I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

In conclusion, yesterday's events are history, and the future is uncertain, so let's just take it one step at a time.

While Qingdeng and Tianzhangyuan were talking, the sky outside the window grew darker.

The distant, inky black sky completely swallowed the sun.

The room was completely shrouded in darkness, and the shadows blurred Tenshōin's face and figure.

At that moment, Sage conspicuously lit a candle placed in the corner of the room, illuminating Tenshōin's smile and her large, bright, and expressive eyes.

"It's getting dark, let's end today's training here."

Tenshōin glanced at the twilight outside the window.

"Hey, Mr. Orange, would you like to stay for dinner? Our food is really delicious."

"No, I've already told my family that I'll be home before dinner at the latest today."

Qingdeng shook his head and declined without hesitation.

"I see... alright then."

Tenshōin didn't insist on Seidō and readily nodded.

“Tachibana-kun, considering that you are not specifically in charge of the new Oniwaban, I will not force you to come to the Tsukimiya Shrine to practice ninjutsu every so often.”

"Just follow your own pace and arrange your cultivation process as you like."

"Ah, but please don't only show your face at the Moon Palace Shrine once every ten days or half a month."

After making a lighthearted joke in a half-joking tone, Tenshōin suddenly seemed to remember something, and his voice and expression both paused.

This silence, deliberately orchestrated by Tenshōin, did not last long—

"Finally... although I've said something similar before, I'll remind you again anyway."

Having said that, Tianzhangyuan stepped half a step to the side, getting closer to Qingdeng.

As Tenshōin's position changed, the light and shadow on his face subtly shifted under the candlelight.

Divided by the bridge of his nose, most of his face was hidden in the shadows of darkness, with only the right half bathed in candlelight.

The combination of her conspicuous presence in the light and the hazy presence in the shadows imbued her expression with mystery, making her elusive.

His right eye, exposed to the candlelight, shimmered with a distant, ethereal light that made Qing Deng feel as if the woman before him was so far away.

"Neither the general nor I have any plans to reveal the existence of the new Oniwabanshu to the public at the moment. So you are absolutely not allowed to tell anyone about the existence of the new Oniwabanshu."

His tone was relaxed... with a slight smile that seemed completely out of place with the seriousness of his words.

"……I see."

With a completely expressionless face, Qing Deng bowed slightly to Tian Zhang Yuan with an extremely subtle movement...

……

……

When Qingdeng returned home, Tianzhangyuan saw him off all the way.

Accompanying Tenshōin as they saw Aoto off were the "Two Sisters".

The three women walked until they reached the torii gate of the Moon Palace Shrine before stopping and changing their "seeing off" to "watching them go".

Just as Qing Deng's figure was about to disappear from their sight, Sha Zhong suddenly let out a long sigh and said quietly:

"Lord Yudu... our new Imperial Guard has truly gained an extraordinary newcomer this time..."

"Oh?" Tenshōin glanced at Sage with interest. "What makes you say that?"

Saege and Yae looked at each other.

After a moment of staring at each other, Saeshige slowly said:

"...Mr. Tachibana's talent is simply terrifying... He has exceptional skill in both footwork and lock picking. Moreover, his concentration is astonishing. Once he calms down and focuses on doing something, no external noise can distract him."

As soon as Sashige finished speaking, Yae pouted, looking dejected, and picked up where Sashige left off:

"Hmm... Although I feel a little unwilling... this junior is indeed an extraordinary genius who makes us mere mortals feel that we can only look up to him in the dust... His Cloud Flow should surpass me, his senior, in a very short time..."

"This afternoon, after Mr. Ju finished his 'indoor fighting method' training, I had a brief chat with Mr. Tian."

Saeshige picked up the conversation again.

"The Heavenly Lord also holds Mr. Ju in extremely high regard."

"Grandpa Tian was quite blunt. He said directly, 'Mr. Tachibana is a good candidate for practicing ninjutsu... In all his years, this is the first time he has seen someone with such high ninjutsu talent.'"

After listening quietly to the two sisters' explanations, Tenshōin slowly revealed a joyful smile.

"I see... Then recruiting Tachibana-kun into my new Imperial Guard was indeed the right choice."

Tenshōin had just finished speaking—

"Lord Yudu."

Tian Cangxiao's aged voice suddenly rang out behind her.

"Hmm? Tiancang?"

Tenshoin turned her head to look at Tensho-kyo, who was walking slowly toward her with his hands behind his back.

"Lord Yu Du, has Mr. Ju returned?"

"Yes, he just left. Amakura, are you here to see Tachibana-kun off?"

"...No, Lord Yu Du. I've come to see you."

"Looking for me? What's up?"

"..."

Tian Cangxiao remained silent.

He rolled his eyes, glancing at both the gauze and the eight layers.

Having understood what Tian Cangxiao meant, Tian Zhangyuan waved to the "two" sisters, signaling them to leave.

After the two women discreetly stepped back, creating a convenient space for conversation, Tian Cangxiao immediately took half a step forward, closing the distance between himself and Tian Zhangyuan, and then lowered his voice—

"Lord Yu Du, I'll get straight to the point—please keep a close eye on Ju Qing Deng. If he does anything that seems like a betrayal of us, kill him without hesitation!"

Tian Cangxiao's narrow eyes beneath his white eyebrows gleamed with a fierce light, making him quite terrifying.

*******

*******

Today was another day I managed to keep my leopard head (a reference to a popular Chinese cartoon character). Congratulations! (Leopard-style fat otaku.jpg)

The author has once again successfully updated 8000 words in a single day! Please give this leopard some monthly tickets to encourage him!

Please vote with monthly tickets! Please vote with recommendation tickets! (Leopard crying.jpg)

The transitional plot of "Aoto joining the new Oniwaban" has finally come to an end.

The bloody and turbulent "Fire Thief Remake" is about to begin... The plot is about to unfold in a raging storm once again! (Repeatedly pats leopard belly.jpg)

Qingdeng is really starting to resemble the protagonist of some role-playing games.

He is skilled in martial arts, as well as stealth, assassination, lock picking, and all sorts of other strange and evil techniques.

If this book were a role-playing game, countless players (readers) would probably want to control Aoto to steal all the weapons and money from weapon and armor shops, and incidentally raid Kinoshita Mai and Sanako's bedrooms at night, right? (Laughing.jpg)

Chapter 260 The Release of "Power"! A "Power" So Strong It Can Stun Others! [8500]

"..."

Tensho-in seemed completely unsurprised by Tensho-hsiao's remarks.

She gazed calmly at the distant night view... After a long while, she slowly asked in a tone devoid of joy or sorrow:

"how you said that?"

"...Lord Yu Du. The talent and character that Ju Qing Deng displayed today... terrify me."

"His swordsmanship talent is already exceptional, but I never expected him to have such amazing talent in ninjutsu as well."

"Unless he himself chooses to degenerate in the future, his future is bound to be limitless."

Tian Cangxiao raised his white eyebrows and glanced at Tianzhangyuan in front of him.

After confirming that Tenshōin showed no unusual reaction, he took a deep breath and continued:

"Lord Yudu's ability to recruit such a talent into our new Imperial Guard is both a great fortune for us and a great misfortune for us."

"If he can be wholeheartedly loyal and serve us, that would be best."

"But what if he has other intentions..."

Tian Cangxiao didn't continue speaking. He stopped at a perfectly timed point, leaving Tianzhangyuan to imagine what would happen next.

After a brief pause, Tian Cangxiao changed the subject:

"Although Tachibana Aoto currently appears indifferent to fame and fortune and uninterested in worldly affairs... no one can say for sure whether he might develop some strange desires... or ambitions in the future!"

"So, I may be presumptuous of me to say this, but... I still implore Lord Yu Du to keep a close eye on Ju Qing Deng."

"Don't let 'Niou'... really become a 'king'...!"

After speaking, Tian Cangxiao humbly lowered his head, awaiting Tianzhangyuan's response.

Tianzhangyuan didn't keep Tiancangxiao waiting for long.

As soon as Tian Cangxiao finished speaking, Tian Zhangyuan smiled as if he had heard something amusing:

"I understand. Thank you for your suggestion; I will seriously consider it. Is there anything else you want to report to me?"

Tian Cangxiao shook his head: "That's all..."

"If you have nothing else to report to me, then you may leave now. I want to enjoy the night view and feel the night breeze in peace and quiet."

"Yes."

Tian Cangxiao responded with a "Yes" and gave a slight bow to Tianzhangyuan before quickly walking into the darkness not far away.

Outside the torii gate of Tsukimiya Shrine, only Tenshōin stood alone in the same spot.