I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

"……what?"

Aoto stared blankly at Kitahara Konosuke, who had suddenly made such outrageous remarks.

Ignoring the astonished look on Aoto's face, Kitahara Konosuke continued in an enigmatic tone:

"Given time... he'll surely grow into a handsome man with an aura of righteousness."

Qing Deng's facial features are indeed quite good-looking. Although he is not as handsome as Pan An, he is not an ordinary face that would be lost in a crowd.

Therefore, being praised for his good looks was not a rare thing for Qing Deng.

What Qing Deng found strange was why Kitahara Konosuke would suddenly compliment him on his good looks without any prior warning...

And his tone and expression were so affectionate...

—Could it be...?!

A bad feeling crept into Qingdeng's mind.

In this era, the Dao is the favorite of many people—this thought flashed through Qing Deng's mind in an instant.

Instantly, Qingdeng felt a tightening in his lower body.

"Uh... haha, thanks for the compliment..."

Qingdeng, whose expression was extremely unnatural, forced a dry laugh.

After abruptly praising Ban Qingdeng's appearance, Kitahara Konosuke didn't say anything more strange or odd.

Since Tsuneji Ootsuki had been rescued, Aoto and the others had no reason to stay in the room any longer, so they took their leave.

Kitahara Kōnosuke personally saw Aoto and his group off.

Throughout the entire process of being personally escorted by Kitahara Konosuke, Aoto remained in a state of unease.

He was afraid that Kitahara Konosuke would suddenly spout some outrageous remarks, or throw questions at him such as, "Lord Niou, would you like to have a late-night snack later?" or "Lord Niou, are you free on such and such a day? Would you like to go out and enjoy the snow with me?"

Fortunately, none of these situations occurred.

Qingdeng and his group left Renwu without incident, and disappeared into the night.

……

……

Tsuneji Otsuki returned to Minoru Otsuki's side completely intact—thus, Aoto fulfilled his promise to Minoru Otsuki perfectly.

The debt of gratitude owed to Otsuki Minoru's father, Miyagawa Shunzo, is now settled, and neither of them owes the other anything.

Although theoretically, after leaving the Renya, Aoto could stop the routine meetings about Ootsuki's life and death and simply walk away, Aoto ultimately couldn't bring himself to do something so cruel and heartless.

Although the "radical anti-foreign movement" in Edo subsided considerably after the destruction of the anti-foreign group, and the security situation in Edo improved a lot as a result, it was still far from safe enough for a woman who knew nothing about martial arts and a man who was still recovering from an injury to swagger around the streets at night.

With the mindset of "seeing the Buddha off to the West," Qingdeng decided to escort the Dayue couple back to their hotel.

On the way back to the hotel, neither Otsuki Tsuneji nor Otsuki Minoru uttered a single word; their silence was terrifying.

The couple didn't even glance at each other, let alone have a proper conversation.

Ōtsuki Tsuneji kept his head down, his face dominated by intense shame and embarrassment.

Ōtsuki Minoru's head was also lowered. Her eyes were fixed on the ground in front of her toes, her expressionless demeanor making it impossible to fathom her thoughts.

Even the most upright official finds it difficult to settle family disputes, especially marital conflicts like this.

Therefore, Qing Deng wisely kept silent, letting the atmosphere around them remain quiet.

After nearly 30 minutes, the group finally arrived safely at the hotel where the Otsuki couple were staying.

"Tachibana-kun..."

Ootsuki Minoru turned around and, in a listless tone, whispered to Aoto:

"Tonight... I'm truly grateful to you..."

Qingdeng didn't say much, only nodded slowly and responded with an "Mm".

Ootsuki Tsuneji chimed in from the side:

"Lord Niou! I will never forget your great kindness and virtue!"

Ōtsuki Tsuneji's expression was extremely sincere, and his attitude was extremely humble.

No sooner had he finished speaking than he bent down, as if to kneel on the ground.

Ōtsuki Tsuneji is still reeling from the shock of "I've been rescued?" and the ecstasy of "I've been rescued!"

Just over three months ago, he was a spirited and wealthy young man.

Looking at things now... I have to say, fate is truly a mysterious thing.

The wheel of fortune turns – this ancient saying is truly wonderful.

This also shows how miserable Ootsuki Tsuneji's life was during the time he was captured by Kitahara Konosuke.

Qing Deng had no doubt about the Yakuza's methods of torture, or the ruthlessness of Kitahara Konosuke, who could utter such terrifying words as "sinking to the bottom of Edo Bay" in a casual, conversational tone.

It's incredibly lucky that Tsuneji Ootsuki was able to regain his freedom with his body intact and his mind sound.

Qing Deng swiftly stretched out his arms and caught Ootsuki Tsuneji before his knees hit the ground.

"Don't thank me."

Qing Deng said coldly.

"If you want to thank someone, thank your wife. The one who truly saved you was Miss Otsuki, not me."

Qingdeng's words were absolutely true.

There was no humility, nor any politeness.

If it weren't for Ōtsuki Minoru's desperate plea for his help, Aoto wouldn't have cared about Ōtsuki Tsuneji's life or death.

Upon hearing this, Ōtsuki Tsuneji paused for a moment. Then he turned to look at Ōtsuki Minoru beside him.

The moment his gaze fell upon Ootsuki Minoru's pretty face, he immediately looked away as if he had been stung by the intense sunlight.

At the same time, an overwhelming sense of shame filled his entire face once again.

Ōtsuki Tsuneji did not even glance at Ōtsuki Minoru.

How the couple should handle their relationship issues afterward—that's none of Qingdeng's business, nor does he want to.

He had safely escorted the two back to their hotel, and had done everything he could. The rest of their journey was theirs to walk; Qingdeng had neither the interest nor the obligation to interfere.

"Miss Otsuki, Mr. Otsuki, please take care. It's late, so please get some rest. I'll take my leave now."

Qing Deng paused for a moment, then added:

"See you again someday."

Qingdeng, who deliberately used such distant words, bowed slightly to the couple in front of him, and then turned and left without the slightest hesitation.

Sanako followed closely to Aoto with small, quick steps.

Ootsuki Minoru, standing blankly outside the inn's main entrance, casts a straight, dazed look at Aoto as he walks further away.

Even after Qingdeng's figure disappeared into the night, she didn't look away, continuing to stare intently in the direction he had left. Her eyes flickered with complex, indescribable emotions.

"Uh... Shi..."

Beside them, Ootsuki Tsuneji spoke.

He took a deep breath, mustered his energy, and spoke cautiously to Otsuki Minoru.

"It's chilly outside, let's go inside...?"

"..."

Otsuki Minoru turned her expressionless face to face Otsuki Tsuneji—this was the first time she had looked into Otsuki Tsuneji's eyes since she left the Renya.

Looking at her husband's dirty, haggard face... Qingdeng's figure suddenly flashed before her eyes.

At that moment, Ootsuki suddenly recalled the thought that had suddenly surfaced in her mind that morning and subsequently taken root in her heart:

(If I had chosen Tachibana instead of Tsukiji...would I be living a much better life now?)

……

……

The low temperature caused a thin, pale blue mist, filled with a chilly aura, to permeate the streets.

It is now 22 PM.

At this point in time, Japan's largest city has fallen into a deep slumber.

All around was silent. Apart from the occasional sound of the wind and the footsteps of himself and Sanako, who was walking beside him, Qing Deng could not hear any other sound.

When the two reached a crossroads, Sanako stopped and turned her head to look at the intersection to the east with a puzzled expression.

"Tachibana-kun, you've gone too far. Shieikan is in this direction."

Qingdeng stopped, smiled slightly, and pointed to the direction he was facing.

"But the Chiba Sword Hall is in that direction. Edo's current security situation is not yet at the point where people don't pick up lost items. Miss Sanako, let me escort you."

Don't underestimate me!

Upon hearing what Qing Deng said, Sanako, who was strong-willed and especially didn't want to be seen as a weak woman, immediately frowned and showed a look of displeasure on her face.

"I can protect myself; I don't need your escort."

Facing the piercing, displeased gaze from Sanako, Qing Deng seemed to have anticipated her reaction, and said gently:

"The snow in Edo is beautiful tonight. I'd like to walk in the snow with you, is that alright?"

"Eh?"

The displeasure on Sanako's pretty face vanished instantly.

She looked around nervously, unsure of what to do, as if checking if anyone was nearby. Her hands, clasped together in front of her, were twisted together with a tense, awkward grip.

After scanning her surroundings and confirming that no one else had heard Qing Deng's words, Sanako raised her eyes and glared at Qing Deng, seemingly suppressing her embarrassment.

Her expression seemed to be asking Qingdeng: What nonsense are you spouting in broad daylight!

Qing Deng pretended not to understand the meaning in Sanako's eyes. Without waiting for any reply from Sanako, he leisurely started walking again and slowly walked towards the direction where the Chiba Sword Hall was located.