I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

Among the common people, he is known as the Benevolent King!

He has prestige, a promising future, and the ability to succeed.

Anyone with eyes can see how the shogunate's high-ranking officials are treating Seito: they are vigorously cultivating and heavily relying on him!

For such outstanding talents who are favored by high-ranking figures and have good relationships with high-ranking officials like Katsura Rintaro, even if you can't befriend them, you should at least not offend them.

Itakura Hirahiko thought to himself: If my father knew that I had made an enemy of Niou today... he would definitely not give me a kind look!

Upon realizing this, Itakura Hirahiko's plump body swayed slightly uncontrollably.

Are you going to listen to Qingdeng and obediently leave this place with your tail between your legs?

But if he did that... he was really unwilling!

His face, which had been injured by Qing Deng, was still aching!

He simply couldn't swallow this insult without saving face and teaching Qingdeng a lesson!

If he were to slink away in front of everyone because of Qingdeng's words... after doing something so shameful, how could he ever face anyone again!

So, Itakura Hirahiko took a deep breath and straightened his back:

"Hmph! If you think I'll be afraid of you just because you revealed your true identity... then let me tell you: you're dreaming!"

"I'm not afraid of you! Who do you think you are? You're just a squad leader in the Fire Thief Regiment! Do you think you're so great?"

"You injured my face and made me lose face in public! This isn't over until I get an explanation!"

At first glance... Itakura Hirahiko's argument sounds exceptionally forceful.

However, anyone with good eyesight could detect a hint of guilt and timidity in Itakura Hirahiko's eyes.

Yes. Itakura Hirahiko, who made such a strong declaration, was merely putting on a show of toughness.

The vanity of not wanting things to end so miserably; the indignation of suddenly realizing that the object of his intense hatred was not a soft persimmon that he could manipulate at will... Affected by these emotions, Itakura Hirahiko has fallen into a state of semi-out-of-control and semi-madness.

He's like a gambler blinded by greed—"I've already bet so many chips! I won't leave the table until I win!"

Just as the situation turned grim again... a series of hurried footsteps suddenly broke into the standoff between Aoto and Itakura Hirahiko.

Everyone present, including Aoto and Itakura Hirahiko, turned to look in the direction from which the sudden footsteps came—two strong servants, escorted by more than a dozen samurai, quickly carried an exceptionally luxurious palanquin into Aoto and the others' view.

Clang.

As soon as the sedan chair landed, a sprightly old man hurriedly climbed out of it.

"Ah, ahh!"

Itakura Hirahiko let out a strange cry.

His expression changed drastically when he saw the sedan chair.

Upon seeing the old man emerge from the sedan chair, he broke out in a cold sweat and murmured in disbelief:

"Father, Father...?"

The old man who suddenly appeared was Itakura Hirahiko's father, his biggest backer, and the source of his arrogance: If he were to be reborn, Itakura would be a tiger.

Katsutora Itakura ignored Hirahiko Itakura.

After glancing expressionlessly at his son, he immediately looked away and turned his gaze to Qing Deng and... Tokugawa Iemochi, Tenshōin, and others behind Qing Deng.

Tokugawa Iemochi placed his right index finger to his lips and gestured for Itakura Katsutora to be quiet.

Suddenly, Katsutora Itakura's eyes twitched a few times.

The next moment, he strode towards Itakura Hirahiko.

Seeing Itakura Katsutora rapidly approaching him... for some reason, Itakura Hirahiko suddenly felt a sense of foreboding rising within him...

"Father, what are you doing here..."

Snapped!

Old wounds haven't healed, and new ones have been added.

Hirahiko Itakura, who had just taken another heavy blow to the face, flew sideways.

Katsutora Itakura, still in the slapping pose, said angrily:

"You unfilial son! How dare you be so disrespectful to His Highness Prince Ren!"

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The long-overdue 8000+ chapter is finally here! *slaps slaps slaps slaps* (pats leopard belly.jpg)

Please vote for me! Please add this to your favorites! (Leopard crying.jpg)

Chapter 347 Tianzhang Courtyard: Sheng Qing, would you like to come to my room tonight? [4400]

Despite his advanced age, Itakura Hirahiko possessed considerable strength.

Judging from Itakura Hirahiko's flight altitude and distance, Itakura Katsutora's slap was very solid and showed no mercy.

The group of scholars and their own officials were stunned when they saw Itakura Katsutora suddenly appear and beat his own son.

The onlookers around were stunned.

Qing Deng... was also stunned.

Qing Deng stared blankly at the Itakura father and son for a moment, then, as if he had just realized something, he showed an expression of sudden understanding.

He turned his head subtly to look at Tokugawa Iemochi behind him.

Sensing Aoto's gaze, Tokugawa Iemochi slowly raised his head to meet Aoto's eyes, giving him a faint smile.

Tokugawa Iemochi's silent smile told Aoto everything.

Now, Qingdeng's doubts were completely resolved.

"Ha..." Qingdeng chuckled softly, a voice only he could hear, a charming expression on his face.

"Father...?" Itakura Hirahiko covered his left cheek, which had been slapped by Itakura Katsutora, his face filled with disbelief. "How could you...?"

How could his father, who should be busy with official duties, be here...? Itakura Hirahiko had no time to think about such questions.

His entire focus was now on the slap his father had just given him.

If his father scolded him for his feud with Aoto, itakura Hirahiko could understand.

To slap him in public and then loudly proclaim, "How dare you be so disrespectful to Lord Niou!"... Itakura Hirahiko simply couldn't understand this!

Yes. Tachibana Aoto is currently a big shot in the shogunate's officialdom... but he's not popular enough to warrant such respect from Wakatsuki's father, is he?

Itakura Hirahiko stood there dumbfounded, forgetting even to get up.

Everyone who was etched with this look on their face was basically dumbfounded.

This "everyone" naturally includes the onlookers who gathered to watch the show and join in the fun.

Ordinary people would never easily come into contact with a high-ranking official like Ruonian in their daily lives.

Therefore, when Itakura Katsutora emerged from the sedan chair, none of the onlookers recognized who this imposing and powerful old man was.

It wasn't until Itakura Hirahiko called him "father" that everyone suddenly realized that the old man was none other than "Vice Prime Minister" Itakura Katsutora.

Although the common people were generally uneducated and lacked knowledge, they could still distinguish which official rank was higher, that of the Nianji or the captain of the bandit gang.

Was the King of Ni really that influential? That he could command such utmost respect from a dignified figure like Ruo Nianji?

Suddenly, the space centered on Qingdeng was filled with an atmosphere of surprise and uncertainty.

"Get up," Katsutora Itakura said coldly, his face as cold as ice. "How long are you going to sit there sprawled on the ground? Get up!"

As soon as Itakura Katsuhiko finished speaking, Itakura Hirahiko suddenly shuddered, and the fat on his face and stomach jiggled violently three times.

Although Itakura Hirahiko was arrogant and domineering, he would never dare to act recklessly in front of his father.

He disregarded the pain on his face, hurriedly turned over and got up, then quickly walked to Itakura Katsutora's side and stood respectfully with his hands at his sides.

His posture was so humble, he looked just like a lowly waiter.

"Come with me." After coldly tossing these words to Itakura Hirahiko, Itakura Katsutora took three steps at a time to walk up to Aoto.

"Ren... Ah, no, Lord Tachibana, I have failed in my duty to raise my son, which has led to his unruly and rude behavior and offense against you. I am truly sorry, but please forgive me."

After saying that, Itakura Katsutora placed his hands firmly on his thighs and gave Aoto a perfect 90-degree bow.

Itakura Hirahiko was at a loss, staring blankly at his father who was bowing and apologizing to Aoto... Although quite a while had passed, his mind still hadn't caught up with the situation.

At first glance, Itakura Katsutora appears to be bowing to Aoto. However, upon closer inspection, it becomes apparent that the direction Itakura Katsutora is facing... is not quite straight.

His body tilted slightly to the right, and to his right... the people standing in that direction were Tokugawa Iemochi and Tenshōin.

"What are you still standing there for?!"

Katsutora Itakura's roar was like a thunderclap, jolting Hirahiko Itakura awake.

"Hurry up and apologize to... hurry up and apologize to Lord Tachibana!"

Katsutora Itakura almost let something slip, but he quickly realized his mistake and changed his mind.

"Yes Yes……"

Itakura Hirahiko broke out in a cold sweat; he had rarely seen his father beat and scold him like this...

Katsutora Itakura's stern shout brought some clarity to his mind, and his brain began to work again.

Something unusual must be going on. The fact that my father treated Qingdeng with such courtesy, even going so far as to bow and apologize to him, is definitely not because Qingdeng is a rising star in the officialdom!

It must be for some deeper reason...

Itakura Hirahiko couldn't figure it out for a moment, but he understood that no matter what the reason was, one fact remained: things were serious!

The reason behind the father's unusual reaction is definitely not simple!

If he doesn't listen to his father quickly and act according to his father's instructions, he will definitely be in big trouble!

Thinking of this, he dared not delay any longer. He quickly lowered his back, bending so low that the fat on his belly almost touched his thighs, and said respectfully to Qingdeng with trepidation:

"Little...no, Lady Tachibana, I...I was confused just now and accidentally bumped into you. Please forgive me...I'm so sorry..."

Everyone present was stunned.