Chapter 303: The Defense Attorney

Six armed police officers had sealed off the ward's doors and windows. Even if I had wings, I couldn't have escaped—let alone in my grim physical condition, having lost even the basic ability to care for myself.

"Twenty-one charges. The Jiang family is trying to make my case ironclad so I can never overturn it." Just a single charge of intentional homicide under severe circumstances carried the death penalty, to say nothing of the other twenty charges against me.

The leading armed police officer wore a grim expression. "This has nothing to do with the Jiang family. You broke the law. I am Wu Yang, captain of the First Armed Police Detachment. According to Article 254 of the Criminal Procedure Law, criminals sentenced to fixed-term imprisonment or criminal detention who cannot care for themselves and pose no threat to society may temporarily serve their sentences outside of prison. You will be guarded by our First Armed Police Detachment until you are no longer in critical condition, after which you will be transferred to the Jiangcheng People's Court for a first-instance trial."

"Trial?" I furrowed my brows. "Normal judicial procedures aren't this straightforward. There are issues with your investigation and evidence gathering. I'm innocent!"

"Kick up a fuss if you like, but until you're discharged, you won't leave our sight for anything—eating, drinking, or using the bathroom," Wu Yang said expressionlessly. "I also advise you not to pull any stunts. Don't harbor any delusions of escaping. There are sixteen surveillance cameras installed inside and outside this ward. Your every move will be recorded."

I looked bitterly at the six armed police officers before me, all of whom remained on high alert. "Is this really necessary?"

"With the most arrogant criminal Jiangcheng has seen in twenty years, we can never be too careful." Wu Yang placed a thick stack of case reports on the edge of the bed. "The doctor says you're recovering well and can be discharged in two days at the latest. Until then, behave yourself and review your charges. A specialist will be here to interrogate you this afternoon."

I casually flipped through the so-called case reports. Most were factual, and many of my actions had indeed broken the law, but compared to my merits in saving Jiangcheng, they were nothing. "I want to see Tie Ningxiang. I want to hire a lawyer to plead not guilty!"

Since I couldn't change things with violence, I would resolve this through normal judicial channels.

"Tie Ningxiang probably can't help you either. She neglected her duties and violated the Police Department's firearm and public security regulations..."

"I just want her to come in. Can't I even speak to her?" Looking at the expressionless Wu Yang, I showed no intention of backing down.

A few minutes later, Tie Ningxiang was brought in by an armed police officer. With worry in her eyes, she sat on the edge of the hospital bed.

"Senior Sister, I'm sorry for dragging you into this."

"It's my fault. I didn't help you at all and only caused trouble." Tie Ningxiang propped a pillow behind my back so I could lean against it more comfortably. "I have something else to tell you."

"Is it about Xiaofeng?" My heart gave a lurch as a bad premonition rose within me.

Tie Ningxiang nodded. "Xiaofeng is missing."

"Missing?!"

"After you and Lu Xing fell from the Lanjiang Dam, the top of the dam seemed to be shrouded in something. I couldn't find my way out, and I could only watch as Xiaofeng was taken away by a Girl in Red."

I pondered Tie Ningxiang's words. If Lu Xing didn't die, the Seven-Star Labyrinth Array wouldn't break. "The Girl in Red who took Xiaofeng must be the vengeful spirit that possessed her. Why would she take Xiaofeng away? Is Xiaofeng dead or alive now?"

"Don't think about that right now. Figure out how to get yourself out of this first. Last night's commotion was too big, and with the Jiang family secretly fanning the flames, your current situation is extremely dangerous." Tie Ningxiang's eyes swept over the myriad wounds on my body, and she gently placed a hand on my shoulder. "Focus on recovering. I'll try to find a way to help you. Don't give up until the very end."

Listening to Tie Ningxiang, it sounded like she was going to beg her stubborn deputy bureau chief father. Favors and connections were the things I hated most. "Senior Sister, there's no need for that much trouble. Today, let's make a bet."

Tie Ningxiang froze slightly. "Bet on what?"

"We'll bet on whether the law in your eyes is truly fair."

After Tie Ningxiang left, the six armed police officers clearly divided their duties. They formed groups of three: one group guarded the outside, while the other remained on alert inside the room.

After lunch, I sat cross-legged on the bed and circulated the Profound Truth technique to accelerate my body's recovery.

A little past two o'clock, the ward door opened to another knock. This time, three criminal detectives walked in, led by Wu Meng.

After the procedural interrogation ended, Wu Meng asked the two detectives who came with him to wait outside. He stood alone by the bed, his expression somewhat helpless and bitter.

"Captain Wu, why the long face?" I asked casually with a light chuckle.

"You're remarkably carefree." Wu Meng waved the transcript in his hand. "Do you know what will happen once this confession is submitted to the higher-ups? There's a ninety percent chance you'll be sentenced straight to death!"

"I know."

"Then why did you confess to all this?"

Wu Meng slammed the transcript to the side. Wu Yang, who was standing in the back, walked over. "Captain Wu, please watch your words and actions. It's a good thing for a suspect to admit to their crimes."

"Good, my ass!" Wu Meng cursed under his breath. "The Lanjiang Dam almost burst, and I was right there on it! I don't know how Gao Jian did it, but he should be considered a hero for protecting the dam! In that final moment, he and Lu Xing, the murderer we'd been hunting, fell into the river together. I can only imagine how brutal their fight must have been."

"Captain Wu, criminal cases can't rely on imagination alone; we need evidence." Wu Yang straightened the transcript and handed it back to Wu Meng. "Your time is up. Leave."

"Wait!" I reached out to interrupt them. "Captain Wu, I still have some past offenses I haven't come clean about. I want to confess now and aim for leniency."

Hearing me say this, Wu Yang could no longer object and stepped aside.

"You... still have other crimes?" Now even Wu Meng was dumbfounded.

I nodded affirmatively. "It's related to a murder case. The key evidence is on a Large-Screen Phone. I left that phone in Jiang Chen's sports car last night. You have to find it!"

The Underworld Live Show Phone was of grave importance; it held far too many secrets. Now, I was actually a little thankful that the phone's inbox had an auto-clean feature. After every broadcast, the call logs and text messages were automatically deleted.

"Alright." Wu Meng nodded in agreement, half-skeptical.

"One last request. I want to find a lawyer to be my defense attorney. He doesn't need to be highly skilled, as long as he can maintain a fair judgment." My demands weren't high. I would handle the not-guilty plea myself, but I couldn't be the one speaking. To seize the initiative during the court trial, the most basic requirement was to find a defense attorney.

"That might be difficult," Wu Meng said heavily. "Lately, the Jiang family has been steering public opinion. Everyone in Jiangcheng, from eighty-year-old elders down to seven-year-old kids, knows you're a murderer who fled justice and openly resisted arrest. It paints a very vile picture, and your case's nature has already been officially classified. I'm afraid very few lawyers would be willing to act as your defense attorney."

"The Jiang family again." My eyes turned cold, and the thought of fighting until the fish dies and the net breaks flashed through my mind. Inside the Black Leather Suitcase hidden in the girls' dormitory of Xinhu High School, I still had a record of bad debts concerning Jiangjin Real Estate. If worst came to worst, I would expose Jiangjin Real Estate's true face.

"It's tricky, but I'll do my best to help you." After saying that, Wu Meng left with the transcript, leaving me sitting on the hospital bed, my expression dark and uncertain.

...

Wu Meng rushed over early the next morning. He brought two detectives with him, looking hurried with a document bag in hand.

"What's wrong? Why in such a hurry?" I hadn't slept all night, choosing instead to sit cross-legged in meditation. Only by experiencing profound rights and wrongs could one achieve true enlightenment. After these eight broadcasts, my mindset had undergone a huge shift. While I couldn't say I had seen through the mortal world, I surprisingly now understood all the scriptures I hadn't been able to comprehend before.

Wu Meng didn't look too good. "I have bad news for you. Every law firm in Jiangcheng and the surrounding areas has refused to defend you. A lawyer friend of mine told me that Old Master Jiang paid a massive price this time. Even the higher-ups at the Provincial Public Security Department have issued an official red-headed document regarding your case."

"They're trying to seal off all my avenues of survival." Clenching my fists, I slowly gritted my teeth.

Seeing my unstable state, Wu Meng hurriedly spoke up again. "Hold on a bit longer. Director Huang from Qian Ding Pharmaceutical Company is also trying to figure something out for you. He is currently preparing to hire some professionals from another province."