I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

"If you encounter any problems that require help, feel free to contact our Fazhu Party."

"We would be happy to provide you with all the assistance we can."

Kamino: "Yes..."

As Rakshasa had said before, he summoned Kamino only to check on Kamino's current condition after his sudden defeat.

Now that the objective has been achieved, there is no reason for Kamino to stay here any longer.

After exchanging a few more casual words with Shenye, Luosha waved to him, indicating that he could leave.

Shinno rose respectfully and bowed to Rasetsu and Shimizu Sakae, then fled the room at an astonishing speed.

After Kamino left, Rasetsu turned her head to Shimizu Eiichi behind her and smiled, "Eiichi, Tachibana Takayuki's son... seems to have really turned into a 'tiger cub'."

Upon hearing the name "Tachibana Takayuki," a shadow fell over Shimizu Eiichi's face: "Lord Rasetsu, to be honest—I find it very unbelievable."

"Ju Qingdeng's previous behavior made him seem like just an ordinary person."

"But recently, he seems to have suddenly become a different person. First, he solved the Zong murder case in less than an hour."

"Now he has demonstrated extraordinary command ability and personal combat skills, leading a mere 2 or 30 men to defeat an enemy several times their size."

"Hahaha, I also find it incredible. But it's not impossible for someone to suddenly become extremely powerful."

“Three hundred years ago, Oda Nobunaga, who almost established the Oda Shogunate, was also known as the ‘big fool of Owari’ before he ascended to the position of head of the clan and demonstrated his terrifying military and diplomatic talents.”

Having said that, Rakshasa grabbed the red-handled katana, fastened it to her waist, and slowly stood up.

“…Rongyi, I have a small task for you.”

"Lord Rakshasa." Shimizu Eiichi quickly bowed, clenching his fists and supporting himself on the tatami mat. "Please speak."

"I'll give you two days to spread the story of how 'Kita no Aoto, the youngest of the Hokuban-sho-cho, defeated more than 200 anti-foreign thugs' throughout the streets and alleys of Edo."

"Lord Rakshasa?" Shimizu Eiichi was taken aback. "What are you going to do?"

"If I remember correctly, Tachibana Aoto is only 18 years old this year. If someone becomes famous at such a young age, it's easy for some troubles to arise, both personally and externally, that are often difficult for someone his age to handle."

"I want to test it out. To see if this Tachibana Seido can remain humble and composed after becoming famous overnight, or if he will become arrogant and delusional."

"Lord Rakshasa, are you... intending to recruit Ju Qingdeng into your ranks?"

“Such outstanding talents, there’s no reason not to recruit them, is there?” Rakshasa changed to a mocking tone. “Right now, our Law Extermination Party is short of people… Ah, I should say, we’ve always been short of people.”

"If that Ju Qingdeng is truly a promising talent, then it is worthwhile to try to recruit him."

"I'm sending you to spread the word... This kind of task shouldn't be too difficult for you, Eiichi, right?"

Shimizu Eiichi smirked: "Piece of cake. Lord Rakshasa, by the evening of the day after tomorrow at the latest you will find that no matter where you go in Edo, you will hear people talking about that Tachibana Aoto."

After finishing his sentence, Shimizu Sakae paused for a moment.

"By the way, Lord Rakshasa, since you intend to recruit that Tachibana Aoto, should you ask Kamino to stop harassing him?"

"It seems that Jinno intends to launch a severe retaliation against Tachibana Aoto."

“No need,” Luosha said without hesitation. “If Tachibana Seiden can’t even withstand the retaliation from someone like Jinno-kun, then it means his strength and luck are just so-so, and he’s not worth my time to recruit.”

"Don't worry about Kamino-kun, let him do whatever he wants with Tachibana Aoto."

"Okay." Shimizu Eiichi nodded. "I understand."

"Also, Eiichi. Starting tomorrow, I will be temporarily leaving Edo to stay with the Mito Domain for a while. During my absence, I'll need your help to manage the operations of our Hoju Party's various bases in Edo."

"Going to the Mito Domain?" Shimizu Eiichi frowned. "Why so suddenly?"

“It seems like the Mito Domain is planning something big lately.” Rakshasa grinned. “We’ve received definite intelligence: a group of Mito Domain samurai are planning to infiltrate Edo and assassinate Ii Naosuke.”

Eiichi Shimizu's eyes suddenly widened.

Then I instinctively wanted to gasp in surprise.

But as soon as he opened his mouth, he seemed to realize something and quickly covered his mouth to prevent himself from making a loud noise.

After taking several deep breaths and calming himself down a bit, Shimizu Eiichi asked in a low voice with an incredulous expression:

"Assassinate Ii Naosuke...? Are those Mito Domain samurai serious?"

"It seems he's serious." Rakshasa put his hands behind his back. "I was quite surprised when I first heard this information..."

“Mr. Orochi is also very concerned about this matter. He personally sent me a letter, asking me to go to the Mito Domain to gather more relevant information.”

"I don't know when I'll be able to go back to Edo."

"In short—I'm leaving Edo in your care while I'm away."

Eiichi Shimizu nodded solemnly: "Please leave it to me."

After giving all his instructions to Shimizu Eiichi, Rasetsu walked out of the room with his hands behind his back.

Just as he was about to pass through the sliding door—

"Ah, that's right."

Rakshasa stopped in her tracks and turned her gaze back to Shimizu Eiichi.

"Eiichi, before I return to Edo, tell your men not to go to Tachibana Seito's place to collect the gambling debts his father owes."

"I'll restart your 'debt collection team' once I return to Edo and have the time."

"At that time, I plan to go to Tachibana Aoto's house with your 'debt collection team'."

Rakshasa's eyes crinkled into two crescent moons with a smile at that moment.

"I want to see for myself what Takayuki Tachibana's only son, who caused us so much trouble, looks like."

Eiichi Shimizu: "Yes!"

……

……

Edo, somewhere—

After bidding farewell to Rasetsu and Shimizu Eiichi, Jinno, with a gloomy expression, went straight to a dilapidated house in a remote corner of Edo that was rarely visited by anyone.

As soon as they entered the house, several warriors surrounded them.

"Suzuki, go prepare the kerosene." After entering the house, Kamino, without any pleasantries, immediately gave the order to the samurai who had surrounded him: "Prepare as much kerosene as possible."

"Fujita, go and arrange for people to monitor Tachibana Aoto's house."

"Report to me immediately once Ju Qingdeng returns home!"

As he finished speaking, a fierce glint flashed from Shenye's eyes.

"Mr. Kanna, what is this kerosene?" Suzuki, who had been sent by Kanna to prepare the kerosene, asked hesitantly.

"...That Tachibana Seiden caused our Extermination Group to suffer heavy losses," Jinno said calmly. "It would be really inexcusable not to give him a return gift."

……

……

2 days later—

March 30——

After Arima led a large group to successfully meet Aoto and the others, it took them two days to finally return safely to Edo.

Upon arriving in Edo, Anthony and Elodie were immediately picked up by personnel from the French Embassy.

Komuro and the others were temporarily assigned to a "temporary residence" by the magistrate.

As for Aoto, he returned to his home, which he had been away from for more than ten days, under Arima's personal escort...

"Young Master! Young Master! How did you get so badly injured!"

When Kyubei saw that Qingdeng had finally returned home, wrapped in many burlap sacks, he was so shocked that he was speechless.

Not long after Arima personally escorted Aoto home, two "guests" arrived.

The two "guests" who came to visit were none other than Pig Valley and Gyuyama.

Upon learning that Qingdeng had returned safely, the two immediately rushed to Qingdeng's home to visit him. Qingdeng had only gone to investigate a theft case, but had inexplicably been drawn into a chaotic battle.

Edo, Hatchobori, Aoto's house—

night--

"Hey, Tachibana! Are you alright?" Inugaya circled around Aoto with a worried look on his face.

“Mr. Inugaya, I’m fine.” To show that he was perfectly healthy, Qing Deng raised his right hand and patted his left shoulder heavily a few times. “As you can see, I’m in excellent health.”

At this moment, in the hall, Qingdeng, Youma, and Niushan sat together, while Zhugu circled around Qingdeng.

Saito, clutching his sword, sat in the corner of the hall, closing his eyes to rest.

Kyubei was in the kitchen preparing snacks and tea to serve Ma, Zhu, and Niu.

Inugami circled Qingdeng several times, and only after confirming that Qingdeng's current mental state was indeed quite good did he finally show a relieved expression, and then sat back down in his original seat.

"Tachibana, you really are... incredibly unlucky..." After struggling to find the right words to describe Aoto's predicament, Inugaya stammered for a long time before finally managing to stammer, "Incredibly unlucky..."

"It was just a simple business trip... how did something like this happen... sigh..."

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I originally wanted to challenge myself to write another 1-word update, but after writing 9100 words, I just couldn't write anymore... (crying face.jpg)

Chapter 84: The Prelude to the Storm - Edo to Launch "Anti-Terrorism Operation"

“Mr. Inoya, from another perspective, I can say that I am experiencing both good and bad fortune.”

After Qingdeng smiled at Zhugu, he continued:

"I was extremely unlucky to encounter this while hitchhiking back to Edo."

"But haven't I also achieved great success?"

"I should be able to pass the 'performance evaluation' in a month."