Who Let Him Cultivate?! (WX)-Chapter 285: I Agree to Sentence the Old Taciturn Scoundrel to the Death Penalty
Chapter 285: I Agree to Sentence the Old Taciturn Scoundrel to the Death Penalty
Mo Danxin[1] was the current governor of Dayan Commandery. His fairness and impartiality earned him the nickname “Justice Mo.”[2] When faced with flattery and bribery from other local factions, he remained unmoved and sternly refused. He also treated mortals and cultivators equally, not giving special treatment to the latter.
Furthermore, at the Intermediate Divine Transfiguration Stage, he possessed the highest cultivation in Dayan Commandery. With the support of the nation’s fortune, no one could threaten his safety.
He also actively developed the tourism industry, creating a unique food culture in Dayan Commandery and attracting more visitors to spend money, thereby stimulating the local economy.
Under his governance, Dayan Commandery flourished.
However, he recently encountered two unexpected events that he felt were beyond his capabilities.
The first matter was the imperial court dispatching troops to be stationed at the waste mountain, reportedly due to the discovery of a diabolic creed’s stronghold. It was unclear whether this was related to the fallen Everlasting Creed or the other three diabolic creeds.
The army was led by Old General Lü, a Fusion cultivator who commanded immense respect in the military. With the old general stationed here, the commandery governor’s worries were allayed.
The second matter was that a heavyweight figure was imprisoned in Dayan Commandery’s jail. It was someone who was second only to the emperor in status, the sect leader of one of the Five Great Immortal Sects, the strongest cultivator below the Transcendent Tribulation Stage, the greatest swordsman of the era, and had enemies all over the world—the Taciturn Daoist Priest.
Fortunately, this big shot was cooperative. Once imprisoned, he would always stay in jail without resistance. If he really did resist, however, Mo Danxin wouldn’t have been able to keep him locked up.
From a legal standpoint, Mo Danxin had jurisdiction over the Taciturn Daoist Priest’s case. Moreover, his offense wasn’t serious, and a few days in prison would suffice. However, Mo Danxin felt that the Taciturn Daoist Priest’s status was too high and that the matter should be reported to the imperial court.
Furthermore, Mo Danxin faced another problem—the Taciturn Daoist Priest was indeed locked up, but he had started storytelling in prison, attracting many fans.
For instance, according to the law, someone who stole a few tales of silver would be imprisoned for five days. With family members delivering meals, the jail cells being warm in winter and cool in summer, and a Fusion expert telling stories next door, those five days in prison passed by in utmost comfort.
Somehow, word of this amazing experience spread, starting a trend. Now, the prison was overflowing with prisoners. To clueless outsiders, they might think that Dayan Commandery was a den of iniquity, with its jail packed to the brim.
If this snowballs into a rumor and reaches the emperor’s ears, all my achievements will go down the drain, and I won’t be able to salvage my tarnished reputation. I mean, who would believe that my prison is overcrowded just because people wanted to listen to a storyteller?
Fortunately, when the imperial court learned of this matter, they took it seriously. The Minister of Justice personally flew to Dayan Commandery to handle the Taciturn Daoist Priest’s case.
“Your Excellency, the Minister of Justice is almost here,” a subordinate whispered.
Mo Danxin hastily changed out of his casual clothes and donned his official robes before going out to receive his guest.
When he stepped out, the Minister of Justice happened to descend from the sky. Not a single servant accompanied him, which showed just how urgent this trip had been.
The Minister of Justice, Xu Xin, was tall and imposing, with sharp facial features, and his brocade robes highlighted his noble status. With his profound understanding of the law, he earned the trust of the Xia Emperor.
“Lord Xu, regarding the matter of the Dao-Seeking Sect’s leader...”
Xu Xin waved his hand. “I’m already aware of the situation. I agree to sentence that old Taciturn scoundrel to the death penalty!”
“Ah? But the leader of the Dao-Seeking Sect is...”
“Death penalty!” Xu Xin declared resolutely.
Seeing how firm Xu Xin’s attitude was, Mo Dan Xin was suddenly reminded of a rumor: it was said that if one randomly tossed a stone at the officials in the imperial capital, chances were it would strike someone who was an enemy of the Taciturn Daoist Priest.
There was even a poem: Who in the world does not know of you?
This referred to the Taciturn Daoist Priest.
“Come on, let’s go see that old Taciturn scoundrel!” Xu Xin dragged Mo Danxin to the prison.
Upon hearing that the Taciturn Daoist Priest was imprisoned in Dayan Commandery, the Minister of Justice had stood his colleagues up and rushed over to watch the spectacle.
~~~
The jail was a hubbub of noise, as if it was filled with vicious criminals causing trouble.
But if one listened carefully, one would realize that someone was telling stories inside the prison.
“Let me tell you about that day when I and Qin Jiunian, First Elder of the Dao-Seeking Sect, were traveling the Central Continent. Using our Heavenly Eye, we discovered a tomb emitting a surge of corpse energy. With a quick calculation, I determined that a jiangshi king must have been born there!
“Originally, we wanted to return to the sect to gather reinforcements and surround the jiangshi king. Unfortunately, the jiangshi king detected us and tried to escape through the ground!
“In the blink of an eye, I took the initiative and unleashed the move ‘Flying Celestial Sword,’[3] breaking through the layers of seals and the thick earth of the tomb, effectively cutting off the jiangshi king’s escape route.
“In response, the jiangshi king led a horde of jiangshi to attack us!
“But who are Qiu Jinian and I? We are the sect leader and First Elder of the Dao-Seeking Sect! How could a mere jiangshi king hope to defeat us?
“The jiangshi king revealed its true form as a hanba drought demon that dried up a thousand li of land and connected with the underground fires, turning heaven and earth into a sea of flames!
“With a single strike of my sword, the winds and clouds stirred, and the heavens and earth darkened. Qin Jiunian manifested his dharma body, whose single finger was as thick as a mountain.”
The prisoners fixed their gazes on the Taciturn Daoist Priest, holding their breath for fear of disturbing him.
The Taciturn Daoist Priest spoke with cadence and rhythm, vividly recounting events that never happened, while his audience felt as if they were right at the scene, witnessing the battle.
Xu Xin’s expression turned odd. If I remember correctly, the old Taciturn scoundrel and First Elder Qin had been digging to build a tomb when they accidentally discovered a real one, leading them to be mistaken for grave robbers.
What jiangshi king? What hanba drought demon?
It’s only been a few years since I last saw him, and the old Taciturn scoundrel’s ability to spin tall tales has grown so much!
Xu Xin gritted his teeth as he recalled the many times he was tricked and sabotaged by the Taciturn Daoist Priest.
Finally, you’ve fallen into my hands!
“Old Taciturn scoundrel, you’re having quite a cushy time, eh?!” Xu Xin beamed at the Taciturn Daoist Priest.
The prisoners turned to look at Xu Xin with anger burning in their eyes, finding this man incredibly rude for interrupting their storytelling session. Upon noticing Xu Xin’s luxurious robes and Governor Mo following behind, they realized Xu Xin was a high-ranking official, though they didn’t know how high a rank it was.
The Taciturn Daoist Priest laughed heartily when he saw Xu Xin. “Let me introduce everyone to Lord Xu, the Minister of Justice!”
“Old Taciturn scoundrel, I advise you to show me some respect. One word from me is all it takes to decide whether you’re locked up for ten days or ten years!”
Mo Danxin whispered, “Lord Xu, this should be determined by the criminal law.”
Xu Xin turned back to glare at Mo Danxin, who hurriedly lowered his head. Then, Xu Xin turned back to the Taciturn Daoist Priest, resuming his smiling demeanor.
Even though the Taciturn Daoist Priest was behind bars, he retained every bit of his Daoist and immortal-like deportment. “What do you want from me? Shall we go outside and have a real fight? If I win, you let me go? And if I lose, you can lock me up for as long as you want?”
Xu Xin instantly slammed the table. “It’s a deal!”
Although I was defeated by the Taciturn Daoist Priest at the Golden Core, Nascent Soul, and Divine Transfiguration stages, I am now the almighty Minister of Justice and have subdued countless fiendish criminals. In terms of cultivation and combat experience, I’m not afraid of the Taciturn Daoist Priest! freeweɓnøvel.com
Xu Xin yanked away the chains and opened the door to the prison cell. “Come out!”
The Taciturn Daoist Priest wore a faint smile. “Lord Mo, you saw everything, right? I wanted to break out of prison, and Lord Xu agreed to my jailbreak plan. He even personally opened the cell door for me. I’m the principal offender, and he’s the accomplice. Lock him up too.”
Mo Dan Xin pondered for two seconds, then stepped forward and gestured politely. “The Dao-Seeking Sect’s leader makes a valid point. Lord Xu, you have openly committed a crime in my presence. Please head inside.”
Xu Xin, “...”
Old Taciturn scoundrel, how the hell are you still able to screw me over when you’re in jail?!
1. When you read the name, it sounds exactly the same as “don’t worry” in historical settings, though the separate characters for the name are actually “not,” “pill,” and “heart.” ☜
2. I’m following how the official Bao Zheng was nicknamed “Justice Bao.” The title in Chinese is “qingtian,” which translates directly to azure skies, and it refers to upright and just officials. ☜
3. This sword technique is likely adapted from the one in Gu Long’s novels. ☜
