The tile vendors, who had just rested for a few days, were once again busy in the streets and alleys of Edo, selling their latest tabloids to every citizen around them.
"Nioh has made another big move!"
"Nioh challenges all the sword halls, jujutsu halls, and karatō halls in Edo... in short! He issues a challenge to all the martial arts halls in Edo!"
"The target of the challenge is also the martial arts school!"
"Starting from January 24th, Nioh will attack all the martial arts schools and all the martial arts halls in Edo!"
"Big news! Big news!"
"Nioh is going to challenge all the top warriors in Edo!"
"What? Nioh, is he crazy?"
"What does he want to do?"
"Does he want to rush to Kyoto and challenge the strong men one by one with whom he has not had time to compete before?"
"But isn't he going to Kyoto on February 1st? There are only a few days left before February 1st! He has a way to challenge so many martial arts halls and so many in such a short period of time
A warrior?"
"Hey! Look at what you said! Don't forget that Nioh's physical strength is very abnormal! When the Shinsengumi was recruiting soldiers, he challenged thousands of people in a row in 17 days. Not only did his body not collapse, but he also kept his face glowing
Refreshing! With Nioh’s ability, it is really possible for him to challenge all the martial arts halls in Edo in just a few days!”
"He even challenged the Kung Fu School... The Kung Fu School is full of swordsmen! Regardless of other sword schools, the Kung Fu School is not easy to break into."
"Especially since there is a 'Sword Master' in the martial arts institute."
"The 'Sword Master' is already old. The male Seiichiro Tanani is over sixty years old. An old man of this age may die even if he falls, let alone fighting with a sword?"
"You can't say that! The last time I saw Otani Seiichiro, he was still in high spirits! His face was rosy, and he didn't look like an old man who was already over sixty years old at all!"
"These are just superficial phenomena. No matter how energetic you look on the outside, you are old when you are old. Once a person gets older, his physical strength and energy will decline uncontrollably. This is a truth in the world and cannot be violated.
Yes! No matter how strong a person is, there will be a day of birth, old age, illness and death. The strength of male Tan Seiichiro is definitely not as good as it used to be!"
"However, although the 'Sword Master' is old, his abilities should not be underestimated."
"No matter what, there is another good show to watch! All the top warriors in Edo will fight against Nioh... Hahaha! It's exciting just thinking about it!"
…
Seuse and violence are the two eternal themes that most attract human beings.
No matter which country or era it is in, news related to these two topics will naturally capture the hearts of the general public.
Therefore, when the tile vendors shouted out today's front page content, Edo citizens rushed to buy the tabloids faster than before.
Every time the tile vendors took out a stack of tabloids, they were quickly sold out.
All the tile workshops were rushing to print more tabloids, but even so, their production speed was still not as fast as the citizens' buying enthusiasm.
In recent days, Edo citizens have become accustomed to "Aoto Fever".
Since the end of last year, Qingdeng has set off one social craze after another.
First, he was promoted to "Gyeonggi Zhenfu Envoy", then the sergeants were selected in a "fight one by one" method, and then the official name and organizational structure of the Zhenfu Army were determined.
And now, this man has once again created new and bigger hot news - challenging the martial arts school and all the martial arts halls in Edo!
This matter... although it cannot be said to be shocking, it can also be said to be jaw-dropping.
Since the establishment of the Tokugawa family in Edo, no one has ever sent letters of challenge to all the martial arts halls in Edo like Ainoto!
Qingdeng's move is unprecedented! There may be no one to come after him!
For a time, thousands of eyes fell on Koishikawa Kohinata Yanagi Town and the Imperial Guard Hall.
Everyone is looking forward to it and are mentally prepared to witness "the birth of a new legend" with their own eyes.
If Qingdeng's "journey" ended in failure, it would be easy to say that it would just leave a series of inconspicuous records in the history books.
But if you win...
If he really "conquers Edo" and escapes unscathed... no one knows how to imagine it.
In response to Qingto's challenge, various martial arts schools made various responses.
Silence is the answer.
There are those who welcome you warmly.
There are also people who are restless.
Regarding Aoshito's feat, the good guys in Edo gave it a very mighty but rebellious name - "Edo Conquest"!
From a certain point of view, this name is really wonderful.
Aoto sent a letter of challenge to the Kyobu Institute and all the martial arts halls in Edo.
This is tantamount to challenging all the apparently strong men in Edo.
Such a move can indeed be regarded as a conquest of Edo!
In the heyday of the Edo shogunate - from the mid-17th century to the mid-18th century - those who dared to give such an unorthodox name would have been investigated, arrested, and punished by the officers of the "Sanchai" of the Imperial Guard Bureau all night long.
The perpetrator.
However, after a series of incidents such as the "Black Ship Attack" and the "Sakurada Gate Incident", "bombs" that had been hidden in all levels of society for a long time exploded one after another.
While the Edo shogunate lost its authority, it also basically lost its grassroots management capabilities.
Even if they knew that a rather rebellious term was being circulated among the citizens, the shogunate was unable to respond.
The name "Edo Conquest" spread rapidly in teahouses, izakayas, bathhouses and other popular places.
In this tense and expectant atmosphere, finally... the tall figure with three swords on his waist slowly walked out of the gate of the trial hall under the gaze of thousands of people.
…
…
Wenjiu three years (1863), January 24——
Edo, Koishikawa Kohinata Yanagi Town, Imperial Guard Hall——
Qingden sat in the entrance hall, fastened his snow boots, patched the burgundy feather fabric, tied the black scarf tightly, and hung his waistband, Dingguishen and Vairocana quietly on his left waist.
Snap, snap, snap, snap, snap,...
Suddenly, he heard a series of footsteps behind him that he had long heard.
Qingdeng turned his head and looked at the brothers behind him with a wry smile.
Souji, Kondo Isamu, Hijikata Toshizo, Shannan Keisuke...everyone in the trial defense hall stood neatly behind him.
Admiration, appreciation, helplessness, envy... all kinds of expressions in the world seem to be reflected on their faces.
"What's wrong? Why are you acting like you want to send me off to get married? To prevent you from forgetting, let me remind you: I am a man and I will not get married."
"The beginning of 'Nioh's New Legend' - it would be a shame if we didn't come to witness it with our own eyes."
Harada Sanosuke said this in his usual naive voice.
Qingdeng laughed dumbly:
"Legend... I can't bear this word. When I come back victorious, you can use this word again."
Shannan Keisuke smiled slightly and said:
"Even if you don't come home victorious, just challenging the martial arts school and all the martial arts halls in Edo is enough to be called a 'legend'."
As soon as Shannan Keisuke finished speaking, the director with a complicated expression on his face immediately took over:
"Although I don't know what your thoughts were that led you to suddenly make such a decision... Anyway, you have to be careful and don't force yourself too much."
At this time, Toshizo Hijikata, who was leaning against the wall with his arms folded, grinned and interjected:
"Tachibana, are you trying to grab the title of 'The Strongest in Edo' before you leave Edo?"
Qingden shook his head gently.
"That's not true. I have no interest in the title of 'strongest'."
He said calmly with a serious expression.
"My intention is very simple - I want to confirm where my current limits are."
——Of course, the main reason is to gather talents.
He added silently in his mind.
Visiting all the martial arts halls in Edo and harvesting talents is the idea and plan that Ayoto has kept in the back of his mind since he traveled to this world.
Those who can open a martial arts gym in a place like Edo, where there are hidden dragons and crouching tigers, are more or less capable.
The owners of the major halls and the front seats of each hall definitely all have extraordinary talents!
Throughout Edo, there are no less than a hundred famous martial arts halls. If he could challenge them all... Aomori couldn't even imagine how far his natural abilities would expand!
However...he had never had the opportunity to turn this idea into reality before.
In the past, he was weak and powerless.
In the Edo period, it was not easy to compete in the gym.
Most martial arts gyms do not welcome kickers.
Whenever someone comes to kick you, they may give you some money and send you away, or they may swarm you and beat you into a cripple.
But now, times have changed.
Qingdeng is no longer the unknown person he once was.
Who dares to ignore Niou's challenge?
Who dares to despise Niou?
After Seito led the Shinsengumi to Luo, it was difficult for him to find time even if he wanted to return to Edo.
If you don't take advantage of the last period of time before you leave to put this "talent gathering plan" that has been hidden in your mind for a long time, how long will it take?
Moreover, this trip to Kyoto is unpredictable.
Although Qingdeng is now very powerful, he is not so arrogant that he thinks he is invincible.
There are people outside the world, and there is heaven outside the world.
Regardless of the fact that in such a low-martial world, it is not surprising that some kind of perverted and powerful people would appear.
The increasingly advanced guns and artillery alone could make Qingdeng feel powerless.
No matter how powerful Qingdeng was, no matter how fast he swung his sword, he was no match for the roaring guns and roaring warships.
No matter what, before going to Luo, it is right to copy more talents and enhance your own strength!
Of course, what he just said to everyone - I want to confirm where my current limit is is not a lie.
When did it start specifically... Qingdeng has forgotten.
In short, since a long time ago, he has never had the feeling of "fighting with all his strength against an equally matched opponent".
Those who he once thought were just out of reach are no longer his opponents.
Looking around Qingden, among all the people he knows, the only one who can make him try his best is Boss Kiryu.
What a pity, since the "Breath of the Source" was passed on to Aoto, Boss Kiryu has never competed with Aoto again.
On the one hand, his own strength is constantly growing.
But on the other hand, he has yet to find an opponent who can force him to use his full strength.
This made Qingdeng feel a little... lonely.
Therefore, with the help of Sanako, he sent a letter to the man in Mito Domain... and to the man who was known as "The Strongest in Edo"!
Aoto has already copied the talent from Eijiro Chiba.
From the perspective of "gathering talent", he does not need to compete with Eijiro Chiba at all.
But...he really wanted to find out.
Find out where your current limits are.
Find out who is stronger or weaker between yourself and the famous big shots in Edo!
Are you already stronger than them?
Or is there still some distance?
Leaving Edo without any regrets—Aomori had this idea in mind.
After getting dressed and wearing a snow hat, Qingdeng stood up slowly.
"Are you coming back for dinner tonight?"
While groping for his bare chin, Kondo Shusuke laughed and asked a question that he didn't want to answer at the moment.
"I'll be back in time for dinner tonight."
After saying that, he pushed open the door in front of him.
As soon as he stepped out of the trial defense hall, Qingdeng felt the warm sunshine and the bundles of eyes with different emotions.
Looking up, there were many unfamiliar faces around the trial defense hall.
They are all busybodies who came here after hearing the news and rushing to join in the fun.
Qingdeng ignored their gazes, looked at them, expressionless, and walked alone on the street dyed white by snowflakes.
It snowed heavily the day before yesterday.
The snow-covered road stretched into the distance, gradually covered with a layer of pale mist.
Qingdeng feels that he is in a great mood now.
When he thought that he would fight all the powerful men in Edo next...in an instant, goosebumps appeared all over his body, and an indescribable excitement rushed through the veins in his body.
His solid body pushed away layers of fog and moved forward with his head held high.
…
…
Edo, Seigakukan——
"I want to compete with Master Nakamura Ichiro!"
Qingdeng stood outside the gate of Jingxue Hall and shouted loudly.
Thanks to his gift of "One Eye and Ten Elements", Aomori was already familiar with the names of the owners of all the martial arts schools in Edo.
Those curious idlers followed Qingdeng closely, keeping a certain distance from him for fear of disturbing him.
Ever since, such a strange scene appeared - wherever Qingdeng went, he was dragging a large group of people behind him, much like a mother duck leading her ducklings for a walk.
By the way, the group of idlers following Aonto include Souji, Mai Kinoshita and Sanako.
It's funny to say that there was no prior agreement, but the three of them made the same decision.
When Aoto set out to rush to various martial arts halls, Souji, who was half-stepping out of the gate late in the morning, and Mai Kinoshita and Sanako, who had been waiting outside the training hall for a long time, naturally merged into the crowd.
They were worried that Aoto would be injured in this unprecedented "Edo Conquest", and out of strong anxiety, they were unwilling to leave Aoto's side. This statement seems to be incorrect.
I saw that they looked calm and there was no trace of worry or fear on their faces.
Even Kinoshita Mai, who is the most emotional and sentimental, looks calm and composed.
They opposed Setobo's "Edo Conquest" - this view does not seem to be accurate.
It has been quite a few days since I sent the challenge letter.
Such a long time was enough for them to nag Qingdeng in his ears hundreds of times.
What's more, the General Secretary was the one who helped Qingdeng send the challenge letter.
Although helplessness, sadness and other emotions could be seen in the expressions and eyes of the three women, none of them stepped forward to dissuade Qingdeng.
Just quietly and silently following the flow of people, always sticking to the place where Qingdeng could be seen at a glance, and Qingdeng could also see them at a glance.
It was as if they simply wanted to accompany Qingdeng and accompany him to do whatever he wanted to do.
In addition to the three of them, Aoto's relatives and friends mixed in the crowd include Harada Sanosuke, Toudo Heisuke and others.
The reason why they are here is relatively simple - they just want to join in the fun.
Under the eager anticipation of everyone, within a moment, a "clang" sound was heard, and the sound of the door tip being pushed open came from behind the door of Jingxue Hall.
Then, with a "squeaking" sound, the originally closed door gradually opened into an "eight" shape.
The two young apprentices who opened the door saluted Qingdeng and said seriously and respectfully:
"Your Majesty Niou, please come in!"
Qingden took off the snow-proof hat on his head, took out the Dingguishen and Vairochana from his left waist, carried it with his right hand, and under the leadership of the two young apprentices, he crossed the threshold and strode towards the magnificent building.
For the rest of the journey, the onlookers could no longer follow him. They could only stay outside the museum, watching Qing Deng's back, and then wait for his return.
…
…
The owner of the Seigakukan, Nakamura Ichiro, had a tense face and sat upright on the main seat of the dojo. The apprentices sat on the left and right sides below him with nervous expressions.
Qingden walked swiftly and swiftly to the middle of the apprentices, directly in front of Nakamura Ichiro, and sat down with his knees bent.
"Master Nakamura Ichiro, I would like to have a competition with you!"
There is no nonsense, no unnecessary pleasantries, just an almost uncontrollable fighting spirit!
Nakamura Ichiro pursed his lips and then let out a long breath.
His expression seemed to say: He is finally here...
"I accept your challenge..."
At this time, a loud shout interrupted Nakamura Ichiro's speech.
"Master, wait!"
A sturdy apprentice stood up quickly and walked out of the queue quickly.
"Your Excellency Nioh, I am the third seat of the Seigakukan—Nakano Jiro!"
After saying that, he turned around and faced Nakamura Ichiro.
"Master, please let the disciples raid the formation!"
Nakamura Ichiro was stunned, and then subconsciously turned his head to look at Qingto.
"It doesn't matter."
He said loudly and calmly.
"Those who want to fight me, just go ahead and fight!"
…
Qingdeng took the bamboo sword from the hand of the person beside him.
On the other hand, Nakano Jiro has also tightened his sleeves, holds the bamboo sword tightly in his palm, and stares at Qingden with piercing eyes.
Regardless of his strength, his attitude of "not showing any timidity even when facing the mighty benevolent king" is enough to be commended.
At the main seat, Ichiro Nakamura, who served as the referee, explained:
"Your Majesty Nioh, our academy follows ancient customs and does not wear protective gear during martial arts competitions."
Qingden Wan'er:
"That's a coincidence. I don't like wearing protective gear either."
"Then... I will take the center as proof! One round will determine the outcome! Salute!"
Aoto and Nakano Jiro held bamboo swords and squatted down to each other.
"start!"
The moment Nakamura Ichiro announced the start of the battle, Nakano Jiro swung his sword and struck Aoto on the shoulder.
However, before his bamboo sword landed on Qingdeng, Qingdeng had already struck the opponent's body with one step faster.
"Ouch!"
Without the protection of protective gear, he fell to the ground and fainted after receiving this blow.
[Talent introduction: The increase in swordsmanship talent is 3 times the average level of ordinary people]
[Beep! "Sword Master" cannot be fused with "Sword Saint"]
[Talent fusion failed]
"Who else?"
*******
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Today is another early update day! (Leopard Leopard Head with Tears)
It’s the end of the month again! Book friends who have monthly tickets on hand, please be sure to vote for this book! Please vote for me! Please vote for recommendations! (Leopard Head Cries)
PS: Tomorrow is the Mid-Autumn Festival, and Leopard and Leopard are going on a date with the female leopards in the aquarium! So I’ll take a day off tomorrow~~
