Volume One, Chapter Twenty-Six: Let’s See Whose Tongue Blooms Like a Lotus

Chapter Twenty-six: Let’s See Whose Tongue Blooms Like a Lotus

Zhuan Chi Yuan Bei Gao was as nauseated as if he had swallowed a fly, unable to utter a word for a moment.

The onlooking celestial hosts all nodded in agreement.

That’s right—forty billion celestial beings patrol, and only ten million souls are born in the Four Great Continents every half month. Yet you claim ignorance of their past merits? What exactly are you patrolling for?

If we pursue this line of questioning, won’t it lead to accusations against the Chief Inspector and his staff for dereliction of duty and indolence?

At this point, the celestial hosts grew excited. This Tu Zhe, truly a king of debate, a celestial prodigy. Mischievous ones among them nudged each other and whispered, “Hey, if Tu Zhe ever encountered the Queen of Debate, who would win between them?”

Mara, the Demon King, stroked his enormous belly, chuckling endlessly. The more he watched Tu Zhe, the more pleased he became, and turned to Mu Xiu Lou Tuo, saying, “Brother Celestial Lord, this young man truly has the style I had when I out-debated the Buddha himself—ha ha ha!”

Indra, Lord of Heaven, closed his eyes gently, as though nothing had happened.

The Jin brothers were so excited they didn’t know what to do.

Qin Lei and Shou Tuo Luo exchanged high fives in celebration.

Next, Zhuan Chi Yuan Bei Gao had no choice but to conclude the inquiry into Tu Zhe and Qin Lei’s origins; his plan to destroy them in this round had failed.

The trial moved into the phase of verifying the facts.

“Celestial Prince Tu Zhe, briefly recount the events when you caused trouble at the Divine Artisan’s Treasure Pavilion,” Zhuan Chi Yuan Bei Gao slyly laid a trap for Tu Zhe, hoping to establish his guilt for causing a disturbance.

But Tu Zhe wasn’t about to fall for it. Did they know he had once participated in the National College Debate Championship at Peking University? He was the lead debater, and his team had won the championship.

Tu Zhe sneered, “Your Honor, until the tribunal reaches a conclusion, any attempt to impose or accuse me of a crime violates the principle of presumption of innocence. Please withdraw your characterization of my actions.”

He’s as stubborn as diamond.

Zhuan Chi Yuan Bei Gao, stymied, was forced to rephrase, “Celestial Prince Tu Zhe, recount your actions at the Divine Artisan’s Treasure Pavilion.”

Tu Zhe replied, “On the day I was born, I went to the Treasure Pavilion and called for the steward, Mole Shabi. He came out, exchanged a few words, and I struck him. Then Hu Lu Zhi Na, the Eighth Celestial Prince, arrived and attacked me, directing his followers and hundreds of Yakshas to assault my father, uncle, brothers, and the Yaksha chief who guarded my father’s palace. Hu Lu Zhi Na first wounded my brother Qin Lei with a flash of lightning, then used Indra’s Seal to confine my brother and me in a void prison, intending to kill us. My dog-sister broke the enchantment, saving us.

Then, the Great Dragon Elephant King, Ira Bona, unleashed the Great Brahma Breath Hand, intending to crush us to powder from a thousand miles away. My dog-sister resisted desperately, suffering grievous wounds, and still could not fully stop him. Fortunately, the Golden-winged Roc King arrived just in time to intervene and prevent the Dragon Elephant King’s attack, and then the angel delivered the Celestial Lord’s message, bringing the incident to a halt. Please, Your Honor, discern the truth.”

Tu Zhe recounted the events succinctly; in reality, both the Tribunal and the myriad celestials were well aware of what had happened that day. Yet none understood why Tu Zhe steadfastly refused to mention the origins of the matter.

Tu Zhe kept silent, and Zhuan Chi Yuan Bei Gao certainly wouldn’t prompt him.

Zhuan Chi Yuan Bei Gao slammed his gavel. “Tu Zhe, do you still claim you weren’t causing trouble? You assaulted Mole Shabi the steward. Do you realize which statute you violated?”

Tu Zhe sneered, “Seems Your Honor is eager to convict me. Fine, let me ask you: the Buddha teaches cause and effect, that everything has its origin. I’ll tell you why I struck Mole Shabi.

First, as a servant of the heavens, Mole Shabi showed no respect upon meeting a celestial king, neither greeting nor bowing, arrogant and insolent. There were numerous celestial witnesses present; Your Honor, did you investigate? If so, according to the statutes, was I wrong to strike him?

Second, Mole Shabi blatantly lied, claiming to be ‘the master’—which statute does this violate? You know better than I. Investigate, cross-examine.

Third, Mole Shabi threatened the celestial hosts not to testify, boasting that anyone who dared would regret it. This, too, can be investigated and cross-examined.

With these three points, does Your Honor still believe I was causing a disturbance?”

Tu Zhe spoke with righteous indignation, his words blooming like a lotus, leaving Zhuan Chi Yuan Bei Gao speechless, and the crowd erupted in applause.

Dog-sister’s eyes sparkled like tiny stars, tugging at Tu Zhe’s mouth and shrieking, “Rogue brother, what a mouth you have!”

The Hall of Virtue was suddenly silent; the celestial hosts looked to Zhuan Chi Yuan Bei Gao to see how he would handle the situation.

Zhuan Chi Yuan Bei Gao glanced around, then at the ten elders, but everyone pretended it had nothing to do with them, making him gnash his teeth in frustration, lamenting inwardly—when the wall falls, everyone pushes; when the drum breaks, everyone beats. Cold sweat poured like a waterfall, his mind in chaos, unsure what to do.

At that moment, Indra suddenly opened his eyes and said quietly, “Since Celestial Prince Tu Zhe says it can be investigated and cross-examined, then let it be investigated and cross-examined.” With that, he closed his eyes again.

The celestial hosts fell silent. To testify against the Eighth Prince? Who would dare? Several people shrank backward.

Zhuan Chi Yuan Bei Gao suddenly perked up—how could he have forgotten this? Who would dare? Anyone who doesn’t investigate or cross-examine is a coward!

He slammed his gavel: “Now, we will investigate and cross-examine the events described by Celestial Prince Tu Zhe.”

Tu Zhe raised his hand. “Your Honor, I have something to say.”

Go ahead—let’s see if you can pull a miracle from your words.

Tu Zhe said, “May I ask Your Honor, in the three days since the incident, has the tribunal conducted any investigation or gathered evidence?”

This... What are you implying? Whether I investigate or not is none of your business!

Zhuan Chi Yuan Bei Gao replied coldly, “Celestial Prince Tu Zhe, are you interfering in the tribunal’s regular operations?”

Tu Zhe laughed. He’d asked, received no direct answer—that was enough.

“My statement is complete.”

Zhuan Chi Yuan Bei Gao surveyed the crowd. “I ask the celestial hosts, who among you was present at the scene on the day of the incident? Please come forward and cooperate with the investigation.”

No one moved. Each looked around, as if the matter did not concern them.

Tu Zhe sneered inwardly. Whoever doesn’t dare stand up now—when you’re bullied, who will speak for you? Just a bunch of spectators.

Zhuan Chi Yuan Bei Gao grinned, his smile obscene, and asked, “Did anyone record footage of the incident? If so, please submit it as evidence to the tribunal.”

Still, the celestial hosts remained unmoved, adopting an attitude of ‘I don’t have it, do you?’

Hu Lu Zhi Na smiled broadly. “You little brat, on Mount Sumeru, you think you can be powerful? Just wait and see if you aren’t destroyed.”

Zhuan Chi Yuan Bei Gao spread his hands in disappointment. “No one? Without witness testimony, the tribunal cannot accept your account of the events.”

Tu Zhe’s anger flared; he spun around, his long hair flying, and loudly questioned the celestial hosts:

“On the day of the incident, were there not billions of onlookers? Today, stepping forward to help the tribunal uncover the truth is not difficult.

Yet you let fear rule your hearts, knowing but not speaking. The Buddha spoke of diamond, meaning fearlessness; the Buddha spoke of wisdom, meaning insight. I do not understand why you are afraid today, nor why you remain silent. As the saying goes, ‘Man acts, Heaven watches.’ Do you believe you will never encounter injustice in your countless lifetimes?”

His words struck at the heart, shaking all present.

None of the celestial hosts could meet Tu Zhe’s fierce gaze.

Just moments ago, Tu Zhe was in the lead; now, amidst the celestials’ fear, his defeat seemed inevitable.