CHAPTER 177: Planning Strategies

After a tumble in the sheets with Emily, Han Shuo left alone and headed for the Gryphon Legion's warehouse on the western side of the city. Thanks to the Dark Mantle's intelligence network, Han Shuo had a pretty good idea of the exact location of the warehouse.

Under the cover of night, Han Shuo left no trace of his movements. He used the 'Demonic Ninth Heaven Art' to sneak into the warehouse from above, hiding in a secluded corner and silently circulating the magical yuan to force the demon infant to sense where the drop of essence blood was.

As Han Shuo did so, he felt the demon infant jump as it sensed the exact location of the essence blood drop. He dodged the thick infestation of Gryphon Legion patrols and stopped not too far from a low house. He used his keen vision to see that, apart from being heavily guarded, it was completely sealed, with no windows.

After observing for a while, Han Shuo silently sensed and clearly felt that the drop of essence blood was under the house. This meant that there was definitely a secret room used to store things underneath this house.

It was a pity that the Earth Elite Zombie was not yet fully formed. Otherwise, the Earth Elite Zombie would have been able to tunnel into the ground with its earth power and scout ahead. Without the Earth Elite Zombie, Han Shuo could only take out all the guards at the front door if he wanted to enter and look inside.

Even though the guards weren't that weak, Han Shuo was still confident that he could take care of them without anyone being the wiser. However, he would be alerting his enemies and the siege weapons might be moved again. Therefore, after thinking for a while, he did nothing and returned the way he'd come.

Inside the Dark Mantle's stronghold, Emily and Han Shuo met to weigh up all the powers within Valen City, as well as the Church of Calamity and Lawrence. They then carefully assessed Bob Ascher's strength, and with furrowed brows, the two of them began brainstorming strategies to deal with Bob Ascher.

Through the Dark Mantle's intelligence, Han Shuo learned that there was a secret chamber hidden in Bob Ascher's mansion. The two of them discussed it for a while and came to the general conclusion that Bob Ascher's siege weapons were probably in the secret chamber. There might even be other evidence.

After discussing the matter, they decided to sneak into the Ascher mansion tomorrow night during Clark's funeral, when the guard would be lax. They would use Lawrence's key man to make the guard even more lax that night and divert some of the men away from Bob Ascher's side. The Calamity Church would also attempt to assassinate Bob Ascher, while Han Shuo and Emily would take the opportunity to sneak into the secret room and see if there was any useful information there.

When the operation was more or less settled, Han Shuo and Emily thought carefully about what problems might arise and brainstormed strategies over and over again.

Only when the two of them felt that it was more or less settled did Han Shuo start to move. He went to see Belinda and Lawrence and discussed the operation with them in detail.

This matter also had to do with Phoebe, but she didn't have to help him. However, when Emily found out that Phoebe was a swordmaster, she went ahead and counted Phoebe as part of her team. Her excuse was that Phoebe was now involved anyway, so this was the best way to resolve the matter.

While Han Shuo went to find Belinda to discuss things, Emily also sought Phoebe and Candice's help. No one was sure what she said, but Phoebe and Candice both readily agreed to join this mission.

When Han Shuo returned from Lawrence's place to Elaine's hotel, he was planning to look for Phoebe when he met the druid Caspian. Han Shuo didn't think much of it and just nodded at Caspian, planning to walk past him.

"A moment of your time please." Caspian said suddenly.

Han Shuo was taken aback and turned to look at Caspian in confusion. He smiled, "Does the elder need me for something?"

Nodding with a smile, Caspian said, "If you don't mind, could you come to my room? I have a favour to ask."

It was thanks to Caspian that everyone had been saved the last time, otherwise Han Shuo would have had a hard time saving everyone on his own. It wouldn't have been that easy, not to mention capturing Belinda in the end.

He nodded straightforwardly and smiled, "Of course."

Han Shuo walked with Caspian when they reached his room. There was nothing out of the ordinary in his room, but Han Shuo could feel the extraordinary life emanating from the plants in the room as he walked in.

"Huh? The big bad guy, what are you doing here?" The little elf Angelica seemed to be meditating on the bed and was quite surprised when she opened her eyes to see Han Shuo walking through.

"Don't be so rude Angelica. You have to learn to respect others or no one will respect you." Caspian gave Angelica a stern look and admonished her.

"Understood, Grandpa!" Angelica stuck out her tongue at these words and spoke a little anxiously while making a face.

Han Shuo randomly chose a seat in the living room according to Caspian's instructions. Angelica didn't continue her meditation at this time, but jumped off the bed and walked into the living room, staring at Han Shuo with bright eyes.

"Elder, do you have any instructions?" Han Shuo looked at Caspian with a faint smile after he sat down.

"You are too polite. It's not instructions, but rather a favour I'd like to ask. I wonder if it's too much trouble." Caspian looked at Han Shuo with a benevolent smile.

Han Shuo was planning to start the operation with Emily tomorrow night, so if Caspian wanted something that would affect his plans later, there was no way he could agree to it. Therefore, Han Shuo spoke honestly, "Please go ahead and speak first. I will certainly help you if I can, but I also have some things to take care of. Please understand if I don't have the time this time."

Caspian nodded with an understanding smile and thought for a moment, pointing at Angelica, "I have to run an errand and will be back tomorrow at the latest. But I can't take Angelica with me. I hope you can take care of Angelica during this time and promise that she won't be in any danger.

Han Shuo wouldn't start his mission until tomorrow night and he had already made all the preparations. He didn't really have much to do between today and tomorrow. Even if something urgent came up, Emily, Phoebe, and the others could handle it. So Han Shuo only thought for a moment after Caspian had spoken and readily agreed: "No problem, I don't have anything urgent to do at this time. Valen City is quite chaotic, so be careful if you venture out."

With Caspian's strength and his need to leave the hotel immediately without Angelica, it must be an extremely dangerous matter. He must have been afraid of endangering Angelica's life and that was why he didn't take her with him. That was why Han Shuo had spoken up in remembrance.

"Grandpa, you have to go fight the enemy. Take me with you! I've been practising magic for a long time and I can help you!" Angelica obviously knew something of Caspian's affairs, for her little face changed immediately upon hearing these words. She reached out to wrap her hands around Caspian's arm and began to plead.

"No, you can't go. A duel is between two people. I would be breaking the rules if I took you." Caspian really did have a crush on Angelica and was patiently refusing to budge on the matter. He resolutely refused her.

Actually, Han Shuo could understand from Caspian's tone and words why he didn't want to take Angelica with him. He didn't want Angelica to take the risk with him, so breaking the rules was just an excuse to distract Angelica.

"But the enemy doesn't necessarily follow the rules!" Angelica shouted anxiously and then looked at Han Shuo. "Even though this person is evil, he's strong. Why doesn't he help you? I can protect myself."

"No matter what the other person does, Grandpa will not break the rules. Don't you listen to Grandpa anymore?" The druid Caspian frowned furiously as he stared at Angelica.

Angelica and Caspian stared at each other stubbornly for a while before the former backed away. Her face scrunched up with worry, she said, "Then you must be careful!"

"I will." Caspian agreed and then turned to Han Shuo, "Then I leave her in your hands."

Caspian nodded gratefully to Han Shuo with these words and walked towards the door, leaving the room.