I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

Because I once beat up a relative of Shimizu Eiichi, the leader of the Shimizu clan, in the street.

That's impossible!

Is it really worth making such a big fuss over a conflict that's neither too big nor too small?

But... apart from the Shimizu clan, Qing Deng really couldn't think of any other Yakuza faction he had ever dealt with...

More and more questions are arising...

—Fine! As long as I keep investigating, I'll eventually find out the truth!

With this thought in mind, Qing Deng stopped making pointless guesses. He grabbed the Echizen shogun Kanetori who was standing next to him and stood up with a "whoosh".

Seeing this, Bai Ju quickly asked:

"Hmm? Mr. Hanada, are you leaving?"

"Yes, that's right. I've asked all the questions I wanted to ask. Ms. Shiraki, thank you for your cooperation."

Qing Deng paused for a moment, then adopted a serious tone:

“Miss Shiraki, I suspect that the two people who attacked you were most likely Yuuki Kamenosuke’s accomplices… members of the gang I’m currently investigating.”

“Those people acted in extreme and unscrupulous ways.”

"As you've seen, they dare to disregard all morality and laws in the world, and they can even do absurd things like killing people in the street."

"Therefore, you must be careful these days and try not to go out."

"If all else fails, we can ask Granny Guasheng for help."

To achieve the best admonitory effect, Qingdeng specially put on a solemn expression.

As it turned out, Qing Deng's advice was remarkably effective—Bai Ju was so frightened that she burst into tears.

"W-Why did Yuuki-kun's comrade kill me?!"

Wisps of misty vapor lingered in Bai Ju's eyes.

No wonder she was so scared.

Suddenly being hunted down by the Yakuza of unknown origin... Any honest person who hasn't experienced much hardship would be terrified.

"Because of the Tianhong letter."

"Crimson letter paper?"

Bai Ju was stunned.

"Although it's just my guess, the only thing you possess that could possibly make that gang uneasy... is the mailing address you used when you sent the Crimson Letter to Yuuki Kamenosuke."

"Then, what should I do..."

Bai Ju seemed to have lost her spine, and her whole body leaned forward.

If she hadn't stretched out her arms in time to brace herself against the tatami mat, she would definitely be lying face down on the ground right now.

"I...I don't want to die...I've never done anything heinous, why should I suffer like this..."

Bai Ju's voice trembled, her pretty face and lips lost their color, and her delicate shoulders shook uncontrollably.

Although she pretended to be resolute, "unease" and "fear" still permeated her entire being like a rising tide.

For Bai Ju, tonight must be an unforgettable night.

First, she encountered a delusional man who was mentally unstable and wanted to drag her down with him.

Having finally been rescued, they were plunged into the lion's den, their lives now in the hands of a gang far more terrifying than a delusional maniac.

If it were someone with a weaker mental fortitude, they would probably have fainted from fright by now.

Although he had no relation to Bai Ju, he remained unmoved by the helpless weeping of the "weak" person in front of him—this was not Qing Deng's style.

"Miss Baiju, don't worry."

"The innate 'Emperor's Art' is activated—" Qing Deng said, each word deliberate and reassuring, with a calm smile that conveyed a sense of security.

"My relationship with that gang of bandits is one of life and death; it's either them or me who dies."

"I will eliminate that gang as soon as possible so that you can regain your freedom soon."

After leaving those words, Qingdeng turned around, sword in hand.

The black scarf and the blue hem of the coat swung cleanly in the air.

……

……

Wow.

Pushing open the door, Guasheng Xiu's figure came into Qingdeng's view.

Is it over?

Qingdeng nodded slightly.

"Grandma Guasheng, thank you for your care. I must take my leave now."

Are you planning to leave Yoshiwara?

Guasheng Xiu blinked in surprise.

"Well, I can't go into details. Anyway—I have to get somewhere right now! I can't afford to waste a single moment!"

Qing Deng had planned to return to the Moon Palace Shrine after getting information from Bai Ju.

However, unexpected changes in the situation forced Qing Deng to revise his plans.

Two Yakuza members, suspected to be gang members, attempted to kill Shiraki despite the pressure of being watched by everyone—this was no trivial matter!

Just as Qingdeng had just told Baiju, if we were to ask whether this young courtesan, who could be seen everywhere in Yoshiwara, possessed any reason that would compel the bandits to kill her... it would be the mailing address she used when sending Tianhong letters!

Although it was just Qing Deng's guess, he boldly deduced that this address must be something special.

It could be the residence of Yuki Kamenosuke.

It could be a warehouse where the gang stored important supplies.

It could be a gang's stronghold, or even... their main base!

In short, if the area indicated by this address, namely the Yamato-ya in Sawamachi 2-chome, really does contain something special... then we cannot rule out the possibility that the gang moved all the important personnel and supplies inside the Yamato-ya in order to conceal their whereabouts!

In other words, if Qing Deng doesn't rush to the Yamato-ya in Sawa-cho before the bandits destroy the important intelligence, all his hard work tonight may be in vain!

Guasheng Xiu listened without saying anything more.

She smiled slightly.

"OK then."

"Although I don't know what you've been busy with, you exude the scent of a 'warrior'—a scent that only someone about to rush to the battlefield possesses."

At this point, Guasheng Xiu took two steps forward and opened his arms, gently embracing Qingdeng like a mother bird.

"Hanada-kun, may your martial arts prowess be great."

"When you have free time, remember to come visit this old woman in Yoshiwara more often."

As if infected by Uryuu's smile, Aoto also showed a slight smile.

He raised his hand and hugged Gu Shengxiu back.

"Yes. Granny Guasheng, I will definitely come to see you again after everything has settled down."

After saying this, Qingdeng released Guashengxiu, then took two steps back and bowed to the old woman he respected.

After the ceremony was over, he strode away without stopping.

Guasheng Xiu stood still, watching Qing Deng's retreating figure—that tall figure hadn't even...

After walking a few steps, he suddenly stopped.

"Ah, I almost forgot."

Qingdeng turned around.

"Grandma Guasheng, there's something I forgot to tell you."

"Ok?"

"His Highness Prince Tianzhang asked me to send his regards to you."

The moment Qing Deng finished speaking, Gu Shengxiu looked surprised, as if he had heard something unbelievable.

"Tianzhang Academy...?"

Guasheng Xiu stared blankly at Qingdeng.

A moment later, she burst into laughter.

"What a nostalgic name..."

"Hanada-kun, please reply to Prince Tenshōin on my behalf: Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. I am doing well. You are welcome to visit Yoshiwara again. I look forward to having a long talk with Your Highness again."

Qingdeng laughed:

"I will relay this truthfully."

This time, Qingdeng did not stop.

The slender figure, wearing a brown hat, a black scarf around the neck, and a blue haori, gradually disappeared into the distance in Uryuu's field of vision, and soon blended into the shadows of the street corner.

……

……

Yoshiwara, Daimon—

"Line up! Line up! Everyone line up!"

"Don't push! Don't push!"

"Damn it! I told you to line up! Don't push, didn't you hear me?"

The long queue started at the gate and stretched deep into Yoshiwara along Nakanocho.

At this very moment, the officers from Shirobei's office and the magistrate's office worked together, checking each person who had left Yoshiwara, searching for the figure of "Niou" Tachibana Aoto...