The Eternal Saint of Alchemy

"Everything is ready." Han Fei lowered his voice and said, "At tomorrow's court assembly, my father will impeach the Zhao family for three crimes: first, unauthorized modification of demonic beasts; second, secretly training assassins; and third, embezzlement of military funds. The evidence you present will be enough to bring the Zhao family to their doom."

Xiao Fan nodded: "Have you found out who's behind the Zhao family?"

Han Fei's expression changed slightly, and he said in a low voice, "My father has been investigating this matter for the past six months, and it seems to be related to the Second Prince."

"The Second Prince?"

Xiao Fan frowned slightly.

Emperor Daqing was old and had only three sons. The eldest prince was kind and generous, the third prince was young, and the second prince was the most intelligent and powerful.

If the Zhao family has the support of the second prince, this matter will become even more complicated.

"What did your father say?"

"My father said that at tomorrow's court meeting, the focus will be solely on the Zhao family, and the matter of the Second Prince will not be mentioned for the time being. Once the Zhao family falls, the Second Prince will be deposed, and we can settle accounts with him then."

Xiao Fan pondered for a moment, then nodded and said, "Take your time, don't rush."

The two chatted for a while longer before Han Fei left.

Xiao Fan sat alone in the secret room, holding the jade pendant his father had given him, remaining motionless for a long time.

Tomorrow will be a tough battle.

However, he was not afraid at all.

After waiting for eighteen years, the revenge for his father is finally about to be taken.

The next morning, bells and drums resounded from the city walls of the capital, and all the officials arrived.

On the ninth floor of the Pill Tower, Jiang Yuanji changed into a black outfit, his beard and hair were neatly combed, and he held a folded book in his hand as he walked out of the tower gate.

Gu Yuan and Xiao Fan stood in front of the tower, watching him leave.

Xiao Fan asked, "Is it alright for the Tower Master to go alone?"

Master Gu Yuan smiled and said, "You underestimate the Tower Master too much. Although he is an alchemist, his cultivation level... In the capital, there are definitely no more than three people who can withstand three moves from him."

Xiao Fan was completely dumbfounded.

An eighth-grade alchemist, indeed living up to his reputation.

Another hour passed, and finally news came from the Pill Tower.

His Majesty personally issued an edict to thoroughly investigate the Zhao family.

Zhao Changfeng was placed under house arrest, and Zhao Wutian, Zhao Wuyan, and others were also prohibited from leaving. All of the Zhao family's properties, shops, and mines were seized and are awaiting further action.

The Zhao family, one of the four great families in the capital, fell from its lofty pedestal overnight—what a disgrace!

Jiang Yuanji chuckled lightly, and with a flash, he returned to the Pill Tower.

He patted Xiao Fan on the shoulder and said, "It's done."

Xiao Fan was overjoyed. "Thank you, Tower Master."

Jiang Yuanji quickly helped him up. "The Zhao family has fallen, and Zhao Changfeng hasn't said anything. He insists that it was all his subordinates' doing, and that it had nothing to do with him. His Majesty gave them a month's notice. Besides..."

At this point, his eyes narrowed: "Last night, Zhao Changfeng sent someone to say he wanted to see you."

Xiao Fan frowned: "See me?"

"Yes. He said there are some things you need to tell me in person."

Xiao Fan thought for a long time before finally nodding.

The Zhao family mansion was surrounded by three layers of heavily guarded personnel.

Xiao Fan followed Gu Yuan inside. The once magnificent mansion was now deathly silent, like a graveyard. Most of the maids and servants had been sent away, and only a few remained silent, tiptoeing.

Zhao Changfeng sat upright in the grand chair in the hall, still dressed in his magnificent robes, his face lean and his demeanor composed, showing no sign of decline. Only his eyes were much older than Xiao Fan had expected.

"Sit down," Zhao Changfeng said calmly, gesturing to the chair beside him.

Xiao Fan didn't sit down, but stood in the center of the hall, looking down at him with an air of superiority.

Zhao Changfeng laughed and said, "This courage is even greater than your father's when he was young. He wasn't as calm as you when he first came to the Zhao family."

Xiao Fan remained silent, waiting for him to continue.

Zhao Changfeng picked up his teacup, took a sip, and slowly said, "I rarely admire anyone in my life, except for Xiao Yuanshan."

Xiao Fan sneered: "Admire?"

Zhao Changfeng put down his teacup, a complex look in his eyes: "When he died, I wasn't actually in the capital. The one who did it was my elder brother, Zhao Changkong. By the time I realized it, it was too late."

Do you think I'd believe that?

Zhao Changfeng sighed, "Believe it or not, there's something I want to tell you."

Xiao Fan's heart skipped a beat. "What did you say?"

"Your mother," he said.

Xiao Fan was stunned.

Mother?

The original owner of this body had no memory of who his mother was. Xiao Zhankui didn't mention it at all, simply assuming that his mother had passed away early.

"Is Mother... still alive?"

Zhao Changfeng nodded. "Your mother's name is Su Wanqing. Back then, for some reason, she had a falling out with your father and took you back to Donglin City. Later, your father had an accident, and she... disappeared."

"Missing?"

Zhao Changfeng lowered his voice and said, "The one who took the person away is your father's enemy, and also the Zhao family's backer."

A cold glint flashed in Xiao Fan's eyes: "The Second Prince?"

Zhao Changfeng did not deny it, saying, "I'm telling you this to remind you that although the Zhao family has been wiped out, that person is still alive. He will come knocking on our door sooner or later."

"Why are you telling me all this?" Xiao Fan retorted. "If you want to make amends, you can come with me to see the Emperor."

Zhao Changfeng remained silent for a long time before taking out a bright yellow jade pendant from his pocket and placing it on the table.

"This jade pendant was given to me by your father years ago. Eighteen years have passed, and it can finally be returned to its rightful owner."

Xiao Fan stepped forward and picked up the jade pendant.

It was a piece of jade, smooth and lustrous, with the character "Su" engraved on the front.

Zhao Changfeng said, "This is a jade pendant that your mother always carried with her. If you go to Medicine King Valley, you might be able to find out about your mother."

Xiao Fan put away the jade pendant, looked at Zhao Changfeng, and a strange light flashed in his eyes.

"Thanks."

After saying that, he turned and walked out of the Zhao residence.

Zhao Changfeng sat in the armchair behind him, his eyes closed, looking relaxed.

Back at the Pill Tower, Xiao Fan told Jiang Yuanji what Zhao Changfeng had said.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yuanji fell silent.

"Su Wanqing, from Medicine King Valley. No wonder you have such a high talent in alchemy; it turns out you have the bloodline of alchemy."

"What do you know about Medicine King Valley, Tower Master?"

Jiang Yuanji pondered for a moment before speaking, "Medicine King Valley and Pill Tower have always kept to themselves, a fact I am well aware of. However, the internal power structure of Medicine King Valley is complex, making it difficult to ascertain the specifics. But..."

He looked at Xiao Fan and said, "You are now the chief of the Pill Tower, representing the face of the Pill Tower. If you don't want to take risks, the Pill Tower will not interfere in the affairs of the Medicine King Valley."