However—

The very instant the man in the blood robe moved, the situation changed in a flash.

From the distant horizon, a crimson streak of light tore through the sky. It ripped through the air, creating a piercing sonic boom. A pressure, far more terrifying and vast, arrived before the light itself, locking onto the man in the blood robe like a set of invisible Shackles.

This sudden attack made the expressions of everyone present—except for Chen Sheng—change drastically, including the man in the blood robe.

"What?!"

The pupils of the man in the blood robe constricted violently. Alarm bells screamed in his mind as a fatal sense of crisis instantly enveloped him.

He no longer cared about attacking Chen Sheng. With a ferocious roar, he pushed his body’s crimson Gang Qi to its absolute limit, forming layer upon layer of bloody light shields in front of him in an attempt to block the surprise attack.

But all of this was futile before the crimson streak of light.

SHHHHK—!

The moment the condensed, heavy shields of crimson Gang Qi came into contact with the crimson streak of light, they were pierced and annihilated as easily as if they were made of paper.

BOOM!!!

A deafening explosion rocked the area.

The crimson streak of light struck the chest of the man in the blood robe with perfect precision. His Protective Gang Qi shattered completely, and an irresistible, immense power surged into his body.

The man in the blood robe couldn’t even let out a scream. As if struck by a meteorite, he plummeted from mid-air and slammed heavily onto the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust and smoke.

When the dust settled slightly, everyone saw the scene clearly and gasped in shock.

The Blood River Sect’s Profound Gang expert, who had been so imperious just moments ago, was now pinned to the ground by a long, crimson, antique-looking spear.

The shaft of the spear still trembled slightly, emitting a low hum and radiating a murderous aura that struck terror into the hearts of all who felt it.

The man in the blood robe’s eyes were wide open, his face frozen in a mask of ultimate terror and disbelief. Blood gushed from a horrifying hole in his chest. He was clearly dead.

’Profound... Profound Mastery...’

That was the last, desperate thought to flash through his fading consciousness.

The smug-yet-composed expression on Nun Jing’an’s face had vanished without a trace, replaced by boundless terror and panic.

Her eyes were fixed on the crimson spear. She had clearly recognized its owner, for she immediately turned to flee without the slightest hesitation.

However, the moment she moved, Chen Sheng, who had long been prepared, made his move.

His body moved like a golden bolt of lightning tearing across the sky. Though he started second, he arrived first, instantly crossing dozens of yards to intercept Nun Jing’an’s escape route perfectly.

The long saber at his waist was already unsheathed, and a cold, dark gleam of light from its blade sliced through the air.

SCHLICK!

The blade flashed, and blood sprayed.

Nun Jing’an let out a bloodcurdling scream as both her arms were severed at the shoulders. Like a kite with its strings cut, she tumbled from the sky and crashed into the dust, where she curled up in agony.

In the sky above, Sun Yuzhi appeared, walking on air. Dressed in her official robes, she stood with her hands clasped behind her back, her expression unreadable.

"Greetings, Sun Zhenfu!"

"Greetings, Sun Zhenfu!"

Zhao Changqiu and Lu Cheng were the first to react, hurriedly bowing in salute. The other Jingwu Guards also snapped out of their shock, dropping to one knee in unison and calling out their greetings.

Lu Cheng and Zhao Changqiu finally understood. No wonder Captain Chen had been demonstrating his loyalty—he must have known Sun Zhenfu was here all along.

They had been too shortsighted.

"Lord Governor, your subordinate has successfully completed the mission!"

Chen Sheng sheathed his saber, took a step forward, and clasped his hands in a salute, his tone calm.

"Yuzhi... It was my fault back then... I wronged you, and it... it led to Jiang Sheng’s death. But I never meant for it to happen! I’ve lived in regret for all these years. I’m begging you... for the sake of our past, spare my life."

Nun Jing’an raised her head, trying in vain to appeal to their past relationship to move Sun Yuzhi and secure a sliver of hope for survival.

But Sun Yuzhi’s gaze didn’t even linger on her. She simply spoke, her voice calm and detached:

"I have long since let go of the past. However, you are a member of the Buddhist Sect. Instead of focusing on your cultivation, you colluded with a Demon from the Blood River Sect to wreak havoc. The evidence is irrefutable. According to the law, you must be executed."

As her words fell, she formed a sword-finger and pointed gently downward.

A beam of rainbow light instantly pierced through her head.

Nun Jing’an’s body stiffened violently. The light in her eyes faded completely, her face frozen with resentment and despair. She collapsed to the ground, all signs of life gone.

"The Governor’s might is divine," Chen Sheng said at the perfect moment, his tone respectful.

Sun Yuzhi turned her gaze to Chen Sheng. Her eyes were profound, as if they could see right through a person’s heart. She spoke, feigning nonchalance:

"A deal is a deal. Why dress it up in such high-sounding words, claiming to ’resolve karmic ties’ for me? What, you don’t want the Blood Spirit Jade Marrow anymore? If that’s the case, I don’t mind just saying thank you instead."

Chen Sheng merely smiled at her words and didn’t reply.

Some things were best left unsaid.

"Also."

Sun Yuzhi huffed lightly, having clearly seen through Chen Sheng’s earlier "display of loyalty."

"Next time, try to be more convincing. Don’t be so obvious."

Seeing that Chen Sheng wasn’t responding, Sun Yuzhi huffed again, recalled the crimson spear to her hand, and turned away. "I’ll leave the rest to you. Come find me for your reward when you get back to the Jingwu Bureau."

With that, Sun Yuzhi said no more and streaked away in a beam of rainbow light.

"Farewell, Governor!" Chen Sheng called out in the direction of her departure.

Sun Yuzhi’s decisive departure was exactly what he wanted.

It meant that all the spoils of battle on site—especially the items on the body of the man in the blood robe—were his to deal with as he saw fit.

He immediately turned, his gaze falling upon the corpse of the man in the blood robe pinned to the ground. A flash of fervent desire glinted in the depths of his eyes before vanishing.

’That top-tier Body Technique and that mysterious jade tablet are now mine.’

’This venture was a complete success.’

——————

Please vote with your monthly tickets...