I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

After saying that, Goro Ugaki revealed a childlike, innocent smile.

The next moment—BOOM!

Ugaki Goro's hands loosened, and his entire body fell heavily to the ground, his eyes closed, and he lost consciousness.

[Ding! Talent detected]

Successfully copied the talent: "Berserker +3"

[Talent Description: Greatly increases tolerance to pain and blood loss. The more pain one experiences, the more one can unleash the hidden power within. However, this effect is nullified when the damage exceeds the body's physiological limits.]

[Ding! Detected that the host already possesses a talent of the same type]

[Ding! Initiating talent fusion]

[Ding! "Berserker" and "Berserker +3" have begun to fuse.]

[Please wait, host... Please wait, host...]

[Ding! Talent fusion successful]

[Berserker Ability Upgrade - [Berserker +4]]

[“Berserker +4” Talent Description: The talent effect is enhanced on top of its original effect. “+9” is the highest level.]

……

Qingdeng, who had no time to listen to the system voice that suddenly sounded in his mind, released his lingering heart, put down the bamboo sword in his hand, and breathed a long sigh of relief.

Just then, he heard the commander's complaints from behind him.

"Tachibana-kun... what are you doing? You knocked him out, how are you going to ask him questions now?"

Upon hearing this, Souji froze on the spot...

"Hey! Wake up! Wake up! Don't sleep! Wake up!"

Qingdeng threw away the bamboo sword in his hand, took a step forward, picked up Ugaki Goro's shoulders, and shook him vigorously.

*******

*******

Sorry to have kept you waiting!

Do you know why today's update is so late? Because I'm going to do a super-fast update! (Leopard's arrogance.jpg)

Today's chapter is a solid 8000-word long chapter! No filler whatsoever! This chapter is compensation for the "bonus chapter for monthly votes" promised at the beginning of last month. Considering how well Leopard has performed today, asking for some monthly votes isn't too much to ask, right?

Please vote for me! Please recommend me! (Crying leopard head.jpg)

Some readers may wonder: Why is it that no matter who it is, they can go toe-to-toe with Qingdeng for several rounds?

Leopard wants to clarify something about this.

First of all, there were a lot of unlucky guys who were quickly defeated by Qingdeng, but because these unlucky guys left the scene so quickly, people didn't have a deep impression of them.

Secondly, this is the charm of the low-level martial arts world.

Unless there is a significant difference in strength, it is difficult for a one-sided victory to occur.

Even the most skilled expert can fail if they make a single careless move.

The more skilled the fighters, the harder it is to create a significant gap between them.

For example, Aoto is now stronger than Saito Hajime, and I think everyone would agree on that, right?

But when Aoto fought Saito, was Saito Ichiro really powerless to fight back? It doesn't seem so, does it?

You can kill me instantly, and I can kill you instantly; I am a nine-star Dou Sheng, and you are only an eight-star, so I can easily beat you—this kind of situation only happens in the world of high-level martial arts.

Chapter 424 Talent Fusion! [Berserker 4]! [6100]

"Wow, what an exhilarating battle! I haven't had this much fun fighting in ages!"

Ugaki Goro leaned against the armrest beside him and laughed heartily.

[Note: Elbow rest: Also known as an elbow brace. A handle used for support when sitting on the floor.]

About 20 minutes ago, Ugaki Goro, who had been defeated by Qingdeng's sword and was unable to fight any longer, fainted on the spot and lost consciousness.

No matter how much Qingdeng shook or swayed, his eyelids didn't move an inch.

Now, he acts as if nothing happened, eating, drinking, talking, and laughing as usual.

If it weren't for the fact that he was covered in bruises and swelling on his bare skin, you wouldn't have been able to tell that this man had just suffered a major defeat.

It can only be said that not only are rabid dogs tough and resilient, but their physical recovery ability is also unmatched by ordinary people.

"Your Majesty, how are you feeling?"

"I asked Ugaki Goro."

"My left shoulder and right thigh are still very painful, but it's nothing serious. I'll get a good night's sleep tonight and I'll be fine."

Qingdeng replied.

His words were not just polite formalities; he was speaking the truth in a serious manner.

"Fitness +1" increases the speed of injury recovery.

"Strengthen Essence +1" increases the speed of energy and physical recovery.

The "sleep god" who improves sleep quality and reduces sleep time.

This "Yuan Yang +1" enhances the kidneys and kidney qi, thereby making the body's health level far superior to that of ordinary people.

With the support of the aforementioned talents, Qing Deng's physical recovery ability can only be described as "abnormal".

Therefore, Qing Deng's statement that "a good night's sleep will make you feel better" is not just a joke—it is indeed true.

As early as when he discovered that Ugaki Goro was getting stronger the more he was beaten, Aoto guessed that the other party might also have the "Berserker" talent.

In the end, it turned out to be true.

"Berserker +3"... No wonder it's so durable.

In terms of the outcome, both sides benefited considerably from the contest just now.

Ugaki Goro got his wish and had a good fight with Niou.

Qingdeng's "Berserker" jumped to "Berserker +4" in one go, greatly increasing his strength.

Everyone is happy, everyone is happy.

"Mr. Ugaki."

Qing Deng straightened his back and said seriously.

"The contest between us is over. Now, it is your turn to fulfill the promise you made beforehand."

The "promise" that Qing Deng mentioned naturally refers to the agreement that Ugaki Goro made with Qing Deng before the official start of the duel: "Between you and me, the battle will decide the winner! No matter what the final outcome is, I will answer any questions you may have afterward without reservation."

Upon hearing this, Ugaki Goro waved his hand.

"I know, I know! I may not be a respectable person, but I'm not a dishonest scoundrel either! What did you want to ask me again?"

"Mr. Yuyuan, why would my father borrow such a huge sum of money, 5000 taels of gold? What does he need such a large amount of money for?"

"Oh! This one."

Ugaki Goro shifted to a more comfortable sitting position, resting his entire body on the armrests, propping up his left arm, and rubbing his chin.

"This is a topic that will take a long time to discuss... May I talk about it while I smoke?"

After speaking, Ugaki Goro made a smoking gesture.

Japan has been a major smoking country since ancient times. The history of smoking among the Japanese is quite long. As early as the end of the Warring States period three hundred years ago, the method of smoking by burning tobacco in a pipe was introduced to Japan with Western missionaries and quickly became popular throughout the country.

The word "ichifu" originally used in the tea ceremony has also been borrowed for tobacco, meaning "to take a break and have a smoke".

During the Edo period, the shogunate issued several bans on smoking in order to prevent fires.

However... the authority of the shogunate versus the will of millions of opium addicts—which prevails and which declines is obvious.

All the smoking bans ultimately came to nothing.

The habit of smoking persisted and spread further and further.

Today, smoking has even become a fashion, a status symbol, and even a form of entertainment.

Those who frequently frequented the pleasure quarters of Yoshiwara and Shimabara would surely notice that many high-class courtesans... especially the top courtesan, loved to smoke.

Beautiful courtesans, dressed in gorgeous costumes and with exquisite makeup, sit elegantly while holding delicate opium pipes, puffing out clouds of smoke—this has almost become a signature scene in the pleasure quarters of Yoshiwara, Shimabara, and other similar areas.

This phenomenon occurs partly because of the immense work pressure and extremely poor treatment, and smoking is a great way to relieve stress, which is why the prostitutes love to smoke.

On the other hand, it is because this is a conventional "high-class sexual technique".

During working hours, all the courtesans, including the top courtesan, would put on makeup.

When you wear makeup, you'll have thick lipstick, and when you smoke, lipstick marks will be left on the mouthpiece of the cigarette.

Next, the prostitutes would hand over their pipes with the mouthpiece facing outwards.

At this moment, if a customer walks up, takes a puff of cigarette, it's a clear indication that "I've chosen you today."

Over time, the smoking gun and the prostitutes became practically inseparable.

When Edo-period painters depicted courtesans or even erotic scenes, they would often include a pipe in their paintings.

It's worth mentioning that in the brothels, there were specific rules regarding which type of opium pipe each prostitute used.

Japanese cigarette pipes are generally divided into three parts: the mouthpiece, the nozzle, and the gaiwan (or gaiwan).

Luo Yu can be understood as the middle part of the pipe, and Yan Shou can be understood as the head of the pipe.

The hierarchy and seniority among courtesans were extremely strict.

To distinguish their status, the courtesans had strict rules governing their clothing, makeup, and even their pipes.

The level of a smoking pipe depends mainly on Luo Yu's position.

The more elaborate and longer Luo Yu's lacquer work is, the higher its level.

The length and refinement of a pipe were linked to social status—this unspoken rule existed not only in the pleasure quarters but also in various industries such as business and politics.