278: Chapter 213: Qin Qing Joins the Society, the Angel of Judgment Learns the Law

Inside the newly completed headquarters of the Hundred Schools Society, within the [Hall of Reason], the atmosphere was solemn.

There was no grand welcoming ceremony, nor were there many onlookers gathered. Only the four highest core members of the society—Lin Zhou, Zhao Hao, Wang Meng, and Li Mo—were present, along with today's protagonist, Qin Qing.

Today, Qin Qing had shed the majestic black-and-gold magisterial robes she usually wore as the Head of the Enforcement Department of the Student Union. Instead, she wore a deep blue, simply styled yet well-tailored society uniform robe. Only at the cuffs and lapels were ancient seal script patterns representing 'Law' and balance scales embroidered in silver thread, highlighting her unique identity and path. She stood in the center of the Hall of Reason, her posture as upright as ever. Within her cool temperament, there was a bit less of the almost rigid aloofness of the past and a bit more of the peacefulness of integrating into a collective.

On the long table before her lay a formal membership document written with special divine Materials, emitting faint fluctuations of rules, along with a purple-gold badge representing her status as an official member of the Hundred Schools Society. The main body of the badge was an unfurled bamboo slip, surrounded by subtle runes representing the Hundred Schools, with a phantom of a rushing river at its center.

As the president, Lin Zhou stood at the head position with a solemn expression. Zhao Hao, Wang Meng, and Li Mo stood on either side, witnessing this moment.

“Student Qin Qing,” Lin Zhou spoke, his voice clear, “do you voluntarily apply to join the Hundred Schools Society, recognize and agree to abide by the society's charter, identify with the mission of ‘Inclusivity, Seeking Truth, and Inheriting Civilization,’ and are you willing to use your own strength to explore the path of godhood alongside your fellow society members, practicing and developing the Hundred Schools of Thought?”

Qin Qing's gaze was clear and without hesitation. Her voice was crisp and firm: “Yes, I join voluntarily. I recognize and will abide by the charter and identify with the society's mission. I am willing to use the principles of the Legalists to seek the true Essence of Order and strive together with everyone.”

“Are you aware that the society encourages members to conduct in-depth research into thoughts that align with themselves and supports transforming those thoughts into tangible power? This process may involve adjustments to Divine Realm rules, fine-tuning of follower beliefs, and even reflection and evolution of one's own path, which carries certain risks and uncertainties.”

“I am aware. My Dao has always pursued absolute Order and justice. In the past, I viewed ‘Order’ as an iron Law set by the gods, beyond question. However, since discussing the Dao and fighting alongside the President, I have learned that Order also has its origins and legal principles must have a basis. The Legalist spirit of ‘No Exemption from Punishment and Law knows no favoritism’ resonates with the core belief of my Judgment Angels. Furthermore, its concepts of ‘Law as a Public Instrument’ and ‘Holding Names Responsible for Reality’ provide a more solid and rational Foundation for my path. This is not a risk, but an opportunity for my Dao to sublimate.”

Qin Qing's answer was not just an acknowledgment of the risks, but a clear articulation of the transformation of her own path. She was no longer merely an adjudicator executing a 'divine Order,' but had begun to think about the sources of the legitimacy and rationality of Order itself.

Lin Zhou nodded slightly, admiration showing in his eyes. He picked up the purple-gold badge, lifting it with Divine Power, and slowly sent it before Qin Qing.

“In that case, in the name of the President of the Hundred Schools Society, I approve your application for membership.”

Qin Qing reached out with both hands and solemnly accepted the badge. The moment her fingertips touched it, the phantom of the river of civilization flowing on the badge brightened slightly, producing a strange resonance with her own divinity. She pinned the badge to her chest, where the purple-gold stood out strikingly against her deep blue robes.

“From this moment on, Qin Qing, you are an official member of the Hundred Schools Society, ranked among the core,” Lin Zhou announced. “In view of your past abilities, experience, and your potential for deep understanding and practice of Legalist thought, you are hereby appointed as the first Hall Master of the society's ‘Administration Hall.’ You will be in charge of formulating and executing the society's internal regulations, the operation of the contribution System, coordinating external legal affairs, and assisting in the research and promotion of Legalist thought. Are you willing?”

The Administration Hall was in charge of 'Law' and 'Governance,' responsible for the construction of internal Order and rules within the society, as well as dealings with the outside world regarding Law and Order. This position was practically tailor-made for Qin Qing.

Qin Qing took a deep breath and bowed again. “I will not fail the trust of the President and the society.”

“Good!” Zhao Hao was the first to clap and cheer, grinning as he said, “Head Qin... oh no, Hall Master Qin! From now on, our society's internal discipline depends on you! If anyone doesn't follow the rules, feel free to judge them with your legal principles!”

Wang Meng also added in a muffled voice, “Welcome!”

Li Mo pushed up his glasses. “Hall Master Qin, regarding the construction of quantitative models for ‘Holding Names Responsible for Reality’ and ‘Logical Judgment’ in Legalist thought, I have some ideas we can discuss later.”

Lin Zhou smiled as he watched this scene. Qin Qing's formal joining and assumption of a key post was of great significance to the society. She brought not only powerful personal strength (the Judgment Angel Divine Realm) and rich management experience (as the former Head of the Enforcement Department of the Student Union) but, more importantly, she represented the fact that the important school of ‘Legalism’ now had a true, high-level practitioner and promoter within the society. This was irreplaceable for perfecting the society's ideological System and enhancing the overall rigor of its rules.

The ceremony was simple yet solemn and soon concluded. Qin Qing did not linger. After receiving the Administration Hall Master's medallion and related permissions, she took her leave of Lin Zhou and the others.

“President, everyone, I need to return to my Divine Realm immediately to begin attempting the preliminary Fusion of Legalist classic essentials with my Angel Legion,” Qin Qing said, her eyes flashing with eagerness. “The discussion of the Dao during the finals gave me many insights, and I have some ideas that urgently need verification.”

Lin Zhou nodded. “Go ahead. If you have any questions or need assistance, contact me anytime. In the society's resource library, full access to copies of basic and advanced Legalist classics has been opened to you.”

“Thank you, President.” Qin Qing bowed once more, and then her figure turned into a streak of dark gold light, leaving the Hall of Reason.

...

Qin Qing's Divine Realm—the [Court of Judgment].

This was a divine kingdom dominated by pure white and gold, filled with a holy and solemn atmosphere. In the center was a pure white holy mountain reaching into the clouds, atop which stood the magnificent [Supreme Tribunal], Qin Qing's core miracle building. In the sky, dozens of floating islands of various sizes hovered, housing barracks, training grounds, prayer rooms, and more. Angels either patrolled the skies, prayed in the halls, or practiced Holy Light combat techniques in the training grounds, all in perfect Order and meticulous detail.

Qin Qing's figure appeared in the private meditation room on the top floor of the [Supreme Tribunal]. With a thought, virtual scrolls condensed from Divine Power and emitting an ancient aura appeared before her. These were the core Legalist classics she had obtained from the society's resource library, organized and partially annotated by Lin Zhou: the *Book of Lord Shang*, *Han Feizi*, parts of *Guanzi*, and the essentials of the *Canon of Laws*.

She did not immediately summon her followers. Instead, she first calmed her mind, using Divine Thought to rapidly read, understand, and absorb these thoughts that were both familiar and foreign to her.

“The Law is that which the government mandates and the people's hearts find certain in punishment...”

“Punishment for faults does not bypass high officials; rewards for goodness do not overlook commoners...”

“The Law does not favor the noble; the plumb line does not bend for the crooked...”

“Use the Law as the teaching, and the officials as the teachers...”

Sentence after sentence of cold yet powerful words impacted her existing perceptions. The ‘Order’ she originally believed in came from the will of the Supreme God (though she was now her own god) and was absolute and unquestionable. However, the ‘Law’ in Legalist thought, while also emphasizing authority and Execution, pointed its roots toward the ‘government’ (the governing body), the ‘people's hearts’ (to some extent, the collective will), and the objective need to maintain the interests of the ‘state’ (which in a Divine Realm could be understood as the civilizational community).

This was a shift in thinking from ‘God-based’ to ‘Law-based’ and then to an implicit ‘People-based’ (protecting the people with Law). Although Legalism ultimately served the monarch (the god), its emphasis on the objectivity, fairness, and equality of the ‘Law’ itself (at least in theory), and its pursuit of ‘Holding Names Responsible for Reality’ (clear rules, corresponding rights and responsibilities), all made Qin Qing feel a more rational and solid beauty of Order.

“So, Order does not only have to come from divine decrees... Clear, fair, and universally known and recognized rules themselves can generate powerful orderly force... And the role of the god (me) is to ensure the establishment, Execution, and maintenance of this set of rules, making it the cornerstone of civilizational operation, rather than a tool for arbitrarily imposing personal will...” Qin Qing murmured to herself, the light in her eyes growing brighter and brighter.

She felt as if she had touched something more fundamental.

After a long time, she closed the virtual scrolls, her Divine Thought spreading throughout the entire Divine Realm.

"All Judgment Angels, those at the Rank of Legion Commander and above, proceed immediately to the first assembly hall of the Supreme Tribunal. Remaining angels, suspend all non-essential activities and prepare to receive the new 'Essence of Order' information stream through the faith link."

As the command was issued, a slight commotion rippled through the Divine Domain, but it quickly returned to calm. Twelve Throne Angel Commanders (Hero units, LV5-LV55) with four wings and powerful auras, along with nearly a hundred Cherubim Captains (Elite units, around LV45), rapidly gathered in the assembly hall. The thousands of other ordinary two-winged angels stood solemnly at their posts or places of prayer, connecting with Qin Qing through the faith network.

Qin Qing's figure appeared on the high platform of the assembly hall. Without wasting words, she directly took the core tenets of Legalism she had just comprehended, combined them with her own understanding of 'Judgment' and 'Order', and transformed them into streams of Divine Thought containing rule-based information, injecting them into the consciousness of all the angels below.

"From this day forward, the 'Order' we protect and practice shall be adjusted and deepened."

"The source of Order lies not only in the decrees of my god, but more importantly, in 'Jurisprudence'."

"What is Jurisprudence? it consists of the necessary rules to maintain the survival and prosperity of the Divine Domain (civilization)—clear, just, selfless, and mandatory."

"Our duty is not the mechanical Execution of divine will, but to use 'Jurisprudence' as the benchmark to judge right from wrong, punish evil and promote good, and safeguard the Foundation of justice in this realm."

"This is 'Adjudication of Legal Principle,' which stands above the Divine Judgment of old."

Boom—!

It was like a massive boulder being dropped into a calm lake! The faith cores and thought processes of Qin Qing's Judgment Angels were struck with unprecedented impact!

Many angels showed expressions of blankness, confusion, or even pain. Their pure faith structures found it difficult to immediately comprehend this new concept that both separated and unified 'Divine Will' and 'Jurisprudence.' Some angels even began to emit a faint, chaotic light representing a conflict of faith.

Qin Qing had anticipated this. She activated her Divine Power, and the Supreme Tribunal emitted a soft Holy Light, soothing the mental turbulence of her subordinates. Simultaneously, she began to personally lead the reading and explanation of key passages from the Legalist classics, using actual cases within the Divine Domain (such as resource distribution disputes and training accident liability) to illustrate how 'Jurisprudence' is applied in practice.

It was a slow and arduous process. The angels needed time to understand, digest, and accept this new 'Perspective on Order.' From time to time, an angel would temporarily lose their power due to an intense conflict of faith and would be supported by companions to go rest.

Qin Qing was not impatient. With great patience, she explained, demonstrated, and guided them over and over again. She knew she was reshaping the faith core of her followers and laying a more solid Foundation for her own path; it could not be rushed.

Meanwhile, she felt her own Divine Domain beginning to undergo subtle changes.

Beside the Supreme Tribunal, the rules of the Divine Domain began to spontaneously converge and condense. The ground bulged under the radiance of the Holy Light, and countless pale gold and black runes representing 'Edicts,' 'Covenants,' 'Justice,' and 'Balance' emerged from the Void Realm, intertwining and constructing themselves as if they were alive.

Three days later (Divine Domain time), the phantom of a brand-new building, with a style completely different from the Supreme Tribunal, took shape!

It did not tower into the clouds but instead appeared heavy, square, and steady. The building was founded on pitch-black Divine Stone, its surface inscribed with countless fine, gold-flowing Legalist Edict characters. Above the main gate, there was no cross or angel statue, but rather the phantom of a Xiezhi (a legendary Divine Beast capable of distinguishing right from wrong) suspended over a code of Laws, emitting an aura of discernment and unyielding justice.

Temple of Jurisprudence (Embryonic Form)

Type: Divine Domain Miracle Building (New, associated with the Supreme Tribunal)

Rank: Nascent (Requires continuous refinement)

Current Effects:

Source of Jurisprudence: Slowly generates and stores the power of 'Jurisprudence' rules, which can be applied to the skills of Judgment Angels, making their judgments more aligned with 'Procedural Justice' and 'Substantive Justice.' It increases the accuracy of identifying 'illegal,' 'breach of contract,' and 'unjust' behaviors, enhancing their power.

Edict Inscription: Automatically records important events within the Divine Domain and the basis for their rulings, forming 'Precedents' to provide references for similar future events, improving the efficiency and consistency of rulings.

Order Radiation: Slightly increases the discipline and rule-recognition of all units within the Divine Domain, reducing the incidence of internal conflicts and criminal behavior.

Skill Catalysis: Accelerates the comprehension and mastery of skills related to 'Adjudication of Legal Principle' for Judgment Angels.

The appearance of the Temple of Jurisprudence's embryonic form marked the preliminary recognition of Qin Qing's transformation by the rules of the Divine Domain! This building complemented her original Supreme Tribunal; the former provided the basis and rational support of 'Law,' while the latter provided the power and sacred authority of 'Judgment.'

As the embryonic form of the temple stabilized, the Judgment Angels under Qin Qing's command, who were gradually beginning to understand 'Jurisprudence,' also began to undergo visible changes.

First were the twelve Throne Angel Commanders. The edges of their pure white wings, which originally had pure golden light borders, now saw fine, inscription-like black patterns gradually emerge within those borders! Those patterns were not filth, but the manifestation of rules containing concepts like 'Law,' 'Statute,' 'Punishment,' and 'Name'! Their auras, on top of their original sacred majesty, added a sense of cold, precise, and indisputable legal authority!

The attribute panels of their core skill, [Judgment], also quietly changed:

[Judgment] (Old) → [Adjudication of Legal Principle] (New)

Skill Type: Single Target/Small Area Lock-on Attack + Mental Deterrence + Rule Suppression

Power: +35% (Base Holy Damage increased, dealing an additional 2% True Damage to units 'violating Jurisprudence')

New Effects:

[Holding Names Responsible for Reality]: When initiating a judgment, the target can be briefly 'defined.' If their behavior seriously violates publicized or recognized 'Jurisprudence,' the judgment damage is increased by an additional 5%, and a 'Rule Imprisonment' effect is attached (unable to use skills or abilities related to the violating behavior for a short time).

[Jurisprudential Resonance]: When multiple angels simultaneously launch [Adjudication of Legal Principle] at the same target, resonance can occur, increasing damage stacking efficiency and providing a low chance to trigger 'Jurisprudential Blast' (an area rule shockwave that deals mental damage and attribute debuffs to all units in 'Chaos,' 'Disorder,' and 'Breach of Contract' factions, regardless of friend or foe).

Cost: Divine Power/Faith, slightly increased.

Cooldown Time: Unchanged.

Not only the Hero units, but even the ordinary Angel Warriors and Priests had similar black Jurisprudential inscriptions appearing more or less on their wings, though they were fainter. Their skills like [Holy Slash] and [Divine Purification] also faintly took on a clearer sense of 'Executing the Law,' becoming more targeted against 'Evil' and 'Chaos.'

Feeling the earth-shaking yet orderly changes within her Divine Domain, the unprecedented clarity and firmness of her understanding of 'Order,' and the sense of fulfillment as the new power flowed through her Bloodline, a faint but genuine smile finally appeared on Qin Qing's habitually cold face.

She reached out her hand, and a pure white feather drifted down from the tip of her wing, resting in her palm. At the edge of the feather, the newly born ring of black Jurisprudential inscriptions shimmered with a mysterious and majestic luster under the Holy Light.

"Now that Jurisprudence is established, Judgment has its basis," she whispered to herself, closing her palm tight.

In the next moment, her figure vanished from the Divine Domain and reappeared in the Hundred Schools Society headquarters, inside the office of the Head of the Administration Hall.

She opened the society's internal communication System and sent a brief but powerful message to Lin Zhou:

"President, Jurisprudence is established, and Judgment has been innovated. I will immediately organize the affairs of the Administration Hall. Furthermore, if there are external matters requiring negotiation based on 'Law' and 'Reason,' you may leave them to me."

After sending the message, Qin Qing sat in her seat as the Head of the Hall. Her gaze swept over the drafts of society regulations and contribution settlement reports piled on the desk. There was no longer any trace of her past confusion or mechanical nature in her eyes, only clarity and determination.

The Judgment Angel studies the Legalist classics, as inscriptions of Jurisprudence are born upon falling feathers.

From this day on, the Hundred Schools Society has gained another pillar of support.