Chapter 84: The trial begins
Ji Bai had initially wanted to refuse his first ride into a motor vehicle, as he was someone that couldn’t be ordered around to sit where one wants him to . In his honest opinion, Ji Bai felt that the ‘cultural restoration’ section needed to widen their knowledge and life experiences . They shouldn’t restore culture purely based on some existing book fragments and scroll pieces of the olden days . If one wished to further their development, they shouldn’t be afraid of innovation . To be a pioneer in innovation, one needed to exert themselves and refer to the course of history . It was inadvisable to seclude themselves and just follow after the steps of others; Rather, one needed to throw out the old and bring in the new .
It was especially so when it came to the restoration of motor vehicles and firearms, which, in Ji Bai’s opinion, were very unnecessary .
It should be a survival of the fittest where the technologies that would be passed down were only those most practical . When faced with the demons’ overpowering offensive, the firearms that humans in the olden days had held in their hands were nothing more than burning sticks .
The elimination of useless technologies such as those was an irresistible trend, and of no significance to the bigger picture .
‘Then again, it is quite fashionable to sit in these iron boxes even if one has nothing else to do . The attention that everyone is paying on it is off the charts, while I can feel myself greatly becoming classier . If I am able to get one when I am well-off, it’s possible to even pick up a few ladies . ’
One had to know that in this era, cars weren’t something one could get with money . The temple association monopolized the various manufacturing industries associated with restoring the olden days . To a certain degree, such nearly extinct and rare objects had become a symbol of one’s identity and position in society .
‘Mhm, this car is actually very big and looks like the spitting image of a small warehouse . I reckon it can hold at least twenty people inside . ’
Sitting on the sofa to the back, Ji Yue was expressionlessly holding her teacup, while a maid of dignified bearing was attending to her with a teapot in her hands . As for the two knights, they were caressing the hilt of their swords while intentionally or unintentionally shooting a glance at Ji Bai, who had been pushed to the side of the car’s window .
‘Shit, are they on guard against me? Be reasonable, man . Does my appearance look like a dangerous man who would harbor illegal intentions towards a young lady in her prime?’ Thought Ji Bai .
Even though there was still quite a distance between them and the martial arena, Ji Bai was able to see the death convicts, tied to the stage while being derided and cursed by the people below .
The atmosphere was imposing as the peanut gallery, who weren’t afraid of making things worse, displayed mankind’s inner qualities— the penchant for watching a spectacle, and blindly following public opinions— to its fullest .
As the eye-catching car approached the arena, the masses cursing the ones on the stage, conscientiously stepped aside, opening a way forward .
Their stance was extremely transparent . They could leisurely watch the spectacle, randomly curse the death convicts above, but they absolutely couldn’t offend the grandparents of a government official .
“So they have arrived . ” Lan Yu, sitting high above the stage, narrowed his eyes . He slowly placed down his goblet and stood up .
The complexion of the knights tied to the targets were empty, as they looked despairingly at the Temple Association’s car parked outside .
Everyone’s eyes were gathered there . Everyone present, including Lan Yu, had wished to see how a commander of the tribunal court, someone who had come all the way down here, looked like .
The doors of the car opened and a tightly enclosed tin can rolled outwards like a gourd .
‘Crap! It’s been a long time since I wore full plate armor, I didn’t manage to grasp my balance…’
As he staggered, fell, and climbed his way back to his feet, Ji Bai suddenly felt his back turning cold as if a thousand needles had just pierced through it .
‘Eeehh?? Why is everyone looking at me all of a sudden? Could this sinful look of mine suddenly have turned handsome while I wasn’t noticing?’
Ji Bai tried to touch his face . Before he could feel the cheek that he remembered, his hand came into contact with the cold and hard molybdenum helmet .
The awkward atmosphere didn’t last for very long . It wasn’t long until the gazes of the masses were attracted by the beautiful image of a woman exiting the car .
Compared to a moron showing off his talent, a grandeur and elegant girl was more capable of attracting the public’s attention .
As expected, Ji Yue, who stepped out of the car door surrounded by her entourages, had captivated the eyes of everyone in the scene, including that of Lan Yu .
Her reserved temperament didn’t diminish her existence in the least . She was like a pearl in the sand; No matter what happened, her radiance couldn’t be covered up .
As her gaze swept past the fluttering regiment flag on the stage, symbolizing the Chivalric Order of Radiant Knight, a trace of emotion arose in Ji Yue’s silent eyes before they immediately returned to calmness .
“I am sorry to trouble our fellow comrades from headquarters to make the long trip here . I’m Lan Yu, the section head of the Chivalric Order of Radiant Knight in Border Town and it’s an honor to meet such honored guests from far aboard . I will be participating in this trial, so I ask for your kind guidance . ” Lan Yu smiled brightly as he walked up and welcomed them .
“Mhm . ” Ji Yue slightly nodded her head . Without shaking his outstretched hands after returning the greeting, she walked past him and went directly towards the seats of the tribunal court .
“Haha… Your honor, the commander, is truly a woman of few words . ” Lan Yu had exercised self-restraint and had said a series of words out of courtesy, yet the other party only replied with a simple ‘Mhm’ without even expressing her name to him . Even though he was deeply dissatisfied in his heart, his face still displayed an amiable smile .
After seeing that the other party was seemingly not a fan of his, Lan Yu wanted to curry favor with her . Though that being the case, he was aware of when to draw the line . Thus he didn’t suck up to her like sticky candy, which would invite a rebuff from her . Instead, he turned his body and returned to his own seat .
As for Ji Bai following behind them, he had been perfectly ignored .
“Mhm? Mhm?” Ji Bai had checked his surroundings after walking up to the viewing platform . Seeing that no one was paying attention to him, his eyes lit up as he ran over to Landi, who was tied to a target and had his eyes closed .
“Hey, little knight . We’ve met again . Seems like there’s really quite the karma between us, huh?”
“??? May I know who your excellency is?” Landi’s face was filled with astonishment . He briefly searched through his memory, yet couldn’t find any impression of the tin can before him .
“Hehe… It’s alright . I am here, so all of you will definitely be alright . Even if I have to drag all of you out from the gallows today, I am going to do just that . ” Said Ji Bai before patting Landi’s shoulders in a mischievous manner .
“Hsss…” A fit of paleness appeared on Landi’s face .
“Oh? Did I touch your injuries? Ahaha… I’m sorry, the trial is about to begin . I’m going to take my leave now . ” After saying that, Ji Bai servilely ran towards the table that Ji Yue was in .
As everyone was present, the temple trial officially began .
Lan Yu propped his elbow on the table . Holding his head against his hands, his heart was completely occupied with something else .
In his opinion, the result of this trial had already been decided behind closed doors . The reason why they went through the motions was merely just for the sake of getting legitimacy .
“The tribunal court has arrived . The sacred martial trial will now officially begin!” Wearing a light knight armor, an announcer, carrying a scroll of paper, took to his position .
“As the former frontline knights of Border Town, they concealed information when the enemy was ahead of us, slighted their appointments, neglected their duties, mutinied and cooperated with the enemy . The frontline knight leader colluded with squad leader Landi and, together with the dark knights, jointly caused a rebellion in the city! Their crimes are unpardonable! Today, under the temple tribunal court, the truth has been revealed under the heavens . All of the sinners are to be executed, effective immediately!”
“Sinners . Do you have anything to say to defend yourself?” The announcer had narrowed his eyes to look at the frontline knights tightly tied up below him .
“Haha . ” Landi coldly laughed twice and no longer said anything .
“Since all of you complied with the decision made by the tribunal court… Men, push the guillotine up here!”
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