Judge's Office

Biodata

Background / History

The Judge's Office was newly established by the Imperial Inspection Bureau in the main range of the Great Green Mountains. Unlike the Bureau's local Commanders, who maintain regional stability, Judge's Offices operate as elite, semi-independent branches deployed to dangerous locations and strategic frontiers. 17

Its Azure Cloud Mountains operation covers the Clawfang Mountain region, the surrounding trade route, and territory extending toward Stone Python Coil and the demon-filled Azure Abyss. Its stated purpose is to purge and suppress threats throughout the mountains. 25

During its campaign against bandits in the roughly three-hundred-li Clawfang Mountain area, the organization suffered severe casualties, including several Golden Bell Guards and dozens of Silver Bell Guards. The concurrent emergence of the Evil Skin Cult further strained its already limited manpower. 23 24

The Evil Skin Cult later launched a major assault on the Clawfang Mountain garrison, fielding numerous demonic cultivators and attacking its Banner Bell defenses. A Red-Robed Inspector and an outside powerhouse ultimately helped avert the garrison's destruction. 40 41 43

Organization

Rank Structure

Advancement and Authority

• Promotion requires both sufficient strength and accumulated merit. 25
• Members retain considerable autonomy when not assigned to missions; Zhou Baishan is able to operate undercover on his own initiative. 25
• Gold Bell Guards may select one cultivation method from the Judge's Office without cost after promotion. 48
• The Office's internal authority is not entirely rigid, but strength carries substantial weight among its members. 25

Operations

• Mountain purges — Guards hunt bandits, violent criminals, demons, and Evil Skin Cult members in the Azure Cloud Mountains. 23 24
• Trade-route patrols — Personnel patrol the Cloud Ridge Trade Route, inspect caravans, and escort them through dangerous stretches. 33
• Garrison defense — Temporary outposts protect occupied territory and serve as staging points for patrols, registrations, and emergency defense. 30 40
• Intelligence and undercover work — Zhou Baishan infiltrates a bandit stronghold to investigate missing colleagues, identify cult activity, and lure out an Evil Skin Cult demon. 23 25 27
• Recruitment and verification — New recruits undergo strength testing and background checks through the Inspection Bureau before becoming full Copper Bell Guards. 31

Resources and Rewards

• Ordinary cultivation resources can be purchased with silver, while rare items and cultivation methods require merit. 25 32
• The organization possesses resources stated to surpass those available to many old aristocratic clans and sects. 25
• A Copper Bell Guard receives a monthly stipend of fifty taels and three Dark Ginseng Strengthening Pills. 31
• Merit is divided into minor, major, and distinguished merits; one major merit equals ten minor merits, while one distinguished merit equals ten major merits. 27
• Zhao Hong receives one distinguished merit for rescuing fellow guards and killing a Mystic Embryo Evil Skin Cult demon; Zhou Baishan receives one distinguished merit and four major merits for his related contributions. 47

Equipment and Facilities

• Judge's Office bells — Bell Guards carry rank-associated bells. Properly refined bells can store items and signal nearby Judge's Office personnel for aid during missions. 21 26 32
• Judge's Banner — A black banner bearing a blood-tipped Judge's Brush emblem. Its oppressive presence deters ordinary demons and savage beasts. 30
• Banner Bells — Defensive assets used by a garrison during large-scale attacks; the Clawfang Mountain garrison's Banner Bells were nearly exhausted during the Evil Skin Cult assault. 40
• Mind-Questioning Mirror — An ancient mirror used during investigations to detect demonic or evil corruption and determine whether a martial artist is lying. 46
• Skylarks — Fast, trained birds bearing the Judge's Brush emblem, used to carry verification requests and messages between the Office and Inspection Bureau locations. 31

Internal Conditions

The Office draws martial artists from many regions because of its resources, status, and advancement opportunities. However, Zhou Baishan describes its ranks as a mixed group containing many children of aristocratic families and powerful nobles. 25

• Some noble scions are reported to avoid danger, seize credit, and treat lower-ranked guards as expendable. Zhou Baishan attributes the deaths of several comrades to such conduct. 25
• The Office nevertheless enforces formal discipline. Yang Feng, Yang Yong, Chen Bing, and another guard are expelled after fleeing before battle and falsely conveying orders. 47
• The Mind-Questioning Mirror limits attempts by influential families to manipulate testimony during serious investigations. 46
• Inspectors are recognized as the strongest and most influential figures within the Judge's Office, and even powerful families are constrained by its rules. 46

Known Personnel

• Zhao Hong — Copper Bell Guard assigned to the second section of the Clawfang Mountain region; later receives a distinguished merit for his actions during the garrison crisis. 32 47
• Zhou Baishan — Silver Bell Guard who infiltrates bandits and the Evil Skin Cult; later identified as a Golden Bell Guard who has reached the Profound Embryo realm. 23 40
• Liu Zheng — Zhao Hong's superior in Clawfang Mountain's second section; leads patrols and provides guidance on Office procedures. 32 33
• Li Tai — Golden Bell Guard associated with the Clawfang Mountain station. 33 46
• Wang Yunshan — Silver Bell Guard who leads Copper Bell Guards on patrol during the Evil Skin Cult attack. 35
• Lu Chaoyang — Red-Robed Inspector who reinforces the garrison and recognizes Zhao Hong's potential. 41 43
• Zhang Gucheng — Golden-Robed Inspector who conducts the garrison inquiry and announces merits and punishments. 46 47
• Hu Yingying — Crimson-Robed Inspector and former regional Commander under the Inspection Bureau; she holds a grudge against the Yang Family. 46 48
• Yang Ling — Third Young Master of the Yang Family and a high-status member within the Judge's Office. 46 48
• Yang Feng — Aristocratic scion formerly attached to the Office; expelled for fleeing before battle and falsely conveying orders. 47