GDK 748: House of Han
After seven years, all those who originated from Profound Continent breakthrough to lowG.o.d realm. But as they differed in apt.i.tude, some like Stratholme and Ayermike managed to reach late-stage lowG.o.d realm while some like Candide and Emma, whose strengths were lower than Stratholme and Ayermike, to begin with, had merely reached early-stage lowG.o.d realm.
As f.a.n.n.y, Phoebe, and the ladies had all reached lowG.o.dhood, honoring their agreement, they no longer refrain from s.e.xual activities with Han Shuo. Han Shuo therefore enjoyed pleasurable days after returning from cultivation.
After returning to Celestial Pearl, other than indulging in s.e.xual pleasures, Han Shuo also made sure to find time to tutor Sanguis, Bollands, and Gilbert. Other than to guide them on their cultivation of demonic arts, he wanted to learn the precise level of their strengths.
Han Shuo was rather clear about Sanguis and Bollands’ conditions as they cultivated solely on demonic arts. But as for Gilbert, he was a special case as his body was refined the same way a demonic weapon was forged and his soul had been enhanced through demonic arts. Even till present, Gilbert had no stopped practicing that demonic skill which strengthens his soul. After he arrived on Elysium, he started to cultivate in the energy of darkness and had currently reached the realm of lowG.o.d.
Gilbert’s situation was unlike Han Shuo’s. Although Han Shuo cultivated in demonic arts as well as the energy of death and destruction, he had three separate bodies for each of the energies. Gilbert, however, had just one body. Both of those energies were combined in that one body of his. It caused his darkness divine energy to be extremely bizarre.
After a moment of careful observation, Han Shuo discovered that within Gilbert’s darkness divine energy, there was also a small amount of demonic yuan which Han Shuo placed in his demonic weapons. His divine soul and divine energy were also much stronger than those of a lowG.o.d of darkness of the same cla.s.s. Han Shuo couldn’t figure out what precisely caused it.
Bollands, Sanguis, and Gilbert currently ranked the top three in Celestial Pearl in terms of strength. They were more powerful than late-stage lowG.o.ds. Based on the trend they had been progressing, making more breakthrough did not seem too far away.
During the seven years, in the City of Shadows, Celestial Pearl Pharmacy had not just maintained their market dominance, they managed to occupy an even bigger chunk of the market, raking in two million black crystal coins for Han Shuo. The medicines that he personally refined had become an attraction for G.o.ds visiting the City.
This was mostly thanks to Phoebe’s promotion. Before Han Shuo left to refine the flying swords, Phoebe had asked and gotten a portion of the medicines Han Shuo personally refined. During the seven years, she would put a few of those medicines for sale every once in a while throughout all branches of Celestial Pearl. The sales would attract big crowds at their stores, thus increasing the profits of Celestial Pearl.
It was worth mentioning that Phoebe’s ability in growing a business was admirable. Under her management, the business of Celestial Pearl had been rising exponentially. The talented pharmacists who were well paid produced medicines that were far superior to those of an average pharmacy.
The regular medicines produced by pharmacists of Celestial Pearl were superior to those made by an average pharmacy. Therefore, even though Han Shuo had not been producing medicines during those years, the sales of Celestial Pearl managed to quash those of other pharmacies.
Then, on one of those days that things were going perfectly fine, Han Shuo was invited to the Sainte Residence by Andre.
As soon as Han Shuo arrived at the Sainte Residence, Carmelita, who had been forced by Wallace to cultivate during the recent times came to welcome him. Immediately, Carmelita threw a punch at Han Shuo, saying, “You rascal, where have you been fooling around? Seven years you’ve been gone!”
There were no longer any dark pigments on her skin and her appearance was no longer frightening, but merely very average-looking. For some reason, Han Shuo felt very comfortable and relaxed. He found Carmelita delighting to be around with.
“I went for secluded cultivation, away from the city,” explained Han Shuo smilingly. He quickly followed up with a question, “Right, what is Lord Andre looking me for?”
“It’s actually my father who is looking for you. I will only tell you that it will be good for you!” replied Carmelita. As she led Han Shuo into the residence, she would inquire Han Shuo on what he saw in the G.o.dhunter’s valley. He was very interested in what happened in that operation.
“Aobas.h.i.+ and Erebus were there. You should have learned everything from them by now. Why are you still asking me about it?”
“The two wouldn’t speak about it clearly and left out a lot of details, as though they are trying to hide something from me,” answered Carmelita in an annoyed voice.
After giving it a quick thought, Han Shuo understood why both Aobas.h.i.+ and Erebus did not narrate their accounts clearly to Carmelita.
The raid on the G.o.dhunter’s base involved two overG.o.ds, with one of them being the G.o.ddess of Destiny. Aobas.h.i.+, Erebus, and Han Shuo had been warned by Wallace and Andre not to let words spread outside their circle. As Carmelita was rather naive in thinking and straightforward in talking, they deemed her as one who couldn’t hold secrets. Knowing that she would likely spill the information unintentionally, they narrated the story vaguely.
Han Shuo had some idea of how things in the Sainte Family works. If Carmelita knew nothing about the two overG.o.ds even at this point, this meant that Wallace and Andre did not want her to learn of it. Therefore, after quickly weighing in his mind, Han Shuo decided he will not reveal the sensitive information to her. He lied, “I received injuries during the raid and my mind wasn’t functioning well. I believe only Aobas.h.i.+ and Erebus knows about the details. So, sorry, but I can’t help you with that!”
“So it turns out that you knew nothing either, how strange!” Carmelita groaned lightly before she pointed at a room and said, “There, my father is inside. I won’t be joining you!”
It was a different room than the one Aobas.h.i.+, Erebus, Han Shuo, and Wallace had a discussion the last time. The hall had a solemn and grave atmosphere to it. The four walls were decorated with dark designs, the stone pillars had s.h.i.+mmering magical stones on their tops, and above their heads, an enormous, glazed magical chandelier, illuminating the hall with glorious radiance.
The hall had gathered all influential figures of the City of Shadows. They were seated based on their respective statuses.
One of those seated near the center was the patriarch of the House of Kinson, Caspar. Around him was his wife, Beth, his daughter Jiya, and his sister, Camilla. Camilla was the Chief of Fourth Corps. Just like Erebus, she was a mid-stage highG.o.d of darkness.
Also seated were those from the House of Kisa: their patriarch Kinloch, Rugersey, the Chief of Sixth Corp, and several inner family members.
From the House of Buller, their patriarch, Laurel, Chief of Seventh Corps, Batúk, and Tuyas’ heir, Tuxi.
Patriarchs and members of lesser family clans were present as well. They were seated near the corners and edges of the hall. It was clear that they had lesser standing.
After stepping into the hall and taking a glance, Han Shuo took no time to realize that this was a very important meeting. His mind was jolted and had no idea what he was summoned for.
“Bryan, over here!” Andre yelled and gestured from a distance as soon as he noticed Han Shuo standing at the entrance.
Some in the hall who heard Andre’s yell gathered their attention on Han Shuo. All those who had friendly relations with Han Shuo smiled and nodded at him. Even the patriarchs from the three major family clans nodded at Han Shuo, acknowledging his presence.
Those of the five major family clans of the City of Shadows, except for those of the House of Lavers, were present. There were around thirty people in the hall, various lesser family clans included. Everyone present was at least somewhat influential in the City of Shadows.
Answering Andre’s call, Han Shuo walked over to him blankly. However, after arriving, Han Shuo looked around and noticed that there wasn’t a seat or a chair beside Andre. He was rather puzzled. Everyone there was sitting but only Han Shuo was standing. This made Han Shuo felt rather awkward.
Most of those present had friendly relations with Han Shuo. Those of major family clans had empty seats around them but not a single one of them invited Han Shuo to sit with them. The situation seemed unusually formal!
“Elder brother, should Celestial Pearl be given a place?” asked Andre after turning his head to look at Wallace, sitting on the most esteemed seat in the hall.
Wallace shot a glance at Han Shuo and nodded. In a deep voice, he said, “The Celestial Pearl shall have a place. Get him a chair!”
Everyone in the hall reacted by raising their eyebrows. All the patriarchs of the large family clans looked at Han Shuo with astonishment. Those of lesser family clans even started to gossip, “How is he even qualified to sit there?” “Back then, the G.o.dswamp Pharmacy didn’t even have a chair in this hall. This youngster sure climbs to high places fast!”
“Congratulations, Bryan!” said Rugersey in a big smile.
“Congratulations!” Jiya too said smilingly.
Those of the large family clans and acquainted with Han Shuo congratulated him one after another while those from lesser family clans wore envious faces while looking at Han Shuo with strange gazes.
Han Shuo stared blankly for a moment before he finally realized what had just happened. He turned to Wallace and bowed, saying, “Thank you, City Lord!”
So every family clan has seats exclusively for their own people in designated places in the hall. No wonder Rugersey did not invite me to take the empty chair beside him!
Han Shuo finally understood what Wallace meant when he said: “the Celestial Pearl shall have a place”. From that moment onwards, the Celestial Pearl was no longer a mere pharmacy store, but a family clan in the City of Shadows. This meant that Han Shuo had finally climbed to the n.o.ble cla.s.s in the city!
“Bryan, what is your full name? We need to know that to formalize your family clan,” Andre asked smilingly while a few divine guards arranged a seat for Han Shuo.
Han Shuo thought for a little and answered, “Bryan Han.”
“Han? That’s a strange surname. Haha, but that’s alright. I have known stranger surnames,” Andre smiled and said, “Bryan, from today onwards, Celestial Pearl Pharmacy will be the property of the House of Han. You can now possess divine guards under your family clan as well as your own emblem!”
“Many thanks!” Han Shuo again expressed his grat.i.tude. He had finally realized one of the many goals he wished to accomplish on Elysium. From that moment onwards, those who came from the Profound Continent will be members of his House of Han.
“Take your seat,” gestured Wallace.
After Han Shuo took his seat, Wallace began in a deep voice, “The patriarch of the House of Lavers, Felder, has left the City of Shadows. All his family clan members had left the City before him. From today onwards, the House of Lavers shall cease to exist in this City. Although they have left, their properties and estates remain. This includes several shops, residences, as well as several forts and satellite cities previously granted upon them.
“These resources belong to the City of Shadows. Now that the House of Lavers has gone, someone will have to take their place in managing the estates, especially so with the forts and satellite cities which must have a ruler at all times. My House of Sainte has limited manpower and has always maintained that resources in the City should be dispersed among all family clans. The reason I have invited all of you here is to discuss how to allocate these a.s.sets among yourselves.”
Han Shuo had learned about Felder’s departure from the City of Shadows soon after he returned from refining the demonic weapon. There was no denying that Felder had made at least some contribution to the City of Shadows. However, because of Avery’s outrageous acts, Felder’s House of Lavers lost the trust of the House of Sainte. Wallace, as an act of mercy, did nothing as Felder and his family clan withdrew from the City of Shadows.
The House of Lavers used to be one of the five major family clans of the City. Although there were not as powerful as the House of Sainte, the resources and a.s.sets they possessed were significant. After Felder left, those satellite cities, forts, estates, and shops they owned were naturally reclaimed by Wallace. All those a.s.sets cannot be left unmanaged. Therefore, for the stability of the City, Wallace summoned all the family clans in the city to distribute it among them.
“We shall respect all decisions made by the City Lord!” exclaimed those from lesser family clans. The patriarchs of the three major family clan nodded silently.
In the City of Shadows, the House of Sainte is king. It was clear to everyone present that Wallace came with a plan and naturally, no one will say anything that would displease the City Lord.
Wallace nodded and said, “Well then,” turned to Andre and instructed, “You do the announcement.”
Andre stood up from his seat and declared smilingly, “Of the eighteen stores previously owned by the House of Lavers, the Houses of Kinson, Kisa, and Buller will take six stores, each. In addition, other than Fort Lasberg, the three family clans will each get one satellite city or fort.” Following that, Andre pointed at a few lesser family clans. Those mentioned became excited while those who were not sighed.
“Fort Lasberg and the Lavers Residence in the City will be given to the House of Han,” announced Andre.
Han Shuo was overjoyed at the unexpected good news but those from lesser family clan shouted to protest this decision.
This was because both Fort Lasberg and the Lavers Residence were big fortunes!
It wasn’t surprising that those people were unhappy about the big a.s.sets being handed to Han Shuo’s family clan that was just formed. Although those patriarchs of the three major family clans were rather shocked, they did not say a thing because they viewed the empty post of the Chief of Fifth Corps as an even bigger, more lucrative a.s.set!