I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

This feeling of being respected, feared, and admired.

With a wider grin and a more smug smile, Itakura Hirahiko looked at Aoto with self-satisfaction and arrogance.

He had assumed that once they learned his identity, these strangers dressed as travelers would definitely show the kind of shocked and terrified expressions that he loved to see.

However... the scene that actually unfolded before his eyes was far different from his imagination.

He looked left and right, but couldn't find even the slightest bit of fear or panic on Qing Deng and the others' faces.

All that met my eyes were one extremely calm face after another.

It's as if to say: Hmm, I know you're Ruonian's son, so what? So what?

The calm demeanor of Qing Deng and his group greatly puzzled Itakura Hirahiko, who muttered to himself: How can these people be so composed? Don't they know what "Wakane-giri" represents? No, that's impossible! Even people living in remote mountain villages wouldn't be unaware of what "Wakane-giri" is!

While Itakura Hirahiko was still wondering, Tokugawa Iemochi stepped forward and said in a calm and clear voice:

“We are samurai of the Kii Domain, and I am Asano Shigeshige.”

Tokugawa Iemochi raised his hand and pointed at Aoto.

"This is Tachibana Aoharu."

Upon hearing the pseudonym that Tokugawa Iemochi had given himself, Aoto couldn't help but twitch his lips, feeling both amused and exasperated.

Tokugawa Iemochi played a pun.

In Japanese, "橘" (tachibana) and "立花" (tachibana) are pronounced the same, both being "Tachibara".

"Qingqing" is a combination of Qingdeng's common name "Qingdeng" and his given name "Shengqing".

Tokugawa Iemochi's voice pulled Itakura Hirahiko back to reality.

"Hmm... Kii... Since you're from Kii, then you and we Edo people are practically family!"

The Kii Domain, Owari Domain, and Mito Domain—commonly known as the Gosanke (Three Great Houses)—were all branches of the Tokugawa family. They were not only permitted to use the Tokugawa surname, but also had the privilege of choosing an heir from among them if the shogun had no sons—this is how Tokugawa Iemochi rose to the position of shogun.

Therefore, it's not wrong for Itakura Hirahiko to say that Kii and the people of Edo were one family.

"Since you're considered family, I won't beat around the bush! I'll just be frank with you!"

"I have heard the details of what you just did from my friends."

Itakura Hirahiko looked at Aoto.

"Your name is Tachibana, right? You first spoke rudely and wantonly insulted the teachings of the sages, and then you injured my friends. Such arrogant behavior is simply too much!"

Upon hearing this, Qing Deng coldly replied:

"Although I don't know what your friends said to you, I'll still try to explain a little bit."

"First of all, I have not insulted Confucianism. The object of my insult is, from beginning to end, that group of bookworms behind you who have gone astray from reading and only know how to talk big but are actually useless."

"Secondly, their current sorry state is entirely their own fault."

"They were the ones who provoked me first, threatening to teach me a lesson."

"In the end, it was their own lack of skill. Fourteen of them were fighting against one of me, and they still suffered a crushing defeat."

These words immediately provoked the Confucian scholars to erupt in anger.

Emboldened by the presence of Itakura Hirahiko, the scholars, no longer feigning dejection, eagerly launched an attack on Aoto.

"Don't make false accusations!"

"Nonsense! You are clearly insulting the teachings of the sages with your shameless words! Otherwise, why would we fight you to defend the honor of the teachings of the sages?"

"Yeah yeah!"

These Confucian scholars are really good at scheming.

Their debates focused entirely on "literary combat."

They completely remained silent about "armed combat".

Because there's simply no way to argue against it...

14 against 1. As the group that attacked, they were utterly defeated by Qing Deng single-handedly... This is an undeniable fact that cannot be erased no matter how you explain it.

At this moment, Itakura Hirahiko's bodyguards... The four samurai standing around Itakura Hirahiko, whose expressions and demeanor exuded a strong and cold aura, raised their heads in unison and carefully examined Aoto from head to toe.

One of them muttered:

"He actually managed to defeat 14 samurai all by himself...?"

Ignoring the clamor of the scholars, Qing Deng fearlessly met Itakura Hirahiko's gaze.

"Hmph!" Itakura Hirahiko, a hint of impatience on his face, snorted coldly. "Say whatever you want! You injured my friends, and I will get justice for them!"

"Listen to me carefully, I'm giving you two choices. Either..."

Or—when he said these words, Itakura Hirahiko's voice suddenly stopped.

He stared wide-eyed as if he had seen something extraordinary, his eyes suddenly becoming three times their normal size.

His gaze swept straight at Qingdeng... no, it was from a more distant angle...

The object that Itakura Hirahiko carved was Tenshōin, who was standing to the side and behind Aoto.

Since today's "Edo trip" was an incognito visit, Tenshōin changed into a plain blue kimono before leaving, to conceal his identity.

Tenshōin's favorite color was cyan.

Blue gives people a sense of elegance, maturity, and calmness, but it is not without liveliness—which matches Tenshōin's personality perfectly.

Therefore, Qing Deng personally believes that Tenshōin is particularly suited to wearing blue-colored clothes.

Besides dressing simply, Tenshōin deliberately didn't wear any makeup, her pretty face completely bare.

Beautiful and gorgeous clothes and delicate and elegant makeup can indeed greatly, even dramatically, enhance a person's appearance.

But for a true beauty, these elements are merely icing on the cake—even without these "flowers," the "brocade" is still stunning.

Natural makeup? Simple clothing? These external factors are all insignificant to the ethereal beauty of Tianzhangyuan!

A certain part, whose fullness is in no way inferior to that of Sanako, props up the area above the belt high.

Wu Yan's fair skin and delicate features mean she doesn't need any makeup at all.

Even in her bare-faced state, she is enough to deliver a devastating blow to those who crave beauty.

Judging from Itakura Hirahiko's current dazed and disoriented demeanor... there's no doubt he's been captivated by Tenshōin's beauty.

Faced with Itakura Hirahiko's licking gaze, Tenshōin couldn't help but furrow his handsome brows.

Although gaze is an intangible thing without a specific form, Itakura Hirahiko's current expression and gaze are just... utterly disgusting.

Tenshōin couldn't help but feel a strange sensation, as if he were being tightly entangled by the tentacles of a giant octopus.

She involuntarily shuddered, then subconsciously stepped to the side and hid behind Qingdeng.

Tenshōin's sidestepping movement brought Itakura Hirahiko back to his senses.

"Uh, hahaha!"

Itakura Hirahiko rubbed his hands together, then quickly put on a smooth smile:

"Young lady, you are so beautiful! May I ask your name?"

Tenshoin's brows furrowed even more deeply.

Just as she opened her lips, about to say something, the light in front of her suddenly dimmed—Qing Deng, who was standing in front of her, adjusted his body's orientation and posture to better protect her behind him.

"What her name is is none of your business," Qing Deng said in a cold and forceful tone.

Upon hearing Qingdeng's words, Tenshoin was taken aback.

After a short rest, a peaceful smile, like a rosy cloud, graced her cheeks.

Aoto's response caused Itakura Hirahiko's expression to freeze, and he cast an annoyed glance at Aoto.

However, he quickly changed his mind—suppressing the anger in his eyes, he forced a smile back onto his face and strode towards Qing Deng… or more precisely, towards Tian Zhang Yuan, who was hiding behind Qing Deng.

"Oh my, I never imagined there was such a beauty in this world. To see such a beauty today is truly an honor!"

With an icy expression, Tenshōin said coldly:

"Stop right there, and don't come any closer to me."

Upon hearing this, Itakura Hirahiko immediately stopped in his tracks, feigning gentlemanly manners, and stood two steps away from Aoto.

"I'm so sorry, I was being presumptuous."

After chuckling a few times to Tenshōin, Itakura Hirahiko turned to look into Aoto's eyes and said, slowly and deliberately, with a serious expression:

“I was going to say: If you don’t kneel down and apologize to my friends, I’ll make you pay… But now, I’ve changed my mind.”

At this point, Itakura Hirahiko tiptoed and peeked at Tenshōin, who was hiding behind Seidō, his eyes flashing with an undisguised lewd gleam.

"Beautiful lady, if you have a few cups of tea with me, I'll let your companion go, how about it?"

"What?" Tenshōin blinked her beautiful eyes several times in a flash, her expression becoming meaningful.

At the same time, the expressions on the faces of Aoto, Tokugawa Iemochi, and the Nie sisters also became intriguing.

Hirahiko Itakura, absorbed in his own world, loudly proclaimed in an air of superiority:

"As I said before, I am the son of Itakura Katsutora, and the manager of the Jinxiu House! I believe you should know what this means. If I want, I can make you suffer immediately!"

"Whether you oppose me or obediently listen to me—I believe you can weigh which option is the best solution."

At this point, Itakura Hirahiko paused for a moment.

He seemed to want to strengthen his persuasiveness. So, while focusing his gaze on Tenshōin, he continued the conversation:

"Don't worry, I won't do anything. I really just want to have a few cups of tea with you and get to know you, that's all."

“Even if it were me, if I did something like ‘abducting a woman,’ I would definitely not have a good outcome.”

Without even putting on an act, they brazenly used their power to oppress others and bully men and women... Faced with Itakura Hirahiko's "frank" behavior, Aoto and his group all remained silent.

Subconsciously believing that Qing Deng and the others were intimidated by his threats and inducements, Itakura Hirahiko became even more arrogant and disdainful of everyone.

Ignoring the order from the Tenshōin that "you are not allowed to come any closer to me," he took another half step forward.

Just as this large, fat man had narrowed the distance between himself and Tianzhangyuan a little further—

"Ok?"