The Jiang family acted quickly, taking just half a night to completely cleanse the space and spending another two days and two nights covering their tracks and ensuring nothing would incriminate them. They then informed City Lord Zeng that they could proceed with the trial once more.
As Clan Leader Jiang predicted, the two without any evidence stood no chance. City Lord Zeng now had every legitimate reason to proclaim Jiang Yixing innocent due to lack of proof, going as far as accusing Jiang Li and Yuan Wuxing of intentionally hurting Jiang Yixing.
What Clan Leader Jiang didn't foresee was that their family ancestor, Jiang Yixing, was still unconscious, and no reason could be identified even by the physicians.
"This court rules that Jiang Yixing is innocent. If you two disagree with this verdict, you may appeal to the Magistrate's office within fifteen days from today."
Jiang Li walked forward and handed a piece of paper to City Lord Zeng as if he'd been waiting for this moment.
"This is an appeal."
Seeing Jiang Li's calm face, City Lord Zeng felt extremely displeased, especially when he saw that Jiang had already prepared the appeal document.
It was clear that Jiang had anticipated this outcome before the trial began, having written the appeal document in advance.
However, what difference would it make? The official who would handle this case was also promoted from the position of Qingcheng's City Lord, and had previously helped cover up the baby-stealing situation for the Jiang family.
Even if the Magistrate was a fair person, what could these two arrogant fellows achieve without any evidence? Could they win by being stubborn?
...
The Da Zhou Dynasty consisted of twenty-six prefectures, each of which governed several major cities. The present Qingcheng was one of these big cities under the jurisdiction of Tianqing Prefecture. Of course, the appeal should be submitted to Gong Peng, the Magistrate of Tianqing Prefecture.
After receiving the appeal, Magistrate Gong summoned Clan Leader Jiang and City Lord Zeng for a detailed questioning. After getting a full understanding of the matter, he was assured.
...
"Zhang Li, Yuan Wuxing, let me remind you before the trial begins, the verdict passed by this court is the final decision. Unless new evidence emerges that could overturn the original verdict, neither of you two can appeal the case again. Make sure you understand."
Magistrate Gong sat in the center of the hall, with Zhang Li and Yuan Wuxing on one side, and Clan Leader Jiang on the other. Given that Jiang Yixing was still unconscious, there was no point in making him appear.
Clan Leader Jiang, although expressionless as usual, was likely secretly gleeful in Yuan Wuxing's view.
Outside the hall were a scattered few dozens of people, far fewer than before since it was widely known that Jiang Li and Yuan Wuxing wouldn't win due to lack of evidence. City Lord Zeng was among them, ready to watch the show.
"Understood." Jiang Li responded loudly, with Yuan Wuxing also echoing.
"However, before the government assembly, I wish to add one more defendant."
"You could, but this court's verdict will remain final. You cannot appeal based on the addition of a defendant."
Jiang Li nodded in acknowledgement and stood with his hands behind his back, chin slightly raised: "I accuse Qingcheng City Lord Zeng of abusing his power during his tenure to cover up Jiang Yixing's baby-stealing incident and destroying crucial evidence. I request Magistrate Gong for a ruling!"
These words alarmed Clan Leader Jiang, and he sensed danger. While an accusation against a City Lord required officials of third-rank or higher for approval, indeed, Magistrate Gong was of the third rank. As far as legality was concerned, Jiang was within his rights. However, Clan Leader Jiang was puzzled about Jiang Li's intention. Could accusing a City Lord really help him win?
He felt like he was forgetting something.
Being unfamiliar with laws, Clan Leader Jiang was unsure of Jiang Li's goal. However, City Lord Zeng and Magistrate Gong immediately understood. The prospect of what Jiang Li might do sent a shiver down their spines. These two Nascent Soul Cultivators who had weathered many storms suddenly became a cold, nervous wreck.
"I suspect that the crucial piece of evidence in this case, the space where the Blood Sacrifice ritual was done on the baby, was tampered with by City Lord Zeng. I request that Magistrate Gong petition the court to use Time Regression to restore the site!"
Jiang Li's words shattered the last bit of hope that they were clinging on to.
This matter will be reported to the court!
They had no significant backing in the court!
Among the nine great dynasties, only the Da Zhou Dynasty had the audacity and capability to establish the country by law and govern by law. The basis of this was the Da Zhou Royal Family's mastery over time manipulation, enabling them to travel back in time!
However, manipulating time had serious karmic consequences, and should not be used recklessly. Therefore, Da Zhou had decreed certain special circumstances under which time manipulation could be used, such as when a case had a huge national impact, or when it involved the integrity of officials ranked seven or above...
And City Lord Zeng was a fifth-rank official.
"You're slinging mud at me!" City Lord Zeng could no longer maintain his dignity; he shouted in defiance.
City Lord Zeng truly felt wronged. The Jiang family was responsible for destroying the space. As far as this case was concerned, he was just a witness. How did his role get twisted into that of a perpetrator in this kid's accusations?
Jiang Li did not care about Zeng's outcry.
Whether or not City Lord Zeng was involved in tampering with the space did not matter. What mattered was that he was a defendant in this case.
"Zhang Li, are you genuinely applying for court-ordered Time Regression?" Magistrate Gong glared at Jiang Li, his gaze icy. He felt that Jiang Li had set a trap for him.
More critically, checking the facts through Time Regression would not only reveal who sabotaged the space nexus but also expose Jiang Yixing practicing demonic cultivation in that space!
Once Jiang Yixing's demonic cultivation was uncovered, everyone who had served as the City Lord in Qingcheng would come under the court's scrutiny.
Yuan Wuxing finally understood why Jiang Li had let the Jiang family destroy the space nexus; he had been waiting for this moment.
"I am certain."
"Are you really applying for it?" Magistrate Gong repeated his question, word by word, his formidable Nascent Soul aura unleashed like a roaring tiger. The bailiffs, trembling in fear, knelt first, followed by Clan Leader Jiang and Yuan Wuxing.
"I am certain." Jiang's expression remained as cool as ever, seemingly oblivious to Magistrate Gong's killing intent. He even took out the appeal document he had prepared in advance from his sleeve and placed it in front of Gong.
Seeing the freshly inked appeal document, Magistrate Gong barely restrained himself from killing Jiang Li on the spot.
But, in the end, he didn't dare to strike.
If he were to make a move now, it would lead to his complete downfall.
"Zhang Li, it is, isn't it? You're very good, really good!" Magistrate Gong slammed his palm on his desk, shattering it in rage. He stormed off in anger, with Clan Leader Jiang and City Lord Zeng trailing behind, their faces grim.
As Magistrate Gong left, the killing intent gradually dissipated, allowing Yuan Wuxing to recover some strength and slowly stand up.
"Look at you, scared out of your wits by his aura alone. You are at the peak of the Golden Core stage, it's disgraceful." Jiang Li laughed scornfully.
Yuan Wuxing replied with a bitter smile: "Elder Zhang, Magistrate Gong is at the peak of the Nascent Soul stage. We of the Golden Core stage cannot stand up to these high-level threats."
Jiang Li snorted: "Excuses. I've killed Nascent Soul Cultivators when I was at the peak of the Golden Core stage."
Yuan Wuxing was taken aback, and after a pause, he managed to come up with a reply: "Elder, you're really skilled."
Yuan Wuxing was genuinely impressed by Jiang Li. As a rogue of the Dao Sect, he held a position even higher than that of the princes of Da Zhou Dynasty. Any official of the first or second rank would greet him with a smile. Despite this, Jiang Li didn't exploit his status, and instead, forced the Jiang family into a corner step by step, strictly following the laws of Da Zhou.
Amazing!