My Gang of Swordsmen

Chapter 412: Chapter 151: Watch Closely, Aoto, This Is How It’s Done!

"Cover my accommodation, cover my meals, and I don’t have to do any work, just stay here as a ’Shiwei Hall guest’—such a wonderful deal, I can’t think of any reason to refuse!" Harada grinned foolishly, extended his right index finger, and poked his own head, "I’m not one to use my brain much."

"So I actually didn’t quite understand why you invited us to join Shiwei Hall."

"But it doesn’t matter, as long as you can cover my accommodation and meals, I’m willing to be your guest!"

Having said that, Harada reached out and patted Nagakura on the shoulder.

"Nagakura, why don’t you stay too?"

"Aren’t you currently saving up to continue your ’Martial Artist’s Cultivation’ travels?"

"Here’s a great opportunity to save money."

"As a guest here, you won’t have to spend money on lodging and meals every day."

"You can save a lot of money each day."

Money—upon hearing this word from Harada, Nagakura’s expression changed slightly.

He bit his lip, then crossed his arms again, slightly bowing his head, assuming a thoughtful posture once more.

Everyone present was patient, quietly waiting for the only one who hadn’t expressed his stance—Nagakura’s thoughts and answers.

Quick-tongued Nagakura didn’t keep everyone waiting long.

After just a short moment, he quietly lifted his gaze and, with an imperceptible move that no one noticed, sneaked a glance at Aoto beside him.

"...I understand." Nagakura exhaled a breath and placed his hands on the tatami, bowing toward Kondo opposite him, "Well then, I’ll be troubling you!"

Upon hearing Nagakura’s answer, which was more tactful than Harada’s, Kondo was momentarily stunned, then his expression quickly turned joyful.

And besides joy, Kondo also couldn’t help feeling surprised at how smoothly he managed to persuade Nagakura and Harada to join Shiwei Hall.

Aoto was also surprised by this.

"Have you both made up your minds?" Aoto’s gaze moved back and forth between Nagakura and Harada.

"We’ve decided, we’ve decided." Harada replied without hesitation, with a silly smile and a vigorous shrug of his shoulders, "With a place to stay and food to eat, why wouldn’t I be happy to do it?"

"Anyway, if I don’t feel comfortable freeloading here, I’ll just leave."

Nagakura didn’t say as much as Harada.

He just nodded firmly toward Aoto and Kondo.

...

...

Initially, with a mindset to try it out, Aoto brought Nagakura and the others and extended the invitation to "join Shiwei Hall."

Unexpectedly, the invitation went so smoothly, and both Nagakura and Harada agreed to join Shiwei Hall as guests.

To welcome these two new members of the Sword Dojo, Kondo decided to hold a lively celebration tonight.

For this, Kondo handed some money to Chokata, instructing him to hurry to the market to buy plenty of good wine and food before it closed.

Being one of the core members of Shiwei Hall, Hijikata was naturally suggested by Kondo to stay and celebrate Nagakura and Harada’s joining.

But surprisingly—Hijikata decided not to attend tonight’s celebration.

"Asheng, I won’t join the celebration tonight. You all have fun."

"Why?" Kondo asked in confusion, "Asui, do you have something else to attend to tonight?"

"...I suppose there is something important I have to do." Hijikata said with a smile that hinted at deeper meaning, then patted Kondo on the shoulder, "Asheng, securing talents is only the first step."

"Next, we need to find a way to let as many people as possible know that ’talents willingly joined our Shiwei Hall.’"

"In short, I’ll take care of this work myself."

"Asheng, enjoy your fun tonight."

Leaving these words behind, Hijikata waved goodbye to Kondo, striding away under Kondo’s bewildered gaze.

When Hijikata left Shiwei Hall, it was the dusk of the evening, half-dark and half-bright.

Taking in a deep breath of the increasingly stifling air due to the warming weather, Hijikata adjusted the Wakizashi at his side and strode eastward.

Being of peasant origin rather than a Samurai, Hijikata was not qualified to carry a Tachi, so he usually only had a Wakizashi at his side.

The Edo Shogunate had clear regulations: only Samurai were allowed to carry a Tachi, but there were no such prohibitions for Wakizashi, so many common folks would keep one at home or on their person for defense.

Turning around the corner of a deserted alley, Hijikata suddenly noticed a Sakura tree by the roadside ahead.

It was late April, the prime time for Sakura blooms.

Hijikata quickened his pace slightly and stood by the roots of this randomly discovered Sakura tree.

He looked up, gazing thoughtfully at the beautiful flowers blooming on the tree before glancing around.

After confirming no one was around, Hijikata stood on tiptoes, expertly snapping off nine of the prettiest blooming flowers from the branches, carefully tucking them into his coat before hastily fleeing from the tree.

After turning a few more alleys, Hijikata stopped at the entrance of a modest Tea House, boldly lifting the curtain and entering.

"Welcome...Ah, Mr. Hijikata!"

The Shodai of the Tea House—a young girl in the prime of her youth, instinctively shouted "Welcome" upon hearing someone enter and looked towards the door.

Upon seeing Hijikata at the entrance, her welcome swiftly turned into an excited shout.

"Aqian, long time no see." Hijikata smiled gently at the girl, casually found a seat, "The usual, a cup of cold tea please."

"Sure thing!" Aqian beamed with joy, fluttering back to the kitchen like a butterfly.

In no time, she returned with the cold tea Hijikata ordered, hopping lightly to his table.

"Mr. Hijikata! Your tea!"

"Mm, thank you."

Hijikata reached out to receive the tea offered by Aqian, subtly scratching her palm with a finger as he held the cup.

A tingling sensation crept up Aqian’s cheeks, painting them a bashful red as she gazed affectionately at Hijikata before hastily retreating to the kitchen.

Hijikata watched Aqian leave with tender eyes, then drank the cold tea in one gulp and tossed the money for it onto the table before leaving the Tea House.

Meanwhile, back in the kitchen, Aqian told her boss she wasn’t feeling well and needed to use the restroom.

Once given permission, she quickly removed her apron, eagerly rushing out of the Tea House and into a nearby secluded alley.

Upon entering the alley, she immediately spotted Hijikata, who had been waiting.

"Mr. Hijikata!" Unable to contain her feelings, Aqian dashed into Hijikata’s embrace.

"Aqian!" Hijikata also embraced Aqian tightly.

"Mr. Hijikata...I missed you..." Aqian rubbed her forehead against Hijikata’s chest, "Why haven’t you come to see me for so long?"

"Sorry, I’ve just been busy lately." Hijikata nudged Aqian’s hair with his cheek.

The two exchanged a slew of sweet nothings, after which Hijikata, seemingly remembering something, reached into his coat.

"Aqian, this is for you."

"Mr. Hijikata, what is this?" Aqian blinked in confusion at the Sakura flower Hijikata produced.

"It’s a Sakura flower that fell on my shoulder while I was out for a walk in Kanagawa yesterday." Hijikata lied effortlessly with a gentle smile.

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Asking for a monthly ticket! Asking for a recommendation ticket! (Crying with a leopard’s head.jpg)

This Chapter has a total of 7500 words, quite a lot of content, asking for a monthly ticket! QAQ