I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

Shinsaku Takasugi replied casually:

"Well, it's alright. It's just that my hearing has become less effective."

Under the repeated onslaught of artillery fire, Takasugi Shinsaku and others all suffered hearing loss.

A buzzing sound came from deep inside my ears.

It felt like being underwater, with my eardrums covered by a layer of burlap, making it difficult to hear any external sounds.

Ōmura Masujirō looked up at the sky, now devoid of flying shells, and said solemnly:

"The shelling has stopped...!"

Shinsaku Takasugi also looked up at the sky:

"It's finally stopped! I can't wait any longer, let's get to the main event...!"

After saying that, he carefully put down the shamisen in his arms and slowly stood up.

Clang, clang, clang...!

As he stood up, he slowly drew the sword from his waist.

In an instant, the silvery light of the blade filled the entire pit.

The blade of this knife is covered with ornate patterns.

The terrifyingly cold light emanating from the blade left no doubt that this was a precious sword capable of cutting through iron like mud!

With its intricate and ornate blade patterns and a sharpness that inspires fear, anyone familiar with swords would recognize it at a glance—it is the demon sword Muramasa!

Unlike Qingdeng's Vairocana, Muramasa is the officially designated demon sword!

The Muramasa were a group of famous swordsmiths who lived in Kuwana, Ise Province from the Muromachi period to the Edo period. There were three generations of Muramasa, and at least three or four people in each generation used Muramasa as their sword inscription. The first generation of Muramasa was the most famous.

The typical characteristics of Muramasa are that they all have gorgeous patterns and are extremely sharp.

Muramasa is called a "demon sword" partly because it is so sharp that many people have died by its blade.

However, the main reason for this was the ill-fated relationship between Tokugawa Ieyasu and Muramasa.

Whether it was due to incompatible personalities or simply bad luck, Tokugawa Ieyasu's direct relatives and he himself were always harmed by Muramasa.

First, Tokugawa Ieyasu's grandfather, Matsudaira Kiyoyasu, was cleaved in two by his own retainer with a Muramasa sword during a battle against the Oda clan—from his right shoulder down to his left abdomen.

Then, Tokugawa Ieyasu's father, Matsudaira Hirotada, was slashed in the thigh by a close retainer, who also used a Muramasa sword.

Later, Tokugawa Ieyasu's eldest son, Nobuyasu, was suspected by Oda Nobunaga of colluding with the Takeda clan and committed seppuku, using Muramasa as his weapon.

Later, during the Battle of Sekigahara, it was Tokugawa Ieyasu's turn to have his finger cut off by Muramasa.

His grandfather, father, son, and himself were all wounded by Muramasa... It's not hard to imagine how Tokugawa Ieyasu would view this sword.

Tokugawa Ieyasu concluded: "The Muramasa is a demon that is specifically haunting the Tokugawa family!" and ordered all Muramasa to be destroyed.

Thus, after the Edo Shogunate notified Japan, although the swordsmiths of Muramasa in Seshu continued to forge swords, no one dared to openly carry Muramasa swords due to pressure from the Shogunate.

Swords that used to be engraved with the Muramasa name have all been changed to unmarked swords or disguised with other sword inscriptions.

In addition, during the Edo period, sword divination—judging a person's fortune based on various aspects such as the sharpness of the sword and the curvature of the blade—became popular.

During the early to mid-Edo period, due to the peace and prosperity of the world, people generally disliked overly sharp combat swords and instead favored "artworks" that were only good for looking at them.

Therefore, Muramasa, which was too sharp and very suitable for actual combat, was neglected and gradually rejected by the world.

Thus, the idea that "Muramasa is a demon sword" took root in people's minds.

However, to this day, this "demon sword," which should have been plunged into an abyss of no return, has actually ushered in a "second spring."

Since the Muramasa is a demon that specifically haunts the Tokugawa family, wouldn't this be exactly what the loyalists who advocate for overthrowing the Tokugawa family want?

As a result, in recent years, those who are determined to overthrow the shogunate—especially the Choshu patriots who have completely broken with the shogunate—have been wearing Muramasa hats to demonstrate their determination to "be irreconcilable with the shogunate" and "swear to destroy the Tokugawa family."

For a time, the village head, who was experiencing a "second spring" in his career, became a rare and sought-after item, with people eagerly vying to wear and use it.

As the recognized leaders of the Choshu patriots, Takasugi Shinsaku and Katsura Kogoro both followed the trend of the time and replaced Muramasa with Muramasa.

"The Shinsengumi are attacking! Prepare to meet them!"

After roaring, Takasugi Shinsaku gripped Muramasa tightly in his hand, darted over the pit where he was hiding, and returned to the surface.

The next moment, around him, figures emerged from the large and small pits, a huge, dark mass, just like ants emerging from their holes!

……

……

Mount Matsuo (Shinsengumi right-wing position) —

As we all know, the higher you stand, the farther you can see, and the farther you can shoot.

To better bombard Nangong Mountain, the artillery positions were deployed at a high point on Songwei Mountain.

As soon as the shelling began, the foul-smelling smoke gradually spread and soon drifted to the positions of the other squads at the foot of the mountain.

From the foot of the mountain to the mountainside and then to the summit, thick smoke and fog from burning gunpowder permeated the area.

Because of the unprecedented intensity of the shelling, the pungent smell in the air was also unprecedented.

Everywhere you look, there is nothing but shrouded in mist.

If you take a deep breath, the bitter taste of gunpowder will linger deep in your throat, causing you to cough incessantly.

After ordering a "cease shelling," Qingdeng moved to the foot of the mountain and stood at the forefront of the position, standing tall before his soldiers.

After the shelling of Mount Matsuo ceased, Mount Sasao on the opposite side also stopped shelling—this was a signal pre-arranged by Aoto.

Once the shelling of Mount Matsuo ceases, it signifies "the end of the shelling," and Mount Sasao must respond immediately.

Suddenly, Yamanami Keisuke appeared from behind and rushed to Aoto's side.

"Tachibana-kun, all squads are ready and can launch an offensive at any time."

Qingdeng nodded to indicate that he understood.

Because his face was expressionless, it was difficult for others to discern his inner thoughts.

At this time, Qingdeng was feeling a slight regret about being unable to continue the bombing.

He wanted the shelling to continue a little longer.

Unfortunately... both the men and the cannons of the Eleventh Division had reached their limits.

The condition of the team members goes without saying.

All artillery units are now in a state of "semi-paralysis".

Some were so exhausted they couldn't straighten their backs, some were so exhausted they collapsed on the ground, some were so exhausted they were almost unconscious... In short, they had basically lost their ability to fight.

Compared to the people, the cannons were in even worse condition.

Searching the entire artillery position, it was almost impossible to find a single cannon barrel that wasn't glowing red.

Each cannon barrel was frighteningly red, sizzling and steaming out, just like an iron pot cooking.

Without a doubt, these cannons have reached their limits.

If we keep bombarding them, the gun might explode.

The Eleventh Division has already given it their all, and we really can't push them any further.

Therefore, Qingdeng had no choice but to order a "ceasefire".

Now that the artillery bombardment has stopped, it's time for the infantry to take the stage!

No matter how hard the cannons bombard, in the end, it is still the infantry who have to charge up the hill to completely defeat the enemy!

After receiving Yamanami Keisuke's report that "preparations are complete and we can attack at any time," he took a deep breath and secretly gathered his strength.

At that very moment when he concentrated his greatest strength—

"Shinsengumi! Attack!!"

The next breath—

"Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh!"

Behind Qingdeng, the soldiers of each squad raised their weapons and shouted in unison, creating a deafening roar!

At the same moment he loudly ordered the attack, Qing Deng suddenly drew his Bizen Nagafune from his waist and leaned forward, rushing towards Nangong Mountain!

Behind him, the soldiers of each squad, including Yamanami Keisuke, Souji, and Saito Hajime, followed closely.

Almost at the same time, a tremendous roar also erupted from Mount Sasao across the way.

"Follow me!!"

Kondo Isami shouted, grabbed Nagasone Kotetsu, and took the lead.

The two brutes of the Shinsengumi—Nagakura Shinpachi and Serizawa Kamo—were closely by his side.

If viewed from above, one can see two large armies, composed of dense black dots, rushing into the plain between Nangong Mountain, Songwei Mountain, and Sasao Mountain, like two swimming dragons, biting straight at the enemy formation on the opposite side!

No sooner had Qingdeng and the others left their hiding place than a terrifying roar echoed from Mount Nangong:

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!

More cannon fire.

However, this time it wasn't the Shinsengumi's artillery fire, but the Choshu army's!

Shells rolled and flew through the air, whistling as they fell towards the charging Shinsengumi!

At this moment, offense and defense are intertwined.

The Choshu army became the side firing the cannons, while the Shinsengumi became the side being bombarded.

Compared to the Shinsengumi, the Choshu army's artillery fire was undoubtedly much weaker.

Based on the sound, Qing Deng secretly estimated that the Changzhou army had at most forty cannons.

However, even so, this still poses a great threat to the new electorate!

At the very instant he heard the sound of gunfire, Qingdeng reflexively shouted a warning:

"Spread out! Don't gather together!"

In the blink of an eye, the shells fell.