Bu Kek Siansu (The Demigod) Chapter 22

"But the King is only enforcing the existing law, Suheng."

"Even law is man-made. A Dead Thing!"

Suddenly, the sound of a drum being struck was heard. For a moment, the two young people paid attention, and Sin Liong's face grew grim.

"Ah, there is another court session about to pass sentence. Who knows who has committed a transgression this time. Let us go see, Suheng!"

Sin Liong was led by the hand by Swat Hong, who pulled him toward the building next to the palace, the structure used as the courtroom where sentences were passed upon those who committed transgressions.

When they arrived, many residents of Ice Island were already watching outside the room, and naturally, it was easy for the two young people to enter the courtroom and sit on the rows of chairs lining the edges. The room was very spacious, its floor smooth and clean. The room's contents consisted only of a long table, and behind this long table were five chairs, while on the right and left edges, there were also chairs. The area in front of the table, in the center, remained empty. When Sin Liong and Swat Hong arrived in the room, the judge—an elderly royal family member who usually served as the magistrate—was already seated behind the table. To his right, on the seat of honor, sat Han Ti Ong himself along with his Empress.

This was unusual because normally the King would only come without his Empress and sit with the other princes. Apparently, King Han Ti Ong's Empress now also wished to observe the court proceedings on Ice Island. The defendants, already kneeling on the floor in front of the table, numbered only three. One was a tall, large man with a full beard, wide eyes, and rough movements; one was a handsome young man; and one was a woman in her forties, still beautiful. This woman knelt beside the young man, who looked terrified, unlike the tall, large man and the Woman, who appeared quite calm. With a loud voice, the prosecutor read the charges against the tall, large man who had knelt forward after his name, Bouw Tang Kui, was called.

"Bouw Tang Kui has been warned repeatedly for his crude behavior, his tendency to use his skill to insult the weak, and his habit of stealing. He was last arrested for committing theft, taking a green jade snake venom-sucking artifact belonging to another person. Because his crimes endanger Ice Island, potentially causing chaos and enmity, the heaviest penalty is appropriate to be imposed upon him, both to eradicate crime from the surface of the island and to serve as an example to all island residents."

There was silence for a moment, then the weak and slightly trembling voice of the old judge was heard,

"Bouw Tang Kui, you have heard the accusations against you. You are permitted to defend yourself."

Bouw Tang Kui, still kneeling, paid his respects to the King, then said in his rough, loud voice,

"Your servant confesses to having committed that act because your servant desired to possess the green jade artifact. Your servant has received much kindness from His Majesty; if I am now deemed sinful, your servant is ready to accept any punishment imposed upon me."

The judge thought for a moment, then, tapping the table, he said,

"The court decides to sentence Bouw Tang Kui to exile on Pulau Neraka."

The atmosphere became silent. This sentence was considered more severe than beheading. Many of those listening held their breath, their faces pale, some feeling pity for Bouw Tang Kui. However, the defendant himself, after looking at the King, spoke, his voice full of bitterness,

"No matter the punishment, it does not feel heavy to your servant. What feels heavy is that your servant is forced to become an enemy of Ice Island, which I love!"

"So you accept the court's decision?"

The judge asked.

"Your servant acce—"

"Wait a moment!!"

Suddenly, a loud voice was heard, and Han Ti Ong himself looked up sharply when he saw Sin Liong had stood up from his chair and uttered that exclamation.

"I beg Suhu and all Cu-wi to forgive me. However, the defendant has the right to be defended, and I intend to defend him. Brother Bouw Tang Kui is considered sinful, and indeed he has committed a transgression. But is it appropriate that his mistake should then be taken as a sign that he is an evil person who can no longer be forgiven? I want to ask, which of you Cu-wi has never made a mistake?"

"All humans must have made mistakes, and because we are all human, we too must have made mistakes. Who would want the mistake they committed to then be taken as a sign that they will forever be guilty or sinful, and deserve punishment without mercy? The mistake committed by Bouw Tang Kui is a common deviation committed by a man with a weak spirit. A man with a weak spirit who commits a deviation is the same as someone suffering from a kind of illness, the only difference being that it is not his body that is sick, but his heart. However, every sick person can recover! Therefore, punishing him with such a vile sentence is tantamount to killing him!"

The situation became utterly silent after this young man delivered his defense.

"However, law has been established here for hundreds of years, and we must all submit to the law!"

Said Han Ti Ong when he saw how hesitant the judge was to answer. He realized that Sin Liong was well-liked by many there, and besides, the officials seemed reluctant to debate because the young man was the King's disciple. Because of this, Han Ti Ong himself spoke out in rebuttal.

"I beg Suhu to forgive teecu if teecu is forced to debate. Brother Bouw violated the law, which is considered sinful, and according to the law, he must be exiled to Pulau Neraka. From where does the transgression called sin arise? If there is no law, how can there be sin? If there is no prohibition, how can there be transgression? It is the law that creates sin and transgression; the law is vile because the punishment meted out is actually filthier than the sin itself! If he is deemed guilty and then exiled to Pulau Neraka, will that not make him even more wicked and resentful? It is as if a sick person's illness is made worse! Will the punishment of exile to Pulau Neraka bring him to repentance? Suhu, teecu has stated many times that this kind of punishment is inappropriate. It would be better to guide those who have strayed back to the right path than to punish them with severity that will make them even more wicked."

"Kwat Sin Liong, you have no right to criticize the law that has been our tradition! Judge, continue the trial, and the defense made on behalf of Bouw Tang Kui cannot be accepted!"

Snapped Han Ti Ong, who felt insulted hearing how the rules held sacred for hundreds of years by his ancestors were now being denied and criticized by a mere boy who was his disciple! Sin Liong sighed and was forced to sit back down.

"Shhh, you are too brave...."

Swat Hong whispered.

"Hmph... it is useless...."

Sin Liong whispered back. The prosecutor's loud voice had already called the names of the other two defendants, the handsome man and the beautiful woman. They stepped forward and knelt before the court.

"Sia Gin Hwa and Lu Kiat have been arrested for committing adultery. Because Sia Gin Hwa is the lawful wife of Ji Hoat, this act is a shameful and deeply sinful deed, violating a strict prohibition sanctioned by law. Therefore, there is no forgiveness for her, and we request the court to impose the heaviest sentence upon her. As for Lu Kiat, although he is young and unmarried, he committed adultery with another man's wife, so he too must be given a fitting punishment. The rest is up to the judge."

The woman lowered her face, which turned very red upon hearing the mocking voices of those watching outside the courtroom, but her demeanor remained calm. As for Lu Kiat, the young man's face turned pale, but he also lowered his head, looking extremely agitated.

"The court decides to sentence Sia Gin Hwa to exile on Pulau Neraka and Lu Kiat to one hundred lashes!"

"I do not accept!"

Sia Gin Hwa suddenly screamed.

"The ones who committed adultery were both of us, so if we are to be exiled, it must be both of us!"

"No, I accept the punishment of one hundred lashes!"

Lu Kiat also shouted.

"What kind of man are you? When you seduced me, you promised we would suffer together if we were exiled to Pulau Neraka!"

Sia Gin Hwa cursed, and a verbal brawl erupted between them.

"Silence!!"

A terrifying shout from Han Ti Ong made them drop to the floor, begging for forgiveness.

"Because you committed such a shameful act, staining the good name of Ice Island, it is fitting that both of you be exiled together to Pulau Neraka!"