I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

Tenshōin and others were making intensive preparations for war against their own officials... Under these circumstances, Seidō, who was at the center of the vortex, was quite calm and composed.

He first gave Kisaburo a deep look, then, in a hoarse voice, slowly said in a disguised low male tone:

"Sir, you've only heard one side of the story before you're going to arrest someone... Isn't that a bit too hasty and irresponsible?"

As soon as Qing Deng finished speaking, Xi Sanlang, as if he had heard a hilarious joke, first grinned slightly, and then couldn't help but burst into laughter.

“You’re standing amidst a pile of corpses, holding a knife that’s still dripping blood. The evidence is overwhelming. What are you still trying to deny? We’ll talk about it after we come with you to the magistrate’s office!”

On one side was the son of Wakatsuki, and on the other was an ordinary samurai dressed as a traveler—which side should he side with? Which side should he obey without question? Kisaburo didn't hesitate for a second before choosing his answer: to stand firmly with Itakura Hirahiko!

Although we don't know who this samurai wearing a straw hat is, what does it matter?

Regardless of whether the man in the straw hat looked like an ordinary stranger from out of town, or even if he might have some status or background, Xi Sanlang was not afraid at all.

No matter how prestigious his status, could he possibly have a more illustrious family background than Itakura Hirahiko?

No matter how powerful someone is, can they outdo a family with a long-standing official position?

Kisaburo's little scheme was crystal clear—he was convinced that sharing joys and sorrows with Itakura Hirahiko would never be a mistake!

"Hey! What are you all standing there for!" Kisaburo shouted, urging his subordinates, his tone seven parts impatience and three parts confusion.

The arrival of Kisaburo and others caused a sudden change in the situation.

Many onlookers at the scene sighed with regret, deeply sympathizing with Qing Deng's tragic fate... Even with exceptional skills, one ultimately cannot overcome money and power...

Itakura Hirahiko had once again regained his arrogant and unrestrained demeanor.

The rapid shifts between extreme joy and sorrow gave Itakura Hirahiko a feeling of ethereal bliss.

Recalling what had just happened, he was so terrified of Qing Deng's retaliation that he almost collapsed to the ground.

Now, the fear on his fat face had completely vanished without a trace.

With the air of a victor, he cast a mocking and provocative glance at Qingdeng.

"Isn't your swordsmanship supposed to be amazing? If you've got the guts, then go and take action against the constables of your own domain! If you have the courage, then challenge the shogunate power that these constables represent"—this message was clearly conveyed to Aoto in Itakura Hirahiko's eyes.

Injuring or killing law enforcement officers of the shogunate... this is a serious crime!

Once this despicable man in the straw hat is captured and brought to the magistrate's office, it will be Itakura Hirahiko's domain! He has a thousand ways to torture this man to the point of wishing he were dead!

Feeling confident of victory, Itakura Hirahiko felt extremely relieved. The anger that had been building up in his chest dissipated, and even the face that had been injured by Aoto no longer hurt so much.

To express his elation, Itakura Hirahiko raised his chin, pointed his nose at Aoto, and adopted a lecturing tone, arrogantly speaking to Aoto:

"Boy, your swordsmanship is indeed superb, but swordsmanship alone is not enough to allow you to run rampant in Edo and do whatever you want."

His sense of superiority swelled to the point of bursting, and the more he talked, the more pleased he felt. Finally, he leaned back as if he were about to fall, his nostrils almost pointing to the sky.

Almost everyone present now believes that the dispute, which arose from the criticism of Confucian scholars, has been settled. Itakura Hirahiko, who possesses enormous wealth and power, has emerged victorious.

But at this moment... strange sounds slowly began to emanate from all around.

The first to make this strange noise were the group of officials who were surrounding Qingdeng.

"hiss……!"

"Ah, ah! Yes, it's him!"

"Quick! Put away all your weapons!"

……

The officials, looking terrified, clamored and hurriedly gathered up the arresting gear.

The man-catching formation collapsed on its own without being attacked.

Seeing this scene, Itakura Hirahiko, Kisaburo, and the pedantic scholars were all dumbfounded.

"You bastards!" Xi Sanlang shouted angrily. "Who gave you permission to collect weapons! What are you doing? Trying to rebel?"

"M-Sir!" a bailiff stammered, his face pale. "He-he is..."

The clerk had barely finished speaking when a gasp of astonishment rang out from the crowd around him, finishing his sentence for him:

"Hey! Look! That person... looks like Niou!"

A stone stirred up a thousand waves.

Some people, whether casually or incredulously, turned their gaze toward Qingdeng in response to the sound.

Their confused and bewildered expressions quickly disappeared.

Instead, there was shock and astonishment.

In an instant, a commotion spread outwards like ripples.

Soon, a chain reaction ensued.

More and more people are being influenced and turning to look at Qingdeng.

Then, the expressions on their faces were visibly dominated by intense shock.

"Hey! It really is Niou!"

"What? You're not seeing things, are you? Is that samurai in the straw hat really Niou?"

"Yes! I could never be wrong! I was fortunate enough to meet Niou once! That person was indeed 'Niou' Tachibana Aoto!"

……

—It's clear that we can't keep it a secret any longer...

Qingdeng raised his eyes, both amused and exasperated, and glanced at the large gap in the straw hat on his head.

The straw hat that was slashed by Zuo Yilang looked like a badly damaged mask.

With a careful look, one can roughly see Qingdeng's face.

I intended to continue concealing my identity, but current circumstances no longer allow me to do so. Now that my hat is torn and my identity exposed… I'm no longer pretending. I am Niou, and I'm laying my cards on the table!

Aoto ripped off his straw hat—at that moment, every single one of Itakura Hirahiko and his group… looked as if they had accidentally swallowed a fly. At the same time, their faces turned deathly pale, as if they had seen some terrifying monster.

"Xi Sanlang, I remember you." Qing Deng took out a tissue from inside his clothes and wiped the blood off the knife in his hand. He said slowly to Xi Sanlang, "Back then, you were so eager to serve me, asking after my well-being. I didn't expect that after ten days apart, you'd become so arrogant. You even dare to yell at me and speak rudely to me."

Qing Deng and Xi Saburo also have a connection.

When Aoto was still a member of the "Sanhui" of the Magistrate's Office, Kisaburo was his subordinate.

One of the daily tasks of the Sadamachi Kaidoshin is to patrol their respective assigned territories.

All the officials of their own district must obey the command of the town's chieftain, the one who governs their assigned area.

As for Kisaburo... he used to be a part of the Qingdeng district.

Therefore, Qing Deng not only knew Kisaburo, but also had a brief chat with him.

Qing Deng's words were like a heavy hammer, slamming into Xi Sanlang and knocking him to the ground.

“啊、啊啊啊！”

Kisaburo, his face drained of color, trembled violently a few times, then reflexively bent his knees and knelt down, performing the highest form of respect to Aoto: Dogeza (a deep bow).

"Lord Tachibana! Please, please forgive me! I...I...I didn't know it was you...! I...I..."

Extreme panic caused Kisaburo's brain to partially shut down, and he was eager to say something to excuse his actions.

But the more anxious he became, the more his mind went blank, and he couldn't think straight.

After much back and forth... what finally came out were still the same old phrases: "Please forgive me," "I didn't know it was you"...

Kisaburo can't afford to mess with Itakura Hirahiko... but he also can't afford to mess with Aoto!

The unit itself is under the jurisdiction of the magistrate.

Although Aoto has now left the Magistrate's Office, his past connections are still there!

He only needs to say a few words to his senior friends who are still working in the "Sanhui" (a fictional organization), such as Arima Hideyuki and Inoya Hanjiro... and he will be in deep trouble!

In Kisaburo's eyes... such a future is simply too terrifying!

Not daring to think any further, he apologized and begged Qingdeng for forgiveness over and over again.

As for Itakura Hirahiko, who was standing next to Kisaburo...

At that moment, he stared blankly at Qing Deng's face, veins bulging on his forehead.

He felt his face burning as if he had just eaten chili peppers. But his hands and feet were ice-cold, as if they had been soaked in well water.

—This kid… he's actually that Niou?!

The overwhelming impact of this fact made Itakura Hirahiko feel dizzy for a moment.

But he wasn't some country bumpkin like Kisaburo who'd never seen anything like it; he quickly regained his composure. While racking his brains for a better idea, he forced a smile and started spouting nonsense to buy himself time:

"Ah, I never expected this... So you are the now-famous 'Niou' Tachibana Aoto... It's truly a pity that our first meeting will be in this way, on this occasion."

Aoto looked at Itakura Hirahiko without showing any emotion.

Upon closer examination, it was precisely because of these guys' unreasonable demands and meddling that Qingdeng and his group's itinerary for the day was severely delayed.

Thanks to this, Qing Deng's patience was almost exhausted, and he no longer wanted to waste a single moment on these guys.

Therefore, in a nonchalant tone, he said to Itakura Hirahiko, enunciating each word clearly:

"Enough, shut up. I don't want to hear any more of your nonsense, and I don't want to have anything to do with you guys anymore. Get out of my sight right now."

These words immediately made Itakura Hirahiko's face even uglier—he was now in a predicament, like someone being roasted on a hot plate.

In terms of official rank and power, Qingdeng was no match for his father.

The problem is... Fire Thief and Ruonian are not from the same system!

Fire-related thieves are now under the jurisdiction of the Lao Zhong (old Chinese authorities), and Ruo Nianji (a local official) has no right to interfere in any matters concerning fire-related thieves.

The peculiar bureaucratic system of the Edo Shogunate resulted in very low connectivity and influence between various systems.

If you're not part of the same system... then even if you hold a high official position and wield great power, it's difficult for you to pose a substantial threat to others.

In other words, Aoto is fully confident that he will not give Itakura Hirahiko any face!

Rather... he's the one who should give Qingdeng face!

Who is Qingdeng now?

In official circles, he was a rising star in the military.