Daily life of a cultivation judge

"What happened to the deacons of the Blue Flame Soul Crow?" asked Yang Qing as he tried to take his mind away from the torment the Branch Chief, Hao Da, and the rest went through from tussling with two obsidian serpents, with one of them already being in its evolutionary stages to a flood dragon, and two deacons to deal with.

The obsidian serpent had a sturdy defense with their nigh impenetrable defenses from the obsidian scales that granted them immunity to most elemental-based attacks while also having a reflective ability to them, in addition, they had extreme agility. Still, their most dangerous attribute was their poison.

They had an almost dragon-like attack regarding how they attacked, which was called 'poison breath'. The poison breath had two forms, one form was an area-wide attack where they would produce a mushroom poison explosive fog from their mouth. A single breath could cover a 5km radius within ten seconds.

The poison produced had powerful corrosive, paralytic, and hypnotic properties that worked rapidly on someone once infected. In addition, it spread easily, and widely and was extremely difficult to purge from an area because it had properties that made it easy for it to blend in within the surrounding spiritual qi, and the fact that it was odorless and traceless, made it hard to track.

Other than the poison mushroom explosion, there was the poisonous ray light attack which was a single targetted attack, that made up for what it lacked in wide-range attacks by being fast and with condensed destructive energy.

By all accounts, it was a thorny spirit beast to deal with and that was without putting into account that one of them was about to evolve into a flood dragon, which increased the danger level to astronomical levels. 

It was a wonder to Yang Qing that they even managed to make it out alive, seeing as how their line-up did not have someone like him who had natural restraining abilities on various toxins. 

Other than maybe the artifacts they had, the only reason Yang Qing could think of for their survival was the royal guards likely triggered a forbidden art that was powerful enough to restrain the two obsidian serpents to a point where the two spirit beasts could not chase after Hao Da and the rest as they were making their getaway.

"One of the deacons was killed by the mutating obsidian serpent, while the other managed to trigger some talisman he had to make an escape, however, he was injured heavily by Branch Chief Lai Wen. It's in doubt whether that deacon will live for long not unless they have a skilled gold grade physician on their hands, and ascendant grade ingredients to burn..."

"What about the serpents? Based on what you said, the dead obsidian serpent was likely their offspring, it's the only thing that makes sense based on their reaction. I doubt whatever means the royal guards used was strong enough to cripple or kill them. 

Isn't the capital of the Deer Mountain Kingdom in danger?" asked Lai Lei with furrowed brows.

"The deacons seemed to have come with some way of specifically suppressing the abilities of the obsidian serpent, which is probably how they were able to fatally injure the first serpent. 

They had an artifact made of heaven's dust granite which they used to bind one of the weaker serpents during the fight which opened it up to heavy injuries during the chaotic battle.

There have been no reports of any attack on the capital or any movements from the mountain range where the three obsidian serpents were found. 

My guess is that they're hibernating to heal the injuries they suffered in the clash. Obsidian serpents of their level, considering they seem to be partners instead of competitors, are likely mates, and as you all know they only have one mate for life. 

If there is one thing capable of pulling them out of their frenzy, is an endangering threat to the other. They have more than likely gone into hiding to recuperate for now.." said Ren Shu.

"And when they heal, it will be time for their retaliation. They've been known to be vindictive.." whispered Yang Qing lost in his thoughts.

Ren Shu stared at him for a brief moment, which drew a curious look from Lai Lei as he alternated his gaze between the duo wondering why Ren Shu looked at Yang Qing which seemed to suggest there was more to the look.

"There's no reason to worry about the two obsidian serpents, by now, they should have already been found.." said Ren Shu as he leaned back on his seat.

"Already found?" asked Yang Qing in confusion before a look of realization hit him.

"By the special inquisitors, I take it.." he added.

"Mmmh.." nodded Ren Shu.

"What will happen to them?" asked Yang Qing with a sigh as complicated emotions flashed through his eyes.

The fate of the two obsidian serpents was a complicated one. On one hand, what was possibly their child had been killed and they reacted accordingly, but as a result of that action, they ended up killing one member of the Order and injuring others. 

Because of that, death was very much a possibility for them, for doing what any one of them would have done in the same situation.

Yang Qing couldn't help but lament the situation, and feel glad that he wouldn't be the one to make a ruling on such a situation.

"The Judicial Review Committee will be the ones to decide what will happen to them. They are making their deliberations as we speak, and.."

Ren Shu's gaze fell on Yang Qing as he reached this part.

"They would like to meet with you. Long Enlai asked for you to go see them the moment we are done here.."

"Why?" Yang Qing asked in surprise. 

As much as he tried, he couldn't think of a reason as to why the Judicial Review Committee would look for him. He wasn't working and was still dealing with the lingering trauma from the last case.

What could the Judicial Review Committee possibly want with him when they had their hands full with the matter concerning the Judicial Review Committee?

It wasn't like he could offer any insight into the matter. He could feel his stomach churning when he imagined those retired judges smiling kindly at him as they used some cunning and guilt-tripping way to get him to deliberate the case despite him being a puny second-stage palace realm cultivator, and the matter involving heinous long-standing organizations, and late stage palace realm spirit beasts, and a whole branch office.

"No, surely they can't be that cruel.." Yang Qing fearfully thought as the tragic memories from his past came flooding into his mind, more specifically when his grandfather hoodwinked him over and over as a child into his many experiments. 

Fear crept over his whole body when he thought the members of the Judicial Review Committee, were bound to be more wily than his grandfather. He stood no chance against them.

Wasn't that the reason why his tally against Old fiend Lei was 377 wins to Lei Weiyuan to a staggering 0 wins for Yang Qing?

Yang Qing's face grew increasingly pale the more he thought about it as he went down a rabbit hole of the different ways he would be exploited.

"Yang Qing? Yang Qing? Yang Qing? Lai Lei can you check if he's okay?"

"Yang Qing? Yang Qing?" Lai Lei patted Yang Qing on the shoulders a few times before Yang Qing finally regained his senses.

"Huh, Oh sorry about that.." Yang Qing said with a nervous smile.

His instinct of years of being exploited and suffering defeats at the hands of the Order was screaming that he was about to face something similar.

Yang Qing remained absent-minded throughout the rest of the conversation with the exchange being mostly Lai Lei and Ren Shu.

He didn't even realize when they left his office. It was only when they were out of the Medical Valley and Lai Lei was about to head to his abode did Yang Qing realize they had left Ren Shu's office.

"Yang Qing I'll see you later, and I will take you up on the offer of the Green Flame Tree, and also if you don't mind, could I use the nest too so I can prepare as much as I can before I head to the mountain?" 

"When do plan to head over?"

"In about three months, by then some of the shackles I have will have been cleared...."

"That's good, then I need to properly prepare a good congratulatory gift.." Yang Qing cheerfully said which drew a doubtful look from Lai Lei who quickly tried to hide it.

"Just because I've been known to be stingy and done a few things in the past, doesn't mean I can't turn over a new leaf. I'm a palace court judge now.." Yang Qing grievously muttered as he rubbed his nose in embarrassment.

"I look forward to it, Palace court judge Yang Qing.." Lai Lei said as he waved goodbye leaving the lone Yang Qing who dragged his heavy steps in the direction of the Judicial Review Committee.