Just then, the Four Heads—who had thus far played the humbled, wronged men—grew restless. Monk Shixin spoke in a low, heavy voice:"You are not officers of the court. By what right do you condemn us? If we are slandered and framed by you, where is justice in this world?"
Chief Judge Cui Fujun inclined his head and answered in ringing tones:"Would we dare come to indict without evidence? Our order, in upholding the justice of the martial world, seeks neither to wrong the innocent nor to let the guilty slip away. Only thus can we honor all expectations of fairness. For that reason we have invited the Shaolin Abbot Benjue, the Mani Sect's Dharma King Li Rui, the Fire-Worship Sect's Dharma King Zhao Ke, the Nestorian Arch-Dharma King Aluos, and the Heavenly Veneration Sect's Master Liu Xuan to sit as arbiters in this public trial."
At a signal, an attendant of the Judges blew a suona horn. Another cried out:"The public hearing for the eleven unjust deaths of the Wang family now convenes! We invite Shaolin Abbot Benjue, Dharma King Li Rui of the Mani Sect, Dharma King Zhao Ke of the Fire-Worship Sect, Arch-Dharma King Aluos of the Church of the East, and Master Liu Xuan of the Heavenly Veneration Sect to take their seats!"
Master Weiyan and the Four Heads started despite themselves. The Judges of Life and Death were practiced to perfection in such matters; in an instant they had seized the initiative, turning Fahua Temple into their very own magistrate's court. The temple grounds were packed shoulder to shoulder—there was no retreating back inside now. Master Weiyan's face sagged and he said darkly,"Amitabha… Judges, you go too far. What is it you intend?"
The attendant proclaimed again:"The hearing for the eleven unjust deaths of the Wang family now convenes! We call upon Abbot Weiyan of Fahua Temple and the Four Heads to answer the accusations as stated by the Chief Judge. If you cannot refute these facts, the assembled worthies will find the case proven and grant to Wang Yun, heir of the Wang family, the right of vengeance."
It was a ruthless move—driving ducks onto the rack. Master Weiyan and his Four Heads were cornered; before them sat figures of the highest standing in the rivers and lakes. What could they do? Monk Shixin pressed his palms together and tried again:"Amitabha. Benefactors, today is the consecration of the Lotus Bell. I beseech the heroes of the martial world to lay down hatred and find enlightenment at once."
Chief Judge Cui's gaze sharpened."By that, do you acknowledge the massacre of eleven souls of the Wang family in Ningzhou eleven years ago?"
Master Weiyan shot him a cold look."You presume guilt before judgment. Is this what you call justice?"
Cui's face was solemn."This concerns the murder of eleven of the Wang household. The magistrates hunted the culprits for years and never brought them to dock. Today, we come at the family's plea to seek accountability—and to seize the true killers."
Master Weiyan retorted,"Will the world be silenced by the Judges' one-sided tale?"
Temple devotees called out, "Are there witnesses and proofs?"
Cui replied, still grave:"The material facts have just been set forth; we need not repeat them. As for a living witness—he is Wang Yun, the Wang family's youngest son, who survived that night only because he was stricken with stomach pains and escaped the slaughter."
At this, a youth stepped forward and spoke clearly:"I am Wang Yun, the youngest son of the Wang family. Do you remember me? The abbot of this temple—lay name Jian Cheng, Dharma name Jingxin—was the mastermind of the eleven murders. Today I, Wang Yun, will kill my enemy and comfort the souls of my kin!"
In this world, every sip and morsel is foreordained; drifting fluff returns to its root, cause and effect do not err. Jian Cheng—Jingxin—knew that the youngest had fled that night; after failing to find him, he left helplessly. Eleven years later, Wang Yun returned to the realm of men, resolved to avenge his house's annihilation.
"The Swordsman" — Jia DaoTen years honing a single blade—its frosted edge untried.Today I show it to you: who among you dares claim injustice?
The abbot of Fahua Temple—lay name Jian Cheng, Dharma name Jingxin—this "enlightened" monk was in truth the prime culprit of a household's destruction, a demon draped in robes.
A derisive voice cut in:"So you 'orthodox' sects think you alone define justice in the martial world, do you?"
It was the Black Dragon Sect's leader, Murong Gui, arriving in force with his Left Dharma King Meng Ming, Right Dharma King Shi Kai, and a host of followers. The peerless master Shi Yong had come as well.
No one had expected this turn. Master Weiyan hurried forward to greet them:"Were it not for Sect Leader Murong speaking for this old monk, these self-styled orthodox men would open a slaughterhouse upon holy ground."
Seeing the tables threaten to turn, Chief Judge Cui's expression shifted; he called out, steady but firm:"Sect Leader Murong, to what end is your visit? The Judges of Life and Death are presently trying the Wang family massacre. If in our handling there is aught unjust, we welcome your candid counsel."
Cui was an old hand—neither servile nor overbearing, offering face yet yielding no ground. A public case of the martial world, by reason and by feeling, should not be halted.
Murong Gui's face hardened."Master Weiyan is a true man of the Way. He has been framed. This so-called public trial you've convened is unseemly. You prate of 'martial justice' yet have not plumbed the truth of the Wang case."
At this, the Drunken Beggar, Fei Jin, shouldered through the crowd and pointed at Murong Gui with a roar:"Damn your heart and liver, Murong Gui! Shall the blood feud of eleven Wang souls go unavenged?"
Murong Gui recognized the speaker, but his face did not change. He said evenly,"Former Beggar Chief Fei, quite the temper. Senior Shi, I must trouble you to see to this."
Shi Yong stepped out."Fei Jin, why is it you always begin with curses? Has your temper never mended?"
Fei Jin snorted at the "Tiger Among Men.""You and I were never of one mind. Perhaps you don't know today's rights and wrongs. Hear me out—let me tell you a story. If, after hearing it, you still deem this a matter worth crossing hands over, this old beggar will accompany you to the end."
Shi Yong frowned slightly."A story, Fei Jin? Speak, then. I'll listen—for now."