If he hadn't come today, the slaughter in the courtyard would have been a blood sacrifice to the Martial Saint, incidentally forcing the wandering simulation arena players outside to choose sides;
But since he did come today, Mr. Zhao promptly changed his plan.
The ambush in the courtyard became targeted at him and Feng Zhong.
If that group had succeeded in killing him, eliminating a top three player from the simulation arena, Mr. Zhao, being fourth, would have ascended to first place, leaving the manipulation of those outside who hadn't come and the planning of the Martial Saint's resurrection to him;
If he managed to eliminate all the offerings in the courtyard, Mr. Zhao would then ally with him to defeat the revived Martial Saint, close the simulation arena, eliminate the other players, and maintain the current rankings of the simulation arena...
Whichever step was successful, he wouldn't suffer any loss.
Of course, there was very likely to be a follow-up.