MWC – Chapter 85 Long-Arm Jurisdiction (Part 2)

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

Hearing Room

Judge Christine, dressed in a black judicial robe, sat high on the bench, radiating an air of authority. 

Lu Ming looked at her with some frustration. 

Lately, luck hadn’t been on his side. Running into her at this hearing seemed almost intentional, as if she were looking for trouble. 

Lu Ming planned to bring several people from Japan and companies to the defendant’s stand. 

Today was the day for the presiding judge to decide whether this economic dispute was valid or not. 

The primary defendant, named Kato Shio, was the younger brother of Kato Sanri, Katsura Ayaka’s deceased husband. 

He was the main perpetrator in transferring the assets. 

He was also the most proactive in responding to the lawsuit. At this moment, his small eyes were fixed on Lu Ming, his expression sinister. 

Kato Shio’s attorney, Kawashima Ki, was also a senior lawyer of the sixth rank and a native of Donghai. He founded Kawashima Law Firm, which was quite reputable in economic lawsuits. 

Lu Ming was also observing Kawashima Ki, a man in his fifties with thinning hair. He looked plain and was wearing a cheap, wrinkled kimono that seemed bought from a roadside stall. 

Beside him, Tie XiaoJia, acting as an assistant, suddenly chuckled. 

Seeing Lu Ming’s gaze, she whispered, “Master, this country bumpkin is quite interesting.” 

Lu Ming shook his head. Those who liked to use strange outfits to show their personality were either very talented or just pretentious. 

But to become a sixth-rank lawyer, it was likely due to the former. 

On the bench, Judge Christine was flipping through the plaintiff’s complaint. She glanced at Lu Ming and his disciple whispering to each other, frowning slightly.

“Plaintiff, your lawsuit and injunction request this time are ridiculous!” Christine shook her head, picking up the gavel, clearly intending to rule the case invalid.

“Your Honor, please give me one minute to explain my reasoning!” Lu Ming quickly stood up.

On the other side, Kawashima Ki, looking like a rural farmer, stood up and said, “Your Honor, I also find this lawsuit absurd. Most of the assets the plaintiff seeks to freeze are in banks and companies in the Kingdom of Yamato. If the plaintiff wants to sue, they should go to a Yamato court.”

Christine nodded lightly and raised the gavel.

“Your Honor, just one minute!” Lu Ming raised a finger, looking pitiful.

Christine glared at him and slowly lowered the gavel.

“Your Honor, although the assets Ms. Katsura Ayaka should inherit have been transferred to Yamato, this case is first and foremost about inheritance. Ms. Katsura has lived in Donghai for over ten years, and the assets she was supposed to inherit were also in Donghai. Therefore, her lawsuit for inheritance rights in this local court should be supported.”

“But those assets are no longer in Donghai!” Kawashima Ki said slowly, “Yamato has its own laws, and the Empire acknowledges the authority of Yamato’s laws in its territory, right?”

Lu Ming nodded. “That’s true, but Your Honor, according to the Goddess of Justice, Queen Alice a thousand years ago allowed the establishment of courts at all levels within the kingdom and codified the Griffin Kingdom’s laws, stating, ‘The world is one, all races are equal, any injustice can be appealed to courts at all levels.’ These laws are the cornerstone of our current constitution, equivalent to the First Amendment. Therefore, although the Kingdom of Yamato and our kingdom are federations with equal status, our courts can also prosecute crimes occurring within Yamato, especially those involving a taxpayer who has lived in our kingdom for over ten years. We should seek justice for her legal rights!”

Judge Christine immediately frowned.

Kawashima Ki was also stunned, “What nonsense are you talking about? How can your Griffin Kingdom’s local court have jurisdiction over Yamato Kingdom’s matters?”

Apparently, although born and raised in Donghai, his heart still belonged to Yamato.

Lu Ming looked at him, “Are you saying Queen Alice’s decree a thousand years ago is nonsense? That the cornerstone of our empire’s laws is a joke? That the First Amendment is just for show?”

Kawashima Ki was stunned, unable to believe that someone would dare to speak this way about Queen Alice.

Judge Christine frowned on the bench, striking the gavel, “Plaintiff’s lawyer, watch your language!”

“Yes, Your Honor, I apologize for my indiscretion!” Lu Ming bowed slightly.

Pondering, Christine said slowly, “I need time to consider this case, but I agree with some of the plaintiff’s points. I will issue a temporary injunction to notify the relevant Yamato individuals and companies to temporarily freeze the involved assets.”

“I protest!” Kawashima Ki was shocked. He had thought the case was absurd but didn’t expect the judge to support it.

“Court adjourned. I will give a final ruling on our court’s jurisdiction at 3 PM.” Christine ignored Kawashima Ki, struck the gavel, and left.

Kawashima Ki had no choice but to rise with everyone else, watching Christine’s back as she entered the side door.

After Christine disappeared, the courtroom was free to move about. Kawashima Ki looked at Lu Ming, “You are all ridiculous!”

Lu Ming coughed. If extended jurisdiction could be used by their side, it was indeed quite satisfying.

Cafeteria

The cafeteria food was quite average.

Lu Ming sat at a small wooden table with his two apprentices and Katsura Ayaka, casually picking some sandwiches and milk.

The hearing had ended near lunchtime, so he decided to take his apprentices around to experience the court’s atmosphere.

“Master, you’re amazing! Our court can handle Yamato people’s affairs just because of what you said?!” Tie Xiao Jia’s face was full of admiration.

Katsura Ayaka rolled her eyes. This tomboy always wagged her tail for the master but was aloof towards everyone else.

But then she remembered Kato Shio’s sinister gaze in court and shivered.

“Ms. Katsura, don’t worry. After we win the case, I’ll arrange for you to start a new life with a new identity in a place where no one knows you. Even if we lose, this promise will be fulfilled.”

Facing the Kato family members in court, the biggest variable was Katsura Ayaka herself. If she backed out, everything would be in vain.

So Lu Ming kept an eye on her expression.

“Mr. Lu, I understand, thank you!” Katsura Ayaka felt somewhat reassured. This lawyer seemed to have a background not inferior to the Kato family, with police protection 24/7.

Lu Ming noticed her glance at the nearby table of several policemen.

He knew what she was thinking but didn’t point it out.

It also served as a deterrent to the Kato family. After all, the sight of the state’s law enforcement uniforms would make anyone think twice.

Originally, the protection plan was for a month, but it had been extended.

The patrol division didn’t want this sweet job to end. Every officer assigned to protect Lu Ming was thrilled. They even fought over who got to protect him for a day longer.

The patrol division found various excuses to extend the protection time, and the senior officers turned a blind eye. After all, protecting this influential lawyer might result in more donations of vehicles to the department.

Thinking of these things, Lu Ming shook his head. These times were truly complicated.