Variables and hidden dangers abound.
It is an unfavorable situation.
Variables create crises, and hidden dangers exacerbate them. This was precisely the case for Bin Namgung right now.
The other witnesses were fine. Although some were not accepted, others were, so it wasn’t a total loss. In ‘this world,’ where cases are solved through reasoning and circumstantial evidence without definitive proof, a witness holds significant weight.
However, due to the sudden appearance of Cheonma and Jade Flower, the credibility of the witnesses themselves came into question. For Namgung Bin, who had orchestrated this trial and the strategies, it was nothing short of a setback.
“Utterly useless. I shouldn’t be stepping forward myself… but I’ll say a word.”
As Bin Namgung stepped forward, Po Cheongcheon addressed him.
“So, what have you come here to testify about?”
“I’ve come as a witness.”
“Witness? What for?”
“Domestic violence.”
At Namgung Bin’s curt reply, a ripple went through the crowd.
Jin Gayoung and Hong Ryun could only look on, blaming themselves for a moment’s lapse that had let Namgung Bin draw so much attention. For some reason, their minds were still filled with doubts about the intimate and sticky relationship between Byul Rak and Jade Flower, though.
“Domestic violence? Hmm, it is indeed among the charges.”
“During the sixteen or so years I lived with Namgung Cheolbin, I endured a considerable amount of violence, though not every day.”
“Evidence?”
“The law stipulates that a witness standing in court is evidence in itself, does it not?”
“… If you were a victim of violence, shouldn’t there be scars?”
“Since Namgung Cheolbin was expelled from the family a year ago, we haven’t met, so all the small scars have healed. However…”
Namgung Bin brushed back his side hair.
Thus, it became apparent that there was conspicuously something missing — his temple area was eerily exposed. His appearance was somewhat out of balance.
“This earlobe that he yanked and tore off… still aches bitterly.”
Namgung Bin has no ear. It was torn off three times — first by Hong Ryun during a fit of rage, then by Guan Zun Li Yuanfang, and crucially by Hong Ryun again. Most notably, Hong Ryun had torn it off in a way that even blood magic couldn’t repair it.
What used to be his weakness — an issue that had made even conversations uncomfortable — had now become Namgung Bin’s weapon.
‘There’s no way someone would rip off their own ear for false testimony… this has meaning indeed.’
“Hey there, magistrate. Everything this man says is slander! I have never, in all my life, laid a hand of violence on my household.”
“That we cannot ascertain. Namgung Bin, are there any other members of the household who haven’t come?”
“I’ve come here to represent everyone. By agreement. If you don’t trust me, you can send an official to verify it.”
Though it won’t arrive until after the trial is over, Namgung Bin swallowed those words, coolly and calmly avoiding provocation.
By not getting too involved in unnecessary details, Namgung Bin left no room for rebuttal. This was probably the best course of action.
If Soeun Yu were present, he wouldn’t have made such statements. After all, domestic violence was never one of Namgung Bin’s actual accusations. It was merely a misunderstanding that spread as rumors among the public.
‘Yu Soeun’s absence has proven to be a blessing.’
He didn’t specify any dates either, to leave no room for Byul Rak’s counter-argument. It was possible since they had always been together.
‘Even if an absolute expert martial artist might lose their ear to an accident, there’s an element of reason to this case. The only troubling point is that Namgung Cheolbin’s diary pointed to Namgung Bin as the mastermind. It’s still unclear which side holds the truth.’
Po Cheongcheon nodded with the intention of accepting Namgung Bin’s testimony.
“What nonsense are you spouting now?”
Someone from the audience abruptly shouted. The voice seemed emanating from a bamboo hat woven with straw.
“You brat! I’m the one who cut your ear! What nonsense are you accusing our Sword Sage of?”
“Really, if only you kept quiet that would be the strangeness.”
“If you have a counter-argument, reveal your identity.”
“What kind of identity question is this for shadows of the martial world, you lowly magistrate official.”
“Shadow?”
Hong Ryun erupted in fury, but Namgung Bin had anticipated her outburst from the start.
“Who are you? Why do you claim that you cut off my ear?”
“Wh-what are you talking about?”
“You claim this without even revealing your identity properly… this could indicate a mental condition. I hope the wise magistrate would tend to her.”
Namgung Bin calmly dominated the conversation, pretending not to know Hong Ryun.
“You insolent fool!”
Shiiiiiik!
Hong Ryun reacted instantly, driving a sharp dagger towards Namgung Bin.
For someone unfamiliar with laws and righteousness, the familiar act of violence was much closer to her than a clumsy conversation.
However…
Ka-gak!
“Who dares to draw a sword in this sacred court! You’re insane!”
Her fierce dagger was effortlessly halted by a blow from Guan Zun’s hand technique.
“Hong Ryun! Cease it! What are you doing in the middle of a trial?”
“But… he… he’s defaming our benefactor with sheer nonsense!”
Byul Rak shouted. Hong Ryun, feeling flustered, was about to respond by hitting her bandaged chest.
“Still, raising a sword in the court is unacceptable, even if there’s good reason. Guan Zun and the magistrate, please forgive the impropriety of my ignorant companion. It’s unintentional, so I hope for your leniency.”
Byul Rak bowed deeply to conclude with a firm apology. Hong Ryun clenched her lower lip and glared at Namgung Bin once more.
Of course, although Guan Zun did not accept her apology, he wouldn’t let the argument continue indefinitely.
“…It’s settled. Everyone makes mistakes. Witness, are you injured?”
With Lord Po Cheongcheon stepping in to mediate, there was no reason for Guan Zun to prolong the matter. Both he and Namgung Bin looked disappointedly at each other.
Still, they weren’t entirely at a loss.
“Who is that woman? Is she part of the Sage of Sword’s group?”
“Having the audacity to draw a sword here… not an ounce of courtesy. Even that tyrannical Sword Sage knows better and stays calm.”
“Kick, instead Sage of Swords went around beating people at home. Look at the young man’s ear. The famed war hero Meng’s soldiers shouldn’t look like this.”
The atmosphere, which had shifted towards Byul Rak due to the false testimony, was now turning against her once more. Byul Rak glared coldly at Namgung Bin, but knowing the lack of logic would render her arguments ineffective, she remained silent.
Mark this well. The current ‘me’ is clearly the weaker party. Without breaking the situation and reversing the mood, a legal defeat is certain.
Thus, she whispered to herself and waited quietly for the opportune moment.
“Well then, let the next witness come forward.”
Lord Po Cheongcheon intoned with authority.
“…”
No one came forward. An awkward silence filled the court.
“Why isn’t anyone coming forward? Step up immediately.”
With no response, Po Cheongcheon looked around, trying to spot the missing witness. At that moment, the scribe recording the trial interjected.
“I’m sorry, but there are no more witnesses to testify.”
“Already?”
“Is it… finished already?”
“Hmm, time surely flies that way. I was so engrossed in the trial that I lost track.”
After checking the position of the sun, Po Cheongcheon tapped his temple with his brush, pondering the dilemma ahead.
“Let’s take a half-hour break, and then we’ll continue the trial. Don’t wander too far.”
Thus declaring a recess, Po Cheongcheon rose from his seat.
The witnesses moved from the sunlit courtyard to the cooling shade beneath the trees.
As soon as the trial paused, Hong Ryun, Jade Flower, and Jin Gayoung hurried towards Byul Rak, only to be blocked by guards and left chasing like dogs after chicken.
While some people sneered or criticized them as Sword Sage’s group, none of the three paid any attention.
The trial venue, despite the short intermission, still bore an unrelenting tension.
The trial entered a calm phase on the edge of a knife.
*
“Tiring, isn’t it?”
Under a large, sun-blocking tree, a group rested briefly. These were the witnesses who had bravely testified before Lord Po Cheongcheon, the tiger magistrate. Their bravery was made more difficult knowing that their testimonies were fabricated.
“Phew… I should’ve rehearsed more.”
“Why is this guy Po Cheongcheon so picky? Damn it…”
“No wonder they call him the Iron-faced Magistrate. Still, my testimony was accepted, so I’m relieved. I… desperately need money.”
An elder and a woman among the witnesses were conversing. Several witnesses rested in the shade under the tree.
“Isn’t your disabled brother the reason?”
“Yes, the reason I need to raise funds.”
“Look at the trial going; the Guan Zun faction seems to hold 60%, the Sword Sage 40%. What will you do once you get the money?”
“I want to hire a nanny for my brother.”
“Hmm? You don’t plan on personally caring for him?”
“…After this is done, I decided to enter the pleasure quarters. They promised me a steady salary. I joined this to find someone who could care for my brother until then.”
“Kick, sounds similar to me.”
Their conversation revolved around grievances and lamentations about the world, and self-pity regarding their own plight…
That is, until another passerby interrupted their dialogue.
“Amitabha. We meet again, laypeople.”
An old monk with deeply lined face joined them. Someone from the group recognized him from before.
“Master! Were you also at the trial?”
“Hehe, I was in the back, watching.”
“Wow, this is quite the coincidence. Hahaha.”
“The Buddha is leading us with great purpose.”
Though he had actually sought them out himself, the monk didn’t mention that. Instead, he brought up something he hoped they’d pay attention to.
“Tell me, do you know this…”
“What is it, Master?”
“Preposterous…”
“About what, Master?”
“Every witness who has testified about Sword Sage’s wrongdoing… they all ended up in suspicious fatal accidents.”
At that moment, the eyes of those resting widened.
