I subdue demons and monsters, and cultivate immortality in hell to become a saint.

The messenger dared not delay, hurriedly running into the main hall to pay his respects and loudly report: "Your Honor, the dragon soul that was slain today has come knocking!"

Zhong Jiu raised an eyebrow, a hint of understanding flashing in his eyes. It really was him!

He then said calmly, "Let him in."

Before long, the Dragon Lord was led in by the Soul Messenger.

He had already transformed into human form. Although he had been killed, his dragon soul was still incredibly powerful. However, the bloody scar on his neck was extremely conspicuous and could not be erased no matter what he did. It was the mark of the severed dragon.

"Your Honor! Little Dragon has been wronged beyond measure! I beg you to do me justice!"

Upon seeing Zhong Jiu, Long Jun did not hesitate at all. With a "plop," he knelt down on the ground, his eyes filled with resentment and unwillingness.

"A wrongful conviction?"

Zhong Jiu thought to himself, "As expected," but his face remained calm and expressionless as he slowly spoke, "Are you trying to say that the flooding of Chayou County was not your doing?"

"No! This was indeed done by Xiaolong!"

Dragon King readily admitted it, then added in a sorrowful tone, "But this was absolutely not Little Dragon's intention!"

"Xiaolong was originally Mengjiang Dragon Lord. He always lived in seclusion in a remote corner, focusing on his cultivation. He was determined to embark on the true dragon path and never thought of harming anyone."

"What good would killing ordinary mortals do me? If Little Dragon were truly so cruel, I would have already razed Star Sand City to the ground long before you arrived, my lord!"

He was filled with resentment, feeling that he was the most pitiful and wronged being in the world!

It wasn't until after his death that Xiaolong regained his true self and learned the whole truth, realizing that he had been terribly tricked by that thieving monk!

How many people can understand the hardships and struggles that led to his transformation from a small green python into the dragon he is today?

In order to successfully transform into a dragon, the little dragon was willing to endure endless loneliness and devote himself to seclusion and cultivation; even if he could not succeed in the future, he could still live peacefully for thousands of years, which was an excellent destiny.

But now, everything is ruined!

On the Dragon-Slaying Platform, in front of countless people, Xiaolong's head was severed. Even in death, he was still decapitated!

Thinking of all this, the Dragon King trembled with rage, his internal organs burning!

Just as he was consumed by rage and nearly swallowed by his violent temper, he suddenly remembered the words Tu Yidao had shouted before he died: "After you die, do not harm anyone. If you have any grievances, you can go to the City God's Palace to plead your case."

These words were already deeply etched in his mind.

He knew that if he continued to wreak havoc on the world, he would surely perish and his soul would be scattered!

But is it really going to be this way, dying without knowing why?

Xiao Long was truly unwilling to accept this, so he resolutely went to the City God's Mansion to see the magistrate, wanting only to reveal the truth of the matter and clear his name!

"I had already suspected it. You were not the kind of evil demon who knew no right from wrong. Your sudden change in temperament is already strange."

Zhong Jiu spoke calmly, his tone dignified yet authoritative, "But whatever the hidden reasons, your wanton slaughter of mortals has ultimately resulted in a monstrous disaster. I will naturally send you to the Execution Platform to uphold the law!"

"Xiaolong has already come to terms with this matter and does not hold a grudge against you, sir."

The Dragon King was truly at peace. After a long sigh, he said, "After death, I have come to see many things clearly. Now, I only wish to tell the truth and clear my name."

Zhong Jiu nodded and slowly said, "Tell me your story in detail, and I will judge right and wrong for you."

In fact, Zhong Jiu's words were a test for the Dragon Lord. If he harbored resentment, he might cause harm to the region in the future, so we need to be on high alert.

But now it seems that he knows his limits and knows what's important. Even if he has grievances, he dares not do evil again because he respects the underworld.

"That day, Xiaolong was in seclusion cultivating when the monk Zhichen from Honglun Temple suddenly came to his door..."

Upon hearing the name of Monk Zhichen, Long Jun tensed up instantly, his eyes surging with hatred, and his aura becoming chilling. He then began to recount the events from the very beginning.

After finishing his speech, it took more than fifteen minutes, and every word he uttered was filled with grievance and resentment, as if he were crying blood.

"The above is the whole story. Xiaolong has told the truth in every word, without hiding a single detail!"

The Dragon Lord gave a bitter laugh, his voice choked with sobs, his eyes filled with despair and resentment: "Because of the scheming of treacherous Buddhist monks, I, the Dragon Lord, not only caused the deaths of hundreds of thousands of mortals, but I myself was also brutally beheaded. All the cultivation I had painstakingly cultivated over the years has been destroyed in an instant!"

"This hatred, this resentment, is higher than the sky and deeper than the sea!"

"Please, Your Excellency, do justice for Xiaolong, punish the wicked, and uphold fairness!"

After saying this, he knelt down deeply on the ground again, his forehead touching the ground, his eyes reddening, and he couldn't help but shed tears, tears that were the result of too much grievance, resentment and anger.

What kind of injustice could have caused a dragon to shed tears?!

"It turns out it was Buddhism that was behind this! This dragon has been completely tricked!"

After hearing about his ordeal, a cold glint flashed in Zhong Jiu's eyes. The dragon was peacefully cultivating in seclusion at home when a sudden calamity struck!

He not only personally murdered his closest relatives, but was also beheaded for a serious crime!

Is there anyone in this world more wronged and miserable than him?!

Zhong Jiu instantly understood: this Dragon Lord was truly driven mad by being so pent up!

But why would Buddhism want to target him?

Zhong Jiu pondered for a moment before asking the question.

"Do you have a grudge against Buddhism?"

Long Jun shook his head frantically, his eyes almost overflowing with resentment.

"If it were just a grudge, that would be one thing, but Xiaolong has absolutely no connection with Honglun Temple! Why is that thieving monk specifically targeting me?!"

No grudges?

Zhong Jiu stood up, put his hands behind his back, and paced back and forth for a couple of steps.

A thought suddenly popped into his mind.

"That monk, could he be coming for me?!"

The moment the thought crossed his mind, Zhong Jiu instantly understood the cause and effect.

Although I did not directly oppose Buddhism, I gave Elder Jiang some pointers, which clearly ruined their scheme.

They will definitely investigate the root of this matter.

Old Jiang is just an ordinary person, so it's perfectly normal for them to find some clues about him.

After some speculation, they naturally placed the greatest suspicion on the underworld.

That's why Zhi Chen went to Nanling Province and used the dragon to commit murder.

Their purpose is simply to annoy me and vent their anger!

Sometimes when your intuition kicks in, the more you guess, the more suspicious it seems. It's probably true!

Zhong Jiu initially had only a vague idea, but upon further reflection, it turned out to be quite close to the truth.

After careful consideration, this turned out to be the only explanation!

Otherwise, why would Zhi Chen, who is so bored, go all the way to Nanling Province to scheme against an unrelated dragon lord?

"Your Honor, Xiaolong has been wronged! I beg you to arrest Zhichen and clear Xiaolong's name!"

Long Jun kowtowed repeatedly to Zhong Jiu, his forehead almost bleeding from the effort, begging Zhong Jiu to stand up for him.

Zhong Jiu's face darkened, and after a moment of silence, he asked, "You ordered me to arrest Zhi Chen, but do you have any evidence?"

evidence?!

The Dragon King froze on the spot, his face turning pale instantly.

"He deceived me with evil techniques, isn't that evidence?!"

Zhong Jiu shook his head, his tone indifferent: "Whether what Zhi Chen gave you was evil magic or authentic Buddhism, who can say for sure? You all have your own version of events, so what right do I have to judge? You yourself cannot be your own witness."

"Besides, even if it were truly an evil technique, he didn't explicitly instruct you to kill. He could easily deny it outright, saying he was just giving you an opportunity, and that you yourself went astray and turned around to accuse him!"

Zhichen played his hand too cleanly!

From beginning to end, he didn't say a single word that was detrimental to himself.

I simply gave you a manual, that's all.

Based on this alone, there is absolutely no way to convict him.

But precisely because he did it so cleanly, Zhong Jiu became completely certain that this guy was from Chong Yin Si!

They deliberately made it flawless, not wanting to leave any handle against them.

Using you as a pawn is just to cause trouble for the underworld!

Zhong Jiu thought to himself: So, it turns out I've dragged this Dragon Lord into this mess?

I did not kill Bo Ren, yet Bo Ren died because of me! This saying has come true here.

The root of this calamity for the Dragon King lies within me.

"That damned thieving monk clearly planned this all along!"

The Dragon King gritted his teeth in rage, his whole body trembling: "Am I destined to suffer this injustice forever, never to be redressed?!"

The Dragon King completely broke down, weeping uncontrollably in the palace, appearing as if he had gone mad.

"Zhichen may not have left any evidence, but that doesn't mean I'll let him go!"

Zhong Jiu suddenly spoke, his tone icy.

He was truly enraged.

I have thwarted the Buddhist sect's plans, and they wish to retaliate; I understand.

If we really want to fight, then let's rely on our own abilities. I won't waste any more words!

But their biggest mistake was setting up such a vicious scheme, which led to the deaths of the Dragon King, the aquatic creatures, and innocent civilians!

Why should we involve others in our feud?!

Instead of confronting the issue head-on, they resort to these underhanded tricks?

Can Zhong Jiu swallow this insult?!

"Thank you, sir! You are wise indeed!"

Upon hearing Zhong Jiu's words, the Dragon King was overjoyed, tears welling in his eyes. His great revenge was finally within reach!