CHAPTER 255: A powerful Figure

"How is little Phoebe these days? I heard she stayed with you in the Valley of the Sunshine for a while and did some interesting things?" The old man narrowed his eyes and asked slowly and quietly.

"Uh, she returned safely from the Valley of Sunshine to the Empire, but her current situation doesn't seem to be very good." From the way the old man said it, he must have been unclear about Phoebe's situation, so Han Shuo couldn't help but explain.

"What happened?" The old man frowned in concern.

"Master, it's like this." Lawrence quickly opened his mouth to describe what had happened, then smiled wryly, "You already know that little elder sister doesn't like to bother others. She didn't even tell me about this."

"That old Ashburn is getting more and more out of hand. He knows that Phoebe is my student, yet he dared to act so presumptuously. It seems that he and I are due for a talk." The old man snorted coldly, his face angry.

Seeing the old man's anger, Lawrence wasn't the least bit concerned, instead revealing a slight chuckle as he hurriedly said, "Master, you already know how my father's health is deteriorating. At the moment, my brothers are all prepared. The Duke is sparing no effort for Charles, and he dared not lose face by doing such a thing."

Han Shuo remained silent, his eyes carefully scanning the faces of the two. When he suddenly understood something, he drew in his presence.

The old man chuckled and looked thoughtfully at Lawrence before nodding, "I have my own plans. All right, let's not talk about such things today. Since you came to visit me, have you brought any good wine?"

"Of course, I couldn't let you down, no matter what!" Lawrence laughed heartily as he took out a crystal, jade-like bottle containing blood red wine. He handed it respectfully and said, "This is a speciality from a small town in the Kasi Empire called Redbud Blood. Master, please try it."

Having seen many kinds of wine while waiting in the hall, Han Shuo understood that Lawrence's master must be a wine lover. Now it really looked like that.

As his thoughts reached this point, Han Shuo suddenly remembered the good wine produced by the dwarves in the Dark Forest. Thinking for a moment, he took out a bottle of wine from his space ring and handed it respectfully to the old man while smiling, "This bottle of wine was brewed by the dwarves of the Dark Forest. It may not be that precious, but it's much stronger than some of the good wines in the Empire."

When Han Shuo said this, the old man looked at him with interest before taking the wine bottle. He tried to shake it, listened to the sound, then laughed happily, "What a thoughtful child. The dwarves make good wine, of course, and it's not inferior. I've already tasted it."

Waving his hand, the old man took the two bottles of good wine from Han Shuo and Lawrence and said, "All right, I've remembered Lawrence's business. You all go, I'll drink first."

Han Shuo was surprised, not knowing what was happening. However, Lawrence winked at him, indicating that Han Shuo shouldn't ask too many questions and should just leave with him.

Afterwards, Lawrence took Han Shuo to the hall where Bollands was standing. When Bollands saw Han Shuo appear, his eyes gleamed as he stared at him and said, "Can you tell me how you understood how to use the murderous aura?"

"It's a part of the martial arts I cultivate, I have no way to explain it to you, sorry!" Han Shuo replied honestly, of course he couldn't talk about his demonic magic method.

"Grandpa Bollands, let's go first, I'll ask Grandpa to take care of the rose garden." Lawrence's pace suddenly quickened as he passed Bollands. He obviously couldn't get used to the pungent smell of blood on his body.

"So, you are Bryan?" Bollands suddenly asked as Han Shuo and Lawrence walked back the way they came.

Pausing, Han Shuo turned his head and looked at Bollands as he replied politely, "That's right!"

Bollands nodded his head and pursed his lips, "We'll meet again. I like the smell of your body. Hehehe, that evil killing intent!"

Han Shuo was stunned. He was about to say something when Lawrence pulled him away. They quickly left the area with a few steps.

Under Lawrence's guidance, the two followed the same path back to the quiet hall above. Taking a deep breath, Lawrence explained, "My master is Karel Ascot. He has the power of a Sacred Swordmaster. His outstanding achievements have earned him a high reputation in the Empire. Master can go in and out of the palace directly, and my father has great confidence in him. Even though I'm his student, he doesn't clearly support me, which makes me very confused".

"Ah, but I do know that he is very fond of my younger sister Phoebe. Even this rose garden used to belong to the Boozt Merchant Guild. Master has a history with Phoebe's father. For some reason, after Phoebe's father died, my master took care of this rose garden and then gave it to me.

Grandpa Bollands used to be a very famous assassin, and old Lucky is actually his direct disciple. I don't know why he follows my master. The smell of blood on him is so strong, you can imagine how many people he's killed. I can't control the urge to vomit every time I go near him, so I always try to stay away. Otherwise, if I really did throw up, I think he'd be very upset.

Although Lawrence was Karel's pupil, he hadn't concentrated on learning martial arts, but on various strategies and military skills, possibly because of his identity as a prince. As a result, his power wasn't very strong, and it was normal for him to feel uncomfortable in front of people like Bollands.

Although he had known early on that Lawrence's master must be extraordinary, Han Shuo was extremely shocked when Lawrence confirmed his identity. As a member of the Dark Mantle, plus his own deliberate research, Han Shuo had a good understanding of the dark side of the Empire. Of course he had heard of the thunderous name of Karel Ascot.

Karel Ascot was born a commoner, but he was a heavenly genius. He'd set a record for the speed at which he graduated from the Babylonian Academy of Swordsmanship. He had roamed the mainland with the strength of a senior swordsman, fighting hundreds of battles in different countries and rapidly gaining fame. By the time he returned to the Lancelot Empire, he had the strength of a Great Swordsmaster

After accepting the King's invitation, he taught as Dean at the Babylonian Academy of Swordsmanship. When war broke out in the Lancelot Empire, Karel had not only cultivated numerous talents for the Empire, he'd also personally defeated several provocative figures from enemy lands. At this point, with his heroic glory like the sun at its peak, he retired as Dean of the Academy of Swordsmanship and spent a decade training in the deepest reaches of the Dark Forest. When the Empire was threatened by invasion and on the brink of defeat by the Kasi Empire, Karel appeared with the strength of a sacred swordsman and killed three Great Swordsmaster of the Kasi Empire. This boosted the morale of the Lancelot Empire and helped them win the battle.

Many years later, all the citizens and even the king regarded Karel Ascot as the protector of the empire. Although he didn't have an official position, he was able to influence the king's decisions. Several of his direct disciples held positions of great power in the government or the military.

"So it's him, no wonder!" Han Shuo exclaimed after going over this information in his mind.

"I brought you to him this time so he'd know about you. As long as you make a good impression, he'll say a few words to my father. Then you won't be far from a prosperous future." Lawrence spoke sincerely, cautiously.

"I understand what you mean." Han Shuo smiled and nodded.

"Let's go, the main thing is done. Now I'll take you to play to your heart's content." When Lawrence saw that Han Shuo had understood, he said nothing more. He dragged Han Shuo out of this quiet, deserted place and into the busiest and liveliest area of the Rose Garden.

"Young Master Lawrence, do you need a separate room?" A man in butler's attire, who appeared to be the middle-aged steward of the Rose Garden, asked smilingly after seeing Lawrence.

"Of course, I'll use the room I usually use. You help me arrange the best service for my good friend." Lawrence instructed in a straightforward manner.

Suddenly Lawrence turned pale, he looked back behind Han Shuo as murderous intent flashed across his previously smiling face.

"Hey Lawrence, what a pleasant surprise." A seemingly cheerful greeting sounded from behind Han Shuo.

Turning around, Han Shuo saw a luxuriously dressed youth of about twenty-five or twenty-six years old. He came over with several Flower Seekers who were obviously noble at first glance. This young man was a little taller than Lawrence and had a handsome and tough appearance. As he walked, he exuded the awe-inspiring swagger of someone in a high position.

He was obviously the leader of this group of flower seekers. The flower seekers looked at him with flattering smiles and even lowered their postures, which emphasized his noble position even more.

"Hmph, I certainly don't want to see you." Lawrence's complexion didn't look too good as he looked at this man coldly.

"Hehehe, Lawrence, you are becoming more and more rude these days. According to the rules of the Empire, shouldn't you at least greet me when you see me?" The tall, healthy man looked at Lawrence mockingly, with a smile that wasn't a smile.

His face twitching, Lawrence glared at this person with resentment, then grimaced helplessly, "Greetings to His Royal Highness, the First Prince.