choose the best horse from among the warhorses you brought for Sanako.”

Having just suffered a humiliating defeat and made a ridiculous spectacle, Sagawa Kanbei was too ashamed to put on airs anymore.

As soon as Qingdeng finished speaking, he nodded hurriedly:

"Yes, I understand! I'll arrange it right away!"

Aoto's gaze shifted to Kondo Isami, who was in charge of supervising military discipline.

"Kondo-kun, lock up Sagawa-kun. I'll interrogate him later when I have time."

Kondo Isami: "Yes!"

After completing a series of arrangements and deployments, Qing Deng waved to Sanako:

"Zanako, let's go!"

……

……

On the barren, yellow earth, two knights rode forward on horseback (or oxen) almost simultaneously—it was Aoto, who had defied all opposition and insisted on acting as a scout himself, and Sanako, who accompanied and protected him.

"Moo moo~~ Moo moo~~"

Radish's mood was visibly elevated.

Perhaps because its two owners were beside it, the big black bull was very excited, its tail almost reaching the sky.

Complete with chainmail, gauntlets, and foot armor, Sanako, clad in a light blue haori, held the reins in her left hand and carried the naginata Ikezuki, a gift from Aoto, in her right. Her long black hair was tied into a high ponytail that fluttered in the wind. She skillfully rode the exceptional Aizu horse, displaying a heroic and awe-inspiring demeanor.

Despite her imposing presence, her feminine grace was still evident in her beautiful figure.

"..."

Suddenly, she quietly fell half a step behind Qingdeng, occasionally glancing up at the tall figure in front of her.

She thought her actions were very discreet.

Little did they know that every move he made was under Qingdeng's perception.

Qingdeng turned half of his face to the side:

"Zanako, what's wrong? Why are you staring at me?"

Knowing her actions had been exposed, Sanako paused for a moment, then forced herself to remain calm and said in a low voice:

"It's nothing, it's just... it's just... it's been so long since we went out alone together, so it feels like a long time."

Qingdeng raised an eyebrow, then remained silent for a moment, seemingly lost in thought, before turning to give the other person a teasing look.

"I see, so... you're feeling lonely, right?"

"Tachibana-kun, do you really want me to spell it out like this?"

Ignoring her flushed face, Sanako glared fiercely at Aoto.

In the midst of their conversation, the enemy's camp was already within reach.

Just then, out of the corner of his eye, Qingdeng caught a glimpse of several dark figures approaching them.

Upon closer inspection, they realized it was four bandit scouts on horseback patrolling the surrounding area.

The leader stared in shock at Aoto and Sanako.

You can't blame him for overreacting.

Although anyone could tell that these two were strange, and were most likely scouts from the Shinsengumi, it was still incredibly audacious for a mere two-person scout team, one of whom was a woman!

So, this person reflexively shouted:

Who are you people?!

Hearing this question, Qing Deng couldn't help but smile.

The next instant, he responded loudly:

"I am King Ren!"

Having said that, he swiftly took the Iserzaburi from the saddle, nocked an arrow, and shot!

The sharp arrow, piercing through the wind, went straight through the man's skull!

Before the man could even utter a scream, his eyes rolled back and he fell from his horse, raising a cloud of dust.

*******

*******

Happy New Year! Happy New Year! *slap slap slap slap* (leopard slapping its belly.jpg)

I went to pay New Year's visits on the first day of the Lunar New Year, and after that, I still have to drag my tired body back to writing and updating for everyone... Please, in consideration of how diligent I am, vote for this book! (Crying leopard head.jpg) Requesting monthly votes! Requesting recommendation votes! (Leopard head crying.jpg)

P.S.: The plot of this chapter would be too pretentious for Qing Deng, but it's just right for Li Shimin. It just goes to show that the novel is too conservative compared to reality!

Chapter 643 I am the Benevolent King! I single-handedly charge into battle and capture the general! [4200]

The remaining scouts all stared wide-eyed, mouths slightly agape, looking as if they had seen a ghost.

The next instant, they screamed, whipped their horses wildly, and fled in a frenzy, ignoring the bodies of their companions, leaving only a wisp of smoke behind.