I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

"However, just in case, I will thoroughly investigate your sword-making school."

"You must correct any areas that are not up to standard as soon as possible."

Okita Hikaru nodded vigorously.

"That's natural!"

Then, she turned to Aoto and Hijikata Toshizo and said:

"Tachibana-kun, Toshizo, you two go in first!"

"Master Kondo is giving a lesson at the dojo!"

"I'll take Mr. Toujou to inspect all the places in the sword club first, and then I'll come find you!"

……

……

Hikaru Okita, leading Shintaro Toujou, quickly left.

Aoto and Hijikata Toshizo slowly walked towards the dojo of the Shieikan.

The sounds of bamboo swords clashing and feet scraping against the floor grew louder and louder.

At the same time, a familiar, aged male voice reached Qing Deng's ears—

"Footsteps! Footsteps! Watch your footsteps! Your steps are too stiff! Relax a bit!"

"Don't lift your heel! Lifting your heel is a typical 'dojo sword' move! People who are used to using a light bamboo sword are prone to this bad habit! A real sword is very heavy! When holding a real sword, you must firmly plant your feet and keep your heels on the ground!"

"Charge! Charge! Charge now! Don't be afraid! Charge forward bravely! Battle is all about momentum!"

……

In a short while, the bustling scene of the temple came into Qingdeng's view.

Looking up, one could see Kondo Shusuke carrying a bamboo sword, walking around with a spirited air.

Whenever he notices that someone's movements are not up to standard or that someone's moves are wrong, he will rush over and sternly correct and instruct them.

Kondo Isami, the fourth head of the Tennen Rishin-ryu main family, has already gone to Kyoto with Aoto to make his way in the world.

Left with no other choice, Kondo Shusuke, who had only recently retired, had to return to the helm and take charge of the Shieikan again.

Compared to the past, the dojo at Shieikan is indeed more lively.

Young people were everywhere, interacting with each other.

At this moment, Kondo Shusuke finally noticed Aoto and Hijikata Toshizo standing at the entrance of the dojo.

"Huh? Tachibana-kun?!"

His shout immediately drew everyone's attention.

All eyes were focused on Qingdeng.

In the blink of an eye, the entire dojo fell silent—a silence that lasted only one second.

One second later, the entire venue erupted in cheers!

"Hey! It's Niou! Niou is here!"

"What? Niou is back?"

"Lord Niou! My name is Ono Yazo! I have always admired you!"

……

Apprentices flocked to the scene.

Apprentices who were resting, apprentices who were practicing their stances, apprentices who were sparring... everyone present put down what they were doing.

Excited, they all rushed towards Qingdeng, not wanting to fall behind.

This scene is just like a zombie apocalypse.

In the blink of an eye, Qingdeng was surrounded by people, three or four layers deep, so crowded that there was no room to move.

There were people who repeatedly let out excited shouts.

There were people constantly introducing themselves, making it seem like they were on a blind date.

Many others remained silent, craning their necks and staring intently at Aoto, eager to catch a glimpse of the renowned "Niou" Tachibana Aoto.

Although Qing Deng was already used to encountering fans.

But he rarely experiences such a frenzied occasion as this.

Qingdeng felt like he was squeezed into a bus or subway during rush hour, surrounded by dense crowds all around him, unable to even lift his hand, and the pungent body odor wafted into his nostrils.

Kondo Shusuke stood with his hands behind his back, smiling as he looked at Aoto, who was lost in the crowd and could only "go with the flow".

"Tachibana-kun, you're back just in time!"

"Quickly! Quickly grab your bamboo swords! Come and exchange techniques with your junior brothers!"

*******

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Chapter 703 Qingdeng vs. Shiweiguan! [4400]

After a brief period of chaos, the dojo finally returned to peace.

The apprentices—nearly two hundred in number—sat upright on the east and west sides of the dojo, row by row, watching the procession.

They leaned forward, their eyes wide open, their nostrils flared, exhaling heavy breaths repeatedly, not even daring to blink, staring intently at Qingdeng.

Although they no longer swarmed towards Qingdeng like zombies, their fanaticism remained.

I have seen Niou in person and even had close contact with him—a feat that many of them will boast about later!

Qing Deng and Hijikata Toshizo sat in the very center of the dojo.

Kondo Shusuke sat opposite them.

Qingdeng turned his head to the side and looked at the apprentices present.

Looking at these young faces, Qingdeng couldn't help but smile, a faint smile appearing on his lips.

He had very deep feelings for the Shiwei Hall and his hometown.

Therefore, seeing the bustling scene at the Shiwei Hall today fills him with great joy and delight.

After a moment, he withdrew his gaze and turned to look at Kondo Shusuke in front of him.

The old man is still the same as always.

Although he is nearly eighty years old, he is still full of energy and does not look like an old man at all.

To be honest, ever since he went to Kyoto, Aoto has always felt a lingering sense of guilt towards Kondo Shusuke.

The reason is simple—after the Shinsengumi was formed, he took away all the core elites of the Shieikan in one fell swoop!

Kondo Isami, Hijikata Toshizo, Okita Souji, and Inoue Genzaburo—these four were not only elders of the Shieikan Academy but also its key figures.

If we were to use a vivid analogy... Kondo Isami is the heart, Hijikata Toshizo is the brain, Souji is the hands and feet, and Inoue Genzaburo is the nerve network connecting the heart, brain, and hands and feet.

The later addition of Keisuke Yamanami was also a rare and outstanding talent, who filled the gap in Shieikan's "only brutes and lack of wise men".

Although Nagakura Shinpachi, Saito Hajime, Harada Sanosuke, and Todo Heisuke were diners, they also made significant contributions to the development of Shieikan.

In other words, all the named and famous people in the entire Examination Hall have been abducted by Qing Deng.

They were all key members of the Shiwei Hall.

Without the presence of Souji and others, even the daily operation of the Shieikan has become a major problem!

Shieikan was the culmination of Kondo Shusuke's life's work.

He could never stand by and watch the sword-fighting school close down.

Originally, after passing on the position of head of the Shieikan and the main family to Kondo Isami, Kondo Shusuke lived a life of leisure, doing nothing every day and waiting to hold his grandchildren.

As a result of Qingdeng's "large-scale human trafficking", he, despite being quite old, had to drag his frail body and pick up the bamboo sword again.

Without the assistance of Souji and others, he single-handedly kept the Shieikan organization afloat... It's truly remarkable that he managed to persevere.

The hardships involved are self-evident.

Therefore, with respect and apology to Kondo Shusuke, Aoto bowed deeply and solemnly to him.

"Master, it has been a long time since I last greeted you, but my thoughts of you have never wavered."

Kondo Shusuke stroked his smooth chin and let out his signature "hohoho" laugh.

"Hehehe~~ Tachibana-kun, don't be so reserved! Relax!"

"Oh, you've come back just in time!"

“I was just worried about your ‘disappearance’.”

Qingdeng raised an eyebrow and asked in return:

"Master, what makes you say that?"

Kondo Shusuke tilted his head and gestured towards the young apprentices standing by the dojo.

“Look, they are all newcomers who have just started learning.”

"Many of them are eager to enter this door because they admire you."

"Lately, they've been bothering me a lot."

"As soon as they saw me, they kept asking me: 'Master, will Lord Niou come back?' 'Master, when will Lord Niou come back?' 'Master, when Lord Niou comes back, can I ask him for some advice?'"

Upon hearing this, many of the apprentices present lowered their heads, looking down at their noses and their minds, their faces showing embarrassment.

Kondo Shusuke shrugged and gave a wry smile.

"To be honest, I'm really annoyed by them."

“You are far away in Kyoto, working hard and running around every day on national affairs.”