I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

The orange-red flames shot straight up with a "whoosh".

In the blink of an eye, the smoke condensed into a black cloud, and the fire swelled into a sea of ​​flames.

The fire, fueled by nearly 4 tons of coal, was truly as if Zhurong (the god of fire) had descended to earth!

The "Zhurong Furnace" truly lives up to its name!

A surging heat wave hit him in the face. Even though they were far apart, Qingdeng felt as if his eyebrows were about to be burned.

The towering flames illuminated everything around them in shadow.

Looking around, everything within sight was distorted into an illusory and uncertain state by the heatwave.

Even if one exhausts all the words in the world, one cannot accurately describe the shock that Qing Deng felt.

From the moment he began, Shikisaki Kiyoshi systematically issued instructions one by one.

The image of him in the carving looks exactly like that of a great general commanding thousands of troops!

The general commands the troops, but he commands the wind and fire!

To be honest, the contrast between Shikisaki Kiyoshi and others is so great that Aoto couldn't help but wonder if he had a split personality.

The more handsome Shikisaki Kiyoshi looks now, the more it highlights how awful he was yesterday...

Lying in the arms of the prostitute, he thrashed about, clamoring for milk... The scenes he had witnessed yesterday were etched deeply into Qingdeng's mind, unforgettable for eternity...

Upon realizing this, Qing Deng couldn't help but turn his head and look at Shikisaki Kiyoshi up and down with a strange expression.

The other party did not notice his gaze.

At this moment, Shikisaki Kiyoshi stood with his hands on his hips, looking at the blazing "Zhurong Furnace" with a satisfied expression.

"Only a flame wave of this scale can generate enough fire to forge 'ten thousand-times-refined steel'!"

After saying that, he took out a thin rope from his pocket and casually tied up his long hair.

"This towering fire serpent... it's been a long time since I've seen it."

He murmured softly, a hint of nostalgia on his face.

"If nothing unexpected happens, this should be its...last dance!"

"That's perfect."

"To make refining 'Ten Thousand Refined Steel' its final mission... this must be the best ending for the 'Zhu Rong Furnace'!"

After saying that, he extended his hand to Qingdeng.

Seeing this, Qingdeng understood and took out the "Ten Thousand Refined Steel" sword, while also unfastening the Vairocana sword from his waist and handing it to the other party.

After receiving the Vairocana sword, Shikisaki Kiyoshi drew it with a "clang"—the bewitching purple blade light immediately filled his vision.

“Vairocana…I know this knife.”

He said this with a slight smile, his tone full of admiration.

“My father once told me about this knife.”

"He said this knife is the greatest masterpiece of our family."

"To think that it could even hold its own against 'the most powerful master craftsman' Nagasone Kotetsu... The craftsmanship of our ancestors is truly remarkable."

"Our ancestors devoted all their knowledge and skills to successfully forging this knife."

"And now, I will also devote all my knowledge to giving this sword a new life."

"Haha, our Shikisaki family is truly destined to have this sword."

"Thinking about it this way, I really feel a great responsibility."

After these reflections, Shikisaki Kiyoshi turned to Aoto and said:

"Mr. Tachibana, Mr. Kiryu, please go back and wait."

"I don't know exactly how long it will take to successfully reforge the blade of Vairocana."

"Give me your address."

"I will personally deliver the knife after it is forged."

Qingdeng nodded slightly after hearing this.

"In that case, once the sword is finished being forged, you shall deliver it to the Shieikan in Kohinata Yanagi-cho, Koishikawa."

"The Imperial Guard Hall? What a coincidence, I happen to know this place."

As Shikisaki Kiyoshi spoke, she raised her chin, her demeanor both bold and confident:

"Then please wait patiently for good news!"

……

……

The steel has been delivered, the knife has been entrusted—all that Aoto can do now is trust in Shikisaki Kiyoshi's skills and wait patiently.

The "Western Expedition Plan" that needed to be discussed with Tokugawa Iemochi has been completed.

They successfully located Shikizaki Kiyoshi and entrusted him with the important task of "reconstructing Vairocana".

With this, Aoto had completed all the tasks he was to accomplish upon returning to Edo.

Qingdeng had planned to "go and return quickly".

Now that he had done everything he needed to do, he naturally had no reason to stay in Edo any longer.

Since that's the case... he will inevitably have to say goodbye to Tenshōin.

In the past, Aoto would have met with Tenshōin as soon as he returned to Edo.

It would be a shame not to say hello since I've come all this way.

However... ever since Tokugawa Iemochi said those explosive words to him, he could no longer treat this young widow with a normal attitude.

Now, whenever he thinks of Tenshōin's pretty face, he thinks of "If you don't mind, I'm willing to become your godfather," then he thinks of Tenshōin wearing a white kimono, and then he thinks of Tenshōin sitting beside him with a smile, stroking her swollen belly...

To be honest, even Qing Deng himself couldn't help but feel that his imagination was too rich, how could he come up with so many messy images?

Whenever these delusions crossed his mind, Qingdeng felt deeply ashamed—what was I doing? Why were my thoughts jumping around like this?

If it were the virtuous Tenshōin, she would never have thought about these things like I have!

Tokugawa Iemochi's "marriage proposal" had such power that it directly disturbed his mind.

Or were these images already deeply buried in his heart, and Tokugawa Iemochi's "marriage proposal" merely served as a prelude?

Regardless, one thing is certain right now—Qingdeng has absolutely no idea how to face Tenshōin…

For this reason, he has not met with the other party to this day.

Of course, no matter how long it is delayed, there will be an end; he cannot escape forever.

Qingdeng didn't want to return to Otsu with this confused and bewildered feeling.

So he gritted his teeth and went to find Tianzhang Academy.

He soon learned that the other party was currently at the Moon Shrine...

……

……

Edo, Tsukimiya Shrine, Archery Range —

Whoosh—smack!

The arrow streaked across the air and struck the target thirty meters away.

Tenshōin glanced at the score on the target, then slowly put down his bow, his brows furrowing slightly.

The arrow she had just shot did not hit the bullseye; it landed straight down about an inch from the bullseye.

While not terrible, for Tenshōin, who was an expert in archery, such a result was a basic mistake that should never have been made.

She sighed silently and quietly put the longbow back on the bow rack.

She knew perfectly well why she was in such a bad state.

Recently, Aoto has been bothered by Tokugawa Iemochi's "marriage proposal" - as has Tenshōin.

Now, whenever she thinks of Aoto, she imagines Tokugawa Iemochi saying to her with great joy, "Mother, Tachibana-kun... no, Father! Congratulations!" Then she imagines Aoto wearing a crested haori, and then she imagines herself sitting beside Aoto with a smile, stroking her swollen belly...

[Note: Monzuki haori-ku: a formal men's garment worn during the Edo period, essential for weddings]

Whenever these fantasies crossed his mind, Tenshōin would be furious—really! How could I be so lecherous?!

If it were the virtuous Sheng Qing, he would never have thought about things like I have!

Suddenly, she couldn't help but recall Qingdeng's towering figure once again.

Instantly, her face turned bright red, as if it had been burned.

She had to cup her face in her hands, trying to cool it down with her icy palms.

Just then, the voice of "Gemini Shinobu" Saeshige suddenly came from behind her:

"Your Highness, Ju Qingdeng requests an audience."

In an instant... the moment she heard the name "Ju Qingdeng", Tenshoin's delicate body trembled slightly, and her expression changed slightly.

"Sheng... Sheng Qing is here? What's he doing here?"

Sae replied expressionlessly:

"I intend to return to Ōtsu tomorrow, so I came here to say goodbye to Your Highness."

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Tenshōin is so cute! (Leopard Hi.jpg) Long live the little widow!