Daily life of a cultivation judge

Just as Yang Qing was about to continue, he paused as the doors of the courtroom opened once again and two individuals walked in. One of the two individuals was Xia Ting, and the other looked to be a seventeen-year-old in dark orange robes, and a face one could forget easily.

Drawing curious glances all around, the two walked over to Yang Qing's podium, who promptly triggered isolation arrays via his medallion. Yang Qing waved Yu Gen, Hou Dehui, and Lei Weiyuan over before he turned his seat with his back facing the center of the court and his front facing the wall behind his podium, where Xia Ting and the seventeen-year-old young man were standing.

Owing to the strength of the isolation array, not even Lin Guiren or the other domain experts could tell what they were discussing. To anyone not in the soul adept realm and above, they could forget about breaking through those isolation arrays and eavesdrop on the discussion, Yang Qing and the rest were having.

The interlude didn't take long. About two minutes or less they were already done with Yang Qing dispelling the isolation array not a moment after. The seventeen-year-old young man bowed to Yang Qing and the rest before leaving the courtroom.

Lei Weiyuan and the rest returned to their respective positions. As for the rest, most couldn't hide the curiosity within their eyes as they wondered what all that was about.

Yang Qing settling properly on his podium, had his gaze fall on the young man with the simple look briefly, which drew a bewildered look from the man before Yang Qing's gaze finally trailed toward Lin Guiren.

"Pavilion master Lin Guiren, there is something I hope to seek your assistance in which pertains to the matters we are about to discuss today..."

"Speak freely, Judge Yang Qing. If there is anything I can help, I would be more than willing to do so.."

"Good, thank you for your assistance in advance. What I wanted to ask is this, do you know the whereabouts of Shao Ren?"

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On mentioning that name, two people showed drastic reactions to it. It was the Wu family. The young man gritted his teeth as an unbridled killing intent flashed in his eyes, while the middle-aged woman standing next to him showed a pained look as tears started welling on the rim of her eyes.

With considerable effort and willpower the middle-aged woman, held back her tears as she extended her hand toward the young man. The young man on detecting the middle-aged woman's touch, reacted like he had been startled awake. The volcano that was erupting within him was instantly quelled by the tender worried gaze of the middle-aged woman.

"It's okay.." he whispered with a smile, which though stiff, did its job of assuring the middle-aged woman.

..

It only took a moment for Lin Guiren to recall who Shao Ren was.

Seeing no sense in probing why Yang Qing was asking about him or his history with the Wu family, Lin Guiren's response was concise and direct.

"Shao Ren has been cultivating at our headquarters for the past seven years in preparation for his breakthrough to the palace realm.

While he hasn't yet completed his breakthrough, he is not that far from it.."

"How long do you think it will take him?" asked Yang Qing.

"Based on his speed and accumulations to this point, it shouldn't be more than three years, four at the most.."

"Thank you for your candor, pavilion master.."

Lin Guiren acknowledged it with a slight nod.

Yang Qing softly sighed as his gaze fell on the simple man.

"You've heard him. Because he is at a critical juncture, we can't interrupt it, not without breaking one of the fundamental rules among cultivators.

Are you willing to wait until he is done?" gently asked Yang Qing.

The young man clenched his fists before he released as he exhaled gently in a bid to calm himself.

"Do you believe him?"

Even though he didn't outrightly say it, everyone knew whom his skepticism was directed to.

"Someone of his stature wouldn't bother lying about something like that.. Besides, what he says lines up with what we found. The person who just left more or less confirmed his general location and status.

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It all lines up.."

A strange flicker of light flashed in Lin Guiren's eyes as he heard Yang Qing's response, with his gaze inadvertently following the path leading to the exit doors of the courtroom.

"I am willing to wait. It is better that way even.." answered the youth.

"Okay then. When the tcomes, you both will be appraised.."

"Thank you.." said the young man with a heartfelt expression.

Yang Qing nodded as he said,

"Mmh.. Now if you don't mind. It's your turn to air your grievance.."

The simple-looking young man nodded as his gaze fell on his mother nodding assuringly toward her before it fell on Duan Hu, flashing with anger briefly before it went back to normal.

He took a deep breath to calm himself, before finally opening his mouth to speak.

"My nis Wu Mingli, and this is my mother, Zao Shan.." he said as he politely pointed his palms toward the middle-aged woman who bowed her head toward Yang Qing, Hou Dehui, and Lei Weiyuan with a genial smile on her face.

Anyone could tell from her smile how worn she seemed, drawing sympathy from most. Even the hunched-over elderly man spared her a look of sympathy as she was smiling.

"Before my father died, we considered ourselves loyal citizens of the Red Maple Empire, but after his passing, I am truly ashamed ever having been associated with them.

But that's not why I am here. I am here because of a man called Wu Fang, my father, and one of the few I ever truly admired and respected. There was no finer man than him, in my eyes, but alas .... the world is never kind to people like him.." Wu Mingli said with a melancholic sigh.