Journey to the West: Man in heaven, working nine to five

#2322 - Public Trial

In the square at the heart of Diling County, the old magistrate had gathered all the people of the county for a public trial of Tang Sanzang and his disciples.

The old magistrate sat firmly on the platform, with bailiffs standing on both sides. A majestic shout arose, and the discussions and noise from the crowd below ceased.

"Bring the four robbers, Tang Sanzang and his companions, here!"

The old magistrate slammed the gavel and spoke.

After a moment, the bailiffs brought Tang Sanzang and his group onto the platform. Naturally, Tang Sanzang and his disciples were not afraid of this public trial by the old magistrate.

"Hey, old man, what's with this big show? We haven't committed any crimes."

"That's right, we're not robbers, and we won't plead guilty."

"You muddle-headed official, you're really senile."

Sun Wukong and the others said to the old magistrate.

Hearing Sun Wukong's words, the old magistrate angrily slammed the gavel repeatedly.

"So, you four robbers disguised as eminent monks from the Tang Dynasty actually dare to despise this official and insult the court! Men, give them a beating!"

As soon as the old magistrate said this, the faces of the head constable and the advisor standing beside him changed drastically.

"Your Honor, you can't beat them! Have you forgotten that this monkey has demonic powers?"

"If we accidentally hit ourselves, wouldn't we lose all face in front of everyone?"

The old magistrate was also a bit confused. After being reminded by the head constable and the advisor, he remembered and took back the token he was about to throw.

"Forget it, this official won't bother with you stubborn fools. This time is different from before; this is a public trial.

As long as this official believes the evidence is conclusive and all the people of the county have no objections, this official can directly pronounce judgment regardless of whether you confess or not."

The old magistrate threatened Tang Sanzang and his disciples.

The people below immediately echoed the old magistrate's words, shouting loudly.

"The magistrate is wise! We support the magistrate's decision!"

"These four robbers are truly detestable and should be executed immediately!"

"The trial is superfluous. Your Honor, just sentence them to the ultimate penalty!"

Although Guanyin was captured by Chu Hao and the others, there were still many people planted by Xitian among the commoners.

The purpose of these people was to instigate the people and use them to deal with Tang Sanzang and his disciples.

"Did you hear that? This official is now opening the trial."

The old magistrate said to Tang Sanzang and his disciples.

"Tang Sanzang, this official asks you, what explanation do you have for the stolen goods from the Kou benefactor's residence that you carry?

As the saying goes, 'catch the thief, seize the loot.' You have been caught red-handed. How can you quibble?"

The old magistrate's words immediately aroused a response from the people, of course, it was the people of Xitian hidden among the people who were instigating.

"Caught red-handed! No denying it!"

"They are robbers! They should be killed!"

"Your Honor, please seek justice for the Kou benefactor!"

Your sorcery to revive him is just a trick, how can it deceive this official and the eyes of the people of the entire county?"

The old magistrate continued to interrogate Tang Sanzang and his disciples.

Tang Sanzang and the others had also explained this matter, but it was useless. Saying anything now would be futile.

"Since you have no explanation and cannot gain the trust of this official and the people, then this official is about to pronounce judgment."

The old magistrate looked at Tang Sanzang and his disciples and slammed the gavel.

"Tang Sanzang and his four companions, the crime of murder and robbery is heinous. Now, according to the law, this official sentences Tang Sanzang and his four companions to the ultimate penalty.

May I ask if there are any objections from the people present? If not, we will execute the sentence immediately."

The old magistrate said to the people.

"These four robbers should be killed!"

"The magistrate's judgment is wise! We have no objections!"

"Thank you, Your Honor, for removing the evil bandits from our Diling County."

The people were shouting one after another, of course, mainly those people planted by Xitian, and the rest were just joining in the fun.

"Very well, men, tie up Tang Sanzang and his disciples! The executioner, take your place! This official will personally supervise the execution and carry out the sentence in public!"

Following the old magistrate's words, preparations began immediately.

The court platform was removed and immediately set up as an execution platform.

Tang Sanzang and his disciples were tied up on the platform. An executioner in red with a rough appearance was wiping his ghost-head broadsword.

"Your Honor, which one should I kill first?"

The executioner asked the magistrate.

The old magistrate thought for a moment, then pointed to Sun Wukong and said.

"Kill that monkey first! He has always been cunning and mischievous, and is the ringleader of evil. First, chop off his monkey head!"

The old magistrate said to the executioner.

Hearing that Sun Wukong was to be killed first, Tang Sanzang and his disciples couldn't help but smile.

"Brother Monkey, you're going to be beheaded."

"This muddle-headed magistrate still has good judgment."

"Senior Brother, you must hold on."

Tang Sanzang and his disciples looked at Sun Wukong and said. Sun Wukong looked awe-inspiring.

"Since they want to behead Old Sun, then let them behead me."

Sun Wukong took a step forward voluntarily, came to the executioner, and looked at his ghost-head broadsword.

"Is your knife sharp? Do you need to sharpen it again?"

Hearing this, the executioner was stunned. He had been in this business for so many years, and it was the first time he had encountered a death row inmate who was so calm before death.

"Don't worry, this knife is very sharp. I guarantee it will chop off your head with one stroke."

The executioner said, trying to press Sun Wukong to kneel down, but how could Sun Wukong be shaken in the slightest?

"Old Sun won't kneel. Just chop like this, hurry up!"

The executioner knew that he couldn't move Sun Wukong, so he had to let him stand.

"Execute!"

The old magistrate spoke.

Hearing the magistrate's order, the executioner took a bowl of wine, took a few big gulps himself, and then sprayed it on the knife.

"Yah!"

The executioner shouted loudly, and the ghost-head broadsword in his hand was raised high, and he chopped down towards Sun Wukong's head.

Although the people of Diling County were not ordinary mortals, but undead spirits created by Xitian, they were no different from mortals in their cognition.

They didn't even know the special nature of being a ghost, and thought that mortals should be like this.

But there was still one point to the law of Diling County, that is, people who were executed could not be resurrected. This matter of Xitian's design was still well-considered.

Seeing the ghost-head broadsword fall, just when everyone thought that Sun Wukong's monkey head was about to fall to the ground, they only heard a clang.

The ghost-head broadsword seemed to have chopped on steel bedrock, and the ghost-head broadsword, weighing more than ten pounds, was directly knocked away.

The executioner's hands were cracked and bleeding, and he screamed in pain, while Sun Wukong was fine, instead, he looked at the old magistrate with a smile.

"Old Sun already said that your knife is not fast enough and can't chop Old Sun's neck at all. Now you believe it, right?"

Sun Wukong looked at the old magistrate and the others with a playful expression.