Mo Danxin, the current governor of Great Yan County, was known for his fairness and impartiality, earning him the nickname Righteous Mo. He remained unmoved by local forces’ bribes and gestures of goodwill, firmly rejecting them.

He treated mortals and cultivators equally, showing no special treatment to cultivators. Moreover, he was the most powerful cultivator in thr Great Yan County, with a mid-Spirit Transformation cultivation level. With the nation’s fortune supporting him, no one could threaten his safety.

Mo Danxin also vigorously promoted the tourism industry and developed a unique culinary culture for Great Yan County, attracting more people to visit and boosting the local economy. Under his governance, Great Yan County thrived.

However, he recently encountered two unexpected events that he felt were beyond his capabilities.

The first was that the court had stationed troops in the abandoned mountains, reportedly discovering a demonic cult’s stronghold. It was unclear whether it was related to the destroyed Undying Sect or one of the other three demonic cults. The troops were led by General Lu, a Unity cultivator with high military prestige. With the general stationed there, Mo Danxin, as a mere county governor, didn’t need to worry.

The second event was that a high-profile figure was imprisoned, someone second only to the emperor, the leader of one of the Five Great Immortal Sects, the strongest below the Tribulation Crossing Stage, and the most powerful swordsman of the era with enemies all over the world: Daoist Non-Speaker.

Fortunately, this bigshot was compliant, staying in jail without resistance. If he had resisted, Mo Danxin couldn’t have detained him.

From a legal standpoint, he had jurisdiction, and Daoist Non-Speaker’s offense was minor, warranting only a few days in jail. But Mo Danxin felt that Daoist Non-Speaker’s high status warranted reporting his case to the court.

Mo Danxin also faced another problem—although Daoist Non-Speaker was detained, he was storytelling in jail, attracting many people.

For instance, someone who stole a few taels of silver should be jailed for five days according to the law. Their family could bring them meals, the jail was comfortable in all seasons, and next door, a Unity master was storytelling. Those five days were more than pleasant.

Somehow, this experience spread, and many people followed suit, filling the jail to capacity. Outsiders might think Great Yan County was full of heinous criminals, with the jail overcrowded.

If such rumors reached the emperor, all of Mo Danxin’s achievements would be tarnished, and he wouldn’t be able to explain himself. Who would believe that the jail was full because people wanted to hear stories?

Fortunately, the court took this matter seriously, and the Minister of Justice personally flew to Great Yan County to handle Daoist Non-Speaker’s case.

“Sir, the Minister of Justice is almost here,” a subordinate whispered. Mo Danxin, hearing this, quickly changed from his casual clothes to his official uniform and went out to greet him.

As Mo Danxin stepped out, the Minister of Justice descended from the sky, without even bringing his attendants, showing the urgency of his visit.

The Minister of Justice, Xu Xin, was tall and imposing, with well-defined features. His elegant clothes highlighted his esteemed status, and his profound understanding of the law earned the emperor’s deep trust.

“Sir Xu, regarding the Dao Seeking Sect leader’s matter…”

The Minister of Justice waved his hand, “I know all the details. I agree to sentence the Old Thief Non-Speaker to death!”

“Ah? But the leader of Dao Seeking Sect is…”

“Death sentence!” The Minister of Justice declared emphatically.

Seeing the Minister’s attitude, Mo Danxin remembered a rumor—supposedly, any stone thrown towards the imperial city would hit an official who was an enemy of Daoist Non-Speaker.

There’s even a poem: “Under the heavens, who doesn’t recognize you??” referring to Daoist Non-Speaker.

(TL Note: This is a famous piece written by Tang Dynasty poet Gao Shi. It was written as a farewell to his friend. The full line is Don’t worry that there are no friends on the road ahead, Under the heavens, who doesn’t recognize you? https://www.gushiwen.cn/mingju_839.aspx)

“Let’s go see the Old Thief Non-Speaker!” The Minister of Justice dragged Mo Danxin towards the jail.

He had heard that Daoist Non-Speaker was detained in Great Yan County, and he had even skipped a meal with his colleagues to rush over and see the spectacle.

The jail was bustling with noise, as if filled with dangerous criminals causing a ruckus.

Listening closely, one would realize that it was someone in the jail telling a story.

“So on that day, Qin Jiunian, the Great Elder of Dao Seeking Sect, and I were traveling across the Central Continent. Using the Heavenly Eye, we discovered a tomb with a sky-high aura of corpse energy. I calculated that a corpse king-level zombie must have been born!”

“Originally, we planned to return to the sect for reinforcements to surround the corpse king, but the corpse king discovered us and attempted to escape by burrowing underground!”

“Acting quickly, I struck first with the move ‘Flying Immortal from Beyond the Heavens,’ breaking through layers of seals and thick soil to block the corpse king’s retreat. Seeing this, the corpse king led a vast army of zombies to attack Qin Jiunian and me!”

“Who are we? The Sect Leader and the Great Elder of Dao Seeking Sect. How could a mere corpse king think of defeating us?”

“The corpse king revealed its true form, transforming the land into a dry, desolate area, connecting with underground fire, turning the sky and earth into a sea of flames!”

“With one swing of my sword, the wind and clouds stirred, darkening the heavens and earth. Qin Jiunian used his Heaven and Earth Form, making a finger as thick as a mountain.”

The prisoners watched Daoist Non-Speaker intently, holding their breath, afraid to disturb him.

Daoist Non-Speaker’s dramatic storytelling brought nonexistent events to life, making everyone feel as if they were witnessing the battle firsthand.

The Minister of Justice, Xu Xin, had a strange expression. If he remembered correctly, the incident between Non-Speaker and the Great Elder involved building a tomb, accidentally digging up a real one, and being mistaken for grave robbers.

Where was this corpse king and zombie story coming from?

It seemed that in the few years he hadn’t seen him, Non-Speaker’s ability to spin tall tales had only grown!

Recalling past incidents where he had been fooled by Daoist Non-Speaker, Xu Xin gritted his teeth.

Finally, he’s fallen into my hands!

“Non-Speaker, you’re living quite comfortably, aren’t you?” Xu Xin said with a smile, looking at Daoist Non-Speaker.

Everyone in the jail turned to look at Xu Xin, eyes filled with anger, feeling that this person was very rude for interrupting their storytelling session.

Seeing Xu Xin’s elegant attire and Mo Danxin following behind him, they realized Xu Xin was a high-ranking official.

As for how high, they didn’t know.

Daoist Non-Speaker laughed heartily upon seeing Xu Xin. “Let me introduce everyone. This is Lord Xu Xin, the current Minister of Justice!”

“Non-Speaker, I advise you to show me some respect. Whether you stay in jail for ten days or ten years is up to me!”

Mo Danxin quietly reminded from behind, “Lord Xu, this should be determined according to the law.”

Lord Xu glared at Mo Danxin, who quickly lowered his head in fear.

Lord Xu then turned back to Daoist Non-Speaker, resuming his smiling demeanor.

Daoist Non-Speaker, maintaining an air of immortality and grace even in jail, replied, “What do you want from me? Should we go outside and have a real fight? If I win, you let me go. If I lose, you can keep me here as long as you want?”

Upon hearing this, Xu Xin slammed the table. “Alright, it’s a deal!”

Although he had been defeated by Daoist Non-Speaker at the Golden Core Stage, Nascent Soul Stage, and Spirit Transformation Stage, he was now the Minister of Justice, having subdued countless vicious criminals. In terms of cultivation and combat experience, he was not afraid of Daoist Non-Speaker!

Lord Xu tore off the jail chains and opened the cell door. “Come out!”

Daoist Non-Speaker smiled faintly and said to Mo Danxin, “Lord Mo, you saw that, right? I wanted to escape, and Lord Xu agreed to my escape plan, even personally opening the cell door for me. I’m the main culprit, and he’s the accomplice. You should lock him up too.”

Mo Danxin pondered for two seconds, then stepped forward, making a polite gesture.

“The Sect Leader of Dao Seeking Sect is right. Lord Xu, you have openly broken the law in front of me. Please come in.”

Xu Xin: “…”

Non-Speaker, even in jail, you can still screw me over!