I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

Anyone would be worried in a situation where their own commander-in-chief had left alone with unknown individuals.

Despite their intense interest and desire to venture into the alley and investigate, they dared not disobey Qingdeng's orders and could only wait silently in place.

Just as everyone was secretly anxious, a very small number of people, including Hijikata Toshizo and Saito Hajime, suddenly seemed to sense something and turned their heads to the west.

Nishiki Shinmi, seeing Serizawa Kamo making the same move, couldn't help but ask:

"Serizawa, what's wrong?"

Serizawa Kamo said calmly:

"Someone's coming."

Before he finished speaking, a series of hurried footsteps could be heard from afar—a figure was faintly visible on the western street.

Hijikata Toshizo squinted his eyes and stared intently.

About five seconds later, he growled:

"It's Yamazaki!"

The visitor was Yamazaki Susumu, who had traveled east of the Kamo River after leaving Ikedaya and followed the Nawate-dori road to find the place.

Even Yamazaki Susumu found it exhausting to run such a long distance without stopping.

When he arrived at Hijikata Toshizo's side, panting heavily, he didn't even bother to catch his breath and asked breathlessly:

"My lord, where is he? Where is he?!"

Before Hijikata Toshizo and the others could answer, Aoto's voice suddenly rang out:

"I'm here!"

Qing Deng took three steps at a time and walked out of the alley.

Seeing that Qingdeng had returned safely, Hijikata Toshizo and the others breathed a sigh of relief.

Yamazaki Susumu didn't know where Aoto had gone, but as soon as he saw Aoto arrive, he hurriedly reported:

"My lord! It's Ikedaya! Miyabe Teizō, Katsura Kogoro, and the others are meeting at Ikedaya! Director Kondo and his men have already engaged the enemy! The battle is fierce! Please go and provide support immediately!"

Upon hearing this, everyone present was naturally taken aback.

The next moment, they all turned their heads in unison to look at Qingdeng.

A fleeting look of surprise crossed Qing Deng's face, but he quickly returned to normal.

After a moment's thought, he turned to look at Hijikata Toshizo:

"...Toshizo, you'll be in charge of leading the team from now on! You'll lead everyone to support Ikedaya! I'll be there shortly!"

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Please vote with monthly tickets! Please vote with recommendation tickets! (Leopard crying.jpg)

PS: Thanks to fellow reader [A Xin Butler] for the reminder, it turns out that it was already...

Leopard had completely forgotten this part of the plot and accidentally retconned... But it's okay, it's just a minor issue! It won't affect the rest of the story! (Leopard's self-righteous expression.jpg)

Chapter 818 I, Ju Qingdeng, just love to show off! [4600]

The moment this order was issued, everyone present was astonished.

Everyone stared at Qingdeng in astonishment.

The outspoken Harada Sanosuke asked directly:

"Mr. Orange, where are you going?"

"I have some very important things to take care of. Time is tight, I'll explain in detail later."

Such a vague response naturally failed to convince the public.

Fortunately, after a brief moment of surprise, Hijikata Toshizo regained his composure as the "Demon Vice-Commander".

He looked at Qingdeng intently, as if deep in thought:

"...I understand, leave it to me."

As he spoke, he turned to look at the others:

"Did you all hear the general's order? Set off immediately! Rush to the aid of Ikedaya!"

The group exchanged bewildered glances—despite their many questions, they had no choice but to obey since both Aoto and Hijikata Toshizo had spoken.

They immediately formed a line and, led by Yamazaki, sped toward Ikedaya—Yamazaki knew a convenient shortcut.

Saito Ichiro led the attack, while Hijikata Toshizo brought up the rear.

Just before departure, Hijikata Toshizo, who remained at the very back of the queue, did not set off immediately.

He had already taken a step forward, but then seemed to remember something, pulled his foot back, turned his head to look at Qingdeng, and said softly:

"Orange, I wish you good luck in your military campaigns."

Qing Deng was slightly taken aback, then smiled slightly:

"Well, I wish you all the best in your military endeavors!"

Hijikata Toshizo smiled slightly, waved his hand casually, and then started walking again to catch up with the main group.

Qingdeng stood still, watching the generals depart.

After they had completely disappeared into the distance and their figures vanished around the street corner, Miss Jin's voice rang out behind Qing Deng:

"...Tachibana Yasuki, I really envy you."

Miss Sumire and Ebina Ye Zong walked out of the alley one after the other, and then stood on the left and right sides of Qing Deng respectively.

"'Envy'? What do you mean?"

Miss Sumire looked in the direction where Hijikata Toshizo and the others had just left, her face showing undisguised envy:

"You have a good group of subordinates. Especially that Hijikata Toshizo."

"He clearly didn't know why you suddenly 'left the team' and was filled with confusion, but he still chose to believe in you and resolutely took over the command."

"I'm so envious of having such a good subordinate who completely trusts you and can also work independently."

After hearing this, Qing Deng chuckled a few times:

"When I have time later, I will tell you in detail how outstanding my subordinates are."

"As for now, let's work together to win this battle!"

At this point, Qingdeng adopted a serious expression:

“Miss Jin, please take me to the warehouse that stores a large amount of fuel.”

Miss Violet also reverted to her serious and solemn demeanor.

"That's natural. But before that, please wait for my men... Ah, speak of the devil, and he appears."

Suddenly, Qingdeng heard a series of footsteps approaching from afar.

He subconsciously raised his hand and grasped the Vairocana at his waist.

"Tachibana Yasuki, don't worry, my capable subordinates have arrived."

As soon as Miss Jin finished speaking, seven beautiful figures rushed out from the darkness in the distance.

They ran quickly along the rooftop, then nimbly leaped down, landing steadily around Miss Violet.

Qing Deng looked closely and saw that all seven of them were young women in their teens or twenties, and they were all wearing the same "female ninja outfit" as Miss Jin.

"Yasuki Tachibana, let me give you a brief introduction."

"They are all my capable subordinates."

"Just think of them as well-trained and agile female ninjas."

"Their job is to gather intelligence, not to fight people, so their combat ability is not outstanding."

"However, they are all very skilled at using hidden weapons such as sleeve darts, shuriken, and kunai."

"Although they cannot fight the enemy head-on, they are more than capable of harassing them from the side."

"We're currently facing a severe shortage of manpower, so I decided to bring them along as well."

"A little help is always better than nothing."

As Miss Sumire finished speaking, she turned her head to look at the female ninjas.

"Gentlemen, this is 'Niou' Tachibana Aoto. Please be respectful in his presence."

Upon hearing this, the two women at the head of the group—one a petite, youthful-looking younger sister, and the other a plump, mature older sister—immediately stopped and introduced themselves to Qingdeng.

The petite little girl stammered:

"Lord Niou! It's a pleasure to meet you! My name is Momo!"

The voluptuous older woman said calmly:

"Nice to meet you, I'm Amei."

Following these two, the other female ninjas announced their names.

With his talent "photographic memory" activated, Qing Deng memorized their names while scanning their faces and observing their expressions.

If you don't look closely, you'll see that they are all beautiful women with lovely faces.

There are both demure young ladies like Ah Tao and aloof, elegant older sisters like Ah Mei.

Interestingly, however, they did not stare with admiration or look on with adoration simply because the man in front of them was the famous "Niou".

Qing Deng keenly noticed that when they looked at him, there was a hint of cold wariness in their eyes.

Some of them—like Atao and Amei—even had a hint of hostility on their pretty faces.

This, however, made Qing Deng feel somewhat puzzled and curious.

In recent years, he has become accustomed to the admiring, respectful, and adoring gazes of others.

Suppress bandits, quell wars, protect the borders and people, restore production, maintain integrity, and refuse to take even a single bribe.