"Honourable Master, this doesn't seem like your style. How come you're suddenly so indifferent to a beauty?" Gilbert spoke with a look of utter confusion on his face.
"First of all, I have a use for the grass, so I won't give it to her. Besides, Cecilia throwing her weight around in front of me just because her rank is higher than mine is the kind of attitude that leaves a really bad taste in my mouth, so she won't get anything from me."
He'd heard from Emily that Cecilia was a priest and had also concentrated on pharmacy. She was quite talented in the field of medicine. Even if she wasn't on the front line, an expert priest and apothecary like her would be invaluable in critical times.
A person like her could allow the warriors and mages to quickly recover their energy in battle, and could use some priestly magic and medicine to quickly stabilise wounds, allowing the allies to return to the battlefield in a short time.
Han Shuo didn't linger outside after leaving the old orc's shop, but returned to his base of operations. Phoebe and Emily were bathed in the splendour of the setting sun, sitting lazily on two large chairs in the courtyard, chatting happily about something.
When he walked in, all eyes turned to him. After a day, the two girls had a natural expression on their faces, and the awkwardness of the morning was gone. Under the rays of the evening sun, their charming faces were tinged with red. With eyes full of tenderness and a blush on their cheeks, they looked like two adorable wives waiting for their husband to return.
At that moment, Han Shuo's heart was filled with warm satisfaction. He felt that both women were so beautiful, and if they could still interact so harmoniously after the truth was revealed, it would be wonderful for any man.
"What are you thinking, standing there with a silly smile?" Phoebe would only appear friendly and down-to-earth when interacting with Han Shuo, that soft tone only for him.
"No, nothing!" His beautiful wish could only be thought of at the moment. From Phoebe's personality, she wasn't the type to compromise easily. Therefore, Han Shuo kept a natural expression on his face in case he made her unhappy.
"Bryan, I'm afraid I have to leave first this time. I've just received a mission that I need to coordinate with younger sister Cecilia. I can't stay in the Valley of Sunshine any longer!" Emily looked at Han Shuo longingly as she spoke apologetically.
At first, he was silent, and then he thought deeply. Han Shuo understood that as a senior member of the Dark Mantle, she had many things to do and couldn't stay in one place forever. Nodding, Han Shuo showed an understanding smile. "I understand. It's not suitable for us to stay in the valley in the short term either, so I'm preparing to leave as well."
As Phoebe and Emily stared in surprise, Han Shuo quickly repeated the reasoning he had given to Trunks and the others, listing their gains and losses. Since his decision was correct, he quickly gained Phoebe and Emily's approval.
"So what should we do next?" Phoebe focused her beautiful eyes on Han Shuo's body as she asked quietly.
"As the head of the Boozt Merchant Guild, I don't think you can stay in the valley any longer. Why don't you go and do your own thing? I'll take care of a few things and then I'll look for you in the capital. Trunks has enough gold for now. I think with his skills and connections, he'll be able to build up his strength better by staying on the outskirts of the Valley of Sunshine."
"Alright. It looks like we'll have to separate temporarily for now. Here, these are the items you needed. The Sunshine Valley is a remarkable place. It looks like you can find anything you want as long as you're patient!" Phoebe took out a pile of exotic ores and some rare metals from her space ring and placed them in the centre of the courtyard, smiling at Han Shuo.
These were the items Han Shuo wanted to give to the dwarves to forge weapons, and some he also wanted to keep for personal use. He planned to refine a few small treasures in his spare time. Phoebe had already given him the materials to refine the Wood Elite Zombie and the Water Elite Zombie.
Now that all the materials for the wood elite zombie had been collected, it was the perfect time for Han Shuo to go to the forest trolls' sacred ground and start the wood elite zombie in the place of the extreme wood, with the goal of forming it as soon as possible.
"Oh right, Trunks. Keep an eye on Odysseus and the others. I don't know how long they'll need to think about it. I think with your knowledge of the valley, you'll be able to contact them at any time. I've already explained the situation. It's up to them whether they want to join the Soul Destroyers or not. Han Shuo said to Trunks after thinking for a while.
"Don't worry, I know what to do. The Valley of Sunshine and the Dark Forest aren't too far away. I think it won't be too difficult for us to stay in touch." Trunks smiled faintly.
Han Shuo and Trunks had already decided on a contact point between the two places on their way back. Han Shuo didn't tell him about the Cemetery , but gave him a marker for the waterfall where he often trained.
The group of five discussed the details thoroughly once again. Han Shuo and a few others would sneak out under the cover of night. Thanks to Gilbert, they wouldn't have to go through the entrance and could slip away silently. Only Emily would stay behind for another day, as she had to leave with Cecilia. She could also warn Laureton.
The four of them split up immediately after leaving the Valley of Sunshine. Following Han Shuo's instructions, Gilbert flew Phoebe to the city of Zajoski and helped her use the transportation matrix there to return safely to the Empire's capital and then reunite with Han Shuo at the cemetery of death.
Trunks bade Han Shuo farewell and moved into the depths of the forest, disappearing without a trace in the blink of an eye.
After parting ways with his group, Han Shuo strolled leisurely in the direction of the Dark Forest, not even using the Demonic Ninth Heaven Art.
This time, he planned to be deliberate in his movements to attract Ferguson's attention so that he would not continue to pursue Trunks because he was unaware that Han Shuo had left.
His expression was light and carefree as he made his way out of the Valley of Sunshine. He was travelling on foot, without any steeds, and seemed completely unaware that he had become a target under the pure moonlight gently falling from the night sky.
The four major powers in the Valley of Sunshine patrol everywhere at critical moments to prevent accidents. When Han Shuo took the initiative to expose himself, everything seemed to fall into place. Using the surveillance of the three Yin Demons, he easily found several groups of people following him.
When one of the pursuers seemed worried and quickly left with his companions to run towards the location of the Rainbow Sickles, Han Shuo understood that the Rainbow Sickles would arrive very quickly. Furthermore, Ferguson of the Church of Light was also guaranteed to drop everything to deal with Han Shuo. After all, he was the most dangerous 'latent threat'. With the three Yin Demons at his side for surveillance, the little skeleton and the Earth Elite Zombie as backup, and being in the Bloodlust Realm, Han Shuo was confident that he could easily escape any encirclement with the extremely fast Art of the Demonic Ninth Heaven.
Therefore, Han Shuo acted very casually the whole time. He walked calmly in the direction of the Dark Forest, waiting for Ferguson's group to rush over. He would then move away from the Valley of Sunshine during their pursuit, so that they would understand that he was leaving the valley.
In the depths of the icy winter, the accumulated snow on the mountaintops revealed a frozen world wrapped in silver under the bright moonlight. Even at night, it didn't seem overly dark, as the reflection of the moon and the snow made the silver-white world appear so silent and beautiful.
Under the moonlight, Han Shuo's lone figure cast a long shadow on the silvery white snow-covered ground. Even some of the greediest merchants weren't willing to go out on such a cold night. So even on the busiest roads, he didn't come across a single merchant caravan.
After leaving the main road, Han Shuo continued on into the vast Kerlan Mountains. After walking for more than an hour and reaching a rather dense forest that was even more remote, through a Yin Demon, Han Shuo discovered a small merchant caravan being ravaged by ferocious bandits. There weren't that many bandits, only a dozen or so, but each one of them was beyond vicious. They shouted wildly, ignored the pleas of the merchants, and slaughtered the men with a sneer as they robbed the wagons. Several young women were stripped completely naked and cried out helplessly as they were forced into the trees beside the carriages and raped. To hear their cries was to feel your heart bleed.
Several muscular men, who looked like mercenaries, lay on the ground around the merchant group's wagons. They'd been decapitated and their blood had already dried, staining the ground a dark red. It looked as if they were the guards killed in the first wave of attack.
It was clear that the small group of merchants had taken the risk of travelling through the night, thinking they wouldn't be noticed by bandits in the middle of a winter's night, taking such a quiet and small path. Who were they to know that they'd made a mistake and encountered a small band of bandits. This was the reason why such a cruel situation had arisen.
Han Shuo was not a very friendly person. He had once calmly watched as he led forest trolls to plunder places, but he had never killed the innocent, and he would never do something as horrible as raping women. It was said that bandits had their own morals, and Han Shuo felt that he did as well.
However, the merchants had already given up all their goods and were kneeling on the ground, begging as they kowtowed. Despite this, they were still beheaded by the laughing, mocking bandits. Han Shuo could not contain himself after seeing such a situation, such wretched actions by the bandits who disregarded the rules. It made him completely furious.
Without any greetings or bullshit, Han Shuo, who had seen all the atrocious deeds through the Yin Demons, burst onto the scene. Due to his anger and intent to kill, a thick demonic aura dominated the scene next to Han Shuo.
Han Shuo had a hideous expression on his face, his eyes were crimson. His cold and ferocious expression was extremely terrifying as his aura couldn't help but surge outwards. With his hand, he slashed at the neck of one of the bandits who was raping a woman.
The left hand he'd sliced off shone like dark jade, a shining, sharp knife. With a "pfft" sound, the bandit's head flew up as his neck spurted blood everywhere.
"Ahhh..." A terrified scream came from the mouth of the woman beneath the bandit. The woman who'd suffered all this suddenly saw the person on her body lose his head as blood splashed all over her. She couldn't help but scream in horror.
"Who is it that dares to stick his nose into our business?! Don't you know our boss is the Butcher?" A moustachioed bandit who was about to kill a merchant suddenly turned his head and roared.
As expected, it was one of Gustav the Butcher's men. Of all the bandit forces around the Valley of Sunlight, only Gustav the Butcher's bandits would be so savage and ignore the rules!
Han Shuo wasted no time talking, letting his actions speak for themselves. His darkened face and flood of killing intent was terrifying as he revealed the ruthless side of a demonic cultivator to these brutal bandits.
He lunged at the man and unleashed a fierce blow before he could react. The blow closed in like a sharp hammer and tore a hole through the moustached robber. As Han Shuo pulled out a fist dripping with blood, even the robber's crushed organs could be seen through the huge hole.
Han Shuo's heart was filled with rage as he panted heavily, like a demon king who only had slaughter in his eyes. With a violent, perverse ruthlessness, he tore the robbers to pieces. He tore one robber apart with his bare hands and crushed another's bones with a single blow from his fists, spraying hot blood all over him.
A bloody whirlwind blew as the dozen or so robbers were reduced to scattered pieces of flesh. Compared to the innocents they'd killed, their demise was so much more terrifying. Not a single body remained whole.
Han Shuo used the Yin Demons to find out where Ferguson and Maxine had gone. He suppressed the bloodlust in his heart and walked heavily towards the Dark Forest, not spending another second in the carnage-strewn scene.