CHAPTER 801: The Moment He Appeared, I Lost

Han Shuo's victory was beyond most people's expectations. After returning to the centre of the mountain range, he was greeted with looks of respect. The three great patriarchs, five divine guard chiefs, and other influential figures of the city had all focused their gazes on Han Shuo.

Han Shuo had expected this reaction from them. He believed that it wouldn't be long before news of his triumph over Ralph and his Second Corps would spread throughout the City of Shadows. By then, Han Shuo would no longer have to worry about recruitment. People would be begging to become divine guards of the House of Han and the Fifth Corps.

"Bryan, did you really just defeat Ralph?" Carmelita was still in disbelief. Ralph, the head of the Second Corps, had just lost everything he could be proud of to Han Shuo, who had only recently made his official debut.

This was a significant change in the general situation in the City of Shadows that had not occurred for many years!

After that day, Ralph no longer had anything to back up his arrogance! The City of Shadows would no longer be a place where Ralph could throw his weight around, because he had just lost all his pride to Han Shuo!

Han Shuo smiled calmly, pointed at the sand table and replied, "Didn't you see that?"

Carmelita stared blankly for a second before turning angry and saying, "See what? We didn't see a thing! Why did you create this fog and hide the whole battle?"

"The process is not the important part - what matters is the result!" said Han Shuo, wearing the most devastatingly mischievous smile. "In short, I won the battle. That is all that matters!"

"Indeed. It's not the process that matters, it's the result! Everyone here has seen Bryan put his sword to Ralph's throat. All of us here are eyewitnesses. Bryan won and Ralph lost. It's as simple as that," Caspar remarked before looking at Wallace with a smile.

All this time, the House of Sainte had been in control of the First, Second and Third Corps. Whether it was the strength of the teams or the abilities of the chiefs, the House of Sainte had overshadowed the other three major family clans. In all competitions, the top three corps and chieftains were always those of the House of Sainte. Their supremacy had never been challenged.

Until that day, when Bryan shook things up!

Wallace nodded indifferently and asked in a deep voice, "All right. Bryan is the winner of this match. Any objections?"

Who could object? The fact was there for all to see!

Caspar and the other two Great Patriarchs exchanged meaningful glances. Although they were rivals, the three patriarchs had a mutual understanding. They knew exactly what each other was thinking.

Before the departure of the House of Laver, there were five major family clans in the City of Shadows. Although they were called the five great clans, it was common knowledge that the House of Sainte was far more powerful and had always kept the other four clans at bay. The House of Sainte had a firm grip on the City of Shadows, and no one could come close to loosening it.

But were the other clans content with what they had?

The answer was obvious - absolutely not! Whether it was the House of Kinson, the House of Kisa, the House of Buller, or even the lesser family clans, they all coveted the position of City Lord.

The City of Shadows had limited territory and resources, most of which were divided between large and small family clans. A new clan needed territory and resources to grow. With no unexplored land and no untapped resources, that new clan would have to borrow what it needed from another clan to fuel its growth.

The rise of one great clan often means the fall of another - a fact that has been true since time immemorial. The sudden rise of the House of Han was a great example of this. How could the House of Han grow so quickly and become one of the most influential powers in the city? It was because they had taken over the territory of the House of Lavers and their vast manor!

When the House of Sainte began, much like the Houses of Kinson, Buller and Kisa, they were all just small family clans in the City of Shadows. Eons ago, the former rulers of the City of Shadows, the House of Tianluo, suffered devastating losses in a war against the Dominions of Life and Light. The weakened House of Tianluo was destroyed by the combined forces of the Sainte, Kinson, Buller and Kisa families. This is how they came to possess what they have today.

And if the day ever came when the House of Sainte fell, the current House of Kinson, Buller and Kisa could take its place and become the new rulers of the City of Shadows. They could have what the House of Sainte had, or even more!

Who could resist the temptation?

The reason the Kinson, Buller and Kisa families never dared to rebel was that the Sainte family had managed to keep them firmly in check in every way. They were also intimidated by Wallace's terrifying strength. But on that day, when Han Shuo easily defeated Ralph, the colossal House of Sainte, which had been untouchable in the City of Shadows, seemed to have trembled slightly.

But even the slightest quiver was more than enough to reignite their greed!

The three major patriarchs understood each other even though they did not speak a word.

Wallace was just too strong. The three patriarchs understood that if they were to go on an all-out fight with the House of Sainte, they must have someone on their side who could fight Wallace. The three patriarchs of Mid-stage Highgods strengths knew that they had around the same strength as Ralph. They were certain that even if they could defeat Ralph in a battle, it would never be as effortless as Han Shuo had done.

<i >Can Bryan defeat Wallace?

The three major patriarchs simultaneously asked themselves the same question. Their heads which were lowered in contemplation were raised and their gazes yet again gathered on Han Shuo. The three astute and circumspect foxes thought, <i >I shall wait and observe. If he could also defeat Aobashi just as effortlessly, then it can be certain that he has the strength to fight Wallace.

"Next battle, Erebus versus Camilla!" announced Wallace.

"Here I come!" Erebus who was chatting happily with Han Shuo left impatiently after he heard the call-out from Wallace.

Based on Han Shuo's understanding of Erebus, Han Shuo reckoned that it wouldn't be difficult for Erebus to win this battle.

And the results were as Han Shuo had expected. After half a day's time, Erebus successfully defeated Camilla. Next in line was Batúk and Rugersey. The results of this match were rather unexpected. Batúk, who was the last place in the ranking, with great difficulty, managed to defeat Rugersey who had previously defeated him. With that, the ranking of Divine Guard Chiefs changed slightly.

The victors continued to fight for higher rankings, while the vanquished struggled to stay as high as possible. Han Shuo, Erebus, Batúk and Aobashi went to draw another lot.

"Batúk, if you have the lot against Bryan, just surrender," the Buller family patriarch, Laurel, gently advised Batúk before he drew the lot.

Batúk forced a smile and replied, "Lord Patriarch, can't you have a little more faith in me?"

Laurel smiled and replied, "Well, Batúk, do you have confidence that you can defeat Bryan?" Batúk was a member of the House of Buller. As the patriarch of the Buller family, Laurel knew Batúk's strength well. He did not believe that Batúk could come close to defeating Han Shuo.

"No, not a shred of confidence," Batúk said as he shook his head. "But I did not see how Bryan attacked just now. Even if I were to be defeated, I should at least try to gauge his true strength, right?"

Laurel stared blankly and thought for a moment. He nodded smilingly as he replied, "You're right. Might as well take advantage of the defeat. A little fighting can't hurt."

The results of the lottery were known in no time: Erebus was paired with Aobashi, and Batúk with Han Shuo.

"I surrender!" Erebus declared loudly and shamelessly before Wallace could say anything. As the crowd looked on in astonishment, Erebus shrugged his shoulders and explained, "I have fought Aobashi many times in private and I know for a fact that I am no match for her. I don't want to waste everyone's time."

The crowd unconsciously smiled at Erebus' words. Everyone knew that Erebus had been following Aobashi and that he was no match for Aobashi in terms of strength. But the crowd couldn't help but suspect that something else was going on, given how easily Erebus had given up. They couldn't help but look at Erebus and Aobashi suspiciously.

"Who asked you to surrender? Why can't you fight?" Aobashi scolded with a grim expression. She hadn't expected Erebus to give up as easily as he said he would. He showed not the slightest sign of courage.

"We all know I cannot defeat you. There's no point in wasting everyone's time," Erebus replied, smiling.

"Very well. Erebus has surrendered willingly. Aobashi will advance to the next round," Wallace announced.

With Aobashi and Erebus not fighting, Han Shuo and Batúk went to the arena. Just as the battle between the two began, the fog appeared again out of nowhere, completely obscuring the view of the spectators. It tickled the annoyance of the crowd who wanted to have a clear view of Han Shuo's true strength.

When the fog finally cleared, the arena was visible to the spectators again, and Han Shuo was aiming his sword at an exhausted Batúk. It was similar to the fight between Han Shuo and Ralph, but the battle lasted even less time. Unlike Ralph, Batúk did not even have the energy to stand up.

Batúk, his head spinning, was helped to his feet by Han Shuo. "Please forgive me, Lord Batúk," Han Shuo said sincerely after helping Batúk. He knew that those around the sand table had seen the scene of his victory.

"It's a competition. There is nothing to apologise for," Batúk, who knew he would be defeated, could not smile as if nothing had happened as Han Shuo could. He nodded indifferently at Han Shuo and left the arena with a sombre face.

Since Han Shuo would be fighting Aobashi next, he did not leave the arena. He apologised to the departing Batúk a few more times and stayed in the arena, waiting for Aobashi's arrival.

As soon as Batúk returned from the arena, Laurel hurried over to him and asked in a low voice, "So, did you get anything?"

"It felt like I was pulled into another dimension. I did not see Bryan even once from start to finish. By the time he appeared, I was already defeated. It's basically the same as what you would see through the sand table," said Batúk resentfully. He did not feel angry about the results. There was no shame in losing, but he couldn't accept not knowing how he was defeated!

Batúk turned more sullen the more he thought about it. He remarked, "Had I known this earlier, I would have just surrendered. What's the point of wasting all the energy!"

Laurel was astounded. The other two major patriarchs who had come to them at an unknown time also put on astounded faces.

<i >Just how powerful is this Bryan?