"Truly luxurious..."

After a sumptuous yet somewhat torturous dinner, there wasn't much left to say for the evening. Led respectfully by the servants, Gu Mo arrived at the guest room prepared for him. In the dim room, under the flickering candlelight, extravagance was still evident.

The tatami was flat and smooth, feeling comfortable and warm underfoot. The screen used to divide inside and outside was exceptionally exquisite, while the calligraphy, paintings, and porcelain adorning the room looked invaluable. Everything was exceptionally refined and beautiful—luxurious and valuable beyond the reach of commoners...

Even Gu Mo, who hailed from later eras and was well-informed, couldn't find any faults as he surveyed the surroundings. Besides lacking modern conveniences to improve life quality, this guest room's standards weren't much inferior to modern living conditions... modern people might not even have such conditions.

But that's normal. Regardless of the era, ancient or modern, domestic or foreign, the conditions available to the ruling class always far exceed the era's average. After all, the common people represent the era's overall level of development, while the rulers are always supported by the power of the entire era.

Gu Mo understood this point and fell silent for a moment.

He had just thought that the old man was merely harsh-tongued; outwardly rude, but actually thoughtful in arrangements. However, now it seemed... perhaps every guest room here was of this caliber, given that those who receive hospitality at Heaven-Defending Tower are usually highly respected and shouldn't be divided into ranks.

So... it's not that Saito Dosan was meticulous, but rather there's no poorer condition to accommodate him?

Hmm, when thinking this way, it seems quite possible...

He smirked and couldn't help remembering that awkward dinner—although there were only four people, Saito Dosan still ordered an array of fine wine and food. If it wasn't for Hidechika's strong refusal towards the end, he might have kept the feast going till dawn.

Endless servings of fish and meat aside, whole cattle and sheep were repeatedly carried up without regard for whether a few people could consume them—it purely conveyed the image and feeling of a father desperately wanting to provide the best for his daughter.

If it were merely this, Gu Mo actually admired this Viper quite a bit. Although it's often said that the imperial family is the most heartless, as a regional master feared by all daimyos, Lord of Mino, Saito Dosan didn't solely consider how to maintain his power and status.

—Driven by a shared wish with Suzuka, he decisively transitioned from a Demon Exterminator to a Warring States daimyo, not for fame or ambition, but to create a peaceful world where humans and spirits coexist harmoniously.

—The secret collection of Spirit Stones by Fujikichiro and others wasn't to fulfill his ambition but to prevent others from misuse.

—Upon believing Oda Nobunaga could unify this chaotic world, he unhesitatingly documented his surrender of the realm, offering all of Mino willingly.

A complex yet coherent individual, pursuing power not out of interest in it, but viewing it as a means to achieve his aspirations—knowing exactly what he wanted, never confused, driven to accomplish it all by his emotions and commitments to his closest relations.

So, Gu Mo initially admired him, feeling this was truly a life of bold decisions and clear understanding...

At least at first.

From the moment the old man viewed him unfavorably—smiling and talking gently to Ah Xiu one second, exuding warmth and kindness, then turning the next moment to glare at him ferociously...

Slap! Gone! .JPG

"Such a problem..."

Sitting on the ground, arms crossed, not just discontented with Saito Dosan, the old man, but also feeling irritated as he dwelled further.

He admitted that he indeed had selfish motives, yet regardless, what he did counted as a good deed—letting the long-separated father and daughter reunite earlier rather than following the original fate, only to realize the truth too late and meet forever separation upon recognizing each other.

But now it seemed his intent to leverage it and effectively reduce the difficulty of upcoming scenarios somehow backfired...

Thinking of the old man's distinct hostility towards him made Gu Mo gnash his teeth in frustration. Though admittedly not obtuse, he generally understood the matter, recognizing the old man's abrupt animosity, although explaining such things was challenging.

Especially when the other party prejudges, viewing him through tinted lenses—even if he proactively clarifies, it may only deepen suspicions, akin to a pointless denial.

He's too experienced with this—once someone determines an issue and cares significantly, mere explanations won't resolve misunderstandings. After all, if the world were so perfect and humans so simple, disputes wouldn't exist.

Head in hands, brows furrowed deep in thought, Gu Mo sighed heavily, feeling this dilemma must remain unresolved for now.

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