Chapter 99 of 100

Chapter 99

16 min read3,919 words

"How can you still be standing there, unwilling to leave?"

Qin Guang Wang didn't understand why the seemingly shrewd little monk didn't seize the opportunity to return to the living world with joy. Not everyone had the chance to visit the Hall of Yanluo and return to the human world unscathed.

Milie Chan Master stood firm, even as the ghost soldiers tugged at his arm. He gritted his teeth and said, "Your Majesty, I have a request."

Qin Guang Wang became interested. Was there someone brave enough to bargain with him?

He frowned and asked, "What else do you need?"

Milie Chan Master clenched his fists and knelt before Qin Guang Wang, saying, "Your Majesty, I humbly request your mercy to allow my old father to be reborn!" When he said this, Qin Guang Wang secretly shook his head, and the other ghosts and deities in the Xuanming Palace laughed.

The Judge stepped forward and rebuked, "The underworld operates on the principles of cause and effect. All punishments are the consequences of one's actions in the living world. How can they be changed at will? Your old father deceived the good and honest, swindled money, and has accumulated countless evil deeds!"

Qin Guang Wang also shook his head with a smile, saying, "Little monk, do you think we in the underworld exist just to punish ghosts?"

All living beings in the world, through their words and actions, create corresponding karma—good deeds lead to good outcomes, and evil deeds lead to evil outcomes. If it weren't for the eighteen levels of hell in the underworld, which tirelessly cleanse the world of karma, countless calamities would have already befallen the world.

Milie Chan Master was not an ignorant or vulgar person; he naturally understood the rules of the underworld. But with a glimmer of hope, he knelt and bowed to Qin Guang Wang, saying, "I know my father's karma is hard to erase, but I am willing to take his punishment and endure it until his karma is cleansed!"

The ghosts and deities in the Xuanming Palace were all taken aback and began to murmur:

"Since the birth of the underworld, we have never heard of such a thing!"

Some were moved by Milie Chan Master's words and sighed, "Truly unexpected, that a man who acted recklessly in the living world could have such filial piety!" The Judge stepped forward and reported, "Your Majesty, the underworld has its own rules, which cannot be violated!"

Qin Guang Wang was also stunned, not expecting Milie Chan Master to make such a request after witnessing the various punishments in the eighteen levels of hell.

He found it hard to decide, "This matter is significant..."

Exempting a mortal from punishment would have no real impact on the world, which bears the karma of countless beings. However, Qin Guang Wang was concerned that if this were allowed, it might set a bad precedent for future generations.

Interfering with the underworld's affairs from the living world would disrupt the order of the three realms. This was the first time the underworld had encountered such a request since its establishment. Qin Guang Wang said, "Little ghost, you have seen the suffering in the eighteen levels of hell. If you return to the living world and find a good master, you may achieve great merit."

"Perhaps you could even become a deity or a Buddha, forever free from the jurisdiction of the underworld and the cycle of rebirth. Would you still be willing to take your father's punishment?"

When he said this, Milie Chan Master knew that it was indeed a setup by Daoist Xuan Kong and Qin Guang Wang.

But even if he saw through it, what could he say?

He could only pretend not to know and repeatedly bowed to Qin Guang Wang, pleading, "The Buddha said, 'If I do not enter hell, who will?' Though I am unworthy, I still understand the basic principles of filial piety!"

"This..."

Qin Guang Wang was moved by Milie Chan Master's filial piety, and the other ghosts and deities were stunned by his words. For a moment, the Xuanming Palace fell silent as everyone, human, ghost, and deity, weighed the pros and cons.

Even the usually impartial Yan Wang and the Judge were at a loss for what to do.

In the secret chamber, Xuan Kong, seeing what was happening in the Xuanming Palace, was moved to tears and exclaimed that this disciple should be taken in. Wang Qi, who was behind him, tugged at his sleeve and pleaded, "Master, I see that this little monk has some bad habits, but his nature is not evil. Please help him."

Wang Jun, who had no status to speak in front of Xuan Kong and Wang Qi, looked at his master with big eyes. Only the little fox, who didn't understand human emotions, yawned and lay on Wang Jun's shoulder, indifferent.

Xuan Kong, moved by his junior and disciple, slowly nodded and stepped out of the secret chamber.

In the hall, the ghost soldier pulling Milie Chan Master was growing impatient, especially in the presence of the underworld's emperor. He dared not slack off and drew the soul-binding rope from his waist to bind Milie Chan Master and take him out of the Xuanming Palace.

Xuan Kong sighed and extended his hand, blocking the soul-binding rope.

The soul-binding rope, designed to bind living souls, was ineffective against Xuan Kong, a celestial being who had harmonized the yin and yang within himself. The ghost soldier, not knowing that Xuan Kong was a distinguished guest of Qin Guang Wang, was furious, and the surrounding ghost soldiers rushed to capture this intruder. Xuan Kong laughed and spread his arms, his Daoist robe emitting boundless auspicious energy, preventing the ghost soldiers from approaching.

Qin Guang Wang waved his hand, ordering the ghost soldiers to step back. He looked at Xuan Kong with a hint of helplessness, "I was helping him act, but in the end, he had to reveal the truth himself. Well, let's hear what Xuan Kong has to say."

Xuan Kong stood before Qin Guang Wang, who did not need formalities, but he felt deeply apologetic. He slowly walked to Milie Chan Master's side and bowed to Qin Guang Wang, "Xuan Kong, a cultivator of the Laoshan Sect, greets the Emperor of the Underworld."

As he spoke, he slowly knelt beside Milie Chan Master, which surprised Qin Guang Wang, "Xuan Kong, please rise. You are a celestial being, and ghosts and deities dare not accept such a grand salute!"

Xuan Kong did not rise, kneeling straight and said, "Since ancient times, the order has been heaven, earth, ruler, kin, and teacher. Kin comes before teacher. This matter started because of me, so I must resolve it."

Qin Guang Wang's expression turned serious. Personal relationships were one thing, but official matters could not be mixed with personal feelings. He could only say, "Very well, I will listen to what you have to say, Xuan Kong."

Milie Chan Master was deeply moved to see Xuan Kong personally intervene on behalf of his old father. Despite the fear he had experienced that night, if he could persuade Qin Guang Wang to show mercy to his father, it would be worth it!

Regardless, over the past few days, Xuan Kong's abilities, cultivation, and moral character, as well as his connections in the three realms, had deeply impressed him. Even if Xuan Kong couldn't persuade Yan Wang, Milie Chan Master still bowed to Xuan Kong in gratitude.

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