Chapter 245: Accusation

Fang Lichang frowned, squatted down, and picked up the newspaper. The conspicuously large headline on the front page instantly caught his eye: "The Black Industry Chain Under the Stars: 'An In-Depth Investigation File on Organ Trafficking'." Below the headline, the prominent name "Wen Shilin" triggered some unpleasant memories for Fang Lichang.

"This article also provided a record of organ transactions from the Stars Chamber of Commerce, listing extensive data files from the transaction process, and even including actual photos of organ recipients at the surgical site. The author, following the names on the list, located several victims' families in Aurora City overnight for in-depth interviews and case reconstruction, thoroughly uncovering all the hidden aspects of organ trafficking."

The defense lawyer's voice rang out again. "Yesterday afternoon, the author Wen Shilin submitted all the collected evidence to the tribunal. After our careful verification, we can confirm the authenticity of this list. On that list, there are no transaction records belonging to the defendant. Since the list in the article is the real one, the prosecution's so-called list was obviously fabricated to frame the defendant."

Fang Lichang's hands trembled slightly as he held the newspaper. He scanned the article; it indeed contained numerous snippets of transaction records, though not complete – some parts were not displayed. But with the endorsement of the entire tribunal, the authenticity of this transaction record was already undeniable. Fang Lichang, of course, knew the transaction record in his hand was fake, but he never expected the real record to fall into a reporter's hands, and for its exposure to be timed perfectly just before the trial began! The timing was far too coincidental!

"I was unaware of the authenticity of the transaction record," Fang Lichang replied, steeling himself. "I merely received a report... and this record was included in it."

"A report? From whom? Fabricating evidence to frame an officer of the law is a serious crime. The prosecution is obligated to disclose the provider of this evidence for further investigation," the defense lawyer pressed.

Fang Lichang was speechless.

This series of questions and counter-questions greatly pleased the onlookers from District Three.

"Exactly... This is what a proper defense lawyer looks like!" Xu Chongguo slapped his thigh, his expression highly agitated. "I told you, a lie can't become the truth!"

"That last defense lawyer was disgusting. No idea where he went... Good thing it's not him this time."

"But the author of this news, Wen Shilin, sounds a bit familiar..."

"Wasn't he the reporter sitting here that day?"

"I think so, I have some recollection!"

This sudden reversal led to murmurs from the spectator gallery. Judge Gu Yuan glanced over and rapped his gavel for silence.

Chen Ling sat quietly in his seat, observing Fang Lichang's stunned expression, and smiled without speaking. It seemed Wen Shilin had managed to make it in time after all...

"Even if the organ trafficking accusation is incorrect, the other charges still stand!" Fang Lichang bit out. "The defendant's act of collecting protection money in District Three is enough to prove his questionable personal conduct. Otherwise, how could he have joined the Twilight Society and collaborated with Red Heart 6 to cause the virus attack in the city? Just these points alone are enough to convict the defendant!"

"Witness Old Man Ding is also here! Let him testify! He can prove it!"

Gu Yuan's brow furrowed slightly, but after a brief hesitation, he chose to allow Old Man Ding to appear. After all, Fang Lichang, as the prosecutor, had actively requested the witness's presence, which he couldn't refuse.

"Bring him up."

Audience Anticipation Value: 5

As soon as this was said, Chen Ling, seated in the spectator gallery, quietly adjusted his posture, watching the area below the judgment platform with keen interest.

Under everyone's gaze, two officers slowly moved Old Man Ding in from outside, supporting him. Old Man Ding's eyes were vacant, his face ashen, and his legs felt as weak as cotton, barely able to move forward with the officers' support.

Seeing this, Gu Yuan asked in surprise, "What's wrong with the witness?"

"Well..." Fang Lichang was also puzzled and could only offer a casual excuse. "Perhaps he's been recalling the defendant's heinous acts in District Three, causing him sleepless nights and leaving him a bit weak..."

The defense lawyer silently rolled his eyes.

Meanwhile, anger flared on the faces of the District Three residents in the spectator gallery. They glared fiercely at Old Man Ding as he was brought up, furious beyond words. Zhao Yi's hands, resting on his knees, were tightly clenched into fists, his knuckles white from the strain.

"This scumbag, showing his face again to humiliate us..." Xu Chongguo muttered.

Old Man Ding was guided to his spot, his eyes still listless. He stiffly and numbly looked around, as if he hadn't fully woken from a dream.

"Witness Old Man Ding," Gu Yuan spoke in a deep voice, "do you confirm that the defendant Han Meng, during his tenure in District Three, forcibly collected protection money from residents and was involved with the Twilight Society as Spade 6? Do you affirm that you will bear the corresponding legal responsibility for your testimony?"

Gu Yuan's statement directly linked Old Man Ding's original testimony with baseless speculation, while simultaneously incorporating three key elements: "protection money," "Spade 6," and the "Twilight Society." This was the trap he set for Old Man Ding. If Old Man Ding unknowingly affirmed, Gu Yuan would continue to press him on how he knew all this, whether he had witnessed Han Meng's involvement with the Twilight Society, and would pepper him with detailed questions. Any mistake in Old Man Ding's answers could nullify the entire testimony. If Old Man Ding denied it, Gu Yuan could use that to dismiss Fang Lichang's accusations and forcibly reject the charge that Han Meng was a member of the Twilight Society due to "insufficient evidence."

Fang Lichang, being an old hand, recognized the danger in Gu Yuan's words and immediately felt anxious. He looked at Old Man Ding's back, silently praying that his answer wouldn't be mistaken.

Old Man Ding stood there dazedly, as if oblivious to Gu Yuan's words, until he heard the name "Spade 6." His body trembled slightly, and his eyes began to constrict. At the same time, Chen Ling hooked his index finger from the spectator gallery. The enormous Heart Python coiled above Old Man Ding's head immediately opened its vast maw, pouring all the "fear" it had consumed during this time back into Old Man Ding's body!

Swoosh—!!

The intense fear Old Man Ding had accumulated throughout the night, at that moment, surged like a rushing flood, shattering his mind with destructive force. He stood there dazedly, his body trembling as if from an electric shock. A warm liquid once again flowed between his legs, and he collapsed to the ground. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Fang Lichang, whose face was filled with confusion, behind him. Like someone who had seen a ghost, he frantically crawled away from him!

"Spade 6... Spade 6!!!"

Under the bewildered gazes of everyone in the courtroom, Old Man Ding tremblingly extended his hand, pointing at Fang Lichang's face, a face so terrifying it was etched into his very bones, and screamed in terror:

"Save me... Your Honor, save me!! This Fang Lichang... he is Spade 6!! He's a monster!! A monster!!!!"

Audience Anticipation Value: 3

Fang Lichang's expression suddenly froze!