CHAPTER 755: Making A Name

After Lamont and his gang were kicked out of the Fifth Corps, there were less than a hundred Divine Guards left. They weren't even enough to form an entire company!

It was impossible for the Fifth Corps to function properly with less than a hundred men. Therefore, the first thing Han Shuo did after taking over the Fifth Corps was to recruit new Divine Guards.

At first, Han Shuo assumed that he would not have to worry about not being able to recruit suitable candidates, since he could flaunt the name of the Fifth Corps. But soon after he began to implement the plan, he realised that although the City of Shadows was vast, it was not easy to find good Divine Guards.

He found out that all the capable ones had joined or been recruited by the big family clans in the city. Meanwhile, all powerful experts were invited by representatives of various family clans as soon as they entered the city. These highly sought-after talents were lured by representatives from various family clans before they even had a chance to look at the city or the Fifth Corps.

Although the House of Han had gained a certain reputation in the City of Shadows, to most outsiders, the family clan only became famous through Celestial Pearl. They believed that a family clan that had risen through trade and commerce would not be as powerful as the large and ancient family clans in the city. Therefore, if they were offered the same deal, they would rather work for those old, large family clans than for the young House of Han.

Even though the Fifth Corps was severely lacking in manpower, Han Shuo remained exacting in his selection process. He would rather have no men than mediocrity. With Stratholeme, Bollands and the others doing the interviewing on Han Shuo's behalf, most of the candidates were rejected. Only a few managed to pass the interview.

Time passed quickly. After a month, the Fifth Corps had managed to recruit less than forty new blood. Most of these recruits barely passed the standard and were considered undesirable by the major family clans.

Naturally, Han Shuo was not happy with the situation. Andre had rushed to Han Shuo many times, begging him to solve the problem as soon as possible so that the Fifth Corps could fulfil its duties. Han Shuo had racked his brain to fill the nine hundred vacant positions. He had even used the resources of the Celestial Pearl to place recruitment scrolls in various fortresses and outlying cities.

In a vast meeting hall of the Fifth Corps, Gilbert angrily complained, "About eighty people have entered the city in the past few days. About twenty of them have Midgod strength. Thirteen of them have clean backgrounds. But as soon as they entered the city, they were all invited to join the three great family clans. In fact, they told me that they had never heard of the House of Han. They think it's beneath their dignity to come to our Fifth Corps. They are all so damn proud!"

"Bryan, both the House of Han and the Fifth Corps don't have much of a reputation because we've just started. For those capable experts who want to rise up and stand out, we do not look like the best choice. I'm afraid this will remain the case for some time to come. I think it's time to change our strategy! Stratholme, who had once served as State Preceptor of the former Verdun Empire, was an insightful man. He too was concerned.

It wasn't that the City of Shadows was short of people. There were Lowgods cultivating all sorts of fundamental powers all over the streets. They were eager to squeeze into the Fifth Corps or the House of Han. Unfortunately, these were not the people Han Shuo was looking for. He required the candidates to have at least midgod strength to become a Divine Guardian of the Fifth Corps. On top of that, the candidates had to pass Stratholme and Bolland's temperament and moral character test before they could join the Fifth Corps.

With the majority of suitable candidates invited by the great family clans, and the rest heavily filtered by Stratholme and Bollands, it was to be expected that their progress would be slow.

"What do you suggest?" asked Han Shuo. He knew that Stratholme was an insightful person, good at solving problems.

"We make a name for ourselves!" replied Stratholme with a bright smile.

Ayermike helped him to explain: "I have discussed the problem with Stratholme. We believe that only by raising the prestige of our House of Han in the City of Shadows and changing people's impression of our family clan can we attract talent. After all, when people think of the House of Han, they think of the Celestial Pearl Pharmacy. For those who want to outshine others, a shop, no matter how big, is still a shop, and it cannot give them the prestige and power they desire. But if we could become famous for our strength, it would be a different story!

Both Stratholme and Ayermike were experienced and scheming characters. Now that they were working for the House of Han with their heart and soul, they would make good suggestions to Han Shuo on various matters, thus saving Han Shuo a lot of trouble.

Han Shuo thought about their words for a moment before he nodded and said, "I understand what you're saying and I can see where the problem lies. But how are we going to make a name for ourselves? We can't just go out on the streets and shout 'We House of Han, we are very powerful! Come join us!', can we?"

"Of course we can't!" Ayermike smiled and said, "But we can do it through certain things and events!"

"Tell me about it!" Han Shuo said smiling, his interest piqued. He knew Ayermike well and understood that Ayermike must have a plan.

"Every century, the Seven Corps of the City of Shadows will compete to determine their ranking. Each Corps will be limited to a single company of Divine Guards in the competition. In addition, there will be a separate competition between the seven chieftains to determine their ranking," Stratholme the old monster explained with a smile, "The competition is just around the corner. In any case, our Fifth Corps must enter a company in the competition. If our Fifth Corps can outperform the other corps in the competition, and if you can defeat the other chiefs, then our Fifth Corps and the House of Han will become famous."

Ayermike nodded with a smile and said, "If the Fifth Corps and you could be in the top few in the competition, then the House of Han will free itself from being a trading family clan and become a powerful family clan with real power. By then, even if you are not actively recruiting for the Divine Guards, people will be flocking to the Fifth Corps and the House of Han, begging to join us!"

"Bryan, this is an extremely rare, perfect opportunity!" Stratholme persuaded, "Besides, the rewards are quite tempting. It's a waste not to take it!"

Han Shuo stared distractedly for a moment and asked, "What rewards?"

Stratholme raised a clenched fist and replied, "More power!"

Han Shuo was tempted and began to ask for details, "I have heard a little about the competition, but I have not taken it seriously. Tell me the details. We still have time to prepare!"

Immediately, Ayermike and Stratholme took out the documents they had prepared for Han Shuo and explained the details of the competition between the Seven Corps.

In order to improve the fighting ability of the Divine Guards of the City of Shadows and to encourage friendly competition, Wallace, the City Lord, would hold a competition between the Seven Corps every hundred years. The competition was divided into two categories - the Battle of the Divine Guard Chiefs and the Battle of the Companies. The battle between the companies was considered more important.

In all previous competitions, the House of Sainte had firmly secured the top three places in both overall and individual strength. Aobashi had always taken first place in the individual strength competitions. Second would be the rather mysterious Chief Ralph of the Second Corps, who was rarely seen in the City of Shadows. Erebus would be third. The last four places would often change as the strengths of the four major family clans were similar.

However, when it came to overall strength, the Second Corps would usually rank first. They were famous in the city for their overall combat power. The Divine Guards of the Second Corps were brave, courageous and outstanding.

The Second Corps was also known as the Shadow Army of the City, as they were responsible for killing certain special targets. Those hidden enemies who conspired against the City of Shadows were usually assassinated by the Second Corps. This made the Second Corps rather revered in the City of Shadows. Even the patriarchs of the three major family clans were wary of the Second Corps.

Han Shuo read the information in his hand while listening to Ayermike and Stratholme's explanation. He quickly understood the situation.

After the Centennial Competition, the duties of the Seven Corps would be adjusted according to their rankings. Those who ranked first in overall strength would even receive a special privilege - act first, report later.

This means that if the Chief, who had the special privilege, thought that a person was a threat to the City of Shadows, he could kill that person on the spot - even if that person was a member of the House of Sainte. All the Chief has to do is present sufficient evidence to Wallace after the event. This special privilege could easily be abused. The Chief with this power could kill anyone he disliked and then fabricate evidence against the murdered person to justify himself to Wallace!

For many years the special privilege fell into the hands of Ralph, the Chief of the Second Corps. Ralph had always been loyal to Wallace. Although he had this privilege, he had not really made use of it. His actions and behaviour were commendable and he had almost never made a mistake in his many years of service.

"Kill first, report later? Hehe, sounds wonderful!" Han Shuo said with a mischievous smile. He then announced, "Very well then, get ready, we must win the competition. For the Fifth Corps and the House of Han, it is time to shine!"

Ayermike and Stratholme had been waiting to hear these words. They replied excitedly, "Even if we don't take first place, we still have to beat the divine guards of the other three family clans. If we can do that, the gods who enter the city will see our Fifth Corps as an option, and we can easily find suitable candidates!

"How many men do we have at the moment?" asked Han Shuo.

"Including us, there are ninety-one in all. Barely enough to form a company," Stratholme replied with a wry smile.

"High quality is better than high quantity. Ninety-one is enough. It seems that I must personally train these men so that we can triumph!" a flash of bright light shone in Han Shuo's eyes. He said, "Since the Fifth Corps has no official duties at the moment and there is still time before the competition, instruct every Divine Guard of the Fifth Corps to go to Fort Lasberg!"

.....,

Han Shuo, Bollands, Sanguis and Gilbert arrived at Fort Lasberg first. They found a valley nearby and got to work. They rebuilt the entire valley, erecting numerous towering dark stone pillars. The pillars were carved with all kinds of complicated and indecipherable patterns.

Han Shuo then sent the seventeen flying swords swooping around, cutting the stone walls of the valley into flat surfaces. Large chunks of stone were placed in certain positions. The Cauldron of Myriad Demon then swirled around the valley. Strange-looking symbols would fly out of the Cauldron and stick to the stones. The four also carved grooves in the ground and threw in materials with unique functions.

After churning for about ten days, Han Shuo threw in some wild animal souls, activating the Eight Desolation and Torment Formation, which would physically and mentally temper the divine guards. He also took out the most powerful demon general in the Cauldron, which was created using Eugene's divine soul as the core of the formation.

A few days after the formation, the divine guards of the Fifth Corps arrived at Lasberg Fortress and were led into the valley by Candide. Han Shuo wasted no words. He swept his cold eyes over the divine guards and announced, "The competition between the Seven Corps is about to begin. Although our Fifth Corps is not strong enough in numbers, we must participate. I have summoned all of you from the city to this fort to temper and steel you so that you will not humiliate me in the competition!"

"My Lord, how are you going to temper us here?" asked a divine guard named Barnard with an emotionless face.

Han Shuo pointed to the Eight Desolation and Torment bFormations filled with an ominous atmosphere and replied with a smile, "There, you will all enter. Inside, you will face your worst nightmares and various kinds of dangers. I will gradually increase the difficulty. You must learn to work with your team-mates. Otherwise, if you suffer any injuries, don't blame me!

Barnard came from a commoner background and was the leader of a ten-man team. He nodded at Han Shuo and instructed without hesitation, "Third Squad, follow me!"

As soon as he finished those words, Barnard took the lead and entered the formation. His Third Squad did not hesitate and followed behind him. The other squads marched into the formation one by one.

These men had absolutely no idea how the Demonic Formation worked and did not think that it could harm them. Apart from various strange materials and Han Shuo's unique energy, many of the Cauldron's demon generals were inside. It would be a miracle if they came out unharmed. A moment after they entered the formation, a bloodcurdling scream came from within. It was as if they had witnessed some extremely horrific scenes and were scared to death.

The Eight Desolation and Torment Formation consisted of hallucination-inducing formations, labyrinths, and mind-attacking demonic formations. Those who enter must face not only their worst fears, but the attacks of the Demon Generals in material form. The power of the Demon Generals was greatly enhanced once inside the formation. With the Cauldron Spirit and Han Shuo's energy, they could wreak havoc on the divine guards.

Sanguis, Bolland and Gilbert laughed mischievously as they heard the terrifying screams. Once the formation was complete, the three of them were the first batch sent in by Han Shuo. The trio had witnessed all sorts of unimaginable and freaky scenes that still made them shudder when they thought about it. However, the three of them could not help but take pleasure in the horrific experiences of those who were making pathetic screams.

"Master, these bastards should be severely punished! They may follow your orders, but in their minds, they do not accept you as their leader. Their eyes are full of doubt - as if they're sure you can't do the job well. I have been very unhappy with them for a long time!" said Gilbert.

"Senior, it is a little too cruel in there? We do not have enough in Fifth Corps. If these guys couldn't stand it and lost their lives inside, how are we going to find new recruits?" reminded Bollands after a moment's hesitation.

Bollands was a murderous man. It was clear that he said those compassionate words because he was thinking about Han Shuo. He feared that Han Shuo would push too hard and kill all those divine guards, leaving the Fifth Corps empty!

"Don't worry, they will be fine!" Han Shuo assured him. He explained with a smile, "What they will experience is not as intense as what you three have experienced. I will gradually increase the power of the formation to give them time to adjust. These men will be the pillars of strength of our House of Han and the Fifth Corps. I wouldn't let them lose their lives like this!"

"Master, I think that in the future, we should put all the new recruits of the Fifth Corps into the formation for a round of beating. The cruel environment will allow them to grow the fastest and become the talents our Fifth Corps needs!" suggested Sanguis.

"That's what I thought. We could spend a little more time turning this place into a gymnasium specifically for the training of Divine Guards. This place is quite far from the city, so it shouldn't be too much of a problem. These divine guards have no idea how demonic formation works. They wouldn't even know what was going on inside. We just need to place some energy towers and boundary towers around it as a disguise," Han Shuo said smiling.

While the four of them were happily chatting outside the formation, the Divine Guards of the Fifth Corps were facing a dangerous situation inside. Facing the attacks of several hundred demon generals in the material state, the divine guards automatically formed defensive rings. Their coordination and rapport gradually improved. After all, it is in the face of life-threatening crises that a person is brought to his fullest potential.