In Tian Tang... by the looks of it, it seems that another being is being punished...
"Ugh, are these shackles around my entire body really necessary ?" Tian Yi Rong (天懿荣 ) says in an annoyed tone. As he is kneeling across a young god who doesn't look pass the age of 19 (in human years)
"Yes, it is. So you don't escape and to control your spiritual power." Shen Chi Meng (神痴梦 ) replies with a strict and firm tone as he ruffles through the heavenly scrolls to find Yi Rong's scroll of crimes.
"May I ask sir what is your hobby ?" Chi Meng asks while looking down at the scroll.
"Hah, my interest is none of your business !" Yi Rong scoffs, as he rolls his eyes, which clearly shows he has no interest in interacting with Chi Meng.
"Well, if you don't have a hobby yet, then I'm sure you'll be able to find a few within your time in the Mirror's Reflection." Chi Meng chuckles while looking at Yi Rong.
"What-" before Yi Rong could finish his question, Chi Meng unravels the scroll, it rolls till it reaches Yi Rong's knees.
"Your total time to serve in Zi Jing Fan She is roughly 518 years, for the amount of crimes you've executed." Chi Meng says, as he raises the scroll even higher, it seems as the list never ends ! Yi Rong stunned at what Chi Meng says, he looks down and thinks, 'have I really commiteed that many crimes ?' As Yi Rong goes in deeper thought... 'Well, there was that one time when i stole from that vendor... and that time when i pushed that kid off the boat... and the other time when I 'accidentally' burnt down 7 taoist temples... oh, also when I polluted a village river by releasing over hundreds of pufferfish in their lake... hmmmm, sounds about right I guess-'
"Well, today is your lucky day young sir. His highness seems to be in a good mood, therefore he allows you to choose to serve 1/4 of your time in the mortal realm. Afterwards, you'll have to return to heaven and continue serving 3/4 of your time in the Mirror's Reflection. " Chi Meng says, in a neutral tone. As he grabs Yi Rong's hand and drags him onto another area in the Heavenly Court.
"Hey, where on earth are you bringing me at ?" Yi Rong grunts, as he unwillingly drags his feet, trying to keep up with Chi Meng's pace.
"To The Heavenly Emperor's Chao Ting (朝廷, the emperor's courtroom), to decide which god or heavenly disciple will accompany you as you serve your time in the mortal realm. Also to find out what duties you will need to fulfil." Chi Meng said sternly as he walks even quicker.
"Wouldn't it hurt to slow your pace down ?" Yi Rong cries as his wrist hurts while being dragged by Chi Meng.
"If you like waiting in line then suit yourself, but I don't." Chi Meng replies, not giving a care to Yi Rong.
"Then would you loosen you damn grip on my wrist, you're practically trying to rip it of me !" Yi Rong screams in pain.
"We're here, and my apologies." Chi Meng says as they finally arrive at the Chao Ting. "On the brighter side, there's only 3 people in front of us. Usually by this time, there would be over 70+ people lining up." Chi Meng says in a lighter tone, perhaps an attempt to lighten Yi Rongs mood up.
"I'd rather wait in line than almost getting my wrist torn away." Yi Rong angrily says as he rubs his wrist to ease the soreness.
"NEXT... NEXT... !" The Heavenly Guard shouts for every 10 to 15 minutes.
"Well prepare yourself, quit acting like a fool, it's almost your turn." Chi Meng informs Yi Rong, but Yi Rong couldn't even give a care, he just wanted to get out of here.
"NEXT !" The Heavenly Guard shouts again, but for them this time.
"Reason of visit to His Majesty's Chao Ting." Zhang Yu Fei (张雨飞) the Heavenly Emperor's Grand Chancellor (宰相 ), ask while looking at Yi Rong's record on a scroll. As he slightly lifted his head up, he noticed Chi Meng's face.
"Oh, Tai Zi (太子, crown prince — heir to the throne) ! What brings you here ? Isn't meeting with these low-life criminals part of the heavenly disciples duty ?" Yu Xi says while startled at the presence of Chi Meng, who is the heaven emperor's 8th son, the heir to the throne.
'Tai Zi ? The person who I've been barking at for the past 5 minutes was the Tai Zi of Tian Tang ! He's surely going to snitch on me and cook me in a boiling pot... I must be doomed for !' Yi Rong thought while still being in shock after what Yu Xi had said.
"My Guo Shi (国师, Imperial preceptor) is having me undergo training to be prepared in taking the throne, this is one of the given duties." Chi Meng says, with a much comfortable tone.
"Ah, I see. Well then I shall not waste Tai Zi's time, please head in." Yu Xi replies Chi Meng as he bows down to him.
"Thank you Zai Xiang (宰相) Yu Fei." Chi Meng slightly nods out of respect as he pulls Yi Rong into the his majesty's Chao Ting.
Yi Rong annoyed at being pulled around, but as the doors of The Heavenly Emperor's Chao Ting opens, a sense of the chills aroused him. He has done many atrocious things in the mortal realm, yet the sight of the doors opening seems to scare him.
"Fu Huang ( 父皇, Imperial father, how princes would address their father, the emperor), Shen Chi Meng, your 8th son, present at your Chao Ting." Chi Meng says with steadiness in his voice as he bows down to the emperor.
"Chi Meng, my 8th son. How have you been?" The Heavenly Emperor, Tian Mu Yang (天沐阳)asked with a slight but noticeable smile across his face.
"I'm doing well myself Fu Huang, how about you ?" Chi Meng replies with a happier tone, yet the look on his face is still serious.
"I've been feeling very good lately, lesser and lesser problems have been happening across the realms. Well let's not waste time and review the case you're handling..." Tian Mu Yang chuckles.
'Ughhhh, this is soo boring, the way they talk, it's like I'm in a Taoist temple full of high monks speaking to each other.' Yi Rong daydreams as he is as patient as a dog waiting to eat his bone that he just found.
"Very well, so young man, you've chosen to serve 1/4 of your punishment in the mortal realm. If so please prick your right thumb, and stamp it onto this contract as evidence that you've agree to this option." Tian Mu Yang instructs, as he passes Yi Rong a sharp needle. However, Yi Rong was still daydreaming and wasn't paying attention. Awkwardness fills the room as Yi Rong has yet to take the needle from Mu Yang. Chi Meng notices it and immediately stomps on Yi Rong's right foot to get his attention.
"OW, WHAT THE FUc-" Yi Rong shouts in pain as Chi Meng quickly shuts his mouth tightly with his hand.
"I apologise Fu Huang, for the vulgar language of this young man." Chi Meng bows even lower as he struggles to keep Yi Rong's mouth shut. On the other hand, Yi Rong fights agaisnt Chi Meng's hand trying to set free.
"Haha, no need, this young man was just startled." Mu Yang chuckles, while trying to stay professional.
Chi Meng nods, right before he lets his hand off Yi Rong, he whispers in his ear, "You're luckly his highness is in a good mood, you better get on you knees and apologise to him. Behave a like a man you imbecile." Yi Rong annoyed and mad didn't give a care to what Chi Meng says, he roughly pushes Chi Meng and takes a few step away from him.
"I apologise Your Majesty for my vigorous behaviour, I was simply stunned and taken away by the details of your Majesty's Chao Ting, it simply admirable, I couldn't take my eyes of it, even for a second." Yi Rong says cunningly, as he gracefully takes the needle from Mu Yang, poked his left thumb and pressed it onto the contract.
"Are you even listening ?" Chi Meng scoffs. "His majesty simply told you to prick your RIGHT thumb, yet you pricked your left thumb."
"Oh my, haha, my apologies Your Majesty, I'm left sided my mistake." Yi Rong scratches his head. Chi Meng annoyed by him, this was simply all a lie just to deceive the Heavenly Emperor.
"Oh, also please write your name, the date and sign your signature." Mu Yang says, as he compiles the tasks that Yi Rong will need to fulfil in the mortal realm. But his eyes are locked on the contract paper.
"O-oh... yes your majesty" Yi Rong says nervously, he is gonna get caught for lying to his majesty as he was right sided. Relentlessly, Yi Rong slowly writes and signs. "Here you go your majesty" Yi Rong with a shaky voice says.
"Wow, your handwriting, is impeccable..." Mu Yang jokingly says. Yi Rongs handwriting on the contract was no better than a 3 year old learning to write for his first time.
"Oh my apologies once again Your Majesty, I simply grew up in a poor house, so I haven't really known how to write." Yi Rong says, trying to keep his voice steady.
"Poor house ? Yet you're dressed in such high quality robes and jewels." Chi Meng scoffs.
"These robes came from a dear friend, before he went to another city, he gifted my one of his finest clothes in memory. Our bond was incredibly tight, we were practically brothers from different mothers ! (情同手足, Qing Tong Shou Zhu — Chinese idiom for close friendship bonds)." Yi Rong says with a pitiful tone, as Chi Meng rolls his eyes.
"Wow, such an amazing friend. I truly envy that bond of friendship of yours. Well you will journey on to Zhou Yü city (周瑜城市) . That city is commonly known as the land of poverty, you shall help the people in poverty and see to live the lives like them. The amount of people you help within your given time will also affect your imprisonment time. If you do amazing enough, you could clear off your debt ! The god that you shall travel along with my Son, Shen Chi Meng. It would be a great opportunity for you Chi Meng, you can help this young man out to solve issues of the people. You can learn a lot from it, and it'll train you to be a knowledgable young man." Mu Yang says happily.
As Chi Meng and Yi Rong glare at each other, even though they've just met, to one another, they were no more that an eye sore...
"Thank you Fu Huang for the opportunity, I will appreciate it, we shall not waste anymore of your time and take off." Chi Meng deeply bows as he pulls Yi Rong down too, Chi Meng pinches Yi Rong's arm, signalling him to thank His Majesty.
"A-ah, yes thank you Your Majesty, I am very blessed for your tolerance on me, allowing we to serve time on the mortal realm. Your Majesty is truly gentle." Yi Rong says in a "grateful" voice, but simply, he is just saying it for the sake of Chi Meng to stop pinching him.
"Well then, good luck for the both of you as your journey sails, you may leave." Mu Yang states
They both thank His Majesty once again, and departed from His Majesty's Chao Ting to adventure off into Fan Ren Shi Jie to try to pay off Yi Rong's debt.