<p>This article explores the ideological dimensions of crime, criminal proceedings, moral and penal responsibility, and the relationship between accountability and punishment in a collection of supernatural tales from eighteenth-century China. It examines the ways of restoration of justice after a crime, retribution, and responsibility, highlighting Buddhist, Daoist, and Confucian influences and some theoretical issues in a cross-cultural perspective. Through an analysis of the literary texts and the inquiries raised by their author—a renowned Confucian poet and scholar—this study illustrates the broader discussions and collective imagination of both literati and common people regarding penal justice, values, conscience, and the role of human and divine magistrates. Despite its fictional nature, the collection serves as a valuable document reflecting contemporary legal and philosophical concerns.</p>