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The author didn't sleep for nearly the entire night last night.

But it's not that there's something wrong with my physical or mental condition.

As for the reason, book lovers should all understand.

Alas... Thousands of words turned into a sigh...

*******

*******

At this moment——

A corner of the military viewing seat on the east side——

"Wow..." Shujiro raised his head, looked at the sea of ​​people surrounding him, and couldn't help but shrink his neck, "There have been more people... I didn't expect so many people to come to watch this competition...

"

Soujiro felt very lucky now - he and Asa woke up earlier today, otherwise they would not have been able to get a seat at the viewing table.

"Ah, Soujiro!" Aji, who was sitting next to Soujiro, pulled his husband's haori sleeve, "The fitting has begun, look!"

"Oh, oh..." Soujiro retracted his gaze from looking around and looked at the arena ahead.

Sojiro has never been interested in martial arts competitions.

If it hadn't been for his wife's persuasion to watch the Aizu Hou Swordsman Competition on the grounds that "it might get inspiration for writing", there would have been a question as to whether he would go out today.

Whatever... Soujiro sighed silently.

Now that we’re here, let’s try to watch it until the end...

…

…

Aoto's opponent in his first trial was a swordsman named Adachi Totaro.

Speaking of Adachi...he is also a relatively famous rising star in the Edo swordsmanship community.

He was born in the Kenbukan where Ono Itto-ryu was taught. It is said that his sword is both strong and fast. Even some senior swordsmen who have been practicing swordsmanship for many years are no match for him.

In terms of overall strength and reputation, among the younger generation in the Edo swordsmanship community, Adachi can be said to be second only to Kan and others known as the "Three Heroes".

When they heard the emcee sing the names of Aoto and Adachi, exclamations suddenly erupted from the audience seats.

The "Kitabansho Little Tengu" Tachibana Aoden, who has become famous recently, faces off against Adachi Totaro, whose strength and reputation are second only to the "Three Heroes"... The first trial of the competition is this kind of strong competition, how can we not let it go?

Are the spectators excited?

"Tachibana-kun, come on!" Okita waved his two fists raised to Aoto's chest, who was already standing up with his sword.

Chiba Jutaro raised his hand and patted Qingto's back: "Come on! Tachibana-kun!"

Sanako didn't directly encourage Aoden like Okita and her brother did. She only nodded slightly towards Aoto.

Kondo, Hijikata and the others also gave encouraging words to Aoto who was about to play.

"Ji Jun." At this time, Qingden heard Zhou Zhu call him with a serious face, "Remember what I told you: Never be arrogant or underestimate the enemy."

"Your current strength is indeed pretty good, but there are so many strong players in this competition."

"A group of outstanding new talents led by the 'Three Heroes' have all participated in this competition."

"As far as I know, quite a few contestants have the ability to put you in a tough fight."

"Hold your breath and concentrate, go all out, and don't be careless at all."

Seeing Zhou Zhu's serious expression, Qingdeng's face could not help but become serious.

Qingden nodded vigorously, "Yes!"

After nodding one by one with all the friends who encouraged and encouraged him, Qingden took several deep breaths vigorously, briefly adjusted his condition, and walked towards the arena with his head held high.

But at this time, Qingdeng had a thought in his mind, turned his head, frowned and looked at the martial arts viewing seats on his left.

Is it an illusion... Qingdeng just felt like he was glared at by someone viciously...

He looked around a few times in the direction of the sight he just felt.

Wherever he could see, he could only see a vast sea of ​​people. Qingden, who had gained nothing, could only withdraw his sight and continue to stride towards the stadium.

Qingdeng's feeling was actually not wrong - he had indeed been glared at fiercely just now.

…

…

Hiroshi Arizuma, who belongs to the training hall and is currently sitting not far behind Saito Yakuro, is looking at Tachibana Aoden who has crossed the martial arts gallery and entered the arena with a gloomy look, while speaking in a voice that only he can hear.

He muttered in a clear voice:

"It turns out he is that Tachibana Aoden..."

The new wife Kuan looked at Qingdeng with unconcealable jealousy.

Determined to become a member of the Chiba family and use the Chiba family as a springboard to realize his ambitions, after Chiba Sadaikichi and others appeared on the field, he cast fiery eyes at Chiba Sadaikichi and the others and paid close attention to them.

Every move of the Chiba family.

Therefore... Chiba Jutaro's actions of warmly greeting Aoto and taking Sanako's initiative to sit next to Aoto were all seen by his new wife Kan.

Seeing Chiba Jutaro's enthusiastic attitude toward Aoto, Nitsuma's brows knitted together uncontrollably.

In order to successfully become the son-in-law of the Chiba family, he has been deliberately taking the initiative to associate with the people of the Chiba family...especially Chiba Jutaro, who is Sanako's brother, trying to form a good relationship with them.

However... Chiba Jutaro's attitude towards him has always been extremely cold.

No matter how positive his kindness and good intentions were, Chiba Jutaro remained unmoved.

I have tried so hard, but I am still not taken seriously by Chiba Jutaro, but this Tachibana Aoto can be treated so warmly by Chiba Jutaro... While the new wife Kan is jealous of Aoto, he also feels the pain.

A sense of crisis.

Sanako's brother has a very good relationship with a certain young man - this is not good news for the new wife.

The new wife couldn't help shouting in her heart: Why is this Tachibana Aoden treated so warmly by Chiba Jutaro?! Is it because he looks pretty good? Or is it because his strength is outstanding?

Xinzuma Kuan had always heard about Qingdeng's name and deeds, but he didn't take Qingdeng's strength seriously.

Shinzuma Kuan is quite confident in his talent and strength.

He admitted that Qingdeng, who was able to hit the "radical anti-barbarian faction" one after another in just three months, had some ability, but the new wife Kuan felt that by putting him in Qingdeng's position, with his ability he could win peace and success.

The same as Qingden... or even surpassed Qingden's results!

Hiroshi Arizuma is not an exception - many young swordsmen have the same idea as Hiroshi Arizuma: they think that with their own abilities, if they are placed in Aomori's position, they can win without losing, or win.

Directly surpassing Qingdeng’s results.

——I don’t know if I will have a chance to play against this Tachibana Aoden in this competition...

The new wife's hands that were spread wide on her legs slowly tightened.

If I can defeat Tachibana Aotobu in public in this competition, will the attitude of Chiba Jutaro and others towards me change... Niizuma Kan couldn't help but think like this.

After glancing at Qing Teng a few more times with jealous eyes, Nitsuma Kuan turned his attention to the "VIP table" located on the north side of the arena.

Looking at the people on the "VIP table", Xin Zhikuan couldn't help but look fascinated.

——I didn’t expect so many famous people to come to watch the game this time.

——If you can perform extremely well in this competition, you may be able to directly gain the recognition of a certain famous person, and then be promised a high-ranking official and a generous salary...

——If this is the case... there is no need to cling to the Chiba family anymore.

So many famous people came to this competition... This was really beyond Kuan Shinzuma's expectation.

The reason why he signed up for this competition was because he wanted to take advantage of this rare event to show the world... mainly to show his strength and potential to the Chiba family, so as to pave the way for him to join the Chiba family in the future.

However, now, seeing so many famous people sitting on the "VIP table", Kuan Niizuma's mind has changed a bit.

If he can really get it right in one step and be recognized by a daimyo directly for his extraordinary performance in this competition, then he really doesn't need to covet the Chiba family's connections and resources in the future.

The new wife put her hands on her legs and squeezed them tighter.

He silently strengthened his determination to shine in this swordsmanship competition!

…

…

On the VIP stage——

"Oh, Lord Aizu, there are so many people today." Lord Utsunomiya, who was sitting on the left hand side of Lord Aizu, laughed at Matsudaira Yoshiho.

"Such a huge flow of people... I am afraid that only a few festivals such as summer fireworks festivals and New Year's shrine visits can compare with this." The Lord of the Matsushiro Domain on the side agreed.

Matsudaira Yongho, who was sitting in the center of the VIP table, had been receiving constant greetings and flattery since just now.

Matsudaira Yōho—this young feudal lord who is only 24 years old this year has a mature temperament that is extremely unmatched for his age.
To be continued...