**"There is more to it than that.
"In my youth, I fell in with the wrong crowd and became a bandit. I killed countless people, and when I was hunted by the authorities, I shaved my head and took refuge in the monastic life.
"Though I sincerely sought redemption, my sins were too great. In the end, I met my fate at Zheng Ke’s hands.
"I have spent ten years repenting in the underworld, and now my sentence has been served.
"I beg Your Lordship—please retrieve my remains from the pond, so that I may finally enter the cycle of reincarnation."**
Lord Hai sighed deeply.
"So it is true— heaven’s justice is clear, and no one can escape the consequences of karma."**
Hong Ning said coolly, “There’s no need to attribute everything to ‘heaven.’ Heaven only acts through the hands of men. It dictates the so-called celestial order simply because it has dominion over all things and forces others to obey. That doesn’t mean it’s truly fair. There are plenty of people who commit countless evils and still live well.”
Hai Ming shook his head. “If retribution does not come in this life, it will in the next.”
Hong Ning countered, **“But for us, this life is what matters. Who even remembers their past lives? What’s so great about ‘heaven’? It merely used Lian Hua’s hands to bring your injustice to light.
“And yet, because she killed someone, her future tribulation will be even more severe. If she fails to overcome it, she will be reduced to her original form.
“That too is called ‘heaven’s will.’
“Heaven is cruel. It is we, who feel emotions, that are weak.””
Hai Ming was momentarily speechless, looking over at Lian Hua.
Lian Hua lowered her gaze and whispered, “I accept this fate willingly.”
Lord Hai sighed. “For a being of another kind, such loyalty and righteousness are truly rare.”
Hai Ming pressed his hands together and chanted a Buddhist prayer, then looked toward the sky.
“This matter arose because of me and concerns no one else. If tribulation awaits her in the future, let me bear the burden instead. I only ask heaven not to make her suffer for my sake.”
Lian Hua shook her head. “Even if I had not interfered, master, your injustice would have come to light on its own. It’s just that…” She hesitated and said nothing more.
Lord Hai, sharp as ever, had already seen through everything. His expression turned serious.
**“Taking a human life is a grave crime. However, considering that you acted out of gratitude, and as a being of another kind, you were unaware of human laws, I will spare you this time. Furthermore, Zheng Ke was the true instigator of this crime.
“But from now on, you must never harm another.”**
Lian Hua bowed deeply. “Thank you, my lord.”
Lord Hai smiled and turned to Hai Ming.
**“Karma is inescapable. This tribulation was meant for you.
“But the two of you—one filled with devotion, the other with gratitude—though not of the same kind, share a bond that is no less than any human’s.
“How about this? I can grant you permission to leave the monastic path, so you do not let her feelings go to waste.”**
Lian Hua stood stunned.
Hai Ming was silent for a long moment before bowing deeply.
**“It is already a great mercy that Your Lordship has spared her. But humans and spirits walk different paths.
“She is of the plant kingdom, beyond the six realms of reincarnation. How could I selfishly ruin her cultivation?
“My lord, I must take my leave.”**
Lord Hai was taken aback. “You…”
Hai Ming turned to Lian Hua, looking at her for a long time.
Then, gently, he pushed her hands away, turned around, and vanished with the wind.
Lian Hua stood frozen in place for a long while.
Then, without a word, she suddenly covered her face with her hands and ran into the pond, disappearing among the floating lotus leaves.
Following Lian Hua’s guidance, the officials quickly retrieved the remains from the pond and placed them in a coffin for proper burial.
Lord Hai personally led a team to search Magistrate Tao’s residence.
Zheng Ke’s wicked reputation was well known—his death was no great loss.
Uncovering the truth was necessary not to clear his name, but to ensure the monks were not falsely blamed.
Tonight’s events were undeniably supernatural, but with so many witnesses, there was no room for doubt.
As for Magistrate Tao, his crimes were too numerous to count—if not a thousand offenses, then at least hundreds.
His secret treasury alone was enough to convict him.
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