ATAPOW Chapter 84
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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!”