Gu Mo casually glanced over, then looked towards Fujikichiro's back. Accompanying the latter's words, tiny golden lights gathered on his shoulder. A golden monkey popped its head out, staring intently at the young man opposite.

Unlike the usual energetic monkeys, this one exuded a high chill divinity throughout its whole body. It was Fujikichiro's guardian spirit; he had been selling Spirit Stones for a living, and no one knew when exactly he became possessed by the Divine Ape.

"Yes, that's right, so many people also directly call me Monkey. If you find it convenient, you can call me that too..."

Observing Gu Mo's expression, Fujikichiro noticed that the other party seemed indifferent to the gold and silver treasures in the bundle, causing him slight surprise. Still, he smiled and said.

——This guardian spirit, which resembles a monkey in appearance, is the Mountain King enshrined at Hoyoshi Grand Shrine, known to people by the name "Divine Ape."

With the guardian spirit's protection, Fujikichiro not only repeatedly turned calamities into blessings in this war-torn world, shielding himself from Demon Ghosts and the chaos of war, but this man also nurtured greater ambitions. After all, not everyone can receive the protection of a guardian spirit. Whether Harmony Soul or Wild Soul, within Shintoism's world view of animatism, they can be said to be "Divine Spirits."

Without any special characteristics, ordinary people would not receive "Divine Spirit" guardianship, enjoying this VIP one-on-one service.

Understanding these matters, unwilling to spend a lifetime selling Spirit Stones, Fujikichiro believed he was born extraordinary and should not continue with mundane survival but start pursuing poetry and distant places. Simply put, he wanted to accomplish significant achievements...

Moreover, he did not impulsively think he could succeed alone, so he also began seeking mutually beneficial, like-minded individuals.

However, finding truly capable people wasn't easy. Either they had already made names for themselves and were not easily reachable within his social class, or they had abilities but had not chosen to stand out, often genuinely lacking the desire to, making them difficult to persuade to join his venture.

So during this time of wandering, Fujikichiro hadn't found a suitable partner until recently coming to this area—

He had heard that a famous Demon Exorcist lived locally with impressive skills, sparking his curiosity and wanting to witness firsthand. He happened to discover Demon Ghosts troubling Thirteen Sakura Village, decisively sending out an invitation...

Despite some twists along the way, such as sending an invitation and pretentiously saying he'd wait under the Night Cherry Blossoms, only to find out he went off somewhere during the process until dawn when the village was completely cleared, just in time to return... But the outcome was highly satisfactory, even surprisingly pleasing.

These weren't just ordinary skills anymore. After all, terrifying Demon Ghosts like Ox-headed Ghost and Horse-headed Ghost aren't easily managed even by armies, yet they were swiftly and decisively dealt with...

And it wasn't one Demon Exorcist, but two!

Moreover, both individuals had "Divine Spirit" protection, undoubtedly born extraordinary, destined for great achievements, bound to become incredibly influential!

How wonderful, this is the ideal partner I had been searching for!

Suppressing his inner excitement, Fujikichiro didn't hastily reveal his request but first pushed a small package he held over, chuckling: "I found some food, but it's just some dry rations. Sorry, please make do... You've had a rough night."

"Hmm, it's not tough, not tough at all, I didn't exert any effort during the whole process..."

Gu Mo glanced, seeing that the clean cloth package contained indeed some coarse dry foods. He wasn't hungry at all, therefore uninterested, casually responding.

He spoke truthfully, from start to finish just tagging along. Despite the thrilling incident in the latter half, nothing worthy of grand tales happened apart from that. He was merely tagging along with big shots like a hangers-on.

But listening to Fujikichiro, it was entirely different—

Initially stunned, he didn't exert any effort? Once he realized, his smile grew even warmer. Indeed, this is what a true strong individual is; slaying ordinary Demon Ghosts already exceeds the capability of regular Samurai, let alone defeating such formidable Demon Ghosts without exerting "any effort."

Listen, this is the luxury of the strong!

Fujikichiro smiled brightly, glancing at the quietly sleeping black-haired girl beside them. If he could gain the support of these two, he would be empowered greatly, able to accomplish significant achievements in this chaotic era!

He took a deep breath, looked at the ground filled with bundles—a collection from scavenging around the ruins of the village, including valuable items, jewelry, and a few gold, silver, or jewels. After all, Thirteen Sakura Village was prosperous before, and naturally, villagers accumulated some wealth.

Additionally, it was extinguished by Demon Ghosts rather than bandits or marauding military killing and looting, leaving nothing behind since Demon Ghosts seldom have interest in wealth.

Since these are ownerless, Fujikichiro wouldn't let others take them either. He intended to accomplish grand feats and needed money—it was his plan all along to offer these to them, benefit them and enlist them onto his venture.

However, now he abandoned that idea, realizing that worldly means wouldn't move someone like this. Earlier, he observed the other was truly indifferent to this.

Taking a deep breath, he brewed his emotions, staring at the young man opposite and loudly said: "Speaking of which, I haven't asked your names yet."

"I'm Gu Mo, and she's Hidechika." The young man calmly replied.

"Eh? You're from the Ming?"

Fujikichiro widened his eyes in astonishment, blurting out.

"...Yes."

Gu Mo paused slightly and nodded; he pondered the question, feeling he should count as a Ming individual, though he wasn't from this world.

Fujikichiro was going to eagerly ask more, but wisely stopped himself, his curiosity unending though he misunderstood Gu Mo's pause thinking it recalled unpleasant memories unwilling to discuss aloud, perhaps some unspeakable burden—

If he pursued, he'd be utterly clueless.

"Ahem, so that's how it is, as I said..."

An awkward chuckle escaped, his gaze wandering over the other's peculiar attire, Fujikichiro wanted to promptly change the topic, momentarily clueless for words.

Thankfully, he saw the black-haired girl behind Gu Mo seemingly stirring awake, slowly sitting up in confusion. He quickly inquired—

"Speaking of which, have you always been partners? I heard someone nearby claim there was a formidable Demon Exorcist here, unaware it was actually two people..."

"...Indeed, Ah Xiu and I have been great partners." Gu Mo blinked and boldly admitted: "We've collaborated for many years now."

He knew one lie led to continuous lying to maintain consistency; a helpless necessity. Luckily when misleading Hidechika earlier, Fujikichiro was away, and now when Fujikichiro asked, Hidechika was temporarily unconscious.

Though things didn't turn out as ideally anticipated, achieving completion, escaping was the aim, and facing everything now meant he wouldn't be exposed, able to navigate the situation smoothly.

And this statement wasn't incorrect considering a sixty-year arc in the game—a self-comfort.

"So that's how it is..." Fujikichiro looked at the sleepy girl behind the young man, enviously nodding with admiration: "You must share a significant bond."

"Yes, Ah Xiu is very special and important to me..."

Gu Mo nodded earnestly; she was the heroine he personally crafted, admittedly involved throughout her entire life.

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