I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

Although in terms of looks and figure, Kanazawa Kotoko can't compare to monsters like Kinoshita Mai, Sanako, Souji, and Tenshōin who score in the nineties or hundreds, her score is at least eighty.

Qingdeng's family had recently been promoted to the rank of 1,000 koku (a unit of grain measure), making them a perfect match for the Kanazawa family, even in terms of their stipends. If Qingdeng were to marry Kanazawa Koto, it would undoubtedly be a wonderful union.

but……

but……

Even before that, when Kanazawa Tadatsugu said to him, "Tachibana-kun, marry my sister," Aoto already had the answer in his heart.

The answer appeared so quickly, without even a moment's hesitation. That being said, it wasn't out of spite or on a whim; it was simply a genuine expression of my true feelings.

The answer was so cruel... it filled Qing Deng with inexplicable guilt. He couldn't speak, unsure how to begin, unsure how to explain it to Jin Zezhongfu...

"Um... Jinze-kun, I'm sorry, I..."

While quietly hiding this feeling of guilt in his heart, Qingdeng responded softly, carefully choosing his words.

He had barely begun, only managing to say "sorry," before he could even utter a single euphemism he had racked his brains for, when Jinze Zhongfu interrupted him:

"Ah, that's enough, no need to say anymore."

Qingdeng was startled and slowly looked up—before him was a bitter expression dominated by intense regret and pity.

"I don't want to listen anymore. If I keep listening, I might burst into tears."

After making a stiff and unfunny joke, Kanazawa Tadatsugu closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

He kept sucking until his clothes were completely stretched out of shape, then he sighed, turning his melancholy into sound.

"Tachibana-kun, you...don't you like my younger sister?"

"Do not."

Qingdeng shook his head vigorously without hesitation.

“Your younger sister… Miss Jinze is an outstanding woman, and I admire her greatly. I have absolutely no aversion or disgust towards her. It’s just that…”

Qingdeng paused halfway through his sentence, hesitating.

"only……"

Qingdeng's cheeks slowly relaxed, and the corners of his mouth relaxed as well.

A calm, joyful smile, like a summer cloud, drifted onto Qingdeng's cheeks.

"But—I already have someone I love."

Qingdeng's heart already belonged to two girls, leaving no room for Jin Zeqin to linger.

Upon hearing Qing Deng's response, Jin Zezhongfu first let out a wry laugh, then scratched his head and muttered:

"Tachibana-kun, the person you like... wouldn't it be Chiba Sanako from the Chiba Sword Hall?"

Although Kanazawa Tadatsugu's sentence was in the form of a question, his tone was that of an affirmative statement, as if he already knew the answer.

Qingdeng raised an eyebrow, looking surprised, and asked in a way that was neither affirmative nor negative:

Why do you ask that?

"Hahaha……"

Jinze Zhongfu gave a few more bitter laughs.

"Because Xiaoqin often mentioned to me: You and Miss Chiba Sanako have a very good relationship. Every time you visit the Chiba Sword Hall, you are basically inseparable from Miss Chiba Sanako."

"..." Qing Deng, who didn't know how to respond for a moment, chuckled.

"Fine..."

Jin Zezhongfu sighed and waved his hand.

"Feelings are something you can't force."

"Since the falling flowers are willing, but the flowing water is indifferent, then I will not force it."

"Losing to Ms. Chiba Sanako... losing to the person she admires most, Kotomi can be considered to have lost with honor."

"Xiaoqin admires Miss Chiba Sanako the most."

"Before I met you, I always referred to you as Miss Chiba Sanako."

"It's as if Ms. Chiba Sanako is the most perfect woman in the world... Well, in every way, Ms. Chiba Sanako is indeed a perfect woman..."

Aoto, who had been silently listening to Kanazawa Tadatsugu's complaints, silently added to himself:

—To be more precise… Sanako is one of the people I like…

……

Although she felt reluctant, Qingdeng still firmly gave Jin Zeqin a "good person card".

Unsurprisingly, the moment this "good guy card" was issued, a feeling of embarrassment instantly enveloped Aoto and Kanazawa Tadashi.

Within a span of less than half an hour, two siblings were both disturbed by an awkward atmosphere – which is quite a rare spectacle.

Feeling embarrassed and unable to find a reason to stay any longer, Kanazawa Tadatsugu made up a few casual remarks and then left under some pretext.

However, he stopped after taking only a few steps.

"Ah...right, I almost forgot to mention..."

Jin Zezhongfu turned back, his expression returning to solemnity.

"Tachibana-kun, let me give you a heads-up anyway."

"Regarding that Akabane Koichiro you killed... I, my grandson, and Mizushima all agree that you did the right thing! Such a scoundrel who dared to openly defy military orders—deserves to die!"

"Lately, wherever I go, I hear the squad members discussing your feud with that Akabane Koichiro. According to my observations and statistics, the vast majority of people are on your side!"

Qingdeng blinked and smiled.

The Third Division and Akabane Koichiro were cleaved in two by Aoto for disobeying orders in battle—this incident has spread throughout the entire army at lightning speed in recent days!

Although superiors have the right to enforce military law on subordinates who violate military regulations, due to various reasons such as the special social atmosphere and the increasing prevalence of bureaucracy, the soldiers of the Fire and Thieves gang have not seen such a scene of "a general of equal rank being beheaded without a word" for a long time.

For a time, Qingdeng became a "hot topic" in the military camp, and the buzz hasn't died down yet.

Some praised Qing Deng for his decisive and swift actions. He considered it reasonable to execute the radical elements.

Some people criticize Qing Deng for acting too hastily and recklessly. Akabane Koichiro's family has considerable power, and making a rash move against such a scion of a powerful family will only bring trouble.

Whether praising or criticizing Qing Deng, everyone was utterly shocked by Qing Deng's willingness to target members of prominent families without hesitation.

Qing Deng shrugged and said to Jin Zezhongfu in a teasing tone with a light smile:

"Thank you for your support. I'm glad to hear you say that."

Kanazawa Tadashi smiled broadly and waved his hand:

“Any soldier with a sound mind will strongly support your actions. If we don’t severely punish those arrogant people who defy orders, morale will collapse.”

"Whether you consider the sentiment or the reason, you have no fault in carrying out Akabane Koichiro's execution."

"only……"

As Kanazawa Tadatsugu's tone suddenly shifted, a hint of worry crossed his brow.

“That Akabane Koichiro is, after all, a hatamoto disciple with a family stipend of nearly a thousand koku.”

Even if he was wrong first, his people may not accept it.

"We cannot rule out the possibility that Akabane Koichiro's clansmen will cause you trouble in the future."

"Although I am not a parent yet, I understand what parents are thinking."

"When close relatives...especially offspring are killed, most people in this world lose all reason when faced with such a thing."

"So, Tachibana-kun, you should be more careful in the future and be wary of the Akabane family's retaliation."

"Although we are not destined to be brothers, we are still comrades-in-arms who fought side by side and risked our lives together!"

Jinze Zhongfu laughed and patted his chest, his muscles making muffled "thump thump thump" sounds.

"If you encounter any trouble in the future, feel free to come to me! I will do everything in my power to help!"

Aoto, who was staring directly into the eyes of Kanazawa Tadatsugu, couldn't help but let out a delighted laugh.

—The Akabane family…heh…

As Qingdeng pondered this, he quietly let out a cold, indifferent laugh.

Of course, Qingdeng remained outwardly calm and composed.

To be honest, there's little chance that Kanazawa Tadatsugu's promise will be fulfilled.

Qing Deng never paid any attention to the existence of the Akabane family.

To put it bluntly—when Qing Deng drew his sword and killed Akabane Koichiro, he was already mentally prepared to suffer retaliation from the Akabane family in the future, and he didn't care about it at all!

Aoto has never felt any regret about Akabane Koichiro's death, neither in the past, present, nor future.

Even if the Akabane family comes to "settle accounts" with him in the future, Qing Deng has plenty of ways to deal with it.

As for what method it is... that will remain a secret for now.

However, despite this, hearing Kanazawa Tadatsugu say this still warmed Aoto's heart, and his joy was palpable.

The corners of her mouth curved slightly, forming a faint arc.

"Okay, sure! I will!"

He responded to Kanazawa Tadashi's sincere heart with a loud and powerful voice.

……

……

After successfully eradicating the Xiangma tribe without incident and restoring peace to the mountains, the expeditionary force rested in Daohe Village for a full six days before returning to the capital.

The villagers of Inawa Village, overjoyed at finally escaping the clutches of the Soma clan, bid farewell to the expeditionary force with an enthusiasm so great that even Aoto and the others felt somewhat embarrassed.

After a four-day, three-night march, the punitive expeditionary force successfully returned to Edo, which they had not seen for a long time.

On the day of their triumphant return, the entire city of Edo was in an uproar!

The soldiers, lined up in three columns, escorted the captured bandits, marching triumphantly through the streets lined with welcoming crowds.

The captured bandits were all stuffed into a huge bamboo cage, one cage per person, and carried like livestock amidst the shouts and curses of the crowd.