I formed the strongest swordsman group

Qingdeng immediately heard something different from Sanako's tone and intonation.

He was startled for a moment, then immediately turned his head to look.

Expressionless and unsmiling—Sanako's demeanor was as cold as ever.

At first glance, there is nothing unusual.

However, after taking a closer look, Qingdeng still keenly noticed that there was an elusive and strange emotion beating between Sanazi's beautiful brows.

--What's wrong? Why did Sanako-san suddenly lose her temper?

Qingdeng, who was greatly puzzled by Sanako's abnormal behavior, couldn't help feeling his neck stiff.

There was a dearth of information...he didn't dare to act rashly.

So, he put on a tentative tone and said cautiously:

"I and Okita-kun are indeed brothers of the same school... The chief is an old man in the test guard, she is a brother, and I am a brother..."

...

--snort! Up to now, I am still pretending to be confused!

Qingdeng's "sophistry" made Zuo Nazi's dissatisfaction increase instead of decrease.

Her palms folded on her thighs clenched slightly uncontrollably.

If she was only suspicious when she saw Qingdeng and Zongsi embracing each other on the stone steps of the Moon Palace Shrine, then now...seeing the two of them soaking their feet, they are intimacy like lovers Now that they are interacting, Zuo Nazi dares to be 100% sure--Qingdeng and Zongsi are all Taoists! The relationship between the two of them is far from being as simple as friends and senior brothers!

This is the so-called "obsessed by the authorities, cleared by the bystanders".

Ever since their relationship was confirmed, the relationship between Qingdeng and the chief executive became more and more intimate.

Over time, no matter whether it is Qingdeng or the general manager, once they communicate with each other in various forms such as verbal and physical, they will always subconsciously enter the state of "flirting and cursing".

——Both men and women are welcome... Mr. Tachibana's hobbies are too broad!

Thinking of this, Sanazi felt displeasure floating in and out.

——Although I don't have any love experience, don't take me for a fool!

Sanako felt slightly proud of her ice-snow intelligence and keen observation.

——This is not something embarrassing to say, so why cover it up?

In the Edo period, the style of the public has always been very popular.

Even if he confesses that he has preferences in this area, he will not be abused or ridiculed by the public.

If Qingdeng was unwilling to reveal the truth due to some concerns, then Sanazi could barely understand.

However, Qingdeng still hides it from her... This makes Zuo Nazi very puzzled.

What is the need?

Don't I, Chiba Sanako, know what you are like, Ju Qingdeng?

When Qingdeng brazenly declared that he would marry her and Kinoshita Mai as wives at the same time, Sanako already knew that Qingdeng was a very "fraternal" person in his relationship.

Anyway, you have confessed to me that you love the two girls, now tell me you have another admirer, what does it matter?

Sanako snorted heavily in her heart:

--never mind! Why do I care so much about him! Mr. Ju's emotional life has nothing to do with me!

She wanted to end the topic directly.

Unexpectedly, at the moment when Zuo Nazi was about to keep silent, Qingdeng's voice sounded again.

"Miss Sanako, could it be... have you discovered Okita-kun's secret?"

Qing Deng asked in a quiet tone.

...

Is it just a senior brother? Qingdeng thought carefully about the words that Zuo Nazi said just now.

——Miss Sanako, what does this mean? Does she suspect that Ms. Okita and I are not brothers?

Suddenly, a flash of lightning flashed across Qingdeng's mind.

—Could it be... Miss Sanako found out Okita-san's true gender? !

In an instant, Qingdeng's mind trembled.

The more he thought about it, the more it seemed possible.

In this way, everything makes sense.

Why did Sanako ask "Is it just a brother?"

Because she discovered that he and the chief executive were not "brothers", but sisters and brothers!

When the truth came out, Qingdeng couldn't help but feel shaken.

However, this is only for a moment.

With just a snap of his fingers, Qingdeng regained his composure.

——Calm down... This is just my personal guess.

——Whether this is indeed the case remains to be considered.

Just ask Sanako directly!

But...it's hard to speak directly.

If Sanako's words and deeds meant otherwise, then Qingdeng opened his mouth in a daze and asked, "Miss Sanako, did you also find that Okita-kun is a girl?"

Hence, Qingdeng decided to ask the truth on the sidelines!

After making such a determination, Qingdeng sat upright with a serious expression, creating a restrained atmosphere.

"Miss Sanako, could it be... have you discovered Okita-kun's secret?"

...

Okita-kun's secret?

Sanako was stunned for a moment, and then immediately realized: Okita-kun is indeed a person of all Taoism!

Qingdeng's rhetorical question made Zuo Nazi more convinced of the "truth" that "Qingdeng and the chief executive are all people of Taoism".

She nodded slightly and said:

"um, yes."

...

Sanako's nod and Sanako's "hmm, yes" made Qingdeng's expression instantly tinged with helplessness.

"Miss Sanako, when did you find out?"

"Recently discovered."

"Really...haha...you found out..."

Qingdeng lowered his head and let out a low self-deprecating laugh.

Sanako tilted her beautiful eyes, quietly observing Qingdeng's expression.

Hesitant to speak, mixed feelings - these two words are really perfect to describe Qingdeng's appearance at this time.

It seems... Tachibana-kun and Okita-kun really don't want outsiders to know their "secret"...

Thinking of this, Sanako's originally tense facial lines loosened slightly.

"... Mr. Ju, I will keep this secret strictly and never mention it to anyone."

Hearing this, Qingdeng smiled wryly.

"Thank you so much, it was a great help... Speaking of which, Ms. Sanako, you are amazing, you can actually see through Okita's secret..."

"You guys are too high-profile, it's hard not to see through, right?"

— High profile? Hmm...seems to be the case...

Qing Deng nodded lightly in deep agreement.

Although the chief executive may have spent more time pretending to be a boy than showing her true face, she is still a girl at heart.

Therefore, she often subconsciously makes very girly movements.

——I have to remind Okita-san to be more careful later...

Qingdeng still trusts Sanako's character.

Since Sanako has said that "the secret will be kept strictly", she will never break her promise.

Sanako has been paying attention to Qingdeng's every move.

Qingdeng's relieved expression clearly caught his eyes.

She couldn't help thinking in her heart:

Thinking back to the past, she had never heard that Qingdeng and the chief executive liked public opinion.

It is conceivable that this is the result of their painstaking efforts to conceal it.

Although I don't know why they keep such a secret, but they have worked so hard to hide it so far, it must be quite hard.

Thinking of this, Sanako turned his head and looked around hesitantly.

After a while, she raised her hand as if she had made up her mind, and patted Qingdeng's shoulder lightly like a baby.

The sudden shoulder stroking made Qing Deng stunned.

"Miss Sanako, what's wrong?"

Qingdeng looked up and saw the beautiful eyes staring straight at him.

"Mr. Orange... Thank you for your hard work."

--Um? Is it my illusion?

Qingdeng always felt that the eyes that Zuo Nazi cast towards him at this time seemed to be mixed with pity...

Although he didn't know what Sanazi was up to, Qingdeng didn't want to talk about this sensitive topic anymore.

"Well, Miss Sanako, let's stop talking about this and talk about something more interesting."

While talking, Qingdeng used his brains to think about new topics.

For some reason, he suddenly recalled what he had just talked with the chief executive.

As long as you can get away from the topic of "the chief executive is a girl", it doesn't matter what you talk about—— Qingdeng with such a mentality asked casually:

"Miss Sanako, do you have any thoughts about your future?"

As soon as Qingdeng finished speaking, Zuo Nazi misunderstood the meaning again.

—— Mr. Ju really doesn't want people to know that he is a member of the Tao...

Sanako nodded solemnly.

For Qingdeng's feeling of "not wanting to talk more about her secrets with others", Zuo Nazi understood very well, so she readily accepted Qingdeng's words.

"The future..."

Sanako raised his gaze to the distant sky, as if thinking.

After a while, she said slowly:

"If possible, I would like to stay in Xiaoqianye Sword Academy, devote myself to the study of swordsmanship and naginata, and devote my whole life to martial arts."

Speaking of this, Sanako paused.

When she spoke again, her words suddenly changed:

"But...my wish should be hard to come true."

"Father's 'judgment' is correct, my martial arts realm has come to an end."

"I have... no chance to study martial arts."

"So, I will probably become a doctor in the future, open a small medical clinic, and live by practicing medicine."

After finishing speaking, Sanako raised the corners of her mouth, showing a calm smile, and the dimples flickered on her cheeks.

beautiful smile.

Anyone can find a charming smile.

However, Qingdeng, who is so close to this smiling face, only feels stiff and rigid, like a puppet manipulated by silk threads.

This is the smile of "the most beautiful woman in Edo".

But it wasn't the smile of Chiba Sanako that Qingdeng was familiar with.

At this moment, Qingdeng really wanted to say "Miss Zuanazi, don't listen to your father", "Your martial arts realm is far from the end" and other such "white lies" to comfort Zuanazi.

However, after thinking about it for a while, Qingdeng let out a new thought.

Sanako is not a fool, such unfounded words are not only difficult to have any effect, but may even have a counterproductive effect.

A few months ago, the scenes of visiting the fireworks display with Sanazi flashed before Qingdeng's eyes one by one like a slideshow.

At that time, Sanako ran away from home for a short time because he accidentally heard Chiba Sadakichi's cruel comment that "Sanako has no talent" and felt unacceptable for a while, and was "picked up" by Qingdeng...

Although the facts are cruel, Qingdeng has to admit: Chiba Singkichi's judgment is correct...

It is true that Sanako has an outstanding talent for swordsmanship.

In terms of swordsmanship talent alone, Qingdeng feels that in the Chiba family, which is famous all over the country, there are only two monsters, that is, "the strongest swordsman in Edo" Eijiro Chiba, and "the second head of the Hokuto Issou-ryu family" Chiba Michizaburo can stabilize Sanako.

However, in the world of martial arts, although "skills" are very important, "physical fitness" is even more important!

Sanako is far stronger and more agile than the average woman...but that's about it.

Without the support of a strong body, it is difficult to further improve skills and enhance strength.

Can't move any faster...

Couldn't swing the knife any stronger...

Couldn't have reacted any quicker...

Can't practice more advanced skills...

In contrast, the chief commander who is also a female swordsman...she is the "girl favored by the gods".

The chief commander not only possesses outstanding swordsmanship talent, but also has a body with amazing explosive power.

With a random jump without a run-up, she can jump a height of more than 1.5 meters.

For a distance of 100 meters, she can easily run within 8 seconds by raising her legs.

You know, Qingdeng's previous world records for standing vertical jump and 100-meter sprint were only 1.65 meters and 9.59 seconds.

It can only be said that he is worthy of being a resident of the world of low martial arts.

In short, physical defects limit the development of Sanako.

Sanako's current strength has reached the limit that her body can bear.

For a long period of time in the future, her martial arts strength will remain unchanged, and then continue to decline with the aging of her body and the decline of her spirit...

Just as Qingdeng was trying to think of words that could be used to comfort Sanako, urgent footsteps suddenly came from afar.

Along with the sound of footsteps came a very familiar neutral voice:

"Tachibana-kun! Miss Sanako!"

Crashing—the bushes on the opposite side of the hot spring were pushed away, and a slender ponytail swaying and swaying broke into Qingdeng's vision.

"Oh, Okita-kun, are you back? How are you doing? Did you catch that butterfly?"

"No, that butterfly flies so fast, I can't catch up at all... Ah, no! Now is not the time to talk about this! Mr. Tangerine, Miss Sanako, put on your shoes and socks and follow me!"

The chief executive's voice carried a strong sense of tension.

Realizing that the chief executive was not joking, Qingdeng immediately put away the smile on his face, and then put away his legs soaked in the hot spring involuntarily.

Almost at the same time Qingdeng got up, Sanako also stepped out of the spring water.

The surface of the pool is rippling.

The sight of the straight and slender legs leaving the hot spring is really like a hibiscus emerging from the water.

The heat of the hot springs painted Sanako's skin with a hazy rosy glow.

The already rosy jade feet are more healthy and full of luster, and they look very attractive, making people want to hold them lightly.

However, Qingdeng has no time to appreciate such a beautiful scenery.

He stepped up to put on his shoes and socks, and at the same time asked the general manager:

"Okita-kun, what happened?"

"Didn't I catch butterflies just now! While chasing butterflies, I unconsciously broke into a certain dense forest, and then, then..."

Out of emotion, the Chief Secretary's tongue was tied.

After "then" for a long time, she finally took up the conversation:

"Then I found a simple thatched cottage in the depths of the dense forest!"

Thatched cottage - the moment Qing Deng heard this word, his expression was full of solemnity.

...

...

Under the leadership of the general manager, Qingdeng and Zuo Nazi traveled all the way.

Climb through the woods, cross the river, climb up the boulder...

After galloping for nearly 2 kilometers, Qingdeng couldn't help complaining:

"Okita-kun, how far did you run to chase that butterfly?"

"It's almost there! It's almost there!"

The chief executive shouted loudly without looking back.

She wasn't lying either.

After a while, she led Qingdeng and Zuo Nazi into a dark forest.

Because the orientation is facing south, the lighting in this forest is extremely poor, and the ground is covered with mushrooms, moss and other vegetation that likes darkness and humidity.

The lack of sunlight makes the temperature in this forest very different from the outside world.

Around Qingdeng and the others, there was a chilly air that made people shiver.

Moss, mushrooms, grass—other than that, nothing.

A lonely bird flew low over the heads of Qingdeng and the others, flapping its wings monotonously.

The director general pointed forward:

"It's there! Go a little further and you'll see that thatched cottage!"

Soon, a thatched hut with a simple structure appeared right in front of Qingdeng and the others.

Qingdeng looked around, and saw that the overall terrain of Mt. Jigeng was relatively low, so it was easy to miss it if one didn't look carefully—this forest was just on the top of Mt. Jigeng!

The hut, the top of the mountain... The appearance and location of this thatched house completely fit Ugaki Goro's description of Takayuki Tachibana's "secret stronghold".

"Tachibana-kun! Miss Sanako! Look! That's the house!"

After all, the director-general quickened his pace.

Qingdeng and Zuo Nazi followed closely.

However, at this moment, Qing Deng suddenly stopped his feet and let out a loud shout:

"Wait a moment!"

Although the chief executive and Sanako didn't understand why, they still followed suit.

"Mr. Orange, what's the matter?"

Sanako asked.

Qingdeng didn't answer Sanazi's question immediately, but squatted down slowly, staring at the ground in front of his toes.

The chief executive and Sanazi bent down and followed Qingdeng's line of sight—for a moment, their eyes widened in surprise.

Qingdeng has been receiving extremely strict ninja training since he joined the New Royal Court Ban.

Under the long-term special training, he has unknowingly developed many habits unique to espionage personnel.

For example: when entering an unfamiliar area, they will subconsciously observe the surrounding environment.

The reason why Qingdeng suddenly stopped and squatted down was because he found strange marks on the ground.

A rectangular parallelepiped with slightly curved edges... Although it is very shallow, it is undoubtedly the imprint of straw sandals!

And it's still a very "fresh" shoe print!

I saw this string of "fresh" shoe prints that looked like they were left today, straightly connecting to the thatched cottage in front.

Qingdeng and the others looked up at the same time with a tacit understanding, looking at each other.

Although there was no verbal communication, all three of them had serious expressions on their faces.

bass!

Qingdeng pulls out the Echizen residence from his waist, and often lands both guards.

The general manager also drew his sword in his hand.

Sanako took off the naginata on her back, untied the black cloth on the sword body, and revealed the shiny blade.

The three of them formed the Chinese character "Pin" with Qingdeng at the head and the second daughter behind. While paying attention to the movement around them, they slowly approached the thatched cottage.

As the distance kept getting closer, Qingdeng gradually saw the details of the thatched cottage.

The eaves and walls are all mottled. There is a thick layer of dust all around.

According to the situation, this thatched cottage has been abandoned for a long time.

There are no windows, so you can't see what's going on inside the house.

The three of them circled the thatched cottage for half a circle and found the door.

Sanako consciously took two quick steps to the left of the door.

The chief executive stood on the right side of the door.

The second daughter nodded to Qingdeng.

Qing Deng replied with "I understand".

In the next breath, Sanako and the chief executive pushed open the door.

The moment Qingdeng was about to rush into the room, a black shadow passed through the open door and rushed out from the room!

"stop!"

With a roar, Qingdeng rushed towards the shadow.

The speed of Sombra's legs and feet is nothing short of unpleasant

But compared to Qingdeng, it is still far behind.

Hei Ying only took two steps before being overtaken by Qing Deng.

"Don't move!"

Qingdeng pushed the black shadow to the ground and controlled his arms.

"Damn! Let me go! Let me go!"

Black Shadow was yelling curses while struggling violently, like a fish caught in a fishing net.

"Tsk...be quiet!"

Qingdeng snorted coldly, then punched Heiying in the stomach with moderate force.

"Puff!"

The black shadow who was hit hard suddenly made a sound like a balloon deflated, and curled up into a ball.

Qing Deng took this opportunity to grab Hei Ying's shoulders and lift him up from the ground.

"Who are you? Why..."

Qingdeng's voice stopped abruptly.

While interrupting the questioning, Qing Deng showed a shocked expression, even his eyes widened uncontrollably.

All these changes...just because Qingdeng saw the other party's face clearly.

"Who are you……?!"

What caught Qingdeng's eyes was a very strange face.

Plain eyes, plain nose, plain ears...

Just looking at the upper part, it's just a common face with no characteristics.

But the second half...is quite scary.

Below the lips hangs an extremely fat chin.

The wide and fat jaw looked as if it had been stung by hundreds of bees.

According to Qingdeng's personal estimation, he felt that this person's chin was nearly twice as big as the upper half of his face.

Such a disparity in proportion makes the whole face look like a melon with a narrow top and a wide bottom.

Qing registered this face.

He had seen the face...not so long ago, on top of the portrait.

That was a memory that was still vividly attached to the inside of Qingdeng's brain - when they were going to visit Ugaki Goro, they met a group of younger brothers from the Shimizu clan who were looking for people everywhere.

At that time, they held the portrait and asked everyone they met, "Have you seen the person in the portrait?"

That portrait... what is painted on it is exactly this wrinkled face...

*****

*****

Regarding the first appearance of this "wolf-faced face", those who don't remember can review Chapter 224 "Going to the meeting alone! Meet the "Mad Dog Family"! "

Today's chapter has a full 6000 words! The long-lost word count is still a passable chapter!

Seeing that this chapter not only has a lot of words, but also has enough plot, please be sure to vote monthly for this book!

Ask for a monthly ticket! Ask for a recommendation ticket! (Crying Leopard Leopard Head.jpg)

In the last chapter, the author mentioned that "as long as the credit is high enough, there is every chance to soar into the sky and become a land-owning vassal name, and then start a farming life" - witty book friends must have realized What is it?

The story of Nioh is terrifyingly long...