Chapter 149 — This Poor Daoist, Qi Wuhuo, the Five-Thunder Judge of the Northern Pole Exorcism Court

A thunderous shout erupted—lightning surged in response.

This burst of thunder followed the flow of the earth’s meridians and struck down with a deafening crash. Though it coursed wildly, not the slightest trace of its power was lost. It locked directly onto the mountain god’s official residence. Inside, a middle-aged man held a woman in his arms, laughing heartily, about to raise a cup of wine to drink, when suddenly, the goblet in his hand exploded. The strong liquor splashed across his chest. He paused in mild astonishment, but the next moment, he felt the ground quake and the mountains tremble—his entire residence seemed on the verge of being shattered into pieces.

Guests throughout the hall rose to their feet—yet could not stay standing.

Swaying left and right, they all fell down.

In an instant, a white flash streaked past—blazing hot beyond compare, yet utterly silent. Only a vast and unspeakable dread arose in the heart.

Jade ornaments, pottery, and fine wines shattered one after another. The spilled liquor pooled across the floor. All the guests were struck with horror, expressions twisted in fright. Beautiful women turned pale, rotund merchants’ faces went sallow, and as they fell to the ground and rolled over, their forms shifted—revealing white foxes, yellow weasels, and other such creatures. All were beings with some measure of cultivation, capable of transformation—beings that had stepped into the realm of Innate Qi, the threshold of the Daoist path.

Though of the lower rank, they could already assume human form and wield various inconceivable abilities.

Many sects that invited immortals often called upon such demon-immortals at the level of Innate Qi.

But now, their bodies trembled violently, revealing their true forms.

Fur bristled. Fear filled their eyes. Flattened against the ground, they dared not move in the slightest.

The thunder’s might forced all the monstrous and demonic to reveal themselves, sweeping away the foul and elevating the pure. This was the meaning of [Jingzhe] — the Awakening of Insects.

A blazing-white bolt of lightning tinged with azure thundered down.

In that moment, all guests were reduced to their original bestial forms.

The entire process was deathly silent—yet all the more terrifying. Only after several heartbeats did an overwhelming and domineering rumble of thunder descend, carrying with it a Daoist’s voice—

“Mountain God of Yujie.”

The voice echoed within the official residence—at first calm, high, and misty like drifting clouds. But in the next instant, it turned into a thunderous roar:

“COME OUT!!!”

The Thunder Law!

The Mountain God of Yujie was shaken to his very soul. His liver and gall nearly split from terror. He knew that some extraordinary figure had arrived. He no longer cared that his many companions had had their very souls shaken and their Primordial Qi scattered by the thunder, leaving them unable to move in their true forms. He hastily straightened his robes and summoned several divine generals as protectors. Then he dispatched one among them to quickly head to Lingmiao Mountain, to find none other than the Great Merciful, Great Compassionate Lord Lingmiao from the Zhongzhou!

He was to explain that a calamity had struck here—that he, in drunkenness, had brought about grave disaster!

May Lord Lingmiao come swiftly!

Save me, save me!

Only after sending off the messenger and settling all arrangements did the Mountain God dare use an earth-escape technique to rush forward in haste.

But what met his eyes was neither a god general of grand presence nor a celestial officer in full regalia—there was no noble of the earth spirits to be seen.

The wilderness was utterly silent. Once the thunder had dispersed, even the air between the mountains felt fresh and clear. The sky and sea of clouds stretched peacefully in all directions. The divine general who had come earlier lay paralyzed in fear, having nearly lost his mind—collapsed on the ground, unable to rise. Only a young Daoist stood quietly among the trees, a sword case slung across his back. That was all.

The Mountain God of Yujie was momentarily stunned, but swiftly gathered his wits and hurried forward.

The first thing he did was deliver a savage kick to the divine general lying nearby, sending him sprawling.

Then, with utmost respect and courtesy, he hastened a few steps ahead and bowed deeply. “Your little god Yujie pays respects to the Daoist Master—pays respects, pays respects!”

“All of this is the fault of this useless fellow! He failed to inform this little god that such—such—an esteemed guest was arriving, and even dared to swallow the Daoist Master’s pill. Ah, truly, this is disgraceful—unforgivably rude!”

“It was I who failed to keep discipline among my subordinates and thus neglected the Daoist Master—my offense, my offense!”

“This pill, of course, ought to be returned to its rightful owner—yes, returned as is.”

He reached into his sleeve and fished out the very pill Qi Wuhuo had handed over earlier.

With extreme deference, he returned it.

Its spiritual energy was now several times richer than before, having been transformed into an exceptionally valuable alchemical material.

Plainly, this was a bribe.

Yet he insisted it was something Qi Wuhuo had given him before, and that now it was merely being returned to its rightful owner.

Meanwhile, as the Mountain God of Yujie was doing all he could to delay for time, hoping for rescue to arrive quickly, far off in Lingmiao Mountain, Lingmiao Gong—revered throughout the Central Continent as a Great Sage of Great Compassion—was mired in distress.

Over a month ago, a young Daoist had, in the span of a single incense stick’s time, severed the many distracting thoughts in a local Earth God’s heart, thereby extending his life by three months. In gratitude, the Earth God had gone to seek out that young Daoist—but could not find him. Only after great effort was he finally located again, but it seemed the Lingmiao Gong’s initial offerings and etiquette had been far too modest. The other party had refused to grant even an audience.

So, Lingmiao Gong had returned and prepared offerings and meeting rites befitting a True Person of the Daoist tradition.

Yet when he went once more to that Shuiyun Hamlet, the young Daoist was already gone.

All that remained in the village was a lingering trace of pure and undiluted Daoist divine resonance. He understood then that he had likely brushed past a truly extraordinary True Person and missed the opportunity.

He felt deep regret and sighed at the loss.

And so today, as he sat in Lingmiao Mountain sipping bitter wine, someone came to report an urgent matter. Once the messenger was admitted, it turned out to be a divine general.

Lingmiao Gong looked him over and asked, “You serve under Yujie, do you not?”

“What is it? Has he sent you here today with some matter?”

The divine general, upon seeing Lingmiao Gong, immediately fell to his knees and, after hurried greetings, cried out for aid.

He said that the Mountain God of Yujie was in grave danger and begged Lingmiao Gong to come to his rescue.

Lingmiao Gong frowned in confusion. “Yujie Mountain God? Who is troubling him now?”

The divine general’s face stiffened. He dared not reveal the conduct of his own Mountain God, and only said: “We truly do not know. My lord, the Mountain God, has ever been cautious and humble in his conduct atop Mount Yujie—there has never been the slightest misstep. This day, he merely invited a few acquaintances from nearby caves and abodes within a thousand-li radius for a modest gathering. They were in the midst of cheerful drinking when someone outside suddenly began pounding on the gates.”

“They were struck with thunderous force—bolts crashing down, scattering all the guests in chaos. My lord went forth personally to meet the intruder.”

“And secretly instructed this lowly one to come seek out Lord Lingmiao.”

Lingmiao Gong stroked his beard in surprise. Upon hearing this, he said: “Is this not a provocation against the Earth Spirits of our Central Continent lineage?”

Still, there remained a measure of doubt in his heart. Yet even so, such matters could not be ignored. He furrowed his brows and asked: “You came in such haste—did you see the one who brought this challenge?”

“Was it a man or a woman? What age? How were they dressed?”

The divine general respectfully replied: “This lowly one came in great haste and saw only the barest outline.”

“About sixteen years old, clad in a blue Daoist robe over white inner garments. He carried a sword case on his back—looked very much like a young Daoist.”

Before he even finished speaking, the expression on Lord Lingmiao’s face abruptly changed:

“What? Who!!”

The divine general froze—his heart nearly leapt from his chest at the sight of such a reaction.

Before he could say anything further, he saw Lingmiao Gong suddenly rise to his feet, visibly shaken, knocking over a nearby table and chairs in the process. Tea spilled across his sleeves and robe hems, but he paid it no mind. In the blink of an eye, he transformed into a streak of flowing radiance and vanished into the distance. Only the divine general remained, still kneeling, when he suddenly seemed to sense something—and his face slowly turned pale.

Beneath Yujie Mountain, Qi Wuhuo’s gaze drifted away from the gourd of miraculous pills. His expression remained calm—not the faintest trace of the thunderous might he had shown earlier. He only asked seriously: “Do you know that evil qi has leaked forth?”

“Do you know that common folk have already perished?”

“Do you know that an Earth Spirit has already fallen?”

The Mountain God of Yujie showed a trace of unawareness and, cupping his hands, replied: “This humble one is but a mountain god—my duty lies only in the flow of the earth’s veins. Matters of the human realm are, naturally, the responsibility of the human court. Hahaha… such things… such things are entirely unrelated to this humble one!”

“What is it? From what the Daoist Master says, could it be that evil qi has leaked again?”

“Aiya, that would be quite the serious matter indeed!”

He maintained a pleasant smile as he tried to smooth things over, but the young Daoist before him had eyes as deep and tranquil as still water, rendering him momentarily speechless. After a pause, he resumed, his tone much more formal this time: “Does Daoist Master know that in ancient times, the Human Sovereign once made a pact with the Heavenly Court? Matters of the mortal realm are to be governed by the human imperial dynasties, while the Heavenly Court is responsible only for divine affairs. As for us—those of the Earth Spirit lineage—we serve under Her Majesty Houtu, the Earth Spirit Empress.”

“Our connection to the Heavenly Court is, in truth, quite limited.”

“By regulation, we Earth Deities are tasked only with harmonizing the earth’s veins.”

“As for worldly affairs, we are neither required to intervene, nor would our inaction be deemed a dereliction of duty.”

“Besides, birth, aging, sickness, and death among mortals follow their own natural order. Even when demons arise, it is due to changes in evil energy—if anyone has failed in their duties, it is the Heavenly Court. What does that have to do with us? If Daoist Master is so capable, then go question those gods who shirk their responsibilities!”

“To give up three hundred years of lifespan for the sake of mere mortals, to risk one’s life battling vicious demons—has your brain grown a great lump or something?”

“Even common folk know the saying: [A noble body of great worth does not idly sit beneath a sagging beam].”

“Would we not know it as well?”

“You truly amuse me.”

The Mountain God of Yujie had rattled off all this in one breath, only realizing something was amiss as his words came to a close.

His expression changed drastically.

He had actually spoken what was in his heart?!

The young Daoist had raised his left hand, employing a Buddhist divine ability—a variant of the Divine Insight technique—extremely effective.

He asked calmly: “Earth Spirit…”

“Were you originally a human—or a demon?”

The Yujie Mountain God felt bitterness rise in his heart.

This Daoist may appear young, but his methods were far beyond the norm. Compared to ordinary Daoists, he was a full tier higher.

Almost on par with the True Persons of the Dao.

It wasn’t a question he couldn’t answer, so he replied: “…Her Majesty Houtu, Empress of the Earth Spirits, governs the mountains, rivers, lakes, and seas of the world, and is second among the Four Sovereigns. In lands ruled by the demon race, the mountain and river deities are mostly born of demons; but in lands under human rule, more than eighty percent of us were originally human…”

“Listen to what Daoist Master is saying—of course this humble god was once human.”

The young Daoist formed the Fearless Seal of the Buddhist school with his left hand, yet reversed its application, and asked:

“You were human, and now serve as this mountain’s deity. So why did you not save them?”

This particular mudra, when used properly, channels one’s own tranquil and fearless heart to stir faith within the masses.

Because [I] am without fear, the [people] who believe in me may also become fearless.

Thus, it is called the Seal of Bestowing Fearlessness.

When used in reverse, however, it allows one to perceive the truest and deepest emotions in another’s heart—free of falsehood or deception.

What the young Daoist sensed in the Yujie Mountain God’s heart was surprise, confusion, and a trace of mockery.

So he smiled and replied: “Ai, Daoist Master, how strange your thinking is.”

“I, am a god!”

“They, are mortals!”

“I am divine, not mortal—how can the two be equated?”

“To throw myself into tribulation to save mere mortals, and forfeit three hundred years of carefree existence—would that not make me a fool?”

When the Yujie Mountain God realized what he had just spoken aloud, his expression turned thoroughly unsightly. He looked at the young Daoist’s long robe sleeves hanging down, and into those peaceful eyes—vast as the heavens—yet tinged faintly with compassion. But he could not tell: was that compassion for the mortals who had died or for him, the mountain god?

The Yujie Mountain God’s throat tightened as he said: “I—I am an Earth Deity, appointed and conferred by decree of Lord Lingmiao himself!”

“You—how dare you touch me?”

“You’re just a wandering Daoist! Not even an Earthly Immortal! You haven’t registered with the Eastern Duke, haven’t had your name erased from the book of the dead! Even if you have some spiritual power, you’re still a mortal! How dare you raise your hand against me?! Striking an Earth Deity—do you not realize that is tantamount to defying Her Majesty Houtu, the Earth Spirit Empress? To defy the Heavenly Court? To defy the Four Sovereigns?!”

The young Daoist lowered his eyes.

He understood all the more deeply now why the Northern Pole Exorcism Court must exist.

With a clatter, the sword box on his back landed on the ground. His right hand pressed atop it—sword qi howled forth. His left hand spread its five fingers wide, channeling thunder into a divine command talisman. The thunderlight drew characters in the air, bold and awe-striking: “Central Heaven Northern Pole Exorcism Court.”

The sound of thunder was upright and tyrannical. It boomed like a heavenly roar. Even the Daoist’s sleeves flared with searing brilliance. 

The Yujie Mountain God’s expression froze. Terror gripped his face; in an instant, all color fled from his features.

And in that instant, he dropped to his knees. His voice trembled:

“Directly under the Four Sovereigns, supervisors of ghosts and gods across the Three Realms…”

“Central Heaven Northern Pole… Exorcism Court?!”

From the seal, thunder erupted.

Judge Qi Wuhuo!

Qi Wuhuo grasped the seal with his five fingers. In that instant, it seemed to trace out flowing radiance, faintly resonating with the stars high above in the firmament, as if they were lending their protection to the seal. In that fleeting moment, thunder surged forth from the Five Thunders Judge’s Seal and struck Qi Wuhuo’s own body—it was the Daoist sect’s [Divine Firmament Heart-Questioning Thunder]. The thunder boomed with righteous clarity, as if interrogating the depths of Qi Wuhuo’s heart.

Had he invoked divine might out of personal grievance?!

No!

Had he passed judgment for selfish gain?

No.

Should one harbor evil intent within, or seek to exploit the identity of the Northern Pole Exorcism Court to act with impunity, they would be shattered instantly by this [Divine Firmament Thunder]—body and soul alike annihilated. One who dares to pass judgment upon others must first stand with a clear conscience. Qi Wuhuo passed the Heart-Questioning Thunder of the Five Thunders Judge’s Seal, and thus the lightning coiled around the youth’s body.

Upon the Daoist robe, over the originally embroidered water-and-cloud patterns of the daoist sect, a new layer of lightning markings emerged.

His gaze was calm, and the tips of his hair faintly shimmered with traces of violet lightning. The rest of the lightning gathered at the center of Qi Wuhuo’s brow, forming a vertical Heaven’s Eye, fixed upon the mountain deity before him. Though it was broad daylight, dark clouds suddenly rolled in. The young Daoist asked, “Are you aware that evil aura has been leaking?”

The Yujie Mountain God replied: “I… I know… I do…”

“Are you aware of the responsibilities of an Earth Spirit Deity?”

“I… I know… It is to ensure the proper flow of the earth’s meridians.”

“Then why, upon witnessing the rise of demonic aura, did you not act to subdue it?”

The face of the Mountain God turned deathly pale, and he replied: “It’s just… just that my strength was insufficient. Such a matter—once it grew serious—would naturally be handled by Lord Lingmiao and the others. I thought I might as well sit back and watch the show. There was no need for me to rush to the front lines. I… I didn’t think it would get this bad. I didn’t think Land God Liu would die because of this…”

“I… I simply didn’t want to die.”

The young Daoist closed his eyes—yet the Heaven’s Eye on his brow opened wide.

Five Thunders Judge Envoy of the Northern Pole Exorcism Court.

Tasked with overseeing the affairs of ghosts and spirits across the Three Realms, the young Daoist asked in a steady voice: “Then—is this not dereliction of duty?”

The Five Thunders Judge’s Seal answered. Thunder boomed in the void above, its voice upright and unyielding.

“A god who fails to fulfill divine duties—is evil.”

“A god who indulges in pleasures with impunity—is evil.”

“A god who scorns the common folk—is evil!”

“Those who hold divine office, who fail in their duties—shall be stripped of their divine post, suffer seven strikes of thunder punishment, and be cast into the netherworld.”

The Yujie Mountain God’s expression changed drastically. He had once been a cultivator, and it was only by assuming the role of an Earth Spirit Deity that he had gained an additional three hundred years of lifespan. If his divine office was stripped away, he would no longer be a god, but a ghost. And to then endure the sevenfold thunder punishment of the Northern Pole Exorcism Court as a ghost—what would be left of him?!

The young Daoist flipped through the records and decrees within the Five Thunders Seal and spoke:

“You were a ghost to begin with. It was only by bearing divine duty that you could continue living.”

“Since you now refuse to bear that duty, then leave of your own accord.”

The various deities and divine generals of Yujie Mountain also had the duty to remonstrate. Though some could be excused for their lack of strength, since not one of them came forth to intervene, their silence was consent. And in the eyes of the Northern Pole Exorcism Court, to consent is to choose.

Those who make a choice must accept the consequences.

And yet—there was still room for leniency.

Their original divine status would be revoked, and they could be cast back into the cycle of reincarnation.

Just then, a beam of flowing radiance shot toward them, carrying an immense aura. The Yujie Mountain God faltered for a moment, then suddenly rejoiced and cried out: “Lord Lingmiao! Lord Lingmiao! Save me, please—save me, Lord Lingmiao!” The young Daoist opened his eyes. In the void above, a scroll manifested once more, bearing the written charges against the Yujie Mountain God. 

This scroll would be submitted to the records of the Northern Pole Exorcism Institute. And should the young Daoist pronounce judgment in disregard of the law, acting recklessly—

Then he, too, would be held accountable.

Qi Wuhuo pressed down his personal seal.

Judgment!

Divine office stripped.

Seven lashes of thunder.

Cast into the netherworld.

In an instant, the Five Thunders Seal unfurled and transformed into divine radiance. The lightning patterns on his Daoist robes spread outward, swirling in the air until they gradually took on the form of a towering Thunder God. Though a civil official in form, he wore battle robes—one hand held a scroll, the other pressed upon a sword.

[Northern Pole Exorcism Court’s Subsidiary Divine Ability: Law of Heaven, Form of Earth]

This power had been granted by the Northern Pole Central Heaven Purple Subtlety Emperor, one of the Four Great Emperors. Though not the full Heaven-Manifesting Dharma Body, it nonetheless carried a sliver of divine essence.

Behind the young Daoist, the colossal form of the Thunder God Judge slowly emerged—one hand holding the divine seal, the other a sword.

Qi Wuhuo held the seal in his left hand, and in his right, grasped a sword formed of thunder in the void. Endless bolts of lightning surged and coalesced into a single blade. The Dharma Image behind him mirrored his movements. Without paying heed to the onrushing Lingmiao Gong, he calmly brought the sword down. In the blink of an eye, the Yujie Mountain God had been stripped of his divine office. Seven bolts of thunder struck down, battering his spirit nearly to the point of collapse.

Only the faintest remnant was left behind, for his transgression, though grave, had not yet merited utter annihilation of soul and spirit.

Within Yujie Mountain, all the assistant gods, divine generals, and attendant officials were all struck down from divinity and cast into the netherworld.

The sword’s radiance faded. Thunder rolled and crackled, then gradually dispersed. The Dharma Image behind the youth dissolved into nothingness. The Yujie Mountain knelt upon the earth, his eyes lifeless, his spirit scattered. His soul drifted into the netherworld. His divine seal floated up into the air, slowly rotating. The young Daoist rested one hand on his sword casket, eyes falling on the stunned and speechless old Mountain Lord.

Thunder lingered in the heavens for a long time before it, too, faded.

With one sword, all the mountain gods were judged.

Only then did the young Daoist turn around. With one hand, he performed a Daoist gesture of ritual courtesy, bowed slightly, and said:

“We have been connected in name for long—at last, we meet, Lingmiao Gong.”

“This humble Daoist, Qi Wuhuo, Five Thunders Judge of the Central Heaven Northern Pole Exorcism Court, pays his respects.”