I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

Seeing Itakura Hirahiko, who was so arrogant just minutes before, now bowing and apologizing to the person who had been yelling "I'll cut off your arms" all along, was quite shocking.

Those who knew Itakura Hirahiko's character and his past misdeeds now felt as if they were in a dream.

"..." Qing Deng did not immediately respond to the apology from Itakura and his son.

He casually turned his gaze to Tokugawa Iemochi and Tenshōin behind him.

The mother and son glanced at each other, then both nodded slightly to Qingdeng.

Itakura Hirahiko first received a heavy punch from Aoto, then a vicious slap from his father, and now he is humbly bowing and apologizing to Aoto and his group in front of everyone.

He has already received enough punishment.

Therefore, Aoto doesn't mind forgiving Itakura Hirahiko.

Aoto and Itakura Katsutora tacitly concealed the true identities of Tokugawa Iemochi and Tenshōin.

Since Itakura Katsutora mainly performed the "Niou reveals his true form, and all villains bow down" act, Aoto could only cooperate with him and play the role to the end.

After consulting with Tokugawa Ieyasu and Tenshō-in, Aoto turned his gaze back to the Itakura father and son before him and said calmly:

"Alright, we accept your apology. Let's leave it at that. We hope you won't harbor any resentment or try to retaliate against us in the future."

Before he could finish speaking, Qingdeng deliberately raised his eyes to glance at the pedantic scholars not far away.

It goes without saying who he is referring to by using the word "you".

The pedantic scholars noticed Qing Deng's gaze sweeping over them... In an instant, it was as if a paint shop had opened, and stifled "red," fearful "white," and cowering "black" all burst forth from their faces.

They were merely Confucian scholars without even an official position; how could they possibly have the ability or the courage to retaliate against Qingdeng!

As early as when Qingdeng lifted the straw hat from his head, this group of pedantic scholars had already lost the courage to continue opposing Qingdeng.

If he was already like this when he learned of Qing Deng's true identity, how much more so now that he sees the dignified Ruonian Ji showing such respect to Qing Deng?

The current reaction of the pedantic scholars... their current attitude towards Qingdeng... can be perfectly summarized by a famous line from the Records of the Grand Historian: "They crawled forward on their knees, none daring to look up at them!"

"No, no..." Itakura Hirahiko wiped the sweat from his forehead.

"Lord Tachibana, thank you for forgiving my son's mistake." Itakura Katsutora lowered his head even further. "I will never forget your magnanimity. Please rest assured, from now on, I will strictly discipline my son and will never let him cause trouble or create chaos outside again."

Qingdeng responded softly with an "Mm".

Is Itakura Katsutora truly determined to discipline his son properly from this day forward, or is he just making empty promises...? Aoto has neither the will nor the desire to know the answer.

At this moment, Tensho-in suddenly stepped forward two paces, standing shoulder to shoulder with Ao-den, and said softly:

"let's go."

Qingdeng nodded, put the bamboo hat back on his head, and asked:

Where do we go next?

Tokugawa Iemochi stepped forward, pondered for a moment, and then pointed to the street corner not far away.

"I haven't decided yet. Anyway... let's leave here first."

Qing Deng smiled in agreement.

He turned around in the direction Tokugawa Iemochi was pointing.

In an instant, all the onlookers within Qingdeng's sight parted to the left and right like Moses parting the sea, clearing a wide and straight road.

Surrounded by a variety of gazes with varying emotions, the group led by Qingdeng traveled westward along this wide road.

They left cleanly and decisively.

All that remains is a new legend of "Nioh" Tachibana Aoto.

……

……

After Aoto left, Itakura Hirahiko let out a long sigh of relief.

"Father……"

As he straightened up, he cautiously asked Katsutora Itakura in front of him.

"you……"

However, he had barely managed to utter a single "you" when Katsutora Itakura impatiently interrupted him.

"Shut up!" Katsutora Itakura glared at Hirahiko Itakura with a murderous look. "It seems I've been too lenient with you. Because of your stupidity, I... no, my entire family was almost killed by you."

"Huh?" Itakura Hirahiko stared wide-eyed in astonishment. "Father! I don't understand! Does that Tachibana Aoto have that much power? Could it be that he has a powerful backer that even we can't afford to offend?"

Katsutora Itakura's eyes twitched violently a few times, his face turning pale and then flushed.

"Shut up! I don't want to hear you talk right now! Come home with me! I'm going to teach you a lesson today!"

Upon hearing this, Itakura Hirahiko's face turned pale and then flushed...

……

It is said that on this night, heart-wrenching screams, seemingly coming from an unknown source, echoed continuously from the Itakura family's residence.

For a long time afterward, no one saw Itakura Hirahiko again...

Where did he go?

This question is probably only known to Heaven, Earth, Itakura Hirahiko himself, and Itakura Katsutora...

……

……

Having completely left behind this series of disputes that "began with 'Confucianism' and ended with 'political maneuvering'", Qing Deng and his group wandered aimlessly down an unnamed long street.

Suddenly, Qing Deng felt a warm, refreshing scent coming from behind him—Tenshōin quickened his pace and walked to his side.

"Sheng Qing, thank you so much just now."

"Ok?"

As Qing Deng's gaze reflexively swept towards Tenshōin, he happened to see Tenshōin make a gesture towards him that inexplicably made him feel rather erotic—

Her interlaced hands rested on her plump, juicy peach-like breasts; her upper body leaned towards Qing Deng; because of this forward lean, her breasts uncontrollably jutted backward; the front of her dress drooped and parted slightly under the influence of gravity; a radiant smile graced her exquisite face, her beautiful eyes narrowing into adorable crescent moons…

At that moment, Qing Deng felt as if his body was being controlled by something... He couldn't help but look at the lewd-looking Tenshōin from head to toe several times.

Only after Tenshōin's lewd appearance was deeply imprinted in his mind did he belatedly realize that he was doing something very impolite. He quickly averted his gaze from Tenshōin and, in a flustered attempt to cover up his embarrassment, asked:

"Thank me? Thank me for what?"

"Thanks for punching that guy for me."

Tenshōin's smile deepened.

"To be honest, I was ready to personally give that guy a good punch, but you beat me to it."

"But it doesn't matter anymore. Seeing how badly you beat that guy up, my anger has almost completely dissipated."

After saying that, Tianzhangyuan burst into hearty laughter.

"Your Highness, you're too kind." Qingdeng offered his tried-and-true "classic politeness" without hesitation. "I only did something insignificant."

—Speaking of which… that Itakura Hirahiko is really quite perverted… he can actually tell if a woman is a virgin just by smelling her scent…

—I don't know if he just made it up, or... if he actually possesses that ability...

For no apparent reason, Qing Deng unconsciously gave Tenshōin a look filled with strange emotions.

—So… is the rumor true? Did the previous general never touch Tenshōin because of his physical condition and personality?

Just as Qingdeng's mind was filled with these chaotic thoughts—

“…Sheng Qing”.

Tianzhangyuan suddenly called out to Qingdeng.

"Hmm?" A strange feeling of "being caught doing something wrong" rose in Qing Deng's heart. He asked guiltily, "Your Highness, w-what's wrong?"

"Judging from your expression, you seem... to care a lot about what that person said."

Tenshōin smiled meaningfully.

Before Qingdeng could answer, she tiptoed slightly, bringing her lips and her delicate body closer to him.

"If you're really interested... how about we come to Tsukimiya Shrine tonight? I'm staying at Tsukimiya Shrine tonight and won't be going back to Edo Castle."

The gentle breath of Tenshōin lingered in Aoto's ears.

For a long time.

*******

*******

The author wasn't feeling well yesterday, so today's chapter is a little shorter (crying face).

This is a recurring problem for me, the author. When a complete story ends and it's time to start the next one, I often feel at a loss for words.

Chapter 348 Tenshōin Gradually Becomes a Succubus [4600]

The breath, as comfortable and pleasant as a spring breeze, and the fresh, slightly sweet scent, were like two smooth ribbons, both tickling Qingdeng's ears and giving him a strange sense of comfort.

"So, are you free tonight?"

Tenshōin softly uttered new, alluring words in a gentle tone.

His body seemed to be controlled by the voice. Qing Deng turned his head and saw a pair of beautiful, watery eyes staring straight at him.

Her eyes shimmered with a soft, gentle light.

Her rosy lips curved into the shape of a cat's mouth.

Her eyes were squinted so narrowly that her upper and lower eyelashes almost touched.

The way her brows furrowed and moved exuded a captivating magic that seemed to bewitch the soul.

Perhaps it's because of his face, or perhaps it's his personality, but Tenshōin often gives off a... very sensual feeling.

Tenshōin's daily behavior, actions, and expressions always reminded Aōden of the famous demons in European and Middle Eastern folklore: succubi.

Already possessing the appearance of a succubus capable of making countless men willingly offer their essence, she has become even more "succubi-ified" after revealing this alluring expression and uttering these words that evoke endless fantasies!