The Celestial Emperor said in a solemn voice: "Let us not speak of this matter further. As for Xu Xuan... setting aside that merits cannot offset faults, even if we were to truly debate this, his faults outweigh his merits."

"Issue my decree: the wild nature of Xu Xuan from the lower realms remains untamed, resulting in the collapse of the heavenly path and the backflow of the Three Rivers into the Heavenly Gate. According to the law, he shall be executed!"

"However, considering his elimination of the principal offender Kong Ren and his hidden repentance, he is spared from death."

"Although the death penalty can be avoided, the living punishment cannot. I now decree him banished to the North of Chishui, condemned eternally to desolate lands, not allowed to take even half a step away. Should he defy Heaven’s decree, past and present sins shall bear the same punishment!"

Venus, hearing the Celestial Emperor’s decree, felt a sigh of relief instead.

His advice to the Celestial Emperor was not truly to elevate Xu Xuan among the immortals, but rather a retreat for an advance, helping that still promising Sect Leader Xu to escape a fatal calamity.

At the same time, it was also to relieve the Celestial Emperor of trouble, avoiding a scenario where, after issuing the execution decree, a certain monkey might interfere, resulting in an execution that couldn’t be carried out, thus losing the Celestial Emperor face.

In the lower realms, outside the Zhuoshui Dojo.

Bodhisattva Ksitigarbha was also scheming against Xu Qing.

"Ksitigarbha, why have you summoned me here?"

Ksitigarbha, looking at the dharma corpse that had detached from himself, said in a calm tone: "I summoned you to seek your aid, to slay the Great Luo Sect Leader here, fulfilling the Dharma Master’s intent."

The Ksitigarbha dharma corpse asked surprisedly: "A mere mortal cultivator, even if skilled, cannot surpass the Goddess; why do you need me to intervene?"

Bodhisattva Ksitigarbha said with an impassive expression: "What Di-Ting said is not false, the Goddess and Xu Xuan have deep affection. With her around, I cannot subdue this demon."

"The Goddess’s cultivation is second only to that of the Buddha; even if the Buddha himself were present, subduing wouldn’t be guaranteed. Do you really think I could snatch prey from the tiger’s mouth?"

Bodhisattva Ksitigarbha, holding wisdom like a pearl, replied: "Those overly favored by Heaven must surely bear a hazard akin to falling into a trap in broad daylight!"

"Xu Xuan relies on the favor of the Heavenly Maiden. I only need to lure her away; then you can proceed to slay this demon, and success is certain!"

The Ksitigarbha dharma corpse frowned: "The Heavenly Maiden is so protective of her companion, your idea to lure her away may not work. Moreover, Xu Xuan has the capability to slay the General, suggesting unusual traits; if I cannot quickly succeed, it will be difficult to act again in the future."

"Furthermore, why insist on eliminating Xu Xuan? He’s just a junior relying on the Heavenly Maiden and that monkey..."

Bodhisattva Ksitigarbha replied solemnly: "Di-Ting has already gathered news that the Heavenly Maiden is soon to take Xu Xuan to the resting place of Ancestor Ying Gou, to seek the treasure for validating the path to Kui Ba."

"Even when Xu Xuan wasn’t a serious concern, he could disrupt the Dharma Master’s major plans. If he attains the Dao fruit of Kui Ba, who among us, apart from the Dharma Master, could truly subdue him?"

"Kui Ba?"

The dharma corpse straightened up, suddenly taking it seriously.

"There is no need for such concern; he might not achieve Kui Ba’s state."

Bodhisattva Ksitigarbha suddenly laughed and said: "One must know that emotions are most harmful. We just need to follow Xu Xuan and the Heavenly Maiden into Ancestor Ying Gou’s resting place; I will pretend to vie for that validation treasure for Kui Ba, and the Heavenly Maiden will surely exhaust herself in protection."

"Once I distract the Heavenly Maiden, you can seize the opportunity to take the treasure and simultaneously eradicate the zombie Xu Xuan!"

The Ksitigarbha dharma corpse, with a peculiar expression, said: "If we truly kill Xu Xuan, I’m afraid the Heavenly Maiden will pursue us relentlessly..."

"No need to worry. After this deed, we shall return to the underworld. Even if she holds great resentment, she would never dare trouble the Dharma Master."

...

Zhuoshui Dojo.

Xu Qing waited for ten more days, but this time, instead of receiving the anticipated reward from Venus, a decree of banishment was delivered by the Judicial Heavenly God.

"Banished to Chishui?"

Xu Qing was somewhat puzzled; as a zombie yet to attain Kui Ba’s level, how was he worthy of being sent to Chishui, that prison?

Beside him, the Goddess raised her eyebrows slightly; her expression did not change much, and there was even a hint of... joy?

A desolate, barren land suddenly gaining a fellow prisoner, especially an admired junior, was that not something to be pleased about?

Yet, on thinking of the eternal solitude and suffering that came with going to Chishui, the Goddess felt a bit regretful.

For her selfish desires, she had felt a burst of joy.

The Goddess’s brow furrowed and relaxed, feeling guilt towards Xu Qing and an expectation for future life at Chishui.

Xu Qing didn’t know what the Goddess was thinking; he only had one thought—

Prison, not even a dog would serve time there!

The monkey sat for 500 years, finding even a wild peach sweeter than a Flat Peach, and a word from a shepherd enough for a day’s happiness.

If he went to Chishui, there would be nothing to entertain him except the Goddess.

Not to mention teasing foxes and cats, listening to the ghostly apprentice sing him songs to lift his spirits!

"Xu Xuan, do you have anything else to say?"

The Judicial Deity sat high above, his face full of majesty.

"I have nothing more to say."

Xu Qing remained impassive, allowing the Heavenly God’s decree to descend upon him.

The Judicial Deity glanced at the wedding dress on the Heavenly Maiden, seemingly recalling some past he could not bear to revisit. He frowned for a moment, but ultimately couldn’t resist offering a hint:

"From now on, you and the Heavenly Maiden will be considered accomplished and virtuous. Within Chishui, no one will speak to restrain you. But let me say this beforehand, fortune and calamity are interdependent. You and the Heavenly Maiden must not leave Chishui on your own, or you risk punishment by the heavenly laws!"

The Judicial Deity’s words sounded flawless, but to the female zombie, there was something unsettling about them.

Or perhaps, since listening to the truths and seeing Venus, she had felt something was odd...

The female zombie frowned deeply, unable to dispel the doubts clouding her heart.

Xu Qing was already accustomed to it, and was too lazy to argue.

Some matters easily become darker the more you explain.

He’s playing dumb now, isn’t the female zombie not pursuing questions either?

The female zombie, seriously disconnected from this world, perhaps couldn’t even hear anything amiss...

Xu Qing didn’t notice the ghostly gaze from the female zombie behind him, as he focused on winking at the Judicial Deity, trying to make some unspeakable deal.

However, at this moment, the True Monarch Xiansheng as the Heavenly God gave Xu Qing no chance to negotiate.

"Since there’s no objection, immediately set off for Chishui. Do not delay here!"

After speaking, the True Monarch Miaodao turned to the accompanying heavenly generals and said, "The heavenly paths have opened, and the Three Poison River has backfilled the Yin River, potentially harming the innocent. I take on this celestial responsibility, and must set an example by patrolling the river course."

"The escort matter will be entrusted to all of you..."

Seeing the Judicial Deity turn and leave, Xu Qing was also left helpless.

The master of the Twin Saints Temple naturally belonged to the type of person that strangers should not approach, far less approachable than the master of the Little Water Curtain Grotto Heaven.

Xu Qing, as an unprivileged commoner, not entering the Heavenly God’s vision seems understandable.

Ten days later, north of Chishui.

The heavenly generals responsible for the escort had just returned to report, and Xu Qing encountered a familiar figure by the river course of Chishui, where the Three Poison River flowed.

It was the Judicial Deity who previously didn’t show him much favor.

"Why is the Heavenly God not patrolling elsewhere, but coming to Chishui?"

The young man with three eyes chuckled lightly: "Today I’m not the Judicial Deity. I’m just a loose cultivator passing by, here to return an item to a former friend."

Xu Qing suddenly understood. So True Monarch Xiansheng was learning to switch roles, handling official and private affairs seamlessly.

"Heavenly Maiden, please wait, let me reminisce with this old friend..."

Xu Qing followed True Monarch Xiansheng aside, the two gazing at the river course, surrounded by the roaring sound of the Three Poison River.

"You say you’re entrusted by a disciple of Emperor Wa, the Baosheng God, to come here for the treasure to protect the path?"

Xu Qing nodded: "The Baosheng deity and I both hail from the Jin Sect, but as a righteous deity, he cannot delve into the Yin River, and thus only I can seek the True Monarch."

"Words alone are no evidence. Do you have proof?"

Xu Qing smiled slightly, then took out the Red Luan ball from the Mountain and River Map, saying: "When I came, the Baosheng deity gave me a token. This is the Goddess’s treasure for enlightenment. Please, True Monarch, have a look."

Seeing Xu Qing seeming to offer the Red Luan ball, True Monarch Xiansheng’s expression changed suddenly.

"Stay where you are and don’t move!"

"Did the Baosheng deity not warn you that this treasure must not be easily touched by others?"

Xu Qing blinked and said: "I’m just letting you see it, not asking you to play with it. Why should the True Monarch be so afraid?"

The small flame protected in his hand, just needs to be extinguished early to prevent burning.

It doesn’t even need to be extinguished, he might not survive in this trend of creation, preservation, destruction, and emptiness.

Venus thought for a moment and had made a decision in his heart.