Chapter 426 – Paying Respects to the Pope (2/2)
Luoluo could tell that his mood had changed. Somewhat sympathetic, she reached out, grabbed his sleeve, and softly said, ”Teacher, don't worry. I will think of a way to send people to check.”
From Xunyang City to the capital was quite the long journey requiring plenty of time. Besides organizing his memories and preparing for what he needed to do in the capital, Chen Changsheng had obviously not forgotten to have the people of the Orthodoxy help him check for any traces of that girl Chujian. Yet neither the priests of the Li Palace nor the people in Hanqiu City could confirm whether this girl really was amongst the Ethereal Opening cultivators that had entered the Garden of Zhou. So it was naturally impossible to confirm whether she was alive or not.
Chen Changsheng was somewhat soothed by Luoluo's words. The Elf race was extremely close with the White Emperor City and the Great Western Continent. Luoluo's mother was the Chief Princess of the Great Western Continent and her father was the White Emperor of the demi-humans. For her to have people investigate should be more convenient.
Luoluo once again spoke, ”Zhuang Huanyu died.”
She had long forgotten that back when she was at the Heavenly Dao Academy seeking lessons, she had once seen this genius schoolmate of hers at Principal Mao's residence. She brought this matter up now because she was concerned that Zhuang Huanyu's death would bring her teacher trouble.
Chen Changsheng didn't speak for a few moments, then said, ”Yeah, I know.”
Luoluo spoke again, ”Teacher, I went to the Imperial Palace twice, wanting to get Zhexiu released, but I didn't succeed.”
Chen Changsheng rubbed her head and chuckled, ”Your fault lah?” (TN: This ‘lah’ is here for the same reason it is in Chapter 388, to evoke Luoluo’s name as the ending interjection of a sentence.)
Being rubbed by his palm and looking so strong and lovely, Luoluo looked extremely cute.
The sunlight fell upon the spring lake and then reflected onto the branches of the great banyan tree, turning into ever-changing dimples of light. One of them fell on Chen Changsheng's face. Luoluo stared at that spot of light on his face and began to chuckle. She was very happy, because her teacher did not blame her, nor did he thank her, but instead especially taught her how to talk in order to tease her and make her happy.
Afterwards, Chen Changsheng took one hour and three large basins of hot water to wash himself sparkling clean from head to toe. Then he and Luoluo headed together to the Li Palace.
The Pope was waiting for him in the Li Palace—
Not in the Great Hall of Light, but rather that quiet side hall.
The light in the hall was very faint. Only the tender green of the Green Leaf in the pot directly leapt into his eyes. After that, he saw that Divine Staff casually leaning against the wall, saw that clear pond and that ornate and grandiose crystal throne, as well as that Yin Yang Crown upon it that was impossible to describe with words. Finally, he saw that elder dressed in hempen robes. He was different from what his zealous worshippers imagined. The supreme Pope seemed just like an ordinary old man, not even as eye-catching as the Divine Staff and the Divine Crown.
Watching the Pope's back as he watered the Green Leaf, Chen Changsheng's emotions were somewhat disorderly. Everyone knew that he was the Pope's chosen successor, and some powerful figures even knew he was the Pope's martial nephew. In other words, he had always been the Pope's only successor in this world. But the problem lay in the fact that he had only met the Pope twice. He wasn't acquainted at all with the Pope, much less close.
The Pope took out a handkerchief and wiped his hands, then turned and smiled. ”I remember that Su Li is a lover of fine foods. Being with him, did you eat anything good?”
The Pope plainly had an amiable expression and his voice was so gentle. He was just like an elder questioning a junior that had returned from afar, and because he didn't want the junior to be too nervous, began with a very trivial question…but Chen Changsheng felt like a massive mountain spanning heaven and earth was directly crashing down on him.
From the snowy plains of the land of demons to Xunyang City, many people wanted to kill Su Li. Behind those people stood a lofty figure akin to a god.
It was precisely the Pope.
But Su Li had lived, and to a very large extent, it was because of Chen Changsheng. Thus, it was impossible for him to not think that the Pope's words concealed some sort of accusation and it was impossible for him to not be nervous.