Daily life of a cultivation judge Chapter 4 4: Last Week As A Superior Core Court Judge (4)

"Yang Qing…Yang Qing…..SUPERIOR CORE COURT JUDGE YANG!!!" Mao Yunru's voice boomed, attempting to jolt Yang Qing from his daze.

A water spell from her was ultimately required to pull him back from his bewildered state.

"Huh, where am I?" Yang Qing mumbled, his eyes clouded with confusion. His thoughts had spiraled, envisioning every dreadful possibility of what Supervisor Lei Weiyuan's final declaration might entail.

Drawing from years of personal acquaintance with the man, he knew his own tormented imagination would pale in comparison to the old demon's actual plans for him.

"Yi Jie, why didn't you intervene? You know the immense suffering we've endured under that tyrant's rule." Yang Qing suddenly fixed Yi Jie with a lethal glare, who maintained a smug, unconcerned smile.

"My apologies, Yang Qing. I too was captivated by your remarkable achievements and your selfless dedication to the Order. It's no wonder you're among the youngest judges to ascend to palace court judge. A genuine exemplar. I am profoundly honored to serve… sniff sniff… as an inquisitor under your esteemed court." Yi Jie's voice even cracked with emotion towards the conclusion.

"Pffft hahaha," a delicate chuckle resonated through the vacant courtroom. It originated from Mao Yunru, who, despite her best efforts to suppress it, found herself unable to contain her amusement. She couldn't fathom Yi Jie, typically composed and respectable, openly mocking his superior.

"Yi Jie, you… you!!!" Yang Qing shakily pointed a finger at Yi Jie, his voice laced with embarrassment and rage. Abruptly, amidst his escalating outburst, his demeanor shifted entirely. He appeared to momentarily zone out before a serene smile settled upon his features.

"You know, Yi Jie, my most trusted inquisitor, I've just recalled something rather interesting."

Yang Qing directed a crescent-eyed smile towards Yi Jie.

An ominous premonition washed over Yi Jie with Yang Qing's sudden change in disposition. He could have sworn he glimpsed the spectral silhouette of a purple, ram-horned viper materializing behind Yang Qing, causing him to instinctively recoil and swallow hard.

"What could Yang Qing possibly be plotting? Whatever it is, it's inconsequential, as he cannot compel me to undertake whatever Supervisor Lei Weiyuan has devised for him. I possess the right to… rev…" His thoughts faltered as his pupils contracted, sheer shock etched across his face.

"It appears you've grasped it as well. As sharp as ever, which is why you are one of the most exceptional inquisitors. Nothing escapes your notice." Yang Qing's entire presence had transformed; he emanated the aura of a seasoned cultivator, steeped in boundless wisdom capable of piercing the Time Dao, perceiving the present, future, and past of any individual.

Yang Qing descended from his podium with deliberate, measured strides, employing the Mountain Crushing Steps technique to ensure each footfall echoed thunderously throughout the courtroom. He halted at the precise center, his back to Yi Jie, gazing upward at a nonexistent sky with a grave expression.

"Yi Jie, we have ascended from the lower ranks together. What trials have we not faced and overcome in these past years? We have navigated searing flames, piercing blades, potent poisons, and insidious curses, yet we persevered."

"It was also my unyielding devotion to justice and my desire to contribute further that caught the attention of superiors like Lei Weiyuan, prompting them to entrust me with greater responsibilities."

"The Order grants an inquisitor five revocation chances, allowing them to decline a judge's directives, particularly when faced with excessive danger or workload. This mechanism ensures equilibrium and prevents the abuse of power within the Order. Due to the significant burdens placed upon me by the Order, I implored them to grant you additional chances, to which they agreed, adding five more. You stand alone as the sole inquisitor equipped with ten revocation opportunities."

Yang Qing paused momentarily, a deliberate flourish to amplify the dramatic impact and ensure his assertion was precisely timed.

"Yi Jie, you have already expended all ten of your revocation chances. I understand your elation in having utilized them, stemming from your profound sense of duty and your admiration for me. As you yourself proclaimed, you are truly HONORED to be my inquisitor."

"Well then, Yi Jie, this court requires your presence now for the monumental task that Supervisor Lei Weiyuan is poised to assign us. I am confident you will not refuse, and this not merely because you have exhausted your revocation chances, nor out of apprehension of defeat should you attempt to challenge me, given my recent surge in power."

"Nay… nay… nay… I know you will undertake this because the very same fire of justice that blazes within me also burns incandescently within you. Let us forge ahead, my friend." Yang Qing slowly pivoted from his stance, gently placing a hand on the shoulders of his 'friend', whose mouth hung agape in stunned silence.

Yi Jie's mind was consumed with the thought of how he had exhausted his revocation opportunities. Prior to Yang Qing's appointment as a judge, inquisitors possessed no such thing as revocation chances.

However, this situation was completely altered the moment Yang Qing's inherently lazy and cunning disposition came to light. He shamelessly offloaded nearly all his responsibilities onto his inquisitors, while he himself only managed to complete the absolute minimum required. The higher authorities became aware of this and imposed severe penalties on him. This incident, however, brought to their attention a significant potential flaw in the Order's operational structure. If left unaddressed, there was no telling how many individuals like Yang Qing might exploit their inquisitors, ultimately leading to administrative discord.

Consequently, the revocation orders were instituted, along with the provision for duel challenges. These regulations were subsequently incorporated into the established code of conduct for Judges and Inquisitors and were put into effect immediately.

As Yang Qing was the catalyst for these changes, it was only fitting that he received a reward befitting his role. His inquisitors were granted double the compensatory rest afforded to others.

Yi Jie had heard that upon the issuance of the order, Yang Qing, in his characteristic manner, had approached the higher-ups to plead his case. However, the genuine reason behind his pleas was where the true discrepancy lay. He relentlessly grumbled about the injustice of the new rules, lamenting that his inquisitors were perpetually eager to take on more work and that the new order would extinguish the fervor for service and justice within their hearts.

His pleas were met with a harsh rejection, and to add to his already overwhelming workload, more tasks were assigned to him. He was informed that the supplementary workload was intended to enable him to carry the blazing torch of service and justice on behalf of his inquisitors.

Yi Jie and the other inquisitors under Yang Qing's supervision were overjoyed upon learning of the new regulations, and the fact that Yang Qing was saddled with additional work was merely the delightful culmination. The rule concerning duels, in particular, fueled their eagerness to administer a thorough beating to Yang Qing. Yang Qing possessed a countenance and a personality that made one instinctively desire to strike him. The duel offered them a legitimate avenue to express their deeply suppressed inclinations. Therefore, even with the availability of revocation chances, they opted for the more forceful approach.

They were all swiftly defeated without even a chance to retaliate. Much to their astonishment, they later discovered that Yang Qing had deliberately held back his strength, intending to inflict the least amount of harm possible. He had been concerned that they would seize upon any injuries as a pretext to shirk their duties. He suspected they were as unprincipled as he was, constantly devising schemes to evade work.

Yang Qing, with the vindictive grace of a true gentleman, endlessly taunted them after their defeat, piling even more work onto their plates. With no immediate means to defeat him, the revocation chances evolved into a vital resource and a potent weapon, especially for enacting retribution against Yang Qing.

The satisfaction derived from using one of their ten chances to compel Yang Qing to undertake a task solo far exceeded their initial expectations. The expression that crossed Yang Qing's face each time was utterly priceless.

This ultimately led to the present predicament. Over the course of the past three months, Yi Jie had repeatedly utilized his chances solely to provoke Yang Qing and revel in his misfortune. He saw no reason to hoard them, as only a week remained. Yet, here they were now. Yang Qing would undoubtedly involve him in whatever scheme Lei Weiyuan had devised, and refusal would be impossible. As for challenging Yang Qing directly, it had always been a grueling contest when they were both at the Core Formation realm; however, now that Yang Qing had already ascended to the Palace realm, the likelihood of Yi Jie emerging victorious was virtually nonexistent.

"Very well then, Mao Mao, what assignments do we have for today?" Yang Qing inquired, proceeding towards his chair with a look of triumph.

Mao Yunru could only sigh and shake her head at the unfolding events before tossing a white jade slip towards Yang Qing, proceeding to elucidate its contents.

"The cases for today are not exceptionally numerous. You have the dispute between the Sect Master of the Green Fog Swamp Sect and their Sect Guardian, the Emerald Leaf Cow.

A three-way conflict involving a sect, its core disciple, and a merchant organization intent on acquiring the sect due to their substantial, unrepaid debts.

The destruction of furniture at the Earthvine Restaurant by three cultivators in the Core stage who refuse to settle their bill,

and finally, the lawsuit against the Falling Meteor Blacksmith shop for selling a flawed Sky Rank sword to an itinerant cultivator at the pinnacle of the Core Formation realm."

Throughout the report, Yang Qing directed his spiritual consciousness into the white jade slip, which contained more detailed information about the respective cases. Unlike ordinary jade slips, the white jade slips possessed the unique characteristic of not disintegrating into dust upon use.

"Alright then, let us commence. Yi Jie, open the doors and permit the Sect Master of the Green Fog Swamp Sect, along with the Emerald Leaf Cow, to enter. We shall begin with their matter."