I assembled the strongest swordsman group

Since the "war to reshape the world," Japan, which has long been a republic, has not fought a war for nearly forty years.

In January 1924, the 89-year-old Hijikata Toshizo received definite intelligence from the Hanabishi Group: the long-dormant Tenchu ​​would appear in the United States.

In the same month of the same year, the Shinsengumi began its operations.

In March 1924, Li Yu, known as "Like a Dragon," went to San Francisco.

……

……

A new chapter has been turned in world history.

Finish this testimonial

It's finished!!!

2022年4月18日发布

*Slap slap slap slap slap slap slap slap slap!* (Leopard slapping its belly.jpg)

At first, I thought this book would be about the same length as "I Was a Swordsman in Ancient Japan," probably around four million words.

When I had written about a million words, I suddenly realized something was wrong—the story of "Nioh" was much longer than I had imagined!

So, at that time, I estimated that I could write 800 million words.

After typing the last word of the final chapter, the total word count of this book is now set at 644 million words—far more than four million words, but less than eight million words, which is a compromise!

On Qidian, novels with over six million words are not uncommon, but they are also extremely rare.

I never imagined I could write such a long novel... I probably won't be able to break this record for a long time to come.

To be honest, I'm feeling a mix of emotions right now.

This work has been with me for three and a half years, and now I have to say goodbye to it... I'm really reluctant to part with it... (crying leopard head.jpg)

This book adopts a completely different story mode from its predecessor.

In the previous work, Ogata was a more traditional ronin, with no fixed abode and wandering around aimlessly.

In this story, Qing Deng is the lord of a city and a region, taking in women, subordinates, and territory.

From the middle onwards, the story's style shifted from "swords and spears" to "dynastic struggles"—and it was around this time that I got tired of writing...

Firstly, I'm not that interested in "dynastic rivalry".

When I wrote my debut novel, "A Military Genius Brings the Zizhi Tongjian to Another World," I completely exhausted my passion for this subject matter.

I'm tired of writing about a few big shots discussing strategy around a map, and I'm also tired of writing about two armies clashing.

Nowadays, I enjoy storylines like "the protagonist pilots a Gundam and storms into the battlefield in a frenzy," "two Gundams clash," "a single Gundam enters the atmosphere," and "Banaji, catch me!"

Secondly, there's really not much to write about regarding the dynastic struggles at the end of the Edo period in Japan; it's not as good as the Sengoku period.

During the late Sengoku period in Japan, powerful figures such as Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Tokugawa Ieyasu were indeed able to mobilize armies of hundreds of thousands to launch large-scale battles.

But in the late Edo period... he only wrote about a battle with ten thousand or so people, and that was after Leopard had specially strengthened it.

In historical fact, the Satsuma-Choshu alliance defeated the Edo Shogunate with only a few thousand men.

If even the author himself found writing this agonizing, one can only imagine how difficult it must have been for the readers.

Many readers have told me that this work is not as good as the previous one.

I completely understand – because that's what I think too; it's definitely more exciting to see "sword masters clashing."

However, there's nothing wrong with that.

As creators, we must try many different things and write all kinds of stories. Only in this way can we continuously improve.

I'm just frustrated that my production capacity is so low... otherwise, I would definitely open more factories!

I have so many stories I want to write. Ultraman Tiga fanfiction, a romantic comedy based on my real experiences, and mecha stories—I've even thought of names for the protagonist's mecha.

When I'm no longer short of food and clothing, I'm definitely going to write a mecha novel! To fill the gap in Qidian's lack of excellent mecha novels!

Mecha novels are perfect for me! A powerful mecha can turn the tide of battle. You don't need to worry about strategy or tactics. Just spout nonsense!

We've digressed... Let's get back to the main topic.

Regardless, I still have a strong affection for this book.

If I hadn't run out of stories to write, I really wouldn't want to end it here...

I'm really going to miss Sanako and Mai... Like some writers, I've fallen hopelessly in love with the characters I created.

Sanako and Mai embody all of Leopard's quirks; I'll probably never forget them... (crying Leopard head.jpg)

Thank you, Aoto! Thank you, Sanako! Thank you, Mai! Thank you, Souji! Thank you, Tenshōin! Thank you, Elodie! Thank you to every character in the book! You've raised me for three and a half years! (crying leopard.jpg)

In conclusion, the story of "Nioh" has come to a temporary end.

Leopard will release the epilogue of this work the day after tomorrow (October 10th), which will mainly talk about the wedding of Aoto, Tenshōin, and Elodie. The content will not be very long.

Next, please enjoy the story of "Yakuza"!

Following "Shura" and "Nioh", the story of "Yakuza" has officially begun!

The new work is the final installment of the "Sword and Halberd Trilogy".

After completing "I Became a Swordsman in Ancient Japan" (382.5 million words) and "I Formed the Strongest Swordsman Group" (644 million words), I have written over ten million words of sword and spear novels! I have accumulated a wealth of writing experience!

Whether it's the depiction of sword fights or the portrayal of characters and plot, there has been a leap forward!

Therefore, I can confidently say to everyone: my new work is a masterpiece, the culmination of my accumulated knowledge and experience!

Below is a brief introduction to the new book, *America: The Great Chase of 1924*.

*******

*******

Location: San Francisco

Time: 1924

……

He can load a Winchester lever-action rifle with one hand.

He is an expert in American Iaijutsu.

His Mozambique shooting technique was simply superb.

He could use the Qi Family Sword to cleave bullets flying in his face.

He instilled deep fear in the villains.

……

This is an era of extravagance and debauchery, an era of jazz, an era of Prohibition, an era of suit-wearing thugs, an era of ambitious men, an era of Lee Yuk-san, the "Like a Dragon" saga.

……

"Young men, remember this! Never mess with a Chinese man wearing a long black trench coat and a black suit, with an M1911 pistol tucked under his left leg and right armpit, a Winchester rifle in his left hand, and a Qi family sword in his right! He is 'Like a Dragon'!"

Why is he called "Like a Dragon"?

"Because he alone could destroy an entire Mafia family! He's practically the embodiment of a dragon!"

*******

*******

The protagonist of the new work is neither a wandering ronin like Ogata nor a feudal lord like Seito, but a sweeping monk based in a church. He is keen on helping himself and his friends clean up troubles, and he is keen on reciting Bible verses while sending people to their deaths.

On the surface, he is a harmless pastor, but in reality, he is John Wick/Kiryu Kazuma/Amamiya Ren/Nishiki Chizuka/Alucard, who is proficient in "New Era Dual-Sword Style" (lever-handed lever rifle and right-hand Qi family knife).

“You won’t even call me ‘pastor’.”

That's probably the story.

Please be sure to bookmark this new work and read it every day!

The number of readers who follow the updates daily determines the exposure of a new book.

The more reads you get, the more exposure you'll receive, and the better placement in our recommendations!

So please read the new book every day! If you want to add it to your reading list, please wait until it's officially released! (crying leopard head.jpg)

……

……

That's about all I wanted to say.

This concludes my final remarks for this book!

Finally, we must say that essential sentence—

My deepest gratitude to all the readers who have supported this book!

See you in the new movie!

……

……

Shumengshi

2025.10.8

Chapter 1197 Epilogue: The Wedding of Seito and Tenshōin Elodie

November 15, 1868 —

Otsu, Judi—

It was the dead of winter, and snow was falling heavily.

The stark contrast between the freezing cold outside and the lively atmosphere of the wedding banquet was striking.

"Back then, a bullet pierced my stomach without missing a beat. The pain was almost as bad as a seppuku! Do you want to know why I know the pain of a seppuku so well? Well, that requires telling the story from the beginning! Back when I was still an official in the Matsuyama Domain of Iyo..."

"Huh? Sanosuke, why is your glass empty? This won't do! Today is a joyous occasion! How can we not drink?"

As expected, Nagakura Shinpachi preemptively shoved the bottle neck into Harada Sanosuke's mouth, interrupting his "chanting," and chugging the wine down his throat.

Not far away, Kondo Isami poured sake for Hijikata Toshizo while speaking to him in a serious tone:

"Ah Sui, you're not getting any younger, isn't it about time you got married?"

Hijikata Toshizo shrugged:

"I'm not interested in marriage."

"For me, marriage would only tie me down and take away my former freedom."

"Besides, I'm still young, only 33 years old this year, and I have a long future ahead of me."

"Uncle Yuan, who is already 39 years old this year and is still single, is the one who should get married as soon as possible."

After listening, Kondo Isami nodded seriously:

"Yeah, that's true."

The sudden roll call startled Inoue Genzaburo, who choked on his drink and it went into his trachea.

After coughing violently a few times, Inoue Genzaburo said with a look of embarrassment:

"I'm well past the prime age for marriage. What woman would be interested in an old man like me?"

Hijikata Toshizo burst into laughter:

"Uncle Yuan, that's not how it works. Many women like mature and stable older men."

Heisuke Todo suddenly interrupted:

"What's more, you're the captain of the sixth division of the Shinsengumi. With your qualifications, you could attract countless outstanding women."

At this moment, accompanied by a noisy shout, the completely drunk Nagakura Shinpachi, Harada Sanosuke, Serizawa Kamo and others left their seats and ran to the center of the wedding banquet, dancing an ugly but jubilant dance under the guise of "adding to the fun".

Seeing this, Yamanami Keisuke looked helpless: