King Yama frowned.
"Withdraw your complaint?"
The gavel hung in midair, never coming down.
He stared at the stooped old river god below the dais, his voice rumbling like thunder:
"How dare you, Blackwater River God! Do you know what you are saying?"
"The Great Heavenly Venerable has issued an explicit decree concerning this case. Nowhere in the Three Realms will you find a second chance to have your grievance reach his sacred ears directly!"
"And you would withdraw your complaint here in court?"
The river god lay prostrate, the blood-written complaint spread out before him.
His fingers still pressed against the edge of the document, their tips trembling faintly.
"This lowly god understands."
He straightened, then kowtowed toward the bench.
"This lowly god thanks the Great Heavenly Venerable for his discerning judgment, and all of you for seeking justice on my behalf."
He slowly raised his upper body and looked to one side.
Ao Shun, Dragon King of the Northern Sea, still knelt there, his back ramrod straight and his expression solemn.
"Having now passed through life and death, and just heard the Holy Monk speak of dispelling delusion and of karmic retribution..."
The river god paused.
"This lowly god has finally understood."
He withdrew his gaze. His voice was hoarse, but his tone was utterly calm, no longer carrying the resentment that had surged to the heavens when he risked his life in that assassination attempt beside the Blackwater River.
"If the Dragon King had truly wished to shield the culprit, he would not merely have driven this lowly god away. He need only have sent a single yaksha."
He paused, his voice growing softer.
"With my paltry magic, I probably would never even have made it out of the Northern Sea before my soul was scattered and