The crowd stared at the enormous Gao Yiye on the Divine Mirror—
Then turned their heads to look at the Gao Yiye standing right beside them.
For a moment, their brains refused to work.
"Huh?"
"Oh?"
"Wait… Saintess?"
Someone finally found their voice.
"Saintess, we thought you were either inside the mirror… or perhaps standing before another Celestial—ah—Divine Mirror!"
Gao Yiye covered her mouth and laughed.
"I recorded it in advance at Dao Xuan Tianzun's request," she explained cheerfully. "I came today specifically to see what it looked like when it was played."
The crowd erupted.
"Hahaha—!"
"So that's how it works!"
"No wonder it feels so real!"
Wu Shen, however, was completely lost.
"…Hold on," he said slowly. "What?"
Shi Kefa, on the other hand, remained calm—at least on the surface. He had already endured the ordeal of being recorded once before. Compared to that humiliation, this scene posed absolutely no pressure.
None at all.
On the Divine Mirror, Gao Yiye's expression suddenly turned solemn.
"Last night," she said clearly, "a thief broke into a private residence in Puzhou City. The amount stolen was substantial. After investigation, the culprit was sentenced to three years of labor reform in Huanglong Mountain Prison."
She paused.
"Next, we will show everyone the entire process of this criminal act."
Her image faded.
The Divine Mirror shifted.
Darkness filled the screen.
It was the quiet night streets of Puzhou—silent, empty, and still. Yet despite the pitch-black surroundings, the image was astonishingly clear, as if the mirror itself possessed divine night vision.
A shadow crept into view.
Clad entirely in black, the figure moved like smoke, hugging walls and slipping through alleys. They reached the outer wall of Puzhou Textile Factory No. 1, glanced around cautiously, then began climbing with both hands and feet.
In a blink, they vanished inside.
The perspective shifted again.
Now the scene was inside the factory walls—another angle, another unseen eye, tracking the intruder's every step.
The thief moved through the compound with practiced familiarity, bypassing workshops and storage rooms until reaching the finance office.
A pry bar flashed.
The lock popped open.
Inside—
A heavy sack of silver.
The thief hoisted it onto their shoulder, barely suppressing their excitement, and retraced their path. Just as they climbed the wall to escape—
A beam of golden light suddenly pierced the night sky.
It descended straight from the clouds, enveloping the thief completely.
The thief froze.
They looked up.
Above them was only rolling cloud—and that overwhelming, sacred radiance.
This was no mortal lantern.
This was divine light.
The thief collapsed to their knees with a thud.
"Dao Xuan Tianzun!" they wailed.
"Dao Xuan Tianzun, I was wrong! I was wrong! Please spare me!"
From the heavens—
A colossal golden hand descended.
The crowd collectively sucked in their breath.
But the hand did not strike.
Instead, it gently pinched the thief between two fingers—like plucking up an insect—and lifted them into the clouds.
The image cut abruptly.
The Divine Mirror lit again.
This time, Gao Yiye was shown sitting at a loom, calmly weaving. She hadn't yet set her work aside when the image resumed.
She blinked in surprise and looked toward the camera.
"Oh?"
"Dao Xuan Tianzun, is it my turn to speak again?"
She quickly put down her weaving.
"Ah—alright, alright, I'm coming."
The image shook slightly, blurred, then stabilized.
Once again, Gao Yiye stood dignified and composed, smiling gently.
"Dao Xuan Tianzun did not execute the thief," she said. "While theft is not a capital crime, the amount involved was significant. Therefore, the sentence is three years of labor reform, to cleanse their wrongdoing through honest work."
The plaza exploded with applause.
"So satisfying!"
"Serves him right!"
"Stealing in Dao Xuan Tianzun's territory—does he have a death wish?"
"Only three years? Too light!"
"He should've gotten ten!"
"I say execution!"
Voices overlapped, arguments sparked, emotions surged.
On the screen, Gao Yiye glanced aside.
"Has the test broadcast concluded?"
Before anyone could react—
Another voice echoed from the Divine Mirror.
"Alright, that's enough testing for today."
It was Li Daoxuan.
"Yiye, you can go back to weaving. Don't mind me."
Gao Yiye laughed.
"Dao Xuan Tianzun, you're not planning to broadcast my weaving too, are you?"
Li Daoxuan replied lazily,
"That's hard to say."
"Hey!" Gao Yiye protested.
"How can you do that?"
Li Daoxuan chuckled.
"Let everyone see how adorable our Saintess is. We're not aloof immortals hiding in the clouds—we share joy with the common folk."
The screen wobbled again.
The image returned to Gao Yiye weaving.
Her voice followed, amused and resigned.
"Alright, alright. I'm not afraid of it being shown. The old villagers already know what I'm like anyway."
The Divine Mirror went dark.
Silence.
Then—
The entire crowd exploded into chatter.
Wu Shen stood frozen.
"…This Divine Mirror," he whispered, "is nothing short of miraculous."
Shi Kefa nodded gravely.
"Now you understand," he said. "If you do something foolish and it gets recorded…"
He paused meaningfully.
"…you're finished."
Wu Shen immediately felt his heart tighten.
He hurriedly searched his memories—every word, every action, every step taken recently.
After a long moment, he suddenly laughed loudly.
"Hahaha!"
"I conduct myself uprightly! My conscience is clear! I have never done anything shameful in my life!"
He slapped his chest.
"A clear conscience fears no midnight knock! Even the Divine Mirror cannot find fault with me!"
Shi Kefa felt a stab of envy.
Minister Wu truly has it good, he thought.
Unlike me…
His mind involuntarily replayed the scene of himself sprinting like a lunatic across Dragon Gate Bridge.
He sighed inwardly.
Wu Shen suddenly changed tone.
"Still," he said seriously, "this Divine Mirror is far superior to our official notices and proclamations. If used properly, it could convey laws and decrees to the common people with astonishing efficiency."
Shi Kefa nodded.
"A pity such a divine artifact belongs only to immortals. We mortals shouldn't even dream of it."
At that moment—
Gao Yiye walked up to them.
"Greetings, honored sirs."
Wu Shen and Shi Kefa hurriedly clasped their hands.
"Greetings, Saintess."
Gao Yiye smiled.
"You've just witnessed the Divine Mirror's ability to disseminate information," she said. "Surely, you've formed some insights?"
Wu Shen nodded.
"Indeed. Its effectiveness is unparalleled."
Gao Yiye inclined her head.
"Good. Then Dao Xuan Tianzun wishes to invite Minister Shi Kefa to assist with a matter."
Shi Kefa froze.
"…Me?"
"You are currently Judicial Commissioner of Xi'an, correct?" Gao Yiye asked.
Shi Kefa straightened immediately.
"By imperial decree, this humble servant oversees criminal cases and legal affairs in Xi'an."
Gao Yiye continued,
"When handling cases, do you often encounter people who violate the law without even realizing their actions are unlawful?"
Shi Kefa sighed deeply.
"Far too many."
"Then," Gao Yiye said warmly, "why not personally record a program titled 'Shi Kefa Explains the Law'?"
She smiled.
"Explain to the people which actions are forbidden, and why. Wouldn't that be a great act of benevolence?"
Shi Kefa's eyes lit up.
"This… this is possible?"
"Of course," Gao Yiye replied. "You've already seen the results."
Shi Kefa was instantly energized.
"This benefits the people and the nation alike! I am more than willing! When do we begin? Immediately? Right now?"
Wu Shen cut in sharply.
"Hey! You're supposed to escort prisoners with me to Huanglong Mountain!"
Shi Kefa waved him off.
"It's not far! Minister Wu can handle it easily!"
He grew solemn.
"But educating the people on the law—this is a matter of national importance!"
Wu Shen opened his mouth.
Then closed it.
He was utterly speechless.