Free Web NovelChapter 1223: Chapter 38: One-Third of the Burden
From the current situation, Su Xiao feels the power struggle will soon end, the Old King won’t let it drag on, and it can’t be delayed any longer.
Under normal circumstances, helping a prince or princess ascend quickly would be impossible.
The most advantageous contenders, Big Prince and Third Prince, withdrew for the kingdom, leaving 29 competitors.
Among these 29, Seventh Prince, Second Princess, and Sixth Princess have the highest chance of winning, while the remaining 26 either play small roles or have ambitions without capability. ƒreewebɳovel.com
Seventh Prince has no military power and average financial clout, yet he can gather numerous holy warriors, possessing a huge number of high-end combat effectiveness.
If he wants, he could more likely inherit the throne than Big Prince, but he’s too Buddha Nature and somewhat lazy.
Su Xiao seriously doubts whether he truly wishes to become the new king, which is why he hadn’t directly chosen Seventh Prince earlier.
If Seventh Prince had ample ambition, Su Xiao would be seventy percent confident in making him the new king, while other princes or princesses could live if they were willing to give up, or face death if not.
Though Su Xiao is the Iron Hand, it’s inconvenient for him to directly support someone, but the situation has clearly changed.
The assassination plans of the Undead Clan, plus the kingdom’s financial risks, make the Holy Sodding Kingdom need a new king urgently, rather than prolonging the power struggle.
The Old King definitely understands this but cannot directly appoint a new king, as it would destabilize the power structure further.
If Su Xiao guessed right, the Old King wouldn’t let the current situation deteriorate unchecked; he’d certainly have a strategy.
Cutting through the chaos decisively and selecting a new king from the numerous heirs is the best means to resolve the current crisis.
While Su Xiao pondered his next move, a Guard entered the Council Hall, approached Su Xiao, and whispered something.
Initially, Su Xiao was somewhat surprised, then nodded.
"This Old Lion is bolder than I imagined." freewёbnoνel.com
Su Xiao muttered, a smile appearing on his face. Compared to him, the Old King wants to end the power struggle quickly; with great enemies looming, prolonging it would be foolish.
Su Xiao glanced at Sixth Princess, as Second Princess beside her closed her eyes, speaking: "If I withdraw now, it shouldn’t be too late?"
"You don’t need to give up for now."
Su Xiao spoke; the Old King had just tasked him to expedite selecting the new king.
The Old King and numerous officials aren’t blind; which princes or princesses qualify for the throne is evident.
The so-called power struggle isn’t about luck; it requires earning the majority of officials’ recognition; it’s not merely luck, but a test of ability.
Big Prince, Third Prince, Seventh Prince, and Second Princess clearly meet various throne inheritance requirements. As for the second tier non-Royal family heirs, Rowen Harvey’s recent betrayal means letting them become the new king is risky, as it could lead the Holy Sodding Kingdom to destruction by the Undead Clan.
The kingdom’s finances are chaotic, hiding an impending bomb, and the Undead Clan beyond the Wall of God are restless; now it’s not 29 to 1 but 4 to 1.
Su Xiao stepped before Sixth Princess, Mad Dog·Sixth Princess squinted.
"Iron Hand, are you here to kill me?"
Sixth Princess isn’t dull; rather, she clearly sees the current situation.
"You have a chance to give up."
Su Xiao took out the Golden Lion Pendant, which the Old King hadn’t reclaimed, as it was needed for what Su Xiao would do next.
Sixth Princess cast a glance at the Golden Lion Pendant, her lips pursed, the corners slightly curled.
"I, don’t, choose."
Sixth Princess glared at Su Xiao, speaking firmly, her eyes filled only with murderous intent, nothing else, clearly showing her unstable spirit; in Reincarnation Paradise, she might become a ruthless figure.
Crunch!
In a flash, Su Xiao’s hand grasped Sixth Princess’s neck and snapped it.
Sixth Princess’s body slumped against the seat, the pupils of the other four in the Council Hall contracted.
"Iron Hand, have you gone mad?"
Third Prince’s voice was deep; no matter how much of a Mad Dog Sixth Princess was, she belonged to the Royal Family.
"This should be father’s intention."
Big Prince appeared much calmer.
"Father..."
Third Prince contemplated the current situation and stayed silent, realizing internal conflict couldn’t continue now.
Su Xiao turned to exit the Council Hall; other princesses and princes awaited his action.
At the Council Hall door, Su Xiao paused.
"Congratulations on advancing."
Su Xiao pushed open the door, exiting the Council Hall.
"Huh?"
Second Princess’s lips twitched; though she understood the circumstances, she hadn’t anticipated the Old King truly acting so decisively.
Now all princes and princesses have gathered in the Royal Capital, not residing within the Royal Palace but staying across various locations.
The Old King’s instructions to Su Xiao were simple: excluding Big Prince, Third Prince, Seventh Prince, and Second Princess, the rest performed poorly in the power struggle; or rather, aside from those four, most contributed little or engaged in minor schemes, even indulging in clandestine meetings.
The Old King was truly angry over a certain prince and princess’s illicit rendezvous; he even considered having Su Xiao rid of them to prevent scandal.
However, that protective princess is formidable, strong as a Holy Warrior, leaving the Old King no recourse but to overlook it to avoid escalating issues.
...
At the door of a luxurious three-story residence, Su Xiao knocked. About two minutes later, a woman wrapped in a blanket answered, wearing nothing but the blanket around her shoulders, her abdominal muscles visibly toned.
"Iron Hand?"
The woman scanned Su Xiao curiously.
"Withdraw from this power struggle."
Su Xiao went straight to the point; numerous princes and princesses waited for his ’greeting’.
"Father’s intention?"
This blanket-clad robust woman was indeed a princess.
"You could understand it that way."
The robust princess shrugged: "What’s my benefit?"
From a force perspective, she didn’t fear Iron Hand, at least she thought so.
"Your matter with your brother will never be pursued."
The bait Su Xiao offered was substantial, prompting the robust princess to grab Su Xiao’s shoulder: "Really?"
The blanket slipped slightly, exposing some skin, her motion nearly caused Su Xiao to slash her neck with his Drawn Sword Slash.
"Literal meaning."
"Alright, I agree."
The robust princess communicated earnestly, offering sincerity to the point of exposure.
Things proceeded surprisingly smoothly; Su Xiao turned to leave, the robust princess manipulating her blanket, watching Su Xiao’s back.
Moments later, the robust princess loudly called, "Is the situation that desperate? Tell father if he needs me on the battlefield, I won’t refuse."
Su Xiao paused, the robust princess tilting her chin at him; these princes and princesses differ from palace drama characters, knowing well the kingdom’s survival outweighs power; without the kingdom, they’d be chased by the Undead Clan to the ends of the earth.
Su Xiao commenced visiting princes or princesses involved in this power struggle, most with consistent attitudes, relinquishing but not being stripped of their territories.
These territories serve as consolation for forgoing the struggle; the Old King has promised this, and as for new heirs’ lands, it’s beyond consideration. Surviving this ordeal is paramount.
After about two hours, Su Xiao ’visited’ 26 princes or princesses, among whom 2 exhibited huge ambitions, leading to others handling their affairs.
Su Xiao departed from the last princess’s residence, smiling, realizing he might complete the Main Task first; though his stay duration would greatly decrease, tasks in the Original world are numerous, potentially extending his stay significantly.
Completing the Main Task would relieve a third of Su Xiao’s burden, enabling freer movement within the Royal Capital, even confronting the Royal Family directly, with the worst outcome being to battle out.
A constraint-free Iron Hand would warrant the Old King more caution, and learning Su Xiao’s true identity might shock or terrify him.
