Chapter 10

The Jiang family acted swiftly, cleaning the space thoroughly in just half a night. They spent two days and two nights repeatedly checking to ensure no evidence was left behind before calmly informing Mayor Zeng that the trial could proceed.

As expected by the Jiang Clan Leader, without evidence, the two individuals had no standing, and Mayor Zeng could openly cover for the Jiang family, stating that the evidence was insufficient to determine Jiang Yixing's guilt. He even threatened to hold Jiang Li and Yuan Wuxing responsible for intentionally harming Jiang Yixing.

The only thing the Jiang Clan Leader did not anticipate was that their ancestor, Jiang Yixing, remained in a coma, and even the doctors could not determine the cause.

"The court rules that Jiang Yixing is not guilty. If you two are dissatisfied with this ruling, you may file an appeal to the Prefect within fifteen days from today."

Jiang Li stepped forward and handed a piece of paper to Mayor Zeng, as if he had been waiting for this moment.

"This is the appeal."

Seeing Jiang Li's calm expression, Mayor Zeng was very displeased, and he was even more annoyed when Jiang Li produced the appeal right there in the courtroom.

Clearly, Jiang Li had anticipated this outcome and had prepared the appeal in advance.

But so what? The Prefect who would handle this case had also been the City Lord of Qingcheng and had helped the Jiang family cover up the baby theft.

Moreover, even if the Prefect were a fair person, how could these two reckless individuals win without any evidence? By being stubborn?

...

The Great Zhou Dynasty was divided into twenty-six prefectures, each with dozens of large cities. Qingcheng was one of these large cities, under the jurisdiction of Tianqing Prefecture. The appeal would naturally be submitted to Prefect Gong Peng of Tianqing Prefecture.

After receiving the appeal, Prefect Gong summoned the Jiang Clan Leader and Mayor Zeng, and after a detailed inquiry, he felt reassured.

...

"Zhang Li, Yuan Wuxing, before the trial, I must inform you that my ruling is final. Unless new evidence emerges that could overturn the original ruling, you two may not appeal further. Do you understand?"

Prefect Gong sat in the center of the courtroom, with Zhang Li and Yuan Wuxing on one side and the Jiang Clan Leader on the other. Since Jiang Yixing was still in a coma, it was pointless to have him present.

Although the Jiang Clan Leader maintained his usual expressionless demeanor, Yuan Wuxing could tell he was secretly gloating.

Outside the courtroom, there were only a few dozen people, far fewer than before, as everyone knew the evidence was insufficient and that Jiang Li and Yuan Wuxing would not win. Mayor Zeng stood among them, ready to watch the spectacle.

"Understood," Jiang Li replied loudly, and Yuan Wuxing echoed him.

"However, before the trial, I wish to add another defendant."

"Permitted, but my ruling today remains final, and you cannot appeal based on the addition of a defendant."

Jiang Li nodded to indicate his understanding, lifted his chin slightly, and stood with his hands behind his back: "I accuse Mayor Zeng of Qingcheng. During his tenure, he abused his power, acted for personal gain, covered up Jiang Yixing's theft of a baby, and destroyed crucial evidence. I request that Prefect Gong rule on this matter!"

The Jiang Clan Leader's heart skipped a beat, and he suddenly felt uneasy. To accuse a City Lord, the official handling the case must be of the third rank or higher, and Prefect Gong was a third-rank official. This move was legal, but he couldn't understand what Jiang Li was trying to achieve. Could accusing a City Lord help them win?

He felt he had forgotten something.

The Jiang Clan Leader was not familiar with the law and did not understand Jiang Li's intentions, but Mayor Zeng and Prefect Gong immediately grasped them. The two Yuan Ying cultivators, who were immune to cold and heat, were instantly drenched in cold sweat.

"I suspect that the destruction of the space where the blood sacrifice of the baby took place was orchestrated by Mayor Zeng. I request that Prefect Gong petition the court to use the power of time to restore the scene!"

Jiang Li's words shattered their last bit of hope.

This matter would be brought to the court!

They had no powerful backers in the court!

Among the nine great dynasties, only the Great Zhou Dynasty dared to establish a legal system, and only the Great Zhou Dynasty had the ability to govern by law. The fundamental reason was that the Great Zhou royal family was proficient in the Way of Time, capable of reversing the flow of time!

However, the Way of Time was a heavy matter and could not be used lightly. Therefore, the Great Zhou Dynasty specified special circumstances under which the Way of Time could be used, such as cases with significant national impact or cases involving the integrity of officials of the seventh rank or higher...

And Mayor Zeng was a fifth-rank official.

"You are slandering me!" Mayor Zeng, losing his composure, shouted in anger.

Mayor Zeng truly felt wronged. The Jiang family had destroyed the space, and he was at most a witness. How did it become his doing in this young man's mouth?

Jiang Li ignored him.

Whether Mayor Zeng had destroyed the space was not important; what mattered was that he was now a defendant in this case.

"Zhang Li, are you really going to petition the court to use the power of time?" Prefect Gong stared at Jiang Li, his eyes cold. He felt he had been outmaneuvered by Jiang Li.

More importantly, using the power of time would not only reveal that the Jiang family had destroyed the space node but also show that Jiang Yixing had practiced demonic cultivation in that space!

Once Jiang Yixing's demonic cultivation was exposed, all those who had served as City Lord of Qingcheng would be investigated by the court, and none of them would escape!

Yuan Wuxing also realized why Jiang Li had allowed the Jiang family to destroy the space node. He had been waiting for this moment.

"I am certain."

"Are you, really, going to, petition, the court?" Prefect Gong repeated the question, emphasizing each word, his Yuan Ying peak aura radiating like a roaring tiger. The bailiffs trembled and fell to their knees, followed by the Jiang Clan Leader and Yuan Wuxing.

"I am certain." Jiang Li remained calm, as if he did not see Prefect Gong's murderous intent. He even pulled out a pre-written petition from his sleeve and placed it in front of Prefect Gong.

Seeing the ink still wet on the petition, Prefect Gong almost lost control and wanted to kill Jiang Li right there!

But he ultimately did not dare to act.

If he acted now, it would be all over.

"Zhang Li, is it? Very well, very well indeed!" Prefect Gong slammed his hand on the desk, breaking it, and stormed out. The Jiang Clan Leader and Mayor Zeng followed, their faces dark.

As Prefect Gong left, the pervasive killing intent gradually dissipated, and Yuan Wuxing regained some strength, shakily standing up.

"Prefect Gong didn't even need to use his hands; his killing intent alone scared you like that. You're at the peak of the Golden Core stage; aren't you ashamed?" Jiang Li scolded, frustrated by Yuan Wuxing's weakness.

Yuan Wuxing smiled bitterly: "Senior Zhang, Prefect Gong is at the peak of the Yuan Ying stage. Facing that level of killing intent, a Golden Core cultivator can't withstand it."

Jiang Li sneered: "Excuse. I killed a peak Yuan Ying cultivator when I was at the peak of the Golden Core stage."

Yuan Wuxing was stunned for a moment before managing to say: "Senior, you are truly skilled."

Yuan Wuxing genuinely admired Jiang Li. As a Dao Sect envoy, Jiang Li's status was even higher than that of a Great Zhou prince, and officials of the first and second ranks would greet him with a smile. Yet, he chose to use his identity and follow the Great Zhou legal system to force the Jiang family to their demise step by step!

Impressive!