The first time I came to Lushan City, and leaving Lushan City later...

This time returning, every time I look at this city, my mindset is vastly different. However, this time, even my perspective has changed considerably, along with a broadened mind and spirit.

This world is no longer oppressive. The vastness of heaven and earth offers great potential...

—That's about the gist of it.

"Lord Gu Mo, you're finally back... Didn't encounter any problems on the way, right? Want to rest for a bit now..." It was Fujikichiro who rushed up at the quickest speed upon hearing the news, showing a very sycophantic expression with a face full of concern and small talk.

"Hmm, I'm back... Monkey, those dark circles under your eyes are serious. If you don't rest, you might suddenly drop dead. Are you staying up too many nights lately?"

Gu Mo was slightly uncomfortable with such concern from a big man and directly nodded in response. Then, seriously observing this old friend's weathered uncle face, he was a bit surprised and couldn't help detecting the other's life signs.

It felt somewhat dangerous, like someone who had pulled all-nighters for many nights and could drop dead any moment... No, it's more like, without the Guardian Spirit's protection, Monkey might already be ready to be buried.

It seems I didn't leave for long...

At least from this perspective of the storyline, it was just a restart from a saved point in time; the progress was continuous...

Furthermore, it didn't take long to return as he flew back directly. The time he left was just during the period he set out from Lushan City to embark on that solitary wilderness journey, which wasn't long at all... So why is Fujikichiro looking so half-dead?

"Hehe hahaha..."

With an awkward smile, Monkey said, "Lord Gu Mo, there is actually a reason. Regarding the situation in Lushan City during this time..."

He didn't delay and explained all his current problems in one breath, expressing his thoughts and intentions to showcase himself while subtly glossing over the main reasons without revealing any obvious meanings.

That's right, it's definitely not the Lord's fault.

Everything was smooth when the Lord was here. After the Lord left, problems started, clearly due to his own incompetence!

Monkey might privately murmur in confusion, but on the surface, he is fully aware of this realization.

"Oh, I roughly understand the situation now..."

Gu Mo merely nodded. It's just that after he left, the system's regulation templates for the territory also got withdrawn. So those enhancements, bonuses, and special values like "stability" lost their effect along with it.

Ultimately, Lushan City now shows the true nature of an ancient city after his departure.

Production, management, trade, regulation... Issues arise in various aspects, personnel friction, management conflicts, etc.

After all, it's inevitable. Even using the Power of the system to implement territorial management templates, everything becomes a quantified value, integrated into his view for the most convenient management adjustments... It's hard to describe this situation; even "Leadership EX" can't.

Even so, many problems are unavoidable.

After all, the city is the same, and the residents inside weren't brainwashed into puppets; it's just that he could intuitively see the problems and quickly adjust, mapping operation panels onto the real world, lubricating the integrated giant machine over and over...

That's why it was so smooth, so seamless; everything was orderly, as if every cog cooperated, allowing the integrated giant machine to operate smoothly.

That's the situation Fujikichiro faces. Actually, everything is quite normal, but his initial goals were overly ambitious, and the reference objects too unrealistic, causing distress and headaches, feeling it's his problem, being restless daily.

Glancing at the distressed Monkey, Gu Mo couldn't help but chuckle; though being a historically renowned figure, he also climbed step by step...

Originally in history, he rose from obscurity to become the ruler of the world... But now it's different; Fujikichiro just started his career, originally to rise step by step as a Samurai. Now, although he took a shortcut due to certain reasons, he also lacks the necessary experience.

It's unreasonable to expect Monkey to have the talents to govern a city or a country now, indeed burdensome for him... But to push himself to such an extent, he truly is relentless...

"Go rest for a while first; I'll handle things from here. You can gradually accumulate experience..." Gu Mo casually said, "Oh, by the way, any major events happen during my absence?"

Fujikichiro immediately let out a breath of relief, showing a joyous expression. However, upon hearing his question, he became solemn again.

"This..."

Monkey sneakily glanced around, then lowered his voice slightly, "Lord Dao San went back to the mountain estate a few days ago, and he seems quite displeased with you..."

"..."

"..."

Originally, he just wanted to ask about the situation during the Warring States Era. Seeing Fujikichiro's actions, Gu Mo thought something big happened, not expecting Monkey to treat it secretively, saying it was this matter.

Or does even Fujikichiro care, feeling their former small circle is all tied to Hidechika's status, hence subconsciously most concerned about this, fearing changes or big dips?

He paused, slightly speechless, "What's so major about this? Didn't the old man always dislike me?" 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

Not disliking me would be more of a surprise...

After all, in Old Sir Dao San's eyes, he probably sees me as the detestable guy who ran off with his long-lost precious daughter, looking utterly disagreeable.

Even if he rationally accepted this and even arranged things generously, showcasing the demeanor of a mighty hero and idealist, it doesn't prevent the old man from holding an enduring dislike toward Gu Mo visibly.

Of course, if it's annoying, then it's annoying. Gu Mo still holds great respect for this elder, after all, who else would hand over their entire life's foundation at the recognition of someone, and even send a Guardian Spirit and daughter? Such generosity and openness are simply unimaginable...

The actions have been impeccable toward me, can I really not allow him, from a father's perspective, to have some criticism about me?

Understandable, understandable…

"No, my lord, it's not the same situation as before… I mean, the situation has slightly changed, and pardon my saying, Lord Dao San is even more displeased with you now…" The Monkey was a bit anxious about Gu Mo's indifference; he opened his mouth, looking conflicted and hesitant.

"Ha?"

Gu Mo was a bit puzzled. If merely looking at him was annoying, then why, after he had been away for a short period, did the elder find him even more displeasing?

"Is it because of Ah Xiu?"

That seemed to be the only possibility, but he still couldn't quite figure it out.

"..."

"..."

"Wait, Monkey, why did you suddenly stop talking?"

Faced with Fujikichiro's conflicted expression, Gu Mo frowned, suddenly having an uneasy premonition. It must be because of Ah Xiu, definitely because of Ah Xiu.

"It's not because of Miss Ah Xiu…"

Fujikichiro chuckled awkwardly, seemingly unsure of how to put it. After hesitating for a while, he cautiously opened his mouth to say, "I've heard that during this time, the second young lady has been often lost in thought, not knowing what she's thinking about. Later, Lord Dao San had a fit, seemingly about this, but I'm not sure of the details…"

He appeared to be talking about a different, unrelated matter, yet seemed to be explaining the previous issue, and at the same time looked at Gu Mo with a hint of admiration.

"..."

"..."

"Alright, I think I get it…"

Gu Mo waved his hand a bit powerlessly. What kind of situation was this? He hadn't even said anything to Hidechika, let alone ever incited the younger sister. There was totally no reason for this… Hmm, wait, could it be the blame for mistakenly taking the younger sister as the older one that day?

But he had actually noticed something amiss at the time, just pretended to be oblivious, intending to use the power and spirit of words to drive her back…

Anyhow, regardless of truth or falsehood, the intended message was obviously targeted at Ah Xiu back then…

Letting out a long sigh, he looked towards the Heaven-Defending Tower ahead. Although he still felt it wasn't much of a problem, he subconsciously slowed his pace a little.

Meanwhile, Fujikichiro, being very astute, quickly made a polite excuse and slipped away to continue brushing up presence, reporting beforehand to show he stood on the other side—

That was enough. As for the ensuing whirlwind…

It was better not to get involved.

Gu Mo didn't mind it either. Before entering the Heaven-Defending Tower, he checked his situation again, making sure his appearance and aura had been meticulously disguised, restoring to the state he was in before leaving this world. So when he returned and entered the city, even Fujikichiro hadn't noticed.

But whether he could fool those few people next, he wasn't too sure, after all, he was just a walking incarnation, not his true self being here.

Of course, it wasn't necessarily needed to hide; it was just to avoid trouble earlier…

He stepped inside, sensing the general aura slightly, and then headed towards the dojo at the back. This time he was very cautious, seriously distinguishing the aura of the sisters to confirm there was no problem before finding his way to Hidechika, truly learning from experience.

The space in the dojo at the back was broad, and the sunlight was just right.

There was a refined view of the courtyard, with a small bridge over flowing water, and lush greenery.

At the center, two spirited female samurais were still sparring with each other, not using extraordinary Power, but purely honing their skills. Nonetheless, it was still a clashing of blades, the sound of metal against metal unceasing, with speed too fast for the average person to see.

Finally, they separated after a clash, pulling away from each other…

"Ah Xiu, you've improved a lot…"

Minamoto no Yoshiie said with a slight hint of envy, looking at the quiet, black-haired girl across from her.

This ghost's talent was simply too incredible, transforming rapidly with a different appearance each day, making her somewhat jealous.

The girl said nothing in reply, but she couldn't speak anyway. She just seemed to have sensed something, turning her eyes towards the entrance of the dojo, finding a familiar figure standing there, leaning against the corridor pillar quietly watching, not knowing how long he had been there.

Everything seemed just like yesterday…

Watching this scene before him, Gu Mo couldn't help but lapse into reverie; seeing the black-haired girl's somewhat conscious and calm glance, he came back to his senses.

Throwing a very bright smile on his face, he went forward: "Ah Xiu, long time no see—"

The black-haired girl paused for a moment, not really understanding, but still smiled at him.