I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

“Just a few days ago, I saw a shop in Asakusa that was ruined and its inhabitants were killed because the “anti-foreign” thugs extorted so-called military funds.”

"King Tachibana beat these despicable thugs to a pulp, effectively curbing the arrogance of those lunatics."

"Even if it's just out of respect for heroes, I don't want to stand idly by while Tachibana-kun is in trouble and homeless!"

"They clearly had the ability to help, but instead they stood by and watched... That's just too heartless and ungrateful!"

Kondo's words were passionate and inspiring... but they did not move Abi.

On the contrary—it seems that it has angered Abi.

Abi first looked at Kondo with a slightly dazed expression, then her face suddenly turned bright red.

"Hmph! Yong, why do you think I objected to those three eating and drinking for free at our house?"

"Isn't it because I'm worried about our family's money!"

"Yes! Our family is definitely not so poor that we can't afford to feed three more people! We can definitely support three more people with plenty of money!"

"But this money in our family didn't come from thin air!"

"It was through your hard work, along with Shusuke, Souji, and Gen, that you earned this money bit by bit by running the sword-making school!"

"You don't care about the money! I do care about the money!"

After saying that, Abi angrily slapped the tatami mat beside her.

Then… because of her unstable emotions, she subconsciously muttered:

"Hmph... farmers are just farmers, they're such a headache..."

Although Abi's muttering wasn't very loud.

But it's not exactly small...

Her muttering... was quite clearly heard by everyone present.

Kondo's expression changed instantly.

At that moment, Okita's eyes flickered slightly...

"……lady."

"What?!" Still furious, Abi glared fiercely at Zhou Zhu beside her.

As soon as her gaze fell on Zhou Zhu... A Bi froze.

The usually smiling Shusuke... was expressionless and serious at this moment, glancing sideways at Abi.

His tiny, squinty eyes, so small that you couldn't even see the pupils, opened...

The eyes, which are usually hidden behind the eyelids, are revealed at this moment.

These are eyes that evoke images of a tranquil ancient pool.

Looking into those eyes gives one the illusion that one's body is being dragged deeper and deeper into a bottomless abyss.

"Madam, you're too emotional right now, you're starting to talk incoherently. Please calm down a bit."

“…” Upon hearing Zhou Zhu’s words, A Bi was stunned.

Then, as if realizing something, she turned her gaze and looked at Kondo, whose complexion had now returned to normal, with a complicated expression.

She pursed her lips, glanced at Shusuke, and then at Kondo in front of her.

His previously disordered breathing gradually returned to normal.

Her flushed face gradually returned to normal.

Seeing that Abi had calmed down, Zhou Zhu smiled slightly, then closed his eyes again, returning to his smiling and amiable appearance.

“Abi, I think—even if we don’t talk about those intangible things like feelings and loyalty, just talking about those vulgar things like money and power, letting Ju-kun and the others live in our house, giving him help, and doing him a favor would be very beneficial.”

“Tachibana-kun is a comrade-in-arms of the Hokuban-sho-cho town.”

"You should know very well what kind of people those who served in the 'Three Times'... right?"

"They're all a bunch of lowly but powerful and wealthy old men."

"Although their official rank was not high, they were in charge of the security work in Edo. The heads of every town and family in Edo were under their command."

"Being on good terms with officials who are dedicated to their duties in the 'three rounds' can only benefit us, and will not do us any harm."

"If I get into trouble in the future, I'll have another way to solve the problem."

"Also—befriending Orange-kun will be beneficial for promoting and carrying forward our Natural Mind-Body-Soothing Style in the future."

“I remember telling you before that this newcomer who has only recently joined my Swordsmanship Hall has an exceptionally outstanding talent for swordsmanship.”

"In terms of swordsmanship talent... I think he's in no way inferior to Souji."

"The Hokushin Itto-ryu style has only been around for a little over 30 years since its founding."

"Why has the Hokushin Itto-ryu, with only a history of over 30 years, developed so quickly, becoming the 'Number One School Under Heaven' in such a short time?"

"It's because they have a lot of talented people, and their disciples have a strong sense of belonging to the Hokushin Itto-ryu."

"Disciples who graduate from the Hokushin Itto-ryu school have a strong sense of belonging to their school and spontaneously promote and develop the Hokushin Itto-ryu school."

"This is the main reason why the Hokushin Itto-ryu style was able to dominate the entire Japanese swordsmanship world in just over 30 years."

“Abi, think about it—what will we gain in the future if we befriend such a promising apprentice and develop a deep friendship with him?”

"In the future, after Tachibana-kun completes his apprenticeship, he might spontaneously promote and develop our Natural Rishin-ryu, just like the disciples of Hokushin Itto-ryu."

Zhou Zhu's narration was unhurried and well-organized.

Ah Bi lowered his head slightly and remained silent.

After Zhou Zhu finished speaking, Kondo and Okita both focused their attention on Abi, waiting for her reply.

The room fell into a deathly silence.

……

……

Test Guard Hall, First Floor, Hall —

While Shusuke, Abi, Kondo, and Okita went up to the second floor of the room to discuss whether to leave Aoto and the others behind, Aoto, Saito, and Kyubei stayed in the hall on the first floor, quietly waiting for Kondo and the others to finish their discussion.

Saito, seemingly unconcerned about having nowhere to stay tonight, calmly sat in a corner of the room, holding his sword, staring blankly with wide eyes.

This morning, Qingdeng was exhausted from traveling. He had just returned home in the afternoon when he was struck by the misfortune of his house being burned down and the arsonist being chased. He was physically and mentally exhausted, so he leaned against the wall behind him and closed his eyes to rest.

Only Kyubei was restless, fidgeting with his hands and feet.

"Kyubei." Qing Deng slowly opened his eyes and smiled helplessly at Kyubei. "Calm down, sit down and calm down."

"Sigh... Young Master..." Jiubei sat cross-legged in front of Qingdeng and sighed heavily. "What should we do if the people at the Shiwei Hall ultimately don't agree to let us stay here temporarily?"

"There's nothing we can do," Qingdeng smiled and said casually, "We'll figure something out when the time comes."

“Young Master…” Jiubei stared blankly at Qingdeng, “You’re so optimistic…”

“I’m the kind of person who always believes that there are more solutions than problems, and that as long as you’re alive, there’s always hope.” Qing Deng closed his eyes and continued to rest. “No need to worry, Kyubei.”

"Our current crises are nothing compared to what we're going through."

"So what if the house and all the valuables are gone?"

"These things, in the end, are just inanimate objects. As long as people are alive, they will all be able to have them all again one day."

“Sigh…” A bitter look appeared on Kyubei’s face. “That’s true… but it just hurts so much…”

嗵嗵嗵嗵嗵……

Just then, the sound of hurried footsteps came from outside the hall.

Hearing the footsteps, Qingdeng quickly opened his eyes again and straightened his clothes.

Saito, who had been sitting in the corner lost in thought, quickly picked up his sword and walked with Kyubei to Aoto's back, where they politely knelt down.

The door to the living room was opened—Shusuke, Abi, Kondo, and Okita, who had just parted ways not long ago, filed in through the opened door.

After the four people came in, Qingdeng couldn't help but glance at Abi a few more times.

Tonight is the first time Aoto has met Kondo's foster mother.

Aoto had long admired Kondo's adoptive mother.

When I first came to Shieikan, I heard from Suzuki that he was known as "the head of the Shieikan Five Great Kings" and "the most troublesome person in Shieikan".

Ah Bi is the kind of woman whose appearance alone suggests she's not someone to be trifled with.

With sharp eyes, thin lips, and a fierce face and features, he had a harsh look.

The four of them, including Shusuke, sat in front of Aoto and his companions, with Shusuke sitting at the very front, Abi sitting to her right and behind, and Kondo and Okita sitting at the very back.

"Tachibana-kun, I've already heard about you from Yu."

Zhou Zhu calmly spoke slowly to Qing Deng.

He first made the usual polite remarks to Qingdeng, such as "I am very sorry for what happened to you tonight."

After the pleasantries were over, Zhou Zhu cleared his throat and straightened his back even more.

“Our apprentices at the Shiwei Hall have run into trouble, and we can’t just sit idly by.”

"Tachibana-kun, we've all agreed—you can stay at our Shiei-kan until you find stable accommodation again, and you can stay as long as you want!"

Upon hearing Zhou Zhu's words, Jiu Bingwei, who was sitting behind Qing Deng, beamed with joy.

Saito... well, he made a very characteristic expression: expressionless.

"I am deeply grateful." Qing Deng bowed deeply to Zhou Zhu and the others to express his gratitude. "I will never forget your kindness."

"Once my salary, stipend, and allowances are distributed, I will definitely pay off the rent and expenses incurred by us while we are temporarily staying here."

"Hahaha, no need, no need." Zhou Zhu laughed heartily a few times. "Letting you stay here temporarily won't cost you much money... Ah!"

Shusuke suddenly let out a scream, drawing puzzled glances from Aoto, Kondo, and the others.

"Ah, it's nothing, it's nothing... my legs just went a little numb from sitting." After chuckling to Qing Deng and the others, Zhou Zhu glanced at A Bi with a wronged look, secretly watching him as A Bi had just subtly pinched a small spot on his lower back with his left thumb and forefinger, then twisted it 180 degrees...

Apien pretended not to see Zhou Zhu's gaze and stared blankly ahead.

……