SWDnovel Chapter 6 Judge, is this a live broadcast?
Chapter 6 Judge, is this a live broadcast?
Judge Cui's voice echoed at the ferry crossing, carrying a hint of interrogation.
"explain?"
Chu Jiang put down his teacup, and calmly cupped his hands in greeting to those eyes that could see through three lifetimes.
"Reporting back to the Prefect, nothing happened."
He pointed to the clear river water at his feet, and then to the radiant Yellow Springs Spirit Boat behind him.
"I was ordered to come here to ferry people across the river. Seeing the resentment and suffering of the dead in this place, which is detrimental to the prestige of my underworld, I thought I would do my duty and clean it up."
Chu Jiang spoke of it casually, as if he had only swept the floor and wiped the table.
"As for this ship, the original one was dilapidated and inefficient. So I thought I'd upgrade it myself to improve the performance indicators of our underworld."
KPI?
Judge Cui's eyebrows twitched slightly on his ancient face.
He didn't ask about that word, and instead turned his gaze to Judge Wei, who was lying paralyzed on the ground.
"Wei Wuji, is what he said true?"
Judge Wei's soul trembled, and he mumbled incoherently, "Injustice... Your Excellency... He... He's spreading heresy!"
"Spreading rumors and misleading the public?" Judge Cui sneered.
He slowly raised the Book of Life and Death in his hand, and the black book turned its pages with a rustling sound as it did so without any wind.
"My Book of Life and Death records all the causes and effects in both the Yin and Yang realms. You accuse him of spreading heresy, then let's see who's really lying!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Judge Cui used his vermilion judge's pen to make a heavy slap on the book.
hum!
A beam of golden light shot out from the Book of Life and Death, forming a huge light screen in mid-air, like a modern projector.
On the light screen, the scene of the Reincarnation Bureau's main hall appeared clearly.
In the scene, Judge Wei holds the "List of Names" and reads Chu Jiang's name with a hint of sarcasm on his lips.
Then, the scene shifts to him walking up to Chu Jiang and speaking in a voice only the two of them could hear: "Don't think I don't know, my nephew Wei Tong failed the exam because of you... It's fair that I'm sending you to feed the evil spirits in the River of the Dead, isn't it?"
The sound wasn't loud, but it was clearly transmitted throughout the entire ferry crossing through the light screen.
"Whoosh—"
The line of dead souls erupted in uproar.
"My God! It was just a personal vendetta!"
"This is outrageous! Is this how the head of the Reincarnation Department operates?"
Judge Wei looked at himself in the light screen, his face turned ashen, and his soul trembled uncontrollably.
Wei Tong screamed, "It's fake! This is fake! It's Chu Jiang's sorcery!"
Chu Jiang picked up his teacup, blew away non-existent dust, and muttered something under his breath.
"Oh dear, you've already broken down? Your mental fortitude is lacking; I suggest you go back to school for further training."
Meng Po stood to the side, her blurry face twitching slightly, as if she were suppressing a laugh.
Judge Cui remained expressionless as he swung his judge's pen once more.
The scene on the light screen changed to the moment when Judge Wei and Wei Tong were showing off their power at the ferry.
"I'm telling you this right now! This dubious Dharma vessel of yours must be surrendered!"
"Chu Jiang, I'll be waiting to see how you cry in three days!"
Every arrogant word and every domineering action was perfectly replicated.
Finally, the scene freezes on Judge Wei and Wei Tong kneeling on the ground, secretly using their divine senses to threaten Chu Jiang.
Chu Jiang perfectly recounted those words of bribery and threats, and now this "official live broadcast" has provided solid evidence of it.
"Your Honor, is this... a live broadcast of the trial?"
Chu Jiang asked curiously, his tone sounding just like that of a country bumpkin who had never seen the world.
Judge Cui glanced at him without saying a word, but there seemed to be something else in his eyes.
"Wei Wuji".
Judge Cui withdrew his supernatural powers, the light screen disappeared, and his voice was as cold as ice from the deepest hell.
"The evidence is irrefutable, what else do you have to say?"
"I...I..." Judge Wei opened his mouth but couldn't utter a single word. His soul "poof"ed out a mouthful of black yin energy.
"Uncle! Uncle, please speak!" Wei Tong was terrified, shaking Judge Wei frantically. "Tell the judge we've been framed!"
He abruptly turned to Chu Jiang, roaring venomously, "It was you! It was all your doing! You're just a mortal soul, what right do you have! What right do you have!"
Chu Jiang picked at his ear, slowly stood up, walked to Judge Cui's side, and bowed to ask for instructions.
"Your Excellency, wouldn't this be considered... shouting in court and contempt of court? Shouldn't the punishment be increased?"
Judge Cui's lips seemed to twitch very slightly.
He ignored Chu Jiang and instead looked at the completely limp Wei family uncle and nephew, his voice like a decree, solemnly proclaiming.
"Wei Wuji, the head of the Reincarnation Bureau, abused his power, suppressed the capable, and distorted the truth. His crime is doubled."
"His crime warrants the stripping of his divine status, the loss of his thousand years of spiritual cultivation, and his imprisonment in Avici Hell for three thousand years of unending torment!"
Three thousand years!
This is three times the original estimate of one thousand years!
Upon hearing the verdict, Judge Wei's eyes rolled back, and he completely fainted, his soul becoming so dim it was almost transparent.
Judge Cui's gaze then fell on Wei Tong.
Wei Tong shuddered, and a black liquid seeped from beneath his soul, carrying a foul, fishy stench.
He...peed his pants in fear.
"As for Wei Tong, he bullies others by relying on his power, is vicious, and shows no remorse whatsoever."
Judge Cui's voice remained completely calm.
"His sin deserves to be banished to the animal realm, to be reincarnated as a pig for ten lifetimes, eating chaff and bran every meal, and facing the butcher's knife every year. After ten lifetimes, we'll see what fate awaits him."
"No--!"
Wei Tong let out a desperate scream. He would rather his soul be scattered than be a pig for ten lifetimes.
"My lord, spare me! I was wrong! I was really wrong!"
He scrambled to grab Judge Cui's leg, but was held back by the two restored Ox-Head and Horse-Face demons.
"Delay it, execute it immediately."
Judge Cui waved his hand, as if shooing away two flies.
"yes!"
Ox-Head and Horse-Face, as if granted a pardon, lifted up the Wei family uncle and nephew, who had turned into rotten mud, and quickly disappeared at the end of the Netherworld Path.
"Your Excellency is wise!"
"Oh, Your Honor!"
The souls queuing at the ferry crossing erupted in thunderous cheers, and many of the old ghosts who had been oppressed were so moved that tears streamed down their faces.
The storm has come to an end.
The atmosphere at the ferry crossing instantly shifted from oppressive and tense to relaxed and cheerful.
Chu Jiang felt a surge of satisfaction watching this scene. He sat down again and poured himself a cup of tea.
"Chu Jiang."
Judge Cui's voice suddenly rang out.
Chu Jiang looked up and saw the stern-faced chief judge staring at him.
The immense pressure had dissipated, but his gaze remained sharp.
Judge Cui pointed to a clean, large rock beside him, which was slightly higher than his own.
"sit."
One word silenced the entire room once again.
Even Meng Po cast a probing glance at Chu Jiang.
Chu Jiang didn't stand on ceremony and walked over casually, plopping down on the floor.
It felt like being invited to a jury for the first time after being taken from the defendant's dock.
"You're quite good," Judge Cui said, looking at him.
"You flatter me, Your Excellency. I was forced into it," Chu Jiang said truthfully.
Judge Cui didn't respond to that question. His gaze swept across the clear river, over the merit treasure, and finally settled on Chu Jiang.
"Purifying the River of the Underworld and reshaping the Crossing of the Three Paths is a great achievement."
He paused, then changed the subject.
"However, this place has become a blessed land, where the energy of merit gathers, and it is no small matter."
Judge Cui's eyes deepened, as if he could see into the future.
"Your humble ferryman status is no longer enough to govern this land."
He looked at Chu Jiang and spoke slowly.
"The Great Emperor of the Eastern Peak and the Ten Kings of Hell already know of your existence."
"They have prepared a new appointment for you."