Chapter 24: The Judgment Hall and a Father’s Scheme

Returning home from the imperial capital had not taken long, a mere two days or so. This swift journey was, of course, thanks to the Huang family’s escort. Their carriages were not drawn by common steeds found in any market, but by spirit horses, a rarity among ten thousand, far superior to even the finest hybrid thoroughbreds.

Upon reflection, this made perfect sense; his family’s domain was not far from the capital, situated in a rather prosperous region. How could a place where prominent families like the Lin and Yun clans had established themselves be anything less than exceptional? It was arguably the most flourishing city outside the imperial capital itself.

“I never imagined we’d arrive so quickly,” Lan Wu Xi exclaimed. “I thought we wouldn’t get here until tomorrow.”

Gazing at the familiar city, Lan Wu Xi leaned halfway out of the carriage, unable to suppress his gasp of surprise. He had anticipated at least a three-day journey, yet it had been cut in half. ‘Wealth truly has its advantages,’ he thought. Compared to the opulent Huang family, his own household, though comfortably well-off as merchants, simply couldn’t compete.

Often, people found themselves envying others, yet rarely did they consider that they, too, might be the object of someone else’s admiration.

Despite his casual remarks, Lan Wu Xi knew in his heart, more than anyone, just how fortunate he truly was. Blessed with innate talent from birth, raised in a warm and stable home, and having a beloved childhood sweetheart, his life was one that countless ordinary people could only dream of.

Yet, human nature was inherently insatiable. Once one attained their desires, an irresistible urge to acquire more would inevitably surface. Greed and other desires were indelibly etched into the human spirit. Lan Wu Xi often pondered whether, if he were one day told he could trade everything he held dear for mere survival, he would readily agree.

The answer, unequivocally, was no; for there were many fates far more dreadful than death itself.

“Father! Mother!”

Upon returning home, Lan Wu Xi’s first instinct was to call out to his parents. Make no mistake, he wasn’t looking for his two ‘expert child-scheming’ parents; rather, he harbored a simmering resentment and desperately sought an outlet for it. If he didn’t vent now, he feared they might one day sell him off to some unknown place, quietly counting their profits.

“Why is no one here? Did they go out?”

Lan Wu Xi muttered in confusion. The house was unusually quiet. He had just passed their family shop, only to find its doors tightly shut. Expecting them to be home, he instead found an empty, almost eerie silence, which caused his brow to furrow. A sense of foreboding settled over him.

“Knock, knock!”

A sudden knocking at the main door made Lan Wu Xi initially believe his parents had returned, but he quickly realized that if it were them, they wouldn’t knock. Could something be amiss?

Lan Wu Xi rushed to open the door, revealing Uncle Liu, their next-door neighbor. Uncle Liu and his family shared an exceptionally good relationship with them, a bond so close it served as a benchmark for harmonious neighborliness. Several times, Uncle Liu had even expressed his hope that Lan Wu Xi would marry his daughter, a suggestion his own parents enthusiastically supported. Had Lan Wu Xi’s heart not already been given, their neighborly ties might well have blossomed into kinship.

“Oh, it’s Uncle Liu! Come in, please, have a seat. My parents seem to be out.”

Lan Wu Xi greeted him, only to notice that Uncle Liu, usually so benevolent and smiling, now wore a grim expression. Upon seeing Lan Wu Xi, he immediately grabbed his hand and cried out.

“Quick… quick… run! Your parents are in danger!”

As Uncle Liu spoke, a terrifying aura surged skyward from Lan Wu Xi. His face darkened, suffused with a chilling malevolence as he turned to the anxious Uncle Liu and spoke in a deep voice.

“Uncle Liu, don’t panic. What exactly happened? What’s wrong with my parents?”

“Well, what happened was…”

Moments later, Lan Wu Xi stood before the gates of the Judgment Hall, his eyes burning with fury, his jaw clenched tight. A terrifying aura emanated from him, prompting passersby to recoil in fright and hastily retreat.

It turned out that Lin Yunxi could not forget Lan Wu Xi’s actions towards her. Since she couldn’t touch Yun Jingping and certainly couldn’t move against the Yun family, she resolved to exact revenge for the humiliation Lan Wu Xi had inflicted upon her. Even if Lan Wu Xi, as a core disciple of the Cloud Sky Prefecture, was beyond her direct reach, his parents were clearly mere mortals whom she could crush with a single thought.

Thus, Lan Wu Xi’s parents had been apprehended and thrown into the Judgment Hall on fabricated charges. It was worth noting that the chief judge of the Judgment Hall was a Golden Core expert, even renowned among those of similar cultivation. Such power would earn him the highest esteem in families like the Lin or Yun clans. Yet, this time, he had colluded with the Lin family to frame Lan Wu Xi’s parents, a scheme that must have cost Lin Yunxi considerable effort.

‘Calm down, calm down, I absolutely must stay calm. Things might not be as dire as I imagine!’

Despite learning that his parents had been imprisoned in the Judgment Hall, Lan Wu Xi remained motionless at the entrance, his mind racing furiously. At critical junctures, people sometimes performed beyond their usual capacity, and Lan Wu Xi clearly belonged to this category; though he appeared on the verge of an outburst, he was, in fact, remarkably composed.

Any other person might have already caused a scene, but Lan Wu Xi understood the Judgment Hall’s power better than anyone. Forcing his way in would yield no benefit and would likely play right into Lin Yunxi’s trap. If Yun Tianqi of the Cloud Sky Royal Family were to learn of it and use it as an excuse to act against him, he would truly be walking into a snare—a fate he absolutely had to avoid.

‘Hoo~, calm down, calm down. Though my parents have been taken, their lives are surely not in immediate danger. I absolutely cannot act impulsively. One rash move and I’ll fall right into their trap, not only failing to rescue my parents but potentially sacrificing myself in the process.’

Suppressing the fury that yearned to carve Lin Yunxi into a thousand pieces, Lan Wu Xi took a deep breath and gently knocked on the Judgment Hall’s main door. It promptly swung open, and he stepped inside.

The surroundings were eerily devoid of people; the judgment guards were likely off somewhere playing cards, drinking, and shirking their duties.

“This junior is Lan Wu Xi of the Azure Phoenix Prefecture! My parents have been detained by the Judgment Hall for unknown reasons, and I have specifically come here to seek justice!”

Despite the absence of anyone nearby, Lan Wu Xi continued to shout loudly, his intuition telling him that this place was far from simple. After several calls, the Judgment Hall remained unresponsive. It was then that a voice, seemingly from nowhere, spoke from behind him.

“You must be Lan Wu Xi, yes? I recall you barely reached my waist back then. To think you’ve grown so much, and your strength is now only slightly beneath mine! Such talent would be considered top-tier even in the Azure Phoenix Prefecture. You’ve truly brought honor to your family.”

Lan Wu Xi flinched in surprise, nearly turning to deliver a punch. ‘Why do these powerful cultivators always sneak up behind people to scare them? Do all strong individuals harbor such a perverse sense of humor?’

“Greetings, Chief Judge.”

Lan Wu Xi clasped his hands and bowed, reasoning that no one but the Chief Judge could have approached so silently. Yet, the man had just mentioned seeing him before, and Lan Wu Xi had no recollection whatsoever. The same thing had happened at the Huang family residence. ‘Had he truly suffered amnesia in the past?’ he wondered. ‘It seems I’ll have to ask my parents about this next time.’

“Haha, don’t be so formal. Your father actually looked out for me once. If you don’t mind, just call me Uncle Kang.”

The Chief Judge displayed an unusual warmth towards Lan Wu Xi, completely devoid of any official demeanor. This left Lan Wu Xi rather perplexed. ‘The script isn’t quite right,’ he thought. He had expected the Chief Judge to be a fierce, greedy, and despicable villain, but upon meeting him, the man was entirely different from his expectations.

“Chief Judge… oh, no, Uncle Kang! I’ve come because of my parents’ situation, and I hope you can provide me with a reasonable explanation.”

Lan Wu Xi’s tone softened slightly. From the Chief Judge’s demeanor, it was clear he was not the vile, despicable person Lan Wu Xi had imagined. This only deepened his confusion. Why would such an upright and generous man apprehend mere mortals like his parents?

“Ahem, this is a long story, but you needn’t worry too much. Your parents are fine for now. Aside from the slightly inferior living conditions, they lack nothing in terms of food, drink, or sleep.”

Upon hearing his words, a great weight finally lifted from Lan Wu Xi’s heart. It seemed things were not as terrible as he had feared.

“However… for a while, your parents might have to endure a bit of hardship here.”

“What exactly is the reason? I heard it was the Lin family… Did they force you, Uncle Kang?”

“Some things, you and I both understand. With the Lin family pressuring me, I couldn’t do absolutely nothing; at the very least, I had to put on a show. But rest assured, your parents are quite safe here with me, perhaps even safer than anywhere else. With my protection, not even the Lin family would dare to act rashly.”

Hearing Uncle Kang’s words, Lan Wu Xi’s eyes welled up slightly. He suddenly found Uncle Kang exceptionally kind and approachable, far superior to certain other individuals.

“Then, Uncle Kang, may I see my parents?”

“Hmm… you can, but are you sure you want to now? I’m afraid…”

“Afraid? Are my parents inside…?”

“No, no, it’s just that your parents are a bit… unique. If you wish to see them, simply follow me, your uncle.”

“Understood. Thank you, Uncle Kang, for leading the way.”

Thus, Lan Wu Xi followed Uncle Kang to the underground prison. The number of inmates incarcerated here was surprisingly less than ten, making the silence rather unusual. Along the way, Lan Wu Xi occasionally saw ordinary mortals whose vitality appeared normal, suggesting they hadn’t suffered any inhumane treatment. From this, it was evident that Uncle Kang’s governance was excellent, marking him as an upright official.

“That’s the scent of wine!”

Just then, the rich aroma of wine wafted to his nose. Having recently made a mistake due to drinking, Lan Wu Xi was now extremely sensitive to alcohol. He instantly recognized the scent and couldn’t help but exclaim.

“Drink up~”

“Hahahaha, Old Zhao, your luck is truly abysmal! With this round, you’ve now lost ten games to me.”

“Damn it, I’ve never had such bad luck before! I don’t believe it, let’s go again!”

“Give it up, Old Zhao, just step aside. Let me help you turn the tide!”

“Go, go, go, you? Forget it. You two are six of one, half a dozen of the other. I think I’ll take over.”

“No way! I said it’s me, and it is! This time, I’ll bet… I’ll bet… I’ll bet my wine for tomorrow and the day after!”

“Forget it. You already gambled away five days’ worth of wine yesterday. Just let me do it.”

To one side of the prison, a scholarly-looking man, his face flushed, was excitedly playing cards with several other judges assigned to guard the prisoners. They were having such a boisterous time that they hadn’t noticed Lan Wu Xi, who stood utterly dumbfounded nearby.

“Hahahaha, what did I tell you? Today, I’m possessed by the God of Gamblers! Watch this—a King Bomb!”

“Damn, what kind of luck is that? No way!”

“No, seriously, ahhh, how can your hand be so good this time? I just don’t get it!”

“That’s why I say, just give up. You’re not going to beat me today. A three!”

“Don’t get too cocky! Watch me turn this game around! No!”

This was hardly the stern father, Lan Baotian, Lan Wu Xi remembered! He rubbed his eyes repeatedly, unable to believe the scene before him, his mouth agape wide enough to swallow a spirit stone. The prisoners and judges gathered together, gambling so harmoniously and naturally, without the slightest hint of impropriety.

“Uncle Kang, this is…?”

“Ahem, that’s why I said I was afraid you wouldn’t be able to process it right away… How should I put it? Anyway, your father is indeed quite formidable. Even I am not his… *cough*, I didn’t say anything just now!”

Lan Wu Xi was speechless.

Lan Wu Xi was utterly defeated by his father at this point. What did it mean to have a heart as vast as the heavens? To be gambling so merrily in such a predicament was truly unprecedented. He felt incredibly foolish for having worried so much earlier. It was also fortunate that his mother could stand by, smiling silently; only with such indulgence from his mother could his father behave this way. Sometimes, Lan Wu Xi even envied his father for marrying such a virtuous and loving wife.

“Hey, isn’t that your son? And the Chief Judge is here too!”

“Really? Old Lan, quickly, turn around and look!”

“Hmph~, don’t think you can steal my cards while I’m looking away! I won’t fall for that trick!”

“Husband, stop playing cards! Lan’er is here!”

“Qiqi? Holy hell, how did that brat get here so fast? Wasn’t he supposed to be a few more days?”

Lan Baotian whirled around, only to see Lan Wu Xi looking as if he didn’t want to acknowledge his own kin. It was then that he realized his son had witnessed his entire spectacle. This was far from good; his painstakingly built image was about to crumble.

“Perhaps I should just leave. I shouldn’t disturb them…”

Lan Wu Xi turned to leave, not looking back, but how could Lan Baotian let his troublesome son simply walk away? He lunged forward, grabbed Lan Wu Xi, and pulled him close, demanding sternly.

“You have the audacity to show your face here? Do you have any idea what a huge mess you’ve made for your mother and me? You’ve caused us to suffer here, going hungry and cold, and now you think you can just walk away? Who do you think we’re doing this for?”

‘Meow meow meow? This is completely different from what I just saw!’

“The Lin family is attacking us now precisely to mislead your Dao heart. Our gambling and card playing here is merely to keep you from worrying. Do you really think I enjoy doing these things? If it weren’t for you, you scoundrel, I, Lan Baotian, would rather die right here, or die outside, than touch any of this!”

“Father…”

“So, you good-for-nothing brat, you’d better earn some glory for me! You *must* become a core disciple in this Azure Phoenix Prefecture selection competition. Otherwise, how can you face all that I’ve sacrificed for you, and your mother, who has secretly shed countless tears for you during this time? You rascal, put in some effort!”

Indeed, how could his father, in Lan Wu Xi’s memory, engage in the very things he claimed to despise? The thought that his parents had endured all this for his sake brought a lump to his throat and tears to his eyes. A profound sense of shame welled up, preventing Lan Wu Xi from meeting his father’s gaze.

He had actually doubted his father earlier—what filial impiety! His father had suffered such immense mental anguish for him, yet here he was, blaming him. It was truly an act of grave disrespect.

“Father, Mother, rest assured! I will certainly become a core disciple and rescue you both!”

Lan Wu Xi thumped his chest, making a solemn vow. This was all to avoid letting down his father and mother for everything they had done for him. Besides, becoming a core disciple was already part of his villainous mission, so in this disciple selection assembly, he was absolutely forbidden to lose; he could only win!

“Lin Yunxi! Don’t let me encounter you, or else I will make you pay the deserved price for the suffering you’ve caused my parents!”

‘Achoo~, is someone cursing me? I am the dignified young master of the Lin family, who would dare curse me? It must be that hateful Lan Wu Xi! He must have received the news about his father being arrested by the Judgment Hall by now, and he’s surely pounding his chest and roaring in regret, right? Heh heh, offending me, even if you’re a core disciple, I’m not afraid. Speaking of which, I wonder how the Judgment Hall is treating Lan Wu Xi’s parents. They must have given them a ‘good meal,’ hehe.’

Lan Wu Xi left swiftly, having firmly resolved to rescue his parents from their dire predicament. His naiveté was almost too much for Uncle Kang to bear.

“I say, aren’t you usually too strict with him? He believes such an obvious lie. Such a simple mind is a bit concerning…”

“Alas, that’s why this experience is a test for him. Don’t be fooled, while he might sometimes seem unreliable, when he gets serious, even I feel a sense of dread. After all, my child is destined to surpass ordinary people!”

“Since you’re so certain, I’ll believe you too. And you heard the news from the capital, didn’t you? Your son defeated Yun Tianqi of the royal family! To be able to defeat a Golden Core cultivator, your son must be hiding much more than he lets on. I’m growing more and more interested. What kind of little monster can a monster like you produce!”