Chapter 168: Re-trial

"We can’t let this criminal escape, King Xiang!"

"Don't worry, he won't be escaping this time."

"That's good."

The commoners gradually dispersed, and the only people left in the area were now the elite Valiant Saber Guards and the scholars. In addition to the Valiant Saber Guards, Jue Panshi had also brought in a batch of well-trained soldiers who held powerful crossbows. They stared firmly at Zhao Yan.

King Xiang slowly approached, but Xia Song stopped him. "Father, the chain that binds him might as well just be a piece of decoration. He has astonishing cultivation. Don't get too close. I don’t want you getting hurt if he suddenly becomes violent."

The crowd was slightly stunned, and their expressions became somewhat fearful.

"Young Master, how did you capture him?" asked Jue Panshi.

Everyone focused their attention on Xia Song. They knew a bit about Xia Song's skills. It should’ve been almost impossible for him to capture Zhao Yan alive.

"It was Duke Fang who caught him."

Fang Chen?

The crowd was pleasantly surprised, but many also had peculiar expressions. After all, Fang Chen was like a massive mountain. Once he returned to the Southern Immortal Prefecture, he would press on the hearts of certain people, making it difficult for them to breathe.

King Xiang looked puzzled. "Did Duke Fang waste Zhao Yan’s cultivation?"

Xia Song shook his head. "No."

So it wasn’t that Fang Chen crippled Zhao Yan, but rather, it was Zhao Yan who had allowed himself to be turned in and be brought back by Xia Song because of Fang Chen.

The crowd couldn't help but marvel at Fang Chen's overwhelming power. He had been able to suppress a dangerous criminal such as Zhao Yan!

"Is it true that Xia He and Fang Zhixue were kidnapped by him?" King Xiang spoke in a low voice.

Xia Song nodded slightly.

King Xiang breathed a sigh of relief. In that case, it meant that Fang Zhixue had safely returned to Fang Residence. This matter had passed safely, and his family wouldn’t have to suffer because of it.

With that, King Xiang looked at Zhao Yan and yelled, "Zhao Yan, do you admit to your crimes?"

Zhao Yan smiled thinly and said, "I am innocent."

This statement immediately triggered a barrage of condemnation from the surrounding scholars, followed by another round of harsh insults. However, Zhao Yan remained indifferent. He was as calm as can be.

Master Chen slowly approached, eyeing Zhao Yan for a few moments before sighing softly and shaking his head. "Zhao Yan, you are truly disappointing."

"Master Chen," Zhao Yan's expression changed slightly, "I have never committed anything that would anger neither gods nor men. The culprits behind those heinous crimes back then were not me but other people. I would never bring such shame to the academy."

"You are still trying to evade responsibility even at this point?"

"Don't think that a few years passing will erase the evidence!"

"It seems like you need to lose this other eye of yours before you admit you’re guilty, huh?"

"A person with the face of a human but the heart of a beast! You have already tarnished the academy's reputation!"

The scholars continued to berate him vehemently. One person, in particular, was the most aggressive, with a flushed face and an extremely agitated demeanor. After cursing at Zhao Yan, he came to the front of King Xiang and others, bowing respectfully.

"Please, King Xiang and esteemed lords, order the immediate beheading of Zhao Yan! Only then can justice be served for those innocent women and restore justice to the Southern Immortal Prefecture!"

"What Brother Yu said is absolutely right."

"Please, esteemed lords, order the immediate beheading of Zhao Yan!"

Many students had stood up.

Some officials, upon hearing this, spoke up as well. "The evidence from the past is already conclusive; there is no need for another trial. To prevent more troubles, we should just execute Zhao Yan today."

Master Chen sighed softly without saying a word, evidently agreeing with their sentiments.

Zhao Yan remained unmoved, his eyes carrying a hint of cold mockery.

"I suggest..." Suddenly, Jue Panshi spoke, carefully weighing his words, "...that we should re-examine the case."

The expressions of the crowd subtly changed.

The scholars also looked at Jue Panshi one after another, their eyes filled with anger. Why was it that it seemed that the personnel from the station were always at odds with justice every single time! They never did anything good!

The remaining officials were puzzled. Several years ago, Jue Panshi personally presided over the case, and within a few days, he made the decision to execute Zhao Yan. Even when some officials had raised objections at that time, Jue Panshi denied them one by one. Why did Jue Panshi change his attitude after a few years? Back then, Zhao Yan escaped right under his nose, and during that time, Jue Panshi's reputation suffered a great deal. Shouldn't he be holding onto his anger?

Zhao Yan's expression subtly changed as he glanced at Jue Panshi, and a hint of a smile gradually appeared in his eyes. Things had indeed changed.

King Xiang seemed contemplative. He suddenly recalled a point. He couldn't help but look at Jue Panshi, then at Zhao Yan. After a moment of thought, he said, "Well, it has been a few years. Now that we caught him again, we need a re-trial.”

The newly appointed County Governor, Ouyang, dared not say anything and simply nodded in agreement.

Jue Panshi immediately ordered his subordinates to take Zhao Yan. But suddenly, the sergeant who had taken Zhao Yan suddenly yelped, which drew everyone’s attention.

"He has five stab wounds on him! Some of them are even fatal, penetrating into his lungs!" exclaimed the sergeant, his expression grave.

People couldn't believe it and went forward to check. Indeed, on Zhao Yan's battered body, they saw five shocking knife wounds. For an ordinary person, these wounds would likely be fatal.

However, Zhao Yan remained indifferent throughout, standing tall!

Everyone was dumbfounded.

Xia Song frowned. "Why didn't you fight back? Do you remember who injured you?"

"Just ordinary commoners."

Zhao Yan calmly replied, "I won’t die. There's no need to be so nervous."

“Nervous? You think we’re worried about you?"

Xia Song sneered and then turned to Jue Panshi. "Lord Jue, instruct your subordinates to detain him. Let the physicians examine his wounds. We don’t want him dying before his trial, else rumors will circulate that we had meted out his punishment in private."

"Understood." Jue Panshi nodded, then led his subordinates to escort Zhao Yan to the station

"Governor Ouyang, I'll have to trouble you today. Retrieve Zhao Yan's case file and review it together tonight. We'll proceed with the trial tomorrow," said King Xiang.

"Yes," replied the governor quickly, nodding. He then led the group of officials away.

"Master, would you like to join us tomorrow?" King Xiang asked the scholar.

The scholar nodded, and just as he was about to speak, a student stepped forward, bowing with clasped hands.

"Master, King Xiang, Zhao Yan deliberately concealed his identity as a martial artist. His sudden surrender today may indicate an ulterior motive. Is there a possibility that he might resort to violence during tomorrow's trial?" asked the student. He was addressed as Brother Yu, a scholar with a dignified appearance and an innate military demeanor despite his scholar robes.

King Xiang smiled faintly. "What are you suggesting?"

"Crippling his martial arts first before proceeding with the trial would be prudent," replied Brother Yu calmly.

King Xiang pondered for a moment and said, "Since he was captured by Duke Fang, could Duke Fang already consider him as someone with no threat to us?”

Brother Yu was momentarily stunned.

"If Zhao Yan intended to act violently, the opportunity earlier was perfect for him to do that," added the elderly scholar. "Brother Yu, perhaps Zhao Yan filtered through his emotions this time. He might want closure by facing justice."

Seeing that no one was agreeing with him, Brother Yu fell silent.

Subsequently, the elderly scholar bid farewell and left with his group of students, while King Xiang returned to the mansion with Xia Song and Xia He.

"Father, what Brother Yu said does make some sense. Crippling Zhao Yan's cultivation would be a safer option," said Xia Song.

King Xiang glanced at him lightly and said, "Then why didn't Duke Fang kill him directly? Why didn't he do it personally?”

A thread of shock flashed in Xia Song’s eyes. "Are you suggesting that..."