Judge of Souls-Chapter 28 - Night Banquet

The Mirror of Sins was located on the right side of the First Hall’s Judgment Hall, hanging toward the east. The platform was ten feet high, and the mirror was ten spans in circumference.

King Yama raised his hand, and Ye Lin was the first to float up.

He stood on the high platform and looked into the mirror.

It was his first time seeing himself after death, and he was terrified, his liver and gallbladder splitting with fear, his stomach churning with nausea. Around him, there were several blurry shadowy figures. Their faces seemed vaguely familiar, yet he couldn’t place them. These people looked at him with ferocious expressions, then opened their mouths and began to gnaw at his neck and arms.

Ye Lin screamed loudly but was swatted away by White Impermanence’s sleeve.

The Judge had the Register of Merits and Demerits floating above his left palm. The pages began to turn as he coldly recorded, “Criminal Ye Lin, instigated litigation, shifted misfortune to others, defiled women, and deceived the masses. Sought ill-gotten wealth with no remorse. Cast into the Black Rope Hell of the Third Hall. After serving his sentence, transfer to the Fourth Hall for further judgment.”

Immediately, Ye Lin was bound by layers of chains, and a large black hole appeared in the ground, from which countless withered white hands extended. His face showed extreme terror. Despite his struggles, he was dragged into the Hell of the Third Hall.

King Yama: “Next.”

White Impermanence looked at Ye Feng, who said in fear, “I won’t go, I won’t go!”

Black Impermanence smiled. “That’s not up to you.”

After speaking, he threw him onto the platform.

The crowd below didn’t know what he saw, but Ye Feng immediately went mad, trying to escape.

The Judge said solemnly, “Criminal Ye Feng, miserly and greedy, murdered for wealth, obstinate and unrepentant, slandered others, defied elders, falsely accused and extorted. Sentenced to the Third Hall. After serving his sentence, further judgment will be passed. Go!”

With that, Ye Feng was similarly marked and dragged into the Great Hell to suffer his punishment.

Judge: “Next.”

White Impermanence: “The Zhou couple.”

Mr. and Mrs. Zhou shook their heads anxiously, but unable to speak, they knelt behind the Judge begging for mercy.

White Impermanence said, “Then you can go up together.”

The two were thrown up together.

The Judge glanced at them, looked at the Register of Merits and Demerits, and said, “Abandoned your own child, falsely accused others, committed violent harm, showed no remorse. Twenty years of mortal life and fortune shall be reduced. Specific crimes will be judged after death.”

Mr. and Mrs. Zhou silently wept. Since they were still living souls, they couldn’t be dragged into Hell. After a while, they would be sent back to the mortal world. Now they were beaten down from the platform by Black and White Impermanence.

As soon as they came down, they immediately knelt before Zhou Yi’an, looking at her with tear-filled eyes, bowing their heads to apologize.

Zhou Yi’an withdrew her hand, stood behind Chu Maoxian, turned her head away, and spoke words of despair. “I will never forgive you.”

White Impermanence called out again. “Next!”

Hearing one after another meeting bad ends, Chu Maoxian and Zhou Yi’an watched from below, feeling very anxious.

Would this Mirror of Sins reveal something strange for everyone?

Tao Yuan said, “I’ll go first.”

He stood on the platform, looking at the scene in the mirror, his back straight, showing no fear.

The Judge said, “Tao Yuan, lingered in the mortal world after death, killed two people, but causes can be traced, good and evil are balanced. Banished to the riverside for twenty years, then sent to the Fifth Hall for further judgment.”

Tao Yuan bowed to everyone, and then, directed by White Impermanence, headed toward his place of punishment.

He looked back at Zhou Yi’an one last time, nodding and smiling lightly at her.

White Impermanence looked at Zhou Yi’an again and said, “Your turn.”

Chu Maoxian gripped Zhou Yi’an’s hand tightly, refusing to let go.

The Judge said, “In the mortal world, those connected by cause and effect will have their punishments lessened. Tao Yuan died because of Ye Feng, and then killed to save you. The Ye father and son committed evil first, so his revenge is part of karmic retribution, thus his punishment is not severe. If you have nothing to fear in your conscience, there’s nothing to be afraid of.”

Zhou Yi’an released Chu Maoxian’s hand and went up.

Zhou Yi’an opened her eyes, stared at the mirror for a few seconds, then burst into tears, frightening Chu Maoxian.

Inside was completely empty, with no human figure at all.

The Judge said, “No good person stands before the Mirror of Sins. You may come down.”

Chu Maoxian’s heart suddenly relaxed, feeling there was nothing to fear. Thinking himself to be an upright good person, he voluntarily walked up after Zhou Yi’an came down.

“Chu Maoxian,” the Judge called to him.

Chu Maoxian was startled, turning back nervously. “What?”

Judge: “Don’t look if there’s nothing wrong.”

Chu Maoxian: “Huh?”

White Impermanence said exasperatedly, “The Judge means, why are you looking when there’s nothing wrong? This isn’t an ordinary mirror, hurry back.”

Chu Maoxian: “……”

In the Netherworld, there is Meng Po’s soup. White Impermanence had already prepared the potion, bringing it before the Judge.

The Judge dipped two fingers, moistening them, and flicked droplets onto everyone.

Chu Maoxian stuck out his tongue and licked it.

The Judge said, “Today’s events shall be like a big dream. Remember the lesson, do not commit evil.”

This way they wouldn’t forget past events entirely, but today’s occurrences would be hazy. It would be vague, dreamlike, with only slight impressions.

Just as everyone was about to leave, a male voice suddenly sounded from above the hall.

White Impermanence sighed.

King Qinguang said, “King Yama, long time no see, how are you?”

King Yama: “King Qinguang, you’re in the hall today?”

“I’ve been here all along,” King Qinguang said, “your ghosts are too noisy.”

King Yama said, “Not to disturb, we’re leaving now.”

“It’s not a disturbance,” King Qinguang said. “Lend me Ma Shiluo who just arrived in your hall. I heard she’s really good at cards.”

King Yama: “Not lending.”

King Qinguang: “Then call back Luo Xiaomei whom you sent to Meng Po, Meng Po doesn’t talk to me anymore.”

King Yama: “Not calling.”

King Qinguang said, “I didn’t report that your Judge’s brush went missing.”

King Yama remembered, turned back and said, “Judge, I was just about to remind you, there are several counterfeit judge’s brushes in the mortal world, you should be vigilant. The mortal world is not peaceful these days, you can find human cultivators to investigate.”

The Judge nodded. “I already anticipated this.”

King Qinguang said again, “King Yama, King Yama, then stay and chat with me.”

King Yama angrily said, “No! This lord refuses! You are so annoying!”

He turned back and shouted, “Judge——”

Behind him was empty; the Judge and the Impermanences were all gone, leaving only him.

King Yama: “……”

****

When Jiang Feng returned to the house, he sat on the sofa for a long time. He felt this sensation was peculiar, with vague memories remaining, yet he couldn’t articulate what they were.

He raised both hands, fingers slightly curved.

Something was missing; there should have been some object that never left his hands.

Jiang Feng recalled Yama calling him “Judge”…

Could it be true?

By the way, Yama had disappeared too.

Although Chu Maoxian didn’t remember much, he still insisted on paying the three million, feeling that if he didn’t pay, he would be uneasy, as if he were cheating Yama or the Judge out of money, making his hair stand on end.

Chu Xuanliang and Officer Ye knew; they hadn’t been taken to the Netherworld, but they had witnessed the whole event. After hearing the reflections, their expressions were quite complex.

Chu Xuanliang transferred the promised million to Jiang Feng, practically begging on his knees for him to accept it, and Jiang Feng finally reluctantly agreed.

Officer Ye, whenever recalling this scene, wanted to slap both of them.

Give it to me! Please humiliate me like this! Why do you hurt me this way!

Jiang Feng became a millionaire overnight, yet still returned to school to attend classes and deliver food, working a part-time job that paid just over a thousand per month.

What could one million buy nowadays? One million couldn’t even buy a house!

Recently the weather had cooled down, but it wasn’t too cold, so delivering food wasn’t tiring.

Jiang Feng took the order and food box from the store and arrived at the boys’ dormitory.

He entered the number in his phone, and the contact’s name automatically appeared. He decided not to call and just deliver it directly.

Zhang Yangyang was playing games with his roommate in the dorm, sweating and enjoying himself immensely. Seeing Jiang Feng arrive, he finally spared some attention for him, saying, “Hey, Jiang Feng, you’re here.”

His hands didn’t stop as he said, “Come, come, I’m helping in a battle, I’m about to burst from needing to pee, cover for me for a bit!”

Jiang Feng hadn’t played online games before. “How do I play?”

Zhang Yangyang: “Just press 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 to use skills… Just play however, if you die it’s the healer’s fault, if we lose it’s the team’s fault. I’ve got your back!”

His teammate looked back resentfully. “…What did I do to deserve being on a team with you?”

Zhang Yangyang clicked the mouse. “Hurry, hurry! I really can’t hold it, my bladder’s about to explode, please!”

Jiang Feng went over to take his place, taking the keyboard.

Zhang Yangyang gratefully said, “Thanks, brother!”

The sourc𝗲 of this content is frёeωebɳovel.com.

Zhang Yangyang’s roommate turned and asked, “Hey, have you played online games before? Do you know what skill cooldown is? Right, right, you can only use skills when the glow is bright. So you need to coordinate big and small skills.”

Jiang Feng studied the computer screen seriously. On screen, health bars rose and fell, quite exciting.

The roommate added. “Run, run! Click the mouse where you want your character to go, don’t let them target you, dodge their attacks. Pick up everything you see, all the drops from deaths are treasures now.”

Jiang Feng quickly learned and studied in depth.

Zhang Yangyang came back after relieving himself, his entire soul elevated. Standing behind Jiang Feng, he watched for a while and said approvingly, “Your moves are very stylish, have you played before?”

Jiang Feng said, “No.”

Zhang Yangyang boasted. “Then you’re really good! Given time, you’ll definitely become a master!”

He actually forgot what his own performance was like as a beginner, but people tend to beautify their past after achieving glory. Deep down, he always felt he was an unparalleled genius from the start.

Beginner phase? Doesn’t exist.

Zhang Yangyang relaxed and entrusted the task to him. “Keep playing, let me eat my lunch first. Oh my god, I’m starving.”

Zhang Yangyang went to open the food container, sighing. “I can’t control myself, this trash game is ruining my youth!”

Jiang Feng found it quite interesting and asked, “How much does this computer cost?”

“You want to buy a computer?” Zhang Yangyang tilted his head and said, “I know people. If you’re renting your own place, I suggest buying a desktop. I’ll help you assemble it. Two or three thousand yuan can get you a nice one that can run this game well.”

Jiang Feng hadn’t expected it to be so cheap and nodded. “Good.”

Zhang Yangyang: “Then I’ll take you to the computer market to see my friend this weekend. If you don’t have enough money, we brothers can lend you some, and we can form a team together!”

The roommate timely added. “You can make money from games too! I think it’s more profitable than delivering food. I earned over three thousand last month!”

Jiang Feng raised an eyebrow.

That impressive?

On screen, Jiang Feng performed a triple jump to escape the encirclement, using Z-pattern movement to escape death.

“Daddy Jiang!” the roommate shouted, “Holy sh*t, you’re amazing!”

Jiang Feng: “Interesting.”

The roommate suddenly slapped the table and shouted. “Damn, this guy is cursing!”

Jiang Feng finally noticed the game interface in the lower left corner, where someone was shouting: [Giving You Some Sunshine, ￥……%&! Do you even know how to play? Stealing my stuff! @#￥]

Jiang Feng looked at the character information.

Isn’t that him?

Zhang Yangyang immediately rushed over, saw the ID, and with red eyes said, “This bastard again? Move aside! Let me handle this!”

[World Chat] Giving You Some Sunshine: [The dog who stole my monster last time dares to speak?]

[World Chat] Ten Steps One Fool: [I’ll **** your ancestors @#￥]

[Megaphone] Giving You Some Sunshine: [Yes I stole it, what are you going to do! If you’ve got the ability, come **** after you die! Watch your mouth!]

[Megaphone] Ten Steps One Fool: [My mouth is much cleaner than yours, your tongue wouldn’t be clean even if you cut it off!]

The two spent money to use the megaphone feature for a while, cursing heatedly, when suddenly the person called Ten Steps One Fool went silent.

[Megaphone] Giving You Some Sunshine: [Hey, come out! If you have the guts to curse, have the guts to continue!]

[Megaphone] Giving You Some Sunshine: [Where are you, bastard?]

“No courage, right?” Zhang Yangyang wiped his lips. “Ignore him, keep playing. This game has all kinds of birds.”

Jiang Feng: “……”

Zhang Yangyang said, “Don’t be afraid of me, men who play games all have two faces. It’s annoying.”

Jiang Feng: “……”

Zhang Yangyang continued eating his lunch. Not long after, the roommate shouted loudly, “Holy sh*t, Zhang Yangyang! What are you doing?!”

Jiang Feng looked over.

Zhang Yangyang was horrified, one hand grabbing his tongue, the other holding scissors, about to cut off his own tongue.

He looked at the two for help, his whole body shaking, as if he couldn’t control his body.

Jiang Feng acted immediately, pouncing over and pinning him to the ground. The scissors fell with a clatter. Zhang Yangyang finally could make a sound.

“That scared me to death!!” Zhang Yangyang, a grown man, burst into tears. “Laozi was possessed!”

TN:

老子 Laozi=I, me