On March 15, 2024, by Lonely I Walk Alone
When Lin Ji arrived downstairs, he was still in a daze.
This Taoist was quite powerful, at least a cultivator at the fourth realm of Wisdom Realm. Cultivators at this realm could enhance their wisdom, expand their primordial spirit, and heighten their senses.
For Lin Ji, there seemed to be no other way besides escaping.
And yet, this formidable figure was left half-dead by Master Xing Chi's simple and unadorned Buddha's Palm strike.
"Master Xing Chi isn't killing him?"
"Namo Amitabha, there are imperial laws to handle such matters. This monk will not overstep his bounds." Master Xing Chi said.
Lin Ji nodded, feeling a surge of excitement within.
The spectacle he witnessed was already thrilling enough, but there was an unexpected joy awaiting him.
This Taoist had killed seven or eight ordinary people, which, according to the laws of Da Qin, warranted a beheading.
Tonight, the sentence would be passed, and tomorrow morning, the execution would take place at the market square.
Lin Ji only needed to record his name in the karmic ledger and personally carry out the beheading the next day.
The rewards of the Heavenly Dao would soon be in his hands.
Although Lin Ji was more laid-back, he had no reason to refuse such a gift that came to him.
He casually tied up the Taoist with a rope, then kicked his lower dantian.
The intense pain brought the Taoist back to consciousness. Realizing his situation, he immediately cursed, "You corrupt official, how dare you—"
Before he could finish his sentence, Lin Ji kicked out his teeth.
Lin Ji detested cultivators like him who disregarded the lives of ordinary people, considered themselves superior, and claimed to be "demon slayers."
"You won't live past noon tomorrow, stop howling," Lin Ji said.
Upon hearing this, the Taoist widened his eyes. He wanted to argue further, but Lin Ji stuffed a rag into his mouth.
"Song Er, take him back to the yamen. Let the county magistrate pass the sentence of beheading, and I will carry out the execution at noon tomorrow."
"As you command." Song Er led the Taoist away.
"Lin benefactor, it's getting late. This monk will take his leave. I will visit again tomorrow afternoon."
"Does the master have something to discuss with me?" Lin Ji was surprised.
Master Xing Chi smiled, "This monk came to Qingyang County for two reasons: to repay a debt to a benefactor and to visit you."
With that, Master Xing Chi left without further explanation.
The transformed swan reverted to its original form, becoming a swan taller than a human.
Sitting cross-legged on the swan, Master Xing Chi left with a smile on his face.
Seeing this, Lin Ji didn't inquire further.
After all, Master Xing Chi would come to him tomorrow, and for just one night, his curiosity wasn't that strong.
Late at night, the unfortunate family members of those killed at Minghua Tower clamored for justice.
County Magistrate Li held a night trial.
After learning of the Taoist's actions, he first publicly punished him with fifty heavy beatings in front of the families, then subjected him to various torture devices.
For a cultivator, these superficial injuries were insignificant.
But after Lin Ji kicked the Taoist's lower dantian, the severe punishment had brought him to the brink of death.
"At noon tomorrow, at the market square, he will be beheaded."
The magistrate's order fell to the ground, sealing the Taoist's fate.
In the past, even for a beheading, it would require a report to the capital's Ministry of Justice, and the execution could only proceed after confirmation from the ministry.
But in these chaotic times, severe punishments were used everywhere.
If the death penalty could be carried out today, it would never be postponed until tomorrow.
Returning to the yamen, Lin Ji took the Taoist to the prison.
The head jailer hurriedly greeted Lin Ji upon his arrival.
"Lin Head Jailer, is this the condemned prisoner for tomorrow?" he asked.
"Yes."
"Alright, I'll prepare the last meal."
"He has no teeth, so there's no need." Lin Ji shook his head and dismissed the jailer.
Looking at the Taoist on the brink of death, Lin Ji took out the karmic ledger.
'The demonic practitioner acted wantonly, causing the deaths of several innocent people. He shall be executed.'
After adding the new entry, Lin Ji casually asked, "With your cultivation not being low, ending up in such a sorry state, do you have any regrets?"
"Hmph! Throughout history, humans and demons cannot coexist. What's a few lowly commoners killed for the sake of demon-slaying?" The Taoist, toothless and speaking unclearly, remained defiant.
"Even at the brink of death, you cling to your ignorance. It's a pity for your cultivation." Lin Ji shook his head, no longer bothering to engage in conversation.
After closing the prison door and instructing the jailer not to let the prisoner die before his return, Lin Ji went home to rest.
The next day at noon, at the market square.
Under the executioner's blade, the Taoist's neck was pressed against the block.
For ordinary criminals, a kneeling position with a large knife would suffice.
But for a cultivator, even in death, a tiger-head scimitar must be used at the very least.
This had been a rule since the founding of Da Qin.
Lin Ji held the blade and asked, "Do you have any last words?"
The Taoist remained silent, closing his eyes in acceptance of his fate.
Seeing this, Lin Ji saw no need for further words.
At noon, the county magistrate dropped the execution order.
As the blade fell, blood sprayed three feet, and the Taoist's head separated from his body.
Immediately after, Lin Ji felt a mysterious force enveloping him.
The spiritual energy in his dantian became somewhat restless, gaining a significant boost. However, the exact benefits would only be known after he refined this newfound cultivation through practice.
"I almost couldn't suppress the spiritual energy in my dantian. This Taoist's sins must have been grave." Lin Ji was somewhat astonished.
Even when he beheaded the ghost general that day, Lin Ji didn't feel such a noticeable increase in spiritual energy in his dantian.
"You truly deserved your fate."
After the execution, Lin Ji returned home.
After practicing in his room for an hour and barely managing to calm the restless spiritual energy in his dantian, he had to stop cultivation.
Because Master Xing Chi had arrived.
"Master is here." Lin Ji poured a cup of overnight tea and handed it over.
Master Xing Chi didn't touch the cup.
"Lin benefactor, do you remember what we discussed last time we met?" Master Xing Chi asked.
"Master mentioned my deep affinity with Buddhism and wanting to guide me into the path of emptiness. I have no intention of entering the path of emptiness. If that's still the reason for your visit, Master need not speak further." Lin Ji shook his head.
Master Xing Chi seemed disappointed.
"If the benefactor is unwilling, then so be it. I came to find you not for that reason."
Pausing, Master Xing Chi's smile disappeared, a rare seriousness on his face.
Seeing this change in demeanor, Lin Ji also put down the tea cup.
"What brings Master to me?"
"Is the Soul-Subduing Demon-Defying Staff still in the benefactor's possession?" Master Xing Chi inquired.
Lin Ji was taken aback.
This was the one thing he truly didn't want to bring up.
"It is." Lin Ji replied calmly, then added, "No effort, no reward. This treasure of the Buddhist sect is too hot for me to handle. Master, please take it back."
As he was about to retrieve the staff from his room, Master Xing Chi shook his head. A smile reappeared on his face, somewhat teasing as he looked at Lin Ji.
"Are you so eager to get rid of the Soul-Subduing Demon-Defying Staff because you already know the truth of the matter?"
With the conversation reaching this point, Lin Ji saw no need to hide anymore.
"So, the one I killed was truly the son of the Ghost King? And now, Liang City is besieged by spirits because of me?"
Master Xing Chi nodded.
"That matter is insignificant. The Ghost King's son was just a prelude."
"What do you mean?" Lin Ji asked.
"After the benefactor advances to the fourth realm, you will understand," Master Xing Chi stood up, palms together, and said, "This matter holds great merit, and only the benefactor can accomplish it."
"What matter? I'm just a lowly Spirit-Opening Realm constable. What great merit could fall upon me?" Lin Ji questioned.
"The benefactor only needs to keep the Soul-Subduing Demon-Defying Staff safe and patiently wait."
With that, Master Xing Chi left despite Lin Ji's inquiries and attempts to detain him.
Once Master Xing Chi's figure was no longer visible, Lin Ji stopped in his tracks, feeling helpless.
"This old donkey, always leaving things half-said!"
"Wait, when he gave me the Soul-Subduing Demon-Defying Staff, did he already foresee that I would encounter that ghost general?"
"Could it be that the death of the Ghost King's son was also part of his calculations? Otherwise, how could a mere ghost general dare to wreak havoc on the official road?"
Lin Ji dared not think further.
Continuing to dwell on it would only scare himself.
"Enough, when the enemy comes, we'll meet them head-on. If Master Xing Chi personally mentioned this matter to me, he shouldn't be trying to harm me."
"Let's focus on cultivation. Everything else is external. Only cultivation is truly mine. Even if there are dangerous tasks in the future, having a higher cultivation level will give me a better chance at survival."
After so many years in the Monitoring Bureau, this was the first time Lin Ji felt such an urgent need to advance his cultivation.
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