After leaving the Dark Forest, Han Shuo and Emily split up and made their way to Lawrence's new residence.
When Han Shuo saw Lawrence, Lawrence immediately thanked Han Shuo, "Thank you so much for last time, otherwise Lisa might have been put in danger."
"No problem, considering my relationship with Lisa, it was something I should have done. Right, how is Lisa now?" Han Shuo sat down and asked Lawrence with a smile.
"Don't worry, I've already sent her back to Ossen City. As strong as the Gryphon Legion is, they wouldn't dare do anything in the capital."
"That's wonderful. Oh yes, your younger sister Phoebe is also in Valen City. She has some dealings with the Gryphon Legion." Han Shuo started to talk to Lawrence about Phoebe.
Surprise on his face, Lawrence was quite shocked and looked at Han Shuo in confusion, "What is she doing in Valen City? What's going on?"
Based on his previous understanding, Han Shuo discovered that Lawrence and Phoebe had a close relationship. As the Third Prince, it would be better if he knew everything Phoebe had done. Therefore, after Lawrence started asking questions, Han Shuo sketched out what had happened.
After Han Shuo finished, Lawrence thought for a while with a furrowed brow and then looked deeply at Han Shuo. "It looks like I have you to thank for helping Phoebe in this matter. Your Dark Mantle is truly omnipotent!"
Han Shuo started in fear after hearing these words. His eyes focused on Lawrence and he looked deeply at Lawrence for a while. Han Shuo sighed softly, "When did you discover my identity?"
"When we left the slave trading house." Lawrence smiled and hesitated before speaking again, "To be more precise, I've only just discovered your identity. Since we left the trading house last time, I have begun to suspect Madame Emily's identity. I found someone to confirm it for me and then began to investigate you."
It wasn't a disgrace to work for the Dark Mantle. Within the higher ranks of the Empire, the Dark Mantle's existence was no secret. Its mission and operations wouldn't harm ordinary people unless that person did something that harmed the Empire. He didn't think there was anything wrong with what the Dark Mantle was doing.
After pondering for a moment, Han Shuo's expression returned to normal as he smiled, "That's right, I've just joined the Dark Mantle, but I've truly realised their strength!"
"Then you must know a lot about me?" Lawrence suddenly asked Han Shuo with a faint smile.
Han Shuo started to laugh heartily, "Of course, you're Lawrence, the son of the Finance Minister. Everyone knows that!"
Even though Han Shuo knew Lawrence's identity very well, he couldn't say it out loud, otherwise the relationship between him and Lawrence would change. At the very least, Lawrence would probe Han Shuo's thoughts or ask him to make an effort on Lawrence's behalf. This was a conundrum that Han Shuo didn't want at the moment. So he felt that playing dumb was the smartest move.
Lawrence had a strange smile on his face after Han Shuo's explanation and he looked at Han Shuo deeply for a while before he replied, "All right, let's not talk about it for now. With your visit to Valen City this time, you must have come to understand that Bob Ascher has a desire to rebel and is here to gather evidence. I'm here for similar reasons, to bring down this Gryphon Legion chief. Can you tell me your current progress?"
Han Shuo hesitated a bit and quickly weighed the gains and losses in his mind before mentioning that he had laid hands on evidence regarding the siege weapons and had given it to his superior in the Dark Mantle to officially arrest Bob Ascher. But Han Shuo remained silent about anything regarding the Church of Calamity, he didn't want Lawrence to know what was going on there.
"It seems our goals are the same, I think we can work together. What are your plans? How can I help?" Lawrence asked Han Shuo.
Han Shuo looked at Lawrence and asked, "Then what can you help us with?"
Smiling mysteriously, Lawrence looked deeply at Han Shuo and said, "I have someone inside the Gryphon Legion who is second only to Bob Ascher. He can use some of the Legion directly for us at certain times and do a lot for us."
Han Shuo's mind worked furiously, there was much to be gleaned from these words. It looked as if Lawrence was not only here to take down Bob Ascher, but probably to raise his own person as a replacement and take complete control of the Gryphon Legion, paving the way for his future attempt at the throne.
"That would be best. Let me consolidate a few things. We'll make a move in the next two days and I'll contact you to discuss how to coordinate!" Han Shuo replied after thinking for a moment.
"No problem, I'll wait for your good news. Hehehe, we're friends now and I have the utmost confidence in your style. I know you're cautious enough and trust that you won't make any big mistakes in your plans. Let me know when you've settled everything and I'll do my best to coordinate with you. It's a win-win situation for both of us." Lawrence laughed heartily and spoke frankly to Han Shuo.
"Alright, then I'll leave now." Han Shuo took his leave after Lawrence finished speaking and walked over to Elaine's hotel, which was not too far away.
When Han Shuo arrived at the hotel, he discovered that Belinda's wrecked room had been mostly repaired and looked like it would be open for business soon. Han Shuo hadn't checked out of Emily's room yet, so he returned to it after arriving at the hotel.
The chubby, middle-aged lady Elaine came out shortly afterwards and closed the door with a smile, "Thank you for your help, otherwise my hotel would have been destroyed in the hands of that woman from the Calamity Church!"
"It looks like Emily has already told you everything that happened." Han Shuo said.
Nodding, Elaine said, "Yes, Madame Emily came by once to tell me everything and told me to keep an eye on the guests. Do you have any instructions for me?"
"Of those in the hotel, who has yet to leave? Also, has the female mage swordswoman of the mercenary group been in contact with anyone else?" Han Shuo couldn't help but ask when he thought of his agreement with Phoebe.
"There have been no changes in the guests here. The big druid and the little elf are still temporarily occupying their rooms. They both went out this morning and returned not too long after. Except for the girl called Candice, the mercenaries all went out once, apparently to look for new jobs, and haven't returned yet".
"I've been watching for a while, and no one suspicious seems to have entered Candice's room, and I haven't seen her leave either. Apart from that, there has been nothing out of the ordinary in the hotel. The Gryphon Legion sent men on patrol once and asked about the collapsed room. I covered it up. The frightening events that had just taken place in the hotel didn't seem to affect her, as Elaine spoke calmly about what had happened, describing everything in great detail.
"Those from the Gryphon Legion don't suspect this place, do they?" Han Shuo asked with a frown after remaining silent for a while.
"Don't worry, I don't think there will be any trouble. I've been in Valen City for many years and I know how to deal with the Gryphon Legion." Elaine confidently guaranteed.
Han Shuo couldn't say much more after her words, otherwise it would look like he didn't trust her. He nodded, said "You've done well" and motioned for her to go about her business.
He thought for a moment after she left; he should tell Candice that Phoebe might come looking for her, just in case she left suddenly.
As he walked out of his room, Han Shuo thought about how to broach the subject with Candice. As he walked towards her room, he suddenly heard "Bad guy!" and saw the little elf Angelica pointing and yelling at him from Caspian's room window.
He smiled wryly and made a face at Angelica, ignoring her and continuing towards Candice's room. But soon he heard running footsteps from Angelica's direction. It was obviously Angelica in hot pursuit.
"Evil one, what are you doing here?" Angelica had already rushed up and spoke with some glee.
"Why, here to kidnap someone like you, of course!" Han Shuo winked and chuckled devilishly.