I formed the strongest swordsman group

Chapter 866 “Transparent Realm” and “Unity of Heaven and Man”【·End】

The middle-aged man...that is, Goro Komu, smiled slightly:

"You're welcome. To me, it's just a piece of cake."

Boss Kiryu turned his head and cast a "see-through" look at Goro Komaki.

"Ogata-kun, if I guessed correctly, my lord must have said something to you, right?"

There was no trace of confusion in his tone, only solid conviction.

Komaki Goro did not deny it. He shrugged and frankly admitted:

"Not long ago, Xiaolin suddenly came to me and asked me to help you."

"You also know Xiaolin's character."

"She has always been arrogant and rarely lowers her attitude to ask for help."

"Anyway, she and I can be considered senior sisters and brothers."

"Since Senior Sister has said this, if I don't nod in agreement, let alone anything else, just the reproachful look in A-Machi's eyes will make me so uncomfortable that I can't eat."

Boss Kiryu sighed silently, with a guilty look on his face:

"First my lord, then Mr. Tachibana, and finally you...I've really caused a lot of trouble for a lot of people this time..."

Goro Komu smiled freely:

"Mamiya, we have been friends for more than seventy years, so don't talk like mother-in-law."

"If you really want to say 'causing trouble', A-Machi and I don't know how much trouble we have caused you."

His words made the look of guilt on the other party's face lighten a lot.

After taking a deep breath and sorting out his emotions, Boss Kiryu changed the topic:

"Ogata-kun, I'm really curious, how did you find me and Tachibana-kun?"

"It's not surprising that Tachibana-kun found Katsumi and me."

"After all, he was fighting with the Changzhou Army near Lanshan."

"As for you, I really can't imagine how you found me and Jun Tachibana accurately and promptly in the vast mountains and forests."

Facing Boss Kiryu's inquiry, Goro Komaki chuckled a few times, then changed into a meaningful tone:

"It's nothing, the wind told me."

As he spoke, he raised his gaze and looked at the invisible mountain wind above his head.

"By the way, just now, the 'wind' told me: It's going to rain soon, and we'd better go home early."

If other people heard what Goro Komaki said, they would probably think that this person is a lunatic, talking about these crazy words so early in the morning.

However, Boss Kiryu did not cast a "caring for the mentally retarded" look at the other party, but laughed a few times with no surprise:

"'Unity of man and nature' is really a puzzling state..."

Komu Goro smiled and then continued:

"I was already near you before Tachibana-kun arrived."

"I know you don't want outsiders to interrupt your duel with Keji, so I lurked on a tree trunk not far away and waited quietly."

"When Katsumi raised his knife and was about to cut off your arm, I was ready for battle, thinking about whether to kill Katsumi directly or leave him half alive."

"At that moment, I suddenly sensed Mr. Tachibana's aura."

"Because Mr. Orange has arrived, I gave him the honor of being a 'hero who saves the elderly'."

Speaking of this, Goro Komaki paused for a moment.

After a moment, he changed into an admiring tone:

"The battle between Tachibana Aoden and Katsumi... was really exciting."

"The collision of 'selfless realm' and 'selfless realm'... Such a scene is really rare."

"Understanding the 'state of selflessness' in battle... Tachibana-kun and Katsumi are both unparalleled geniuses."

"What a pity that Keji has gone astray."

"Otherwise, he might as well try to attack the highest realm."

After Boss Kiryu heard this, a look of regret flashed in his eyes.

But at the same time, after hearing the other party praising Qingdeng as a genius, he couldn't help but look happy and proud.

Suddenly, as if he remembered something, he frowned slightly and hesitated.

After a moment, he said with determination:

"Ogata-kun, speaking of Tachibana-kun... I have a heartfelt request."

Goro Komaki waved his hand generously:

"Mamiya, don't be awkward, just say what you want."

Now that the other party has said so, Boss Kiryu is no longer polite.

He took a deep breath, and then said seriously, word for word:

"Ogata-kun, can you give Tachibana-kun a lesson?"

Suddenly, a surprised look fell on Boss Kiryu.

"'Guide Jujun one or two'? Why, could it be that Junju has encountered some martial arts problem that even you can't solve?"

Boss Kiryu smiled bitterly:

"Yes, that's exactly it."

After sighing, he sorted out his words and said slowly:

"In fact, just a few days ago, Mr. Tachibana came to me and shared with me a wonderful experience that he had experienced not long ago."

"On the first day of the Summer Battle in Kyoto, when he was attacking the remnants of Changshu's army retreating to Tianwang Mountain, he suddenly entered a very strange state..."

Boss Kiryu said eloquently.

Goro Komaki listened quietly.

The "transparent world" that day, the divine help that day, the demonic confusion that day, always concern Qingdeng's heart.

After the war was over and he had spared time and energy, he immediately began to delve into the matter.

The only person around him who has the highest level of martial arts attainment and can possibly solve his doubts is Boss Kiryu.

So, he took time out and took the opportunity to visit Kiryu's boss to recount everything he experienced that day in an attempt to get some guidance.

After Boss Kiryu finished speaking, Goro Komaki asked directly:

"...So, did you say anything to him?"

Boss Kiryu shook his head with a bitter look on his face:

"What else can I say other than 'I have no idea'?"

"'Transparent World'... This is beyond what I can answer... No, this is beyond what I can understand."

"Although I have never set foot in this field, but... this is the 'transparent realm', right?"

Komugoro nodded gently:

"Since Mr. Ju feels that the world in front of him has become transparent, and at the same time he feels a steady stream of power emerging from his body, and he becomes intoxicated without paying attention... then there is no doubt that this is the 'transparent realm'."

"Only the 'Transparent Realm' can behave like this."

At the end of his words, he changed into a confident tone.

"To experience 'transparency' for the first time at such an age... This is really beyond my expectation."

"Back then, I also suddenly entered the 'transparent realm' during a fierce battle."

"However, I didn't indulge in it at the time and quickly came to my senses."

As he spoke, he lowered his eyelids and his facial expression became solemn.

Then, he lowered his head and looked at his charred right hand, his eyes shining with thought.

At this time, Boss Kiryu sighed:

"I have been practicing swordsmanship all my life, but now I have buried my eyebrows, but I have never been able to get a glimpse of the mystery of the 'transparent realm'."

"As for the 'unity of man and nature' after fully comprehending the 'transparent realm', I can't even imagine it."

"Therefore, I dare not say more to Mr. Ju for fear of misleading others."

"Now Mr. Tachibana has grown into a great swordsman that even I can only hold back."

"I can't teach him anything more."

"The only person who can give him guidance now is you."

"Ogata-kun, can you do me this favor?"

"You just have to give him as much guidance as you can."

After saying that, he cast a sincere look at Goro Komaki.

Facing Boss Kiryu's warm eyes, Komaki Goro did not agree boldly, but showed an expression full of emotion:

"...Mamiya, your request is too embarrassing for me."

"As you can see, I have become a recluse."

"If I were born casually, wouldn't it violate my principle of not caring about worldly affairs?"

"I'm prepared to live the rest of my life peacefully with O-machi."

When Boss Kiryu heard this, he couldn't help but smile helplessly:

"Ogata-kun, the rest of your life is still very long, right?"

"But... you're right."

"You have fought all your life, fought all over the world, and finally lived a peaceful life."

"Even today, there are still young people who covet your 'power'."

"It's my fault for bothering you."

"I'm sorry, I was abrupt. I thought I didn't say what I just said..."

Before Boss Kiryu finished speaking, he was interrupted by Goro Komaki:

"Mamiya, you misunderstood."

"Although your request is really embarrassing for me, did you hear my refusal?"

"Mr. Orange's talent is so high that it's astonishing."

"Such a genius is really rare to see in a hundred years."

"To be honest, if possible, I would also like to train Mr. Tachibana, and then see with my own eyes how far he can grow in the future."

Boss Kiryu was stunned for a moment, then showed a look of surprise.

However, before he was pleasantly surprised for a long time, he was poured cold water on him:

"It's just that I really can't give you any advice, Mr. Tachibana."

"Mamiya, 'transparency' and 'selflessness' are two completely different realms."

"You can also try to give some advice on the latter."

"But the former is powerless."

"The 'transparent realm'... and the 'unity of heaven and man' after thoroughly understanding the 'transparent realm' are both truly 'can only be understood, not expressed in words'."

"You can't achieve anything by just talking with your mouth or demonstrating with actions."

"The more I talk and do, the easier it is for Qingden to lose his way."

"So, there's really nothing else we can do but wait and see."

"You have to let Mr. Tachibana walk the rest of the way."

"Work hard to feel, work hard to understand, and rack your brains to understand."

“Only in this way can we truly control ‘transparency’ and then control the ‘unity of man and nature’.”

"I'll try to help him in the meantime."

"When the time comes, I will help him break through in my own way."

When he came to the words "in his own way", Komaki Goro emphasized his tone and put on a strange and meaningful expression.

Boss Kiryu seemed to understand the implication of the other party's words. He laughed at first, and then solemnly thanked:

"Ogata-kun, with your words, I feel relieved."

Suddenly, a look of reminiscence appeared on Boss Kiryu's cheeks, the lines on his face relaxed, and his expression became clear.

"If you think about it... time flies so fast."

"My acquaintance with Mr. Tachibana was already 4 years ago."

"Four years ago, he was just a little-known little Tongxin with mediocre swordsmanship."

"In just four years, he has become the first person in the Shogunate Army and the top swordsman to enter the realm of 'transparency'."

“The back views of my juniors always make me dazzled and I can’t help but look away.”

After hearing this, Goro Komu immediately laughed and patted his shoulder.

"Mamiya, don't say such depressing words."

"Don't let age be a shackle for you."

"That day, when you stood behind Mr. Tachibana, holding a sword with him, and assuming a flowing posture, for a moment, I saw the 'Liuguang Hachiman' coming to the world again."

"Ninety-something is the right age to start a career."

"He's almost dead anyway, just one more day to cause trouble."

“If you gain something, you’ve earned it.”

“If you get nothing, it’s not a loss.”

Listening to Goro Komaki's "advice", Boss Kiryu smiled noncommittally.

"Okay, let's go."

"'Wind' really didn't lie to you, I have already seen the dark clouds."

"Go home quickly before it rains."

Boss Kiryu said as he turned back.

Goro Komaki raised his heels and they walked side by side.

"This is a rare opportunity, Mamiya, come to my house to eat wagashi. Atachi has not seen you for a long time. She will definitely be very happy if you can come to my house as a guest."

"Yeah, that's fine."

The two gradually walked away and entered the winding mountain road.

…

…

Changzhou, Fangzhou (Zhou Fangguo), a certain winding mountain -

Chirp—! Chirp—! Chirp—!

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

The intermittent chirping of birds makes the forest even more peaceful.

Although the scenery in the mountains is still shrouded in lush green, it does have a sense of seasonal change.

Shuten Doji took the lead, Takasugi Shinsaku was in the middle, and Katsura Kogoro was behind. The three of them lined up in a single file and walked straight into the depths of the mountain.

Under the escort of the team of surprise soldiers, the remnant army led by Katsura Kogoro Shuai Ling finally returned to Changzhou without any danger.

Regardless of their grief, Takasugi Shinsaku and Katsura Kogoro quickly devoted themselves to work.

The first thing they have to do is to meet Yamata no Orochi!

Shuten Doji didn't keep them waiting.

In just two days, he brought a sure message to the two of them: Come with me! I'll take you to see Lord Orochi!

In this way, a group of three people came to this unknown mountain not far from Hagi Castle [the feudal capital of Choshu].

While walking under the green trees along the road, Katsura Kogoro turned his head and looked behind him. Thanks to the good weather and the excellent view, he could see the majestic Hagi Castle in the distance.

Then, he looked up at the sky. Thick branches obscured his view.

From the gaps, one can glimpse the clear blue sky and the bright sun that is reaching its highest point.

"Hey! Shuten-douji! How long do we have to go?"

Takasugi Shinsaku wiped his sweat and continued to shout angrily:

"It's just a meeting, is it necessary to make it so tiring?"

Shuten Doji stopped and turned around with a faint smile:

"'Mystery' is one of the biggest features of our FaZun Party."

“In order to implement this feature, we have always spared no effort.”

"We're almost there, just hold on a little longer."

After that, he continued to move forward without any explanation.

Takasugi Shinsaku and Katsura Kogoro looked at each other and followed silently.

Climbing up hills, jumping down steep slopes, pushing through bushes... After trekking for an unknown amount of time, suddenly, the sound of gurgling water came from afar.

After a while, a clear mountain stream appeared in front of the three people.

This creek is very clear, flowing "gurgling" to the foot of the mountain.

The Shuten boy looked at the stream and said:

"We're almost there. Go upstream along the stream and you'll find a waterfall. There is a cave behind the waterfall, and Lord Orochi is in the cave."

Takasugi Shinsaku smacked his lips:

"Tsk, we're finally here...huh? Who is it?"

His eyes widened suddenly and he turned his head to the right.

Almost at the same time, Katsura Kogoro raised his eyes and saw a young man and woman with their backs to them, sitting cross-legged by the stream not far away.

The girl was startled by Takasugi Shinsaku's shout.

She screamed "Wow!" and turned her head hastily, casting confused and frightened glances at Katsura Kogoro and the others.

In comparison, the young man was much calmer and remained seated, unmoved.

As the girl turned her head, Katsura Kogoro was able to see her face clearly.

She is around 20 years old, wearing an orange yukata. She has a petite figure, delicate features, and a beautiful face. She deserves the title of "beauty".

At first, the girl's pretty face was full of vigilance, but she relaxed after seeing Shuten Doji.

"What, it's Ah Jiu..."

Shuten Doji shrugged:

"A Ling, what are you afraid of? With your brother here, who has the ability to hurt you?"

Facing Shuten Doji's complaints, the girl called "A Suzu" made a playful face, then turned around and shouted to the boy next to her:

"Brother, Ah Jiu is back!"

Only then did the young man finally react and take action.

He slowly turned his head and looked at Katsura Kogoro and the others expressionlessly.

Katsura Kogoro took advantage of the situation to look at the other party.

23. At the age of 4 years old, he is dressed in martial arts attire. He is quite tall, fair-skinned, neither ugly nor handsome. He has a gorgeous ancient sword hanging on his waist and has no belt.

At first glance, he is just an ordinary person who can't be found after being thrown into the crowd.

However, somehow, this person gave Katsura Kogoro an indescribable strange feeling.

At this time, Shuten Douji's voice interrupted his thoughts:

"Mr. Takasugi, Mr. Katsura, let me introduce you."

Shuten Douji stood sideways so that the two sides could face each other.

"This is Otakemaru, the strongest fighter of our Law and Punishment Party."

"This is Otakemaru's sister Aling."

"Otakemaru, Aling, this is Takasugi Shinsaku, this is Katsura Kogoro."

As soon as Shuten Douji finished collecting the gifts, Aling stood up straight, bowed slightly, and said seriously:

"It's our first meeting, my little girl Aling! I have heard of your names for a long time, and it's a great honor to meet you today!"

Reasonable and restrained, neither humble nor arrogant, showing the demeanor of a great man.

Otakemaru: "..."

The young man... that is, Otakemaru, said nothing, just looked at the two expressionlessly.

In fact, Takasugi Shinsaku and Katsura Kogoro didn't hear the second half of Shuten-doji's words, nor did they hear Aling's self-introduction.

After hearing the name "Otakemaru", their minds were taken away.

At this moment, the two of them stared at the young man with wide eyes, looking at him in astonishment, and asked the same question in their hearts:

- He is Otakemaru? !

Katsura Kogoro couldn't control his shock.

He couldn't equate this young man who looked ordinary, had neither a strong physique nor awe-inspiring domineering, with the "highest combat power of the Law-Slaying Party".

Shuten-doji watched all this with a smile.

It's not hard to see that he had already guessed what the two would react to when they saw Otakemaru.

About 5 seconds later, they gradually recovered.

Shocked as they were, they still had to do their best.

Katsura Kogoro straightened his back and cleared his throat:

"Excuse me. I am a Choshu patriot, Katsura Kogoro."

Takasugi Shinsaku followed closely:

"To the Choshu patriot, Takasugi Shinsaku."

Otakemaru: "..."

Otakemaru still looked the same, expressionless and silent, looking like a puppet.

——Why is this man so rude? He didn't even say his name?

Just when Katsura Kogoro was secretly dissatisfied, Shuten-doji smiled and explained:

"Please forgive me, Otakemaru is not a person who doesn't know etiquette, he just can't hear."

He raised his hand and pointed to his ear.

"He was born deaf, so he can't hear anything and can't speak."

As soon as these words came out, the shock that had just subsided for a while dominated the expressions of the two again.

"He can't hear?!"

Katsura Kogoro asked in a state of disgrace.

Shuten-doji nodded:

"Yes, if you don't believe me, you can light a firecracker next to his ear, and he won't react at all."

"Only Lord Orochi and Aling can communicate with him through eye contact, facial expressions, and special gestures."

Katsura Kogoro opened his mouth and wanted to say something else.

But the extremely strong shock made his brain a mess, and he didn't know what to say for a while.

After a while, Takasugi Shinsaku took over the conversation:

"Can a deaf person become your highest combat power?"

Deaf-this title made Aling puff up her cheeks and look unhappy.

"Mr. Takasugi, this is absurd."

Shuten-doji laughed, and his tone became intriguing.

"It is precisely because he was born deaf and could not hear the sounds of the secular world since he was born that he can hear the 'sounds' that we cannot hear, and then step into the realm that we mortals cannot reach."

His words made the two of them feel like they were in a fog.

Katsura Kogoro exhausted his imagination, but he couldn't imagine how a deaf-mute could learn swordsmanship.

He couldn't imagine how he could become the strongest fighting force above Shuten Douji and Prajna.

Shuten Douji continued:

"We'll talk to you slowly about the details later when we have a chance."

"Let's go see Lord Orochi first."

"Don't keep him waiting."

At this point, he turned his head and looked at Otakemaru and Aling.

"By the way, Aling, why are you two brothers and sisters here?"

Aling sighed and said:

"Do you think I want to bask in the sun here? It's all because my brother suddenly said he wanted to go for a walk, so I had to accompany him."

Shuten Douji:

"Is that so... Then you guys continue, I'll take Mr. Takasugi and Mr. Katsura to see Lord Orochi first."

"Well, okay."

Shuten Douji led the two back on the road.

When they separated, Aling did not forget to cast a vicious look at Takasugi Shinsaku, who had just said the word "deaf".

In a short while, only the brother and sister were left.

Suddenly, Otakemaru raised his eyes and looked straight at the sky in the north.

Seeing this, Ah Ling immediately asked:

"Hmm? Brother, what's wrong?"

Otakemaru: "..."

"The 'wind' told you: 'It's going to rain soon'... Ah! Brother, wait for me!"

A Ling took two quick steps and hurriedly caught up with Otakemaru who was walking away on his own.

…

…

Walking upstream along the mountain stream, soon, the sound of the gurgling water of the waterfall came from the front, with bursts of roars from time to time.

"We're here."

Shuten Douji raised his chin towards the cave behind the waterfall.

"Lord Orochi is there."

The two heard the words and swallowed their saliva at the same time, with solemn expressions on their faces.

The leader of the Law-Slaying Party, Yamata no Orochi... I'm finally going to see him!

When they thought of this, their heartbeats quickened.

They had heard all kinds of rumors about this man a long time ago.

Some said he was a handsome man.

Some said he was a great swordsman with unparalleled swordsmanship.

Some said he was a sharpshooter who was good at using two revolvers.

There were so many rumors that it was dizzying, and I didn't know which one to believe.

Shuten-doji saw through the two's thoughts and smiled slightly:

"Don't be nervous, Lord Orochi is not a scary person, he is much kinder than you think. Don't stand there stupidly, follow me."

Shuten-doji walked towards the cave.

The two followed closely side by side.

The three of them passed through the water curtain and entered the cave... The cave was very cool and not very large.

"Xiaojiu, you are here..."

An old voice.

The speaker was an old woman in her sixties sitting on a stone.

Shuten-doji smiled:

"Ms. Tamamonomae, long time no see. Where is Lord Orochi?"

——Tamamonomae? !

Two shocked eyes immediately turned to the old woman.

After "Otakemaru is deaf", the truth that "Tamamonomae is an old woman" once again shocked the two to the point of being speechless.

The old woman... Tamamonomae ignored the two's gazes and said lightly:

"Orochi is behind. Orochi! Xiaoshu is back!"

At the same time as she finished shouting, footsteps came from the back of the cave.

Not caring about Tamamonomae, Takasugi Shinsaku and Katsura Kogoro both turned their eyes away and stared at the direction where the footsteps came from.

Who is Yamata no Orochi?

With this question in mind, the two dared not even blink their eyes.

After just a few breaths, the footsteps finally approached them——

Before the person arrives, the stomach arrives first.

A middle-aged man with a big belly and a fat body, holding the wall, took a shaky step and slowly appeared in front of everyone.

Shuten-doji said in a half-joking tone:

"Lord Orochi, is it my illusion? You seem to have gained some weight again."

"Hahahaha! It's not your illusion, I am indeed fat again! Alas, once people get older, it is easy to gain weight."

After the middle-aged man said this, he turned his head to look at Takasugi Shinsaku and Katsura Kogoro who were stunned in the same place:

"I guess you two are Mr. Takasugi and Mr. Katsura? Nice to meet you!"

"I am the leader of the Law-Slaying Party, Yamata-no-Orochi!"

...

...

Volume 4 "Running to Ikeda House" - End!

Volume 5 "The Land of Two Divided Worlds", please look forward to it!

The postscript of Volume 5 will probably be released tomorrow. This postscript is longer, so you must read it! (tearful leopard head.jpg)

PS: You can review Chapter 248 of Volume 2, where Otakemaru and Aling made their debut.