I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

At that moment, Kiryu noticed Aoto's gaze.

"Tachibana-kun," Kiryu smiled, "do you really like Vairocana?"

Upon hearing Kiryu's question, Aoto paused for a moment, then pursed his lips and began to think.

“…Hmm.” After a moment, Qingdeng let out a long sigh as if he had made up his mind, and then nodded firmly. “Yes, I really like Vairocana…no, that’s not quite right. I should say…I feel that Vairocana and I have a great understanding.”

In the social values ​​of the Edo period, the sword, revered as the "soul of the samurai," was more important than family and friends.

There are many samurai who would rather sell their wives and children than sell the items at their waist.

To declare your admiration for a samurai's sword in front of him... While such words might not be inherently offensive, it's akin to directly stating, "Your wife is so beautiful, I'd love to be friends with her"—it instantly creates an awkward atmosphere.

However, after thinking it over, Qingdeng decided to tell him his innermost thoughts in detail.

"Oh?" Kiryu raised an eyebrow, asking with interest, "Teamwork?"

Qing Deng nodded: "Specifically... I can't explain it, but to put it simply: the moment I grasped the Vairocana sword, I had a feeling that I had become one with this sword."

To become one... Yes, that's right, to become one!

Although such a description is somewhat exaggerated, Qingdeng couldn't think of a better word to replace it for the time being.

Just now, the instant he caught the Vairocana sword that Kiryu threw at him, Aoto truly felt a kind of illusion as if the sword was an integral part of his own body.

The length, curvature, and weight of the knife were all so perfect, so perfectly suited to my body.

It's as if this knife was tailor-made for me...

It's as if this knife was made specifically for my own use...

The perfect harmony between man and sword directly translates into considerable combat power.

Because of the great "chemistry" between him and the sword, Qing Deng felt that his wrists had become much lighter, and he could swing the sword faster and more powerfully.

Riding this momentum, Qing Deng successfully knocked away Makimura's greatsword in one fell swoop.

It can be said that Vairochana played a significant role in Qingdeng's decisive victory over Makimura in the recent battle.

Kiryu listened quietly to Aoto's answer.

"Teamwork..." After muttering to himself, Kiryu suddenly changed the subject and asked Aoto, "Tachibana-kun, do you think that for a swordsman, does the person choose the sword, or does the sword choose the person?"

"Ok?"

Aoto hummed in agreement, but before he could say anything, he saw Kiryu's lips curl into a slight smile, and he answered his own question:

"I think... it's both that people chose the sword and that the sword chose people."

“Since you feel that you and Vairocana have a good understanding, it means that my judgment was not wrong. You and Vairocana do get along very well.”

As Kiryu spoke, he sheathed the Vairocana sword.

"King Tachibana, if you really like Vairocana, then work hard."

"I'll pass this knife on to you when I think you're qualified."

*Clang—* Just as Kiryu finished speaking the last word, the blade of Vairocana returned completely to its sheath. The clanging sound of the tsuba striking the scabbard echoed in the ears of the stunned crowd.

Aoto, Makimura, and Kinoshita Mai—every single one of them—was now staring at Kiryu with shocked eyes.

"Kiryu..." Makimura clicked his tongue, "You plan to pass on Vairocana to Tachibana?"

Why are you looking at me with that incredulous look?

Kiryu adjusted his glasses on the bridge of his nose, a slight smile playing on his lips.

“I am Tachibana-kun’s master. What’s wrong with a master passing on his mantle to his disciple?”

"Uh...that's true...but Vairocana isn't yours..."

At this point, Makimura seemed to recall something, abruptly shut his mouth, and stopped talking.

Kiryu smiled at Makimura, then turned his gaze to Aoto.

“Ju-kun, if I remember correctly, I once told you that Vairocana is a family heirloom sword of a family with a lot of bloodshed. For this reason, people consider this sword to be ominous, so they call Vairocana the ‘demon sword’.”

Qingdeng nodded:

"Yes, you did say that."

“I’ve already said that. Now, let me tell you a little more about this knife… and some of my own history.”

Kiryu gazed into the distance, a look of reminiscence on his face.

"I think you've probably guessed it to some extent—I'm a member of that family that committed so many murders."

Qing Deng remained calm, though his heart was filled with surprise and thought, "So it really is true."

Realizing that the story Kiryu was about to tell was no ordinary one, Aoto reflexively held his breath and leaned forward towards Kiryu.

Kinoshita Mai was the same; she stared intently at Kiryu's old face with a look of curiosity.

To reiterate: Kinoshita Mai's understanding of the Gourd House is not much greater than that of an outsider like Aoto.

Under the expectant gazes of Aoto and Kinoshita Mai, Boss Kiryu began to speak slowly and deliberately, as if telling a bedtime story:

“Vairocana is a great sword that my grandfather forged at great cost and with countless hours of effort.”

"According to the rules set by my grandfather, the Vairocana sword must never be passed on to outsiders. It is a family treasure and can only be passed down from generation to generation within the family. Only the most outstanding swordsman in the family is qualified to wield this sword."

"Logically speaking, it is absolutely impossible for Vairocana to have been passed down to me."

"Because when I was just a little kid, I was separated from my family for certain reasons."

"However, perhaps this is what they call fate playing tricks. After a series of unexpected events, this knife finally ended up in my hands."

“Originally, I planned to return Vairocana to the family when a new sword master emerged within the family.”

"But... after witnessing and experiencing some things firsthand, I changed my mind."

"The family lives up to its name; every member is a first-rate swordsman."

"However, without exception, all the clansmen are capable but lack character."

"Looking at the entire clan, there is not a single person with lofty aspirations."

"They are either cowards who only want to make a living by killing, or madmen who enjoy killing."

"Handing Vairocana over to these scoundrels will only tarnish this precious sword."

"Although it was purely by accident that I obtained this knife, it has been a good companion to me for decades."

"Whether it's for emotional reasons or for rational reasons, I don't want it to fall into the hands of mediocre or wicked people."

"Therefore, I made up my mind—to break down sectarianism! I will only pass on Vairocana to those who are qualified to hold it."

Before he could finish speaking, Kiryu turned his gaze from the distance and looked directly into Aoto's eyes.

"So, Tachibana-kun, you'd better keep up the good work!"

"You are very hardworking and talented."

"You have already achieved extraordinary success in the path of martial arts. As your teacher, I am very gratified by this."

"But that's not enough."

"You are currently at the level of 'only able to kill what mortals can kill'."

“When you reach the level where you can cut down things that ordinary people cannot cut, I can then safely pass on Vairocana to you.”

Qingdeng blinked a few times, stunned.

"'It can cut what mortals cannot cut'... Kiryu-sensei, what do you mean by that?"

"Hmm... For example: cutting off steel or the mainmast of a warship."

Kiryu answered calmly.

********

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Those familiar with Edo history should be able to guess which family Kiryu was born into.

During the Edo period, there was a family with a history of extreme killings, so much so that even the most powerful monks would avoid them.

Chapter 357 The Person Who Created "Power" and Taught the "Steel-Cutting Technique" [4600]

Kiryu's tone was very calm, as if he were only talking about a trivial matter.

Qingdeng's neck suddenly stiffened.

After a while, Qingdeng seemed to come to his senses, and he slowly asked:

"Sever steel or the mainmast of a warship?"

Aoto's eyes seemed to be saying to Kiryu: Are you kidding me?

Steel? The mainmast of a warship? Can these things be cut with swords?

"Hahahaha!"

Kiryu burst into laughter, something he rarely did.

"Tachibana-kun, you don't need to make that face."

"At first glance, you may find what I just said unbelievable, but if you can master the secret, then whether it's wood or steel, there will be nothing in the world that you can't cut."

Kiryu seemed to have said something very sophisticated, but Aoto was completely bewildered.

"Master...the secret?"

Qing Deng pondered for a moment, then looked at Kiryu with a questioning gaze: What is the secret?

Kiryu chuckled, seemingly wanting to keep everyone in suspense and not in a hurry to give an explanation.

He raised his glass with the air of a village old man, took a small sip of the wine, and then looked up at the sky, letting out a leisurely sigh that seemed to be quite satisfied with the taste of the wine.

Only after Qing Deng had grown increasingly anxious did he finally speak again:

"Tachibana-kun, you should know about the blade tendon, right?"