Journey to the West: Demon Emperor: Beginning as a Little Toad

Chapter 610 Yang Jian's Judgment

The decree from Heaven has finally arrived!

The majestic imperial decree, carrying the chilling might of heaven and the bone-chilling killing intent, instantly swept across the entire Jinghe Dragon Palace!
The imperial decree was like a knife, each word piercing the heart!
Countless aquatic creatures, terrified and trembling, huddled in a corner, not daring to even breathe.

Even the rare and exotic beasts deep within the palace walls let out fearful cries and cowered within the coral reefs.

The patrolling shrimp soldiers and crab generals stood frozen in place, their joints beneath their scales creaking with fear.

Even the swaying, graceful algae seemed to have lost their luster, their splendor dimmed.

The vast Jinghe Water Palace was instantly enveloped in a suffocating silence and despair.

The current God of Justice is none other than Erlang Shen, the True Lord of Manifestation, who wields a three-pointed double-edged sword, has divine eyes on his forehead, and is awe-inspiring throughout the three realms!
but.

Capturing a mere mortal "fake Wei River Dragon King" Ao Tuojie is not worth Yang Jian's personal attention.

The officers who came to capture the fake Weihe River Dragon King Ao Tuojie were none other than Kang Anyu and Zhang Boshi, two of the six Meishan brothers, who were Yang Jian's capable lieutenants!
Furthermore, the fierce and piercing Howling Sky Divine Dog accompanied them to reinforce the formation!

Kang Anyu and Zhang Boshi, both dressed in bright silver armor and holding gleaming magical artifacts, were expressionless with eyes like lightning.

Behind them stood rows of celestial soldiers and generals, their golden armor gleaming and exuding a murderous aura. Their formation was impeccable, their divine light radiating, and they had sealed off all the exits of the Water Palace like an iron barrel, with a chilling atmosphere permeating all directions.

With its sharp teeth and cold gaze, the Howling Sky Divine Dog pierced through the water, its keen eyes fixed on the soulless little alligator dragon.

The false Wei River Dragon King Ao Tuojie has irrefutable evidence of his crimes: he overstepped his divine position, took charge of the Wei River but neglected his duties; moreover, he was audacious enough to not only privately change the time of rainfall in the Heavenly Court's decree, but also arbitrarily increase the number of rainfall points, far exceeding the "four feet and four inches" limit set in the decree!
This eventually led to a massive flood.

The monstrous flood swept through Chang'an, the capital of the human race in the Southern Continent, causing immense suffering and turning the once prosperous capital into a swamp.

His crimes are: first, "dereliction of duty"; second, "disregard for divine rules"; and third, "causing chaos in the human world"...

He was punished for multiple crimes and should be executed by being cut into a thousand pieces on the Dragon-Slicing Platform!

Kang Anyu stepped forward, his gaze sharp as a knife, fixed on the limp little alligator dragon on the ground, his voice icy:

"The false Dragon King of the Wei River, Ao Tuojie, hereby issues this imperial edict."

"Your time has come. Come with us on our journey!"

After saying this, he waved his hand, and the celestial soldiers behind him, as fierce as wolves and tigers, holding the Immortal Binding Chains wrapped with dragon-binding runes, shook them open with a clattering sound, their cold light chilling, and were about to step forward to lock up the little alligator dragon that was limp on the ground.

"No! Don't take my Jie'er!"

A piercing, distorted scream rang out.

Like a mother beast protecting her cub, the Dragon Queen of the Jing River, her eyes bloodshot, threw herself upon the baby alligator dragon, shielding her son with her frail yet resolute body, tears streaming down her face.
"Arrest me! Let my Jie'er go!"

The Dragon Queen of the Jing River was disheveled, her fine clothes were stained with mud, and her former elegance was gone, leaving only the desperate lament of a mother.

At this moment.

The Dragon King of the Jing River was heartbroken and his liver and intestines were torn apart.

His wife's heart-wrenching cries and his son's terrified wails were like sharp blades cutting into his heart.

But he was far more clear-headed than the Dragon Queen of the Jing River.

At this moment, how could he dare to have even the slightest thought of stopping it?
Obstructing the enforcement of the law by the Heavenly Court is tantamount to treason and rebellion!

The death of one person might preserve the bloodline.

If anyone dares to obstruct us, they will anger the Heavenly Court and their entire family will be executed. The Jinghe Dragon Clan will be wiped out today!

……

Amidst the heart-wrenching cries of the Jinghe Dragon Queen and the terrified howls of the little alligator dragon.

The Dragon King of the Jing River suddenly closed his eyes, then opened them wide again!

At this moment, a kind of tragic and resolute light burst forth from those turbid dragon eyes!

He stepped forward, firmly blocking his wife and children, and bowed deeply to Kang Anyu, who was holding the imperial edict and about to order the arrest, saying:
"General Kang! Please... wait!"

Kang Anyu's thick eyebrows furrowed suddenly, his hand gripping the hilt of his sword at his waist, and he shouted in a deep voice:

"Jinghe Dragon King, what do you intend to do? Do you perhaps wish to obstruct the enforcement of the law by the Heavenly God of Justice?"

"Swish, swish, swish!"

As soon as the words were spoken, the heavenly soldiers stepped forward in unison, drew their swords, and pointed them directly at the Jing River Dragon King.

They were just waiting for Kang Anyu's order to capture the Jinghe Dragon King.

An invisible pressure instantly enveloped the Jinghe Dragon King.

"Don't dare!"

The Jinghe Dragon King quickly bent over, almost touching the ground, hunched over like an old tree in its twilight years.

The Dragon King of the Jing River bowed and pleaded with Kang Anyu:
“My son Tuojie has committed such a heinous crime, he deserves to die, and I, the old dragon… have no complaints!”

"The might of Heaven is awe-inspiring, and the principles of law are clear; this is the proper course of things."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over his distraught son on the ground, his eyes filled with even greater pain:
"However, as the saying goes: if you raise a child but do not teach him, it is the father's fault."

"The root of this disaster lies in Old Long's lax management of his household and his failure to properly educate his son! His pampering and spoiling of him led to his youthful ignorance and caused this catastrophic calamity!"

"The blame lies entirely with Lao Long!"

"My son is young and ignorant, and has been misled... I, the old dragon, am willing to take the blame for him! I will follow you, the heavenly gods... to the Dragon-Slaying Platform in Heaven... to be punished!"

"I only beg... I only beg you gods to have mercy and spare this ignorant child's life!"

To preserve the bloodline of his young son who had caused the massacre of his entire family, the once mighty and powerful Dragon God of Rain, who commanded the eight rivers of Chang'an and the wind and rain, resolutely chose to die for his son!
He would take the blame for his son and endure the torture of being torn to pieces in his place!

That tragic, life-for-life paternal love was like an invisible warm current, causing even the grim, icy array of heavenly soldiers to pause slightly.

Kang Anyu frowned, unfurled the scroll of the Jade Emperor's edict, its golden light shimmering and its divine might awe-inspiring, pointed to the clear text, and said in a deep voice to the Jing River Dragon King:

"Jing River Dragon King, look carefully!"

"This is a decree personally issued by the Jade Emperor!"

"This decree is written clearly in black and white!"

"We are looking to capture the Wei River Dragon King 'Ao Tuo Jie,' not your Jing River Dragon King 'Ao Yuan.'"

"It's my duty, and I'm afraid I can't make an exception!"

The Dragon King of the Jing River raised his head, looked directly into Kang Anyu's eyes, and pleaded with him:

"General Kang! Even oxen have the instinct to lick their calves, how much more so should we dragons?"

"For a father, the greatest pain in the world is... a parent outliving their child!"

His voice choked up:
"My dragon race is different from the human race. Dragons have long lifespans, living for tens of thousands of years or even longer. It takes a hundred years for a dragon to hatch, five hundred years for its scales to grow, and a thousand years for it to grow dragon horns."

“My son Tuojie, although he is six hundred years old this year, in the long lifespan of the dragon clan... he is still a young child, like a new bud in spring, untouched by wind and rain.”

"He was ignorant and naive, his mind was not yet settled, and he was misled by others, which led him to commit this grave mistake!"

“My son is guilty, and the guilt is on my body.”

"It's my fault for not disciplining him properly."

"Old Dragon...I am willing to go to the Dragon-Slaying Platform and suffer the punishment of being cut into a thousand pieces, to bear this responsibility for my son."

"I only ask that my death serve as a warning to others, to awaken all the gods of the Three Realms, so that they will not repeat the same mistake."

Fatherly love is like a mountain, unlike the gentleness of motherly love, and is often reflected in daily care and concern.

A father's love is like a mountain; it is not often outwardly expressed in its fervor, but it shelters his children from the wind and rain and provides the most reliable support in crucial moments.

Looking into the eyes of the Jinghe Old Dragon King, filled with an unwavering paternal love, Kang Anyu was deeply moved and couldn't help but sigh.
"Alas... Old Dragon King, I... understand your intentions."

There is a saying in the world: Parents who love their children plan far ahead for them.

He changed the subject, his tone returning to solemnity:

"However, the law does not tolerate sentimentality."

“Ao Tuojie’s crime is Ao Tuojie’s crime.”

"How can we shift the burden onto you and make you bear it?"

"If we set such a precedent for you today, where is the law? Where is the authority of Heaven? Wouldn't the order of the Three Realms collapse instantly?"

Seeing that Kang Anyu seemed to be softening his stance, the Jinghe Dragon King, like a drowning man grasping at a last straw, quickly took another step forward.

The Dragon King of the Jing River spoke with even greater earnestness, his voice trembling as he said:
"General Kang, I have heard that Erlang Shen was once the youngest son in his family."

"Yang Jun, the father of Erlang Xiansheng Zhenjun, also died protecting Erlang Xiansheng Zhenjun at Guanjiang Estuary."

“Erlang Xiansheng Zhenjun, you should understand my intentions.”

"I, Old Dragon, humbly request General Kang to convey this sentiment to Erlang Shenzhenjun! Please... Zhenjun, make your judgment!"

At this point, Ao Yuan, the Dragon King of the Jing River, choked up, tears streaming down his face:

"My father and I...are here...awaiting the True Lord's decree!"

At this point, Ao Yuan, the Dragon King of the Jing River, was already sobbing uncontrollably, his body swaying slightly under the immense grief and pressure.

Kang Anyu and Zhang Boshi exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with complex and unfathomable emotions.

Zhang Boshi lowered his voice and said worriedly:

“Brother Kang, the imperial edict clearly states that the order is to capture ‘the fake Wei River Dragon King Ao Tuojie’.”

"If we bring back a 'Jing River Dragon King Ao Yuan'... how will we explain this to our superiors?"

"Wouldn't that put Second Master in a difficult position?"

Kang Anyu stared into the old Dragon King's eyes, his gaze filled with a pleading intensity that showed he would rather die than let his young son die, and his heart was filled with mixed emotions. He recalled the past of Yang Jian's father, Yang Tianyou, and then glanced at the little alligator dragon behind the old Dragon King, who was trembling and limp with fear, the "culprit." His mind was also in turmoil.

He knew that since his second master took charge of the Judicial God's Palace, he had not been entirely harsh and ruthless. He had also resisted public opinion and revised many unreasonable old rules.

Kang Anyu pondered for a moment, then finally made up his mind and sighed deeply:
"Enough... Since Second Master took charge of the judiciary, his actions and decisions have often been deeply meaningful."

"This matter... is of utmost importance, and is beyond our ability to decide."

"I will ascend to heaven immediately to report the will of the Old Dragon King of the Jing River to Second Master for a decision!"

When he turned to Uncle Zhang, he solemnly instructed him:
"Brother Zhang, you take your men and... stay here and keep watch. Make sure... you take good care of them."

"Don't leave."

Zhang Boshi nodded solemnly.
"Yes, I know. You can go without worry."

Kang Anyu said no more. His body shone with divine light, which transformed into a blazing white stream of light. In an instant, it broke through the restrictions of the Jinghe Water Palace, tore through the dark water waves, and rushed straight towards the Heavenly Court's Judicial God Palace!

Zhang Boshi waved his hand to deploy defenses. With a wave of his hand, the Heavenly Soldiers' formation contracted again, surrounding the Jinghe Water Palace like an iron barrel, so that not even a fish or shrimp could escape.

……

skyline.

Inside the imposing and solemn Palace of the God of Justice, all was quiet.

Not long ago, Yang Jian had an earth-shattering sparring match with the unruly and famous "Great Sage Equal to Heaven, the Handsome Monkey King".

The intensity of the battle was still palpable, with lingering ripples of magical power still permeating the air, seemingly recounting the breathtaking nature of the fight.

At this moment.

Sun Wukong has already left.

After the Xuan Yu case.

The God of Justice, Yang Jian, was closing his eyes and concentrating, circulating his inner energy and regulating his breathing.

The three-pointed double-edged sword leaned quietly to one side, its blade gleaming with a cold, sharp light, reflecting its owner's serene face.

Yang Jian closed his third eye on his forehead, as if calming the surging magical power within his body, or as if sorting out a complex and complicated document.

"Second Master..."

Kang Anyu strode into the hall, bowed respectfully, and reported everything that had happened in the Jinghe Water Palace, especially the Jinghe Dragon King Ao Yuan's plea to die in place of his son and the father-son relationship, to Yang Jian in detail.

A long silence fell over the hall.

A wisp of smoke curls from the incense burner, and time seems to stand still.

Only the cold, clear jade table reflected the sculpted figure of the God of Justice.

Kang Anyu stood holding his breath, hands at his sides, not daring to disturb him.

Yang Jian kept his eyes closed, but the fingers gripping the Xuan Yu armrest twitched almost imperceptibly.

When Kang Anyu mentioned "Yang Jun died protecting his son," his brow seemed to furrow slightly, as if memories were flooding back.

The old days.

At the mouth of the Guanjiang River, the wind and rain made it dark and gloomy.

The image of his father, Yang Tianyou, resolutely standing in front of his young self, facing the countless golden-armored generals, his slender yet towering and despairing figure...

Without his father's protection, he would probably have been killed by the heavenly soldiers and generals when he was young...

The image, buried deep in my memory, suddenly became incredibly clear.

It was a burning passion that could burn everything, including life itself, for the sake of one's flesh and blood.

Even though a thousand years have passed, and he has reached the highest rank of gods, wielding the power of heavenly rules, the pain and empathy that originated from the depths of his bloodline still reappear as if yesterday, etched into his very being!

Some people spend their entire lives healing from their childhood, while others use their childhood to illuminate their entire lives.

His father's protection and sacrifice at that moment have long been an indelible mark on Yang Jian's heart.

a long time.

"Hey……"

A very soft sigh echoed faintly in the empty and silent hall:

"Parents who love their children plan far ahead for them..."

Law and emotion are like two ends of a scale, always difficult to choose between.

The weight between cold laws and passionate human relationships can only be truly felt by those who hold them.

For someone to become a judicial god, they inevitably need to be "hard-hearted and cold-blooded".

Yang Jian remained silent for a long time, weighing the immense weight of heavenly rules versus human ethics, law versus kinship.

a long time.

Yang Jian slowly opened his eyes.

Those all-seeing eyes, capable of discerning right from wrong and seeing through the three realms, no longer held their usual coldness and sharpness, but instead revealed an extremely complex and indescribable expression.

There is an adherence to the law, an insight into family ties, and perhaps even... a distant recollection of his father who sacrificed himself to protect him.
At this moment.

No one could truly fathom the turmoil churning within the heart of this judicial god at that moment.

Yang Jian remained silent for a long time, as if he were weighing the heavenly laws and human relationships, seeking a delicate balance between the cold legal principles and the burning fatherly love.

The rules of heaven are as imposing as mountains, inviolable; yet the resolute courage to die for one's son is equally moving, touching the hearts of all.

but.

The Jinghe Dragon King was right about one thing: dragons have long lifespans, often tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands of years... They hatch after a hundred years, grow scales after five hundred years, and grow dragon horns after a thousand years.

The little alligator dragon is a member of the dragon race. Although it is already six hundred years old, if placed within the long lifespan of the dragon race, its horns have not yet fully grown, and it is still young and needs to be educated.

Was the Heavenly Court's decision to directly escort the little alligator dragon to the Dragon-Slaying Platform and subject it to the punishment of being sliced ​​into a thousand pieces the only and absolute choice?

The young alligator dragon was too young, and its father, the Jinghe Dragon King, failed to fulfill his duty of discipline and was not strict with his son, which caused the young alligator dragon to violate the heavenly rules and commit a grave mistake.

Is it feasible for the punishment of the Lesser Alligator Dragon to be borne by the Dragon King of the Jing River?

……

After a long time.

Yang Jian spoke:

"Grant his request. Let the Dragon King of the Jing River ascend to heaven and take the punishment in place of his son."

"Ran—!"

Yang Jian's tone suddenly turned stern, and a chilling divine might instantly enveloped the hall:

"However, the fake Wei River Dragon King Ao Tuojie neglected his duties first, then altered the will of Heaven, and finally brought chaos to the human world. His crimes are obvious."

“The false Wei River Dragon King Ao Tuojie shall be stripped of his divine position immediately, and shall not be employed again for a thousand years.”

"If they dare to cause trouble again, they will be executed without mercy!"

At this moment, Kang Anyu's heart trembled violently. Although he had a premonition, hearing the Second Master make this decision, which almost replaced the recipient of the imperial edict, still made him look worried. He reminded Yang Jian:
"Second Master, we are supposed to capture the 'fake Wei River Dragon King Ao Tuo Jie,' but we are taking the 'Jing River Dragon King Ao Yuan' with us."

"In that case... I'm afraid... I'm afraid it will be difficult to explain to the Jade Emperor."

His worries were palpable.

Yang Jian turned his gaze to Kang Anyu and said:

"I will personally go to the Lingxiao Palace to explain this matter to the Jade Emperor."

"I will take responsibility for this matter."

Just as Kang Anyu solemnly accepted the order and was about to turn and leave the main hall,

Yang Jian's voice rang out again, adding:
"Furthermore, remove the Dragon-Slaying Platform and send the Old Dragon King of the Jing River... to the Immortal-Slaying Platform."

"Give him... a quick death."

Kang Anyu instantly understood Yang Jian's intention.

Dragon-Slaying Platform!
That was a place of torture specifically designed by the Heavenly Court for the dragon race.

The dragons were subjected to a thousand cuts on the Dragon Slicing Platform, a slow and agonizing execution, each cut accompanied by unbearable pain and despair.

Every cut is excruciating for the dragons.

At the Execution Platform, although one's head is severed and one dies with a single blow, the pain lasts only an instant.

For an old father who was willing to die in place of his son, this was the last bit of dignity and respect that Yang Jian managed to secure for his father, balancing legal principles with personal feelings, all within the strict framework of the law.

Kang Anyu solemnly clasped his hands in a fist and nodded in response:

"Second Master, I understand."

After saying this, Kang Anyu accepted the order and left.

He knew that this decision would shake the Three Realms, cause a stir, and spark countless debates.

But in this world, it is always difficult to perfectly balance law and emotion.

But this is their Second Master, the son of gods and men, who holds the reins of heavenly rules and laws, yet he still harbors a final consideration and weighing of the common people and the inseparable "emotion" in his heart.

And a compassion that stems from one's own humanity.

(End of this chapter)