Instead, it was a deep-seated fear.

Gao Yuanzhao was terrified that if Chen Sheng were given any more time to grow, it wouldn’t be him seeking revenge on Chen Sheng, but Chen Sheng coming to eradicate him, root and stem.

Thus, the moment he received the news, Gao Yuanzhao rushed to the Cyan Flood Dragon Alliance, doing everything in his power to persuade them to strike as soon as possible. He insisted they aim for a single, decisive blow, overwhelming their formidable enemy with absolute force.

Collaborating with the Cyan Flood Dragon Alliance had not been part of Gao Yuanzhao’s original plan.

He had intended to lie in wait outside the Jingwu Bureau and seize the opportunity to strike whenever Chen Sheng left on a mission.

However, not long after he left the Iron Sword Sect, members of the Cyan Flood Dragon Alliance proactively sought him out. The first thing they said, getting straight to the point, was: "Do you want revenge for the annihilation of your sect? The Cyan Flood Dragon Alliance can lend you a hand."

After understanding the full story, Gao Yuanzhao agreed without hesitation.

With the formidable support of the Cyan Flood Dragon Alliance, he was confident that even with the Jingwu Bureau’s protection, Chen Sheng was a dead man.

But he never would have imagined that before they could even find a suitable opportunity, news arrived that Chen Sheng had crushed the Iron Sword Sect.

How could this not make him anxious and panicked?

...

「Inside the Jingwu Bureau.」

After striking a deal with Sun Yuzhi, Chen Sheng wasted no time. He immediately ordered Zhao Changqiu, Lu Cheng, and others to gather their forces and march on Shuimuyue Nunnery to capture Nun Jing’an.

He didn’t want to waste a single moment.

His Cultivation had now reached the peak of the Chaoyuan Realm, he possessed the Red Lotus Evil Qi, and he knew of the Profound Yin Blood Fiend’s existence. As long as he obtained the Blood Spirit Jade Marrow, he could begin refining the "Nine Nether Yin Fiend."

Once this Fiend was successfully refined, he could attempt to break through to the Earth Fiend Realm.

With the opportunity for a breakthrough so close, how could Chen Sheng not be eager?

Though he was currently unrivaled in the spotlight, Chen Sheng understood from the very beginning that only strength was fundamental.

The Chaoyuan Realm was not enough to dominate Ning’an Prefecture, so he could not afford to be complacent.

Atop a secluded pavilion in the Jingwu Bureau.

Sun Yuzhi wore a well-tailored official’s robe that accentuated her upright and curvaceous figure.

At this moment, she stood with her hands clasped behind her back, her profound gaze fixed on the cloud of dust kicked up by Chen Sheng’s departing troops. After a moment of contemplation, Sun Yuzhi’s figure flickered and shot out like a crimson flash, silently tailing Chen Sheng’s group from a great distance.

Her purpose on this trip was to provide backup.

This was partly to guard against any unexpected variables at Shuimuyue Nunnery, and partly to protect Chen Sheng from the shadows.

She had already gotten a clear picture of Chen Sheng’s background and had even guessed the true cause of death for Shanxin, the traitor monk from Golden Spring Temple.

If there were no surprises, that coveted Red Lotus Evil Qi was on Chen Sheng.

And in today’s battle at the Iron Sword Sect, monks from Golden Spring Temple had been among the spectators; they must have personally witnessed Chen Sheng use the Six Extremes Golden Bell Technique. ’Knowing the way those bald bastards operate, once they confirm this, they’ll never let it go.’

’They even dared to confront the Jingwu Bureau, so what’s stopping them from targeting Chen Sheng directly?’

After thinking it over, Sun Yuzhi decided to make the trip herself.

If those bald bastards truly dared to cast aside all decorum and make a move, she wouldn’t hold back either.

Golden Spring Temple’s meddling was one of the reasons she had been forced to make that agreement back then. If not for that, with her current strength and status, she could annihilate not just one Jing’an, but the entire Shuimuyue Nunnery with a flip of her hand.

As for why she was so concerned for Chen Sheng’s safety, Sun Yuzhi had already justified it to herself.

First, there was Nie Xuanfeng.

Chen Sheng was, after all, someone Nie Xuanfeng valued. If something happened to him while carrying out her orders, knowing Nie Xuanfeng’s personality, he would never let it slide. She didn’t want to create unnecessary trouble.

Second, she genuinely admired Chen Sheng’s character.

Although the young man had not pledged allegiance to her, it was precisely this character—loyal, trustworthy, and grateful—that made her hold him in even higher regard.

In fact, if not for the restriction in their past agreement—that the grudge could only be settled by a combatant who practiced a Buddhist Cultivation Technique—she might have given him the Blood Spirit Jade Marrow the moment he refused to pledge his service.

The item held some sentimental value for her, but she had long since let it go.

...

"RUMBLE—!"

The dull, thunderous pounding of hooves shattered the tranquility of the mountain forest.

Chen Sheng led the charge, reining in his horse before the rustic mountain gate of Shuimuyue Nunnery.

Behind him, over a hundred Jingwu Guards fanned out, their Profound Armor grim and their blades and spears glinting in the sun. A frigid, murderous aura spread out, startling the birds from the woods.

Such a huge commotion had long since alerted those inside the nunnery.

Just as Chen Sheng pulled his reins, the slightly mottled wooden gate of Shuimuyue Nunnery opened with a CREAK, and a dozen or so nuns in gray robes filed out.

At a glance, most were young and pretty, but their faces were now filled with fear and unease as they nervously stared at the squad of soldiers reeking of killing intent.

"This is a place of Buddhist purity. May I ask why you officers have mobilized such a large force to come here?"

A young nun with the most striking features forced herself to remain calm and stepped out from the group, her voice cool and carrying a hint of a question.

Chen Sheng gave her an indifferent glance, ignoring her completely. His gaze went past her toward the depths of the nunnery as his voice, cold as ice, spread clearly throughout the surroundings:

"By order of Vice Envoy Sun of the Jingwu Bureau, I am here to fulfill our agreement! Nun Jing’an, are you not going to show yourself?!"

"Amitabha Buddha."

A moment later, an aged Buddhist chant came from within the nunnery.

Immediately after, a thin, gaunt-faced old nun stepped out of the gate, her steps slow but steady.

Her gaze swept over the Jingwu Bureau contingent, their killing intent palpable, and a hint of gravity flashed deep in her eyes. Placing one palm vertically before her chest, Jing’an spoke in a calm voice that carried an imperceptible weight:

"I am Jing’an. To what do I owe the honor of you officers visiting my humble nunnery?"

Chen Sheng’s gaze fell upon Nun Jing’an. He keenly sensed a not-insignificant aura circulating within her, roughly at the perfected Foundation Establishment Realm. A cold smirk immediately touched his lips as he got straight to the point:

"I’ve come to take your life."

Here, Chen Sheng paused, his tone carrying an unquestionable authority:

"Years ago, you made an agreement with Vice Envoy Sun. If you wanted to settle your grudge, disciples from both sides would compete using Buddhist Cultivation Techniques. Today, I am here for that challenge."

Nun Jing’an sensed the profound, mountain-like aura emanating from Chen Sheng, and the gravity in her heart deepened.

"Donor, what is your relationship to Donor Sun?"

Chen Sheng seemed to glance nonchalantly in a certain direction behind him before declaring loudly:

"I am the one who will settle her karmic debt."

Then, giving her no more chance to speak, Chen Sheng’s tone sharpened, laced with a pressing killing intent:

"My time is precious, and I have no interest in wasting words with you. Will you send your prized disciple out to die, or will all of you... come and die together?"

"There were hidden circumstances regarding the matter back then..."

Nun Jing’an tried to explain.

"Silence!"

Chen Sheng cut her off mercilessly, his voice chilling to the bone. "I don’t want to know about the grudges of the past, nor am I interested! Any more nonsense, and don’t blame me for giving the order—to slaughter this nunnery!"

Chen Sheng had already learned part of the story through the Celestial Book of Seeking Fortune and Avoiding Evil, so naturally, he wouldn’t be swayed by any tricks. This old nun in front of him might look compassionate,

but in reality, she was no saint.

She had only sought refuge with the ’eminent monks’ of Golden Spring Temple because she was a coward who feared death, and thus gained the protection of those bald bastards.

"Everyone here has renounced the world. The Buddha taught us to embrace compassion..."

Seeing this, Nun Jing’an’s expression turned ugly. She tried to persuade him with Buddhist principles.

The cold sneer on Chen Sheng’s lips grew even more sinister.

"In my eyes, there is no distinction between men and women, nor between monastic and laity. There are only enemies, and dead people!"

"Donor."

A look of mingled pity and gravity appeared on Nun Jing’an’s face. "Your heart is filled with a deep malevolence. A Heart Demon has already formed. If you do not eliminate it soon, you will inevitably fall into the Demon Dao and become a Demon who knows only slaughter."

Here, Jing’an paused. "But if you lay down your butcher’s knife, I can do my utmost to help you eliminate this demon. As for the matter with Donor Sun, I will give her an explanation."

"No need to wait for ’some other day’."

Chen Sheng sneered, the killing intent in his eyes flaring up.

"Right now, I am a Demon who knows only slaughter!"

As soon as the words left his mouth, Chen Sheng abruptly raised his hand. His voice, as if from the depths of the Nine Nether, echoed coldly through the forest:

"Strike!"

"Slaughter them all!"

————————

I finished writing this a while ago, but something felt off, so I deleted most of it and rewrote it. That’s why it’s posted so late. My apologies.