Reincarnation Paradise Park

Chapter 1200: Chapter 15: Big Prince

Steve is the next Chief Justice, and the three officials Su Xiao eliminated before held positions that were not too important. Their positions could remain vacant for a few days without issues, but the position of Chief Justice, who oversees the law, cannot remain vacant for even a day, especially since power struggles have already begun.

Steve came here to hand over some important matters with Elvi, who cooperated very well, informing Steve of some critical matters.

Elvi was certain to die. Under such circumstances, did he cooperate because he became foolish? No, this was a very smart move; he was using his last efforts to protect his family.

One hour later.

”That’s about it; how you handle it afterward depends on your personal ability.”

Elvi exhaled deeply, as if that breath had used up all his strength.

”Iron Hand, I’ve done everything I needed to do. Does His Majesty have any messages for me?”

”The national treasury is strained.”

Hearing Su Xiao’s words, Elvi’s lips parted and closed, and in the end, he could only let out a bitter laugh. He still couldn’t grasp the ’Old Lion’s’ intentions.

Su Xiao slid a piece of parchment out of his sleeve and tossed it to Steve, who stood to the side.

”Read.”

Steve opened the parchment.

”Chief Justice Elvi Anthony violated the kingdom’s laws, knowingly...”

”Highlight the main points.”

Su Xiao interrupted Steve’s long-winded monologue. The Old King’s main order was actually just one sentence, but after passing through the document officer and the new Chief Justice Steve, it had turned into a pile of useless talk.

”Gift, Elvi Anthony with poison; his family is exiled to Sier Highlands, never to be employed by the Royal Family.”

Steve cooperated well, not that he had a choice. His predecessor was about to die before him; this was a live version of making an example.

Steve took a ceramic bottle from his breast pocket and placed it on the desk.

”This is a relatively honorable way to die.”

”Ha, what’s the difference?”

Elvi grabbed the ceramic bottle, his hand starting to tremble, yet he smiled. Though his family was exiled to the harsh lands of ’Sier Highlands’, they could continue to live, and living meant hope.

”Even in defeat, let it be dignified. I bet on the Big Prince’s succession; Iron Hand, in the upcoming power struggle, where do you stand?”

Elvi uncorked the wooden stopper of the ceramic bottle, pouring the liquid inside to his mouth, then leaned back against the luxurious seat, closing his eyes, recalling the man with a little moustache on his chin, who once said to him: ’Run, Elvi, if I win, come be my subject.’

”Spectacular.”

Under the deadly poison of the Blue Sword Flower, Elvi quickly lost consciousness. The ’spectacular’ he whispered might refer to his own eventful life or perhaps the spectacle of this power struggle.

Chief Justice Elvi Anthony was the first to fail in this power struggle. He did not die from greed or aligning with the wrong faction; he died because he couldn’t let go of the power in his hands. Power is like a drug; once tasted, it’s hard to resist, eventually becoming engulfed by it.

[Hunter has completed the side mission: Clean up, and has received 100000 Paradise coins.]

...

From various perspectives, two people gained most from this cleanup: Su Xiao obtained the resources needed to become stronger, while the Old King removed the unstable elements within the Royal Capital.

All four targets were cleared. Next was counting the assets of these four, a task to be handled by Kingdom Finance Officer Rowen Havi, who had been waiting at home for some time; this old fellow was a smart man, aware of what would happen tonight.

Counting the four’s assets is no simple task; it’s not just raiding a few treasure houses. 80% of their assets are immovable property.

Of course, 99% of the assets tallied are contributions from Elvi Anthony; the other three were cleared because of other issues.

The councilor brother chose the wrong side, compounded by his incompetence. The inspector meddled too much, or rather, a more courteous term would be abusing his authority, while the Holy Hall High Priest was cleared for knowing too many secrets. The Chief Justice was like the ’newbie package’ the Old King left for the new Prince.

That night, the officials in the Royal Capital were all on edge. When ’Iron Hand’ knocked on their doors, it meant their time had come. Therefore, all officials in the Royal Capital lost sleep that night.

Su Xiao walked on the streets of the Royal Capital, followed by ten Forbidden Guards and several hundred Royal guards.

Su Xiao originally thought the cleanup was over, but the Old King suddenly summoned him urgent, handing him another long list, with some officials sentenced to death and others imprisoned.

The officials on the second list did not need to be handled like before; they would be judged swiftly, those to be executed would be executed, and those to be imprisoned would be imprisoned.

The large-scale purge began. Around one o’clock at midnight, a total of 67 officials of varying ranks were taken away from the Royal Capital, 12 of whom were executed, 18 imprisoned for life, while the rest faced jail time ranging from years.

The Old King had actually planned this cleanup well in advance, thus the entire power structure was basically unharmed.

The bodies were transported out of the Royal Capital in wagons, one after another; even the streets had a bloody aroma.

The Princes and Princesses still hadn’t realized that all unstable elements had been dealt with before they arrived at the Royal Capital.

The officials handled had intricate and extensive connections within the Kingdom, serving for a lifetime. Those Princes and Princesses were not a match in power struggles to these cunning old foxes. They were indeed capable, but the territories they governed were too far from the Royal Capital; at this point, the danger level of the Royal Capital was as high as the front lines, for the evil in human hearts was the most terrifying thing.

At three o’clock in the morning, Su Xiao finally completed the cleanup with his team, not only gaining a Legendary treasure box but also making the identity of Iron Hand fearsome.

Su Xiaogang returned to his residence, noticing the courtyard was significantly cleaner, particularly that foul-smelling pool which had been cleaned, no longer emitting any strange smells.

”My lord, you’re back; the bathwater is prepared.”

Two little girls scampered over, about to offer a great salute to Su Xiao, but he waved them off. As a modern person, he was unaccustomed to people kneeling in front of him.

After taking a hot bath, the smell of blood on Su Xiao was significantly reduced, and he quickly fell asleep on the bed, while A Mu slept at the door. No matter the world, A Mu would always sleep by the door to prevent anyone from ambushing Su Xiao.

...

At sunrise the next day, it seemed nothing had happened within the Royal Capital, or rather, the commoners were completely unaware of last night’s events.

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, made entirely of metal, black base with gold patterns. The coachman was a sharp-eyed knight, and the carriage was drawn by two black thoroughbreds with unicorns, an extremely rare species.

The curtains of the carriage lifted, revealing a handsome, 40-year-old man with a small moustache under his chin peeking out. He was the Big Prince Elvi Anthony spoke of.

”Finally arrived at the Royal Capital.”

The Big Prince gazed at the view of the Royal Capital, his smile gentle, giving a sense of warmth like a spring breeze.

”Your Highness, we have many rivals this time, and many we need to win over.”

An elder in the carriage spoke; he was the Big Prince’s confidant.

”Indeed, there are many opponents, but not many need winning over. Kingdom Finance Officer Rowen Havi, Governor Joe Valentine, and Legion Commander Hershel; if I gain the support of these three, none will be my match. They are Father King’s right-hand men.”

”What about the Iron Hand? If these three are left and right arms, the Iron Hand is nearly His Majesty’s Agent.”

The elder spoke, keen to win over Su Xiao, the Iron Hand.

”Iron Hand? That’s the judiciary; it’s not something we can vie for. His support is too fantastical; I didn’t consider it at all. Last night, he washed the Royal Capital in blood; Chief Justice Elvi Anthony was once so glorious, but now he’s just a corpse.”

The Big Prince sat back inside the carriage; he was the first of the Old King’s offspring to arrive at the Royal Capital, possessing the ’immunity rights’ secretly bestowed by the Old King, making him a popular candidate in this power struggle. As Bu Bu Wang put it: ’I’m betting five cents, this guy’s definitely the new king.’

PS: (Four Chapters today, continuing with more tomorrow)