Chapter Thirty-One: The City God's Night Trial

  However, the master and Cheng Huang Ye didn't react much, it seems that although they knew each other, they didn't get along well. But this also shows that the master is still very famous, at least from Cheng Huang Ye's expression, I really worshiped a good master. Although the master can be considered as a high-ranking person, unfortunately, his image makes me not want to say anything. That high-ranking person was not wearing red underpants, but instead wore a floral shirt and sunglasses, looking like a flirtatious old man who often hangs out in the square to seduce those aunties.

  The master would not know my thoughts, at this time only a calm and silent face, the clothes are mysterious and profound. I really regret not preparing a Taoist robe for the master, it makes me lose face as a disciple. Look at the city god's official uniform, it's unspeakably solemn. Take a look at Wang Qianqiu's armor, it's also unspeakably majestic. Only the master is unspeakably shabby, yet he walks with his head held high and chest out.

  Wang Qianqiu pretended not to see, and only after getting off the horse did he laugh and say: "Since we're old acquaintances, let's cut the nonsense. Cui Chengyi, why don't you prepare for the opening of the court?"

  Chui Chenghuan nodded, took out a box from his bosom, and opened it. Inside was something the size of a grand hall. Chenghuan took it out and tossed it casually. The thing swelled in the wind and transformed into a magnificent grand hall in an instant. On the gate hung a plaque with three large characters: "Chenghuan Temple". It turned out that Chenghuan's palace was portable, no wonder he could hold court anywhere. As I indulged in wild thoughts, I followed the crowd inside.

  The City God walked up to the main hall, sat down in front of the large case, with the clerk and historian standing below him. Behind them were two rows of yamen runners, while the dark soldiers stood outside, opening up the space. Two large drums were placed at the gate, and a plaque was set up, instantly giving it an air of a public hall. At this time, Cheng Huang's face turned serious, he took out the token and threw it down to the hall, coldly shouting: "Bring in Li Chengdong and his son Li Yanzhong!"

  "Nuò——" Naturally, Yin Cha had already received the order and led the yin soldiers away through the dark fog.

  We were also considered guests, so Cui Chengyi had someone prepare large chairs for us to sit on. However, there wasn't one for Zhang Jianhua. It seemed like no one was paying attention to this ordinary person. Of course, no one noticed him either, they just treated him as my follower. Looking at how timidly he was hiding behind me, it's no wonder no one paid attention to him.

  It didn't take long before Yin's subordinate led Li Yan Zhong over. At this time, Li Yan Zhong no longer had the demeanor of a leader as he was brought in, already trembling with fear. Before even reaching the main hall, he had already fallen to his knees and loudly proclaimed his innocence. In the eyes of the yin officials, there was no distinction between people from the yang world, only a difference between those who followed the Tao and ordinary people.

  "Dare to..." Just as Li Yan Zhong was brought up, the yincha shouted loudly, scaring Li Yan Zhong into suddenly shutting his mouth, looking at Cheng Huang Ye in a daze.

  Cui Cheng's face was calm and collected as he looked at Li Yan Zhong, saying only: "Li Yan Zhong, do you know your crime?"

  As soon as the words fell, Li Yan Zhong had already shouted grievances: "City God, I'm really wronged! I didn't do anything that harmed heaven and reason, I——"

  Unfortunately, the trial here is not like the trial in the world of Yang. For these arbitrators in the underworld, all people are guilty unless someone has accumulated merits to protect themselves. However, most people who have accumulated merits to protect themselves are virtuous people, and even King Yanluo cannot dispose of them at will. But for ordinary people, it's very easy. As soon as they see the City God, he waves his hand, and a yinshi brings up a mirror. This is the cause-and-effect mirror refined by the City God in imitation of the Mirror Platform. As long as someone stands in front of it, their past life will be reflected, and that's all there is to say to the defendant.

  Without needing to open his mouth, Li Yan Zhong was naturally led in front of the Cause and Effect Mirror. As soon as his name and birth date were entered, a blue light flashed on the mirror, and Li Yan Zhong's shadow appeared inside. At this moment, Li Yan Zhong opened his mouth wide but couldn't say anything. He vaguely felt that something was wrong. Before he could think more, the Cause and Effect Mirror began to change, showing scenes from Li Yan Zhong's life since birth.

  As a child, he smashed bowls and cursed at his parents. As he grew older, he abused cats, dogs, snakes, and insects. Later on, he got into fights and peeked at girls in the bathroom. All these events appeared in the mirror. Then, Li Yan Zhong got married. His elderly parents were left alone in their old house with dim lighting, ignored by everyone.

  The scene flashed again, showing Li Yan Zhong standing in a spacious room, not luxurious but living quite comfortably. Another flash showed him sitting in a hotel, drinking Maotai and eating delicacies, which was a stark contrast to his elderly parents who were eating plain rice and vegetables at home.

  The screen flashed, and Li Yan Zhong was in a room with a woman having an affair, who was his female subordinate. The scene changed again, and it became a different scenario, one after another, all of which were Li Yan Zhong's actions: accepting bribes, causing the bridge to collapse due to greed for money, various things flashed by, Li Yan Zhong's face turned pale, finally freezing on the scene where he had just received a report from the Public Security Bureau about his son's matter. Then, Li Yan Zhong hinted at making me a scapegoat in that scene.

  At this point, Li Yan Zhong no longer had the strength to shout grievances, and he just sat there stupidly. Even he himself couldn't believe that he had done so many bad things, and in the underworld, it was impossible to hide them. What could be said? As he was thinking wildly, Cheng Huang suddenly let out a sound, waved his hand, and the mirror changed again, revealing the scenery of the eighteen layers of hell. There were those who were disembowelled, those whose heads were cut off and tongues pulled out, those whose hearts were dug out and lungs scooped out, those who climbed knife mountains and descended into oil pots, and also those who rolled on knife wheels, one after another. The sight made people's hearts tremble with fear.

  Li Yanzhong had already become senile, only trembling and panting heavily as he sat on the ground, but suddenly heard Cheng Huan say: "Li Yanzhong, do you still have anything to say?"

  Li Yanzhong didn't react, but still had something to say. He was just trembling all over and making a loud noise in his throat. This appearance was only because he was scared out of his wits. He was afraid that when he did bad things, he never thought there would be such a day. Now seeing the future outcome, in his heart, apart from being frightened, it was regretful. Not only did he not answer Cheng Huang's words, but suddenly asked: "Cheng Huang Ye, if I had worked hard to do good deeds, I wonder if...?"

  "Infinite Buddha, without a mind for evil, even if evil is not punished, with a mind for good, even if good is not rewarded. All things have cause and effect, and you will eventually have to repay the consequences of your own actions." The master suddenly said, "If there is great kindness and merit to protect oneself, then some evil deeds do not need to be punished. Taoism emphasizes enlightening the world, even great evildoers are the same, if they can persuade people to become good, it is a merit. This is what Taoism wants: 'In fact, you don't have to think too much, when the big flood occurred in Hu Yang, you also risked your life to save people in the water for three days and two nights, with merit to protect yourself, the balance of good and evil will not result in such a severe punishment. Do you understand now?'"

  Although the master's heart was good, Cheng Huan and Wang Qianqiu both had a look of disapproval on their faces, apparently somewhat disdainful of the master, but unaware that this had already become one of the master's habitual instincts. Unintentionally catching sight of Wang Qianqiu's appearance beside him, he suddenly came to his senses, only to sigh bitterly and strike up a conversation before falling silent again.

  Li Yan Zhong's face flashed a hint of complexity, and suddenly the sound of his youth echoed, when he had also vowed to be a useful person, wanting to serve the common people. Indeed, he had done some things, but later changed. Doing good deeds would bring merit and protection, so doing more good deeds in the second half of life might avoid going to the 18th level of hell. With this thought, he calmed down and regained his composure, still kneeling below waiting for Cheng Huang's words.

  Chui Chenghuan shook his head and hummed before looking at Li Yan Zhong: "Your life span is not yet exhausted, the past matters will be temporarily set aside, but now Miao Dao Chang's master and apprentice are right below, you'd better talk about your son's affairs."

  The words had just fallen when a faint shout was heard outside the hall: "Li Chengdong is brought in---"

  As Yin Cha pushed Li Chengdong over, he heard Li Chengdong's arrogant voice: "I'm telling you, don't think that your pretentious behavior can intimidate me. My dad is the deputy secretary of the municipal party committee, so be careful with me!"

  Everyone present couldn't help but smile wryly at these words. What era is this? Li Chengdong is still showing off his father, leaving me speechless. Li Gang is everywhere, and the strangest thing is that Li Yanzhong's heart is filled with indescribable feelings as he listens to his son's boastful words. Is this really the usually well-behaved son?

  Just waiting for Li Chengdong to enter the main hall, as soon as he saw Li Yan Zhong, he was stunned, and after a while, he swallowed his saliva and trembled: "Dad, how are you here?"

  But before Li Yan Zhong could speak, Li Cheng Dong suddenly struggled up, his face showing a look of anger: "Dad, these people are pretending to be ghosts, you still don't call the police to catch them——"

  As soon as the words came out, I and Master and Cui Cheng Huang Wang Qianqiu all laughed. It turned out that we hadn't figured out the situation yet, and were still playing with his official second-generation temper. But Li Yan Zhong was already here, and didn't even think about why he dared to roar, even Li Yan Zhong couldn't bear it anymore. His face sank and he shouted loudly: "Shut up, kneel down for me now."

  Li Chengdong was stunned, and he knew things were not going well. His legs went soft and he knelt down on the ground, looking at his father in a daze, unsure what kind of anger his father had unleashed this time. Without giving Li Yanzhong a chance to speak, Cui Chenghuan slammed his hand on the desk and shouted: "Li Chengdong, do you know your crime?"

  It wasn't until then that Li Chengdong still had a glimmer of luck, and he swallowed his saliva to struggle: "What crime have I committed, why are you arresting me, dad, who are they——"

  "This is the City of Ghosts," said Cui Chengdui calmly, his eyes fixed on Li Chengdong's face with a somewhat gloomy expression: "Li Chengdong, it seems that you are not willing to admit your guilt. Never mind, let me make you understand. The natural world of the underworld knows your crimes. Don't have any illusions here, take a good look."

  With a wave of his sleeve, the cause-and-effect mirror had already flashed through Li Chengdong's deeds from childhood to adulthood. This kid really wasn't a good thing, starting to flirt with female classmates at 11 or 12 years old, and by 14 years old, he knew how to find women. By the time he murdered Zhang Yanqiu, the scene froze, replaying in detail Li Chengdong's actions when he murdered Zhang Yanqiu, including the part where he crashed into a pillar. This left Li Chengdong with his mouth agape and his eyes wide with stupidity.