CHAPTER 129: TRIAL ENDS

The day passed in the blink of an eye. Yu Xuan did little more than eat, lounge, and nap. Before he knew it, the next morning arrived.

The door to the chamber creaked open, and his name was called.

He rose, stretching lazily, and was escorted toward the exit alongside the disciple on duty. As he walked, Number One and the other subjugated "bosses" and their underlings formed two neat lines on either side, their voices rising in unison:

"Have a nice day, Boss!!!"

Yu Xuan gave them a dignified nod, just enough to look like a benevolent ruler dismissing his loyal subjects and strode out like a man walking away from a conquered city.

The attending disciple tensed at first, expecting some kind of riot or jailbreak.

But when he realized the others were simply watching one man leave with all the pomp of a general returning from war, he relaxed and let out the breath he’d been holding.

Though he was strong, handling such a crowd would be impossible for him.

Outside, the sun was already high, its warm light spilling across the Sect’s grounds.

Yu Xuan walked at an unhurried pace, those Qi suppressing bangles, now turned into shackles again were clinking softly with each step, as if they were nothing more than decorative jewelry.

The way he walked made it look like, disciples escorting him seemed more like attendants than guards.

The path to the Discipline Court was long, paved with immaculate white stone that gleamed under the sunlight.

On either side, curious disciples paused in their tasks to watch. Some whispered about "the man who killed a fellow disciple," while others merely stared, unsure whether to pity him or fear him.

It seems, his notoriety was high.

Yu Xuan ignored them all. His head was held high, like he was walking in his backyard.

Finally, the great gates of the Court loomed ahead, carved from dark spiritwood and etched with runes that shimmered faintly.

Two guards stood at attention, their spears crossed in front of the entrance.

At the sight of Yu Xuan, they stepped aside, clearing the way. Several other disciples lingered nearby, watching with quiet curiosity.

Inside, the air was noticeably cooler, carrying the faint scent of incense. The building itself was white so pristine it almost gleamed — its purity lending it a strangely modern feel amidst the sect’s traditional architecture.

Yu Xuan was escorted deeper inside. The interior held the same calm atmosphere, with small groups of disciples murmuring to one another.

At the far end stood the judge’s table, where an elder sat in the center, flanked on either side by two disciples acting as attendants.

In the middle of the hall lay a lone jade platform, the place where the accused would stand, to speak under the Sect’s laws and the Elder’s scrutiny. Apparently, Yu Xuan’s case would be the first hearing of the day.

Before he could step onto it, a disciple approached and informed him he needed to change into either the robes of his peak or a standard issue robe.

Reluctantly, Yu Xuan opted for his multicolored robes.

Once dressed, he walked toward the jade platform. Along the way, his space ring and medallion were confiscated and handed to the presiding Elder.

The Elder appeared to be the archetypal wise old man with kind eyes, an amiable smile — except for one detail, his skin was a deep shade of blue.

When his gaze fell on Yu Xuan’s multicolored robes, his expression flickered. In the entire sect, there was only one person known to wear such robes.

With the information he had, the Elder’s thoughts sharpened. ’Is he the Peak Master’s disciple?’

Without delay, he sent a mental transmission to the disciple seated below, instructing him to gather every detail of the case and speak with the one in charge.

The disciple scrambled off and returned five minutes later, clutching a stack of documents. Yu Xuan, left waiting, idly hummed a tune to himself.

At last, he was called to step onto the jade platform. The multicolored robes drew more than a few stares, and paired with his striking appearance, Yu Xuan looked less like a criminal and more like someone attending a fashion show by mistake.

"Now, the case of Yu Xuan, accused of killing a fellow disciple, will begin," a disciple announced with exaggerated formality.

The Elder adjusted his sleeves, glanced at the documents and said, "Do you have anything to say in your defense?"

"I need a lawyer," Yu Xuan replied, still clinging to the faint hope of legal representation.

The Elder’s eyebrow twitched. "Anything other than that?"

"No."

The Elder exhaled, the kind of sigh that belonged to someone who’d rather be at home drinking tea.

"After thorough investigation by the committee, it is concluded that the killing of Gu Yifan was in self defense. The court declares Yu Xuan innocent."

The hall was silent.

Yu Xuan froze. The crowd froze. Everyone in the court was confused.

Yu Xuan had expected a fiery debate, cross examinations, perhaps even an impassioned speech about justice.

Instead, it felt like someone had skipped half the play and jumped straight to the happy ending.

Where’s the committee? Why wasn’t I interrogated? Did I just win a trial? Is this court?

He had many questions.

Yu Xuan stepped down from the jade platform like a man leaving a dream he wasn’t sure he’d had.

The Elder gave him a polite nod. "You may collect your belongings on the way out."

"Uh... thank you?" Yu Xuan said, as if unsure whether he’d just been acquitted or accidentally promoted.

As he walked past the onlookers, whispers exploded around him.

"Wow, did you see that? Instant acquittal!"

"Must be some powerful backing."

"No, no, I heard his multicolored robes are a some artifact that grants legal immunity."

"I think the Elder just wanted to go to lunch early."

Various talks erupted but suspicion lingered in the air, this case was too unnatural.