I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

The blade rubbed against the scabbard, producing a slow but crisp clanging sound.

Then, something amazing happened.

Just as the blade was fully sheathed and the locking mechanism re-engaged into the scabbard opening, the human-shaped wooden stake suddenly emitted a faint "click" sound.

Immediately afterwards, the upper part of the stake slowly slid down, the slanted break being both neat and clean.

Qingdeng turned around, looked at the wooden stake that had been cut in two, and gently shook his head.

"Sigh...it still doesn't work..."

Judging from the result alone, Qing Deng did indeed cut the wooden stake beautifully with a swift and skillful sword-drawing technique.

However... this is not the result Qing Deng was looking for.

"What exactly is this 'first of first' that Mr. Kiryu is talking about...?"

Ever since arriving in Kyoto… or rather, ever since learning the secrets of the Flowing Light Drawing Sword Technique from Mr. Kiryu, Seito has been pondering the true meaning of “first of first”.

When Kiryu taught Aoto the secret technique of "Moment," every word he uttered still echoed in his ears—

The essence of swordsmanship lies in the art of drawing the sword... or rather, the art of swordsmanship.

What swordsmanship should pursue is not overwhelming power, nor lightning speed, but "striking first to gain the upper hand".

Everything else is a crooked path that deviates from the essence.

The so-called "first in front" means seeing through everything about your opponent.

Your opponent's expressions, gestures, and thoughts are all laid bare before you. It's as if a god is looking down upon his plaything.

His attacks are unlikely to threaten you because you have already seen through his intentions.

And every strike and every move you make can easily land on your opponent, because you already know how they are going to defend and dodge.

What you need to do is to launch your attack in a position and trajectory that will never miss, just like calculating the equation "1+1 equals".

If one can combine the "first move of seeing through the opponent" with the "moment of lightning" that moves like thunder... then the strongest sword-drawing technique, which is to strike when it strikes and kill the one who is hit, will be born!

If you want to reach the level of "being the first among the first"... I'm sorry, I don't know exactly how to achieve that level.

Even the worldly-wise Kiryu failed to grasp the meaning of "first of firsts"... Aoto was mentally prepared to "definitely run into obstacles everywhere".

In fact, it is true.

Whenever he has free time, Qingdeng tries to think deeply and comprehend the true meaning of "first among firsts".

As a result... so far, not even a shred of understanding has been achieved.

In fact, let alone "the first of the first", Qing Deng still only has a superficial understanding of the profound meaning of flowing light - instant - Qing Deng.

According to Kiryu, "Setsuna" is an incredibly fast sword-drawing technique.

It requires the use of all the muscles and strength in the body.

Charging towards the enemy with the ferocity of a pig, every step he took required the utmost effort from his body.

When taking the final step, use the push-off to transfer the power from your legs up and then concentrate it in the arm holding the knife.

Based on this, by making good use of the force brought by the weight of the sword when it is drawn from its sheath—the two forces combined—the power accumulated between the blades is released in one go, killing the enemy and defeating the general in an instant!

Simply put, it involves using bold techniques to push the force of one's limbs and the speed of the blade beyond one's usual limits, unleashing a powerful and explosive strike!

This is the essence of fleeting light—the instant!

Without a doubt, this is an extremely complex and difficult combat technique.

Qing Deng still hasn't fully mastered this move.

Just as he readjusted his stance and prepared to continue practicing martial arts, an anxious shout rang out from outside the room:

"Tachibana-kun! Tachibana-kun!"

It was Keisuke Yamanami's voice.

The gentle and refined Yamanami Keisuke rarely spoke in such an anxious tone...

Realizing something was amiss, Qingdeng immediately dropped his stance and quickly retorted:

"what happened?"

"King Orange, something terrible has happened! The Great Tree has fallen ill!"

*******

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Not only was the update early today, but it also included a whopping 5400 words! Leopard really worked hard! In recognition of Leopard's efforts, please be sure to vote for this book with your monthly tickets!!

Please vote with monthly tickets! Please vote with recommendation tickets! (Leopard crying.jpg)

P.S.: The pacing of this book is really inconsistent. Sometimes it tells the story slowly, and other times it propels the plot forward with the force of a raging storm. Tokugawa Iemochi was eating pork heartily in the previous chapter, and in this chapter he's already fallen ill.

Chapter 687 Jiamao: Qingdeng, you're like a father to me! [4500]

The news that the general had fallen ill immediately caused an uproar.

In an instant, from outside Kyoto to inside Kyoto, from the main streets to the back alleys, everyone in and around Kyoto was talking about the general's illness.

At the same time, all sorts of conspiracy theories have become rampant.

General, haven't you always been in good health? How come you suddenly fell ill?

And, quite coincidentally, he fell ill at this critical juncture.

She just arrived in Kyoto and then got sick? What a coincidence!

Something's fishy! There's definitely something fishy going on!

"The general is faking illness!" "He doesn't want to expel the barbarians, but he can't ignore the court's voice, so he's using this method to escape..." Such comments spread throughout every corner of Kyoto.

It's no wonder that the people of Kyoto have such thoughts.

After all, Tokugawa Iemochi's illness came at just the right time.

Even Qing Deng was astonished when he learned of this – are you fucking kidding me?

Qing Deng paid no attention to the commotion from the outside world.

Upon learning that Tokugawa Iemochi had fallen ill, he immediately put aside all his affairs and rushed to Nijo Castle as quickly as possible.

The truth about the general, whether he was faking illness, and whether those conspiracy theories were true or false, will all be revealed once we see Tokugawa Iemochi with our own eyes.

……

……

Kyoto, Nijo Castle, the shogun’s residence——

"Qingdeng, I'm sorry... I made you worry... cough cough...!"

Tokugawa Iemochi threw off the thick quilt covering him and slowly sat up.

"Alright, alright, stop talking. Here, have some water."

As Qing Deng spoke, he grabbed a glass of warm water from the side of him and forcefully handed it to Tokugawa Iemochi without saying a word.

Looking at the lukewarm water in front of him, Tokugawa Iemochi gave a wry smile:

"It's hot water again... I really can't drink any more..."

"Stop talking nonsense and drink it quickly. Since you're sick, you should drink more hot water."

As he spoke, Qingdeng pushed the water glass in his hand forward a little more.

"Really... you're just like your mother..."

Despite saying that, he still obediently took the water glass and took a big gulp.

At that moment, a bald man sitting directly opposite Qingdeng, who was taking Tokugawa Iemochi's pulse, silently released Tokugawa Iemochi's wrist.

Upon seeing this, Tianzhangyuan, who was sitting not far away, immediately asked:

"Yuan Yan, how is the situation?"

This bald man is named Tajimoto Isamu, and he was one of Tokugawa Iemochi's personal physicians.

Being a doctor in the Edo period was considered a fairly respectable profession.

Some doctors, such as those from families of imperial physicians during the shogunate, were considered a privileged class, enjoying extremely high social status and holding various ranks.

However, not all doctors are privileged; there are also ordinary doctors who struggle to make ends meet.

Most doctors in the Edo period shaved their heads like monks. Shaving was not mandatory, and the exact reason why they shaved their heads has never been clear.

It is said to be a relic from the Warring States period.

Military doctors during the Warring States period shaved their heads to indicate that they were not combatants.

Important positions within the shogunate were mostly hereditary, and doctors were no exception.

The general's physicians were collectively known as "Ao Physicians".

The position of head physician was held by the Hani and Imaoji families.

Ordinary doctors were divided into two categories. Internal medicine was inherited by the Taki family, while surgery was inherited by the Katsura family.

Surgical techniques were quite backward in feudal times, so physicians who practiced internal medicine... that is, physicians of the same discipline made up the vast majority of physicians in Austria.

The descendants of Tanba Yasuyori, a famous physician of the Heian period, practiced medicine for generations. Tanba Motoyasu changed his name to Toho Motoyasu and became the personal physician of Tokugawa Hidetada, the second shogun of the Edo period.

The fourth generation after Yuan Kang, An Yuan, changed his surname to Taji, thus becoming a family of physicians serving the general.

As soon as Tianzhangyuan finished speaking, Duoji Yuanyan immediately prostrated himself on the ground, respectfully and solemnly saying:

"Your Highness, the Great Tree Lord's health has improved considerably."

"However, she is still very weak."

"Next, I will prescribe a new medicine."

"After taking this new medicine, you will definitely recover to your original state in 15 days to a month at the latest."

"Of course, the premise is that the big tree must rest and not be overworked."

After hearing what Duo Jiyuanyan said, Qingdeng and Tianzhangyuan both breathed a sigh of relief.