A person in Japan, a sword that soars to immortality.

Chapter 158 The Next Era, True Qi Warrior

Satsuma Domain, Kagoshima.

It has been a week since we returned from Paradise Island.

During this time, they requested the Shimazu family to send a large number of people, but still could not find Taiichi's whereabouts. Everyone had to admit the fact that Taiichi had disappeared!

Inside Satsuma Castle, Tokugawa Ienari, Matsudaira Aoki, and members of the Shimazu family were all present.

Listening to the report from the tenth lord of the domain, Shimazu Nariaki, everyone present had a serious expression, but only Matsuki Aoki's eyes were filled with anxiety and worry.

Glancing at Matsudaira Aoki, Tokugawa Ienari sighed, but was secretly delighted.

That damn guy is finally gone!

Others from the Shimazu family shared the same idea as him.

Taiyi's performance at the execution ground by the sea was undoubtedly like a huge boulder weighing on their hearts.

Humans can fight against gods, but how can humans fight against gods?

Lifting everyone up and soaring across the sea, such methods truly leave no room for resistance.

Fortunately, this terrifying person has finally disappeared.

Even if you tell them it's true, no one will believe it, but it would be best if this disappearance could continue indefinitely.

"Ha, how foolish."

"How tragic!"

As a young official in charge of many affairs in Edo, Matsudaira Aoki could naturally sense their secret joy.

He could understand why these local lords were pleased.

What are you, Tokugawa Ienari, so happy about?

Without Taiyi's military deterrence, these domains will revert to their previous state of constantly stirring up trouble and causing problems in secret.

Although suppressed, the shogunate was, in a sense, a beneficiary.

When Taiyi was around, all government orders were carried out smoothly. Now that Taiyi has disappeared, there's no need to think about it, just wait and see!

At the same time, he was also heartbroken about his future.

With Taiyi gone, my dream of becoming a senior citizen is now completely gone.

As someone whom he personally discovered, promoted, and relied upon, leading him to the pinnacle and beyond human reach, Matsudaira Aoki was bound to him.

Now that Taiichi was not around, he clearly noticed that Tokugawa Ienari looked at him with more contempt.

"It doesn't matter, after all, I am still the lord of the Aizu Domain."

In the north of Sakura, Aizu is the strongest domain, with many samurai and a fierce and valiant people.

Back in Edo, I wasn't worried about any danger to myself, but the shogunate...

"Hey......"

"Aoki, don't be anxious. I believe that with Taiichi's strength, he will definitely not have any problems."

Tokugawa Ienari turned his head and smiled as he offered words of comfort.

Impressed.

Am I worried about Taiichi? I'm worried about Satsuma!

These days, unlike Tokugawa Ienari who just stayed in the castle drinking and having fun, Matsudaira Aoki has been touring Satsuma.

The martial spirit of the people here is evident in the streets, where all sorts of Western goods are sold. It is also rumored that Satsuma is secretly developing its own capabilities and manufacturing many new types of firearms.

All signs indicate that the Satsuma Domain, located far to the west of cherry blossoms, harbors terrible intentions!

"Taiyi, I really can't imagine what the world will become without you, and I don't want to know..."

He nodded without offering any further explanation.

Matsudaira Aoki gazed at the sky outside the door, lost in thought.

......

"What did you say? You're leaving!"

"Zoche, what are you doing? How can you speak to Senior Brother Shuxian like that?"

Inside the inn, the standard eight-tatami room was filled with samurai from the Yamada family, as well as two ninjas.

Huameimaru sat behind Saqie, while opposite him sat a female ninja with long hair partially covering her face, behind Shuxian.

"Alright, Genji, don't be rude to Sakiri. Don't still treat her like our junior sister."

Shugen raised his hand to stop Genji from speaking, then straightened his back, placed his palms on his knees, and bowed his head to Sakichi:

"Madam, I will remember Taiichi's kindness to the Yamada family until the day I die."

As soon as he uttered the first two words, Zoche's eyes reddened and his lips moved, but in the end, he couldn't utter a single word.

Seeing the other person's expression, Shu Xian frowned and seemed quite downcast.

Her mind kept replaying the various scenes of her time with Taiichi.

From initial opposition and misunderstanding to complete admiration and being deeply moved.

Regardless of what others think, Taiichi's disappearance is a heavy blow to him as well.

For him, the loss was not just of a friend, but also of family, brothers, his martial arts master, the leader of the Yamada family, and his lord.

Yes, ever since Taiichi earned the title of the best in the world, the Yamada family's influence in Edo, and even throughout Sakura, has been gradually growing due to the many miraculous feats they have displayed.

Previously, Shugen's allegiance was to the shogunate and the Yamada family.

But now, the object of his loyalty is Taiyi.

Once someone like him makes up his mind, it's very difficult for him to change it.

Looking back at the female ninja beside him, Shugen took a deep breath and said in a low voice:

"I have completed what Lord Taiichi instructed. Now Ishigakure has been completely destroyed, and all the weaker ninjas have become retainers of the Yamada family."

“But, sir, Zoche, we’ve been out for too long.”

"Even weary birds have their time to return home; this is not a place for us to stay for long."

"I will send out all available personnel to continue searching for Lord Taiichi's whereabouts, but for now, please..."

"Please come with us back to Edo. After all, there are still things left behind by Taiichi there that need to be protected."

After saying this, Shuxian actually lowered his head deeply.

His actions surprised not only Sachi, but also the other Yamada samurai present, who all showed expressions of either astonishment or thoughtfulness.

Shihe, leaning against the corner of the wall, glanced at everyone out of the corner of his eye, then smiled and slowly poured the wine into his mouth.

He and Kiyomaru and the others had only recently arrived in Satsuma.

Previously, under Taiichi's instructions, Shugen led a team to directly annihilate Ishigakure.

The goal was to find a method for cultivating the body and, at the same time, to bring this power into the hands of the Yamada family, thereby further reducing the shogunate's military reserves.

The mission was completed very smoothly. With the implantation of fake Qi pills, they all seemed like gods.

Swords and blades cannot harm him; his attacks are exaggerated.

Let alone taking down a village like Shiyin, even if Taiyi ordered them to rebel, Shihe wouldn't have any problem.

However, upon arriving in Satsuma, they were surprised to hear that Taiichi had gone missing.

"A group of dragons without a leader is auspicious."

"But without a leader, will the remaining dragons really be any better?"

In the Yamada family, only Taichi can see through his own inner thoughts.

Now that the other party has disappeared, Shihe can't be happy at all.

I wanted to just lie back and follow Taiyi around, using his power as a shield. How did it suddenly turn into me having to face everything on my own from now on?

No, let Junior Brother Shuxian handle these matters. We have enough money in our pockets anyway.

If all else fails, take on a few apprentices and earn more tuition fees.

After all, before Taiichi disappeared, his next instruction to them was to spread the True Qi Warrior tradition from Edo to the whole world...