I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

Qing Deng's slash contained a "combo" technique.

After his blade struck his opponent's body, a flash of light slammed the blade back into place.

This action of "retracting the blade" is also part of the attack, combining "sharpness" and "insidiousness," making it extremely deadly.

If someone lacks skill, they absolutely cannot dodge this move.

However... the dwarf's "lowering his body" action just now also concealed a hidden move!

This time, the dwarf didn't retreat, but advanced!

He slid across the floor as if he were sliding, crashing straight into Qing Deng's arms. He not only dodged Qing Deng's "sheathing of the knife," but also swept his way towards Qing Deng's legs.

This type of attack, originating from the lower body, is the most difficult to defend against because the limited field of vision makes it difficult to accurately determine the location and distance.

At the critical moment, Qingdeng leaped up like a spring from dry land, soaring over the dwarf's head like a swallow.

While performing the "jump and dodge," Qing Deng didn't forget to deliver a follow-up blow—he swung his knife backhand, aiming for the back of the dwarf's head.

However, by this time, the dwarf had already retreated to a very far place.

As soon as Qingdeng's feet touched the ground and the dwarf's body stabilized, the two kicked up dust with their heels and pounced on each other again.

Two beams of white light flashed continuously.

Swords flashed and danced between the two.

The two fought in a style where Qingdeng would keep attacking while the dwarf would keep dodging, resolutely avoiding a direct sword fight with Qingdeng, and then launching counterattacks whenever he could find an opening.

As a seasoned fighter who had emerged from mountains of corpses and seas of blood, Qing Deng had seen through the dwarf's true nature after several rounds of combat.

—This guy…has a very fast reaction speed and movement speed.

There is no reason to show mercy to such a righteous and unrelated person who is not related to us.

All the strikes Qingdeng unleashed at the dwarf were delivered with his full power; he held nothing back.

As a result, the dwarf dodged his attacks several times and failed to leave even an inch of wound on him!

The reason for this is not complicated—it is simply because this person's reaction speed and movement speed are very fast.

It has the ability to see through attacks and the ability to dodge them, that's all.

It should be noted that with the support of talents such as "Tiger's Arm +4" and "Nine Oxen and Two Tigers +3", Qing Deng's slashing speed has reached the level of "slashing more than a dozen wounds on the enemy, but the opponent did not even have time to react to the first strike!"

However... Qingdeng's "Swift Blade" was completely ineffective against this dwarf.

Moreover, judging from the other party's relaxed expression, he still had energy to spare.

In addition, his swordsmanship and "offensive instincts" should not be underestimated.

He always manages to use moves that even Qing Deng finds dangerous at the most opportune moment.

The highest level of swordsmanship in the Japanese swordsmanship world... "Menkyo Kaiden" is no longer enough to describe his strength.

Despite his relatively weak strength, his lightning-fast reaction speed and movement speed alone make him worthy of the title of "top-tier expert"!

clang!

Suddenly, the air crackled with the clang of metal striking metal.

The short man, who had been dodging Qingdeng's attacks and was as agile as an eel, suddenly raised his sword overhead and caught the slashing attack from Vairocana.

Head-on confrontation – this is Qing Deng's favorite tactic.

Logically speaking, the dwarf's knife fight should have played right into his hands.

However, after the two swords clashed, Qing Deng raised an eyebrow and his expression changed slightly.

Because he didn't feel any solid texture in his palm, it was like hitting a soft, fluffy clump of cotton.

Qing Deng was quite familiar with this situation.

He had witnessed this move far too many times when he fought against veterans like Chiba Sadakichi and Saito Yakuro.

As expected, the dwarf used a very advanced technique to deflect Qing Deng's blade to the side.

However, the other side did not take this opportunity to retaliate against Qingdeng.

Instead, it bounced back quickly, creating a distance of about 5 meters between itself and Qingdeng in the blink of an eye.

Qingdeng did not pursue them, but simply stood there.

Looking at the two who had temporarily ceased fighting, Yoshimura Torataro and the others on the periphery all wore expressions of utter astonishment.

After Qingdeng and the dwarf engaged in combat, all they could do was stand there dumbfounded in the distance, unable to offer any assistance.

Let alone going forward to help, they couldn't even see Qingdeng's sword strikes!

Although Yoshimura Torataro and the others were reluctant to admit it... this was indeed a battle beyond their control!

Yoshimura Torataro hesitated for a moment, then gritted his teeth, stepped forward, seemingly wanting to fight alongside the dwarf.

However, he had only taken half a step when the dwarf shouted without any emotion:

"All of you step back. You are no match for Niou. Even if you all come at me together, you will only get in my way."

"He Shangjun..."

Yoshimura Torataro looked conflicted, unsure whether to advance or retreat.

Upon hearing Yoshimura Torataro's nickname for the dwarf, Aoto suddenly looked thoughtful.

This is not a very common surname.

When the surname "He Shang" is mentioned, Qing Deng immediately thinks of a certain celebrity.

"...Are you 'Hand-Slayer Hikosai'?"

"Exactly!"

The dwarf... that is, Kawakami Gensai, did not shy away from admitting his identity.

"I am Kawakami Gensai!"

Qing Deng scanned the other person from head to toe, then let out a cold laugh.

"Ever since we stormed this city, I've kept running into guys with the Changzhou accent. Changzhou really did send people to support the Tenchu ​​Group."

Kawakami Gensai said calmly:

"As fellow patriots who have made great aspirations, we should help and support each other!"

Kawai Gensai—Qing Deng had long heard of this man's great name.

However, despite having heard of him for a long time, Qing Deng didn't know much about him.

I've only heard that this person is a master of swordsmanship, with extremely high skill in drawing his sword. His swordsmanship is the self-created "Gensai-ryu," and his strength is unfathomable.

There is a story circulating among the common people—

One day, a group of patriots gathered at a certain restaurant. When they talked about a certain aide, they became very angry and started cursing him by name. Suddenly, Kawakami Gensai disappeared from the gathering. Not long after, he returned and threw down a bloody head: "Is this the guy?" The crowd went to check and found that it was indeed the head of the aide they had just cursed.

Whether this anecdote is true or not is another matter.

Regardless of whether it's true or false, one thing is certain—this person is no ordinary individual!

Without real skill, he could not have earned the title of "Man-Slaying Yanzhai".

Suddenly, Kawakami Gensai spoke up:

"Tachibana Seiden, as a fellow swordsman known as the 'Man-Slayer,' I've long wanted to have a match with you!"

Qing Deng Wan Er:

"Each each other."

Having said that, he raised the Vairocana in his hand.

The two exchanged "attention gifts".

Kawakami Gensai's Blue Eye Structure:

"Genzai School"

"Kawakami Hikosai".

Qingdeng raised the tip of his knife, and Xia Duan began to move.

"Natural Flow of Mind"

“Ju Qing Deng”.

The moment they introduced themselves, a horrifying look of horror appeared on their faces!

He took a step forward and approached Qing Deng step by step with the blade.

Qingdeng quietly raised his head and straightened his chest, gripping the knife tightly in his hand.

In the blink of an eye, their attack ranges merged into one—Kawakami Gensai swung his sword horizontally towards the spot where Aoto was standing.

With a snap, a blinding blue spark flew through the air.

Qing Deng raised his knife to parry.

In the next instant, a flash of purple light appeared—Vairocana drew a high arc into the sky, its blade aimed straight for Kawakami Gensai's throat.

As expected, Qing Deng's slash was dodged again.

Qingdeng did not place his hopes on this attack, and therefore had prepared in advance.

With a whoosh, he pulled the knife back to his side, and then smoothly delivered the second, third, and fourth strikes.

Kawakami Gensai flashed once, then again, then a third time, then a fourth time... In an instant, he seized the fleeting opportunity, gliding silently and rapidly approaching Aoden, and struck him on the shoulder.

Aoto had become quite used to Kawakami Gensai's fighting style of "moving silently, remaining still, and striking unexpectedly."

With a loud bang, bluish-white flames burst into the air, and Kawakami Gensai's sword was deflected.

"Well……!"

A painful gasp escaped from between Kawakami Gensai's teeth.

Judging from the sound just now, Qing Deng's move was less of a "defense" and more of an "attempt to break Kawakami Gensai's sword."

Even bluish-white flames erupted, which shows how much power Qing Deng used.

Fortunately, Kawakami Gensai's sword was no ordinary item, otherwise it would have been broken in two by now.