Chapter Six: Sentenced to Death

The heavy rain had just stopped, and a rainbow arched across the sky as the police car, bathed in the morning glow, pulled up in front of the largest personnel court on Crescent Island.

Mu You was tightly bound, hands and feet shackled. These people seemed to know something, remaining on high alert with every move he made.

He gazed at the resplendent, imposing Supreme People's Court before him—this was the very sanctuary he had revered since childhood. How magnificent it would be to serve as a people's judge: upholding justice, fighting darkness, protecting the innocent. As an orphan, shunned and neglected, Mu You had sworn that one day he would become a judge. But never had he imagined that his first entry into this sacred, inviolable place would be like this.

He was a condemned prisoner, slandered and falsely accused.

How ironic.

A cold laugh escaped Mu You’s lips.

As for the outcome, he already suspected what was to come. If Death Row Paradise could buy off the police, surely the People’s Court would be no exception. He had no background, no connections—what did he count for?

The moment he stepped through the grand doors, Mu You stopped dead in his tracks.

No, it couldn’t be… Impossible!

“Why have you stopped? Move it!” barked a policeman, shoving him forward when he noticed Mu You had frozen.

Mu You ignored him. Even in his wildest dreams, he had never imagined he would see the orphanage director here—and standing at his side was none other than the most renowned philanthropist and educator of the time, President of the Central Plains Experimental Base’s Fund for Left-Behind Children—Mr. Mo Han.

It was really him! Could he have come for Mu You’s sake?

Mu You trembled with excitement, a glimmer of hope breaking through the darkness. As a child, he had received the support of kind people like these. In his heart, the director and Mr. Mo Han were as dear as parents.

Seeing these elders, all the grievances and pain he had endured surged forth. Like a child, his nose stung, and tears welled in his eyes.

He was saved—he wouldn’t have to become a wretched test subject! When he went back, he would tell Mr. Mo Han everything. With his status and influence, surely he would expose it all, uproot the evil, and bring the butchers to justice!

With this thought, Mu You’s steps grew lighter. He was not alone in this fight!

The two men noticed him as well and straightened their clothes, walking over.

It was truly them!

“You rascal, haven’t seen you in years, and you’ve shot up so tall,” the director said, clapping Mu You on the shoulder and giving him a thorough once-over. Smiling, he introduced, “This is Mr. Mo Han. When he heard you were caught up in this tragedy, that an orphan like you was being manipulated, he slapped his thigh and said it just wouldn’t do—he had to come see for himself!”

“Now, Old Cui, don’t scare the child,” said the middle-aged man standing beside Director Cui, giving a gentle, reserved smile. He extended his hand to Mu You, bowing slightly. “Just call me Uncle Mo. I know you’ve suffered. If you trust me, Uncle Mo will handle your case. How does that sound?”

The overwhelming joy crashed over Mu You, leaving him almost unable to believe it—this revered elder would stoop to handle his case personally? He couldn’t possibly deserve such kindness!

Mu You hastily wiped his hands on his pants before gripping that warm, steady hand.

“May I?” he asked.

“Of course,” Mr. Mo Han replied, standing tall and dignified. “You are the pillars of the Central Plains, the vulnerable among us. What you need most is to be heard—we must not let those with ill intent succeed.”

As he spoke, Mr. Mo Han’s piercing gaze swept over the policemen behind Mu You, so sharp that none dared meet his eyes.

“The trial is about to begin. You don’t intend to keep him bound like that, do you?”

After exchanging glances and hesitating, the officers finally released Mu You. He rolled his stiff shoulders, looking at Mr. Mo Han with deep gratitude.

“Alright, everyone’s here. Let’s save the rest for later and go inside,” Mr. Mo Han said, buttoning his suit as the group, each with their own thoughts, entered the grand hall.

As the doors opened, Mu You felt countless dagger-like stares pierce him. Even though he had done nothing wrong, his face burned with shame. Mr. Mo Han, however, strode forward without a care.

In that moment, Mu You’s fighting spirit blazed anew. Come on—I’ll fight these villains to the bitter end!

His hands still cuffed, Mu You sat ramrod-straight in the center of the hall, staring resolutely at the judges’ bench. He had done nothing—what was there to fear?

Ding ding—

The bell sounded. All whispers ceased. Mu You’s senses sharpened, his back straight as he steeled himself. Come on, let me see what evidence you have to frame me!

“The defendant, Mu You, age sixteen, second-year student at North Pregnancy Middle School, is implicated in the following cases: the North Pregnancy Massacre and the Lesong Major Bombing Incident. Motive: brainwashed by terrorists and made their puppet to demonstrate against Crescent Island, seeking revenge on society. Does the defendant have anything to say in his defense?”

Seeing Mu You trembling with anger, speechless, the judge sneered inwardly. He’s just a child, surely scared witless by all this.

About to rise and open the case, the judge was suddenly interrupted by a wild, drawn-out laugh.

Mu You began with a chuckle, then burst into manic laughter, gasping for breath.

“You people… sure think highly of me!” Mu You slowly raised his head, his gaze hollow as he stared at the jury.

“Four questions. First, I’m an orphan. After finally getting into middle school with a bright future ahead, why would I ruin my own prospects? Second, I was at the scene during the incident and nearly died. If I really orchestrated it all, wouldn’t that be digging my own grave? Third, by the time I was taken to the hospital, I was already in a deep coma. Tell me, what can a gravely injured, bedridden child do? Fourth, where would a kid like me get so much money, or so many explosives? You accuse me—where’s your evidence? Just your mouth, and you’d cut off a child’s future, destroy my whole life. Don’t you have children of your own?!”

By the end, Mu You was almost roaring.

The judge hadn’t expected such a strong reaction and was momentarily stunned, then quickly sneered and retorted, “Such a thorough statement—could a middle schooler really think of all that? Clearly it was drilled into you during brainwashing. You say I’ve ruined your life, but how many children’s futures have you destroyed? How many families have you shattered?”

He signaled to the security guarding the victims’ families. They immediately understood, releasing the already-frantic relatives of the deceased.

Absurd—utterly absurd! They dressed up this farce in such righteous language! Mu You tried to struggle, almost mad with desperation, but the handcuffs held him fast as he watched the victims’ families charge toward him.

Legitimate ‘punishment’—the judge’s trump card. Beat you half to death so that you can’t even speak.

“You killed my son! I raised him with such hardship for sixteen years, and you destroyed him!”

“I’ll kill you! At your age, already so venomous—sentencing you to death isn’t enough!”

“You little bastard, do you even know what love is? Have you grown a conscience? Charity raised a wolf like you!”

“Execute him now! I want him dead—immediately!”

Curses, shoves, kicks rained down on Mu You. He wanted to dodge, to explain, but the crazed crowd gave him no chance. He could not move—only howl in pain, hunching down as best he could, desperately trying to explain:

“Uncle, Auntie—it wasn’t me! Wouldn’t I know if I’d done it?”

Mu You screamed, helpless tears splattering on the ground. The spectators looked on coldly, not a trace of pity in their eyes.

“I hereby declare, after final review, Mu You is sentenced to death!”

Death sentence…

Still caught in the storm of rage, Mu You’s eyes widened. No longer moved by anything external, tears and mucus streamed down his face, but he was oblivious to it all.