Are You Crazy? He’s only an Intern Lawyer?
Chapter 546 - 541 Threat, Actor, Strike a Deal! (Extra - , subscribe for more, monthly ticket needed)

Chapter 546: Chapter 541 Threat, Actor, Strike a Deal! (Extra Chapter, subscribe for more, monthly ticket needed)

(On Monday, the sweltering heat of 41°C in Wu Xi left Author Germ restless for a long time, so there will be an additional update on Monday, asking for monthly tickets and subscriptions, please please!)

...

"To fight or not to fight, to retreat or not to retreat, hesitating and vacillating, what is the meaning of this?"

"Wu Shentong, you claim to be the Martial Arts Alliance Hierarch but turn out to be nothing but a cowardly turtle!"

It was hard to imagine that the echoes reverberating over the Wu Family Estate originated from a girl’s mouth.

After hearing such boisterous and insulting words, anyone would find it hard to endure, maybe even grabbing a weapon to confront the other party on the spot.

But within the Wu Family Estate, an old man managed to hold back.

He was Wu Shentong.

He was hidden inside his personal meditation chamber within the Wu Family Estate.

Even so, the resounding, canyon-like shouts still penetrated the walls and reached his ears.

Thud!

Wu Shentong threw a punch and hit the stone wall, causing a resonating boom.

"Damn it, who would have thought that I, Wu Shentong, after decades of martial arts practice, thinking myself unbeatable under the heavens, would one day be blockaded at my door!"

To be blockaded at his own door, and to be called a cowardly turtle?

That was unbearable for anyone.

Yet Wu Shentong chose to bear it, which was admittedly admirable for his big heart.

Because he knew, once he went out to face that girl outside his door, the only outcome would be his loss.

Even if he used his full power, achieving one hundred and twenty percent of his ability, the chances were still weighted toward defeat.

In short, stepping outside to accept the challenge would surely result in him losing the position of Martial Arts Alliance Hierarch.

If his opponent were a venerable figure in the martial arts world, then losing would be just that, and at least not embarrassing.

But the opponent was a girl barely in her twenties, and that changed everything.

Could Wu Shentong, who has practiced martial arts his whole life, face being unable to defeat a little girl without feeling utterly humiliated?

So, when one must be cowardly, be cowardly!

It’s just a matter of losing face, I accept it.

They wouldn’t possibly blockade the door for an entire day, right?

"Wu Shentong, if you do not accept the challenge, then we will blockade your door for a lifetime!"

As if hearing Wu Shentong’s inner monologue, the voice echoed once again.

In Wu Shentong’s ears, the voice had become sharp and piercing, fueling his anger.

"Damn it, vowing to blockade my door for a lifetime, I truly admire your persistence, you bunch of rascals!"

He swore that he almost couldn’t restrain himself anymore.

But a voice inside him was insisting that he must endure.

Endure even if he couldn’t bear it, or his life would be ruined.

"Damnation!"

Wu Shentong could only choose to pretend he hadn’t heard.

Yet the voices outside, once again reached him, and the content became increasingly unbearable.

Wu Shentong gritted his teeth and tried to ignore them, but the people shouting outside were using their real abilities. The sound was like a spell that penetrated walls—how could it possibly go unheard.

Soon, his face turned an iron shade of blue, teetering on the edge of madness.

But after a while, the shouting finally stopped.

And from beyond the stone door, there came the sound of light footsteps.

"Grandfather, Second Uncle is looking for you!"

Hearing the voice of his grandchild, Wu Shentong quickly asked, "What happened, where are the challengers outside, what happened to them?"

"Second Uncle has stabilized the situation outside for the time being, but..."

Outside, Wu Renjie’s expression was a bit unusual, and overall not very good.

In front of him, the stone door slowly opened, and then Wu Shentong quickly walked out.

"What’s going on outside? What has Yuanzong done?"

"Grandfather, it seems that Second Uncle has been threatened, and now they are in the reception hall!"

"How many people?"

"Only that Zhang Wei and the challenger, no one else has come in. So now Second Uncle sent me to ask you to come and discuss."

"Hmph!"

Wu Shentong snorted coldly, naturally striding quickly toward the reception hall.

In the reception hall.

Zhang Wei and Xia Qianyue sat side by side, while Wu Yuanzong stood in the center of the reception hall, pacing back and forth, waiting for his father’s arrival.

Before long, Wu Shentong and Wu Renjie had both arrived.

"Yo, old Hierarch, long time no see, are you well?"

Zhang Wei greeted Wu Shentong as soon as he appeared.

Wu Shentong, however, seemed not to see Zhang Wei at all, walking directly into the reception hall, then his gaze lingered on Xia Qianyue for a moment, with a deep wariness flashing in his eyes.

Xia Qianyue sat in silence, her entire presence exuding a "don’t mess with me" vibe to all strangers.

Zhang Wei saw that Wu Shentong ignored him, but he wasn’t annoyed. Instead, he smiled and said, "Alliance Hierarch, look at the mess you’ve got here. If you had come out earlier, wouldn’t all this have been avoided?"

"Father!"

Wu Yuanzong also hurriedly greeted his father, then leaned to Wu Shentong’s ear and whispered.

"Oh, you want to make a deal with me?"

"Exactly, and this deal will bring no loss to the Wu Family. You just need to sacrifice someone who is almost irrelevant to your Wu Family."

Zhang Wei smiled slightly, stating outright his purpose for coming, which was related to Gu Shimang.

"Gu Shimang, who is this woman?"

Wu Shentong clearly didn’t recognize her.

"Father, she is..."

Wu Yuanzong leaned in again to his father’s ear and explained the situation and its crucial points.

"Oh, it’s actually you..."

Wu Shentong had not expected that this woman named Gu Shimang was actually his son’s mistress outside.

And Zhang Wei had gone to such lengths, all because of this woman.

"Alliance Hierarch, that’s the situation. Our terms are quite simple, you just need to give us your agreement, and today’s challenge can be called off!"

At that moment, Zhang Wei spoke up again.

"Of course, you can also refuse. But if you refuse, then my Simple-minded person will have to challenge you again!"

He was smiling, but his words carried a threat.

Not only that, Xia Qianyue also stood up, cupped her fists in a salute, and said, "Please impart your wisdom, Alliance Hierarch!"

"Alliance Hierarch, this time my Simple-minded person wants to have a real match with you. Let’s have a genuine fight!"

After Xia Qianyue finished her salute, Zhang Wei spoke up at the right moment.

Wu Shentong and Wu Yuanzong looked at each other, then furrowed their brows, "What’s this real and fake talk?"

"Quite simple, the two of you will determine the superior and decide life and death today!"

As he spoke the last word, Zhang Wei’s expression suddenly turned cold.

Xia Qianyue, standing by his side, also emitted a soaring fighting spirit,

Thump!

An intangible force collided throughout the guest hall.

Under the impact of this force, the ground and walls of the guest hall trembled, and Wu Renjie and Wu Yuanzong stepped back several steps under its pressure.

Although Wu Shentong could resist the impact, the chair beneath him gave a crisp sound, shattering to pieces.

Left without a chair, he had no choice but to stand up straight, then folded his hands behind his back, posing as an eminent figure.

However, the shock in his eyes could not be concealed.

"Such fighting spirit, such momentum... This woman is terrifying indeed!"

Wu Shentong had no doubt that if he accepted the fight, he could survive the day.

This woman, she seemed to be serious!

Truly wanting to fight to determine the superior and decide life and death!

"You two juniors..."

"Alliance Hierarch, you are faced with a choice. It’s up to you to decide, whether to accept this life-and-death battle or to sacrifice someone unrelated!"

Zhang Wei then nodded towards Wu Yuanzong, making his intentions quite clear.

You either accept, or you let Wu Yuanzong deal with Gu Shimang’s matter. Those are your only two options.

Wu Shentong had never imagined he’d be threatened.

Since becoming the Martial Arts Alliance Hierarch, after so many years, someone dared to threaten him.

Confronted with a threat, Wu Shentong’s pride naturally took effect, so the answer was obvious.

"Yuanzong, handle this matter for me!"

"Father, what are you..."

"Why should I share the pressure for something you did yourself?"

Wu Shentong said this while glaring furiously at Wu Yuanzong who, upon seeing this, eventually did not voice his objections.

Since his own father had made a decision, what could he do to change it?

It seemed there was no way to change the matter regarding Gu Shimang.

Damn it!

He was a decision-maker of the Wu Family, one of the Five Great Families, and yet he was being manipulated by two juniors.

Wu Yuanzong was furious, but powerless, which left him in despair.

"Young friends, are you satisfied now?"

"Alliance Hierarch is wise. We admire your understanding!"

"What about the competition and the people outside?"

"Don’t worry, Alliance Hierarch, we already have a plan in place. All we need to do is this..."

Listening as Zhang Wei eloquently laid out the follow-up plan, Wu Shentong’s tightly knotted brows finally relaxed.

Only Wu Yuanzong and Wu Renjie remained with expressions that couldn’t ease.

hour later.

Boom!

With a earth-shattering explosion, the entire Wu Family Estate shuddered, inside and out.

Not just the ground, everyone could feel the air trembling too.

Then, the gates of the Wu Family Estate opened, and out walked two people, Zhang Wei and Xia Qianyue.

At this moment, however, Zhang Wei’s complexion was slightly panicked, while Xia Qianyue looked travel-stained as if they had just been through a fight.

"Not bad for the old Alliance Hierarch. Today’s contest of internal strength ended in a draw. We will come another day to seek further instruction!" Zhang Wei shouted to the Wu Family Estate with a cupped-fist salute, then left decisively with Xia Qianyue.

The reporters and both Master Hong and Master Huang were left with a look of confusion, not understanding what had happened inside the estate.

But since the main characters had left, there was no need for them to stay, and they quickly dispersed.

Soon, almost everyone outside the Wu Family Estate had gone.

It finally became peaceful.

But the last words Zhang Wei said were thought-provoking.

Today, there was no victor, but another day they would seek instruction.

When exactly would that be?

That was, well, hard to say.

...

minutes later.

A few kilometers away from the Wu Family Estate, in a square.

"Everyone, come here to get your appearance fees, there’s enough for all, no need to rush!" Zhang Wei said as he took out his phone to transfer money to the dozens of "reporters" in front of him.

Oh, wait, they weren’t really reporters but temporary actors he had hired.

Their job today was to play the role of reporters outside the Wu Family Estate, tasked with shouting challenges to the Wu Family.

It was evident they had finished their job and were now getting paid.

For just a few hours of appearing, they could earn a few thousand yuan, so why wouldn’t they be happy to do it?

In fact, many of them were even hoping that Zhang Wei would continue to hire them for future performances.

Surely, if Wu Shentong had witnessed this, he would have been livid enough to cough up blood.

He never would have guessed that all those reporters outside were fake.

After the "reporters" took their money and left, it was Master Hong and Master Huang’s turn.

"Here, Master Huang, this is a check for 5 million yuan as my investment in your Yangxin Hall!"

"Master Hong, this is a 5 million yuan check for you as well, my donation to the Folk Martial Arts Association to support the martial arts community in Dongfang Capital!" Zhang Wei said as he handed over two large checks to Huang Tianhong and Master Hong, who then took their leave smilingly.

Not only had they witnessed Wu Shentong’s humiliation today, but they also walked away with a substantial reward, naturally beaming with joy.

Meanwhile, after settling all expenses, Zhang Wei also sported a smile.

"Even though it cost 10 million, it was money well spent!" He looked in a certain direction, his lips curling with a hint of smugness.

"I really, really look forward to tomorrow..."

...

Thursday, the day of the trial.

In the afternoon.

At Dongfang Capital City Court, civil courtroom.

After a pleasant lunch and a relaxing break, many people had gathered inside the civil courtroom, anticipating the hearing that everyone was looking forward to.

The public gallery was almost filled to the brim, not an empty seat in sight.

Many people even held banners and carried signed photographs and portraits of Gu Shimang, choosing to support their idol.

After all, Gu Shimang was a popular actress and a former leading lady in Dongfang Capital with many fans.

Moreover, in the last two days, she appeared twice on Dongfang Capital City’s hottest evening show, "Lisa’s Talk" as a special guest, which garnered huge traffic and attention.

Even outside the city courthouse, there were many fans gathered in support of Gu Shimang.

This put a significant strain on the court’s operations.

Even Zhang Wei and his party had to sneak in through the back door to avoid the crowd of fans.

"Lawyer Zhang, why did we have to use the back door?" one of them asked.

"Is this the back door? I always use this one; I thought this was the main entrance to the courthouse," Zhang Wei replied nonchalantly to Gao Tianri’s remark.

Gao Tianri didn’t dwell on the matter.

After all, the most critical issue of the day was the case at hand.

"So, Lawyer Zhang, you said this morning that there’s been a breakthrough in the case. Does that mean..."

"Don’t worry, I’ve found a very compelling witness!" Zhang Wei patted Gao Tianri’s shoulder, then communicated an essential piece of information.

"The compelling witness is..."

Gao Tianri pondered in his mind, "What witness would be strong enough? Could it be that actress I went to the hotel with during the days I was shooting on location?"

Indeed, overall, she was the only one.

The reason I left the set during those days of location shooting was to "go over lines and the script" with her alone.

If she could appear in court, then I could refute the testimony of Gu Shimang and the female assistant.

With this thought, Gao Tianri finally heaved a sigh of relief.

I didn’t expect Zhang Wei to be so capable, to actually bring back someone who was out of the country.

The group entered the courtroom and then took their seats in the defendant’s area.

Gao Tianri deliberately looked around but did not see that actress with whom he had "gone over the script."

"Lawyer Zhang, where is A-Hua..."

"A-Hua, that star you went to the hotel with to go over the script, why do you bring her up?"

"Don’t you have a key witness?"

"Yes, I do, but who said it was her!"

"Ah, this..."

Gao Tianri’s mouth fell open, and he slumped back into his seat.

If the witness wasn’t A-Hua, then who could it be?

And if it wasn’t her, who else could prove my innocence?

Zhang Wei, seeing Gao Tianri’s expression, was not worried at all.

Prove your innocence, don’t make me laugh, the last thing I, Zhang Someone, like is being led by the nose.

Rather than waste a lot of time refuting the other side’s testimony, why not strike a harsh blow!

I, Zhang Wei, either do nothing or do it thoroughly!

He muttered to himself internally, his gaze, however, drifted next door, to the plaintiff’s side, firmly locking onto Gu Shimang.

Today, you’re done for, woman!

But Zhang Wei quickly shifted his gaze, then nodded in turn to Xia Qianyue, Zhao Xiaoxiao, and to Zhang Xinwu and Zhang Xinyan, who were seated behind them.

For this round, they were ready.

On the neighboring bench.

"It looks like Zhang Wei and his team aren’t planning to give up!"

Perhaps sensing Zhang Wei’s gaze and the aura of his group, Lawyer Laura and Gu Shimang also began whispering to each other.

"Don’t worry, Lawyer Laura, I will take care of them today!"

Gu Shimang said, her eyes turning exceptionally cold.

She looked at Gao Tianri seated next door, a venomous cold smile playing on her lips.

"As for your acting skills, Shimang, I naturally have no concerns!"

"Of course, I have been waiting for this moment for far too long!"

In Gu Shimang’s eyes, a hint of triumph and the joy of impending victory appeared.

She was confident that as long as she performed normally today, with her invincible acting skills, she would be unbeatable!

Today there was no way she could lose!

"All rise!"

As everyone was ready, the time for the hearing finally arrived.

Ni Qiuping, clad in a black robe, walked into the courtroom.

After she took her seat at the bench, her gaze swept across the room, pausing momentarily at the plaintiff’s side, and then she furrowed her brows.

Lawyer Laura and Gu Shimang were, of course, unaffected, but their assistant Grey suddenly felt a flutter of panic.

Behind him, the trio of assistants’ assistants, Brown, Kelin, and Reed, felt a chill in their hearts.

They had had two people put in solitary confinement on Tuesday, and although it was now Thursday and they were allowed to continue attending, having caught Ni Qiuping’s eye, they indeed felt some trepidation.

"Lawyer Grey, I trust that after Tuesday, you have disciplined your subordinates and taught them courtroom etiquette, yes?"

"Yes, Your Honor!"

Grey hurriedly agreed, not daring to show the slightest negligence.

"In that case, if one of them makes a mistake today, may I consider it your responsibility?"

"This..."

"Lawyer Grey, if any one of the three behind you even speaks out of turn today, I will send all three of them, along with you, to the solitary confinement room!"

"Ah, this..."

Grey had never imagined that before the hearing started, he would already be specifically targeted by the judge.

The judge was clearly preempting any moves from their side by issuing the strictest gag order.

If any of you act up, all four of you are done for!

"Dammit!"

Grey’s face instantly darkened, thinking that their tactic of deliberately disrupting the opposition could no longer be used.

It must be said, Ni Qiuping had thoroughly anticipated William International’s underhanded moves.

"Ahem, the court now declares that the hearing will officially begin!"

With the sound of the gavel, the second hearing finally commenced!