Now that he understood, Li Shimin had made his decision.
The fighting monks could not be chosen. The other monks of the Tang Dynasty had already retreated far away; they did not have the courage to journey to Western Heaven.
Now, only Xuanzang remained.
"Xuanzang, have you truly decided to go to Western Heaven?" Li Shimin asked as he looked at Xuanzang.
Xuanzang nodded. "Brother Li, I've already decided. Although the road to Western Heaven is filled with dangers, I'm not afraid. Even if I die on the way there, I will have no regrets. I don't want to spend my entire life here in Chang'an, staying within Gold Mountain Temple. I want to see the world outside. For the Buddhadharma, for the faith in my heart, I have to go."
Xuanzang's gaze was exceptionally resolute, leaving no room for doubt.
Li Shimin looked at Xuanzang, then nodded as well. "Good. Since you have made your decision, I will not try to keep you. I will give you this kasaya and monk's staff."
After Li Shimin spoke, he waved his hand, and his attendants brought over the kasaya and monk's staff, intending to hand them to Xuanzang.
The people around them who had wanted to stop this all revealed shocked expressions at the sight.
They had come here specifically to prevent this. The handover ceremony absolutely could not be completed.
Many of them mobilized their power, intending to rush forward and stop it.
Yet the moment they tried to leap into the air, people nearby charged forward and blocked them.
These people were naturally experts dispatched by the Emperor from the Heavenly Court, as well as experts Uchiha Shin had sought out through his other friends.
Uchiha Shin had made thorough preparations this time. It would not be so easy