With Phoebe, Emily, and the others in tow, Han Shuo traveled at an unhurried pace and finally reached Deep Valley in the Chaos Lands half a month later.
The Han Family now owned ten Monarch Shops in Deep Valley, and Han Family Guards were stationed at one of the valley entrances facing Demon-Hidden Valley. When Han Shuo arrived, his entire party swept straight in without having to pay any Black Crystal Coins.
Blood Spirit, Bolands, and Gilbert had already reached Deep Valley and happened to be at Celestial Pivot Pharmacy. As soon as Han Shuo and Stassom arrived, Bolands came forward to admit his fault. "Senior brother, the three of us rashly went ahead and ran into men belonging to Rogg, another of the great sovereigns. If Han Hao's subordinates hadn't rescued us, we probably wouldn't have made it to Deep Valley. The responsibility is mine. Please punish me, senior brother!"
Bolands took all the responsibility upon himself without revealing a word about Blood Spirit and Gilbert's goading.
"It had nothing to do with him, Master. Blood Spirit and I came up with the idea!" Seeing Bolands take the blame, Gilbert immediately cried out.
Blood Spirit said nothing and merely nodded.
"Enough, enough. I already know what happened. You don't need to tell me again!" Han Shuo snapped impatiently. He glanced at Bolands and said, "I know your temperament very well. This clearly had little to do with you. Gilbert and Blood Spirit must have been the ones who came up with the idea."
"Gilbert, Blood Spirit, starting today, your punishment is two years in seclusion. Reflect properly on what you've done! Hmph, out of fifty Han Family Guards, more than twenty died because of your rash actions. Spend these two years atoning to your fallen brothers!" Han Shuo barked