Chu Chen and Lao Liu were frequent visitors to the underworld in Fengdu. Although they were not gods of the underworld, it was common for them to travel into the underworld.
Not far from Xiaoling Mountain, the two randomly found a cave far away from the Buddhist temple, arranged it a little, then set up the altar, called out, opened the door to the underworld, and headed to the underworld.
Even though Chu Chen went to the Netherworld many times before, because he was a human monk and was rejected by the Netherworld, the place of teleportation was never accurate. Most of the teleportation was random. When he arrived in the Netherworld, he always had to find a way.
However, with Lao Liu, who once served as a temporary god in Fengdu, this is not a problem.
Not long after, the two of them arrived at Luofeng Mountain.
"Lao Liu, you worked as an errand in Fengdu Hell, do you have any connections?"
Chu Chen has quite good connections in the underworld. He knows Marshal Fengdu Langlingguan and Marshal Zhao, the God of Autumn Plague. Both of them are powerful figures in the underworld. They hold the authority of a priest and have a very high status.
Especially Guan Shuai, the general who commanded the army under Emperor Fengdu and guarded Fengdu Hell.
However, the affairs of the old monk Chang Kong are not the business of these two great gods.
It is best to find Yama of the Tenth Hall.
In the underworld, there are four top leaders.
Emperor Fengdu, Emperor Dongyue, Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, and Taiyi the Lord of Suffering.
Emperor Fengdu was the supreme ruler, followed by Emperor Dongyue.
Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva and Taiyi Jingshu Tianzun are the two sects of Buddhism and Taoism who are stationed in the underworld to manage the affairs of gods and ghosts in the Nine Netherworlds and educate the "netherworld leaders" of the underworld.
The four great gods are the top leaders of the underworld. However, they do not personally handle all the affairs of the underworld. It is Yama of the Tenth Hall who is really in charge of handling affairs.
Old Liu Xu had already guessed that Chu Chen would ask, so he was not surprised at all and smiled:
"Brother Chu, don't tell me. I have a chance to deal with Judge Cui. I got his flying talisman and can contact him."
"Judge Cui?"
Chu Chen was slightly startled. He had heard a lot about the underworld, the City God's Yin Division, and the judges.
However, he was slightly surprised when he heard about "Judge Cui".
"But Judge Cui Jue, the first judge under King Yama?"
Lao Liu nodded: "It's Mr. Cui Fu."
Chu Chen felt happy.
Judge Cui is known as the "Chief Judge of the Underworld". He is most trusted by King Yama and is in charge of investigating cases and managing life and death. Controlling the law of Yin, rewarding good and punishing evil, holding the life and death pen in the left hand and the soul-enchanting pen in the right hand, extending the life of the good and letting the evil return to the Yin.
Reporting the matter of "Chang Kong" to Judge Cui is undoubtedly the best choice.
With their goal in mind, the two of them went straight to the Heavenly Palace of Yama in Fengdu without any delay and asked to see Judge Cui.
...
Yama Palace, a side hall.
"Xiao Liu, I heard from Guan Shuai that you returned to the human world to practice. How come you have time to return to the underworld today, but something happened?"
Judge Cui is wearing a red robe, smiling, and is very kind. At first glance, you can't tell that he is a judge of the underworld who makes countless evil people fearful. Instead, he looks like a kind elder.
Especially when he looked at Lao Liu, he was quite kind, as if he were looking at his own junior, and he seemed to like Lao Liu very much.
This time, I took time out of my busy schedule to meet the two of them, probably not only because of Emperor Guan's face, but also because Lao Liu, who practiced loyalty and righteousness, fell in love with him.
"Mr. Cui Fu, you are indeed very clever!"
Lao Liu smiled and bowed, then pointed to Chu Chen beside him and introduced:
"Master Fu, he is my good friend Chu Chen, named Taoist Lingxiao."
Chu Chen immediately handed over his hand: "Pindao has met Mr. Cui Fu!"
"It turns out to be Little Friend Chu! Come, sit down and talk."
Judge Cui ordered the two of them to sit down, then he said with a deep smile:
"I have heard about you. First you helped Taiyi Tianzun capture the nine lions, and then you helped Zhao Zhenjun kill the traitorous general Sin God. You will be formidable in the future."
Chu Chen was a little surprised.
He is so famous in the underworld. He has never met Judge Cui, but others know about him.
This made him a little flattered.
"Your Majesty, you have given me too much praise."
Judge Cui nodded. He was extremely talented and neither arrogant nor impetuous. He was indeed a good prospect.
After some pleasantries.
Judge Cui's eyes fell on Chu Chen and Lao Liu, smiled, and joked:
"You two are looking for me, but something is wrong? Could it be that a piece of work is coming to my door?"
Chu Chen didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
He is an enlightened person. He has inherited the luck of two lives and the fate of heaven. His luck is very good. Han Chen could see through his luck at a glance. Now, Judge Cui is obviously very good at looking at the luck. Technique, coupled with his previous "records", this is why he made this joke...
"Master Fu, I really want to ask you for something."
"Oh, tell me!"
As the "Judge of Hades", Judge Cui has always been resolute and resolute, especially when it comes to serious matters, his expression becomes serious and his expression gradually becomes serious.
"Mr. Cui Fu, the thing is like this. Today, I met Chang Kong, an old monk with profound Buddhist teachings in an ancient temple deep in the mountains. This man practices Buddhism and protects the people. At first glance, he looks like a recluse. He looks like a Buddhist eminent monk, but he is actually the abbot of Baiyun Temple a hundred years ago. He encountered a demonic obstacle during his practice and became obsessed with it. He first massacred all the monks in the temple, then went on a rampage for thousands of miles and committed heinous crimes..."
After Cui Fujun roughly listened to the cause and effect, his expression remained unchanged and he asked:
"Little friend Chu, in your opinion, how should this old monk Changkong be judged?"
"Of course he will be beheaded and his body will be destroyed, and he will be punished to the eighteenth level of hell!"
Chu Chen blurted out: "Although he killed by mistake, he repented sincerely and protected the people, but in the end he committed a heinous crime. It is inevitable to die. He deserves to be destroyed and thrown into the eighteenth level of hell, where he will suffer and be punished to wash away his sins! "
"good!"
Judge Cui nodded with satisfaction and then asked:
"Little friend Chu, where is he now?"
"After I discovered his identity, he felt remorseful. He didn't resist. He just wanted to die and seek peace. I severely injured him, but I didn't come to the underworld to ask for help. Please judge."
As a practitioner, we have a different understanding of "death".
After death, the ghost enters reincarnation. In the eyes of the spiritual world, this is not considered death, but is still in the process of "reincarnation."
In the next life, he "lived" again.
The real death is the annihilation of both form and spirit, the annihilation of the true spirit, and the absence of even reincarnation. This is the real "death".
The death that Changkong desires is "annihilation of both form and spirit" and "annihilation of true spirit". He is unwilling to come to the underworld to face his "sinful karma", so he still chooses to "escape" and wants to die.
This is also the most "stupid" point in "human nature".
Many people are not even afraid of "death" when something happens, but they dare not face the "fear" in their hearts.
Even if Changkong's Buddhist teachings are profound and his realm is extraordinary, he is not exempt from the secular world.
Perhaps, it is precisely because he is a human being and has humanity that he is so remorseful and entangled that he dare not face the sins he has committed.
"Eh~"
Cui Fujun shook his head and said with emotion:
"It's a pity. He is indeed profound in Buddhism and has a clear conscience. He did not waste the Buddha's teachings. It's a pity that he is a little timid and less responsible. No wonder he was taken advantage of by his inner demons and made a big mistake!"
"Master Fu, although fellow Taoist Changkong was timid at the critical moment, he also worked hard to make up for it."
After Chu Chen finished speaking, he took out a golden booklet from his sleeve and handed it to Judge Cui:
"Master Fu, this is what he has used his own cultivation and merit to pray for the salvation of the dead and remnant souls over the years. See if this prayer book can extend the life and blessings of the dead souls..."
Judge Cui heard this and took it.
After some looking around.
Judge Cui nodded:
"Not bad, not bad! It must be that Chang Kong woke up early and was not completely refined. With the power of the residual soul as a guide, his prayers over the years were not in vain."
Chu Chen was delighted when he heard this.
"Then there is Mr. Laofu."
Judge Cui is in charge of the book of life and death, extending the life of the good and letting the evil go to hell. This business is under his control. As long as the Lord of the Palace opens his mouth, it will be done.
"Don't be too happy too early. The murders he committed back then were too serious. Thousands of people suffered misfortunes and died early for no reason. Their lifespan was shortened. Their souls and bodies were incomplete after death. Many people were unable to have a good pregnancy. This can at most make up for one or two , if you want to give them longevity and happiness, that’s far from it.”
Chu Chen held up his hands and said, "Please give me some advice from the Lord!"
Judge Cui pondered for a while and said:
"If he wants to make up for the dead soul, it is very simple. Let him continue to pray for blessings, do good deeds, accumulate merit, and accumulate Yin Gong for the soul of the dead soul. After the completion of the work, if he is willing to plead guilty and accept punishment, and behead his body, then let him Come to hell and be punished.”
"If you still dare not face it and want to destroy the "Eternal Sky", then let him die on his own. If he wants to disperse the true spirit, just let him disperse without stopping him."
"Judge Choi is wise!"
Chu Chen nodded repeatedly.
Judge Cui's verdict coincided with him. He came to the underworld to seek a "compromise" path. On the one hand, he tried to find ways to compensate for the people who died in vain in the past. On the other hand, Chang Kong was punished and sent to hell. , instead of simply dying.
After all, a monk with great supernatural powers still has a chance to make amends. It would be a pity to let him die in vain.
Now, he came to the underworld to find out the way.
If Changkong is still timid in his heart and would rather destroy his body and soul and his true spirit collapse than face the facts, then he has no choice.
"Thank you Lord Cui!"
Chu Chen and Lao Liu were satisfied that the purpose of their trip had been achieved, and they did not dare to disturb Judge Cui, who was very sensible.
After thanking him, he planned to leave.
However, just as the two were about to leave, Judge Cui Xu suddenly thought of something and stretched out his hand to stop the two.
"You two, please stay."
Chu Chen and Lao Liu were a little surprised.
Judge Cui: "By the way, I remember that you two were born in the world of Dachang?"
The two nodded, a little curious:
"Master Fu, what's the matter?"
"There is indeed something."
Judge Cui said with emotion:
"Speaking of it, this matter is somewhat similar to Chang Kong, but he is more responsible than Chang Kong."
"More than twenty years ago, in Dachang, there was a great Confucian and a high-level cultivator who failed to survive the tribulation. Only a remnant soul was left behind. The remnant soul drifted in the world. Unknowingly, she returned to her hometown and met the person she loved in the past. She was A local mountain god saw the remnant soul of Mr. Lang withered..."
At first, Chu Chen didn't pay attention. There were many great scholars in Dachang World who had overcome tribulations and became enlightened. But as Judge Cui described it, his expression suddenly became weird.
Great Confucian Cultivator, Twenty Years Ago, Mountain God...
Although Judge Cui did not finish speaking, he had the answer in his heart and couldn't help but exclaimed:
"Mr. Qingyun!"
Judge Cui was a little surprised: "Little friend Chu, do you know him?"
"Natural recognition!"
Chu Chen nodded, sighing in his heart:
"To tell you the truth, in the past, my master was in charge of the Department of Ghosts and Gods in Xin'an County, Guangping. It was at the hands of my master that the Qingyu Empress fell under the spell. I witnessed with my own eyes that my master had blessed the people by practicing Taoism throughout his life."
"It's actually happening! It's fate."
Judge Cui looked happy and said: "A few years ago, after the jade snake demon was punished in hell, he was reincarnated. The place of reincarnation is your Dachang world."
Mr. Qingyun was reincarnated in Dachang?
Chu Chen was a little surprised.
Speaking of which, after he gained the ability to travel into the underworld and gained connections with Emperor Guan and Zhao Zhenjun, he inquired in the underworld and heard that Mr. Qingyun had been reincarnated, so he stopped inquiring.
After all, Mr. Qingyun was a great supernatural being who was almost an immortal during his lifetime. He had different levels and identities. With his connections, it was difficult to find out the specific situation.
I never expected that the place where Mr. Qingyun would be reincarnated would be Dachang World.
Of course, he was even more surprised why Judge Cui suddenly mentioned this matter.
Judge Cui smiled. Perhaps he could see Chu Chen's curiosity and immediately explained:
"To tell you the truth, I hit it off with fellow Taoist Qingyun. Over the years, we have discussed and discussed Taoism, and we have formed a good friendship. Originally, I introduced him to Prince Yama, who also admired him quite a lot and planned to bring him to the palace. He stayed in the underworld as an errand, practicing hard to become a god and a Taoist. Unfortunately, everyone has his own ambitions, so he chose to be reincarnated..."
When Chu Chen heard this, he was enlightened.
However, he became more and more emotional.
Mr. Qingyun is indeed extraordinary. No matter where he is, he can prosper.
Mr. Cui Fu is not an ordinary god of the underworld. He is known as the First Judge. He is a powerful figure in the Fengdu underworld. He is also a true immortal and a god, with a respected status and great magical powers.
It is no exaggeration to say that Mr. Qingyun was appreciated, recognized, and even friends with Mr. Cui Fu.
However, after thinking about it carefully, he was not surprised.
At that time, Mr. Qingyun's remnant soul fell into a coma, and what the White-bone Demon committed had nothing to do with him. Empress Qingyu provided convenience and help to the White-bone Demon along the way, and he had no knowledge of her involvement. In this case, he still shouldered everything. , with his lifelong practice, he has made up for the people of several counties and turned his hometown into a place of outstanding people.
He is not surprised that this kind of courage and character can be appreciated by Judge Cui and other great gods.
Of course, while Chu Chen was feeling emotional, he was also a little curious and asked:
"Master Fu, I wonder how Mr. Qingyun is doing now?"
"The situation is not good!"
Judge Cui shook his head and sighed:
"You are the person involved, and you must also know that he gave up his whole life's cultivation, and his accumulation was burned. In addition, his merits and deeds were also discarded. He was reincarnated, and basically did not have the blessings of his previous life. After reincarnation, he was far less than the previous life."
Chu Chen nodded, not surprised at all.
In the previous life, Mr. Qingyun was a "Wenquxing" who descended to earth, and his talent in Confucianism and Taoism was top-notch in the world. Without the blessings of his previous life, it would definitely be incomparable.
"Originally, I made arrangements for fellow Taoist Qingyun. When he succeeds in practice and matures mentally, he will activate Su Hui. However, the plan cannot keep up with the changes. Recently, according to our deductions, he may encounter a catastrophe!"
Encountered a catastrophe!
Chu Chen's expression became serious. Immediately, he guessed something and bowed his hands:
"Master Fu, what do you mean...?"
"To be honest, little friend Chu, I want you to protect Taoist friend Qingyun. I wonder if you would be willing to do this for me?"
