Henwell looks up and gnces at the pque above the mansion’s entrance, Forget-Worry Pavilion!

  That’s a pretty good name!

  It’s an entertainment venue in the capital, but it’s more like a private club, not open to the public.

  As Henwell steps forward, the guard at the door stops him. “Sir, do you have an invitation?”

  Henwell turns to the Locksmiths behind him. “Look at you fools! If you had done your job properly, would I have been stopped outside like this?”

  One of the Soul Locksmiths bows and says, “Sir, I didn’t investigate thoroughly. I’ll go get an invitation right away!”

  Henwell shoots him a gre. “Did I say I needed an invitation? I said I’m personally here to investigate a case, and yet I’m being stopped at the door. Clearly, you’ve been too low-profile in the capital. How is it possible that people don’t even know our Prison Department handles cases? We don’t even need a warrant?”

  Hearing the commotion, the manager of Forget-Worry Pavilion comes out with a smile. “Honored sirs, please forgive the poor welcome. Unfortunately, we’re hosting distinguished guests today. I kindly ask you to show some leniency. Consider this a small token—on me, a drink for all of you.”

  With that, he hands a pouch of silver to Henwell.

  Henwell weighs it in his hand, about thirty taels. That’s a decent bribe.

  He tosses the silver aside and says, “Record this: investigating a case at Forget-Worry Pavilion. The other party refuses to cooperate and attempts to bribe this official!”

  The manager’s face stiffens. “Sir, you must be joking!”

  “Oh? I come to investigate a case, and you say I’m joking? Are you mocking me? Or mocking the ws of the court?”

  The manager’s smile fades. “Sir, do you really want to bring trouble upon yourself? Do you know where you are? Do you know who my master is?”

  Henwell sneers. “This is the capital, the very foot of the Son of Heaven! What, is your master the emperor himself?”

  “You’re just looking for trouble!”

  Henwell’s tone hardens. “Enough nonsense. I’m going in to investigate. If you stop me again, I’ll take it as resisting arrest and defying the w!”

  The manager clenches his anger. “Sir, I advise you not to provoke those you cannot afford to offend. My master is on friendly terms with many officials in the court: Minister An from the Ministry of Personnel, Minister Liu from the Ministry of Justice, Censor Hu... These are all close friends of my master. Do you really not know where you are?”

  “Done talking?” Henwell turns back to his subordinates. “Did you all hear that? This man just admitted his master has secret ties with several high-ranking officials. This is a gang with protection!”

  The manager points at Henwell. “You’re sndering us!”

  Henwell steps forward. “Enough! Whether it’s snder or not, you’re going to clear the way for me now!”

  The manager shouts, “Stop them!”

  Several guards at the entrance draw their bdes and step forward, blocking Henwell’s path.

  Henwell sighs in frustration and then turns to retreat.

  The manager smirks, looking at Henwell. “It’s good that you know how powerful this pce is!”

  Without hesitation, Henwell kicks two of his own men to the ground, then gres at the remaining Locksmiths who look confused. “What the hell are you all standing around for? Didn’t you see the suspects resist arrest and injure two Soul Locksmiths? You’re getting paid to stand here and watch the show? Move! Kill your way in! Anyone who stands in your way, shoot to kill! If the sky falls, I’ll take the bme!”

  These Locksmiths haven’t yet become slick bureaucrats, they all come from the streets and don’t care who’s backing the other side.

  Now that their leader Henwell has given the order, they just focus on killing.

  More than twenty veteran Locksmiths draw their weapons and swiftly cut down the guards blocking the gate.

  Two Soul Locksmiths lead the way, clearing a path, while Henwell and the blind Locksmith follow leisurely behind.

  Although the guards here are fairly strong, the Locksmiths who came this time are the elite of the Prison Department.

  There are two Third Rank experts, six Second Rank warriors, and the rest are all Entry Rank Martial Warriors.

  They’ve spent years hunting down vicious criminals, striking hard and fast. The guards simply can’t hold them back.

  Before long, Henwell and his group pass through several courtyards and arrive at the heart of Forget-Worry Pavilion, a vast banquet hall.

  The heavy doors are kicked open, and the guards protect the guests and the master inside.

  Many of those present wear official uniforms, but none step forward.

  Only one man in elegant robes points at Henwell and says, “Bold and reckless! Right under the Son of Heaven’s nose, you dare to wield weapons and break into a noble’s residence. Do you even know what crime that is?”

  Henwell gnces at him. “Who are you?”

  “I’m Liu Wuxing, Left Deputy Minister of Justice. Who’s the ringleader here?”

  Henwell bows casually. “Ah, Deputy Minister Liu! I’m Henwell, Warden of the Prison Department at the Court of Judicial Review. I’m here to arrest a suspect wanted by the court. They resisted arrest and fought back violently, so we had to come in.”

  Hearing Henwell is an official, many people present breathe a sigh of relief. They were genuinely afraid it might be some ruthless bandits.

  If that were the case, they might not have survived.

  But since it’s an official matter, things are much easier to handle.

  Another official steps forward. “You have a lot of nerve to act like this. I’ll report you immediately!”

  Henwell bows. “Deputy Minister An from the Ministry of Personnel, right? Rest assured, we will do our best to rescue you from the criminals. I see you all are prepared to face death rather than compromise. Even if you perish, I will report the truth so the world will know your steadfast courage!”

  The Censor Hu calls out, “Warden Henwell, you misunderstand. We are not hostages, and the master here is no vilin. There must be some misunderstanding. Please calm down, and we will expin.”

  Henwell scans the room. “Whether the mastermind here is guilty or not, I will investigate thoroughly. For now, you all must come with me.”

  At st, the pavilion’s master speaks.

  He’s a young man under thirty, calmly seated in the main seat, looking at Henwell with ease. “Who’s behind you? You dare bring bad luck to me?”

  Henwell bows toward the north. “My master is the current emperor. And yours?”

  The young man chuckles dryly. “Ha… what a sharp-tongued barbarian you are.”

  Then, with a bored wave, he says, “Kneel and admit your mistake today, and I’ll let you leave the capital alive.”

  Henwell looks around at the officials. “Did you all hear that? This scoundrel dares threaten a court official. When this is over, I expect you to stand with me.”

  The young man ughs again, leaning against a beautiful courtesan. “Hahaha… truly an uncivilized barbarian! Ask these officials, who’s willing to testify for you? They heard nothing at all.”

  The officials sneer in agreement, and the atmosphere freezes.

  Suddenly, Henwell ughs loudly. “Ha ha ha… fine! Since there are no witnesses, all the better! Clear the room!”