Reincarnation Paradise Park

Chapter 1202: Chapter 17: The Big Shots

Upon seeing the data on these five individuals, Bubu Wang was clearly conflicted; from its perspective, the probability of these five becoming the new king was not low.

Of course, these five were just the most likely to become the new king, but the others still had a chance.

These contestants could basically be categorized into four types. The first kind voluntarily forfeited, a total of 18 people; the second kind are bystanders, a total of 16 people; the third kind are ambitious but powerless, a total of 10 people; the fourth kind are both ambitious and powerful, namely the 5 princes and princesses.

During the upcoming period, Su Xiao would certainly pay appropriate attention to these individuals, as his main task was related to them. He needed to select one among the 49 princes or princesses and ensure their successful succession to the throne.

Su Xiao still had 14 days to observe, so he was not in a rush to make a choice.

Walking on the bustling streets, Su Xiao soon arrived near the Royal Palace.

As Su Xiao approached the Royal Palace, several officials conversing at the gate changed their expressions. It was obviously out of the question for them to walk away directly—that would be too embarrassing, and as for blocking the way, that was not an option either.

Now, in the eyes of these officials, Iron Hand was akin to a combination of Killing God, Plague God, and Soul Reaper. They would avoid offending him if they could.

The three officials walked into the Royal Palace, trying to maintain a natural demeanor.

The Old King’s summons today weren’t for deliberation, but for a banquet—a lunch banquet.

This meal was not going to be particularly pleasant because ten princes or princesses also attended the banquet, and all officials in the Royal Capital with real power were required to attend. This banquet was bound to be very ’lively’.

When Su Xiao entered the banquet hall of the Royal Palace, he found over a hundred people already gathered there.

Do not underestimate these hundred people. Any one of them could be a major figure; without real power and enormous wealth, there was no qualification to attend this lunch banquet.

Long rectangular tables were set up in the banquet hall, adorned with high-quality wine, various rare fruits, exquisite pastries, etc.

The Old King had not yet appeared, so the atmosphere in the banquet hall was bustling. Amidst the multitude of officials, there were also many prominent merchants. Although they commanded vast wealth, their status in the banquet hall was not high.

The primary reason the Old King summoned these significant merchants was to let them meet the princes or princesses. The implication was clear: choose one among them to support.

The prominent merchants who caught the Old King’s eye were certainly not small figures, yet in today’s banquet hall, they had become minor characters.

As Su Xiao stepped into the banquet hall, numerous glances immediately focused on him.

”Hey, over here.”

A booming voice called out. To dare to greet Iron Hand in such a manner was certainly no minor character; this person was the Kingdom’s Army Commander, Hershel, who commanded the Kingdom’s military power. He wore black clothes, with several intersecting scars on his face.

Beside Hershel sat two other people, one of whom Su Xiao recognized as the Kingdom Finance Officer, Rowen Harvey, the old man. The other Su Xiao hadn’t seen before, but based on his guess, this person was likely Governor Joe Valentine.

Counting Su Xiao, the four trusted confidants the Old King trusted the most were all present.

Su Xiao stepped towards Rowen Harvey and the others. Ordinarily, Rowen Harvey would definitely display a hostile attitude, but not today. He no longer needed to show such hostility.

”Iron Hand, you slipped away early yesterday. I haven’t even had a good sleep yet.”

The old man Rowen Harvey spoke, his face showing uncontrollable fatigue. It seemed that raiding estates was not an easy task.

Su Xiao sat down at the wooden table, beside Rowen Harvey and the other three. This rectangular table was the closest to the Old King’s seat. Apart from Su Xiao and the others, no one else had the privilege to sit there, not even the princes or princesses.

”Killing people isn’t easy either. Last night, I encountered Joseph Cole.”

Su Xiao also shed his previous taciturn attitude, because he knew the current situation was very special.

Before the power struggle began, the four most trusted powerful ministers by the Old King needed to have some minor conflicts, even if those conflicts were mere theatrics; it was an attitude to put the Old King at ease.

Now was different. The previous situation of minor conflicts was clearly not suitable for the current circumstance.

Once the power struggle began, no matter how many officials the Old King killed, there would be some turmoil in the Royal Capital. At this point, the four of them obviously couldn’t have ’minor conflicts’ anymore; on the contrary, they needed to appear very united to help the Old King control the situation.

”Joseph Cole?”

The Kingdom Army Commander, Hershel, spoke up, clearly recognizing Joseph Cole.

”He is now...”

Hershel seemingly asked casually, but in his heart, he hoped Joseph Cole was still alive.

”I killed him. If I’m correct, he came to settle an old favor.”

”I see.”

Hershel sighed, his eyes showing a hint of regret. This regret was not just an act, but it was genuinely from his heart; he had once fought alongside Joseph Cole.

”Let’s have a drink.”

Hershel raised his wine glass, filled to the brim with red wine. Rowen Harvey and Governor Joe Valentin also lifted their metal wine goblets, as did Su Xiao.

The glasses clinked, and the four drank in one go. It was a statement, and many people in the banquet hall observed the four clinking glasses.

”Bai Ye, care to share some private topics? Last night, when you killed the High Priest, did he say anything interesting? That guy is a God Stick.”

Governor Joe Valentine spoke, a slender middle-aged man, responsible for managing most officials.

Upon hearing Joe Valentine mention the High Priest, Su Xiao turned his gaze toward him.

”Something interesting? He said he wanted to marry his daughter to me to spare his life.”

”The High Priest has a daughter?”

”Possibly an illegitimate daughter. That guy’s conduct has always been doubtful, but with that guy’s looks, his daughter...”

”Hahaha.”

Hershel burst into laughter, having quite a forthright personality.

”Speaking of which, who do you think stands the best chance this time?”

The old man Rowen Harvey set down his wine cup, clasping his hands together. In the power struggle, he was absolutely a coveted figure, holding the financial reins.

”I have my eye on the Third Prince. Everything about him looks pleasing to me.”

The Army Commander, Hershel, spoke, and everyone expected him to support the Third Prince. As for choosing the wrong side, don’t be ridiculous—even if Hershel did choose the wrong side, so what? He had military power; if Hershel died, it would be no joking matter. The front lines could potentially collapse.

As long as the new king was sane, it didn’t matter who Hershel supported; the new king couldn’t touch Hershel. Instead, he would try to win over this Kingdom Army Commander.

”Support someone? Do I look like I have a death wish?”

Joe Valentine gave a dry laugh. He couldn’t randomly reveal his support. Picking the wrong side would be disastrous.

”Valentine, did your wife beat you again? What’s with the bruise on your face?”

The old man Rowen Harvey started to tease Joe Valentine. Joe Valentine, this great figure, had a characteristic: he feared his wife. His spouse was a tough character; in their nightly activities, who rubbed whom was uncertain.

”Shut up, you old swine.”

”He definitely got a good beating from his wife again,”

Hershel fanned the flames.

”A brute and an old fossil, you two ***.”

Joe Valentine swore again.

These three were the most powerful people besides the Old King. Big figures must be serious? Well-mannered? Not necessarily. In private, these big figures also cursed; it’s just not known to outsiders. In the eyes of others, they were always high and mighty, exuding a sense of authority just by sitting there.

Not to mention these three, when the Old King was furious, he would curse at Su Xiao and the other three. Once, the Old King was so angered by Hershel that he pointed at his nose and roared, ’Get out!’ That’s trust. If it were any other official offending the Old King—no, they couldn’t even have the chance to anger the Old King, because they would have become corpses by then.

By a table in the distance, two 17 or 18-year-old girls were talking and laughing quietly. These were two princesses, but because they were relatively young, they had directly given up the struggle for power and thus didn’t need to scheme against each other.

”Lidia, what do you think those four are discussing?”

One of the princesses asked.

”I don’t know, probably some important business. Lord Joe Valentine’s face is flushed red; it must be important.”

In fact, Lidia was also curious about what national affairs Su Xiao and the other four were discussing.

In reality, Rowen Harvey was recounting an incident when he and Joe Valentine were carousing, and then were caught by Joe Valentine’s wife, who barred the door. Joe Valentine was so scared that he jumped out the window without even wearing pants. But this guy was indeed worthy of being a governor; his intelligence was top-notch. Although he had nothing on, he covered the most critical part, which was his face, with his hands.

At this moment, the door of the banquet hall was pushed open, and the King made his entrance.

PS: (There will be two updates today; consider this a day off. The temperature in the north has plummeted recently, and this small plastic stature of Wasted mosquito naturally caught a cold.)