Chapter 1052: Come on, something fierce

No one knew what Han Meng saw in Chen Ling through the Verdict of Original Sin; nor did anyone know what struggles Han Meng went through during the long minutes before he declared Chen Ling innocent.

The Scarlet Master of the Abyssal Taunt, the Formless King who mocks fate. When Han Meng uttered these words, Chen Ling knew that his true identity had been uncovered.

And the final verdict was beyond Chen Ling's expectation...

"Chen Ling is innocent."

Chen Ling's eyes narrowed slightly.

There was no relief of a burden lifted, nor the satisfaction of being cleared of wrongdoing. He looked at Han Meng and spoke again:

"Innocent? Are you certain?"

The moment he said this, Jian Changsheng and the other two, who had just breathed a sigh of relief, were dumbfounded.

Jian Changsheng's sealed mouth made muffled sounds. He glared at Chen Ling, looking as if to say, "Are you crazy, kid?" The Chief Justice himself declared you innocent and intended to let you go, but you jump out and question the verdict?! Do you only become happy if you're dismembered like Huang He was just now?!

Chen Ling never considered himself a "good person."

Since stepping onto the stage, he had committed many acts that would be deemed "evil" by law... He had killed members of the Fugitive Painting who pursued him, and ordinary people who slandered and insulted him... To meet audience expectations and complete those accursed performances, he had deceived and incited others... In Chen Ling's mind, with his memories from before his "transmigration," the guilt caused by morality had long accumulated.

Perhaps due to the "Audience," his empathy was weakened, and his guilt suppressed, but deep down, Chen Ling did not see himself as a blameless good person... He had simply become numb.

Han Meng also didn't expect Chen Ling to challenge his declaration of innocence, and his frown deepened.

"'Chen Ling' is innocent," Han Meng repeated the verdict. "This is not my personal opinion, but the ultimate conclusion of 'Justice'... Furthermore, I want you to understand that 'Justice' is not 'Law'; it varies across different eras and in the hands of different people."

Chen Ling fell silent.

Han Meng showed no intention of elaborating further. The judgment hall retracted around him, the surrounding scenery faded into nothingness, and the entire court detached from its independent space, returning to the unfinished building...

The journalists, already terrified out of their wits, had no desire to linger. They scrambled up and rushed out of the unfinished building, looking as if they had been reborn. Only a few bolder ones gritted their teeth, looked back, quickly organized the events into drafts, and then ran for their lives.

Jian Changsheng felt his body lighten, and the power sealing his mouth disappeared. He glanced at the black-clad figure not far away, muttered a few curses, and then ran towards Chen Ling with the other two.

"Red Heart, how are you feeling?" Sun Buming carefully examined the blood-soaked Chen Ling.

"Just a bit injured." Chen Ling glanced down at his damaged body, unconcerned. "It's nothing... but having my limbs controlled is always a hassle. If I don't fix it soon, I'm worried I'll start running wild again."

"You just need to die once, right?" Jian Changsheng's eyes lit up again, and he excitedly began rolling up his sleeves, seemingly eager to begin.

"...Wait," Chen Ling said, holding him back with a strange expression. "You guys can't finish me off. You'll just severely wound me, which will make it harder to die..."

"Uh... is that so?"

"Then what do you plan to do?"

Chen Ling's gaze passed over Jian Changsheng and the other two, settling on the figure in the black trench coat standing silently not far away.

Han Meng seemed not to understand what the three of them were saying, his brow slightly furrowed. Seeing Chen Ling suddenly look at him, his eyes revealed even more confusion... He pondered for a moment, "Do you need me to do something?"

"It's simple," Chen Ling said, pointing to his head. "Shoot me here. No ordinary bullet; make it a powerful one."

Han Meng: ???

After such a long time, reuniting with an old friend, Chen Ling's first request was to be shot in the head. Han Meng didn't understand... While he was buried in the Aurora Base, had the outside world gone so mad?

Han Meng stared at him for a while, confirming that Chen Ling wasn't joking. His expression gradually became serious: "...Are you sure?"

"Sure," Chen Ling nodded firmly. "Hurry up, or it'll get troublesome soon."

Han Meng: ...

Han Meng hesitated for half a second but chose to trust Chen Ling. He pulled out his gun, aimed it at Chen Ling's head, and the aura of the Chief Justice began to spread around him... Jian Changsheng and the other two immediately retreated over ten steps, worried about being splattered by Chen Ling's impending disintegration.

But as it turned out, they had worried for nothing. When Han Meng pulled the trigger, the power of deconstruction pierced directly through half of Chen Ling's body. There was no explosion, no splatter; his flesh seemed to instantly melt, vanishing into nothingness.

The pressure of the seventh order, carrying a mournful cold wind, dissipated within the unfinished building. Jian Changsheng's and the other two's fluttering clothes finally settled. They watched, transfixed, as Chen Ling, now only half a body, fell straight backward...

*Thud—*

Chen Ling's corpse hit the ground.

Han Meng lowered his gun, gazing blankly at Chen Ling's remains, his eyes still full of bewilderment.

Jian Changsheng blinked, then mischievously yelled: "Well, look at that! You actually killed Chen Ling!!"

Han Meng: ???????

Han Meng's face instantly changed. He stared intently at the half-body, as if his thoughts had frozen... Veins bulged on his neck, and his entire body became rigid.

"He's fooling you, Officer Han Meng," Sun Buming rolled his eyes. "Don't worry... Red Heart isn't that easy to kill."

Han Meng's expression finally softened slightly. He glared at Jian Changsheng, then looked back at Chen Ling.

Time passed, minute by minute...

Finally, Chen Ling's remaining half-body suddenly stirred. The melted flesh at the wound began to regenerate at an incredible speed!

*Click, click, click—*

Familiar spotlights flickered on above, one after another, and Chen Ling vaguely opened his eyes.

The figure in the large red opera robe slowly rose from the stage. He swept his gaze over the dense, crimson eyes of the "audience" below, his expression utterly calm... Now, Chen Ling knew that he had once been one of them. Looking at the full house of spectators, his mindset had shifted... It was no longer the initial terror, nor the later apprehension, nor pure hostility.

Draped in the large red opera robe, he stood tall and proud under the spotlights, like a calm and composed victor, looking down upon a group of malevolent captives.

"I know you all wish to replace me," Chen Ling said indifferently, "But one day, I will fully control you. In this world, there can only be one 'Chen Ling'... and that is me."