I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

Guangxiao Road is a wide avenue specifically designed for fire prevention.

When the townspeople arrived at the scene, they were surprised to find that there were many officials on guard.

The constables stood in a row on both sides of the street, holding hardwood sticks. They held the sticks horizontally in front of them, connecting them end to end to form a solid wall of sticks and people. This restricted the movement of the townspeople to the sides of the street, preventing unauthorized people from approaching the center of the street and also preventing stampedes, congestion, and other serious incidents.

Before long, the streets on both sides of Pipa Guang Road were so crowded that there was hardly a place to stand.

Even so, there were still quite a few people outside the street who were planning to squeeze in.

"Don't push! There are no seats left!"

"Where is our lord? Where is our lord?"

Shh! Listen! It's the sound of cow hooves!

As everyone eagerly awaited, a towering figure gradually emerged from the street corner and came into view.

Qingdeng sat upright on the back of the radish, holding the reins in one hand and the knife in the other, looking straight ahead with his head held high and chest out, like an awe-inspiring and inviolable god of war.

Behind him, two strong cavalrymen carried the "Sincerity Flag" representing the Shinsengumi and the "Gentian Leaf Flag" representing the Hatazu Domain, respectively.

Two large flags fluttered in the wind, making a loud rustling sound.

Behind the flag was the cavalry that moved slowly forward, closely following Qingdeng.

The cavalrymen marched in rows of six, like a wall.

Despite their tired faces, no one would think they weren't imposing enough!

Under the eager and enthusiastic gaze of the crowd, Qingdeng moved to the very center of Pipa-hiro Path and then stopped.

Immediately afterwards, he raised his head slightly and shouted loudly:

"Gentlemen, I'm sure you all already know, right? The Choshu army launched a surprise attack on Nagoya Castle, and Noo has fallen!"

With the blessing of the talent "Piercing Clouds and Splitting Stones +3", his voice clearly reached the ears of everyone present.

"The enemy has reached your doorstep, you must be very uneasy, right?"

"I don't have much to say."

"From this moment on, you can rest assured! You no longer need to live in fear!"

"From now on, you just need to eat as usual, sleep as usual, and work as usual."

"In the days to come, the sun will rise as usual! Otsu will remain peaceful as always!"

"I will use these hands to slay all the enemies who come against me!"

There were no flowery words or impassioned tones.

However, these few simple words completely changed the atmosphere!

Qingdeng's long-standing reputation, prestige, and invincible record speak louder than a thousand words.

The people present all showed expressions of excitement.

Some people even blushed with excitement.

The moment Qing Deng finished speaking, despite no prior agreement, everyone present raised their fists and shouted.

A thunderous roar of cheers, like the surging waves of the ocean, enveloped Qingdeng from all directions, a truly astonishing sight.

Qingdeng was not in a hurry to return to his residence. Instead, he mustered his strength and led the still-mobile cavalrymen through the streets of Dajin with great strides, all for this moment!

He wanted to ensure that all the people of Otsu could see him, thus stabilizing their hearts and fulfilling the promise that Sanako had made to everyone recently: "Our lord is leading his army back to reinforce us."

The King of Kings has returned—that alone is enough to excite the thousands of people in the Qin Jin domain, as well as those elsewhere who fear the Choshu army will attack!

The fear that had been building up in people's hearts and the uneasy atmosphere that had been sweeping through the streets of Dajin seemed to vanish in an instant!

……

……

About half an hour later—

Hatazu Domain, Otsu, Tachibana Residence, Aoto's office—

Qingdeng swept away the food in front of him with the speed of a whirlwind.

The crisp "ding-ding-ding" sound of chopsticks quickly touching the bowls and plates was incessant.

Qingdeng's current state, while not exactly "possessed by a starving ghost," is close enough.

While wrapping rice in salt-soaked straw can prevent spoilage, it doesn't keep it warm.

For the past nine days, I've been eating cold rice balls and drinking cold salt water every day... Although I won't starve to death, it's really uncomfortable. My mouth is extremely bland, and my stomach is severely lacking in oil and water.

Upon returning to the Orange Mansion, he neither slept nor rushed to work. Instead, he immediately ordered the kitchen staff to start a fire and cook more oily meat.

When the steaming bowls of food were placed in front of him, he didn't care that it was hot and started wolfing it down.

Hunger truly is the best seasoning.

Qingdeng had never felt so impressed by his chef's skills as he did today.

To be honest, he really wanted to enjoy this delicious feast quietly and slowly by himself.

However, he knew very well in his heart that everyone else could rest, but he couldn't!

"Returning to Otsu" was just his first small goal.

His ultimate goal was to defeat the still rampant Choshu army!

Therefore, he was never idle, even while eating.

While shoveling food into his mouth, he listened intently to Sanako's report—Ama had gone to take care of Kuro and Nene, and was therefore temporarily absent.

Talent [Ambidextrous] activated!

Even when doing two unrelated things at the same time, it does not affect efficiency in the slightest.

Sanako knelt down beside him and said succinctly and seriously:

"Qingdeng, this morning, the ninjas I sent to spy on Choshu's movements risked their lives to bring back a new report."

"It is said that the Choshu army looted all the supplies in Nagoya Castle after capturing it."

"After completely emptying Nagoya Castle, they abandoned the castle, mustered all their troops, and marched eastward!"

Upon hearing this, Qingdeng unconsciously narrowed his eyes, his expression turned serious, and he stopped what he was doing, even forgetting to chew the food in his mouth.

The Changzhou army marched eastward... He was perfectly aware of what this meant.

In an instant, he received both good news and bad news.

The good news is that Qinjin is safe, and the Changzhou army has no intention of attacking the capital region.

The bad news is that their target is Edo!

It seems they are truly determined to destroy the shogunate!

Sanako paused briefly, giving Aoto time to process and react.

After Qingdeng picked up her chopsticks again, she continued speaking to herself:

"Just yesterday afternoon, the Changzhou army approached Junfu City."

"The deputy of Sunpu Castle already knew that the Choshu army was attacking, so he prepared for a siege."

A siege battle—as the name suggests—is a battle in which all forces and resources are gathered to defend a castle to the death.

"However... unfortunately, Junfu City fell in less than an hour."

"The defending troops suffered heavy casualties, and the whereabouts of the city of Junfu are unknown."

"Following Nagoya Castle, the accumulated wealth of Sunpu Castle over the past two hundred years has all come to belong to Choshu."

Sunpu Castle was a major town in the Tokai region and also the former capital of the Tokugawa family.

The Tokugawa family rose to power in Mikawa Province, in the Tokai region.

During the Warring States period, when warlords were vying for power, the Tokugawa clan's base was located in Sunpu Castle.

After the Edo Shogunate unified Japan, recognizing the important strategic position and special political significance of Sunpu Castle, it established positions such as "Sunpu Castle Agent," "Sunpu Castle Assistant," and "Sunpu Castle Official" in Sunpu Castle.

[Note: Suruga Castle Appointment: Also known as Suruga Castle Appointment. Served at Suruga Castle, responsible for the castle's defense and management. Also served as the substitute for the shogun at the disastrous defeat at the Kunoyama Ieyasu Temple. This position was established in 1633 and was under the jurisdiction of the senior councilors.]

[Note: Junpu Garrison Commander: Responsible for security, maintenance, and administration within Junpu Castle.]

[Note: The "Sunpu Fixed Guard" is responsible for the defense of the outer perimeter and the Tsukumo Gate of Sunpu Castle.]

The fall of Junpu Castle was entirely within Qing Deng's expectations.

With their poorly equipped army and outdated city defense system, it would be a miracle if they could stop a modern army!

The fall of Junpu Castle means that the Choshu army can now advance unimpeded, heading east along the Donghai Road.

Donghai Subdistrict is a well-established "highway" with flat terrain and no natural defenses.

If we were to ask whether the Choshu army still had any passes to rely on and any troops capable of fighting ahead... then the only options were the Hachioji region and the Hachioji Thousand Men of Unity who guarded it!

Thinking of this, Qing Deng's face darkened, and he felt a chill run down his spine.

The Hachioji region is a crucial point connecting Kanto and Kai, serving as the western gateway to Edo.

Once the Hachioji region is breached, there will be no more passes available to stop the Choshu army.

At that time, the Choshu army can advance all the way to Edo Castle in one fell swoop!

Qingdeng pondered for a moment while silently picking at his food.

A moment later, he put down the rice bowl that had been completely eaten, not a single grain of rice left.

"...Zanako, you and Mai have really had a tough time these past few days."

Sanako gently shook her head:

"It's nothing, we just did what we were supposed to do."

She had barely finished speaking when she paused, a hint of weariness flashing in her eyes.

A moment later, Qingdeng felt something heavy leaning against his shoulder.

"Sanako?"

He turned his head in surprise—and saw Sanako bending down and burying her face in his left shoulder.