Chapter 71 Unparalleled Sword Drawing Technique [Thanks to the Alliance Leader, updated Chapter 3]
His granddaughter almost had an accident in Fujisawa, and Anthony was not in the mood to stay in this unlucky place any longer.
At dawn the next day, Anthony hurriedly directed his motorcade to leave Fujisawa-juku and continue his journey to Edo.
Anthony's fleet is not very large.
For people to ride on, for transporting luggage... there are many different carriages, but there are only 8 carriages in total.
The carriages lined up in a column and marched on the flat road of Tokaido.
The 36 guards headed by Xiaoshi spread out and guarded the convoy in all directions.
Except for Xiao Shi, the rest of the guards are not qualified to ride horses, so they all have to guard the advancing carriage team on foot, and the carriage team also has to cooperate with the guards, running at a speed that is no different from walking.
Move forward.
At this moment, inside the carriage of one of these eight carriages——
"As expected of a wealthy family's carriage..." Qingdeng joked in a soliloquy tone, "It doesn't feel bumpy at all when you sit on it."
The carriage under Aoto and Saito probably used some special manufacturing process. It has a strong shock-absorbing function, and the ride is quite stable, with almost no bumps.
Although the cut on Qingden's right leg was not serious, he couldn't even think about getting out of bed and walking unless he rested for two days.
After all, Aoto's right leg was injured while saving his granddaughter and the others. After learning about Aoto's situation, Anthony, who was quite ashamed of Aoto's injury, waved his hand - they happened to be going to Edo, so they simply
Invite Aoden to take his "hitch train" directly back to Edo.
Faced with Anthony's invitation, Qingdeng only thought about it for a moment and then readily agreed.
There was no other reason - taking Anthony's "hitchhiking" back to Edo, Qingnobo could only think of the advantages one after another and could not think of any disadvantages.
If he rejected Anthony's "hitchhiking" invitation, Ainoto would have to lie down in Fujisawa-juku for a few days before he could find a way to return to Edo.
The group of "radical anti-barbarians" who were eyeing Aoto's head knew that Aoto was injured, so while Aoto was recuperating in Fujisawa Lodge, they secretly broke into the dormitory and attacked and killed Aoto——
This possibility is not impossible.
Based on the currently known information about that group of lunatics, it can be basically concluded that these group of lunatics have certain intelligence gathering or tracking capabilities.
Every "Heavenly Punishment" they have launched against Qingdeng so far has happened when Qingdeng went to a sparsely populated place - this is the best proof that they have certain intelligence gathering capabilities or tracking capabilities.
In summary, since he is already injured, rather than staying in Fujisawa-juku, a place he is unfamiliar with, it would be better to quickly return to Edo where Arima and others can help him.
In addition to this main reason, the reason why Qingdeng agreed to take the "hitchhike" was that it was more comfortable to ride in a carriage, and it was safer to go back with Anthony and the others.
It's obvious which one is easier, sitting comfortably in a carriage or plodding along on two feet.
So far, although the so-called "anti-foreigners" slogans of "anti-foreigners" are shouting loudly, very few Westerners have died at their hands so far.
On the contrary, many Japanese died at their hands, and their total number was at least ten times that of the Westerners who were killed.
Moreover, the few Westerners they killed were basically killed when they were accidentally left alone.
There was no precedent for "anti-foreign warriors" attacking Westerners who were defended by a large number of warriors.
If you follow a large team like Anthony back to Edo, you no longer need to worry about being attacked by "anti-foreign patriots" on the way back.
Qingdeng really couldn't think of any reason to refuse Anthony's "ride-along" invitation.
After Qingnobo readily agreed, Anthony freed up a carriage that had been used to carry luggage for Qingnobo and Saito to ride in - which is the car the two of them are riding in now.
The weather is quite good today.
The temperature is not too cold, the sun is warm and the breeze is gentle.
Qingdeng opened the car window slightly and let the fresh air from outside the car flow into the car. He leaned his head against the window and carefully looked at the scenery outside the window.
"...You look like you are in a good mood." Saito, who was sitting opposite Aoto, rarely took the initiative to talk to Aoto.
"Huh? Yes, I am indeed in a good mood right now." Qingden, who did not move his eyes away from the scenery outside the window, slightly curved the corners of his mouth.
The case that was supposed to be handed over to him was solved by the "Cat Monk"... Qingnobo originally thought that this "trip to Fujisawa Juku" was a business trip that was extremely profitable.
Unexpectedly - things are so unpredictable.
Although his legs were slightly injured, Qingdeng’s return trip could be described as a “return with a full load” due to the harvest.
In order to thank Qing Zhai for rescuing his granddaughter, Anthony proudly gave them a gift of 80 taels of gold each!
80 taels of gold... This is also a huge sum of money for an official like Qingdeng who works in the execution office and is well paid.
The 80 taels of gold obtained from Anthony is now lying quietly in Qingdeng's arms.
Such a huge sum of money is undoubtedly a timely help for Qingdeng, who is currently short of money, and his money instantly becomes much richer.
The two "big mountains" currently weighing on Qingdeng's shoulders: the personal safety threat of the "radical expulsionists" and the property safety of Yakuzha - the latter's pressure on Qingdeng has instantly become much smaller.
It seems that he is starting to get lucky - Qingden couldn't help but think this way.
Thinking of this, the smile on Qingdeng's face became even stronger.
…
…
Elodie was originally riding in the same car as her grandfather...that is, Anthony.
But now, her best friend Kinoshita Mai has arrived. In order to ride in the same carriage as Kinoshita Mai, Elodie "kicks" Anthony out of the carriage very logically and lets Anthony find another car to sit in.
Ever since - Anthony, who was "kicked out" by his granddaughter, could only ride in the same car with another old man: Kiryu.
Gulu... Gulu... Gulu...
The sound of wheels turning continuously entered the carriage where Kiryu and Anthony were riding, which had been as quiet as death since just now.
Kiryu, who was sitting with his legs crossed and a faint smile on his face, folded his hands and placed them on his legs, looking at his nose and nose and looking at his heart.
Anthony, who was sitting opposite him, kept squinting his eyes and glared at Kiryu.
"...Kiryu, don't you think you should give me an explanation?"
"Explain what?" Kiryu asked Anthony with a smile.
"Yesterday, how could Wu have taken Elodie out of the hotel under your nose?" Anthony's voice suddenly raised a few degrees, "Do you think I'm stupid?"
"Except for the fact that you let them go on purpose, I can't think of any reason why they could slip away under your watchful eyes!"
Looking at the angry Anthony in front of him, the smile on Kiryu's face became thicker.
He raised his hand to adjust his glasses on the bridge of his nose.
"Ha... It's really impossible to fool someone like you who knows everything about me..."
"Yes, you are right. Yesterday, I turned a blind eye to the young master and others who sneaked out of the hotel."
"Why?" Anthony put his hands on his legs, leaned his upper body slightly forward in the direction of Kiryu, and asked quickly, "Why did you deliberately let Elodie and the others leave the hotel?!"
"There is no special reason." Kiryu said calmly, "I just want to give the young master a chance to have fun with her only friend after a long absence."
"You should also know how close the young master is to your granddaughter, right?"
"Three months ago, after learning that you were moving your family to Edo, the young master was often so excited that he couldn't sleep. He always looked forward to seeing Elodie soon."
"A pair of close friends who were both children reunited after a long absence, but they can only stay in a hotel and can't go anywhere to play - I think this is a bit cruel."
"So, I deliberately let them leave the hotel yesterday and let them play outside for a while."
After hearing Kiryu's explanation, Anthony looked furious.
"Let them go out to play for a while? Kiryu, do you know that because you deliberately let Wu, Elodie and the others sneak out of the hotel, they almost had an accident yesterday!"
"An accident?" The smile on Kiryu's face slowly turned into an intriguing smile, "Anthony, you are worrying too much."
"I'm not a fool either."
"Let the young master, who is still very immature, take Elodie alone to play in such an unfamiliar place - I will not do such a stupid thing."
"Do not worry."
"Yesterday, after turning a blind eye to the young master and the others who sneaked out, I have been secretly following them and protecting them secretly."
After saying that, Kiryu raised his hand and untied a large long cloth bag placed beside him.
This big cloth bag only contained two things: a brown cloak and a machete.
If Qingdeng were here now, he would definitely feel familiar when he saw this brown cloak.
Because this brown cloak was the cloak worn by the "cloaked man" who accidentally knocked down the shrine maiden he encountered in Ejima Shrine...
"I have noticed a long time ago that there is a group of people who have been secretly following the young master and Elodie."
"I originally planned to show up as soon as possible after this gang of ronin started to cause trouble, and repel this gang of ronin."
"But who would have thought that something like this would happen to Mr. Ju."
"That's good. Mr. Orange's sudden appearance can be regarded as a favor to me. He helped me defeat the gang of ronin who were causing trouble for the young master and the others, which saved me a lot of effort."
After quietly listening to Kiryu's explanation just now, Anthony's expression became slightly better.
"...Hmph." After snorting heavily, Anthony crossed his arms and leaned against the backrest behind him, "That's more like it!"
"If you really just let Elodie and the others leave the hotel yesterday without secretly following them to protect them, then I really wonder if Kiryu you are too old and your brain is broken!"
"Although I am old, I am still in good health." Kiryu shrugged.
Anthony, who was holding his arms tightly in front of him, slowly turned his attention to another thing packed in the big cloth bag together with the brown cloak: the beating knife.
This is an ancient sword with a large arc, the scabbard and handle are black and purple, and exudes a simple atmosphere.
After Anthony stared at the ancient sword for a while, he said quietly:
"Kiryuu...haven't you found someone who can inherit your mantle?"
"No." Kiryu smiled freely, "Unfortunately, my sword-drawing technique may really be lost."
Anthony's eyes widened slightly in shock: "Hey...is this okay?"
"It would be a pity if your unparalleled sword-drawing skills were lost..."
"...Let nature take its course." Kiryu lowered his head, looked at the purple and black ancient sword beside him, and then caressed the sword with a gentle movement like stroking his own child, "I used to worry about my skills.
Lost and impatient."
"But now, I've looked away."
"If I don't find a suitable successor until the day when my life comes to an end, it means that my skills have no chance to be passed down."
"Leave everything to fate."
"If you are lucky enough to find an heir before your life ends, that would be the best."
"If I don't have this luck...then I am willing to accept this result."
Anthony frowned: "...There are so many people in this country, there is no shortage of people who have extraordinary talents in swordsmanship, right? Can't you find someone who is talented enough to inherit your sword-drawing skills?"
"Well..." Kiryu closed his eyes and shook his head gently, "When I choose a successor, I don't just look at his swordsmanship talent."
"Not only looking at swordsmanship talent? Then what else do you look at?"
"How should I put it..." Kiryu smiled and looked out the window, "As you just said, there is no shortage of talents with outstanding swordsmanship talents in this world."
"So I hope that in addition to having outstanding swordsmanship talents, my heir will also have some... more interesting talents."
"'More interesting talents? What do you mean...?"
"Hahaha." Kiryu laughed, "I don't know how to explain it to you. Anyway, my heir must be 'interesting' enough!"
"...The thoughts of you great swordsmen are really difficult to understand." Anthony sighed impatiently.
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