Chapter 787: Third place, at mos (1/2)
GDK 787: Third place, at most
Although it was clear that Han Shuo was an excellent lad filled with potential, no father would be open to the idea of becoming his father in law. Han Shuo was already having a horde of female companions and none of them had any formal recognition of any kind. If that wasn’t enough, there was no telling if Han Shuo might further expand his harem. Wallace did not think that Carmelita could keep Han Shuo in check.
From the way Wallace looked at it, Carmelita will not have a happy life if she was married to Han Shuo. Therefore, he was rather resistant to that idea.
However, the scenario that Andre mentioned was very likely to happen in the future. Given the strength that Han Shuo displayed so far, Wallace felt that he wasn’t one who would be satisfied with being under the authority of anyone. With Celestial Pearl Pharmacy being a money printing machine, it was only a matter of time before the House of Han completely replace the void left by the House of Lavers in the City of Shadows.
With their patriarch, Han Shuo, having such valiant strength and with a constant stream of wealth generated through Celestial Pearl Pharmacy, the House of Han was certain to have a bright future. When one day, the House of Han’s presence inevitably threatened the position of the House of Sainte, without any firmer bond that ties the two families together, Wallace was sure that the elders in his family clan will do something about it.
After thinking about it carefully, Wallace realized that the outcome of him doing nothing about it would be disastrous. Andre’s proposal, if carried out soon, could avoid the disastrous outcome they foresaw. Although Wallace was tempted to do so, he also felt that Han Shuo was just too much of a womanizer. He could not come to a decision in a short time.
“Let’s not be hasty. Although I am very pleased with that youngster’s performance in almost every aspect, he just has too many romantic partners around him. Besides, Carmelita hasn’t shown any interest in him romantically. This needs to be carefully considered,” replied Wallace after he kept silent for a long time.
Andre nodded and said nothing. He knew exactly what Wallace was concerned about but had no advice to give.
The competition between the Seven Corps had yet to begin. Most of the participants were using their free time to study the terrain of Soaring Clouds Mountain Range, except for those from the Fifth Corps. They had arrived at the Mountain Range much earlier and had completed their preparations long ago. Following Han Shuo’s command, none of the Fifth Corps divine guards traveled around the mountain range but stayed within their camping zone to rest and save up energy.
Han Shuo, however, did not do so. He often went to drink and chat with Erebus and Aobashi. Carmelita would usually join them as well. These Divine Guard Chiefs did not display the tension or solemness before a competition.
On one of those days, Han Shuo, Erebus, and Carmelita were happily chatting with Aobashi over at the campsite of her First Corps. Without any warning, a young man with dark-green skin and sharp eyes walked into appearance. He had short and neatly trimmed hair that stood firmly on his head. He appeared to be an icily arrogant and stern person.
When he showed up to the party, he merely gave a slight nod at Erebus before walking straight to Aobashi and proceeded by staring intensely at her without speaking. A few seconds later, he coldly nodded and said, “Not bad, you have not declined in strength!” He then announced in a loud voice, “Aobashi, this year, I’m going to defeat you!”
Aobashi seemed to have known what this man would say. She put on a disdained smirk, softly groaned, and said, “It’s been many centuries but you have never been able to defeat me, not even once. It won’t be any different this time.”
“It will be different!” replied the man in a solemn face with brimming confidence. Those who did not know better would easily be influenced by his confidence.
“Nah. You’ll lose to me again, like always,” rebutted Aobashi. She let out a soft laugh and said, “Ralph, you have always managed your troops with the cruelest method. You train them in the most dangerous environment with absolutely no regard for their lives. That is the only reason your Second Corps can get first place in the team competition!” Aobashi took a short pause before she continued, “I absolutely disagree with your methods. Although your Second Corps has always taken first place in the team competition, it doesn’t justify your cruel methods!”
“How I manage my Second Corps is none of your concern!” Ralph coldly groaned and said, “In short, this time around, my Second Corps will obtain total victory! And I will defeat you in the duel!”
“Humph, what a brassy punk!” Carmelita couldn’t take it any longer and commented. Although Ralph was loyal to her father, he wasn’t particularly friendly to other members of the House of Sainte. When Ralph walked in just then, he did not nod or greet Carmelita. This meant that Ralph was the servant of Wallace alone and not the House of Sainte’s.
Ralph glared at Carmelita and said in an emotionless and indifferent voice, “You have been severely injured twice in just a few years and have wasted so many His Lordship’s divine essences. Do you not feel ashamed? You should be cultivating instead of coming to the competition.”
Carmelita was enraged. She pointed at Ralph and said, “What’s so terrific about you? All that you’ve ever done is make every divine guard of your Second Corps as cold-blooded and inhuman as you are. First place in team strength? At what cost? Don’t think that we are unaware of just how many have died to your ridiculously harsh training!”
Although the City of Shadows was huge, very few dared unreservedly criticize Carmelita like Ralph just did. Carmelita had always despised Ralph. But as Ralph was highly trusted and regarded by Wallace, there wasn’t much that Carmelita could do to him. On top of that, Ralph had greater strength than Carmelita, which made her feel helpless when she had to face Ralph. It was also because of this that Ralph did not need to care about her feelings when speaking to her.
“Bryan, teach this guy a lesson for me!” Carmelita must be seething with rage. She sought Han Shuo, the only person in the party who was not a member of the House of Sainte, to back her up.
Han Shuo forced a smile and replied in a helpless manner, “This is a personal matter of your family clan. It is not my place to step in.”
Although Han Shuo did not find Ralph likable, he was nonetheless a member of the House of Sainte and an important henchman of Wallace's. The matter between Ralph and Carmelita could be considered as a private matter of the Sainte Family. He wasn’t in a suitable position to intervene.