I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

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Qingdeng continued:

"In order to please merchants, they did not hesitate to cancel the 'Annual Tribute Reduction Order' and disregarded the interests of millions of farmers—this one incident alone is enough to show the character of the rulers and ministers of the 'Southern Dynasty'."

"If the Southern Dynasty were to gain control of the country... I can't even imagine what the consequences would be."

"Since your goal is to achieve 'universal harmony,' can you just stand by and watch those beasts of the 'Southern Dynasty' seize power?"

He paused here, then added:

"Moreover, the Fazhu Party has already formed an alliance with the Southern Dynasty."

"Even if it's just to defeat the Fazhu Party, we have the most compelling reason to form an alliance."

After Qingdeng finished speaking, he waited quietly for the other party's response.

Zi Yang half-closed his eyes, his face tense, as if deep in thought... She didn't keep him waiting long.

After a moment, she parted her lips slightly:

"……I see."

“If the alliance partner is ‘Nioh’, then that’s a different story.”

"However, this is a matter of great importance, and I alone am not capable of making a decision."

"I will ask the teacher to make a decision later."

Qingdeng raised an eyebrow:

"'teacher'?"

Ziyang explained:

"Our teacher is our leader. Out of respect, I and most of my comrades call him 'teacher'."

Upon hearing this, Qing Deng involuntarily narrowed his eyes, seemingly lost in thought.

The leader of Ziyang and others... in other words, the head of the Great Salt Party!

He had dealt with the Great Salt Party for so long, yet he had never seen the true face of its leader, nor did he even know whether the person was male or female or how old they were... It would be impossible for him not to be curious about them.

After pondering for a moment, Qing Deng spoke again:

"Miss Ziyang, if it's possible, could I possibly meet your teacher?"

Zi Yang was stunned again, his expression changing slightly.

Shintaro Toujou, who was standing to the side, also changed his expression.

Qingdeng ignored their reactions and continued speaking on his own:

"As you just said, the alliance involves the fate of both sides, and this is a matter of great importance."

"In that case, I think it would be better for me to talk to your teacher in person."

"This makes communication much easier."

Ziyang seemed to be deep in thought, and nodded slightly.

"……I see."

Seeing this, Shintaro Toujou could no longer contain himself and hurriedly said:

"Miss Ziyang, His Highness..."

Before he could finish speaking, Ziyang interrupted:

"Shintaro, please be patient."

Shintaro Toujou opened his mouth, but hesitated... Although he really wanted to speak, he ultimately obeyed Ziyang's instructions and obediently kept his mouth shut.

Aoto turned his head and cast a questioning look at Shintaro Tojo.

"Your Highness?"

Ziyang smiled slightly:

"Shintaro Tojo deeply respects his teacher and dares not consider himself his student, so he does not call him 'teacher' but 'Your Highness'."

After explaining, she said, "Let's get back to the main point:"

"To be honest, I had been thinking about meeting you before."

"However... for some reason, this idea has been delayed in being implemented."

Upon hearing this, Qingdeng couldn't help but ask in return:

"Why? Is it because your teacher is unwell?"

Ziyang gave a bitter smile:

"Well... I'm very sorry, I can't say more about this."

"In short, I will consult with the teacher."

"If the teacher is willing to meet with you, I will notify you immediately."

"However, it may take you a little while."

"Please understand that the teacher is currently not in the capital region and will not be able to return until after the New Year."

Qingdeng nodded:

"It's okay, I can wait a short time."

Ziyang hesitated for a moment, then added apologetically:

"If the teacher does not wish to meet with you... please do not be offended. It is not that the teacher dislikes you, but that he/she truly has difficulties that make it inconvenient to meet with people."

Qingdeng laughed heartily and waved his hand magnanimously:

"It's alright. Whether you want to meet me or not, it's entirely up to your teacher. I will not force you."

"Only the matter of 'alliance' should you seriously consider."

“I genuinely want to form an alliance with the Big Salt Party.”

Ziyang nodded solemnly:

"That's natural."

……

“It’s late, why don’t you stay overnight in Otsu and go back tomorrow morning? I can help you arrange accommodations.” — Qing Deng kindly invited them to stay.

Although grateful for Qingdeng's kindness, and genuinely reluctant to "brave the cold and rush back to Kyoto overnight," Ziyang politely declined Qingdeng's suggestion.

Behind the title of "Kyoto's First Geisha" lies an immense workload.

She not only had to practice singing and dancing, but also had to take on the important task of guiding newcomers... While playing the role of "the most perfect geisha", she could not neglect her main job as the "head of the Great Salt Party's intelligence."

Fortunately, Ziyang was a rare heroine, one in a million, with extraordinary energy and outstanding talent; otherwise, an ordinary person would have been overwhelmed by the heavy workload long ago.

Tonight's meeting with Qingdeng was something she squeezed out of her busy schedule.

If the intelligence that "the Fazhu Party has allied with the Southern Dynasty" had not been so important that it could not be delayed, Ziyang would not have made a special trip to Dajin to see Qingdeng.

In short, she simply didn't have the time to waste a night in Otsu.

After bidding farewell to Aoto, she rushed back to Kyoto overnight, escorted by Shintaro Tojo.

About an hour later, she returned safely to Gion in Kyoto, to her residence, and to her familiar room.

Standing alone in the center of the bedroom, Ziyang let out a long breath... As she slowly exhaled, her originally straight shoulders and back gradually relaxed.

Immediately afterwards, she lay on her back on the ground, looking exhausted, with her hands folded on her flat stomach.

Years of life as a geisha have ingrained the word "dignity" into her very being; even her lying down movements are so beautiful and elegant.

"Ugh... I'm so tired... I don't even want to move a finger..."

She let out a desperate groan towards the air in front of her.

The fatigue from traveling back and forth between Kyoto and Otsu accumulated, solidified, and erupted within him... He was truly exhausted.

All she wanted to do now was take off her socks quickly, then lie down in the soft bedding and get a good night's sleep until she woke up naturally.

However, by sheer coincidence, no sooner had she lain down than a pleasant female voice suddenly came from outside the door:

"Miss Ziyang, it's me."

There hadn't been any footsteps just now, yet suddenly voices came through... a strange sense of dread. When did this woman arrive at the door?

However, Ziyang showed no reaction to this, as if he was used to it.

In the blink of an eye, as if by conditioned reflex, Ziyang forced himself to stand up, sat upright, crossed his hands on his lap, and straightened his back again.

She faced the door and said in a strong voice:

"Come in."

After receiving Ziyang's permission, a "trainee geisha" gently pushed open the door, crawled inside, and moved to Ziyang's right side.

Ziyang turned his head toward the "apprentice geisha".

The latter leaned closer and said in a soft but clear voice:

"Miss Ziyang, we've found Sagara Sozo."

In an instant, the weariness deep in Ziyang's eyes vanished with joy.

"Great...we've finally found him..."

……

The first year of Kuangtian/the first year of Meiji (1865), November 12th——

The New Year is approaching.

The streets and alleys of Kyoto are already filled with the festive atmosphere of the New Year.