Chapter 230: Trial Court

Early morning.

Wen Shilin, looking somewhat haggard and sporting two large dark circles under his eyes, pushed open the newspaper office door.

He had been up all night, compiling evidence of the Starry Sky Chamber of Commerce's organ trafficking and drafting an article. Five or six years ago, an all-nighter would have been nothing to him, but now, approaching middle age, his stamina couldn't quite keep up.

Just as he reached his workstation, preparing to begin his writing for the day, a figure approached him.

“Mr. Wen, you don't look so good.”

Wen Shilin looked up at Chen Ling, giving a helpless smile. “I'm alright, just a bit sleepy... I'll be fine after drinking some water.”

Before he could finish, Chen Ling placed a steaming cup of coffee on his desk. The rich aroma wafted towards Wen Shilin, making his eyes light up slightly.

He looked up at the silently smiling Chen Ling, his expression somewhat complex.

“Coffee isn't cheap; you shouldn't have gone to such expense.”

Having been a journalist for so many years, Wen Shilin hadn't saved much money. Coffee, a beverage typically enjoyed by the petite bourgeoisie, was something he usually couldn't bear to buy. Chen Ling's gesture deeply touched him.

“It's nothing.” Chen Ling smiled and naturally sat down opposite him, then got straight to the point.

“By the way, I heard that Enforcement Officer Han Meng, who came from District Three some time ago, is scheduled for trial today? Are you aware of this?”

“Yes, the announcement was made yesterday,” Wen Shilin nodded while sipping his coffee. “Why? Are you interested in this case too?”

“I was there when that train crashed into the city, and I saw the whole thing unfold, so I remember that officer.”

“No wonder... What do you think of him?”

Chen Ling pondered for a moment. “From a personal perspective, I feel he did nothing wrong. At the very least, he saved the remaining survivors from District Three.”

“That's true,” Wen Shilin sighed, as if thinking of something. “However, he publicly defied orders, fought with other enforcement officers, and opened the gates to let people in... While he won't be sentenced to death, he'll likely get three to five decades, or even life imprisonment.”

“Will the sentence be that long?” Chen Ling's brow furrowed involuntarily.

“I'm just guessing. The specific outcome will depend on the defense presented in court and the intentions of the high-ranking enforcement officers.”

Chen Ling fell into thought.

Han Meng had betrayed the Aurora City Enforcement Officers to protect Chen Ling and his group, a favor Chen Ling would certainly not forget. However, given the current circumstances, there was little he could do. The black prison at the Enforcement Headquarters was on a completely different level from the Starry Sky Chamber of Commerce's dungeon. With his mere Tier 2 strength, breaking into a prison guarded by numerous Tier 6 and even Tier 7 officers to rescue someone would be akin to a pipe dream.

Fortunately, Han Meng wouldn't be sentenced to death. As long as he was alive, there would always be a way to rescue him... Chen Ling thought to himself.

“If you're interested in this case, why don't you go directly to the courthouse and observe the trial?” Wen Shilin suddenly asked.

Chen Ling was taken aback. “Can I observe?”

“Of course, all court rulings in Aurora City are open to the public; even ordinary citizens can observe... And you're a journalist, no less.”

Wen Shilin glanced at the clock on the wall. “The trial is about to start. Let's go; I'll take you there. Once you're familiar with the process, you can go by yourself next time you're interested in a case.”

Without waiting for Chen Ling to respond, Wen Shilin picked up his coffee, put on his camera bag, and headed straight for the door.

Seeing this, Chen Ling quickly followed.

The Aurora City Courthouse wasn't too far from the newspaper office; it took them about twenty minutes to walk to the entrance.

At the courthouse entrance, a scattered crowd had already gathered. The incident of the train entering the city was still fresh in people's minds, so Han Meng's case had significant public interest. They registered their information at the door and then proceeded towards the spectator seats.

To Chen Ling's surprise, he encountered an acquaintance there.

In a corner near the courthouse entrance, several journalists with cameras, seemingly from different media outlets, were gathered. Among them, Zhuo Shuqing was thoughtfully taking notes.

Just then, he felt a tap on his shoulder from behind.

He turned back in confusion, saw Chen Ling's smiling face, and almost jumped in fright, retreating two steps with a pale face.

“You... what are you doing here??”

“I'm here to observe,” Chen Ling replied, his gaze sweeping over the people around Zhuo Shuqing, his eyebrow slightly raised. “But you... why are *you* here?”

“I...” Zhuo Shuqing swallowed. “I'm also here to observe, representing the Aurora Daily.”

“Oh? Since when could you represent the Aurora Daily?”

As Chen Ling's eyes narrowed, a chill ran through Zhuo Shuqing. He opened his mouth but couldn't utter a word.

“Lin Yan, I've registered you. Let's go in,” Wen Shilin said, walking over at the opportune moment. Seeing Zhuo Shuqing there, he was also surprised. “You're here too? What is it, has someone paid you to fabricate another report?”

Zhuo Shuqing's face immediately flushed crimson. He bit back and retorted,

“Wen Shilin, what the hell are you talking about?”

Chen Ling seemed to recall something, his eyes fixed on Zhuo Shuqing. His expression instantly turned cold, and a faint murderous intent emanated from his gaze, locking onto the other man.

“Little Zhuo...” Chen Ling began slowly. “You should know that I despise people who fabricate news. If you dare to have any ulterior motives this time, it won't just be a punch like last time...”

Chen Ling took half a step forward, his cheek almost touching Zhuo Shuqing's ear. His voice, chilling to the bone, pierced the other man's mind.

“Do you believe I'd kill you?”

Zhuo Shuqing felt as if he had plunged into an ice cellar!

He stood frozen in place, his face ashen, the fear of Chen Ling's dominance resurfacing. He watched Chen Ling give him a deep look, then turn and follow Wen Shilin into the courtroom. Even so, that chilling murderous intent lingered in his mind, refusing to dissipate...

“Zhuo Shuqing, what are you waiting for?” another journalist frowned, waving him over. “Come on, the trial is about to begin.”

“Oh... right.”

Zhuo Shuqing snapped out of his daze and stiffly followed them inside.

Chen Ling followed Wen Shilin and found seats in the first row of the spectator area.

The courthouse building was quite large. Its walls were adorned with dark marble, giving it a solemn yet elegant appearance. Enormous stained-glass windows flanked both sides, refracting sunlight into countless beautiful spots that danced across the center of the courtroom.

A tall and magnificent judge's bench, like a divine throne among the clouds, stood at the highest point of the courtroom.