The political battle for Ossen City was still raging. Wherever there was war, there were bound to be deaths. Adding up the casualties from the previous two days, there were perhaps at least forty thousand soldiers who had died in Ossen City.
The rising killing intent enveloped the sky above Ossen City, causing people to feel suffocated, as if a huge rock was pressing down on their chest. Some experts even felt that the omnipresent magical essence seemed to be affected by this energy.
Han Shuo stood on the clock tower of the castle and looked up at the blue dome of the sky. A massive vortex was once again taking shape, swallowing up the omnipresent fiendish energy in Ossen City bit by bit. The Demonslayer's Edge soared into the sky once more, forming a cloud of blood that hovered in the sky.
Han Shuo was much more cautious this time. The Demonslayer Edge's absorption of negative energy was slowed down, causing the rate at which the bloody cloud's energy condensed to slow down as well. The energy transformation within the Demonslayer Edge was more relaxed. Han Shuo was able to manipulate the hostile energy and combine it first before transferring it into the hilt of the Demonslayer Edge.
Unknown if it was due to the previous absorption of the black resolute crystal, the speed at which Han Shuo purified the killing intent had greatly increased. The dense killing intent was first swallowed by the giant vortex above him, where the impurities were removed by the rapidly spinning vortex. The purified, enriched energy then flowed through the stem of the vortex into Han Shuo's body, where the demonic yuan energy in his body would further refine it, eventually forming the original energy suitable for Han Shuo's demon infant to absorb. Through the two-stage purification process, less than a tenth of the rich killing intent was absorbed by Han Shuo. However, since the casualties in Ossen City were enormous, one tenth of that enormous amount of energy still brought astonishing benefits to Han Shuo.
Having entered the demonhood the previous time, this time Han Shuo was extremely cautious, not eager for quick success, nor was he greedy. He used the most cautious method of absorbing a little at a time to prevent himself from entering the terrifying state of demonhood again.
Time passed quietly. After a whole day, the sky above the castle had turned completely bloody red. When the scorching sun shone, the castle looked like it was covered in a layer of blood, and a strong smell of blood hung in the air.
Inside the thick bloody-red cloud, a huge black vortex filled with lightning spun wildly. A vicious killing intent was constantly unleashed, causing people to tremble in fear.
This scene continued for three days. Some ordinary people in Ossen City felt the pressure on their chest suddenly disappear. The experts who could sense the magical essence also discovered that the indescribable energy in Ossen City was all flowing wildly towards the northern part of the city, and then quickly disappearing.
The experts protecting Lawrence in the castle suddenly realised that the two spectacles in the sky were gradually diminishing in volume. The omnipresent rich smell of blood had become heavier. The bloody cloud was no longer as red as blood, but much thinner. After another two days, the bloody cloud above the castle seemed to have dissipated, while the swirl above the clock tower had also unknowingly disappeared, and the bright, clear sky over the northern city district had reappeared. Warm sunlight shone on every corner of the northern district, making the people feel warm and comfortable.
With a gentle exhalation, Han Shuo slowly awoke from his meditative state. He could feel that his body was full of surging energy that covered his meridians, bones, and even his skin and flesh. This made Han Shuo feel like he was about to explode. Han Shuo knew that the energy in the sky had all been absorbed into his body, and he would soon have to train in seclusion to completely control the energy and merge it with his original energy to make another breakthrough.
The Demonslayer Edge landed silently on his hand, showing no signs of life. However, Han Shuo could feel the frenzied circulation of energy within it. The Demonslayer's Edge had absorbed even more energy than Han Shuo and the energy was also more volatile. If it was to absorb the energy completely, it would also take a long time.
Therefore, both Han Shuo and the Demonslayer Edge would need some time to process the energy they had absorbed, and the sooner the better.
After coming down from the Clock Tower, Han Shuo made his way to the second floor lounge where Emily, Fanny and Phoebe were. On the way, the Twelve Mystical Demons explained the entire situation of Ossen City to Han Shuo.
After a few days, the battle had ended in the four districts of Ossen City as well as inside the palace. Lawrence and his group of supporters had already temporarily moved into the Imperial Palace. Ashburn's and Lawrence's mansions were in complete disarray, with clear signs of the battle. "Bryan!" Fanny shouted in surprise as soon as she saw Han Shuo come over.
Emily was meditating to increase her mental energy, while Phoebe was practising her martial arts. When they heard Fanny scream in surprise, they immediately stopped whatever they were doing and rushed into the room where Fanny was, their eyes immediately focusing on Han Shuo.
"You bastard, I can't believe that you didn't participate in such a critical moment and went to train. You are such an unreasonable guy." Phoebe pouted as she grumbled.
"What's the current situation in Ossen City?" Han Shuo asked with a faint smile.
"The situation is settled. Grand Duke Ashburn has been killed by the Sacred Swordmaster Karel, while Prince Charles is imprisoned for the time being. As for the other two princes, they banished any thoughts of vying for the throne when they saw that Lawrence's influence far exceeded theirs. Lawrence is currently busy picking up the pieces and trying to win the hearts of the people. I don't think it will be long before he officially succeeds to the throne. Emily explained to Han Shuo.
"Well, it seems that the civil strife within the Lancelot Empire should already be considered over?" Han Shuo said with a smile.
Nodding her head, Emily continued, "There is indeed nothing to worry about. Now that the whole of Ossen City is under Lawrence's control and he has so much military power at his disposal, with the Eldest Prince imprisoned, no one within the Lancelot Empire could threaten Lawrence's throne."
"Since that was the case, I feel reassured." Han Shuo said with a smile. Shortly after, he smiled bitterly as he looked at the three ladies and said with some difficulty, "However, I reckon that I will need a long period of time to train. It seems that I will have to part with all of you again temporarily."
"You bastard. You have just returned and are already thinking of leaving? You heartless bastard, don't you know that we will be worried about you?" When Phoebe heard that Han Shuo was going to leave again, her expression was filled with sorrow as she shouted out her reluctance.
When Emily and Fanny heard that Han Shuo was going to train again and needed a long period of time, they also panicked, their eyes focused on Han Shuo, showing their reluctance to part with him.
"I have no other choice. I need to isolate myself immediately to refine this energy. Otherwise, it might affect my current state and even cause me to enter the Demonhood again." Han Shuo smiled bitterly as he explained.
"How long would you need for your training this time?" Emily's eyebrows furrowed as she asked.
"I'm not sure. If it's fast, it'll be about a year. If it's slow, it might take two or three years. Sigh, training my martial technique in seclusion is really a very time-consuming matter. I also can't estimate how long it will take." Han Shuo sighed as he answered.
When they heard that the fastest would be about a year, the ladies' hearts were in disarray. The worry and sorrow in their eyes became even more pronounced.
"Bryan, there's something I need to talk to you about alone." Phoebe pursed her lips and said angrily to Han Shuo. However, after she had finished speaking, Phoebe suddenly blushed. At first, Emily also had something to say. But when she heard Phoebe suddenly say the same words she wanted to say, she couldn't help but look at Phoebe in astonishment. When she saw Phoebe's blushing face, she immediately thought of something. She secretly cursed in her heart as her face turned red as well.
Han Shuo stared blankly at first, but when he saw the blush on Phoebe's face, he suddenly came to a revelation and chuckled as he said, "Alright. I'll talk to you first. After that, I'll look for Emily to have a chat with her."
When she heard Han Shuo chuckle, Phoebe knew he had realised something. She gritted her teeth as she glared at Han Shuo before heading straight for her room without saying another word.
"Just a few words with Phoebe!" Han Shuo said hurriedly as he walked quickly towards Phoebe's room, leaving behind a blushing Emily and a confused Fanny.
"Sister Emily, what do they have to talk about? Why do they have to talk in private?" The confused Fanny asked Emily.
"Hehehe, they obviously need to talk about some intimate things. Hehehe, I wonder how long Phoebe the little tramp would last." Emily smiled licentiously as she replied amusedly, winking at Fanny.
Fanny was startled for a moment but suddenly she heard Phoebe's soft gasping noises. She snapped to attention, her face flushed red and the blush spreading rapidly down her neck.
"Pah!" Fanny cursed lightly.
"Hehehe, I think Sister Fanny should know what they are talking about now? Hehehe, Sister Fanny, could it be that Bryan, the little lecher, has yet to eat you up? Why are you still so shy?" Emily giggled as she teased Fanny, looking extremely cheerful.
"Sister Emily, you, you are really..." Fanny was extremely shy, stomped her foot and walked to her room, head down, without finishing her sentence.
The flat was quite spacious. Apart from the large sitting room, there were five or six other rooms. Boris had arranged for them to stay here so that it was easy for the three ladies to talk to each other.
When Emily saw Fanny blushing as she retired to her room, her smile grew even wider. As Emily and Fanny were both Mage, and the three rooms were very close together, she would naturally be able to hear certain sounds. With Fanny's departure, only Emily was left in the living room.
As soft moans echoed in Emily's ears, Emily's heartbeat had unconsciously quickened. Her body had heated up inexplicably and was barely able to tolerate it. Emily covertly surveyed her surroundings before blushing as she tiptoed towards the room where Phoebe and Han Shuo were. Then she gently put her ear to the door to listen to the sounds in the room.
"Ohh..." Phoebe moaned sweetly, her voice trembling as if she was crying and sobbing.
Han Shuo had finally stripped Phoebe naked, his large hands running over her smooth skin. His every stroke caused Phoebe to moan uncontrollably. Under Han Shuo's caress, Phoebe's pale white skin seemed to turn slightly pink.
Under the mood of imminent separation, Phoebe's almond eyes were unfocused, her body expressing the joy and excitement in her heart as Han Shuo teased her body. Lost in his caress, Phoebe gasped as she removed Han Shuo's clothes. Not knowing if she was too excited or if her mind was a bit fuzzy, she was rougher than usual as she undressed him, even ripping off his shirt by force.
Since Han Shuo had also been holding back for a while, his breathing was ragged as he suddenly pressed down on Phoebe without even thinking of putting up a soundproof barrier.
"AH!" Phoebe screamed, her hands suddenly pressing against Han Shuo's chest and her eyes becoming clear again.
Phoebe's scream really was a little too loud. Even Fanny, who was some distance away, could hear it clearly. In her room, Fanny scolded Phoebe for having no shame.
Emily, eavesdropping outside, was stunned. She had been deliberately concentrating on her ear to eavesdrop, and the scream made her ear a little painful. "You little hoof, why did you have to shout so loud? You almost killed me!" Emily held her left ear as she secretly cursed Phoebe in her heart.
"What's wrong?" Han Shuo, who was about to mount her, looked at Phoebe with a stunned expression as he asked.
"You almost crushed me! Why are you so heavy all of a sudden? Fortunately, I train in combat aura and am a Great Swordsmaster. If you pressed down on an ordinary woman, she would be crushed to death instantly!" Phoebe's face was extremely red and she lowered her voice as she replied resentfully.
Han Shuo stared blankly for a moment, but soon came to his senses. After consuming the Black Resolute Crystal earlier, his weight had suddenly increased tenfold. No wonder Phoebe screamed in surprise.
Fortunately, Phoebe was the first. If it had been Emily or Fanny, there might have been an accident. Han Shuo smiled inwardly and quickly reminded himself to be more careful next time. Then he grinned wickedly as he lunged at Phoebe again. This time he used one hand to support himself.
Han Shuo, who had originally intended to start beating Phoebe, suddenly had an idea and quickly sat up. Then he forcefully embraced Phoebe's perfectly naked body and placed her on his thigh while she screamed.
This way, Han Shuo would be in a sitting position while Phoebe's legs would be wrapped around his waist with her bottom resting on Han Shuo's thighs.
"Scoundrel, you, you big pervert, I'm so embarrassed! Let go of me!" Phoebe felt Han Shuo's upraised appendage on her bottom and reproached him in embarrassment.
"Hehe, we'll just change our position then!" Han Shuo grinned contentedly, his large hands caressing Phoebe's bottom while ignoring Phoebe's struggles.