After all, people's hearts are unpredictable. It's not only the thoughts of the target being evaluated but also the ideas of Mino's interest groups and various retainers that need consideration.

However, the problem isn't big. Just from his previous assessment of Oda Nobunaga, he had the capability and courage to unify Mino. Although this young fellow's ability is yet unknown, his ambitions are grander—facing a nation so powerful that even the might of all Japan couldn't match it, let alone the current fragmented Warring States period.

Given this young fellow's origins, he surely is one of the top tiers across the sea, almost representing the ruling power of the Celestial Empire... So, the desire to return and reclaim everything is perhaps more challenging than ending the chaos of the Warring States and unifying this island nation.

But, if one's initial goals are set particularly high and pursued with relentless effort, even a final failure might result in achievements far beyond the ordinary path.

Of course, just as he said, the young fellow must first prove himself—why Nobunaga was his original preferred choice was because he had been assessed. So, this young man can't be an exception... The plan to send the counterpart to Lushan City is precisely for this, to see what abilities he truly has which might just be a pretense.

Saito Dosan's real intention is to test whether this young fellow is the type of person who would act without limits to achieve his goals… This is the most crucial point.

The Fuma of Mino became lost in his thoughts, but his gaze was extended, not muddy like an elder's, but with a certain profoundness.

Merely moments later, he seemed to think of something else and immediately let out an angry hum, picked up a sake bowl, filled it up, and furiously drank it in one go... For quite a while thereafter, this would probably be his demeanor, getting upset with his own thoughts.

...

"This old… the elder is truly unpredictable."

Being dragged away by Fujikichiro, after walking through the long corridor and returning to his temporary guest room, Gu Mo couldn't help but complain with such a statement.

Indeed, a bad-tempered old man, capricious, saying he's nice, yet he always glares at me, saying he's bad to me, yet he's willing to give such promises, even giving me a whole castle to manage?

Well, speaking of which, that is a castle, right?

"This just shows how highly Lord Dao San regards you, Brother Gu Mo... no, Lord Gu Mo." The Monkey, however, was flushed with excitement, almost about to dance with joy, abruptly realizing something, quickly changing his address.

Previously it was acceptable to take advantage of the unclear situation and build rapport since the other party had no official position. But now that's not possible... From the moment Lord Dao San spoke, my current partner has truly taken off.

Besides, I also counted as having made a name for myself today but still benefited from his favor, and I will continue to work under him—Fujikichiro, a shrewd and sophisticated person, certainly wouldn't lack foresight.

"No need to call me Lord… speaking of which, what's the situation with Lushan City?" Gu Mo frowned, pondering for a moment, thinking it best to clarify as he knew little about normal history, let alone a possibly modified version.

Information in the game was also scant. All he could grasp was a rough setting and storyline, which was quite an accomplishment.

As for other things like place names, he couldn't recognize many. Simply put, his gaming experience was such that he didn't even know where he was, just knowing that he was going to engage in a bloody battle next.

"Lushan City, ah, that is where Lord Dao San served early in his career, and it's where he made his fortune, serving under Tokisaki Raiki of Lushan City at the time. But you should know what happened afterward, which led to the reputation of Lord Dao San…"

The Monkey cautiously looked around, then pulled Gu Mo into the room, lowering his voice and speaking quietly.

"Perhaps he has an obsession with that city. Two years after Lord Dao San seized Northern City and completely resolved Tokisaki Raiki, he shaved his head and became a monk at Changzai Temple. He then began extensive construction at Lushan Castle, building a residence, saying that he would retire there after passing the title of Head of the Family to Lord Yoshitaka."

No, I don't know what happens afterward, so don't summarize it so briefly.

Gu Mo maintained his smile full of thoughts to refute, but since the Monkey believed these things should be widely known, he couldn't ask. He could only internally organize his thoughts, forming a rough idea.

Starting as a retainer with Tokisaki Raiki in Lushan Castle, then completely resolving Tokisaki Raiki years later and planning to retire in the place where he once made his fortune the following year?

Does this mean the old man usurped the original position of Mino's master, hence his vicious reputation? And he subsequently built a residence at Lushan Castle to retire... wait, that should be the location of the Viper Divine Domain, right?

Linking it to what he knew of the plot, Gu Mo finally pieced it together.

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