Han Shuo and Rose were unaware that the gods of Hushveil City were panicking because of them. They had focused all their attention on getting out of Hushveil City and paid no attention to anything else.
The two hurried on their way, heading for the city gate through which they had entered the city.
As most of the divine guards of Hushveil City had gone to the Godswamp Pharmacy, Han Shuo and Rose did not encounter much resistance on their journey after breaking free of the encirclement. The few and scattered divine guards they encountered along the way dared not interfere with them and automatically moved aside for the duo. It was only after Han Shuo and Rose had disappeared from their sight that they hurriedly sent messages to their chiefs.
As a result, the divine guards of Hushveil City had never completely lost track of Han Shuo and Rose. The patriarchs of all the major family clans and City Lord Hofs had been informed of the two assassins' whereabouts. They all rushed to the city gate.
Rose followed close behind Han Shuo. Through the many bloody massacres she had committed with Han Shuo, Rose had gained new confidence in Han Shuo. Han Shuo's ability to break through the layers of heavy encirclement and diffuse the terrible situation so calmly had won Rose's trust. Her trust in Han Shuo was almost as blind and absolute as that of Phoebe, Fanny and the others.
Instead of feeling frightened and anxious, Rose felt a vague sense of excitement. She could hardly wait to continue killing and slaughtering, challenging the true experts of Hushveil City!
Han Shuo's eyebrows furrowed as he knew that by now, all of Hushveil City's experts must have been activated. Some might already be waiting for them at the city gate. He knew it would not be easy to force their way out of the city. He thought about possible scenarios and what he could do as a countermeasure.
Before he was close to the city gate, he noticed changes in the energy towers around him. The energy towers and boundary towers in the city, powered by energy crystals, were bursting with bright radiance. The vast boundary that surrounded the entirety of Hushveil City had suddenly increased in strength, becoming much more secure and rigid.
Like the City of Shadows, the boundary around Hushveil City did not have any holes at the city gates. Since it was impossible for Han Shuo to destroy the defensive perimeter built with hundreds of thousands of energy towers, his only way out was through the city gates.
In normal times, the city gates were heavily defended. And now, given the major events that had taken place, it was to be expected that the city gates would be even more heavily guarded. Han Shuo knew that there would most likely be great danger and bloodshed awaiting them at the city gate.
Only by storming out of Hushveil City could his mission be considered a complete success, as his only other alternative was to use Demonic Blood Disassembly. In that scenario, not only would he be severely injured, but he would also have to leave Rose behind, where she would likely be interrogated and die a painful death.
Han Shuo was silent and wore a sombre face after considering every possibility. As he hurried to his destination, he couldn't help but turn around to take a look at Rose.
Unexpectedly, Rose, who had been cold to Han Shuo all along, actually reacted to Han Shuo with an adorable smile. She even said energetically, "I know we can make it out of the city!"
Han Shuo was stunned by her change in attitude and her unquestioning faith in him, which was completely different from the cold treatment she usually gave him.
Rose's exceptionally beautiful face looked even more attractive when she smiled, so much so that it took Han Shuo's breath away for a second. For some reason, even Han Shuo began to share Rose's seemingly unfounded confidence that everything would be fine.
That charming smile of Rose's had thawed the shapeless and invisible layer of ice between them. Han Shuo, who might soon be surrounded by every powerful expert in Hushveil City, even began to see the dangerous mission as interesting and fun.
The city lord and all the great family clans in Hushveil City had heard about Han Shuo and Rose's journey through various channels. From this, they deduced that Han Shuo was planning to force his way out through a city gate. All the patriarchs rushed to the city gate with their family clans' most elite divine guards.
The gate in question was protected by the House of Simon, one of the four major family clans in Hushveil City. Their forces were also conveniently located near the gate. Their patriarch, Westin, was the first to arrive at the city gate with the finest men of his family clan.
There were one thousand three hundred divine guards stationed at the city gate, including Westin's reinforcement of the five hundred best divine guards the House of Simon had. Each elite divine guard possessed Late-stage Midgod powers.
All four of the House of Simon's Highgod experts were there, except for the head of the Fourth Corps. As soon as Westin arrived, he ordered in a solemn and calm voice, "Do not gather in one place. Spread the troops out on either side of the city gate and leave a clear path in the centre. As soon as the two have stepped into the path, we will attack from both sides and surround them.
Anyone who could become the patriarch of a great family clan was no simpleton. Westin had heard how powerful Han Shuo and Rose were from the Chief of the Fourth Corps. He understood that at this moment, Han Shuo and Rose were two Highgod beasts on the loose, and they were not to be taken lightly!
At Westin's command, the divine guards split into two groups and moved into position, clearing a large, clear path leading straight to the city gate. The divine guards were spread out on either side of the path, gazing coldly ahead, waiting for Han Shuo and Rose to walk straight into the trap.
"Brother-in-law, our family clan could finally have two Divine Guard Chiefs! I will fill the vacancy left by Eugene!" said Anker, a Death Energy Cultivator. He had ascended to the Early-stage of Highgod less than a hundred years ago. He had returned to Hushveil City because he longed for the vacant post left by Eugene.
Originally, Hofs had explicitly told Westin that there was no way his family clan would have more than one Chief of Divine Guards, much to Anker's disappointment. Unexpectedly, however, such a momentous event occurred in Hushveil City that Hofs was compelled to offer such a lucrative bounty. Anker was thrilled by the offer and found it difficult to control his emotions.
Westin glanced at Anker and said in a low voice, "That will only happen if we kill them. Don't assume that's a done deal. Who knows, something unexpected might happen!"
Anker chuckled and disagreed, "What could possibly go wrong? Even if the two of them had the strength of the City Lord, there is no way they could escape from the encirclement of more than a thousand men. Besides, the most elite troops of our House of Simon are all here!
Westin felt that there was some truth in Anker's reasoning. He had faith in the elite troops of his family clan and thought that with more than a thousand men blocking the city gate, there was no way the two could escape.
"I'm not worried about them breaking the siege," Westin said with a faint smile, "I'm worried about them turning back when they see our army. If that happens, another clan will get the bounty."
Anker stared blankly for a moment before nodding and saying, "You are right. We have more than a thousand men here. Unless they are fools, they will surely turn back before walking into the trap. Brother-in-law, perhaps we should give them some hope. Otherwise, our bounty might go to other family clans!"
Westin agreed. After thinking for a moment, he instructed, "Teams Four, Six and Seven, go further away. Look for suitable structures to hide in. Teams One and Two will stay at the city gate. Do not frighten them away!"
Following Westin's orders, the elite troops of the House of Simon spread out even more. They too would try to hide as much as possible, as Westin had ordered.
Soon the forces of the House of Westin were far apart. Many of the Divine Guardians disappeared into the darkness.
After that, Westin was somewhat relieved. He beckoned, "Come, we will hide by the energy towers. They must not know that we are waiting for them at the city gate, lest they retreat without a fight!
Anker and another Highgod called Chandler nodded in agreement with Westin's words. They went to the energy towers around them to hide, lest their presence alert Han Shuo and Rose.
While those from the House of Westin moved into position, Han Shuo and Rose arrived at the city gate.
Han Shuo smiled in his mind as the demon generals he had placed at the city gate long ago had clearly heard every word of the conversation between Westin and Anker. Han Shuo knew exactly what those scheming foxes were up to.
But little did Westin know that his reduction of the forces stationed at the city gate was Han Shuo's wish. If all the divine guards of the House of Simon were blocked at the city gate, then it would be almost impossible for Han Shuo and Rose to get through. Westin had spread his forces far apart, increasing Han Shuo's chances of success.
And to further tilt the odds in his favour, Han Shuo decided to use a trick that had proven to be effective.
Han Shuo transmitted a command to Cauldron Spirit with his thought. Two demon generals transformed into his and Rose's appearances. The false Han Shuo and Rose rushed towards the city gate but as soon as they arrived at the region, they suddenly stopped. They looked towards the places where the House of Simon divine guards were hiding with alarmed eyes.
Han Shuo's and Rose's faces jolted. They exchanged glances and without a word, simultaneously turned around and left. Every emotion and expression on their faces were lifelike and indistinguishable from real, even from up close.
They truly are powerful experts! They managed to discover the concealed divine guards as soon as they arrive. This is bad! thought Westin and Anker and their hearts jolted when they saw Han Shuo and Rose turned on their heels and ran!
"Fucking hell, chase them down!" before Westin could react, Anker, who could not wait to take Eugene's post, rushed out from the energy tower he was hiding. Some of the divine guards followed Anker's lead and chased after the two demon generals.
Rose was elated. She softly exclaimed, "They took the bait!"
Han Shuo, however, remained as calm as ever. Using his two most powerful demon generals, he saw that Westin stayed in his energy tower and did not pursue the fake Han Shuo and Rose. It was clear that this patriarch of the House of Simon was not a rash man. For whatever reason, not only did Westin not follow Anker, he even instructed from his energy tower, "Team One, Two and Five, stay here. This gate is their only way out. They will not give up easily!"
If Han Shuo and Rose don't leave that night, the city gates around Hushveil City will be even more fortified, and the city will be even more heavily guarded. Westin felt that Han Shuo and Rose would definitely try to escape that very night. Therefore, he did not go after the fake images with Anker.
The two demon generals were far away from where Westin was hiding. There was no way for him to know that they were fake images. He decided to stay based on his gut feeling.
Westin had gone through countless hardships and trials to be where he was. The experience he had gained from the countless battles he had fought was perhaps more valuable than the wealth he had gained. In some situations, such rich experience might be more useful than extraordinary strength.
Although Westin's judgement was correct, it didn't necessarily mean that the outcome would be in his favour!
Following Westin's orders, part of the House of Simon's forces stayed behind.
Chandler, another Highgod of the House of Simon, also stayed behind. He was obedient to Westin. He continued to hide in his energy tower and watch.
"Some of them did not take the bait!" Rose could see the danger waiting for them at the city gate. She continued quietly, "I sense there are more divine guards than we could see. This is not good!"
"There are two Highgods hiding in each of those energy towers," Han Shuo said as he pointed to two energy towers. He continued quietly, "We do not have time for a battle of patience with them. Experts from other major family clans in the city must be gathering here. We need to break out from the City before Anker returns. Be careful of the two Highgods in the energy towers, they might launch a sneak attack. Make sure you do not get caught by surprise."
"We are going to strike soon?" said Rose excitedly. She seemed a little restless.
Han Shuo nodded unfeelingly. The invisible demon generals that were one with darkness floated to the House of Simon divine guards. They carefully avoided Westin and Chandler. No divine guard had noticed them.
"Move!" shouted Han Shuo softly. In an ice-cold face, he whooshed out from his hiding place and charged towards the city gate at the fastest speed.
They indeed have come! Westin's irises constricted. He placed his full attention on Han Shuo and Rose who had appeared without warning. He was prepared to make a surprise attack.
Those divine guards hiding in the dark become excited. They grew even more admiring of their patriarch's sharp judgment. In the face of Han Shuo and Rose charging at them with murderous intent, these divine guards of the House of Simon showed no fear. It was as if, under Westin's leadership, Han Shuo and Rose's deaths were certain.
On Westin's orders, the path to the city gate was deliberately left empty, waiting for Han Shuo and Rose to enter.
Although Han Shuo knew of Westin's plan, he had no choice but to take the path Westin had prepared for him as it was the only way to the city gate!
The terrifying whistling sounds of the seventeen flying swords pierced the air. Han Shuo and Rose flew through space with the seventeen flying swords.
Han Shuo knew that many divine guards were hiding around the path, waiting to ambush him. The seventeen flying swords began to fly around, slaughtering the divine guards who thought they were hiding very well.
At the same time, the demon generals who had been lying in wait transformed into material form and pounced on the divine guards. Caught off guard, many of the divine guards lost their lives to the greyish shadows almost instantly.
Once again, the scene of pitiful screaming and wailing resurfaced. Although the Divine Guards knew the weaknesses of the Demon Generals, the ambush was too sudden for the Divine Guards to react in time. Furthermore, since the Demon Generals strike in large swarms, the Divine Guards would quickly lose their lives. They had no chance to counterattack.
Han Shuo's attacks struck these elite divine guards hidden in the darkness as if everything between them was transparent. The demon generals that appeared out of nowhere were even more hidden than they were. The divine guards screamed in pain as they were struck.
Westin, who was watching from the energy tower high above, had a look of horror on his face. He had not expected Han Shuo to be so miraculous, as if he could foresee the future. Seeing that his Divine Guards were being ambushed, Westin immediately ordered his men, "Stop hiding and come out into the open! They are determined to charge out of this gate. Stop them!"
Han Shuo and Rose moved forward at extreme speed, defending themselves from the ranged attacks of the divine guards around them. Suddenly, Han Shuo unleashed Cyan Demon Blaze, Toxin Dragon Net, Banner of Hallucination and Green Hypergolic Dust. They flew towards the divine guards around them.
Cyan Demonblaze sizzled around. The ToxinDragon Net covered the area, emitting mists as corrosive as the seventeen flying swords. Green Hypergolic Dust burned everything it touched. The Banner of Hallucination produced countless duplicates of Han Shuo and Rose. No one could tell which were the real Han Shuo and Rose.
Many of the divine guards were killed or neutralised by the vicious demonic weapons Han Shuo had refined. The divine guards were thrown into chaos and confusion. Many were set on fire, some were penetrated by Cyan Demonblaze, while others were turned into skeletons after being trapped by the Toxin Dragon Net.
Since the Banner of Hallucination had created countless false images, the divine guards could not tell which of the attacks coming from all directions were real. The pressure on Han Shuo and Rose decreased significantly. They continued to charge forward.
Aided by the numerous demonic weapons, the two crossed the path and arrived at the city gate in no time. More divine guards were waiting for them at the city gate. The gate itself was locked from the outside. It was the last barrier standing between Han Shuo and his freedom.
Han Shuo took out a handful of the Pearls of Annihilation and hurled them at the city gate without looking. Since using the Pearls of Annihilation, Han Shuo's interest in high explosive demonic weapons had increased dramatically. He had obtained a new formula from the Cauldron Spirit that increased the power of the Pearls of Annihilation by several orders of magnitude.
When the handful of Pearls of Annihilation detonated, a series of world-shattering explosions rang out from the city gate. It was as if the entire city of Hushveil was about to collapse. Many of the divine guards were shattered. Their incomplete body parts flew in all directions. It was a scene of utter devastation.
When the dust settled, the city gate was revealed to be destroyed!