"I swore to repay his kindness once I gained human form. But before I had the chance, he was murdered by Zheng Ke—killed without cause, his body cast into the depths of this pond.
"Fate is not blind. Ten years later, Zheng Ke returned to this temple, and not only that—he removed every object in his room that bore the character ‘Buddha’."
Lord Hai’s gaze sharpened. "And so, you took your revenge."
Lian Hua nodded.
Magistrate Tao was livid, shouting, "Lies! Utter nonsense! Hai Ming left for his pilgrimage ten years ago and never returned—who knows where he died? How dare you blame his death on Zheng Ke!"
Even Lord Hai furrowed his brows. "How do you know for certain that it was Zheng Ke who killed him?"
Lian Hua’s voice was steady but filled with conviction. "I do not speak even half a false word. Master Hai Ming never left on any pilgrimage—Zheng Ke only told people he had. In truth, on the night of June 16th, ten years ago, Zheng Ke murdered him, bound his body in iron chains, and sank him into the pond."
She lifted her hand and pointed to the center of the pond.
"Right there.
"Zheng Ke feared discovery, so he funded the reconstruction of the temple and forbade anyone from disturbing the pond."
The entire crowd fell into stunned silence.
No one had expected such a shocking revelation.
They looked at one another, their faces filled with disbelief.
Lord Hai pondered for a moment before asking, “Since you are a demon and possess magical abilities, why didn’t you save him?”
Lian Hua wept. “He was my benefactor—how could I not want to save him? But at that time, my cultivation was too weak. I had almost no power. I only barely survived my celestial tribulation three years ago, managing to take human form, but I still feared the Buddhist presence in the temple and could not act freely.”
Hong Ning spoke up, “So that’s why you made the lotus flowers in this pond wither on June 16th every year.”
Lian Hua nodded. **“His remains lay at the bottom of the pond, unknown to all. His soul must have suffered in the underworld, unable to reincarnate. The blooming periods of flowers are determined by the Flower Deity, and I dared not disrupt them. But I secretly willed them to wilt early, hoping someone would notice something amiss and uncover my benefactor’s body.
“Yet, for years, no one understood.
“At last, when Lord Hai arrived, I thought it was my chance to speak out—but your righteous aura was too strong, and your guards carried swords, their killing intent overpowering. I did not dare to reveal myself.
“Then, fate intervened—Zheng Ke returned to the temple. Only then was I able to exact my revenge.”**
* * *
Magistrate Tao scoffed. “Zheng Ke and Hai Ming were close friends. Why would he kill him? What proof do you have? Stop spouting baseless accusations!”
Lian Hua’s gaze turned cold. **“The evidence lies in the Dragon Palace Crystal Vase that Magistrate Tao keeps in his personal treasury.
“That vase was a gift I intended for my benefactor—I secretly guided him to find it as a token of gratitude. But it tempted Zheng Ke’s greed, and in the end, it was what led to my benefactor’s murder.”**
Magistrate Tao’s face turned pale.
He immediately denied it. “What Dragon Palace Crystal Vase? This is utter nonsense!”
Hong Ning smirked. “And yet, isn’t it sitting in your family’s treasury? I’ve heard that your personal collection contains countless rare treasures—why not bring them out and let Lord Hai inspect them himself?”
Lord Hai’s voice turned sharp. “Men, search his residence!”
Magistrate Tao shot up from his seat, rage overtaking his features.
**“I have always shown the utmost respect for Your Lordship! But if you refuse to appreciate my goodwill and instead choose to believe the words of a murderer, then I must protest!
“Though my rank is low, I am still a scholar who passed the imperial exams at the Hall of Benevolence. If you conduct a warrantless search of my estate, that would be an abuse of power!”**
Lord Hai laughed coldly. “So you’re saying I have no right to conduct a search?”
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