The Underworld Courier glanced at Quinn Shepherd and said, "Reporting to Tu Bo, it's already been added—Volume Eight, page one thousand and four. Every account is recorded clearly, nothing is missing."
Tu Bo put down the book in his hand, picked up the eighth ledger, flipped through it, and asked, "Did you also record every time he opened the Gate of Bearing Heaven?"
"It's recorded."
The Underworld Courier said, "He scared me so much I was trembling, I had to record it. Also, every person who died by his hand is written down, clear and exact, not a single one missed—just waiting for him to die so it can all be tallied. But these are minor matters; I filed them in the miscellaneous rolls."
Tu Bo put down the eighth volume and asked, "Where are the miscellaneous rolls?"
The Underworld Courier replied, "There are too many miscellaneous rolls, so I set up a special room to store them—it's almost full. Should I bring them over for Tu Bo to review as well?"
"No need."
Even Tu Bo felt a slight headache and shook his head, saying, "As long as everything is recorded clearly, that's enough."
Thud.
Tanner Shue fell straight to the ground, his goat head hitting hard and bouncing twice before settling. Young Master Cyrus Qi couldn't help but say, "Brother Tanner, Tu Bo probably wasn't talking about you, but about Brother Fenix Greenwood Keane."
Tanner Shue said weakly, "I know he's talking about him. I thought he had some special connection with Tu Bo, but it turns out it's just the connection of Tu Bo recording all his misdeeds. I was even hoping he could get Tu Bo to cut me some slack, but now I realize Tu Bo giving him 'face' just means my own sentence gets worse! Just let me lie here for a bit, I suddenly feel powerless..."
Tu Bo looked at Quinn Shepherd, who stood there uneasily, head lowered, sneaking glances at him from time to time, only to quickly look away in fright.
Tu Bo said, "Sheltering the criminal Tanner Shue and releasing him to bring harm to the world—this offense will be recorded on your head. Do you accept it?"
Quinn hurriedly said, "I don't—"
"Record it on his head," Tu Bo said to the Underworld Courier.
The Underworld Courier briskly agreed, jotted it down, and said to Quinn Shepherd, "Tu Bo is impartial and just. He's not asking your opinion, he's just informing you, so you won't become an unjust ghost when you die."
Quinn immediately felt relieved and smiled, "In the future? So that means Tu Bo isn't going to kill me this time."
Tu Bo glanced at him and said, "Your allotted lifespan isn't over, so I won't touch you—for now. But the longer you stay in Youdu, the weaker your physical body becomes, and eventually you'll die. I summoned you all here today not for you, but for him."
He raised his hand and pointed at Tanner Shue. With a swish, a whip coiled around Tanner, who struggled but couldn't break free, his face ashen.
Quinn Shepherd stepped forward, blocking Tu Bo, and said loudly, "May I ask Tu Bo, what crime has Tanner Shue committed?"
"Chopped off my horn, stole Youdu from me, split the territory and founded Nether City—these are grave crimes."
Tu Bo said seriously, "You step forward to defend him? You want to take the blame for him?"
Quinn Shepherd said in a deep voice, "The Imperial Gate Divine Saber was designed by the Pioneer Emperor, and the order was given by him. Tanner Shue was only following orders. Is it wrong for a minister to obey his sovereign?"
Tu Bo replied, "The one who wields the blade is already guilty of a great crime."
"Tu Bo, do you bully the weak and fear the strong?" Quinn asked.
Tanner Shue was chilled to the bone, and Young Master Cyrus Qi was deeply uneasy, thinking, "How does Brother Quinn dare say such things? Even if he's the Netherworld Divine Son, speaking to Tu Bo like this, that title won't protect him!"
Tu Bo frowned slightly, fire flickering between his ox horns.
Quinn Shepherd continued, "If Tu Bo is truly impartial, he should hold the Pioneer Emperor responsible. If you don't pursue the mastermind and only punish Tanner Shue, isn't that bullying the weak and fearing the strong? I'm from the younger generation, but I also have a sense of justice. If Tu Bo isn't fair, I can't help but speak up. If you're not afraid of the strong, then why haven't you punished the true culprit behind the destruction of High-Emperor Heaven and Luofu Heaven and the deaths of countless beings?"
The Underworld Courier frowned and said, "Divine Son, you don't know all the circumstances here. Better not to speak..."
"Let him speak," Tu Bo said, raising his hand.
The Underworld Courier could only endure it, secretly breaking into a cold sweat for Quinn Shepherd.
Quinn Shepherd continued, "Who is the true culprit? The honored guest who just left Tu Bo's palace! The Netherworld Black Emperor indulged his disciples, forcing the last Chiming survivors to flee into demon-controlled Luofu Heaven, sparking a bloody war. Luofu Heaven was destroyed, and only Chi Creek survived. To survive, the demons had to attack High-Emperor Heaven. The Black Emperor's disciples then used the Book of Life and Death to blood-sacrifice Luofu Heaven, smashing it into High-Emperor Heaven, and sent High-Emperor Heaven crashing toward Everpeace, killing countless beings. The prime offender was right here—why didn't Tu Bo execute him?"
"My elder brother wreaked havoc in Youdu, and Tu Bo recorded my offense, wanted to beat and kill me. I summoned Seven-Kill Star Lord Marshal Lyle Wei's soul, Tu Bo recorded my offense, wanted to beat and kill me. On the battlefield, when I kill enemy generals, Tu Bo records it and wants to beat and kill me. Now, the Black Emperor's disciples are about to massacre Everpeace, awaken stone idols, and bring calamity to Everpeace—countless more lives will be lost! Tu Bo, where is your vaunted justice and impartiality? Do you dare use the same 'beat and kill' language toward them?"
"You clearly bully the weak and fear the strong, punish the good and let evil thrive. You may not commit evil yourself, but your inaction enables great evil. What guilt is there in Tanner Shue chopping off your horn? If the Pioneer Emperor were still ruling the Heavenly Court, would you even dare protest?"
"You say I have committed countless crimes, pinning my brother's misdeeds on me. My brother may be wicked, but at least he practices what he preaches. You, though lord of Youdu, fail to match words and deeds, disgracing the name of a born sacred god!"
"You might as well hand your office over and let my brother be Netherworld lord. At least he'd 'hold the bowl level' instead of splashing water everywhere!"
Tanner Shue, Bruno the Dragon-Qilin, and Young Master Cyrus Qi were scared out of their wits, and even the Underworld Courier shivered, thinking, "It's over, it's over..."
Tu Bo's three eyes fixed on Quinn Shepherd, who met his gaze without flinching.
"You used to be clever, good at adapting, knowing what to say to whom. Why are you so reckless today, insisting on arguing principle?" Tu Bo finally spoke.
Quinn bowed and said, "All beings accumulate grievances; when pent up too long, they explode. I too am one of 'all beings.' I have offended Tu Bo and ask forgiveness."