Hearing True Lord Huode speak with such certainty, Kong Hongwu looked at him with interest and asked mildly, "How do you know?"
True Lord Huode rejoiced inwardly and hurriedly recounted Xiao Hua's actions in detail. Finally, he added, "I heard that General Shangguan was killed, and Xiao Hua happened to be nearby. That man is most skilled at concealing his cultivation; it must have been his doing."
"Linghu, what do you think?" Seeming to recall something, Kong Hongwu actually turned to Linghu Piran with a smile.
Linghu Piran glanced at True Lord Huode, then bowed to Kong Hongwu. "I am more interested in Xiao Hua, but... it seems meaningless now. I will personally execute him and use his head as an offering to General Shangguan."
"I am also willing to redeem my crimes through meritorious service, assist General Linghu in executing Xiao Hua, and avenge General Shangguan!" True Lord Huode immediately seized the opportunity and bowed.
"Redeem your crimes through meritorious service?" Kong Hongwu looked coldly at True Lord Huode, his thoughts unreadable.
At that moment, Linghu Piran suddenly interjected from the side, "Hall Master, although Star General Huode was temporarily blinded by greed and bewitched by a rare treasure, he has done many things for our Star Lord Palace over the years. Even if he has no merit, he has at least toiled. Moreover, through a twist of fate, his entry into the Yaotai Gathering brought our Star Lord Palace such important news. In my opinion, why not let him go execute Xiao Hua and count it as redeeming his crimes through meritorious service?"
"Good!" Kong Hongwu nodded slightly. "Jin Yude, if you can execute Xiao Hua, this old man will revoke his previous order. You will remain a Star General of our Star Lord Palace. And if you