Chapter 190: Judgment Hall
Chapter 190: Judgment Hall
At eight o'clock the next morning, a convoy of armed patrol vehicles led the way, and a procession of vehicles departed directly from the headquarters of the Patrol Bureau, heading towards the Judgment Hall in Yangzhi City.
The Wu Yi students had received the news in advance, and they were all concerned about the matter. So, they arrived early at the Judgment Hall located on Canglin Avenue in the southern part of the city.
Among them were not only freshmen but also graduates from many years ago. They all wore the formal uniform of Wu Yi Academy, standing silently in the square in front of the Judgment Hall. The crowd of martial artists exuded an invisible aura that created immense pressure.
This scene also attracted a large number of onlookers, who dared not get too close but watched from a distance. The patrol officers from the Patrol Bureau had also arrived early, setting up barricades and posting officers every few meters along the street, all the way to the end of the road.
At 8:15, the sun rose high, and the Patrol Bureau's convoy arrived at the Judgment Hall.
One of the armed vehicles stopped, and Chen Chuan stepped out, still dressed in his formal attire, without the Snow Lady Sword this time.
Although he possessed a weapon permit and could theoretically carry it anywhere except government departments, considering his current reputation, he chose not to provoke certain individuals.
He glanced at the Judgment Hall ahead, its architecture solemn and dignified under the sunlight. However, due to the involvement of numerous people and powers, almost the entire Yangzhi City's elite were implicated. Thus, the Judgment Hall itself played a limited role, mainly providing a venue and serving as a witness and final verdict announcer, following a lawful procedure.
At this moment, he also noticed the Wu Yi students who had gathered in the square of their own accord. His deputy, sent by Guan Yuming, said, "Little Brother Chen, let's go."
Chen Chuan nodded and, escorted by the patrol officers, ascended the steps into the front hall of the Judgment Hall. He straightened his clothes in front of a mirror and then entered the main hall.
As he walked in, in a nearby building, a telegraph operator was sending a telegram to a certain location. The recipient, a commissioner named Cao, read the translated message and said, "Understood, keep monitoring."
"Yes, sir!"
He glanced outside, where the surroundings were rapidly moving backward. On National Avenue, the entire convoy was heading towards Yangzhi City.
Inside the Judgment Hall, Chen Chuan walked up the sloping path, passing through the public gallery, and headed forward. He could see that many people had already taken their seats on both sides, their gazes filled with hostility, disgust, hatred, and even some caution and scrutiny directed at him.
According to Gao Ming, not only would the families of the thirty-seven students be present, but also members of the Government Hall, the Wu Yi School Council, and the Government Hall itself. Additionally, some prominent social figures unrelated to the case would attend as observers.
In the center of the Judgment Hall stood the judge, dressed in a black and red judicial robe, his hair neatly combed, wearing round glasses, and a golden chain around his neck, exuding a scholarly aura.
Chen Chuan directly took his position on the right-hand side, a spot slightly elevated and distanced from the crowd, yet still offering a view of most of the attendees.
He scanned the room and noticed the previously unseen presence of Director Lei, Wu Yi teachers Bian Feng and Yue Hong, and several others sitting with them. These individuals had solemn expressions and a formidable aura, clearly skilled martial artists, likely from the Processing Bureau.
As this case involved Yangzhi City's elite and influential figures, all tedious procedures were omitted. After everyone had arrived, the judge picked up a small copper hammer and struck the base of the Xiezhi statue, producing a loud sound that echoed throughout the hall.
As everyone turned their attention, the judge spoke, "This court will now hear the statements from both sides regarding the Li'an Machinery Factory case."
The Patrol Bureau and Secret Sect Examination Bureau had already submitted comprehensive evidence, especially with Tan Wang still alive, who could provide numerous testimonies and evidence.
The advantage of securing the scene promptly was evident in the detailed and undeniable evidence they possessed.
The influential families were also aware of the situation and had made extensive preparations. Their goal was to either completely evade guilt or sacrifice some unrelated individuals, portraying the young elites present as deceived victims.
If successful, they could even turn the tables and accuse Chen Chuan of colluding with the secret sect, transforming the perpetrators into victims.
Two individuals, not lawyers but court officials, took turns presenting their statements and reasoning. They were merely reciting, not engaging in any arguments.
The audience listened quietly, but their intentions differed. For the Patrol Bureau and Secret Sect Examination Bureau, the case's outcome would determine if they could continue their investigation through Chen Chuan's lead.
The Processing Bureau aimed to take advantage of the situation to weaken or break the united front of the elite families in recommending students, reducing their influence on the school.
But to achieve this, they must first ensure Chen Chuan's safety and the righteousness of his actions. Otherwise, their subsequent plans would be futile.
As for the various influential families, their goal was the opposite—to let the person who killed their offspring go unpunished, even without consequences. This was not only a matter of face but also a substantial decline in their power, indicating their inability to maintain the previous status quo.
In the future, to ensure their survival, they might turn on each other, and more people could join the fray, seeking to devour them.
The elite families had prepared extensively, first swaying many Consultative Council members to their side, influencing the Government Hall. This would put pressure on the Patrol, Secret Sect, and Processing Bureaus from top to bottom.
Although these council members had connections with the powerful families, it wasn't as simple as it seemed.
The Secret Sect, Processing, and Patrol Bureaus were the three most formidable and independent local government departments, especially without military power. The Government Hall had to consider their opinions.
To suppress this matter and achieve their goals, they needed a justifiable cause and reason, following the rules of the Great Shun Republic. Forcing it with power would only create more conflicts, and these departments might refuse to cooperate in the future.
Considering the various heretical sects, resistance organizations, and armed groups outside, not only is the cooperation of these powerful departments more necessary, but sometimes it involves their lives and deaths. It is impossible not to be cautious.
Therefore, the procedure must be followed.
At this time, both the plaintiff and the defendant had finished their lengthy statements. Then, the deceased's family members took the stage to present their case. Those who appeared were all elders and women from the victims' families.
They narrated heartwarming and touching past events of the "victims," one by one, bit by bit. Their words were sincere and heartfelt, and at the emotional parts, they couldn't help but cry and wail, moving many of the spectators to tears. Soft sobs could be heard from the audience.
The judge silently observed from above. After these people finished their statements, he turned to Chen Chuan and asked, as per procedure, "Plaintiff Chen Chuan, the defendant accuses you of killing thirty-seven students in the Li'an Machinery Old Factory in Xigang District on the 20th. Do you admit to this?"
This is just a process. Usually, the defendant would deny committing these acts, followed by the appearance of both parties' lawyers, and then a court debate. Considering the complexity of this case and the involvement of multiple factions, it might be a very lengthy process.
However, to his surprise, after asking this question, Chen Chuan calmly replied, "Yes, I killed them. I killed all thirty-seven of them that night."
The judge was a little taken aback. He didn't expect Chen Chuan to admit it so readily, but that wasn't the main point. It was difficult to deny this incident, and the key was the reason for the killing.
He continued, "Then, before and during the killing, were you coerced by any party or manipulated by a secret sect ritual, which led to your murderous actions?"
Chen Chuan calmly responded, "No. I killed these people entirely of my own volition. I was not coerced in any way, nor was I influenced by any secret sect ritual."
As soon as these words were spoken, the audience erupted in an uproar.
"Murderer!"
"Murderer!"
Finally, someone couldn't contain their emotion and stood up, shouting in a high-pitched voice, "My child was obedient and honest. He was always very filial to his parents. He was just a child, still a child... Why did you kill him? Why?!"
Chen Chuan turned to look at him and said, "That's because he deserved to die."
The man trembled under Chen Chuan's gaze, "You... you..."
Chen Chuan's eyes scanned the audience, looking at each person sitting above. He said sincerely, "They all deserved to die. They intended to control me with a secret sect ritual, but they failed. Later, they even shot at me. To protect myself, I had no choice but to kill them all."
"Intended? How do you determine their intentions?"
Angry and indignant accusations came from below, "Even if they shot at you, that's not a reason for you to kill them. You have no right, you murderer!"
"In fact..." Chen Chuan looked at him, "... I have that right."
As he spoke, he raised his hand and reached into his pocket. This action made everyone tense, and some couldn't help but want to call for security.
The judge also became tense. He knew that Chen Chuan had killed dozens of Wu Yi students and security fighters who were armed. If Chen Chuan were to go crazy right there, it would be dangerous for the judge, despite the presence of security personnel, as he was sitting so close.
The judge quickly said, "Student Chen, what are you doing? What do you want to take out? Our staff can help you retrieve it."
Chen Chuan slowly said, "Just to show you the power." He slowly took out his hand, and in his hand was a card. He held it up and displayed it to everyone.
It was a dark green jade card with blood-red patterns that resembled spreading cinnabar. It looked like it was stained with fresh blood.
Due to the distance, some people couldn't see clearly what it was, but those in the front row had a clear view. Someone who recognized it exclaimed, "Infinite Defense Certificate?!"
The judge stared fixedly, adjusting his glasses and looking at Chen Chuan. He muttered, "And it's a Type B Card..."
Chen Chuan's steady and powerful voice echoed in the courtroom, "You ask me if I have the right, and I tell you I do. The Daming Republic Government has granted me the legitimate right to defend myself. When I perceive persecution or feel my life is in danger, I obtain the right to infinite defense. So... I eliminated all threatening targets within my sight, leaving none alive!"
The courtroom fell silent, except for his final words, which lingered in the air for a long time.
Many people looked at him with fear, and some trembled. They couldn't tell if it was because of this news or some other reason.
"Infinite Defense Certificate, how could he possibly have one?! It's fake, it has to be fake!" Someone in the audience immediately raised doubts, causing an uproar.
The judge picked up the hammer and banged it, the sound drowning out the noise from below. He looked at Chen Chuan and said, "Student Chen, in the name of fairness and justice, please allow me to inspect the defense certificate in your hand."
Chen Chuan nodded, "Sure."
The judge walked down from the bench, took the card from Chen Chuan, and examined it. He said, "It's real. The material, the number, and the name on it all match. And it's a Type B Card."
After he spoke, a deathly silence fell upon the audience. Many of the powerful families present turned pale, and some sat there helplessly. They knew that with this certificate, unless caught red-handed or with extremely unfavorable evidence, it was almost impossible to be convicted.
Wei Hang couldn't help but close his eyes. The situation they least wanted to see had occurred.
They hadn't failed to consider this possibility, even though it was highly unlikely. But they couldn't possibly stop pursuing this matter because of this inference. So, even if Chen Chuan really had the Infinite Defense Certificate, this step was necessary.
However, with this development, they could no longer use official procedures to send Chen Chuan to his death. But he had another choice, even though it was a decision that couldn't be reversed once taken.
He looked at the young man sitting next to him, who nodded. So, leaning on his cane, he stood up and said, "Judge, and everyone present, I have something to say."
...
...
(End of Chapter)
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