Global Dungeon: I Can See the Status Bar

Chapter 194: Chapter 115: Boundless Karmic Force Yet Infinite Merit

Seated in the center where the judge originally sat, was a black-faced man dressed in a bright red official robe, wearing a red crown, with a crescent mark on his forehead.

Even without using his Eye of Insight, Lu Wenwu could tell that this must be the most famous King Yama from folklore, Lord Bao Zheng.

But then…

What is happening here!

This is not the Fifth Hall either!

King Yama presides, while the other Nine Hall Yama listens in?

Have I violated some heavenly law to deserve a trial where ten Yamas and four judges are all present?

Lu Wenwu scratched his head, took the initiative to speak: “Lord Bao… No, Lord King Yama, what heinous crime have I committed to warrant the presence of the underworld Yin Spirits for judgment? Even the monkey that wreaked havoc in the Underworld and Celestial Palace didn’t get this treatment, right?”

As it stands, the reformed Underworld is clearly quite different from the accounts in the “Jade Calendar Treasure Notes”.

But…

The Underworld doesn’t have excess Ghost Power to such an extent, does it?

To give me such grand treatment!

Compared to King Qin Guang, who always wears a stoic expression, King Yama Bao Zheng is obviously more relatable and amiable.

With a smile on his face, his resonant voice slowly emanated: “The situation with your group is quite special, and yours is even more unique, requiring a special process for judgment.”

“Me? Special?” Lu Wenwu was full of questions, “I’m just a little Karami, how could I be so special?”

King Qin Guang said calmly, “How special? Don’t you know how many lives you’ve taken?”

The Tenth Hall Reincarnation King let out a hearty laugh: “I remember the last time we had such a special individual go through a special trial process was during a joint trial with Hell. But that little fellow’s karmic force doesn’t even compare to this kid.”

Lu Wenwu: “???”

It seems like I’ve inadvertently overheard something with huge implications.

“Wait, wait, I think I can argue my case!” Lu Wenwu exclaimed, “I indeed killed many, but even the Human Puppets and those controlled and restructured Fusion Lives count as karmic force? Isn’t that a bit unreasonable?”

“Of course, it’s reasonable.”

The King of Reincarnation answered with a smile, seemingly showing appreciation for Lu Wenwu.

“As long as you take lives, karmic force will be generated.”

“But if you’re doing it for a good cause, you’ll accumulate even more Merit. What we need to calculate is the balance between Merit and karmic force.”

“Originally, this was managed by the Star Monarch of Destiny, but later due to complex application and approval processes, to improve the efficiency of administrative units and enhance the reincarnation experience for souls, this power was delegated to our Underworld, currently managed by Wuguan Wang.”

“In measuring the difference between Merit and karmic force, we typically use classic methods like the Good and Evil weighing method, or the scripture weighing method promoted by the Buddhist Sect, or the visually entertaining hanging person weighing method.”

“Merit and karmic force cannot cancel each other out. Karmic force can only be worn down when punished in Hell, and only then can you reincarnate.”

“But the accumulation of Merit can make a soul’s time in Hell easier, even making them feel no pain while passing through the punishments unscathed.”

“Do you understand now?”

“I understand, thank you King of Reincarnation for the clarification.” Lu Wenwu cupped his fists according to ancient etiquette.

Seeing the discussion between the man and the deity was over, King Yama Bao Zheng, seated in the center, announced loudly: “Raise the Karma Mirror and Karma Scale!”

Lu Wenwu: “!!!”

Karma Mirror!?

Oh no, I’m going to die of embarrassment!

This is like pooping in public!

Lu Wenwu knows about the Karma Mirror, it was initially placed in the Celestial Emperor Shiva’s palace.

The “Correct Dharma Mindfulness Sutra” from Northern Wei describes: It can fully show the deeds of the world, and judge blessings and misfortunes based on their virtues and evils, encompassing the four continents. At that time, celestial beings, along with the Celestial Emperor Shiva, entered the Karma Mirror and those who saw retributions did not take them lightly. Emperor, you observe the shadow of this Karma Mirror.

In simple terms, it’s like a Celestial Eye, a top-notch surveillance device.

It was used by the Celestial Emperor Shiva for gossip purposes.

Later, due to a merger among Buddhist, Dao, and Underworld practices, it was borrowed and tested in the Underworld.

After finding it effective, it was transferred to the Underworld and is now managed by Yama.

Its main function is to make defiant souls publicly embarrassed in the Fifth Hall, forcing them to confess and accept punishment…

On the side of the joint court of the Ten Hall Yama, a small door opened.

Three Yama’s Assistants filed in.

At the front, carrying a scale like a Balance Scale was the assistant of Wuguan Wang, known in ancient times as the Good and Evil Two Boys.

This position frequently appears in other Yama Halls, assisting Yamas with document searches during office hours, akin to a secretary or judge’s assistant.

Thankfully, King Yama is reasonable and did not directly activate the Karma Mirror but asked the Good and Evil Child to extract Lu Wenwu’s karmic force and Merit, placing it on the Karma Scale for weighing.

“Extract karmic force for weighing!” Yama declared in a deep voice.

Upon hearing this, the Evil Child took a tray and held it up, coming before Lu Wenwu.

“Rise!”

He softly uttered a word, and the ancient and heavy tray immediately enlarged, hovering in mid-air.

With his hands forming a gesture, the Evil Child recited an incantation.

A wisp of ghostly energy, seemingly substantial, emanated from his body, positioned onto the tray and over Lu Wenwu.

Strange light patterns lit up on the body of the tray, emitting a faint suction force.

In an instant, a great blood-red aura surged from Lu Wenwu’s body, with an uncontrollable burst of formidable Evil Qi.