The transformation of Mino is centered around Rice Leaf Mountain Castle, becoming more thorough with each passing day.

This is a relatively gentle process, just as Gu Mo anticipated. Although people's cognitive abilities do not meet expectations, they regard the advanced machinery and productive tools he brings as rare demons or talismanic treasures crafted from magic...

But knowing without understanding does not affect the first phase of the transformation.

When those so-called "gigantic demons" and "talismanic treasures" are employed for farming, building terraces, digging channels, and performing various heavy tasks, his purpose is achieved... As for people's perceptions, they do not affect the effect of the machines.

And once people become familiar with these eccentricities, the subsequent work will unfold with greater ease.

Once everything stabilizes, he will begin to lead larger-scale reforms, combining mysticism and industry, introducing changes from the system level, crafting a behemoth in this current era capable of overturning all existing political, diplomatic, and warfare rules...

After all, this existence is merely the extension of thought and power, a tangibility projected from another plane, so there's no need to struggle with when to end the campaign and leave this world.

As long as no problems arise, he can remain here indefinitely.

Since the storyline of this campaign is exceedingly lengthy, spanning nearly half a century, surely he can't do nothing, thus he is set on causing a bit of a stir, molding the world line according to his whims, which seems quite interesting.

Not only to fulfill the history mentioned by Fujimaru Ritsuka and others in the previous campaign, but also because he truly believes he can create a better world.

At least, it won't be worse than the current era.

...

...

On this day, at Rice Leaf Mountain Castle.

The Heaven-Defending Tower's three-tiered, five-step structure.

"It's still not working? That's odd..." In the bright and grand room, Gu Mo faced away from the sunlight streaming in behind him, ignoring the clear azure sky and expansive plains outside. He simply pressed his hand to his chin, tilting his head, contemplating something seriously.

Not far opposite him, it was natural for Hidechika to be seated.

The black-haired girl was also unusually dressed in a kimono today, highlighting her demeanor and appearance, making her appear extremely stunning. She sat quietly on the tatami, calmly gazing at the young man before her.

Raising his head to observe the girl's serene expression, Gu Mo couldn't help but sigh, speaking warmly: "Ah Xiu, it's probably not a problem with your voice... Maybe it's because you haven't spoken for too long, or perhaps... You just don't want to speak?"

He spoke cautiously, paying close attention to the black-haired girl's expression.

Since returning, he has been preparing to resolve Hidechika's voice issue, but there has been no progress until now. Although he has only solid theoretical knowledge in medicine and astrology, his foundation is sturdy, lacking only verification of learned knowledge into definitive experience, thus Gu Mo has some confidence.

Yet now, he suddenly feels helpless, as it seems Hidechika's problem isn't with her voice.

On reflection, with the same-source power of the Primordial Ghost flowing through her veins, Hidechika also possesses high-level immortality. Such as being killed but not dying, or resurrecting after death. People can always be fine, naturally unable to fail to recover even damage to the voice.

This indicates her silence isn't a voice problem, but more likely a psychological factor...

Maybe it's because of the impact of watching her mother being killed during her childhood. Since then, living alone with no support, working alone exterminating demons, with no one to talk to, and constantly being ostracized due to her Half-Demon identity...

Thinking this, Gu Mo lightly sighed.

But speaking of it, why did Suzuka Imperial Lady end up being killed? Was it due to being overpowered by the same clan's strength, or was it because she created Chuye Shiwan, paying with not only Guardian Spirit but also some deeper elements?

It's also possible that the detachment of Guardian Spirits isn't unique, perhaps voluntarily entrusting Guardian Spirit to another or being forcibly taken by another, yet typically none have been as severe as Suzuka Imperial Lady, who fell into a coma and lost her memory.

Thoughts flutter in his mind, yet outwardly he doesn't show it, instead he carefully says:

"Actually, it doesn't really matter. Ah Xiu, speak whenever you feel like it, we'll take our time. There's absolutely no need to rush..."

Anyway, he can always understand what the girl wants to express, and even if worse comes to worst, there's still the Guardian Spirit to convey information. Moreover, once the update patch from his core self arrives, he will be able to use abilities like "Mind Chains," a naturally derived capability when Spiritual Power reaches a sufficient height.

There's no need to intentionally learn to grasp it, just as natural as breathing and blood flow.

"Hmm."

The black-haired girl stared at the person before her, and after a moment, she nodded gently, making a slight sound to indicate she understood.

Gu Mo smiled, then stood up, habitually patting the non-existent dust off his cyan Daoist robe: "Let's go, let's take a look around the city. I haven't paid attention these past few days, and I wonder how they've been faring. Hopefully, there will be a fresh change."

Since there was no solution, he could only set it aside for now. He didn't want to linger on this somewhat heavy topic, and he didn't want the girl to be immersed in those not-so-pleasant memories from the past, so he decisively changed the subject, also preparing to take her out for a distraction.

Hidechika had no objection to this; she gently nodded in agreement and stood up as well.

Leaving the room, the maids waiting outside for orders bowed gracefully in salute.

The two then passed through the salutes of the maids and guards, and left the Heaven-Defending Tower, entering the city outside.

Rice Leaf Mountain Castle now had changed quite a bit; directly in front of the Heaven-Defending Tower was a wide, straight avenue, no longer appearing primitive and backward as before. It was incredibly smooth and orderly, as if paved entirely with a single massive slab of gray-white stone.

—This was still thanks to the material support from the real world at present.

—However, "cement" production isn't a particularly high-demand technology, as long as they're not aiming for the engineering quality standards of future generations, it doesn't require overly advanced or sophisticated techniques.

For this era, rudimentary manual production suffices, after all, one must eat bite by bite. Currently, Fujikichiro should be handling matters over at the newly established cement kiln, but the monkey has so many responsibilities, truly busy to the point of running around non-stop, overwhelmed.

Yet, the monkey himself seemed unfazed by this, not only not feeling tired at all but rather being in high spirits every day, appearing extremely excited and satisfied. After all, he felt this was his great opportunity to stand out, so he must seize it and exert double the effort.

It's as if he were energized with boundless vigor, daily working non-stop with high intensity...

But Gu Mo somewhat worried if this king of overwork might suddenly collapse, though, at the moment, he indeed couldn't find many usable people, so they're just going with the flow. It seems establishing a talent selection system quickly remains necessary, though that involves many troublesome aspects, not something a quick solution can address.

The two walked along the wide, straight avenue, observing this seemingly chaotic city that had been imbued with astonishing vitality.

The grand construction continued nearby, laborers and soldiers bustling about like busy ant colonies.

Gu Mo lightly pointed in the air, causing ripples to spread, invisibly slicing through the air. Instantly, it was as if the surrounding environment responded, resonating in a peculiar rhythm from the ground to the air, making him and the girl beside him blend into the environment.

It wasn't physical invisibility, but rather a diminishing of presence in psychology—

Making others perceive them as part of the background environment, noticed but unconsciously overlooked.

Just like in a game, how often do people concentrate on the map's background? Human attention needs focusing, the presence of a focal "point" often causes neglect of seemingly insignificant details.

After the illusion technique was activated, Gu Mo and Ah Xiu's arrival went unnoticed by anyone.

"Here, here, push the cart over..."

"Don't go over there, block that road, dispatch a squad to guard it..."

"Where's the register? I asked you to prepare it before, bring it quickly, I need to report to the lord..."

Walking to the cement kiln site, that area was also bustling with ongoing construction, as intense as a raging fire, with hired laborers and elite soldiers guarding it—as much as Gu Mo might have disdain, it counts as strategic resources in this era.

Fujikichiro was very attentive to this, this somewhat prematurely aged and mature uncle, pacing back and forth on the site. Straining his unknowingly hoarse throat, he shouted loudly.

The scene appeared bustling yet orderly, with everyone seemingly knowing what they should and must do.

The atmosphere was remarkably lively, everyone rolling up their sleeves and working hard, drenched in sweat, their heads soaked but unable to pause to wipe it away.

"Those dark circles are serious, will he suddenly collapse..."

Observing Fujikichiro's demeanor from afar, Gu Mo noticed the profound exhaustion beneath his unusual mental exhilaration, which even the monkey hadn't realized, prompting Gu Mo to sharply raise his eyebrows.

There's no need to push so hard, to work so intensely...

As a tool man, the monkey indeed was dedicated, possessing a strong self-management ability.

But before Gu Mo could do anything, hurried footsteps sounded from behind. Turning, he saw the second young lady had come, her expression unprecedentedly flustered—

"Something's wrong! There's trouble... father... he's missing."