Daily life of a cultivation judge

Even though he felt the young man was mysterious and was likely much more powerful than him, Duan Hu threw caution to the end as he openly scrutinized the young man trying to identify his origins.

When Gong Jie mentioned he was the founder, he automatically assumed it was the founder tied to the Gong clan, but as far as he knew their founder Gong Zhi had died when he ventured to the Bestial Churning Sea trying to procure some ingredients that could help him improve on his blacksmithing skills.

But from what he read from the chronicles of the Red Maple Empire, Gong Zhi died on that venture. When he analyzed the facial features of the man before him, he could not see any resemblance between him and Gong Zhi, or any of the other founding families.

Because of his gender, he had automatically ruled out the Gui family and his family, the Duan family.

Just as he had steeled himself to ask the young man his identity, he saw him speak as he addressed Gong Jie.

"Little Jie, it's your turn to introduce yourself..." said the young man as he patted Gong Jie's back gently pushing him forward.

"Sorry, founder.." Gong Jie said as he smiled sheepishly while scratching the back of his head trying to reduce the sense of embarrassment he felt.

Duan Hu grew only more confused as he saw Gong Jie's reactions. He and Gong Jie were from the same generation, and while they were the farthest things from friends, he knew a bit about the man, especially his infamous temper. He was like a wild beast who when triggered would react accordingly.

He was notorious for always getting into arguments that quickly devolved into fights, and it didn't matter who it was. A couple of times he ended up brawling with even their clan patriarch. The clan wasn't exactly known for having mild-tempered individuals, but even within a clan of irascible individuals, Gong Jie stood out.

Seeing him acting like an obedient child was something he would have never expected. It surprised him even more than his second stage palace realm cultivation.

His gaze narrowed in thought as it fell on the young man.

"Who is he?"

As he was lost in wonder, his eyes suddenly widened.

"Could it?!"

Duan Hu looked like he had just seen a ghost. Just as waves of shock were coursing through his body due to the guess he had, he heard a gentle soothing voice sound in his mind. The voice of the young man.

"You're Duan Hu, right? You have her eyes... You could go stand with them if you like, or you could join us.."

Duan Hu's pupils trembled as he gazed at the young man, feeling a strange sense of tranquility well up within him as he looked at him. Complex emotions flashed through his eyes, before finally, he moved, heading toward the young man and Gong Jie.

As he moved, some part of him compelled him to look behind him where Lin Duyi and the Golden Bamboo Pavilion team stood. He couldn't help but shake his head when he saw their attention wasn't on him, even his so-called sworn brother, Yao De, the branch manager, kept his gaze fixed on the podium.

...

"My name is Gong Jie, a member of the Gong family in the Red Maple Empire, and a traveling blacksmith. I thank the court for accommodating our presence here," said Gong Jie as he cupped his cupped his fists.

Yang Qing nodded in acknowledgment before his attention centered on the entire courtroom. Despite his earlier scuffle with Cai Hong when she wanted to murder him, his heart and emotions turned still.

Sitting on his chair, he could feel the presence of the courtroom coalesce on him, and his podium. Lin Guiren, Cai Hong, and the others had ceased to be domain experts in his eyes but were instead parties subject to the rules of the court he governed.

He may have not noticed it himself but he radiated a regal aura that resonated with the imposing atmosphere of the courtroom even Cai Hong's eyes flashed with an inscrutable glow as she sensed the sudden change in atmosphere within Yang Qing.

"My name isYang Qing, and I am an outer palace court judge of the Order.

The Order has been called upon today to mediate a few matters, and as per the cultivation charter guidelines, we have judged the matters brought before us to have met the threshold to warrant our intervention.

Both sides, the aggrieved and the accused will be allowed to make their cases and after both sides are done, the terms of the agreement will be discussed with me serving as both the witness and officiator of the deal.

Once ratified, whatever terms are agreed upon will be enforced by us, the Order.

Is everything clear?"

Everyone present nodded.

"Good.." Yang Qing said as he clasped his hands together.

"The first matter being handled is between the Wu family and the former emperor of the Red Maple Empire, Duan Hu.

Would both parties please come to the center please.."

Yang Qing made a welcoming gesture to both sides, as he waved his hands to his chest.

Duan Hu who wasn't that far from the center, was the first to arrive in a few steps. Next was the Wu family, which turned out to be the elderly woman with the greyed hair tied in a bun, and the young man standing next to her with simple facial features and spirited eyes.

As they walked to the center, the young man's eyes flashed with the same venom as did the elderly man from before who was still throwing death glares at Yao De and Lin Duyi.

When it came to the young man, the target of his resentment was none other than Duan Hu. His eyes flickered with a vicious coldness as his gaze fell on Duan Hu. It took Duan Hu a few seconds before he finally realized who both were.