By noon the next day, Henwell receives the identity information Lucy prepared for him.

  Qin Yu, from a foreign western territory, is the youngest son of a western merchant caravan family.

  Because the family recently had a new heir, Qin Yu, as the second son, inherits a sum of wealth but is forced out of his cn.

  Preparing to start anew, Qin Yu comes to the Tudor Dynasty and adopts this Eastern name for his business dealings.

  Qin Yu buys the Number Eight Estate with his money and now pns to visit Hongfeng City, a pce he’s long admired.

  Henwell now has a complete and solid identity that can withstand scrutiny.

  That very afternoon, Henwell sets out again, heading to the Drunken Dream Tower to maintain his presence.

  Though Henwell tells Miss Caixia he’s a military man, no one takes it seriously.

  Miss Caixia keeps quiet too. After all, in a pce like this, talking too much is never wise.

  Most importantly, the Drunken Dream Tower is Lucy’s property.

  Even though Lucy hasn’t said so, Henwell deduces this based on the business strategy.

  So this new identity is absolutely perfect for Henwell.

  For the next three days, Henwell frequents the Drunken Dream Tower, spending tens of gold each day.

  It’s not extravagant, but it’s certainly beyond the average family’s means.

  On the fourth day, someone finally approaches Henwell.

  It’s a familiar face, Cao Mingzhi, the man who tried to assassinate him that day.

  Seeing Henwell, Cao Mingzhi hurries over. “Henwell! Finally found you! You made it so hard for me to track you down! If I don’t repay you for saving my life, everyone in the capital will ugh at me!”

  ”Meeting you today is my luck! No matter what, you have to give me a chance to properly thank you! Come on, come on! Let’s head to a private room and drink until we drop!”

  With that, Cao Mingzhi pulls Henwell toward a luxurious private room.

  Once inside, Cao Mingzhi introduces him to everyone. “This is my lifesaver, Henwell… uh, do you have an Eastern name?”

  “Qin Yu!”

  “That’s right! Qin Yu! From now on, he’s my sworn brother. Whatever happens to him happens to me! Everyone, raise your gsses to him!”

  Everyone present is one of Cao Mingzhi’s men, so naturally they cheer enthusiastically.

  This banquet is specially arranged by Cao Mingzhi just to meet Henwell.

  After hearing Henwell was here, Cao Mingzhi gathered his men to stage this ‘chance’ encounter.

  During the banquet, everyone enjoys lively conversation, but they steer clear of other topics, focusing solely on matters of pleasure and entertainment.

  As the evening winds down, Cao Mingzhi makes a point to ask Henwell where he’s staying.

  The next morning, before Henwell can even gather his people to leave, Cao Mingzhi arrives early at the estate.

  The estate actually has a name: Qingdu Elegant Garden.

  Seeing the inscription on the estate, Cao Mingzhi comments to Henwell, who comes out to greet him, “Henwell, you have the build of a general, but I didn’t expect you to have the refined taste of a schor as well!”

  Henwell waves his hand with a smile. “Brother, don’t mock me. I bought this pce, but the inscription is from the previous owner. I was too zy to change it. The interior decorations are indeed serene and elegant, so I just left it as is. I’m new here, unfamiliar with the pce, and no one knows me. Otherwise, they’d probably ugh at me for pretending to be refined!”

  Cao Mingzhi ughs. “Henwell, you’re wrong. I actually think you might have the talent to become a top schor!”

  With that, Cao Mingzhi grabs Henwell and pulls him toward his carriage. “Alright! Today I’m taking you into the city to have some fun. You said st night that you’ve been in the capital for so long but haven’t really explored it yet. Luckily, I’m free today, so I’ll accompany you around!”

  Henwell smiles and only brings along his butler, Number Eight, and two Entry Rank mute Martial Warriors to follow Cao Mingzhi.

  Cao Mingzhi has some connections. When entering the city, they take a special ne, bypassing the long line.

  There is still a security check at the gate. The nearby no-inspection ne is reserved only for court officials.

  Although Cao Mingzhi’s father holds a Third Rank official position, Cao Mingzhi himself has no official post, so he can’t use that ne.

  From this, Henwell deduces that the court maintains strict control over various factions.

  Even the sons of high-ranking officials like Cao Mingzhi don’t have the privilege to enjoy special treatment at will.

  But Cao Mingzhi’s next words overturn Henwell’s assumption.

  After a thorough registration and weapons inspection, the group is finally allowed into the Weng City area.

  They undergo another round of checks before fully entering the capital proper.

  Cao Mingzhi apologizes, “Sorry about this. The capital’s security has tightened recently. I can’t take you through the more convenient gates.”

  It turns out the old emperor’s health is failing, and the political undercurrents in the court have intensified, leading to heightened defenses in the capital.

  Looks like the Tudor Dynasty doesn’t have as ironcd a grip on control as Henwell initially thought.

  Next, Cao Mingzhi leads Henwell to a grand and vish restaurant.

  Cao Mingzhi proudly points to the sign above the entrance. “Henwell, you have no idea how hard it is to book a table at Yan Jun Mansion! Honestly, my own connections weren’t enough to get a reservation for the same day. I had to beg my father and use his name to secure a banquet here. Today marks my official welcome for you to the capital!”

  The ornate carriages coming and going, along with the wealthy and noble guests, prove Cao Mingzhi’s words are no exaggeration.

  Guided by a waiter, Henwell and his party are led to a private room on the fourth floor.

  The décor here is rich but tasteful, elegant without being too pin, everything perfectly banced.

  Henwell notices that most of the guests on this floor are government officials.

  It seems this level is reserved exclusively for court officials, with no bookings accepted from outsiders.

  Inside the room, several young men are already waiting.

  When Henwell and Cao Mingzhi enter, they all stand to greet them warmly.

  The company tonight is of a much higher caliber than the previous evening, sons of prominent and influential families in the capital.

  Cao Mingzhi introduces each of them to Henwell: some hail from military families with distinguished service, others are distant retives of the royal family.

  Two figures stand out as most important.

  One is Duan Yuhui, son of the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel.

  He was present during the assassination attempt and narrowly escaped with his life.

  If not for the protection of Henwell’s butler, Number Eight, and the guards who eliminated a group of assassins, Duan Yuhui likely wouldn’t have survived.

  Because of this, Duan Yuhui holds Henwell in high regard. After all, he owes him his life.

  The other is a tall man named Huo Hao.

  He is the third son of the chief of the Evil-Catcher Department under the Ministry of Justice.

  Although the Chief of the Evil-Catcher Department holds only a Fourth Rank position, he wields significant authority within the capital.

  The department is responsible for capturing thieves and criminals.

  Law enforcement in the capital is divided among many departments: the Thirty-Six District Military Command, the Jingzhao Prefecture, the Divine Detective Department under the Ministry of Justice, and even the Forbidden Army and Imperial Guards all have jurisdiction over public security.

  These departments have overpping responsibilities and often check and bance each other’s power.