Chapter 82: The Pure Spirit Pearl

“My husband has never courted trouble in his life. The place he frequents most is the Literary Society. Why not summon the students who study there and ask them about the situation?”
The peasant woman, still wiping away tears, answered as she was questioned.
“Thank you, young master, for saving my life!”
When Bai Yongcheng was released from prison and saw Li Xintian, he tried to kneel in gratitude.
“Uncle Bai, Bai Yang is my good friend. Seeing you in distress, how could I not lend a hand? If you truly kneel, you’ll shorten my life!”
“Sir, you still have official duties to attend to, so I won’t keep you any longer.”
Li Xintian helped Bai Yongcheng to his feet, then turned to the Prefect of Jingzhao.
“Censor Li, wait a moment.”
The Prefect stepped down from his dais and stopped Li Xintian.
“Sir, is there anything else?” Li Xintian asked, clasping his hands in salute.
“Censor Li, who doesn’t know of your abilities? We need your help with the case of Scholar Hong.”
The Prefect spoke urgently.
“First, summon the members of the Literary Society and question them thoroughly. Once you have their answers, report to me. I have other matters to attend to.”
With that, Li Xintian took Bai Yongcheng with him.
Knowing Li Xintian would help, the Prefect sent his constables to bring in the Literary Society’s students for questioning, and told the peasant woman to wait for the outcome.
Li Xintian instructed Bai Yongcheng to wait at the Hall of Benevolence.
“Zhixian, words cannot express my gratitude. If ever you need my help, I’ll be there for you, no matter what.”
When Bai Yang saw his father released, he wiped his tears and spoke with emotion.
“Brother Bai, don’t mention it. I share responsibility in all this. You two should talk. I have urgent business and must leave.”
Li Xintian indeed had something pressing.
“Judge Lu, come out at once!”
He arrived at the Temple of the Ten Kings and shouted loudly, startling everyone nearby.
“What’s wrong with this man?”
“Daring to speak so irreverently to spirits!”
“Does he have a death wish?”
People whispered among themselves.
Suddenly, a fierce wind swept through the temple, and fear seized everyone. Shouting that ghosts had appeared, they fled in panic, until only Li Xintian remained. The temple doors swung shut without a soul in sight.
“Brother Li, what makes you so angry?”
The statue of Judge Lu gleamed red as his spirit emerged.
“Judge Lu, you know better than I what you’ve done. Did you dig out the heart of the deceased? Did you help someone exchange hearts?”
Li Xintian was furious.
“Why such anger? It was merely a test, and it was the heart of someone already dead. It’s not as if I killed him myself.”
Judge Lu seemed to think little of it.
“Don’t you understand? The dead man’s passing is already shrouded in mystery, and now his heart has been taken. How much resentment and malice will that breed? Don’t think nothing will come of it.”
Judge Lu’s indifference only stoked Li Xintian’s ire.
“What harm is there? The soul has already descended to the underworld. What grudge could remain? Besides, these are only your suspicions, with no concrete proof.”
Judge Lu remained unconcerned.
“I advise you to reflect, Judge Lu. The consequences will be more than you can bear. Don’t make one mistake after another. Since you won’t listen, there’s no point in my saying more. Pretend I never came.”
With a cold snort, Li Xintian left the temple, realizing his visit had been a mistake.

At the home of Zhu Erdan—
“Not a scratch on me? Was it all a dream?”
After a nap, Zhu Erdan sat up in bed, puzzled.
“How am I so energetic today? Light as a feather!”
He got up, stretched, and swayed from side to side.
“Even after several calculations, I’m still twenty coins short. Let’s try again.”
Ke Shaorong worked the abacus, muttering to herself.
“Five coins for the flowered cloth, two for the pig’s heart, one for soy sauce and sugar.”
She continued her calculations, tapping the abacus.
“Husband, over here. You should add five more here. There are twenty-two items altogether, totaling one tael and thirty-six coins.”
Zhu Erdan, upon leaving his room, saw Ke Shaorong at her accounts and pointed out her mistake.
“You’re right, dear. You haven’t been at the Literary Society long, but your mind’s already so sharp! That tuition was worth every coin. You usually count wrong even on your fingers, so how are you so accurate today?”
Ke Shaorong checked the abacus and found Zhu Erdan correct.
“It’s true—I’ve never been good with numbers. How did I get it right today?”
Zhu Erdan scratched his head in wonder.
“You must have guessed, Erdan. Lucky day for you, your guess happened to be right.”
His father glanced at the abacus and chimed in.
“That’s impossible. No one could guess so precisely.”
Ke Shaorong protested.
“It wasn’t a guess, but a calculation—a world of difference. A small error can lead to a great mistake.”
Zhu Erdan replied in the tone of a scholar.
“Erdan, you seem different somehow.”
His father rose, laughing heartily.
“It’s as if you’re a new man, transformed.”
Zhu Erdan smiled.
“Exactly! It’s like he’s been reborn after just two days at the Literary Society. We must give thanks!”
“Surely our ancestors are watching over us—thank heavens!”
His father clapped his hands in joy.
“That’s what I thought too,” Ke Shaorong agreed, joining in the applause.
Then, claiming the pig’s heart soup she’d cooked was the cause, she dashed out to buy more, with Zhu Erdan’s father following.
“Did Lord Lu really give me a wise heart? Am I dreaming? Otherwise, how am I speaking so quickly and accurately?”
Zhu Erdan laughed at the thought.
A knocking came at the door, interrupting him.
“Open up! Open the door!”
Just as he moved to open it, Judge Lu appeared.
“Lord Lu, what an honor! Forgive me for not coming sooner!”
“Don’t stand on ceremony.”
Judge Lu, seeing Zhu Erdan, knew the wise heart was already effective.
“Lord Lu, I’m deeply grateful. Since you gave me this wise heart, I’ve become insightful and renewed!”
Zhu Erdan spoke with excitement.
“Good. Now that you’re clever, it’s time to do something in return.”
Judge Lu did not look at him as he spoke.
“Whatever is required, I will do it without hesitation.”
Zhu Erdan bowed with his fists.
“Don’t worry—it won’t be anything dangerous, but you must do it, and there’s no refusing.”
Judge Lu nodded.
“I’m listening.”
Zhu Erdan bowed again.
“It’s a complicated matter, so I’ll be brief. Because I gave you this wise heart, the family of the deceased has stirred up the city. Now you must clear their grievances.”
Judge Lu explained.
“Since I caused the trouble, I’ll do my best to make amends. Rest assured, Lord Lu.”
Zhu Erdan bowed once more.
“You’re improving. I’ll take my leave.”
With that, Judge Lu departed.
There was another knock.
“Hurry and open up!”
The constables were at the door.
“Why did you take so long? Which one of you is Zhu Erdan?”
Seeing Zhu Erdan open the door, the constable spoke gruffly.
“Sir, I was just in the privy. What brings you here?”
Zhu Erdan bowed respectfully.
“So you’re Zhu Erdan? Come with us to the yamen.”
With that, they led him away.
Li Xintian, witnessing this scene—including Judge Lu’s appearance—observed from afar.
“So Judge Lu really changed his heart. I wanted to help, but you refused to listen.”
Standing on high, Li Xintian watched as Zhu Erdan departed with the constables.
“What’s happening over there? Let’s take a look.”
He noticed lightning flashing in the distance and hurried over.
From the sky, someone shouted.
“It’s him!”
“Li Xintian, what business have you here?”
Lei Gong saw Li Xintian and addressed him.
“Greetings, Lord of Thunder.”
Li Xintian bowed.
“I saw lightning and sensed a demonic aura, so I came to investigate. I hope I’m not disturbing you.”
He continued politely.
“I have only a trace of my divine spirit left. I have been pursuing the lost Qingling Pearl from the celestial realm for over a thousand years.”
Lei Gong’s voice was weary.
“I see. What is the situation in the celestial realm now?”
Li Xintian, surprised, asked as he had when he met the Earth God.
“The celestial realm has long been sealed off. Li Xintian, will you help me recover the Qingling Pearl?”
Lei Gong requested his aid.
“I’d be honored, but I don’t know what the Qingling Pearl looks like. How can I help?”
Li Xintian agreed at once.
“The Qingling Pearl is a blue gem, a treasure that protects cultivators from inner demons. It’s now in the hands of a thousand-year-old demon fox, who’s been in hiding. Only recently was its trail discovered.”
Lei Gong described the pearl.
“Understood. I won’t keep you further. Once I find it, I’ll report to you at your temple.”
Li Xintian nodded.
Suddenly, fighting broke out nearby.
A white fox, a hundred meters tall, was pinning a black serpent, over two hundred meters long, to the ground.
The serpent was no match for the fox and was utterly subdued.
“If you have the guts, kill me now!”
The snake demon spat blood, undaunted.
“Hmph. Killing you would only dirty my territory. Be gone! If I see you again, I’ll finish you.”
The fox’s voice was cold.
“Enemies cross paths—how quickly you’ve grown, snake.”
Li Xintian recognized the serpent at once.
“Li Xintian, has this snake demon wronged you as well? Shall I help you slay it?”
Lei Gong, not yet recognizing the fox, asked Li Xintian.
“Trouble—Lei Gong has come after me.”
The white fox’s heart raced, but it soon calmed.
“So, snake demon, you have no shortage of enemies.”
The fox spoke slyly.