CHAPTER 754: My Fifth Corps Doesn’t Need Trash Like You Bunch!

There were seven Divine Guard Corps in the City of Shadows. Each corps was limited to one thousand Divine Guards.

A squad consisted of ten Divine Guards. A company consisted of ten companies led by a captain. A corps consisted of ten companies led by a chief.

The seven Corps of the City of Shadows were responsible for the security of the city. They were also responsible for wreaking havoc on the city's enemies, projecting the city's influence, occupying resources and even looting. In short, they were responsible for everything from the noble to the despicable.

Apart from Avery, seven of the ten captains of the Fifth Corps also disappeared. They had probably gone with Avery. The remaining three captains did not participate in Avery's rampage, as they had their own families in the city. However, after the riot, two of them resigned their positions and left the Fifth Corps.

Many other Divine Guards had also left. The only remaining captain was named Lamont. Currently, the entire Fifth Corps had less than two hundred divine guards.

Of the one thousand Divine Guardians of the Fifth Corps, about half had left with Avery and the Lavers family. The other half had left because they knew they would get nowhere in the Fifth Corps, while some had left in protest at the actions of the House of Sainte. For these reasons, Fifth Corps became dysfunctional, crippled and severely undermanned.

Wallace, aware of the situation in the Fifth Corps, redistributed all the duties of the Fifth Corps to the First, Second and Third Corps. This left the divine guards of Fifth Corps with nothing to do. They killed time by drinking and chatting. There wasn't a dash left in them.

In the Fifth Corps staff room, Lamont, the only captain who had not resigned, was drunk and intoxicated. He was teasing and flirting with several female divine guards. He seemed to be living the life!

"Captain Lamont, I have heard that the owner of Celestial Pearl will be coming to the Fifth Corps soon. Our happy days are coming to an end!" said a squad leader who worked under Lamont, as he filled his glass to the brim with an amber-coloured fine wine. His face was red and hot.

Previously, when Avery was around, all these bottles of fine wine, obtained through plundering and gifted by small family clans, had been for Avery's taste buds alone. But after Avery's departure, the great collection of fine wines became ownerless. These divine guardians conveniently took it for themselves, drinking to their hearts' content every day.

Lamont, who was also quite drunk, groaned and said, "He's just a small trader. What does he know about running our Fifth Corps? If it weren't for his connection with the House of Sainte, would he have got the job? The boy knows nothing about our work!"

"Captain, you know, they should have chosen one of us veterans to replace Avery. And as far as I can see, you, Captain, are the most qualified among us to take over. But unfortunately, the City Lord did not even consider any of us as candidates. And against all reason, he gave the position to this immature and inexperienced little merchant. Ugh..." the squad leader had drunk a little too much to say words that implied the City Lord was at fault.

Lamont responded with a long sigh and replied, "Who knows what was in the City Lord's mind?"

Lamont did not leave with Avery or resign like other captains because he had his eyes set on the most powerful seat in the Fifth Corps. In Lamont's wishful thinking, the position of Chief should fall to the only remaining Captain - him. That was why he remained in Fifth Corps when others jumped off the ship.

Unfortunately for Lamont, things didn't go as he had hoped. Not only did Wallace not even consider the old gang as potential candidates, he temporarily stripped the Fifth Corps of all its privileges, tying Lamont's hands.

Lamont's lofty ambition was thwarted. Though sullen and disappointed, Lamont spent his days drinking the fine wines conveniently located in the Fifth Corps to numb his grief.

"Captain Lamont, this merchant named Bryan has absolutely no idea of the duties of our Fifth Corps, nor does he know how things work within the Fifth Corps. Hehe, after he takes office, we'll just have to put stumbling blocks in his way so that he can't manage the Fifth Corps well. Then, sooner or later, the City Lord will find him incapable and remove him from his seat. When that day comes, perhaps the City Lord will remember that a veteran like Captain Lamont is fit to be Chief," the squad leader suggested with a sinister smile.

Lamont smiled drunkenly. He raised his wine glass happily and said, "Ayy, let's drink!"

Lamont had planned to do just that. That was why he stayed even after learning that Han Shuo was about to take office. His mood was lifted when he heard that the Squad Leader's words were in line with his intentions.

Meanwhile, Han Shuo, Sanguis, Bollands, Gilbert, Stratholme and Ayermike arrived at the front entrance of the Fifth Corps. Even before they stepped inside, they could smell the intense scent of alcohol and hear the sound of revelry. There wasn't a whiff of August left.

If you didn't know better, you might think you were entering a pub instead of a military base.

Ayermike lifted his head and was startled to see the huge sign that read 'Fifth Corps'. He remarked, "How could a military agency of the city be like this?"

Stratholme also shook his head and remarked, "It is obvious that the divine guards would be of low quality. Bryan, it seems that you are in need of a major renovation!"

Han Shuo nodded, his face calm and collected. He said, "With you around, we can recruit and train new divine guards to rebuild the Fifth Corps. If any of those in there are not tactful, we'll kick their ass out of the Fifth Corps!"

"This way please, Senior!" Bollands stepped forward to the entrance and bowed to Han Shuo.

"Who's there?" Just as Han Shuo and his party entered, a lazy cry rang out from inside. In response, two divine guards came into view, their arms wrapped around each other's shoulders. Their faces were completely red. Each held a half-empty bottle of wine. They seemed to be enjoying life to the full.

"The newly appointed head of the Fifth Corps has arrived. Gather all your men," Bollands called in a stern voice.

"Oh, I see," the two divine guards were unexpectedly not at all alarmed. On the contrary, they were grinning as they sized Han Shuo up. One of them asked drunkenly, "Which one of you is the new chief?

"Stop your fucking nonsense and gather everyone," Gilbert shouted angrily when he saw the two of them not showing the slightest respect.

"Who the hell are you? Are you the new chief? You don't look like one! Don't you dare shout at me if you're not the new chief!" the divine guard shouted back at Gilbert drunkenly, without fear or shame.

Gilbert let out an echoing roar of fury and lunged at the divine guard, slapping him across the face.

Although not every divine guard in the Fifth Corps was a Midgod, all those who could afford to stay were. The divine guard who was arguing with Gilbert had long realised that Gilbert only had the strength of a Lowgod, and naturally didn't see Gilbert as a threat. The Divine Guard even revealed a mocking sneer as he let Gilbert's palm slap his face. Suddenly, in a flash, the Divine Guard scratched at Gilbert with his free hand.

"Pow!" The Divine Guard was sent crashing to the ground by Gilbert's slap. However, the scratch that landed on Gilbert had no effect. It did not even scratch Gilbert's skin.

Han Shuo wore a cold smile as he watched the performance of the two divine guards. He had sent some of his demon generals into the Fifth Corps earlier and had seen and heard everything Lamont and the others had said and done. He was very much aware of their intentions.

"Bollands, Sanguis, break their arms and legs!" instructed Han Shuo.

Bollands and Sanguis who wanted to give them a beating long ago immediately pounced on the divine guards without a word. They joined hands with Gilbert and subdued the divine guards in a split second.

Creak! Creak! Creak! Creak!

Sounds of bones breaking in two played along with miserable shrieks. The two drunken divine guards suddenly regained their senses. They glared at Han Shuo and screamed, "Even if you are the Chief, you cannot punish us so severely for no reason!"

"Insubordination. That is severe enough," Han Shuo put on a calm smile and asked, "Wasn't you quite drunk just then? How is it that you have turned sober so suddenly?"

"I will sue you! I will go to the House of Sainte and sue you!" shrieked the divine guard at the top of his lungs.

Bam! Gilbert threw a punch at the Divine Guard's mouth. His lips and gums were bleeding and disfigured. It was then that Gilbert cursed, "Sue my fist, motherfucker! Do you think the House of Sainte will help you? What an idiot!"

The other Divine Guard , who was about to shout something, immediately shut up when he saw his partner's bloody mouth.

"What's going on?" Lamont, his face deep red, walked over with several squad leaders. Pretending to be angry, he shouted, "Who are you people? How dare you inflict such violence on our divine guards of the Fifth Corps?"

"Look at their drunken faces. You call them divine guards? Pfft," Gilbert sneered contemptuously before proudly announcing, "We are from the House of Han. Those two jokers belittled my master, so they were disciplined. Do you have a problem with that?"

"Before you come up with official documents showing your identity, you are all outsiders. They did nothing wrong!" Lamont glowered at Han Shuo and coldly groaned, "Even if you are the new Chief, you must do things following the rules!"

"From today onwards, in the Fifth Corps, I'm the rules!" Han Shuo put on a faint smile and said, "You are called Lamont, right? Alright, Lamont, I hereby expel you from the Fifth Corps. Now get yourself and all your drinking buddies out of the Fifth Corps! My Fifth Corps don't need trash like you bunch!"

"Dismissing us just because we drank is unjustified!" shouted Lamont angrily as he stared at Han Shuo, not backing down.

"As I have said, in the Fifth Corps, I'm the rules," Han Shuo let out a soft sneer and suddenly, he was in front of Lamont. Han Shuo gently pressed his left palm on Lamont's chest.

Pow!

Lamont was sent flying straight to the exit. He fell down the stairs and out the Fifth Corps. Two strands of blood flowed slowly from the corners of his lips. He glared at Han Shuo with hateful eyes as he shouted, "I will sue you! I will sue you!"

"Go ahead," Han Shuo waved his hand and said impatiently, "Don't ever come near the Fifth Corps again or I'll break your damn legs."

"You, you, and you!" the imposing Gilbert pointed at the divine guards with red faces and shouted, "Why are you still standing here? Get out before I kick your asses!"

The divine guards pointed at by Gilbert were all facing Lamont. They were terrified. The squad leader who had ingratiated himself with Lamont even began to cry, pleading, "Please forgive us, we only took a few cups of alcohol, we did not mean to offend Your Lordship. Please, we still want to stay in the Fifth Corps!"

"All those who drank will be dismissed from the Fifth Corps. Shoo!" Gilbert shouted impatiently, "You'd better stop talking nonsense and get out. Make any more noise and you'll be crawling out with broken legs!"

Having heard Gilbert's threat, and with Sanguis and Bollands staring at them with cold, ferocious eyes, the divine guards dared not stay a second longer. They left the Fifth Corps reluctantly. With most of the captains gone, Lamont had become the most influential figure in the Fifth Corps. He had even bought other divine guards with the fine wine Avery had left behind.

After the dismissal, there were less than fifty Divine Guards left in the Fifth Corps. None of the fifty indulged in the vice of heavy drinking. They were very self-disciplined. After a moment of observation, Han Shuo noticed that most of the remaining divine guards had a serious and stern expression on their faces. They were watching the farce at the entrance with cold eyes. Their glances towards Han Shuo were filled with astonishment and confusion. They seemed to be considering their next move.

Han Shuo had learned a little about these fifty before he joined the Fifth Corps. The majority of them came from impoverished villages and had no family clan to fall back on. Some of them were placed there by the House of Sainte. Their loyalty is to the City of Shadows, not to the person in charge.

For Han Shuo, these are the characters worthy of his attention and care. They will be the foundation that will allow the Fifth Corps to turn around quickly. Han Shuo considered one of his most important tasks after taking over the Fifth Corps to be winning the trust and approval of these people.

After kicking Lamont and his lackeys, the troublesome ones, out of the Fifth Corps, Han Shuo marched straight to the assembly hall and shouted, "All Divine Guards, assemble! The remaining fifty or so divine guards gathered silently in front of Han Shuo as he commanded.

"You will keep your previously assigned positions in the Fifth Corps. Until we have enough men, you will all be in the First Company under my command!" Han Shuo did not waste words to stir up the crowd, but coldly gave them their orders.

Han Shuo knew that there was no point in talking too much, and that the only true way to subdue these untamed talents was through his charisma and ample demonstration of his abilities.