On this day, several monks in apricot-yellow robes stood solemnly outside the Jingwu Bureau.

Their leader was none other than Monk Xuanbei, the First Seat of the Prajna Hall at Golden Spring Temple.

He was somewhat gaunt, with a lean face. Around his neck hung a string of Black Wood Buddhist Beads, and he held a Nine-Ringed Staff. His gait was steady, and while he exuded no overwhelming aura, he possessed the profound, unshakeable bearing of a Grandmaster.

Though his gaze was lowered, his eyes would occasionally open, revealing a keen, indwelling light that spoke of a compassion and detachment born from seeing through the ways of the world.

Upon learning of Xuanbei’s personal arrival, Sun Yuzhi, despite knowing he did not come in peace, maintained the proper courtesies and had him shown into the main hall.

"Amitabha Buddha. Greetings, Donor Sun."

Xuanbei held a single palm vertically before his chest and bowed slightly. His voice was calm, yet it echoed clearly throughout the hall.

"You have come a long way, Master Xuanbei. There is no need for such formalities. Please, sit."

Sun Yuzhi remained seated to the side, her official robes accentuating her stern features. She gestured to the guest seat, her tone perfectly poised—neither deferential nor arrogant.

Xuanbei offered his thanks and took his seat. His gaze lingered on Sun Yuzhi’s face for a moment before he let out a slow sigh, his voice tinged with a hint of world-weariness:

"It seems, Donor Sun, that you have still not let go of the past."

Hearing this, a barely perceptible, cold smile touched Sun Yuzhi’s lips. She replied coolly:

"You are mistaken, Master. I have always acted in accordance with the laws of the court and the regulations of the Jingwu Bureau. This business with the Shuimuyue Nunnery was handled strictly by the book. Out of respect for our old agreement, I even dispatched Deputy Captain Chen Sheng of G Camp to handle it.

My original intention was merely to apprehend her. Unfortunately, that Jing’an was stubbornly unrepentant and even colluded with villains from the Blood River Sect of the Demon Dao. The evidence was irrefutable. By law, she deserved execution, and my hand was forced."

The history between them was complicated.

To put it simply, Sun Yuzhi had once owed Golden Spring Temple a favor.

When she later sought revenge on Jing’an, Xuanbei had intervened. He used that favor as leverage to forge an agreement, saving Jing’an’s life by placing her in the Shuimuyue Nunnery—ostensibly for spiritual cultivation, but in reality, for protection.

A wry smile appeared on Xuanbei’s face as he shook his head.

"I had thought that after so many years, Donor Sun, you would have overcome your Heart Demon and transcended the past. Alas..."

"Overcome my Heart Demon?"

Sun Yuzhi scoffed, her gaze as sharp as a blade as she stared directly at Xuanbei. "Do you truly take me for some ignorant, foolish woman, Master?"

She had figured out the stratagem long ago.

Jing’an was her enemy, the source of her lingering obsession.

On the surface, Golden Spring Temple had acted out of compassion by saving Jing’an. But she suspected their actions were not without a deeper motive—a way to keep her in check, perhaps even using this "Heart Demon" to deliberately hinder her progress in Cultivation.

The methods of the Buddhist Sect were sometimes more unfathomable than any sword or blade.

"Enough." Sun Yuzhi waved a delicate hand, interrupting the conversation as her tone turned cold.

"Let us not dwell on the past. Why have you come today, Master? You may as well speak plainly. As it happens, I was planning to visit your esteemed temple myself soon, to ask just why a Demon from the Blood River Sect was found in the Shuimuyue Nunnery—a place under Golden Spring Temple’s protection.

Don’t you think Golden Spring Temple owes the Jingwu Bureau an explanation for that?"

She knew perfectly well their true purpose was to reclaim the Red Lotus Evil Qi, but now that it was in the hands of the Jingwu Bureau, there was no reason to return it so easily. Better to seize the initiative and put *them* on the defensive.

Xuanbei’s expression turned solemn, and he replied in a deep voice:

"Amitabha Buddha. I assure you, Donor Sun, Golden Spring Temple was entirely unaware that a fiend from the Blood River Sect was being hidden at the Shuimuyue Nunnery. That was Jing’an’s doing alone; it had nothing to do with the temple.

As for my purpose in coming here..."

He paused, his gaze growing grave. "It is on account of Donor Chen Sheng of your bureau."

"Oh? Deputy Captain Chen?"

Sun Yuzhi raised an eyebrow, feigning confusion.

"About a year ago, a Traitor Monk from our temple, Shanxin, stole our treasured ’Red Lotus Evil Qi’ and a copy of the Six Extremes Golden Bell Technique, then fled toward Changshan Prefecture."

Xuanbei explained slowly, his voice calm.

"A little over a month ago, during the battle outside the Iron Sword Sect, Donor Chen used our Buddhist Sect’s Six Extremes Golden Bell Technique. Given that his place of origin is Changshan, and after a thorough investigation, our temple is certain that the Traitor Monk Shanxin met his end at Donor Chen’s hands."

Then, Xuanbei raised his eyes to look at Sun Yuzhi.

"The gates of the Buddhist Sect are wide, and we act with compassion. Though Donor Chen learned the Six Extremes Golden Bell Technique from a Traitor Monk, our temple is willing to let the matter go. However, the ’Red Lotus Evil Qi’ is a hallowed Treasure of our temple. Its loss cannot be permitted.

We hope Donor Sun will impress the gravity of this situation upon Donor Chen and ask him to return it. Golden Spring Temple would be deeply grateful."

Xuanbei, and indeed all of Golden Spring Temple, believed that Chen Sheng was a trusted subordinate of Nie Xuanfeng. Since Sun Yuzhi and Nie Xuanfeng were known to be at odds, they assumed she would be happy to oblige—perhaps even using the opportunity to strike a blow against the Nie Faction.

However, Sun Yuzhi’s reaction was not what he had expected.

Her expression remained unchanged, but her tone grew even more solemn.

"I’m afraid there has been some misunderstanding, Master. I have already questioned Deputy Captain Chen on this matter. According to him, the Six Extremes Golden Bell Technique he cultivates was taught to him by an old, wandering monk who did not give his name, saying only that they shared a fateful connection. It most certainly did not come from any Shanxin.

As for the Red Lotus Evil Qi, he has never even heard of it. I would suggest Golden Spring Temple investigate more carefully, lest you wrong an innocent man and damage the good relations between us."

"Donor Sun,"

Xuanbei’s brow furrowed slightly. "Our temple has investigated this from every angle. The evidence is conclusive and points clearly. There is no possibility of error."

"Oh?"

Sun Yuzhi’s voice grew cold, and a faint pressure began to emanate from her. "Then are you implying, Master, that the Jingwu Bureau’s investigation was flawed? Or that a Deputy Captain under my command is lying to his superior?"

The atmosphere in the hall instantly froze.

Just then, a burly Martial Monk standing at Xuanbei’s side could no longer restrain himself. He took a step forward, his voice booming like a great bell: