Even though during this period he had already transformed from an ordinary person who couldn't bear to look at a murder scene to an ordinary person who could actively create one, the current leap was still too much for him to handle – this battlefield was truly nauseating, with its visual, olfactory, and tactile shocks from the blood and gore assaulting his senses on all fronts.

However, there is this common flaw in people, which is that they like to act strong, especially unwilling to expose their vulnerability in front of others.

No matter what, they would always say "I'm fine," "I've seen this many times," "a trivial matter like this can't defeat me" –

Gu Mo was no exception, he could accept that Hidechika, a girl with dual A-rank strength and speed, was much stronger than him, and that he was constantly under the protection of the young girl as if hugging a big thigh. But he didn't want to admit that he couldn't even handle a bit of bloody scene, appearing particularly "delicate" and "frail" before her.

Hidechika tilted her head slightly, is it really like that?

And at that moment –

"Well said!"

Suddenly, a thunderous cheer echoed on this blood-soaked battlefield, the voice firm and somewhat familiar, yet unfamiliar.

Both Gu Mo and Hidechika instinctively turned their heads to see that the stone wall at the end suddenly started slowly moving aside with a heavy rumble, revealing a secret passage behind it under the power of the mechanism...

Several figures gradually walked out from it.

Leading them was a robust figure with a shiny bald head, none other than Saito Dosan.

Previously, they hadn't leaked a trace of their presence, not only hiding in the secret passage but also utilizing magic and other arrangements to completely conceal their aura. With comprehensive preparations, even Hidechika had failed to notice that there were people hiding behind the stone wall just across from them.

Gu Mo gaped, how did this old guy just suddenly appear here...

Right, apparently in the plot, he also pushed Ah Xiu into the secret passage, staying behind himself to face the swarming Demon Ghost army... which means that besides the secret passage from the mansion above, there indeed exists another one here, an escape route from the mountain.

If that's the case, perhaps this old guy wasn't inactive, but had secretly come to Lushan City without anyone knowing, bypassing everyone, entering the Viper Divine Domain from another secret passage, and quietly arranging everything here?

"That's right, just as you thought..."

Saito Dosan laughed heartily at the speechless expression of this young man, finally feeling a deep sense of relief in having outsmarted the troublesome youth.

"As you can see, this place naturally attracts many Demon Ghosts, but they're usually dealt with promptly... Except this time, I changed my mind, removed all the people from the mountain through the secret pathway ahead of time, and then let the Demon Ghosts run wild, while sending trusted confidants down the mountain to inform you..."

Watching the old man almost gleefully patting his belly, and thinking of the soldier who seemed frightened into repeating the same words, Gu Mo felt his gums itch slightly.

It was a trap from the start, no wonder there were so many demons on the mountain but not a single person to be seen, everyone had evacuated swiftly, and not even a single body could be found after searching the entire mountain.

He had noticed something was wrong, but as Fujikichiro implicitly hinted back then, he too inclined to believe that perhaps the mountain's soldiers had conspired to embezzle, premeditatedly vanishing after achieving their aim, fleeing who knows where, who would have thought it was all this old timer's arrangement...

"But you, young man, really did well, living up to my expectations!"

Saito Dosan collected his smile, speaking very seriously.

"Well said, this sort of thing is trivial and should not be taken to heart! But unfortunately, the populace is ignorant, unable to grasp this principle, believing it to be a shortcut, blindly pursuing or even abusing its power, causing endless years of war in this world!"

"...um, what are you going on about?"

Gu Mo pondered seriously for a moment and felt that maybe that wasn't quite what he meant.

Saito Dosan's gaze became distant; looking towards the enormous golden crystals, he let out a long sigh: "Skill and strategy are actually secondary, things that can be honed over time, but it's one's mindset that makes the difference, choosing different paths..."

There are paths that lead to mutual exclusion.

When it comes to matters concerning the Spirit Stone, it's Saito Dosan's life ambition, a mutual promise between him and his beloved, an uncompromising bottom line.

"You really did quite well, probably the most determined person I've ever met... I won't go back on my word, aiding you with all my might!"

Refocusing his gaze on the young man, Saito Dosan this time didn't show disdain, but admiration, his eyes bright and impressive. He reiterated this promise earnestly and solemnly.

"Uh, no... I was about to go back, I don't need your help, you can't help me with this anyway."

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