Chapter 231: 魁首

The two sets of seats were arranged on opposite sides of the courtroom, facing each other. As Chen Ling took his seat, he saw Zhuo Shuqing and a group of other journalists from various media outlets sitting down in the opposite section. Their eyes met, and Chen Ling's narrowed slightly.

"Something's not right," Wen Shilin remarked from beside him. "Usually, for a court trial, two or three media outlets are the most you'd see. But this time, there are so many, and almost every outlet has its own representative. This scale is a bit too large."

Chen Ling's face was as cold as ice. "It seems this court verdict won't be so simple."

As the two spoke, a large crowd of people streamed in from an adjacent aisle, heading directly towards the spectator seats on Chen Ling's side. Chen Ling glanced over, surprise dawning in his eyes.

"Brother Zhao Yi, why are we here?" Ling'er asked, holding a boy's hand as they walked past Chen Ling.

"We're here to support Officer Han Meng from District Three," Zhao Yi replied, his face filled with determination. "Officer Han Meng betrayed Aurora City for us; without him, we wouldn't be where we are today. We can never forget this kindness... Ling'er, you don't need to say anything later, just sit quietly, understand?"

"Okay."

Zhao Yi scanned the seats and sat down directly next to Chen Ling, with Ling'er beside him. After some time apart, Zhao Yi seemed to have matured considerably. He no longer resembled the mischievous boy from Frost Street; instead, he seemed like the pillar of a family. The experience of leaving his home had made the young man grow up overnight. He wore a worn gray cotton coat, faint stubble lingered on his chin, and his gaze towards the judge's bench was unshakeable. In contrast, Ling'er's clothes were relatively new. She wore cute braided pigtails and sat obediently beside Zhao Yi, like a quiet porcelain doll.

"Xiao Yi, did you bring it?" Mr. Xu Chongguo's voice came from the row behind Chen Ling.

Chen Ling turned his head slightly and saw that almost all sixty-one residents from District Three who had entered Aurora City with the train that day were present, completely filling the spectator seats on this side.

"Yes, I did," Zhao Yi nodded.

"Give it to us; we'll use it later," Xu Chongguo said, reaching out his hand.

Zhao Yi hesitated for a moment before secretly pulling something out from under his cotton coat and handing it to Xu Chongguo.

"It's a shame Old Ding is sick and couldn't make it; otherwise, we'd all be here," Xu Chongguo sighed. "I hope we get a good outcome this time."

"It's alright, with so many of us, one less won't hurt," Zhao Yi comforted him.

Chen Ling sat beside Zhao Yi, observing everything. A sense of doubt arose in his mind: What exactly were they planning? He hoped they wouldn't do anything foolish to defy the justice system.

"They're the survivors from District Three," Wen Shilin recognized them too, lowering his voice to whisper in Chen Ling's ear. "It seems they're here to strongly support Han Meng."

"Mm," Chen Ling nodded slightly.

"Brother, you look familiar," Zhao Yi, noticing Chen Ling, scratched his head and asked doubtfully, "Have we met somewhere before...?"

"He's the hero who chased away that reporter named Zhuo that day," Xu Chongguo recognized Chen Ling at once, his tone grateful. "We meet again. It was a rush last time, and I didn't get your name."

Chen Ling paused, then replied, "Lin Yan."

"Hello, I'm Zhao Yi," Zhao Yi extended his hand. "Later, we might... well... make some noise, please don't mind it."

Chen Ling shook his hand with a strange expression. "What are you planning? This is a courtroom."

"You'll see soon enough."

As they spoke, several figures slowly emerged from inside the courtroom and took their seats at the judge's bench. Leading them was an elderly man draped in a black and crimson robe, his attire solemn and dignified. He sat in the judge's chair, his gaze as profound as an endless frozen sea.

"That's the chief judge of the Tribunal Court, and also the current Head of the Judgment Path, Seven-Pattern Enforcer Gu Yuan," Wen Shilin explained at the opportune moment.

"Head? What's that?"

"You must have heard of the fourteen Divine Paths, right? Each Divine Path has many branched routes, and a 'Head' is simply the strongest person of this era on a particular path," Wen Shilin continued. "In other words, he is the 'King' of the Judgment Path in this era."

"Don't let his age fool you; it's said that back then, he once duelled the Chief Enforcer, who is also the Head of the Asura Path. They fought for three days and three nights without a clear victor... Unfortunately, perhaps due to age, his potential has been exhausted, and he's remained at the seventh rank for many years. Meanwhile, the Head of the Asura Path has already entered the eighth rank, creating a vast difference in their strength."

"Chief Enforcer? Is that Tan Xin?"

"No, Tan Xin is just the Deputy Chief. The Chief usually can't be bothered with trivial matters, so he's given Tan Xin full authority to handle everything."

Gu Yuan sat at the judge's bench in the center of the courtroom. He glanced at the time, then lightly tapped the base with his wooden gavel. A dull thud echoed through the courtroom, and the noisy crowd immediately fell silent.

"The trial of Officer Han Meng, Chief Enforcer of District Three, will now commence," Gu Yuan announced calmly. "Bring in the defendant, Han Meng."

All eyes turned as a familiar figure, clad in a black prison uniform with shackles on his hands, walked out from the side of the courtroom. Two enforcers flanked him, escorting him to the defendant's stand, where he stood alone beneath the judge's bench. After Han Meng appeared, Chen Ling noticed that the breathing of the District Three residents around him grew heavier. Zhao Yi, beside him, stared intently at the black uniform, his eyes filled with worry. Han Meng, in contrast, stood emotionless at the defendant's stand, like a dark statue. Though he appeared to have lost some weight since they last met, his composure remained unchanged. Even in a simple black prison uniform, he exuded an inexplicable aura, as if he were still wearing an enforcer's trench coat, showing no resemblance to a common prisoner.

"Next, I will present a brief summary of the case..." Gu Yuan began again.

Just as Gu Yuan was about to speak, two crisp snaps resounded from the spectator seats! *Snap! Snap!*

To the stunned gazes of everyone present, two bright red banners unfurled in the spectator section. The District Three survivors raised their hands high, striving to lift the banners as high as possible, and bold, powerful characters were instantly displayed for all to see!

– Acting with great righteousness, sacrificing oneself for others!– Enforcing the law like a mountain, protecting the embers of hope!

As these two banners opened, Zhao Yi also stood up abruptly, grabbing another horizontal banner and raising it with a *snap* above his head!

– Han Meng is innocent!!