Moreover, there was a seasoned veteran by his side. Although Long Shi was young, his experience was far richer than that of ordinary experts, having entered the Dragon Team. He had also followed seniors to the underworld before.
Li Chonglou felt relatively at ease, even with Yuan Bei and the other two casting ominous glances.
The two took their positions, but the judge on the stage did not react.
Yuan Bei's lawyer, the man with an air of arrogance, couldn't help but speak, "Esteemed Judge, the parties involved have arrived. Shall we begin?"
As the man's voice rang out, the audience members in the hall promptly fell silent.
Without rules, nothing can be accomplished. Any spectator who disrupted the order of the hall would be removed.
Everyone present was a prominent figure in their own right outside this venue, and losing face was unthinkable.
At this moment, all eyes were on the old man seated at the innermost position.
Indeed, apart from the younger generation in the audience seats, those seated inside were all grizzled and white-haired.
Though men and women were present, the wrinkles on their faces were deeper with each passing individual. The judge, in particular, who sat at the very center, appeared to be in his seventies, looking significantly older than Elder Tie.
However, this was only in appearance. This group of elderly individuals possessed the most robust vitality that Li Chonglou had ever witnessed!
Including the judge, there were eight elderly people in total. Apart from their aged appearances, their eyes were all sharp and full of spirit!
Li Chonglou even perceived something more terrifying in the judge's gaze than in the mysterious figures who had previously pursued him!
Damn, this wasn't a group of old people; it was a gathering of powerhouses!
Li Chonglou swallowed, recalling what Long Shi had said about the Supervisory Council's meetings. He finally understood why this special institution could review three major forces consecutively.
Based on the strength displayed alone, even the Director of the General Bureau would find it difficult to gain any advantage!
Apart from Li Chonglou, everyone else's gaze was also fixed on the judge.
The latter, with a calm gaze, looked at Yuan Bei's lawyer before slowly speaking.
"Lawyer Luo Ya is a Senior Counselor. According to the council's rules, we must wait for another fifteen minutes."
Yuan Bei's lawyer's brows furrowed slightly. Before he could speak again, the judge continued, "Furthermore, you are only a lawyer. Do not let Luo Ya hear such words, or if he asks you to leave, we can only comply."
Yuan Bei's lawyer's expression suddenly changed, his arrogance vanishing instantly. He quickly bowed towards the judge.
"My apologies, I was too eager."
For someone inherently proud to bow his head willingly made Li Chonglou's impression of Senior Counselor Luo change somewhat.
The conversation among the attendees also began to shift towards him.
Under normal circumstances, even a trial would not be this close to being fully seated. This was mainly because the current matter was too serious.
Therefore, many were not very familiar with the Supervisory Council, nor its prominent figures.
Even Yuan Bei and the other two opposite Li Chonglou were quietly inquiring about Senior Counselor Luo from their lawyer.
Li Chonglou and Long Shi could only prick up their ears, trying to glean some information they desired from the murmurs of the crowd.
"Who is this Luo Ya? How can even the judge show him respect? Wasn't the judge said to be the highest authority in the Supervisory Council?"
"It's obvious you're here for the first time. You don't even know the basic structure of the Supervisory Council."
"Damn, I'm also here for the first time. Brother, can you explain it?"
Li Chonglou soon noticed the conversation between several men not far behind him.
Perhaps driven by vanity, the persuaded man spoke with a slightly proud tone, like an elder, "I'm only explaining this to you now because the formal hearing hasn't begun yet."
"The Supervisory Council is a special independent institution here. I believe you've all heard of this. But the extent of its independence, I suspect many do not know."
"One aspect of this, which I wish to tell you, is that the judges of the Supervisory Council all started their careers as lawyers."
This simple statement caused astonishment and shock among those who heard it.
Li Chonglou froze, instinctively looking at Long Shi. The latter had clearly heard it as well and returned his gaze with a similar expression.
Their eyes met, and both saw the shock in each other's eyes.
What did this sentence imply? Did it mean Luo Ya was a future influential judge?
Li Chonglou finally understood why the General Bureau had helped him find someone who seemed so unreliable.
Damn, no matter how unreliable this guy seemed, with such a status, could he really be bad?
Furthermore, from another perspective, could someone who reached such a position be as they appeared?
There must be some misunderstanding!
Almost instantly, both of them completely revised their opinions of Luo Ya in their minds.
Li Chonglou's mood also brightened considerably.
With such a weighty helper, even if they lost, Li Chonglou would have no regrets. He had only found the General Bureau to be unreliable before.
Yuan Bei and the other two, standing opposite Li Chonglou, clearly learned of Luo Ya's unique standing from their lawyer, and their expressions became somewhat unnatural.
There was no way around it; anyone would be disheartened to learn that such an influential figure was their opponent.
The crowd, under the explanation of the elder by the side, also came to know of Luo Ya's special status. The conversation then shifted to the General Bureau and the Commoner's Association.
"Shangjing, after all, is still run by the General Bureau. They pulled out a trump card right from the start, producing an heir to the judgeship. On the other hand, the Commoner's Association has only invited a lawyer."
Upon learning that there was a position of Senior Counselor above that of a lawyer, everyone began to view the man in front of Yuan Bei and the other two unfavorably. With this comparison, even before doing anything, they were already at a disadvantage.
The individuals making these remarks were from the War Association.
They were most happily observing the conflict between the General Bureau and the Commoner's Association.
"Hmph, what do you know? This is just a setup by the General Bureau to save face!"
A man, clearly from the Commoner's Association, spoke up. All eyes turned to him.
The man continued coldly, "This matter was a misunderstanding to begin with. Coming to the Supervisory Council is merely a procedural step. Regardless of who wins or loses, do you really think there will be a fight?"
"If it were a truly significant matter, our Commoner's Association would also have connections similar to those of a Senior Counselor!"
Those sitting around nodded in agreement, while others scoffed mockingly.
"That's a nice sentiment, but the General Bureau, even just to save face, can bring out a Senior Counselor. The gap is already clear."
However, the man paid no attention to this, whether out of unwillingness to explain or an inability to refute.
Just then, Luo Ya finally reappeared at the entrance.
"My apologies for keeping you waiting."