“Empty?!”
The head of the medical team sighed regretfully. “Yes. Although Lin Xiaohe’s body has been repaired, she’s just an empty shell.”
This was even worse than being in a vegetative state.
At least a person in a vegetative state still has subconsciousness. Lin Xiaohe’s situation was just an empty body.
From the perspective of self-awareness, Lin Xiaohe could be declared dead.
The head of the medical team sighed inwardly. It could have been a medical miracle, but in the end, they fell just one step short.
Fortunately, psychic energy was complex. He could just make up some excuse to explain why Lin Xiaohe had become a vegetable.
The white-haired old man said, “Oh, I see. It doesn’t matter. Put her in court anyway.”
What?!
The white-haired old man made an internal call, and soon a person completely shrouded in a black robe hurried over.
He controlled a worm-like stardust mutant creature and attached it to Lin Xiaohe’s throat.
Five minutes later, Lin Xiaohe’s mouth opened slightly, and her voice came out hoarse: “Sir, Lin Xiaohe’s body is too strong. My mutant creature can’t burrow inside.”
The white-haired old man frowned with displeasure and said contemptuously, “We’ll make do with this for now. During the trial, when they ask you who your accomplices are, remember to say Yao Siyuan.”
The corner of the white-haired old man’s mouth curled up slightly, revealing a chilling, smug smile.
Since they dared to challenge the authority of the Ministry of Security, they had to be prepared to be targeted.
Yao Siyuan, the commander of the Sixth Star Ring Military Region, was the chicken he had picked out to make an example of to the monkeys!
The Ministry of Security had made a concession by agreeing to a public trial, but they refused to transfer jurisdiction to the Federal Military Court.
Due to the special identities of the parties involved and the enormous public and social impact of this case, it would be heard by the Federal First Court.
Overseeing the trial was the Chief Justice, known as the “Scale of Federal Justice.” The jury included representatives from the military, official representatives of the Federal Government, Rheinmann from the Republican Party, Kailyn Reno from the Democratic Party, and twenty representatives of public opinion.
The entire trial process would be broadcast live, subject to public supervision.
The prosecutor was Su Shuang, the head of legal affairs at the Ministry of Security. He was a prodigy from a family of lawyers, the Federation’s strongest attorney, having participated in thirteen thousand cases without a single loss.
The defense attorney was Chang Haonan, hired at a high salary by the Star Lily Party.
He and Su Shuang were old rivals. While other lawyers shunned this case, afraid to take it on, he volunteered, just for the chance to defeat Su Shuang in front of the entire Federation!
The two faced off across the courtroom, sparks practically flying from their intense glares.
Suddenly, a commotion erupted in the courtroom.
“Xiaohe! What’s wrong with you?!” Cassian was unshaven, his eyes bloodshot.
These past days had been the hardest for him.
He had to find ways to protect Chu Huaizhi, to prevent anyone with ill intentions from taking the opportunity to kill him, while also resisting pressure from the Ministry of Security, refusing to expel Lin Xiaohe.
Every additional identity Lin Xiaohe had offered her a little more protection.
“How dare you use torture?!” Cassian glared viciously at the white-haired old man.
Lin Xiaohe, usually so lively and energetic, now looked like a tattered doll. Her eyes were tightly shut. She wore an oversized patient’s gown and sat in a wheelchair, her head tilted slightly back.
Cassian wanted to rush over and check Lin Xiaohe’s injuries, but the courtroom bailiffs stopped him. “Step back! If you cause any more disturbance in court, you will be removed.”
The white-haired old man let out a soft snort, didn’t even glance at Cassian, and walked directly to his seat on the jury.
“Sir.”
“Sir, it’s been a long time. How is your health?”
Kailyn Reno and the others stood up and bowed to the white-haired old man.
The white-haired old man nodded reservedly and said pointedly, “Not bad, except some ants are very annoying.”
All three of them put on flawless smiles.
Bang!
The Chief Justice struck his gavel. “The trial of the Lin Xiaohe case is now in session. Nuwa, please verify Lin Xiaohe’s identity.”
Nuwa: [Lin Xiaohe, 18 years old, resident of Wasteland Star No.7, Sixth Star Ring; Stardust Mutant Plant Wrangler; President of the Agricultural Studies Student Union at Central Military Academy; Leader of the Star Lily Party; Captain in the Sixth Star Ring. Information verified.]
The long list of titles drew exclamations from viewers watching the live stream.
Unfortunately, to maintain order in the live chat, the stream was locked to official comments only.
After the presiding judge announced the source of the case, the charges, and the composition of the tribunal, the prosecutor Su Shuang read the indictment.
His tone was passionate, rhythmic, and highly infectious: “Lin Xiaohe betrayed the trust placed in her by Marshal Chu and the citizens of the Federation. She concealed her identity as a rebel and wantonly toyed with people’s emotions. Fortunately, the nets of justice are wide and loose, but let nothing slip through. She has finally revealed her true colors.”
The Chief Justice looked at Chang Haonan. “Do you have any objections to the indictment?”
Chang Haonan: “Yes! He said a lot just now, but there isn’t a single piece of substantial evidence proving that my client administered the poison.”
He looked at Su Shuang. “What poison was Marshal Chu poisoned with? Is there a report?”
Su Shuang: “It’s an unknown poison with extremely high stealth properties.”
Chang Haonan pressed further: “In other words, you can’t even prove that Chu Huaizhi fell into a coma because of poisoning? As everyone knows, Marshal Chu was severely injured in the past, and his psychic sea collapsed. Can you prove that his current coma is unrelated to that old injury?”
Su Shuang didn’t have any evidence, but he wasn’t the least bit flustered.
Chang Haonan’s eyes dimmed slightly, and he continued, “Even your witness testimonies lack clear, direct evidence. Everything you’ve submitted only shows that my client happened to be present when Chu Huaizhi fell into a coma.”
Su Shuang smiled. “That’s alright. I have one more important witness.”
“Who?”
“Lin Xiaohe!”
As soon as he said this, the entire courtroom couldn’t help but stir.
Having the defendant act as the prosecution’s witness?! How was that any different from pleading guilty right there in court?
Ignoring the murmurs, Su Shuang walked up to Lin Xiaohe and asked, word by word, “Lin Xiaohe, are you a member of the rebels?”
Lin Xiaohe’s eyes were closed. Her mouth opened slightly, and her voice was faint and hoarse: “Yes.”
“Oh my black hole!!”
Cassian shot up from his seat, staring at Lin Xiaohe in disbelief.
The StarNet exploded. The surge of new viewers entering the live stream even caused a one-second lag.
A smug smile curled high on Su Shuang’s lips, his voice growing softer. “Did you poison Chu Huaizhi?”
Lin Xiaohe’s reaction seemed delayed, as if she was moving in slow motion. “Yes.”
Oh my god!!!
The Central Military Academy students who had come to watch the trial couldn’t sit still anymore.
Bastard shouted, “Lin Xiaohe, wake up! What nonsense are you talking?!”
The bailiffs grabbed Bastard and escorted him out of the courtroom.
After the brief disturbance subsided, Su Shuang continued questioning Lin Xiaohe. “You couldn’t have done something this big alone. Who instructed you? Or, do you have accomplices?”
“Objection!” Chang Haonan interrupted Su Shuang’s questioning. “I demand a third-party examination of the defendant Lin Xiaohe’s mental and physical state!”
The Chief Justice considered for a second and then granted Chang Haonan’s request.
After Nuwa performed a precise scan: [Weak psychic energy detected. No signs of psychic mental manipulation found.]
The court’s designated medical evaluation team also concluded: “She is in good health. Not even a needle mark can be found.”
Oh my goodness.
Chang Haonan’s expression darkened. Meeting Su Shuang’s triumphant gaze, his anger grew.
They had definitely done something, but made sure no evidence could be found.
Just as the medical team was about to leave, a wave of intense, icy-cold terror engulfed the entire courtroom.
Everyone’s heart felt like it was being squeezed by an invisible giant hand. Breathing became rapid and heavy.
They felt as if they had been thrown into an abyss of terror, their bodies trembling uncontrollably.
As Kailyn Reno and the others looked towards the source of the terror, their eyes met a pair of glowing red, cold, merciless pupils.
Lin Xiaohe had opened her eyes!
