I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

She had originally planned to simply go her separate ways and not bother each other.

result……

"...Ms. Chiba, you look terrible. Have you been getting enough rest lately?"

Suddenly, a soft, almost inaudible female voice drifted into Sanako's ears.

Instantly, a look of surprise appeared in Sanako's eyes.

She turned her head and cast a surprised and uncertain look at Kinoshita Mai.

The girl in red who had suddenly spoken up to show concern for Sanako was staring straight ahead with a blank expression.

If she hadn't remembered Kinoshita Mai's voice and been absolutely certain that she hadn't misheard, Sanako would never have believed that those words just now came from the mouth of Kinoshita Mai, with whom she had always been at odds.

She had intended to reply, "Don't worry about it," but just before she was about to speak, she changed her mind.

Although she didn't like Kinoshita Mai, the other person was still trying to show concern for her, and it would be too rude to respond so coldly.

So she immediately changed her words:

"Thank you for your concern, but I am in good health and have not yet reached the point where I need to rest immediately."

"……That's good."

As soon as Sanako finished speaking, Kinoshita Mai immediately responded:

You need to get more rest.

"……The same to you."

Sanako answered this way, almost as if possessed.

Kinoshita Mai: "..."

Sanako: "..."

After that, the two women stopped talking and didn't look at each other anymore.

At this moment, although a deathly silence accumulated among them, the indescribable and complex atmosphere that lingered between them seemed to have lessened somewhat.

……

……

When Souji and Sanako returned to their room, the meeting for the night was about to end.

Before long, Hijikata, who frequently took on the role of "host" due to his eloquence, breathed a sigh of relief.

"Alright, that's enough for tonight. Everyone go home and get some rest."

Without any fancy pleasantries or excuses, everyone stood up and prepared to leave after hearing Hijikata announce that the meeting was over.

Suddenly, at this very moment—

Boom boom boom!

Suddenly, a knock came from the direction of the entrance hall.

"Ok?"

Kondo Isamu raised an eyebrow.

"It's so late...who could it be..."

He murmured to himself as he strode toward the entrance.

Since they were already planning to leave Shieikan, Sanako and the others followed closely behind Kondo and walked together toward the entrance.

"coming!"

Kondo shouted and opened the door.

The cool air seeped into the room through the open door.

Along with the sounds of greetings, a rather loud and energetic voice also drifted into the room:

Greetings! I apologize for my unauthorized visit!

Standing outside the door was a tall, distinguished middle-aged man.

As he greeted them loudly, he slightly bowed, giving Kondo and the others a respectful but not arrogant bow.

"Um... May I ask who you are?"

Kondo looked the unfamiliar middle-aged man in front of him up and down with a blank expression.

The middle-aged man straightened up, looking radiant, and said:

"My name is Miyagawa Shunzo! I wonder if Tachibana Aoto is here?"

"Shunzo Miyagawa?"

At that moment, Sanako, who was standing behind Kondo, let out a low gasp.

"Hmm? Sanako, do you know this person?"

Chiba Jutaro, standing to the side, glanced at the middle-aged man, then at Sanako, his face showing suspicion.

"Hmm...I guess so."

Sanako nodded slightly.

How could she not know this name?

Just at the end of last year, she heard Qing Deng introduce this person and, together with Qing Deng, rescued this person's son-in-law, Otsuki Tsuneji, from the hands of the "Shimizu Clan".

If she remembered correctly, this person seemed to be Tachibana Takayuki... who was also a close friend of Aoto's deceased father.

"Sanako?"

The moment Miyagawa Shunzo heard the name "Sanako" from Chiba Jutaro's mouth, his eyes lit up.

"Are you Chiba Sanako?"

He stared intently at Sanako.

"Yes, I am Chiba Sanako."

Although she didn't know why Miyagawa Shunzo was suddenly so agitated, Sanako nodded slightly and truthfully admitted her identity.

Before Sanako could finish speaking, Miyagawa Shunzo suddenly bent down and bowed deeply to Sanako at a 90-degree angle.

"Miss Chiba, I've heard everything from my daughter about what happened before the New Year."

"I will never forget your and Mr. Ju's kindness in saving my son-in-law!"

"I came all the way from Nara to Edo specifically to express my sincerest gratitude to you in person!"

……

……

At this very moment—

Edo, Tsukimiya Shrine—

Aoto, dragging Kitahara Kōnosuke and the others who were sleeping like logs, slipped past the many torii gates of the Tsukimiya Shrine.

As soon as he stepped into the grounds of the Moon Palace Shrine, he saw the two sisters rushing towards him.

"Junior! You're finally back! Hmm? Who are these people? You were fighting? Are you alright?"

Yae asked nervously.

"Mr. Ju, you've come back just in time. Lord Yu Du is looking for you, saying he has something very important to tell you."

Saeshige said calmly.

******

******

I'm very sorry, due to various reasons, there was no 8000+ word update today...

Tomorrow, Leopard will definitely post an update of 8000+ words! (Leopard crying.jpg)

Chapter 394 Qing Deng's Background Revealed! The Ju Family's "Unsung Hero" [4300 words]

"You have something very important to tell me?"

Qing Deng was taken aback.

Since the Tenshoin was in a hurry to summon him, he had no reason to delay or be negligent.

There's never a moment's rest...

After passing through the secret passage, Qing Deng handed over Kitahara Kōnosuke and the others he was dragging to the Nie sisters.

“Miss Sae, senior, these four are quite important prisoners. Please keep an eye on them for me. I will explain to you who they are later.”

"Oh, and also, I cut off this man's arm."

Aoto pointed at Kitahara Konosuke.

"Although I have given him some basic treatment, I am not a professional doctor after all. Please re-bandage this guy's wound."

Without having time to introduce Kitahara Kōnosuke and the others to the Nie sisters, Aoto strode towards Tenshōin's room after saying this.

……

……

Edo, Koishikawa, Kohinata-Yanagi-cho, Shieikan, Main Hall—

"Ah...so much has happened in just over half a month..."

Miyagawa Shunzo looked on incredulously.

A friend of Aoto's deceased father suddenly came to visit—Sanako, Kinoshita Mai, and others were all very curious about this.

So, while welcoming Miyagawa Shunzo, they all returned to the hall of the Shieikan.

The group succinctly explained to Miyagawa Shunzo the series of unusual events that had occurred recently.

From "Qingdeng's imprisonment" to "Qingdeng's disappearance"... After hearing the whole story, Miyagawa Shunzo couldn't hide his shock and sighed with regret.