Zanxing looked at the Xie Zhi statue in front of the white tower.
For some reason, the moment she first saw the statue, she felt a sense of unease, and that feeling persisted. The statue had a pair of pitch-black, indifferent eyes, and she couldn’t find a trace of kindness in them, only coldness.
Why would a divine beast statue, responsible for judging the sins of the world and maintaining law and order, have such a cold, indifferent gaze? It seemed to harbor a hint of ill intent.
She quietly asked Mingjing, who was beside her, “Master, who crafted this Xie Zhi statue, and how long has it been guarding this white tower?”
Mingjing was taken aback by the question. After a moment of hesitation, he replied, “The Xie Zhi statue was crafted by Master Jingshan personally. It serves as the first test, to prevent those with sins from entering the tower. Those with impure intentions might take the trial rewards and bring disaster to the world.”
“Disaster to the world…” Zanxing smiled. “But didn’t Gui Yansheng also enter the tower? If he were to take the trial rewards, wouldn’t that be a greater calamity for the world?” Zanxing suddenly paused.
If the Xie Zhi could truly see into a person’s inner sins and judge them, then Gui Yansheng passing the Xie Zhi’s judgment might suggest that Gui Yansheng was innocent. Could it be that Gui Yansheng, who seemed like a world-destroying madman, was actually a great savior of the world? This world was already abnormal, just as she, having done nothing wrong, became the Demon King’s daughter. It wasn’t impossible for Gui Yansheng to be different from what he appeared to be.
Xiao Shuang, standing beside her, reminded Zanxing, “Your Highness, should we enter the tower now?”
Most of the Demon Extermination Army had already entered and it was time for the demon forces to act. Meanwhile, the Demon Extermination Army had begun to mock them.
“Why aren’t they going in yet? Are they scared?”
“You’re stupid. They’re demons, demons! They’re ruthless and heartless, with sins so deep that no amount of Yellow Spring water can cleanse them. How could they dare face judgment?”
“Exactly, no wonder they don’t dare to go in. If they really did, and ended up getting done in by the statue before even entering the tower, it would be a huge joke!”
“This is what you call ‘evil cannot suppress righteousness’!”
“Bah—” The demon forces, unwilling to back down, retorted, “You’re so high and mighty, so powerful, and the beacon of righteousness. Then why don’t you go in? You’re already here at the entrance, how can you not touch the ram’s horns?”
“Exactly, touching it won’t cost you a piece of flesh. Could it be that you’re afraid? It can’t be! Everyone here is a paragon of righteousness, so what’s there to be afraid of? Or are you secretly as bad as us demons, committing all sorts of evil and killing without mercy?”
“Stop spewing nonsense!”
“You’re the ones dressed as monks with tiger hearts—human faces with beastly hearts!”
As the argument between the two sides heated up again, Zanxing turned to Xiao Shuang and whispered, “Keep them at a distance. I’ll go in and try first.”
Xiao Shuang was taken aback. “Do you think there’s something wrong with the statue?” Many from the Demon Extermination Army had passed through successfully, and some demons were tempted. Although most demons weren’t good people, some were peaceful and never did harm. It wasn’t impossible for these demons to pass the statue as well.
Zanxing looked at the Xie Zhi statue with a serious expression. “Although they say the Xie Zhi judges people based on guilt or innocence, Gui Yansheng, who is clearly not like Meng Ying and the others, still managed to enter the tower. This shows that the criteria for judgment are not so simple. Moreover…” Zanxing tightened her grip on her Wuyou Staff. “We are demons… and in the eyes of the world, demons are inherently sinful.”
What does the divine beast see when it looks at demons, who are inherently considered guilty by the world? Perhaps it’s not even necessary to probe into their hearts and their very identity might determine their guilt.
“I can’t risk your lives,” Zanxing said firmly, clutching her staff, and stepped forward alone. “I’ll go and try.”
“Your Highness!”
Ignoring the voices behind her, Zanxing stared into the eyes of the Xie Zhi statue. Taking a deep breath, she reached out and grasped the statue’s ram’s horns.
*
Inside the tower, someone was standing on the first level and had not moved further.
The members of the Demon Extermination Army who were willing to enter had already done so and were now looking around at the base of the tower.
The few from the Taiyan Sect, however, were focused on the entrance.
“Junior Sister Zanxing hasn’t come in yet,” Tian Fangfang said anxiously. “Most of the Demon Extermination Army members who wanted to enter have already done so. It should be the demons’ turn now.”
“She may not be able to enter,” Pu Tao, who had been silent, finally spoke up coldly. “She’s a demon, born with sins. How could she possibly enter?”
“But Gui Yansheng is also a demon and he managed to get in,” Tian Fangfang retorted, slightly displeased. “I say, Fellow Disciple Pu, didn’t Junior Sister Zanxing share a drink with you back at Gufeng Mountain? Even though she’s a demon, she has some connection with you. Do you have something against her? It seems she hasn’t wronged you.”
“She’s a demon,” Pu Tao said with rising anger, “and you all seem to be too friendly with a demon.”
“Because my Junior Sister is likable, others are naturally inclined to be friendly with her,” Tian Fangfang replied, glancing at Pu Tao with a sudden smile. Usually a well-meaning fool, his eyes now had a sharp edge. With a half-joking tone, he added, “Fellow Disciple Pu, is your dissatisfaction with my Junior Sister because she’s a demon, or is it because my Senior Uncle is close to her?”
The question left the surroundings silent for a moment.
Pu Tao seemed stunned, an expression of discomfort quickly spreading across her face. Standing still, she bit her lip tightly, on the verge of tears. Meng Ying and Mu Cengxiao, known for their taciturn nature, remained silent. Meanwhile, Gu Baiying, holding his spear, stood at the base of the tower, lost in thought and oblivious to the commotion.
Only Nie Xinghong, standing in the middle, found himself at a loss. His fan hung frozen in mid-air, and he could only force a smile and try to mediate, saying, “What dissatisfaction? We are all fellow cultivators. It’s just a misunderstanding. Junior Sister Zanxing is open-minded and generous, and Fellow Disciple Pu Tao is lively and lovely. Both are treasures of our state, right?”
No one responded to his words. Pu Tao glared fiercely at Tian Fangfang and then turned and left.
*
Outside the tower, Zanxing gripped the ram’s horns of the Xie Zhi statue.
The moment her hand touched the horns, she felt a soft, almost living sensation. Though the sculpture was clearly inanimate, it felt as though it had come alive under her grip. Realizing something suddenly, she looked up at the statue’s eyes.
In those plain, cold eyes, she now saw a glint of mockery, and a hint of cunning seemed to dance within them.
This is bad! Zanxing thought urgently, immediately releasing her grip. But before she could move, the statue seemed to come to life, its menacing, black horns lunging straight at her throat!