Passing through the corner of the corridor where the man in black had just dodged, the figure of the man in black who was sprinting along this corridor clearly appeared in Qingdeng's eyes.
This thin man in black was wearing a black outfit from head to toe.
The slightly loose black clothes and black hakama made it difficult to distinguish his figure, and both hands were wearing black cloth gloves that covered all the fingers.
Wearing a black turban and face covering that covered all of her hair and parts below her eyes.
Throughout Edo, maybe 9 out of 10 thieves were dressed like this in black from head to toe. Therefore, after seeing this man in black, Ayoto subconsciously concluded that this man was a thief who dared to carry out his duties. only.
"what happened?"
"It's Tachibana-sama's voice!"
"Let's go! Go and have a look!"
…
In the distance, the voices of Nishino and his men were heard.
Qingteng's "there is a thief" just now successfully alerted Nishino and others.
He had already heard the footsteps of Nishino and others heading towards him.
The man in black's feet, covered with black footbags, swung at a speed that made Qingden smack his tongue.
Although Qingdeng had tried his best to chase him, the distance between him and the man in black continued to widen.
Although Qingdeng was still in a hurry and his speed was slightly reduced because of this, Qingdeng felt that even at his peak, he would not be able to keep up with the man in black.
However - Qingdeng discovered that the man in black seemed not familiar with the internal layout of the execution center.
After passing through this long corridor, the man in black turned to the right.
And to the right... is a dead end.
Seeing that the man in black actually chose a dead end, Qingdeng was secretly relieved.
This guy has nowhere to go - Qingdeng thought to himself.
Qingdeng, who was in hot pursuit, also turned right and entered this dead end.
Unaware that he had entered a dead end, the man in black continued to gallop.
Finally, he saw the solid wall in front of him.
He immediately tilted his weight back, pushed his feet on the ground, and quickly stopped his body.
The man in black stared at the wall blocking his path for a moment - after a moment, he suddenly made a 180-degree turn! He rushed towards Qingden who was following closely behind him!
The man in black was extremely fast. He lowered his center of gravity and rushed toward Qingdeng with his entire upper body almost touching the floor. He looked like a cat pouncing on its prey. .
Seeing the man in black rushing towards him, Qingdeng thought that this guy was trying to break through his defense line and escape from this dead end.
So, Qingden's eyes narrowed and he took out the Dingguishen from his waist.
Even if we are of the same mind "three times", we cannot just kill people with a knife. If he kills a person whose crime is not worthy of death, regardless of the fact that it will definitely cause huge trouble, Qingdeng will not be able to pass the "conscience" test alone.
So after pulling out the Ding Guishen, Qingdeng turned the blade around, preparing to use the back of the blade that would not kill anyone to subdue this guy dressed in black.
He held his breath and stared at the movements of the man in black.
After the figure of the man in black entered his attack range, Qingdeng slashed the knife out without any hesitation and struck the man in black on the shoulder.
The man in black is like a fallen leaf that flutters in the wind.
He turned sideways to the right "lightly" and dodged Qingdeng's slashing attack.
He seemed to have no intention of fighting with Qingdeng. After dodging Qingdeng's blow, the man in black continued to run straight, hoping to miss Qingdeng.
When the man in black was about to pass through Qingdeng's left side, Qingdeng reached out his left hand in time and grabbed the left shoulder of the man in black.
Successfully caught this guy - Qingden originally wanted to restrain the man in black in one fell swoop.
However... the moment Qingdeng's left palm grabbed the man in black's left shoulder, the man in black suddenly lowered, raised, and twisted his left shoulder!
A powerful force suddenly rushed towards Qingdeng's left palm like a raging ocean tide.
Under the impact of this huge force, even with the blessing of "dexterous hands", Qingden still felt as if his left hand had caught a slippery loach, sliding away from the left shoulder of the man in black. !
A layman might not understand what the man in black just did.
But Qingdeng, who was very accomplished in unarmed combat skills, saw it very clearly: The man in black had just used a very high-level force-relieving technique to shake his left hand away!
Probably thinking that he couldn't leave smoothly without trying to resolve Qingdeng's entanglement. After breaking free from Qingdeng's control, the man in black quickly turned his upper body to face Qingdeng, raised his right hand, and put the five fingers on his right palm. They got together, aimed at Qingdeng's left shoulder, and blasted out with a palm!
Although his stature is so small, the power of the palm of the man in black is extremely terrifying!
That "whooshing" sound of breaking wind... doesn't look like an attack that a person of this size can perform at all.
There was no time to be surprised by the power of the man in black's attack. Qingdeng quickly turned sideways, bent his left forearm downward, turned his left elbow upward, and pointed the tip of his elbow towards the palm of the man in black's attack.
Before the palm strike from the man in black came, and before his palm accelerated to its maximum speed, he took the initiative to push out the tip of his left elbow!
This is the classic "upright elbow defense" in unarmed skills and "getting close to the opponent, shortening the opponent's punching distance, and making it difficult for the opponent to use force."
The man in black's right palm collided heavily with the tip of Qingdeng's left elbow.
The bone at the tip of the left elbow is very thick and hard. Since Nagakura Shinpachi copied the talent of "Steel Bone", the hardness of Qingden's bones has been further improved.
But even so, Qingdeng's left elbow still felt numbness and soreness after the tip of his left elbow hit the palm of the man in black.
In order to neutralize the powerful force contained in the palm of the man in black, Qingdeng had to take a step back.
The man in black seized this great opportunity when Qingdeng took a step back and stopped fighting.
He shook his right hand vigorously and ran away.
--hateful……!
Qingdeng gritted his teeth and hurriedly prepared to chase him.
But at this time... it was probably because the man in black voluntarily withdrew from the battle with Qingdeng, so the system judged that the battle between the two was over.
The system tone sounded in Qingdeng's mind.
【Ding! Scan to talent]
[Successfully copied talent: "Milk"]
[Introduction to talent: The milk produced is more abundant and nutritious]
[Beep beep beep beep! 】
[Warning: Because the host is male, it does not match this talent]
[This talent does not take effect]
This was the first time Qingdeng heard such a long system prompt after traveling to this era.
It was also the first time Qingdeng heard a system prompt with such content...
——Milk? Talent not taking effect? !
The series of system sounds that he just imagined in his mind immediately confused Qingdeng...
At this time, Saito, Nishino and others who came after hearing the sound finally arrived.
The people who appeared at the end of the corridor at the other end caught a glimpse of the figure of the man in black who was fleeing.
Nishino's expression changed instantly.
Also changing their expressions were his gangbiki who were following Nishino.
"Lord Nishino!" A certain Okaki from Nishino raised his hand and pointed at the man in black, "Look! It's the cat monk!"
"I saw it." Nishino, who frowned slightly, waved his big hand, "Hurry up and chase!"
——Cat Monk...? !
A "shock" has not subsided, but another "shock" has arisen.
Before Qingdeng could fully recover from the shock of copying the indescribable talent and hearing the indescribable system sound, a new "wave" of great impact hit Qingdeng's brain.
Qingdeng couldn't help but cast a shocked look at the man in black in front of him.
Saito, Nishino and others join in the pursuit of the man in black...or rather the cat monk.
Everyone was chasing hard.
But no one can match the speed of Cat Monk...
Mao Xiaoseng, who had always left Qingdeng and others behind, and was getting further and further away from them, did not enter a dead end again this time.
He successfully found a window leading to the outdoors.
I saw him pushing open the window and jumping out of the window.
Qingdeng and the others finally arrived at the window after a delay of nearly 7 seconds.
Tonight is a bright sunny day.
Lying on this window and looking out - the bright moonlight cast by the first quarter moon stretched out the shadow of the cat monk galloping on the roof of a shop outside the monastery.
Cat Monk is really like a cat, walking on the ground with such a steep slope.
After passing over the roof of the shop, he jumped deftly into the open road between the houses.
His thin figure completely disappeared from the sight of Qingdeng and the others.
"Nishino-sama..." A certain Okahiki of Nishino looked out the window where the cat monk had disappeared, and then looked at Nishino beside him, "Are we... going to chase him?"
"No need." Nishino responded without hesitation, "In the past two months since taking on the case of 'Cat Monk', haven't you learned enough about Cat Monk's ability to escape?"
"By the time we rush out of the monastery and chase people, Cat Monk will have disappeared long ago."
Aoto holds the same opinion as Nishino.
Although he didn't have to deal with the cat monk for a long time like Nishino, he could see it from the pursuit of the cat monk just now - they couldn't catch up with him on the flat corridor just now, so let's run now Chasing the little cat monk like a fish into the sea... Only a ghost can catch him.
"That person...is Mao Xiaoseng...?" Qingdeng looked at the direction in which Mao Xiaoseng's figure disappeared and muttered softly.
After hearing Qingden's muttering, Nishino said calmly:
"After taking over the case of 'Mao Xiao Monk', I have seen this Mao Xiao Monk at close range twice during previous operations to capture Mao Xiao Monk."
"I won't admit my mistake."
"Besides the Cat Monk, there is probably no other thief in Edo who has this kind of ability to fly over walls and walls."
Qingden couldn't help but glance a few more times in the direction where Mao Xiaoseng had just escaped.
This was the first time Aoden saw this phantom thief who had caused a lot of trouble in Edo.
Before this, Qingdeng had always heard of his name but had never had the pleasure to meet him.
It's exactly the same as the rumors I heard - Cat Monk is really a cat-like phantom thief.
The force-removing technique used by Mao Xiaoseng to break free from his control just now, as well as the palm that forced Qingdeng back, both left a deep impression on Qingdeng.
This extremely agile movement, this outstanding unarmed fighting ability... Qingden somewhat understands why no one has successfully caught this little cat monk until now.
Of course - compared to Mao Xiaoseng's rumored movement skills, Qingdeng was even more stunned by the talent he had just copied from Mao Xiaoseng.
Qingdeng opened his personal system interface:
[Name: Tachibana Aoden](?)
[Talents currently possessed:]
[Night Vision, Sword Talent, Sleep God, Lonely, Eagle Eyes, Left-handed, Physical Fitness, Skillful Hands, Strong Tongue, Iron Waist, Steel Bones, Strong Muscles, Cat Turns, Photographic Memory, Ghost Heart, Milk]
The new talent: milk, is now on the talent list.
However, this new talent is significantly different from the others on this list.
In the entire list, only the entry "milk" is dull and conspicuous.
Qingdeng guessed: This probably means that this talent cannot take effect.
Copied a talent that didn't work... This was Qingdeng's first time.
Click on each talent entry in the list to review the specific content of that talent.
Qingdeng clicked "milk", and a new virtual screen appeared in front of his eyes.
The milk produced is more juicy and nutritious - looking at the talent introduction written on the virtual screen, Qingdeng didn't know what kind of expression to show for a moment...
Does it turn out that you still have such a talent...? !
Since that little cat monk has such a talent... doesn't it mean that she is not a male?
Qingdeng's expression became strange uncontrollably.
He never expected that some of the rumors in the market would actually be correct...the famous cat monk was actually a woman.
The big monster thief who stirred up troubles in Edo and couldn't be caught no matter how hard he tried, and brought the Edo Pension Office into disrepute was actually a woman... If this matter were to come out, I don't know how much it would bring to the Office and the market. shock.
——Milk... If you calm down and think about it carefully, this gift is quite amazing... it can make your offspring grow stronger.
——I don’t know how old the cat monk is, or whether she has a husband and children.
——If she has a child... I really want to see if her child is much healthier and stronger than other children.
Qingdeng's thoughts were diverging uncontrollably in strange directions at this moment...
——I don’t know how rich this “more nutritious” food is.
——If her husband drinks it...will it also be beneficial to the health and nutritional intake of adults?
At this time, Nishino's words interrupted Qingden's thoughts that were gradually developing in a wild direction.
"Tangerine. What happened just now?"
Encountering the cat monk in the monastery - Nishino became a lot more energetic after being aroused by this incident.
He asked Qingden with a serious face.
"Where did you meet the Cat Monk?"
…
…
Edo, the leased land, the Angoulême family's mansion, Elodie's room——
The maid Leroy, who was wearing an orange maid uniform and folded her hands in front of her body, whispered to Elodie beside her:
"Miss, it's very late at night, it's almost time to go to sleep."
There was a warm stove in the room, so Elodie, who was only wearing a thin white dress, was sitting on a chair.
This chair is slightly taller than Elodie, who is petite.
A pair of white feet without socks swayed there because they could not touch the ground. The light red toenails were like ten small cherry blossom petals.
"Well..." Elodie answered her maid nonchalantly, "I'll read for a while and then go to bed..."
Elodie's legs were covered with a book as big as her entire face.
The pages of the book are still very new, but there are many defects in various places such as the footers.
Looking at Elodie who was reading a book extremely intently, Leroy opened his mouth, let out a silent sigh, and smiled helplessly:
"Miss, is this "Robin Hood" written by Mr. Alexandre Dumas so good?"
"You must have watched it more than 10 times, right?"
"I've read it so many times, why are you still reading it with so much interest?"
Leroy has been with Elodie for many years, and their deep friendship makes the relationship between the two women extremely close.
The relationship between the two women... is not so much that of "master and servant", but more like "sisters" who can joke with each other and say private things to each other. The two women's private interactions are basically quite casual and friendly.
Robin Hood - a heroic figure in British folklore. The legend of Robin Hood has been circulating among the people since the 12th century. He was a green forest hero who was good at using bows and arrows, often robbed the rich and gave to the poor, and acted chivalrously.
Later generations continued to use the legend of Robin Hood as material to compile a large number of popular stories.
The great French writer: Alexandre Dumas created a masterpiece - "Robin Hood" based on the work of his predecessors.
The book that Elodie is currently reading carefully is this popular novel that is currently a bestseller in France.
Hearing Leroy ask her this, Elodie raised the corner of her mouth and said with a smile:
"Because Mr. Alexandre Dumas's "Robin Hood" is really beautiful! I will never tire of reading it!"
Elodie closed the book on her lap and stroked the delicate writing with her little hands, her eyes flashing with longing.
"It's so cool to use all your skills to help the weak Mr. Robin Hood..."
The smile on Leroy's face got a little thicker: "Miss, you really like this kind of story of 'the capable people helping the weak, robbing the rich and giving to the poor'."
At this point, Leroy suddenly paused.
"Ah... Speaking of 'robbing the rich and giving to the poor'... Miss, I heard a rumor this afternoon that you should be very interested in. Do you want to listen to it?"
"Rumors?" Elodie, whose attention was aroused, raised her head and winked at Leroy, "Miss Leroy, tell me what the rumors are."
"Miss, we have been living in Osaka before and have rarely heard about things in Edo. I didn't know until this afternoon that there was a cat monk in Edo who specializes in stealing money from evil people. He is called the 'Cat Monk'." 'The Phantom Thief."
Specializing in stealing money from villains, being a phantom thief... The moment after hearing these two words, Elodie's eyes immediately shone with excitement.
"Cat Monk?"
It was "Robin Hood" and she didn't care to read it anymore. Elodie casually put it on the small table next to her, then jumped off the chair, stepping on the soft carpet with her two little feet, facing Elodie, The small pink toes stood slightly on tiptoe.
"Miss Leroy, please tell me the story of this little cat monk in detail!"
"Miss, I don't know much about this person's deeds."
"It doesn't matter! Just tell me as much as you know!"
Seeing that Elodie was so eager to hear the story of the cat monk, Leroy rolled his eyes, a thoughtful look appeared on his face, and then smiled:
"Miss, you can also listen to me tell the story of the cat monk."
"But you have to go to bed quickly."
"As long as you lie down in bed and cover yourself with quilt, I will immediately tell you all the heroic deeds I know about Cat Monk."
Hearing Leroy's words, Elodie was stunned for a moment.
"What..." Elodie curled her red lips, "Miss Leroy, you actually used this to coerce me..."
"Miss, I don't call this coercion." Leroy smiled slightly, "I'm just making a reasonable transaction with you."
"Okay, miss, let's choose quickly. Do you want to go to bed now? Or..."
Before Leroy finished speaking, Elodie rushed onto the bed next to her and covered herself with the quilt.
"Okay, I'm already lying on the bed!"
Elodie, who pulled the quilt up to her neck and held the edge of the quilt with her two little hands, urged Leroy urgently.
"Miss Leroy, tell me the story of the cat monk!"
Seeing that Elodie finally went to bed, Leroy, who showed an expression of "knowing what the plan was", pulled over the chair where Elodie was sitting just now and sat down beside Elodie's bed.
"Okay, okay, I'll tell you now."
Leroy cleared his throat, and then slowly told the story of the great monster thief, imitating the tone of a medieval bard reading a story.
Leroy's eloquence is not very good, and her clumsy narrative skills make the story not sound particularly exciting.
But even so, Elodie still listened with interest, and the expression on her face became more and more excited as Leroy told it.
After detailing all the deeds of the cat monk that he knew, Leroy ended with the rumor that "the cat monk is a female ninja".
"...It is said that the cat monk is a female ninja who is proficient in the almost lost ninjutsu."
"She is a ninja who has been practicing ninjutsu since she was a child, so she has such agile movement."
"Female Ninja...?!" This exotic word made the excitement in Elodie's eyes flicker even more intensely. "Then can she use shurikens? Can she use the kind that makes people hallucinate? Is it an illusion? Can you use the kind of clone technique that divides your body into several parts? Can you breathe out fire?"
"Uh..." Leroy smiled awkwardly, "I don't know about that... after all, 'The cat monk is a female ninja' is just a rumor. No one knows whether it is true or false."
Not getting a definite answer from Leroy, a hint of disappointment appeared on Elodie's face, but this disappointment only flashed past.
"A phantom thief who specializes in attacking those who commit great crimes... Isn't that just like Mr. Robin Hood..."
Elodie stared at the ceiling above her head as if looking into the sky, her face full of longing.
Then, as if she remembered something, she turned her gaze back to Leroy.
"Hey, Miss Leroy, do you think this little cat monk has any companions?"
"I don't know about this..." Leroy shook his head, "As far as I know - Cat Monk seems to have always been alone."
"I think Cat Monk should have a companion!" Elodie said with certainty, "Even if he doesn't have one now, he should have one in the future."
"According to what you just said, the practice is currently increasing its efforts to capture the cat monk."
"Then Cat Monk's subsequent actions will no longer be so smooth."
"In order to ensure that I can continue to do chivalry and justice in the future, even if Mao Xiaoseng has no companion now, he will definitely find one for himself in the future!"
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