The Lord Of Blood Hill

After Henwell’s first Court of Judicial Review meeting of the new year concludes, the two Junior Ministers of the Court exchange complicated looks when they glance at Henwell.

With promotion and wealth come inevitable celebrations and banquets.

As the party winds down and the congratulatory crowd disperses, several people from the main table are pulled over to other tables to keep drinking.

Sui Luqing looks at Henwell, hesitating before finally offering a congratulatory remark.

Henwell smiles and says, “Luqing, I stole your spot. I hope you don’t hold a grudge.”

Sui Luqing bows slightly. “Henwell, you’re joking. I’m genuinely happy for you. This promotion comes from your risking your life and fighting with everything you have. No one else envies you or has the courage and boldness you do. Your rise to Minister of the Court of Judicial Review is well deserved. But…”

He trails off mid-sentence.

Henwell doesn’t press for more or urge him to continue. Instead, he toys with the wine glass in his hand.

After a moment’s hesitation, Sui Luqing lowers his voice and says, “Henwell, you need to be careful.”

Henwell looks up and smiles at him. “Luqing, you’re the only one who’s warned me. Seems you really do consider me a friend. “

”You know, it’s not easy to have a friend in the capital, especially in the treacherous world of officialdom. Everyone sees my current success, like a blazing fire or blooming flowers, but the truth is, I’m already on a dead-end path.”

“I forced the Crown Prince of the South King to his doom, risking upheaval in the empire’s southern regions. I ruthlessly took down the favored seventh prince, even if that was the emperor’s will, I’m the one who sparked the father-son conflict. People like me might seem destined for promotion and wealth, but usually, we don’t end well.”

“Though I hold a high position now, I’m nothing more than a lone minister. It won’t be long before I’m made a scapegoat to quell public discontent, especially to appease the South King, who governs the empire’s southern regions.”

“Appointing a fourth-rank Warden of the Prison Department to calm him down isn’t enough. If the emperor wants to truly placate the South King, sacrificing a Minister of the Court of Judicial Review sends a much stronger message.”

Sui Luqing is surprised at Henwell’s clear grasp of the danger ahead, insights he only learned from his own elders.

He never expected that this barbarian from the Western Regions would possess such sharp political instincts.

Sui Luqing asks, puzzled, “If you see the danger so clearly, Henwell, why take such a huge risk?”

Henwell chuckles softly. “Heh… Of course, it’s for the sake of officialdom! After all, I’m still the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, a third-rank minister of the empire. If I win this gamble, I might not keep my current post, but at least I’ll hold onto my rank.”

”Being a third-rank official is still a big deal! Even if I lose real power later, there’s still a good chance to re-enter the empire’s core. It’s definitely easier than climbing up from the bottom step by step.”

At this moment, Sui Luqing feels Henwell grows even more mysterious.

Previously, the Wind-Catching Guard had vaguely uncovered the seventh prince, Nangong He, but lacked solid evidence. To verify the matter, they needed a lead, a bait.

The palace sent someone to discuss with the Ministry of Justice, hoping they would make a move to test the waters.

However, the seasoned veterans at the Ministry clearly understood the depth of the situation and refused to take the emperor’s envoy’s hint.

Eventually, the matter was passed to the Court of Judicial Review. Chen Bo’an, the Minister there, had a personal grudge against the mastermind for killing his son but also had family to protect and dared not take the risk.

At this moment, Henwell stepped forward, volunteering to take on the mission.

So, after returning from Zhilan Prefecture, the emperor promoted Henwell to fourth rank as Warden of the Prison Department, consider it a down payment.

Next, Henwell had to find the right entry point.

Over two years, William and others had already thoroughly investigated Nangong He.

After careful study, Henwell decided to start with the twisted Nangong Pingyue.

Then, through various subtle nudges and guidance, they lured the blind Locksmith to the Court of Judicial Review.

Henwell began moving against Nangong Pingyue under the pretext of investigating the case.

Sure enough, Nangong He had to step forward to protect this crucial ally.

It took considerable effort and cost from all sides to guarantee Nangong Pingyue’s safety.

But this violated the emperor’s taboo, any collusion between a prince and a military-armed king was intolerable.

At this moment, the trap against Nangong He officially springs into motion.

The court strips Henwell of his official position precisely to provoke the reckless Nangong Pingyue into making a move.

Nangong Pingyue lacks any martial talent and has been twisted in character since childhood, harboring a deep-seated hatred for warriors. No one in the capital has ever dared to cross him. Now, Henwell not only shames him publicly but even dares to strike him.

Clearly, Nangong Pingyue won’t let this slide. Meanwhile, Lucy’s constant praise and recommendation of Henwell only fuel Nangong He’s growing jealousy toward him.

The court assumes Nangong Pingyue will send people to capture Henwell. After all, Henwell is no longer an official. When that happens, Henwell will pretend to be captured, and Nangong Pingyue will surely torture him.

This accusation alone is serious enough, and it would also implicate the seventh prince, Nangong He.

The emperor’s original intention is to reprimand the seventh prince, urging him to rein in his behavior and avoid too much contact with the powerful South King.

But Henwell wants more. He knows Lucy will come to negotiate peace.

He goes along with the plan, attending that so-called “kill or be killed” banquet.

Before going, Henwell quietly enters the palace.

Many have forgotten that Henwell still holds the right to move within the palace and can see the emperor.

Under the emperor’s direct orders, four Fifth Rank experts secretly follow Henwell.

The actors and audience are in place, the stage is set, and now the final act is ready to unfold.

The four Fifth Rank elites, the best from various departments, discover a massive cache of illegal weapons hidden at the South King’s residence.

They even overhear discussions about assassinating the king and many other crimes.

This forces the emperor’s hand to eliminate Nangong Pingyue and compels him to place Nangong He under house arrest.

The waters in the capital have been thoroughly stirred by Henwell.

The court’s top officials realize Henwell is walking a dead-end path, with death not far off.

Yet Henwell has prepared many surprises for the court, there won’t be time to trouble him anytime soon.

That night, Lucy secretly meets with Nangong He.

Lucy advises him, “It’s better for you to lay low for now. We really need to develop quietly.”

Nangong He sighs, “That’s all we can do. But this helper you brought in, why does he completely ignore your orders? Over the past year, he’s wiped out so many of our pawns. “

”Even the maidservants close to my father were uncovered by him. The slow-acting poison was halted for over half a year. We finally found a replacement, and now this mess happens!”

Lucy responds, “If you hadn’t targeted Henwell, why would he fight back? You refuse to listen to me, he’s no ordinary man. We have to be cautious and manage things carefully. His Majesty’s health won’t last much longer. When that time comes, everything will be easier.”

Neither of them knows that Henwell and his team have already prepared a “New Year’s gift” for them.