I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

Radish seemed to like this "little friend" quite a bit, and didn't chase it away, letting it lie on its back.

Radish even often sticks out its long tongue to groom the other's fur.

Lately, whenever I go to Radish's cowshed, I always see Radish lying on the ground and Duoduo lying on Radish's back, a heartwarming scene of the two animals, one big and one small, taking a nap together.

Both Aoto and Souji are free today, so the whole family can have a rare get-together.

Looking at the three girls getting along well and making a lot of noise, Qing Deng's smile grew even wider.

Although it may sound a bit exaggerated... whenever this happens, Qingdeng sincerely feels that the reason he has eyes is to witness these scenes!

Qingdeng had intended to take this opportunity to spend quality time with his three daughters and fulfill his duties as a husband.

however--

"...Tachibana-kun, I'm sorry to disturb your rest."

Suddenly, Keisuke Yamanami's voice drifted softly from the direction of the corridor.

"Could you please come out for a moment?"

Qingdeng's hand, which was petting the cat, suddenly stopped, and his gaze narrowed slightly.

Keisuke Yamanami knew, of course, that Aoto was resting and spending time with his family.

As a close confidant of Aoto, Yamanami Keisuke is one of the people who has the most contact with Aoto on a daily basis.

Therefore, he was well aware of the kind of life Qing Deng lived after becoming the lord of Qin Jin.

Being busy with countless affairs of state and working tirelessly day and night... these are just the daily routines of Qingdeng. It is common for him to be unable to return home for more than ten consecutive days.

Aoto rarely has free time, and unless necessary, Yamanami Keisuke would never come to bother him.

Since he has appeared here at this moment, even at the cost of disrupting Qingdeng's rest time... the underlying meaning is self-evident.

A major incident has occurred that even the head of the Shinsengumi and the elders of the Hatajin Domain are unable to handle, and the Governor of the Capital Region and the Lord of the Hatajin Domain must personally intervene!

The three women stopped what they were doing, turned their heads, raised their eyes, and looked at Qingdeng with complicated expressions.

Although Yamanami Keisuke said, "Please come out for a moment," everyone knew that once Aoto went out, he would be gone for much longer than "a moment"!

Despite feeling a strong sense of reluctance, Qing Deng would never let personal matters interfere with public duty.

Without hesitation, Qingdeng picked up Duoduo and said apologetically to the three girls:

"Excuse me, you guys continue playing, I have to take my leave."

After saying that, he hurriedly stood up and left the room.

As soon as he entered the corridor, he bumped into Yamanami Keisuke, who had a serious expression.

"Tachibana-kun, I'm so sorry..."

Before he could finish speaking, Qingdeng waved his hand, interrupting him:

"Jingzhu, there's no need to apologize. The important thing is to get down to business. What happened?"

"Tachibana-kun, something strange has happened in Kyoto!"

Yamanami Keisuke recounted the entire story of how the "Second Division discovered the armory" in detail.

"The Second Division has sealed off the warehouse, and unauthorized personnel are strictly prohibited from approaching."

"The Fourth Division will strengthen the security of the garrison to prevent the loyalists from taking back Yoya Kiemon."

"Hijikata-kun has already gone to Kyoto ahead of us."

Qingdeng listened to the end without showing any emotion.

After Yamanami Keisuke finished speaking, he stood up straight, waiting for Aoto's instructions.

One could see that Qing Deng's eyes were subtly shifting, torn between "thinking" and "guessing".

After a moment, he said in a deep voice:

"...Jingzhu, summon all the generals!"

"Yes!"

……

……

Kyoto, Mibu Village, Shinsengumi Garrison, Prison—

"Ughh ...

The chilling screams echoed for a long time.

In the dimly lit cell, Yoshiemon's hands were bound behind his back, his thighs and calves were tightly bound together, and he was forced to kneel.

Two huge rocks were stacked on his thighs.

Kneeling is not a comfortable sitting posture.

Not only was he kneeling on the ground, but two large stones were also pressing on his thighs... one can only imagine the pain he was in.

The weight of the stone caused the bones in his leg to creak and groan as if they were about to break.

This is the classic Edo-era punishment that caused immense suffering to the victims: stone embrace.

Perhaps he had gotten used to the pain, Yoshiemon gradually stopped screaming, his face pale and his eyes glazed as he lowered his head.

"Confess now!"

"Confess quickly, and you won't have to suffer anymore."

"Let me tell you, we're experts in executions!"

"That's right! We have plenty of ways to make you wish you were dead!"

Several executioners stood around Yoya Kiemon, some playing the good cop and others the bad cop.

However, faced with a constant stream of threats and inducements, Yoshiemon remained deaf to them and kept silent.

Serizawa Kamo stood to the side, watching Yoya Kiemon, who remained silent, his expression as somber as if splashed with ink.

As a precaution, Shinpachi Nagakura personally led the Second Division to seal off Yoya's armory.

Serizawa Kamo was stationed at the garrison, while all the soldiers of the Fourth Division were armed and ready to fight the enemy.

Although Yoya Kiemon's true identity has not yet been confirmed, it is certain that he is definitely not a law-abiding citizen! He is very likely a loyalist who seeks to overthrow the rebellion!

In order to save their comrades and prevent information from being leaked, the loyalists will likely storm the Shinsengumi headquarters and rescue Yoya Kiemon.

Therefore, Nagakura Shinpachi and Serizawa Kamo have issued a military order to "be on high alert".

The entire Shinsengumi village was filled with a tense atmosphere, as if a conflict could erupt at any moment!

Inside and outside the garrison, one can see fully armed soldiers with solemn expressions, either standing guard or patrolling back and forth.

On the one hand, it was to supervise the interrogation, and on the other hand, it was to protect valuable intelligence sources. Serizawa Kamo personally went to the prison to prevent Yoya Kiemon from leaving his sight.

The executioners tried every possible way to persuade the other party, but they remained unmoved.

Left with no other choice, the executioners huddled together and whispered among themselves:

"Tsk...he's really stubborn..."

"This guy's got some skills... Logically speaking, when two stones are added, basically no one can withstand it."

"What should we do? Should we add another stone?"

Just then, everyone suddenly heard Serizawa Kamo smack his lips loudly, his voice revealing strong dissatisfaction and anxiety.

The next instant, he rushed over to Yoshino Kiemon in three steps, grabbed his hair bun, and lifted his head up.

"I've lost my patience...!"

"Speak up! Who exactly are you?"

What's with that pile of weapons in your shop?

"What are you bastards plotting now?"

Yoya Kiemon listlessly raised his eyes and glanced coldly at Serizawa Kamo.

“We…we are plotting…to take turns tasting your mother…and then…send your mother to the banks of the Rashomon River in Yoshiwara…”

Rashomon Riverbank—the lowest-class area of ​​Yoshiwara. The prostitutes there were either sick or too old to sell themselves. In short, it was a place where the most unwanted, lowest-class, and helpless old and weak prostitutes gathered, destined to slowly die. To survive, these old and weak prostitutes had no choice but to forcibly solicit customers. The way they dragged passersby into their homes without any regard for right or wrong was like that of demons from hell, hence the name "Rashomon Riverbank."

"..."

Serizawa Kamo stared at the other person without any expression of joy or sorrow.

In the next instant, he suddenly drew the iron fan from his waist, which was engraved with the four characters "Serve the country with utmost loyalty," and slapped it across the other man's face.

With a muffled thud, the other person was hit hard, and a large swelling immediately appeared on their face. Then, with a "vomit" sound, several broken teeth fell to the ground.

Serizawa Kamo showed no sign of stopping, and he swung his iron fan again.

Just as he was about to be thrown off, a large hand suddenly reached out from behind him and gripped his wrist like an iron clamp.

"Serizawa, calm down."

"Hijikata... what are you doing here?"

Serizawa Kamo turned his head and looked at Hijikata Toshizo, who had suddenly appeared, with a gloomy gaze.

"After receiving the news here, I rushed over immediately."

Fortunately, Otsu is not far from Kyoto. After riding a fast horse, we arrived in less than an hour.

Having said that, Hijikata Toshizo released Serizawa Kamo's wrist, stepped forward, and passed Serizawa Kamo.

"He's deliberately trying to provoke you so you'll kill him. Don't fall for his trick."

At this moment, Yoshiemon was like a dead dog, his head hanging low, panting heavily, with a thick liquid made of saliva and blood gushing from his lips.

Several teeth were broken off... It's hard to describe the pain in words.

Seeing that Hijikata Toshizo had stopped Serizawa Kamo, a look of relief flashed in his eyes—an emotion that Hijikata Toshizo keenly caught.

Oh? You seem quite happy?

"Oh right, I think I forgot to introduce myself."

"I am Hijikata Toshizo, the vice-commander of the Shinsengumi. He is also known as the 'Demon Vice-Commander'."