Chapter 409: Ruthless or Not?

In any organization, a powerful department holds significant authority.

Sui Luqing doesn’t have anyone under him suitable to lead this new unit, so he moves early to recruit Henwell.

Henwell is a fresh face, untouched by any faction, being the first to approach him is a clear advantage.

Move fast, and every step after will be faster.

Following Sui Luqing, Henwell arrives at the Court of Judicial Review’s prison, entering one of the interrogation chambers. Several officials from the Court are present.

Only three are seated. The man in the center, in his fifties, is Chen Bo’an, the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review.

To his right sits a man in his forties, Pei Zhile, the Left Vice Minister of the Court.

On the left, sipping tea slowly, is an older man who, judging by his attire, is a eunuch from the imperial palace.

Among the Court’s leadership, Sui Luqing is the youngest, barely in his early thirties.

To hold such a position at his age, Sui Luqing’s family must be influential.

Of course, Sui Luqing himself is no slouch.

Sui Luqing bows to Minister Chen. “Sir, this is the Henwell I mentioned.”

Chen Bo’an looks Henwell over and forces a smile. “Indeed, burly and strong, the kind you’d expect to be highly skilled in martial arts. What’s rare is that he’s sharp-minded too. Having you join the Court of Judicial Review is a great gain for me.”

Standing up, Chen Bo’an continues, “Henwell risked his life to break the deadlock and expose these villains. His contribution is truly significant. On behalf of the court, the citizens of the capital, my family, and my son who died unjustly, I thank you!”

Henwell quickly bows. “Sir, I don’t deserve such praise! It’s thanks to the strategies of the esteemed officials that these villains were captured. I only happened to be in the right place at the right time and did what I could. I dare not take credit.”

Chen Bo’an nods lightly, then turns to Sui Luqing. “Lord Sui, please take your seat. Today, we must pry the truth from this man.”

Then he looks back at Henwell. “Henwell, please have a seat as well.”

Someone brings over another chair for Henwell to sit down.

Next comes the interrogation of the Ministry of Justice clerk.

The man has already endured one round of brutal torture, his body bloodied and bound to the torture device.

After another hour of questioning, all he does is scream in agony, he refuses to say a single word.

Chen Bo’an clearly loses his temper, slamming his fist on the table. “Stubborn to the end, truly reckless!”

He scans the room. “Does anyone have a way to pry this man’s mouth open?”

No one answers. Chen Bo’an fixes his gaze on Henwell. “Henwell, you’ve been involved in this case from the start. Do you have any ideas?”

Chen Bo’an expects a casual reply but is surprised when Henwell actually speaks up. “I do have an idea, but I need your approval first.”

Soon after, the clerk’s entire family is brought in.

One official wonders aloud, “Do you intend to have his family persuade him to confess?”

At that moment, the clerk, just awakened by a splash of cold water, sees his crying family and immediately struggles.

Henwell calmly states, “You need to answer some questions. For every question you answer, I will release one family member. The Court of Judicial Review guarantees them new identities so they can continue living. Of course, you may choose not to speak, but that will be your fate.”

With that, Henwell raises his hand and grabs his wife by the neck, slowly tightening his grip.

Amid the clerk’s curses, Henwell slowly strangles his wife to death.

He casually tosses the limp body to the ground and continues, “Are you ready? The questioning starts now.”

Only then do the others in the Court realize what’s happening and begin to scold Henwell, demanding he stop.

The eunuch, who has remained silent until now, surprisingly sides with Henwell. “This is treason, plotting to assassinate the emperor! The punishment is execution of the entire clan! Killing a few criminals is nothing!”

Chen Bo’an and Sui Luqing lower their heads and sip tea silently.

Only Pei Zhile, the Left Vice Minister, frowns. “Henwell! Every suspect must be interrogated and sign a record. This is a serious matter. You can’t just kill him like this, it’s difficult to explain!”

Henwell replies, “What’s the difference between dying sooner or later?”

Without paying attention to the officials anymore, Henwell turns to the clerk. “Judging by your face, you still don’t want to talk, huh?”

Before the clerk can respond, Henwell raises his hand and snaps his father’s neck.

The clerk roars in rage and struggles, cursing Henwell fiercely.

Henwell shakes his head gently, then picks up the little daughter. “You know how this works. There has to be an explanation. No matter who your backers are, right now no one can save your family’s lives. You’re done for, but if you cooperate, your family still has a chance.”

The clerk glares at Henwell. “You won’t die a good death!”

Henwell pats the crying little girl’s head. She goes limp in his arms, blood slowly trickling from her orifices.

He drops the girl’s lifeless body and reaches for the youngest son.

Suddenly, someone nearby moves to block Henwell’s arm.

Henwell transforms his palm into a claw, grabs the man’s wrist, and flings him aside.

The man flips through the air and kicks twice at Henwell. Henwell raises his left arm to block, twists his body, and delivers a side kick.

Though the man crosses his arms to block, Henwell’s kick sends him flying.

But he doesn’t hit the ground, he plants his feet on the wall and lands steadily.

He draws his sword from his waist, and two others grab weapons and step in front of Henwell.

Henwell places his hand on the hilt of the Dusk Greatsword, ready to strike.

Chen Bo’an shouts, “Stop! What are you doing? Internal fighting? You’re just giving the villains a laugh!”

The man who first attacked explains, “Sir, you saw it yourself, this barbarian strikes ruthlessly, even targeting children! I refuse to stand with someone like that!”

Sui Luqing calmly responds, “Lian Kai, you refuse to stand with Henwell? Then who do you want to stand with? Those traitors?”

Lian Kai quickly bows. “Sir, I don’t mean that. It’s just that this barbarian’s methods are too cruel, he’s utterly heartless!”

Chen Bo’an snaps, “Enough! Lian Kai, earlier I asked you all to find a way to break this villain’s silence, but no one spoke. Now Henwell acts, and you disagree. Fine! Then tell me your plan, how do you propose to make this scoundrel talk?”

The three Gold Locksmiths fall silent, shooting Henwell fierce glares.

Henwell ignores them and slowly approaches the clerk’s youngest son.

As Henwell reaches out, the clerk suddenly shouts, “Stop!”

Henwell asks, “Have you changed your mind?”

The clerk, eyes bloodshot, stares at Henwell. “How can you guarantee my family will survive?”