I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

At this moment, Qingdeng deeply felt how significant the differences were between bows of different prices.

What Qing Deng said to Sanako earlier, namely, "This kind of bow... is the first time I've used it. But it should be fine," was not a lie or modesty. He was telling the truth; it's just that Sanako misunderstood.

He did not mean "the first time using a Japanese bow".

He meant "the first time he used such a low-grade bow and arrow."

What kind of bow did I use when I practiced archery at the Moon Palace Shrine? It was the precious bow provided by the "Empress Dowager" Tenshōin.

What kind of bow did you, Kitahara Konosuke, provide? You want me to use it.

Qingdeng was unaware of the market price of bows, but he guessed that the bow that Tianzhangyuan lent him was an absolute rare treasure with no market value.

After all, who is Tenshōin? Although she is currently being fiercely suppressed by the "Hitotsubashi faction," it cannot change her noble status as the "ideal mother of the 14th Shogun."

For someone of Tenshōin's status, wanting a precious bow is just a matter of asking.

Having grown accustomed to luxurious bows that ordinary people rarely even have the chance to see, Aoto was quite surprised when he received the Japanese bow, which was readily available in the market, from Kitahara Kōnosuke.

So this kind of ordinary Japanese bow is really that bad?

The bow, made of ordinary wood, is awkward to hold no matter how you grip it.

Unlike the crisp sound I'm used to, the sound when plucking the strings is muffled and unpleasant to listen to.

Although there was nothing seriously wrong with the bow's center of gravity, Qing Deng could clearly feel that its center of gravity was significantly different from that of the treasured bows kept in the Moon Palace Shrine.

Whether he could make good use of this broken bow, which he was not used to... to be honest, Qing Deng wasn't particularly confident.

Fortunately, the final result was satisfactory to Qingdeng.

At a 20-meter target, all three arrows hit the bullseye... That's pretty much Qingdeng's usual level.

—The archery skills I learned from Prince Tenshōin have unexpectedly come in handy in this situation…

Thinking of this, Qingdeng's lips curled up into a gentle smile.

It has been almost three months since I was forcibly dragged to Tianzhangyuan to train in archery in early September.

With the support of a group of talented individuals, led by the "Master of Bows," Qing Deng's progress in archery training, while not exactly rapid, can be described as leaps and bounds.

There are simply too many talents that can help Qingdeng hone his archery skills.

First of all, the title of "master of the bow" goes without saying.

After multiple talent fusions, Qingdeng's "Bow Mastery" has been upgraded to 18 times that of an ordinary person.

Although the number "18" is far less than Qingdeng's "Sword Saint" who is 106 times stronger than an ordinary person, it is still a terrifying number.

Qingdeng can master the same knowledge and skills in just 1/18th of the time it takes an average person.

Moreover, Qingdeng also possesses the "Heart of the Demon," which enhances the brain's comprehension abilities.

The existence of the "Heart of the Demon" further shortens the time required for Qingdeng to learn skills and techniques.

"Gathering Spirit," which grants the ability to "concentrate and focus more easily than ordinary people," further enhances Qing Deng's training progress based on "Master of the Bow" and "Heart of the Demon."

Improving finger dexterity and strength, and gaining the "+1" title tonight, "Skillful Hands +1" makes Qingdeng even more adept at controlling the force of the strings.

Enhancing spatial awareness and "insight" makes it easier for Qingdeng to grasp the distance between himself and his goal.

"Eagle Eye+1," which enhances dynamic vision, allows Qingdeng to achieve twice the results with half the effort when practicing shooting at moving targets.

Besides these powerful talents, the person who taught Qingdeng archery, Tenshōin, deserves much credit for the remarkable progress he made in such a short time.

Tenshōin was not only exceptionally skilled in archery herself, but she was also an excellent teacher, always able to explain the principles of archery to Aōdō in a simple and easy-to-understand way.

Thanks to his own hard work and diligence, coupled with his exceptional talent and the countless hours of personal guidance from Tenshōin, Qingdeng's archery skills have reached the point where he can hit 9 out of 10 targets within a 25-meter range. When targeting a moving target, he can guarantee a high hit rate within a 10-meter range.

—Your Highness, Tensho-in…

Looking at the bow in his hand, Tenshōin's charming, mature, and stunningly beautiful face suddenly appeared in Aoto's eyes, uncontrollably.

Instantly, Qingdeng felt a tingling, soft sensation coming from the left side of his body and back.

This is a physical memory that remains deep within the skin of Qingdeng's left side and spine.

Immediately afterwards, an embarrassed look appeared on Qingdeng's face, and a strange, indescribable emotion welled up in his chest...

Whenever Qing Deng sees bows or anything related to bow cases, he can't help but think of Tenshōin.

He then involuntarily recalled these memories that he might never forget in his lifetime.

Memories that make one blush, feel heart-pounding, and have a racing mind.

"Lord Nioh..."

At that moment, Kitahara Konosuke's voice entered Aoto's thoughts.

When Qingdeng came to his senses, he was stunned for a moment, then shook his head vigorously a few times, trying to shake all these strange thoughts related to Tianzhang Academy out of his mind.

It took less than three seconds for Qingdeng to return to normal.

"Mr. Kitahara, I'm afraid I'll make a fool of myself."

As Qing Deng handed the Japanese bow back to Kitahara Konosuke, who had walked up to him, he uttered this self-deprecating phrase that has become a timeless classic.

With a pale face and features as hard as steel, Kitahara Konosuke glanced at Aoto and the yumi bow Aoto had returned, then slowly said in a tone devoid of joy or sorrow:

"I never expected... Lord Niou is not only proficient in swordsmanship, but also so skilled in archery. It has truly broadened my horizons."

Upon hearing this, Qing Deng thought for a while and then decided to plagiarize his sword-drawing technique master... which is also Kiryu's favorite catchphrase.

“I once studied some archery in Edo.”

As he said this, his innate "Emperor's Art" unconsciously activated, and Qing Deng revealed a calm and composed expression, as if to say, "I'm still far from it."

Such lines and such demeanor exude an air of humility and composure befitting a master.

The Yakuza sentries standing not far away immediately looked at Qingdeng with respect.

Even Kitahara Kōnosuke, Sanako, and Ōtsuki Minoru's expressions and gazes changed slightly.

Because of the innate effect of "Emperor's Art", Qing Deng's humble demeanor was so convincing that it was impossible to find any fakeness in it.

Many people present couldn't help but mutter to themselves: Niou's archery skills are already so superb, yet he is still so humble... There must be a reason why he was able to achieve such outstanding martial arts skills and create so many brilliant feats at such a young age of not even twenty!

Kitahara Konosuke took a deep breath, quickly composed himself, and said:

"Lord Renwang is composed and humble, which is truly admirable."

"You have passed the archery trial. Now let's proceed to the second trial."

The second trial was a swordsmanship contest.

Kitahara Kōnosuke set the condition for Aoto to pass the archery test: three out of seven arrows must be shot within the white circle.

Aoto completed the condition ahead of schedule with only 3 arrows, and even exceeded the requirement. All 3 arrows hit the red bullseye, which was only the size of a thumb. Although Kitahara Kōnosuke was unwilling, he could only accept this fact with a heavy heart.

Kitahara Konosuke turned his head and shouted at a Yakuza member next to him:

"Ugly Erlang! Take Lord Niou and his companions to the dojo on the third floor!"

"Yes!"

Yakuza, who was called Ugly Second Brother, quickly stepped forward.

"Lord Niou."

Kitahara Konosuke turned around and said to Aoto.

"Please come with my men to the scene first; I'll be there shortly."

Qingdeng nodded and responded with a soft "Mm".

Ushijiro led Aoto, Sanako, and their group away.

Kitahara Kōnosuke stood still, watching Aoto and the others leave, lost in thought.

Even after Qing Deng and his group had disappeared from sight, he remained standing upright and motionless.

"Lord Kitahara."

An elderly Yakuza man slowly walked to Qingdeng's side and said in a deep voice:

"Really... are you going to test Niou's swordsmanship?"

Although the man spoke in a tactful manner, Kitahara Konosuke immediately understood his unspoken meaning—was it really okay to compete with a swordsman of Niou's exceptional skill? Who should be sent to fight Niou?

The second trial proposed by Kitahara Kōnosuke required Aoto to defeat the target he designated.

This condition is... far too difficult! Where are they going to find a swordsman who can stand up to the illustrious and slaying King Niou?

The Yakuza, who hadn't asked any questions, immediately had his face fall.

He shot himself in the foot.

If I had known this would happen, I wouldn't have mentioned that damn swordsmanship trial in the first place.

Now things are really messed up; we're in a bind.

But no matter how frustrated I feel, it's all in vain.

The right thing to do is to seize the time to think of a solution.

Kitahara Konosuke pondered for a long time.

After a while, he gazed into the distance and said softly:

"...Bring me Oishi Kuwajiro."

Yakuza was horrified when he heard this.

"Oishi Kuwajiro? Are they sending 'Kumaki-slayer Kuwajiro' to deal with Niou?"

"Besides 'Kuwajiro the Man-Slayer,' I can't think of anyone else who could possibly defeat Niou in a one-on-one duel. Enough talk, go and fetch Oishi Kuwajiro for me."

"Yes Yes!"

……

……

Nioh, third floor, dojo—

According to Qing Deng's observations so far, Renwu is not just a simple casino; it also has the attributes of a "base".

The first floor is a casino where gamblers throw money around.