As the completely naked Han Shuo looked down at the dazed Helen, Han Shuo revealed a grin that was as brilliant and bright as the sun. As he walked towards the centre of the pool, the water began to ripple outwards. The water enveloped him as he began to cleanse his bloodstained body.
It was only after hearing the sound of the water that Helen Tina awoke from her rapt state and began to scold her weak will. After looking at Han Shuo's broad and healthy back, she shook her head, seemingly trying to dispel the detailed figure that remained in her mind. She smiled sweetly and said tenderly, "Alright, you should wash up first, I'll wait outside."
"Hehehe, and here I thought you were going to bathe with me. Well, if you do come down, I promise I won't do anything, okay?" Han Shuo turned his head and laughed brightly before suddenly teasing her with an invitation.
Helen's face turned flaming red as if she was drunk. She thought seriously about what she had just said before smiling tenderly, "No, I'm afraid I won't be able to control myself and jump right into your arms. Hehehe. OK. Clean yourself up properly first. I'll come back after you clean yourself properly."
Han Shuo was startled for a moment. But because the sentence confirmed Han Shuo's charisma, he laughed out loud and said happily, "Alright, I'll wait for the day when you really shed your modesty!"
Helen threw her head back in an adorable laugh. For several months now, her heart had been shrouded in a depressing haze, but now it seemed that she had finally pushed away the black clouds and allowed the rainbow within to emerge. With an exceptionally happier attitude, she left behind a tinkling laugh that rang through the air like a silver bell. After Helen left, Han Shuo stayed in the public bath and leisurely cleaned all the bloodstains off him. Afterwards, Helen changed places with Han Shuo and began to clean herself as well.
Han Shuo sat cross-legged in the guest room, drinking a cup of good wine and reading his thick tomb of necromancy while waiting for Helen to change into a loose, comfortable bathrobe. Seeing Helen's amazingly beautiful appearance, as lovely as a lotus flower rising from the water, Han Shuo first smiled and gasped in praise. Then he waited for the corner of Helen's mouth to turn into a smile, before finally sighing lightly, "Your Helon Duchy is currently riddled with internal problems, and is most likely the weakest power among the seven grand duchies. Although you were originally allied with Benedict Sackville, it's very likely that he is the mastermind behind Kekaru's betrayal and has been interfering in your national affairs. But our first priority is the internal strife. The sooner we resolve this, the less likely we'll see any further negative developments.
Seeing Han Shuo bring up this topic, Helen's eyebrows furrowed and she sighed slightly before saying, ""Even if this civil war had never happened, my Duchy of Helon would still be the weakest of the seven duchies. We have limited resources within our borders; our ores and rations are naturally lacking in comparison to the other duchies".
Over the past few years, I have continuously traded our war horses for rations from the Duchy of Narsen. I've also traded with the other duchies and the distant Brut Merchant Alliance for war materials. My nation was never destined to prosper. Now, with the incessant internal strife, my Duchy of Helon is truly facing one disaster after another. When you extorted six hundred gold coins from me, my great and glorious Helon Duchy was no more.
As if she suddenly remembered Han Shuo's blackmail, she glared at Han Shuo with hatred and snorted heavily in irritation after finishing her words.
Only after Han Shuo embarrassedly forced a few laughs did he open his mouth to say, "Honestly, if you hadn't become hostile to the Lancelot Empire and decided to use Brettel City as a hunting ground, the merchants of the Lancelot Empire would have completely solved your problems. The Lancelot Empire has no means of obtaining war horses, so if your duchy sells your brave war horses to them, you will definitely receive significant benefits in return."
Han Shuo continued, "Unfortunately, even those greedy merchants do not dare to come here rashly after hearing stories of massacres and raids in Brettel City. For these merchants, all seven grand dukes are as dangerous as wild beasts and violent floods. So of course they won't trade with you. As a result, you will not be able to exploit the natural resources within your borders and obtain the goods you need.
"Huh. Actually, your Lancelot Empire asked for it. If it weren't for the fact that your Lancelot Empire wanted to conquer us seven grand duchies and invade our borders, killing and plundering everything, would we have suddenly stopped bickering? Would we have rashly formed an alliance to defeat your Lancelot Empire?" As if she had suddenly remembered the time when the army troops of the Lancelot Empire arrived like wild beasts, there was an undercurrent of anger in Helen's voice, even as she maintained a charming expression on her face.
"The relationship between nations will always be that of the conquered or the conquerors. The king of each nation will always use whatever methods he can to expand his territory. The Lancelot Empire is like that. The Kasi Empire is like that. Even the Seven Grand Dukes are like that. Otherwise, what would be the point of the constant fighting between them?" Han Shuo conveyed this eternally undeniable fact to Helen before laughing wryly, "The past has nothing to do with us. But with our current relationship, we can smuggle privately and engage in some shady business. Do you have completely trustworthy subordinates at your disposal?"
Of course. The people in my family clan can be trusted completely. Whatever decisions I make, they will always support me. Helen said proudly.
Han Shuo nodded his head and said, "Great. Let's do it like this. It just so happens that I can also use the Lancelot Empire's war materials and exchange them for your Helon Duchy's war horses. Hmm, rations can also be included. This exchange will be beneficial to both of us."
After listening to Han Shuo's words, Helen smiled sweetly and agreed, "Our Helon Duchy's war horses are well known. How many horses and how much gold are you willing to pay?"
"This kind of business should be discussed by our subordinates. We just need to focus on the big picture and make decisions." Han Shuo glanced at Helen and smiled slightly before he said, "Don't think about trying to tempt me with things like seduction. I will personally organise suitable talents within Brettel City to discuss this with your subordinates. That way, we won't have to discuss it in detail and accidentally hurt each other's feelings!"
Upon hearing Han Shuo's words, Helen spat on the ground and said with a red face, "Who has feelings for you! You treacherous and stingy man, I can't even get a small advantage from you!"
"All right. All right. I am going out tonight. You should be extra careful. Right now, Kekaru's family are all dead, and it's best if you take precautions as soon as possible. Starting tomorrow, you'll be extremely busy, so now is not a good time at all to talk about our love and passion for each other," Han Shuo said to Helen.
"You. You actually killed Kekaru's entire clan!" Helen was suddenly startled and was unable to react for a moment, staring at Han Shuo in horror.
"Mm. Don't worry, every member of his clan with the qualifications to inherit his dukedom is dead. Even some of his loyal subordinates will not live to see the dawn. Tomorrow, you'll see true chaos break out in Seagate City. You should probably take the opportunity to get rid of Kekaru's body. You should also create some chaos to show that you have suffered an assassination attempt. Even better, you should also capture some people and make it look like they're from the Narsen Duchy. Han Shuo said to Helen with a smile.
"Well done, well done!" Helen trembled with joy before smiling sweetly. Her eyes glittered with a sinister light as she said, "Rest assured, I am an expert at such things. By this time tomorrow, Seagate City should be within my grasp. I have waited far too long for such a day."
"Hehehe. I like it when you radiate such confidence. Well, I will leave for now. You should summon Firewind and ensure your safety first." Han Shuo finally left after warning her several times.
Back in the Lancelot Empire's Dark Mantle organisation, agents could be seen everywhere. After Han Shuo arrived in Brettel City, the Dark Mantle's stronghold had been gradually strengthened as Candide personally prepared members to infiltrate Brettel City, who Dick later arranged to go to the seven grand duchies.
After becoming a two-star Dark Sun in the Dark Mantle, Han Shuo used his privileges to expand the number of secret agents. He ordered Jack to set aside one hundred thousand gold coins as operational funds for the agents who would infiltrate the seven grand duchies. With enough funds, they could establish their own stronghold within the dukedoms and gradually grow in power and influence.
As Brettel City's city lord and Dark Mantle's two-star Dark Sun emissary, Han Shuo only needed to arrive in one of the major cities of the seven grand duchies to find the Dark Mantle's agents. After meeting these agents, Han Shuo would receive all the latest information regarding these cities and use it to establish a direct communication link to Brettel City.
The night before Han Shuo assassinated Kekaru, he'd left a message in Seagate City. After Helen left, Han Shuo headed straight for that area. Just as Han Shuo entered the streets, he suddenly noticed that the entire Seagate City had erupted like an overturned ant nest. Squads of imperial bodyguards with incomplete armour and fearful faces were going from house to house in a manhunt.
Suddenly, Seagate City was filled with the iron hoofbeats of warhorses and the panicked screams of civilians. As Han Shuo watched the situation unfold, he immediately realised that the massacre at Kekaru's castle had already been discovered by the people. Otherwise, the situation in Seagate City would not be so chaotic. The city gates were sealed and civilians could not leave the city without permission. Some of Seagate City's knight captains had terrified expressions on their faces as they left Kekaru's Castle, shouting for the city gates to be locked. After that, they headed straight for Helen's mansion.
These people were just some small and insignificant outer members of Kekaru's clan. Maybe they didn't even know that Kekaru had thoughts of treason. Now that they suddenly saw Kekaru's castle turned into a huge murder scene, they thought that the enemy duchies were invading with their armies. So they sent soldiers to defend the city gate while they rushed to meet the true Grand Duke of the Duchy of Helon.
Before he'd even entered Seagate City, Han Shuo had already realised that there were already some of Helen's pawns among these people. Currently, Kekaru's power structure had been wiped clean by Han Shuo. As a result, the people without the qualifications to be the highest ranking official in the Seagate City Army had suddenly become the most powerful. Of course, they were able to temporarily hold the position of Commander-in-Chief.
As Seagate City descended into chaos, Han Shuo quietly made his way to the most chaotic street farthest from the chaos. Next to a courtyard, an elderly man with a panicked expression looked in all directions and waited. The big news about the huge changes in Seagate City had not reached here, but the city guards were still advancing in all directions. Perhaps the old man's panicked expression was because he had already received the news.
After Han Shuo suddenly stopped, the old man was obviously frightened for a moment as he hurriedly retreated backwards. After noticing the tablet that Han Shuo had revealed in his hands, he released his breath and saluted respectfully, "Honourable Sir!"
"Let's go. Take me somewhere where we can talk!" Han Shuo said. The elder did not hesitate to lead Han Shuo along the very dirty street. It was not until they had walked for six blocks that they stopped at a small farm. The farm raised a few thin and weak war horses, while the horse stable was filled with stinking weed.
After arriving here, the old man entered a small room made of straw. After entering the room, the old man glanced outside the hut through a small hole before finally opening the secret passage under the bed. He then stepped aside and let Han Shuo enter first.
After passing through a dark tunnel, they finally arrived at a private underground hideout with three rooms. Inside were four people with four different expressions. They were dressed in either businessman type clothes or farmer type clothes. They were all extremely shocked at the sight of Han Shuo. Only after Han Shuo showed them the tablet in his hands did they slowly calm down. They hastily bowed before saying, "Honourable Emissary!"
The individuals within the Dark Mantle only obeyed the high ranking individuals within the Dark Mantle. Therefore, Han Shuo did not use his identity as the Lord of Brettel City, but only used his identity as the Second Dark Sun Emissary to make them docile and obedient.
"Hm, we're all on the same side, so don't bother with the formalities!" Han Shuo said indifferently before bluntly sitting down on the central seat. At that moment, the elderly man who had let Han Shuo in first also entered.
"Sir, an extremely frightening murder has occurred in Seagate City. The entire family of the Honourable Marquis Kekaru of Seagate City, as well as all of his clan members, have been massacred. We have just received this information. This event will completely change the power struggle in Seagate City. The old man paid his respects and hastily informed Han Shuo of the bombshell news.
The search in the core regions of Seagate City had just begun. To be able to get accurate information in this remote and dirty region was a feat in itself, and made Han Shuo extremely satisfied. Nodding his head, Han Shuo said, "I already know about such things. You are doing well."
"Honourable Emissary, the Grand Duke of the Duchy of Helon is currently residing in Seagate City. This evil woman will definitely seize the opportunity to take control of the city. Now that Kekaru's entire family has been wiped out, we still don't know if this woman did it or not. However, according to our intelligence, this woman should not have such power. So we believe it was not done by her..." The old man furiously knitted his eyebrows and analysed, seemingly trying to come up with another clue.
Han Shuo waved his hands and stopped the old man from continuing. He smiled. "That's enough. Let's not talk about it for now. I will write a letter and you just need to send someone to deliver it to Dick. We don't need to discuss anything else."
Hearing Han Shuo's words, the old man immediately stopped his speculations and nodded respectfully, "As you command, honourable emissary!"
Taking out a piece of paper and a pen, Han Shuo wrote a flowery letter in a very meandering manner before sealing it and handing it to the elderly man. Smiling, he asked, "What is your name?"
"In reply to the honourable emissary. I am Delante, a Third Dark Star and the person currently in charge of Seagate City. I used to do missions in the southern part of the Empire. However, under Candide's command, I have migrated to the Seven Grand Duchies. Delante replied very respectfully.
Nodding his head, Han Shuo smiled, "Get this letter into Dick's hand as soon as possible."
"I understand, sir!" Delante replied.
Inside the Dark Mantle, there was always a secret magic field that was directly connected to others in other cities. However, only the Dark Mantle could grasp such technology, and generally only a grand space magus could set up such a technological marvel. Of course, there would be no need to spend a huge amount of money just to create a magical matrix to communicate with Brettel City from the seven grand duchies. So they could only use this kind of old-fashioned communication.
After Delante had carefully put the letter away, Han Shuo looked at him again for more news about Seagate City. Only after Delante had spoken at length did Han Shuo finally say, "Very well. All of you must conduct your business here in Seagate City properly. The Empire will not forget your past contributions. All the information you gather, all the missions you undertake, they will all be recorded by the Dark Mantle." After all the other members of the Dark Mantle had heard Han Shuo's statement, they bowed to show their agreement.
"Right now, Seagate City is dangerous beyond any doubt. Be extra careful and do not expose yourself under any circumstances." After repeatedly warning them, Han Shuo left the secret fortress and disappeared into the darkness of the night.
Han Shuo stopped in the deepest parts of the jungle outside Seagate City. Using the Earth Elite Zombie, he created a secret cave within the Earth and set up the transportation matrix that connected to the Cemetery of Death to return directly there.
Calculating the time, Han Shuo knew that the Twelve Mystic Demons were about to emerge from the refining process. He'd gone to Helon Duchy alone this time. As long as he had the twelve mystical demons, Han Shuo would basically have twelve shadows that would be of immense help.
Compared to the Primordial Demons and Yin Demons, the Mystical Demons not only had more wonderful uses, but they could also reach ten times as far as Han Shuo. As long as the twelve mystical demons were released, they could scatter and hide in every nook and cranny of Seagate City. Even if Han Shuo did not step out of his room, he could still monitor the entire situation of Seagate City through the twelve mystical demons.