Official Xia left the Spirit Boat alone.
Gu Changhuai, Mo Hua, and Ye Hong were all waiting outside the Spirit Boat.
Gu Changhuai saw Official Xia, suppressed his anger, thinking coldly of asking something, but seeing her pale, lost appearance, felt a small twinge of pain, understanding somewhat, and he refrained from asking.
"Sister Xia..." Mo Hua sympathetically said.
Official Xia gave a bitter smile, shook her head.
The group realized not only Hua Ruyu, even Xiao Tianquan, wouldn’t die.
Afterwards, the Xia family’s Spirit Boat carried Xiao Tianquan, leaving the dock.
Xiao Tianquan might not even enter the Taoist Court, much less the Taoist Prison.
Mo Hua and the others could only quietly return to the Qian Learning State Boundary. Passing through Mistwater City, Ye Hong mustered his spirits, bitterly smiled at them:
"Though things did not go as wished, Ye still appreciates everyone’s kindness and virtues. Since we’ve reached Mistwater City, let Ye act a host’s duty to entertain you all."
Mo Hua and the others intended to decline, but seeing Ye Hong pale-faced, in poor spirits, nodded in agreement.
Ye Hong then arranged some wine and food at a tavern, hosted Mo Hua and three others.
But this banquet was dull, everyone was heavy-hearted.
Ye Hong wanted to express gratitude, but after a few cups of wine, tasting nothing, feeling unspeakable bitterness, tears welled up as he murmured:
"Committed such a crime, yet cannot die..."
"Is it that once holding high positions, having power and influence, their lives are different from ours? Our lowly lives end without notice, but theirs are different, even breaching Taoist Law, there’s still protection. Committing a capital crime, yet can roam freely..."
"Will I spend a lifetime... never avenging?"
Gu Changhuai felt ashamed for a moment, unable to respond.
Official Xia also looked pale.
Moments later, the ever-silent Mo Hua said, "It’s alright..."
Ye Hong was taken aback, Official Xia couldn’t help but look at Mo Hua.
Mo Hua said, "Those who deserve death will die."
Gu Changhuai frowned, "You..."
Mo Hua shook his head, "I’m a Foundation Building Cultivator, of low realm, certainly can’t do much, but..."
Mo Hua pointed to the sky, seriously said:
"Man acts, Heaven watches, the Howling Celestial Dog does many injustices, maybe one day Heaven will punish, and it will suddenly die."
This statement was somewhat naive, somewhat presumptuous.
Gu Changhuai, Official Xia, and Ye Hong just listened at that moment, not taking it to heart.