[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-living-among-all-heavens-achieving-immortality-t":3,"chapter-living-among-all-heavens-achieving-immortality-t-living-among-all-heavens-achieving-immortality-t-chapter-361":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Living Among All Heavens, Achieving Immortality Through Merit",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2323929,4545,"Chapter 361: The Authority to Interpret the Law Rests With Me","living-among-all-heavens-achieving-immortality-t-chapter-361",361,"\u003Cp>Since Zhao Gou arrived in Lin’an, the temples of this city have thrived with incense, and scholars and commoners alike burn incense and chant sacred texts, leading to multiple expansions of Lin’an’s temples; the City God Temple, situated atop Wu Mountain, boasts grand scenery of river, mountain, lake, and city, along with elegant buildings and courtyards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liang Lian’s soul, within this City God Temple, watched as people burned incense and bowed reverently, yet felt utterly out of place amid the clamor; in the eyes of Liang Lian and other nobles, even the architecture of courtyards had hierarchies—like the Liang Prince’s mansion, where every inch of land was meticulously funded and laid with silver.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This City God Temple, by contrast, spent its money by the chi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But within this courtyard, Liang Lian dared not act rashly; he could only keep his head bowed, staring toward the main hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Bring in Liang Lian!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this command, the Black and White Wardens escorted Liang Lian to the main hall of the City God Temple; though many worshippers filled the temple, the moment Liang Lian entered, the surroundings instantly emptied—before him sat the City God, clad in ceremonial robes, flanked by over a dozen dignified ghostly deities, with clerks and constables below.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The place was solemn and reverent, faintly scented with incense and burnt paper; as Liang Lian was forced to kneel, he saw Gu Qing seated upon the dais.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Liang Lian, before the City God, what do you have to say?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The City God spoke from above, naturally imposing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liang Lian knelt on the ground; seeing that Gu Qing knew the City God, he felt despair—but at its peak, despair ignited fury. He suddenly raised his head, pointing at Gu Qing, and cried to the City God: “I accuse him! He killed me! My lifespan was not yet fulfilled!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The City God, leafing through the petition, looked at Gu Qing and said: “Daoist Gu, you wielded a blade and killed a man. What do you have to say?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Liang Lian tyrannized the mortal realm; the people dared not speak. Even after being imprisoned in the Heavenly Jail, he still escaped to commit atrocities, defying mortal taboos. Such a violent brute deserves a violent end.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Qing spoke calmly: “I drew my blade and slew him to uphold Heaven’s justice. The Underworld should grant me merit for this. As for his lifespan not being fulfilled—there are countless souls in the Wrongful Death City; let him stay there for a few years.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Qing had already planned Liang Lian’s future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What do you mean, ‘let him stay in the Wrongful Death City for a few years’?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liang Lian was about to protest, when he saw the City God nod.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s the only way. After all, the Underworld handles all such cases this way.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The City God was merely going through the motions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liang Lian stared, dumbfounded, recalling the commoners he had crushed with his power and killed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Liang Lian’s subordinates were also killed by the Daoist…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The City God turned to the next point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“These men held no official office but wielded official power, bullied others with influence, and committed many evils.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Qing said: “They died without injustice.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The City God marked it off, ruling Gu Qing had acted in Heaven’s name.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liang Lian watched it all—he had ruled with tyranny and crushed lives in the mortal world, yet never dared to so brazenly count murder as merit. Now, seeing Gu Qing’s actions, Liang Lian felt almost virtuous himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If killing counted as merit, Liang Lian himself should be in Heaven!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Seems acceptable.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After reviewing everything, the City God closed his scroll and said to Gu Qing: “Now that Bao Zheng serves as the King of Hell, stern and impartial, he scrutinizes every case closely; otherwise, such matters would leave no trace.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The City God Temple’s preliminary review is complete; the next stage is the King of Hell’s second hearing. The City God has already documented everything thoroughly—this will pass easily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The deed is done.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liang Lian’s face turned ashen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The City God waved his hand, ordering the ghostly officers to serve tea to Gu Qing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Qing accepted the tea with a smile, looked at the City God, and said: “According to the official documents, this temple has twenty-four bureaus, including the Punishment of Evil Bureau and the Punishment Bureau—all meant to warn mortals. Yet in Hangzhou, I’ve seen no signs of their efficacy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Qing’s official ordination scroll contained the duties and communications of the gods.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The City God, hearing this, thought Gu Qing was joking, and replied playfully: “Daoist Gu, what evil doer have we failed to punish?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zhao Gou!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Qing said: “He killed Yue Fei. Is he not a criminal?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At these words, the temple fell silent; the deities exchanged glances, until the City God spoke: “Zhao Gou and current officials find it easy to benefit the people—and easy to do evil. Their good and evil are entangled; many consequences are not self-inflicted. Only after death can their final judgment be made. We, the City God Temple, have no authority to punish them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, the Underworld’s laws are strict, and divine authority deters mortals—but the upper echelons of the mortal world remain unmoved, all proceeding as before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Qing nodded, sipped his tea, and said: “Liang Wang is now dismissed from office. That should count for nothing, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liang Lian, still kneeling, looked up—unaware Gu Qing had been waiting for this!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The City God smiled and said: “Of course, Liang Wang doesn’t count.” As he spoke, he gestured outside; then continued sipping tea with Gu Qing. Before the tea was finished, ghostly officers entered, dragging ropes—bound to them were Liang Wang and Liang Wang’s Lady.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Father! Mother!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing his parents, Liang Lian wept uncontrollably: “I am an unfilial son—I cannot serve you anymore!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liang Wang and his Lady were stunned, then suddenly realized—they were no longer in the mortal world. Seeing Liang Lian guarded by ghostly constables, they rushed forward and embraced him, weeping bitterly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Liang Wang’s Lady failed to discipline her son—thirty blows!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The City God ordered, then added: “Liang Wang committed grave evils—one hundred blows, three hundred lashes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Liang Wang and his Lady could recover, ghostly officers dragged them away; whips and boards fell upon them. Though their forms were spectral, blood streamed visibly from their wounds as they screamed—Liang Lian watched, trembling, no longer daring to defy Gu Qing, only kneeling and pounding his head against the ground, begging for mercy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is all my own doing—I deserve it. Please, don’t drag my parents into this!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liang Lian kowtowed: “Gu Qing, Master Gu, Daoist Gu—Fa Hai released me only to raise money to atone for my parents’ sins, saying that when the guilt is repaid, my Liang family will be freed from punishment…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Liang Wang and his Lady were whipped, Liang Lian confessed everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So it was.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Qing nodded silently. Bai Niangzi’s repayment of kindness targeted Xu Xian; thus, any event near Xu Xian could point to Bai Suzhen’s intervention. When Li Gongfu was attacked, Gu Qing sensed something amiss and took charge—sure enough, the mastermind was Fa Hai.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the New Legend of the White Snake, Fa Hai defeats Bai Suzhen only with the golden bowl; without it, he cannot match her. To use the golden bowl, he must make Bai Suzhen commit a sin against Heaven.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even in the Battle of the Flooded Jinshan Temple, though Bai Suzhen was ultimately spared by the Star of Literature, she later admitted that, pregnant, she held back her full strength in battle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, Fa Hai is scheming to make Bai Suzhen sin against Heaven.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having pieced it all together, Gu Qing looked at the City God, holding a scroll, and said: “Today’s judgment owes entirely to your impartiality. Here is a method for cultivating and nourishing the soul—perhaps useful to you and the other deities…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Qing presented to the City God a soul-nourishing method from the Demon-Subduing World’s Ghost Dao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Daoist, since Marshal Ma holds you in high regard, you are one of us…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The City God feigned refusal, but seeing the Ghost Dao soul-cultivation method was indeed valuable, he accepted it for the sake of the deities: “Daoist Gu, should you need aid in Hangzhou, simply send a talisman. Let the people’s hearts be iron—I shall uphold the law like a furnace.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The authority to interpret the law rests with him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Qing bowed with a smile and took his leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liang Wang and his Lady awoke in prison, suddenly crying out in pain. The jailers approached, inspected their backs, and found them covered in wounds. When questioned by officials, the two lay weeping on the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The visible wounds confirmed the retribution of the Underworld.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Changming Temple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Qing slowly returned to awareness, seeing Xiao Qing and Bai Suzhen beside him. He smiled at the two women, then looked down at the scattered heads and rivers of blood, and intoned a false-hearted sutra: “By the Supreme Command, I liberate these lonely souls; all ghosts, spirits, and fourfold beings receive grace. Those with heads ascend; those without heads rise…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As an ordained Daoist, Gu Qing performing exorcisms was entirely fitting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The monks of Changming Temple, intimidated by Gu Qing’s ferocity, shrank back, watching him chant Daoist scriptures for salvation within their own temple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Amitabha Buddha.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fa Hai’s voice rang from outside, loud and resonant, shaking the air: “Those who take life suffer short lifespans and karmic retribution. Daoist Gu, you have slain many within my temple—how long can you endure?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Gu Qing finished killing, Bai Suzhen had silently calculated the causes and effects. Now seeing Fa Hai arrive, her understanding deepened—she knew Gu Qing had shielded her from disaster. Though she said nothing, her gaze toward Gu Qing grew softer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This man of Xiao Qing’s heart is truly considerate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fa Hai.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Suzhen stilled her emotions, stepping forward: “Right and wrong are clear to both of us. Besides, these men all died deservedly…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And what of him?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fa Hai casually pointed to the corpse of the Private Secretary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was the Private Secretary of Prefect Chen Lun of Suzhou, with no connection to the Liang Prince’s household.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He too died deservedly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Qing said calmly: “Just now, the City God reviewed the records. The silver he offered the Liang Prince came entirely from Zhang Baonan’s household. Zhang Baonan, granted a post through patronage, should have become an official—but in Suzhou, he lusted after Liu San’s wife, He Shi. They conspired; Zhang Baonan paid Liu San handsomely to leave for business.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The three had settled into peace—until this Private Secretary, using a decaying corpse, falsely accused Zhang Baonan and He Shi of murdering Liu San. He seized Zhang Baonan’s wealth and had them both executed, to win a reputation for clever judgment.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Qing laid it out, then asked Fa Hai: “Do you say he deserved to die?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Qing kicked the Private Secretary’s corpse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Heh.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fa Hai burst into laughter, staring at Gu Qing: “So you mean—you are Zhang Baonan, Xu Xian is Liu San, Bai Suzhen is He Shi, and I am this Private Secretary?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fa Hai naturally projected himself into the story.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By asking whether the Private Secretary deserved death, Gu Qing was asking whether Fa Hai deserved death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Suzhen blushed. After Xu Xian married Pei Yaoyin, she had silently calculated—she realized Gu Qing had orchestrated everything. Without Gu Qing, she might have married Xu Xian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t you dare insert yourself like that!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Qing snapped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’m stating facts about a corrupt official—why are you reading yourself into it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Qing snorted: “Gu Qing and my sister are completely innocent.” As she spoke, she felt awkward—Gu Qing’s name had “qing,” Bai Suzhen’s had “bai”—their names together sounded pure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fa Hai sneered, looking at Gu Qing: “Daoist Gu, are you truly determined to interfere in this matter?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His words carried the weight of a final ultimatum.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Qing glanced at Fa Hai, then at Bai Suzhen… recalling Marshal Ma’s hint about the Purple Star. Originally, the script had changed Xu Shilin’s destiny from Purple Star to Star of Literature—but Marshal Ma’s implication seemed to be that Bai Suzhen carried the Purple Star’s destiny.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Purple Star represents heavenly mandate, though Gu Qing did not fully understand its nature. Yet the Purple Emperor, a great deity, exists in both Buddhist and Daoist realms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In his thoughts, Gu Qing recalled a hellish joke: in the Investiture of the Gods, all who died became star lords—Bo Yikao, the Purple Emperor, after death, transformed into the entire starry sky…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Qing looked at Fa Hai, feigning ignorance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fa Hai nodded: “Then I must subdue you both!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fa Hai had come to deliver his final ultimatum. He had been betrayed by Gu Qing three times, publicly humiliated once, and now his plan had been shattered face-to-face. He was certain: unless he subdued Gu Qing, he could never claim Bai Suzhen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Qing heard this and chuckled, saying, \"Master Fahi, I fear you cannot subdue us.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fahi’s gaze held Buddhist solemnity as he scrutinized Gu Qing and Bai Suzhen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Qing smiled slightly and said, \"Master Fahi, you have conspired against us time and again—this hardly befits a high monk. Since you wish to fight us, let us choose a place to settle this properly: the loser shall retreat three leagues and never trouble the other again. What do you say?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One league is thirty li; retreating three leagues means the two sides will have no further dealings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fahi studied Gu Qing and Bai Suzhen, silently reciting sutras as he assessed them—one Golden Core, one Cultivation Transcendence—and yet they dared challenge him, who wielded the Golden Bowl… Fahi saw no path to their victory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this Gu Qing often thwarts his plans…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Very well!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though doubtful, Fahi accepted openly, saying, \"Let our enmity be settled in this duel.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Qing extended his palm, and the three of them struck palms before Fahi’s hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2342,"2026-06-20T17:04:27.745Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","ba04e0c11cc0cc3ae94e8a0ddc8e5e6f37d71cfd7b7f78ecf493d1a376e3ce17","living-among-all-heavens-achieving-immortality-t-chapter-362","living-among-all-heavens-achieving-immortality-t-chapter-360",449,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fliving-among-all-heavens-achieving-immortality-t-cover.jpg"]