1 Chapter 1: Good Deeds (Please save!)

Great Zhou Dynasty, Heyuan County.

Inside the dark and cold prison cell of the county government's detention center.

"Shen Zhui, I just killed a servant for fun, and yet you, disregarding the kinship between my uncle and your colleagues, and showing no respect for the Li Family, have arrested me over such a trivial matter?"

Outside the jail cell, a handsome young man around 17 or 18 named Shen Zhui laughed softly upon hearing this, "Yang Cheng, even if your uncle Yang Wu was here, he would not be able to save you."

"Not to mention, your father is nothing more than a minor steward in the Li Family. You are not representative of the Li Family at all. Even if a disciple of the Li Family commits a crime, I, Shen Zhui, would dare to arrest them!"

"Fine, fine, you've got guts!" Yang Cheng raged. "I admit my defeat, I failed to escape. But someone will come to bail me out soon enough. Trust me, I'll recount your words to the Li Family. You just wait and see!"

"Humph! Enough talk, stay quiet in there!"

.........

"Congratulations host, for capturing the sixth rank post-natal martial artist. The criminal's evil value is 160, rewarding 160 Good Deeds points."

Upon leaving the detention center, Shen Zhui checked the prompt from the 'Punishing Evil' System, and shook his head.

"This Punishing Evil System rewards Good Deeds based on the level, difficulty, and severity of each criminal I capture."

"Although Yang Cheng is guilty of murdering a servant, his low ranking at the post-natal sixth rank renders the Good Deeds reward quite low."

"It seems I need to capture stronger criminals. If I could obtain a Decapitation Order, the Good Deeds reward would be even greater." Shen Zhui pondered.

Shen Zhui doesn't belong to this world.

Seven years ago, he transmigrated to this world, reminiscent of ancient China, landing in a small city under the rule of the Zhou Dynasty, on the body of an orphan on the verge of starvation. He was saved by an elderly man, who took him in.

Three years ago, through an unexpected opportunity, he became a judicial official at the 'Martial Justice Hall' of Heyuan county government. It was then that he activated the 'Punishing Evil' System.

In retrospect, Shen Zhui couldn't help but sigh.

This world has gods and demons, ghosts and evil spirits – and powerful martial artists and Daoists capable of summoning clouds and splitting rivers!

Great Zhou Dynasty reigns over all lands, its territory vast and endless!

This enormous realm is governed by Daoists and martial artists!

Because both 'martial arts' and 'Dao' can communicate with the divine!

Martial artists and Daoists are the two most esteemed occupations in this world!

"However, with this 'Punishing Evil' System, if I can reach the Innate Realm, there is no reason to envy the high-flying Daoists."

Although martial artists are not as rare as Daoists and their cultivation is difficult, if trained to a certain extent, they are no inferior to Daoists.

"I must reach the Innate Martial Artist realm as soon as possible. Only when I reach that realm, I will be considered a person of significance in Heyuan County."

Shen Zhui faintly felt a sense of crisis. In this world, where the strong prey on the weak, death was a common occurrence.

Especially in his line of work, although he was carrying out official duties, he was inevitably making enemies.

Without power, one can't have a status. Take Yang Cheng for instance, he was barely sentenced to less than a year despite casually murdering a servant.

If Shen Zhui hadn't arrested him so quickly, with the right connections and bribes, Yang Cheng might have stayed out of prison altogether.

.........

"Let's see, how many Good Deeds do I have now. The system's verdict is effective instantly, with no need to wait for the entire legal procedure concerning Yang Cheng."

With a thought, a virtual panel appeared in Shen Zhui's line of sight.

Shen Zhui: Post-natal Martial Artist, Seventh Rank

Technique: "Blood Flame" (Third Tier)

Martial Art: "Iron Ruler Ninefold" (Great Achievement Realm)

Movement Technique: "Flowing Cloud Step" (Minor Achievement Realm)

Good Deeds: 3100

Redemption List: Enlightenment Time (100 Good Deeds per second)

Clarity Time (1000 Good Deeds per second)

"3100 Good Deeds points, as expected, they've increased! But there's no rush, first I need to report completing the order at the Enforcement Hall."

............

Heyuan County Government, Enforcement Hall.

In this grand and imposing government hall, there were several government runners coming in and out. When they saw Shen Zhui entering the Enforcement Hall, it immediately caught their attention.

"Look, it's Shen Zhui!"

"Shen Zhui has completed another 'Capture' Order, truly admirable!"

"How long has it been? He's not even reached the three-day deadline. Shen Zhui is really fast!"

"The criminal is a post-natal martial artist of the sixth rank, just one step away from late-stage! Impressive!"

"The 'Capture' Orders issued from above are much harder than 'Decapitation' Orders. Post-natal martial artists of the sixth rank are tough characters. Killing them, I could manage, but capturing them live, that's too difficult!"

"Hey, don't underestimate Shen Zhui for his youth! He's a genius amongst us in our Martial group. Even among all the groups and divisions, he's a standout."

"Brother Shen, good work."

"Shen Zhui, you're back."

"…"

With the hall in such a buzz, several people voluntarily greeted Shen Zhui.

Shen Zhui responded with a nod to each one, but without pausing, he headed straight to the Enforcement Hall's main room.

"Secretary Liu, Shen Zhui from the Martial Justice Hall is pleased to report that the suspect of the Li Zhuang murder case has been captured."

"Oh? It's Shen Zhui." An elderly man with white and black beard lifted his head from his desk.

"Sir, this is the 'Capture' Order." Shen Zhui pulled a diamond-shaped token emitting cyan light from his bosom.

The county's imperial edict has two types of orders: 'Decapitation' and 'Capture'.

Once the order is issued, a Decapitation Order requires the instant execution of the criminal upon capture. A Capture Order requires bringing them back alive.

Once the order is completed, this special law enforcement token, crafted with unique patterns, shows a cyan light indicating the completion of the task.

"Very well, Shen Zhui. You're indeed a talent worthy of our Lord's favor. I know you're busy with your duties, so I won't hold you up longer. You may go now." Secretary Liu chuckled, nodding contentedly.

"Yes, sir."

.........

No sooner had Shen Zhui stepped out of the Enforcement Hall than a shout came from behind him.

"Shen Zhui, halt! Do you know who you've just apprehended?"

Shen Zhui turned to see five law enforcement officers walking towards him. Leading them was a burly man with thick cheeks, named Yang Wu. He was an eighth-rank judicial officer and the uncle of the criminal Shen Zhui had just captured, Yang Cheng.

"Officer Yang, the man I apprehended is a criminal named Yang Cheng from Li Zhuang. He is guilty of murdering a servant and deserves his punishment."

"Good! Very good. It seems you have a clear understanding of the criminal's background. Officer Shen, you're really doing well!" Yang Wu, the burly man, took a step forward, glaring coldly at Shen Zhui, an intimidating aura radiating off him.

Shen Zhui stood tall and looked straight back at him, his expression cool.

"Officer Shen, in your dutiful judgment, do be careful of your own safety in the future! If you lose your life, be mindful that there's no need for wealth if there's no life to enjoy it!" Yang Wu reminded him in a chilling tone.

Shen Zhui shot back coldly: "Your concern is unnecessary, Officer Yang. I'd also like to remind you that clinging to the wrong support might lead to a quicker death than carrying out one's duty!"