Chapter 531: Waking Up to a Sudden Downpour

Chapter 531: Waking Up to a Sudden Downpour

On an autumn evening, the setting sun bathed the world in a warm, lazy glow, its light a soothing shade of yellow.

Liu Sheng, casually dressed, was all smiles, looking like any ordinary old man.

"Good, all of you in the Judgment are good kids."

Liu Chudong proudly replied, "This is all thanks to my granddaughter's careful selection!"

Whether it was Zhi Changle or Wang Kong, they were both personally chosen and invited by Liu Chudong to join the Judgment.

At this moment, Liu Sheng raised his eyebrows and casually asked, "Where's Qi Yuan from Ning Kingdom? Why isn't he here?"

A suspicion formed in Liu Sheng's mind.

How could this Qi Yuan from Ning Kingdom show up so coincidentally? He might have a special connection with the revived Divine Judgment.

Liu Chudong suddenly remembered something and muttered, "I don't know if he's back. Grandpa, let's go to his courtyard."

Liu Chudong led Liu Sheng to Qi Yuan's courtyard.

A gentle knock sounded, and Chen Kangbao poked his head out, his face filled with curiosity as he looked at the two of them.

"Oh, I forgot to tell you, young master is back." Chen Kangbao continued eating his bun as usual.

"He's back, and my grandpa wants to see him," Liu Chudong said, about to step into the courtyard.

Chen Kangbao extended his hand to stop Liu Chudong, "Young master is sleeping. He has instructed that no one is allowed to enter."

"Sleeping?" Liu Chudong's expression turned urgent as she mentioned this, "Wake him up!"

This was a rare occasion when her grandpa was in a good mood, an opportunity that might not come again for a thousand years.

Who in this world wouldn't want to meet a Divine Rank Armament General and receive their guidance? Chen Kangbao shook his head and said seriously, "Young master said no one is to wake him up."

His gaze was firm, blocking Liu Chudong's path.

Liu Chudong was furious, "You're holding up important matters..."

"Young master's sleep is the important matter," Chen Kangbao replied bluntly.

Liu Chudong fell silent at this, feeling pity for Qi Yuan in her heart.

At that moment, Liu Sheng chuckled and asked, "When will your young master wake up?"

"I don't know," Chen Kangbao shook his head.

Liu Chudong was left speechless.

Liu Sheng glanced into the courtyard and said, "Since we have nothing better to do, let's wait here for a while."

Liu Chudong's eyes widened in surprise and confusion upon hearing this.

Wait, what?

Why would grandpa want to wait for Qi Yuan to wake up? Liu Chudong was perplexed.

She didn't think it was a matter of saving face for herself.

After all, her grandpa was a Divine Rank Armament General, and even as a relative, she held him in high regard.

Grandpa's actions always had a deeper meaning.

She lowered her head, deep in thought, and waited patiently.

From dusk till late at night, Liu Chudong and Liu Sheng waited outside the courtyard.

The door to the room never opened, and Liu Chudong's eyes were filled with confusion, "Is Qi Yuan still asleep? When will he wake up?"

Chen Kangbao shook his head, "I don't know."

"It's fine, he'll wake up at the latest by tomorrow morning. Grandpa..." Liu Chudong looked at Liu Sheng, worried that her grandpa might get angry.

After all, keeping a Divine Rank Armament General waiting outside for half the night, or even the entire night, was unprecedented.

Liu Sheng smiled, his expression kind. He glanced at the room inside, "No rush, I have nothing better to do anyway."

At this moment, Chen Kangbao said, "The young master might not wake up tomorrow morning."

"What?" Liu Chudong was stunned, "Is he injured? How can an ordinary person sleep for so long?"

"Hmph, our young master is a divine being. Even if he sleeps for three thousand years, so what?" Chen Kangbao boasted.

Liu Chudong fell silent, thinking Chen Kangbao was indeed eccentric.

Meanwhile, Liu Sheng squinted, as if he had an idea, and sized up Chen Kangbao's eyes.

After a long while, he chuckled, "There are such amusing things in this world. I'll wait here for your young master to wake up and see how many months he can sleep."

...

A rain shower fell upon Linhai City.

The drizzle was relentless.

As the wind blew, it stirred up a commotion.

In a tavern, an old storyteller with white hair and beard, short in stature, and wearing a robe with six or seven patches, each with fine stitching, cleared his throat.

"On that day, in June, a frost fell. Five horses were positioned in the east, south, west, and north, and a courtesan was bound with ropes."

"For killing the prince, she should be torn apart by five horses! But who would have thought, the frost of June!"

The storyteller, though old, had a booming voice, full of expression.

The commoners in the tavern listened with anticipation and excitement.

At that moment, a young man in a Confucian robe lowered his head, his face showing surprise, "Can we listen to this?"

He had heard the story of the courtesan who killed the third prince with her sword since he was a child.

However, Raksha Kingdom had long prohibited the spread of such stories.

Even if they were spread, it was only done secretly.

How could they be brought to the public?

Even in Dingbo Prefecture!

"In the end, the God of Judgment descended, and the courtesan was released without guilt!

Hmph, what's a prince? He's no different from a commoner!" The old storyteller exclaimed with enthusiasm.

"Excellent!"

The diners in the restaurant clapped and cheered.

Suddenly, a diner leaned forward and said, "Have you heard? The Blood Cloud Bandits, who have been wreaking havoc everywhere, were eliminated by none other than the God of Judgment!"

"You must be from out of town. This news has been all over Linhai City!" another diner replied.

"Hehe, the God of Judgment... is back!"

"He... has finally returned," an old man with a tattered robe and a face weathered by the wind whispered as he sipped his turbid yellow wine.

"He won't encounter a courtesan like that again."

In a corner, an old woman in plain clothes sat, listening to the voices in the restaurant. Her face showed a hint of reminiscence.

"I never thought that after all these years, a hundred and twenty years have passed."

Despite her plain attire, her unique aura was evident. One could tell from her face and eyebrows that she had been a beauty in her youth.

"It's been a hundred years since the disappearance of the God of Judgment, and we've finally waited for his return," said a crippled old man.

He came from humble beginnings and had his leg broken for refusing to kneel before the nobility.

It was the God of Judgment who sought justice for him.

It was the God of Judgment who gave him his dignity.

And this old woman, she was the protagonist of the story where a courtesan slew the third prince with her sword. She was also one of the two vice-presidents of the Judgment Council.

Aside from the president, who was trapped in the capital, unable to leave, and the other vice-president, who had to remain at the council headquarters, this old woman had come to Linhai City herself.)



Her aged face was filled with anticipation.

"The Raksha Kingdom today... is nothing compared to what it used to be," the old woman said softly, her eyes filled with memories.

As people grow old, they tend to reminisce about the past.

But this old woman wasn't living in the past; instead, she was... Even though the court had been suppressing the Judgment Council and erasing all traces of the God of Judgment, the people's admiration and faith in the God's deeds had never faded.

Many secretly worshiped the God of Judgment, hoping for his return one day.

The court officials, if lined up and executed one by one, might include some innocent people, but among the survivors, there would undoubtedly be many with blood on their hands.

The Raksha Kingdom today was nothing like it used to be.

The royalty was willing to give up cities to secure their status, and generals sought military achievements by beheading commoners!

Sitting in a carriage, one didn't need to go to a zoo; just pulling back the curtains revealed a city filled with people as worthless as cattle, no, even less than cattle, for even cattle had some value.

In such a world, even with the Seven Gods of Raksha ruling the kingdom, there were still over a hundred rebellions and uprisings in the thirteen states every year, except for Dingbo Prefecture.

If the people could survive and fill their stomachs, why would they not "sit idly by, waiting to become starving corpses, or act like a mantis trying to stop a chariot"? As the saying goes, "Today we cheer for Sun Wukong, only because the demon fog has returned."

"But... where is the God of Judgment now?" The old woman's face showed hesitation.

In the past, when the God of Judgment fell, she had put down her embroidery and painting and started cultivating, becoming an Armament Commander and joining the Judgment Council.

Now, the God of Judgment's trail had been revealed.

In just ten days, the entire Linhai City, and even the whole of Liuye County and Dingbo Prefecture, was filled with joy.

Many people openly began worshiping the God of Judgment.

At this time, the officials of Dingbo Prefecture remained silent, which was intriguing and seemed to further confirm the news.

The God of Judgment... had truly returned!

Meanwhile, in the large military tent...

Duke Yuan couldn't stop pacing back and forth, a rare sight for a Celestial Rank Armament Commander.

His face no longer held the calmness it had ten days ago.

After about a dozen breaths, the leader of the Bloodhand organization entered with a respectful expression.

"Well?" Duke Yuan asked anxiously.

Ever since he secretly investigated the Blood Cloud Bandits, he had been feeling restless and fearful.

"The news of the Blood Cloud Bandits' elimination and the return of the God of Judgment has spread throughout Dingbo Prefecture, and it's all people talk about," the leader replied.

"What's the official stance?" Duke Yuan asked.

"They're ignoring it and even... encouraging the spread!" the leader answered.

If there wasn't someone behind the scenes, how could the news of the God of Judgment's return have spread so quickly throughout Dingbo Prefecture?

Moreover, if this had happened in any other prefecture, it would have been impossible for the news to get out.

The officials' ambiguous attitude meant something. The officials of Dingbo Prefecture represented the Liu Clan!

"Old Man Liu is usually cautious and timid, but this time, he's secretly pushing things... Could it be...?" Duke Yuan grew anxious, losing his usual composure and calmness.

"Where is Old Man Liu now?" Duke Yuan asked urgently.

"He left for Linhai City ten days ago and hasn't left since. I don't know what he's up to."

"He's been in Linhai City for so long... This doesn't fit his personality at all."

Duke Far was truly anxious.

A terrifying suspicion formed in his mind.

Could it be... that Divine Judgment has truly revived?

Is Old Man Liu conspiring with Divine Judgment...? If so...

"The matters here must be reported to His Majesty. This old man will depart for the Imperial Capital immediately!" Duke Far made his decision, speaking with gravity.

Upon hearing this, the Bloodhand Leader's gaze shifted slightly: "Your Highness, if you leave, what about the achievements in Dingbo Prefecture?"

Duke Far's sudden return to the capital without an imperial summons would surely anger His Majesty.

These achievements in Dingbo Prefecture would no longer be associated with him.

His previous efforts would be in vain.

Duke Far's voice carried a hint of weariness: "When one's life is at stake, what use are achievements?"

The Bloodhand Leader heard this, feeling both disappointed and surprised.

He never expected the Duke to be so cowardly.

"Divine Judgment is just a divine artifact. Your Highness, by staying in the military camp, you can wait for the royal family's arrival and rest assured!" The Bloodhand Leader advised.

He thought that since the Duke was also a Divine Rank Armament General, why would he fear the God of Judgment?

They were both of Divine Rank; if he couldn't win, he should at least be able to escape, right?

Duke Far glanced at the Bloodhand Leader without offering further explanation: "You've never encountered the God of Judgment, so you have no idea... just what kind of existence He truly is!"

Back then in Luofeng City, he had personally witnessed Divine Judgment single-handedly resisting the enemy forces.

That kind of power, that invincibility, left Duke Far without the slightest thought of resistance.

He... truly achieved invincibility under the heavens, with no enemies above!

"My return to the royal capital must not be revealed within three days. Do you understand?"

After giving this warning, Duke Far's figure disappeared.

Of course, before leaving, he placed a restraint on the Bloodhand Leader. If his whereabouts were leaked within three days, the Bloodhand Leader would explode and perish.

The reason for the three-day period was that by then, he would have already reached the capital.

Only by staying in the royal capital could he feel a shred of security.

Divine Judgment hadn't truly revealed itself, yet a Divine Rank Armament General had already been scared away.

...

"It's been half a month."

In the courtyard, Liu Chudong's figure appeared.

Looking at her grandfather sitting inside, countless thoughts flooded her mind.

At first, she was also perplexed by her grandfather's actions.

But later, upon learning that Divine Judgment had manifested and annihilated the Blood Cloud Bandits, a storm of emotions stirred within her.

How could the timing be so coincidental? She immediately had her suspicions.

As a Divine Rank Armament General, her grandfather had been waiting outside, which was easier to understand.

Just then, suddenly, the sound of a door opening echoed.

A figure in a white robe, with a graceful and jade-like presence, stepped out. In the fine rain, his hair was damp but not disheveled.

He stretched lazily and looked at everyone, saying nonchalantly, "Good morning!"

Seeing the visitor, Liu Chudong's expression became complex: "Big Brother Qi!"

"Young Master!" Chen Kangbao's face lit up with joy.

At that moment, Liu Shu stood up, his eyes flashing with a peculiar expression as he looked at Qi Yuan: "Old Liu Shu, greetings, young master."

Qi Yuan glanced at Liu Shu and, without surprise, nodded in response.

He looked up at the sky, and the fine rain seemed to intensify: "The rain is getting heavier. Going out in this weather... one will suffer greatly."

"Big Brother Qi... are you leaving?" Liu Chudong was taken aback.

He was leaving right after waking up.

A smile flashed in Qi Yuan's eyes: "After a good sleep, it's only natural to go out."

During his half-month slumber, his portrayal of Divine Judgment had increased exponentially.

It had already reached an extreme.

He had also obtained new insights.

With his enhanced strength, he naturally had new plans.

Why not take this opportunity to fully immerse himself in the role of Divine Judgment?

For that, he needed to travel across the Raksha Kingdom, heading towards the capital.

"Where is the young master going?" Liu Shu asked at that moment.

"Hmm... leaving Dingbo Prefecture, heading to Xianle Prefecture, passing through Cuixian Prefecture and Longgu Prefecture... and finally reaching the capital." Qi Yuan replied seriously.

He had chosen a winding path.

This route traversed the twelve kingdoms, taking the most roundabout way to reach the capital.

"The rain is quite heavy. This kind of weather is perfect for sleeping, but I'm a diligent person. Even in the rain, I'll embark on my journey!" Qi Yuan said casually.

Just then, Liu Shu suddenly stood up: "With such heavy rain and thunder, the horses might get startled. I, Old Liu Shu, was once a horse handler. Allow me to lead the horse for the young master and send you on your way."

Upon hearing this, Liu Chudong's expression changed abruptly.

Lead the horse?

Her grandfather was going to lead the horse for Big Brother Qi?

Qi Yuan looked at Liu Shu, his gaze calm and composed, and said lightly, "That's fine."

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end