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

The judge he had painstakingly summoned was kneeling before Lin Zhu! What on earth was going on?

Judge Cui Jue was filled with terror.

The thought that the immortal lord who held the law of the three realms was sitting in front of him made him feel as if his heart was being gripped tightly by an invisible hand, and could be crushed at any moment.

Cui Jue was so frightened that his face turned pale, and he looked particularly terrifying in the cold wind.

Yuan Tiangang, however, failed to perceive the judge's fear and instead felt confident of victory.

He looked at Lin Zhu with an arrogant smile on his face and laughed loudly.

"Hahaha! Lin Zhu! Weren't you so arrogant? Now that the Judge has arrived! Why don't you kneel down and kowtow to admit your mistakes!"

Yuan Tiangang believed that summoning the Judge, a kind of ghost or god, was enough to prove his power and make everyone look at him with new respect.

He believed that this time, he would definitely make Lin Zhu lose face and make Li Shimin see his value again.

The civil and military officials present were also shocked by the appearance of the judge. Apart from a few veterans who had experienced the war in India, the others had never seen ghosts or gods before.

They looked at the judge with eyes full of awe.

Everyone admired Yuan Tiangang's abilities, believing that he could not only predict the future but also summon ghosts and gods from the underworld, making him a rare and powerful figure in the Three Realms.

Li Shimin sat on the dragon throne, his face showing a cold expression.

He realized that Yuan Tiangang's move was an attempt to demonstrate his abilities in the imperial court and force him to submit.

However, Li Shimin didn't care. He watched coldly, wanting to see how many people in the court would still flatter the emperor and bully the people because of Yuan Tiangang's performance.

Lin Zhu glanced at Judge Cui Jue, raised an eyebrow, and recognized the familiar ghost.

Cui Jue is a well-known ghost in the Yin Law Department. He holds the Book of Life and Death in his left hand and the Soul-Hooking Pen in his right, and is responsible for carrying out the task of punishing good and evil.

Lin Zhu was no stranger to Cui Jue, as he was also a minor character in the Journey to the West.

Lin Zhu slightly opened her eyes, and Cui Jue instantly felt his primordial spirit frozen, unable to move.

He wanted to kneel down and apologize immediately, but seeing that Lin Zhu seemed angry, he could only grit his teeth and maintain his imposing posture, though he was almost crying inside, regretting that he shouldn't have been summoned.

Seeing that Lin Zhu remained calm and composed, Yuan Tiangang became even angrier and continued to urge the judge to punish Lin Zhu.

"Your Honor! You see! This man is utterly arrogant! How dare he disrespect the Underworld! I beg Your Honor to cast him into the eighteenth level of Hell, so that he may never be reincarnated!"

Cui Jue's face turned green with fright. He realized that Yuan Tiangang wanted him to go and die.

He was filled with fear, thinking that even the ruler of the underworld was working as a gardener on Lin Zhu's Kunlun Mountain. How could a mere judge like himself dare to lay a hand on Lin Zhu? Cui Jue's face was a mixture of green and white, and his expression was quite interesting.

Yuan Tiangang, however, was completely oblivious and continued to loudly threaten Lin Zhu from the side.

"Lin Zhu! You'd better kowtow to the Judge and admit your mistake right now! Otherwise, the Judge will cast you into the eighteenth level of hell, so that you will never be reincarnated!"

Lin Zhu responded with a faint sound.

"Is it?"

Upon hearing Lin Zhu's voice, Cui Jue tried desperately to shake his head, but was suppressed by Lin Zhu's imposing aura and could not move.

He screamed inwardly, "Lord Prison God! That's not what I meant! I really didn't mean that!"

Yuan Tiangang continued to urge the judge on from the side, and even tried to curry favor with him.

"Your Honor! If you rid me of this swindler, I will surely offer you more tribute! And elevate your status in the underworld to a higher level!"

Cui Jue was filled with despair, feeling that Yuan Tiangang had ruined him terribly, and he even had a plan for how he would die.

He knew that for Lin Zhu, killing him would be easier than crushing an ant.

He recalled the scene of Lin Zhu beating up Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, and his heart was filled with fear.

He didn't know if he would survive this time.

However, at that very moment, Lin Zhu suddenly released the pressure and restraint on Cui Jue.

Cui Jue instantly felt his body lighten, the restraints were released, and he could finally move.

Seeing Cui Jue's overwhelming momentum, Yuan Tiangang thought he was sure to win.

He pointed at Lin Zhu and shouted loudly.

"See? The judge has come to his senses! You arrogant fool, you're dead!"

He also tried to curry favor with Cui Jue, emphasizing that Lin Zhu was disrespectful to ghosts and gods and should be exiled to the eighteenth level of hell according to the rules of the underworld.

The entire court of officials also felt that Lin Zhu was finished. The judge had come to his senses, and Lin Zhu was sure to receive a cruel punishment.

They looked at Lin Zhu with a hint of pity in their eyes, feeling that he was too arrogant and had angered the gods.

However, what happened next left everyone speechless.

Suddenly, Cui Jue reached out, grabbed Yuan Tiangang by the collar, and lifted him into the air.

Yuan Tiangang panicked and shouted.

"Your Honor! You've arrested the wrong person! I am Yuan Tiangang! I am an ally of you—no, I am an ally of Lin Zhu!"

However, in front of everyone, Cui Jue slapped Yuan Tiangang hard across the face and cursed.

"You little bastard! How dare you disrespect Lord Prison God?!"

This slap stunned all the officials in the court.

They looked at Cui Jue, then at Yuan Tiangang, who was beaten senseless, and for a moment, they didn't know what to say.

Even Li Shimin couldn't help but laugh, thinking to himself, "They've finally arrived."

Yuan Tiangang was so dizzy from the beating that he emphasized in horror.

"Your Honor! I am Yuan Tiangang! You must have made a mistake?!"

Cui Jue had just been freed from Lin Zhu's oppressive power when he saw Yuan Tiangang still daring to disrespect the God of Prison, which enraged him.

He held Yuan Tiangang by one hand and slapped his face hard with the other, cursing as he did so.

"I'm going to beat you up, you bastard! How dare you ask me to capture Lord Prison God! Your whole family are scoundrels!"

Enraged, Cui Jue unleashed a barrage of slaps on Yuan Tiangang's face, each blow more vicious than the last.

Yuan Tiangang's mind went blank after being beaten; all he could think about was the word "boss."

He couldn't believe it; even the judge was calling Lin Zhu "boss." What was going on?

The entire court was caught off guard by this sudden reversal, and everyone was speculating about what had happened.

Some veterans, such as Qin Shubao and Yuchi Gong, began to doubt Lin Zhu's true identity. Could he really be the immortal lord who made a fleeting appearance back then?

The scene was extremely bizarre; everyone was watching Yuan Tiangang get beaten.

Cui Jue cursed and whipped Yuan Tiangang relentlessly. After an hour, Cui Jue finally stopped. Yuan Tiangang was barely alive, but still somewhat conscious.

Yuan Tiangang was beaten to the point of barely clinging to life, and he asked with extreme resentment.

"Why...why?"

Cui Jue didn't even glance at him. Instead, he walked up to Lin Zhu, knelt down, kowtowed, and sincerely begged for forgiveness.

"Little devil Cui Jue, I was unaware of the arrival of the Lord of the Prison. Please forgive my failure to greet you properly!"

Yuan Tiangang's worldview was completely shattered; he couldn't believe that Cui Jue would kneel before Lin Zhu.

The entire court was in uproar, as a dignified deity had actually knelt before an unknown man in white in front of everyone.

Some speculate that Lin Zhu might be the ruler of the underworld, while others think he is more like a celestial lord of the heavenly court.

The crowd was abuzz with discussion, and the scene was chaotic.

Lin Zhu glanced at Cui Jue indifferently and said that his crimes of colluding with mortals and intruding into the palace would be dealt with later, and told him to leave first.

Cui Jue stepped aside, his heart sinking, knowing he was in deep trouble this time.

Lin Zhu's gaze fell on Yuan Tiangang, and he said coldly.

"Yuan Tiangang, do you know your crime?"

Yuan Tiangang was beaten senseless and stammered, "What crime have I committed?"

"Humph!"

Lin Zhu snorted coldly and said.

"You have committed three major crimes!"

"First, as a sorcerer, instead of serving his country, he incites bloodshed and seeks to kill innocent women to stabilize the country. This is inhumane!"

"Secondly, by relying on your uncle Yuan Shoucheng's words to reveal heavenly secrets and deceive the world for fame, this is unjust!"

"Third, inciting the judges of the underworld to invade the human world and disrupt order is disloyal!"

Lin Zhuyi rebuked Yuan Tiangang with righteous indignation. His voice was like thunder from the heavens, making Yuan Tiangang's mind buzz.

"You have committed these three crimes and are sentenced to death! After death, you will be sent to the eighteenth level of hell to suffer torture for ten thousand years, never to be reincarnated!"

Yuan Tiangang's face turned deathly pale instantly.

He couldn't believe his ears. He thought Lin Zhu would only punish him at most, but he never expected that he would be sentenced to death!
Yuan Tiangang was completely panicked. He couldn't understand how anyone could know so many of his secrets, including the fact that his uncle Yuan Shoucheng was an official in the Heavenly Court and had stolen heavenly secrets.

He stared wide-eyed in disbelief, questioning Lin Zhu's identity.

"Who...who are you?!"

Cui Jue couldn't help but slap his forehead, thinking that Yuan Tiangang was really stupid, daring to question even someone like Lin Zhu.

Cui Jue wished he could kick Yuan Tiangang to death immediately. If Lin Zhu hadn't told him to step back, he would have already made his move.

Lin Zhu smiled coldly and told Yuan Tiangang that nothing in this world can be hidden from Heaven and Earth, for there are gods watching over us.

Yuan Tiangang then realized that Lin Zhu might be an immortal, and his eyes were filled with terror.

Lin Zhu didn't explain further, and turned to Li Shimin.

"Human affairs should be decided by human beings themselves, not by heaven and earth or gods."

He hinted to Li Shimin that Yuan Tiangang's trial should be held posthumously.

Lin Zhu did not want to interfere too much in human affairs, believing that the world would have its own judgment.

Li Shimin stood up and announced.

"Yuan Tiangang, do you know your crime?"

"Your Majesty, I...I do not know," Yuan Tiangang stammered.

"I don't know?"

Li Shimin sneered.

"I had already sensed something was amiss with you! Even without the recluse Lin's appearance, you would not have escaped death today!"

Li Shimin accused Yuan Tiangang of using the will of Heaven to levy exorbitant taxes, hoarding tens of thousands of taels of gold and silver, and using celestial phenomena to execute countless innocent people.

He ordered Yuan Tiangang to be executed by dismemberment.

"Your Majesty! Spare me! Your Majesty, spare me!"

Yuan Tiangang shouted in terror.

However, Li Shimin ignored him.

Yuchi Gong and Qin Shubao immediately jumped out, grabbed Yuan Tiangang, and grinned wickedly, indicating that they had long disliked Yuan Tiangang and were going to take revenge themselves.

"Yuan Tiangang, you've finally met your match!"

Yuchi Gong said with a cold smile.

"Hmph! Over the years, you have used the will of Heaven to persecute loyal and virtuous people. Today, we will let you taste our methods!"

Qin Shubao also said.

Yuan Tiangang struggled desperately, but to no avail, and was eventually dragged out.

Lin Zhu glanced at the trembling Cui Jue and said calmly.

“Cui Jue, listen up. After Yuan Tiangang is torn apart by chariots, immediately send his soul to the eighteenth level of hell, making sure it’s a seamless transition.”

"Yes! Yes! You obey, you little devil!"

Cui Jue felt as if he had been granted a pardon and quickly took his leave, thinking that Yuan Tiangang had almost killed him just now, and that he would definitely make him pay once he caught his soul.

After Cui Jue left, the court returned to calm.

Li Shimin announced.

"The rise and fall of the Tang Dynasty did not depend on Heaven or ghosts, but solely on self-strengthening!"

He emphasized that only by opening up channels for public opinion, recruiting talented individuals, and treating the people like one's own children could the Tang Dynasty prosper.

He admitted that he had made many mistakes in the past, but promised to be diligent in his governance in the future and never break his promise.

Li Shimin's words moved the loyal ministers in the court to tears.

For many years, they have been deceived by treacherous people like Yuan Tiangang, but today the truth has finally come out.

Li Shimin said that he only realized his mistake today after being reminded by Lin Zhu.

He hoped that all the civil and military officials would give him more guidance in the future.

The civil and military officials had red eyes and wept uncontrollably, exclaiming that a wise ruler had returned.

Li Shimin made the announcement with great pride.

"In the future, I will work together with you, my beloved ministers, to govern the country well. In the future, we will also expand our territory and save the people!"

The entire court was shocked and looked up, unable to believe that Li Shimin had actually said such words as "expanding territory and saving the people".

They were extremely excited, as if they could see the day when the Tang Dynasty's territory would cover the entire world.

The humiliation of the war in India, and the long-standing grudges, finally gave hope for revenge.

Li Shimin announced the end of the court session, and all the civil and military officials took their leave in excitement.

Lin Zhu sat to the side, somewhat bewildered. Was Li Shimin about to dominate the world? But then she thought about it again, and things seemed to be developing in a positive direction.

What goes around comes around. If the people of the Western Paradise knew about Li Shimin's plans, I wonder what they would think.

At this moment, a maid came to greet Lin Zhu and said that Li Shimin invited him to move to the study.

In the royal study, Lin Zhu and Li Shimin sat facing each other.

Li Shimin appeared somewhat flustered and nervous, and even a little excited.

After all, sitting before him was the God of Law Enforcement of the Three Realms, the savior of the Tang Dynasty, and the person he admired most.

Lin Zhu smiled slightly and said gently.

"Your Majesty, there are no outsiders here. Please make yourself at home and relax."

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin took a deep breath and quickly composed himself.

He respectfully inquired about the purpose of Lin Zhu's trip and expressed his willingness to fulfill any of his requests.

"Lord Lin, has your visit been for the sake of our Great Tang?"

Li Shimin asked respectfully.

Li Shimin's respect for Lin Zhu was not out of self-deprecation, but because Lin Zhu held a very special place in his heart.

The battle against the Buddhist kingdom of India left a deep impression on Li Shimin with Lin Zhu's sense of justice and courage, and also made him realize that respecting heaven and earth is important, but respecting all living beings is even more so.

Although Li Shimin had once lost his way, after being enlightened by Lin Zhu, he rediscovered his original aspirations and became even more determined.

"I was once lost and almost made a terrible mistake. Fortunately, the Divine Lord enlightened me and helped me regain my true self. I will never forget this kindness and virtue!"

Li Shimin bowed respectfully to Lin Zhu, thanking him for his guidance. (End of Chapter)