Yue Hengyi was imprisoned in the dungeon. The bright lights shone directly on his face, making it impossible to sleep. Moreover, due to prolonged exposure, Yue Hengyi's eyes were injured, becoming swollen and red. During his confinement, no one fed him. He survived solely on the tubes attached to his arm, through which saline and glucose were injected to keep him from dying.
The conditions set by the Tianlong Bureau were clear: as long as Yue Hengyi handed over the extraterrestrial elements he had obtained, this series of tortures would cease. Furthermore, the Tianlong Bureau would help clear his name if he testified that he was instructed by Shen Feng to kill civilians, thus shifting all the blame onto Shen Feng.
In both Eastern and Western civilizations, murder is considered the most heinous act, and even in this era of doomsday, such a notion has not become obsolete. Unlike ordinary people, those with abilities could have justifications for killing. For instance, if someone offended them, it might even be forgiven under normal circumstances.
However, the commotion Yue Hengyi caused this time was too great. He had killed seven thousand people, including the elderly and children, all of whom perished. Such a massive scale of slaughter could not be explained away by mere offense or the elimination of evil. Even the ancient saying "ten thousand bones wither for one general's success" was merely a metaphor, but in Yue Hengyi's hands, the number of seven thousand was nearing ten thousand.
Therefore, if Yue Hengyi could not find a reason for forgiveness, he would undoubtedly be sentenced to death.
To torment Yue Hengyi's conscience, the people of the Tianlong Bureau also treated him in a special way. A speaker was placed in the room, continuously broadcasting curses from people in the outside world directed at Yue Hengyi. While just curses might have been bearable, allowing Yue Hengyi some solace, he also heard many sounds of weeping.
These constant cries made Yue Hengyi realize the magnitude of his mistakes. Seven thousand people meant seven thousand families.
As a result, Yue Hengyi could not sleep. The strong lights shone on him, and the sounds of curses and weeping filled his ears. With the presence of light and sound, Yue Hengyi was tormented, his body deprived of rest and becoming exhausted, while his spirit grew weary. After several days without sleep, wrinkles began to appear on his face.
Even at this point, Yue Hengyi had not yielded. He knew he had been set up and that he had committed unforgivable mistakes. Having lost everything, with nothing left, it was impossible for the people of the Tianlong Bureau, who had orchestrated this entire affair, to make Yue Hengyi bow his head.
"Yue Hengyi, you must think carefully. Tomorrow is your trial. Have you not considered your parents? Think about it carefully: what kind of scene would it be for two elderly, white-haired parents to look at your corpse? You are their hope for the rest of their lives. If you die, how will they survive in this perilous world?" Long Qian said to Yue Hengyi in the room, his face grim.
Long Qian was initially full of confidence. He knew that no one in the world was fearless of death, and that included those with abilities. After all, even with their powerful abilities, they still possessed human minds. Thus, under the threat of death and the bonds of family affection, Yue Hengyi was bound to compromise, as survival was paramount.
But Long Qian's plan had gone awry. Regardless of the torment, Yue Hengyi remained silent, appearing as if he had become a fool. No matter how Long Qian threatened him, it was like speaking to a block of wood.
Now, it was the eve of Yue Hengyi's trial. If Yue Hengyi still refused to say anything, his wish to obtain the extraterrestrial elements would be completely thwarted.
Consequently, Long Qian's expression turned grim. Watching the extraterrestrial elements slip through his fingers was undoubtedly a painful experience.
Yue Hengyi lay on the experimental table, showing no reaction. His eyes were red and swollen, his face haggard, and his skin dry and inelastic.
Seeing that Yue Hengyi still showed no reaction, Long Qian decided to use his trump card. He walked to Yue Hengyi's ear and said, "Yue Hengyi, do you really want to know why Qin Kewe quickly remarried and hastily married that scumbag He Kanwen?"
Yue Hengyi remained motionless.
Long Qian continued, "It's all my design. I had heard that Qin Kewe had ability-enhancing potions, so I specifically had someone impersonate you. It's laughable that Qin Kewe, in her weakened state, couldn't distinguish you. In fact, the person who impersonated you was He Kanwen! He Kanwen is a true scumbag. He used your identity to enjoy Qin Kewe's body. How does it feel, knowing your beloved was treated like that? Aren't you angry?"
This was the first time Yue Hengyi had heard of these matters. He suddenly opened his eyes and stared at Long Qian, as if he wanted to devour him.
Seeing that Yue Hengyi finally reacted, Long Qian smiled and continued, "Are you resentful of me? There's even more outrageous stuff. Qin Kewe later discovered this and almost killed He Kanwen. But I directly had someone seal a portion of Qin Kewe's memories and invited Chen Xintie from Mount Lüliang to use illusionary techniques to torment Qin Kewe, successfully altering her memories. As a result, you became a friendly acquaintance in Qin Kewe's eyes, while He Kanwen became the attentive husband in her perception."
Yue Hengyi stared intently at Long Qian, his eyes filled with resentment. At this moment, he wished he could skin Long Qian alive.
Seeing that his provocation was effective, Long Qian said triumphantly, "Well, do you want to kill me? But you need to be alive for that. If you die, who will you seek revenge from?"
Ultimately, Long Qian was trying to ignite Yue Hengyi's will to live. As long as Yue Hengyi harbored the desire to kill, he would inevitably find a way to survive, thus falling into the trap.
However, Yue Hengyi eventually closed his eyes, pretending not to have heard anything.
Yue Hengyi's chest heaved continuously, indicating extreme anger that required deep breaths. But his emotions gradually calmed down because Yue Hengyi had come to a realization: what was lost could not be regained. Chen Xintie's ability was merely an illusion, making people see their greatest fears.
In the illusion, Yue Hengyi saw Qin Kewe being violated by multiple people. At this moment, Yue Hengyi knew that deep down, he was afraid of Qin Kewe leaving him. However, since Qin Kewe had already chosen to sue him, what was lost was already gone.
For those who were already lost, there was no need to hold on, nor was it possible to hold on. If it was missed, then it was missed.
Having understood this, Yue Hengyi said calmly, "What does Qin Kewe have to do with me?"
Yue Hengyi had completely let go of Qin Kewe, so any attempt to use her to enrage him was now impossible.
"Fine then, you just wait to die! You stubborn fool, I'll wait to grind your bones to dust!" Long Qian, upon hearing Yue Hengyi's words, became furious and finally left in a huff.
On the day of Yue Hengyi's trial, the entire city of Yanjing was paying attention. Yue Hengyi had now become a figure of public condemnation. Because Yue Hengyi had killed so many people, regardless of whether he was a hero before, he was now destined to be labeled a demon in the mouths of others.
In the areas surrounding Yanjing, parents would change their words when coaxing their children to sleep. Previously, they would say, "Sleep quickly, or the wild dogs will carry you away." Now, it had become, "Sleep quickly, or Yue Hengyi will eat you."
Although Yue Hengyi would not eat people, many words underwent peculiar transformations during transmission. In the mouths of many who did not know the truth, Yue Hengyi was an absolute great demon, and if he was a great demon, then eating people was naturally plausible.
The vehicle detaining Yue Hengyi was specially modified. It was bulletproof, and the interior was lined with steel plates. Yue Hengyi was confined within the carriage, unable to see anything. He was tightly restrained in a custom-made seat, with a pillow embedded in his vein. If Yue Hengyi made any abnormal movements, someone would immediately inject him with poison.
The vehicle drove out from the prison near the Tianlong Bureau and headed towards the distant courthouse. It would pass through many areas. To avoid traffic congestion, soldiers were stationed along the streets to clear the way and prevent excited crowds.
As they passed through the streets, Yue Hengyi heard a "thump-thump-thump" sound from the top of the vehicle, which did not stop. Yue Hengyi did not know what this noise was.
However, when Yue Hengyi was brought out of the vehicle, he understood everything. The streets were densely covered with rotten eggs and spoiled vegetables. Especially on the vehicle escorting him, the entire vehicle was almost covered in rotten eggs and spoiled vegetables.
It could be imagined that if Yue Hengyi were in an ancient prisoner's cart, he would have been submerged in rotten eggs by now.
Yue Hengyi was brought down along with the chair. At this moment, someone in the distance began to curse furiously, "You murderer, why don't you die? Do you know how many people you killed?"
"Yue Hengyi, you scoundrel, colluding with outsiders and harming your own people, you deserve to die."
"You devil, you will surely go to hell. Do you know how many families you have destroyed?"
Yue Hengyi looked at the crowd in the distance with his swollen eyes, remaining silent.
Finally, Yue Hengyi was brought into the courthouse. In many squares in Yanjing, large televisions were set up to broadcast the proceedings in the courtroom.
Yue Hengyi, along with the chair, was thrown onto the defendant's bench. On the plaintiff's side, there were too many people, so ten representatives were ultimately chosen, with Qin Kewe at the forefront.
Yue Hengyi no longer bothered to look at Qin Kewe. Since he had let go, there was no need to dwell on it. He leaned back in his chair, saying nothing, his eyes closed as if he were dead.
Looking at Yue Hengyi sitting on the defendant's bench in the distance, Qin Kewe's feelings were very complex. She had forgotten much about Yue Hengyi, but for some reason, upon seeing him, she still felt an urge to rush forward and embrace him.
Qin Kewe questioned herself, "What is wrong with me? Aren't we good friends? Didn't he kill my husband? How can I have such thoughts? Ah, I can't think about it anymore, my head hurts so much."
Qin Kewe had forgotten many things, especially her memories of Yue Hengyi. The answer given by Yang Yunhe, who had treated her, was that these memories were the root of her pain, and it would be best to forget them.
Qin Kewe had never doubted this, but now, she found an indescribable stirring in her heart, as if something within her wanted to express itself. Even though her memories had been sealed and many things could no longer be recalled, she still involuntarily felt compelled to act.
Finally, the doors were slowly closed, and the trial began!
"Court is in session. This court will hear the heinous case of Yue Hengyi's murders. Seven thousand two hundred and five people were killed in an extremely brutal manner. Even members of the Ability Administration, even those with abilities, cannot forgive such actions," the judge stated directly.
Beside Yue Hengyi was the lawyer assigned to his defense. When a defendant has no lawyer willing to represent them, the court will appoint one. As for whether the case could be won, that was left to fate.