Qingden immediately sensed something different in Sanako's tone and tone.
He was startled for a moment, then immediately turned around 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, Qingden still keenly discovered that there were some elusive and strange emotions dancing between Sanazi's beautiful eyebrows.
——What's wrong? Why did Miss Sanako suddenly become emotional?
Qingto, who was puzzled by Sanako's unusual behavior, couldn't help but feel his neck stiffen.
There was a severe lack of information... He did not dare to act rashly.
So, he put on a tentative tone and said cautiously:
"Okita-kun and I are indeed brothers in the same sect... Souji is the old man from the Imperial Guard Hall, she is the senior brother, and I am the junior brother..."
…
——Hmph! Even now, I’m still pretending to be confused!
Qingto's "quibbles" made Sanako's dissatisfaction increase instead of lessen.
Her palms folded on her thighs were clenched slightly uncontrollably.
If she was just doubtful when she saw Ayoto and Souji hugging each other closely on the stone steps of Tsukinomiya Shrine, then... now...after seeing them soaking their feet and being intimate like lovers,
Now that they are interacting, Sanako can be 100% sure - Aomori and Souji are both members of the Taoist community! The relationship between them is far from being as simple as friends or brothers!
This is the so-called "Those who are in authority are confused, but those who watch are clear".
Since establishing their relationship, Qingto and Souji have become increasingly close to each other.
Over time, no matter whether it is Qingnobo or Souji, once they start verbal, physical and other forms of communication with the other party, they will always subconsciously enter a state of "flirting".
——Both men and women are welcome... Mr. Tachibana's hobbies are too broad!
As soon as he thought of this, Sanako felt displeasure that appeared and disappeared in his heart.
——Although I don’t have any experience in love, don’t think I’m a fool!
Sanako felt slightly proud of his ice-snow intelligence and keen observation.
——This is not something embarrassing that you are ashamed to talk about, so why bother covering it up?
During the Edo period, the practice of practicing Buddhism had always been very popular.
Even if I admit that I have this preference, I will not suffer the public's abuse or ridicule.
If Qingto was unwilling to reveal the truth due to some concerns, Sanako could still understand it.
However, Qingden was still hiding in front of her... This made Sanako very confused.
What's the need?
Don’t I, Chiba Sanako, still know who you are, Tachibana Aoden?
When Aoto boldly claimed that he would marry her and Mai Kinoshita at the same time, Sanako already knew that Aoto was a very "philanthropic" person in his treatment of relationships.
Anyway, you have confessed to me that you are in love with two girls. Now tell me that you have another person you admire, what does it matter?
Sanako snorted heavily in her heart:
——Forget it! Why do I care so much about him! Mr. Ju’s love life has nothing to do with me!
She originally wanted to end the topic directly.
But unexpectedly, at the moment when Sanako was ready to keep quiet, Qingto's voice sounded again.
"Miss Sanako, could it be that... have you discovered Okita-kun's secret?"
Qingdeng asked in a faint tone.
…
Are they just senior brothers? Aomori thought carefully about what Sanako said just now.
——Miss Sanako, what does this mean? Does she suspect that Miss Okita and I are not senior brothers?
Suddenly, a flash of light flashed across Qingdeng's mind.
——Could it be that... Miss Sanako discovered Miss Okita’s true gender?!
In an instant, Qingdeng's mind was shaken.
The more he thought about it, the more likely it seemed.
In this way, everything makes sense.
Why did Sanako ask, "Are they just brothers?"
Because she discovered that he and Souji were not "senior brothers", but senior fellow apprentices!
The revelation of the truth made Qingdeng feel shaken.
However, this only happened 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.
Let’s just ask Sanako directly!
But... it’s hard to say it directly.
If Sanako's words and deeds meant something else, then Aoto opened his mouth stupidly and asked, "Ms. Sanako, did you also find out that Okita-kun is a girl?" Wouldn't it be self-inflicted?
Ever since, Qingdeng decided to ask the truth in a subtle way!
After making up his mind, Qingteng sat upright with a serious expression, creating a restrained atmosphere.
"Miss Sanako, could it be that... 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 Taoist!
Aoshito's rhetorical question made Sanako even more convinced of the "truth" that "Aoshinobu and Souji are both people of the Way".
She nodded slightly and said:
"Well, yes."
…
Sanako's nod and Sanako's words "Yeah, yes" instantly made Qingden's expression look helpless.
"Miss Sanako, when did you find out?"
"I just discovered it recently."
"Really...haha...I was discovered by you..."
Qingden lowered his head and let out a self-deprecating laugh.
Sanako tilted her beautiful eyes and quietly observed Qingden's expression.
He hesitated to speak, and had mixed feelings - these two words are really suitable 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 relaxed slightly.
"... Mr. Ju, I will strictly keep this secret and never mention it to anyone."
Qingdeng heard this and smiled bitterly.
"I can't thank you enough, it's been a big help... Speaking of which, Miss Sanako, you are so awesome, you can actually see through Okita's secret..."
"You guys are so high-profile, it's hard not to see through it, right?"
——High-profile? Hmm... It seems so...
Qingden nodded lightly with deep understanding.
Although Souji may have been pretending to be a boy for longer than she has been showing her true face, she is still a girl at heart.
Therefore, she often subconsciously makes very girlish actions.
——I have to remind Ms. Okita to pay more attention later...
Qingto still trusted Sanako's character.
Since Sanako said she would strictly keep secrets, she would never break her promise.
Sanako has been paying close attention to Qingto's every move.
Qingdeng's expression of relief was clearly reflected in his eyes.
She couldn't help but think in her heart:
Thinking back to the past, she had never heard that Qingteng and Souji liked the public.
It is conceivable that this is the result of their painstaking efforts to conceal it.
Although it is not clear why they kept such a thing secretive, it must have been quite hard for them to hide it all the way till now.
At this thought, Sanazi turned around and looked around hesitantly.
After a moment, as if she had made up her mind, she raised her hand and patted Qingdeng's shoulder like a baby.
The sudden touch on the shoulder made Qingdeng stunned.
"Miss Sanako, what's wrong?"
Qingden looked up and saw beautiful eyes staring straight at him.
"Tangerine-kun...thank you for your hard work."
——Huh? Is it my imagination?
Qingden always felt that the look Sanako cast towards him seemed to be mixed with a bit of pity...
Although he didn't know what Sanako was causing, Qingto no longer wanted to talk about this sensitive topic any more.
"Well, Miss Sanako, let's not talk about this. Let's talk about something more interesting."
As Qingdeng spoke, he used his brain to think about new topics.
Somehow, he suddenly recalled what he had just discussed with the director.
As long as we can get away from the topic of "Souji is a girl", it doesn't matter what we talk about. With such a mentality, Qingto asked casually:
"Miss Sanako, do you have any ideas about your future?"
As soon as Qingden finished speaking, Sanazi understood the wrong meaning again.
——Ji Jun really doesn’t want people to know that he is a member of the Taoist community...
Sanako nodded solemnly.
Sanako understood Qingto's feeling of "not wanting to talk too much about her secrets with others", so she happily took up the conversation that Qingto offered.
"The future..."
Sanako raised his gaze and looked at the distant sky, thinking.
After a while, she slowly said:
"If possible, I would like to stay at the Little Chiba Sword Hall, devote myself to the study of swordsmanship and naginata skills, and devote my whole life to martial arts."
Having said this, Sanako paused.
When she spoke again, her words suddenly changed:
"But... it should be difficult to realize this wish of mine."
"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 make a living by practicing medicine."
After finishing speaking, Sanako raised the corners of her mouth, revealing a calm smile, and the smile dimple flickered on her cheeks.
Beautiful smile.
A smile that anyone would find charming.
However, Qingdeng, who was so close to this beautiful smile, only felt stiff and rigid, like a puppet controlled by silk threads.
This is the smile of "the most beautiful woman in Edo".
But it was not the smile of Sanako Chiba that Aoto was familiar with.
At this moment, Qingto wanted to tell Sanako "Miss Sanako, don't listen to your father", "Your martial arts realm is far from over" and other "white lies" to comfort Sanako.
However, after thinking deeply, Qingdeng changed his mind and let out a sigh of relief.
Sanako is not a fool. Such baseless words are not only difficult to achieve, but may also have counter-effects.
A few months ago, the scenes of accompanying Sanako to the fireworks display flashed through Qingto's eyes one by one like a slideshow.
At that time, it was because Sanako accidentally heard Chiba Sadakichi's cruel comment that "Sanako has no talent" that she found it hard to accept, so she ran away from home briefly, and then was "picked up" by Aoshito...
Although the facts are cruel, Qingto has to admit: Chiba Nobuyoshi's judgment is correct...
It is true that Sanako possesses outstanding swordsmanship talent.
In terms of swordsmanship talent alone, Aoto feels that among the nationwide famous Chiba family, there are only those two monsters, namely Chiba Eijiro, the "strongest swordsman in Edo" and the second-generation head of the Hokatsu Itto-ryu clan.
Michizaburo Chiba can stabilize Sanako's head.
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 ordinary women...but that's about it.
Without the support of a strong body, it will be difficult to further improve skills and improve strength.
Can't move faster...
I can't swing the sword more forcefully...
Couldn't react faster...
There is no way to practice more advanced skills...
In comparison, Souji, who is also a female swordsman...she is the "girl favored by the gods".
Souji not only has outstanding swordsmanship skills, but also has an explosive body.
She can jump to a height of more than 1.5 meters with a random jump without a run-up.
For a distance of 100 meters, she can easily run within 8 seconds just by raising her leg.
You must know that Qingden’s previous world records for vertical jump and 100-meter sprint were only 1.65 meters and 9.59 seconds.
All I can say is that he is worthy of being a resident of the world of low martial arts.
In short, physical deficiencies limited Sanako's development.
Sanako's current strength has reached the limit that her body can bear.
For a long time in the future, her martial arts strength will remain unchanged, and then continue to decline as her body ages and her energy and spirit decline...
Just as Qingteng was trying hard to think of words that could be used to comfort Sanako, urgent footsteps suddenly came from the distance.
Along with the footsteps, there was also an extremely familiar neutral voice:
"Tachibana-kun! Miss Sanako!"
Crash--the bushes opposite the hot spring were pushed aside, and a slender ponytail burst into Qingden's view.
"Oh, Okita-kun, you're back? How's it going? Did you catch that butterfly?"
"No, that butterfly flew so fast that I couldn't catch up...Ah, no! Now is not the time to talk about this! Mr. Tachibana, Miss Sanako, please put on your shoes and socks and follow me!"
There was a strong sense of tension in Souji's voice.
After realizing that Souji was not joking, Aomori immediately put away the smile on his face, and then involuntarily put away his legs soaked in the hot spring.
Almost at the same time as Qingden stood up, Sanako also stepped out of the spring.
There are ripples on the surface of the pool.
The straight and slender legs were like hibiscus emerging from the hot spring.
The heat of the hot spring gave Sanako's skin a hazy rosy glow.
The already white and rosy feet look more healthy, full of luster, and look extremely attractive, making people want to hold them lightly.
However, Qingdeng had no time to enjoy such beautiful scenery.
While putting on his shoes and socks more quickly, he asked the chief:
"Okita-kun, what happened?"
"Didn't I catch butterflies just now? While chasing butterflies, I accidentally broke into a dense forest, and then, then..."
Out of emotion, Souji was tongue-tied.
After "then" for a long time, she finally continued:
"Then I found a simple thatched house deep in the dense forest!"
Thatch house - the next moment he heard this word, Qingdeng's expression was filled with solemnity.
…
…
Under the leadership of the General Secretary, Qingto and Sanako traveled all the way across mountains and rivers.
Climb over the woods, cross the river, climb up the boulders...
After galloping for nearly 2 kilometers, Qingdeng couldn't help but complain:
"Okita-kun, how far did you run to chase that butterfly?"
"Almost there! Almost there!"
The general manager shouted loudly without looking back.
She didn't lie.
Within a moment, she led Qingden and Sanako into a dark forest.
Because it faces north and south, the lighting in this forest is extremely poor, and the ground is covered with mushrooms, moss and other vegetation that prefers darkness and moisture.
The lack of sunlight makes the temperature in this forest very different from the outside world.
Around Qingdeng and others, there was a cold air that made people shiver.
Moss, mushrooms, vegetation - nothing else.
A lonely bird flew low over the heads of Qingdeng and others, flapping its wings monotonously.
The General Secretary pointed forward:
"It's right there! If you walk a little further, you can see the thatched house!"
Soon, a simple thatched house appeared directly in front of Qingdeng and others.
Qingto looked around. The terrain of Platycodon Mountain was generally low, so if you didn't look carefully, it would be easy to miss it - this forest was right at the top of Platycodon Mountain!
The hut, the top of the mountain... The appearance and location of this thatched hut are completely consistent with Goro Ugaki's description of Tachibana Takayuki's "secret stronghold".
"Tachibana-kun! Miss Sanako! Look! It's that house!"
Having said that, the director-general quickened his pace.
Qingto and Sanako followed closely.
However, at this moment, Qingdeng suddenly stopped his feet and let out a loud shout:
"Wait a moment!"
Although Souji and Sanako were confused, they still stopped.
"Tachibana-kun, what's wrong?"
Sanako asked.
Qingteng did not answer Sanako's question immediately, but slowly squatted down and stared at the ground in front of his toes.
Souji and Sanako bent down and followed Qingto's line of sight - and in an instant, they both opened their eyes wide in surprise.
Since joining the New Royal Court, Qingto has been undergoing extremely strict ninja training.
Under long-term special training, he unknowingly developed many habits unique to intelligence officers.
For example: when entering a strange area, you will subconsciously observe the surrounding environment.
The reason why Qingdeng suddenly stopped and squatted down was because he found strange marks on the ground.
The rectangular shape with a slight curvature on the edge... Although it is very shallow, it is undoubtedly the mark of straw sandals!
And it’s still a very “fresh” shoe print!
I saw this string of shoe prints that were so "fresh" that they looked like they were left just today, connecting straight to the thatched house in front of me.
Qingdeng and others raised their heads at the same time and looked at each other in tacit understanding.
Although there was no verbal communication, serious expressions appeared on the faces of the three of them.
bass!
Aoto pulled out the Echizen Sumi Hitachi Shou Kaneshige from his waist.
The General Secretary also drew his sword in his hand.
Sanako took off the naginata from behind and untied the black cloth on the blade, revealing the shining blade.
The three of them formed a group with Qingdeng at the head and the two girls behind them in the shape of "pin". While paying attention to the movement around them, they slowly approached the thatched house.
As the distance continued to get closer, Qingdeng gradually saw the specific situation of the thatched house clearly.
The eaves and walls were all mottled and covered with thick dust.
Judging from the situation, this thatched house 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 walked half a circle around the thatched house and found the door.
Sanako consciously took two quick steps and walked to the left of the door.
The general manager stood on the right side of the door.
The two girls nodded towards Qingden.
Qingden responded with an "I understand" look.
The next breath, Sanako and Souji pushed open the door.
Just when Qingdeng was about to rush into the house, a black shadow passed through the open door and rushed out of the house!
"stop!"
Qingdeng roared and rushed towards the black shadow.
The speed of Heiying’s legs and feet can’t be described as fast.
But compared to Qingdeng, it is still far behind.
The black shadow only took two steps before he was caught up by Qingdeng.
"Don't move!"
Qingdeng pushed the black shadow to the ground and controlled his arms.
"Damn it! Let me go! Let me go!"
The black shadow was yelling and struggling violently, like a fish caught in a fishing net.
"Tsk... calm down!"
Qingdeng snorted coldly, and then punched the black shadow in the stomach with moderate force.
"Pooh!"
The black shadow that was suddenly hit hard made a sound like a deflating balloon, and curled up into a ball.
Qingdeng took this opportunity to grab Heiying's shoulders and lift him up from the ground.
"Who are you? Why..."
Qingdeng's words stopped abruptly.
While interrupting the questioning, Qingden showed a shocked expression, and 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.
Ordinary eyes, ordinary nose, ordinary ears...
Just looking at the upper part, it's just a common face with no features.
But the second half... is quite scary.
An extremely fat chin hangs below the lips.
The wide and fat chin looked as if it had been stung by hundreds of bees.
According to Qingdeng's personal estimation, he felt that the man's chin was nearly twice as big as the upper half of his face.
Such a huge difference in proportions makes the entire face look like a melon that is narrow at the top and wide at the bottom.
Qingzhen remembers this face.
He had seen this face... not long ago, on the portrait.
That is a memory that is still vividly attached to the inside of Qingnobo's brain - when they went to visit Ugaki Goro, they encountered a group of young men from the Shimizu clan who were looking for someone on the road.
At this time, they hold the portrait and ask everyone they meet, "Have you seen this person in the portrait?"
That portrait... what is painted on it is exactly this melon face...
*******
*******
Regarding the first appearance of this "woguar-faced", book friends who don't remember can review Chapter 224 "Going to the meeting alone! Meeting the "Rabid Dog Family"!"
Today’s chapter has a full 6,000 words! It’s been a long time since I’ve seen a chapter with a decent word count!
Since this chapter not only has a lot of words, but also a lot of plot, please be sure to vote for this book!
Please give me a monthly ticket! Please give me a recommendation vote! (Crying Leopard Head)
In the previous chapter, the author mentioned, "As long as your merit is high enough, you have a chance to soar into the sky, become a land-owning feudal lord, and start a farming life." - Astute book friends, you must have realized this.
