I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

“Sato-kun, I have a suggestion for you: when you talk to me, you’d better be a little more polite.”

Sato Kenzo snorted coldly, his face filled with displeasure:

"What? Are you threatening me? I'll say whatever I want! It's none of your business!"

Orochi smiled again:

"I don't mind the way you talk."

"You can use whatever way you like to speak; I will never force you to."

"However... my partner might have objections."

"Because he has been deaf since childhood, he is quite sensitive to 'emotions' and can keenly perceive changes in other people's emotions."

"The malice you showed me has already made him very unhappy."

"For the sake of your life, I advise you to be more restrained."

Sato was startled and subconsciously turned his head to look at the samurai walking side by side with the Yamata no Orochi—Ōtakemaru, the highest combatant of the Hoju Party.

But then he saw Ōtakemaru turn his head and stare intently at him with emotionless eyes.

In an instant, Sato Kenzo felt as if he had fallen into an ice cave, and couldn't help but shiver several times!

Just one glance was enough to make him lose his composure and almost fall to the ground... He would never have believed it if he hadn't experienced it himself!

Driven by his rebellious nature, he initially wanted to retort with a few defiant words.

However... at this moment, he couldn't muster any thought of resistance, as if all the courage in his chest had been shattered by Ōtakemaru's gaze.

It's no exaggeration to say that he doesn't even dare to breathe loudly now.

He glanced at Orochi and Ōtakemaru with a mixture of fear and resentment—this was the only form of resistance he dared to take.

So he said no more and silently followed behind the Yamata no Orochi.

After walking several hundred steps, finally... the Yamata no Orochi let out a long breath:

"Oh...we've finally arrived..."

As he spoke, he pushed aside the bushes in front of him, and suddenly the view opened up—they had come to a high slope with a good view.

Below the high slope, one can see a gentle basin surrounded by mountains, and a mountain village located in the center of the basin.

The eight-headed serpent swiftly scanned the village inside and out, its face expressionless, muttering to itself:

"Great Salt... let's settle our score."

Having said that, he turned to Sato Kenzo beside him and gave the order:

"Sato-kun, please give the order to prepare for the attack!"

……

……

Although the old man had finished speaking, his words still lingered in Ziyang's ears.

After a long while, Ziyang murmured in return:

"...Teacher, does that mean...you're willing to ally with Mr. Tachibana?"

The old man smiled and shook his head:

"It's hard to say yet, we'll have to wait until we see Tachibana Aoto... hmm?"

Suddenly, as if sensing something, the old man abruptly stopped speaking, frowned, and turned to stare intently at the window beside him.

Ziyang looked puzzled.

"Teacher, you..."

"Azi! Watch out!"

In a split second, the old man displayed extraordinary athletic ability, leaping up and embracing Ziyang as he fell to the ground.

next moment--

Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!

Several sharp arrows, accompanied by a piercing whistling sound, pierced through the window and landed around the old man and Ziyang!

……

……

The following day (May 4th), early morning—

Qinjin Fan, Dajin, Judi, a certain courtyard——

Qingdeng stood in the center of the courtyard, basking in the warm winter sun, and took a deep breath.

The cool air filled my lungs, instantly invigorating me.

Qingdeng squinted, looking at the gradually brightening sky in the east.

"The weather is nice..."

The sky is clear and blue, perfect for work today.

Today, he is going to visit various rural areas around Otsu to inspect the reclamation of new fields.

After stretching his muscles a few times, Qingdeng went back inside.

After eating breakfast and changing clothes, by the time he was ready to leave, the sky was already turning light.

When it was exactly 7 o'clock, he rode his neighing radish out of the main gate of the Orange Mansion, leading a dozen or so attendants and guards—just then, the sound of rapid hoofbeats came from afar.

Along with this, an anxious shout rang out:

"Master Zuo! Wait! I have urgent news to report!"

It was the voice of Shintaro Toujou—and there he was, riding a fast horse, rushing towards Aoto.

Upon seeing this, Qingdeng was taken aback. He immediately tightened the reins, stopped the scooter he was riding, and gestured to his attendants and guards to stop as well.

Before the horse had come to a complete stop, Shintaro Toujou leaped off the horse like lightning and knelt on one knee before Aoto:

"Master Zuo! Please, may I speak with you in private?"

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P.S.: "The Feathers of the Late Ming Dynasty" will be officially released on July 24th... so it's a good day to rest! (Leopard Hi.jpg)

Chapter 1125 "Royal Guard Zero Squad" [5200]

The usually composed Shintaro Toujou was now displaying a near-complacent panic...

Qing Deng frowned slightly as if he realized something.

If it were official business of the shogunate (Kyoto governor), he would never have done this.

In other words... something definitely happened to the Big Salt Party!

Without thinking twice, Qingdeng turned to his attendants and guards and shouted:

"Please wait a moment!"

Having said that, he dismounted from the ox, turned and walked back to the Tachibana residence, waving to Shintaro Tojo as he did so:

"Shintaro, come with me!"

Shintaro Toujou immediately followed.

The two went straight to Qingdeng's office, one after the other.

……

……

In no time—

Orange Residence, Qingdeng's Office —

"What? The teacher and Ziyang have been attacked?"

For ease of address and to show respect, Qing Deng also refers to the leader of the Big Salt Party as "Teacher".

Even the resolute Qing Deng couldn't help but change his expression after listening to Toujou Shintaro's detailed account.

Shintaro Toujou continued the conversation with a serious expression:

"Thanks to the comrades' desperate protection, Your Highness and Miss Ziyang are safe for the time being."

"They are currently hiding in the deep mountains east of Nara."

"But... the pursuers are hot on our heels! Your Highness and Ziyang's hiding place is completely surrounded, and they could be discovered at any moment!"

In short, the teacher and Ziyang are in imminent danger.

Qingdeng silently drew a general conclusion in his mind.

Qing Deng narrowed his eyes, pondered for a moment, and then asked in return with a solemn expression:

"...Is it a case of punishing the party according to the law?"

Having a grudge against the Great Salt Party and the ability to strike at its organization... Qing Deng's first thought was to punish the party according to the law!

The Great Salt Party excels in "intelligence gathering," and its various strongholds are heavily protected.

It is precisely because of this special skill that they have been able to survive under immense pressure to this day.

The location of the meeting between the teacher and Ziyang should have been a top secret, and it was impossible for outsiders to know about it.

The forces capable of carrying out such a magical invasion... Qing Deng couldn't think of any other answer besides the Fazhi Party!

The intelligence gathering capabilities of the Fazhu Party are also quite strong. If these are a group of crazy people with problems in their heads, then it would not be surprising no matter what kind of trouble they cause!

Shintaro Toujou shook his head:

"The exact identity of the attacker is currently unknown."