Chapter 15: The Great Prince
Steve was the next Chief Judge. The three officials Su Xiao had eliminated earlier weren't in particularly important positions; their vacancies could go unfilled for a few days without issue. But the position of Chief Judge, who oversaw the law, couldn't remain vacant even for a single day, especially since the power struggle had already begun.
Steve had come here to hand over some important matters with Elway. Elway was very cooperative, informing Steve of all the key affairs.
Elway was definitely going to die. Under these circumstances, was he being cooperative because he had water in his brain? No, this was a very clever move. He was using his final efforts to protect his family.
One hour later.
"That's roughly it. How to handle things afterward depends on your personal ability."
Elway let out a long sigh, as if expelling that breath had drained all his strength.
"Iron Hand, I've done what needed to be done. Does… His Majesty have any message for me?"
"The treasury is tight."
Hearing Su Xiao's words, Elway's lips parted and closed, finally letting out only a bitter laugh. He still couldn't figure out the thoughts of that 'old lion.'
A piece of parchment slid out from Su Xiao's sleeve. He tossed it to Steve beside him.
"Read it."
Steve opened the parchment.
"Chief Judge Elway Anthony has violated the laws of the kingdom, knowingly committing offenses…"
"Read the key points."
Su Xiao interrupted Steve's lengthy preamble. In truth, the old king's main directive was only a single sentence, but after passing through the document officer and the new Chief Judge Steve, it had turned into a pile of nonsense.
"Decree: Elway Anthony shall drink poison. His family shall be exiled to the Sier Heights, never to be employed by the royal family again."
Steve complied readily, and he had no choice but to comply. His predecessor was about to die right before his eyes—this was a live demonstration of killing the chicken to scare the monkey.
Steve pulled a clay bottle from his bosom and placed it on the desk.
"This is a relatively dignified death."
"Heh, what difference does it make."
Elway grabbed the clay bottle. His hands began to tremble, but he was smiling. Though his family was being exiled to the bitter cold Sier Heights, they could continue living. As long as they lived, there was hope.
"Even in defeat… one must lose with dignity. I bet on the Great Prince to succeed. Iron Hand, where do you stand in the upcoming power struggle?"
Elway pulled out the cork from the clay bottle and poured the liquid medicine into his mouth. He closed his eyes, leaning back in that expensive chair, recalling a man with a small goatee who had once said to him: 'Run, Elway. If I win, you can become my subject.'
"Brilliant."
Under the deadly poison of the Blue Sword Flower, Elway quickly lost consciousness. His 'brilliant' might have referred to his brilliant life, or perhaps to this brilliant power struggle.
Chief Judge Elway Anthony was the first to fall in this power struggle. He hadn't died from greed, nor from backing the wrong side, but from his unwillingness to let go of the great power in his hands. Power was like a drug—once you tasted even a trace, it became impossible to resist, eventually pulling you in deep until you were consumed by it.
[Hunter has completed the side mission: Purge. Obtained 100,000 Paradise Coins.]
…
From all perspectives, two people benefited the most from this purge. Su Xiao gained resources needed to grow stronger, and the old king eliminated the unstable elements within the royal capital.
All four targets had been dealt with. The next matter was to inventory the wealth of these four individuals, a task handled by the Kingdom's Financial Officer, Rowan Harvey, who was already waiting at home. This old fellow was clever, knowing full well what was about to happen tonight.
Inventorying the wealth of these four wasn't simple. It wasn't just a matter of looting a few treasuries. Over 80% of their assets were in real estate.
Of course, 99% of the inventoried wealth came from Elway Anthony. The other three had been eliminated for different issues.
The councilman had backed the wrong side and was somewhat incompetent. The inspector had meddled in too many affairs—or rather, 'abused his authority' sounded better. The Grand Temple Priest knew too many secrets. The Chief Judge was the old king's 'newbie welcome package' for the new king.
That night, every official in the royal capital feared for their lives. When the 'Iron Hand' knocked on their door, it would mean their death. Thus, not a single official in the royal capital could sleep.
Su Xiao walked through the streets of the royal capital, followed by ten Imperial Guards and several hundred of the royal family's direct guards.
Su Xiao had thought the purge was over, but the old king suddenly summoned him urgently and handed him another very long list. Some officials on the list were to be executed, others imprisoned.
The officials on the second list, of course, didn't need to be handled like the previous ones. They would go through a series of rapid judgments—those who deserved death would be killed, those who deserved prison would be imprisoned.
The large-scale sweep began. Around one in the morning, a total of 67 officials, both high and low, were taken away. Among them, 12 were executed, 18 were sentenced to life imprisonment, and the rest received several years of imprisonment.
The old king had actually planned this purge long ago, so the entire power structure was barely affected.
That night, the bodies were transported out of the royal capital in cart after cart. The streets even carried a scent of blood.
The princes and princesses didn't yet know that before they arrived in the royal capital, all the unstable elements here had already been dealt with.
These purged officials had intricate connections throughout the kingdom's power structure. They had served as officials their entire lives. The princes and princesses were no match for these old foxes in power struggles. They were capable, yes, but their territories were too far from the royal capital. At this point in time, the danger level of the royal capital was no lower than the front lines. The evil in people's hearts was the most terrifying thing of all.
At three in the morning, Su Xiao finally completed the purge with his men. In this matter, he not only gained items like Legendary Chests but also made the identity of the Iron Hand a name that struck fear into everyone's hearts.
As soon as Su Xiao returned to his residence, he noticed the courtyard was noticeably cleaner. At least the pool full of foul water had been cleaned, no longer emitting a strange odor.
"Milord, you've returned. The bathwater is ready."
Two little girls trotted over on small steps. Just as they were about to perform a grand bow, Su Xiao waved his hand. As a modern person, he wasn't used to people kneeling before him.
After a hot bath, the scent of blood on him had faded considerably. Su Xiao lay down on the bed and soon fell asleep. Amu slept at the door, as he did in every world, to prevent anyone from ambushing Su Xiao.
…
The next morning, the rising sun appeared on the horizon. It seemed as if nothing had happened in the royal capital, or rather, the commoners had no idea what had occurred the night before.
The princes and princesses closest to the royal capital would arrive today.
At the city gate of the royal capital, a luxurious carriage drove in. The carriage was entirely made of metal, with a black base and gold patterns. The driver was a knight with sharp eyes, and the carriage was pulled by two black stallions with single horns on their heads—a very rare species.
The curtain of the carriage was lifted, and a handsome man around 40 years old, with a small goatee on his chin, leaned out. He was the Great Prince that Elway Anthony had mentioned.
"Finally arrived at the royal capital."
The Great Prince gazed into the distance at the scenery of the royal capital, a gentle smile on his face, giving people a feeling of spring breeze.
"Your Highness, we have many opponents this time, and many people we need to win over."
An old man inside the carriage spoke. He was the Great Prince's trusted confidant.
"Indeed, many enemies. But the people we need to win over are few. Kingdom Financial Officer Rowan Harvey, Chief Executive Officer Joe Valentine, and Legion Commander Hesterlet. With the support of these three, no one can oppose me. They are Father's right and left hands."
"And what about that Iron Hand? If those three are the right and left hands, the Iron Hand is almost His Majesty's proxy."
The old man spoke. He very much wanted to win over Su Xiao, the Iron Hand.
"The Iron Hand? He's the arbiter, not someone we can win over. His support is too fantastical, so I never considered it. Last night, he bloodily purged the royal capital. Chief Judge Elway Anthony was once so glorious, and now he's just a corpse."
The Great Prince sat back inside the carriage. He was the first of the old king's children to arrive in the royal capital, and he also had a 'right of immunity' secretly granted by the old king, making him a hot favorite in this power struggle. As Bubu Wang would put it: 'This dog bets five cents, this guy is definitely the new king.'