Chapter 748: House of Han (1/2)
GDK 748: House of Han
After seven years, all those who originated from Profound Continent breakthrough to lowgod realm. But as they differed in aptitude, some like Stratholme and Ayermike managed to reach late-stage lowgod realm while some like Candide and Emma, whose strengths were lower than Stratholme and Ayermike, to begin with, had merely reached early-stage lowgod realm.
As Fanny, Phoebe, and the ladies had all reached lowgodhood, honoring their agreement, they no longer refrain from sexual activities with Han Shuo. Han Shuo therefore enjoyed pleasurable days after returning from cultivation.
After returning to Celestial Pearl, other than indulging in sexual 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 lowgod.
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 lowgod of darkness of the same class. 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 lowgods. 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 gods 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 godhunter’s valley. He was very interested in what happened in that operation.
“Aobashi 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 Aobashi and Erebus did not narrate their accounts clearly to Carmelita.
The raid on the godhunter’s base involved two overgods, with one of them being the Goddess of Destiny. Aobashi, 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 overgods 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 Aobashi 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 Aobashi, 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 shimmering 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 highgod 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.