Chapter 140: The Law Cannot Be Overstepped but Can Be Merciful

Ji Yuan’s two lines of poetry also evoked a similar emotion in the Earth God. As he watched the white deer, he saw it bend its front legs and kneel before him.

“Oh, no, no, Miss Bai Ruo, please get up quickly. I agree to help you. But I must say beforehand, even if your master and I go together, the Metropolitan City God might not be persuaded!”

The Earth God picked up his cane and gently touched it in front of the white deer, lifting her to prevent her from kneeling further. After all, she was an immortal deer, and her master was right there; it was quite improper.

Although Bai Ruo could no longer kneel, she was overjoyed to hear the Earth God's words.

“Thank you, Earth God, for being willing to help me. This humble one now only wishes to see Zhou Lang one last time. If Lord City God truly does not wish to show mercy beyond the law, then even if this humble one’s soul is refined on the spot, I will do so willingly, without a single complaint against you, Earth God!”

Bai Ruo remembered Ji Yuan’s earlier words perfectly: a brief kneel was acceptable, but there must be no hint of coercion towards the Earth God. It had to be an earnest display of gratitude, as if his help was a boundless kindness, and there would be no resentment whatsoever.

The white deer spoke sincerely, and the Earth God nodded upon hearing her. After glancing at Ji Yuan and the immortal sword hovering behind him, he reassured the white deer.

“Don’t worry, little white deer. Even if the City God is truly heartless, with your master and me here, ensuring your release won’t be a major issue!”

It is difficult for animals to achieve enlightenment. Even rarer are those who have the opportunity to follow a true cultivator, practicing as both disciple and companion. While Bai Ruo’s spiritual state might lack a certain Daoist essence, it possesses an abundance of genuine emotion, making her a truly sincere being among all sentient creatures.

The Earth God felt this deeply, perhaps even more so than Ji Yuan. In some ways, he was the deity least willing to see the white deer’s spiritual foundation severed.

The Earth God looked at Ji Yuan again, trusting that as her master, Ji Yuan would not abandon the white deer.

‘This man’s cultivation is unfathomable, yet he is so courteous. With such a free-spirited nature, it’s no wonder he could guide such a remarkable deer maiden.’

After the Earth God made his statement, and the white deer thanked him in surprise, Ji Yuan, as her “master,” naturally couldn’t be remiss. He rose from his seat and cupped his hands in thanks towards the Earth God.

“Thank you for your great righteousness, Earth God. My visit this time was somewhat of a ‘self-inflicted wound’ strategy, and I hope you will be magnanimous!”

“Mr. Ji, there’s no need for excessive politeness. I’ve listened to a genuinely moving story, so it’s no loss for me. It’s just a bit of face, and I don’t care much for such things. Come on, let’s go to the Underworld now!”

“That would be best. We’ll set off immediately!”

Ji Yuan promptly agreed, and the white deer was even more thrilled.

The Earth God’s mention of “setting off” certainly didn’t mean walking out of this residence, filled with yellow earth and tree roots, to the City God Temple. Instead, he lightly tapped his cane on the ground.

For Ji Yuan and the white deer, it was a brief moment of dizziness, as if they had been weightless for an instant before a flash of yellow light deposited them outside the City God Temple in Miaosi Ward.

The City God Temple was in Miaosi Ward, while the Earth God Temple was in the west of the city, with seven or eight wards separating them. The Earth God’s teleportation skill far surpassed even the City God’s use of incense power, demonstrating his true status as a god of mountains and rivers.

Outside the City God Temple, Ji Yuan looked at the Earth God, who smiled back.

“Mr. Ji, shall I do the talking?”

“That would be excellent!”

It was indeed much better than Ji Yuan speaking first.

Night was also when the Underworld was active. As they spoke, a ghost runner appeared. The Earth God naturally recognized him, and the person conversing so freely with the Earth God certainly couldn’t be ordinary.

“Greetings, Earth God, and greetings, Immortal. May I ask the purpose of your visit?”

The Earth God gestured with his cane, pointing to the white deer, which glowed faintly with its inherent spiritual aura.

“It’s nothing major. The fugitive who escaped two days ago has been brought back. However, she is not an evil demon, but rather an immortal deer, the lost mount of this Immortal here. This time, I’ve accompanied this Immortal to bring her to atone for her actions. Please inform Lord City God!”

The ghost runner was startled. Everyone in the Underworld knew about the previous incident, and he, of course, was well aware. He then looked at the white deer; there wasn’t a trace of demonic aura, but rather a profound spiritual essence. It was clearly an immortal beast.

“Please wait here, Earth God and Immortal. I will immediately go inform Lord City God!”

The minor ghost didn’t dare say he would inform the Judges; clearly, Lord City God himself had to attend to this. However, despite what the minor ghost said, the highest authority he could actually meet was a Judge.

Inside the City God’s Underworld, both the Civil and Military Judges looked at the reporting ghost runner with surprise.

“The Earth God and an Immortal have arrived together? And that immortal deer is the fugitive from a few days ago?”

“That’s what the Earth God said!”

The Civil and Military Judges exchanged a glance.

“No wonder the Day Patrol reported that the ‘demon’ endured their attacks without fighting back, and didn’t retaliate even when fleeing. It must have been under some restraint during its cultivation as an immortal.”

“First, inform Lord City God. We cannot decide on this matter ourselves!”

“Indeed!”

The two Judges rose and headed to the main hall of the Underworld…

A moment later, the Earth God, Ji Yuan, and the white deer were all welcomed inside the Underworld.

The Metropolitan City God, accompanied by the Civil and Military Judges and the two Day Patrol Gods, awaited them at the entrance to the Underworld. Afterward, they all proceeded to the City God’s main hall within the Underworld, without any of the formality usually reserved for criminals.

The main hall’s architecture was similar to what Yin Zhaoxian had described. The Metropolitan City God’s residence was not much different from the temple outside, save for the interior furnishings.

This was Ji Yuan’s first time entering the fabled Underworld. Besides the chilling yin qi, he could also sense various lingering grievances and malevolent spirits in certain areas. The white deer, too, visibly grew nervous.

Before long, at least twenty of the twenty-four divine departments had arrived.

The City God sat in the main seat, while the Earth God and Ji Yuan sat to one side. Everyone else remained standing. This formation made the white deer even more uncomfortable and agitated. She frequently looked towards Ji Yuan and the Earth God, who repeatedly winked at her to reassure her.

Ji Yuan and the Earth God had exchanged glances multiple times already. Both understood that the main fear was an outright rejection, and the current situation, with so many officials present, indicated a greater chance of success.

The Metropolitan City God appeared as a middle-aged man with a refined, jade-like complexion and a tall crown, exuding extraordinary elegance. After politely greeting the Earth God and Ji Yuan, he gravely inquired about the case.

After the Earth God and Ji Yuan exchanged another glance, the Earth God began speaking.

“The matter must begin with the time I allowed the ‘demon’ to escape. When the spiritual lock net descended and the ‘demon’ vanished, I knew there must be a master aiding her... until I met Mr. Ji...”

As the Earth God narrated, Ji Yuan occasionally supplemented, and the two, complementing each other, slowly recounted the full story.

The officials of the various departments under the City God occasionally whispered and exchanged glances, while the City God himself alternately frowned and pondered. When Ji Yuan and the Earth God finished speaking, the main hall fell silent, and all murmuring ceased.

“What do you all think?”

After a long silence, the City God asked the heads of the various departments.

“The law cannot be overstepped; punishment is necessary where due. However, our Underworld is not a place devoid of compassion; mitigating circumstances should also be considered!”

“Precisely. Punishing evil must be thorough, and rewarding good should not be delayed!”

“Exactly, exactly. Zhou Niansheng’s benevolent life must be inextricably linked to his bond with the immortal deer!”

“Indeed. The deer, even in such a critical situation that day, did not harm any of our Underworld officials, which clearly shows her disposition!”

“Yes, her willingness to endure the pain of soul refinement for her beloved husband is truly commendable!”

From the Department of Rewarding Good to the Department of Punishing Evil, and the Department of Yin and Yang to the Department of Merits and Demerits, the various departmental heads, while verbally emphasizing “strict laws,” consistently conveyed an attitude of “mercy beyond the law.”

The white deer was not foolish; whenever a departmental head subtly interceded for her, she would lower her deer head in a respectful bow towards them.

The City God observed that almost all his subordinates were overwhelmingly sympathetic to the white deer, and a smile appeared on his lips. It seemed his usual sternness had led these subordinates to believe his heart was truly made of stone.

“Alright, I have made my decision!”

As soon as the City God spoke, all discussions ceased. Ji Yuan and the Earth God also sat up straighter, appearing slightly nervous, while the white deer lowered her head, not daring to look at the City God.

“Two hundred and sixty lashes with the Soul-Tempering Whip will be your punishment. If you endure, you may go to Zhou Niansheng’s ghostly residence to accompany him.”

As the City God’s words fell, a collective gasp of astonishment and horror filled the surroundings.

“Hiss... two hundred and sixty lashes, Lord City God... isn’t that too severe...?”

“Yes, Lord City God, that will cause this white deer’s soul to scatter!”

The various officials of the Underworld pleaded for leniency. Although Ji Yuan and the Earth God didn’t understand the specifics, they knew this punishment was extremely severe.

However, the City God smiled and raised a hand to halt the clamor, looking at the white deer before him.

“Considering your cultivation is quite good, your demonic soul must be solid. But I can tell you plainly, your demonic soul can withstand at most two hundred lashes of the Soul-Tempering Whip. Each whip after that will be a near-fatal ordeal. Do you still wish to see Zhou Niansheng?”

The City God stood up and approached the white deer.

“If you regret it now, out of respect for the Earth God and Mr. Ji, I can forgive your past actions and allow you to leave! Bai Ruo, tell me, do you still wish to see Zhou Niansheng?”

The Earth God looked at the white deer’s eyes and thought, “This is not good.” He was about to stand up and speak but Ji Yuan pressed his arm, shaking his head.

As expected, tears welled in the white deer’s eyes, but her voice was resolute.

“Yes!”

“Hahahaha... Good. Zhou Niansheng has twenty-six years of ghostly life remaining. You shall endure ten lashes each year. If you cannot bear it, you may leave. How does that sound?”

The City God said this after a hearty laugh.

All the ghosts and deities in the hall were stunned for a moment. Ji Yuan and the Earth God were the first to smile. Seeing that the white deer was still in a daze, Ji Yuan quickly urged her.

“Go on, thank Lord City God for his mercy beyond the law!”

Upon hearing this, the white deer reacted, directly bending her knees and kowtowing. She then transformed into her human form as a woman in white robes, continuously bowing to the City God. Afterward, she sincerely thanked Ji Yuan, the Earth God, and all the departmental heads. In her joy and gratitude, her spiritual essence became even clearer, emanating an enhanced aura of spiritual charm.