Since Baum was executed and McKinley replaced him as the City Lord of Ethereal City, the city had rapidly improved in terms of commerce and combat capability.
One of McKinley's first acts as City Lord was to reduce taxes on all types of trade. He would also maintain the City's economic and political system, where there is minimal government involvement in certain areas of public policy and the private sector. All who came in peace were allowed to enter the Ethereal City.
McKinley had proved far more capable than Baum. Not only was he good at management, but he was also good at rallying support, and nearly every family clan and merchant in the city approved of his rule. The divine guards who had previously served Baum had all switched their allegiance to McKinley and served him well.
With the generous support of the City Lord, the Celestial Pearl Pharmacy and the Goldstone Enterprise had become the largest businesses in their respective sectors in Ethereal City. They dominated the market.
Emily, Phoebe and the others had been living in Ethereal City for some time, and they had received the best treatment from McKinley, the City Lord. They truly felt like VVIP guests. Unlike the City of Shadows, the regulations in Ethereal City were much more lax, and the experts who lived there cultivated a much more diverse type of energy. Not only was it a better place to live, it was also far more prosperous than the City of Shadows.
With McKinley's help and Emily and Phoebe's expertise in running a business, the House of Han's Celestial Pearl Pharmacy and the Goldstone Enterprise quickly dominated the market, crushing most of their competitors and becoming the monopoly on medicine and energy crystals in Ethereal City.
*** At the Celestial Pearl Pharmacy, Phoebe, Emily, Sanguis, Bollands and the others gathered for a regular meeting.
"Ethereal City is truly a wonderful place, but Bryan has said that the Fringe is where we belong. We won't be here too long, so there's no need to put too much effort into improving this place," Stratholme said with a smile.
The Han family had lived in great comfort and security. They could sense that McKinley treated them with the utmost sincerity based on their past experiences.
"I have nothing but praise for McKinley. In fact, I feel that he is overly kind to us. Despite the constant pressure from these merchants and the criticism that he is biased, he still refuses to tax our businesses. What a guy," Phoebe said with a smile. She felt like Ethereal City was her giant playground, where she could do what she did best.
"But we must not be presumptuous, lest we cause trouble for McKinley. In any case, Ethereal City will not be our home. As soon as Bryan returns, we will leave for the Fringe," Emily said, wanting to return McKinley's kindness.
"Why hasn't Master returned yet? I wonder how he is," said Sanguis, who seemed rather worried.
Upon hearing these words, the group fell silent. They understood that Han Shuo's murder of City Lord Hill meant that he would most likely face the wrath of the Death Overgod. To them, the Overgod of Death was an unimaginably powerful being. The longer they lived on Elysium, the more this idea was reinforced in their minds.
Although they were confident in Han Shuo, when they remembered that Han Shuo might have to face a virtually invincible existence, they would still be worried about his safety.
"Don't worry, Master will be fine. Even if he cannot fight an Overgod, he should have no trouble escaping!" Gilbert remained blindly convinced of Han Shuo's power, as he always was. He didn't worry about Han Shuo's safety at all.
"An Overgod with the Quintessence possesses the purest of their fundamental power. There are only twelve of them in the entire universe. Their power is certainly far beyond the limits of our imagination, so we cannot speculate. All we can do is hope that our Patriarch is all right," Bollands said after a sigh. He seemed a little concerned.
"All right, you can stop worrying now. Pack your things, because we are going to the Fringe!" said Han Shuo after his majestic figure suddenly materialised in the room.
"Bryan! I'm glad you're all right. What happened?" asked Emily hurriedly.
"Hill, Hofs, Wallace, Larikson, Ralph - they are all dead!" Han Shuo smiled and looked at the group before remarking, "It seems McKinley has treated you well."
"Definitely. Compared to how we were treated in Witherbone City, this place is simply heaven!" said Stratholme with a faint smile. He seemed to like the place.
Sanguis, Emily, Phoebe and the others cheered when they heard that Hill and the others had been killed. They were the mortal enemies of the House of Han and their deaths could only be good for their reputation and their future. They would also have fewer hidden threats to worry about.
"Alright, you should start packing. I'll pay McKinley a visit and then we'll start our journey to the Fringe. No matter how great Ethereal City is, it is still someone else's land. In the Fringe, however, we will be the true landlords. I'm sure once you've seen the Pandemonium, you'll love the place just as much," Han Shuo said with a smile before abruptly disappearing.
***Inside the City Lord's Mansion of Ethereal City.
McKinley, who was meditating in his gymnasium, suddenly broke into a wide smile. He was happy to see Han Shuo who had suddenly appeared in front of him. "Bryan! You've finally come to visit me!"
McKinley's demeanour had changed. The gloom that had accumulated over the millennia of his imprisonment was gone, and he seemed energetic and in high spirits. He was very happy to be the City Lord of Ethereal City.
"Hehe, you seem to be doing quite well and your strength has improved! So when are you going to break through to the Overgod Realm?" asked Han Shuo jokingly.
Han Shuo and McKinley had kept in touch over the past few years. Although they rarely met, thanks to the proximity of Ethereal City to the fringe, they had written to each other frequently. Han Shuo was aware of McKinley's situation in Ethereal City, and McKinley knew what Han Shuo had been doing in the Fringe.
"No matter how fast my strength increases, I'm still a snail compared to you!" McKinley laughed heartily before remarking, "I still remember how weak you were back on the Profound Continent. But who would have expected you to advance to such a great realm in less than a hundred years after coming to Elysium? What a freak you are!"
"I will be taking my family to the Fringe soon. Any progress on those devices you promised to make for me?" asked Han Shuo.
"I already have them ready for you," McKinley smiled and a space ring flew towards Han Shuo before he named the devices, "Magic Mirror, Portal Scroll, Spatial Disruptor..." He also informed Han Shuo on how to use these devices.
The Magic Mirror was a communication device that could allow people separated by great distances to communicate, which would be very useful for Han Shuo's intelligence gathering in the Fringe.
The Portal Scroll was a wonderful escape tool. Han Shuo might not need one, but if his family members had a Portal Scroll, they could use the space-time tearing device to escape from danger. It would greatly increase their chances of survival.
As the name suggested, the Spatial Disruptor was a device for disrupting space-time. An average Space Edict expert, or a resourceful person with a Portal Scroll, could usually escape by ripping space-time. With a Spatial Disruptor, the Han family members could prevent their victims from escaping by this method.
Aside from the three devices, Han Shuo was also given several other types of devices that only a Space Edict Cultivator could produce. Some of them were even useful to Han Shuo.
"Nice, fantastic! Hehe, thank you very much!" Han Shuo felt and scanned the space ring in his hand. He discovered magic mirrors, portal scrolls, and other spatial devices, each numbering in the dozens. More than enough for his family members.
"So, Bryan, I heard that you wreaked havoc in the City of Gorging Clouds and fought Yarus. Is that true?" asked McKinley suddenly. He seemed unusually interested in the matter.
Han Shuo nodded and replied with a smile, "Yes. I can confirm the rumours that Yarus has attained the Overgod Realm are true. He is a decent and honourable man. I'd be more than happy to have him as a friend, but it's too bad we can only be enemies because I killed his brother Larikson."
McKinley laughed and shook his head as if at a loss for words. Then, after thinking for a moment, he asked Han Shuo in a somewhat embarrassed manner, "Bryan, can I ask you a favour?"
Han Shuo stared blankly for a split second before smiling and replying, "Of course, there's no need for hesitation between us. Just tell me what it is and you can consider it done. I would even kill and plunder for you."
McKinley's eyes glistened. He seemed to be touched by Han Shuo's words. He was silent for a moment before asking, "As you should know, it was Gyál, one of the Lightkeepers, who separated my divine soul from my divine body. I want revenge and I hope you can help me.
Gyál was one of the three Lightkeepers, the most devout disciple of the God of Light. He had reached the Late-stage of Highgod power many years ago, and McKinley was no match for him. In order to defeat Gyál, he needed at least some help, and Han Shuo was the most suitable candidate.
"No problem. Just let me know where and when," Han Shuo agreed without thinking.
"Thank you! I will let you know when I've located Gyál," McKinley thanked Han Shuo solemnly.
"Sure, I will wait for your message. Alright, time for me to return to the fringe," Han Shuo said smiling and disappeared without exchanging pleasantries.