After the Bodhisattva finished speaking, the hall fell silent for a breath.
The Kings of Hell stood there, their expressions impossible to describe.
They had seen countless strange cases and bizarre affairs, always seated high upon their dais with everything well in hand. Never had they imagined encountering a situation like this.
The Pilgrim charged with Heaven's mandate had brought the Great Sage Equal to Heaven to answer the charges of his own accord, and Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva had ordered a trial without hesitation. Yet the defendants were wicked dragon offspring, and there was no evidence. How were they supposed to open the case? Who was supposed to try it? And that dark-faced King Yama wasn't even here!
No one spoke.
In the end, King Qin Guang stepped forward. He presided over the First Hall, after all.
It had been a long time since King Qin Guang had broken into a cold sweat.
The last time had been when this very monkey had stormed into the Hall of Senluo, swinging his Iron Cudgel.
Now he felt cold air seeping from every inch of his body.
"Bodhisattva... surely this... this..."
King Qin Guang opened his mouth, his voice strained.
"Aren't you asking too much of us? Without evidence, how can we conduct a trial?"
Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva nodded.
Then he slowly rose, setting his bare feet upon the lotus petals.
Lowering his head, he gently nudged Diting with his toes as the beast lay beside the Lotus Pedestal, pretending to sleep.
It was like nudging his own dozing dog awake.
"Good Listener, tell them."
Diting's ears twitched. The rest of the beast remained still.
The Bodhisattva nudged Diting again.
A little harder this time.
Diting opened one eye, then closed it again.
The Bodhisattva said nothing, merely watching.
After a moment, Diting sighed