Leaving the Safe Zone to Farm Monsters?

"This is easier said than done, perhaps even harder than unifying this country... But since you're confident, go ahead and do it. Let this old man see what you're capable of! If you truly have the ability, then this old man won't be stingy and will certainly do everything in his power to help you!"

After a brief moment of thought, Saito Dosan seemed to quickly make up his mind. His eyes widened abruptly, bursting with sharp light, and he spoke in a low but extremely powerful voice.

He was originally a very open-minded and unrestrained person, so being so decisive was not difficult to understand. The main reason was that in recent years, as he grew older, he began to feel that his strength was failing him. He had already been considering this issue and had thoroughly examined another son-in-law and made a decision.

—If it weren't for this kid in front of him, this Viper of Mino would have already prepared to hand over the entire Mino Province after a while.

So... this decision wasn't a spur-of-the-moment thing decided on a whim, but something Saito Dosan had genuinely deliberated over for several years before making up his mind, and which he had already planned to implement after a while.

Even without Gu Mo, he would have done this. However, because Gu Mo just happened to appear at this critical juncture, and his conditions seemed to fit relatively well, Saito Dosan included Gu Mo as one of the backup options in the matter he had already considered.

Therefore, it wasn't that Saito Dosan was reckless or made decisions rashly when his brain was heated up; if that were the case, he wouldn't have achieved what he has today. Instead, someone was lucky and just caught the last train—

Even if he hadn't caught it, the train was going to depart anyway.

"Huh? Wait, Old... Grandpa, I think we might need to clarify. I don't need your help with this kind of thing..."

Gu Mo was a little slow to react. What was this all about? Why couldn't he understand what this old man was saying at all? He frowned, pondered for a moment, and felt that something had gone wrong in the process, and the communication wasn't smooth, leading to a small misunderstanding.

Did he need to be so serious? He just wanted to go back. Did this small matter require the other party to do everything in their power to help, and only to "lend a hand"? Also, "perhaps even harder than unifying this country," where did that come from?

"Hmph! This old man truly doesn't want to help you, it's just for Axiu's sake!"

With a cold snort, Saito Dosan expertly glared. This kid was truly infuriating. Did he really think he was helping him? If it weren't for Axiu, he wouldn't bother with this kind of thing!

He waved his hand forcefully, looking very displeased: "That's how it is... Hmph, anyone can make empty promises. Show me some results first! Tomorrow you can go to Sagiyama Castle. Let me see what kind of ability you have before you talk big. If you can't even manage a small castle, don't talk such nonsense, it's laughable!"

As if he had thought of something, he looked at the thin man who had been silent and head down since entering the room, and added: "If you don't have anyone capable under you, take the monkey with you. He's a very sharp person."

"Hey, I'm saying, I'm not..." Gu Mo frowned, about to say something, but the corner of his eye caught Tokichiro next to him desperately giving him a look, not hinting at anything but full of hope and pleading.

He was silent for a moment, quickly considering what this change would bring, and finally slowly nodded: "I'll give it a try."

"Alright, that's it then. This old man is tired..."

Saito Dosan waved his hand again, saying impatiently, with a clear intention to see them out.

His rationality and emotions were in severe conflict at this moment. First, rationality made him choose, thinking that since they were family anyway, if this kid wasn't worse than Oda of Owari, then choosing this kid wouldn't matter, considering it compensation for the hardships Axiu had suffered over the years.

But precisely because of this, on an emotional level, every time he thought about this matter, thinking that Axiu had only recently returned to his side and would soon be taken away again by this kid, he felt heartbroken and could not suppress his anger. Looking at the other party made him feel annoyed, and the more he thought about it, the more he couldn't help but get angry.

"...Lord Dosan, then we will take our leave."

Tokichiro tried his best to suppress his excitement, pulling Gu Mo, who still wanted to say something, while walking out and hastily bidding farewell to the Viper of Mino.

Opportunity, the opportunity has finally arrived! I, Tokichiro, have finally endured until this day and waited for the day to rise! However, it seems my brother Gu Mo is not very willing, I must hold him back, I cannot let him do such an irrational thing at this time!

It was such a great opportunity, something he didn't even dare to dream of, something that even eight generations of ancestors' accumulated virtue might not be enough to obtain. How could someone hesitate whether to accept it when it was delivered right in front of them? Tokichiro truly couldn't understand. This was probably a case of the parched dying of thirst and the flooded dying of drowning.

Watching the door close and the room fall back into the dimly lit environment, Saito Dosan also fell silent.

Although he had made a decision, he only said he would help the other party with all his might, but he didn't specify what kind of help. The old man was still clear about this; even though he had already decided to "cede the country," he would not announce it until the last moment.

After all, human hearts are unpredictable. Not only the thoughts of the target being examined, but also the interests of Mino Province, the thoughts of all the vassals, all needed to be considered.

However, it wasn't a big problem. As for Oda Nobunaga, whom he had examined before, he had the skill and boldness to unify Mino. And although he didn't know the ability of this kid yet, his ambition was even greater—the country opposite was powerful, something that even the entire strength of Japan could barely approach, let alone the fragmented Warring States Period right now.

With this kid's background, he must be at the very top on the other side, almost representing the ruling power of the Celestial Empire... So, wanting to go back and reclaim everything he had, this matter was probably even more difficult than ending the Warring States Period and unifying this island country.

However, if the initial goal is set particularly high and one works tirelessly for it, then even if one ultimately fails, the height achieved is very likely to far exceed the usual path.

Of course, as he said, that kid must first prove himself—the great fool of Owari was his original preferred candidate because he had been examined. So that kid was no exception... Arranging for him to go to Sagiyama Castle this time was exactly like that. Seeing his ability was actually just a superficial pretense.

Saito Dosan's real intention was to test whether this kid was the kind of person who would go to any lengths to achieve his goals... This was the most important point.

The Viper of Mino fell into his own thoughts, his gaze long and not the turbidity of an old man, but with a certain profound meaning.

Just a moment later, he didn't know what he thought of, and immediately snorted angrily again, picked up the sake bowl and filled it, and drank it all down in one gulp in a rage... For a long time to come, he would probably behave like this, getting angry by himself as he thought.

"This old man... this old man is truly different every moment."

Dragged away by Tokichiro, walking through the long corridor, and returning to his temporary guest room, Gu Mo couldn't help but complain.

As expected, he was a strange old man, unpredictable in his moods. If you say his attitude was good, he kept glaring at him. If you say he treated him very badly, yet he was willing to give such a promise, and even directly gave him a castle to manage?

Hmm, speaking of which, was that a castle?

"This just shows how much Lord Dosan values you, Brother Gu Mo... Ah no, Lord Gu Mo." The monkey, however, was beaming with joy, almost dancing with excitement beside him, and while talking, he suddenly remembered something and quickly changed his address.

Before, he could seize the opportunity to get close while things were not yet clear and the other party didn't hold any official position, but now he couldn't... From the moment Lord Dosan spoke, his partner had truly taken flight.

Furthermore, although he had also made a name for himself today, he still relied on the other party's favor and would have to make a living under him in the future—Tokichiro, being such a smooth and worldly person, would of course not lack discernment.

"You don't need to call me Lord... Speaking of which, what's the situation with Sagiyama Castle?" Gu Mo frowned, pondered for a moment, and felt it was better to ask clearly. He didn't know much about normal history, let alone this potentially modified history.

The information in the game was also pitifully scarce. He could only understand a general setting and a general story flow, which was already quite good.

As for the rest... like place names, he really didn't recognize many. Simply put, his game experience was that he didn't know where he was, he only knew that he was going to go on a killing spree next.

"Sagiyama Castle, ah, that's where Lord Dosan served in his early years, and it can also be said that he started there. At that time, Lord Dosan served Toki Yorinari of Sagiyama Castle, but you should also know what happened later, which is also the origin of Lord Dosan's reputation..."

The monkey carefully looked around, then pulled Gu Mo into the room and said in a low voice.

"Perhaps he has an obsession with that castle. Three years ago, after Lord Dosan captured Kitagata Castle and completely dealt with Toki Yorinari, he shaved his head and became a monk at Jozai-ji Temple the following year, and then began to build extensively at Sagiyama Castle, constructing a residence, saying that he planned to retire there after passing on the position of family head to Lord Yoshitatsu."

No, I don't know what happened later, please don't be so brief.

Gu Mo maintained his smile, his heart full of thoughts he wanted to voice, but since the monkey seemed to think these things were common knowledge, he didn't ask. He could only sort things out in his mind, getting a rough idea.

First, he served Toki Yorinari at Sagiyama Castle, then years later completely dealt with Toki Yorinari, and in the second year, planned to return to the place where he made his fortune early on to retire?

So, the old man stole the position of Mino's original owner? That must be the origin of his notorious reputation, right? And then he built a residence in Sagiyama Castle to live in seclusion... Wait, that should be where the Viper's Divine Realm is located, right?

Connecting it with the plot he knew, Gu Mo finally put it all together.

—Saito Dosan, in order to prevent the misuse of Spirit Stone power, secretly instructed Tokichiro and others to travel around and collect large amounts of Spirit Stones. The collected Spirit Stones were all placed in the Viper's Divine Realm.

—After Saito Yoshitatsu suddenly betrayed him in the second year, Dosan was defeated and fled back to his residence. He also saw Axiu, who had come to help, for the last time at the Viper's Divine Realm.

Putting the two together, he naturally understood where he was going next.

Is it really malicious? Luring me specifically to attend a Feast at Hong Gate... Thinking this with a serious expression, Gu Mo turned to look at Tokichiro and asked doubtfully, "Speaking of which, did the old man just say it's just the two of us going? Did he say anything about Axiu?"

The old man... A cold sweat broke out on Tokichiro's forehead. He could only pretend he didn't hear and said with an awkward smile, "He didn't seem to mention Miss Axiu."

"Oh, so he didn't say Axiu couldn't go. Then I'll go call her." Gu Mo nodded with a look of understanding, turned around, pulled open the door, and walked out.

It's better to be safe and bring Hidechiyo along.

Besides, they were good partners! They agreed to be each other's angels, so how could they easily separate? Of course, they had to act together.

Time flew by, and soon another day had passed.

Saito Dosan woke up and looked at the eastern horizon outside the window, which was already bright. As he got older, his sleep wasn't very good. Even though he didn't have as many things to do every day as in his early years, he still couldn't sleep for too long and always woke up early.

But today he could be happier, at least he didn't have to see that hateful guy.

With this thought, the old man became cheerful again. He sat up from his bedding and called for the servant who had been waiting outside. He said, "Go and hurry that kid along. Tell them to set off as soon as possible and not to delay too long. Sagiyama Castle is still a bit far."

Then he received a respectful reply from the servant outside:

"Lord Family Head, according to the guards at the city gate, they left the city overnight before it even started to get light today."

"Oh? Is that so?" Saito Dosan was slightly surprised, then nodded with relief. "That kid is sensible... Alright, you may withdraw." He seemed to remember something and quickly added, "Oh, and make sure today's breakfast is better. Don't repeat yesterday's dishes. You must make Axiu satisfied..."

The person outside seemed to be stunned for a moment, and their voice carried a hint of surprise:

"Lord Family Head, Miss Axiu... Miss Axiu also left the city with them before it even started to get light."

"..."

"..."

Dead silence.

The old man in the room opened his mouth wide, gasped for breath, and tightly clutched his chest. He gritted his teeth and squeezed out a sentence: "This... this traitor!"

"Sagiyama Castle is still a bit far, so it's good that we hurry... But can we really manage that castle with just the few of us?"

On the road more than ten miles outside the Mino Plain, under the dim background of the still hazy dawn sky, two much more refined carriages were slowly moving one after another on the winding road. Not much was loaded on the carriages, with only three people accompanying them.

Tokichiro, who was leading the way, was quite worried. After calming down from yesterday's excitement, he also discovered the practical problem: could they, outsiders who were parachuting into Sagiyama Castle, really govern a city? What about the existing factions and interest groups in the city?

Unless Lord Dosan personally came to support them, or Miss Axiu's identity was revealed, only then could they use their influence?

"Don't worry, things depend on human effort. Maybe some talented people will see that we have a bright future and come to join us on their own..."

Gu Mo was indifferent and not as concerned as the monkey. Naturally, he wouldn't worry too much before even starting. He rubbed his sleepy eyes, looked ahead, and then reached out to stop the carriage—

"Stop, stop. Go to the riverbank there. I need to wash my hands..."

"Wash... wash hands?"

"Yes, right there." Gu Mo nodded repeatedly, his gaze casually sweeping around, then fixing on a certain slope in the distance.

??? (100%)
??? (100%)

Two bright Health Bars with unknown names appeared in his field of vision.

Wild monsters?

At the same time.

On the distant hillside, two figures stood side by side, watching the two carriages on the winding road in the distance. A valiant figure snorted lightly, "At this time, they are nothing special. They are still so weak..."

"Don't underestimate them, Raiko. You said 'at this time'..." The man wearing a tall hat chuckled. "You should know what our actual bodies encountered when we met them in our lifetime. Don't be unconvinced."

"Of course I know... Hmm? Wait!"

The woman called Raiko responded coldly. Just as she was about to say something, her tone suddenly changed, and she let out a sound of surprise and uncertainty: "He seems to have discovered us... How did he do it?"