The Old Heavenly Master closed his eyes, then slowly opened them, about to speak when Zhao Tong stepped forward and shouted:

"Our Dragon and Tiger Mountain is a revered name in the Righteous Path, how dare you interfere? Your insane words insult our mountain gate, and such rebellious madness deserves Heavenly Thunder upon your head. Yet, our Mystical Sect holds composure and does not stoop to your level for petty quarrels.

Battalion Commander Chen, today as heroes gather to weigh virtues against evils, since you wish to ascend the mountain, let’s weigh and measure, with the eyes of the world watching, to see if you are worthy of entering our gate."

With his Daoist robe billowing in the wind, his aura was imposing as Zhao Tong spoke word by word,

"I only wonder, should Battalion Commander Chen be slain by righteous warriors and perish here, would anyone claim your corpse?"

"When a person dies, like a lamp extinguished, I don’t care about returning to one’s roots," Chen Yi said with a mocking smile: "With Dragon and Tiger Mountain’s vast influence, it shouldn’t trouble you to provide a coffin and chant some mourning scriptures?"

"Since you say so, I will personally oversee your rites," Zhao Tong replied coldly.

Now Chen Yi was aggressively pressing forward, publicly killing and storming the mountain gate. If Dragon and Tiger Mountain does not respond, it would be unworthy of being the Taoist Ancestral Court, and a prestigious faction must consider its reputation, ensuring actions align with noble sayings. Their sect is not like crude martial artists who engage directly as a united force; they need rightful justification to act against Chen Yi.

Moreover, Master Tongxuan remains on the mountain, observing the events here. Although their relationship is unclear, if the reason for killing Chen Yi is inadequately explained, with no rightful justification, it may invite further complications, resulting in futile efforts.

Fortunately, Chen Yi’s notorious reputation, his madness and defiance allow Dragon and Tiger Mountain no choice but to act against him.

Zhao Tong glanced to the side, seeking the Old Heavenly Master’s opinion.

After a brief silence, the Old Heavenly Master nodded slightly.

The Heavenly Official held the scale rod in one hand and the weight in the other. The long scale rod was inscribed with the Big Dipper, with each mark representing levels of merit. Smaller marks indicated notorious evil, while larger marks showed vast benevolence.

Despite the small weight, it pressed heavily. For thousands of years, the Heavenly Official used the golden scale in his hand to weigh people’s merits and bestowed blessings on the fifteenth day of the first month.

Chen Yi gazed at the approaching Heavenly Official, his eyes slightly narrow. He was willing to be weighed because he knew the evils he committed and the virtues he performed.

The heroes present only knew of his infamous reputation, unfamiliar with his actual deeds. Even Chen Yi himself admitted he wasn’t a good person, yet under the influence of Min Ning, Yin Tingxue, and Zhou Yitang, his evil deeds were fewer, and his good deeds were more.

Roughly speaking, the merits outweighed the wrongs, or the merits and wrongs balanced out, which was acceptable.

Most Jianghu people on the scene had held their breath, some even laid hands on their weapons, ready to act, seeking a moment of glory.

The Heavenly Official reached towards Chen Yi, took out a weight, glimpsed a faint different gleam, hesitated for a moment,

but slowly placed it onto the scale plate...

"Repairing the heavens with one’s body, aiding the world and its people."

As soon as the words fell...

The golden scale plunged sharply, even though the weight was raised to the highest mark, it still could not bear the weight of these eight characters, as the tall and dignified Heavenly Official fell to his knees.

The Old Heavenly Master’s squinting eyes flew open, his aged eyelids stretched high above his brows, Zhao Tong stood frozen like an iron statue, and the roaring crowd at the Hero Conference abruptly silenced, breaths held in suspension, as time seemingly paused, all turning to dead silence as they gazed around.

A tempest swept through the hearts, 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

Was the scale measuring... Nuwa?!

In countless bloodshot eyes, they saw only the golden scale, weighing innumerable merits, gradually cracking from the scale plate. The kneeling Heavenly Official could not bear the weight, his form sagging lower, as web-like cracks spread beneath his knees.

Chen Yi stood for a long time, finally regaining his senses.

He looked around, smiling sheepishly,

"I suppose in this Hero Conference, there isn’t anyone more heroic than me."