Katsura Kogoro's voice gradually became higher.

At the end of the sentence, he almost shouted.

Takasugi Shinsaku, who was pinned down, looked at Katsura Kogoro coldly, without even moving his brows.

After Katsura Kogoro finished speaking, he said calmly:

"Gui, you speak beautifully..."

"Then tell me, is there any way to get Changshu out of its current predicament while preserving the friendship between classmates and the lives of Kusaka and the others?!"

Just this question made Katsura Kogoro seem to be choked.

Takasugi Shinsaku’s words continued:

"Also, stop talking about classmates who are different from each other!"

"You regard Kusaka Genrui and Yoshida Minoru as classmates, do they take you seriously?!"

"I don't need to go into details about how they treated you that night at Ikedaya, right?"

As soon as these words came out, Katsura Kogoro's expression changed several times.

Shortly after escaping from Ikedaya and returning to Choshu, Katsura Kogoro learned all the truth.

It turns out that all this was a trap carefully set up for him by Miyabe Daizo, Yoshida Minoru and others.

He was deliberately tricked into coming to Ikedaya for a meeting in order to hold him back and buy time for "burning Kyoto and kidnapping the emperor."

If the Shinsengumi hadn't arrived in time and crushed their conspiracy, a human tragedy would have happened under Katsura Kogoro's nose.

Whenever he thinks of this, Katsura Kogoro can't help but feel grateful to the Shinsengumi.

Whether or not Kusaka Genrui was involved in this conspiracy... is hard to say.

After learning the truth, Katsura Kogoro didn't say a word. He just locked himself in the room and didn't come out for a long time...

Seeing the change in Katsura Kogoro's expression, Takasugi Shinsaku had a look of unbearable expression on his face.

After a few seconds of silence, he gritted his teeth and continued:

"Gui, I don't want to say things too harshly...but you'd better wake up!"

"Teacher Shoin is dead!"

"This village school has been abandoned!"

"Kusaka has parted ways with us!"

"The time when my former classmates were studying will never come back!"

After Takasugi Shinsaku finished his roar, an audible silence suddenly fell between the two of them.

"..."

Katsura Kogoro said nothing, only lowered his head silently, with his head hanging on his chest.

About 10 seconds later, he silently let go of Takasugi Shinsaku's shirt, stood up, and turned around to leave without saying a word.

Takasugi Shinsaku was arranging the messed up clothes while looking coldly at Katsura Kogoro who was walking out of the school.

Just when his figure was about to disappear from his sight, a low, lost voice came faintly:

"... After working on it for a long time, it turns out that I am the only one who still remembers the friendship we had as classmates..."

After leaving these words, Katsura Kogoro quickened his pace slightly.

His limp and feeble steps... seemed to be floating.

…

…

Changzhou, a certain mountain forest——

Dang! Dang! Dang! Dang! Dang! Dang! Dang! Dang! Dang!

The sound of gold and iron hitting each other is endless.

The criss-crossing slashes cut off the mountain wind.

Prajna holds the knife in his hand and scans his eyes left and right.

He saw two figures moving at high speed around him, either advancing forward or making deceptive moves.

These two people are none other than Master Haifang and Su Nuo!

Prajna snorted coldly and took the initiative.

In a blink of an eye, the three of them were fighting together.

Umibozu swung the Odachi sword in his hand and struck Hannya's head with a slash - Hannya raised his sword to block and bounce it away.

Su Nuo stretched out his arms, and the two swords cut out streaks of silver light in mid-air, weaving a large silver net - Prajna shattered this "silver net" with just one blow.

As soon as he said it, he lowered his upper body and rushed towards Umibozu like a whirlwind.

Master Umibo subconsciously raised the Odachi sword in his hand and struck it with all his strength, trying to force Hannya back.

Unexpectedly, Prajna advanced instead of retreating. Just when the blade was about to hit his Heavenly Spirit Cap, he nimbly twisted his body, no more, no less, to dodge, and then continued forward, approaching Umibozu in one breath.

.

He raised his right arm with his left hand, raised the tip of his left elbow, aimed at Umibozu's belly, and gave him a sharp elbow.

The "elbow strike" is one of the most brutal and powerful attacks that the human body can use.

Therefore, Umibozu, who took this blow, immediately screamed in pain, his legs went weak, and his body bent like a shrimp.

In order to make himself feel better, he had to turn over and lie on his side.

After dealing with Master Umibo, Hannya immediately turned around and pounced on Su Nuo not far away without stopping.

Su Nuo lowered his face, raised his two swords like a mantis, and took a stance.

Prajna waved his hand, and the blade drew a thrilling arc in mid-air and swept diagonally towards Su Nuo.

The blade seemed to hit Su Nuo's body, but in fact it only hit his afterimage - the opponent used exquisite footwork to duck to the side and rear of Prajna and launched a fierce attack.

Prajna calmly launched the attack.

The four rapidly sliding feet stirred up clouds of smoke and dust.

In the smoke and dust, the lights and shadows of swords are both dazzling and overwhelming.

After a while, the smoke gradually dispersed - and at the same time, the sound of fighting stopped.

After all the smoke and dust dispersed, they saw Su Nuo lying on the ground in a large shape, and his two swords flew into the air and fell into the distance.

Prajna stood upright, holding a knife in one hand, with the tip of the knife tilted towards his fingertips and his throat.

As long as he is willing, he can take his life immediately by just pushing the knife forward slightly.

"Surrender! Surrender!"

Su Nuo looked helpless and raised his hands in a gesture of surrender.

Seeing that the opponent had raised his hands to surrender, Prajna shook the knife habitually, shook off the non-existent blood on the knife, and then sheathed the knife.

At this time, suddenly, a clear male voice came from behind Prajna:

“Wonderful! Wonderful!”

Accompanied by cheers, applause and footsteps.

Hannya turned around and looked at him expressionlessly - Shuten Doji clapped his hands and took long strides towards him.

"Prajna, I haven't seen you for a while, but you have become stronger again!"

Faced with Shuten Doji's compliments, Prajna showed neither sadness nor joy on his face, and was unmoved. He didn't even say a word in response.

Shuten Doji seemed to be used to Hannya's indifference. After a brief compliment, he put his hands behind his back and said unhurriedly:

"Prajna, life is here again, go and get ready."

Prajna suddenly frowned slightly.

"What do you want me to do again?"

"As usual, go work as a bodyguard for Katsura Kogoro."

"Ah? Why do you want to be that guy's bodyguard again? Where is that guy going this time?"

"Changshu decided to launch an eastward expedition, attack the capital, and fight to the death with Qin Huisa. Katsura Kogoro is preparing to follow Kusaka Genrui and others to the east."

As soon as these words came out, everyone present changed their expressions.

Master Umibo raised an eyebrow:

"Eastern March? Isn't this too reckless?"

Su Nuo took over the conversation:

"Nowadays, Changzhou has no advantage against the Samu faction. If we rush to attack Gyeonggi, it will be a disaster."
To be continued...