— In order to prevent the misuse of the Spirit Stone's power, Saito Dosan secretly instructed Fujikichiro and others to travel around collecting large quantities of Spirit Stones, all of which he stored within the Viper Divine Domain.

— In the year following Saito Yoshitaka's sudden betrayal, Dosan suffered a great defeat and fled back to his residence, ultimately seeing Ah Xiu for the last time at the Viper Divine Domain as she came to aid him.

With both situations in mind, he naturally understood where he had to go next.

Could it really be malevolent intentions? To specifically trick him into attending a treacherous banquet... Thinking this gravely, Gu Mo turned his head to Fujikichiro, asking in confusion, "By the way, did the old man say it was just the two of us going? Did Ah Xiu mention anything?"

The old man… with a drop of cold sweat on his forehead, Fujikichiro pretended not to hear and smiled sheepishly: "I don't think Miss Ah Xiu was mentioned."

"Oh, so it wasn't said that Ah Xiu couldn't go, then I'll go and call her." Gu Mo nodded, looking as if he understood, then turned and opened the door to walk outside.

It's better to be safe than sorry, bring Hidechika along.

Besides, everyone's a good partner, pledged to be each other's angels; how could they be easily separated? Of course, they must act together.

......

Time passed quickly, and soon another day was gone.

Saito Dosan woke up, looking at the eastern sky already lit. As one ages, sleep doesn't come well, and even though there aren't as many unfinished tasks as in his younger years, he still couldn't sleep long and always woke up early.

But today, he could be a bit happier, at least he didn't have to see that annoying face.

At this thought, the elder became joyful again, sitting up from his bedding and calling the servant waiting outside, he said, "Go and urge that boy to set off as soon as possible. The road to Lushan City is still a bit far."

Then he received the respectful reply from the servant outside—

"Lord Head of the Family, according to the city guards, they left the city overnight before dawn today."

"Oh? Is that so?" Saito Dosan was slightly surprised but then nodded with gratification, "That boy is quite sensible... alright, then nothing more, you may go." He suddenly remembered something, quickly adding: "And make sure today's breakfast is well-prepared, don't repeat yesterday's menu, it must satisfy Ah Xiu..."

The person outside seemed to pause for a moment, a hint of surprise in their voice:

"Lord Head of the Family, Miss Ah Xiu... Miss Ah Xiu also left the city before dawn today."

"..."

"..."

A deadly silence.

The old man in the room opened his mouth wide, gasping for a few hurried breaths, clutching tightly at his chest, gritting teeth as he squeezed out a sentence: "This… this rebel!"

...

...

"Lushan City is still a bit far, it's better if we hurry there... but can we, just us, really manage that city well?"

On the road over ten miles beyond the Mino Plain, under the dim light of dawn, two finely-crafted carriages were slowly moving along the winding road, carrying not much and accompanied by only three people.

Leading the way ahead, Fujikichiro was a bit worried, calming down from yesterday's excitement and realizing the practical problem: can these outsiders, parachuted into Lushan City, really govern it well? What about the existing clans and interest groups in the city?

Unless Lord Dao San comes personally to support, or Miss Ah Xiu's identity is revealed, otherwise how could they legitimize their authority?

"No need to worry, it's all up to us, maybe someone talented will see our potential and willingly join us..."

Gu Mo was unimpressed, not as concerned as the Monkey, so naturally, he wasn't fretting before even starting. He rubbed his sleepy eyes, looking ahead, then reached out to call for a stop—

"Hold on, stop a moment, head to the river there, I need to wash my hands..."

"Wash, wash your hands?"

"Yes, right there." Gu Mo nodded repeatedly, casually scanning the surroundings, and then fixed his gaze on a distant hillside.

— "??? (100%)."

— "??? (100%)."

Two bright red health bars with unknown names appeared in his vision.

Wild monster?

......

At the same time.

On a distant hillside, two figures stood side by side, watching the two carriages on the winding road in the distance. The bold figure snorted softly: "At this time, they're nothing special, still so weak..."

"Don't underestimate them, Raiko, you said it's at this time..." The man in the tall hat chuckled softly, "You should remember what our original selves encountered with them, don't be overconfident."

"I certainly know... Hmm? Wait!"

The woman called Raiko responded coldly, about to say something when her tone suddenly changed, expressing a sound of astonishment and uncertainty: "It seems he has noticed us... how did he do it?"

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