Chapter Forty: Interrogation

South City of Yinbei, within the Ghost Magistrate’s Court.

A ghost judge, his face as dark as lacquer and brimming with anger, sat at the high bench. On either side below him stood ghost soldiers clad in armor, gripping axes and blades, while beneath the court, three figures—Xi Chunxue and her companions—were ensnared within a net of dark silk.

“My lord, when did you request a Book of Life and Death from the Judge of Yin Law at the Yama Hall? Moreover, matters concerning these three wild ghosts should not fall under the jurisdiction of the Yin Law Office, but rather, ought to be referred to the Judge of the Punishment Office.”

Beside the ghost judge sat a ghost clerk in green robes, whispering softly to him.

“What, must I report my every action to you?! Who is the ghost judge of Yinbei City—you or me?! Perhaps you should come and take this seat yourself?!”

The ghost judge’s round eyes flashed fiercely, his beard quivering, startling the clerk into silence, his body trembling as he dared not utter another word.

“Bring them to court!”

Seeing the clerk finally quiet, the ghost judge cast his gaze downward toward the three below and spoke.

His words left the armored ghost soldiers exchanging uncertain glances, even the Raksha and Yaksha who stood outside the court exchanged curious looks.

“Isn’t something off about the ghost judge today? This city is filled with wandering spirits and wild ghosts; when conflict arises, either one ghost devours another, unseen by others, or the matter is exposed and the culprit is sent to the ghost prison by ghost officers. When has this court ever held a formal session?”

A hint of doubt surfaced on the Yaksha’s fierce visage as he turned to ask the Raksha beside him.

“These three are no ordinary wandering souls. Their three souls and seven spirits are intact: one is the soul of a millennia-old flood dragon, another is protected by Daoist magic, and the last is surrounded by Nine Nether markings. Naturally, different methods are required.”

The red-haired Raksha glanced at the ghost judge atop the bench, yet found no clue.

“But when the judge first ordered Ox-Head and Horse-Face to capture them, he had them thrown straight into the ghost prison. There was no sign of any court session.”

The Yaksha remained puzzled.

“Isn’t it you who’s acting strangely today? I’ve never seen you so doubtful—could it be that person’s magical arts have unnerved you?”

The sheep-headed, green-eyed Raksha laughed, looking at the hairless, humpbacked Yaksha.

“Forget it.”

The Yaksha shook his head, dismissing further thoughts.

Yinbei City lay in the northern part of the continent, at the foot of the shadowed side of the Underworld’s mountain. It was a desolate, impoverished ghost city; no matter how much scheming occurred, little benefit could be gained.

Perhaps he was simply being overly suspicious.

The ghost judge had no inkling that his call to court had stirred a storm of thoughts among the spirits below. He casually picked up a sheet of yellow paper from the desk before him.

Was this what the Book of Life and Death from the Yin Law Office looked like?

The green-robed clerk stole a glance at the yellow paper, suspicion flickering in his heart. But he was only an ordinary ghost clerk, having never seen the genuine Book of Life and Death, and could only lament his own lack of experience.

“Xi Chunxue, native of Baigu City in Shanquing Prefecture. Since childhood, you entered the Langhuan Palace to cultivate Daoist arts. Your lifespan should reach a hundred years, yet you are only twenty-six now; your life should not have ended yet. Have I spoken incorrectly?”

The ghost judge stared at the blank yellow paper before him and questioned Xi Chunxue below.

Hearing the judge speak, Xi Chunxue lifted her head and scrutinized his angry, round eyes, hesitating before nodding slowly.

She had cultivated Daoist arts at Langhuan Palace for twenty-six years—how could she only be twenty-six now? Was the Book of Life and Death on the judge’s desk a forgery?

But if it were fake, how could he so clearly state her name and origins?

“Next is Qu Hanchen, from Qujia Village, Puyu County, Weiqi Prefecture, Northern Netherland. Have I spoken incorrectly?”

The judge looked at Qu Hanchen, who opened his right eye, and questioned him.

Qu Hanchen nodded. As he expected the judge to continue, he found the judge’s gaze had already shifted to the restless Duan Lingqi, trapped within the dark net.

“This evil flood dragon, named Duan Lingqi, was originally a yellow python from Dongxu Mountain. By chance, it awakened its intelligence, cultivated for a thousand years, and transformed from python to dragon...”

The judge began coldly, but Duan Lingqi interrupted him before he could finish.

“My lifespan is not yet ended, and I have been granted fortune by an immortal. What right does a petty ghost judge have to try me?! Release me at once, lest I have the immortal report to the Yama Hall and the Ten Kings of Hell, and accuse you of violating the laws of the underworld!”

Duan Lingqi, defiant as ever, bared his fangs at the judge.

“Blades and axes, attend!”

With a sweep of his sleeve, the judge tossed a token from his desk’s bamboo tube and spoke coldly.

At once, the ghost soldiers on either side brought their axes and blades down upon Duan Lingqi’s vast, true form. Though no blood was spilled, sparks flew as scales were struck, the blows causing him to writhe in pain.

Fortunately, the net was large enough that Xi Chunxue had already pulled Qu Hanchen aside, sparing them from accidental harm.

“The order of the records in this Book of Life and Death seems off. You were asked your origin and age, but I was not; when Duan Lingqi was questioned, only the mountain was mentioned, not the prefecture.”

Qu Hanchen whispered.

He had served as a prison guard in Bi Zhen Prison for three years and had visited the Records Office, seeing many books and registries. Was the underworld’s documentation so different from that of the living world?

“I have never seen the Book of Life and Death, nor the Book of Mortal Dust, but this judge is acting very strangely.”

Xi Chunxue raised her eyes to the bench and whispered back.

“What are you two whispering about below?! Are you discussing the ghostly artifact you stole?!”

As Xi Chunxue looked up at the judge, his angry, round eyes locked onto her, his voice suddenly rising in accusation.

Could she have overthought it? Was the judge not that handsome man in disguise?

Xi Chunxue and Qu Hanchen bowed low, confusion swirling in their hearts.

“It seems you two have nothing left to argue. Imprison them together in the ghost cart—this official shall personally escort them to the Yama Hall and see what defense they offer before the Four Great Judges!”

The judge tossed another token from the bamboo tube, his voice booming.

Upon hearing the order, the green-robed clerk chuckled quietly. So the judge still sought scapegoats—whoever had stolen the ghostly artifact remained a mystery.

Xi Chunxue and Qu Hanchen looked up sharply at the judge’s lacquer-dark face. Though he wore an angry expression, they sensed an ambiguous smile beneath it.

Only Duan Lingqi continued to suffer, now accused of another crime. Amid his agony, he cried out loudly.

“What does your damned ghostly artifact have to do with me?! In the Yama Hall, I shall personally accuse you before the Yama Emperor for breaking the law, framing me, and disregarding my demon’s life!”

None of them noticed a figure entering the court at that moment.

He was a handsome young man in a black robe, its edges embroidered with golden thread, revealing a jade-green collar—none other than Deputy Warden Lin, who should have been at Bi Zhen Prison.