I formed the strongest swordsman group.

Chapter 889 The Young Widow’s Special Delusion [4500]

"Shikisaki! Long time no see!"

Suddenly, Qing Deng heard a loud shout behind him.

Following the sound, they looked and saw six strong and muscular young men walking straight towards them.

In this feudal era when productivity was underdeveloped, it was not easy for farmers to maintain such a physique.

It can be seen that the living standard in the "Blacksmith Village" is extremely high, far better than that of ordinary rural areas.

Looking at the group of strong men who suddenly appeared, Shikizaki Jiyori immediately put on a warm smile.

"Eitaro! It's been a long time since we last met. You seem to have gained some weight."

The sturdy man called "Eitaro" - it was he who had said "Long time no see" just now - laughed:
"I can't help it. Who told me to marry a good woman who is good at cooking? Shikizaki, are these two our employers?"

Yingtaro said, turning his head to look at the master and disciple.

Shikizaki Kiyoshi nodded slightly:
"That's right. Mr. Tachibana... Mr. Tachibana, Mr. Kiryu, this is Eitaro, one of the top blacksmiths in the Blacksmith Village, who is especially good at forging swords."

When setting off today, Qing Deng specifically told Shikizaki Jiyou not to reveal his true identity casually.

In order to avoid unnecessary trouble, Qing Deng wanted to hide his whereabouts as much as possible.

Therefore, before the words came out, Shikizaki Kiyomi urgently changed the address1, changing "General Tachibana" to "Mr. Tachibana".

As soon as Shikizaki Kiyomi finished speaking, Yingtaro looked at the master and disciple respectfully and bowed solemnly:

"Mr. Tachibana, Mr. Kiryu, nice to meet you! I'm Yingtaro, and I'm honored to meet you today. I hope you can give me your guidance!"

Qing Deng nodded slightly and responded in a calm tone.

After both parties briefly introduced themselves, Yingtaro looked at Shikizaki Kiyomi again.

"Shikizaki, let's get down to business. What are you going to forge this time? You actually brought out this 'Zhurong Furnace' that has been sealed for a long time."

As he spoke, he tilted his head and looked towards the huge furnace, a hint of excitement flashing across his eyes.

Shikizaki Kiyomi chuckled a few times, and said in a half-satisfied, half-excited tone:
"Eitaro, our task this time is extraordinary - we will use 'Ten Thousand Refined Steel' to reforge the blade of a precious sword!"

As soon as these words came out, Yingtaro and the other companions around him were all surprised.

"'Ten Thousand Steel'?!"

Yingtaro screamed out loud, and then asked impatiently:

"Is this the 'Wan Lian Steel' that I know of?"

Shikizaki Kiyomi nodded vigorously:
"That's right! It's the legendary 'Ten Thousand Refined Steel'! And it's of extremely high quality!"

After saying that, he turned and looked at Qing Deng.

Qing Deng immediately understood what he meant, took out the tightly wrapped "Wanlian Steel" from his arms, and untied the wrapping - the sharp yet soft black luster illuminated the faces of Yingtaro and others.

In an instant, as if being sucked into a black hole, Yingtaro and others stared at the black steel in Qingdeng's hand with their eyes wide open, their bodies leaning forward, not even daring to blink, their facial expressions dominated by intense shock.

They are all blacksmiths who are skilled in forging.

Therefore, they can tell the quality of steel at a glance.

"Good steel... really good steel!"

Yingtaro murmured, with an infatuated look in the depths of his eyes.

"I never thought that a country boy like me would have the honor to see such fine steel!"

"To forge a sword with 'Wanlian Steel'... then we really need to activate the 'Zhurong Furnace'..."

As he spoke, Yingtaro looked up and looked at the huge furnace in front of him with mixed feelings.

"Shikisaki, after learning that you had given up being a swordsmith, I thought that this furnace would never be restarted."

Shikizaki Kiyomi shrugged:

"To be honest, I have made up my mind to retire and let my reputation as a swordsmith and this forge become a thing of the past."

"But... our employer paid us too much."

After saying this in a half-joking tone, Shikizaki Kiyomi switched back to a serious, solemn tone:

"Okay, let's stop with the small talk for now.

"Now, business matters!"

"Everyone, I am not talented enough, and I have to trouble you for your help again!"

Yingtaro grinned and smiled carefreely:
"No problem, as long as we are paid enough, we will work hard without complaint!"

Shikizaki Kiyomi spread his hands:
"Have I ever wronged you?"

He and Yingtaro smiled at each other.

"Eitaro, pour the coal!"

Following Shikizaki Kiyori's order, Yingtaro shouted with great momentum:
"Brothers, let's go!"

"Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh!"

At this moment, the atmosphere on the scene changed.

The scene, which had been a little bleak due to the cold wind just now, was now filled with a warm atmosphere, as if even the temperature had risen by several degrees.

Led by Yingtaro himself, they trotted towards the cellar not far away, pushed open the door, and took out sacks one by one.

They were seen holding a sack in each hand, turning around and running towards the "Zhurong Furnace", then untying the sacks and pouring the contents of the sacks into the furnace.

Looking closely, the contents of the bag were black lumps - coal.

After pouring out the coal in their hands, Yingtaro and others turned back to the cellar and took out new coal - this cycle repeated itself over and over again.

Bag after bag of coal was poured into the furnace, and gray coal dust floated everywhere.

According to what Shikizaki Kiyori had just said, the "Zhurong Furnace" needs to use at least 1000 kan of coal (3.75 tons) every time it starts firing.

Nearly 4 tons of coal...both the cost and the physical effort required to transport this huge amount of coal are staggering.

Fortunately, Yingtaro and others are strong men with plenty of physical strength.

A large hemp sack half a meter long and wide was as easy to lift as a wick in their hands.

Without stopping or resting, they poured coal into the furnace in an orderly manner.

About half an hour later, Shikizaki Jiji glanced at the coal pile in the furnace, and then issued a new order in a loud voice:
"ignition!"

In a flash, Yingtaro picked up a burning torch and put it into the furnace.

call!
A raging fire broke out.

Thick, choking black smoke drifted outward and rushed straight into the sky.

The moment the flames ignited, Shikizaki Kiyoshi's third order came:
"The wind rises!"

Yingtaro and others responded and took off their clothes, leaving only a loincloth, revealing their strong bodies, and then stood on the pedals on both sides of the bellows.

There is a thick rope hanging above the pedal.

Yingtaro and others raised their hands, grasped the thick rope tightly, used it as leverage, and stepped on the pedals.

When you step on this side, the other side will lift up; when you step on that side, this side will lift up...and so on, you keep pressing the pedal like you are on a seesaw.

With the repeated blowing of the bellows, wisps of fresh air were poured into the furnace, fueling the fire.

The orange-red flames shot up with a whoosh sound.

In just a blink of an eye, the black smoke condensed into black clouds and the fire grew into a sea of ​​flames.

The fire produced by nearly 4 tons of coal... is like Zhurong coming down to earth!
"Zhurong Furnace" lives up to its name!

A surging heat wave hit him in the face. Although he was far away, Qing Deng felt that his eyebrows were about to be singed.

The raging fire made everything around it dim.

Looking around, everything within sight was distorted by the heat wave into an unreal and uncertain state.

Even if all the words in the world were used, it would be impossible to accurately describe the shock that Qing Deng felt.

From the beginning, Shikizaki Kiyomi gave instructions one by one in an orderly manner.

At this moment, he looks like a general commanding thousands of troops!

The general commands the troops, while he commands the wind and fire!
To be honest, the contrast between Shikisaki Jiyori and Shikisaki Jiyori was so great that Qing Deng couldn't help but wonder if he had a split personality. The more handsome Shikisaki Jiyori was at this moment, the more he looked so eye-catching yesterday...

Lying in the arms of the prostitute, flapping his limbs, and shouting for milk... The scenes he saw yesterday were deeply imprinted in Qing Deng's mind and he would never forget them...

Thinking of this, Qing Deng couldn't help but turn his head and look up and down at Shikizaki Jiyose with a strange expression.

The other party did not notice his gaze.

At this time, Shikizaki Jiyori was standing with his hands on his hips, staring at the blazing "Zhurong Furnace" with a look of satisfaction on his face.

"Only a flame wave of this magnitude can create a fire powerful enough to pound the 'Ten Thousand Refined Steel'!"

After that, he took out a thin rope from his arms and tied up his long hair casually.

"This fiery snake rising into the sky... I haven't seen it for a long time."

He murmured softly, with a hint of nostalgia on his face.

"If nothing unexpected happens, this should be its...last dance!"

"That's just right."

"To refine 'Wanlian Steel' as my final mission... This must be the best ending for 'Zhurong Furnace'!"

After saying that, he extended his hand to Qing Deng.

Upon seeing this, Qing Deng understood what he meant and took out the "Wanlian Steel". At the same time, he took off the Vairocana from his waist and handed them to the other party.

After Shikizaki Jiyori took over the Vairocana, he drew the sword out of its sheath with a "clang" - the enchanting purple blade light immediately filled his vision.

"Vairocana... I know this knife."

As he spoke, the corners of his mouth curled up, his tone full of sighs.

"Father, he once told me about this knife."

"He said this knife was our family's greatest masterpiece."

"To be able to fight on equal terms with the 'Mogami Daigyemono' Chosone Kotetsu... our ancestors' craftsmanship is truly extraordinary."

"Our ancestors devoted all their knowledge to forging this sword successfully."

"And now, I will also use all my knowledge to give this knife a new life."

"Hahaha, our Shikizaki family and this sword really have a connection."

“When I think about it, I feel a huge responsibility.”

After expressing his feelings, Shikizaki Jiyori turned to Qing Deng and said:
"Mr. Tachibana, Boss Kiryu, please go back and wait."

"I can't say exactly how long it will take to successfully reforge the blade of Vairocana."

"Please leave me your address."

"Once the forging is complete, I will personally deliver the knife."

After hearing this, Qing Deng nodded slightly.

"In that case, once the sword is forged, you will deliver it to the Shiweikan in Koishikawa Kohinata Yanagi-cho."

"Test Health Hall? What a coincidence, I happen to know this place."

Shikisaki Kiyomi raised his chin and spoke with a proud and confident manner:

"Then please wait for good news!"

……

……

The steel has been delivered, the sword has been entrusted - all Qing Deng can do next is to trust in Shikizaki Kiyori's skills and wait patiently.

The "Western Expedition Plan" that should be discussed with Tokugawa Iemochi has been discussed.

He successfully found Shikizaki Kiyoshi and entrusted him with the important task of "recasting Vairocana".

At this point, all the tasks that Qing Deng had to complete during his return to Edo have been completed.

Qing Deng had originally planned to "go quickly and come back quickly".

Now that he had done everything he needed to do, there was naturally no reason for him to stay in Edo any longer.

In that case...he couldn't avoid saying goodbye to Tianzhangyuan.

If it were in the past, Qing Deng would have met Tenshoin as soon as possible after returning to Edo.

It's a rare opportunity for me to come back, and it would be wrong not to say hello to her.

However...ever since Tokugawa Iemochi said those explosive words to him, he could no longer treat the young widow with a normal attitude.

Now, whenever he thought of Tianzhangyuan's pretty face, he would think of "If you don't abandon me, I am willing to be your foster father", then think of Tianzhangyuan wearing a white wedding gown, and then think of Tianzhangyuan stroking her bulging belly while sitting beside him with a smile...

Honestly speaking, even Qing Deng himself couldn't help but feel that his imagination was too rich. How could he come up with so many messed up images?
Whenever these delusions passed through his mind, Qing Deng would feel ashamed - what was I doing? Why were my thoughts jumping around like this?
If it were the virtuous Tianzhangyuan, she would definitely not think about it like I do!
Could it be that Tokugawa Iemochi's "proposal of marriage" was so powerful that it directly disturbed his heart?
Or were these images already deeply buried in his heart, and Tokugawa Iemochi's "proposal of marriage" merely served as an initiation?

No matter what, there is only one thing that is certain at the moment - Qing Deng has no idea how to face Tianzhangyuan...

For this reason, he has not met the other party until today.

Of course, no matter how much he delays, there will be an end, and he can't escape forever.

Qing Deng didn't want to return to Otsu with this confused and uncertain mood.

So he gritted his teeth and went to look for Tianzhangyuan.

Soon, he learned that the other party was at the Moon Palace Shrine...

……

……

Edo, Tsukimiya Shrine, Archery Field——

Phew—pop!

The arrow flew through the air and hit the target thirty meters away.

Tian Zhangyuan glanced at the score on the target, then slowly put down the bow in his hand and frowned slightly.

The arrow she had just shot did not hit the bull's eye, but stuck straight in the air about an inch away from the bull's eye.

Although it was not bad, for Tianzhangyuan, who was proficient in archery, such a result was a low-level mistake that should never be made.

She sighed silently and put the longbow in her hand back on the bow rack beside her.

She naturally knew why her condition was so bad.

In recent days, Qing Deng has been disturbed by Tokugawa Iemochi's "marriage proposal" - the same is true for Tenshoin.

Now, whenever she thought of Qing Deng, she would think of Tokugawa Iemochi happily saying to her, "Mother, Tachibana-kun... no, father! Congratulations!", and then think of Qing Deng wearing a Monzuki haori, and then think of herself stroking her bulging belly and sitting next to Qing Deng with a smile on her face...

[Note: Monfu Yuzhiku: Men's formal dress in the Edo period, which must be worn at weddings]

Whenever these delusions flashed through his mind, Tian Zhangyuan would be furious-really! How could I be so lustful? !

If it were Sheng Qing, a man of high moral character, he would definitely not think about this like I do!

Suddenly, she couldn't help but recall Qing Deng's tall figure again.

Instantly, her face turned red as if it was burned by fire.

She had to hold her face with her hands, trying to cool it down with her cold palms.

At this moment, the voice of the "Twin Female Ninja" Sazhong suddenly came from behind him:

"Your Highness, Ju Qingdeng requests to see you."

In an instant...the moment she heard the name "Ju Qingdeng", Tian Zhangyuan's delicate body trembled a few times and her expression changed slightly.

"Sheng, Sheng Qing is here? What is he doing here?"

Saeki replied expressionlessly:

"Tachibana Aoto plans to return to Otsu tomorrow, so I came here to say goodbye to Your Highness."

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A new January has begun! Book friends who have monthly tickets, please be sure to vote for this book! (Tearful Leopard Head.jpg)

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Tianzhangyuan is so cute! (豹嗨.jpg) Long live the little widow!