33 Judging He Tong (2/2)

The audience was split into two. One group wished to gobble up the other, but both understood that this was just pro forma judging. Two out of three Heavenly Warriors had already decided on the fate of the head of the He family, and thus he would be unable to avoid his fate.

Those who were his comrades were swearing in their minds. They too wished to rip Xue Wei to shreds, but they would never do so as they knew how valuable the young warriors were to the kingdom.

When they had been at the front lines, they were still valuable, but many returned to settle down or carry out other chores that kept them far away from the battlefields.

Had He Tong succeeded in killing Xue Wei, it was not a question about allowing He Tong to live. He would have been executed on the spot as Manager Su clearly looked at Xue Wei as his benefactor, but had Manager Su not managed to break through, it could have gone either way.

Shen Bingwen would not make too much of a fuss for a dead genius, while Li Fang would do all in his power to protect his supporter.

Unfortunately, things had escalated far above and beyond what He Tong had expected. Not only had he failed to kill Xue Wei, but Manager Su had also broken through to become a Heavenly Warrior.

A listless and despaired He Tong was led into the courtroom. His hair was messy and his clothes disheveled. His eyes were dim, and it was clear that he had finally calmed down and realized what exactly he had done.

Having come to terms with everything, he was naturally also aware of the punishment that would follow. Shen Bingwen and Manager Su would cripple him.

Although his family might be able to sustain itself for some time due to the Elders in the family, it was without a doubt that He Tong would not be able to maintain his position within the family. Although the family would survive, He Tong was going to live a life worse than death.

Not only this, but he also realized that all the actions he had made had turned him, and his family, against the commoners. These commoners would use his shops and restaurants much less now than they had before, and only travelers who had no idea of his deeds would buy their wares unless they lowered their prices.

As He Tong was placed in the courtroom, the entire room was filled to the brim, and it was pindrop silent.

Shen Bingwen started by calling up Xue Wei to give testimony, and following him came Manager Su. Both honestly recounted the incident, not withholding anything. Xue Wei even displayed his movement martial art to prove that he could move fast enough to stay alive.

After them came a bunch of commoners who had noticed what had happened. And finally, He Tong was questioned.

”He Tong, leader of the He family, has committed a great offense,” Shen Bingwen said seriously. ”After careful deliberation with the involved parties and in light of the fact that the victim did not die, we have decided only to cripple your cultivation, allowing for you to continue your life.”

No one was surprised with the verdict, but everyone was rather shocked that Shen Bingwen made it sound as if he had been merciful.

He Tong's face paled, and Li Fang gritted his teeth. Li Jian, who was also present in the hall, stared at Xue Wei with eyes that looked as if they would slice him into pieces.

But a decision had been made, and no one could do anything about it. Even Li Fang was powerless when Manager Su and Shen Bingwen worked together.

As the case finished, everyone started spreading the word. Manager Su personally took on the task of crippling He Tong, and a group of He family members picked him up and brought the collapsed He Tong back to the family with them. Although he was their family head, the Elders that had been present knew that things were likely to change now and that Li Fang definitely had his plans with the He family.

In the Shen family, everyone was cheerful. Shen Bingwen was walking around with a great smile on his face, and he felt that a heavy weight had been lifted from his shoulders as Manager Su was his new backup.

With Manager Su's assistance, his position was rock solid in Tiankong City. Although the city lord expected Li Fang to be filled with pent-up anger and frustrations, he also admired Li Fang and knew that he would never venture down the path of wickedness for the sake of reaching his goals.

”Was this heaven's retribution?” Li Fang whispered to himself with half-closed eyes in his study.

”I have spoiled my son too much, and he has gone down the wrong road. I know of all the atrocities he has committed, but I never said anything about it. Now, he has caused two of my followers to lose their most promising members of the younger generation and a strong backer.”

”But worst is the fact that Manager Su managed to break through! That old man has never been even close to breaking through all these years, so how come he suddenly broke through now?”

”Young man, what if I could give you everything you wanted?” A voice suddenly sounded in the room. Li Fang stood up in shock and looked around, yet no matter where he looked, he saw nothing.

”Do not tempt me!” he yelled. ”I will not be someone else's puppet, and I will not go against my martial heart!”

”That is too bad,” the voice laughed with a dry laughter that sounded as if the dead were coming back to the land of the living.

”At least I know that your son will accept me,” the voice mocked, and the room was eerily quiet all of a sudden. Li Fang turned deadly pale.