Chapitre 51: Arrival of spring
"Phew, that was a handful. Mao Mao, who's next?" Yang Qing asked as he stretched his back, lazily sprawling in his seat in search of a comfortable position, not caring in the slightest how he looked in front of those present.
Mao Yunru raised an eyebrow at him, watching as he all but melted into his chair, looking seconds away from dozing off. Still, she proceeded as requested.
"The next cases are as follows: a three-way conflict between a sect, its core disciple, and a merchant organization demanding repayment of a massive debt; destruction of furniture at the Earthvine Restaurant by three Core Formation realm cultivators who refuse to pay for damages; and a lawsuit against the Falling Meteor Blacksmith Shop for selling a defective sky-rank sword to a rogue cultivator at the peak of the Core Formation realm.
Take your pick. Which one should we start with?" she asked, maintaining her usual diligence as a judicial assistant.
"Mmmh... the three-way case sounds like a headache. After dealing with the Green Fog Swamp Sect, I need something simple—not another tangled mess. Alright, decision made. Let's handle the Earthvine Restaurant versus the three rogue cultivators," Yang Qing said after a moment of thought, still lounging comfortably in his seat.
"Umm... Judge Yang Qing, there's still something we need your help with," Peng Zhen said awkwardly from the side.
Cheng Yuan looked puzzled, wondering what exactly Peng Zhen wanted to ask.
Could Peng be trying to get the number of duels he's supposed to fight increased? Cheng Yuan couldn't help but wonder—and the more he thought about it, the more convinced he became that he was right on the mark.
"What is it, Elder Peng Zhen?" Yang Qing groggily asked, eyes still closed.
"It's about the Tupelo tree. It's still in Inquisitor Feng Xin's custody, along with our treasures. I don't know if we'll be able to get them back. The treasures don't matter to me, but the tree.." Peng Zhen paused briefly, extending an anxious gaze Feng Xin's way before turning his attention back to Yang Qing.
"She's a treasured companion who's taken care of us since we were kids. I was hoping to have it returned. She's at a critical stage right now and needs constant monitoring and care from us," Peng Zhen said, unable to hide the worry in his voice.
He was concerned not just for the tree's well-being, but also about whether the Order would decide to confiscate it as an additional punishment for the sect.
"Oi, Peng, has it already started?" Cheng Yuan asked hurriedly.
"Yes, if it hasn't already, it's about to. But things don't look as optimistic as before. She used up a large reserve of energy just to keep me and Gui safe. With what's left, I don't know if she'll be able to pull through," Peng Zhen admitted, guilt evident on his face.
"Oh, I almost forgot about the tree. Feng Xin—" Yang Qing started, sitting up with a look of interest.
Before he could even call, Feng Xin was already making his way toward him.
"It's in here, along with their treasures," Feng Xin said as he approached. "Once you're done with them, there are also some matters I'd like your decision on—sooner rather than later."
By then, Yang Qing had already flashed over to where Cheng Yuan and Peng Zhen were standing. Meanwhile, Wen Chang was with Gui Bingwen, who took on the role of patiently explaining everything that had transpired and why they tricked her.
"What an interesting storage pouch… Looks like a high-grade monarch treasure. Hmm, a storage treasure with life-nurturing capabilities?" Yang Qing mused as he carefully examined it, his fascination evident—like a child with a new toy. "Feng Xin, you sure struck it big this time. Are you keeping it, or thinking of selling? If you decide to sell, the guys from the beast-taming division would definitely pay a hefty sum for it."
"I'm keeping it. It'll help keep ingredients fresher than a normal storage ring," Feng Xin replied.
Yang Qing nodded in understanding as he continued fiddling with the pouch. A moment later, the Tupelo tree materialized in the middle of them.
Peng Zhen and Gui Bingwen couldn't hide their guilt the moment they saw it, while Cheng Yuan's expression darkened, his fists clenching tightly.
The tree had shrunk considerably—it now stood at only 70 centimeters tall, with fewer than a hundred leaves. Most of its branches were bare. Even someone without any knowledge of botany could tell it was in poor condition.
Yang Qing tossed the leopard storage pouch back to Feng Xin before stepping forward. He ran his fingers through the sparse leaves, carefully examining the brittle branches and bark with meticulous attention.
He couldn't help but let out a sigh when he finished the examination.
Cheng Yuan and the others felt their hearts sink. That sigh may as well as have been a death sentence or some somber announcement. Their minds instantly assumed the worst. With how weathered the tree looked, how could they not?
"Let's just treat this as fate. It would be a shame to let something as unique as you disappear just like that. But I'm not doing this for free—if you start producing fruits, make sure to save me some," Yang Qing said, his expression quickly turning greedy by the end of his sentence.
Feng Xin's eyes lit up the moment he heard "fruits." He couldn't help but lick his lips, already imagining the taste. A variant tree like this was bound to produce something extraordinary. However, his excitement quickly turned into a frown.
Yang Qing was just like him—they both hated sharing, especially when it came to the good stuff. If he wanted even a scrap of those fruits, he'd have to trade something of equal value. And with them, it was never cultivation resources—it was always food.
"I'll have to use that," Feng Xin thought to himself, his expression turning reluctant.
Yang Qing quickly caught on to Feng Xin's shift in emotion, his lips tugging into a small knowing smile. "Hmm… Seems like Feng Xin has something worth trading," he mused, his eyes gleaming. "His harvest from the Green Fog Region must have been bountiful if he has something that can match its fruit, not to mention it has traces of the Imperial Pearl Tree."
An Imperial pearl tree was so rare and valuable that even rank one organizations would shed all pretense and go to war for it. The traces on the tupelo tree before him were faint, but even that was enough to guarantee it would reach the domain rank given enough time. Who knew what its worth would be by then?
"Hehehe… Feng Xin, I'll make sure to bleed you dry of everything you've got. Just you wait," Yang Qing thought, throwing a sideways glance at Feng Xin like a wolf eyeing a fat lamb.
Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, he refocused. Now, let's get started before things get even more perilous than they already are.
"Drop of the Resplendence of Spring."
Yang Qing's voice echoed through the room like an edict, carrying an undeniable weight. The instant his words fell, an overwhelming surge of energy burst from his body. However, rather than spreading chaotically, it remained tightly contained, focused within a few centimeters of his right hand, which was pointed toward the crown of the Tupelo tree.
A kaleidoscope of colors shimmered at his fingertip as his hair deepened into a rich green. Sounds filled the room—birds chirping, insects buzzing, animals moving freely, water flowing, earth shifting, wind rustling, flowers blooming, and plants thriving. The origin of these natural harmonies was clear: the light radiating from his index finger.
The glowing colors—orange, yellow, blue, and green—merged into one, all enveloped by a deep purple aura that bound them together. The lights coalesced into a palm-sized orb, which then shrank, compressing further and further until it became no larger than a droplet of water. With each contraction, the energy Yang Qing exuded grew more intense, his robes billowing as the very air around him trembled.
At last, the light condensed into a single green droplet tinged with faint traces of purple. It hovered for a breath before falling onto the withered Tupelo tree. Though small, the droplet seemed to contain an entire world within it.
The moment it made contact, it was as if spring had arrived in an instant. Leaves sprouted at an astonishing pace, unfolding faster than the eye could follow. Not only did they return in full, but they grew larger, more defined, and more vibrant than before. The tree's lost luster returned, brighter and gentler, radiating a warmth that hadn't been there before.
Phantasms of blackbirds, skylarks, robins, and tree swallows materialized, circling the tree in joyful song. Flowers blossomed, their petals unfurling in harmony with the melodies of the birds, while bees buzzed through the air, drawn by the newfound vitality.
Even those watching—Yi Jie and the rest—felt the effects. A soothing warmth spread through their bodies, restoring their strength, while a refreshing clarity washed over their minds as their spirits were rejuvenated.
CRACK!
The bark of the Tupelo tree shattered like glass, splintering apart to reveal a new layer beneath—a smooth, pristine white bark that gleamed as if capable of reflecting sunlight. Within minutes, the tree that had been on the brink of death now stood tall, vibrant, and full of life.
"Don't forget my fruits. You have more than enough energy reserves now to pass your trial," Yang Qing reminded, waving his right hand. Instantly, the phantasms vanished, and the room returned to normal.
The Tupelo tree rustled its branches in response, a silent acknowledgment of his words.
Cheng Yuan and the others remained frozen in shock, struggling to process what they had just witnessed. Their gratitude was immeasurable, yet an unsettling dread settled deep within them. That overwhelming power that Yang Qing showed, both awed and terrified them.
A golden glow radiated from the Tupelo tree before shrinking into a concentrated flash of yellow light that shot toward Cheng Yuan. As the light settled, it transformed into a delicate yellow leaf, which affixed itself to his robe.
"Convenient. Now we won't have to worry about how you'll safely transport the tree back to your sect," Yang Qing remarked.
"Feng Xin, transfer their treasures into this storage ring. Elder Peng Zhen, you'll bring it back when you come for your duel."
He suddenly paused, tapping his forehead as if remembering something. "Oh yeah, I almost forgot about the blue-grade cultivation art."
Reaching into his storage ring, he retrieved a smooth gray jade, holding it up for all to see.
Peng Zhen instantly recognized the jade as a one-time-use transmission jade. The moment he inserted his spiritual sense into it, a flood of information surged into his mind—the complete details of the blue-grade cultivation art.
Its name was the Brilliant Ray Fist Technique.
Though primarily a fist technique, it encompassed much more. Incorporated within were movement techniques, palm techniques, and even body and spirit refinement methods, making it a comprehensive cultivation art. Mastery of the technique was divided into five major levels, each exponentially more profound than the last. At its peak, one's fists would move as fast as light, carrying enough force to obliterate everything within a ten thousand-mile radius.
Peng Zhen couldn't help but marvel at its intricacy and sheer complexity. Even without prior experience with blue-grade cultivation arts, and being unable to tell its tier, he instinctively knew how precious it was. Just its ability to combine different techniques alone already made it extremely valuable.
Stepping forward, he bowed even deeper than before.
Yang Qing merely smiled in response. "Practice it well." Then, with a casual wave of his hand, he shooed them out of the courtroom.
As the others turned to leave, Mao Yunru lingered for a moment, her gaze fixed on Yang Qing. Something about his actions throughout this case had been… off. It was uncharacteristic of him, and despite thinking hard on it, she couldn't quite figure out why.
Chapitre 52: Yang Qing’s deduction and scheme part (1)
"Mao Mao, I've never known you to be shy with your words. If something's on your mind, ask away. I'd be more than happy to guide my little junior on her path so she takes as few detours as possible."
Yang Qing leaned back with a knowing smile before adding, "Or is it something you can't say in front of Yi Jie and Feng Xin? If that's the case, I'd be happy to kick them out. They always stifle the air in the courtroom—unlike you, Mao Mao, who's a ray of sunshine. Life in the palace courts will be hard without you."
Toward the end, his expression turned woeful as he let out a pained sigh, casting a mournful glance at Yi Jie and Feng Xin, as if they were sharp, poisonous thorns embedded in his foot—ones he could never rid himself of.
The duo snorted in unison, throwing him an equally provocative look, as if labeling him the greater thorn—one that had grown into a parasitic vine, leeching off their nutrients.
"You three can't be normal for once," Mao Yunru muttered, shaking her head.
After a moment's pause, she looked at Yang Qing more seriously. "I've been wondering… Ever since this case started, there were times when you acted a little… off. Yes, you're an odd, quirky person—one that common sense and sanity never seem to apply to—but even so, some of your actions seemed strange, even for you."
Yang Qing let out a grumble. "Were all those jabs at me being an odd person really necessary, Mao Mao? Did you really need to use that many different words just to emphasize how much of an oddball I am?"
Mao Yunru, seemingly oblivious to Yang Qing's grumbling, continued,
"One instance was when you used the Green Cocoon of Evernight to help Wen Chang with her mental breakdown. Both Yi Jie and I detected you releasing part of your aura and invading Sect Master Cheng Yuan's mental sea with it. Then there was you sharing your oolong tea with him, specifically ordering dishes made by Cao Ying, and everything that happened during that meal. It all seemed deliberately aimed at helping Cheng Yuan improve his realm—minutes after you had just terrified him with your aura.
Then there's the matter with Peng Zhen. It's the same thing. You seem to be proactively guiding his growth, even going so far as to share a blue-grade cultivation art with him. And those so-called 'punishments' you imposed barely even seem like punishments at all.
All throughout this case, it felt like you had something against Cheng Yuan at first, but as things progressed, you seemed to be doing everything in your power to help them grow. Being this invested—doesn't that go against the impartiality a judge should have?"
Mao Yunru watched Yang Qing closely, waiting for his response.
Yi Jie and Feng Xin, however, looked completely uninterested, as if this had nothing to do with them. They were off to the side, bickering over ingredient portions and wine quantities, bargaining as if they were at a market stall.
Mao Yunru's brow twitched. "How can you two be so indifferent? Aren't you even the least bit curious about Yang Qing's odd behavior? Especially you, Feng Xin—you almost died! Doesn't it seem a little unfair that your boss is actively helping the ones who put you in that situation?"
Seeing their utter lack of concern irritated her for some reason. She had been in the courtroom with these three for the past three months and had long since learned that their train of thought could be baffling at times. But this—this was something she had expected them to be on the same page about, at least.
"Umm, Mao, unlike you, I'm just an inquisitor. I don't overthink Yang Qing's rulings. I'd rather spend that energy thinking about how to get off the blacklist of certain restaurants and how I'm going to afford another primal lotus dew. Yes, I almost got injured, but that's just another day on the job. An inquisitor's work is full of dangers and variables. If it didn't happen in this case, it would've happened in another. Plus, I got a bountiful harvest out of it. I'm glad it was me who went," said Feng Xin with some enthusiasm.
His look suddenly shifted as he frowned slightly. "Now, I wonder how I can make the most out of that corroding heron. I hope it doesn't taste as disgusting as it looks," Feng Xin trailed off, mumbling to himself about ingredients, completely forgetting himself.
"I'm on the same page as Yang Qing. Don't worry, Mao. Your doubts are understandable, but the more you do this job, the more your judgment becomes fluid. You've already sent a copy of the proceedings to the higher-ups, but haven't you noticed they haven't overruled Yang Qing's decision? They're in agreement with it," Yi Jie explained softly, offering Mao Yunru a comforting smile.
"I know, that's why I'm asking. I can't help but feel like I've missed something. Despite trying, I can't figure it out myself. That's why I need his help," Mao Yunru said reluctantly, a helpless smile tugging at her lips. It was a little embarrassing to admit she couldn't track her superior's thoughts, despite being a judge herself.
"Mao Mao is so cute when she's embarrassed," Yang Qing teased with a cheeky smile as he poked her.
"Do you want me to report you to Supervisor Lei Weiyuan for harassment?" Mao Yunru said coldly, her eyes flashing with a dangerous glint.
Cough cough— Yang Qing cleared his throat and straightened up. "Ahem. Since I'm a good boss, it wouldn't hurt to guide you through my thinking." He quickly shifted gears, adopting a serious tone. "I'll start by saying this and this is purely just my guess, but I believe Sect Master Cheng Yuan was the mastermind behind the entire plan. Roping the Order into this mess, splitting up their forces— all of it, I think was all his machination.
At first, it was just a tiny suspicion, but that changed when I detected something while removing the gu from Peng Zhen and forcibly awakened Dong Yanlin who was hibernating within it. I found remnants of qi in there. By the looks of it, it looked to be the result of someone trying to tamper with the art but stopped themselves to avoid triggering anything. The feeling was faint, but it couldn't escape my senses." Yang Qing paused slightly when he saw changes in Mao Yunru's expression.
"No questions until the end of the presentation, Mao Mao," Yang Qing declared, turning away from her and striding to the middle of the courtroom, attempting to evoke an expert-like demeanor. He paused, standing still, gazing ahead as if lost in profound contemplation.
Mao Yunru sighed, shaking her head. "Even in a moment like this, you just can't help yourself, can you? How obsessed are you with posturing like some enlightened sage?"
"I refuse to believe that someone of Cheng Yuan's level wouldn't notice a group of elders scheming right under his nose. Peng Zhen's betrayal was suspicious from the start. I find it hard to believe that two people who have saved each other's lives so many times as they have, and them being fellow disciples under the same master at that—would break ties so easily.
But my main suspicion was always on Cheng Yuan," said Yang Qing with certainty in his tone.
"Working behind this desk, I've come across countless sect masters, and not a single one—even those leading rank five sects—was a simple character. They all have one thing in common: a breadth of vision and a calculative mind capable of anticipating and planning ahead.
There's no way someone of Cheng Yuan's caliber would fall short in that regard. In fact, given his circumstances i'd rate him higher than most at his level. After all, he inherited his post fairly young and at the worst possible time- the death of his master, losing their most powerful member. He not only had to help the sect weather through that loss, but he had to do it in one of the most dangerous places on the continent.
The fact that he was able to help his sect survive through all that, and in a place like the Green Fog Region to boot, that is a testament of his abilities. Which is why I find it hard to believe that someone so capable, could easily be deceived within his own sect and by his sect members no less.."
"Following that line of thought, after hearing Peng Zhen's version of events, I assumed that he must have gone to Cheng Yuan first—not Gui Bingwen. Cheng Yuan knew his junior brother well, so if anything seemed off, he'd be the first to notice. He likely tried to remove the gu from Peng Zhen but realized it was too complex.
So in such a case what does he do?" asked Yang Qing, though the question was more directed to himself than the audience.
"It is simple: Kill the initiator of the art, hoping that the technique would unravel on its own. Only there is a problem.. Dong Yanlin," Yang Qing said, pausing briefly.
"Somebody that devious, and capable would not make for an easy opponent. If they were careless in any way, they risked not only their lives but the sect's too, and someone as fastidious as Cheng Yuan would likely look for means that have less risk to the sect.
So he and Peng Zhen devised that little ruse, using the long-standing dispute between him and Wen Chang as a smokescreen. While at it, they used the situation to weed out the sect's tumors with a borrowed knife.
He had Peng Zhen deal with Dong Yanlin, knowing he would be less wary of him. He supplied him with artifacts carrying the might of a Core Formation expert and enlisted the help of the Tupelo Tree, which possessed the strength of a peak Core Formation cultivator and dragged him away from the sect to deal with him.
They must have believed these measures were enough to deal with him," said Yang Qing as he walked a few steps forward, his hands clasped behind his back.
Mao Yunru felt the irrepressible urge to trip him and break his pompous display, but she held off in the end.
Yang Qing, unaware of the danger he had narrowly escaped, continued his deductive reasoning.
"The Tupelo Tree being taken out of the sect was another clear giveaway of Cheng Yuan's involvement. It's the sect's most prized possession, yet Peng Zhen got his hands on it far too easily—even if he was the vice sect leader. There's no way Cheng Yuan, as sect master, would neglect his due diligence and leave it so unguarded.
I believe they had two plans," Yang Qing said as he raised up two fingers.
"Plan A was for Peng Zhen to deal with Dong Yanlin with the help of the Tupelo Tree. However, if something unexpected happened—something even the Tupelo Tree couldn't handle—then Plan B would come into effect. Cheng Yuan, with Wen Chang's assistance, would start over and preserve the sect's embers. I'm willing to bet that most of the people in the sect master's entourage coming here are the sect's most promising seedlings.
Feng Xin, you saw them—can you confirm this?" Yang Qing paused, turning to Feng Xin.
"By their sect's standards, they were definitely promising. There were about fifteen of them, all young and at the Foundation Establishment realm, with two still at the peak of Qi Refinement. Among them, there was one who seemed to be around thirty years old, already at the middle stages of the Foundation Establishment realm. That level would be considered a talent even in a rank three sect, possibly even a rank two sect," Feng Xin replied.
Yang Qing nodded in appreciation.
"To Cheng Yuan, ensuring the sect's continuity is more important than his own life, his junior brother's life, or even the Tupelo Tree. If it came down to it, he would be willing to gamble everything, including sacrificing even the Tupelo Tree, in case their plan met an unexpected mishap. The only one who truly seemed clueless in all this was probably Wen Chang and given the mentality she showed, I could understand why she wasn't involved in the scheme.
One single misstep and it would have come tumbling down."
Yang Qing paused, taking a sip from a container that resembled a small cylindrical green log, its surface made of rich green wood with visible natural grain patterns.
Cadeaux
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