Han Shuo, Aobashi, and Andre returned to the center of the city together. The crowd's gazes were uniformly gathered on Han Shuo. Congratulatory words and compliments kept coming from the members of the three major family clans. Han Shuo, on the other hand, put on a smile and dealt with them calmly. He wore a humble face and was neither arrogant nor impatient.
The patriarchs of the three family clans, on the other hand, did not express too much enthusiasm towards Han Shuo. However, Carmelita, Jiya, Erebus, and those who were on friendly terms with Han Shuo did not have any scruples. They treated Han Shuo's victory as an unbelievable and joyous event. Carmelita and Erebus even had to console Aobashi who had lost the battle.
Aobashi, who had mentally prepared herself before the battle, chatted with Han Shuo and Andre for a while and felt relieved. She was not as dispirited as the crowd had expected. On the contrary, Aobashi's fighting spirit seemed to have been ignited. She kept saying that she would find trouble with Han Shuo next time.
When Wallace saw that Erebus, Aobashi, Carmelita, Andre, and the others were getting closer to Han Shuo, he grew more and more worried. As the patriarch of the House of Sainte, he had to think more long-term than others and had more concerns than others. Unknowingly, Wallace had started to take Han Shuo's special status in the City of Shadows seriously.
The first place had been determined. The remaining rankings had to be determined. After a round of battles, the rankings of the Divine Guard Chiefs were finally determined – Han Shuo, Aobashi, Erebus, Ralph, Camilla, Batúk, and Rugersey. As Ralph was exhausted from his battle with Han Shuo, he was defeated by Erebus. This was somewhat unexpected.
After the new rankings were determined, Ralph was even more silent than usual. He did not utter a single word from beginning to end, but from time to time, his gaze would sweep across Han Shuo's body. No one knew what he was thinking.
Han Shuo had warned Ralph and kept his guard up against him. If it weren't for the fact that Ralph was directly under Wallace's command, Han Shuo might have gotten rid of this hidden danger. However, even though Han Shuo had the intention, he knew that once he took action, his relationship with the House of Sainte would immediately plunge into an irreparable state. This was not an outcome that Han Shuo wished to see. Therefore, he could only think about it.
"At the end of the competition, the top three in each category will be rewarded. As the Chief of Fifth Corps, Bryan has obtained first place in both categories. According to the usual rules, he has the right to arrest members of major family clans without any prior notice. In addition, the Han family will have their taxes reduced by half … "Wallace gestured for the crowd to quieten down before announcing the rewards.
After Wallace's announcement, Andre looked a little startled. It was as if Wallace's reward was different from what he had expected. He looked at Wallace with a puzzled expression. He wanted to say something but stopped himself.
The patriarchs and Divine Guard Chiefs of the three major family clans bunched their brows. According to the rules, the First Chief of Divine Guard would be rewarded with a piece of territory. This territory was usually left over from a declining family clan or a piece of land directly carved out from the House of Sainte. But this time, Wallace did not reward Han Shuo with a piece of land.
The Han family's shops and forts would have their taxes reduced by half. This had been the case every year. Other than that, Han Shuo was rewarded with some random titles such as the title of First Chief of Divine Guard and five hundred thousand black crystal coins.
Given the wealth of the Han family's Celestial Pearl Pharmacy, a mere five hundred thousand black crystal coins wasn't a huge sum. It was definitely not worth the price of a fort or a fief.
"At present, the City of Shadows does not have any additional fiefs and the Han family has recently acquired Fort Lasberg. Therefore, I will compensate you with five hundred thousand black crystal coins," Wallace explained as though he had seen through the crowd's puzzlement.
Andre wanted to say something but hesitated for a while. In the end, he just lowered his head and remained silent.
"Thank you very much, Your Lordship!" Han Shuo bowed and expressed his gratitude. His face was filled with joy and not the slightest bit of displeasure.
The patriarchs of the three major family clans were about to say something but when they saw that Han Shuo had already expressed his gratitude, they hesitated for a moment and eventually shook their heads. It was as though they did not approve of Wallace's reward for Han Shuo.
Erebus, Aobashi, and Ralph received divine weapons from Wallace. As for the other three major family clans, as none of them made it to the top three in any of the categories, they did not receive anything from the competition. The patriarchs of the three major family clans had expected this and therefore, they did not say anything.
With Wallace's arrangement, the rewards were finalized. Although the crowd was puzzled, they did not voice their doubts.
Soon enough, the competition between the Divine Guard Chiefs came to an end. Following the rules, the crowd performed a series of worshipping rituals. When Wallace signaled for the crowd to disperse, it signaled the end of the competition.
The patriarchs of the three major family clans and the Divine Guard Chiefs left. Han Shuo too, with a face full of joy, headed for the Five Corps.
When Wallace and Andre were the only ones left, Andre gestured for the divine guards of the House of Sainte to leave. He asked puzzledly, "I don't remember that the reward was supposed to be like this. There was supposed to be a fief! Elder Brother, why did you suddenly change your mind? "
Andre would never question Wallace's decision in front of outsiders. But when the crowd had dispersed and only the two of them were left, Andre finally couldn't help but ask. Wallace and Andre were brothers by blood. They did not have too many scruples when talking in private. Andre had always thought that his elder brother wasn't a man without bearing. But this time, Wallace's decision was clearly out of Andre's expectation.
"Andre, I know that you have a good relationship with Brian. But as your elder brother, as the House of Sainte, you have to consider the interests of the entire House of Sainte!" Wallace looked deeply into Andre's eyes and said in a deep voice, "Don't you think that the Han family is growing a little too fast?"
"Elder Brother, I know what you are worried about. But the rules of the Divine Guard Chiefs' Competition have never changed! Everyone can see that you're worried about Bryan. Bryan may look gentle, but he's more cunning than anyone else. He definitely knows your thoughts better than anyone else. You're making a fool of yourself by doing this! "For the first time, Andre felt that his big brother had made a mistake and said angrily.
"That is what I am trying to convey to Brian and the patriarchs of the three major family clans. Andre, in the past, our House of Sainte was able to intimidate the three major family clans because of the strength of our House of Sainte. We are much stronger than any other family clan. But now, the City of Shadows has gained Brian. Not only does he have the strength to threaten me, but the strength of our family clan is also gradually increasing. We have to be on our guard! " Wallace put on a solemn face and said, "No matter what, our House of Sainte will always be the ruler of the City of Shadows. I have to remind those people of this. If Brian has no ulterior motives, he will not be affected by my decision!"
"Elder Brother, I think you are wrong this time!" Andre disagreed with Wallace's opinion. He put on a bitter smile, shook his head, and said, "With Brian and the Han family, the overall strength of our City of Shadows will increase. At this rate, the City of Shadows will no longer be at the bottom of the Darkness Dominion. Perhaps one day, we will be able to compete with the City of Gorging Clouds and rank ahead of the Darkness Dominion. But if we continue to suppress all major family clans, the City of Shadows will only be slightly better than Hushveil City. We will never be able to compete with the other cities! "
"At this rate, the City of Shadows might really be able to compete with the City of Gorging Clouds. But by then, the City of Shadows will no longer be our House of Sainte!" Wallace coldly groaned and said, "I know what I'm doing. You don't have to say anything more. I am the patriarch of the House of Sainte and I know what I'm doing!"
Andre was astonished that Wallace had used his position as the patriarch of the House of Sainte to pressure him. For so many years, Wallace had never said such things in private. For a moment, Andre was at a loss as to how to respond to Wallace's attitude. "Alright, I won't say anything more. I hope you are right!" Andre was rather disheartened. He shook his head with a bitter smile, turned around, and left.
"In the future, it would be better for you to keep a distance from him. Otherwise, you will be caught in a dilemma when we have to fight in the future!" Wallace said in a deep voice as he looked at Andre's departing figure.
Andre's body froze for a moment before he replied in a low voice, "I know my place!" Upon finishing those words, Andre flew away.
…
When Han Shuo returned to the Fifth Corps, the divine guards were already waiting for him. As soon as they saw Han Shuo, they immediately asked, "My Lord, how did it go?"
"Just as I promised you, you have taken the first place. I will not fall behind!" replied Han Shuo in a faint smile.
Upon hearing those words, the divine guards of the Fifth Corps started cheering excitedly, especially the female divine guards. Their eyes were sparkling as they looked at Han Shuo. They were so passionate that even Han Shuo did not dare to look them in the eye.
"I have long said that Master will defeat everyone effortlessly. There is no doubt about it!" said Gilbert in a complacent manner.
"Senior Brother, which territory was given to us?" Asked the usually cold and detached Bollands. He had been in the Third Corps of Evernight for a long time and was very familiar with the rules of the competition between the Chiefs of Divine Guards.
"There are some changes to the rules this time. We did not get any territory but five hundred thousand black crystal coins!" replied Han Shuo with the same smile on his face.
Bollands stared blankly for a moment. He put on a dumbfounded face and said, "This …"
Han Shuo waved his hand and did not explain much. He smilingly said, "Get ready, we are returning to the City," but before Bollands could say anything else, Han Shuo stopped him with a glance.
Bollands knew that there must be more to it than meets the eye. Although he was puzzled and puzzled, he did not ask any questions. He nodded indifferently and instructed his divine guards to get ready to return to the City of Shadows at once.
Those divine guards who were aware of the rules of the duel remained silent while those who did not know the details were cheering excitedly. Under Bollands' command, the divine guards prepared themselves and marched towards the City of Shadows in a grandiose manner.
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
