My Gang of Swordsmen

Chapter 63: Chapter 46: Tachibana Aoto Mastered Zhuge Kongming’s Ultimate Technique!

”Oh oh...”

”Impressive... Beautiful technique...”

”What kind of martial arts is this? It doesn’t quite look like Jujutsu.”

...

As Zhouzhu just said—during this era, samurai skilled in hand-to-hand combat were quite rare.

Samurai of this era usually focused on mastering swordsmanship, spear techniques, archery, and other weapon-based skills, not placing much importance on empty-handed combat.

After Aoto skillfully subdued Kondo, the numerous disciples sitting around the edge of the dojo, who had rarely seen such high-quality empty-handed combat, exclaimed in surprise and discussed among themselves.

The surrounding disciples were exclaiming in awe, and Aoto was also exclaiming—to himself, in astonishment.

Wow, hit the jackpot again!

After the system sound echoed in his mind, Aoto quickly brought up his personal system interface.

[Name: Tachibana Aoto] (?)

[Current talents owned:]

[Night Vision, Sword Genius, Sleep God, Lone Brave]

At the end of the talent list, the two large characters ”Lone Brave” had impressively appeared.

The more numerous and stronger the enemy, the more it ignites the fighting spirit, allowing for exceptional performance beyond one’s usual skill... Just reading the description, this talent already seems incredibly powerful.

The ”Radical Anti-foreigner Faction” often attacked in groups when killing, seldom engaging in single combat.

Gaining a talent that allows Aoto to grow stronger in the face of stronger opponents is, for him, truly a timely assistance in a difficult situation.

Aoto hadn’t had much time to savor the joy of winning the jackpot and gaining a new powerful talent when Zhouzhu’s aged voice reached his ears.

”Beautiful technique!”

With a warm smile on his face, Zhouzhu clapped his hands as he rose from the chief seat of the dojo and walked slowly toward Aoto.

”Mr. Tachibana, what’s the martial arts you just used? It looked a bit like Jujutsu, but it also seemed quite different.”

”It’s a combat method that’s been passed down through my family for generations.” Aoto proficiently lied.

”Hohoho...” Zhouzhu stroked his smooth chin, ”Your family has passed down a remarkable hand-to-hand combat technique...”

”If I’m not mistaken... the hand-to-hand combat technique passed down in your family specifically targets the joints, pressure points, and vital areas, right?”

”Exactly.” Aoto’s eyebrows jumped in surprise.

Zhouzhu continued with a smile:

”Yong just lost because you exploited the weaknesses of his joints.”

”With both arms locked in a position where they couldn’t exert force, no matter how strong he was, he couldn’t use his strength.”

Looking at Zhouzhu speaking eloquently in front of him, Aoto’s eyes sparkled with amazement.

This elderly man, by simply watching his bout with Kondo, could accurately identify the traits of the grappling techniques he used and the reason for Kondo’s defeat...

”Hohoho... Mr. Tachibana, you’re much more capable than I imagined.”

With that, Zhouzhu put his hands behind his back.

”Yong, fetch me two bamboo swords.”

At present, Kondo was still rubbing and relaxing his arms, which still ached from being gripped by Aoto earlier.

Upon hearing Zhouzhu’s command, although puzzled, Kondo quickly responded with a respectful ”Yes,” and then swiftly retrieved two bamboo swords and handed them to Zhouzhu.

Receiving the two bamboo swords from Kondo, Zhouzhu weighed them briefly before tossing one bamboo sword to Aoto.

”Come now, Mr. Tachibana.”

Zhouzhu smiled as he raised the bamboo sword in front of him.

”Now... let me see how skilled you are in swordsmanship.”

...

...

At this very moment—

”Hey, did you guys know? The culprit who murdered Granny Ping was caught by ’Three Times’ of the North Guard Station in less than an hour!”

”Less than an hour?”

”Yes, they say it’s a Fixed Town Patrol Dōshin named Tachibana Aoto who solved the case.”

...

Due to limited forensic technology, investigations lasting one or two months, or even several months, were extremely commonplace.

Solving a case in less than an hour—such an event would be considered extraordinary in the Edo Era.

...

”The culprit has already been captured by ’Three Times’ of the North Guard Station; Granny Ping should be able to rest in peace now...”

”Granny Ping was so kind! A few years ago, when my son fell seriously ill, we couldn’t afford treatment, but it was Granny Ping and her husband who treated my son for free and saved him! Who on earth killed Granny Ping?!”

”They say it was her childhood friend, Jinzāburō.”

”Jinzāburō? Hasn’t he always been honest? Why would he kill someone?”

”Who knows, you can never truly know someone’s heart.”

...

Granny Ping was quite renowned, and just within Mukiura Town, more than half of the people had received help from her and her husband. They couldn’t remain indifferent to Granny Ping’s murder.

In modern terms, Granny Ping’s case was the kind of ”high-interest event” that many people focused on.

Since the United States’ Black Ship Fleet knocked on the country’s doors seven years ago, hardly anything good had happened in this nation.

The 12th Generation Shogun Tokugawa Ieyoshi passed away due to illness, his successor, the 13th Generation Shogun Tokugawa Iedzumi, was incompetent, and to decide who would become the 14th Generation Shogun, constant strife ensued between the Nanki Faction and the Hitotsubashi Faction. Finally, after their feud ended, the authoritarian ways of Tairō Ii Naosuke began causing much dissatisfaction among many, led by Tenshōin...

And even without considering these issues at the temple gates, the troubles among the common folk were endless.