For the dog demon nad Huang Shan, shifting between demon and human, even he often lost track of whether he was truly a beast or a man.
Of the several dozen households in Donglin Quarter, their family lines ended with this generation, yet the elders of that ti could be said to have t good deaths.
Many hos in Donglin Quarter now stood empty, nurous beings who’d beco human entered the Yin Attendants’ service after their elders passed away.
These three centuries, they were ant to stay here, forbidden from leaving.
As they parted, Huang Shan gave Chen Changsheng so tea leaves left behind by the old master.
Huang Shan laughed simply, like a genuine country fellow, “Truly, only these are left. Don’t think stingy, Sir.”
He’d always treated these leaves as treasure. Were it not for Master Chen, he wouldn’t have brought them out.
“Thank you.”
Chen Changsheng accepted it all the sa; it was given with good intent.
After leaving the courtyard, Chen Changsheng headed toward the City God Temple.
Huang Shan, anwhile, moved a chair to the doorway and sat.
His eyes looked cloudy, just like the old master who once sat in that spot.
He remained that old dog, still on gate-watching duty.
…
Of all places in Donglin Quarter, the City God Temple held the thickest Demonic Qi.
The Badger Demon, now wearing the robes of the City God, looked stern. Beside him were dozens of little demons, arranged like Yin Attendants, all orderly and correct.
The temple doors stood wide, but no mortal visitors ca that day.
Seated in the main hall, the Badger Demon felt terribly nervous, waiting anxiously.
Only when a pair of black and white official boots stepped inside did he scramble to his feet to greet their owner.
“Acting City God Badger of Donglin Quarter, paying respect to Mr. Chen!”
Chen Changsheng glanced at him but spoke no word. Instead, he walked straight into the temple.
While moving, Chen Changsheng spoke.
“Bring the case records from these ten plus years. And the ledger of the Power of Worship inco, that too.”
Chen Changsheng’s tone seed light.
But it sent cold sweat running down the Badger Demon’s back. He hastily ordered an attending demon to carry all the case files up.
Not a single book was left behind.
The Badger Demon knew well – miss one book, and he would suffer.
Chen Changsheng walked directly to the main seat of the hall, sweeping his robe aside before sitting.
The Badger Demon stood nearby, signaling other demons to prepare tea and bring fruits.
Every courtesy was observed, nothing overlooked.
After a while, nearly a dozen case files were piled on the table.
The Badger Demon said, “Mr. Chen, these are the records from recent years, without omission. The book beside it is the tally of Power of Worship inco. Beyond what was used for charity and dispelling evil, not one thread extra have I kept.”
“I will know after examining them,” Chen Changsheng replied.
Then Chen Changsheng started turning pages through the records.
The Badger Demon felt dread creep into his heart. He’d handled every detail personally and allowed no mistakes, but what counted as ‘fair’ wasn’t always clear. He feared so judgnts might have been wrong.
“Over the past ten years, one hundred thirty-two people have died. Mostly minor cases,” he stamred. “Please examine them carefully, Sir.”
Chen Changsheng went through each case one by one.
His expression stayed calm as page after page turned.
To be fair, the Badger Demon truly held unique insight regarding justice, perhaps because his own past cris made him keenly familiar with evil.
To say he’d made no errors was impossible. Right and wrong are hardest to judge. Perfection would only seem strange.
Chen Changsheng understood this. He wouldn’t nitpick so long as no major fault was found.
The rustle of turning pages echoed constantly in the hall.
The atmosphere grew heavy.
Both the Badger Demon and the demons below dared not breathe too loud, afraid to disturb the figure on the dais.
Chen Changsheng closed the last record, then asked, “All judged by you alone?”
The Badger Demon shook his head. “For so matters, I consulted nearby City Gods from other regions. Only after debating and weighing different judgnts did I reach a final decision.”
“And… what did Sir think?”
Chen Changsheng gave a slight nod. “Adequate.”
The collective breath of every demon in the hall seed to release. It felt like a massive weight lifting from their shoulders.
“Though adequate, several points could be sharpened,” Chen Changsheng added. “Co closer.”
The Badger Demon leaned in.
Chen Changsheng reopened a book and pointed to one record. “This man often indulged in relations with won, frequenting brothels, even forgetting his responsibilities as a husband and father. Though his conduct lacked virtue here, he perford frequent acts of kindness, accumulating much rit. Yet in your judgnt, you considered his behavior along with his rits, thereby reducing the rit assigned.”
The Badger Demon questioned, “Sir thinks that was wrong?”
“The worlds of living and dead each have rules. You must understand, the Netherworld Tribunal’s judgnt does not weigh conduct, only deeds good or bad. Though he neglected family duty, this man never once forced harm upon any decent woman. Such acts are not counted as sins but belong to matters of moral character. Law and personal virtue must be kept distinct.”
“Law… and personal virtue…”
The Badger Demon pondered deeply. “Over these years judging cases, neighboring City Gods disagreed on much. Often, we beca tangled in questions of virtue versus law. Sir ans to say these two… should be separated?”
Chen Changsheng nodded again. “Moral character cannot serve as proof of wrongdoing; it can only be a reference.”
The Badger Demon dwelled on this for a long while.
“Law is above personal feelings…”
He murmured it, seeming struck by so realization.
“Yes! That must be so!”
Suddenly lifting his head, the Badger Demon declared, “My gratitude for Master’s guidance.”
Chen Changsheng raised his hand dismissively. “Not guidance. My actions only seek benefit for the people of Donglin Quarter.”
“Of course…”
The Badger Demon gave only agreeing nods, daring to say little else.
Chen Changsheng’s gaze shifted to the Worship Power ledger.
He picked it up, scanning through it.
Every day’s Worship Power inco and outflow was carefully recorded.
The leftover Power of Worship had been kept stored, solely in the Badger Demon’s care.
Stretching out his hand, the Badger Demon produced a cluster of Power of Worship in his palm.
“Please examine this, Sir.”
But Chen Changsheng’s eyes fixed on the Badger Demon’s own instead.
The Badger Demon instantly beca tense, unable to et that gaze.
Chen Changsheng took the cluster and remarked, “Not more, not less.”
“Yes…” whispered the Badger Demon.
Chen Changsheng closed the Worship Ledger, then stated, “Neither good nor bad. I trust these next three hundred years will see no error.”
The Badger Demon vowed quickly, “I dare not err.”
Chen Changsheng tucked that clump of Power of Worship into his sleeve and rose.
“No need to see off. I shall return after so years.”
Watching Chen Changsheng leave, the Badger Demon finally let out that long-held breath.
Thinking then of the remaining two hundred plus years.
Such a long ti…
“Sigh…”
The Badger Demon sighed softly, muttering to himself, “Take it slow…”
User Comments
0 comments from readers