House of Trials (3)

The sharper spectators began to figure out what Shui was implying, but they kept their lips shut tight and waited for the reveal.

"Then, during the first meeting, the demonic cultivator met with a pair of disciples from the manor; could you describe them?"

"Yes. They were both young; one was a chubby young man, while the other was a petite girl."

"I see. Were you close enough to hear what they were saying to each other?"

"No, but I saw the demonic cultivator on his knees, begging them. At the time, I figured he was just trying to get money from them."

"And did he get any money? Maybe a bag or jewelry?"

"I didn't see that."

"Very well. As for the second incident, I just want you to clarify once again: The demonic cultivator appeared after the disciples, right?"

"That's right."

"Thank you, Jaret. That will be all. Do any of the judges have any questions for my witness?"

"...Not at the moment."

"Then I shall explain what I understand from his statement. Please remind me, judge. My two friends were acting as couriers for banned substances, correct?"

"That is what the evidence suggests."

"Then my question is, why did they meet openly in the village? My friends certainly had no knowledge about the package, but the demonic cultivator was different. He could have easily arranged the meeting outside the village or at night, and yet he chose a place in sight of ordinary villagers and made a scene of kneeling. It seems to me as if he was trying to make others watch them."

The judges were aware of the truth regarding the incident, so they were aware that the behaviours of those involved wouldn't fully match up with the story; however, Alos prepared a counter to Shui's reasoning.

"What you say is reasonable; however, there is one key point that you and your witness have failed to clarify. Was the old man whom the witness saw speaking with Mr. Fatty and Ms. Serina really the demonic cultivator in question?"

"Would you mind elaborating on that, judge?"

"Certainly. While it can be accepted that the witness saw the old man approach your suspected accomplices, what proof is there that the old man was the demonic cultivator and not simply the model that the demonic cultivator used to disguise himself, or perhaps someone that had been disguised to fulfil his purpose?"

Alos' question drove a stake into the deadly weak point of Jaret's statement. The demonic cultivator was said to be posing as an old man, which meant that the appearance he was found to have wasn't necessarily his real form. As appearance couldn't be used to determine the old man's true identity, Shui had no way of proving that the old man was the demonic cultivator. Even if the old man introduced himself as much, it couldn't be taken as fact.

"You bring up a good point, judge. Then, at what point was it confirmed that the old man was the demonic cultivator who passed on the banned substances?"

"I believe it would be during the final stages of the investigation when members of the Punishment Department sought him out."

Hidden from all eyes, Shui smirked.

"I see. In that case, let me continue with questioning my witness. Mr. Jaret, were you there when disciples of this manor attacked the demonic cultivator, assuming the disguise of the same old man that you had seen once before?"

"Yes."

"Then tell me, who attacked first?"

"I believe it was disciples from the manor. At first, the two sides confronted each other with words before their weapons were drawn."

"And how did they meet?"

"The old man blocked the path of the manor disciples as they walked through the village."

"Thank you. Were there any problems with the witness' statement, judge?"

Alos could sense that Shui had a trap prepared for them, but he couldn't figure out what it was, so he secretly consulted the other judges.

"What do you all think?"

"The statements don't contradict our story, but it is odd how confident he seems."

"Could he have noticed a suspicious point that we didn't account for?"

"Most likely."

"What should we do then?"

"...It can't be helped; let's see what he's planning."

After concluding the discussion, Alos responded to Shui.

"Not that we can tell."

"Good. Now, could you give me an idea of the strength of the demonic cultivator compared to the disciples that fought him?"

"Given that it was said they could only capture him with luck, they were evenly matched at best."

"In that case, don't you find it odd? Demonic cultivators are as resilient as cockroaches, always knowing when to give way and when to take action against others, and yet one of them went out of his way to confront the disciple from our manor. Unless they were using some means to hide their cultivations, I find it hard to believe that a demonic cultivator would jump out and face them so honourably."

"Ehem, perhaps they were an oddity among demonic cultivators."

"An oddity? Yes, that might be the case, but are we certain that this was a demonic cultivator in the first place? Judge, did the investigation ever reveal the true identity of the demonic cultivator?"

"This... This was not the focus of the investigation, so it may not have been covered. Furthermore, the demonic cultivator had died within custody through some mysterious means, so we can no longer investigate."

Not a single person spectating the trial was gullible enough to believe that one of the key members of this case had died in custody without a chance to reveal his true identity. No one had paid much attention to the demonic cultivator's identity before, but now that Shui brought it up, it was indeed suspicious how little was known about him. Almost as if he didn't exist before this incident.

"That's quite a shame. Then did the suspected cultivator use a demonic method of some sort?"

"The disciples that fought him weren't sure, but it may have been so. However, I do not believe the true identity of the demonic cultivator has much importance for this trial, Mr. Shui."

Alos tried to push Shui to move off the topic, but he shrugged off his pressure.

"I would have to disagree, especially since I came upon a quite interesting person in the vicinity of the village. Hundred Face Beggar, I believe he called himself."

None of the judges showed any reaction to that title, but that was exactly what exposed them because the 'Hundred Face Beggar' was a famous unorthodox cultivator who was part of the underground guild. Despite their relatively low cultivation, they were well-known for being able to act in any role. From a faithful spouse upset over being suspected of cheating to a brute troubling a maiden so that someone else could save the day, he could perform well for any request. His services were expensive, but he had a good reputation among previous customers. 

"Mr. Shui, as I've said before, I don't think this topic is necessary for the case. I must ask that you refrain from touching on it any further, or else the court will restrict your ability to defend yourself."

Anyone who could connect the mysterious demonic cultivator with the Hundred Face Beggar could tell Alos was trying to smother the issue, but Shui didn't appear to fight against it.

"Very well. Then I'll move on to my next witness."

Given how much trouble a single witness had brought, the judges wanted to stop Shui from summoning any more, but that would require a reasonable excuse, so for now they discussed ways of intimidating the witness and finding fault in them.

As Jaret was sent out by a guard, Shui used intent communication to tell him about a group from Artisan Palace that would escort him out of the city. They would then bring him and his sister out of their village so that they weren't targeted after the trial.

"I now call upon the Hundred Face Beggar."