This is the same reason as "military ability is not as good as Han Xin" and "governing ability is not as good as Guan Zhong" - isn't it a matter of course that you lose to him?

Even if you are defeated miserably by Niou's sword, no one will laugh at you for your lack of strength, and the reputation of the martial arts school will not be damaged.

Rather, it is quite the opposite. It is a rare and honorable thing to compete with Nioh!

Besides...what if?

What if I can injure Nioh when fighting against him... Or just let my imagination run wild: If I defeat Nioh, wouldn't my martial arts school and I become famous?

This kind of thing, which has no disadvantages but only benefits, is naturally welcomed by everyone.

As rumors spread rapidly such as "Nioh is killing people like crazy" and "Nioh is so powerful that all the masters of the major martial arts schools were defeated and defeated", the crowd of onlookers gathered behind Qingden became more and more numerous and denser.

For a time, it became a strange scene worthy of being recorded in history - wherever Qingdeng went, there was bustling crowds; wherever Qingdeng came, the streets became blocked.

Our own station and the Edo North Station currently on duty have to dispatch a large number of police officers to maintain public order and avoid stampedes, thefts and other vicious incidents.

Qingdeng consciously adopts the order of "from weak to strong".

His challenge has gradually grown from unknown small and medium-sized dojos to top martial arts schools that are famous throughout Edo and even the world.

As the difficulty of the challenge continued to escalate, Qingdeng gradually lost his composure. Sweat gradually appeared on his forehead and his breath began to become disordered.

Just like that - after two days and two nights of unremitting fighting, finally... on the third day, there were only four martial arts halls that had not "fallen".

And these last four martial arts halls are recognized by people all over the world as "the four strongest sword halls in Edo" - the Hokushin Itto-ryu Genbu Hall, the Shinto Muken-ryu Training Hall, known as the "Three Great Halls",

Kashin Akechi-ryu Shigakukan, and Aoshito's other "happy hometown" besides the Shiweikan: Little Chiba Swordsman.

At this moment, Qingdeng pushed up the snow hat above his head and looked along the edge of the hat at the door plaque with the three characters "Scholarship Hall" engraved in front of him...

…

…

Edo, Shixuekan——

Just because of its area, the Shixueguan is worthy of the name of "Three Avenues".

The seat area of ​​the Shixueguan is nearly 2,000 square meters. If converted into modern units, it is 6,612 square meters.

When Qingdeng stepped into the dojo, hundreds of people's eyes gathered into one heavy hammer, pressing hard on his shoulders.

I saw that both sides of the dojo were crowded with people.

The gazes of hundreds of people, the emotions of hundreds of people.

After the size of the venue, the number of apprentices in the Scholarship Hall made Qingdeng feel for the second time that "it is worthy of being a third-level venue."

Although the area of ​​​​the Shixuekan is quite spectacular, for Ayoto who often walks around Edo Castle and has witnessed magnificent scenes such as "hundred officials worshiping" and "three hundred princes meeting the general", this level is not

The scene is really not worth mentioning.

He walked towards the center of the dojo with his head held high.

As he moved, he raised his eyes and looked ahead.

On the wall in front of him, there was a plaque that read "The Mirror Stops Water".

Under the plaque, a handsome young man who looked like he was under 30 years old was sitting upright.

The man sitting on the main seat of the Shigakukan Dojo... The identity of this man has already been revealed - he is the legendary swordsman who promoted the Kagshin Akechi-ryu and is known as the "Momoi of the Seat": Haruzo Momoi!

If Aoto hadn't known in advance that Momoi Haruzo was born in the eighth year of the Bunsei era (1825) and was already nearly 40 years old this year, otherwise he might have been deceived by his youthful appearance.

Momoi Haruzang has fair skin, sparkling eyes, regular and handsome facial features, and outstanding temperament, so she looks particularly young.

Looking at Qingnobo who was standing 10 steps away, Momoi Haruzang, who had always been expressionless, suddenly raised the corner of his mouth:

"Hahahaha! Nioh, you are finally here! I am almost tired of waiting for you!"

Hearty laughter.

A laugh that won’t offend anyone.

Qingnobo and Momoi Haruzang had no old acquaintance. He only heard that the other party was a strange man with outstanding character and magnanimity, both ability and political integrity, and a very charming personality.

Everyone who is familiar with Momoi Haruzang, and everyone who has played against Momoi Haruzang, is full of praise for Momoi Haruzang's elegant style.

Now it seems that these rumors are not false.

Obviously it was his first time communicating with him, so Qingdeng couldn't help but feel good about him.

There were generally only two routes to swordsmanship in the Edo period.

First, the moves are simple and unpretentious, pursuing the ultimate in practicality and lacking in aesthetics. Natural Rishin-ryu and Kyogen-ryu are the typical representatives.

Secondly, the moves are extremely gorgeous, but they are flashy and have no practicality. The typical representatives are those nameless rural schools who rely on tricks that look awesome to defraud ignorant country people out of their tuition fees.

Kashin Akechi-ryu is one of the outliers.

Kashin Akechi-ryu emphasizes the "position" of movements, that is, posture, form, artistry and practicality. It is a swordsmanship school that is more artistic.

Momoi Haruzo, who has enhanced the career of Kashin Akechi-ryu, has taken Kashin Akechi-ryu's "position" to the extreme.

The fighting style that combines beauty and practicality has attracted countless people.

Over time, people gave him the honorific title of "Momoi of Rank" and the reputation of "Momoi's taste is unparalleled in the world".

Although everyone knows what Qingdeng is here for, the procedures that should be followed still need to be followed, and the required sense of ritual must still be fulfilled.

Qingdeng cleared his throat and said loudly:

"I'm Rizhin Ryu Tachibana Aoden! I want to compete with Mr. Momoi!"

As soon as he finished speaking, an impatient shout came from his left side:

"You passed me first! I am the fifth seat of the Shigakuen, Okasaka Tokugawa!"

This person's words were like poking a hornet's nest.

In an instant, the originally peaceful dojo exploded.

"Okasaka! Get out of the way! I'll go first!"

"I am the chief of the Shihakukan, Governor Kawaguchi!"

"Master! Please let the disciples raid the formation!"

…

In an instant, the entire dojo became extremely noisy.

Qingdeng took in this bustling scene with great interest.

The more advanced and powerful the martial arts gym, the more extraordinary the quality of its apprentices - this was his most significant feeling after launching the "Edo Conquest".

In the small and medium-sized dojos that he had previously challenged, although there were many apprentices who eagerly stood up and tried to challenge Qingdeng, they were only a minority, and most of them did not even dare to look at Qingdeng.

Look at now, look at these apprentices in the Scholarship Hall... Their eyes are almost bursting with fire!

The words "pass me first" and "please let me raid the formation" are all excuses. They just want to take this opportunity to compete with Niou!

Momoi Haruzang seemed to have expected the "riot" of his disciples, and he looked calm and said quietly:

"Everyone is quiet."

Suddenly, the noisy dojo became quiet.

However, there are still many people who are still ready to make a move.

Momoi Haruzang added at the right time:

"Quiet."

quiet……

The dojo finally became so silent that you could hear a needle drop.

Just one sentence calmed down the commotion among the disciples... It can be seen how high majesty Momoi Haruzang held among the disciples and in the academy.

"I can understand how you feel."

Momoi Haruzang said slowly:

"But...Nioh is mine now! None of you can steal it from me!"

As he spoke, Momoi Haruzou showed a child-like cunning expression.

"After I finish fighting him, it will be your turn!"

As he spoke, he stood up, took square steps, and walked towards Qingdeng unhurriedly.

Only then did Aonto notice: Momoi Kawazo was wearing a floor-length hakama that covered his toes.

Although the other party's words just now gave people a strange feeling of "a domineering CEO snatching the delicate heroine", but facing "Momoi of the position" first... is exactly what Aoden wants!

Momoi Haruzang stopped ten steps away from Aonto.

The name "Momoi of the Sea" is indeed well deserved.

His standing posture alone is both elegant and majestic.

"Bring me the sword!"
To be continued...