23

The Verdict

Assuming anything never goes well. The verdict after the King and his beloved were tried proved this valuable lesson.

The immortal lovers knew that silencing the dissent would only create greater harm to all the living beings dwelling in their kingdom. Speaking up at this point would mean nothing more than words. Such is the inherent problem with power. Those who wield enough power can manipulate it to subjugate those in their power. Justifying their actions would only spark outright rebellion, silent doubt or resentment hidden deep within. They indeed had the power to change everything including what appeared in Jiàn Shēng’s mirror. Even if they revealed the truth of what was left unseen, he would have easily accused them of having changed what was caught in the mirror.

Actions speak louder than words. It was better to let all the realms see for themselves what the truth was as it played out before their very eyes. The immortal lovers took it upon themselves to bear the cost of exposing the truth.

At the Great Assembly, Jiàn Shēng and his group of dissenters waited with eager anticipation. One of the elders spoke up, ‘A lot of what was heard is word against word. So, we have decided to test the validity of each one’s words. Jiàn Shēng, you have asked to rule over a realm so we will let the King determine which one to give to you that you may prove yourself.’

The King arose and spoke, ‘Jiàn Shēng, I grant you the twenty-fifth realm which is the mortal realm. You may rule it as the elder.’

Jiàn Shēng was not pleased, ‘That realm is the weakest of all! Why would you give me that useless realm?’ he protested.

‘You forget that if it is fit for my beloved to enter, and for me to regain, then it is most certainly fit for you,’ the King replied.

The King and his beloved knew that Jiàn Shēng would only cause greater harm if he stayed along with his group in the heavenly realms. He would not follow the conditions of the verdict. He will attempt to influence others yet again. Further, he would plunge the realms into chaos and violence. Since the immortal ones cannot die, everyone would stay in a state of constant war with the evil in their midst. The wholeness and peace of the realms would be lost. For this reason, they had to ensure he would leave the heavenly realms along with his dissenters. The realm he entered would be a stage for this contest that he had asked for between himself and the King of all the realms. The prize: the Bride and the entire kingdom.

‘There is another thing to heed. The mortals we created have hearts made of living stones. They are like the living stones on Huǒrè de bǎolěi. You must convince them to follow you in order to gain the authority to rule over their realm,’ the King stated.

‘You have given me a useless realm and useless beings to reign over!’ Jiàn Shēng complained.

‘The realms began with nothing. If you want to be a god, you must make something out of nothing. The mortal realm already has something far better than nothing at all for you to work with,’ another elder advised. Jiàn Shēng held his peace for the time being.

This was the first verdict. Jiàn Shēng and his followers were given the mortal realm to rule over. They were permitted to be released from their positions and responsibilities in the twenty-four realms. A season of transition was appointed before they could formally descend into the mortal realm.

Jiàn Shēng had also asked that the Bride follow him into the realm which he will rule. This was one of the most contentious requests of the ones he made.

The immortal beings in all the realms who refused to believe him were heard saying, ‘This is your own mother! You are shameless!’

He boldly replied, ‘Love is love. There are no rules to it nor reason, no titles nor taboos. Love is freedom and who are you to oppose it?’

Another elder delivered the verdict on this matter. ‘You tarnished the reputation of our beloved Queen. The King has decided to vindicate her and he will take this responsibility upon himself to prove his wife’s faithfulness. On the appointed day, she will leave the realms with you and those who have chosen you. She will be exiled to the mortal realm and has decided that she will not return until her husband has vindicated her before all the heavens and the earth.’

The elder continued, ‘In order that her name will not be further tarnished, she will be permitted to separate from her husband temporarily, as long as she remains in the earth realm. During this time, she may choose freely to love another. The King and his beloved desire to spell out details to make the ground level for you Jiàn Shēng.’

The Bride spoke first, ‘I would never choose you Jiàn Shēng as long as I remember my beloved. In order to be fair to you, I shall do whatever it takes to erase my memories of him so that nothing remains. This is what you asked for and I shall comply.’

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Jiàn Shēng was delighted to hear this. ‘That sounds perfect. I love your cooperation,’ he said with a smile.

‘Depending on what I do, you will have to find me, woo me and win my heart for yourself,’ she replied.

Then she turned to her beloved, ‘As for you, my beloved, the same applies. You must find me, woo me and win my heart for yourself,’ she said with a smile. The King looked on with a sadness he could barely contain. He never wanted this separation but he knew that she was right and her decision was full of wisdom. Jiàn Shēng felt a strange sense of joy seeing this sadness in the King.

One of the elders spoke up, ‘While these things are being settled, Jiàn Shēng, it will be your responsibility to deal with the chaos that will inevitably be unleashed in the mortal realm. We are aware that separation between the King and his beloved will lead to such chaos. Do you take responsibility for it?’

‘Of course, I do!’ Jiàn Shēng replied. ‘I will ensure that the mortal realm is orderly and under full control. If I cannot do that, how could I possibly rule the other realms?’

‘Well said,’ the elder replied. ‘Make sure you do not forget your own words.’

The King stepped forward to speak. ‘Jiàn Shēng, while you are appointed ruler of the mortal realm, I will war with you. You can expect my armies to invade your kingdom to take spoils from it. I will take both humans and living creatures that populate the mortal world that they may dwell in the heavenly realms. They only want to live and experience love. They did not choose to be drawn into suffering and yet I foresee that you will drag them into it. I will make a way for them to gain all that is in my kingdom.’

‘How is this fair to me? I cannot fight you!’ Jiàn Shēng protested.

‘It will not be by might nor power that I will war against you. As long as the Bride chooses me and her people choose me, no matter how few remain of them, the battle belongs to me,’ the King replied.

‘That is ridiculous! I will have the majority and still no victory?’ Jiàn Shēng said as his followers protested loudly against this.

‘It is very fair Jiàn Shēng. Look, only one-third of heaven backs you. Two-thirds are on our side. If you want a victory by numbers, then we have already won against you. Let me ask you again… do you want to determine who wins by numbers alone?’ the King questioned him as he pulled his beloved closer to himself.

Jiàn Shēng glanced nervously over his shoulder at the two-thirds who looked very displeased with him. He stammered, ‘No… let it be. It will not be by numbers then. As long as she and those with her pick you, I admit defeat.’

The Bride spoke, ‘I am not done yet. Jiàn Shēng, remember to love me is to know me fully. The King told you that you are not compatible with me and consummation of a marriage is not possible between us. Whatever you do to woo me, you will have to determine a way by which we can be one. It should be a way in which you can know me otherwise your love is nothing more than words and feelings. Consummation is necessary for creation and the filling of the realms.’

‘That should not be a problem. I will find a way. I am not someone who will ever give up once I have set my mind on something. The odds do not matter. Since I love you, I will do my best,’ he said.

Yet another elder rose from his throne, ‘There will be a limit to the time to settle these matters. The mortal realm is given six ages by which a victor must be determined. By the seventh age, it will be the dawn of a new era. If Jiàn Shēng wins the heart of the Bride and establishes an orderly kingdom in the mortal realm, then the King will forfeit his throne and go into eternal exile. If the King wins the heart of the Bride and unites the realms, Jiàn Shēng and his followers will go into eternal exile. The one the Bride chooses will be the victor. He who has the Bride, has the kingdom.’

A sixth elder rose to declare, ‘On the appointed day, Jiàn Shēng will lead his followers into the twenty-fifth realm. You and a delegation you choose are permitted to return to the heavens for every Great Assembly when we open the portal into the mortal world. You may report and commend those who are worthy under your rulership that they may be rewarded.’

Jiàn Shēng agreed to all these things.

‘As for the mortals and the living beings in their realm, the King has made arrangements for them. The mortals, like the Bride, have the free choice to determine who they will love and follow. Their hearts are made of living stones after all. When they have finished their purpose in their world, they must return to the place they are taken from,’ said a seventh elder.

The King addressed all those gathered, ‘I will reveal my plans for the mortals and the living beings in their realm in some days. You are all welcome to join me as I show you around the place I have prepared for them.’

The verdict was given and the court was silent. Slowly, the gathering began to disperse. Only the King, his beloved woman and Jiàn Shēng remained. Jiàn Shēng was about to turn and leave when the Bride called out to him.

‘Jiàn Shēng! You owe me. You dragged my name and reputation through dirt and have sullied them both,’ she told him.

He faltered, slightly ashamed, but not regretful of what he had done. ‘I will do everything to restore your fame and glory. I will make the whole earth bow to you and declare you as the Queen of Heaven. This I promise you!’ Jiàn Shēng said steadfastly.

She laughed aloud, ‘Do you think that is what I want?’ she asked him. Before he could respond, she waved her hand indicating that she wanted him to leave.

Then she turned and faced her beloved. ‘And you! You owe me too!’ she said firmly with ferocity in her eyes.

The King's eyes teared and he looked down as he softly said, ‘I owe you my life and I will gladly lay it down for you…’ Before he could finish his sentence, she placed a finger on his lips and silenced him with a kiss.

‘You owe me a wedding. Since we will be separated, when I return, it must be the grandest of weddings. There should be no equal to it. All heaven and earth must witness you taking me back as your beloved wife,’ she said. Then she added, ‘I would have spent so much time in the mortal realm, that they will become my people. Give me a wedding after the manner of the mortals and your debt will be paid!’ she said with a twinkle in her eyes.

‘I promise you that when I invade the mortal realm, I will hold a wedding and throw the greatest banquet to celebrate your return!' the King replied.

The King and his beloved embraced. They had faced their trial together and would face the carrying out of the verdict as always – together.