221: Chapter 221: No Gifts

The next morning.

At the entrance of the Judges Office, Elder Zhao stood with Elder Zhou and several attendants, holding bags of gifts.

The gifts were wrapped in red silk and piled up like a small mountain.

There were thousand-year-old ganoderma, ten-thousand-year-old fleeceflower root, Heaven Rank Magic Treasures, Top-Grade Spirit Stones... every single item was priceless.

Elder Zhao straightened his robes, took a deep breath, and stepped forward.

"Is Judge Li of the Judges Office in? Elder Zhao of the Luoxia Sect is here to pay a visit."

The guards at the entrance hurried inside to report.

A moment later, Old Zhang walked out and cupped his hands.

"Elder Zhao, Judge Li invites you in."

Elder Zhao led Elder Zhou into the Judges Office, walked through a corridor, and arrived at the main hall.

Li Changsheng was sitting behind a long desk, wearing a black official robe, an official hat, a token at his waist, and holding a brush while reviewing case files.

Sunlight spilled onto him, plating him in a layer of golden light.

Looking at it this way, the sense of sanctity was maxed out.

Elder Zhao stepped forward and cupped his hands.

"Judge Li, forgive my presumptuous visit, I hope you will be understanding."

Li Changsheng raised his head, looked at him, and said indifferently.

"Elder Zhao, please sit."

Elder Zhao sat down, while Elder Zhou stood behind him, his face ashen, saying nothing.

The attendants placed the gifts on the ground, piling them into a heap.

Li Changsheng glanced at the gifts, then looked at Elder Zhao.

"Elder Zhao, what is the meaning of this?"

Elder Zhao smiled.

"Judge Li, just a small token of respect."

"Regarding Zixuan's matter, our Luoxia Sect failed to discipline him properly, causing you trouble."

"We are willing to compensate the victims for their losses, we only ask that Judge Li be lenient and deal with it lightly."

Li Changsheng leaned back in his chair, crossed his arms, and looked at him.

"Elder Zhao, are you here to bribe me?"

Elder Zhao's smile stiffened; he had not expected Li Changsheng to speak so bluntly.

"Judge Li has misunderstood, I am here to apologize and offer compensation."

Li Changsheng shook his head.

"Compensation? The victims are not me, but those Loose Cultivators who were robbed."

"If you want to offer compensation, go find them. Why come to me?"

Elder Zhao was speechless.

He hadn't expected Li Changsheng to be so difficult.

Elder Zhou couldn't hold back anymore, stepped forward, and gritted his teeth.

"Judge Li, my son was struck by your Soul-Shattering Staff, and he's still going to be locked up for three years."

"Do you know what the Soul-Shattering Staff is? It strikes the Divine Soul! After fifty strikes, his cultivation will drop by at least one Realm! You've been too ruthless!"

Li Changsheng looked at him: "You are Zhou Zixuan's father?"

Elder Zhou nodded: "Yes."

Li Changsheng said indifferently: "Your son robbed Loose Cultivators and collected road tolls; the evidence is conclusive."

"According to the law, he deserves to be beaten."

"Fifty strikes is already light. If you think it's too heavy, you can go to the City Lord's Mansion to report me. There is no room for bargaining here."

Elder Zhou's face was ashen: "You..."

Elder Zhao quickly pulled him back and smiled apologetically at Li Changsheng.

"Judge Li, please don't be angry. Elder Zhou is a doting father and spoke a bit rashly; please don't take it to heart."

Li Changsheng waved his hand.

"I don't mind."

"But take your gifts back; I will not accept them."

"Do you think I'm one of those shameless types from the Demon Sect?"

Li Changsheng took the opportunity to disparage Xiao Ran.

Elder Zhao was stunned: "Judge Li, this..."

Li Changsheng looked at him, his gaze firm.

"As a Saint, I judge sinners for the sake of integrity."

"Besides, do I look like I'm lacking those few things? Your Luoxia Sect Disciples should be punished if they break the law."

Elder Zhao was silent for a moment, then sighed.

"Judge Li, can you really not make an exception?"

Li Changsheng shook his head: "No."

Elder Zhao stood up and cupped his hands: "In that case, I shall take my leave."

He turned around and left with Elder Zhou and the attendants.

Old Zhang watched their retreating backs, leaned in, and whispered.

"Judge Li, are you really not going to accept them? That's the Luoxia Sect; offending them will make it hard to get by in the Sword Qi Great Wall in the future."

Li Changsheng glanced at him.

"I get by in the Sword Qi Great Wall by relying on the law, not personal favors."

Old Zhang didn't say anything more, but his eyes were full of admiration.

Through the Soul Link, Xiao Ran's voice came through.

"Changsheng, I heard that you drove the people from the Luoxia Sect away?"

Li Changsheng: "Of course, doesn't it fit my persona?"

Xiao Ran nodded.

"It fits, but what was the meaning of you cursing me?"

The smile on Li Changsheng's face paused.

"Isn't that to make it seem authentic?"

Xiao Ran: "Li Changsheng, you bastard..."

Xiao Ran cursed very filthily.

Li Changsheng quickly cut the link, preferring not to hear it.

...

Meanwhile.

City Lord's Mansion, study.

City Lord Li Qingge sat behind the desk, holding a file and reading it.

The file detailed the entire process of Li Changsheng judging the Luoxia Sect Disciples, from the opening of the court to the sentencing, every detail was written clearly.

Elder Gu stood beside him, leaning on a cane, saying nothing.

City Lord Li Qingge put down the file and nodded with satisfaction.

"This Li Changsheng has truly not disappointed my expectations."

Elder Gu asked: "Does the City Lord think he did the right thing?"

City Lord Li Qingge nodded immediately upon hearing this.

"Absolutely, and he did it very well."

"Besides, you saw it just now; when the Luoxia Sect tried to bribe him, he rejected it."

"He didn't take the gifts, didn't sell any favors, completely impartial."

"Such a person is already rare in the Sword Qi Great Wall."

Elder Gu was silent for a moment, then nodded.

"That is true; if it were someone else..."

"Your decision to place him in the East City was very correct, City Lord."

City Lord Li Qingge looked at him and laughed loudly.

He also felt that this decision of his was very correct.

Xiao Ran accepted the Zhou Family's gifts, released Zhou Xian, and locked up Sect Master Zhou Tianxing.

Li Changsheng refused the Luoxia Sect's gifts and sentenced all the Luoxia Sect Disciples.

Two people, two different styles.

From now on, the families and Sects in the East City who want to get things done by Xiao Ran will have to send gifts.

If they want to get things done by Li Changsheng, sending gifts will be useless.

They will balance each other out, and neither will be able to grow too powerful.

This was the scene the City Lord had envisioned from the beginning.

Elder Gu cupped his hands: "The City Lord really has a plan!"

City Lord Li Qingge smiled: "Elder Gu, you understand me more and more."

Elder Gu also smiled.

"Having followed the City Lord for so many years, I have at least that much discernment."

City Lord Li Qingge stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the sky outside.

The golden Sword Intent on the Sword Qi Great Wall flowed endlessly in the sunlight, like a lamp that never goes out.

"Over these years in the Sword Qi Great Wall, the influence of the families and Sects has grown larger and larger, already threatening the status of the City Lord's Mansion."

"I need someone to keep them in check."

"Xiao Ran is one, Li Changsheng is another; one is demonic, the other is of the Dao, they are natural opposites."

"They will keep each other in check, and neither will grow too big."

"Once they beat down the arrogant air of those families and Sects, I will step in to clean up the mess."

"At that time, the Sword Qi Great Wall will still be the Sword Qi Great Wall."

Elder Gu nodded: "The City Lord is wise."

City Lord Li Qingge waved his hand: "It's just a forced move. Those families and Sects have all become cunning; they are not easy to deal with."

"I can only use outsiders to deal with them."

He turned around and looked at Elder Gu.

"Elder Gu, who do you think would win if Xiao Ran and Li Changsheng really faced off?"

Elder Gu thought for a moment.

"It's hard to say."

"Xiao Ran is slick, understands worldly wisdom, and can survive in the cracks; Li Changsheng is upright, not afraid of offending people, but easily makes enemies."

"Neither of them is easy to deal with."

City Lord Li Qingge nodded with satisfaction.

"Then let them fight. The fiercer they fight, the happier I am."

Elder Gu hesitated: "City Lord, what if they join forces?"

City Lord Li Qingge was stunned.

"Join forces? How is that possible? They are from the righteous and demonic paths, natural opposites."

"Xiao Ran is the Demon Son of the Eternal Night Demon Sect, Li Changsheng is the Saint of the Supreme Dao Palace. It's good enough if they don't start fighting when they meet, let alone join forces?"

Elder Gu didn't say anything more, but a flash of worry crossed his eyes.

He didn't know why, but he had a vague premonition.

He hoped it wouldn't be true.