I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

Although everyone who knew Tachibana Takayuki said so, since Tachibana Takayuki had already passed away when Aoto transmigrated to this world, he could only search for Tachibana Takayuki's appearance in the memories of "the original Tachibana Aoto". Unfortunately, "the original Tachibana Aoto's" memories had already faded considerably with the passage of time, so Aoto had no real sense of how much he resembled Tachibana Takayuki.

"Yes. I am Tachibana Takayuki's son, Tachibana Aoto."

"...Heh. Since he's Mr. Tachibana's son, I can't be too rude..."

Kikuchi Chisui laboriously straightened her back, sat up straight, and changed from crossing her legs to a proper kneeling position.

It was just a change in sitting posture, but the whole person's demeanor instantly changed.

If Kikuchi Chisui just now exuded an aura of dejection and despair, like a stray dog, then he now resembled a more human being.

"I am Kikuchi Chisui. I used to be a teacher of Chinese classics at a private school, but now... as you can see, I am a good-for-nothing drunkard."

Not only has her demeanor changed, but her attitude towards Qingdeng has also softened considerably; at least her words are no longer barbed.

"Mr. Kikuchi, I have already been frank and open."

As Qingdeng spoke, he placed the straw hat he was holding beside his legs.

"Therefore, I humbly request that you extend your assistance. You need only tell me everything you know about Tachibana Takayuki. I ask for nothing more."

"...I am older than you, may I dare to call you 'Tachibana-kun'?"

Kikuchi asked about a thousand streams.

"Please go ahead."

Qingdeng nodded.

"Then... Mr. Ju, please allow me to ask a question: Why do you want to know about your father's past?"

Kikuchi Chisui stared intently at Aoto, her eyes sharp, as if she wouldn't give up until she got a definite answer to this question.

Qingdeng remained silent for a moment, seemingly lost in thought.

"...I'll get straight to the point."

"I am currently investigating a very important case."

"An investigation has revealed that this case is closely related to my father."

"Therefore, I have come to bother you in order to gather intelligence."

Kikuchi Chisui listened quietly.

After Qingdeng finished speaking, he revealed a meaningful smile.

"Tachibana-kun, the case you're investigating... could it be related to a red and purple pill?"

After speaking, he extended his right thumb and forefinger, making the shape of a pill.

In an instant, Qing Deng and the two sisters were overwhelmed with shock.

Sae and Yae are highly trained female ninjas, so despite their inner turmoil, they maintained a calm demeanor.

The same applies to Qingdeng.

For Qingdeng, who possesses the innate "art of emperors," controlling his facial expressions has never been difficult.

Kikuchi Chisui actually knew about the existence of the "strange drug"...

Furthermore, after mentioning cases related to Takayuki Tachibana, the connection to "cursed drugs" immediately came to mind...

This self-degrading "former private school teacher" really does know something!

With this thought in mind, Qingdeng nodded vigorously with a solemn expression.

"Yes, as you said—the case I am currently investigating does indeed involve a reddish-purple pill."

After receiving an affirmative answer from Aoto, Kikuchi Chisui lowered her head and let out a series of self-deprecating laughs.

"Hehehe... Could this be what they call a 'karmic entanglement'...?"

"Father and son...both of them are involved with that damn drug...this is really..."

At this point, Kikuchi Chisui raised her head and sighed deeply.

"Alright... things have come to this... I'll tell you everything I know..."

Kikuchi Chisui stood to the left and right of Aoto, on either side of Sage and Yae, and gestured for them to enter.

"Ladies, please find a place to sit. My story is quite long, and you'll get tired of standing for so long."

Sae shook her head.

"Thank you for your concern, but we'll just stand. We wouldn't feel tired even if we stood all day."

"I see... then do as you please."

Kikuchi Chisui stroked her messy beard, as if reminiscing.

"Hmm...where should I begin..."

"Heh... I really have to start with Aqi... with my deceased wife..."

"My wife's tragic death was the beginning of the whole story..."

"As I just mentioned, I used to be a teacher of Chinese studies in a private school."

"The place where I teach is not a famous university, but just an obscure little private school that can be found anywhere in the streets of Edo, with only about thirty students on the register."

"Although I don't earn much, I'm still able to live comfortably."

"Ten years ago, I met an outstanding woman through a friend's recommendation."

"Her name is Aqi. She comes from a farming family. Not only is she beautiful, but she is also very hardworking."

"It's embarrassing to admit, but I fell in love with her the moment I saw her."

"Fortunately, Aqi also has a good impression of me."

"So, we got married not long after we met."

“Aqi is a perfect wife.”

“Whenever I get home every night, whenever I see Aqi’s smiling face, I feel all my fatigue disappear.”

"Although life after marrying Aqi wasn't wealthy, I felt genuinely happy."

"However... this happiness only lasted until three years ago... until that damned drug appeared...!"

Chapter 404 The Minotaur was speechless, the Pure Love Warrior wept [4300]

"Cough, cough! Cough cough! Cough cough!"

Without any prior warning, Kikuchi Chisui suddenly began coughing violently, so violently that it seemed she was about to vomit her lungs out.

"Mr. Kikuchi, are you alright?"

Qingdeng quickly asked.

"N-nothing..."

Although Kikuchi Chisui said that, he still coughed more than ten times before he slowly stopped coughing.

"It was just... a drinking urge..."

After chuckling awkwardly a few times, Kikuchi Chisui took several deep breaths to regulate her breathing.

While taking deep breaths, he placed his hands on his legs, his fingers gripping the dirty trousers tightly.

Although his little trick was very subtle, it still did not escape Qing Deng's eyes.

Qing Deng immediately realized that Kikuchi Chisui was clutching her skirt tightly to hide her trembling hands and feet.

At this moment, Kikuchi Chisui's limbs trembled uncontrollably as if he had been electrocuted. If he didn't grip his trousers tightly and try his best to endure it, his limbs would tremble even more violently.

Upon seeing this, Qing Deng's heart sank.

Kikuchi Chisui's alcoholism was far more severe than he had imagined...

Qingdeng has seen many people with alcohol addictions.

However, this was the first time he had ever seen someone with such a severe alcohol addiction as Kikuchi Chisui...

Kikuchi Chisui's current state is a typical withdrawal symptom of alcohol addiction—delirium tremens, an acute reaction that occurs in alcohol-dependent individuals after stopping alcohol consumption, and can even be fatal. It is generally seen in heavy drinkers who suddenly stop drinking, resulting in obvious autonomic nervous system dysfunction such as tachycardia, fever, and dilated pupils.

In severe cases, it can cause dangerous symptoms such as tremors in the limbs, loss of consciousness, behavioral disorders, and auditory and visual hallucinations.

Under the pressure of his alcohol addiction, Kikuchi Chisui no longer cared about hiding his trembling hands and feet; he hurriedly reached out to touch his legs.

It was only then that Qing Deng noticed a small hole in the floor next to Kikuchi Chisui's legs.

He must have hidden the drinks in this hole.

Kikuchi Chisui eagerly reached her hand into the hole, but found nothing.

As he awkwardly withdrew his hand, he cast a hopeful glance at Qingdeng:

"Tachibana-kun... I'm sorry... could... could you buy me a few bottles of alcohol...? Shochu, sake, rice wine... any kind of alcohol is fine... If I don't drink a few sips soon... I won't have the strength to talk anymore..."

Kikuchi Chisui wasn't lying when he said that.

For someone like him who is severely addicted to alcohol, stopping drinking would not only severely impact his physical functions, but could also potentially endanger his life.

It's tragic... Everyone knows that excessive drinking is harmful to health, especially for alcohol addicts like Kikuchi Chisui. If they don't strictly control their alcohol intake, it's just a form of slow suicide. But their lives are already so intertwined with alcohol that their dependence on it cannot be broken by willpower alone...

For them, alcohol is the best companion in life and a cure for illness—although this cure is actually a slow-acting poison...

"……I see."

Aoto grabbed the straw hat beside his leg and slowly stood up with Echizen-sensei Tsuri no Kami Kaneshige.

"Mr. Kikuchi, please bear with me a little longer, I'll go buy you some sake right now."

Qingdeng straightened his straw hat and turned to leave.

"Mr. Ju, wait a moment."

Sha Chong took a step to the side, blocking Qing Deng's path.

"Leave these errand-running tasks to me and Yae."

Qingdeng shook his head slightly.

"No, you two sisters stay here, I'll be right back."