"Residence? Battlefield?"
Sanako, who was still holding Natsume Yue, raised his eyes and cast a surprised look at Aoden.
Qingden seemed to have expected that Sanako would look at him like this and smiled faintly.
…
…
Turn back time to a while ago——
Seeing that the "acne scar warrior" still refused to say anything, Qingto without any hesitation inserted the wakizashi into the nails of his toes again.
This time, Qingdeng used a new stabbing method.
He no longer pierced the tip of the knife in one breath.
Instead, slowly, slowly... with a rather "gentle" movement, he gradually inserted the tip of the wakizashi's knife into the gap between the "acne scar warrior"'s toenails, greatly increasing the "acne scar warrior"'s toenails. pain.
"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh-!"
Sure enough - the screams of the "pox scarred warrior" became more miserable, another toe became bloody and bloody, and the whole body spasmed more violently.
"Besides Natsume Yue, did you also kidnap Sanako Chiba? Where are the people you kidnapped now being imprisoned?"
Like an emotionless robot, Aomori repeated his question for the third time, then moved his wakizashi towards the third toe of the "acne scarred warrior".
In a hurry and without any more powerful interrogation tools at hand, "pricking the cracks of the toenails with a knife" was the interrogation method that Qingdeng could think of that would bring the most pain to people.
This was Qingdeng's first time interrogating someone... and he still used such cruel interrogation methods.
Since he had no relevant experience before, Qingdeng inevitably felt a little uncomfortable.
However, after briefly recalling the conversation that he and Mai Kinoshita had just overheard of the conversation between Natsume Sohachiro and this "acne scarred samurai", the little discomfort in his heart quickly dissipated, and then turned into determination and decisiveness.
…
(I have followed your instructions and handed over to you the donkey cart containing the sake ordered by Mr. Bright that was scheduled to be delivered to the residence today! It’s time to return Ah Yue to me!)
…
What Natsume Sōhachiro just said to the "pox-scarred warrior" was still in Aoto's ears.
Regarding this Mr. Bright, Qingden had heard of his name—from Elodie a few days ago.
According to Elodie, this old man who is highly respected in the Edo settlement and loves Japanese sake is going to hold a very lively dance on the day of his 60th birthday, including Elodie and her family. Most of the foreigners in the residence will attend the banquet.
And the day of the dance...is tonight!
Organized and disciplined kidnapping of others and sending Tenchu Natsume Sohachiro; such a radical method... This made Qingto couldn't help but think of the organization that has been basically bound to his life in the recent period. Name: The Barbarian Fighting Group!
The orchid doctor Hanada Shichiro and the three archers led by the "middle-aged man with a beard" who were captured by Seito and others a few days ago have been detained in the prison room for the past few days and are undergoing professional interrogation. Team: Interrogation of prison guards.
Under a harsh interrogation that did not give them any chance to breathe, the three archers quickly confessed - they admitted that they were members of the anti-barbarian group!
The anti-barbarian group, which had been dormant for a long time since the attack on the Tibetan Book Transfer Center, reappeared...
After a long time, they finally captured the members of the anti-barbarian group, but unfortunately, these three archers seemed to be just grassroots members of the anti-barbarian group, and they did not have any useful information.
Whether they were asked "Why do you have frequent contact with Shichiro Hanada" or "Where are your strongholds?", these three people basically had no idea.
The only valuable information the three of them revealed was a stronghold that the three of them used most often... Just as Qingdeng predicted before, the stronghold that the three of them revealed was located between him and him at that time. Not far from the alleyway where the 18 members of the anti-barbarian group met in a narrow road.
Except for this stronghold that they often use, they all expressed that they really did not know where the other strongholds of the anti-barbarian group were.
The execution office quickly organized a team and rushed to the stronghold exposed by the three people. However, when they arrived, the building was empty and nothing was found... Presumably, they were captured immediately after the "middle-aged man with a beard" was captured. The stronghold was evacuated in a short time, leaving no useful people or things for the government.
Overall - apart from knowing that the "bearded middle-aged man" and the others were members of the anti-barbarian group, no useful information was collected from the three of them.
Compared to the three "middle-aged men with beards", Shichiro Hanada, the orchid doctor who has no power to restrain a chicken, is unexpectedly perseverant.
The "middle-aged man with a beard" and others admitted that they were members of the anti-barbarian group, but he still insists that he is innocent until now.
The reason why Shichiro Hanada is so perseverant...it's not hard to figure out why.
At a time when the Edo shogunate was severely cracking down on the "radical anti-barbarian faction", if it was really confirmed that he had some ulterior deal with the anti-barbarian group... it would not be impossible to directly sentence him to death.
Therefore, for the sake of his own life and driven by luck, Hanada Shichiro would not even admit that he had anything to do with the anti-barbarian group until all options were exhausted.
Because he had only recently come into contact with and fought against the people of the anti-barbarian group, Qingden now has a very sensitive mentality towards matters related to the anti-barbarian group.
The anti-barbarian group and the foreigner's settlement...just the juxtaposition of these two words makes people feel like they can't help but sweat on the back!
There are too many questions to be clarified.
The uneasiness that has been swirling in Qingdeng's heart since this morning has rapidly expanded...
Qingden couldn't maintain his patience. In order to dispel the fog in his mind as soon as possible, he had no choice but to use this cruel method to interrogate the "pox scar warriors" and others.
When Ayoto pointed the tip of the wakizashi's sword at the gap between the toenails of the third toe of the "pox scarred samurai", fear and fear finally began to appear on the guy's face.
But after several movements, his lips still closed... Seeing this, Qingden opened the nail of his third toe without thinking.
Qingdeng just kept repeating the action of "questioning - lifting toenails".
It wasn't until all the toes of the "acne scar warrior"'s right foot were opened and Qingden was about to take off the socks on his left foot that the "acne scar warrior" finally seemed to have lost his defenses and said in a hoarse voice:
"I said! I said everything!"
"In addition to Natsume Yue, we also kidnapped the 'Chiba Onikomachi' of the Chiba Sword Hall!"
"They are all imprisoned by us in Kaimachi 4-chome..."
Qingdeng silently memorized the precise place names that the "acne warrior" quickly reported.
The painstaking surveillance of Natsume Sōhachiro over the past few days has finally yielded results...but Aomori didn't show any signs of joy.
In addition to the whereabouts of Miss Sanako and the others, Qingto also had quite a few equally important questions that he wanted to ask, leaving Qingto no time to make any expressions.
Qing Deng asked a new series of questions without changing his expression:
"You are all members of the anti-barbarian group, right? Why did you kidnap Miss Sanako and Miss Natsume?"
Although he was already 70% to 80% convinced that this group of organized, disciplined and radical lunatics were members of the anti-barbarian group, Qingdeng still asked for the time being.
The response from the "Acne Scar Warrior" was not beyond Qingdeng's expectations.
After being tortured by Aoden and telling Sanako where they were held, the "pox-scarred warrior" seemed to have completely given up on himself.
His face was extremely pale due to the severe pain in his feet, and he nodded gently:
"Well...we are from the anti-barbarian group..."
"We don't want to kidnap Chiba Sanako... Our initial target is only Natsume Yue, and we want to use Natsume Yue to blackmail Natsume Chonghachiro... Because when the kidnapping of Natsume Yue was officially carried out, Chiba Sana Zizheng was with Natsume Yue, and she also drank the tea we added with 'sleeping potion'... The kidnapping of Chiba Sanako was purely accidental."
Having said this, the "Acne Scar Warrior" paused.
He may have realized that the focus of Qingto's questioning and attention just now was always on Sanako, so he heard him add in a hurry:
"Chiba Sanako and Natsume Yue are both well fed and fed by us."
"Our anti-barbarian team only shows its fangs to national traitors, barbarians, and those who have to sacrifice themselves for the cause of repelling the barbarians, so she is just as good as Natsume Yue."
As if he heard some funny joke, Qingdeng sneered:
"'Only show your fangs to national traitors, barbarians, and those who have to sacrifice themselves for the cause of repelling the barbarians'... It's a shame that you can say such high-sounding words."
At a normal time, Qingdeng might have had time to refute the self-impressed remarks of the anti-barbarian group.
However, there are still some important questions that I am anxious to continue asking this "acne-scarred young man," so Qingden has no time to worry about this guy's ridiculous statement just now.
"Is your threat to Mr. Sohachiro Natsume to have him hand over to you all the sake ordered by Bright and scheduled to be delivered to the residence today? What are you going to do with the wine ordered by Bright?"
When asking this question, Qingdeng's tone and expression became solemn uncontrollably.
Because it was a matter related to the residence, Mai Kinoshita's expression, who was standing next to Aoto, also became serious at the same time.
His best friend: Elodie lives in the settlement...so Kinoshita Mai has always paid a lot of attention to the settlement in Edo.
Hearing the new question asked by Qingto, the "pox warrior" who had just given up on himself showed hesitation again.
Qingden keenly noticed the change in the facial expression of the "acne scar warrior"... He didn't say much, and just silently made another move to take off the left sock of the "acne scar warrior".
Qingdeng's actions frightened the "acne scar warrior" so much that his face changed drastically, and he kept saying "I say! I say!", "I will say anything!".
After another brief psychological struggle, the "Acne Scar Warrior" closed his eyes as if he had resigned himself to his fate.
"Me too... I didn't know the full extent of Mr. Kamino's plan until near the evening..."
"Tonight, in order to celebrate his 60th birthday, the Yi people in the residence, Bright, will hold a dance at his home...most of the Yi people in the residence will participate in this dance."
"The barbarians are all gathered together... it will be very convenient to kill them."
"We disguised a large amount of kerosene as the sake that Yi Ren Bright ordered from Natsume Sohachiro, and openly transported the kerosene into the residence, and then prepared to catch all the barbarians participating in the Yi Ren Bright dance tonight. They killed and burned them all, and then helped burn the entire settlement to ashes..."
"Pox-scarred warrior" finished.
Deathly silence suddenly surrounded the alleyway where everyone was...
…
--what did he say?
…
Although the voice of the "acne scar warrior" just now was very low, his words were quite clear. At least Kinoshita Mai could hear clearly what he was saying just now... But even so, Kinoshita Mai could not help but ask herself blankly in her heart. "what did he say?"
A pair of beautiful eyes that were perfect in terms of size, eye shape, and proportion to the face were wide and wide, and the pupils as beautiful as black gemstones lost their original crystal brilliance because the sight suddenly became unable to focus.
Kinoshita Mai only felt as if the back of her head was hooked by a thread... She clearly heard and understood all the words of the "acne scar warrior" just now, but her head couldn't understand... No, it was because of the "acne scars" The content of what Samurai just said was too terrifying. Under the influence of fear, her brain subconsciously refused to think further.
The shock is slow and long.
A strange feeling of paralysis spread throughout the body, as if the soul had lost control of the body, unable to speak or move even a finger.
Thump, thump, thump, thump... The heart seemed to be heavily compressed from the outside, beating so fast and hard.
It was obviously the heart in her body, but Mai Kinoshita felt that her heartbeat sounded like it was coming from somewhere outside her body.
It was as if the soul had lost control of the body and was beginning to leave the body. Mai Kinoshita had the illusion that her field of vision had changed to a bird's-eye view, as if she could see herself standing on the ground, standing next to Qingto. .
After what seemed like a short time, but also felt like a long time, Kinoshita Mai felt that her soul had returned to her body.
It was only then that Kinoshita Mai realized that her back was covered with cold sweat that wet the entire yukata fabric on her back.
My eyes were dry from forgetting to blink just now.
One scene after another, horrific scenes appeared in his mind without Kinoshita Mai's control, and then passed by Kinoshita Mai's eyes one by one.
The huge fire engulfed the settlement...
Countless people screamed and fled in all directions...
The people of the anti-barbarian group were like hunters hunting prey. They were grinning ferociously while chasing down the fleeing people with knives...
Elodie...her best friend looked at the fire that surrounded her and her family in horror...
…
--don't want……
The scene was so horrifying that the blood color on Mai Kinoshita's originally fair and rosy face and alluring red lips faded at a speed visible to the naked eye.
She wanted her brain to stop these terrible imaginations, but the horrific scenes continued to swirl and entangle in her mind.
——These madmen must be stopped!
Kinoshita Mai finally shouted clearly in her heart.
But her panic was not slowed down or controlled.
After all, she is just a 15-year-old girl who has not experienced any big storms.
The "energy" of the plan that the anti-barbarian group plans to implement tonight has exceeded Kinoshita Mai's psychological endurance.
She knew exactly what she was going to do now, but all the thoughts in her mind were in a mess.
There are a lot of things I want to say... there are a lot of things I want to do in a hurry... but my brain, which has been unable to resume normal operation, just can't sort out these chaotic thoughts.
Kinoshita Mai was at a loss due to panic and fear...Natsume Sōhachiro on the side also had his eyes widened at this time, with a look of disbelief on his face.
When he was coerced into handing over the sake ordered by Bright, Natsume Sōhachiro had already vaguely guessed that this group of people must be preparing to do something terrible.
But he didn't expect that the boldness of this group of people was far beyond the limits of his imagination...
The silent atmosphere gradually became solid, and then became solemn. The air in the entire alleyway seemed to be extremely heavy as if it had solidified into liquid.
However, at this moment, someone's voice shattered the dead silence and heaviness of the moment.
"...When do you plan to start burning the settlement?"
Qingteng's tone was very calm... Kinoshita Mai couldn't help but turn her eyes to Qingteng in surprise, and then she saw Qingteng's expressionless and extraordinarily calm face.
——Tachibana-kun...did you hear what this person just said?
Because Qingto was so calm, even Kinoshita Mai couldn't help but murmur in her heart in disbelief.
"Twilight, twilight five o'clock..." "Pox scar warrior" he said.
Five o'clock in the evening... converted into modern time, it is 22 o'clock in the evening.
The current time is about 20:30...which means there is still about an hour and a half before the anti-barbarian group launches their attack.
"You'd better make sure everything you just said is true. If I find out even half a lie later..."
Before Qingdeng finished speaking, the "Acne Scar Warrior" began to speak quickly:
"Everything I just said! Every word is true! I will never lie to you!"
After emphasizing his "honesty" loudly, the "Acne Scar Warrior" suddenly pursed his lips with a complicated expression.
Immediately afterwards, he was seen saying carefully to Qingdeng in a pleading tone:
"I...I provided so much information..."
"After that...can I be given a...lighter sentence...?"
This man who had previously been shouting arrogantly about "Heavenly Punishment", "national thieves", and "only showing his fangs to national thieves, barbarians and those who have to sacrifice themselves for the great cause of expelling the barbarians", now pitifully begged the Qingdeng Gang Help him and give him a light sentence.
Qingdeng ignored this guy.
After he glanced at this guy with a look that showed neither sadness nor joy, he stood up with his hands on his legs.
"Miss Kinoshita."
Hearing Qingteng calling her, Kinoshita Mai quickly focused her eyes and attention on Qingteng.
"Take these two things I have and go to the Kokuban Station, and tell Tong Xin, Inoya Hanjiro, who is currently working the night shift at the Kita Station: Tachibana Aoden has discovered the new trend of the anti-barbarian group, and the anti-barbarian group plans to The residence will be set on fire tonight."
"In short, I want to tell all the details of the anti-barbarian group's preparations to attack the residence, so that the government can quickly organize manpower to go to the residence."
Qingteng took off the inlong and jushou from his right waist and handed them to Kinoshita Mai.
"If they ask you who you are, show them these two things and say you are my friend. As long as you say so and show them these two things, they will believe you."
Kinoshita Mai hugged the Jushou and Yinlong handed over by Qingto, blinked... and there was a look of surprise on her eyebrows.
To put it bluntly, why... Kinoshita Mai now felt that the panic and fear that filled her heart just now melted away as quickly as the snow melted.
Seeing Qingden's calm look and listening to Qingden's calm voice... a strange sense of stability surged in Kinoshita Mai's heart.
The brain begins to function normally again, and thoughts are no longer chaotic.
"Tachibana-kun," she asked, "I'm going to Beifansuo...then where are you going?"
Qingnobo's direction just now was quite clear. He only asked Mai Kinoshita to go to the Beifan Station to move and rescue alone, without saying a word about what he was going to do.
"The two of us will act separately." Qingdeng raised his head and glanced at the sky, "It's still some time before the anti-barbarian group officially launches an attack..."
"The anti-barbarian group's attack on the settlement tonight will inevitably involve a large number of personnel, and may even be deployed in full force."
"Whether it is evacuating the residents of the settlement or repelling the incoming anti-insurgency group, these are not tasks that I can complete alone now."
"Even if I rush to the residence quickly and tell the people inside, 'Run away,' I'm a soft-spoken person, so no one will pay attention to me."
"Most of the residents in the residence will not know a Kazuto in a serious way."
The face of Elodie's tutor whom he met a few days ago...that is, the face of Gerald who often looked down upon Qingdeng, appeared in Qingdeng's mind.
"In short, if you want to stop the attacks of those madmen, you must let the government personally come forward."
"So, Miss Kinoshita, can I give you the task of 'notifying the government to send someone to rescue'? You are much faster than me. Compared to me, this task is more suitable for you."
"I want to rescue Miss Sanako and the others first."
Qingto turned his gaze and looked in the direction of where the "pox scarred warrior" just mentioned that Sanako and others were being imprisoned.
"Although these lunatics keep claiming that they 'will not wield the butcher knife randomly,' we cannot believe everything they say."
"Miss Sanako and the others must be rescued as soon as possible, otherwise things may change later."
"After I rescue Miss Sanako and the others, I will rush to the residence and join the government's large forces to repel all the incoming rebel groups!"
Qingdeng's words were full of order... and strength!
Kinoshita Mai blinked at Qingden blankly, and then nodded vigorously with a serious face.
There was a determined light in his eyes.
"Tachibana-kun, leave it to me!"
Kinoshita Mai clenched the Jushou and Inrō in her arms.
"I will rush to Beifan Station as quickly as possible and ask the government to send people to rescue the residence as soon as possible!"
"Yeah." Qingden grinned, "Please!"
"Ah, by the way. Tachibana-kun, what should we do with these people now?" Kinoshita Mai suddenly thought of the "Acne Scar Samurai" and others.
Qingden frowned and looked at the "acne warrior" and others on the ground.
Qingdeng's hand just now was indeed quite heavy, and these guys still haven't regained the strength to stand up until now.
Both of them are in a hurry now... but they don't have time to deal with these people slowly.
So... Qingto raised his eyes and looked at Natsume Sōhachiro on the side.
Natsume Sōhachiro, who felt Aoto's gaze, trembled slightly.
Natsume Sōhachiro, who understood the meaning of Aoto's eyes, hesitated for a moment and gritted his teeth.
"...I understand! Mr. Tachibana, I will try to take care of these people for you first! I will ask my servants to come over with ropes and tie them all up!"
After finishing speaking, Natsume Sōhachiro changed into a pleading tone and looked at Aoto with red eyes, who had just threatened to rescue Sanako and the others first.
"Mr. Tachibana, please rescue my daughter!"
…
…
After briefly mentioning the current crisis facing the settlement to Sanako, Qingto ignored the shocked expressions on Sanako and Natsume Yue's faces. He raised his head and looked at the sky above his head.
"Miss Sanako, please walk all the way north along this street. If you keep going north, you will reach a crowded place."
"It should be safe once we get to a crowded place."
"I have to go first."
Qingden stopped looking at the sky, turned his gaze back to Sanazi, and smiled at Sanazi.
"See you later."
Aomori didn't say any lengthy farewell to Sanako and the others.
He just said coolly, "See you later," then he held the Dingguishen around his waist and ran towards the east, towards the direction of the residence!
Sanako, who was still hugging Natsume Yue, stood silently.
She watched Qingden's figure getting smaller and smaller within her field of vision without blinking.
The complex thoughts and emotions that made one wonder what she was thinking and what words to use to describe them flashed back and forth in her pupils.
…
…
——So tired...
Since traveling to this era, Qingden has been exercising relentlessly.
After his persistent and hard training, Qingdeng's muscle strength and physical strength have been greatly improved compared to when he first crossed over.
However, no matter how good his physical strength is, he can't withstand Qingdeng's torture.
Ever since he discovered that Natsume Sōhachiro had secretly left his home alone, Aoto had hardly rested.
First, they got rid of the "Pox-scarred Samurai" and others who were preparing to kill Natsume Sohachiro, and then rushed to rescue Sanako and Natsume Yue without stopping.
When I arrived at this block, I heard Sanako's shout and rushed to follow it. I found Sanako who was preparing to fight to the death with the pursuers. Immediately afterwards, one man fought against 12 samurai chasing Sanako.
And now, we have to rush to the residence again, preparing to participate in a battle that is bound to be far more intense than the "1vs12" just now.
Not to mention resting, there was no time to even take a deep breath.
The neighborhood where Aomori is currently located is located in a remote area in the western suburbs of Edo... a not-too-short distance from the settlement.
If we just run there, we will probably have no energy left by the time we get to the residence.
——Are there any horses around here...?
In this era, excluding sedans, which require other people to lift the sedan to move it, the only thing that can be used for transportation is horses.
There were often some rich farmers living on the outskirts of Edo who would use horses to pull the vegetables they grew at home to sell in Edo, so livestock such as horses were not uncommon on the streets of Edo.
But...this is just not uncommon on the streets of Edo in broad daylight.
At this time, there is not even a ghost on the street. Where can Qingdeng borrow a horse for transportation?
Just when Qingden saw the empty streets and almost gave up the idea of finding a horse to ride instead——
"Moo~~"
The cry of some kind of animal reached Qingdeng's ears...
Qingdeng followed the sound and saw a big black cow lying on the street not far away. A dark-skinned old farmer sat on the ground next to the big black cow. He held the reins of the black cow with his right hand and supported it with his left hand. He held his head and took a nap there.
This big black cow seems to be quite humane.
After Qingdeng looked over, the big black bull slowly raised its head as if it sensed Qingdeng's gaze.
One person and one cow, they looked at each other from afar...
…
"...Old man!"
Hearing someone calling him, the old farmer shuddered and hurriedly opened his eyelids.
"Ah! Takeshi, samurai-sama!"
As soon as he opened his eyes, he saw a warrior with two swords on his waist and a lot of blood splattered on his body striding towards him.
The old farmer's face changed with fright, and he trembled and knelt down on the ground in a squatting position.
"Please, please spare my life! I still have seven children to raise at home..."
He probably mistook Qingto, who was covered in blood, for the kind of perverted samurai who often used people to test his sword on the streets late at night.
"Calm down." Qingdeng interrupted the old farmer's begging for mercy, "I am a serious official, not here to kill people or steal money! Let me ask you, what happened to your big black cow?"
"Is this a cow?"
Seeing that Qingdeng did not mean any harm, the old farmer heaved a sigh of relief and began to tell Qingdeng in a concise and concise manner why he was sitting on the roadside holding a black cow at this time.
It turned out that because the family's youngest son suddenly fell ill, in order to raise enough money for his treatment as soon as possible, the old farmer had no choice but to bring the cow that his family had raised since childhood to Edo to sell.
When he arrived in Edo with his cattle, it was already evening today and the market had already closed. In desperation, the old farmer could only find a place to spend the night and wait until the market opened tomorrow morning before selling the cattle.
Because he was unwilling to spend money to stay in a hotel, the old farmer chose to sit on the street and prepare to make do with it for the night.
"Cow..."
After muttering softly, Qingden showed a strange expression.
"Old man, can you ride this cow...?"
"Ride? I can ride! I can ride!" The old farmer nodded vigorously, "My cow is very humane and has a very docile temperament. I rode it all the way to Edo."
"...Okay." Qingdeng let out a long breath, then put his hand into his arms and took out the money bag he carried with him. "Old man, I want to buy your cow. Is this enough money?"
Qingdeng kept the change in his purse, but took out all the big money: three small gold coins worth three taels of gold, and stuffed them into the old farmer's hands.
The old farmer's eyes suddenly opened as big as copper bells, and he shook his head very sincerely: "This, this is too much! Only half the money is enough!"
3 taels of gold... As long as you have good bargaining skills and have a certain understanding of the cattle market, this money is enough to buy 2 cows.
"Okay, take it now."
Qingdeng was still in a hurry and didn't have any time or mood to slowly negotiate the price with the old farmer.
After the debts of the Tachibana family were written off by the "Qingshui Clan", Qingdeng is now very wealthy. For Qingdeng, a mere three taels of gold is just a lump sum, and he can spend it without blinking an eye. of small money.
Seeing that Qingdeng insisted on giving him so much money, the old farmer was so excited that he burst into tears.
While holding the three taels of gold tightly in his chest, he kept bowing to Qingdeng and thanked Qingdeng for buying his cow so generously. He now had enough money to hire a doctor to treat Yaozi.
After saying goodbye to the old farmer who hugged the money and left quickly because he wanted to go home now, Qingden tilted his head and looked at the big man who was standing beside him obediently and had been staring at him since just now. black cow.
"Okay, now that I bought you, you have to work hard." Qingden tightened the reins in his hands, "I need you to take me somewhere now, just give me a ride. I won’t put you in any danger.”
The old farmer just said that his cow is very humane... It seems that he is not talking nonsense.
When Qingdeng was talking to it, the big black cow stared quietly into Qingdeng's eyes, as if listening carefully to what Qingdeng was saying.
After Qingdeng finished speaking, he silently withdrew his gaze, flicked his tail and said "moo", then spread his hooves, walked quickly to the middle of the street next to him and leaned down... He motioned for Qingdeng to sit up quickly.
Qingdeng was really surprised that this big black bull could be so understanding of human nature.
"Okay, good boy. I'll take you to eat delicious food afterwards."
Qingdeng held the knife at his waist and took three steps at a time to get on the horse...ah, no, get on the cow.
Just when he was about to urge the cow under his crotch to run——
"Tachibana-kun, wait a moment."
An unexpectedly familiar female voice suddenly sounded from behind Qingdeng.
Qingdeng's expression changed and he turned to look behind him.
"Miss Sanako?"
Behind Qingden, Sanazi dragged her injured leg and limped towards Qingden.
"Tachibana-kun, I finally caught up with you...huh? What's wrong with you being such a cow?"
Sanako Hidemei frowned slightly and blinked doubtfully at the big black bull who was now turning to look at her.
"Miss Sanako, why are you here? Where is Miss Natsume? Didn't you take Miss Natsume and escape to a safe place?"
Not bothering to explain the origin of his new mount to Sanako, Aomori fired a series of questions at Sanako like a barrage.
"I asked Ah Yue to escape alone first." Sanako said, "I have some important things to do now, so I can't escape to a safe place with her."
"She is also a strong child. Even without my company, she will definitely be able to escape to a safe place."
"Besides, without me as a wounded person who can't even walk fast now, it should be easier for her to escape to a safe area."
Got something urgent to do?
Before Qingto could question the words Sanako had just said, he saw Sanako let out a deep breath, and then with a pretty face, he said sternly:
"Tachibana-kun, please take me with you."
"I know a shortcut to the settlement!"
"Shortcut?" Qingden's eyelids sank slightly.
Shortcut... This word made Qingdeng's expression suddenly become serious and solemn.
"Miss Sanako, do you really know a shortcut to the residence?" Qingden asked quickly.
Sanako nodded solemnly: "When I go to teach the little princess of the Uwajima Domain, I always take this shortcut to go back and forth between the Uwajima Domain's residence and the Chiba Sword Hall."
"This shortcut is not too far from here!"
Having been the tutor of Princess Date of the Uwajima Domain for four full years, Sanako was already very familiar with the journey from Kameyashiki of the Uwajima Domain to the Kochiba Kenkan.
By chance, Sanako accidentally discovered a shortcut from Uwajima Domain's Yashiki to Little Chiba Kenkan.
This shortcut consists of many off-the-beaten-track alleys and byways, passing through a neighborhood adjacent to a Western settlement.
In other words - this shortcut can lead to the residence!
Listening to this sudden and shocking news, Qingdeng's eyebrows showed a hint of surprise.
"……Oh well."
After taking a deep look at Sanako, Qingden nodded gently, then stretched out his hand and patted the back of the cow behind him.
"Then please, Miss Sanako, please show me the way."
"Come on, Miss Sanako, get on the cow! It just so happens that my cow can accommodate one more person."
"Ji Jun, can you ride this cow...?"
Looking at the mount under Qingden, which warriors generally would not ride... Sanako's aloof expression "collapsed" uncontrollably, and her expression became weird involuntarily.
"My cow is very humane." Qingden smiled. "It just lay down on the ground and signaled me to ride up quickly."
"Moo~~" As soon as Qingdeng finished speaking, the big black bull flicked its tail in time and said "moo"... as if in response to Qingdeng's words.
"……I see."
Sanako took a deep breath and showed a "decided expression" that said, "Just ride the bull." Then he dragged his injured leg to the side of the big black bull, put his two slender legs together, and sat sideways on the green bull. behind Den.
After confirming that Sanako behind him had settled down, Qingden raised the reins in his hand.
"Come on! Carrot!"
"Moo~~"
A man, a woman and a cow, galloping through the streets of Edo at night!
"radish?"
"I just thought of the name of my cow." Qingden turned back and smiled slightly at Sanako behind him.
*******
*******
A new important character - the mount Carrot appears!
Its character card should be reviewed soon, and everyone can give it a lot of thumbs up.
Today's chapter update is to compensate for the owed updates to Silver League [Handsome is My Handsomeness]. I still owe this book friend 8 chapters of updates.
The author still owes 10 chapters worth 10,000 words.
As long as the author is brave enough, the decisive battle between Qingdeng and the anti-barbarian group should begin tomorrow...
So the author asks for votes again! The current monthly vote for this book is 938. As long as it reaches 1050 votes within today, the author will write a super big chapter tomorrow "Guaranteed 1W, Impact 1W5".
Asking for a monthly ticket! Please vote for recommendation! (Leopard head crying.jpg)
(End of chapter)
