Chapter 801: The moment he appeared, I los (1/2)
GDK 801: The moment he appeared, I lost
Han Shuo’s victory was out of most people’s expectations. He was greeted with gazes of respect after he returned to the center of the mountain range. The three major patriarchs, five Divine Guard Chiefs, and other influential characters of the City had their gazes gathered on Han Shuo.
Han Shuo had expected this reaction from them. He believed that it won’t be long before the news of his triumphant against Ralph and his Second Corps spreads throughout the City of Shadows. By then, Han Shuo wouldn’t have to worry about the recruitment issue. People would beg to be a divine guard of the House of Han and the Fifth Corps.
“Bryan, did you actually just defeated Ralph?” Carmelita was still in disbelief even till now. Ralph, the Chief of the Second Corps had just lost everything he could be proud of to Han Shuo who had made an official debut only recently.
This was a significant change to the general situation in the City of Shadows which had not occurred for many years!
After that day, Ralph no longer had anything that could back his arrogance! The City of Shadows would no longer be a place that Ralph could throw his weight about because he had just lost all his pride to Han Shuo!
Han Shuo calmly smiled, pointed at the sand table, and responded, “Didn’t you see it?”
Carmelita stared blankly for a second before she turned annoyed and said, “See what? We didn’t see one bit of the process! Why did you produce that mist and conceal the whole fight?”
“Process isn’t the important part - what matters is the results!” said Han Shuo as he wore the most punchable mischievous smile. “In short, I have won the battle. That is all that matters!”
“Indeed. It’s not the process that counts but the outcome! Every one of us here has witnessed Bryan pressing his sword on Ralph’s throat. All of us here are eyewitnesses. Bryan has won, and Ralph has lost. It’s that simple!” remarked Caspar before he looked at Wallace smilingly.
For all these while, the House of Sainte had control over the First, Second, and Third Corps. No matter in team-combat strength or in the capabilities of the Chiefs, the House of Sainte had overshadowed those of the other three major family clans. In all of the competitions, the top three Corps and Chiefs would always be those from the House of Sainte. Their supremacy had never been challenged.
That was until this day when Bryan shook up everything!
Wallace nodded indifferently and asked in a deep voice, “Alright. Bryan is victorious in this match. Any objections?”
Who would have any objection? The fact was plain for all to see!
Caspar and the other two major patriarchs exchanged meaningful glances with each other. Although they were rivals, the three patriarchs shared a mutual understanding. They knew exactly what each other were thinking right then.
Before the departure of the House of Lavers, there were five major family clans in the City of Shadows. Although they were called the five major family clans, it was common knowledge that the House of Sainte was much more powerful and had always kept the other four family clans contained. The House of Sainte had the City of Shadows firmly in its grasp and no one could come close to loosening its grip.
But were the other family clans satisfied with what they have?
The answer was obvious - absolutely not! No matter if it was the House of Kinson, House of Kisa, House of Buller, or even the lesser family clans, all of them yearned for the position of the City Lord.
The City of Shadows had limited territory and resources which had mostly been split among big and small family clans. A new family clan needed territory and all kinds of resources to grow. Without any unexplored land and unexploited resources, this new family clan must obtain what they needed from another family clan in order to fuel their growth.
The rise of a major family clan often means the downfall of another - a fact that had not changed since times immemorial. The abrupt rise of the House of Han was a great example. How was it that the House of Han could grow so rapidly and become one of the most influential powers in the City? It was because they had taken over the territory of the House of Lavers and their tremendous manor!
When the House of Sainte first started out, similar to the Houses of Kinson, Buller, and Kisa, they were all just small family clans in the City of Shadows. Eons ago, the former ruler of the City of Shadows, the House of Tianluo, suffered disastrous losses in a war against the Life and Light Dominions. The weakened House of Tianluo was annihilated by the joint forces of the Sainte, Kinson, Buller, and Kisa families. That was how they came to possess what they had this day.
And, if there ever came a day that the House of Sainte declined, then the current House of Kinson, Buller, and Kisa could fill their place and become the new ruler of the City of Shadows. They could possess what the House of Sainte had, or even more!
Who could resist this temptation?
The reason that the Kinson, Buller, and Kisa Families never dared rebel was that the Sainte Family had managed to firmly inhibit them in every aspect. They were also intimidated by Wallace’s terrifying strength. But on that day, when Han Shuo managed to defeat Ralph with ease, the colossal House of Sainte which had been untouchable in the City of Shadows seemed to have quivered very lightly.
But even the slightest quiver was more than enough to reignite their greed!
The three major patriarchs understood each other even though they did not speak a word.
Wallace was just too strong. The three patriarchs understood that if they were to go on an all-out fight with the House of Sainte, they must have someone on their side who could fight Wallace. The three patriarchs of mid-stage highgods strengths knew that they had around the same strength as Ralph. They were certain that even if they could defeat Ralph in a battle, it would never be as effortless as Han Shuo had done.