"Dong!"

The gavel in the grand judge's hand fell heavily, the weighty sound echoing through the empty hall.

Few people were qualified to attend this trial today. Besides a few bailiffs, there were only some official recorders.

In total, there were only about fifteen people.

At this moment, the sound of the gavel attracted everyone's attention, and they all looked at the grand judge.

"Criminal Li Tianran, this is the Law Court representing Yanhuang law. As the defendant, you have no right to sit. Please stand up!"

The grand judge was expressionless, staring coldly at Li Tianran, his gaze as sharp as a knife.

This was a form of psychological intimidation.

This method could be used to control the rhythm of the interrogation, causing the person being questioned to become mentally tense and highly stressed.

And when people are under high stress, it is difficult to fabricate a perfect lie!

Even if they do, their body language and facial expressions will betray their true thoughts.

This was a tactic used in court!

Although most of the details in the case of the heretical cult were already clear, it was still necessary to go through the necessary questioning. The grand judge also wanted to see if he could extract any details from Li Tianran that had not been discovered by the military police!

A dozen pairs of scrutinizing and coercive eyes fell on Li Tianran, as hot as flames.

However, under everyone's scrutiny, Li Tianran remained calmly seated. Not only did he not stand up, but he leaned back and assumed a more comfortable posture.

The grand judge frowned, his brow furrowing into a dangerous arc, his voice slightly cold: "Are you showing contempt for the Law Court?"

This was a serious accusation.

If it was confirmed and placed on Li Tianran's head, even if today's trial declared him innocent in the heretical cult case, the charge of "contempt for the Law Court" alone would be enough to have Li Tianran detained for more than three months!

"Grand Judge," Li Tianran said softly, "Whether I am guilty or not has not yet been determined! So, legally speaking, I am currently a citizen, not a defendant or suspect."

"From a moral standpoint, I saved many people, so I am even more innocent. I am not a criminal, but a hero."

"Now, you are using the word 'criminal' to refer to a citizen, a hero. I seriously doubt your intentions and professional ethics."

Li Tianran's words were incredibly sharp!

If the grand judge's words were a needle, then Li Tianran's words were a sword!

The grand judge's face was gloomy, feeling as if he had been stabbed in the heart, unbearably painful and unbearably embarrassed...

He couldn't refute Li Tianran's words.

Because what Li Tianran said was all true. At this moment, before the eleven-person jury's verdict was reached, whether from a legal or moral standpoint, Li Tianran had nothing to do with the word "criminal."

The air solidified.

The courtroom was silent, so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Just then, the door of the courtroom was pushed open, and someone strode in, breaking the deadlock.

"The eleven members of the jury enter!"

A juror chanted softly, his expression very solemn.

Li Tianran watched this scene, feeling a little amused. He felt like it was a child's game, with everyone playing their roles in a serious manner.

Whether it was the eleven members of the jury or the grand judge, they all believed that they could control Li Tianran's fate in this game.

But they didn't know that if Li Tianran didn't want to play this game, he could overturn the entire playground at any time...

"Why... are there only ten people?"

The grand judge saw clearly the members of the jury entering the courtroom. The originally planned eleven people were now only ten.

One person was missing!

"Why isn't the representative from the council here?" the grand judge asked in a deep voice.

A bailiff stepped forward and responded, "The council's representative, Wang Dongchuan, is on his way to the Law Court. I heard there was a small problem with his vehicle on the way, and he should be here soon."

The grand judge frowned.

The trial was about to begin, but the eleven representatives responsible for the trial had not yet arrived, which made him feel a sense of unease.

"Please, the jury members, take your seats first!"

The grand judge gave an order.

The ten people responsible for the trial began to take their seats.

Li Tianran narrowed his eyes. Among these ten people, he actually saw a familiar face!

Ren Xiao!

The big boss of Tianrun Corporation, a successful businesswoman in Nancheng!

She was actually one of the members of the jury!

Li Tianran was a little surprised.

He was wondering if Bai Jingyan and Ren Xiao belonged to the same parent company, had these two communicated with each other?

Li Tianran had once sneaked into Ren Xiao's villa and scared her badly... If Ren Xiao learned of Li Tianran's true identity, would this woman take revenge and cast a "guilty" vote for him?

Many chaotic thoughts mixed in his mind.

Finally, Li Tianran revealed a slight smile.

He was being paranoid.

So what if Ren Xiao cast a guilty vote?

Li Tianran was already prepared to face the entire Nancheng military's pursuit, was he still afraid of a woman's light vote?

"Prepare to begin the trial... Li Tianran, you may make your final statement!" The grand judge glanced at the time. It was already the scheduled start time, but Wang Dongchuan had still not arrived. He decided to let the ten people who had arrived vote first, and then count his final vote when Wang Dongchuan arrived.

In an instant, the ten pairs of eyes of the jury fell on Li Tianran again.

Li Tianran took a deep breath and said in a calm but clear voice: "Regarding the case of the heretical cult, I believe you all have a sufficient understanding, so I don't need to introduce anything more... I did kill some people, and I also saved some people, but whether it was killing or saving people, I have no regrets about taking this step today."

"I have finished speaking, please vote!"

Li Tianran closed his eyes, as if he didn't care about the outcome of the trial at all.

The ten members of the jury exchanged glances, remained silent for a moment, and began to choose one of the black and white slips in front of them and put it into the ballot box.

"Now, let's count the votes!"

"Guilty (black slip), one vote!"

"Not guilty (white slip), one vote!"

Everyone lowered their breathing and listened quietly to the number of black and white slips.

But when the vote counter spoke of the last slip, the expressions on everyone's faces were astonished!

Five black slips! Five white slips!

The ten people in the jury had actually chosen a fifty-fifty result!

At this time, not only the grand judge, but even Li Tianran opened his eyes.

They all knew that the last vote of the council would be a crucial, decisive vote!