Great Demon King

GDK 504: Will You Take Me Away?

Han Shuo shook his head firmly, and as Kelly stared at him in astonishment, he said, “It’s not time yet!”

“How so?” Kelly asked, puzzled. Just looking at the master of the Hand of Goddess shouldn’t be that difficult, so he could not understand why Han Shuo would give such a flat refusal.

“Just like how Tiana needed time to merge with the Origin Crystal of Water, the master of Viride Leaf is as yet slowly merging with it and requires absolute serenity. He must not be disturbed,” Han Shuo explained.

But Han Shuo’s explanation only made Kelly more curious, staring at Han Shuo in confusion as he continued to question, “If I did not mishear you, you said earlier that the Hand of Goddess’ master is a zombie warrior. Do you actually mean to say that a zombie warrior is capable of fusing with our Druidic Order’s divine artifact, the Hand of Goddess?”

“Correct indeed!” Han Shuo replied confidently.

Old Kelly, who had lived through countless seasons, grew unnaturally pale and wan. His right hand subconsciously moved over his chest, as though Han Shuo’s explanation was too much to bear, then he said with his voice slightly trembling, “I have a feeling he isn’t really the emissary of our Goddess of Nature!”

Ludicrous! How could a zombie warrior from the netherworld be the Goddess of Nature’s emissary to the mortal realm?

“Of course not!” Han Shuo smiled faintly, eyeing the visibly disturbed trio with some interest. His gaze finally locked on the quietly muttering Kelly, and said, “He isn’t your emissary of the Goddess of Nature. Once he has fully mastered the Viride Leaf, I can let you meet him.”

“Does that mean that the Hand of Goddess will become his weapon?” Kelly heaved a low sigh and asked most unwillingly.

“Well, for lack of a better word, I can only say that this is indeed true,” Han Shuo looked at Kelly apologetically, raising his hands in a shrug. He felt a sudden surge of sympathy, and continued, “How about I pay you all some gold as compensation? I’m terribly sorry.”

From Lilian’s performance, Han Shuo could tell that the Druidic Order was not a religious organization that was good at managing finances. As Han Shuo had a rather favourable opinion of the Druidic Order, and with the intention to rope in Kelly, a demigod being with truly astonishing strength, Han Shuo attempted to make some material compensation by offering them gold coins.

“Forget about it. This was a dereliction of duty on our part. We cannot let you shoulder the consequences for our failure,” Kelly waved his hand sluggishly, refusing Han Shuo’s offer of monetary compensation. Looking at Kelly, then at Caspian and Lilian, Han Shuo understood that there was nothing much to say if he stuck around. With an awkward laugh, he said his goodbyes. “I still have some matters to attend to, so I’ll be taking my leave. If you are still interested in the master of the Hand of Goddess, you may come to find me in Brettel city, where you will be most welcome.”

The Viride Leaf ought to have been something that was circulated out from within the Druidic Order. While Han Shuo had used his own abilities to snatch it out of Zofi’s hands, that did not change the fact that he had taken something that belonged to them. Han Shuo understood the frustrations of the three, and knew that friendly chatter would be impossible if he stayed. Therefore, the best course of action was to leave as soon as possible and avoid the awkwardness.

“Very well, when I have the time I will certainly make a trip to Brettel City. Hmm, despite everything, it was a great pleasure to meet you,” Kelly did not ask him to stay, only displaying a rather bitter smile as he bid Han Shuo farewell.

“Likewise. Goodbye,” Han Shuo replied politely, nodding at great druid Caspian before turning around and left the valley.

After Han Shuo exited the valley, he did not immediately return to Ciro City, but instead, he pondered over his next recourses for taking care of the Shrine of Ice.

In Han Shuo’s eyes, the Shrine of Ice had greatly weakened with the death of Ice Celestial Corey. Snow Celestial Tiana could alone pose no threat to Han Shuo.

Han Shuo never forgot the hatred which stemmed from the betrayal he had suffered on the Church of Light’s sacred mountain. It’s just that Tiana had suddenly disappeared, and Han Shuo had no idea where she had escaped to. But he reckoned she was probably within the icy peaks of the Shrine of Ice.