Daily life of a cultivation judge

At first, Bai Zhen had assumed it was the Order's way of reaffirming them so that they would give their all for the Order once indentured into their service for life, but now, it seemed it was because they could very well be executed as soon as that very instant.

The couple's fight response triggered but they were sealed in place by the ascendant artifact's spirit and couldn't move an inch. It was like a middle-stage domain expert effortlessly held them in place. Their qi and movements were all sealed in an instant.

"It's a debt, Bai Zhen.." Yang Qing softly said as his eyes fell on the duo.

"My friend was among them.." he added as his gaze turned distant.

"And he doesn't have any family. Had he died at your hands, despite me being sympathetic to your plight, especially after hearing the whole story...

I am ashamed to say this, but had he died at your hands, I would have fought you both to the death the moment my cultivation base reached a level where I could hold my own against the two of you. 

Which by my estimates should be the fifth stage. It would not have mattered to me whether you personally avenged your daughter or not. When the moment came...I would take your lives.."

Despite the coldness of his words, Yang Qing's eyes shone, with a tragic sympathy as he looked at the couple.

"I was given your sentence a day ago by the last living relatives of Xie Wen, her grandparents..." Yang Qing said as he took out a scroll that was cloaked with gold gold-flamed eagle around it.

The Bai couple felt their bodies involuntary tremble when the scroll appeared. An overbearing and heavenly presence was released by the scroll that made it seem like they were facing the judgment of the heavens itself.

"They have decided for the punishment of killing their granddaughter, you are to live. Live enduring the same pain and loss that they do..."

Yang Qing moved his eyes from the scroll and looked at the two.

"I know the look of those looking to die.." he said with a low tone.

"I, Yang Qing, in my capacity as a judge of the Order, hereby enact the sentence entrusted to me by Xie Liang and Xie Liqi...

You are forbidden to take your lives in any form whatsoever whether by suicide or reckless action with intent to die. 

You are to do everything to live and survive in the pursuant of your duties for the Order and you're to do so, to your last breath.."

The gold-flamed eagle let out a screech that seemed to carry the weight and the authority of the heavens within it as the scroll burst into golden lights that merged together with the gold-flamed eagle to form two gold daggers with eagle talons as handles.

The daggers were filled with ancient-looking runes that carried the voice of the Dao within them. 

The couple felt a terrifying presence coming from the two daggers, much more terrifying than anything they had felt. Even the roars of the spirit beasts that came from the purple forest didn't come close to the terrifying aura surrounding the daggers.

Before they could react, the two daggers suddenly launched themselves toward their foreheads, disappearing swiftly within them.

It looked like their foreheads had transformed into water surfaces the moment the daggers made contact with them. A faint ripple appeared, and the daggers disappeared smoothly into their foreheads.

Immediately after, gold runic feather symbols simultaneously flashed and appeared on their foreheads before disappearing an instant later.

The couple didn't feel any pain or sudden changes to their bodies, however, they could feel some unfathomable power resting within their bodies like an overseer and controller.

A moment later, the couple turned to each other in shock because they realized something was different. The thoughts they harbored before, the ones they dared not tell each other, would be blocked at the slightest recall like a foggy memory that one couldn't quite grasp.

"Your souls and mental sea have been marked by the aura from the sealing flying dagger of the celestial river of forgetfulness.

That seal will enforce the sentence. Even at the brink of death, you can forget dying with its aura within you. You will live until your last. It will not leave you until then, not even if you reach the soul formation realm. You can forget ridding yourself of its abilities.." Yang Qing said as he slowly stood up whilst also releasing the restriction placed on the couple's bodies by the ascendant-grade artifact.

"Tomorrow you will be leaving Deer Mountain Range for good.." Yang Qing said with a sigh.

His sudden news sent tumultuous shock waves to the two.

"Why?" Bai Zhen weakly asked.

Deer Mountain Range was all he had ever known and even though he was held captive, he still felt some odd comfort he was still within the confines of the Range. Even with the place now holding painful memories, it still did not erase his sentiments to it.

"The people you fought to the death with, my colleagues, they will come back here. How would they feel with you around?

Would you share a place with the people who murdered your daughter?" Yang Qing asked as he saw the two go through a myriad of emotions.

Bai Zhen looked like he had aged even more because of the news.

"I am sorry but you can not remain here...and also your duties, they will take you away from here. You could not stay here..." he gently said.

"You will be kept appraised of all developments small or big concerning your daughter, and should we find the two deacons, we will take you to them or bring them to you for you to do as you will.

I hope.." Yang Qing paused for a bit.

"That it will bring you some comfort. Take care Bai Zhen, Bai Su and I am sorry for your loss.." Yang Qing said as he cupped his fists at the duo.

After his apology, he turned and left the space, leaving the couple to sort through their emotions and the future that awaited them.