I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

They tried everything—slashing with knives, stabbing with guns—but they couldn't even touch a corner of her clothing.

It's like swatting a mosquito—you clearly see it, and you reach out to swat it as fast as you can, thinking you've hit it, but then it "teleports" to another place.

In terms of individual combat ability alone, Kinoshita Mai, who is not skilled with weapons and only knows how to use her fists and feet, cannot be considered outstanding.

She is more skilled at assassination than direct combat.

However, when it comes to agility and flexibility, even among the many strong members of the Shinsengumi, few can compare to her!

Of course, at this point, Kinoshita Mai wasn't just constantly dodging.

While dodging, she seized every opportunity to deliver a few punches and kicks to her enemy, knocking them to the ground.

Through her repeated maneuvering, the guards on site were completely outmaneuvered.

Anyone with eyes can see that Kinoshita Mai is stalling for time.

Why is she stalling for time?

What is she waiting for?

Her enemies soon received the answers to these questions—

"kill!"

"We see it! It's the Black Gate! Charge in!"

"Look! It's Ms. Kinoshita!"

Beyond the black gate, streaks of light green filled the end of the mountain path!

The soldiers of the First, Third, and Sixth Divisions charged forward with the ferocity of pigs towards the Black Gate... no, towards Takatori Castle!

Those charging ahead were the captains, led by Souji.

Gazing at the black gate that was now almost within reach, and at Kinoshita Mai who was locked in combat with the enemy, Souji issued a new order without hesitation:

"Charge in! Kill the enemy on sight!"

After saying that, she leaned down slightly and suddenly accelerated!

In order to be able to command the members of the First Division in real time, she had been holding back her strength and trying her best to match the speed of her subordinates.

Now, she has no worries!

In the blink of an eye, she had become separated from her subordinates.

In the blink of an eye, she was already beside Kinoshita Mai, fighting alongside her!

Compared to Kinoshita Mai, who is a female ninja, Souji, the female samurai, is a true expert in killing enemies and charging into battle!

She was like a demon incarnate, slicing open someone's neck with one stroke, then slicing off the second person's skull with another stroke in the opposite direction. As she sheathed her blade, the returning edge severed the head of the third person.

In the blink of an eye, the unfortunate souls who died by her blade lay scattered on the ground.

Such a performance truly makes him worthy of being called the top general of the Shinsengumi after Aoto!

Following closely behind were Saito Hajime, Inoue Genzaburo, and other soldiers, who joined the battle, baring their fangs.

At this point, the outcome of the battle here is decided.

In terms of quantity and quality, the other side has no advantage in any aspect.

What's there to say about such a one-sided battle?

In no time at all, the area inside and outside the Black Gate was completely cleared out.

Inoue Genzaburo turned and shouted to Saito Hajime, who was not far away:

"Saito-kun! The Okaguchi Gate is in your hands now!"

Saito nodded:

"Third Division, follow!"

At the same time, Inoue Genzaburo also shouted to his subordinates:

"Sixth Division! Follow me!"

Next, the commander and his men will split into three groups.

Saito Hajime led the Third Division to attack the northeastern Okaguchi Gate, allowing the Second and Fourth Divisions to enter.

Inoue Genzaburo led the Sixth Division to attack the western Tsubosaka Gate, allowing the Fifth and Eighth Divisions to enter.

Souji and Kinoshita Mai led the First Squad straight to the Honmaru to support Aoto!

Thus, the three light green "torrents" moved separately, sweeping through every corner of Takatori Castle.

Takagi Castle is the last resort of the Tenchu ​​Clan.

Having lost this advantageous geographical position, and facing the Shinsengumi's forces directly... what will be the outcome? The recent battle on the castle has already provided the answer.

As expected, the attacks of the Third and Sixth Divisions went very smoothly, displaying an indomitable spirit.

Despite encountering fierce resistance along the way, their resistance proved futile in the face of overwhelming strength.

They easily reached the Okaguchi Gate and the Tsubosaka Gate, liberating these two gates and allowing the Second Division, Fourth Division, and other units to enter the city together.

With the successive fall of Takagi Castle from the north, east, and west, the complete demise of the castle was inevitable.

In contrast, the situation on the First Division's side was much calmer.

It's not that they're slacking off or being lazy.

It's because they never even encounter the enemy!

The road from the third mausoleum to the main mausoleum was littered with the corpses of enemy soldiers! There was hardly a single living person to be seen!

Even Souji and Kinoshita Mai, who were familiar with and knew how formidable Aoto were speechless upon seeing the scene of corpses strewn across the land.

They did not doubt that Qingdeng lacked the ability to "capture a city single-handedly".

However... they did not expect that Qingdeng's offensive would be so swift and fierce!

They were almost at Ninomaru, but still couldn't find Aoto.

Where has he advanced to now?

Those magnificent high walls and sturdy fortresses seemed to have lost all their power in front of Qingdeng! They couldn't stop him in the slightest!

Kinoshita Mai looked surprised and murmured:

"All of this...was done by Qing Deng?"

The commander, standing to the side, muttered thoughtfully:

"Tachibana-kun has gotten stronger again...!"

……

……

Takatori Castle, Ninomaru Palace—

"You, you, don't come any closer! Aaaaaaaaah!"

The guy who appeared at the end of the corridor screamed and pounced on Qingdeng, raising his blade high and striking a "split-mountain-chopping" pose.

He was very tall, and the corridor was very narrow, so he occupied most of the area at the entrance.

At first glance, it looked like a thick wall was crashing down on Qingdeng.

Qing Deng seized the opportunity to strike, raised the Ding Gui Shen sword in his right hand, and knocked the opponent's sword away with the bottom of the hilt.

At the same time, his left hand's Vairocana pierced his throat from below.

Sizzle—!

Blood gushed out like a fountain, splattering all over Qing Deng's head.

Qingdeng did not immediately pull back the Vairocana, but left it inserted into the other person's body. Then, with a flicking motion, he lifted it upwards—the person somersaulted over his head, slipped off the blade of the Vairocana, and fell headfirst behind him.

"Huff...huff...huff...huff...huff...huff..."

Qing Deng possesses a variety of "physical" talents.

"Iron Lungs +5", "Yang Essence +4", "Blood Lock +7"... Thanks to these talents, Qingdeng never lacks physical strength and energy.

However, despite this, "going alone to capture Gaocheng" was truly an act of supernatural power!

The sheer distance traveled, measured in kilometers, is enough to terrify ordinary people.

After fighting his way from Sannomaru to here, even someone as strong as a dragon couldn't help but feel tired, and his breathing became erratic.

However, this only made him feel a little tired, and it was nothing serious.

He slowed his pace, switching from running to walking, adjusting his breathing as he strolled slowly.

There are no rivals in sight.

Apart from the sound of his footsteps and breathing, there was no other sound around.

A moment later, he walked out of the Ninomaru Palace—a towering castle tower that seemed to reach into the clouds came into view.

"Oh dear...we've arrived at the citadel..."

Now that I've arrived directly beneath the castle tower, it means I've reached the main keep of Takatori Castle!

Qingdeng stopped and stood still, gazing silently at the castle tower that was now almost within reach, his heart filled with boundless pride.

He single-handedly broke through layers of obstacles, and with real force, he successively breached the third and second walls of Takatori Castle, and stormed into the core of Takatori Castle in one fell swoop... To be honest, even Qing Deng himself was surprised by such a terrifying record.

Breaking through the mountain city single-handedly—no one throughout history has ever accomplished such a feat!

Although he didn't tell Souji and the others explicitly, the reason why Qing Deng insisted on adopting such a reckless battle plan was to see for himself where his current limits were!

It is precisely because this is a difficult task that it is worth the challenge!

Qing Deng took a deep breath—his breathing was almost ready—and strode towards the castle tower.

This majestic castle tower is the highest point of Takatori Castle... no, it is the highest point of the entire Takatori Mountain, overlooking the earth from its vantage point.

During the ascent, Qingdeng did not encounter any more enemies.

Only when he reached the highest point did his five senses rediscover the presence of the enemy.

"Ju Qingdeng! I've been waiting for you for so long!"