Jingwu Bureau, outside the Governor’s Office.

Chen Sheng stood solemnly, the Cold-Intimidating Treasure Saber at his waist. His posture was as straight as a pine tree, his aura heavy and composed, as he quietly awaited Nie Xuanfeng’s summons.

Jingwu Guards bustled past, their steps hurried, yet no one dared to make a sound. A solemn atmosphere filled the air. The occasional glances directed at Chen Sheng were filled with a measure of awe.

Ever since the battle at the Iron Sword Sect, Chen Sheng’s reputation had soared to new heights.

"Deputy Captain Chen, the Lord Governor bids you enter."

After announcing his arrival, the guard at the door bowed respectfully.

Chen Sheng gave a slight nod, straightened his official robes, and strode into the Government Office.

The hall within was somewhat dim. Chen Sheng looked up to see Governor Nie Xuanfeng seated in the main chair, engrossed in a scroll, seemingly oblivious to his arrival.

Or perhaps, he was deliberately ignoring him.

Chen Sheng’s expression remained calm; he was not flustered. According to the Celestial Book’s [Seeking Fortune and Avoiding Evil], although Nie Xuanfeng was slightly displeased with recent events, he was far from being truly angry.

Composed, he stepped forward, cupped his hands, and bowed.

"Your subordinate, Chen Sheng, pays his respects to the Governor."

Nie Xuanfeng slowly lowered the scroll. His gaze, sharp as a falcon’s, swept over Chen Sheng as he spoke in a flat, emotionless tone:

"Ah? So the number one person below the Earth Fiend realm in Ning’an Prefecture has arrived."

"You flatter me, my lord. I am unworthy of such praise."

Chen Sheng replied with his eyes lowered, his posture deferential.

"Unworthy?"

Nie Xuanfeng snorted, tapping his fingers on the desk. "In the battle at the Iron Sword Sect, Deputy Captain Chen subdued an entire sect by himself, shaking the Ning’an Martial World. You are more than deserving of the title ’number one’."

Chen Sheng understood perfectly. ’This superior of mine seems to be praising me, but his words are laced with barbs.’

If he were to accept the compliment at face value, the other man would likely be displeased. He could only force a bitter smile.

"What little reputation I have is entirely due to your lordship’s cultivation and support. It is nothing worth mentioning in your presence. I beg the Governor not to mock me."

"Sit."

Nie Xuanfeng stared at him for a moment before gesturing to a seat below.

"Thank you, my lord." Chen Sheng sat as instructed, his back straight and his expression solemn.

"Your recent seclusion—what were the results?" Nie Xuanfeng changed the subject.

"Thanks to your lordship’s concern, I was fortunate enough to succeed in Condensing Evil."

Chen Sheng’s voice was steady, yet it carried an unmistakable confidence.

Nie Xuanfeng’s eyebrow twitched almost imperceptibly, and he was inwardly astonished.

Although he had anticipated it, hearing with his own ears that Chen Sheng had broken through to the Earth Fiend realm so quickly still left him shaken.

An Earth Fiend Martial Master in his twenties was a top-tier talent, even in Ning’an Prefecture, a place teeming with hidden masters.

However, Nie Xuanfeng’s face betrayed nothing. He only said lightly:

"Mm, acceptable."

"Governor,"

Seeing that Nie Xuanfeng was delaying the main topic, Chen Sheng took the initiative. "I have come today not only to report my success in Condensing Evil, but also to explain to you, my lord, the reasons for my prior dealings with Vice Envoy Sun."

"Vice Envoy Sun?"

Nie Xuanfeng lifted his teacup and took a small sip, feigning ignorance. "Between you and Vice Envoy Sun, is there anything that requires a special explanation to me?"

"My lord, please understand."

Chen Sheng’s expression was frank. "There are indeed no ulterior secrets between Vice Envoy Sun and myself. It’s just that previously..."

He did not hide or obscure anything, proceeding to briefly recount his several interactions with Sun Yuzhi. However, he deliberately omitted details like the Profound Spirit Treasure Pearl and the Jade Puppet, stressing only that his actions were for official business and necessary exchanges of benefits.

After hearing him out, Nie Xuanfeng’s expression softened, and his tone relaxed slightly.

"Say no more. How could I possibly doubt you? However, regarding what happened at the Iron Sword Sect that day, you need not feel perpetually grateful. Before I left the prefecture, I had already made arrangements. Even if Sun Yuzhi had not appeared, had the Iron Sword Sect truly dared to throw away all decorum and use their power to bully you, an expert would have been there to back you up. It simply wasn’t time for them to show themselves."

This was no empty boast. The Jingwu Bureau had more than just him and Sun Yuzhi at the Profound Mastery realm. In fact, another one was hidden in the shadows, entrusted by him to watch over Chen Sheng. It was just that nothing critical happened that day, so they never had a reason to appear.

He needed to make this clear, lest Chen Sheng truly feel indebted to Sun Siniang for her protection.

"There was such a thing?"

Although Chen Sheng already knew this, his eyes still showed the perfect amount of timely surprise. He then cupped his hands solemnly and said, "Your subordinate thanks you, my lord, for your protection!"

Nie Xuanfeng nodded slightly and continued:

"As for Sun Yuzhi... the woman is indeed beautiful, but she has a fiery temperament and is not someone easy to deal with. You should be aware of my family’s background. As long as you remain loyal in your duties and diligent in your Cultivation, better opportunities will await you in the future."

His words were laced with deeper meaning, his expectations for Chen Sheng self-evident.

In truth, when Nie Xuanfeng had returned to his family this time, he had mentioned Chen Sheng. However, with Chen Sheng’s meager Chaoyuan realm Cultivation at the time, it was not enough to attract the family’s attention. Even in a marriage alliance, the best he could be matched with was a daughter from a collateral branch.

This was naturally not what Nie Xuanfeng wanted.

Therefore, he had planned to recommend Chen Sheng again once his Cultivation had advanced further and his reputation had grown. To his surprise, he returned to hear that Sun Yuzhi had been secretly reaching out, which naturally displeased him.

"I am endlessly grateful for your lordship’s guidance and favor. I will surely keep it in mind. In my future dealings with Vice Envoy Sun, I will be sure to maintain a proper distance and prioritize official business."

Chen Sheng’s words were sincere, his stance clear.

"There’s no need to be deliberately distant either."

Nie Xuanfeng pondered for a moment, then waved his hand. "Sun Yuzhi is, after all, the Vice Governor of the Jingwu Bureau. Serving in the same office, normal contact for official business is perfectly acceptable. You just need to know the limits and not overstep them.

"Besides, this woman has long been known in Ning’an Prefecture as ’Mother Yaecha Widow Sun.’ She is no easy flower to pick. You should conduct yourself accordingly."

His main purpose in summoning Chen Sheng this time was to give him a reminder, to prevent the young and impetuous man from being unknowingly bewildered and used by Sun Yuzhi.