Volume One, Chapter Thirty: Turning Back Time — The Thief Takes the Blame

Chapter Thirty: The Time-Reversing Bandit Takes the Fall

No one had ever heard of the Wheel-Tapestry Seal before. Thirty-three golden runes embedded in the void formed a colossal golden wheel, spinning rapidly along a mysterious path, creating an enigmatic ritual array. From this array burst forth a golden rain of light, inundating all the heavenly beings atop Mount Sumeru, sparing none.

Within the space encircled by the ritual, a rainbow-hued river roared, surging through, transforming into earth, fire, water, wind, rising and falling with lightning, darkness, and light—this was the universe’s most mysterious river of time, now manifest before the eyes of all the gods.

And everyone watched helplessly as it swept away every being bathed in golden light on Mount Sumeru—Indra, the Lord of Heaven, the Minor Heavenly King, and all the others—forcefully transporting them all into the past.

Everyone realized, to their astonishment, that they had been returned to four days earlier.

It was not an illusion, nor was it merely a regression of souls, nor a mere replaying of events from days gone by.

This was an authentic reversal—body and mind, thought and spirit, all returned to the moment four days prior, outside the Grand Artisan's Treasury Pavilion.

Those gods and heavenly beings who had been present that day found themselves once again in their original positions, surrounded by the same companions as before, while Tu Zhe and his family now stood before the pavilion, Tu Zhe shouting loudly for Mo Le Shabi to come out.

Those who had not been present that day—such as Indra, the elders, Mara, and Muxiu Loutuo—now stood upon the clouds, watching as if witnessing a drama unfold.

Thus, the events of four days earlier replayed themselves before the assembled gods.

Mo Le Shabi appeared.

Mo Le Shabi was, as Tu Zhe had described, rude and arrogant.

Mo Le Shabi was humiliated.

Hulu Zina appeared.

Hulu Zina took action.

With a stroke of lightning, Hulu Zina injured Qin Lei.

Hulu Zina’s followers set upon Tu Zhe’s family.

Hulu Zina conjured the Indra Seal to form a prison of void, trapping Tu Zhe, Qin Lei, and the dog.

Hulu Zina’s overbearing arrogance and loud proclamations resounded once more.

The dog, using the Seven Mothers Seal, struck back and wounded Hulu Zina.

The Great Dragon Elephant King’s Brahma Aura Giant Hand descended, crushing down.

The dog, mustering all its strength, formed the Dark Night God Seal.

The Dark Night God Seal clashed fiercely with the Brahma Aura Giant Hand.

The dog was grievously wounded and fell.

The Brahma Aura Giant Hand continued its descent.

Tu Zhe, gripping his three-pointed, double-edged blade, faced the Brahma Aura Giant Hand with grim determination.

At the very moment when Tu Zhe and the Giant Hand were about to collide—

A burst of golden light enveloped Tu Zhe.

Tu Zhe vanished.

The Golden-Winged Bird King appeared, blocking the Brahma Aura Giant Hand.

The giant hand withdrew.

At this moment, Mara gestured to Muxiu Loutuo with his enormous hand. Muxiu Loutuo pointed a finger into the void and uttered a single word: “Still—”

Instantly, all scenes froze. Every figure, on the ground or in the sky, held the posture of the last moment, their bodies and thoughts locked in place at the utterance of that word.

Indra’s face was ashen, silent.

Mara smiled as he turned to Zhuan Chi Yuan Bei Gao and the entire tribunal.

Mara spoke, “Lord Judge for both plaintiff and defendant, can we now take this scene as evidence?”

Zhuan Chi Yuan Bei Gao swallowed hard. “Of course, Lord Overseer…”

Mara sneered, “Then what of the fact that so many of the gods present at the time are also here today for the trial? How do you explain that?”

Zhuan Chi Yuan Bei Gao stammered, “Well… naturally, the law prescribes severe punishment in such cases…”

Mara dismissed him with disdain. “Why severe punishment? Punishment should fit the crime—severity for its own sake is mere rule by men, not by law. I detest all this talk of ‘severe’ and ‘swift’—our Code of the Desire Realm grants no such discretionary power to judges, and yet you wield it so handily, don’t you? Do you not realize that as men have seven emotions, so too do they have loves and hates? Can you guarantee your so-called discretion is worthy of heaven and earth and your own conscience?”

Zhuan Chi Yuan Bei Gao wiped the sweat from his brow, answering repeatedly, “Yes, yes, of course.”

Mara then turned to Indra. “Brother Indra, now that everything is clear, how you deal with it is your own internal affair, isn’t it? Ha.”

Indra replied coldly, “The Thunderbolt Heaven will guarantee the dignity and sanctity of the law.”

Damn it, you keep insisting this is our internal matter, yet you’ve meddled from start to finish, and now you hand me this conclusion? Are you mocking me, thinking my skin is thick enough to withstand such humiliation?

Mara couldn’t care less about Indra’s icy expression. Do I need to worry about your feelings? Calling you brother is already me doing you a favor. Never forget—an Overseer and a Lord of Heaven are not the same.

With a careless air, Mara said, “I am pleased to see the truth restored and events proceeding along their proper course. Before we end this memorable journey through time, I propose that all members of our tribunal, committee, jury, and temporary case guidance group take this rare opportunity to inspect the Grand Artisan’s Treasury Pavilion and see exactly which heavenly treasures have been stolen. After all, the ledgers and the artifacts should still be there, shouldn’t they? Let’s see whether Mo Le Shabi is guilty of embezzlement. If not, then his name should be cleared. There’s no need to use this as a pretext, am I right? Ha.”

Will you ever stop?

For the first time, Indra felt a murderous urge.

The ledgers and artifacts from four days ago—could they possibly match? The discrepancies would be vast, and the investigation would expose a scandal throughout the Three Realms.

A scandal is not the issue. What matters is that it would be a scandal involving myself and my own son.

Indra, face gray with suppressed fury, said, “Lord Overseer, is this really necessary? Perhaps we should return to the courtroom and continue the trial. After all, supporting so many people through this time reversal has been an immense drain on Lord Muxiu Loutuo’s energy. To avoid excessive loss or any lasting consequences for our brother, don’t you think…”

Mara turned to glance at Muxiu Loutuo, noting his pale face. “Brother Mu, can you still hold on?”

Muxiu Loutuo nodded, “I can last another half a quarter-hour.”

With a casual wave, Mara sent a stream of primordial energy into Muxiu Loutuo’s body, instantly reviving him.

Shamelessly, Mara added, “How about this: Brother Indra, why not contribute some energy to Brother Mu as well? With both your support, he’ll easily last another quarter-hour, ha…”

Indra, exasperated, waved his hand and sent a surge of energy to Muxiu Loutuo. “Lord Overseer, let me be clear: you must guarantee the safe return of all present to the courtroom four days hence. Otherwise, I cannot answer to anyone, either within or beyond these walls!”

Mara smiled warmly at Indra.

Damn it, you’ve finally lost your patience, ready to turn against me. Do you think I don’t see through your little schemes? Why shouldn’t I put you on the spot? If you’ve got the guts, reincarnate for the thirty-first time! I have a long life—I can wait you out!

Feigning concern, Mara said, “Oh dear, Brother Indra, you look unwell. Have you caught a cold? Would you like some cold medicine—perhaps a capsule or some Day-and-Night formula?”

Indra’s face darkened, rage rising to his temples.

A cold? I’ll give you a cold. If my powers were at their peak, even your father would end up battered and bruised, never mind you, old man.

Ah, but patience… I’ve endured for thirty lifetimes—one must not let a moment’s anger derail a greater plan.

Forcing a smile, Indra said, “Thank you for your concern, Lord Overseer. I’m quite well.”

Mara replied, “Glad to hear it. Well then, shall we enter together?”

Just then, from the depths of the void came a burst of hearty laughter:

“Are you all going to take inventory? Splendid! I, Mani Ashu, am also quite interested in seeing if there are any treasures left that I haven’t yet stolen, ha—”