Honghuang: My understanding is beyond belief. I am the first immortal of Jiejiao.

"Ding! The check-in task has been refreshed!"

The crisp system notification sound woke Lin Zhu from his cultivation state.

He opened his eyes, his pupils seemingly reflecting stars, and the immortal aura surrounding him slowly receded into his body.

"Today's check-in location: Lingxiao Palace. Time: 9:00 AM sharp."

The mechanical voice of the system echoed in Lin Zhu's mind.

"Reward: Two acquired spiritual treasures, the Dragon Roar Flute and the White Jade Ring. Additional task: Escort Marshal Tianpeng to the Lingxiao Palace for judgment and cast him into the Six Paths of Reincarnation. Task reward: One portion of the Three Lights Divine Water."

Lin Zhu smiled slightly, increasingly satisfied with the check-in system that had suddenly appeared in his mind.

Since transmigrating to this world and becoming the Heavenly Court's Law Enforcement God, the system has been his greatest reliance.

The rewards for completing each task are incredibly generous.

"Dragon's Roar Flute and White Jade Ring"

Lin Zhu stroked his chin, deep in thought.

"It just so happens that Xiaomei and Xiaonuan are lacking suitable magical artifacts, so these are perfect for them. As for that girl Xiaoqiong..."

Lin Zhu couldn't help but chuckle as she thought of her little apprentice who always loved to punch people with his pink fists.

"She thinks the Demon Emperor Sword is too ferocious; this girl prefers to beat people up with her bare hands."

"My lord, Nezha requests an audience."

A servant's voice came from outside the door announcing something.

"Let him in."

Lin Zhu straightened his clothes and sat down at the table.

Nezha entered gracefully on his Wind-Fire Wheels, his Fire-Tipped Spear slung diagonally behind him, and his Hun Tian Ling wrapped around his arm.

He clasped his fists in salute.

"Lin Yushen, I have captured Marshal Tianpeng and he is currently being held outside the palace."

Lin Zhu nodded.

“Perfect timing. The Jade Emperor has ordered me to escort him to the Lingxiao Palace for trial. You will come with me.”

Nezha looked surprised.

"Marshal Tianpeng is an important minister of the Heavenly Court. What crime has he committed?"

"After drinking, he lost his temper, harassed the goddess Chang'e, and even stormed the Star Palace."

Lin Zhu's tone was calm, but it made Nezha gasp.

"Although Marshal Tianpeng is fond of drinking, he shouldn't be so audacious."

Lin Zhu stood up, his black robe fluttering even without wind.

"Whether it is true or not, the answer will be revealed in the Lingxiao Palace."

The two escorted Marshal Tianpeng, who was bound by the Immortal Binding Rope, and rode the clouds straight up to the Ninth Heaven.

Marshal Tianpeng had sobered up considerably by this time, his face deathly pale, and he kept muttering, "Injustice! Prison God Lin, I am truly innocent!"

Lin Zhu ignored him and simply sped up the cloud movement.

Before long, the magnificent Lingxiao Palace came into view.

The magnificent palaces floated in the clouds, surrounded by auspicious clouds and flying cranes.

Golden-armored heavenly soldiers stood before the palace, holding halberds. Upon seeing Lin Zhu arrive, they all bowed and made way for him.

"Minister Lin, you've come at just the right time."

The Jade Emperor sat high on his dragon throne, wearing a twelve-tassel crown, his face majestic.

"I have important matters to discuss at the morning court session today."

Lin Zhu bowed with his hands clasped in greeting.

"Your Majesty, I have this memorial."

The Jade Emperor nodded slightly.

"speak."

"Marshal Tianpeng, after drinking last night, broke into the Guanghan Palace and harassed the Chang'e. He then stormed the Xingdou Palace, but was captured on the spot by my disciples."

Lin Zhu's voice wasn't loud, but it clearly carried throughout the entire Lingxiao Palace.

"They have been brought here under escort; Your Majesty, please make your decision."

As soon as this statement came out, the whole court was in an uproar.

"What? Marshal Tianpeng actually did such a thing?"

"That can't be right. Although he likes to drink, he has always been a law-abiding citizen!"

"Star Palace is Lin Yushen's dojo, isn't this courting death?"

The immortals discussed amongst themselves, their eyes filled with disbelief as they looked at Marshal Tianpeng.

The Jade Emperor's face darkened visibly.

"Canopy!"

The Jade Emperor roared angrily, causing the palace beams to tremble slightly.

"Is there any falsehood in what you, Minister Lin, have said?"

Marshal Tianpeng knelt down with a thud, his forehead pressed against the cold gold brick.

"Your Majesty is wise! This humble immortal did indeed drink a few too many cups last night, but I had absolutely no intention of harassing Heng'e! As for the Star Palace, this humble immortal truly cannot recall anything."

The Jade Emperor gave a cold laugh.

"Can't remember? What a convenient excuse! Minister Lin is my confidant, and Fairy Ni Chang is also very close to him. You dare to cause trouble in the Guanghan Palace and then attack the Xingdou Palace. This shows that you don't respect me at all!"

Marshal Tianpeng trembled all over.

"Your Majesty, spare me! This humble immortal knows his mistake! The Supreme Lord Laozi once said that the Peach Banquet was this humble immortal's opportunity, and that's why I..."

"shut up!"

The Jade Emperor slammed his fist on the table and rose to his feet, causing his crown to shake violently.

"Guards! Shatter Marshal Tianpeng's immortal infant, banish his true spirit to the River Styx, and condemn him to eternal reincarnation in the Three Realms, Five Elements, and Six Paths!"

The hall fell silent upon hearing the verdict. Marshal Tianpeng, his face ashen, collapsed to the ground. Shattering the immortal infant meant the destruction of a thousand years of cultivation, and exile to the River Styx was a punishment even more cruel than complete annihilation, condemning him to eternally sink in the blood of the River Styx, never to be reincarnated.

"Your Majesty, please have mercy!"

Marshal Tianpeng wept uncontrollably.

"This humble immortal is willing to accept any punishment, only asking to preserve my true spirit for reincarnation! Laozi can bear witness, this humble immortal had no intention of doing so."

"His Majesty."

A clear, melodious voice suddenly rang out, and Laozi, holding a whisk, appeared in the hall at some unknown time.

"Although Tianpeng is guilty, his crime does not warrant death. Could you please consider my feelings and show leniency?"

The immortals held their breath; this was a sage pleading for mercy!
The Jade Emperor's gaze swept between Laozi and Lin Zhu, finally settling on Marshal Tianpeng.

"Laojun, there's no need for further words. The laws of Heaven are strict and cannot be disrespected. Tianpeng's crimes are irrefutable and he must be severely punished as a warning to others!"

Laozi frowned slightly.

"His Majesty."

"I have made up my mind!"

The Jade Emperor made a firm decision.

"Minister Lin's strict enforcement of the law is a blessing to the Heavenly Court. If we abandon the law today because of personal feelings, how will we gain the respect of the people in the future?"

The immortals in the hall looked at each other in disbelief, their hearts filled with horror.

The Jade Emperor didn't even give face to the saints and insisted on severely punishing Marshal Tianpeng.

This is clearly supporting Lin Zhu!
Lin Zhu observed coldly, understanding the situation perfectly.

Marshal Tianpeng's behavior was indeed strange. His drunken outburst could be understood, but his attack on the Star Palace was somewhat illogical.

Moreover, the "opportunity mentioned by Laozi" that he spoke of probably has another hidden story behind it.

But right now, it's a fact that Fairy Ni Chang is frightened, and the dignity of the Heavenly Court must be upheld.

As the God of Law Enforcement, Lin Zhu could not hesitate in the slightest.

"Your Majesty is holy."

Lin Zhu stepped forward.

"Marshal Tianpeng's crimes are unforgivable. I request that he be executed immediately."

The Jade Emperor nodded in satisfaction.

"Granted. Minister Lin shall personally oversee the execution, and it shall be carried out immediately!"

Upon hearing this, Marshal Tianpeng roared in despair.

"No! Your Majesty! Lin Yushen! I'm innocent! Lao Jun, save me!"

Two golden-armored warriors stepped forward and dragged the struggling Marshal Tianpeng out of the hall.

Laozi gave Lin Zhu a deep look, then turned and left.

"Retreat!"

The Jade Emperor rose, and all the immortals knelt in worship. After the immortals dispersed, the Jade Emperor remained alone with Lin Zhu.

"Does my dear minister have any doubts?"

Lin Zhu pondered for a moment and said, "Marshal Tianpeng seems to have something to hide."

The Jade Emperor sneered.

"How could I not know? But the Heavenly Court has been weak for too long and urgently needs to restore its prestige. Your strict enforcement of the law is exactly the kind of talent I need. Today's event is to let the Three Realms know that the laws of the Heavenly Court cannot be challenged!"

"I understand."

Lin Zhu cupped his hands in greeting.

"The Peach Banquet is approaching, and all forces will gather at that time."

The Jade Emperor said meaningfully.

"My dear minister, you must be well prepared."

Lin Zhu understood immediately.

"I will live up to your Majesty's trust."

As Lin Zhu left the Lingxiao Palace, a system notification sounded in his ear.

"Ding! Check-in task completed! Rewards have been sent to your system space. The Three Lights Divine Water can be collected after Marshal Tianpeng has finished his execution."

Lin Zhu smiled slightly.

With the Dragon Roar Flute, the White Jade Ring, and the Three Lights Divine Water, this harvest was quite bountiful.

As for Marshal Tianpeng, although he was pitiful, in the grand scheme of Heaven, everyone was just a pawn.

Inside the Lingxiao Palace, the air seemed to freeze.

The Jade Emperor sat upright on the golden throne with nine dragons, his face ashen and his aura so oppressive that the immortals in the hall dared not even breathe.

"Your Majesty, Marshal Tianpeng's drunken misconduct does not warrant death!"

Laozi held a whisk in his hand, his white eyebrows furrowed, and his voice carried a hint of urgency.

The Jade Emperor snorted coldly and waved his sleeve.

"Laojun, speak no more! Tianpeng dared to assassinate a Heavenly official, harass the fairy Chang'e, and spread rumors in the army, undermining morale. If such heinous crimes are not severely punished, where will the Heavenly Court's authority be?"

As soon as he finished speaking, the temperature inside the hall plummeted.

Several star deities standing in the front row unconsciously shrank their necks, exchanging frightened glances.

The Jade Emperor, who is usually kind and amiable, showed such a strong side today, which was really unexpected for everyone.

Laozi's expression changed slightly, and he unconsciously tightened his grip on his whisk.

He glanced at Lin Zhu, who stood silently to the side, out of the corner of his eye, and felt secretly annoyed.

It's quite puzzling that this suddenly appearing prison god could garner such strong support from the Jade Emperor.

"His Majesty."

"enough!"

The Jade Emperor slammed his fist on the table and rose abruptly, causing the nine-dragon golden chair to roar deafeningly.

"My mind is made up. Tianpeng shall be cast into the River Styx immediately, never to be reincarnated! If Laozi says anything more, do not blame me for showing no mercy!"

This angry shout was like a thunderclap, shaking the glazed tiles on the roof of the palace.

Several celestial officials with lower cultivation levels turned pale on the spot and almost knelt down.

Laozi's face was ashen, and his white beard moved without wind.

He was extremely anxious. Marshal Tianpeng was a key piece in his plan to go on the journey to the West. If he were to perish, wouldn't his grand plan of meritorious deeds, which he had been working on for ten thousand years, be in vain?

Thinking of this, Lao Jun suppressed his anger and turned to walk towards Lin Zhu, who had been resting with his eyes closed.

Today, the God of Hell was dressed in a long black robe, standing with his hands behind his back, seemingly oblivious to the tense atmosphere in the hall.

"Lin the Prison God".

Lao Tzu forced a smile, his voice as gentle as a spring breeze.

"Although Tianpeng has committed crimes, considering his past merits to the Heavenly Court, how about we spare his death sentence but not escape punishment? I am willing to personally discipline him, making him serve the God of Hell as a slave for ten thousand years, subject to all beatings and scoldings. What do you say?"

Upon hearing this, all the immortals in the hall gasped in astonishment.

What kind of status does Laozi have that he would be so humble towards a mere prison god? Just who is this Lin Zhu?
Just as everyone was filled with doubt and uncertainty, Lin Zhu slowly opened his eyes.

In that instant, it was as if two bolts of lightning flashed, causing even the Supreme Lord Laozi, who was standing right next to him, to tremble involuntarily.

"The wrath of Heaven is overwhelming; this crime is unforgivable."

Lin Zhu's voice wasn't loud, but every word was firm and resounding.

The moment those eight words were uttered, the smile on Laozi's face froze instantly.

He never expected that after he humbled himself and pleaded with kind words, the other party would be so disrespectful!

Marshal Tianpeng, held captive by the heavenly soldiers in a corner of the palace, turned ashen-faced upon hearing this and struggled to cry out, "Lord Laozi, save me! This humble general knows his mistake!"

"Shut up!"

The Jade Emperor gave a stern shout, and Tianpeng was struck as if by lightning, collapsing to the ground.

Laozi's expression shifted between light and dark, his eyes beneath his white eyebrows flashing with ruthlessness, but he quickly regained his composure.

He took out a purple-gold gourd from his sleeve.

"Lin Yushen, this old man is willing to offer a Nine-Turn Golden Pill to atone for Tianpeng's sins."

Laozi pulled out the gourd stopper, and immediately golden light shone everywhere, and a refreshing fragrance filled the entire hall.

"This pill can help a Great Luo Golden Immortal break through a bottleneck; it is extremely precious."

There was a cry of exclamation in the hall.

Nine-Turn Golden Elixir! That's a supreme treasure that Laozi (the Supreme Lord Lao) can only refine once every thousand years. Ordinary immortals don't even have the chance to see it.

However, Lin Zhu merely glanced at it indifferently, a barely perceptible sneer curling at the corner of his lips, before closing his eyes again and remaining silent.

This reaction made Laozi blush, so embarrassed that the gourd in his hand trembled.

He gritted his teeth and took out two more gourds of the same style.

"Three! Three Nine-Turn Golden Pills!"

Lao Jun's voice rose a few decibels.

"Add another Nine-Turn Great Rejuvenation Pill! This pill can instantly ascend to the Golden Immortal realm for any mortal who takes it; I only obtain one every ten thousand years!"

"hiss"

Exclamations of amazement rose and fell throughout the hall.

The star deities stared wide-eyed at the gourd in Laozi's hand, wishing they could pounce on it and snatch it away.

That's a divine object that can allow mortals to ascend to heaven in one step!
Lin Zhu, who had been keeping his eyes closed, finally reacted.

He slowly opened his eyes, but instead of looking at the precious pills, he stared directly into Laozi's eyes, which held a hint of anxiety.

"Laojun."

Lin Zhu's voice was eerily calm.

Why are you so determined to save a criminal general?

This seemingly casual remark struck Laozi like a thunderbolt, nearly causing him to drop the gourd from his hand.

He forced himself to remain calm and gave a dry laugh.

"Well... Heaven has a benevolent heart towards life."

Lin Zhu's cold smile became even more pronounced.

He had long seen through it all; these lofty saints were not without desires, and what they sought was nothing more than the ethereal concept of "merit."

For the sake of merit, a sage can scheme for ten thousand years; for the sake of merit, a sage will also humble himself and be subservient to a prison god.

At this moment, Lin Zhu's state of mind suddenly seemed to transcend.

He seemed to be standing on a cloud, looking down at these so-called "saints" who were busy with merit, and his vision suddenly broadened.

"Two Nine-Turn Great Rejuvenation Pills!"

Seeing that Lin Zhu remained unmoved, Laozi finally gritted his teeth and revealed his trump card.

"This is all the wealth I have left! Prison God Lin, please have mercy on me!"

Inside the Lingxiao Palace, celestial energy swirled, and the palace was resplendent in gold and jade.

Lin Zhu, dressed in a blue robe, had her eyes lowered, as if she were not interested in anything in front of her.

His slender fingers gently tapped the scabbard of the Immortal-Slaying and God-Slaying Sword, producing a crisp sound.

Laozi's white beard fluttered, and fine beads of sweat had already seeped from his forehead.

He raised the price for the third time.

"Fellow Daoist Lin, four Nine-Turn Great Rejuvenation Pills are the limit I can offer."

Marshal Tianpeng knelt to one side, trembling all over. His usually arrogant pig face was now as white as paper.

He secretly glanced at Lin Zhu, then quickly lowered his head, afraid of attracting the attention of this wicked star.

Inside the hall, all the immortals held their breath, even the Jade Emperor leaned forward slightly, observing the negotiation with great interest. (End of Chapter)