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 na 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 ford 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 so 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 seed more like attendants than guards.
The path to the Discipline Court was long, paved with immaculate white stone that glead under the sunlight.
On either side, curious disciples paused in their tasks to watch. So whispered about "the man who killed a fellow disciple," while others rely 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 lood ahead, carved from dark spiritwood and etched with runes that shimred 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 glead — its purity lending it a strangely modern feel amidst the sect’s traditional architecture.
Yu Xuan was escorted deeper inside. The interior held the sa 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 inford 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 dallion 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 ntal 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 docunts. Yu Xuan, left waiting, idly humd 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 soone 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 docunts 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 soone who’d rather be at ho 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 soone 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 so powerful backing."
"No, no, I heard his multicolored robes are a so 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.
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