Chapter 401: A Veiled Interrogation

The prince studies Henwell for a moment. “A strong and sturdy man from the Western Frontier Kingdom! Would you be interested in joining the military? Just by looking at you, I can tell you’re cut out for the battlefield. I can recommend you to the border army. I’m confident you’d achieve great things.”

Henwell bows slightly and smiles politely. “Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness. My family has long managed a caravan business in the Western Frontier, often encountering horse thieves and bandits, and enduring much bloodshed.”

”Now that my elder brother leads the family, I, as the second son, have chosen to distance myself from the family affairs.”

”I’m tired of the violence. I’ve been trading with the Hongfeng Empire for a long time but have never truly experienced its culture. So this trip to the capital is partly to fulfill a personal dream.”

”I hope that during my stay here, I can immerse myself in the culture and cleanse the violent aura I carry, so that I may live a peaceful life going forward.”

The prince nods. “Very well. Everyone has their own path, and I won’t force you. But if you ever consider joining the military, come find me. My offer still stands. I am Nangong Ying, the tenth prince of this dynasty.”

”I’ve spent many years fighting on the frontier myself. Seeing a strong man like you, I’m inclined to nurture talent and offer you this opportunity.”

With that, Nangong Ying nods at Henwell and turns to leave the private room.

Henwell then looks at Huo Xi. “Madam, I’m not a wanted criminal, am I?”

Huo Xi shakes her head. “No…”

She then shifts her tone. “Now, Mr. Henwell, could you explain why you intervened in the assassination? That seems to contradict your earlier claim about being unfamiliar with this place and wanting to avoid trouble.”

Henwell smiles calmly. “Heh… Madam, I had no choice at the time. Young Master Cao had already revealed his identity. If I had turned a blind eye, I would have had to leave the capital immediately.”

Cao Mingzhi awkwardly adds, “Please forgive Henwell. I was at a loss then and had no intention of coercing you.”

Henwell nods gently. “Between life and death, there’s no wrong choice. It’s human instinct to survive. Young Master Cao did nothing wrong.”

Huo Xi still isn’t ready to let Henwell off the hook. “You saved him, this matter shouldn’t concern you anymore. Yet you hid away for over a month afterward. How do you explain that?”

”And your ability to stay hidden is impressive. Despite multiple investigations by various government offices, you managed to remain right under our noses for so long.”

Henwell sighs. “Ah, Madam, do you want me to be honest?”

“Today, I’m here precisely for the truth.”

Henwell shrugs. “Even though I saved Brother Cao’s life, you all took advantage of this banquet to suddenly interrogate me. I didn’t know Brother Cao’s character back then. Being new here, with no connections or support, if I had shown myself recklessly, I might never have had the chance to seek justice. I’m sure the officials back then wouldn’t have treated me as politely as you do now.”

Cao Mingzhi tries to explain, but seeing Henwell’s calm gaze, he can only bow apologetically. “Henwell, I’m sorry for putting you in this position.”

This whole setup was really for Huo Xi’s interrogation. It’s only thanks to Cao Mingzhi’s mediation that things didn’t escalate. Otherwise, Henwell might have been taken straight to the Evil-Catcher Department for questioning, and it wouldn’t have been so relaxed.

Henwell continues, “Also, anyone capable of orchestrating such a major crime, whether the ones who carried it out or the masterminds behind it, are not simple people. If I didn’t have some skill in hiding, after ruining their plans that day, I’d have been caught and torn apart long ago as a warning to others.”

Huo Xi frowns. Henwell’s words are airtight, and without direct evidence, there’s no way to press charges. It’s definitely a tricky situation.

In the end, Huo Xi can only accept that Henwell’s presence that day was just a coincidence.

She clasps her fists respectfully. “My questioning is over, Mr. Henwell. I apologize if I offended you earlier.”

Henwell returns the gesture with a smile. “Madam, you enforce the law impartially, chasing criminals and maintaining stability is a good thing. There’s no guilt in that. Please don’t feel awkward. On the contrary, today’s events have given me greater confidence in the capital’s security. Now that I’m settling here, I can invest in some small businesses without worry.”

Hearing Henwell’s words, the awkwardness on everyone’s faces finally fades away.

Huo Hao and the others raise their glasses to Henwell, expressing that if he ever needs help managing his ventures in the future, they must be informed without hesitation.

As Huo Xi prepares to leave, she instinctively turns back and asks, “Mr. Henwell, what are your thoughts on that assassination attempt?”

Almost immediately, she regrets asking. A visitor from a frontier kingdom, new to the capital, what insight could he possibly have?

Just as she forces a wry smile and starts to walk away, Henwell speaks up. “I do have some thoughts, though I’m not sure if they’ll be of any use to you, Madam.”

Curious, Huo Xi looks at him. “Mr. Henwell, please share your thoughts. We’d like to hear them.”

Henwell glances at the Evil-Catcher Department members nearby. After a brief hesitation, Huo Xi instructs her subordinates to wait outside.

The door to the private room closes, and Huo Xi takes a seat next to her elder brother, right beside Henwell.

“Now, Henwell, you can speak freely.”

Henwell replies, “I’ll just offer a line of thinking, the rest will still need your investigation. First and foremost, do you know who the assassination was really targeting?”

Huo Xi blinks in surprise. “Wasn’t it Cao Mingzhi and his group?”

Henwell shakes his head. “No, not all of them. Assassinations have an order, with priorities. The killers’ first step was to force those two expert swordsmen to engage, to keep them busy and prevent them from protecting the target’s escape. The person they were protecting is the primary assassination target. This is crucial. Every part of the assassination revolves around this target.”

Cao Mingzhi gasps, “Chen Changyi!”

Chen Changyi is the third son of the Chief Justice of the Dali Temple, what’s the connection here?

Henwell’s next words make Cao Mingzhi’s heart skip a beat. “The second target was you, Young Master Cao. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have sent two groups of assassins after you. When the other target fled, only three low-level henchmen were dispatched.”

”But against you, they sent one Second Rank assassin and four Entry Rank assassins. It shows they’re determined to get you.”

”With so many people killed and such a big operation, you’re the real target. The rest are just distractions, including Chen Changyi. They only wanted to hold those two swordsmen in place and create the illusion that Chen Changyi was the main target.”

Cao Mingzhi’s eyes widen. “B-But why do they want to kill me? I haven’t offended anyone that ruthless!”