Daily life of a cultivation judge Chapter 1503: Retribution and rest (2)

Even with all that, it was still undeniable that the Green Flame Tree had gone easy on Luo Suyun. What she had received was merely the tip of the iceberg compared to the lingering grievances and resentment clinging to her body and soul.

Like the Green Flame Tree, Yang Qing could also hear the cries of the aggrieved. Unlike her, however, he could neither see nor hear the story of their lives, as doing so required a more profound mastery of the Supreme Dao of Life, where it intersected with other Supreme Daos like Karma, Fate, and Time. What he was able to do, though, was hear and feel the depth of their grievances, the weight of their anger, and the intensity of the resentment they carried.

Because of that, and what he could sense, he knew without a shadow of a doubt that the Green Flame Tree had gone easy on Luo Suyun. If the grievances around Luo Suyun had a form, they’d be about the size of the Dawn Cloud Tree, because that is how many innocent lives she had taken in her pursuit of vengeance.

And had the Green Flame Tree drawn upon the entirety of those grievances, or even half of them, Luo Suyun’s body would already have been riddled with cracks. The pool of blood that would have formed in the aftermath would have long since become a lake. Not to mention she wouldn’t even have had the strength or voice to groan in pain, given how much torment she would have been subjected to.

What Yang Qing couldn’t understand, however, was why... why did Luo Suyun take that half a step?

The Green Flame Tree, as driven as she was by the desire to burn her alive, wouldn’t have done so had she not taken that step. She was considerate to a fault, and because she knew Luo Suyun had some relation to him, she would have refrained from acting against her. The most she would have done was release a pressuring aura that sent a not-so-subtle message of:

But burning her? The Green Flame Tree he knew wouldn’t do that.

"She received a warning?" Yang Qing asked Shitong.

Yang Shitong, who had already stood up at this point, nodded while glancing down at Luo Suyun. "A few times. I told you... she doesn’t listen."

"Maybe this time she will," he added after a slight pause, before his attention lazily drifted over to Chen Yu. "You brought quite the interesting friend," Yang Shitong added, bearing the expression of someone sizing up an interesting commodity.

Yang Qing, whose attention had been on Luo Suyun, frowned slightly in perplexity when he saw the appraising glint and a greedy smile on Yang Shitong’s face. He grew even more confused when he saw the look of fear on Chen Yu’s face.

Yang Qing wondered in perplexity when he saw the contrasting emotions between the two. He grew more puzzled when he saw Shitong lick his lips. Just as he understood the Green Flame Tree’s nature and mannerisms, the same was true for Shitong. As much as he hated to admit it, Yang Qing probably understood Shitong more than he did his own brother. After all, he’d practically raised the greedy bird from an egg into the greedy, thankless entity he was today. As such, while he didn’t understand the why behind Shitong’s gaze, he did know the what.

Shitong would only ever wear that expression when he’d laid eyes on some precious treasure.

And that was the part that baffled Yang Qing. Was Chen Yu not a mythical race?

Given how pale with terror he looked, Yang Qing was inclined to believe he likely was not. Not to mention Yang Shitong looked just about ready to process him into a new addition for the nest, which prompted Yang Qing to quickly say,

"Shitong, this is Chen Yu. distinguished guest and that of as well. He is also an instructor from the Jade Leaf Academy." That long-winded introduction was code for:

Shitong snorted derisively and started walking away, unhurriedly, hands clasped behind his back.

Yang Qing inwardly murmured at Yang Shitong’s pretentious walk.

Just as his figure was about to reach the bark of the Green Flame Tree, Yang Shitong paused. [Do you know your friend’s identity?] he asked via voiceless transmission.

[He is an instructor... have you uncovered something?]

Shitong smirked at the reply, drawing an irked twitch from Yang Qing, who looked seconds away from throwing a punch.

Yang Shitong gazed upward at the crown of the Green Flame Tree, looking sagely and profound.

Yang Qing thought, exasperated and ticked by Shitong’s behavior.

After he felt he’d left Yang Qing stewing long enough to annoy him, Shitong said, [He should have a connection with one of the people you have regular contact with. I have detected an aura familiar to his on you a few times.]

[A connection? Who?] Yang Qing hastily asked.

Yang Shitong’s smirk grew wider. [How should I know? I am not your supervisor or the instructors who regularly follow you around.] After giving his response, and knowing there was a possibility Yang Qing would give in to anger and strike him, Shitong’s figure blurred into a purple streak and disappeared into the flaming crown of the Green Flame Tree, leaving a befuddled and increasingly worried Yang Qing behind.

[Instructors??? They’ve been following me around? Which ones?! Shitong, you bastard, tell me!! Which instructors have been stalking me?! How long has it been going on?! Shitong?! Shitong!]

Safe to say, Shitong didn’t respond, and Yang Qing, having a guest, didn’t have the freedom to chase after him and beat it out of him.

In the nest, Yang Shitong snickered, relishing the sight of Yang Qing’s growing restlessness. After gleefully savoring it, his attention shifted to Chen Yu, his gaze narrowing meaningfully. Shitong thought, sighing.

"Such a dense aura of origin laws..." he muttered, with great desire. "And he is not even from the true body," Yang Shitong continued, his eyes shining with deep interest.

"Ten Thousand Dao Jade Leaf Tree," he said, sighing with longing. "My nest would probably have been completed if I had built it there."

His expression froze, almost as if he’d been caught, then melted into an apologetic smile. "I am sorry," he whispered to no one in particular, the only response to his apology being the gentle rustling of the Green Flame Tree’s flaming leaves.