The sky had completely brightened and the air had become cooler. The sun, the size of a disc, was slowly rising in the sky. A brilliant sunrise stood tall and upright above the inky blue clouds, shimmering with a soft red light that tore apart the clouds that covered the sky.
Small groups of people made their way through the morning streets of the Valley of Sunshine, yawning with sleepy expressions as they emerged from the dens of temptation in the various alleyways off the streets. It was obvious that they'd put a lot of effort into the women's bodies last night.
"There really are so many disgusting guys with no taste!" Emily wasn't in the best of moods as she cast a cold glance at the people coming out of the alleys with untidy clothes and spoke with a look of disgust on her face.
Han Shuo was not overly tired from the chase that had lasted all night. He looked around interestedly and didn't answer.
"Oh, right, Phoebe came to find you last night, I said you were out of business!" Emily pulled her coat tight around her neck and turned her head to speak to Han Shuo.
"She didn't say anything?" Han Shuo started slightly and thought about what Phoebe had done.
"No, she probably doesn't have anything to say to me!" Emily replied, pausing and suddenly approaching Han Shuo in a gossipy manner. She lowered her voice, "Did you... do that to her?"
Shaking his head, Han Shuo was all business as he said righteously. "How could I do that? We've only known each other for a few months. Am I someone in such a hurry?"
"Pfft, you violated me the day we met by raping me, you shameless villain!" Emily was quite disdainful of Han Shuo's response, snorting with contempt.
Han Shuo couldn't help but laugh at her words. Not feeling embarrassed, he replied, "Our circumstances were quite special. Besides, you were so seductive, how could my hot-bloodedness resist your temptations?"
"Villain! All you know how to do is talk nonsense!" Emily's breath caught in her anger, but she was rather satisfied with his answer and didn't continue the conversation.
When he saw some happiness on Emily's brow, Han Shuo knew that she wasn't really angry. He suddenly thought of a problem and asked, "Oh, right, how did the Cairo mercenaries know about this place? Is it because they know that the Dark Mantle controls the shop?"
Contrary to Han Shuo's expectations, Emily actually nodded her head. She explained when she saw his confused look. "The Valley of Sunshine is different from any city in the Empire. The mercenary gang from Cairo is in control here. Since there's only so much land here, they'll investigate every come-and-go. It's completely unrealistic to want to stay here and remain a secret.
"Even though they know that we are the Dark Mantle, they don't interfere with our operations at all, because we target those with designs against the Lancelot Empire and don't deliberately make trouble for them.
"Bryan!" Han Shuo and Emily were walking towards the Cairo mercenary band when they heard Trunks' voice at that moment.
Han Shuo turned his head to see the manticore riding Trunks appear from the direction of the entrance to the valley. There were some faint traces of blood on him and the manticore. Behind them, the Rainbow Sickle experts had angry looks on their faces. It looked like they'd come off worse in a fight.
Han Shuo patrolled over Trunks' body with sharp eyes, but he didn't see any traces of torn clothing on him. It looked like the fresh blood on him and the manticore was that of the Rainbow Sickle mercenaries.
"Are you alright?" Han Shuo asked with a slight smile when Trunks had made it over to his manticore.
"Just a few cowardly traitors, how could they possibly hurt me? Oh right, how did it go on your side? Did you kill that wretched Florida?" Trunks replied confidently, looking closely at Han Shuo.
Spreading his hands with a resigned look on his face, Han Shuo sighed, "His men rescued him at the entrance to the valley. However, I think he'll need at least a month or two to fully recover from his injuries!"
"Haha, that's enough. I came to the Valley of Sunshine for his life this time, and it looks like you've already done half the job for me, thank you!" Trunks laughed heartily and then looked back at the Rainbow Sickle members behind him with a cold, imposing expression. "Traitors, go back and tell Florida that I, Trunks, have returned. I must take revenge for Annie this time, he will die at my hands!"
The Rainbow Sickle mercenaries all looked at each other with hatred and anger when they heard these words, but they seemed to know that Trunks wasn't someone to be trifled with. They just let out a few cold snorts and walked past Han Shuo and the others, heading in another direction.
"Trunks, why are you here and what enmity do you have with Florida?" Han Shuo couldn't help but ask at this point.
The merchants on the streets of the valley had already woken up and the streets were beginning to bustle a bit. Trunks looked around with a slightly gloomy expression and said, "This is not the place to talk, let's find a place where we can chat and I'll tell you in more detail!"
"Alright!" Han Shuo nodded.
"Wait, Laureton from the Cairo Mercenary Band has contacted us. Why don't you have a good chat after we return?" Emily couldn't help but speak up when she saw that Han Shuo and Trunks seemed to want to find a quiet place to talk right away.
Han Shuo only reacted after Emily had spoken and said apologetically to Trunks, "Laureton of the Cairo Mercenary Band sent people to find us early this morning and asked us to pay a visit. Why don't we talk later?"
Nodding understandingly, Trunks walked side by side with Han Shuo and said dashingly, "Let's go, I happen to know Laureton as well, let's go together."
"You know him?" Han Shuo began and asked Trunks in surprise.
"Of course, I used to spend some time in the valley and I know a lot of people here! Trunks replied matter-of-factly. Emily showed a surprised expression and looked at Trunks thoughtfully.
There were no established streets with shops in the valley, just a few high cliffs and some towering trees that blocked the sky a bit. Trunks seemed very familiar with the area as he led Han Shuo and Emily inside.
"The terrain is quite precarious in the depths of the valley, but there's a vast expanse of plains once you've made it through a narrow tunnel in the cliffs. The strongest power in the valley has always lived there. A few years ago, the Rainbow Sickle mercenaries lived there, and if it weren't for Florida's evil plan to kill the old chief, the Cairo mercenaries would have nowhere else to live! Trunks began to introduce the area around them as they walked.
There were members of the Cairo Mercenary Band standing guard at certain intervals along the way. However, the distance between the guards was a bit far, and they weren't afraid of others hearing their words.
"Right, Trunks, what kind of enmity is there between you and Florida?" Han Shuo couldn't help but ask when he saw that the surroundings were quiet enough.
"Actually, I was part of the Rainbow Sickle mercenary band in the beginning, and I was a senior swordsman back then. The old chief had always looked after me, and the chief's daughter Annie treated me like a brother. I was very comfortable in those days until Florida came along. The young Florida brought with him a dazzling aura and enjoyed special treatment as soon as he joined. Not only did the old chief hold him in high esteem, but even Annie admired him. I myself also had a good relationship with him.
"However, Florida's goal in joining the Rainbow Sickle mercenary band was to control it completely. Even though the old chief had already handed Annie over to him, he still felt that the old chief had too many days ahead of him. He conspired with raiders and told them our movements, causing great losses to the band. The old chief died when the bandits surrounded him, and Annie disappeared. It's likely that she met with a bad fate as well.
"I was lucky enough to escape and witness the conversation between Florida and the chief of the bandits. It was then that I understood everything. From that moment on I made up my mind to get rid of Florida sooner or later. Unfortunately, when Florida took control of the Rainbow Sickle mercenaries, he also invited a power source from the Church of Light and consolidated his influence over the situation in a very short time, thoroughly controlling the mercenary band.
"I was only a senior swordsman at the time and tried to assassinate Florida with some injured mercenaries loyal to the old chief. We were soundly defeated and had to flee for our lives. Many of my closest friends died in that battle. I entered the Dark Forest to train, determined to take my revenge. I have waited for three years, and when I heard that the battle to see who is the strongest in the valley was about to begin, I knew that Florida was one who would not be left out. He will certainly take on the mercenary band from Cairo. I think this is a chance, and that's why I came back! Trunks regaled them with tales of yesteryear as they walked.
His expression was very distant from beginning to end, as if he was describing something that had nothing to do with him. However, as the audience, Han Shuo and Emily could see the endless hatred in Trunks' heart from the events themselves.
When Trunks finished, Han Shuo looked deeply at Trunks and flashed a brilliant smile, "It looks like we can team up again, I think Florida is dead without a doubt this time!"
"Of course! He's definitely going to die." Trunks said confidently and then looked at Emily interestedly before he shifted his gaze to Han Shuo. He asked a bit strangely, "So what's the deal with you two? If I remember correctly, this lady was captured by you, but why are the two of you walking together now?"
Chuckling heartily, Han Shuo winked at Trunks and said, "Sometimes it's easy for enemies to become friends, especially between men and women!"
"I understand, haha!" Trunks burst out laughing and nodded in understanding.
"Two stupid guys!" Emily was a little annoyed and embarrassed by their words. She rolled her eyes at them and huffed.
They'd passed through a narrow tunnel while they'd been chatting and had come to an open plain. Black rocks were abundant here, and many tall buildings had been erected. These buildings were neither exquisite nor beautiful, but they were all extremely practical. They seemed durable, sturdy, and would stand up well to being rammed.
There was a large parade ground on the way to the buildings and several muscular mercenaries were practising with various weapons. Some mages were casting spells in a dense forest not far away, and others were meditating in the distance.
"This place is big enough and the buildings are strong enough. Since there's only one way to get here, it's very safe and has always been the valley's last line of defence over the years". Trunks explained again and again on the way here.
"Eh, Trunks, what are you doing back here?" Harris of the Cairo Mercenary Band was standing on the parade ground in a good mood, seemingly waiting for Han Shuo and the others. He was quite surprised to see Trunks and couldn't help but call out.
"Harris, long time no see! You look even more ferocious now! But Florida is still thriving all these years, it looks like you didn't get your revenge!" Trunks spoke to Harris from afar with a certain mockery on his face.
"Huh, you also fled with serious injuries, what right do you have to talk about me?" Harris' expression was stiff as he said irritably.
"Forget it, I have nothing to say to you. Come on, take me to Laurenton!" Trunks frowned as he twitched his lips, urging Harris to lead the way. Harris led the three of them across the parade ground to a tall building. The sound of crashing came from inside the building, and the three of them were taken aback by the scene before them as they entered.
A bald, ferocious man, about two metres tall, was wearing only a pair of shorts. The muscles of his naked torso were raised, each one as hard as iron ore. The blood vessels all over his body throbbed as they were filled with terrifying explosive power.
On his back was a black boulder the size of a small mountain. It was three times his size as he stood shoulder to shoulder with it. He backed up quickly so that his body smashed the boulder against a stone pillar as thick as three people with their arms around it.
Sweat trickled down his muscles as his dark skin glistened with healthy vigour. There wasn't a single strand of hair on his shiny head. His body was constantly shaking amidst the thunderous collisions, and the entire building was shaking from the violent impacts, making one fear that it would collapse at any moment.
After Han Shuo and the others arrived, he collided five more times before finally throwing the boulder on his back aside. The ground shook as if an earthquake had struck it, and the thunderous roar filled the building.
He raised his head and focused his eyes in their direction. A powerful presence rushed towards Han Shuo. Han Shuo's heart couldn't help but freeze a little when he saw how strong this person's body was. He had only used external training methods to train his body to the point where it could naturally produce such a thick, powerful presence. This fully explained the frightening aspects of this person.
"Trunks, what are you doing back here?" A strange light shone in the big man's eyes as he looked questioningly at Trunks.
"Long time no see, Laurenton, it looks like your physical body has been trained almost to the limit. You could go berserk twice before. It looks like you've improved even more. I wonder if you can become berserk three times to reach the legendary third berserk realm?" Trunks showed an interested expression as he stared at Laurenton.
Grinning strangely, Laurenton didn't answer Trunks' question and turned his attention to Han Shuo. "You're the guy who almost killed Florida?"
Nodding, Han Shuo smiled weakly. "That's right, what could Chief Laurenton be summoning me for?"
"I want to discuss a little business with you, but first you have to eat one of my punches so that I can measure your strength and see if you're worthy to be handed over to you!" Laurenton laughed out loud as a fist the size of a fan came crashing down on Han Shuo with a fierce, dominating aura.
Han Shuo was slightly startled as he realised that this strike contained a berserk force as it arrived in front of him. This shocked him greatly, and what was even more surprising was that as this power surged forward, it blocked all of his retreats, making it impossible for him to dodge at all.
Han Shuo was struck dumb with astonishment as he immediately focused his concentration and used his magical cultivation to the maximum, planning to take this blow directly.