21. Something's not right.

Zhao Yu led the group along the correct path, reaching the rear garden where a circular archway stood. The group was silent until an elder, Great Confucian Wu Dingxi, stepped forward.

"Steward, my lord."

Seeing the old man had something to say, Zhao Yu paused and asked with concern.

"Do you have a question?"

"Yes, when can our group begin work? And what exactly will our tasks be?"

As they entered the manor earlier, passing through the courtyard, they had seen a tree emanating a profound aura, its charm descending like rain. Wu Dingxi had caught a whiff of the breeze, and his mind instantly cleared, the long-stagnant barriers in his cultivation showing slight progress. Though unaware of the tree's nature, anything tied to such an aura must be no ordinary treasure. He dared not ask. For those like him, at the Half-Saint realm, advancing further was nigh impossible. This tree… how could one not be eager? 

Seeing the old man's enthusiasm, Zhao Yu felt a pang of frustration. Why are these people so excited? Don't they see the Manor Lord has deceived them? Oh, they truly don't.

"First, you must be recognized by the token."

"Hold the token to your chest and shout the slogan: 'The manor is eternal, long live the Manor Lord, activate the token!' You must clear your mind for the token to acknowledge you. Then, it will guide your next steps."

Wu Dingxi froze, stunned. Zhao Yu, satisfied, continued onward.

This must be the archway.

Stepping through, the group beheld a mountainside vastly different from the manor outside. Mist swirled, waterfalls roared, grand pavilions loomed majestically, and the sky stretched vast and boundless. An immortal realm sprawled across the slope, stirring in Zhao Yu a faint longing for his old sect.

"Steward, my lord! Steward, are you…"

Zhao Yu glanced at the group. Lost in the beauty? Careless, nearly embarrassed myself before these mortals.

"Everyone, follow me."

Among the group, Pei Xuan, one of the two Great Confucians, spoke up.

"My lord, are we truly staying here? This place is breathtaking, so different from the outside."

Zhao Yu nodded. Indeed, the opulence and atmosphere here far surpass the outside. Calling it a sacred land isn't an exaggeration. Even the forbidden grounds of my sect might not compare.

No, this is a scam. There's no way such a place exists. Why would servants' quarters outshine the Manor Lord's? This must be an illusion, like that flag, to deceive these mortals.

He touched the trees, the grass, the architecture of the rooms. All real.

To the group, this senior seemed to caress each object with a pensive gaze, lost in thought. He must be reminiscing. Some even imagined his youthful days as a gallant hero.

Pei Xuan, the martial general, asked.

"My lord, where are the others?"

Zhao Yu sat on a stone bench, gazing at the starry night, clouds drifting lazily, a blade of grass plucked from the path in his hand. Still unable to believe this was real, he answered absently.

"Dead… dead because they chased a futile path they shouldn't have."

The group fell silent.

"Senior, please don't grieve."

"…Wait, you misunderstand!"

What's wrong with me? Could it be… the Manor Lord wanted me to say this? Very likely. But to go this far with mortals…

Looking at the group, Zhao Yu thought for a moment, then spoke.

"You should abandon your delusional dreams of conquering the world. Give them up and choose a meaningful goal to live for—like growing old peacefully, marrying, having children."

"Thank you, Senior, for the advice. But we juniors are resolved and will not change our goal."

Something's off with you people…

Sighing, Zhao Yu realized he couldn't defy the Manor Lord's decisions. Let fate decide, then.

"Each of you, choose a room."

After arranging everything, Zhao Yu stepped through the archway, his heart heavier than ever.

Manor Lord, what must I do to stop you from targeting mortals?