Judge of Souls-Chapter 27 - Looking in the Mirror

When Yama suddenly jumped up from the sofa, the Judge was truly startled. Looking at him this way, he seemed even smaller.

King Yama judges souls with his green face, protruding fangs, fierce gaze, and dignified expression. With his divine power as ruler of the hall to intimidate, when he says something is so, no one dares deny it. He appears steady and cold, showing no human emotion.

But in reality, Yama was not as cold-hearted and resolute as King Qinguang, King Chujiang, and the others.

Yama himself despised evil intensely, was even too impulsive, soft-hearted and kind, naturally sympathetic to those wrongfully killed – otherwise he wouldn’t have been punished to judge in the Fifth Hall. Thanks to the advice and warnings from the hall’s Judge and the Impermanence officials, otherwise he might have lost even the power to reward good and punish evil.

Looking at him now… he felt like his own son.

The Judge turned back and said to Tao Yuan, “Speak.”

Tao Yuan: “I say…say what?”

Judge: “……”

Tao Yuan cried out. “Yes! My daughter, Zhou Yi’an, was temporarily bewitched, please Judge, you must stop her!”

Yama suddenly remembered and asked, “What about the Ye father and son?”

White Impermanence answered. “I’ve ordered the ghost officers to search the entire city. But it’s daytime now, and that Ye Feng and Ye Lin have heavy resentful energy, so progress is slow.”

“Save her! Please, divine lords, save her! Let me see her!” Tao Yuan quickly kowtowed and said, “I killed Ye Lin. That night he went to find Zhou Yi’an with ill intentions, so I killed him. I killed Ye Feng too. I saw him sprinkle ghost-energy infused grass ash at the doorway, feared what he planned to do, so I went to watch him. If punishment is needed, please punish me for everything.”

It was daytime now, with strong yang energy outside. The Judge couldn’t easily summon souls.

The Judge said, “Go see Zhou Yi’an first.”

Yama: “This lord will go with you!”

After speaking, he summoned his divine soul and used his divine power to shield Tao Yuan beneath him.

Tao Yuan, who had been burning all over from the daytime yang energy with a muddled mind, instantly felt like he’d been placed in clear spring water, completely comfortable from head to toe.

He raised his head, but was startled by Yama’s face and quickly lowered it again, saying, “Thank you, Lord Yama.”

King Yama’s voice was rough and deep: “Let’s go!”

****

In the coffee shop, Officer Ye swiped his phone once, then slapped it on the table.

Chu Xuanliang: “What are you doing?”

“My colleague in the evidence room said Ye Feng’s phone received a call,” Officer Ye said, “Guess who called?”

Chu Xuanliang: “Who?”

Officer Ye said, “Zhou Yi’an.”

Chu Maoxian: “She’s awake?”

Chu Xuanliang: “But her first call after waking wasn’t to you, but to Ye Feng?”

The three fell silent.

Chu Maoxian was the first to stand up, rushing toward home.

The three successively went upstairs.

Chu Maoxian burst into the house, searched every room, came out and said anxiously, “She’s gone!”

Chu Xuanliang pondered for a moment, then said, “She doesn’t know Ye Feng is dead. Besides the Ye father and son, who else is connected to Tao Yuan’s matter?”

Chu Maoxian said, “Her dad!”

Chu Maoxian immediately took out his phone and called Father Zhou. After asking two questions, he hung up and said, “She said she’s going to find them.”

Officer Ye immediately waved his hand. “My car’s here, brother will turn on the siren for you, let’s go!”

****

Traffic was very smooth today. Zhou Yi’an’s taxi driver had skillful maneuvering, getting her home fifteen minutes earlier than usual. She pushed open the door, finding two people sitting inside. Her father and his young secretary.

Her mother was probably hiding upstairs, pretending nothing was wrong.

Zhou Yi’an couldn’t help but smile mockingly.

Seeing her, her father said, “So why are you back? Maoxian just called asking about you, you didn’t even tell him you were coming here.”

Zhou Yi’an paused upon hearing this, then walked straight to the sofa and sat down.

Her father sternly said, “Why did you hang up on me earlier? You have no manners at all!”

The secretary stood up and said, “Mr. Zhou, I’ll head back first.”

Her father waved. “Go ahead, I have other guests today. We’ll have dinner another time.”

Zhou Yi’an stared at him steadily and asked softly, “Mr. Zhou, do you still remember a person named Tao Yuan?”

“What did you call me?” her father’s ears twitched, “Say that again.”

Zhou Yi’an: “Do you know Tao Yuan?”

“I don’t care who he is!” her father rapped on the sofa armrest, demanding, “What does this have to do with what I’m saying to you right now?”

Zhou Yi’an nodded, stood up and began rolling up her sleeves. “You’re right, it has nothing to do with you.”

Ten minutes later, Officer Ye and the other two also made their way to the Zhou family’s house. Unable to find good parking, they chose a random spot and rushed in.

Chu Maoxian urgently knocked on the door. “Open up! Zhou Yi’an, come quickly and open the door! It’s me, your man!”

Officer Ye said, “Move aside! Let me handle this!”

Fortunately, this main door wasn’t installed with a digital lock.

Officer Ye took out a small box from his back pocket, pulled out a wire from the box, and began working on the lock.

Chu Maoxian urged, “Hurry up!”

Officer Ye: “Stop nagging! This isn’t my main profession!”

Chu Xuanliang waved him aside. “Move.”

As he spoke, he scattered out a small white figure that shakily stood up, looking around dizzily before finding its target. It gave Chu Xuanliang a deep bow, then turned and squeezed through the door gap.

Officer Ye tried to give it a helpful push from behind but was swatted away by Chu Xuanliang.

A moment later, the door opened from inside.

Officer Ye couldn’t help but admire. “Give me one to raise too, I’ll definitely treat it like my own son.”

Chu Xuanliang: “…Get out of the way.”

Thankfully, inside wasn’t the bloodbath they had imagined.

The living room curtains were drawn, making the room somewhat dark. Father Zhou was tied up on the floor. Mother Zhou and the secretary were bound to the sofa.

Zhou Yi’an held a newspaper in one hand and a kitchen knife in the other, reading word by word.

“Zhou Yi’an, have you gone mad?” Chu Maoxian first sighed in relief, then said nervously, “Come over here to me!”

Zhou Yi’an seemed not to hear. She took a yellowed photograph from the table, placed it in front of her father, and said, “This person is called Tao Yuan. He was a teacher at XX Town Central Elementary School. He died at thirty-five. Remember his face, because if you go to hell after death, I will take you to see him.”

Chu Maoxian walked toward her. “Wife, listen to me, it’s been so long…”

Zhou Yi’an turned and shouted. “I convinced myself to forget them, forgive them, I convinced myself, I tried. Sixteen years! Sixteen years have passed, and the person who loved me most still lies alone in the cold ground, carrying the most shameful mark whenever mentioned! Those who hurt him live luxurious lives without any remorse! I see them every day, every single day! I watch them enjoy their lives eating dad’s human blood mantou! Why should they?”

(TL: 人血饅頭=well-known metaphor in Chinese. It refers to profiting off others’ suffering or misfortune, often in a cruel or unethical way.)

“Sixteen years, five thousand nine hundred and twenty-one days! I gave them chances! If they had shown even a bit of remorse or guilt, I would have told myself to let go. But no, nothing! He says he doesn’t know Tao Yuan! He doesn’t remember the man he forced to kneel and cry before him, doesn’t remember the man who drowned himself and nobody gave him a proper burial! Doesn’t remember any of the wrongs he committed!”

She laughed silently, her shoulders shaking as she laughed.

“I sleepwalk, have insomnia, nervous breakdown. Every day in my dreams, I imagine stabbing them. I knew this day would come. I don’t regret it at all,” Zhou Yi’an said, “I understand now, only when they’re dead can I be free. There’s no turning back for me. Since that’s the case, I will end it.”

Chu Maoxian said urgently, “But you didn’t kill Ye Lin!”

Zhou Yi’an looked at him.

Chu Maoxian said, “There’s surveillance footage! He later walked out of the complex himself, went to the suburbs alone, it has nothing to do with you!”

The newspaper in Zhou Yi’an’s hand was crumpled from her grip. After a moment, she smiled bitterly. “It doesn’t matter. Just thinking that someone like him exists in this world, I find it unbearable. Compared to that, nothing else seems more important.”

Just as Chu Maoxian was about to speak, a gust of wind lifted the room’s curtains, cutting off his words.

His feet felt cold as he sensed the surrounding temperature plummet. Just as he shivered, two black shadows darted in through the window, instantly knocking Zhou Yi’an to the ground.

The sudden wind was bitter and acrid, and stank enough to burn the eyes. Chu Maoxian couldn’t keep his eyes open in the wind. Shielding his face, he peeked through his fingers. What he saw was Zhou Yi’an turning pale, as if something was choking her throat, while the kitchen knife that had fallen from her hand was floating in mid-air, about to slash down at her.

Chu Maoxian was scared out of his wits, his muscles tensed as he sprinted forward.

However, before he could get close, he was thrown back by a wave of energy. He rolled on the ground, his head spinning chaotically.

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Another ghost shadow darted in, violently pushing aside the Ye father and son, turning back to embrace Zhou Yi’an.

The Ye father and son were new ghosts with weak magic power, and for a moment couldn’t handle them.

Zhou Yi’an could breathe again, coughing violently, her body feeling wrapped in ice. But being held in someone’s arms, she felt an unprecedented familiar security. Buried memories and emotions surged forth. She cried out, “Dad!”

The Ye father and son flew back from the corner but were firmly trapped by a chain that emerged from the ground, unable to struggle free.

Someone sneered. “Where do you think you’re running? Finally found you both.”

Chu Xuanliang exclaimed in surprise. “Impermanence?”

Officer Ye and Chu Maoxian were ordinary people. Only when Black and White Impermanence emerged did the yin energy in the room surge, allowing them to finally see the ghosts in the air clearly.

The horrifying appearance of Ye Lin and Ye Feng made Chu Maoxian vomit on the spot. Father Zhou was directly frightened unconscious.

“Zhou Yi’an, killing in the mortal realm is a crime, especially when these two are your birth parents. Even in the underworld, that’s a serious offense,” White Impermanence said, “Is this really avenging Tao Yuan?”

Zhou Yi’an stared at Tao Yuan, unable to process it.

Black Impermanence said, “Decades in the human world are but a snap of fingers to us. Tao Yuan, I still remember him. Back then when you were taken away, he was forced to drown himself. We pitied his circumstances, guided him back to reincarnate, seeking justice from Yama. But when he saw you crying while holding his corpse, he regretted it. He gave up this chance, begging us to let him stay, even as a wandering ghost, just hoping to accompany you until adulthood.”

Zhou Yi’an froze.

White Impermanence continued. “You thought he couldn’t let go of his inner hatred. You underestimated him too much.”

Zhou Yi’an’s lips parted, and facing the blurry figure before her, she said tearfully, “I’m sorry… I disappointed you.”

White Impermanence said, “You’ve been troubled by hatred for many years, but have you ever listened to what he wanted to tell you?”

“I don’t blame you, never blamed you, child,” Tao Yuan said, “Even if it’s painful, I still hope you can live well. Because only by living can you meet better people. The world isn’t always so terrible, right?”

Zhou Yi’an bit her lip and nodded, unable to hear what he was saying.

White Impermanence said, “You say the world is always like this, but don’t forget, you too were once part of this vast world. And you’re not alone. Your lover rushes about and toils for you, and even the police and Taoist priest who have no connection to you also labor everywhere for your sake.”

Chu Xuanliang thought to himself, no, actually he took three million for this.

Hearing this, Ye Feng pleaded. “He made us father and son suffer so terribly, what punishment should he get? Is being a wandering ghost enough? You underworld officials arrest souls, but on what grounds do you come for us? Then I’ll also be a wandering ghost and seek revenge!”

His mouth had been destroyed by Tao Yuan, blood and flesh mangled when he opened it. Even Chu Xuanliang couldn’t bear to look directly at it.

Yama’s voice rang out in the void. “Since you have many grievances, then go to the Mirror of Sins in the underworld for a look.”

This time Chu Xuanliang was truly frightened.

King Yama?

The Ye father and son were also shocked.

Chu Xuanliang looked up at a certain spot and said, “Disciple pays respects to the divine lord.”

White Impermanence frowned. “Lord Yama?”

Yama spoke again. “Take the Zhou couple along as well.”

Taking so many people to King Qinguang’s territory to look in the mirror? Including living souls? This seems like trouble.

White Impermanence called outside for help. “Judge?”

“This lord will take responsibility,” Yama said, “Go!”

The Judge sighed softly: “Ah.”

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone present blacked out, their living souls already pulled into a pitch-black void realm.

The Judgment Hall of King Qinguang, Lord of the First Hall, lies outside the great sea of Fertile Stones in the underworld, west of the Yellow Springs’ black road.

Here the wind howled ominously, black qi permeating everything.

A row of lantern-carrying little ghosts stood on both sides, hunched over, standing in silence.

Before everyone, besides Black and White Impermanence, there were two more people.

Both were tall, about over two meters in height, with sturdy builds, their backs turned to them, emanating a chilling cold air that made people dare not approach.

As soon as Chu Maoxian arrived at this place, he felt panic in his heart. He grabbed Zhou Yi’an’s hand and angrily shook it. “Your man is angry!”

Zhou Yi’an hugged him back.

Father Zhou came to his senses at this moment and said dizzily, “Where is this? Where is this! Where have you brought me? What do you want to do!”

Black Impermanence held him down. “Quiet, no noise outside the hall!”

He turned his head, saw Ye Lin about to scream shrilly but Black Impermanence immediately silenced him.

White Impermanence said helplessly, “This subordinate will first go report to King Qinguang.”

“No need to tell him,” Yama said, “Go quietly, return quickly.”

TN:

秦廣王 (Qín Guǎng Wáng) is one of the Ten Kings of the Underworld in Chinese mythology and Buddhism. He is the ruler of the First Hall of Diyu (the Chinese underworld) and is responsible for judging the souls of the dead, determining their sins, and deciding their fate in the cycle of reincarnation. His role is similar to that of a judge, overseeing the initial evaluation of souls before they proceed to other halls for further judgment or punishment.

楚江王 (Chǔ Jiāng Wáng) is the ruler of the Second Hall of Diyu (the Chinese underworld) in Chinese mythology and Buddhism. He is one of the Ten Kings of the Underworld, responsible for judging and punishing souls who committed serious sins during their lifetime.

Under his rule, sinners are subjected to harsher punishments than in the First Hall, especially those who committed acts of violence, murder, or severe deceit. His hall is often depicted as a place where sinners endure torment before being sent to the next stage of judgment or reincarnation.