The old River God carried the blue lamp out of the hall.
King Yama drew a deep breath.
The court gavel slammed down.
Bang!
The crash thundered, his voice rang like a great bell, and every word struck home.
"Tuo Jie, dragon prince of the Jing River."
"You seized a divine residence by force, slaughtered living beings, and attempted to murder the Holy Monk."
"Investigation has established incontrovertible evidence of your crimes. Your sins are grave. Under Heaven's laws and the underworld's statutes, you should be sentenced to a thousand years in the great hells."
"However, the plaintiff stabbed you to death before witnesses, repaying blood with blood."
King Yama paused, then proclaimed:
"This court now rules: Tuo Jie shall be stripped of his immortal registration and titles, and sent to Avici Hell to suffer flaying until his bones are exposed, the breaking of his arms and severing of his tendons, and burning by fire.
"For five hundred years."
"After serving this term, he shall enter the animal path for a hundred lifetimes to expunge his debt of slaughter. Only then may he regain human form!"
"The sentence shall take effect today and be carried out immediately!"
King Yama turned his gaze to Ao Shun.
"Ao Shun, Dragon King of the Northern Sea."
"This guilty dragon is present," Ao Shun answered.
"You held the office of Dragon Lord of the Northern Sea, yet neglected your duties, failed in your oversight, and let partiality cloud your judgment. You allowed your nephew to seize a water residence and slaughter living beings, bringing undeserved suffering upon the Blackwater River God and plunging the creatures of his domain into misery. In your favor, you came at once when summoned, admitted your guilt, and accepted punishment without the slightest evasion."
"Although the plaintiff, the