The Zhao clan showed it's full efficiency, and the arena transformed into a court within minutes. The Grand Elders mobilized guards in full strength to summon witnesses, and all Zhao Yao thought could be involved.
Only after making a scene in front of such a big crowd, and by faking his father's residual will, did Zhao Yao made this open trial possible.
After wagering his lineage, Zhao Yao will lose his descendant status unless he wins the trial without dispute, and the crowd supports him and his trial as a just cause.
Not many know about this rule of the Zhao clan, and Zhao Yao only got the details after reading the rule book he recently purchased. There was a prior descendant, who after getting accused of betraying the clan, used this open trial but ended in losing it.
So Zhao Yao understood the possibility that the clan higher up can manipulate even this open trial.
All the servants of North Mansion and other witnesses appeared in front of the Grand elders within 30 minutes. Zhao Yao insisted on a fast trial because even the Clan Leader's full power may not create a foolproof plan in such a short time. There will be loopholes that he could explore.
Nine Grand Elders sat in the front, ready to hear the trials, and decide on a verdict. As the oldest, Grand Elder Zhao Chengjiao took the Chief position.
Zhao Yao hoped that this old monster wasn't biased like the others.
A Martial Master Elder called Zhao Huamin, who administrated the divisions that Elder Zhao Yang and Zhao Jiang worked under, was picked for the post of the controller. As the head of the disciplinary division and guard division, he will be the one that will question and clarify the truth from witnesses and Zhao Yao.
Master Zhao Huamin had eagle-like eyes with a pointy nose, which made his face stand out. A Martial Master was a title given to cultivators who were on top of Golden Core Realm and were on the verge of breaking through to Martial Lord Realm. He was, without a doubt, someone who was going to be a Grand Elder soon.
Zhao Yao instantly knew that this Elder was the Clan Leader's own man, placed there to save Zhao Ping. The boss of Zhao Yang and Zhao Jiang shouldn't be much different from his rotten subordinates. If all apples from the same tree taste bad, then definitely there must be something wrong with the tree.
Elder Zhao Huamin started the proceedings after getting reports from his subordinates that all witnesses were summoned.
"This is the Open trial on the request of Lord Zhao Tong's son, Zhao Yao.
The Clan validates his status as a direct descendent to the Great Zhao Zhen and honors his wager.
This Open trial regarding the missing Merp owned by Zhao Yao will begin now."
"Wife and its murder trial." Zhao Yao corrected.
"It's unprecedented in the clan to have a Demon Beast as a wife, even less considering the beast hadn't evolved to be a Spiritual Beast. About the Ancient law that was used, the clan had made a decision..." Elder Zhao Huamin said with great composure, but Zhao Yao knew what was coming next.
Zhao Yao had already thought well about the counter plans his uncle's henchmen would take. The severity of his accusation all depended on one loophole, and the best way to defend against it was just completely prevent him from using that loophole.
It's just that Zhao Yao didn't expect the clan to use it this early. This game got interesting from the beginning itself.
"The clan had decided to nullify your marriage with the Merp conducted using an Ancient law that the clan doesn't follow these days." Elder Zhao Huamin announced.
Just as he expected. By making an announcement that Merry wasn't his wife, Zhao Yao couldn't push for Murder charges. These bastards were clearing this trial to their favor from the get-go.
This way, even if they failed to protect Zhao Ping, Zhao Yao couldn't get him charged with anything more than stealing. And Zhao Yao was sure that Uncle Zhao Guang had scapegoats ready to take the blow for his only son.
"Master Elder, it was your subordinate Elder Zhao Jiang who made the verdict." Zhao Yao retorted.
"My subordinate had made an error in his judgment. He shouldn't have hurried to use that law without further consultation."
As soon as Master Elder Zhao Huamin said it, Elder Zhao Jiang came forward and apologized. "I apologize for making a hasty judgment."
"So, are you going to punish him?" Zhao Yao asked calmly. He didn't even felt anger seeing this play. Zhao Yao was just amused.
"Yes, I will strictly reprimand him."
Bullsh*t. That's all it took, a simple announcement to ruin his dignity.
And he will get reprimanded. WoW. Wonderful.
One elder announced that he was 'Married' to a beast, while another elder announced just now that he was no longer 'Married' to a beast. How simple, changing as they like for their own convenience.
"What if I don't accept?"Zhao Yao looked straight at Elder Zhao Huamin and asked.
"Why? It's beneficial to you. You are no longer tied to a demon beast, and you can marry a regular girl now." Elder Zhao Huamin smiled like it was the best thing for him.
Did they really believe he will take this? Married or not, the intended damage Zhao Ping aimed was already inflicted.
'Marry a regular girl?' The Su clan Patriarch's only daughter used to be his fiance. It was like offering stitches after splitting open one's head.
Will any girl from a decent family agree to marry him with this shame looming over my head? What a joke?
Elder Zhao Jiang initially used the other part of the Ancient law to sentence him to get castrated. Castrate him?
'Haha.' Zhao Yao doubted whether both Zhao Ping or Elder Zhao Jiang had the guts to actually castrate him because at the end of the day he was a direct descendant.
He may be a crippled due to injuries, but that didn't make him incompetent to make a child who could cultivate. Normally the Grand Elders of the clan should value that to change his punishment even though they wouldn't hope a cripple's child to do wonders.
So he believed the 'don't castrate just make him married to a beast' was a pretense made by Zhao Ping to make him live with shame and prevent the Grand Elders from involving.
"Our clan isn't Ancient anymore?" Zhao Yao asked.
"What do you mean?"
Zhao Yao raised his voice and mocked. "Elder Zhao Huamin, you just stated that this clan doesn't follow it's ancient laws anymore.
So why should it be called an 'Ancient' Zhao clan?"
"Zhao Yao, you are insulting the clan." Zhao Huamnin raised his voice. The initial composure he had was cracked.
"Am I? You can punish me with an Ancient law 'you don't use' when you needed and cancel that punishment when you needed it?"
Zhao Yao didn't give his opponent a chance to reply and continued his barrage.
"Are you even doing your job properly? Where were you for the past six days after the 'Marriage' announcement? You only realized TODAY that this law was outdated?" Zhao Yao watched the Master Elder's expressions as he continued.
"Or you only use these reasonings to help people you wanted to help?"
"How ridiculous?" Elder Zhao Huamin shook his head.
"It's ridiculous to see how low a respected Master Elder like you stoop to bend the laws to help Zhao Ping."
"Haha." Elder Zhao Huamin just laughed it off.
"Yes, it's really funny. Respected Elders, if you just want to save Zhao Ping from murder charges, just say so. Why do you have to take the long route?" Zhao Yao didn't hide the disdain in his words.
"That's enough." Grand Elder Zhao Chengjiao ordered.
"I am sorry, Grand Elder. It was Zhao Ping's idea to make me 'Married to a Merp.' You can ask Elder Zhao Jiang." Zhao Yao respectfully said before looking at Elder Zhao Jiang.
Elder Zhao Jiang stood up but didn't speak.
Zhao Yao was pretty sure that he was contemplating whether to lie or not.
"If Elder Zhao Jiang couldn't tell the 'Truth,' there are guards and clan members present at the time and heard it well." Zhao Yao pointed at the guards and some clan members he remembered from that day.
"At least one of you should be able, to tell the truth. If you lie, I will make you go through a truth ceremony, and you all know what happens to liars." Zhao Yao threatened.
Elder Zhao Jiang's face paled, and he quickly admitted. "Grand Elder. Yes, it was Young Master Zhao Ping's suggestion to use that law."
'Finally.' Zhao Yao let out a sigh of relief. He succeeded in convincing Elder Zhao Jiang that it will fail if he tried to lie. Zhao Yao didn't want to waste time trying to dismantle a useless lie.
"See. It was Zhao Ping's idea, and he should be okay with it if he did the murder. Why does this Master Elder want to go out of the way to aid him?" Zhao Yao questioned before turning to the Grand Elders.
"Grand Elder, do you understand why I said that I don't trust in clan's investigation?" Zhao Yao made his point and waited for Grand Elder's reaction.
Grand Elder Zhao Chengjia smiled before he revealed his predetermined decision.
"Your concern cannot be blamed, but we the Grand Elders also believe that the law used to punish you shouldn't be used. Thus, we approve of the decision to NULLIFY YOUR MARRIAGE."
The Grand Elder smiled, but Zhao Yao found it hateful.
"You can continue pursuing your charges for theft, but without proper evidence linking Zhao Ping's direct involvement in the theft, we cannot allow your wager to subject Zhao Ping to truth ceremony."
'Haha.' Zhao Yao wanted to laugh. Within minutes they reduced his murder charge to a petty theft charge. Within one announcement, they changed the trial he gained with wagering everything he had to a mere joke.
They are tougher than he expected. Just like how they will reconsider castrating him, they will never allow a direct descendent and the Clan Leader's son in a trial that could potentially shame and eligible for Death sentence.
What rules? Bullsh*t.
What Ancient clan? They just use rules for their own convenience.
He had already expected these counter blocks, but he didn't expect them to act this fast.
The clan allowing his request for Open trial was enough for him for his later plans.
Even in a 'fair trial,' one shouldn't expect his Evil enemy to play fair. In trials like this, only the evilest one will win.
'Hehehe. You all are great, but you still haven't learned your lesson yet. All of you continue to underestimate me.' Zhao Yao's smile turned wide.