Chapter 169: Listening In

Chapter 169: Listening In

The following day, a huge crowd of civilians had already gathered outside the magistrate court even though the gates were still closed.

As Zhao Yan was brought into the magistrate court, the crowd began hurling curses and insults. Some of the victims families even attempted to march forward to pummel Zhao Yan, only to be stopped by the Valiant Defenders.

Jue Panshi, who had been walking alongside Zhao Yan, ruefully remarked, These people will skin you alive if you cant prove your innocence today.

Chiliarch Jue, that was not how you treated me back then. Zhao Yan eyed Jue Panshi with his remaining eye.

Jue Panshi sheepishly smiled. Imperial Duke Fang had the Auspicious Kings First Son escort you here without crippling your martial cultivation. Its clear to me what he means by that.

Zhao Yan immediately grasped the meaning behind Jue Panshis words. He was first startled before revealing a bitter smile. So Fang Chen has already planned this far ahead

Zhao Yan, were you really not the one behind their murders? Jue Panshi suddenly asked with a grim voice just as they were about to step into the magistrate court.

Yes, I didnt kill them. Zhao Yan let out a deep breath.

He knew what that question meant. For once, he finally had someone on his side. As long as someone was willing to fight for him, there might be a way to turn this case around!

Many officials were already gathered inside the magistrate court. This case was one of the largest in recent years. If they failed to properly deal with it, they could risk evoking the civilians ire.

The southern region was a place that revered martial arts, after all. Even a minor riot by ordinary civilians would be a huge headache for them.

The Auspicious King took the center seat. Commandery Chief Ouyang took the seat left of him. Following him were Master Chen, the schools students, and the South Immortal Commanderys officials.

When Zhao Yan was brought in under Jue Panshis custody, the crowd immediately turned to him with hostile eyes. However, Zhao Yan remained nonchalant.

Many civilians were gathered at the magistrate courts entrance, awaiting the Auspicious King to commence the trial.

Kneel, Criminal Zhao Yan, Commandery Chief Ouyang said.

Zhao Yan eyed Commandery Chief Ouyang, followed by the Auspicious King, before slowly lowering himself to his knees.

The Auspicious King cleared his throat. He looked at the case scroll, followed by Zhao Yan, and just as he was about to speak up, a commotion suddenly broke out outside.

The crowd frowned.

The Auspicious King eyed Commandery Chief Ouyang, and the latter quickly rose to his feet and shouted, Whos causing a fuss in the court?

The crowd split open, and an old man lying on a stretcher was slowly carried in. The old man was breathing shallow, and it didnt seem like he had long to live.

Youre the South Mountain Schools Master Chen? Fang Chen clasped his fist toward Master Chen and asked.

Master Chen politely returned the gesture. I have long heard about you, Imperial Duke Fang. Its my honor to meet you today. Please, theres no need to be too courteous with me.

The students behind him quietly eyed Fang Chenthere was admiration, respect, and excitement in their eyes. They didnt think a day would come where they would share the same space as Fang Chen.

Youre too polite. Fang Chen smiled. He then turned to the Auspicious King and said, Your Highness, why dont you go through the evidence you have gathered? Lets see how Zhao Yan pleads his case if he is truly responsible for those murders.

The Auspicious King nodded.

He began announcing the case details, such as the specific day and hour that they discovered the corpses buried in Zhao Yans courtyard, as well as the person who found it. Other than that, he also announced the time each of the victims went missing.

All of these details were decided through careful cross-examination, so it was unlikely for anything to go wrong there.

The first evidence that led to Zhao Yans suspicion in the case was someone noticing him carrying female accessories in his cloth bag. It was this crucial piece of evidence that led to the Valiant Defenders zooming in on him, which later led to the unearthing of the corpses.

Zhao Yan, what do you have to say about the evidence? the Auspicious King asked.

Zhao Yan quietly stared at Fang Chen, not saying a word.

Fang Chen chuckled. Arent you a meticulous man? If you have your suspicions, you should know how to root them up.

I do have my suspicions, but that person has disappeared, Zhao Yan said.

Disappeared? The crowd was bewildered. Who has disappeared?

Huang Xin, the student who claimed to have seen female accessories in my cloth bag, has disappeared for many years, Zhao Yan said.

Master Chen frowned. Huang Xin has backed out of the school and headed to the north to live with his relatives.

Master Chen, I have been to the north. Huang Xin isnt with his relatives, and his relatives haven't met him at all, Zhao Yan replied.

How can that be? Master Chen was taken aback.

You must have killed Huang Xin! Yu Zhang sneered.

Such an important eye-witness has disappeared? Fang Chen stroked his lower jaw. He shook his head with a smile. That complicates things.

The Auspicious King looked at Fang Chen. Imperial Duke Fang, do you have suggestions as to how we should proceed?