I formed the strongest swordsman group

Edo, Mount Atago——

There was a heavy snowfall at noon. Although it stopped after only an hour, the remaining white snow still covered the entire Atago Mountain.

The ridgeline of the mountain was originally like a smooth-edged samurai sword, extending from the top of the mountain to the foot of the mountain. However, because the outline of the mountain was blurred by the snow, the shape of the mountain looked a little softer.

On the once gray and dark sky, the thick lead-colored clouds have dispersed, and in the gradually splitting and expanding gaps, the pleasant light blue is once again revealed.

It’s the end of January, and we’re still far away from the spring when everything revives.

Looking up, there is almost no other color on Mount Atago, only the "white" of snow, the "gold" of sunshine, and the "brown" of dead trees.

As the highest mountain in Edo City, the top of Mount Atago is connected to the blue sky. The soft light golden sunlight shines on the white snow, reflecting the silvery flash. The "gold" and "silver" complement each other, which is extremely magnificent.

Because of its beautiful scenery, location in Edo City and convenient transportation, Mount Atago has always been a well-known scenic spot and snow viewing resort in Edo, and is very popular among the people.

Every winter, thousands of tourists come to enjoy the snow scenery.

The name "Atago" comes from Atago Shrine.

Atago Shrine enshrines the god of fire protection and enjoys high popularity and fame. There are more than 900 Atago shrines in Japan.

In the eighth year of Keicho (1603), Tokugawa Ieyasu, who was granted the title of Great General to conquer barbarians and established the Edo shogunate, ordered the construction of a Patriarchal Shrine on the highest peak of Edo in order to protect the shogunate's ruling center from fires and natural disasters. Bless.

From then on, the highest mountain in Edo was named "Atago Mountain".

Coincidentally, there is Mount Atago in Kyoto as far away as Kinai.

Mount Atago in Kyoto is much more famous than Mount Atago in Edo.

It is also the tallest mountain in Kyoto. At the same time, the Atago Shrine built on the top of the mountain is the headquarter of all Atago shrines in Japan, namely "Yuan Atago".

Because it is said that the God of Fire has the magical power of "lighting fire", in addition to preventing fire and disasters, it can also bless love and wealth, make love more passionate and business more prosperous.

For this reason, even in the snow-free season, many businessmen and young lovers climb Mount Atago in Edo, visit the shrine on the top of the mountain, and sincerely pray for the blessing of the god of fire.

There are a lot of tourists coming and going from Atago Mountain - this is not a strange thing.

However... today's situation is completely different from the past.

I can see that Mount Atago today is extremely lively, and its prosperity is unprecedented.

From the top of the mountain to the mountainside, from the mountainside to the foot of the mountain, there are crowds of people everywhere and constant noise.

Viewed from the air, this bustling crowd looks like a colony of ants out to hunt for prey.

From time to time, you can hear the chirping of birds in the trees.

Among the crowds, there were those on foot, some riding sedan chairs; some wearing commoners, some covered in finery; some covered in mud, some with double swords on their waists...

Although they have different ages and identities, there is one thing that everyone has in common - everyone is heading in the same direction... towards the top of the mountain!

The road to the top of the mountain is covered with snow, making it difficult to walk in some places, and slipping is common.

But even so, everyone still took big strides regardless of the cost, moving forward slowly and in a bustling but orderly manner.

The decisive battle between "Nioh" Tachibana Aoden and "Geki no Chiba" Eijiro Chiba on Mount Atago... No need for extra introduction, this sentence alone is enough to attract thousands of people to come and watch the battle!

Those smart businessmen set up stalls on the edge of the mountain road, selling snacks, water and other foods, or crutches, snow boots and other products that are helpful for mountaineering, and made a lot of money.

With an altitude of 25.7 meters, Mount Atago is the highest naturally formed peak in Edo City.

The elevation of most areas in Edo does not exceed 5 meters.

Therefore, as long as you stand on Mount Atago, you can overlook the entire Edo.

Qingden, who had arrived at the top of the mountain early and was quietly waiting for his opponent to arrive, faced the distant street scene. He took off the Vairocana sword and sheath from his waist. He leaned on the ground at the bottom of the sheath and folded his hands on the handle of the sword. His lips were pursed tightly and his expression was solemn.

I saw that he was dressed very formally today, his hair was neatly combed, and his bun was pinned directly above his head. The burgundy feather hem and black scarf were fluttering in the wind, along with the embroidered embroidered scarf. The family crest on Haori's back, sleeves, and both sides of the chest: "gentian leaves."

Behind him stood a group of his relatives and friends.

Souji, Mai Kinoshita, Boss Kiryu, everyone at the Trial Guard Hall headed by Isamu Kondo and Toshizo Hijikata...

Except for Katsurin Taro who is busy with work, Elodie and Tianzhangin who are inconvenient to go out, everyone who is close to Qingto is basically here.

Today's battle is a battle to decide whose title of "Edo's Strongest" will fall. How can you not come and witness it with your own eyes?

Even Boss Kiryu temporarily put aside his affairs at Chishiya and came to see the grand occasion.

Time passes bit by bit.

It's getting closer and closer to the agreed duel time (2pm).

At the same time, more and more people successfully reached the summit.

The duel location is located at the southeast corner of the top of the mountain, not far from Atago Shrine. Looking over from here, you can see the quaint temple.

The crowds who came to watch the match consciously stood aside, as if an invisible rope was pulled out from the center of the field, freeing up a large open space.

To the east of the open space is Qingdeng's "rest area".

The west side of the clearing, where Chiba Eijiro should be standing, is still empty.

Because Qingdeng was standing on a higher ground, most people present could see him.

Looking at his upright posture holding a knife in both hands and looking into the distance, which is like the best interpretation of the phrase "standing like a pine tree", many people felt respect and sincerely sighed:

"As expected of Nioh, the invincible opponent in Edo! He looks like a master!"

"As a bystander, I feel nervous, but he can be so calm."

"So what is Nioh looking at? What's so interesting about the scenery in that direction? It's just low-rise shabby houses."

"Hey, hey, you don't understand, right? Niou is 'gathering energy'!"

"'Gathering Qi'?"

"To put it simply, I am holding my breath and concentrating to increase my concentration! Prepare for the next battle!"

"Oh! I see... It turns out Nioh is doing such a serious thing! I blamed him wrongly!"

…

Although they lowered their voices, and their already thin voices were even more difficult to distinguish after being mixed into the noisy environment, but with the blessing of the talent "Wind Perception +1", Qingden heard these emotions clearly and distinctly. Admire.

On the surface, he still looked calm and composed.

But in fact, in his heart...

——Very good, this "standing with sword" posture is indeed correct!

The urge to "want to curl up the corners of my mouth" ran up Qingdeng's cheeks like an electric current.

He quickly activated the "Emperor's Technique" and tightened his facial expression tightly to keep himself serious and solemn.

Qingdeng is not someone who likes to show off or be in the limelight.

If it were an ordinary battle, he wouldn't have made so many twists and turns.

But... wouldn't it be a pity if this duel, which was destined to be witnessed by thousands of people and recorded in history, was not made grand?

If given a choice, Qingdeng would certainly hope that he would be shown as handsome and full of character in future history books.

Ever since he made up his mind to "marry Sanako, Kinoshita Mai, and Souji as his head wives," Aoden has paid more and more attention to his appearance and reputation.

In this way, he made up his mind - regardless of the outcome of the duel with Eijiro Chiba, his personal image must overwhelm the opponent!

Therefore, before setting off, he specially put on a handsome outfit that had been prepared in advance, and asked the old butler of the trial gym... Genzaburo Inoue, who was good at combing people's hair and braiding buns, to take care of his hair.

After arriving at the venue, he chose this place with a wide view overlooking Edo. He stood still, holding a knife, and posed "as if he was staring at the distant world" and "as if he was thinking about the changes of the times and the universe." The profound appearance of "survival and death" until now.

Generally speaking, judging from the current situation, Qingdeng's pretentiousness... correction, it is "image management" - Qingdeng's image management is still very successful.

His masterful left-wing approach has successfully frightened many people.

There are indeed many people who think that Qingdeng is "gathering energy", concentrating and preparing for the next war - if they were to know the truth, they would be shocked and lose their fans.

Qingdeng didn't think or do anything, let alone "gather his energy".

If he had to say it, all he could think about was "This posture is really cool", "My hands are so cold", "Isn't Eijiro Chiba here yet? My legs are already a little sore" and many other things related to the upcoming duel. A jumble of unrelated thoughts.

Just when Aoto was feeling proud of his scheming, a pleasant fragrance suddenly came from behind him and Harada Sanosuke's unclear voice said:

"Mr. Tachibana! Do you want to eat grilled squid? It's delicious!"

Harada Sanosuke swaggered towards Aomori. He bought grilled squid from an unknown vendor. He held a few squid in his hand and stuffed a few in his mouth. A dozen squid tentacles were squeezed out of his mouth, following his teeth. The bite moves and sways up and down.

After Qingdeng heard this, he couldn't help but raise his eyebrows.

Although Harada Sanosuke's kindness made him very happy, but...

——If I gnaw on the grilled squid, wouldn’t the sophisticated image that I managed to build up be completely ruined?

Aoto blinked, thinking about what kind of appropriate words to use to reject Harada Sanosuke's kindness.

At this time, Souji, who was standing next to Aoto, raised his little head, looked at Aoto's face, and then looked at the grilled squid in Harada Sano's assistant.

For a moment, she had a look of realization on her face.

"Harada-kun, the battle is about to begin. Tachibana-kun is concentrating. It's better not to disturb him yet. Save one of the grilled squid for me."

After saying that, the general manager moved half a step to the side and stood behind Qingdeng.

The general manager, who was always smiling, now showed a very rare and solemn face.

Not only did his expression become serious, but even his tone of voice became serious.

Harada Sanosuke was stunned on the spot when he saw this:

"Okita-kun, why are you so pretentious in your speech?"

Although he didn't understand why, he still walked away obediently while nibbling on the grilled squid.

After watching Harada Sanosuke leave, Souji bent slightly, with his waist and knees bent into a certain arc. His whole figure looked like a spring that could jump up at any time.

At the same time, she placed her right hand lightly on the saber at her waist, and her eyes scanned everywhere in her sight like arrows.

This posture seemed to be acting as Qingdeng's bodyguard, guarding the surroundings for him.

Qingden looked behind him from the corner of his eye.

He saw through the DG's intentions right away.

After discovering that Souji acted with him very politely, he couldn't help but smile in his heart.

——Xiao Si is indeed my little cotton-padded jacket!

A warrior who stands with a sword and looks at the sky; a bodyguard who does his duty... Thanks to the addition of Souji, Aomori's prowess has reached a new level!

At this time, Toshizo Hijikata, who was standing not far away and had a clear view of what Aoto and Souji were doing, suddenly frowned, turned his head and asked Isamu Kondo next to him:

"What the hell are these two idiots doing?"

Isamu Kondo smiled bitterly:

"Let them be."

…

…

After nearly 10 minutes passed, Qingden finally arrived at his opponent's dojo.

"Tangerine-kun."

The Souji, who was completely entranced by the drama, put on a deep tone and said seriously:

"People from the Chiba family are here!"

Qingdeng nodded gently without saying a word, and then turned around slowly.

When his eyes turned to the back, he immediately froze on the spot.

Chiba Sadayoshi, Chiba Michisaburo, Chiba Tamonshiro, Chiba Jutaro, Chiba Sanako... All members of the Chiba family formed a flying goose formation, separated the crowd, and strode into the duel venue.

The person walking in the middle of this pile of Chiba is naturally Aonto's challenger today - Chiba Eijiro.

I don’t know if it’s a coincidence or if the other party did it on purpose... I saw that Eijiro Chiba’s appearance was also extraordinary!

He happened to be wearing a light blue haori that was the exact opposite color to Aoden's haori.

Clothes made of Sendai plain fabric, neat and well-groomed hair, and an aura full of oppression...

The back of the haori, both sleeves and both sides of the chest are embroidered with the Chiba family's crest - the star and moon pattern - a slender crescent moon with a round star sandwiched between the two tips. . Full of style family pattern.

When Qingdeng saw this, he couldn't help but feel happy:

——Fortunately, I am also dressed handsomely today...

Thinking of this, he subconsciously lowered his gaze and glanced at the haori hakama on his body.

If the opponent is dressed handsomely and formally, but your side is dressed casually, then your side's momentum will be weakened before the battle begins!

"Eijiro-kun!"

Qingdeng took the initiative and said loudly with a soft smile on his face:

"I waited for you a long time!"

"Sorry to keep you waiting."

"Are you ready?"

Chiba Eijiro smiled slightly.

"Even if there is no sound of war drums or formation bells, I should still be immersed in the situation and stand up for the battle!"

Qingden was stunned.

——Damn, what a cool line!

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Qingdeng likes to show off his coolness in strange places - this was already covered implicitly in the previous article.

When he was learning "Liu Guang", after discovering that Kiryu's boss's "Hanging Dao Han" and "Backhand Dao" techniques were very cool, Aoden secretly learned them on the spot, and he has been using them to this day.

As for Eijiro Chiba also likes to be cool in strange places, there is also relevant foreshadowing in the previous article.