CHAPTER 798: She Can’t Be Into Me, Right?

After much listening, Han Shuo learned all the information Rose knew about the Fringe. He made visiting the Land of Chaos his highest priority.

The divine guards began yet another round of flaunting when Han Shuo was on his way out of the hot spring. They were hoping that Han Shuo would do something to them. However, Han Shuo's mind was fully occupied with the future of his House of Han as well as his future relationship with the House of Sainte. He did not use his demon general to look at the ladies, but simply left.

The female divine guards were very disappointed. They sighed and mourned after Han Shuo had left them untouched.

Barnard had distributed the divine essences that the divine guards had won based on each individual's performance. With Bollands standing next to him and observing the process, none of the divine guards raised any objections. Those who received a divine essence were excited, while those who did not were only slightly disappointed, not unhappy.

Both Bollands and Sanguis only cultivated demonic arts. Divine Essences wouldn't increase their power in any way. Gilbert, however, was a dual cultivator. He had the Divine Energy of Darkness flowing through his body, so Divine Essences could increase his strength. As one of the main contenders in the competition, Gilbert received the largest amount of Dark Divine Essence.

With the team competition between the Divine Guard Corps over, the Divine Guards of the Fifth Corps were temporarily completely idle and could really relax. However, Bollands did not allow these Divine Guards to relax for long. On the second day, he gathered all the Divine Guards for an extensive debriefing. He wanted to make sure that the company learnt all there was to learn from the experience.

In the eyes of the Great Patriarchs and other spectators, the cooperation shown by the Divine Guardians of the Fifth Corps was nothing short of miraculous. But to Bollands, who commanded the battles, the Divine Guards still had much room for improvement. He felt that the Divine Guards were not cooperative enough in actual combat. He wanted to unleash the full potential of the Divine Guards, while slowly changing their minds so that they would see themselves as members of the House of Han.

Bollands wasted no time in planting new ideas in their minds, telling them that the reason they were able to defeat the Second Corps was because of their training in the Eight Desolation and Torment Formation, and therefore Han Shuo, the person who created the formation, was the true reason for their success.

Bollands repeatedly and subtly promoted the idea that everything they had and achieved was given to them by Han Shuo. Under the constant and subtle influence, the divine guards unconsciously accepted the propaganda. Their opinion and view of Han Shuo slowly began to change.

Han Shuo, who had been watching all this, was pleased. He believed that with his capable henchman named Bollands in charge of the Fifth Corps, he would have nothing to worry about.

Han Shuo will go to the Fringe. Whether it was the Fringe or the City of Shadows, only if he had enough strength could he gain a solid foothold. If his Celestial Pearl was to continue its expansion into the Darkness Dominion, it would also need protection from divine guards. For these reasons, Han Shuo would try to increase the strength of his family clan at all costs.

Three days passed like the blink of an eye. The patriarchs of the major family clans, the seven Divine Guard Chiefs, and other important figures once again gathered in the centre of the Soaring Cloud Mountain Range.

For some reason, the patriarchs and experts of all the great family clans had become extremely cordial towards Han Shuo. As soon as Han Shuo arrived, a wave of people stepped forward to greet him and offer their respects. Han Shuo had trouble adjusting to their sudden change in politeness.

Before, the patriarchs of the Kinson, Buller, and Kisa families would only nod at Han Shuo in greeting. They did not consider Han Shuo to be of the same class as them. In their minds, the House of Han had risen by relying on the Celestial Pearl Pharmacy instead of having powerful experts. This class of merchant family clan was far below an ancient and powerful family clan like theirs.

Even though Han Shuo had taken over the Fifth Corps, they felt that the Fifth Corps, with only enough men for one company, was nothing more than an empty shell. Too insignificant in their eyes.

But it all changed three days ago when the Fifth Corps divine guards demonstrated their terrifying combat ability. The three major patriarchs finally recognized the House of Han as a force to be reckoned with and took Han Shuo as a character worthy of being treated as their equals.

<i >No matter where you are in the universe, you will only be respected if you have enough power! thought Han Shuo after witnessing the change in attitude of the three great patriarchs.

Ralph, the Chief of the Second Corps, wore a dark face, completely incompatible with the joyful atmosphere around Han Shuo. He was openly staring at Han Shuo with his ice-cold eyes filled with resentment as he stood alone in a secluded corner. He was like a hissing viper trying to make Han Shuo its prey.

Han Shuo greeted and socialised with the three great patriarchs and other Divine Guard chiefs as if they had always been in the same social circle. He did not seem nervous or reserved as an upstart should have. With a warm cordial smile, Han Shuo greeted everyone in a friendly manner, talked about the fine wine they were tasting, and discussed managing a Divine Guard Corps…

The patriarchs and Divine Guard Chiefs who feigned civility with Han Shuo praised him in their minds. Such an outstanding ability to socialize cannot be gained without at least several hundred years of cultivation. They became even more admiring of Han Shuo after seeing that Han Shuo managed to handle the situation so composedly.

Ralph had outstanding strength, in command of the Second Corps – a group of cold-blooded killing machines, and the backing of the City Lord. The three major patriarchs, however, did not consider him as a worthy match for a simple reason – he did not know how to conduct himself!

A fool, no matter how powerful, remains a fool! A person who does not know patience and worldly wisdom wouldn't be able to achieve much in the City of Shadow, or would they be able to survive for too long!

But Han Shuo was very different from Ralph. Not only that Han Shuo has succeeded in developing the Celestial Pearl Pharmacy into the House of Han, but he also gained control over the Fifth Corps, and even trained the Fifth Corps divine guards so well, all done in relatively little time. That was very terrifying to the three patriarchs! When Han Shuo had now managed to blend into their social circle like salt dissolving into hot water, socializing with these influential figures like it was a walk in the park, they became even more vigilant towards Han Shuo.

<i >A wolf! thought the three great patriarchs.

Although the influences over the City of Shadows were tangled and complicated, there was no doubt that the few major family clans were the strongest powerhouses. The City of Shadows was limited in size, resources and territory. The vast majority of its resources were held by these few family clans. As the House of Han rose and grew, conflicts might arise between them because the House of Han would need to take the resources from them in order to grow even bigger.

Having thought of such a possibility, the patriarchs of the major family clans who were chatting happily and politely with Han Shuo had considered Han Shuo as a possible rival!

The great patriarchs finally realised that Han Shuo was a match made in heaven. There was no longer any trace of contempt in their eyes as they looked at Han Shuo.

"This year, we will draw lots to determine the participants. And of course, as in all previous competitions, any of the participants can issue a challenge to another participant. If the person accepts the challenge, the two of them can skip the first round of the draw and fight!" said Wallace in a loud voice after scanning the group with his eyes.

The reason for such a rule was to give the contestants a chance to settle any grudges they might have. The Divine Guard Chiefs of the City of Shadows were not allowed to fight each other during normal times. This was the only time they could legally fight each other. As long as both sides agreed, with a third party as a witness, the duel could take place as part of the tournament.

As soon as Wallace finished these words, Ralph, who had been silent and still as a stone, stepped forward from his corner. He cast a cold glance at Han Shuo before saying to Wallace: "I, Ralph, hereby challenge Chief Bryan of the Fifth Corps!" After finishing these words, Ralph turned to Han Shuo with a provocative grin and said, "Lord Bryan, do you have the courage to accept my challenge?"

Han Shuo had long expected this move from Ralph. He was a vengeful man. Since he had lost in the team competition, he would surely not miss this opportunity to take revenge.

"Of course!" Han Shuo smiled faintly, bowed to Wallace and said, "I accept his challenge!"

"Alright. You two will wait while the other five draw lots. Those who received the unmarked pieces will wait for the next round," Wallace announced after nodding slightly. Then he looked pitifully at Ralph. How would Ralph stand a chance against someone who had managed to injure City Lord Hofs?

Ralph naturally had no idea of Wallace's concern. As soon as he heard that Han Shuo had accepted his challenge, he sneered, "Good! I will see if you have the strength to be worthy of the position of Chief of the Divine Guard!"

Han Shuo seemed much more unfazed than Ralph. He shrugged his shoulders and ignored the fact that Ralph existed. He turned to Aobashi and Erebus standing beside him and taunted them, "You two better not be chosen to duel!"

"If she is my opponent, I will surrender immediately," Erebus said smiling. He thought that there was nothing wrong with being so amenable to Aobashi, and that was what he should do.

"Erebus, it is this behaviour of yours that makes me very uncomfortable! Why do you always have to let me have my way? You do what I tell you to do. Why can't you man up a little?" Instead of feeling touched, Aobashi rained down a round of scolding.

Erebus forced a smile like a miserable wretch and said, "Because I like it.

Han Shuo was speechless.

He thought that no wonder Aobashi had no interest in Erebus all this time. Han Shuo knew that a strong woman like Aobashi could only be conquered by a stronger man. For Aobashi, a man like Erebus who put her on a pedestal was anything but attractive. That was why Erebus had failed to win Aobashi's heart, even after many years of courting.

"If you were like Bryan, I might have accepted you," Aobashi said angrily as she glared at Erebus.

Hearing these words, Erebus' face turned astonished. He immediately turned his head towards Han Shuo. Han Shuo was also quite surprised. He raised and waved his hands and immediately declared, "There is absolutely nothing between Aobashi and me!"

"Hehe!" Aobashi chuckled and then scolded Erebus, "What were you thinking? I was just trying to tell you that you need to man up and be more unyielding.

I don't like a man who does everything I say!"

Erebus let out a sigh of relief at hearing those words. He forced a smile and muttered to himself, "Is it wrong to treat you well?

Duh... Women..."

Han Shuo turned to look at Aobashi. He suddenly felt that Aobashi's gazes towards him seemed rather strange. His heart jolted. <i >She can't be into me, right? When Han Shuo thought so, he took yet another look at Aobashi. Even his gazes turned somewhat strange.