Chapter 723: 723
GDK 723: Taking over Godswamp
At dawn, Andre and Erebus joined forces and broke through seven layers of barriers in one spurt of energy, allowing them to locate the pathway to the underground warehouse . Those divine guards brought by the two then rushed underground like starving wolves and returned to the surface with fifteen pharmacists who specialized in producing poisons . And, of course, the filthy and illegal materials were found and seized .
Having been caught red-handed, there was no room left for Steiss to dispute about his innocence . He drooped his head low in silence after realizing that his fate was sealed .
“So it is you and your pharmacy who did it! You have damaged the friendship between Mister Bryan and I . You deserve to die a thousand times for your heinous crime!” Rugersey shouted at Steiss . He was fuming with rage .
It was thanks to the set up made by the Godswamp Pharmacy that Han Shuo had a poor impression of the House of Kisa . At this point in time, Han Shuo had proved that he was better than any other pharmacist . With that, no one would dare question the efficacy of the medicines he produced . Everyone was fighting to get their hands on Han Shuo’s medicine but Rugersey’s family clans had been denied access . For this, Rugersey could not be more furious towards Steiss and would have finished Steiss right then if Andre and Erebus were not there .
Those members of large family clans who came to follow the event felt that their trip had been worthwhile . They all wore unsightly, dark faces when they saw icy glass containers with human organs in them being taken out from the underground . Godswamp Pharmacy had been conducting such atrocious act right under the noses of the five major family clans . Seeing the frozen organs being unearthed was tantamount to slapping them on their faces .
“What excuse are you going to give now, Steiss?” Andre coldly groaned while staring at Steiss gloomily .
“As things stand, I have nothing to say!” Steiss knew that his doom was certain . He took out a dagger glistening with icy light in his trembling hand, ready to slit his own throat and end it there and then .
Ting! Andre flicked his index finger . A ghostly ray streaked across the air and sent the dagger far away from Steiss’ hand .
“Don’t think about dying before we have completed our investigation!” Andre groaned . He then instructed, “Restrain him and throw him in prison!”
Erebus waved his hand and his divine guards from his Third Corps got into action . All the poison-producing pharmacists and employees of the Godswamp Pharmacy were restrained and captured .
“Bryan, I owe you yet another favor!” Andre said to Han Shuo smilingly after all those associated with the Godswamp Pharmacy were restrained . He was visibly relaxed .
“I only did what I was supposed to!” Han Shuo was elated . Not only was the Godswamp Pharmacy done for, but he also managed to raise his reputation yet again . It was clear which pharmacy the large family clans would frequent from that day onwards .
“Folks, this will be it for now . Please disperse,” Andre informed the civilians before saying to Han Shuo in a low voice, “Don’t leave yet, there’s something I need to discuss with you,”
Han Shuo nodded, puzzled . He did not know what Andre would want to talk about .
After hearing Andre’s instruction, those members of large family clans said their goodbyes to him . These people became even more revering of Han Shuo’s skills in medicine refinement . Before they left, they would approach Han Shuo with smiles from ear to ear and attempt to become closer to Han Shuo . They only left contented after Han Shuo promised to produce more medicine for them .
“That… erm . . . Bryan, it was indeed my fault for not investigating the matter properly . I’m very sorry . Please don’t hold grudges for my past transgression…" Rugersey went to Han Shuo in an embarrassed manner and apologized with a flustered smile while kneading his own hands .
“I’m not one to hold grudges but, given how unpleasant the experience was, I’m still not in a good mood . I’m sorry but for now, I have no interest in doing business with your family!” Han Shuo shrugged and replied in an arrogant and impolite manner .
Rugersey understood that such things would take time . It was just yesterday that he had offended Han Shuo and it was only natural that Han Shuo would still be offended . Knowing that he must not rush things, he tried to persuade him gently before leaving with his men .
Donna and Diwen were the last few among the crowd to leave . She looked at Han Shuo for a while as though wanting to talk to him but hesitated . After mulling about something for a few minutes, she did not talk to him but merely let out a gentle sigh before leaving with Diwei .
Han Shuo understood that Donna suspected that he was the person who murdered Cage and Eve . He too sighed in his heart but did not say a thing . But strangely, that Diwei who used to be dismissive and cold towards him, nodded cordially when their gazes met . It was as though Diwei was trying to be friendly . This was rather astonishing to Han Shuo .
“Erebus, take these people back to the Third Corps and lock them in prison . I will be there after having a few words with Bryan,” Andre said to Erebus .
Erebus nodded, walked to Han Shuo, patted his shoulder, and said in a gentle voice, “Young man, well done!” Erebus then left with his divine guards and those he detained .
Although Erebus could be considered as a member of the House of Sainte, he did not originate from the Sainte Family and wasn’t related to Wallace or Andre in blood . He was an expert Wallace managed to recruit with his own strength and methods . And though Erebus could be considered as one of the top experts within the City of Shadows, at the end of the day, he was just a high-level divine guard under the House of Sainte . Wallace may have been the only person he had to report to but nonetheless, he would still have to take orders from Andre .
Soon enough, Erebus and his grandiose party were gone . A portion of the House of Sainte divine guards who came with Andre also left . Only around thirty divine guards dispersed around the area to protect Andre .
“Lord Andre, what’s the matter?” asked Han Shuo .
“You saved Carmelita’s life twice and just then, helped us to locate the evidence that would incriminate Godswamp Pharmacy . I couldn’t find the opportunity to thank you all these while, but at long last, I will have the chance!” Andre smiled and said in a cordial manner .
Han Shuo stared blankly for a moment before he shook his head and said, “Lord Andre, that is not true . I could establish the Celestial Pearl Pharmacy in this city so quickly only with the help of your Lordship and Miss Carmelita . You don’t have to thank me!”
“No, I must!” Andre insisted with a grin . He thought for a moment, then continued, “After this incident, the Godswamp Pharmacy is utterly doomed . In accordance with the rules, all those buildings and assets owned by the Godswamp will be confiscated . Although the Godswamp Pharmacy’s business in the City of Shadows is completely ruined, their buildings and equipment would still be very valuable . In those buildings were hundreds, if not thousands of tools and equipment for medicine refinement, not to mention the libraries of books . These things would be a tremendous resource for any pharmacy!”
Han Shuo’s eyes brightened . He could not contain his excitement and cried out, “Lord Andre, you mean… you mean…”
Andre nodded and said, “The House of Sainte doesn’t know how to refine medicine and we have no use for those resources after seizing them . They will only be auctioned off sooner or later . However, rather than benefiting others, we might as well benefit you . Besides, your Celestial Pearl Pharmacy has become reputable in the city . I believe that if you take over the resources the Godswamp Pharmacy previously owned, it would only be a matter of time before the Celestial Pearl Pharmacy becomes the largest pharmacy in the City of Shadows . What say you?”
Han Shuo finally got to understand the benefit of being close to influential and powerful people . Although the Godswamp Pharmacy had gone to the dogs, they possessed enormous resources in the City of Shadows . Other than in the city itself, they even had branches in the satellite forts and towns . If Han Shuo was to switch the signboards with his own, his Celestial Pearl would become the biggest pharmacy in the City of Shadows overnight .
Taking over all the properties of Godswamp Pharmacy would be like giving an adrenaline shot to his Celestial Pearl Pharmacy!
Han Shuo would have to take tens if not hundreds of years to slowly advance his Celestial Pearl Pharmacy to the scale of operation the Godswamp Pharmacy had in the City of Shadows . But with this favor done by Andre, Han Shuo could cut down the effort and time needed by several hundred folds . How could Han Shuo not be excited?
“This… this… too precious…" Han Shuo stammered while kneading his hands .
“You have proved yourself to be better than every other pharmacist! Those fellas will surely spread what happened last night all over the city . It will be a great promotion for your pharmacy . You are most suited to take over the Godswamp Pharmacy’s resources!”
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