Bu Kek Siansu (The Demigod) Chapter 24

"Proceed."

The Hakim swallowed several times, then declared loudly,

"The main witness, who was the perpetrator of the adultery, has been slain for daring to insult the Prince. However, he confessed to having been in that chamber, thus the sin committed by Liu Bwee is clear. Therefore, it is just that she must be sentenced severely. Liu Bwee, the court sentences you to exile on Pulau Neraka!"

"Motherrr..!!"

Swat Hong struggled and broke free from Sin Liong, leaping forward to embrace her mother.

"Shhh, calm down, Hong-ji...."

Her mother whispered, maintaining a calm demeanor, although her face appeared increasingly sorrowful.

"Calm? No! Mother must not be disgraced like this!"

Swat Hong then rose, faced her father, and declared loudly.

"My mother has been sentenced without clear evidence or witnesses. Yet, the decision has been rendered, and I refuse to see my mother exiled to Pulau Neraka. I, her only child, who cannot repay her kindness even with my life, shall represent her and bear this punishment. I shall be her substitute to Pulau Neraka. I beg Sribaginda to be wise and permit my aging mother to spend the rest of her days on Pulau Es. Mother, farewell!"

"Hong-ji...!"

Her mother shrieked, but Swat Hong had already leaped and swiftly fled the location. Sin Liong watched, his brows furrowed. He had not expected the very thing he feared—something unpleasant, something explosive—to manifest with such intensity.

"Hong-ji... ah, Hong-ji, my child...!"

Liu Bwee could no longer hold back her tears. She knew that pursuing her daughter was impossible, both because her daughter's martial skill was already exceedingly high, and because she, as a defendant, dared not violate the law and flee the premises.

"Alas, my child... Swat Hong... Swat Hong... what have they done to you...?"

The heartbroken mother wailed.

The Hakim became confused and turned several times toward the King, as if seeking a decision from Han Ti Ong. The King bit his lip, annoyed and enraged, for he had not expected the matter to drag on like this. When he received the report about his first wife, Liu Bwee, committing adultery with a young servant, his heart burned with intense anger. Yet, he still intended to bring the case to court so that the fairest possible decision could be reached. Who would have thought that things displeasing to his heart would occur? His Empress killed the young servant, and now Swat Hong defended her mother, even substituting herself for her mother in "self-exile"

To Pulau Neraka. Now, seeing how confused the Hakim was and how he sought a ruling, he struck his right fist into his left palm, saying,

"Enough, enough! I shall grant Swat Hong's request. That stubborn child has already replaced her mother in going to Pulau Neraka. So be it! I permit Liu Bwee to remain here!"

Having said this, he took the hands of Bu Ong and his Empress, rose, and prepared to leave the unpleasant place. However, Liu Bwee also rose, and the woman spoke loudly, staring at her husband's face with sharp eyes.

"Even though my child has atoned for a sin I did not commit, and I have been permitted to remain here, what meaning does life here hold for me after my child has gone to Pulau Neraka? No, I will not consent to stay here any longer. From this moment forth, I do not consider myself an inhabitant of Pulau Es. I, too, wish to leave this place!"

Having spoken thus, Liu Bwee then leaped and departed. Since she was no longer a defendant, no longer a convict, she dared to leave, even doing so without showing respect to the King who had once been her husband and the idol of her heart for many years.