Is “The novel borrows folk legends to deify Cui Jue as an underworld judge.” true?
based on fact
In Chapter 010 of 'Journey to the West', Cui Jue is depicted as a judge in the underworld who privately adds twenty years to Emperor Taizong of Tang's lifespan. Although Cui Jue is a historical figure (an official in the early Tang Dynasty), the claim that he managed the register of life and death is purely a folk legend and fictional embellishment. Original text: 「崔判官吃了一惊，急取浓墨大笔，将“一”字上添了两画，却将簿子呈上。」（Journey to the West, Chapter 011.txt）
Cui Jue
Cui Pan official has no record as an underworld judge in official history.
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