CHAPTER 371: A Woman's Heart

Using the Cemetery of Death's transportation matrix, Han Shuo arrived at a desolate area within an underground abyss near Seagate City. After summoning the Elite Earth Zombie to tunnel to the surface, he left the underground abyss and hurriedly headed towards Seagate City.

With the kind of power Han Shuo had at his disposal, any city's defences were as useless as a paper shield in front of him. He swooped down unseen and landed in a deserted corner of Seagate City. From there, he casually made his way to the mansion that Helen had taken as her residence during her first journey. However, it was only when Han Shuo arrived there that he realised that Helen and his personal guards had long since left Seagate City.

He changed directions and soon arrived at the Dark Mantle's stronghold in Seagate City. He called for Delante and soon discovered that Helen had already swept through the city in a bloody purge. She had taken complete control of Seagate City.

The letter Han Shuo had sent last time had already reached Dick's hands. Following Han Shuo's orders, Brettel City had begun to spread another rumour that Helen had never had an intimate relationship with Han Shuo and that the previous rumour of Helen's rape was just an assumption made by his subordinates.

Brettel City also issued a formal statement attesting to the veracity of their new rumour. This was quickly and deliberately spread throughout the seven Grand Duchies. Indeed, this alone convinced the majority of the people. However, a few narrow-minded people still did not believe in the authenticity of the message.

As this official statement and its accompanying rumours spread throughout the duchies, some of the citizens of the Duchy of Helon, who deeply respected their Grand Duke Helen, began to believe in her again. Initially, Helen felt that it was beneath her dignity to come out and testify to the authenticity of the story in public. But after facing so many blank faces and thinly veiled contempt, she took advantage of the situation to finally stand up and say her piece to the public after Brettel City sent out their statement.

Helen agreed to have her body examined by the various nobles of the Duchy of Helon, overseen by several ladies of distinguished and virtuous reputation. Three ancient specialists sent by some powerful nobles to examine Helen's body finally confirmed that Helen was indeed a truly intact virgin.

After the powerful nobles and ladies issued a formal statement together, all the citizens fully believed in the authenticity of the situation and cleared Helen in their eyes. Perhaps because the citizens felt that they had insulted the reputation of their own Grand Duke, they all began to grieve, lament, and even reflect on their previous actions of despising Helen. After this event, the citizens of the duchy began to view Helen with an unprecedented level of respect and admiration.

Taking advantage of her citizens' new-found faith, Helen swiftly and decisively rooted out several political enemies in quick succession, purging her court of conspiring nobles and disloyal aristocrats. By the time she had finished her blood-spattered massacre, there wasn't a single noble left in the entire Duchy of Helon who ever dared to rebel again.

At that moment, Benedict Sackville, who had originally treated Helen with unparalleled contempt and indifference, immediately sent a passionate letter to Helen. On the one hand, he was bitter and hateful in his remorse. On the other hand, he was like his old self and stubbornly began to pursue Helen again.

In the Duchy of Helon's residence in Seagate City, Helen held up the letter filled with his touching words of love. She tore the letter into pieces with a cold sneer as she spoke to Firewind by her side, "I have seen the true face of Benedict Sackville thoroughly and clearly after this event. What he was after all along was the Duchy of Helon, never me. When all the citizens and nobles of the Duchy of Helon rebelled against me, not only did he not lend a helping hand, he even plotted against me in the shadows. But now that I've regained my power within the Duchy of Helon, he has begun to follow me around like a pesky fly. It seems that only the Duchy has ever been the true target of his affections.

Firewind had returned to her human form and nodded at Helen's words. "I told you a long time ago that Benedict Sackville wasn't to be trusted. Politicians, they always act for their own benefit. The hypocritical behaviour of this man makes me sick. I really don't know how you could have cooperated with him before.

Helen's delicate and beautiful cheeks reddened slightly at Firewind's words. "Sister Firewind, I just used him, that's all. It was just a matter of nations. The Duchy of Narsen has the same enemies as I do, so I just used him to defeat the enemy. That's all."

After a moment's pause, Helen's face turned even redder. She hesitated for a moment and asked Firewind, somewhat cowardly, "Sister Firewind, what do you think of Bryan?"

Firewind blanked for a moment before gritting her teeth in hatred. "That despicable and heartless person?"

Without knowing why, Helen's heart itched slightly as she heard Firewind call Han Shuo a despicable and heartless person. It was as if the depths of her heart were unwilling to hear someone slander Han Shuo. Even someone as close as her sister Firewind was no exception.

"Mm, that Bryan. Sister Firewind, what do you think of him?" Since Helen and Firewind had such a close relationship for so many years, she naturally didn't blame her and even looked at Firewind expectantly.

After Firewind had finished her earlier sentence, she glanced at Helen and noticed an expectant expression in her eyes. Firewind had already noticed that Helen had none of her former resentment. Firewind sighed in her heart and forced a laugh as she said, "Helen, this Bryan is even harder to deal with than Benedict Sackville. I could even sense a little of his filthy thoughts directed at you when he was facing Benedict Sackville. Furthermore, he wears a hypocritical expression that is completely at odds with his innermost thoughts".

"But when I'm with Bryan, I'm completely unable to sense his heart's mood. He seemed like a bottomless cold pond, an unfathomably dark feeling. As for going deeper, that is something I have absolutely no way of penetrating. Ai, this man is too powerful. If he wanted to kill us, we wouldn't even be able to put up a decent fight, let alone survive. I know we can't defeat him, but I don't know if your methods are really the way to go.

Firewind knew that Helen had already subconsciously developed feelings for Han Shuo. Han Shuo indeed had the ability to attract any woman. However, this type of man was simply a kind of poison to a woman. Once addicted, it would be difficult to break free. However, for the ambitious and exuberant Helen, only an equally ambitious type of tyrant would be best suited for her.

Han Shuo was just such a person. From Helen's point of view, the frighteningly powerful, decisive and fierce Han Shuo was filled with a deadly attraction. If Helen had a man like that by her side all the time, it wouldn't matter if the Seven Grand Duchies were at war all year round. Unfortunately, this guy schemed far too much. It was clear that he would never be satisfied with just one Helon duchy. When he started trying to take over all seven grand duchies, Firewind didn't know whether it would be Helen's good fortune or misfortune to follow him.

"Sister Firewind, I know what I want. Benedict Sackville can't give me what I want, but I think Bryan can. Besides, I don't know why, but I've noticed that I don't feel any hatred for him. Maybe I am just too sentimental. I can hate someone to the bone, but I can also turn that hatred into love after something has happened. Ai....." Helen sighed as her voice became laden with emotion.

As Firewind and Helen pondered inside the Duke's home, a ball of light mist slowly drifted over. After crossing the courtyard, it rose in spirals before descending towards Helen's window.

Just as Helen was about to speak to Firewind, she noticed a light mist gently appearing and slowly rising in spirals. She couldn't contain the pleasant surprise in her heart as she rushed to say cheerfully, "He's here.

The Firewind Phoenix began to stare blankly.

Then she began to sense an evil aura slowly filling the room. This aura of necromancy and demonic magic on Han Shuo's body was somewhat taboo for Firewind. So when she saw the light mist coming, Firewind knit her brows and took a few steps back, increasing the distance between her and the slowly materialising Han Shuo.

"You came?"

When Helen saw Han Shuo appearing calmly, she suddenly had the impulse to throw herself at Han Shuo and enter his bosom. But the joy on her face was actually genuine and sincere.

"Mm, I was delayed for a few days due to some things.

But all is well. Now that you've captured Seagate City, the entire Helen Duchy should be safer than before, right?" Han Shuo nodded and smiled. Looking at Helen's sincere and joyful face, Han Shuo felt truly happy in his heart. He was happy that this girl was falling deeper and deeper into his trap of love.

In a short period of time, Helen had wiped out her political enemies through a bloody purge and reasserted her power over the Duchy of Helon.

This kind of decisive action made Han Shuo admire Helen's ability a little. Considering how this woman had risen to the highest point in the Helon Duchy, it seemed that she really did have some methods.

Seeing that Firewind was also here, Helen didn't think it appropriate to be overly intimate.

So, after her initial delight, she immediately got down to business, "Oh, right, that thing you mentioned last time, how is it going?"

"My people have arrived in Seagate City.

Only because I had not yet arrived, they never dared to contact you. Mm, they are just outside now. I believe the Helen Duchy is completely within your grasp at the moment, so I should be able to secretly conduct some business now, right?" Han Shuo replied with a laugh.

Seeing that Han Shuo was talking, Helen took advantage of the situation to give Firewind a meaningful look.

As Helen's face reddened with some shyness, she blushed with shame and said to Firewind, "Sister Firewind, please invite them in.

Firewind sighed in her heart as she looked at Helen's face, which seemed to be filled with a longing for love.

How could she not know that Helen wanted to send her away so that Helen could say some intimate words to Han Shuo!

"Yes, I'll be right back!" Firewind replied before walking straight out. In her heart, she couldn't help but silently curse Helen for paying more attention to a lover than a friend.

Immediately after Firewind left, Helen blushed and took a few steps back as she saw Han Shuo coming closer with every step.

She said quietly, "Wh-What are you going to do this time?

Helen retreated until she was flat against a wall.

Leaning against the wooden wall, she blushed and said in a low voice, "This is the Duke's official residence, you better not act recklessly."

Both of Han Shuo's hands suddenly pressed down on the wooden wall on either side of Helen's shoulders. Seeing Helen overcome with panic, Han Shuo felt an additional sense of conquest fill him as he beamed straight down at her. "The Duchy of Helon is completely under your control. According to the agreement, shouldn't you take the initiative to serve me in bed?"

Helen suddenly became desperate as she secretly wondered how this scoundrel could be so shameless as to ask for such a reward. However, Helen's heart began to beat faster and faster as she pleaded blushingly. "Give me more time, I am not ready yet. Besides, I just proved to the people that I'm still pure and innocent.

If you take me now, someone might see through it."

Han Shuo started to have second thoughts after she said that. That would indeed be true. If Helen experienced sex for the first time, an experienced person could see through her immediately. However, Han Shuo was extremely confident in his abilities. He believed that he would definitely be able to change the impression that Helen gave to others to the point where it could hide the clues.

"Very well then. I will give you some more time." Han Shuo's sudden answer came after a moment of thought.

Just enough time for Helen's nervousness to reach its peak. Just as she relaxed, Han Shuo suddenly laughed mischievously, "But shouldn't I get some interest first?"

As soon as these words hit her, Helen's heart, which had just been calmed, suddenly began to race. Shyly and surreptitiously, she lifted her head to cast a glance at Han Shuo and noticed that a burning passion had begun to smoulder in Han Shuo's eyes. She then hastily lowered her head and softly said, "W-What do you want to do?"

"A kiss!" Han Shuo laughed.

This guy is still the same, a pervert. Helen sighed secretly.

But she wasn't really angry, just a bit shy. That's all. Helen hesitated for a moment, thinking that since he'd agreed not to do the thing, it seemed only fair to give him a little benefit. Then her thoughts suddenly became confused. Secretly in her heart, she thought, I will be his sooner or later anyway, so why does it matter...

When her thoughts reached this point, Helen closed her eyes, lifted her head and waited, blushing, for the kiss to come. But after a while, Helen didn't hear the slightest sound.

She opened her eyes, her gaze dubious as she looked at Han Shuo, who was looking back at her with a smiling face.

Pointing at his own lips, Han Shuo said, "I want you to do something and kiss me!"

Th-that bastard. He is so shameless. He actually wants me to kiss him personally! Helen's virgin heart started to beat wildly. Even her neck turned red. The blush began to spread to the rest of her body. She had no idea what to do and blushed embarrassed.

"Hurry, or Firewind and the others will be here soon. If you don't kiss me before they come in, I'll just have to kiss you in front of them." Han Shuo looked down at Helen as he teased her.

Helen felt desperate after hearing these words. When she imagined what Han Shuo had said, Helen became even more afraid inside. She sighed inwardly as she closed her eyes, stood on her tiptoes and lightly reached for Han Shuo's large lips with her charming face. Their lips touched and they kissed.