I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

Qingdeng slowly returned to the shore.

As he took off his soaking wet clothes, he said to the old man in front of him in an annoyed tone:

"You kept saying you were tired, but you kept swimming faster than me..."

The Kiryu boss smiled:

“I used to learn swimming techniques at Lake Biwa. Your physical strength and arm and leg strength are superior to mine, but your swimming skills still need a lot of practice.”

Aoto had no way to refute Kiryu's assessment.

His skill level in swimming is merely at the "can swim" level.

There was no way they could escape the British pursuit while aboard that old fishing boat.

A few shots from a British warship could easily capsize their small fishing boats.

Therefore, the only option was to escape by swimming.

As Qing Deng wrung out his clothes, he raised his gaze and looked towards Edo Bay in the distance.

Although he couldn't see the scene or hear the noise, he could roughly guess how horrified Neil, Colonel Jocelyn, and the others would look when they saw the shocking cut.

"They must be in a real mess right now!"

As he spoke, Qingdeng curled his lips into a knowing smile.

"Thinking about it carefully, it seems I wasn't helpful at all tonight. Oh dear, I'm really ashamed."

"Mr. Kiryu, don't say that. It's all thanks to your superb rowing skills that I was able to reach my destination much more easily."

By this time, both the old man and the young man had taken off their wet clothes.

Although it sounds strange... Aoto really couldn't control his gaze—he unconsciously raised his eyes and stole glances at Kiryu's upper body.

As a philanthropist determined to marry three wives, Qing Deng naturally had no strange hobbies.

This was the first time he had seen Kiryu's undisguised body.

The reason he couldn't help but steal glances at the other person's body was because—the other person's face and body were extremely mismatched!

Simply put: He clearly has an old face covered in wrinkles, but his body is still like that of a strong young man!

Chest muscles, abdominal muscles, back muscles... every muscle in his upper body is indistinct, with lines as clear as if carved by a knife, without a trace of excess fat.

It doesn't look like the body of a nearly 100-year-old!

Of course, what shocked Qing Deng the most was the enemy's "battle losses".

Kiryu's body was covered with crisscrossing scars.

New, old, long, short, cuts, penetrating wounds... all kinds of scars are there.

So many "battle medals"... they are no less impressive than those of Qingdeng!

This further solidified Aoto's idea—that Kiryu's past must be far more legendary than he imagined!

While Aoto was still in shock at Kiryu's body, the other man silently walked to his side and stood shoulder to shoulder with him.

"Tachibana-kun, that was a beautiful cut."

He gave a gentle smile.

"To be honest, I was worried about whether you could manage before we set off."

"Now it seems I really underestimated you."

"I never imagined that your 'flowing light' had reached such a level."

"Your growth rate always surprises me."

"I am very pleased."

"When I was your age, I didn't have such great abilities."

Qingdeng raised an eyebrow, his expression shifting to a smile tinged with mixed emotions:

"Actually... before I drew my sword, I was also very doubtful whether I could successfully cut through the keel of the Julius."

"Otherwise, I wouldn't have brought you along."

*******

*******

According to the corrections from fellow readers, Qingdeng didn't cut the keel, but the bow post; there's no keel at the bow of a ship... Never mind! Let's just assume he cut the keel! (Leopard full of pride.jpg)

P.S.: For some unknown reason, the book club has been disbanded (crying leopard head.jpg)

So... a new book club is launched! Join us at 372802796!

Chapter 697 Reenacting the Founding of the United States [4800]

Qing Deng was not being modest.

He was telling the truth.

Looking back on his past life, he can be described as having killed countless people.

However, this was the first time a ship had been destroyed.

The wood used for shipbuilding is mostly oak, which is corrosion-resistant and tough.

Simply put, oak is tougher and more durable than other types of wood.

As the core component supporting the entire ship, the keel is naturally much larger, stronger, and thicker than other components.

This further increases the difficulty of severing it.

Furthermore, the time left for Qing Deng to attack was very short.

Even if Qing Deng successfully evaded the sailors' patrols and reached the keel, the commotion he caused by drawing his sword would quickly attract the sailors' attention and alertness.

In general, Qingdeng only had 1 or 2 opportunities to make a move.

To cut through this ridiculously large dragon bone in one or two strokes... how easy is that?

Will I be able to successfully sever the keel of the Julius?

To be honest, Qingdeng was very unsure about this issue.

To prevent himself from making a mistake, he specifically asked Mr. Kiryu to come and help him.

Regardless, Kiryu was once a renowned swordsman, known as "Ryuko Hachiman" and "Ship-Slaying Swordsman".

Although he is in his twilight years, he is still vigorous and energetic.

Qing Deng had no doubt: as long as Kiryu-sensei showed his true skills, more than 95% of the martial artists in the world would be no match for him!

If they combine their strength—he makes a strike, and Kiryu adds another—they're almost certain to win.

The above is the planned schedule for Qingdeng.

However... strangely enough, the deep impression he had of the Julius's keel was that it was big, thick, and looked quite sturdy.

However, after standing in front of it in person, Qingdeng suddenly felt: this dragon bone... doesn't seem to be that big...

The enormous dragon skeleton seemed to shrink into a petite and delicate shape in an instant.

I can cut...

As long as you use all your strength, you might be able to cut it off!

Thus, fueled by an indescribable sense of confidence, Qingdeng squatted down and assumed the "Flowing Light" stance.

Concentration, Bear's Waist +5, Tiger's Arm +4, Elephant's Core +4, Nine Oxen and Two Tigers +3... These "limb enhancement" talents are activated all at once!

Qing Deng unleashed his full power, a power he hadn't used in a long time.

When was the last time I used my full strength?

Even he himself couldn't remember very clearly.

As his strength increases day by day, fewer and fewer people can force him to use his full power.

As the purple blade of light, which seemed to sever space, flashed by, the rain curtain closed again, and the gale raged once more, but the dragon bone could never be restored to its original state.

Even Qing Deng himself was momentarily stunned after seeing the deep cut he had made.

Cutting the keel is tantamount to destroying the ship.

After a series of equations, Qing Deng slashed a warship with just one strike!

If this were to spread, it would surely leave people speechless and incredulous.

From then on, the world would have another legend of a "great swordsman capable of destroying warships".

Of course, Qingdeng's ability to successfully complete the feat of destroying the ship was also largely due to the Vairocana in his hand.

If Qingdeng's weapon were an ordinary sword, it wouldn't even be able to withstand his terrifying physical strength, let alone cut down a ship.

As soon as Qing Deng finished speaking, Mr. Kiryu gave him a smiling look.

At this moment, the old man spoke again:

"Kid Tachibana, although tonight's surprise attack was perfect, don't let your guard down."

“Severing a single warship is not enough to deter the British.”

"England may not have much else, but it has plenty of ships."

"The loss of a mere ordinary warship is of no consequence to the British."

Qingdeng nodded.

"Ok, I know."

"I don't expect my strike to make Neil and the others surrender immediately."

“From the very beginning, I had only one goal—to drive away the British warships in Edo Bay and stop them from causing trouble for the shogunate.”

"Therefore, it would be enough to make them realize that the Shogunate has the power to retaliate, and that if they rashly start a war with the Shogunate, they will not be able to escape unscathed, and that the war between the two sides will greatly affect Britain's layout in the Far East."

"This is always the case in Western countries."

You can't reason with them.