I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

It was like...it was like...it was like having a premonition! They knew exactly where his sword would strike, so they positioned their sword in the designated defensive position beforehand!

Akabane was stunned speechless by the extraordinary sight before him.

But soon, he could no longer bear the shock.

Qing Deng, who was in shock because of the completely different events, came to his senses half a step before Chi Yu.

In the next instant, Qing Deng acted swiftly.

He let out a short shout, then flicked his hands holding the sword. In an instant, the red-feathered bamboo sword, which was held against Qing Deng's bamboo sword, slid down the sloping blade of Qing Deng's bamboo sword, which was pointing diagonally towards the ground, as if riding a slide, and fell to the side.

In the next instant, Qing Deng turned the sword, drawing a half-circle with the bamboo sword, changing the blade from pointing diagonally at the ground to pointing diagonally at the sky in a flash, and then slashed heavily at Chi Yu.

At this moment, Akabane and some of the spectators on the sidelines all showed expressions of astonishment—they were all people who had a good understanding of the major mainstream sword techniques that were currently popular.

First, he held his sword diagonally in front of him to block the opponent's attack, and then swung his sword to counterattack... They all recognized at a glance that the defensive counterattack that Qing Deng had just used was a classic move from the Muwailiu: Inazuma!

Facing Qing Deng's sword strike, Akabane, still preoccupied with Qing Deng's "predictive" defense, reacted a beat too late.

Although he tried to retreat as fast as he could to avoid the sword that was hurtling towards him, he was still unable to dodge it.

Qingdeng's bamboo sword made a loud noise.

Akabane was struck hard and fell to the ground in a disheveled state.

[Ding! Talent detected]

[Successfully replicated talent: "Gluttony"]

[Talent Introduction: Less prone to gastrointestinal diseases]

Before Aoto took up his post, the strongest person in their Third Division, Akabane Koichiro, was defeated!

60 people killed!

Qing Deng did it! He single-handedly achieved a 60-kill streak! He defeated them all with a "Li Cui" technique! He defeated the entire Third Division of the Fire Thieves!

For a moment, the atmosphere was unusually quiet and strange.

A moment later, the atmosphere gradually changed.

Like a spark that ignites a prairie fire, more and more people gradually began to look at Qingdeng with respect and admiration.

For example: Lan Jingyang.

This short man, unremarkable in both appearance and personality, cautiously raised his eyelids and gazed intently at Qing Deng's back, which was currently facing away from him... his eyes filled with longing.

Besides Lan Jing and his group, another group of people were looking at Qing Deng with completely different expressions – their faces were filled with disbelief.

One person defeating 60 people... Even if the fighting style was not a group battle, but a one-on-one "standing cut", such an achievement is already quite terrifying!

At the very least, many of them had never heard of anyone having achieved such a feat before.

Besides these, there's another group of people whose expressions are... rather subtle. These people with subtle expressions are represented by Akabane and Shirasaki.

Akabane, Shirasaki, and the others all wore expressions that mixed with a variety of complex emotions, including doubt and resentment.

"Hello……!"

Just then, Qingdeng suddenly heard someone calling his name.

Turning his head, he saw Akabane, whose face was the color of a pig's liver, standing up unsteadily with one hand pressed against the spot where Qing Deng had just hit him.

"That move you just used... was it the 'Inazuma' from the Mugae-ryu style?"

Although the sentence contains the word "吧", the tone is undoubtedly that of an affirmative sentence.

"Aren't you a swordsman of the Natural Rishin-ryu school? Why are you using techniques from the Mugae-ryu school?"

As soon as Akabane finished speaking, a member of the squad with a strange accent nearby loudly echoed:

"Yes! Yes! Lord Tachibana, aren't you a swordsman of the Natural Rishin-ryu school? How come you can even use our Jigen-ryu's 'Monkey Cry'?"

This person was the very same Shigenryu swordsman who was startled by Qingdeng's "monkey cry" and thus missed his chance to fight.

Qingdeng raised his hand to wipe away the beads of sweat that were about to drip down his chin, blinked a few times, pondered for a moment, then coughed lightly without leaving a trace. He then straightened his back, took a deep breath, and a faint smile appeared on his lips:

"Does learning a particular school of swordsmanship mean you have to use that school's techniques?"

At this point, Qingdeng let out a light laugh that seemed to be mocking something, then, with an air of nonchalant ease and composure, he waved his hand:

"My sword is no longer confined to any particular school or sect. All martial arts styles can be used by me."

As soon as Qingdeng finished speaking, everyone around him was taken aback.

Then, the group of people, represented by Lan Jing, who had been looking at Qing Deng with admiration and longing, suddenly turned their gazes toward Qing Deng with even more fervent intensity.

Some of those who had just been giving Qingdeng shocked looks now had a slightly different expression, their faces showing more solemnity and respect.

To be honest, none of them really understood what Qing Deng meant by what he just said.

However, they knew that this statement was very profound! It had the air of a master!

Considering Qing Deng's recent feat of "killing 60 people"... everyone suddenly felt that Qing Deng's image had become much more impressive!

As expected of the Benevolent King! His martial arts cultivation has reached a level they cannot comprehend!

"Tachibana-sama!"

At this moment, a young man stepped forward—it was Kuroba Shiro, the eloquent man who had guided Aoto when he first arrived at the Third Division's headquarters.

"Seeing is believing, and experiencing is even better! Your swordsmanship is truly superb!"

Hei Yu strode up to Qing Deng and spoke eloquently.

"None of us, with so many people, can match you."

At this point, Kuroba paused for a moment, then sighed heavily with a look of deep emotion.

"Lord Tachibana, you are not even 20 years old yet... To have such amazing swordsmanship at such a young age, you will surely become a great swordsman in the future!"

"Perhaps, I can even challenge the ultimate goal that countless martial artists strive for their entire lives but regretfully cannot achieve: to be unparalleled in the world!"

Qing Deng listened silently to Hei Yu's flattery with a blank expression.

As Hei Yu finished speaking, a carefree smile appeared on Qing Deng's lips.

He remained calm and waved his hand dismissively.

"Unparalleled in the world? Not worth mentioning."

******

******

"Inazuma" is a real sword technique from the Muwailiu school. First, the sword is held diagonally in front of the body to block the opponent's attack, then a counter-attack is launched. To write this chapter, Shushuko specifically went to Bilibili and watched the Muwailiu martial arts demonstration videos again.

Please vote for this book, considering how hard the author has worked!

Please vote with monthly tickets! Please vote with recommendation tickets!

P.S.: The duel between Qing Deng and Chi Yu in this chapter can be described as full of the style of a "classic sword fight film." No fancy moves, just a single strike to defeat the enemy, and the outcome is decided in an instant.

[Author's Science Popularization] —

"Inazuma" actually means "lightning".

Ancient Japanese people discovered that rice grew exceptionally well in areas where lightning frequently struck.

Therefore, people believed that lightning and rice had an unspeakable relationship, making the rice pregnant. Hence, the ancient Japanese people commonly referred to lightning as "Inazuma".

Looking at the word "Inazuma" and considering its usage in modern Japanese, people often think of Inazuma as the husband and Rai as the wife. People might find it unbelievable and hard to imagine that Rai is the fierce and terrifying woman and Inazuma is the gentle man. In fact, Rai is the husband and Inazuma is the wife.

In ancient Japan, men and women were considered to be completely equal.

The word "tsuma" does not only refer to the female side; it means "the other party" or "spouse".

Therefore, in Old Japanese, "tsuma" could be written as "夫" or "妻".

Both husband and wife are called "tsuma".

However, as women's status gradually declined, the word "tsuma" was gradually used only to refer to women after the Heian period.

Therefore, according to modern usage, lightning should be called "rice."

P.S.: The "Inazuma Country" in Genshin Impact is literally translated as "Thunder Country".

Chapter 291 Unparalleled Under Heaven? Deserves a grand description! Forget your insignificance! [6200]

Unparalleled in the world? Not worth mentioning—Qing Deng said this in a very calm tone and with a very indifferent expression.

The plain voice, however, struck a chord with some, like a heavy hammer hitting the heart.

Under the heavens, no one can rival him—the phrase "unparalleled in the world" is the realm that countless martial artists who are devoted to the way of martial arts dream of.

How many martial artists have spent their entire lives just to get a little closer to this word?

The young man, who was wearing a calm smile, said, "Unparalleled in the world? It's nothing to brag about."

The lofty realm that countless martial artists dream of but cannot attain is actually something insignificant in the eyes of this young man.

What a level of attainment this is!

A simple sentence that perfectly expresses a transcendent state of mind!

If someone else had said this, they would be suspected of boasting.

However, when this statement is linked to Qing Deng... and this man known as "Niou", it becomes undeniably convincing.

Yes! At such a young age, Lord Ju has already achieved extraordinary success in martial arts. A talent like him must have lofty ambitions! His vision is certainly not limited to the so-called "unparalleled in the world." His eyes must be fixed on a deeper realm that we ordinary mortals cannot comprehend!

Imagining this, the group of people led by Lan Jing looked at Qing Deng with increasing excitement and fervor.

As expected of the Benevolent King! His martial arts skills have indeed reached a level beyond our comprehension!

While Lan Jing and the others were still excited and full of admiration, the man they thought had reached a state of mind that was beyond the reach of ordinary people like them was currently—

……

—Great! Another perfect display of arrogance! Tsk tsk, my writing skills are pretty good, aren't they? I actually managed to come up with two cool sentences on the spot!

Qingdeng was secretly delighted, but outwardly remained calm and composed.

The "Art of the Emperor" has once again proven its worth. Qing Deng increasingly feels that this talent is truly a powerful tool for showing off!

The night before last, after Qingdeng uttered the words "The One-Armed Gang is nothing special" in front of everyone, a flash of inspiration suddenly appeared in his mind—he had come up with a new way to help him quickly establish himself in the Fire Thieves' Guild.