"Hmph..." The Immortal Emperor Gouchen snorted coldly. His gaze did not turn toward the Great White Golden Star, but swept over Xiao Hua instead as he said icily, "Though Xin Xin's sins have indeed been somewhat lessened, a mere few hundred years are not enough for her to repent. We shall discuss this matter another day!"
"Oh?" The Great White Golden Star froze, somewhat puzzled as he looked at the Immortal Emperor Gouchen. Then he hurriedly said respectfully, "Yes, this old minister understands. This old minister's considerations were not as thorough as Your Majesty's. This old minister was at fault."
"Old Gouchen!!" Xiao Hua truly gnashed his teeth. The Great White Golden Star was adept at divining the imperial will; he must have seen something, or perhaps received a hint from the Empress, which was why he had borrowed the grand occasion of Seeking Scriptures in the Pure Land to ask the Immortal Emperor Gouchen to pardon Xin Xin. Yet the Immortal Emperor Gouchen was clearly determined to make things difficult for him, and thus refused. Xiao Hua somewhat regretted coming here uninvited. However, just as he cursed inwardly and was about to speak, his gaze swept over the ground again. At this moment, Chunzang and his group stood upon the broad road of Changsheng Town, where yellow earth had been spread and clean water sprinkled over the streets, looking somewhat blankly at them.
Seeing Chunzang, seeing the weathered traces upon his face, even the fine lines at the corners of his eyes and the faint, blade-carved creases between his brows, Xiao Hua's heart ached. In an instant, he thought of the child still nestled in his mother's arms before Huanghua Ridge. His desire to contend with the Immortal Emperor Gouchen had long since vanished. Today's protagonist was Jiang Liuer.