Showing martial arts in front of the general... This is the "imperial martial arts performance" that thousands of warriors dream of!

In this world, there are indeed those martial arts idiots who "just want to practice martial arts, and as long as they can practice martial arts, they don't even have to eat."

However, there are only a very small number of such "madmen" who can ignore people's normal physiological needs.

Most people still have to sacrifice themselves for five buckets of rice due to the pressure of survival in reality.

In this era where there are basically no channels for social advancement, "practicing martial arts and then being favored by those in higher positions for your martial arts skills" is one of the few ways to achieve a class jump.

Many martial arts masters who want to enter the official career and show their ambitions in the official career are depressed throughout their lives because they lack an opportunity to show their talents in front of the shoguns and feudal lords.

At the age of only 18, Qingdeng won the honor of performing martial arts before the emperor... If word of this became known, I don't know how many people would be envious and their eyes would turn red with envy.

Faced with such a great opportunity that in other people's eyes was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that might change his future life... Qingdeng lacked enthusiasm.

Aoshino currently has no career ambitions, so he is not interested in showing himself in front of Tokugawa Iemo...but he is very interested in the competition itself.

This kind of opportunity can not only open your eyes and see the martial arts prowess of the world-famous "Third Division" generals, but also give you the opportunity to copy new talents, why not?

Generals usually only watch martial arts competitions in Baishuyuan.

At present, Tokugawa Iemo, Tenzouin and others have moved from Black Academy to White Academy.

Aoden, on the other hand, was led by a certain nickname under Tokugawa Iemo's command, and went to the nearby Kikurama. He was going to put on protective gear, pick up weapons, and get ready for the competition in the Kikurama.

The Kikurama, like the Ohiroma, the Black Shoin, and the White Shoin, are the "front" rooms located in the Honmaru Palace.

The function of this room is similar to that of a lounge.

When the general summons the daimyo of an unblocked city with a flag or a stone height of 10,000 to 30,000, the above-mentioned people will rest in this room and wait for orders.

When large-scale ceremonies and meetings are held, this room will be set up as the center seat for the big fan, the academy fan, and the small group fan.

There are still many lounges similar to Kikuma's in the Honmaru Palace.

People with different status levels can use and enter different lounges.

For example, Yanma, which is adjacent to Kikurama, is dedicated to serving the castle daimyo with a stone height of 10,000 to 300,000. The so-called castle daimyo are the daimyo of the vassal state who were granted the title of castle.

The Emperor's Mirror Room - part of the White Academy. The objects served are the Daidai with 10,000 to 100,000 koku.

The highest-level rest room is a part of the Black Academy. Only the Ii family, the Aizu Matsudaira family, the Takamatsu Matsudaira family, or other daimyo who have retired from the post of senior minister are eligible to use this room.

In addition to these "rooms for daimyo", there are also many rest rooms in the "omote" that are exclusively used by waiters and officials in Edo Castle. For example, the Kikyo Room is used exclusively by the new ban group chief, the ban doctor, and the female high school servants.

"Mr. Tachibana, we are here."

After the person with the surname Xiao who was leading the way said this, he bent his knees and knelt on one knee in front of a paper sliding door painted with gorgeous patterns, and then slowly opened the door with a very respectful movement.

The moment the door was opened, noise and hot air spurted out.

The sound waves composed of noisy chatter rushed toward Qingdeng.

Qingdeng, who was startled by the noise, frowned slightly, rolled his eyes, and quickly scanned the scene in the enclosure.

Everyone in the room was clamoring... 10 samurai of different ages were sitting or standing on the fragrant tatami, each doing their own thing.

More than ten pieces of brand-new protective gear and bamboo swords were neatly placed beside the door.

"Mr. Orange."

At this time, the young man who led the way and opened the door for Qingdeng explained to Qingdeng in a low voice.

"These 10 people are the opponents you will challenge later."

Qingdeng had a look of understanding on his face and nodded gently: "I see... thank you."

After nodding his thanks to this young man, Qingdeng strode across the door frame and entered the room.

When the door was just pushed open, the 10 warriors in the room all turned their heads to look at Qingdeng upon hearing the movement.

But they only glanced at Qingdeng, then withdrew their gaze and continued to do what they were doing.

Those who are in a daze continue to be in a daze, those who are chatting continue to chat, and those who are wearing protective gear continue to wear protective gear.

Qingdeng was completely ignored...it was like Qingdeng didn't exist.

Everyone in the room "turned a blind eye" to his words, which made Qingdeng frown again... not that he was complaining about the indifference of these people.

But I feel that the aura exuded by these people is... weird.

Qingdeng vaguely realized that the group of people's disregard for him was not the kind of disregard that despised him or looked down upon him.

It's the kind of... indifference that seems to pay no attention to everything in the outside world.

——Forget it, it doesn’t matter so much.

Qingdeng gathered his thoughts and turned towards the pile of protective gear placed by the door.

Just as Qingdeng held up a piece of armor and was about to put it on his body——

"Guian~ Are you the person we are going to fight against later: Tachibana Aoden?"

From behind came a neutral voice that made people feel so refreshing, both in terms of word choice and tone of voice.

Being spoken to suddenly... Qingdeng was startled for a moment, and then immediately turned around following the sound.

He saw two warriors standing side by side three steps behind him.

These two samurai are about 160cm and 150cm tall respectively.

The light was not good, and both of them were wearing full sets of protective gear that tightly covered their upper bodies and heads, so they couldn't see their faces clearly.

The conversation Qingden heard just now came from the taller man.

"I am Ju Qingden." Qingden said, "Who are you?"

"Wow~ I finally meet you~!" The taller man chopping his feet excitedly, "It's the first time we meet! I am Shimazaki Kazu from the major group!"

After finishing speaking, Shimazaki turned sideways slightly, stretched out his hand and pointed at the short man next to him:

"This is my friend - Tokuyama Shigeru! Like me, he is also from a major group!"

"It's our first time meeting you." Tokuyama Shigeru bowed to Qingteng in a neither humble nor arrogant manner, "My dear Mr. Tachibana, Tokuyama Shigeru, I have admired you for a long time. I must ask for your advice for the upcoming competition."

"No. I want to ask for your advice." Qingdeng politely offered a polite word and bent down to return the favor.

——The movements of these two people... are so elegant.

When he lowered his head to return the gift, Aoto couldn't help but raise his eyes and secretly looked at Shimazaki Kazu and Tokuyama Shigeru in front of him.

Through the very brief contact just now, Qingdeng has discovered that these two people are very elegant, both in their stance and in their movements. It is obvious at a glance that they are people who have received a very strict quality education.

Qingdeng didn't feel that it was strange at all. He just sighed silently in his heart:

——As expected of a descendant of a famous family...

The "Third Division" is the imperial guard responsible for the personal protection of the general and Edo. Its status is far more important than ordinary troops such as the Arche Division and the Iron Cannon Division.

Therefore, in order to ensure combat effectiveness and loyalty to the general, the "Third Division" only recruited soldiers from Hatamoto and his descendants.

There are many famous families in the flag book whose family income exceeds several thousand koku, and is richer and more powerful than some minor daimyo. Therefore, in the "Third Division", I met those who have high personal qualities and exude "aristocratic atmosphere"

It is not unusual for people.

"Mr. Tachibana! I have heard of your name and deeds a long time ago! I have always respected you! I never thought that I would have the opportunity to meet you in person!"

Having said this, Shimazaki paused for a moment. He raised his eyes and looked at Qingden's face several times.

"You are much more handsome than I thought!"

After saying that, Shimazaki chuckled... The laughter was a bit strange, but not unpleasant.

"Uh, thank you."

Shimazaki Kazu is very familiar to him. Even though he had just met Aotobu, he ended up chatting enthusiastically with Aotobu as if he had been an old friend for many years.

Ayoto has never disliked familiar people, so he was willing to chat with Shimazaki for a few words.

As for Tokuyama Shigeru, he was a bit taciturn. After introducing himself, he didn't speak much.

At this moment, a loud conversation suddenly came from not far away, attracting the attention of Aoto, Shimazaki, and Tokuyama Shigeru——

…

"Tsk, it's been a long time since I went to Yoshihara's place to relax. I'm almost suffocated. I miss being in bed with Ryoka by my side."

"Speaking of Yoshiwara...did you know? It seems that Itazaki from the academy series was unfortunately 'taught' in Yoshiwara and fell ill with Hanariu disease."

"Haha? Really or not? That kid is in such a miserable condition. What kind of disease is it? The kind with red spots all over the body? If it's the kind of disease with red spots all over the body, then that kid is dead."

"I don't know about that. I only know that he got Hualiu."

"Oh, how pitiful you are. Playing with women until you die."

"Hey, don't talk about such depressing topics. Let's talk about some important business - do you want to go drinking together tonight?"

"Oh? Okay. Where to drink?"

…

The three samurai, who didn't know which unit they came from in the "Third Division", were putting on protective gear with slow movements while talking loudly, discussing various trivial matters that had nothing to do with the competition later.

Listening to the conversation of these people and looking at their careless faces, Qingden's eyelids slowly lowered...
To be continued...