Journey to the West: Starting with the True Lord of the Pure Land

Subsequently, the heads of the various departments of Thunder, Fire, Plague, and War, as well as the heads of the departments of the Five Sacred Mountains and the Ten Directions, all stepped forward in order to report on the affairs under their jurisdiction.

Slaying demons and monsters, regulating yin and yang, spreading plagues and controlling epidemics, monitoring the lower realms—all these duties are meticulously analyzed, and there is data to support their merits and demerits.

The only sound in the hall was the clear and resounding report, while the other immortals and gods listened quietly with their eyes lowered.

It's the water department's turn.

The Water Deity, dressed in a light blue cloud-patterned immortal robe and holding a jade tablet, stepped forward to report.

What he talked about mostly concerned the cycle of the four seas, the rise and fall of water levels in rivers and lakes, and the scheduling of cloud formations and rainfall.

However, just as the routine report was about to end, the Water Deity Star Lord paused in his speech.

"The above are the standard duties of the Ministry of Water Resources. However..."

The hall was so quiet you could hear a pin drop; all the immortals and gods knew this, and now came the crucial moment.

The Water Deity Star Lord's indigo face was solemn as he spoke in a deep voice:

"However, there is another matter concerning the Ministry of Water Resources, which is of great importance and needs to be explained in court."

Recently, the essence of the Weak Water in the Milky Way was stolen and erupted in the East Sea region of the lower realm, causing a calamity of overflowing Weak Water and harming the living beings of the lower realm.

The details of the cause and effect, the specific facts of the case, and the relevant laws of nature have been handed over to the special department for investigation and assessment, and I dare not overstep my bounds.

However, the head of the Water Patrol and Investigation Division under the Ministry of Water is involved in the case. As his superior, I failed to supervise him properly and neglected my duties. I earnestly request the Great Heavenly Venerable and all the celestial immortals to investigate this matter thoroughly.

After the Water Deity finished his presentation, he returned to his original position.

The Water Patrol and Investigation Division was a special office under the Ministry of Water Resources responsible for monitoring abnormal watercourses. If the head of the division was involved in a case, the head of the Ministry of Water Resources would indeed bear joint responsibility.

The Lingxiao Palace was completely silent.

The matter of the Weak Water is known to be the core of today's court meeting. Now that it has been formally mentioned by the relevant department, it signifies the start of public discussion.

The Jade Emperor, seated regally on his throne, his crown tassels swaying slightly. After a brief silence, his gaze, seemingly encompassing all the heavens and realms, swept over the assembled figures. He then spoke calmly, his voice like celestial music descending from the heavens:

"I am already aware of the calamity that will befall the Weak Water."

This has brought calamity to the mortal realm and disturbed both the realms of the living and the dead. Dragon King of the East Sea, Ten Kings of Hell, do you have anything to report?

Ao Guang, the Dragon King of the East Sea, hurriedly stepped forward, walked to the center of the hall, and bowed deeply before the throne, his voice filled with unconcealed heaviness and fear:

"Your subject Ao Guang reports to the Great Heavenly Venerable."

The Weak Water originates within my jurisdiction, erupting from the earth's veins in the Flowing Clouds Sea region of the East China Sea.

Wherever it went, aquatic creatures withered, the seas became polluted, and spiritual energy dissipated.

We, your humble servants, along with the deities of the Four Seas Dragon Palace and all the water palaces under your command, have been working diligently to regulate the waterways and appease all living beings.

Fortunately, with the strong assistance of the gods of the Thunder Department who control rain, thunder, and wind, and thanks to the boundless grace of Heaven, the spiritual energy damaged in the East Sea has now recovered by seventy or eighty percent.

However, the treacherous and poisonous energy of the Weak Water still lingers, eroding the earth's veins and water essence, and cannot be completely eliminated in a short period of time.

We have already set up a water purification array to gradually dissipate the evil influences. Given time, we should be able to complete the task.

"Your Majesty, I, Zhenhai, have failed in my duty of oversight. This crime deserves ten thousand deaths. I humbly beg the Great Heavenly Venerable to punish me!"

After speaking, he kowtowed and did not rise.

Immediately afterwards, King Qin Guang, the head of the Ten Kings of Hell, stepped forward and reported:

"Your subject, King Qin Guang, respectfully reports to the Great Heavenly Venerable."

The Weak Water raged, and countless lives were lost.

Since the calamity began, the underworld has been overrun with ghosts, and the malevolent spirits and resentment have disrupted the order of yin and yang.

The Book of Life and Death has been filled with countless new variables.

The number of those who perished both body and soul is countless, and the number of wronged souls who died unjustly is estimated at 8,937,621.

Most of their souls were eroded by the Yin energy of the Weak Water, leaving them incomplete and unable to return to the cycle of reincarnation. They remained before the Mirror of Karma, wailing incessantly.

This is a catastrophe of immense magnitude, far surpassing ordinary wars and plagues. Although the gods of the underworld have tried their best to appease and guide, the unresolved case will cause unrest in the netherworld and also damage the virtue of Heaven's benevolence towards life.

"It is our duty, and we dare not conceal anything. We humbly submit to Your Majesty's judgment."

The Dragon King spoke of the devastation of life, and the King of Hell lamented the disorder of Yin and Yang. Through the contrast of water and darkness, the tragic consequences of the calamity of the Weak Water were vividly and coldly presented to all the gods and immortals.

The atmosphere inside the hall suddenly plummeted to freezing point.

Many deities and immortals looked solemn, especially those with followers and temples in the mortal realm, whose brows were furrowed.

A faint sigh could be heard from inside the hall.

The number of 8,937,621 wrongfully killed souls, uttered by King Qin Guang, was cold and certain, yet as heavy as a mountain.

The usual warm smiles on the faces of the Three Star Gods of Fortune, Prosperity, and Longevity had vanished, replaced by expressions of unbearable sorrow.

Guanyin Bodhisattva also lowered her head and clasped her hands together, silently reciting the Buddha's name, her eyes filled with even deeper compassion.

These enormous and precise figures would move even the gods and immortals to tears.

The Jade Emperor remained silent for a moment, his gaze seemingly sweeping across the hall, before finally speaking:

"Regarding the Ruoshui case, I have already dispatched people to investigate. What is the current situation? Who is in charge?"

Venus, standing beside the throne, holding a whisk, stepped forward half a step and bowed in return:

"Reporting to the Great Heavenly Venerable: The sudden occurrence of the Weak Water has shaken the Three Realms. After the incident, a decree has been issued ordering the Thunder Department to investigate thoroughly, to uncover the truth, and to bring the perpetrators to justice."

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Currently, the investigation, arrest, and handling of this matter are being overseen by Huangtian Shulei Mansion and Huangtian Jingfa Zhenjun.

"The True Lord of Pacifying Law has submitted several reports to the Thunder Department and the Hall of Enlightenment, so he must have a complete plan."

"Chen Qing."

The voice fell from the throne, naming names.

"Your subject is here."

Chen Jiao steadily stepped out of the ranks of the Thunder Department, walked to the side of Ao Guang and King Qin Guang, and bowed respectfully towards the throne.

Amidst boundless auspicious light, the Jade Emperor lowered his gaze slightly, fixing it on Chen Jiao, and slowly said:

"Report the whole story of this case truthfully."

Chen Jiao's gaze was calm and sharp. He spoke loudly, his voice carrying the penetrating power of metal and thunder, instantly suppressing all the subtle noises in the hall.

"Your subject is hereby appointed by the decree of the Great Heavenly Venerable and the order of the Thunder Department to take charge of the Weak Water case."

Together with the departments of Thunder Investigation, Dipper Observation, and Water Source Tracing, they also reviewed relevant celestial laws and departmental records.

They re-examined the records of the geomantic veins and the weak waters of the Milky Way in the East China Sea Liuyun area, summoned relevant officials with knowledge of the matter, and interrogated the detainees.

Based on the facts that have been ascertained, the evidence obtained, the confessions of those involved, and the final sentencing, this report is submitted to Your Majesty.

We beseech the Great Heavenly Venerable to make the final judgment, and also request the participation of all celestial beings and immortals.

Chen Jiao paused briefly, his gaze sweeping over the various expressions on the faces of the immortals, before continuing in a deep voice:

"The root of this case lies in the theft of the essence of the Weak Water in the Milky Way. Upon investigation, it was found that the thief of the essence of the Weak Water was the head of the Water Patrol and Investigation Division, the constellation of the Leopard Star of the Ji Water."

Taking advantage of his position, he exploited a gap in supervision, stole the essence of the Weak Water, and concealed it without reporting it.

After succeeding, he hid the essence of the Weak Water atop an underground fire vein in the Flowing Clouds Sea of ​​the East China Sea.

"Afterwards, Ji Shuibao, together with Shen, Bi, and Zhen, three star lords who belong to the Water Constellation, abandoned their posts and left the Heavenly Realm without permission. They also recruited a sword-wielding immortal official from the Water Patrol and Investigation Division as their henchmen."

Hidden in the sea, a malevolent array was set up to suppress the earth's fire, causing it to boil violently and surge upwards, impacting the essence of the Weak Water and ultimately triggering its eruption, which brought calamity to the East Sea.

"When the Weak Water erupted, the four hidden star lords, Rahu, Ketu, Ziqi, and Yuebo, in their respective positions in the sky, drew upon the power of their natal stars."

They intended to amplify the power of the Weak Waters, hoping to sweep across the world and cause even greater calamity.

Chen Jiao spoke calmly, meticulously dissecting the chain of crimes involving theft, concealment, committing the crime in the mortal realm, and receiving help from the heavens, revealing each layer of the truth.

Each word struck like a heavy hammer in the silent hall, resonating in the hearts of all the immortals.

He made no embellishments or stated his motives, only presenting the facts he had verified.

However, the audacity, collusion from within and without, and the implied chaos in the three realms have already sent chills down the spines of many immortals and gods.

"After the incident, I led the Shulei Prefecture and the Exorcism Bureau to the mortal realm to suppress the Weak Water and apprehend the perpetrators."

The four hidden star lords, including Rahu, who were sent to receive the emperor, openly defied the law and attempted to obstruct the process. They were executed on the spot according to the law, their bodies and spirits scattered.

The words "annihilate" resonated like the clang of metal on the ground, stirring up invisible ripples in the hall.

Many immortals and gods were secretly alarmed.

Although there had been rumors beforehand, hearing this True Lord speak so calmly before the Great Heavenly Venerable about annihilating the four Great Star Lords was still chilling in its resolve and courage.

The divine light emanating from the Sun Emperor, which was so intense it was impossible to look directly at, suddenly dimmed, then blazed brightly again, his face so gloomy it seemed to drip water.

Many of the star lords and officials in the Doubu formation suddenly changed their expressions.

Several celestial officials who had close ties with the Four Hidden Star Lords subconsciously held their breath, feeling a strange chill creep up their necks.

His gaze was lowered, not daring to look at the solemnly standing Jingfa Zhenjun in his black robe.

We were once ministers in the same court, and even though we had disagreements, I never imagined that we would end up in such a cruel state.

Even with an immortal divine body and the esteemed position of a star lord, it seems that one is not entirely invincible before this Radiant Heavenly Law-Pacifying True Lord who governs the punishments of heaven.

Chen Jiao, disregarding their thoughts, continued his report:

"The main culprits from the lower realm—Ji Shui Bao, Shen Shui Yuan, Bi Shui Yu, and Zhen Shui Yin—along with the accomplice, Zhang Jian Xian Guan, have all been captured and are now imprisoned in the Heavenly Prison, awaiting their fate."

"The essence of the Weak Water has been recovered, the remaining Weak Water has been channeled, and the follow-up work is still underway."

This case involves celestial officials and constellations who colluded to commit evil; the evidence is conclusive. I have already submitted a detailed report, and all relevant files, evidence, and confessions have been sealed and are available for future reference.

Having said that, Chen Jiao once again faced the throne and bowed respectfully:

"Your Majesty, your report is complete."

Inside the main hall, there was a deathly silence.

Only Chen Jiao's clear and steady voice seemed to still slowly echo among the seventy-two coiled dragon golden pillars.

He stood in the center of the platform, dressed in a black robe, calmly enduring the gazes from all directions.

On his throne, the Jade Emperor's crown tassels trembled slightly, and his gaze fell.

Beside the steps of the imperial palace, the gray-robed Grand Master Xuandu remained seated with his eyes closed, as if he had not heard anything.

The world depicted by Hengyang Yanqu can be found in "Journey to the West: Starting with Jingfa Zhenjun".