The ink on the final wipe-out certificate was still wet.
Magistrate Cui Jue stood before the restored Life and Death Ledger, his official purple damask robes restored. Even so, his official hat was still slightly crooked. With tears streaming down his pale, weathered cheeks, the judge pressed the great jade seal of the First Nether Court onto the final registry tablet.
THUMP.
“Four billion, one hundred and eighty-eight million, four hundred and one thousand, nine hundred and twenty souls,” Cui whispered. His voice shook with deep, historical awe. “Every single record checked. Every pointer cleared. The address space is ninety-eight percent free.”
Cui turned toward Lin Ke, dropping to both knees on the polished granite floor and bowing until his forehead touched the stone flags.
“Lin Ke... Senior Lin... On behalf of the ten hells, the old family courts, and every mortal soul who shall ever walk into the light of rebirth... The First Court owes you an unpayable karmic debt.”
Cui rose, presenting a sealed dark rock casket bound with bands of ancient star-iron.
“This was recovered from the secret vault beneath Monolith #001,” Cui said with deep awe. “It was left behind by the Primordial Developers during Epoch Zero. King Qin Guang could never open it. The stone carving says it belongs to whoever holds root office access.”
