The 'Viride Leaf' in the box was exactly the same as the one in the auction house. However, the vibrant energy was nowhere to be found. Han Shuo reached out to touch it and immediately discovered that it wasn't the 'Viride Leaf' of the wood attribute at all. It was just a counterfeit carved from a beautiful piece of dark green jade.
After spending three hundred thousand gold coins, only to find out that it was just a counterfeit carved from an ordinary piece of beautiful jade, no one would be in a good mood, let alone Han Shuo.
"What's going on?" Seeing that there seemed to be some kind of dispute, a high-ranking official dressed in formal attire hastily rushed over to inquire.
"Lord Zarya, this gentleman says that there's something wrong with the item!" the guard in charge of attending to Han Shuo hastily replied.
Zarya had been very careful in observing Han Shuo back at the auction house. He had a deep impression of a character like Han Shuo who would throw away money at a drop of a hat. Moreover, Han Shuo had spent three hundred thousand gold coins to purchase the auction item. It was only natural for him to treat Han Shuo as a distinguished guest.
Zarya, who had rushed over, heard the guard's words and hastily said to Han Shuo, "Can I have a look?"
Han Shuo's face was gloomy. He handed over the counterfeit 'Viride Leaf' he had just obtained to the person in charge and said in a deep voice, "Your auction house is renowned throughout the entire Kasi Empire. I don't think you're deliberately pulling a prank on me, are you?"
"I wouldn't dare!" Zarya could hear the anger in Han Shuo's words. He took the 'Viride Leaf' in his hand and touched it. His expression immediately changed. He abruptly asked the guard in a deep voice, "Who brought this item here just now?"
"Galia brought it here, Lord!" the guard hastily replied.
Zarya took a deep breath and respectfully bowed to Han Shuo. With a stern countenance, he said, "I'm sorry, there's indeed something wrong with this item. Sir, we will return the three hundred thousand gold coins to you first. Give us some time and we will soon hand over the genuine item to you. "
"Han, I don't think this has anything to do with the auction house. They wouldn't do something like this on purpose to ruin their own reputation!" Sophie whispered beside Han Shuo.
Han Shuo had thought that the auction house was deliberately deceiving him and was prepared to massacre the auction house if they did not admit to it. Now that the person in charge, Zarya, had immediately admitted to the matter and was very friendly, Han Shuo immediately understood that there must be more to this matter.
"Alright, I hope your auction house can give me an explanation. In addition, this item was bought by me in an open and aboveboard auction house. I do not wish for you to sell it to others! "Han Shuo looked coldly at Zarya and said in a deep voice.
Zarya looked at Han Shuo with fear and trepidation. He suddenly realized that this unprepossessing fatty had suddenly become extremely frightening. He could feel an almost tangible killing intent from Han Shuo's body. That stifling feeling of oppression suddenly descended on his whole body, giving him the idea that this person was absolutely not a match for him.
For a person like Zarya to be able to climb to such a high position, he was not a simple character. Just from the frightening aura on Han Shuo's body, he understood that Han Shuo was not someone he could provoke. Thus, he submissively agreed while pondering over how to properly resolve this matter.
"Give us a way to contact you. Once we find the item, we will immediately look for you to redo the transaction!" Zarya, who was trembling with fear, said respectfully after returning the three hundred thousand gold coins to Han Shuo.
"There's no need. I will come and take a look myself in the next two days. You guys are on your own!" Han Shuo coldly snorted. He gave Sophie a meaningful glance and hastily walked outside.
"I don't think it's a problem with the auction house. I reckon it's Braque, that guy who hides a dagger in his smile!" Sophie caught up with Han Shuo. When they were about to exit the auction house and seeing that no one was around, she voiced her conjecture to Han Shuo.
Han Shuo grabbed Sophie's little hand. Before Sophie could react, Han Shuo suddenly sped up, pulling her along as they rapidly disappeared into the street outside the auction house.
Just as the two were rapidly leaving, sacred knight Sulo hurried over from another aisle. He only saw Sophie being held by the hand by Han Shuo as they disappeared into the bustling street outside. Sulo rapidly lost track of the two in the crowd of small booths.
Sulo's face was gloomy. Looking at the two disappearing from his line of sight, he mumbled, "Who the hell is that guy?"
The image of Han Shuo and Sophie holding hands was deeply imprinted in Sulo's mind. Whenever he thought of the power and influence of the Pillon Family in Kasi Empire, Sulo suddenly felt an extreme headache. He smiled bitterly, shook his head, and sighed, "Little Feifei, you really know how to find trouble for father!"
"Mister Sulo, what's the matter?" While Sulo was talking to himself, Thuram, who had been following Braque, walked over and suddenly asked.
"No, nothing!" Sulo replied. Seeing Braque walking over from behind Thuram with a smile on his face, carrying the treasures he obtained from the auction, not only did Sulo not feel the slightest bit happy, he instead began to worry for his entire family.
Sulo understood Braque better than Sophie. Braque, who was considered to be quite outstanding in Kasi Empire, was not as kind as the average person saw him to be. Once he set his eyes on something, he would never give up. Once he set his eyes on something, he would not rest until he got it. Unfortunately, the Pillon Family was a member of the royal family of Kasi Empire. Sulo understood that he alone would not be able to obtain true happiness for Sophie.
Sulo sighed inwardly. He had already decided that no matter what, he had to get Sophie and Braque together. Otherwise, not only Sulo and Sophie, but even the collateral branches of his family could forget about having a foothold in Kasi Empire.
"Father-in-law, Feifei is really headstrong. God knows where she ran off to. Hehe, but I'm sure she will like some of these things, "Braque walked over, all smiles. He had already begun to express his love for Sophie from afar.
"He must really like Feifei. Feifei will be even happier with him. That must be it!" Sulo consoled himself before smiling faintly and saying, "That's very thoughtful of you. I'm sure Feifei will understand how much you care for her!"
"Of course. She's my fiancée. Of course I'll treat her well!" Braque chuckled.
While Sulo and Braque were conversing, Han Shuo had already pulled Sophie into the endless stream of people. It was only when Han Shuo realized that Sulo had lost sight of the two of them did he loosen his grip on Sophie's little hand and explained, "Your father came looking for you just now."
"Oh," Sophie casually replied. Sophie casually replied as if nothing had happened. However, her eyes were somewhat flickering. Her left thumb that Han Shuo had just let go was unconsciously rubbing her index finger. She appeared somewhat absent-minded.
Han Shuo was also rather embarrassed. Just as he was about to say something, he suddenly sensed a natural aura brimming with vitality from the southwest direction. He immediately knew that the energy originated from the 'Viride Leaf'. He hastily said, "I have something to attend to. Wait a moment."
As soon as his voice faded, Han Shuo shuttled back and forth among the crowd. Following his consciousness's ability to sense the energy of the 'Viride Leaf', he rapidly headed southwest. Sophie stared blankly for a moment before she realized that Han Shuo had already left some distance behind. Sophie knew that Han Shuo had an enemy in Kasi Empire, the Shrine of Ice. Fearing that something bad might happen to Han Shuo, she hastily followed.
It was only then that Han Shuo left the crowd. Before he could soar into the sky, he immediately discovered that the energy from the 'Viride Leaf' had vanished without a trace. Han Shuo was certain that the 'Viride Leaf' must have been kept by someone. That was why the energy it released earlier suddenly vanished.
With that, Han Shuo grew even more anxious. He immediately deployed the Art of the Demonic Ninth Heavens and rapidly flew southwest. He wanted to find the whereabouts of the 'Viride Leaf' before that person left.
With Han Shuo flying at full speed, it only took him a few minutes to arrive at the area where the 'Viride Leaf' had just appeared. It was the spacious plaza where Han Shuo and Sophie had stopped at earlier. At first glance, he did not discover anyone suspicious. When Han Shuo focused his senses, he could no longer sense the energy of the 'Viride Leaf'.
Puzzled, Han Shuo looked all around, rapidly thinking of a countermeasure. Braque was the most suspicious person for the 'Viride Leaf', the ultimate treasure of the wood attribute, to have an accident midway. Of course, Zofi and that upper-class lady could not be ruled out as well.
Han Shuo was determined to get his hands on the 'Viride Leaf', the ultimate treasure of the wood attribute. Having failed to get his hands on the 300,000 gold coins, Han Shuo had already started thinking of other methods. Among the three, Han Shuo felt that Braque was the most likely to use other methods to exchange for the 'Viride Leaf'. Although Zofi was rich and overbearing, he certainly did not have that much influence in Kasi Empire. As for that upper-class lady, she did not seem to be a particularly influential person. Otherwise, she would not have given up at the mere 250,000 gold coins.
After confirming his target, Han Shuo was prepared to snatch the 'Viride Leaf'. In any case, he had already established the Shrine of Ice as his enemy in Kasi Empire. A mere Braque naturally would not be of any concern to Han Shuo.
"Han, what's wrong?" Just as Han Shuo was pondering, Sophie rushed over, panting for breath. As she did not summon her pegasus, she was panting even more heavily when she arrived. Her breasts were constantly expanding in Han Shuo's eyes, appearing much bigger than usual.
"You, you bastard, what are you looking at!" Sophie immediately noticed that there was something wrong with Han Shuo's gaze and shouted angrily.
"Nothing, nothing!" Han Shuo replied in a fluster. He then explained, "I just sensed the Viride Leaf appearing here. But it seems I'm still too late. Someone must have collected it and brought it to another area."
"Don't think about it. Just leave it to the auction house. This auction house is the largest in Kasi Empire. Even His Majesty the King has a share in it. I believe they can help you settle it! "Sophie consoled Han Shuo.
"If it's Braque's doing, do you think the auction house can handle it?" Han Shuo creased his brows and asked Sophie.
Spreading out her hands, Sophie somewhat helplessly replied, "I don't know about that."
"Alright, alright, I don't care anymore! Hmm, it's getting late. Why don't we meet again tomorrow? " Han Shuo raised his head to look at the sky. He was about to send Sophie away and ask someone from the Dark Mantle about the location of Braque's manor. Then, he would make a trip at night and snatch the 'Viride Leaf'.
"It's still early, what's the hurry! Hehe, let's go, I'll bring you to eat some interesting food first. At night, let's go take a look at the night view of Kasi Empire's famous City of Dreams! " It seemed that Sophie had no intention of letting Han Shuo off so quickly. She grabbed the corner of Han Shuo's clothes and pulled Han Shuo away, giggling. She continued, "I'm only grabbing the corner of your clothes. I'm not taking advantage of you!"
Han Shuo, who was being pulled by Sophie to another street, immediately understood the meaning behind Sophie's words. He couldn't help but force a smile as he explained, "Miss, the previous situation was special. You wouldn't hold a grudge against me until now, would you?"
Sophie led Han Shuo around a corner. She shot a glance at Han Shuo and said with a smile as if looking for trouble, "It's true that the situation was special. However, it seems that when someone grabbed my hand, he was a little unruly, wasn't he?"
Han Shuo stared blankly for a moment. Only then did he recall that when he grabbed Sophie's little hand, he had used his fingertips to rub against the back of Sophie's hand out of habit. Han Shuo, Emily, and Fanny had done these intimate actions many times. He had done it without warning earlier.
Afterwards, when Han Shuo became aware of the ambiguous nature of his actions, he immediately stopped. At that time, he even stole a glance at Sophie. Seeing that Sophie was acting as if nothing had happened, he thought that Sophie didn't mind. Who would have thought that Sophie would purposely expose him at this time?
Han Shuo's face reddened, but it was hard to tell because of the change in his skin tone. He awkwardly laughed twice and said in embarrassment, "I didn't mind. Haha, sorry!"
"Hmph! I don't believe your nonsense! " Sophie pouted and rolled her eyes at Han Shuo. She then said magnanimously, "But I'm a magnanimous person. As long as you have fun with me today, I won't hold it against you!"
"Eh, about that, I think I'm a guest, right?" Han Shuo said with a wry smile.
"What's the matter? If I'm happy, then you'll be happy too!" Sophie laughed rudely and pulled Han Shuo to run quickly, as if she was purposely trying to make Han Shuo stumble.
Han Shuo had long since seen Sophie's pettiness, but her harmless little joke didn't make Han Shuo feel like he was going overboard. His body deliberately swayed left and right, as if he really was stumbling. It was just that in this state, Han Shuo would always suddenly lean close to Sophie and would suddenly "accidentally" bump into her body.
Han Shuo laughed mischievously in his heart, enjoying taking advantage of her.
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