Ke Xin, born into a prominent family, recognized the other party's identity. However, the arrival of people from the Beast Tamer Court could only mean trouble. Her first thought was whether her parents had met with an accident during their trip to Tianhang City.
After a long silence, Ke Xin finally replied.
"I am. May I ask what this is about?"
Seeing her acknowledge her identity, the male enforcer presented his badge. "My name is Lin Hao, a Level Two enforcer from the Wenmin City Beast Tamer Court!"
He then produced a summons. "There is a court hearing at the Wenmin City Beast Tamer Court tomorrow. You are hereby officially notified to attend as the defendant!"
Ke Xin frowned, wondering how she had become a defendant without reason.
"What is it about? And don't court summons typically require at least a week's notice?"
She instinctively grew wary. With her parents not at home, facing a lawsuit alone made her feel a little nervous.
Lin Hao's expression shifted slightly. As she had pointed out, court hearings usually involved a period of out-of-court mediation and rarely notified defendants directly. He had raised the same question when he received the directive.
However, this mission had been directly assigned by Presiding Judge Zhao Xiu, and judging by his attitude, he seemed to harbor no goodwill towards these defendants.
A flicker of guilt flashed across Lin Hao's face before he quickly masked it. He lowered his voice, projecting an air of confidence,
"This case is rather special, hence the short notice. But the Beast Tamer Court's summons carries its own justification, and you have no grounds to refuse!"
The implication was clear: attend whether you like it or not. Complaining was useless!
Ke Xin's face darkened, her voice quickening with displeasure.
"Then you must tell me what this lawsuit is about! Even the Beast Tamer Court must act according to the law!"
As Ke Xin's logical protest met his ears, Lin Hao sneered.
Just as he was about to respond, the young man standing silently beside the girl spoke.
"Is the plaintiff Fang Dagang?"
Lu Fei, with a smile, stared at Lin Hao.
Lin Hao looked visibly surprised and turned his head. "How did you know?"
Lu Fei curled his lips and said dismissively, "My name is Lu Fei. If I'm not mistaken, you'll be looking for me next, won't you?"
At this, the female enforcer behind Lin Hao glanced at her briefcase, then exchanged a look with Lin Hao and nodded.
"That's for the best, it saves me an extra trip."
He handed two summonses to Lu Fei and Ke Xin respectively, then turned to leave.
"If you fail to attend tomorrow, you will be deemed to have forfeited the case!"
He coldly threw this parting remark over his shoulder.
It seemed the courts in Wenmin City had already been swayed by influence... Lu Fei watched Lin Hao's retreating figure, a guess forming in his mind.
"Fei Ge, what's going on?"
Lu Fei exhaled, his demeanor casual. "What else? A few days ago, during our training in the Yanbei region, Fang Lin was injured by his contracted beast. His father, Fang Dagang, as the dean of Pingzhen Beast Tamer Academy, wouldn't let this go."
"Moreover, he himself was beaten by Zhou Nanfeng, no, Deputy Dean Zhou, so naturally, they'll come after us to settle the score."
Speaking of Zhou Nanfeng, Lu Fei felt a surge of satisfaction recalling his action of beating up Fang Dagang last time. At least it showed some spirit, protecting his daughter without hesitation.
Ke Xin retorted indignantly, "But it was that Fang Lin who provoked us first!"
The young girl was still too naive... Lu Fei shrugged, looked up at the sky, and said calmly, "This world is darker than I imagined. Power reigns supreme here."
Ke Xin looked utterly bewildered...
...
The next day, at the Wenmin City Beast Tamer Court.
Today, two cases were scheduled for simultaneous trial.
One was the case of plaintiff Lu Fei deliberately commanding his contracted beast to commit murder!
The other was the case of plaintiff Zhou Nanfeng intentionally causing death!
That's right, these were the charges in the indictments, both classified as intentional homicide!
However, the actual trial was less important. What truly mattered were the preparations made by both sides outside the courtroom, and how many trump cards they would reveal today.
At the court entrance, two black vans arrived simultaneously.
From the first vehicle, several people slowly disembarked, led by Chen Zhanpeng, followed by Lin Yuansheng, Zhou Nanfeng, and Chen Miao in succession.
From the second vehicle, Fang Dagang was the first to step out. Behind him were several men in suits, carrying briefcases, whose backgrounds were equally noteworthy. Finally, a few nurses in white coats carried out a young man wrapped entirely in bandages.
Who else could it be but Fang Lin? The bandages on him had long been removed, but to appear more pathetic and persuasive during the trial, he had insisted on re-wrapping them.
The two groups faced each other from a distance, sparks flying as their gazes met.
Despite the rushed nature of the lawsuit, news of the impending trial had spread like wildfire. This involved the highest levels of two cities, a case that occurred once in a century, naturally making it a focal point!
Media reporters had arrived early, waiting with their cameras and lenses, scrambling for the best shooting angles.
After a brief exchange of glances, the two parties continued their tense standoff.
Finally, Fang Dagang broke the silence.
"Chairman Chen, I didn't expect you to wade into this murky water. I advise you to return sooner rather than later, lest you get yourself dirty!"
Fang Dagang noticed Chen Zhanpeng in the crowd, his expression filled with arrogance and disdain. He had made all the necessary arrangements, and he was almost certain of a successful prosecution today!
Chen Zhanpeng chuckled.
"Dean Fang, I hope you are well. Perhaps we could find a place to have a meal? This whole matter could then be resolved. Besides, causing such a scene only embarrasses everyone."
Fang Dagang let out a cold laugh.
"Heh, then tell Zhou Nanfeng and that brat Lu Fei to kneel down and apologize now! If I'm in a good mood, I might generously reconsider!"
"Nonsense!"
Zhou Nanfeng roared in protest.
"I beat you because you messed with my daughter! This is self-defense!! Do you understand self-defense!"
Although enraged, Zhou Nanfeng still remembered Chen Miao's pre-arranged talking points. He had to position himself on the moral high ground and relentlessly pressure the opponent to make the public perceive them as the righteous side!
"Heh, Director Zhou's temper is as fiery as ever. Given your notorious reputation in Cang Town, do you really expect anyone to believe your claim of self-defense?" The speaker was Zhao Bing, the nephew of Zhao Xiu, Presiding Judge of the Wenmin City Beast Tamer Court, and also Fang Dagang's defense lawyer for this case.
Zhou Nanfeng was furious. "Zhao Bing, don't think for a second that your relation to the Presiding Judge scares me! The law relies on evidence!"
"Cough, cough, cough..."
Chen Zhanpeng and Lin Yuansheng shot Zhou Nanfeng a reproachful glance.
Saying that in front of so many reporters was self-incriminating. Moreover, if they lost the case, it would leave them with no face-saving options!
Zhou Nanfeng realized he had gotten carried away again and fell silent, a hint of sheepishness on his face.
Fang Dagang grinned triumphantly. The trial hadn't even begun, and they had already won the argument outside the courtroom. Once the trial started, with the Presiding Judge, down to the notaries, all having been taken care of, victory was surely within his grasp!
The two parties continued their hostile confrontation, neither daring to enter the courtroom first.
Just then, a DiDi car pulled up in an inconspicuous spot.