Chapter 16 · The Gatekeeper's Gambit - Chapter 16: The Checkpoint Fights Back

Wei Tiegu walked through Mo Han's checkpoint door like he owned the place.

He didn't knock. Didn't wait. Just pushed through with three tower enforcers at his back, their silver badges catching the light from the trial platform. The kind of entrance that said everything about who had power here and who didn't.

Mo Han was still standing by the control console where Su Jin had left him five minutes ago. The storm marks on the floor hadn't even faded yet.

"Mo Han." Wei's voice carried across the empty hall. "You are accused of tampering with official trial records. Unauthorized status changes. Theft of sect property."

Mo Han didn't move. "Which property?"

"The candidates." Wei stopped ten feet away. Close enough to make it clear he wasn't afraid. "Seventeen disciples had their rejection status reversed in the past hour. All of them were legally disqualified under checkpoint protocols."

"Legally disqualified under your interpretation of checkpoint protocols," Mo Han said. "Not the same thing."

One of the enforcers stepped forward. "Trial Keeper Mo, you're required to submit your console logs for review. Immediate compliance is mandatory under tower regulation forty-seven."

Mo Han glanced at the enforcer. Young guy.