The heavy iron doors of the Imperial Commercial Tribunal slammed open with a resonant bang.
Inside the cavernous, vaulted hall of justice, sunlight slanted through high arched windows, illuminating the ancient white jade Judgment Altar in the center of the court.
“Under Article Nine of the Nine-Province Founding Charter, any chartered utility guild that cuts public water and hires terrorists forfeits one hundred percent of its corporate assets to the victims!”
Chief Legal Counsel Shen Qiaoqiao stood at the claimant’s podium, her voice ringing clear and melodious across the chamber.
She wore a sharp, midnight-blue legal robe trimmed with gold silk, holding a stack of jade evidence scrolls in one hand and her signature glowing iron abacus under her arm: [Shen Qiaoqiao | Goodness: 91/100].
Behind her sat Lin Mo, Su Wan, and Lord Wen Zhengming, looking as relaxed as investors attending an annual board meeting.
On the opposite side of the aisle, seated behind a gilded mahogany table, Guild Master Qian Hai threw his head back and laughed uproariously.
Qian Hai was a round, greasy man wearing robes of emerald brocade embroidered with swimming koi. He wore five jade thumb rings and reeked of expensive musk and aged rice wine: [Guild Master Qian Hai | Goodness: -68/100].
