I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

However, because Aoto hit the hardest part of his protective gear, the torso armor, Oishi Kuwajiro was not seriously injured—except for the part where he landed, namely his buttocks, which would hurt for a while.

After Oishi Kuwajiro took off his mask, he immediately cast a complex look at Aoto, a look that was a mixture of regret and amazement.

When this person is not wielding a sword, his behavior is quite normal, no different from that of an ordinary person.

They will feel regret for the defeat, and admiration for Qing Deng's powerful moves.

Surprisingly, Oishi Kuwajiro still possessed a certain martial virtue. Regarding his defeat to Aoto, he did not express any negative emotions such as resentment or jealousy, indicating that he was not a good loser.

After getting up from the ground, he stood up straight and gave Qingdeng a slight bow.

"Lord Renwang, I have learned a great deal."

Aoto handed the bamboo sword... no, it should be said that he handed the broken bamboo sword, which only had a bare hilt, to his left hand, mimicking the action of sheathing a sword, and tucked it into his waistband, returning the bow to Oishi Kuwajiro.

"I appreciate your concession."

At that moment, Kitahara Kōnosuke, Sanako, and Ōtsuki Minoru walked over.

Aoto looked at Kitahara Kōnosuke and saw that Kitahara Kōnosuke's expression was extremely sour. His face was long and drawn out, with the corners of his mouth drooping to the ground, and his features were tightly twisted together.

"Mr. Kitahara."

Qing Deng held the broken bamboo sword in his hands and said apologetically to Kitahara Konosuke.

"I'm sorry I broke your bamboo sword. I will definitely pay for it."

As soon as Qing Deng finished speaking, Kitahara Kōnosuke rudely waved his hand.

"No need. It's just a bamboo sword, nothing expensive. Lord Niou, your duel with Oishi Kuwajiro was truly spectacular and a feast for the eyes. Just seeing such a wonderful match is worth the price of 100 bamboo swords."

Although Kitahara Konosuke was praising Aoto, his expression and eyes showed absolutely no genuine desire to praise him.

That's only to be expected.

Qingdeng has passed his second trial.

This means that Kitahara Konosuke keeps his promise, grants Tsukiji freedom, and will never again harm a hair on his head.

Kitahara Kōnosuke kept his mouth shut, a conflicted and hesitant look flashing in his eyes.

After a long while, Kitahara Konosuke, having gone through a fierce internal struggle, let out a long sigh.

"Lord Renwang, congratulations! You have passed all my trials. We chivalrous people value two things most: honor and promises, and these two complement each other. I will keep my promise."

Having said that, he turned his head and shouted towards the corridor outside the dojo:

"Someone come here!"

A Yakuza entered the dojo in response and quickly walked up to Kitahara Konosuke.

"Go to the cellar and bring over Oozuki Tsuneji."

"Yes!"

Twenty minutes later, the sound of messy footsteps and something being dragged on the ground reached Qingdeng and the others' ears.

In addition, Qingdeng also heard a familiar, somewhat familiar, shrill male voice.

"Aaaaaaah! My lords! My lords! Where are you taking me? Don't kill me! Don't kill me! Aaaaaaah!"

"Shut up! You're making so much noise! ​​Behave yourself!"

"I'm not taking you to Edo Bay! If I were taking you to Edo Bay, you would be dead already!"

Four Yakuza men appeared before Qingdeng and his group, dragging a disheveled young man.

Before the people arrived, Qingdeng and the others could smell the extremely pungent, sour odor.

The stench naturally emanated from the young man who hadn't bathed in who knows how long.

This young man was none other than Ōtsuki Tsunetsugu.

After dragging Ōtsuki Tsunetsugu to Kitahara Kōnosuke, the four Yakuza members threw him to the ground like trash. Ōtsuki Tsunetsugu bowed to Kitahara Kōnosuke and then turned and left.

At this moment, Ōtsuki Tsuneji's hair was disheveled, and the extremely dirty strands of hair were matted into dry clumps.

Ōtsuki Tsuneji's hairstyle is a chonmage (topknot). Because he hasn't combed or washed his hair in a long time, fine stubble has grown on his originally bald head.

Almost every part of his body was clean. His face was covered in a thick, black grime, so dirty that the shape of his features was unrecognizable.

If it weren't for the fact that Aoto recognized Ootsuki Tsuneji's voice, he really wouldn't have recognized him.

Despite his disheveled appearance, Ōtsuki Tsuneji seemed to be in pretty good spirits. He even had the energy to shout.

Ootsuki Tsuneji, who was roughly thrown onto the floor, fell flat on his face with a cry of "Ouch!"

He rubbed the spot where he had fallen and looked up—as soon as he did, he saw Kitahara Konosuke's expressionless face standing directly in front of him.

In an instant, Ōtsuki Tsuneji's body trembled violently a few times.

then……

Poof!

He lowered his back again with a tiger-like landing motion.

Forehead touching the ground, hands placed in front of head with only three fingers touching the ground—a very standard dogeza (a traditional Japanese kowtow).

"Lord Kitahara! Lord Kitahara! Please let me go! Please spare my life! I truly didn't know that Aying was your woman!"

Ootsuki Tsuneji faced the floor, which was only a finger's width away from him, and screamed at the top of his lungs.

"Ah Ying said she was single! I was so blinded by greed that I believed her lies!"

"I am willing to do everything in my power to make amends! Please spare my life! Please spare my life!"

Kitahara Konosuke's face twitched, and he frowned impatiently.

"Enough! Shut up! Humph! You're lucky, kid! Congratulations on escaping with your life! You have a good wife, you know! You're free! Now get out of here!"

"Ah, ahh?"

Ōtsuki Tsuneji was startled, then raised his face with a look of surprise and uncertainty.

It was only at this moment that Tsuneji Otsuki noticed the group of people standing behind Kōnosuke Kitahara.

"N-Niou-sama?!"

He first looked at Aoto, whom he had met once before, with a look of astonishment and confusion on his face.

Then, his gaze fixed on Otsuki Minoru.

His blank stare collided with Ootsuki Minoru's sorrowful gaze in mid-air.

Ootsuki Minoru harbored a sense of wishful thinking.

She believed that Kitahara Kōnosuke was lying and that her husband was not arrested because he was having an affair with Kitahara Kōnosuke's lover.

This idea has no evidence or theoretical support whatsoever—it's just her own one-sided, self-deceptive desire to believe it and to have this outcome.

A heavy, awkward atmosphere descended upon the couple.

“Ah… Ah… Ah Shi…”

Oozuki stammered.

"..."

Ootsuki Minoru pursed her red lips and did not respond.

This scene... even Qing Deng couldn't bear to watch it anymore.

Although Ootsuki Minoru has many problems, one thing is certain: she must love Ootsuki Tsuneji.

If he had no feelings for Ōtsuki Tsuneji at all, why would he go to such lengths to save him, even going so far as to shamelessly ask Aoto for help?

She had gone to great lengths to rescue her husband, only to find him imprisoned by the Shimizu clan for that very reason...

This reality was truly hard for Ootsuki to accept.

*******

*******

Today is another day that Leopard has updated 1 words!

Today marks the third consecutive day that Leopard has updated his blog with 10,000 words! Yesterday was Valentine's Day, but instead of celebrating, Leopard stayed home writing—his diligence almost moved me to tears! (Leopard crying.jpg)

Please be sure to vote for this book with your monthly ticket, considering how hard Leopard has worked!

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

Some readers always complain that my posts are too short, so this month I'm going to show you my resilient side! Lately, I've decided to try my best to update every day!

Leopard has shown his sincerity, so... isn't it your turn to do something in return? (Quickly vote for this book with your monthly tickets!)

In the next chapter, Qingdeng will be heading to the next battle.

Tomorrow, Qingdeng is going to fight XXX.

Can you guess who this XXX is?

Chapter 321 Qing Deng vs. Twin Female Ninjas!

"Lord Niou."

While the Otsuki couple remained enveloped in an extremely oppressive atmosphere, Kitahara Konosuke turned to Aoto and said:

"Oozuki Tsuneji has been brought along; he's not missing an arm or a leg."

Qingdeng nodded:

"Thank you for your understanding and generosity."

Kitahara Konosuke shrugged.

"You're welcome. I was just keeping my promise."

At this point, Kitahara Konosuke suddenly paused.

Suddenly, as if remembering something, he looked Qing Deng up and down several times with a long, lingering gaze that seemed to hold countless unspoken words.

Aoto, noticing Kitahara Konosuke's gaze, was about to ask him what he was looking at when—

"Lord Niou, you are very handsome."