MWC – Chapter 195 Fighting Poison with Poison

I AM DROPPING THIS NOVEL. IF ANYONE WANTS TO CONTINUE THEY CAN. IF POSSIBLE PLEASE SHARE THE LINK SO I CAN BINGE READ TOO.

The court in Bate City somewhat modeled itself after the system of the Eastern Empire.

Sitting high in the judge’s seat was Lord Luo, the powerful city master.

Four White Flag councilors sat in the jury box; among them, Lu Ming had never met Economic Luo and Military Luo before.

Back in the age of cold weapons, the Military Luo family had been known for its valor and warfare. The Hawkeye Luo family had traditionally excelled in reconnaissance and espionage — their forebear was a scout.

But nowadays, it was the Hawkeye Luo family that boasted the greatest martial strength.

The Military Luo family had clung to outdated ways. When firearms first arrived in the Western Territories, they still fought shirtless against White Deer City’s musketeers. Many brave sons died in those battles, leaving no heirs behind — possibly explaining why the present generation of Military Luo men was physically weaker than their ancestors.

Economic Luo, with his pudgy little frame and big head, looked somewhat comical.

Military Luo, though already in his fifties or sixties, spoke with a voice like a bell and looked robust — befitting a family patriarch.

In the spectator seats, only Yellow and Blue Flag councilors were allowed entry.

This case had stirred quite a buzz. Even the less foolish or decaying Tusi (local lords) vaguely understood the stakes involved.

Though minor and medium-ranking Tusi knew they had no real chance of currying favor with either Lu the Mayor from the east or Fira Petroleum from the imperial capital, they still wanted to witness this major event.

The public gallery was packed to the brim.

It was here, in court, that Lu Ming first saw Tu Gou and Ha Shan.

Fira Petroleum had kept these two — both witnesses and victims — under tight control, making it nearly impossible for outsiders to reach them.

Tu Gou had a sharp mouth and monkey-like features, constantly darting eyes — clearly a sly, crafty fellow.

Ha Shan, as Liu Laocai had said, was indeed not pretty — in fact, her face bore a certain aged weariness. In the Eastern Sea region, she’d be the kind of middle-aged peasant woman around forty or fifty. Gray hairs even peeked from her temples.

Yet when answering Richard’ questions, she appeared so simple and submissive.

Her gaze toward Liu Laocai was complex — faintly tinged with hatred.

Initially, Lu Ming nodded when he saw her, thinking she might be a fitting match for Liu Laocai.

But that flicker of hate in her eyes made Lu Ming’s expression gradually darken.

That hatred didn’t escape the eyes of Richard and his legal team either.

They seemed quite relaxed. After all, with such solid evidence, even an average lawyer would have no excuse for losing. Let alone them — lawyers from the Empire’s top law firm.

Griffinian and Zhongzhou languages were both official languages of the Empire. Richard even made a joke before questioning Ha Shan:“Lawyer Lu, I know you’re self-taught and not very educated — you don’t speak Griffinian, right? I’ll make it easier on you and use Zhongzhou instead!”

The courtroom erupted in laughter.

Richard then conducted the entire session in Zhongzhou language, with testimony translations for Ha Shan and Tu Gou likewise rendered in Zhongzhou.

Yet even in this witness-guiding phase, Richard personally took the lead — surprising his associate attorneys, who wondered why their boss treated Lu Qianxing with such seriousness.

All afternoon, Witness No. 1 Ha Shan and Witness No. 2 Tu Gou testified, guided by Richard as they recounted the events of that day.

Not only did the White Flag councilors shake their heads repeatedly —

Even the Tusi in the audience seethed with righteous indignation, occasionally bursting into furious cries: “Kill him!”

“Cut off that fat head of his!”

Even though Ha Shan was merely a lowly commoner, her being violated by a foreigner was seen as a grave humiliation.

Lu Ming barely rose to speak — he simply sat and listened quietly.

Next to him was a randomly selected assistant — a young Blue Skirt administrative officer. It was her first time sitting shoulder-to-shoulder with the boss behind the same desk, and she was ecstatic. As for the angry shouts of the natives — in her excitement, she hardly noticed them.

Beside the administrative officer sat Liu Laocai, his face ashen — thoroughly frightened by the fierce and wrathful crowd.

---

The next morning, the trial resumed.

Once court was in session, Lu Ming stood and said, “Your Honor, I request to summon Witness No. 1, Ha Shan.”

As per standard practice, Lu Ming had submitted a lengthy list of witnesses, including Ha Shan and Tu Gou’s neighbors, the couple who allegedly tried to seduce Liu Laocai, and even Economic Luo, his local warden, and over a dozen city patrol officers.

In contrast, Richard’s side had only two witnesses: Ha Shan (the victim) and Tu Gou.

Upon hearing Lu Ming’s request, Richard immediately rose. “I request the summoning of Witness No. 7, Jingji — a defense witness,” he said. “Your Honor, the defense did not cross-examine Witness No. 1 yesterday. Therefore, I request priority in summoning a new witness — especially since this is the defense’s own witness.”

Judge Chongquan Luo nodded. “Witness No. 7, please take the stand.”

Jingji was the pretty woman who had been flirting with Liu Laocai.

Under Richard’s questioning, she portrayed Liu Laocai as utterly despicable — constantly staring at her like a hungry wolf, scaring her, plying her with drinks, and secretly giving her expensive gifts.

She even claimed that he had tried to assault her that very night — only stopping after she slapped him.

So clearly, he’d taken that pent-up frustration out on poor Ha Shan later.

The courtroom buzzed with murmurs and chaos. Someone even threw a rock at Liu Laocai.

“Your Honor, members of the jury — I want to emphasize one thing: Jingji is the defense’s own witness!” Richard declared as he returned to the prosecution table, shaking his head.

His team looked toward Lu Ming, all brimming with schadenfreude.

Their boss had said it — this guy loved stuffing his witness list with irrelevant names to mask his real intentions.

But Jingji had originally been their own Witness No. 3. Upon seeing her name in Lu Ming’s list, Richard had quietly removed her from his own.

Fighting poison with poison — use your witness against you.

To the uninformed, it would seem like: Even your own witness says this — what more do you have to say?

Now, Lu Ming had only one choice: ask the court to designate Jingji as a hostile witness — and then attack her testimony.

Exhausting, for sure — and it would only sour the jury’s impression of him even more.

Even though the jury here was mostly for show.

They all knew how the verdict would likely go: two votes for, two against. Then Lord Chongquan Luo would deliver the final judgment — guilty.

“Your Honor, I have no questions for Witness No. 7. I request to summon Witness No. 1 again,” Lu Ming stood and said.

Richard’s legal team chuckled — Giving up already?

They knew that if Lu Ming attacked Witness No. 7’s character — saying she seduced Liu Laocai and such — it would backfire and make him look desperate.

But Richard’s eyes flickered with a strange light. He stared at Lu Ming, thoughtful.

He had gone up against Lu Ming before — and didn’t share his subordinates’ optimism.

Ha Shan timidly returned to the witness stand.

Lu Ming stepped forward, looked at her for a moment, then asked mildly, “Have you ever heard of me?”

After listening to the interpreter, Ha Shan gently shook her head.

Lu Ming smiled and gestured toward the prosecution table. “Don’t be fooled by how intimidating Richard and his team look — lots of people, very imposing, right? I know you’re scared of them. But in my eyes, they’re nothing more than petty thugs! That one there — the one who looks so impressive — I beat him so badly once, he had to slink home in disgrace.”

He pointed directly at Richard.

Richard’s face darkened like storm clouds. His assistant immediately stood and objected loudly and righteously.

Lu Ming continued, “And Fira Petroleum? My mercenaries wiped out two of their camps like crushing ant nests!”

Lu Ming insisted on using his own translator — Luo Yi — who bluntly translated everything, word for word.

Richard couldn’t stay seated either—he abruptly stood up.

Chief Judge Chong Quanluo had already banged his gavel. “Lawyer Lu Qianxing, what exactly are you trying to say?”

Lu Ming turned to him with a faint smile. “I simply wish to ease some of the witness’s unease. Only then can she speak the truth from her heart.”

Chong Quanluo frowned. “I don’t agree. Lawyer Lu Qianxing, if you continue intimidating the witness, I will declare the trial over and deliver a formal verdict.”

Lu Ming looked at him and nodded. “In fact, you little city lord—if I truly wished to see you step down, you wouldn’t last three seconds in that seat.”

Luo Yi dutifully translated.

Chong Quanluo’s face turned pale with fury. He slammed his gavel, wanting to say something, but in the end only gritted his teeth. “This is your final warning.” Despite his hesitation, he still didn’t dare to expel this powerful East Sea figure from the courtroom or proceed to immediately sentence Liu Laocai to death.

Ha Shan stood there in a daze, watching the scene unfold—watching that beautiful girl who, like herself, was a native. She wore bizarre clothing and spoke boldly and shamelessly, directly threatening the lofty, godlike city lord right there in court.

The city lord looked enraged—so much so that Ha Shan felt like kneeling down and begging for mercy.

Yet in the end, the city lord did nothing—only issued another verbal warning.

Lu Ming turned to Ha Shan and smiled. “Miss Ha Shan, you’ve never registered property with Mr. Tugo, have you?”

Ha Shan nodded lightly. “No, I haven’t.”

“Then, in fact, under the Babitt Codex, you and Mr. Tugo are not legally married.”

Ha Shan looked puzzled and shook her head. “I… I didn’t know that.”

Many commoners lived the same way she did.

Richard had already stood up. “Objection—this constitutes a de facto marriage.”

Lu Ming smiled at him. “Mr. Richard, this is Bate City. The place we are standing is the court of Bate City. So are you judging this case under East Sea law, or under local statutes?”

Richard smiled. “Of course, local statutes!” He picked up a piece of paper. “Lawyer Lu, take a look. Do you really believe that our local law doesn’t recognize common-law marriage? You’re wrong!”

His legal team all smiled, clearly confident and well prepared—their boss had predicted the defense would play this angle.

If the woman was unmarried, and raped, the assailant’s crime would be considered less severe—he wouldn’t be executed. But the real concern was the witness retracting her testimony.

If unmarried, there was no adultery.

But if she was married and recanted her testimony—claiming it was consensual—the two would be guilty of adultery, and possibly stoned to death.

So if she was legally single and withdrew her accusation, both would face lighter consequences.

Of course Lu Qianxing would try to argue she was unmarried—it was expected.

They had been busy working since the train ride, under their boss’s orders, researching this point thoroughly. Everything had been prepared to deal with Lu Qianxing’s argument.

Lu Ming took the document from Richard’s clerk and looked down at it.

Richard smiled. “One hundred fifty-seven years ago, a city lord of this land—Chong Quanluo—ruled that a woman who fled was escaping marriage, and had her drowned in a river. That woman’s relationship with her husband was just like Witness One and Witness Two—only cohabiting for three years—and it was still deemed a valid marriage. Witness One and Two lived together for over ten years. By that precedent, their common-law marriage should certainly be recognized!”

Lu Ming shook his head and looked at Chong Quanluo. “The city lord from 157 years ago, posthumously titled ‘Bear,’ was your great-great-grandfather’s father, correct?”

Richard was startled. Lu Qianxing knew that precedent? Then why argue unmarried status?

What was this guy planning now?

On the judge’s bench, hearing Lu Ming’s words, Chong Quanluo frowned immediately. Indeed, that lord was his great-great-grandfather’s father—his ancestor.

But that ancestor had done many absurd things, sparked uprisings, and left a terrible reputation. Back then, there were only three White Flag councillors, all from their extended family. After the civil war, it became four, and the city lord’s power greatly diminished.

That was why that ancestor was posthumously called “Bear”—considered the vilest animal locally.

Lu Ming turned to Richard. “Mr. Richard, it seems you misunderstand the laws of the Western Tribal Confederacies. In fact, many of these city-states emphasize codified law over precedent. Not only do old cases lack authority—they hold no referential value at all. Bate City is exactly such a place.”

“Nonsense!” Richard frowned.

His law firm had handled many Western cases—using precedent was routine.

Lu Ming chuckled. “It’s simply the truth, Mr. Richard. Perhaps it’s because most Western city-states respect you and your law firm’s prestige that no one’s ever refuted you before.”

“Also, because our mighty Griffin Kingdom instills legal education through precedent from the very first class, most lawyers grow up believing those precedents are universal truths, sacred legal principles. So few ever consider that other legal systems exist.”

This was true—if not for his experience in a past life, growing up in the East Sea’s legal system would never have led him to imagine alternative legal frameworks.

Lu Ming shook his head. “Mr. Richard, too many of us legal professionals are arrogant and never bother to study the essence of other federations’ legal codes. I never thought you were one of them.”

He continued, “That deceased ‘Bear’ city lord made many ridiculous rulings. His judgments are seen as mostly absurd, rarely wise. How can you treat them as legal doctrine? You found that case but didn’t even look into the man’s character?”

Richard frowned and looked at Chong Quanluo, who had an embarrassed expression—proving Lu Ming was right.

He glanced at his legal team—their smiles had frozen. Heads bowed. No one dared breathe.

Lu Ming added, “The Babitt Codex may be a thousand years old, but it remains our land’s supreme law, never repealed. It clearly states that only those who register their union legally can receive the Blood Dragon God’s blessing.”

“Mr. Richard, I doubt you know who the Blood Dragon God is. In truth, it’s similar to our Central Continent’s ‘Child-Giving Guanyin’.”

“So, what the Codex implies is that without property registration, even a couple who cohabits for ten thousand years receives no blessing from the Dragon God. They’ll have no legitimate offspring. Thus, they’re not a legal couple.”

Lu Ming looked at Chong Quanluo. “My lord, by the Codex, Ha Shan is considered an unmarried woman, correct? Or do you believe the Babitt Codex no longer holds authority?”

Chong Quanluo’s face alternated between red and white. Seeing the increasingly quiet tribal leaders in the audience, he finally nodded. “Yes, Lawyer Lu is correct. Under our law, Ha Shan is an unmarried commoner.”

Denying the Codex’s authority might’ve incited an immediate rebellion from the more conservative tribal chiefs.

“My lord, I request a recess. Let’s resume this afternoon,” Richard stood again.

“There’s still plenty of time. I request the trial continue,” Lu Ming smiled, pointing at the clock on the wall. “It’s just past eleven.”

In February, around Bate City, the sun didn’t rise until eight or nine. Court began at ten. Lunch was usually around two or three.

Richard bowed slightly to Chong Quanluo. “My lord, I just arrived here and haven’t adjusted to the local schedule. Where I’m from, this is lunchtime. I haven’t eaten this morning and am very hungry.”

Lu Ming smiled. “Well, hunger is an issue. How about this—I’ve got bread, I’ll share it with Mr. Richard. I think a ten-minute break is reasonable, even if it’s rudely interrupting my questioning.” He looked at Chong Quanluo. “My lord, I hope you will remain fair and impartial.”

Chong Quanluo glanced at Richard and his team—probably never imagined that this lawyer from the East Sea, who sat quietly through yesterday’s fierce accusations, seemingly powerless……would suddenly crush the legendary and lavishly hired imperial legal team from Fira Oil the moment he spoke. They couldn’t even fight back—only request a recess to regroup.

Even Chong Quanluo himself was helpless. If he didn’t follow this lawyer’s line of reasoning and admit his points, more than half of the Tricolor Council might rise up against him.

“Ten-minute recess!” Chong Quanluo banged his gavel forcefully.

---

Temporary Break Room.

Richard was in a rage, having just thrown a thick stack of files onto the floor.

Ha Shan and the mongrel cowered in the corner, trembling in fear.

The assistant lawyers were even more silent than usual.

Although Richard’s anger was directed at the assistant lawyers, the real purpose was to make an example. He turned to Ha Shan and the mongrel, just about to speak—

When suddenly there was a commotion outside. Then, the door was pushed open and Lu Ming strolled in casually, while Richard’s staff and bodyguards at the door were pushed aside by several burly men.

“What are you doing?!” Richard’s face darkened abruptly.

Lu Ming smiled, “Nothing much—just bringing you some bread. Also, according to local regulations, there’s nothing that says lawyers on opposing sides can’t drop by during recess, right? Of course, you can lodge a complaint with Chancellor Chong Quanlu after the trial. Maybe I’ll be fined—ten coins? Fifty?” As he spoke, he tossed a paper bag onto the table.

Richard’s expression turned grim. “Lu Qianxing, I used to have a modicum of respect for you…”

Lu Ming waved a hand dismissively. “No need. I lost respect for you since the Little Reynold case. I believe I told you that already.”

Richard slowly nodded and sat back down in his chair, his eyes on Lu Ming turning cold and sharp.

Perhaps, from this moment on, he truly regarded the arrogant young man before him as a mortal enemy.

Lu Ming looked completely at ease, leaning against the wall, idly fiddling with his fingers.

The room was dead silent.

The assistant lawyers had no idea how to react.

Only now did they fully realize: this Lu Qianxing was truly on Richard’s level—and even more unpredictable, utterly suppressing the veteran lawyer.

The wall clock ticked steadily.

Suddenly, Richard chuckled, tore open the paper bag, and took out the bread to eat.

The assistant lawyers stared in disbelief.

Someone knocked on the door. “Time’s up.”

Lu Ming straightened up from the wall. “Alright. Lawyer Richard seems to have filled his belly. This bread, by the way, was a special request I made to Lord Chong Quanlu. I haven’t opened it, so the taste should be good. No chance it’s tainted or poisoned, right? Lawyer Richard, if you get an upset stomach later, I’ll have to speak seriously with Chong Quanlu. Could it be that he’s colluding with you to poison me?”

Richard snorted coldly. “How petty!”

Lu Ming simply smiled without replying.

---

Back in court, Ha Shan returned to the witness stand as Lu Ming still had more questions.

Lu Ming first gave a slight bow to Chancellor Chong Quanlu. “Your Honor, this court acknowledges the authority of the Babbit Code. That’s excellent. However, before we proceed, I request a pardon for Ha Shan and the mongrel. Cohabiting out of wedlock is considered a crime under the Babbit Code. I’ve heard that, two hundred years ago, those who cohabited without marriage had all their property confiscated. But in recent decades, the four cities’ law enforcement has become lax. So many people avoid property registration and instead pay off the guards to avoid the enforcement fees. Strictly speaking, this is a result of the leniency of your lordship’s predecessors. Therefore, I hope the court will pardon Ha Shan and the mongrel, as well as all unmarried cohabiting couples in the city. Give them a few days to register at the guard offices.”

Chong Quanlu nodded. “Tonight, the city will issue a special pardon.” Laws can’t punish everyone—he had been troubled by this issue, so Lu Ming had given him the perfect out.

Lu Ming nodded. “The Lord Chancellor is generous indeed. I believe Babbit City has a bright future.”

Chong Quanlu felt oddly pleased at being praised by this brash and powerful young man from the East.

And indeed, this Lu Ming—the lawyer, the mayor—now gave a completely different impression than when they had first met.

By contrast, Richard and his team now seemed… well, outmatched.

Lu Ming approached the witness stand and smiled at Ha Shan. “Miss Ha Shan, you are now an unmarried woman, and thus, completely free. Even if you wish to marry Mr. Liu, no one can stop you. And rest assured, if you marry him, I guarantee your safety. No one will be able to harm you. Do you trust me?”

Luo Yi translated beside him.

Richard suddenly stood up. “Objection! The defense’s statements are irrelevant to the case!”

Lu Ming gave Ha Shan a warm smile. “No need to mind him. As I said, a petty chicken and mangy dog.”

Ha Shan looked bewildered and dazed. She clearly didn’t understand what this lawyer was saying or why.

But since this morning’s trial—from his attitude toward the imperial citizens, his boldness toward the chancellor, and his intrusion into the imperial rest area during recess—there was no doubt.

This man wasn’t bluffing. He was truly a figure of immense power.

Even the chancellor—like a god in status—was merely able to issue verbal warnings when his maidservant pointed and scolded him.

Lu Ming looked at Ha Shan and asked gently, “Now, let me ask you. Just answer me honestly. Are you willing to marry Mr. Liu? Even if he is ultimately convicted of rape and sent to prison—though I believe he won’t blame you. You know how he treats you. So even if he’s guilty, are you willing to marry him? He’s about to be sent to the execution ground. Will you, as his wife, accompany him? Bring him his final meal, so he may leave this world with a full stomach. This is the most sacred ritual for the condemned in Zhongzhou.”

Richard stood up again. “Objection! The first witness need not answer this. Even if she recants, the rape charge stands. And if she does recant, we will add the charge of perjury!”

But hearing Lu Ming’s words, and seeing Chong Quanlu deep in thought, Richard furrowed his brows and sat back down.

“So,” Lu Ming asked softly, “are you willing to be the one to accompany Mr. Liu, a lonely soul, on his final journey? For that bouquet of flowers? Or, for that ray of light?”

Ha Shan, in tears, looked at Liu Laocai, sitting pale and stunned in the defendant’s seat.

Suddenly, she nodded forcefully. “I am! I am! I… I don’t want him to die either!”

Then collapsed onto the witness stand, sobbing uncontrollably.

Even without translation, Lu Ming understood everything.

Turning, Lu Ming faced Chancellor Chong Quanlu. “Your Honor, I now request that Liu Shoufu be pardoned of the rape charge and be allowed to marry Miss Ha Shan. According to the Babbit Orchard Teachings, if a man coerces a woman, but she later agrees to marry him and he accepts, then the act is no longer considered a crime. In other words, the charge of rape can be absolved.”

“Though some of the Babbit Saint’s teachings are not codified in the law, numerous stories passed down reflect the wisdom embedded in those teachings.”

“The Babbit Code begins with this very sentence: The Teachings are the Law!—clearly affirming that every word passed down from the Babbit Saint holds legal authority.”

Many tribal elders in the gallery began nodding in agreement. They were traditionalists and held the Teachings in high esteem.

Lu Ming continued: “Now that Miss Ha Shan has agreed to marry Mr. Liu Shoufu, and my client—widowed for years in Donghai—is willing to marry her, I request that the court dismiss the charges against him immediately.”

Richard’s legal team was in chaos—scrambling through books, arguing amongst themselves.

Richard remained silent, just sitting still.

Chong Quanlu hesitated, but seeing the disarray on Richard’s side, shook his head, picked up the gavel, and struck it hard. “Case dismissed! Court adjourned!”

Liu Laocai’s eyes widened. He could hardly believe it wasn’t a dream.

Unlike in Donghai, there were no celebratory hugs for winning the case—only Luo Yi, gently taking Ha Shan’s hand and leading her to Liu Laocai.

The tribal leaders in the gallery were surprised to hear Liu Laocai was still single—and even more surprised he was willing to marry Ha Shan.

In their eyes, she was just a lowly peasant woman, yet now she would become the wife of a wealthy businessman from Donghai? Incredible.

Richard walked up to Lu Ming, eyes full of contempt.

“These vile, absurd customs—you studied them, and even cited them in court to justify your arguments. Do you even realize what you’ve done? Do you know how many women in this city-state will suffer unspeakably because of your pride?”

“I may have lost, but I feel no shame. I’m proud! But you—can you sleep at night, back in Donghai? If you can, then I salute you.”

“When word reaches the civilized world, even if I lost, I’ll hold my head high. You won—but you’ll be scourged by every honest media outlet!”

Richard sneered coldly.

Lu Ming looked at him calmly. “Save your sanctimony. You lost the case and now seek the moral high ground for comfort? Isn’t that pathetic?”

“We’re not friends, but let me tell you this: this city will change. Those tribal leaders applauding today will soon realize—this isn’t the return of their old traditions. It’s the beginning of a new era.”

“Eagles and sparrows can never share heart-to-heart conversations. So, Richard, I believe this is where our talk ends.”

“And one more thing—you didn’t lose because of some obscure, ugly custom you didn’t understand. You lost because you never truly tried to understand your client. You had no idea what was in Ha Shan’s best interest.”

“You only wanted to defeat me and earn a fat fee by sending my client to the guillotine. So you lost—and it was inevitable.”

With a shrug, Lu Ming added, “Until next time?”

Richard stared at him, nodded, then turned and walked out.

Watching his retreating figure, Lu Ming exhaled deeply.

Honestly, if it weren’t for having lived in his past life in a 21st-century world where some regions still had terrifying and absurd laws, he might never have pieced together the fragments in those ancient Teachings to discover their hidden meanings.

Even if that Teaching were laid before Richard’s team, they’d never crack its secret.

These old customs still existed in nearby city-states. They were never brought to court—only settled privately.

Today, he had broken that unspoken rule.

The conservatives were still clapping, thinking the old empire had returned.

Lu Ming smiled at them all, knowing full well—this applause belonged to the gravedigger, not the corpse.