】
Qingdeng left suddenly and came back quickly.
In just a moment, he returned to the banquet hall and his seat with a normal expression.
Not long after Qingto came back, Kiryu and others also returned one after another.
The parents of the three girls left the meeting almost at the same time, and then returned almost at the same time.
First, he said that he was going to say hello to his acquaintances Sato Hikoro and others. Okita Mitsuka and his wife were the first to return to Aoto and others... As soon as Okita Mitsukata came back, he stared at him with a terrible and angry look.
The boss was so drunk that he passed out.
Okita Hikaru doesn't like drinking, and hates drunks the most. Souji's behavior of drinking too much in public and falling asleep directly is completely dancing on Okita Hikaru's bottom line.
When Souji wakes up, she will be in trouble... Qingdeng thought to himself.
Immediately afterwards, Chiba Jutaro, who claimed to have gone outside to sober up, came back in a hurry.
The last people to return to the table were the three elders, Kiryu and Komu and his wife.
The parents came back, and Kinoshita Mai and Sanako didn't dare to "fight openly and secretly" in front of them anymore, and they both buried their heads in eating obediently.
The faint smell of gunpowder that originally filled the air suddenly dissipated.
After that, nothing worth mentioning happened at Qing Deng's "table". Everyone quietly enjoyed the food in front of them and the lively banquet atmosphere, raising their heads and chatting from time to time.
But I don’t know if it’s Qingdeng’s illusion.
He always felt that... the attitude of Gu Mu and his wife toward him had changed quite subtly after they returned to the banquet.
Amachi's attitude toward him seemed... to have become a lot colder.
It's not that she suddenly made a bad face towards Qingdeng or said bad words to Qingdeng.
Because her seat was very close to Qingdeng, Qingdeng often made eye contact with her.
Previously, whenever Aomachi and Aoden looked at each other, Atachi would smile politely, his eyes full of smiles.
And now, after meeting Qingnou's eyes, Amachi would still smile at Qingnou...but both the smile on his face and the smile in his eyes had become much stiffer.
There is a feeling that I don’t want to smile at Qingden, but I have to force a smile out of politeness...
On the contrary, it was Goro Komaki.
The change in his attitude towards Aomachi was completely opposite to that of Omachi - he suddenly became a little more enthusiastic.
Frequently, he took the initiative to bring up topics and chat with Qingdeng.
The things they talked about were just ordinary gossip, and the topic mainly revolved around swordsmanship.
for example:
When did you start practicing swordplay?
Have you received the exemption license yet?
Do you have any plans to learn other swordsmanship skills besides practicing Natural Rishin-ryu?
All these kinds of things.
Due to the indescribable affection for Goro Komaki, and the fact that Goro Komaki was a talkative person, Qingden was happy to chat with this elegant old man.
Through chatting with Komaki Goro, Qingden also learned a lot about this uncle.
Komaki Goro's actual age is older than his appearance. According to him, he is 45 years old. His wife, Omachi, is 2 years younger than him and is 43 years old.
The original intention of the two couples to open a wagashi shop in Kyoto was that they were both interested in making sweets.
After a lot of back and forth, I was able to build a wagashi shop in Kyoto that was doing pretty well.
"I once learned a little swordsmanship."
Goro Komaki raised his glass and said with a straight face while sipping the wine.
"I know a thing or two about swordsmanship. Although I haven't made any great achievements in swordsmanship, I have always been interested in swordsmanship."
"Mr. Orange, your swordsmanship is so high. I wonder if you have any ideals or goals in your swordsmanship journey?"
"Have you ever thought about becoming a famous swordsman?"
"Or should we go one step further and become the 'unparalleled one in the world' who has no rival in the world in the same era?"
"Are you eager to become a 'sainted' swordsman like Ueizumi Nobutsuna, Tsukahara Buden, Kinoshita Genichi, and Ogata Issei?"
"Or...challenge the achievement that countless warriors dream of: becoming the 'Millennium Unparalleled' that surpasses the past, present and future generations. No matter whether it is hundreds or thousands of years in the future, no one can surpass you?"
After listening to this series of questions raised by Komaki Goro, Qingden couldn't help but secretly sighed.
The question asked by Komaki Goro is a bit big...
And each question was more exaggerated than the last... The great swordsman, unparalleled in the world, the sword master, unparalleled for thousands of years...
Does Qingdeng have any goals or wishes in the journey of swordsmanship? Qingdeng has never seriously thought about this question.
This question is in line with Qingdeng's worries a while ago: Now that the anti-barbarian group has been destroyed and the Sword of Damocles above his head has disappeared, where should his future go?
"..." Qingdeng said nothing, looking deep in thought. The wine glass he was about to raise paused for a moment.
Goro Komaki is not in a hurry.
He was eating and drinking as usual, quietly waiting for Qingdeng to think and answer.
After a long while, Qingdeng quietly put the wine glass in his hand back to his knees.
"...Mr. Gu Mu, I feel ashamed to say it. My answer may disappoint you."
Qingdeng smiled lightly, and then said calmly and unhurriedly:
"Although I am very interested in martial arts, I have never thought about becoming a great swordsman, unparalleled in the world, a swordsman, or someone unparalleled for thousands of years."
"Not to mention 'want to be', I have never even thought about these words."
"I just want to be quiet and continue to hone my martial arts at my own pace."
"If you insist on a goal... then let's work hard to become stronger."
"Strong enough to protect all the important people around me."
Miyagawa Otongoro and other guests became more and more noisy, and the whole banquet hall was noisy.
Because the sound at the scene was very noisy, only the two parties involved could hear clearly the conversation between Qingnobo and Goro Komaki.
Goro Komaki put down the bowls and chopsticks in his hands, looked directly into Qingdeng's eyes, and listened carefully to Qingdeng's words.
"Looking back, I realized that before I knew it, I already had very important relatives and friends."
As Qingdeng spoke, he raised his head, raised his gaze, and looked around.
The old servants Kyubei, Kondo, Hijikata, Saito, Nagakura, Harada, Kiryu, Mai Kinoshita, Sanako, Souji... Qingto's eyes passed over their cheeks one by one as they sat in different positions.
"At present, this country and this world are far from being called peaceful."
"All kinds of chaos ensued."
"Although it may be arrogant to say this...but I still want to do my best to protect all the important people wherever my sword reaches."
Having said this, Qingdeng paused.
Then, he changed into a half-joking tone.
"So I've always wanted to learn how to use a musket."
Qingdeng raised his hand as if to pull the trigger and continued:
"Compared to the edge of a sword... the range that the muzzle can protect seems to be a little wider."
"Hahaha."
Komaki Goro seemed amused by Aoto's words, and after a few chuckles, he crossed his hands and reached into Haori's wide sleeves.
"In other words, you chose the 'Living Sword'..."
"Living Sword?"
Qingden cast a doubtful look at Goro Komaki.
"A friend of mine who is well versed in swordsmanship once told me: There are two types of swords in the world——"
Goro Komaki smiled calmly, and then raised two fingers.
"The 'unparalleled sword' that cuts off everything in the world."
"The 'Living Sword' that only cuts what is meant to be cut."
"Obviously, based on your answer just now, you meant 'living person', not 'unparalleled'."
Komakigoro slowly lowered his raised finger, and then pretended to look like he wanted to carefully appreciate the art, and softly repeated a certain sentence that Qingteng said just now:
"Protect all the important people wherever the sword reaches..."
"Hahahaha, not bad ideal!"
After saying that, Goro Komaki stretched out his hands that had been inserted into Haori's sleeves - and saw a pen and a small booklet in his right palm.
This uncle is quite fashionable. As a wagashi shop owner, he actually carries a pen with him, which is still quite rare in Japan today.
"Mr. Tachibana. The more I chat with you, the more I realize that we really hit it off."
Goro Komaki unscrewed the pen, opened the booklet, and wrote something on any page of the book.
"This is the address of the wagashi shop that my wife and I opened in Kyoto."
Gu Mu put down his pen, tore off the page he had just written on, and handed it to Qingdeng.
"Mr. Tachibana, if you have a chance to visit Kyoto in the future, you can come to me at any time by following the address on the paper. I always welcome you."
I live in Edo, and Komaki and his wife live in Kyoto. The two cities are separated by almost half of Japan... After today's wedding between Kondo Isamu and Matsui Tsune, I don't know how long it will be before I meet the couple again.
Maybe after today, there will be no chance to meet this couple again... Qingdeng thought to himself.
However, even though he thought so in his heart, Qingdeng still politely accepted the note from Goro Komaki with both hands and accepted it happily...
…
The lively wedding banquet lasted until 4 p.m.
After the sun began to set in the west, guests began to return home one after another.
Kinoshita Mai, Sanako, and the others were almost the last ones to leave... Only when a dim glow appeared in the sky did they stand up to say goodbye.
Kiryu: "Shusuke. Thank you so much for your hospitality today."
"Hoo ho ho."
Zhou Assistant touched his smooth chin. His pair of slender eyes, which were normally so narrow that the pupils could not be seen, narrowed slightly because of his smile.
"Don't say that! We are the ones who should say 'thank you'. Thank you for coming to Quanzi's wedding today!"
The newlyweds Kondo and Matsui Tsune, as well as Aoto, Inoue, Hijikata, Abi and others stood in a row behind Shusuke and bid farewell to Kiryu, Ogata and Mai Kinoshita at the door of the banquet hall.
Kinoshita Mai, who was standing behind Kiryu, folded her hands in front of her, lowered her head slightly, and stared at her petite toes without socks.
From time to time, she raised her head and secretly cast a reluctant gaze on Qingdeng.
At this moment, she especially hoped that Kiryu, Ogata and the others could chat with Shusuke for a while... But things went counterproductive. As soon as she had this thought, she saw Kiryu bowing slightly to Shusuke:
"Then - let's take our leave now."
After saying that, Kiryu, who was "playing the vanguard", quickly walked out of the banquet hall without any hesitation or hesitation.
Ogata and the Atachi couple followed closely.
Mingming was greatly shocked a few days ago when he learned that he was not the only girl who accompanied Qingdeng to watch the fireworks. However, a few days later, he "forgave" Qingdeng through some "self-relief" and settled down with Qingdeng.
Noboru's past feud has been settled... It's obvious what kind of status Qingnobo currently holds in Kinoshita Mai's heart.
Now that I have to say goodbye to Qingdeng, I still feel reluctant to leave him
But it’s useless to feel reluctant.
Kinoshita took a deep breath, suppressed all the thoughts in her heart, bowed to Shusuke and the others, bowed lightly, lowered her head and followed in the footsteps of Kiryu and Ogata.
"..." When Zhousuke said goodbye to Kiryu and others, Qingto, who was hidden among the group of people behind Zhousuke, remained silent.
Now, seeing that Kiryu and his party were about to leave, Qingto quietly moved half a step to the left and stood at the edge of the aisle where Kiryu and others were passing.
Aomori smiled and said goodbye to Kiryu and Ogata, who passed by him one by one.
Just when Mai Kinoshita, who was walking at the very back, was about to pass him by—
"Huh?"
Kinoshita Mai suddenly let out a low scream.
"A Wu, what's wrong?" A Ding, who was walking in front of her, turned around and asked.
"No, it's okay." Kinoshita Mai excused herself, "It's just... I just accidentally stepped on a stone, so I was frightened."
Atachi glanced at Kinoshita Mai strangely.
However, she didn't pay too much attention to Kinoshita Mai's exclamation just now.
After confirming that there seemed to be nothing strange about Kinoshita Mai, she turned her gaze back to the front of her.
After successfully fooling Omachi, Kinoshita Mai let out a sigh of relief. She carefully lowered her eyes and looked at her right hand that was hanging naturally by her side.
At this time, there was a thin piece of paper in her right hand.
Kinoshita Mai lightly scratched the piece of paper with her fingertips, and after confirming its existence, she held it tightly in her palm.
It was as if she was afraid that the piece of paper would disappear in her hands.
…
…
The next day——
The first year of Kuanyan (1860), September 2——
Edo, Koishikawa Kohinata Yanagi Town, Imperial Guard Hall——
Even though the night has passed, the festive atmosphere still permeates the air of the trial hall.
There were moderate showers last night and this morning.
It wasn't until noon that the tangled dark clouds finally slowly dispersed.
The once gray and dark sky once again glowed with the brightness of summer.
In the gap where the dark clouds dispersed, a clear blue like the sea was revealed again.
It had just rained, and there was a pleasant refreshing coolness in the air.
The cotton-like white clouds that replaced the dark clouds covered the bright sunshine even softer after the rain. Under the sunlight, white clouds that seemed to be coated with a layer of gold circles piled up in the sky, layer upon layer, so spectacular.
.
From time to time, there is a breeze.
The breeze blew by, blowing every fallen leaf in the courtyard of the imperial examination hall, and also ruffled Qingdeng's hair and the hem of his clothes on the verandah.
In a traditional Japanese house, there is usually a corridor under the eaves. This courtyard immediately outside the house, which is neither indoor nor outdoor, is called the "edge corridor".
Qingdeng was dressed very seriously at this time.
Wearing dark blue clothes, black hakama, black socks, and neatly styled hair... she looked like she was about to go out for an important date.
In fact, this is indeed the case - after a while, Qingdeng will rush to an important date that may change his future life.
Another gust of breeze blew by, ruffling Qingdeng's hair that naturally fell in front of his forehead.
Qingdeng could be seen looking up at the blue sky above his head expressionlessly, with a thoughtful look between his brows.
——It’s almost time...
Qingdeng stretched out his hand to reach into his pocket, trying to take out the pocket watch he had carried with him ever since he bought it, to determine the current time.
As a result, I got nothing.
"Um?"
Qingdeng touched his belt and the inside of his clothes all over, but found nothing.
Qingdeng was shocked to realize that the pocket watch he had always kept with him was missing. He hurriedly climbed to the second floor and returned to the "diners' room" where he lived.
At this time, the only people staying in the "diners' room" were Saito, who was sitting in a daze in the corner with his hands on his knees, and Saito, who was lying on his side on the tatami by the window, singing "Yiyi oh oh" without knowing it.
In the famous ditty, Harada closed his eyes and meditated.
"Saito, Harada..."
Qingdeng asked them if they had seen his pocket watch, and received the same answer from both of them:
"No," Harada said.
"..." Saito shook his head quietly.
If you spend time looking for the pocket watch now, you may be late later... After weighing the pros and cons, Qingdeng finally decided to put away the insignificant pocket watch first and seize the time to attend the appointment.
After finishing the final arrangement of his clothes, Qingdeng strode out of the trial hall.
…
Just when Qingdeng’s front foot left—
"Ahhhhhh~~"
Holding a bag of Jinpei candy in one hand and stuffing handfuls of sugar granules into his mouth with the other, Souji tightened a pair of small flat-bottomed wooden clogs with purple buttons at the entrance of the sword hall.
She had almost finished the Jinping Candy and was about to go to the snack shop to do some shopping.
"Ah, Okita-kun!"
"Huh? Harada-kun, what's wrong?"
Souji, who had put on her clogs and had already pressed her hand on the doorknob of the entrance door, turned to look at Harada, who was striding towards her.
"Soji, have you seen Mr. Tachibana?"
"Tachibana-kun?" The general manager shook his head, "No, I didn't see it."
"Is that so... Mr. Tachibana has already gone out..."
Harada looked down at the pocket watch in his hand with regret.
"I was still thinking of giving him a pocket watch..."
"Pocket watch?" Souji looked around and realized that the pocket watch in Harada's hand was the pocket watch that Aomori always carried with him whenever he went out.
"Mr. Tachibana, he just went to look for his pocket watch among the diners."
Harada explained.
"He seemed to be in a hurry to go out, so he gave up after only searching for a while."
"Then just now, I suddenly had an idea and suddenly remembered that I seemed to have seen Mr. Tachibana's pocket watch in the lobby on the first floor this morning. I ran over and took a look - hey, I really found it.
"
After saying that, Harada raised Aoto's pocket watch.
"It's a pity that I'm too late, Mr. Orange has already gone out... I can only wait slowly for him to come back."
"So that's it..."
The Souji nodded slightly and blinked his beautiful eyes thoughtfully.
After a moment, she reached out to Harada.
"Then give me Mr. Tachibana's pocket watch. I happen to be going out right now. Since Mr. Tachibana just went out not long ago, I'll chase him now, maybe I can catch up."
Harada is not ambiguous either.
Seeing that the general manager wanted to take the initiative to deliver the watch to Qingteng, he almost said without thinking, "Oh! That's up to you!".
"Ah, speaking of-"
After handing Aoto's pocket watch to Souji, Harada smiled as if he had remembered something interesting.
"Mr. Tachibana just put on a very serious outfit before going out. Are you going to meet a beautiful woman?"
The Souji was stunned for a moment, then smiled helplessly.
"Tachibana-kun, when has he ever gone out without dressing appropriately?"
Having said that, he was worried that he would not be able to catch up with Qingdeng if he left a little later, so he rushed out of the door in a hurry.
The imperial examination hall is located on a high slope, so it has a good view.
The general manager stood on the top of the slope and looked up into the distance, and soon found a familiar figure from behind - Qingteng's height was far above the average for this era, so when Qingteng stood in the crowd, he looked like he stood out from the crowd, especially
Conspicuous.
"Hey! Tachibana-kun!"
The Souji yelled Qingto's name and ran after him.
When he quickly arrived at the corner of a certain street where he had just found Qingdeng, Qingdeng had already gone to an unknown place.
Souji looked up anxiously... Maybe it was Souji's good luck that she spotted the tall figure hurriedly heading to an unknown place at the far corner of the street.
He set out to pursue it again.
When they arrived at the intersection, Aomori's figure was nowhere to be seen again...but Souji's good luck did not run out.
And let her discover Qingdeng in time who was about to disappear into the crowd of people in the distance...
The general manager gritted his teeth, tightened the pocket watch in his hand, and started chasing for the third time.
It's like God is deliberately playing tricks on the general manager.
Every time, Souji just happened to discover Aoto, but the road to Aoto's side was either too complex or too crowded, so when Souji hurriedly chased after him, Aoto ended up somewhere unknown again.
...and so on.
We chased each other like this for nearly 20 minutes, and after walking all the way from the Imperial Guard Hall to a certain town that was unfamiliar to Souji, it seemed that Souji's luck had run out.
"Strange...where did Tachibana-kun go...?"
No matter how the Souji stood on tiptoes or strained his neck to look into the distance, Qingden's figure never caught her eye again.
Forget it, go back, wait until Mr. Tachibana returns to the Imperial Guard Hall, and then give him the pocket watch... Just when Souji, who thought he had lost Aomori, had this idea——
"Eh?"
Suddenly, a beautiful red shadow appeared in the corner of Souji's left eye.
As if he had received an electric shock, the Souji quickly turned his head and stared straight at the direction where the red silhouette appeared.
"Miss Kinoshita?"
At the intersection to the left of Souji, Mai Kinoshita, wearing bright red clothes and fresh light makeup as always, was walking in a hurry.
Kinoshita Mai, who was busy walking eastward along the street below, did not find Souji.
I wonder if it was Souji's illusion... She always felt that there seemed to be a hint of expectation and a joyful smile on Mai Kinoshita's pretty face...
This place is quite far from Chishiya... What is Miss Kinoshita doing here?
At this moment, the words Harada had just said to her appeared in Souji's mind——
(Mr. Tachibana specially wore a set of very serious clothes before going out. Was he going to meet a beautiful woman?)
*******
*******
Please give me monthly votes! Please vote for recommendations! (Leopard Head Crying.jpg)
The plots that everyone has been thinking about are coming soon, please give me a monthly ticket to encourage me! (Leopard Cries.jpg)
I wonder if any book friends can guess why Kinoshita Mai appears here~
This chapter has been completed!