The Prince's Mansion.
“My Lord, someone is seeking an audience outside. He claims to be from Minister Chen.” Gao Jinghong arrived at the Prince’s study.
The Prince had lost a considerable amount of weight over the past three days.
After all, Chen Nan had given the Gao family seven days.
Now, more than half of that time had already passed.
Yet, they had no clue about the Emperor's Sword.
It was as if the Emperor's Sword had vanished into thin air.
This filled him with an inexplicable unease.
If they couldn't find the Emperor's Sword within the stipulated time.
The Gao clan would surely face utter destruction.
The Prince frowned, “Which Minister Chen?”
Gao Jinghong replied, “Naturally, the one from the Heavenly Observation Division.”
“Quickly, invite Mister Chen’s man in. No, no, that would be impolite. Where is Mister Chen’s man? I will meet him personally.” The Prince's face lit up with excitement.
Although he didn’t know why Chen Nan had sent someone to the mansion.
There was one thing he did know.
Chen Nan was a compassionate person.
He must have sent someone late at night to convey an important matter.
Upon meeting Qiushui, the Prince greeted him with utmost politeness, “This old man is Gao Xi. I wonder what instructions Minister Chen has for me?”
Qiushui bowed respectfully, acknowledging the greeting.
He then turned his gaze towards Gao Jinghong.
The Prince rejoiced.
He guessed that it must be something confidential.
Otherwise, the other party wouldn't have dismissed others.
He smiled and said, “This is my steward, and also my confidant.”
Qiushui nodded slightly and said, “My Lord has just discovered that what Your Highness desires is in the Imperial Preceptor's Mansion!”
The Prince was a little bewildered.
What I desire is in the Imperial Preceptor's Mansion?
What do I desire?
He then suddenly shivered.
Could the thing Chen Nan mentioned that he desired be the Emperor's Sword?
His skin crawled.
A surge of immense rage rose within him.
If the Emperor's Sword was indeed in the Imperial Preceptor's Mansion.
Then he would raze the Imperial Preceptor's Mansion to the ground, no matter what.
Not only to reclaim the Emperor's Sword.
But also to avenge his son.
Qiushui continued, “Your Highness, my Lord has arranged to meet the Imperial Preceptor at Dazhao Temple. The rest depends on Your Highness’s ability!”
With that, he cupped his hands and took his leave.
Watching Qiushui depart.
The Prince clenched his fists, gnashing his teeth, “Old dog, tell me, is what this person said true? Is that thing truly in the Imperial Preceptor's Mansion?”
Gao Jinghong replied, “This old servant believes in Mister Chen’s character. He would not deceive us.”
“After all, he is a compassionate person.”
The Prince unleashed a terrifying killing intent, “I finally understand why the Imperial Preceptor gave my Gao family ten days to find the Emperor's Sword. He intended to toy with my Gao clan in the palm of his hand!”
“I knew him for ten thousand years, yet I never realized he was such a despicable scoundrel with insidious methods.”
Gao Jinghong added, “My Lord, Mister Chen has arranged for the Imperial Preceptor to go to Dazhao Temple. We should seize this opportunity to go to the Imperial Preceptor's Mansion to retrieve the Emperor's Sword, and inform the Great Emperor that the Imperial Preceptor is a spy for the Anti-Heaven Cult.”
“In this way, even if the Imperial Preceptor holds the highest position, wields immense power, and has countless disciples, he will become a rat everyone despises.”
The Prince exclaimed, “No!”
“Huh?”
Gao Jinghong was taken aback, “My Lord, Mister Chen has created an opportunity for our Gao clan. We must grasp it!”
The Prince's eyes were filled with reverence, “From now on, do not call him Mister Chen. You shall call him Duke Chen.”
Gao Jinghong was filled with awe.
Indeed!
Duke Chen had gone to great lengths for the Gao family.
He even went as far as arranging to meet the Imperial Preceptor at Dazhao Temple.
His kindness to the Gao family was higher than the heavens.
Deeper than the seas.
Was it not natural to address him as Duke Chen?
A cold glint flashed in the Prince’s eyes, “Send the order. Accompany me to the Imperial Preceptor's Mansion to find the Emperor's Sword.”
“Yes!”
------
Dazhao Temple.
“I truly wish to die. I wonder if you can grant me that?” The Imperial Preceptor laughed maniacally, his eyes filled with frenzy.
Chen Nan's face was icy cold, “You are truly disappointing!”
“I never expected that after achieving such a high position.”
“You would resort to kidnapping a weak woman to threaten me.”
The Imperial Preceptor said dismissively, “Who cares about the methods of the victor?”
Chen Nan glanced at Ning Yinqiu, whose face was haggard, “Our conflict should not involve innocent people. I am here now, let her go!”
“Alright!”
The Imperial Preceptor’s lips curved upwards.
He formed a hand seal with one hand.
A magical inscription entered the rope binding Ning Yinqiu.
The next moment.
Ning Yinqiu let out a soul-piercing scream.
And disintegrated into a mist of blood before Chen Nan's eyes.
Chen Nan stared blankly as Ning Yinqiu vanished from his sight.
He remained stunned for a long, long time.
Until he heard the Imperial Preceptor’s mad laughter in his ears, “Hahaha, although I said I would let her go, I never said I would let her live!”
“Zheng Yu, you deserve to die!”
Chen Nan’s eyes instantly turned blood-red.
Like a maddened lion.
He and Ning Yinqiu didn't share much deep affection.
They were merely two lonely souls seeking warmth, each for their own needs.
But!
Ning Yinqiu was still his woman.
And she had been captured because of him.
He had never dreamed that.
The Imperial Preceptor, who held such a high position.
Would break his word and murder an innocent, weak woman.
“Die!”
With Chen Nan’s thunderous roar.
He unleashed a palm strike forward.
The wind howled like thunder.
Deafening and resonant.
The annihilating void instantly surged towards the Imperial Preceptor.
But the Imperial Preceptor's smile remained unchanged.
A hint of disdain even appeared on his face.
Even though he was only at the Heavenly Ghost realm.
And far inferior to Chen Nan in terms of strength.
He still didn’t take Chen Nan seriously.
“Amitabha!”
Without any warning.
A sacred Buddhist chant echoed.
A golden light appeared out of nowhere before the Imperial Preceptor.
Then, a monk clad in a golden kasaya, holding a staff, struck the ground heavily with his staff.
Instantly.
A sacred power blocked Chen Nan’s attack.
“Amitabha!” The monk clasped his hands together, his gaze calm as he said, “Benefactor, this is a sacred Buddhist ground. Killing is forbidden!”
“Your killing intent is too strong.”
“You need to calm down.”
As he spoke.
A golden plaque flew from his hand.
It hovered above Chen Nan's head, emitting a golden Buddha-light.
Chen Nan bathed in the Buddha-light, but his eyes were extremely somber, “Who are you?”
The monk clasped his hands together, “This humble monk is the abbot of Dazhao Temple, his Buddhist name is Renxin.”
Chen Nan roared, “Renxin?”
“For a man of Buddhism, you bear the name Renxin (benevolent heart).”
“Open your dog eyes and look at the pool of blood to your right.”
“That was an innocent mortal woman.”
“Yet the Imperial Preceptor just took her life.”
“When he acted, why did you not appear to stop him?”
“Why did you not say that this sacred Buddhist ground strictly prohibits killing?”
“Amitabha!” Renxin said with compassion, “The Imperial Preceptor has a connection with our Buddha!”
Chen Nan’s eyes blazed with fury.
The intense rage caused his blood to surge.
His pupils were also filled with bloodshot veins.
He glared at Renxin through gritted teeth, “So, as long as one does not have a connection with your Buddha, you will disregard their lives and casually take them?”