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"This time, a total of seventy-eight people signed up for the Lyuzhou Hell Ruler position.

Among them, forty-eight are fresh graduates of Academy Sorcerers who have undergone training at the Political Affairs Bureau, all of whom have excellent results.

Thirty are current Hell Rulers applying for promotion, and all are individuals with impeccable political records and great reputations. "

"Next, let me announce the list, starting with the Hell Ruler list: Zhang Ren, Hell Ruler of Qingshui County; Zhao Tong, Hell Ruler of Lushuang County; Chen Lin, Hell Ruler of Xionglu County..."

As the list emerged, most of the supporters present clapped enthusiastically, clearly showing that they came from various districts to support their candidates.

The Chen Family watched below, full of confidence.

Among the thirty Hell Rulers who signed up, twenty-five have had dealings with them.

Most of the fresh graduates this year were just filling positions for form’s sake; after all, no matter how outstanding students are, they cannot compete with urban Hell Rulers with ready-to-check political achievements.

"Zhao Tong has served in Lushuang County for four years, with a county population of three million.

The resentment index of wandering souls once soared to 9.

8, but dropped substantially after his tenure.

His management as Hell Ruler has been excellent, ranking eleventh in merit power accumulation among forty counties, with steady and outstanding performance. "

"Qin Li, Hell Ruler of Zhong County, has been in office for five years, with a county population of four million.

The resentment index of wandering souls is 4.

5. Her tendency to favor women in Hell Ruler judgements led to numerous complaints from wandering souls.

Her merit power accumulation ranks fourth, she has strong performance in investigations of past grievances, and is highly capable of maintaining various aspects of the Hell Ruler role.

However, her frequent bias without regard to right or wrong has increased resentment.

The disputes over marriage in Zhong County are on the rise, and such poor atmosphere is partly due to you. "

"I disagree!" the black-robed woman named Qin Li frowned and said, "Women inherently suffer disadvantage in this world. If no support is provided, they can’t compete at all, and women too dependent on men face significant harm if abandoned. It’s only fair to offer more compensation."

"Is that so?" Wei Gongcheng said coldly, "Including fraudulently obtaining dowries without returning them? Including canceling the engagement after half a year and taking the man’s hard-earned family assets of decades?"

"Survival for women is difficult, and marriage should inherently come with more protection. Without any, how will they compensate for their losses? Especially after bearing children, employed women lose promotion opportunities. Shouldn’t they receive more compensation?"

"Case by case, not mere favoritism," Wei Gongcheng, facing the woman fond of sophistry, lost all goodwill, "If the woman is in politics or an Academy Sorcerer, then giving priority to childbearing is indeed justifiable, as it delays studies or promotion opportunities, and compensation is a must. But most women are merely ordinary.

In Jiangnan, there are various childbirth subsidies, if employed there are mandatory maternity leaves with full pay provided by the government, ensuring no loss for women and minimal loss for employers.

Yet you have handled 1,067 similar cases. .."

"I..."

"Here’s a warning for you. I am set to be promoted to Inspector soon, and will inspect all deity posts.

If you make no changes and allow resentment to entangle you excessively, you’ll not only lose your position, but after death, when you enter Hell Ruler’s sin-washing pond, don’t cry grievances due to excessive resentment. .."

Sin-washing pond?

The woman’s complexion turned pale instantly.

No one understands the horror of the sin-washing pond more than a Hell Ruler.

Those entangled in resentment, especially high-quality souls, accumulate great resentment.

Typically, merit power can purify such resentment, but if these wandering souls under your jurisdiction feel injustice, cleansing becomes difficult.

The more entangled you are, the heavier you’ll feel.

"Hell does not target you arbitrarily. If unjustified resentment dares to entangle the Lord of the Hell Ruler, it would be automatically cleansed. But you’re different.

Your unjust judgments allow high-quality spiritual bodies to resentfully cling to you, even losing their essence to curse you.

There’s resonance throughout the whole realm of souls, not just managed by the Lord of the Hell Ruler. It seems you haven’t understood this."

"I... it’s not..." The woman was at a loss for words.

She didn’t know. Was it because her jurisdiction’s Hell Ruler citizens could no longer tolerate her, resulting in her recent feeling of heaviness?

"Alright, next one..." As each Hell Ruler was named, many flaws were pointed out by Wei Gongcheng directly, turning faces pale. Gradually they understood that while the Lord of the Hell Ruler holds great authority, it’s also subject to checks from the citizens.

Extreme injustice and capriciousness will not go unchecked.

Perhaps a single person cannot affect you, but when there’s a crowd displeased with you, there’s no need for superiors’ intervention. Entangled in guilt, one must enter the grievance-washing pond like those resentful spirits.

Once inside that thing, it greatly damages one’s essence, and all the merit power accumulated in this life goes to waste.

As names were called out one by one, the Wei Family’s faces gradually turned sour, realizing that somehow, those who visited them this time all had issues pointed out. Yet the Lord of the Hell Ruler oversees a county and millions of people, how could resentment not exist?

How could every judgement be unjust?

"Chen Lin..." Wei Gongcheng paused slightly at this name, curiosity flashing in his eyes, "You are peculiar. Two years might not be long, but it’s not short either. Yet, you’ve incurred no resentment at all?"

"Uh..." The plump-cheeked girl was stunned for a moment, then scratched her head, "What’s good about having that? It’s nothing worthwhile!"

The crowd was instantly amused, while the citizens of Xionglu County all covered their faces.

At times they were helpless, as their Hell Ruler Lord appeared too small, even looking cute when they were building the Hell Ruler Temple.

They invited several craftsmen to try, but when faced with her perpetually puzzled face, they were unable to carve that face with dignity on the statue.

This little one, representing their county in competition, left these people feeling somewhat lacking in confidence.

Wei Gongcheng also chuckled before laughing, "We all know it’s not worthwhile, but how did you avoid it completely?"

"As long as law enforcement is proper," Chen Lin pouted, "Deal with what’s wrong, judge what’s unjust. Is it difficult?"

"How can you be sure you won’t judge incorrectly?"

"The probability is low, right? Most who try to argue have low IQs, and a few questions expose loopholes. Our Hell Ruler presence can disorient them mentally. How many can escape detection? As long as I’m unbiased, generally there’s no issue, right?

This is much simpler than doing experiments in the academy. .."

"Simple, eh?" Wei Gongcheng squinted while smiling.

"Of course it’s simple. If family hadn’t asked, I wouldn’t bother. However, being a Hell Ruler isn’t bad. There’s plenty to research within."

The Chen Family all covered their faces, thinking bringing this girl may indeed have been a misstep.

"I’ve heard the Chen Family didn’t send gifts to the Wei Family?" Wei Gongcheng suddenly said.

At these words, the entire place fell silent.

This matter had been creating quite a stir, and Wei Gongcheng’s lack of direct clarification had turned it into street gossip.

No one expected this official to bring it up so straightforwardly today?

What’s the intention here?

If it openly implies only those who send gifts can be selected, isn’t it too brazen? Can such matters be discussed blatantly?

While everyone was surprised, only Chen Baifeng had a smile on his face.

As expected... everything as I anticipated.

If before I had a thirty percent certainty, now... it’s about seventy percent!