Although it was clear that Han Shuo was an excellent boy, full of potential, no father would be open to the idea of becoming his father-in-law. Han Shuo already had a horde of female companions and none of them had any formal recognition whatsoever. As if that wasn't enough, there was no telling whether Han Shuo would continue to expand his harem. Wallace did not think that Carmelita could keep Han Shuo in check.
As far as Wallace was concerned, Carmelita would not have a happy life if she was married to Han Shuo. Therefore, he was rather resistant to the idea.
However, the scenario that Andre mentioned was very likely to happen in the future. Considering the strength Han Shuo had shown so far, Wallace felt that he wasn't someone who would be satisfied with being under someone else's authority. With Celestial Pearl Pharmacy being a money printing machine, it was only a matter of time before the House of Han completely replaced the void left by the House of Lavers in the City of Shadows.
With their patriarch, Han Shuo, possessing such valiant strength, and with a steady stream of wealth generated by the Celestial Pearl Pharmacy, the House of Han was sure to have a bright future. If one day the presence of the House of Han inevitably threatened the position of the House of Sainte, without a stronger bond to bind the two families together, Wallace was sure that the elders of his family clan would do something about it.
After much thought, Wallace realised that the consequences of doing nothing would be disastrous. Andre's proposal, if carried out soon, could avoid the disastrous outcome they foresaw. Although Wallace was tempted to do so, he also felt that Han Shuo was simply too much of a womaniser. He could not make a decision in such a short time.
"Let's not be too hasty. Although I am very satisfied with the performance of this young man in almost every aspect, he simply has too many romantic partners around him. Besides, Carmelita hasn't shown any romantic interest in him. That needs to be carefully considered," Wallace replied after a long pause.
Andre nodded and said nothing. He knew exactly what Wallace was worried about, but he had no advice to offer.
The competition between the Seven Corps had not yet begun. Most of the participants were using their free time to study the terrain of the Soaring Clouds Mountain Range, except for those from the Fifth Corps. They had arrived at the mountain range much earlier and had completed their preparations long ago. Following Han Shuo's orders, none of the Divine Guards of the Fifth Corps travelled around the mountain range, staying within their camp zone to rest and conserve energy.
Han Shuo did not. He often went out to drink and chat with Erebus and Aobashi. Carmelita usually joined them as well. These Divine Guard Chiefs did not show the tension or solemnity before a competition.
On one such day, Han Shuo, Erebus and Carmelita were happily chatting with Aobashi over at their First Corps campsite. Without warning, a young man with dark green skin and piercing eyes appeared. He had short, neatly trimmed hair that stood firmly on his head. He appeared to be an icy, arrogant and stern person.
When he appeared at the party, he only gave Erebus a slight nod before going straight to Aobashi and staring at her intensely without speaking. A few seconds later, he nodded coldly and said, "Not bad, you have not diminished in strength!" Then he announced in a loud voice, "Aobashi, I'm going to defeat you this year!"
Aobashi seemed to know what this man was going to say. With a scornful grin on her face, she moaned softly and said, "It has been many centuries, but you have never been able to defeat me, not even once. This time will be no different."
"It will be different!" replied the man, his face solemn and full of confidence. Those who did not know better would be easily swayed by his confidence.
"Nah. You'll lose to me again, like always," Aobashi replied. She laughed softly and said, "Ralph, you have always used the cruelest method to train your troops. You train them in the most dangerous environments with no regard for their lives. That is the only reason why your Second Corps can take first place in the team competition!" Aobashi paused for a moment before continuing, "I completely disagree with your methods. Even though your Second Corps has always placed first in the team competition, that doesn't justify your cruel methods!"
"How I run my Second Corps is none of your business!" Ralph groaned coldly and said, "In short, this time my Second Corps will achieve total victory! And I will defeat you in the duel!"
""Huh, what a cheeky punk!" Carmelita couldn't stand it any longer and commented. Although Ralph was loyal to her father, he wasn't particularly friendly to other members of the House of Sainte. When Ralph came in, he did not nod or greet Carmelita. This meant that Ralph was the servant of Wallace alone and not of the House of Sainte.
Ralph glared at Carmelita and said in an emotionless and indifferent voice, "You have been seriously injured twice in a few years and wasted so much of His Lordship's divine essence. Are you not ashamed? You should be cultivating instead of coming to the competition.
Carmelita was furious. She pointed at Ralph and said, "What is so great about you? All you've ever done is make every Divine Guard in your Second Corps as cold-blooded and inhuman as you are. First place in team strength? At what cost? Don't think we don't know how many have died because of your ridiculously harsh training!
Though the City of Shadows was vast, few dared to criticise Carmelita as unreservedly as Ralph had just done. Carmelita had always despised Ralph. But since Ralph was trusted and respected by Wallace, there wasn't much Carmelita could do to him. Also, Ralph was stronger than Carmelita, which made her feel helpless when she had to face him. It was also because of this that Ralph did not have to care about her feelings when he spoke to her.
"Bryan, teach this guy a lesson for me!" Carmelita must be seething with anger. She looked to Han Shuo, the only person in the party who was not a member of the House of Sainte, for support.
Han Shuo forced a smile and replied helplessly, "This is a personal matter for your family clan. It is not my place to interfere."
Although Han Shuo did not find Ralph very likeable, he was still a member of the House of Sainte and an important henchman of Wallace. The matter between Ralph and Carmelita could be considered a private matter of the Sainte family. He wasn't in a position to interfere.
Han Shuo might be disinclined to have any friction with Ralph, but Ralph didn't seem to reciprocate. He shot a cold glance at Han Shuo and sneered disdainfully. In an indifferent tone, he remarked, "This guy? Pfft, he doesn't have the capacity to do so!"
Han Shuo bunched his brows for he was now triggered. Han Shuo had long heard about Ralph's infamous temperament. He had absolutely no scruples in anything he does or speaks and doesn't even save any respect for the patriarchs of the other three major family clans. Unlike Aobashi and Erebus, Ralph doesn't know what courtesy is. After finally meeting Ralph, Han Shuo learned that the rumors were indeed true.
This isn't going to end up well for Ralph! thought Aobashi and Erebus immediately. The two knew that although Han Shuo may appear innocent and friendly at all times, he doesn't take provocation lightly and once he erupts, all hell will break loose.
And as they had expected, after Han Shuo looked at Ralph for a moment, he did not show any anger but put on an insincere smile and said, "I heard that the Second Corps ranked first in team combat strength, but I just find it quite hard to believe. Hehe, my newly assembled Fifth Corps is looking forward to discovering what the Second Corps is made of on the battlefield!"
After a short pause, Han Shuo put on another fake smile and remarked, "Oh, by the way, I'm sure Lord Ralph won't come in second place in the competition between the Divine Guard Chiefs."
"Nor will he take first place!" added Aobashi.
Han Shuo turned to Aobashi and said smilingly, "That's for sure!" Han Shuo paused for a moment to let Ralph's face darken before he confidently asserted, "As far as I'm concerned, he'll get third place at best."
Aobashi raised an eyebrow, smiled amusedly and said, "So you mean you'll take second place?"
Han Shuo smiled mischievously and replied, "I'm pretty sure I can defeat him. It won't be that difficult!"
Carmelita and Erebus looked astonished when they heard these words. After a few seconds, Erebus shook his head in a strange way, while Carmelita cheered and clapped. She said happily, "Very good, Bryan. I like your confidence! If you beat him in the contest, you will have my gratitude!"
"Consider it done!" Han Shuo replied arrogantly.
Ralph's face had grown darker and darker as he listened to their conversation. Finally, he snapped. He suddenly shouted, "No need to wait until the competition! Let's see if you have anything to back up your bravado right here and now!"
With these words out of his mouth, Ralph suddenly attacked. His palm filled with the divine energy of destruction shot at Han Shuo who was only a few arm's lengths away.
The cordial smile on Han Shuo's face did not diminish as he coldly watched Ralph's big hand approaches. Cauldron Spirit's energy suddenly filled his body and a tremendous amount of energy gathered on Han Shuo's right index finger. It moved at lightning speed and made contact with Ralph's palm. A bizarre radiance erupted spread from the finger to the palm.
A violent surge of energy came from Han Shuo's finger and halted Ralph's palm completely. Immediately following that, Han Shuo's pointed finger closed into a fist. An explosive force even more ferocious than the last smashed into Ralph's palm.
Thud, thud thud… Ralph was forced to take a few steps in reverse by the tremendous power.
When Ralph finally regained his balance, there was no longer a trace of disdain on his face when he looked at Han Shuo and it was replaced with solemness. He nodded coldly and remarked, "Not bad, you have proven yourself to be having more than just a big mouth. However, with what you have, defeating me is nothing more than a pipe dream!" Upon finishing those words, Ralph turned on his heels, started walking away while saying, "Lord Wallace prohibits fighting outside of the competition. I will crush you to the core when the tournament comes!"
It was obvious that Ralph's attack was only meant to test Han Shuo's strength and he had not used his full power. Ralph was not discouraged after stumbling backwards from Han Shuo's counterattack. He had gained a rough understanding of Han Shuo's strength from this little encounter.
Ralph had not used his full strength, but neither had Han Shuo. He had not even used the seventeen flying swords.
Han Shuo couldn't help but laugh. He said to the departing Ralph, "Let me tell you, not only will I defeat you in the individual category, but your Second Corps will also have to relinquish first place in the team category. You have held on to that title for too long!"
Ralph stopped and turned to look at Han Shuo. He grinned and said, "We shall see!"
Second Corps had always been the champion in the team competition. Ralph had more confidence in the strength of his corps than in his own. He suddenly felt that Han Shuo was more arrogant than he was!