Chapter 100 The Judge Arrives

Hei Wuchang and Bai Wuchang turned simultaneously, their cold gazes fixed on the newcomer. "Who is it but the Di Fu's (Underworld's) number one sycophant, Nalan Huaide!"

Nalan Huaide chuckled. "To receive such praise from the Wuchang (Black and White Impermanence) Divine Lords, Huaide is deeply humbled. However..."

Nalan Huaide's tone shifted. "Regarding the Liangjie Tang's (Two Realms Hall's) unauthorized deployment of Yin soldiers, I believe a thorough investigation is in order. After all, no one can violate the iron laws of the Di Fu."

Bai Wuchang smiled faintly. "You speak truly! However, I believe some matters are best clarified on the spot, lest my disciple be wrongly accused in the Hei Yu (Black Prison) and forced into a confession."

Nalan Huaide frowned. "The Divine Lord wishes to conduct the inquiry here, on this snowy mountain?"

Hei Wuchang's voice deepened. "Is that not permissible?"

Those familiar with Hei Wuchang knew that he rarely spoke in such situations. But when he did, it meant his patience had reached its limit. Any further words and he might resort to action.

Nalan Huaide said with measured calm, "It's not impossible for the Divine Lord to conduct the inquiry here. However, with only a few of us present, the proceedings might lack impartiality. Perhaps it would be better if Judge Wei were present?"

"A reasonable request!" Bai Wuchang nodded. "Go and invite Judge Wei!"

Nalan Huaide waved, dismissing the red-robed civil official. His eyes flicked towards Feng Xin, who gave a nearly imperceptible nod.

Nalan Huaide said gravely, "Di Fu trials are not for mortals. It would be best to send them away!"

"Impossible!" Bai Wuchang shook his head. "Every person here is a witness; none may leave. At worst, after the trial, we brothers will expend a little effort to erase their memories."

"As the Divine Lord commands!" Nalan Huaide waved his hand. "Surround them! No one is to leave."

Instantly, the Yin soldiers outside the perimeter formed a battle formation, encircling everyone at the foot of the snow mountain.

Before long, Judge Wei descended, accompanied by a line of red-robed civil officials standing behind him, lending a sense of imposing presence.

Judge Wei's gaze swept across the crowd before he spoke slowly, "I have a general understanding of the matter. Liu Bao of the Liangjie Tang, do you have anything to say?"

But Lao Liu remained silent.

I said in a deep voice, "Lao Liu, speak plainly. Don't hold back!"

Lao Liu kept his mouth shut, not saying a word.

I laughed loudly. "Lao Liu, we've known each other for years, sharing life and death. We're not brothers by blood, but we're closer than brothers."

"If you don't speak, I'll assume you deployed the Yin soldiers for my sake."

As soon as I finished speaking, Lao Liu looked up sharply at me. "My Lord…"

I forcefully interrupted him. "How many times have I told you not to call me 'My Lord'?"

"I've always said, there's no heaven or earth in my heart, only brothers."

"Lao Liu, I can't turn a blind eye to you violating the Di Fu iron laws to help me today."

"I can't fight against heaven or break through the Di Fu, but I can die before Lao Liu. Before my last breath, I'll never watch you be taken away by the Di Fu!"

Nalan Huaide sneered. "Such arrogance! Such audacity! Do you think the Di Fu's iron laws are mere scraps of paper to be trampled upon?"

I looked silently at Lao Liu, who took a deep breath and said, "Judge, I deployed the Yin soldiers not for selfish reasons, but to uphold the Di Fu's iron laws."

"The Reincarnation Department brought in a large number of Huangquan (Yellow Springs) stowaways, occupied living bodies, and joined the ranks of the Reincarnation Department. They knowingly broke the law, wreaking havoc in the human world. That's why I deployed the Yin soldiers to sweep away this tumor in the art world."

Nalan Huaide laughed loudly. "That's ridiculous! If you, the Liangjie Tang, want to play the game of framing others, please play it more skillfully. With the Judge and the Divine Lords here, you dare to spout such nonsense? Do you want to add another crime to the Liangjie Tang's list?"

Lao Liu closed his eyes without saying a word, as if he no longer wanted to argue and was leaving his fate to heaven.

In that instant, I understood something, and my eyes turned red as I looked at Hei Wuchang and Bai Wuchang. "What do the two ancestral masters say?"

Bai Wuchang said sternly and without pause, "Those who should have come, have come. Don't hide. Come out and give me an explanation."

After Bai Wuchang spoke, there was no response. He couldn't help but shout angrily, "If you don't come out, don't blame me for forcing you out!"

Hei Wuchang flicked his wrist lightly, sending the mourning staff flying. "Order! Beat the drums and summon the generals!"

Judge Wei was shocked. "Fan Wujiu, what are you doing?"

Hei Wuchang looked expressionlessly at the sky, not even glancing at him.

Only then did a sigh come from afar. "Old Seven, Old Eight, why be so impulsive? Can't we talk things over calmly?"

The Ri Youshen (Day Wanderer) and Ye Youshen (Night Wanderer) have arrived!

No, they must have arrived long ago!

Bai Wuchang said coldly, "If you have something to say, say it here!"

Ye Youshen said slowly, "I'm afraid this isn't appropriate!"

Bai Wuchang waved his hand violently, and Yin energy surged, like a dome enveloping a hundred-meter radius, completely isolating everyone except the Di Fu's upper echelons.

Nalan Huaide frowned. "Divine Lord, shouldn't you let Li Po and Liu Bao out as well? This concerns Di Fu secrets; it's not appropriate for them to be here."