CHAPTER 803: Distrust

Han Shuo, Aobashi and Andre returned to the centre area together. The eyes of the crowd were on Han Shuo. A steady stream of congratulations and compliments came from members of the three major family clans. Han Shuo handled the wave of praise calmly and modestly.

The three great patriarchs, who had begun to have a certain idea, did not show too much excitement at Han Shuo's victory. However, Carmelita, Jiya, and Erebus, who were friends of Han Shuo, were quite open. They celebrated Han Shuo's victory as if it was something unimaginable. Carmelita and Erebus would also console Aobashi who had lost the battle.

Aobashi, who had carefully considered this outcome as a real possibility before the fight, had managed to find solace after Han Shuo and Andre comforted her on their return journey. She was not upset or dejected as the crowd had expected. On the contrary, it seemed as if the defeat had only fueled her fighting spirit. She announced that she would defeat Han Shuo in the next Centennial Tournament.

Wallace grew increasingly concerned as he observed how close Aobashi, Erebus, Carmelita and Andre had become to Han Shuo. As the patriarch of the House of Sainte, he had to think far further ahead than anyone else and therefore had far more to worry about than anyone else around him. Unwittingly, Wallace had begun to take Han Shuo's influence in the city very seriously.

With first place decided, it was time to determine the rest of the rankings. After rounds of battles, the new ranking of the Divine Guard Chiefs' strengths was finally determined. From strongest to weakest: Han Shuo, Aobashi, Erebus, Ralph, Camilla, Batúk, Rugersey. In the duel between Erebus and Ralph, Ralph was defeated as he had used up most of his energy fighting Han Shuo. His defeat came as a surprise to the crowd.

Ralph was much quieter than usual after the new rankings had been established. He had not uttered a single word, except to glance up and down at Han Shuo from time to time. No one knew what he was thinking.

Han Shuo had given Ralph a stern warning not to try anything foolish and he was on guard against him. If Ralph wasn't a henchman directly under Wallace, Han Shuo might even have eliminated this potential source of danger a long time ago. But Han Shuo knew that if he did so, his relationship with the House of Sainte would immediately sink below the abyss, beyond the point of no return. This was not an outcome Han Shuo wished to see at the moment, and so he did not act on his thought.

"The competition is over. All those who placed in the top three in either of the two categories will be rewarded. Bryan, the head of the Fifth Corps, takes first place in both categories. He will be given the power to arrest any member of any family clan directly, without asking for permission. In addition, taxes on Han-owned businesses and fortresses will be reduced by half..." Wallace announced the prizes after getting the attention of the crowd.

For some reason, however, Andre seemed rather surprised when Wallace finished his announcement. It was as if what Wallace had just announced was different from what he knew before. He stared at Wallace with a puzzled expression, as if he wanted to say something to him.

The three Great Patriarchs and the Divine Guard Chiefs all raised their eyebrows. In all past competitions, the Divine Guard Chief who came in first was rewarded with a piece of land. This land was usually taken from smaller family clans that had declined or been exiled, or from one of the many territories owned by the House of Sainte. In this contest, however, Wallace did not award Han Shuo a single inch of land.

Han Shuo was rewarded with a number of titles, such as 'Most Powerful Divine Guard Chief', and five hundred thousand black crystal coins. The tax levied on his House of Han was also cut in half. These rewards weren't the same as those given to previous winners.

Considering how prosperous the Celestial Pearl Pharmacy was these days, five hundred thousand black crystal coins wasn't a significant amount of money. It was nowhere near as valuable as a fort or a fiefdom.

"No land will be rewarded, as the City of Shadows currently has no surplus fiefdoms, and the House of Han has only recently received Fort Lasberg. However, as compensation, I will award another five hundred thousand black crystal coins," Wallace explained after noticing the confusion in the crowd.

For a moment, Andre wanted to say something, but he hesitated. In the end, he said nothing and bowed his head.

"Thank you Lord Wallace," Han Shuo said as he bowed. He seemed happy and did not show the slightest sign of dissatisfaction.

The three great patriarchs had originally intended to say something. But when they saw that Han Shuo had thanked them and accepted it with pleasure, they stammered for a moment and said nothing. They only shook their heads slightly, as if they disagreed with Wallace's decision.

Aobashi, Erebus and Ralph were awarded divine weapons by Wallace. As none of the other family clans were in the top three in either category, they received nothing. They had expected this, and none of them had any complaints.

The rewards were finalised. Although there was some disagreement in the crowd, no one complained to Wallace.

The Centennial contest was officially over. The group went through one more round of ceremonial worship before Wallace finally allowed them to disperse.

The patriarchs of the three great family clans, the Divine Guard Chiefs and other VVIPs went their separate ways. Han Shuo, too, returned to his Fifth Corps in good spirits.

When only Wallace and Andre were left in the area, Andre gestured with his hand and dismissed the Saint Family Divine Guards in the area. After they had left, Andre asked puzzled, "The rewards given aren't what I remember. There's supposed to be a piece of land! Elder brother, why the sudden change of plans?"

Andre would never question Wallace about his decisions in front of outsiders. Instead, he waited until they were alone. Wallace and Andre were brothers and there was nothing they wouldn't talk about. Andre always thought his older brother wasn't an illiberal man. This abrupt decision by Wallace came as a complete surprise to Andre.

"Andre, I know you and Bryan have a great friendship. But as patriarch, I must always keep the interests of our Sainte family in mind, both present and future!" Wallace looked deeply at Andre and asked in a deep voice, "Don't you think the House of Han is growing too fast?"

"Elder brother, I know exactly what you are worried about. However, the first-placed chieftains in each of the Centennial Contests have always been rewarded with a piece of land! With this sudden move of yours, everyone will know that you are worried about Bryan. And Bryan - he may look innocent, but he is more cunning than anyone. He knew exactly what you were thinking. All you did was alert him," Andre replied. He thought his older brother had made a mistake.

"Yes, that is exactly the message I want to send to Bryan and the three patriarchs. Andre, the only reason our Sainte family has been able to keep the three family clans in check is because they are intimidated by the strength of our family clan. They have been willing to submit to our rule because we are so much more powerful than any of them. But Bryan threatens the status quo. Not only does he possess a strength that rivals mine, but his family clan is rapidly growing in power. We have no choice but to take precautionary measures! With a solemn face, Wallace continued, "No matter when or what happens, our House of Sainte will always be the ruler of the City of Shadows. I remind these people of that fact. If Bryan is truly loyal to us, then he should have no objection!"

Andre shook his head in disagreement and replied, "Elder brother, I think you are wrong this time. With Bryan, with the House of Han, our City of Shadows will grow in overall strength. If the momentum continues, our City of Shadows will no longer sit at the bottom of the Darkness Dominion, but will rise and rise. The day may even come when we can compete with the City of Gorging Clouds! But if you keep beating all the other family clans, the City of Shadows will always be slightly better than Hushveil City, but below all the others!

"If this trend continues, yes, there may come a day when the City of Shadows can compete with the City of Gorging Clouds. But by that time, the City of Shadows might belong to another family clan, not the House of Sainte!" Wallace groaned coldly and said, "I am the patriarch of the House of Sainte and I know what I am doing. I don't need any more of your advice on this matter!"

Andre was astonished when Wallace forced his identity as the Patriarch of the House of Sainte on him. Never before had Wallace spoken to Andre in such a manner. He was at a loss for a moment, not knowing how to react to Wallace's words.

When Andre finally came to his senses, he put on a smile that screamed sadness and disappointment and said, "Very well then, I won't give you any more advice on this. I hope against hope that the decision you have made is the right one. Andre was dejected. He turned and started to walk away, his head hanging.

"You should start keeping some distance from him. So you don't have to worry if we have to fight him one day," Wallace instructed in a deep voice as he looked at Andre's back.

Andre stopped. Without turning around, he replied, "Yes, I know, Patriarch," and continued to fly away.

Over at the Fifth Corps camp, the divine guards had been waiting expectantly for Han Shuo. As soon as Han Shuo returned, they excitedly asked, "My Lord, what are the results?"

"You have kept your promise and taken first place, and so have I!" Han Shuo said with a faint smile.

Upon hearing these words, the Divine Guards of the Fifth Corps began to cheer excitedly, especially the female Divine Guards who had their fiery eyes firmly fixed on Han Shuo. They were so passionate that Han Shuo dared not meet their gaze for more than a split second.

"I told you. My master easily defeated everyone. No doubt about it!" said Gilbert smugly.

Bollands, always emotionless, showed a faint smile - an expression rarely seen on Bollands' face. Having served under Erebus' Third Corps for many years, Bollands was well acquainted with the rules of the Centennial Competition. Out of curiosity, he asked, "Senior, what fief did we get?"

"There was a slight change in the rules. Instead of a fiefdom, we received an extra five hundred thousand black crystal coins," Han Shuo said. He still had a faint smile on his face.

Bollands was stunned. He stared blankly for a moment and said, "But..."

Han Shuo raised his palm to block Bollands' words. But instead of explaining, he said with a smile, "Get ready, we are returning to the city.

Bollands started to speak but was stopped by Han Shuo's gaze.

Bollands realised that there must be a reason why Han Shuo did not want to discuss this openly. Though puzzled and confused, Bollands did not ask anything, just nodded. He began to instruct the divine guards to make preparations to return to the City of Shadows.

Some of the divine guards, who knew the rules of the contest well, fell silent. Others who were unaware of the rules continued to cheer excitedly. Following Bolland's instructions, the necessary preparations were completed in no time and the return journey began in grand style.