I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

It doesn't matter, it's fine no matter what... Qingdeng thought to himself.

He had no concern or interest in the petty squabbles between Kimura and Hisaka.

His entire focus had already flown to that magnificent "Number One Gem District in Japan"...

……

……

Having lost their "usefulness," Kimura and Hisaka were imprisoned in a cell located beneath the Tsukimiya Shrine.

Also temporarily imprisoned are Tsuchida Masaoki and Kazama Nobuyoshi, who are confirmed to be innocent.

Qingdeng and Tianzhangyuan walked side by side on the way out of the interrogation room.

"Sheng Qing, what are your plans for the next step?"

As Tenshōin pulled off the cloth covering his face, he asked.

"I'm going to Yoshiwara."

Qingdeng replied.

"Are you looking for that courtesan named Shiroki?"

"Yes, that's right. She might know where Yuuki Kamenosuke lives, or some other more useful information."

When do you plan to set off?

"If nothing unexpected happens... tonight."

Do you need me to send someone to assist you?

"No need, I'll go alone. Yoshiwara is Edo's 'city that never sleeps,' it's crowded and noisy, a large group of people going there would be very conspicuous."

"That's true..."

Tianzhangyuan nodded slightly.

Suddenly, Qingdeng sensed a strange gaze... The owner of this gaze was naturally Tianzhangyuan.

He turned his head and saw that Tenshōin was looking at him with a playful expression.

"Shengqing, you wouldn't take this opportunity to indulge your pent-up desires in a brothel in Yoshiwara, would you?"

Qingdeng chuckled to himself.

“Your Highness, you are joking. I would never do such a thing. To be honest, I am not interested in courtesans. In my entire life, I have never been to Yoshiwara.”

Unconsciously, a look of surprise flashed across Tenshoin's eyes.

"Hehe~ You've never been to Yoshiwara? That's really rare~~ I thought every Edo man must have had his fun in Yoshiwara. Not bad, not bad, your personality is great, keep it up! As for me, I dislike men who are womanizers, lecherous, and only get excited when talking about sex."

"..."

"Hmm? Sheng Qing, what's wrong? Why did you suddenly look away?"

"N-nothing..."

As Qingdeng spoke, he shifted his gaze even further away, feeling even more guilty.

Although Qingdeng never frequented brothels, his actions regarding "romantic relationships" were not much better than those of the "prostitute patrons" of the red-light district...

Just then, Qingdeng suddenly heard a rapid rustling sound of pages turning not far away.

"Um……?"

Qingdeng craned his neck and looked in the direction of the sound.

In a room diagonally opposite him, shadowy figures could be seen moving about.

This is a room filled with the scent of ink and the aroma of books.

A vast number of books and scrolls are either neatly arranged on bookshelves against the wall or piled up randomly on the floor.

One after another, waist-high "mountains of books" and "ridges of scrolls" rose from the ground, turning the originally spacious room into a complex maze.

About twenty people who looked like scholars hurried back and forth in this "maze" made of paper.

Tenshōin noticed Aoto's questioning gaze and took the initiative to explain:

"This room is the 'front line' for our investigation into the strange drug."

Although she spoke in a half-joking tone, the content of her words was quite serious.

"The drug can affect a person's mind and make them extremely aggressive—this is a now established truth."

"If that's the case, then some of the past 'violent incidents' might be related to quack drugs."

"Therefore, I ordered my subordinates to search through the past case files of the Magistrate's Office, the Fire Thief Bureau, the Self-Governing Bureau, and the Eight Provinces Expeditionary Bureau to see if we could find any new and useful clues."

"However……"

At this point, Tenshōin changed his tone, adopting a helpless one.

"The workload of this task is much larger than I imagined."

"I've deployed enough manpower, but after searching for more than half a month, I still haven't found anything."

"Ugh……"

Qing Deng cast a comforting glance at Tian Zhangyuan.

“Your Highness, don’t be discouraged. Your approach is correct. In the face of a severe lack of intelligence, reviewing past archives and case files is indeed a good way to break the deadlock.”

"Investigating cases is inherently a matter that depends a lot on luck."

"Your subordinates might find some crucial clues in the vast sea of ​​documents tomorrow."

"Hahaha." Tenshōin smiled gently. "Thank you for your kind words."

As Qing Deng and Tenshōin chatted back and forth, they unknowingly arrived outside the main hall of the Tsukimiya Shrine.

"Ah, right, right." Tenshōin clapped his hands as if he had just remembered something. "I almost forgot. Seishō, since you're going to Yoshiwara tonight... could you please give my regards to Miss Uryu?"

"Miss Uryu?"

"Hmm? Sheng Qing, don't you know the name of Yoshiwara Ritsukoshi: Uryuu Hide?"

Tenshōin puffed out his cheeks in dissatisfaction.

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Ah! Guasheng! It's Guasheng!! Awoooooo! (In a state of mental derangement.jpg)

Please vote with monthly tickets! Please vote with recommendation tickets! (Leopard crying.jpg)

Chapter 379 Bowing to the Sword! Aoto's New Sword: [Echizen Sumeragi Richi no Kami Kaneshige]! [5200]

"Gua Sheng Xiu..."

Qingdeng felt that the name sounded familiar.

After a moment's thought, he quickly remembered who she was.

Before introducing Uryuu Hide, we must first introduce a famous institution: Shirobei Club.

Shirobei Clubhouse – can be understood as the magistrate's office in Yoshiwara.

The reason it has such a strange name is because the head of the club has passed down the name "Shirobei" for generations.

The current head of the club is "Ninth Generation Shirobei".

The main task of Shirobei's office was to manage various miscellaneous affairs in Yoshiwara and maintain public order in Yoshiwara.

Uryuu Hideaki was an "elder-level employee" at Shirobei's club.

Legend has it that Uryuu Hide worked at Shirobei's clubhouse for over 70 years.

Even when she was just a young girl in her prime, she was already carrying a wooden sword and running around to maintain peace in Yoshiwara.

Despite being a woman, she possesses remarkable swordsmanship and a strong sense of justice.

In ancient Japan, people referred to those of low social status or those engaged in lowly jobs as "non-humans".

Those classified as "non-human" included: beggars, vagrants, low-class kabuki actors, and courtesans.

Deep-seated identity discrimination has plunged prostitutes into a state of misery where "the past is unbearable, the present is unbearable, and the future is uncertain."

Even the most glamorous courtesan, in the eyes of the general public, was merely a more expensive plaything. [Courtesan: The highest-ranking courtesan, also known as a "Tayu"]

Almost no one respected courtesans—but Uryuu Hideki was an outlier who went against the grain.

Guasheng Xiu never discriminated against prostitutes.

Whenever a courtesan is in trouble, no matter how difficult the problem is, she will do everything in her power to help.

Whether it's the most sought-after courtesan or the lowest-ranking prostitute, she treats everyone equally, offering no special treatment. [Midnight: The lowest-ranking courtesan]

This extraordinary woman once said this famous quote:

I am just an ordinary person, without the ability to govern the country or bring peace to the people. I have no way to fundamentally free the prostitutes from their suffering, but at least I can use my wooden sword to protect them and make their lives as better as possible.

Guasheng Xiu's tolerance and kindness saved the bodies and souls of countless prostitutes.

In the deep darkness of the night, someone is willing to hold up a flame to dispel the darkness for them. Even if this flame is like the firefly of decaying grass compared to the surrounding darkness, it does not prevent the prostitutes from showing great respect to this "firewood carrier".

So the courtesans gave Uryuu Hide a catchy nickname: "Yoshiwara no Toshi".

Unfortunately... even the most renowned swordsman will eventually grow old and frail.

More than 20 years ago, Gu Shengxiu was forced to step down from his post because he could no longer wield a wooden sword.

However, though her body was old, her heart was still strong. Her passion to protect the courtesans did not diminish in the slightest due to her aging body.

Although she is no longer on the front lines, she has transformed from a "soldier" into a "psychologist," providing psychological counseling and assistance to women who are overwhelmed by the hardships of work and life.

Since Tianzhangyuan asked Qingdeng to convey her greetings to Gusheng Xiu on her behalf... then the implication is that she knows this legendary heroine.

"Your Highness, do you know Miss Uryuu?"

Qingdeng asked curiously in return.

"I suppose I met her once before."