Chapter 279: The Minister of Justice Should Enter the Prison Even If He Has To

Daoist Buyu, whose true name is Ye Wanli, is 2,230 years old and currently serves as the Sect Master of Wendao Sect. While in custody, he attempted to escape but voluntarily ceased the act, which constitutes a renunciation of crime. Furthermore, he proactively surrendered, showed remorse for his actions, and reported accomplices. According to criminal law, he should receive a lighter or reduced sentence, and may even be exempted from criminal punishment.

Xu Xin, 2,232 years old, is the current Minister of Punishment for the Great Xia Dynasty. During his supervision of work in Dayan Commandery, he openly discussed an escape plan with Daoist Buyu, then deliberately opened the cell and released him. His actions, demonstrating a blatant disregard for the law and committing a public act of facilitating an escape, have had an extremely negative social impact and should be severely punished.

Mo Danxin silently assessed Daoist Buyu and the Minister of Punishment.

As expected of the Wendao Sect Master, he managed to imprison a minister immediately upon meeting him—and not just any minister, but the Minister of Punishment, who was the most knowledgeable in law.

"Minister Xu, please come in. I will set a date to hear this case."

Based on jurisdictional regulations, Mo Danxin was authorized to preside over this case.

Minister Xu was arguably the most knowledgeable person in law in the current dynasty, understanding far more legal theory and practice than Mo Danxin. However, the old rogue Daoist Buyu's move was too cunning; he had lured Xu Xin into opening the cell door, and in a moment of impulsiveness, Xu Xin hadn't anticipated the trap.

Ordinarily, if he released someone, no one would bat an eye. But this time was different; with Mo Danxin being so stubbornly principled, Xu Xin genuinely had no legal ground to stand on.

Since he had no legal defense, he might as well dutifully spend some time in prison, considering it a life experience.

Minister Xu snorted coldly and voluntarily entered the cell, glancing at the ethereal Daoist Buyu. "Move aside, I'm sitting here!"

"It's just jail; who's afraid of whom?"

Everyone had come to listen to the storytelling, and the cells were packed. Only Daoist Buyu's spot was empty.

Daoist Buyu, not annoyed, moved to one side and, with a smile, welcomed Minister Xu to join him in jail.

"Minister Xu, from now on, we're brothers who've shared a cell. Let's get along well in the future."

"Old rogue Buyu, you must be tired of living!"

Minister Xu threw a punch at Daoist Buyu's face, but Daoist Buyu tilted his head and dodged it.

Daoist Buyu was not one to be trifled with; it would be too humiliating to be attacked without retaliating.

He kicked Minister Xu in the groin, causing Xu Xin's legs to snap together, trapping Daoist Buyu's foot.

Both of them had achieved "perfect" precision in controlling their power, with not a single ounce wasted. All their force was directed at their opponent, without any overflow.

The two peak Integration stage cultivators began to brawl in the cell, with neither gaining a decisive advantage.

The other inmates watched in awe, amazed to witness two powerful Integration stage cultivators fighting today.

Mo Danxin watched this scene in silence. Brawling within the prison did not fall under criminal law, and prison order was the responsibility of the jailers, not his.

He mused that since both Daoist Buyu and the Minister of Punishment were top-tier Integration stage cultivators, the average cultivation level of inmates in this prison must be at the Nascent Soul stage.

A new historical high.

"Minister Mo, someone outside is requesting a visit," a jailer reported, jogging up to Mo Danxin.

Mo Danxin waved his hand, a little impatient. "Do you really need to ask me about such a trivial matter? Allow it."

Every day, countless people came to visit, though it was often just an excuse to deliver food. Some of these food deliverers would even linger, squatting by the cell doors to listen to Daoist Buyu's storytelling.

Mo Danxin assumed it was more of the same.

Upon hearing this, the jailer signaled his colleague at the prison entrance to allow the visitors in.

"By the way, who are they here to visit?" Mo Danxin asked on a whim.

"To answer Your Excellency, the visitors claim to be the Wendao Sect Master's eldest and fourth disciples, here to visit their master."

Mo Danxin didn't notice that when the jailer uttered the words "Wendao Sect Master's eldest disciple," the two powerful Integration stage cultivators in the cell simultaneously ceased their fight, a hint of alarm flashing in their eyes.

"You called Yunzhi here?!" Minister Xu, an old court official, knew of Yunzhi's existence. What would the disciple think of him, fighting her master right in front of her?

Daoist Buyu also panicked. "Nonsense! I wrote to the sect to get me out, but usually, it's the fourth disciple who comes. Who knew Little Yun would show up!"

He couldn't explain why he was afraid, but he simply dreaded Yunzhi's arrival.

"The Wendao Sect has finally sent someone," Mo Danxin said, not recognizing Yunzhi but considering it polite to greet them outside. "I'll go meet them."

"No need to trouble yourself, Minister Mo, we're already here." Yunzhi's cold voice echoed. Before Mo Danxin could react, Yunzhi and Lu Yang were already standing before him.

Shrinking the ground to inches.

"We're here to visit our master. Where is he?"

Mo Danxin pointed to the adjacent cell.

Yunzhi looked in the direction Mo Danxin pointed, seeing Daoist Buyu sitting in a corner, and next to him, the Minister of Punishment.

She remained silent for a long moment, unable to comprehend what had happened.

Had her master and the Minister of Punishment gotten into a street brawl and been arrested by the constables?

Considering her master's past "exploits" and his relationship with the Minister of Punishment, it didn't seem entirely impossible.

"Senior Sister, who is the person locked up with Master?" Lu Yang whispered, noticing Xu Xin's luxurious attire, extraordinary bearing, and an aura that subtly contended with Daoist Buyu. He must be an important figure.

"The Minister of Punishment, Xu Xin."

"Hiss—"

Lu Yang thought to himself, "Is the Great Xia Dynasty's legal system really that perfect, that even the Minister of Punishment gets imprisoned if found guilty? I'll have to be careful when I go out from now on, lest I end up locked away like Master."

Lu Yang resolved to diligently study law upon his return to avoid imprisonment.

Yunzhi's voice was cold as she looked down at her good master. "After not seeing you for several months, your disciple sees that Master is as lively as ever, with countless listeners and even an enemy for company. It seems Master is enjoying his life in prison, which puts your disciple's mind at ease."

Lu Yang thought, "Senior Sister, you're clearly doing this on purpose, aren't you? You just dragged me to eat, and you ate more than I did. Did you show even a shred of concern for Master?"

Although it was true that Master didn't need anyone's concern; it was those Master had tricked who should be worried.

Seeing Yunzhi's attitude, which implied he should fend for himself, Daoist Buyu quickly said, "Good disciple, you can't just leave me to die! Your master has been wronged!"

The Minister of Punishment, experienced in discerning wrongful convictions, said, "The Great Yu Dynasty has records of snow falling in June when an innocent person was beheaded. It's currently June, so I suggest we behead that old rogue Buyu once and see if it snows!"

"Xu Xin, you old bastard! As Minister of Punishment, can't you act impartially?!" Daoist Buyu retorted angrily.

"I can, but you're an exception. Can you even count how many times you've conned me? And you expect me to speak well of you?"

The Integration stage battle once again unfolded in the cramped space.

Yunzhi rubbed her temples in distress. She had intended to come out for some relaxation, but why couldn't anyone just be peaceful?