When I pursued Nun Jing’an into Shuimuyue Nunnery, she attacked brazenly. Caught off guard, I was severely wounded. Although Vice Envoy Sun was hidden nearby and intervened in time, I still suffered heavy injuries.

Furthermore, that Profound Gang Realm expert not only possessed a top-tier Body Technique that suited me perfectly, but also a mysterious jade tablet. Obtaining them would be of immense benefit to me.

I should have planned more carefully, lured him out, and then had Vice Envoy Sun strike. That would have been the safer path. Every time I think of this, I am filled with endless regret.

After a glance at the entry in the [Seeking Fortune and Avoiding Evil] Celestial Book, Chen Sheng raised a hand, stopping Zhao Changqiu and the others from their attempt to charge into Shuimuyue Nunnery. He said simply:

"Use the Flaming Oil. Burn the nunnery!"

Zhao Changqiu and Lu Cheng, who was not far off, exchanged a glance, both seeing a trace of confusion in the other’s eyes.

’Wouldn’t it be more straightforward to just charge in and capture the ringleader?’ But they were well aware of Chen Sheng’s methods and decisiveness, so they dared not disobey. They immediately cupped their fists and complied:

"As you command!"

The order was quickly relayed. The well-trained Jingwu Guards took out special black porcelain bottles from their waists and backs, all branded with the unique mark of the Jingwu Bureau.

"Throw!"

At the command, over a hundred black porcelain bottles were forcefully hurled toward Shuimuyue Nunnery’s halls, corridors, and courtyards.

SMASH! SMASH! SMASH! SMASH!

The porcelain bottles shattered, and viscous, pitch-black Flaming Oil with a pungent odor splashed everywhere—on the walls, doors, windows, Buddha statues, and draperies. Nothing was spared.

"Fire!"

Another order was given. This time, however, the arrowheads were bound with cloth strips soaked in Flaming Oil and already lit.

The next moment, countless flaming arrows left the bowstrings, streaking across the sky in deadly arcs and landing inside the nunnery, which was drenched in Flaming Oil!

BOOM—!!!

As if a single spark had fallen into a sea of oil, a deafening explosion erupted.

Raging flames soared into the sky, and thick black smoke billowed toward the heavens.

A wave of intense heat surged outward, forcing the closer Jingwu Guards to take a few steps back. In an instant, the solemn Shuimuyue Nunnery had transformed into a fiery hellscape.

This specially-made Flaming Oil from the Jingwu Bureau was terrifyingly potent. Not only could it not be extinguished by water, but it could even ignite a Martial Artist’s Protective True Qi. Anyone below the Innate Realm was almost certain to die if caught in the inferno, and even an Innate Martial Master would find it difficult to last long.

Sure enough, just as the fire reached its peak, a sharp, strange laugh suddenly erupted from the heart of the inferno. It pierced through the roaring crackle of the flames and reached everyone’s ears clearly:

"Heh heh heh... I never expected you court lapdogs to be so cautious and ruthless. A pity that in the face of absolute power, all your little tricks are nothing but a futile struggle."

Before the voice had even faded, everyone saw the towering flames in the direction of Shuimuyue Nunnery’s main hall being forcefully parted by an invisible power. A blood-red rainbow, wrapped in an overwhelming baleful aura, shot into the sky.

The blood-red rainbow dissipated, revealing a middle-aged man in a strange Blood Robe with a sinister face.

His entire body was shrouded in a thick, blood-colored Gang Qi. The raging flames were extinguished and receded automatically when they came within three feet of him. He stood in the void as if on solid ground, his cold eyes sweeping over the scene with the indifference of one looking down on ants.

Beside him, Nun Jing’an was struggling to channel her energy to resist the high temperature. Her face was pale, but she also showed a hint of relief, as if she had found her backer.

"The Blood River Sect!"

The expressions of Zhao Changqiu and Lu Cheng changed drastically at the same time as they recognized the emblem on his robe.

They had certainly heard of this major Demon Dao sect, which had been wreaking havoc in Ning’an Prefecture in recent years with its cruel methods and secretive movements. Its power and foundation far surpassed ordinary top-tier sects, and it was a headache even for the Ning’an Six Sects.

"It seems you have some discernment, to recognize my origins."

The man in the Blood Robe gave a strange, cackling laugh, his voice hoarse and grating. "It’s just a shame your luck is so poor. You delivered yourselves right to my doorstep and interrupted my quiet cultivation. Since that’s the case, you can all stay and help me cultivate my Demon Skill."

"Just now, I wished to save you from your inner demons, but you remained obstinate and insisted on this slaughter."

Nun Jing’an had now regained her composure, a completely different person from the one who had just been fleeing in panic. She looked at Chen Sheng, a cold, mocking sneer playing on her lips.

"Well? Do you regret it now? Are you content to be sent here by Sun Yuzhi to die?"

Although she would have to flee and live as a fugitive in the Jianghu after today, if she could get rid of one of Sun Yuzhi’s trusted confidants in the process, it would somewhat alleviate the resentment that had festered in her heart for years.

"Captain, this man’s aura is profound. He’s suspected to be a Profound Gang Realm expert. We can’t fight him head-on. Should we retreat, or..." Zhao Changqiu suppressed the terror in his heart, leaned closer to Chen Sheng, and asked for instructions in a rushed voice.

But Chen Sheng seemed not to have heard Zhao Changqiu’s words. His calm gaze met Nun Jing’an’s mocking eyes as he said coldly:

"Regret? When I, Chen Sheng, do things, I only ever look forward. I don’t even know the meaning of regret. The only pity is that today, I’m afraid I won’t be able to personally present your head to Governor Sun. It seems I have broken my word."

Hearing this, Lu Cheng and Zhao Changqiu couldn’t help but look at each other in utter confusion.

’What’s wrong with the Captain?’

’A powerful enemy is right in front of us, and instead of thinking of a plan, he’s talking about this?’

’Don’t tell me Governor Sun is going to descend from the heavens?’

"What I despise most are court lapdogs like you, who pretend to be calm even when death is at your door."

The man in the Blood Robe was clearly enraged by Chen Sheng’s attitude. He snorted coldly, and his killing intent surged in an instant.

The next moment, his figure flickered and instantly transformed into a distorted, blood-red afterimage. His speed was beyond imagination as he bore down on Chen Sheng like a monstrous tidal wave.