Chapter 437: Chapter One: Prison

Too familiar a drowsiness and darkness.

After losing perception of the real world, consciousness plunged into a lightless deep sea; but when it sank endlessly and reached the "seabed," another world unfolded before it.

Heart-Mind Realm.

A profound azure sky loomed over distant mountains; at the deepest core of boundless purple bamboo lay the gate to a fairyland.

Seeing Pei Ye walked through white mist, no longer feeling its eerie chill or danger—they were like smooth silk, pliable beneath his fingers.

He looked up at the distant, unreachable beard, and for the first time felt utterly safe, knowing the Immortal Lord was sealed behind a firm barrier.

The 【West Court Heart】 did not sever the bond between host and decree-map, but cut the connection between the decree-map and the Immortal Lord.

Of course it should be so—clearly, a decree-map can have countless hosts, but only one Immortal Lord.

That distant gaze still existed, but the countdown to descent had at least paused, allowing the 【Purple Bamboo Grove】 to merge into the Heart-Mind Realm—this pathway between heaven and earth would no longer open through him.

Seeing Pei Ye gazed at the vast, miraculous world before him, believing he had acquired a treasure rare in the world through this transcendent quality of "Heart-Mind"; yet he was truly raw and unskilled, having never ventured into this profound and mysterious domain beyond the desperate but simple struggles he had once endured.

"Heart Sword" might not count among them, for Seeing Pei Ye realized it did not rely on the Heart-Mind Realm's activation, but on the actual sword held in his hand within the material world.

Thus he became even more certain: "Sword" might truly be a divine right sown across all of humanity.

It holds its current status precisely because it stands utterly outside the entire cultivation system—its power does not depend on Qi, heaven and earth, status, or cultivation level; with just a sword and a tree of true Qi, a Pulse Realm cultivator can kill an True Xuan Gate adept.

Though, the very ability of sword techniques to cross the chasm of True Xuan Qi is itself a miracle.

Seeing Pei Ye thought of these things as he ascended again to this snow-laden divine mountain within the West Court Fairyland—he had just activated one of the Seven Divine Palaces, through which he had forged a deep and firm bond with the West Court Heart.

As a divine relic of equal rank to the decree-map, if the decree-map allowed him to touch the Ninefold You Heaven, this immortal pearl connected him to the mortal world.

When he entered this divine palace and stood before the ancient jade platform, a tangible, solid power embraced him.

From the earth beneath his feet, from the very fabric of this world.

Seeing Pei Ye glanced at the divine throne behind the platform, forged like black scales—magnificent, mysterious, beautiful; no one barred him, yet he did not rush to sit. Here, he seemed to possess an innate calmness; he lifted his gaze, as if piercing the ceiling toward the three divine palaces still beyond reach, wondering which one was 【Great Liang】.

Seeing Pei Ye stepped out of the palace, sighed softly, and continued wandering aimlessly through this vast, desolate world, like a lonely monarch.

Only the kitten could speak a few words.

"What's my situation now?" he asked again, somewhat anxious.

"Seems like you're not dead."

"."

Seeing Pei Ye couldn't expect a better answer from it—he knew the black cat couldn't see him now; they had been separated when the carriage finally stopped.

Seeing Pei Ye had not voluntarily entered his Heart-Mind Realm; in fact, he could not leave, because his body had fainted again.

—Some people seem easygoing and approachable at first sight, but after knowing them, you find them cold and heartless.

When the clatter of hooves finally ceased, Seeing Pei Ye stared blankly as Yan Yan Feiqing pressed a finger to the back of his neck; that plain, clean face showed no intention of explaining anything to him—just cold, official business.

Seeing Pei Ye panicked, wanting to shout a warning—but the jujube Daoist moved too fast; before he could utter a single syllable, his eyes rolled back and he collapsed.

He didn't know when or where he was, nor what would be done to him next. In every letter he wrote, he claimed to have friends and patrons in the Divine Capital, but in truth, he remained a condemned prisoner whose fate hung in the balance, imprisoned in a cage shrouded by heavy black curtains, shackles never removed, no messages delivered, every letter sent meticulously inspected—he had never once received any outside information.

Who was handling his case, and what their attitude was—these were not matters a prisoner had the right to know.

He didn't even know why he had been transferred to the Divine Capital, or how he would ultimately be dealt with; now, having been mysteriously knocked unconscious, he was truly a fish on the chopping block.

The only proof he was still alive was this lingering Heart-Mind Realm.

Seeing Pei Ye sighed softly, sat cross-legged atop a large stone, and quietly gazed at the snow-buried ruins of the fallen fairy kingdom.

After who knew how long, consciousness finally felt an upward pull again.

A heavy body.

Dull, narrow perception—he still felt dazed, already sensing his heartbeat and breath were labored, his face tingling with discomfort, as if his cheeks had suddenly gained weight.

After being stripped of Qi, a cultivator would fall back into mortal frailty with unbearable discomfort—not like climbing from water onto shore, but like a bird that once soared freely now crawling on the ground.

Seeing Pei Ye had grown somewhat accustomed to this during his journey, but now, rising from the Heart-Mind Realm, this sudden, glaring weight felt all the more acute.

Seeing Pei Ye frowned, then heard the black cat sigh softly within his abdomen: "I bitterly regret this body is not truly mine."

"."

Seeing Pei Ye silently looked down at it.

"Cultivation must not cease," said the black cat.

"."

Seeing Pei Ye had little mood for jesting, for though the Immortal Hunter was surely tightly guarded, it still enjoyed its light, powerful body—while he himself was truly suffering.

Without Qi to restore his state, Seeing Pei Ye struggled through dizziness to discern his surroundings—clearly still a deep dungeon.

No sound penetrated; the darkness was utterly silent. A dim lamp glowed in the room. He instinctively raised a hand to push himself toward it—suddenly, a jarring stiffness struck, snapping his movement chain; he stumbled and fell to the ground.

Seeing Pei Ye painfully scrambled to his feet with hands and face, breathing heavily as he looked down—the strange stiffness now settled into concrete reality: he wore only a single robe, hair loose, barefoot, ankle shackles dragging; but from his forearms down, his hands were tightly bound by a precise iron device, faint patterns glowing, fingers utterly unable to bend.

"."

Seeing Pei Ye staggered to his feet and walked along the walls, tapping them—solid cast iron, all around.

He gave a helpless smile, leaned back, and sat down, certain this time his life was entirely out of his own hands.

He counted his breaths to measure time, wondering how his fate was being decided outside—but four hours passed, and not even a meal or water had been brought; his body was already suffering.

Then suddenly, he snapped alert—his ears perked up—he finally heard faint, distant sounds.

Footsteps from above the cell, growing clearer, echoing gradually—definitely more than five people.

Each step was steady and even, clearly carrying varying levels of cultivation.

Seeing Pei Ye frowned, tensing, when suddenly the black cat spoke: "Since your arrival in the capital, the Immortal Platform spent three hours deliberating this outcome. The judgment document they've brought down now is the Immortal Platform's final ruling on you."

Seeing Pei Ye froze—he didn't understand how the black cat knew this, but the information itself made his body stiffen.

The footsteps outside halted before the door. Behind the dim lamp, Seeing Pei Ye saw only blurred shadows—but he knew he was perfectly visible to every one of them.

A moment of silence—as if each gaze had scanned him—then one man raised his hand, and in the dark, the sound of unfurling scrolls came; his voice rang clear: "Written by the Vice Minister: This man, driven by a feud, assassinated a government official, entangled in major cases involving the Joyful Death Tower, Candle-World Sect, and Devouring Sun Assembly. The case remains unresolved; he must be pursued and investigated, and imprisoned indefinitely in the 【Prison of Demons】."

Seeing Pei Ye's heart turned cold. Not dying was good—but eternal imprisonment in a deep dungeon was far from what he wanted. He stared silently at the shadows outside; the sound of the scroll being closed confirmed it—this was the verdict.

"Generally speaking, the Immortal Platform's duty is investigation, not sentencing—especially when court affairs are involved," came the black cat's voice again. "So this document declares the case unresolved—you are a key figure in it, and must be held by the Immortal Platform."

"."

Seeing Pei Ye had no chance to ask, for this document seemed not even meant for him—another unfamiliar male voice from the shadows outside spoke coldly: "Deputy Secretary Fu, the document you just read is not recognized by the Three Departments."

The earlier voice remained calm: "The Temple Director naturally conveys the Three Departments' demands; I have also stated the Immortal Platform's position."

The Temple Director spoke gravely: "This case hinges on its ties to the Joyful Death Tower and Candle-World Sect—investigating them falls under your Platform's jurisdiction; the Three Departments will not interfere. But this prisoner assassinated a high-ranking court official—his crime is clear, the punishment defined, the case complete. He should be handed over to the Three Departments for sentencing. You claim he remains entangled in the case and refuse to transfer him, yet offer no convincing justification."

Deputy Secretary Fu remained calm: "We will submit a fully documented case file to the Three Departments tomorrow. It is the Three Departments who refused to wait."

"You know the Three Departments have no means to verify," the Temple Director said, perhaps pressing his sword. "The entire case is entirely in your hands—we cannot access any evidence. What you call 'evidence' is merely whatever you say it is."

Deputy Secretary Fu solemnly replied: "I reiterate to you, Temple Director: the prisoner is entangled with both the Joyful Death Tower and Devouring Sun Assembly—both are critical. The case remains unresolved. The Three Departments' insistence on seizing custody undermines the investigation. Since you've brought the Southern Command's order today, the Immortal Platform will comply with regulations and transfer him—precisely because the Immortal Platform investigates and the Three Departments prosecute, each with their own authority. Tomorrow, we will present the case file, fully documented. This man's crimes belong not to the court, but to the martial world—then, we expect the Three Departments to act likewise by the rules."

The Temple Director's tone was flat: "Secretary, you jest—who among the bureaus would dare not follow the rules before the Immortal Platform?"

Seeing Pei Ye strained to listen, now more aware than ever of his dull senses—this close, he still struggled to distinguish words and sense direction.

"'Temple Director' means the Director of the Dalisi," came the black cat's quiet, cold voice again. "Sixth-rank upper, specializing in judging cases, but not involving sects or martial world affairs—mostly court and civilian matters. 'Little Three Departments' refers to the joint panel of the Dalisi 's Judicial Inspector, the Censorate's Censor, and the Ministry of Justice's Department Head—established ad hoc for specific cases. This is the proper court for sentencing. They have not intervened in the main body of the Shaolong case, only sought to take custody of the prisoner who assassinated the Governor. Normally, the Immortal Platform voluntarily transfers cases involving court figures—aligning authority and duty."

"." Seeing Pei Ye frowned, struggling to process these unfamiliar terms.

The black cat's calm voice continued: "But 'assassinating a Governor' is a major case—the assassin's fate is not the most important thing. The Three Departments' refusal to let the Immortal Platform retain him, and their insistence with an official order, is unusual."

"." The events outside the cell slowly took shape in Seeing Pei Ye's mind—he clearly recognized the Three Departments were acting fairly, while the Immortal Platform was lying.

Because he was no longer entangled in any case.

The Joyful Death Tower's plot had never targeted him—he was an accidental bystander. There was enmity between them, but no connection; nothing could be found on him regarding the Joyful Death Tower.

Even if he knew anything, he had already reported it all—besides, the Shaolong branch of the Joyful Death Tower had been destroyed.

The Devouring Sun Assembly was even more absurd—he had only met Meng Li a few times.

Seeing Pei Ye didn't know why the Immortal Platform insisted so firmly—but he himself was now merely a clear-cut murderer, deserving transfer to the Three Departments for sentencing.

He strained to look at the shadows outside; the document for indefinite detention no longer chilled him—it felt more unsettling to be taken away by this unfamiliar bureau.

But it seemed this could only happen—the Immortal Platform had delivered its final stance; the Temple Director in the shadows had handed over the order; with a mechanical sound, the cell door opened.

No one spoke, nor would anyone ask the poor prisoner's opinion. Two heavy footsteps entered—black robes, straight blades, cold and silent—dragging Seeing Pei Ye, stumbling, out of the cell.

He couldn't make out any faces at the door—in truth, he wasn't even allowed to raise his head. Yet among the motionless boots and hemlines, a pair of slender ones approached him.

Then those boots halted. A pair of clean hands entered his vision. Qi fluttered, removing some old restraints, then adding new ones. Seeing Pei Ye quickly understood—the Immortal Platform's sorcerers were assisting the Three Departments in transferring custody.

Except the iron device binding his hands remained untouched.

Who held the chain meant nothing to the bound man; Seeing Pei Ye didn't care much. Those hands lightly tapped his wrists—the iron chimed clearly, its patterns glowing, completely sealing his meridians.

In the dimness, the figure stepped aside, revealing black boots and dark green robes below. Seeing Pei Ye recognized the lower garment differed from the others—this must be the "Temple Director."

He rested his hand on his sword, slowly stepping back two paces.

After observing the disheveled young prisoner for a moment, he finally waved his hand. Two officers dragged Seeing Pei Ye forward.

At that moment, a clear, bright female voice spoke: "This man is acting convincingly—your bureau must not be deceived."

Seeing Pei Ye jolted, instinctively lifting his head.

In the dim, hazy light, he still recognized that calm, smiling face—graceful, serene, upright—though they met in a different place, it was just as it had been two months ago.

Immortal Platform black-sash sorceress, Xing Zhi.

The black cat once again sent a calm phrase from within his abdomen: "Don't worry—someone is determined to kill you, so we're taking a detour."

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