I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

"For me, the sneak attack by those two bastards just now didn't even qualify as a 'crisis'—I've faced far more difficult and desperate situations than that, I can't even count them on two hands."

Guasheng Xiu seemed unwilling to linger on this topic for too long.

After saying this, she lowered her head and looked at the birthmarked face lying at Qingdeng's feet.

"Who are these guys...? They seem to be after Shiraki..."

Anyone with a modicum of sense would have noticed that when the man with the birthmark and the burly man suddenly appeared, their knives were aimed at Bai Ju.

Uryuu was only implicated because he was holding a white chrysanthemum.

The fact that the man with the birthmark shouted to the burly man, "Forget about this old man! Killing Bai Ju is the priority!" further confirmed that their target was indeed Bai Ju.

At this moment, Qingdeng suddenly noticed a large dark blue patch on the collarbone of the face with the birthmark.

At first, he thought it was dirt.

Upon closer inspection, however, it was discovered that this "stain" was actually a bit too exquisitely crafted.

Qingdeng squatted down and pulled open the freckled face's clothes.

Intricate tattoos of dragons and phoenixes caught his and Guashengxiu's eye.

"Yakuza..."

As Guasheng Xiu murmured this, his brows furrowed.

Covered in tattoos—this is the symbol of the Yakuza…

Both ancient China and ancient Japan practiced tattooing as a form of punishment. However, the methods of tattooing differed slightly between the two countries.

In ancient China, tattooing was a form of punishment where characters were tattooed on the face of criminals and then covered with ink to mark their crimes. These characters could never be erased.

In ancient Japan, tattooing was a form of punishment where different patterns were tattooed on the forehead, cheeks, arms, neck, and other parts of the body of the offender, depending on the content and nature of the case.

For example, a person who commits theft will have long black stripes tattooed on their arm.

By simply observing the style and number of tattoos on a person's body, onlookers can know what crimes that person has committed and how many times they have committed them.

Over time, the idea that "people with tattoos are definitely not good people" has become deeply ingrained in people's minds.

The reason why Yakuza people in the Edo period all had tattoos was to signify that "from now on they would cut themselves off from normal society and devote themselves to the underground world."

The current trend of "non-mainstream" and "liberating individuality" is not popular.

Unless one was completely out of their mind, it was absolutely impossible for an ordinary, law-abiding citizen in the Edo period to have a tattoo—it was no different from writing "I'm not a decent person" or "Come and discriminate against me" directly on one's face.

Since the man with the birthmark on his face was covered in tattoos, it meant that he must be a Yakuza—this was beyond doubt.

"Why did the Yakuza target the white chrysanthemum..."

Guasheng Xiu said in a deep voice.

"Could it be... that she offended some Yakuza family?"

Throughout history, the sex industry and the underworld have been inseparable.

Because the sex industry is often associated with "exorbitant profits" and "human trafficking".

In Edo... no, it should be said that all the brothels in Japan were basically run by Yakuza or people with Yakuza backgrounds.

Many brothels in Yoshiwara have a Yakuza platform behind them.

Therefore, it was not uncommon for "prostitutes or tourists to inadvertently offend the Yakuza" in Yoshiwara.

"No... something's not quite right."

Guasheng Xiu's brows furrowed more and more tightly.

“Even the Yakuza wouldn’t kill someone in the street… They’re not some scoundrels who always shout ‘expel the barbarians’ and ‘divine punishment’…”

Although the Yakuza always gave people the impression of being "lawless" and "daring to despise all morality and laws in the world," they were not so arrogant as to dare to kill people in public... especially in a state-run area like Yoshiwara.

If Bai Ju really offended any Yakuza family, then the Yakuza would have plenty of ways to retaliate. Why would they choose such an extreme and irrational method as "killing someone in the street"?

"..."

Qingdeng remained silent, his expression solemn.

He possessed far more relevant intelligence than Gu Shengxiu.

Therefore, he had a completely different conjecture from Uryuu Hideaki.

Last night, thanks to the hard work of Aoto and the Nie sisters, they successfully abducted Kimura Kazuma and the others.

For the gang that was hunting down Qingdeng, this was no small news story that could be easily forgotten.

Kimura Kazuma and Hisaka Genzo, who were important informants to them, were both kidnapped by unknown individuals... It was impossible for the gang not to feel something was amiss.

Yuki Kamenosuke, who was in charge of liaising with Kimura Kazuma and Hisaka Genzo, would always have sex with Shirakiku whenever he came to Yoshiwara.

The gang should be well aware of Yuki Kamenosuke's temperament.

Kimura Kazuma and Hisaka Genzo had just "disappeared" last night, and then Shirakiku was attacked tonight by unknown Yakuza...

If we're talking about coincidence, it's far too coincidental.

—To silence them...?

Qingdeng's gaze gradually sharpened.

At that moment, a flurry of breathing and footsteps sounded behind Qing Deng and Gua Shengxiu.

"Hoo! Hoo! Hoo! Hoo! Granny Guasheng!"

The officers from Shirobei's club escorted the unconscious burly man and swarmed towards Aoto and Guasheng Xiu.

"Grandma Uryuu, what... what's going on here? Who are these two samurai? How dare they brandish their weapons on the streets of Yoshiwara... They're incredibly audacious!"

The leader of the officials—a very plump fat man—asked helplessly.

Qing Deng noticed that whether it was this fat man or the other officers from Shirobei's club, they all behaved with extreme humility in their expressions and demeanor when facing Uryuu Hide, as if they didn't even dare to breathe loudly.

This is understandable, after all, Uryuu Hide is a "super old man" at Shirobei's club.

Not only does he have over seventy years of work experience, but he is also exceptionally capable, highly respected, and has made countless outstanding achievements—who wouldn't be intimidated by such a long-serving seniority?

"I'd like to know the answer to that question too."

Guasheng Xiu let out a heavy sigh.

"In short, let's imprison them first. Then we'll hand them over to the magistrate's office for processing."

The fat man nodded vigorously a few times.

Just as the fat man waved his hand, signaling his subordinates to pull up the man with the birthmark who was still sprawled on the ground, Qing Deng abruptly interrupted:

"Excuse me, Granny Uryu, could you please leave these two to me?"

"Ok?"

A questioning and meaningful gaze fell upon Qing Deng.

"Hanada-kun, could it be... that you know who they are?"

After hesitating for a moment, Qingdeng said slowly.

"It's not certain yet. But... I have a general idea of ​​what's going on."

"……All right."

Guasheng Xiu stared straight at Qingdeng without blinking, his bright eyes flashing with a thoughtful light.

After a moment, she nodded slightly.

"I understand... In that case, you can handle these two."

"I am extremely grateful."

Qing Deng bowed to Gu Shengxiu with a grateful expression.

"Huh? Huh?"

The fat man looked confused.

"Grandma Guasheng, is this really a good idea? To hand over such an important criminal to someone who isn't even an official?"

"I will take full responsibility."

Guasheng Xiu said calmly.

"If Lord Shirobei or anyone else questions me, I will explain to them personally."

Since Guasheng Xiu had already brought it up, the fat man felt embarrassed to say anything more.

Suddenly, the fat man seemed to remember something, paused for a moment, and then quickly said:

“Ah…right, speaking of the ‘magistrate’s office’…Grandma Uryuu, I have something very important to report to you.”

"Important matter? Speak."

"Following a tip-off, it has been learned that 'Niou' Tachibana Aoto is currently hiding in Yoshiwara, and the Magistrate's Office has dispatched a large number of officers to search the area."

"'Nioh' Tachibana Aoden?"

Guasheng Xiu let out a low gasp.

"Niou is in Yoshiwara...? Is this true? Who reported this?"

"I don't know, the whistleblower is anonymous. As for whether Niou is really in Yoshiwara... that depends on the results of the officers' search."

At this point, the fat man paused for a moment, then, with a lewd laugh, continued:

"If Niou is really hiding here... then he's quite the lecher! He actually went out of his way to hide in a place teeming with beautiful women, hehehe~~"

Normally, upon hearing such slanderous remarks, Qingdeng would have at least refuted the other party.

Qingdeng hates it when people say he's a pervert—that's complete nonsense!

He simply likes three girls at the same time! He just wants to build a happy family with them!

Firstly, he loved openly and honestly. He neither pretended nor concealed his love.

Secondly, he genuinely loved Souji and the others; his love for them was the same and equal for all of them. He neither favored nor neglected anyone.

Thirdly, he would never mess around with girls other than the Chief and others. With Qing Deng's current wealth, reputation, and social status, he could easily have hundreds of girls lining up to get into his bed with just a snap of his fingers, but he didn't do that.

Aside from having a slightly larger number of girls he loves, from any perspective, he is a genuine "pure love advocate"!