Chapter 99 Adjudication
Chapter 99 Adjudication
"Ricky, you... you are… oh, God! I really don't know what to say about you! You're under arrest, Ricky!" Elder Abbott said gravely.
Elder Abbott's attitudes toward Ricky had changed several times. But all in all, he liked the young warrior quite a lot. But he had gone too far this time. In an act unprecented in the Snow Sect, Ricky had killed a fellow disciple.
Heather was extremely confused, in shock at having no idea what Ricky had done.
But Ricky reassured her, and she calmed down a little.
Elder Abbott led Ricky to the Law Enforcement Hall. Seeing such a tense situation, Heather grew quite anxious and knocked Grace's door, telling her that Ricky had been arrested.
On the road to the Law Enforcement Hall, Rod shouted insults and threats at Ricky again and again.
But Elder Abbott shooed Rod away, along with the other people who were chattering at Ricky.
When they arrived at the Law Enforcement Hall, Ricky was put into a prison cell. Its walls were made of fine iron, making it impossible for Ricky to escape. Outside, numerous guards stood watch.
"It now appears that I have gotten myself into quite a bit of trouble," Ricky murmured to himself as he looked at the darkness all around him.
......
The story of Ricky killing Phil had spread throughout the whole Sect overnight.
The truth about why Ricky did it gradually came out as the news spread. Some disciples thought that Ricky was a man with integrity who was forthright in making a distinction between kindness and
revenge. Some of the female disciples pitied Ricky. because they felt as though Rick was not guilty.
But there were some others who hoped that Ricky would bear harsh consequences. They said that Ricky outright broke the primary rule that had never been broken in the Snow Sect. To them, even a thousand deaths would not atone for his crime.
But the final adjudication was up to the Elders, Chief Zenith, and the Dominant Top Elder, Boris.
.....
Elder Abbott came to the prison after half a day had passed since Ricky was locked up.
"Elder Abbott, will I die?" Ricky asked, for he knew Elder Abbott was soft-hearted.
"Ricky… Why did you do it? Why can't you just have held back? Do you think it will be worth losing your life because of such an unremarkable disciple like Phil?" Elder Abbott said angrily.
"I can't help it, Elder. He maliciously insulted my master in front of me," Ricky replied without a hint of regret.
"Well, Grace is fortunate that she has such a bold, loyal person like you as a disciple." Elder Abbott sighed.
"Elder Abbott, please tell me! What is going to happen to me?" Ricky pleaded.
"I'm not sure. But I have found out the details of the whole event. On the whole, you have the advantage, Ricky. Besides, the sect chief seems to be on your side. I think you stand a good chance of leaving with your life," Elder Abbott said earnestly.
"Oh, my lucky stars! I can escape this disaster!" Ricky said with a smile.
"It's still too early to be cheerful. You should know that the Dominant Top Elder Boris is not in your favor," Elder Abbott said with a sullen face.
"Does he hold a higher position than the sect chief, Elder?" Ricky asked.
"No, the sect chief is the ultimate ruling position in our Snow Sect," Elder Abbott said. "But not too long ago, Boris successfully broke through the heavenly doom and became a middle spiritual king." All rights © NôvelDrama.Org.
"Now that Boris is a middle spiritual king, he is equal to Zenith in the realm of their powers. This means that even though there is still a gap between his position and that of the sect chief, it is now impossible for Zenith to suppress Boris anymore."
"The sect is divided now, Ricky. Two main factions have formed."
"I see," Ricky nodded. He was deep in thought.
"The sect chief and Boris have planned to hold your trial at the square. So you need to mentally prepare to accept whatever the result may be," Elder Abbott reminded him.
"Even if there seems to be a feud between Zenith and Boris, I didn't expect that such powerful warriors would be called upon to adjudicate on my case. I am just a humble disciple of Blood Purification. What's more, it seems like such a big deal, doesn't it? To hold the trial in such a grand square," Ricky said, slightly surprised.
After all, even if he committed a more heinous crime, in the eyes of innate spirits it would be of trifling importance. Ricky knew it was totally unnecessary to trouble innate spirits for his case.
"Indeed, Boris wouldn't care about your life, Ricky. But he wants to further establish his hold on Snow Sect using this opportunity. Do you understand?" Elder Abbott asked.
"Yes, Elder!"
"Don't worry! Together with Chief Zenith, I will try my best to fight for you," Elder Abbott said reassuringly and left.
......
"It's power! My power will never be enough!" Ricky shouted, pounding the walls of his cell after Elder Abott left.
......
The next day, the main square of the Snow Sect was packed with people. All disciples from the Snow Sect arrived early.
It was the first time that someone had killed his fellow disciple in the history of the Snow Sect. They wanted to see what would happen to Ricky.
A few powerful disciples knew that they would see a competition between the opposing powers of the sect chief and the Dominant Top Elder.
The Dominant Top Elder Boris was trying to establish his hold, while Chief Zenith wanted to maintain his power across the Snow Sect.
Soon, the nine Elders appeared, and they all landed beside the nine seats on the platform.
They were then followed the sect chief Zenith and the Dominant Top Elder Boris.
After greeting the other Elders, Zenith directly ordered law enforcement disciples to bring Ricky to the square.
After a while, Ricky appeared, his hands restrained.
The whole square broke out into noise.
Grace and Heather were extremely anxious and worried. Elder Abbott felt the same. They all regretted that Ricky had been so impulsive and hotheaded.
But deep inside, Grace was grateful and even happy once she found out just why Ricky had killed Phil.
Surely Ricky has seen Grace and Heather, but he walked right past them, not meeting their eyes.
What Ricky hadn't seen was that in a corner of the square stood Amelia, the leader of Amber Faction, and the charming girl who had accompanied Grace to the Stone City.
"If the Snow Sect really wants to kill Ricky, I hope you can help him," Amelia whispered.
"Is it going to happen because he possessed no spiritual meridian?" the charming girl asked.
"Yes. I have a strong intuition that he is the person I've been looking for," Amelia said, nodding decidedly.
"I have heard his story. He is not bad. I'll think it over. If it is really that necessary, I'll do it for you," the girl whispered in Amelia's ear.
"Thank you," Amelia said, nodding her head in gratitude.
......
"Sect chief, Dominant Top Elder and nine Elders!" Ricky said respectfully, as was the custom.
"Ricky, all people in Snow Sect have gathered on this platform today. Do you know why?" Zenith was the first to speak. "Will you confess your crime?"
"No, Chief Zenith. I don't think I committed a crime. How could I confess one?" Ricky said simply and earnestly, his eyes sweeping over the row of Elders who held his fate in their hands.