bookpub Chapter 7: A New Official Takes Office? I Know This Script Well!
Chapter 7: A New Official Takes Office? I Know This Script Well!
Chu Jiang's heart skipped a beat when he heard the words "new appointment".
He subconsciously took a half step back, his hand holding the teacup steady and calm, without even a ripple.
"My lord, please don't scare me. My heart has just calmed down." Chu Jiang had a flattered expression on his face, but his tone was full of probing.
He's an expert on this tactic.
The promises made by the leader in his past life could circle the earth three times.
Judge Cui's perpetually unchanging icy face remained completely unmoved; he simply took out a glittering golden scroll from his wide sleeves.
As soon as the scroll appeared, the merit energy of the entire ferry crossing seemed to be drawn in, converging and emitting bursts of dragon roars and tiger howls.
This display is more than ten thousand times better than the moldy bamboo slip that Judge Wei just presented.
"By the decree of the Great Emperor of the Eastern Peak, the Ten Kings of Hell convene to discuss this matter." Judge Cui's voice was solemn and dignified, each word carrying the power of the law, resounding throughout the netherworld.
"The mortal soul of Chu Jiang, with its rootless body, entered my underworld. Within three days, it swept away the resentment of the Three Paths River mouth for a hundred years, transformed the evil water into a holy spring, and condensed the ruined boat into a spiritual treasure. This is an act of immense merit!"
"However, the lack of clarity in rewards and punishments has led to the unjust treatment of meritorious officials, which is the fault of my underworld."
Judge Cui's gaze swept over Chu Jiang, and then his tone shifted, his voice carrying a hint of apology.
"On behalf of the Underworld, I apologize to you."
As soon as he finished speaking, he bowed slightly to Chu Jiang.
"boom!"
The entire ferry terminal was in an uproar.
The jaws of the souls queuing up nearly dropped to the ground.
Chief Judge Cui Jue! Will he personally apologize to a newly appointed ferryman?
Who would believe that if I told them?!
Even Meng Po, standing to the side, had her blurry face tremble slightly, clearly shocked by the scene.
Chu Jiang quickly put down his teacup and stepped aside to avoid the bow.
"Your Excellency, this is unacceptable! You're making me feel terrible!"
Just kidding, he made Judge Cui bow to him because he was afraid that he would be taken away by the King of Hell for a heart-to-heart talk while he was sleeping at night.
Judge Cui straightened up, his complexion returning to normal.
"Correcting mistakes and clearly distinguishing between rewards and punishments are the foundation of our underworld."
He unfurled the golden scroll in his hand and read it aloud.
"Today, Chu Jiang is hereby awarded the 'Outstanding Contribution Award of the Underworld,' and granted 100,000 merits to be recorded in your Book of Merits!"
"The Three Crossings Ferry is now Chu Jiang's private territory, enjoying complete autonomy. From this day forward, all matters here are decided by you alone; you may obey orders, but not summons!"
"So be it!"
As the last two words fell, the golden scroll transformed into a streak of light, heading straight for Chu Jiang's brow.
Chu Jiang felt a jolt in his soul as a massive flow of information and pure energy surged into his body.
He could feel that a glaring "100,000" had appeared on his merit book.
Obey orders but not pronouncements?
Isn't this just giving yourself a mountain stronghold and making yourself the king of the mountain?
This is far superior to any Deputy Director of the Reincarnation Division!
Just then, that familiar electronic voice started flashing through my mind like crazy.
[Ding! Host has completed hidden achievement: Punishing evil and promoting good, rising to fame!]
[Achievement rewards are being distributed...]
[Congratulations, host! You have obtained the divine ability: Netherworld Eye!]
[Netherworld Eye: Penetrates the origin, sees through cause and effect, and ignores all falsehoods and pretenses. Note: Using this divine ability will consume a small amount of soul power.]
Chu Jiang's heart skipped a beat.
The Eye of the Netherworld?
As soon as the thought crossed his mind, a faint light seemed to flicker in his eyes.
The whole world changed instantly in his eyes.
He saw that Meng Po was entwined with the ancient and compassionate laws of reincarnation, which were unfathomable.
He saw that the lines of good and evil, cause and effect, were intertwined on the line of souls, making their past and present lives clear at a glance.
His gaze finally settled on Judge Cui in front of him.
This chief judge was enveloped in a thick layer of golden light of merit and a chilling divine power of law, exuding extreme majesty.
But as he peered through the layers of divine light, Chu Jiang's gaze became somewhat strange.
He seemed to see a faint wisp of black energy, representing deficiency, deep within Judge Cui's straight back.
Chu Jiang blinked and muttered to himself.
"Lord Cui, you're so young, how come your back is already starting to give out? Is this some kind of blessing from the underworld, from working overtime?"
He quickly withdrew his supernatural powers, fearing that this powerful figure would discover them.
"Chu Jiang, obey the decree." Judge Cui's voice pulled him back to reality.
"I accept the imperial decree and express my gratitude!" Chu Jiang bowed deeply, his attitude extremely respectful.
His bow completely changed the atmosphere around him.
"Lord Chu... Lord Chu!"
An old ghost who had been hiding at the back of the line, barely daring to breathe, now scrambled to the front, his face plastered with a fawning smile.
"My lord! This is a Yin Soul Grass that I've treasured for three hundred years. Although it's not anything special, it's excellent for brewing tea, and it's incredibly invigorating! I'm offering it to you as a token of my respect!"
Before he could finish speaking, another ghost with a pointed mouth and monkey-like face shoved him aside.
"Get out of here! You dare to bring out a mere blade of grass? Lord Chu, look at this! This is a specialty of our Ghostfire Village, Hundred Ghost Brew! One sip, and I guarantee your soul power will surge, and you'll feel like you're floating on air!"
"My lord, I have a piece of excellent soul-nourishing wood!"
"Sir, do you need a back massage? My skills are unparalleled!"
In an instant, the entire ferry crossing resembled a bustling market.
The ghosts who had just been avoiding him were now rushing forward like they were seeing their own father, stuffing all sorts of random things into their hands.
The two ox-headed and horse-faced demons who had just taken away the Wei family uncle and nephew and then returned to watch the commotion were now standing upright, their eyes filled with awe as they looked at Chu Jiang.
Chu Jiang looked at the absurd scene before him, but didn't accept anything; instead, a playful smile played on his lips.
He sighed softly, a sound that was not loud, but it silenced the surrounding noise.
I appreciate everyone's kind gesture.
"However, the River of the Underworld has its own rules. My boat only carries souls, and does not accept gifts."
He stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze sweeping across the entire room.
"Just like before, just like now. Line up, one by one."
His calm and collected demeanor exuded an aura of authority that made all the departed souls feel ashamed and silently retreat, re-establishing their ranks with even better order than before.
Chu Jiang was filled with emotion.
It's true... When you're rich, even distant relatives come to visit; when you're poor, no one cares about you even in the bustling city.
In just a few minutes, the title changed from "Chu Jiang" to "Lord Chu".
Reality is more real than any story.
The commotion at the ferry crossing has subsided.
Meng Po, holding her bowl, nodded to Chu Jiang and Judge Cui, then vanished in the direction of the Bridge of Helplessness.
Before leaving, she left behind a message.
"Brother Chu, this old woman is waiting for you on the bridge to have tea."
Only Chu Jiang and Judge Cui remained in the room.
The atmosphere was somewhat subtle.
Chu Jiang thought that this big shot was about to leave after finishing his business, and was about to say a few polite words to see him off.
Judge Cui suddenly spoke up.
"Chu Jiang, this appointment is the underworld's compensation and reward for you."
He paused, his sharp eyes fixed on Chu Jiang, as if trying to see into the deepest part of his soul.
"But I have come in person today for another matter."
Chu Jiang's heart tightened.
Here we go, here comes the important business.
He listened attentively.
Judge Cui slowly walked to the riverbank, looked at the crystal-clear water flowing with golden light of merit, and remained silent for a long time.
A complex emotion flickered across his perpetually unchanging face—a mixture of longing, struggle, and a hint of helplessness.
Finally, he slowly turned around, looked at Chu Jiang, and said something that left Chu Jiang speechless in an almost equal tone.
"This holy water of merit, I would also like to... ask for a bowl."