Chapter Forty-Six: Right and Wrong

"As you said, that Bi'an is dead, and the Xuan Zhang Formation has also been damaged. If the River Dragon King of Shui Chen remains unaware, it’s of little consequence—we would simply have the Demon Catchers think of another way, perhaps finding another hybrid beast of dragon and tiger. However, there is a crocodilian demon warden in the prison, one who is connected to the River Dragon King of Shui Chen."

Lin Lan lowered his gaze, looking into Xi Chunxue’s bright eyes, and shook his head as he spoke.

"So the crocodilian demon told the River Dragon King about Bi'an’s death? Yet Sangyu Island is not close to Yunhai Prefecture. Even if he is adept in water, he could not have delivered the message so quickly," Xi Chunxue said, frowning as she regarded Lin Lan’s perpetually amused expression. She wondered just how credible the Deputy Warden’s words really were.

"If we dared to use Bi'an as a tool, naturally we were confident enough to keep the River Dragon King in the dark. How could we allow a mere warden to discover such a secret? The fewer who know a secret, the better. Other than the successive Wardens and the three Deputy Wardens, no one else knows of this matter."

Lin Lan’s narrowed eyes opened slightly, a cold gleam flickering within them as he spoke.

"So what exactly are you warning us to be cautious about?" Xi Chunxue asked coldly.

"Though we knew the crocodilian demon was connected to the River Dragon King, we did not expect that he was actually the Dragon King's nephew by marriage, nor that he possessed a Demon Soul Lantern used for observing fate," Lin Lan sighed softly.

"If the crocodilian demon remains alive, then even with that Demon Soul Lantern, it should be of no concern. Surely you wouldn’t kill a warden for no reason?" Xi Chunxue sneered.

"Of course we wouldn’t kill a warden without cause. Anyone who serves here as a warden, regardless of background, holds some standing. Even he arrived with a letter of introduction," Lin Lan glanced at Qu Hanchen, who had been silently listening, before turning to the skeptical, coldly smiling Xi Chunxue.

"But just because we wouldn’t, doesn’t mean other wardens wouldn’t," Lin Lan said quietly. "And the warden who killed the crocodilian demon is the same rank C warden who escorted you to the dungeon."

"Impossible! Changhong is always timid and weak. How could he possibly... how could he kill someone? Besides... besides, that was a demon! Even if he wanted to kill it, I doubt Changhong would have the strength," Qu Hanchen suddenly grew agitated, objecting.

"Now that you mention his name, I remember as well. His name is Tang Changhong, like you, hailing from North Youzhou. But the crime he committed was far more severe than yours. If I recall, he killed a local nouveau riche, a retired Fifth Rank Court Instructor," Lin Lan said unhurriedly, not rushing to explain as he watched Qu Hanchen interrupt.

"If he killed a retired Fifth Rank Court Instructor, even if the title was merely honorary, there’s no way he would still be allowed to serve as a warden here," Xi Chunxue said, her brow furrowed. Lin Lan's story was beginning to lose credibility in her eyes.

"I see you’re well-versed in official ranks. Before you entered the mountains to cultivate, you must have been a young lady from a scholarly family," Lin Lan smiled at Xi Chunxue.

"There’s no need for idle chatter," Xi Chunxue replied coldly.

"You’re right. For killing a Fifth Rank Court Instructor, according to the laws of Ancient Qin, he should have been executed. His wife and household, even if ignorant of the crime, would be exiled two thousand li. He was fortunate to encounter a monk," Lin Lan shook his head and spoke softly.

"Not even a monk or a Daoist would dare to interfere with the laws of Ancient Qin. Such meddling would only see them punished for sowing discord with wild words," Xi Chunxue replied calmly.

"This monk came from the newly established Department of Anomalies, which stands apart from the six ministries—Personnel, Revenue, Rites, War, Justice, and Works. Under the Department of Anomalies are two offices: the Demon Catchers and the Exorcists. These two offices handle all strange occurrences across the twelve prefectures, dealing with affairs beyond the scope of the law. This monk was a deputy minister of the Department of Anomalies," Lin Lan said with a gentle smile.

"Even so, he couldn’t have absolved him of murder. Unless..." Xi Chunxue suddenly thought of something.

"According to the deputy minister, the 'local magnate' he killed was actually a demon in disguise. In a twist of fate, the murderer became a hero for ridding the world of evil," Lin Lan’s smile remained kindly, but no one could guess his true thoughts.

"But what if the deputy minister was not mistaken?" Qu Hanchen interjected.

"You've known Tang Changhong for some time. Tell me, what impression do you have of him?" Lin Lan suddenly asked Qu Hanchen.

"He’s rather timid and weak, but when something important happens, he’ll still step forward," Qu Hanchen replied quietly.

"Did he ever tell you he had killed someone?" Lin Lan asked with a faint smile.

"...Yes," Qu Hanchen lowered his head.

"A retired Court Instructor killed by a commoner, who then escapes punishment and is celebrated as a hero? Leaving aside what the local people and officials think, surely the Court Instructor’s disciples and old friends at court are not at peace," Xi Chunxue said slowly.

"Not just uneasy, but afraid. Today it’s this Court Instructor who’s killed—tomorrow, who will be slain by a mob in his own home? If a single claim of 'demon in disguise' can override the laws of Ancient Qin, then isn’t that laughable?" Lin Lan smiled.

"But what if the deputy minister was right?" Qu Hanchen interrupted again.

"It’s not a matter of right or wrong. The Emperor has granted the Department of Anomalies too much power—power above the law itself. Such unchecked authority has begun to frighten the officials at court," Xi Chunxue said, closing her eyes.

"Therefore, even if the Court Instructor truly was a demon, he must remain a murderer and be punished. Yet, because the Department of Anomalies is so favored by His Majesty, even though memorials of protest pile up on the imperial desk, this man was only sent to Sangyu Island to serve as a warden for five years, after which he can return to the twelve prefectures and receive a hundred taels of silver," Lin Lan said with a smile.

"And now, this man has killed the crocodilian demon, extinguished the Demon Soul Lantern, and alerted the River Dragon King. When the Dragon King comes to demand justice, he’ll find Bi'an already dead as well?" Xi Chunxue opened her eyes and looked at Lin Lan’s smiling face.

"Precisely. I expect that when we return, we’ll witness a long-absent storm of wind and waves on Sangyu Island," Lin Lan’s smile faded as his eyes opened fully, gazing seriously at the handsome man slowly approaching from outside the hall.

Why had this man appeared here?