The trial was unceremonious. Various evidences were read out. It was long and tedious; at the end, Baohu Judge Zhen Wei took all of the information in and went into seclusion to deliberate. One week later, he emerged to announce the verdict to the Baohu Council and the two defendees involved.
"By this honorable one's determinations, and by the precedent law of Baohu Mountain Range, Lei Ruolan will be sentenced to suspension from the Jade Clouds Sect for one month, with five years' banning from tournaments for bringing an illegal object into Heixi Gorge. Li Chenyuan will be sentenced to temporary sealing of his meridians until the investigation is concluded, and will be kept under surveillance. He is indefinitely banned from tournaments."
Li Chenyuan, who was standing at the front of the room with chains on his wrists, paled. "Temporary sealing? What does that mean?"
Zhen Wei raised an eyebrow, giving Li Chenyuan an exasperated look over his silver monocle. "You are not to speak during the ruling. However, I will allow it this once. A temporary sealing involves cutting off one's cultivation for a period of time. In your case, both your spiritual and demonic qi pathways will be sealed as a safety measure."
Li Chenyuan's face went three shades whiter. "I won't be able to cultivate? You mean, I'll be a simple mortal?"
Zhen Wei sighed. "You are speaking again. Yes--though you will keep the benefits of vigor and lifespan your cultivation allows, you will lose the strength and magic of your cultivation until the investigation is concluded. Speak again, and I will have no choice but to have you escorted out."
Li Chenyuan opened his mouth. He looked like he was about to burst out in tears, or perhaps a fit of rage. However, seeing that Zhen Wei was completely serious, he closed his mouth, clenching his jaw so tightly that those standing near him could hear his teeth grinding.
Zhen Wei continued reading from his sentencing scroll:
"He Yongliang has agreed to take responsibility for Li Chenyuan's future actions. If he is to commit a murder in the future, he will likewise be punished alongside his disciple as though he committed the act himself."
A few murmurs of shock broke out in the hall. It was true, then--He Yongliang really favored this kid to the moon and beyond! No one would take a patron's responsibility for a murderer unless they were willing to put their own happiness and life on the line for that person! However, at a stern look from Zhen Wei, the hall went silent once more. He went on:
"Another trial will be conducted in six months' time, after the expected conclusion of the investigation. At that time, another indictment may take place, or Li Chenyuan's cultivation sealing may be lifted. That is all."
Promptly, Zhen Wei rolled up his scrolled and left. He really was the kind of man who got his work done and clocked out on the dot! How efficient!
Li Chenyuan's meridian sealing was scheduled for the very next morning. A court official who specialized in sealings was escorted to his comfortable cell at dawn.
"Ah...Li-shidi, the official's come to seal you," Fang Hai called weakly through the door.
There was no response. Of course there wasn't! What should one expect--a cheerful "good morning"?
Fang Hai unlocked the door and pushed it open, stepping aside for the official to enter. However, all he saw was a bare room. The bed was unmade, and the air was still slightly warm, as though someone had been here just recently.
The official stood there for a moment, shocked. The poor man had never come across something like this before--an escaped criminal, at such a prestigious sect, with such talented disciples and good safety measures? He whirled around, eyes wide.
"Young master--he's gone!"
Fang Hai's eyes widened. He looked inside, then cleared his throat, rubbing his neck nervously. "Oh...Oh. This isn't good. Should I get my shizun?"
The official couldn't help but feel that this Head Disciple's tone was a little to unsurprised, and a little lacking in urgency, but he didn't dare question the nobility of a disciple of such a prestigious clan. After all, he had been lucky to get this job at all! Thus, he nodded urgently.
"Yes, we must find him at once! Please alert your shizun, and this one will alert the Baohu Council!"