CHAPTER 223: Invitation

"Long time no see!" Han Shuo stood outside the door and greeted Odysseus' party with a half smile.

All six of them cheered when they saw Han Shuo appear, their faces beaming with genuine joy. Odysseus and Gordon even rushed over to hug Han Shuo.

"It really is you! What are you doing here?" The sensitive Gordon looked at Han Shuo in surprise after he let go of him.

"Hehehe, come on in. It's not as scary as you think, it's very safe here!" Han Shuo stepped aside and gestured for them to come in.

The six had been quite apprehensive about this place before they'd confirmed that Han Shuo was inside. After hearing his words, they stopped hesitating and strode in, making their way to the centre of the courtyard.

Odysseus' crew consisted of three warriors, two mages and an archer. Odysseus was the lead swordsman, Gordon and Angelo were journeyman swordsmen, Aphrodite was a water-skilled mage, Bard was a thunder-skilled mage, and Nia was an elven archer.

After their last foray into the Dark Forest, not only had they gained incredible treasures, but their strength had also reached new heights. From their insignia, Han Shuo could tell that Gordon had advanced to Senior Swordsman and Bard to Adept Mage.

"Bryan, this place is the famous cursed shop of the Valley of Sunshine. I've heard the legends of this place mentioned the last time we were here. There's a warning that no one should enter this shop. How come you live here?" Gordon was a straight shooter, completely unable to hide his thoughts. He looked around the courtyard as he entered the shop and asked Han Shuo as soon as he'd sat down.

"Legends aren't necessarily real, and these curses could be man-made as well. We've been here for so long and we haven't run into any danger." Han Shuo didn't explain the blood water demons to them.

"How have you been?" As the captain, Odysseus was reliable and upright. He looked at Han Shuo and smiled in greeting.

"Not too bad. What have you encountered since leaving the Dark Forest? Gordon and Bard's strength has increased greatly, not bad at all!" Han Shuo said.

"After we left you, we went to Zajoski City and sold what we'd won in the Dark Forest. We received a sum of money and upgraded our equipment, as well as getting Bard a staff to increase his strength, after which Gordon and Bard reported for their promotion exams, feeling they were ready. After passing the exams, we did some protection missions and arrived near the Valley of Sunshine. We entered the valley this time because we were protecting a merchant caravan. Odysseus smiled slightly and slowly went through all that had happened since they'd parted ways.

Glancing at Trunks, Han Shuo thought for a moment and looked at Odysseus. "We're friends here, so I'll speak frankly. Trunks and I have formed a band of mercenaries, and we're just a few at the moment. I would like you to join us so that we can increase the size of the band.

Odysseus and the others were taken aback by these words. They looked at each other, not knowing how to react.

When Odysseus regained his attention after being dazed, he looked at Han Shuo and said, "Bryan, you're not joking, are you? Why did you think of forming a band of mercenaries? You've always been a lone ranger, and you don't seem like the type who would want to form a mercenary band?"

"That's very true. But we've already registered the name. I think if the band is well led, the future will be quite bright. Would you be interested in joining us?" Han Shuo smiled at Odysseus and asked him with great sincerity.

"What's going on, can you tell me about it?" Odysseus seemed interested, but he knew he couldn't be too hasty and questioned Han Shuo closely.

Han Shuo went over the origin and details of the Soul Destroyer mercenary band. He didn't intentionally hide the points about Trunks' hatred or Han Shuo's recent run-ins with Florida.

After Han Shuo finished, the expressions of the other five changed noticeably, as they obviously did not expect so much to happen with Han Shuo and Trunks in the Valley of Sunshine in such a short time. They were all very excited and itching to get in touch. "I think I need to discuss this with them in great detail before I give you an answer." As the captain, Odysseus naturally had to ask the other five for their opinion, so he couldn't give an answer on the spot.

Nodding, Han Shuo smiled, "I understand, please take a few days to think about it!"

The six and Han Shuo fell into a conversation about the fun things they do in the Dark Forest. The six didn't leave until it was almost noon.

Trunks occasionally threw in a word or two, but Gilbert felt a little bored sitting there. His mischievous eyes kept looking at Aphrodite and Nia. He only stopped pouting when Han Shuo glared at him a few times.

"Let's go for a walk!" Han Shuo said to Trunks and Gilbert after the six had left.

"Where are we going?" Trunks asked a little confused.

"The situation in the Valley of Sunshine is quite complex right now. Our original goal was Florida, but now that Ferguson has joined the Rainbow Sickle mercenaries, I think we need to discuss his arrival with Laureton. We can also get more information from Laureton to decide our next course of action," Han Shuo said calmly.

This time, the group easily made their way to the Cairo Mercenary Band without encountering any obstacles. However, before they'd made it past the huge square, they heard an earth-shattering explosion from the depths of the Cairo Mercenary Band.

As Han Shuo and the others rushed over, they saw a building collapse, with black smoke billowing from it. Several charred, bloody corpses were scattered around the building. Standing in the centre, the balding Laureton resembled an enraged beast. He seemed to be one step away from going berserk, radiating an extremely dangerous aura as he roared at his men.

Harris stood not far from the chaos with an equally sombre expression on his face. He seemed to be in a terrible mood and was not as polite as usual when he saw Han Shuo and the others come over. He looked angrily and guiltily at the bodies on the ground and seemed to blame himself.

"Uh... it looks like we didn't come at the right time." Han Shuo pursed his lips after standing up.

Controlling the anger in his heart, Laureton took a few deep breaths and turned his head to Harris, "Bury these brothers well. I'm going to find out who did this and tear them apart!"

Harris didn't say much as he nodded his head painfully, then began to direct the mercenaries who were gathering on all sides. They lifted the bodies carefully and began to clean up the area.

"Come with me." Laureton had a dark face and snorted softly as he walked towards the largest building.

It was obvious that the three had stumbled upon the aftermath of an ambush on the Cairo mercenary band. They took a good look around, but saw no sign of enemies, so they had no idea what was going on.

When Laureton entered his own house, he waved his hands randomly to indicate that they should find a stone stool. He said with a dark face, "The enemy wants to kill me. The room that was blown up was where I usually attend to the daily affairs of the Cairo mercenary band. I usually go there at midday."

"But today I was delayed by some matters. When I was ten metres from the entrance of the building, I felt a strong magical impulse radiating outwards and the explosion happened immediately. It looks like a magical device was set up beforehand, otherwise it wouldn't have exploded so quickly. I almost died inside.

"There must be some of your mercenaries who belong to other factions. This wouldn't have happened otherwise. Besides, the last time I fought Florida at the gates of the Valley of Sunshine, the Rainbow Sickles shouldn't have arrived so quickly to save Florida. I began to suspect something then, and today it seems that my suspicions were justified. Han Shuo thought for a moment and replied.

"That's for sure. If I can get my men to infiltrate other factions, then surely the others can as well. It was just too dangerous this time, I almost died. I wonder which faction did it?" Laureton growled with a darkened face.

Seeing that Laureton had his own thoughts, Han Shuo said nothing more. Although Laureton seemed to be all brawn and no brain, his mind was actually quite calculating. No wonder he was able to replace the former Rainbow Sickle mercenary band as the most powerful in the valley.

"Florida's grandfather, Ferguson, the Light Grand Magus of the Church of Light, has arrived. Florida has also been relocated, and I can't find a suitable time to move against him. I've come to find you this time to find out where Florida has been moved to.

"Since you have men in the Rainbow Sickles, I think you might know this information. If I don't know where Florida is, then I have no way of knowing the best time to strike. I need you to tell me where it is." Han Shuo thought for a moment and said to Laureton.

"I already know what happened last night, but since that cunning old fox Ferguson has arrived, I think it's rather unrealistic to assassinate him now. After your attacks last night, Florida must be even better protected now. Even if you know where Florida is right now, you won't have a chance to make a move! Laureton's expression had completely returned to normal.

Han Shuo understood Laureton's words, but now that his three Yin Demons had formed and he had an Earth Elite Zombie at his beck and call, Han Shuo had every reason to believe that he would still have a chance to succeed after he knew where Florida was, no matter how heavily guarded he was.

"I understand everything you've said, but I still hope you can tell me where Florida is." Han Shuo laughed confidently.

It was obvious that Laureton felt that Han Shuo was getting ahead of himself. Although he understood that Han Shuo's strength was unusual, he felt that even if Han Shuo used the power of the Cairo Mercenary Band, he still wouldn't have much of a chance to kill Florida.

"Alright, I'll keep an eye out and send someone to notify you if I have any news of Florida." Laureton's voice had grown cold as an impatient expression appeared on his face.

Han Shuo knew there wasn't much more to discuss, so he nodded and left with Trunks and Gilbert.

"What the hell! We're doing him a favour and his attitude is so mean!" Gilbert began to complain loudly as soon as they'd left the Cairo mercenaries' territory.

"If you were almost blown to pieces, I think your attitude would be worse than his. Looks like Laureton was really scared today." Trunks looked at Gilbert and smiled.

"Mm, Laureton really was in a bad mood today. I wonder if he won't be able to control himself and make a move soon." Han Shuo chuckled and paused. "It looks like chaos is growing in the Valley of Sunshine. I think we should change our plans. I have a better idea now."