The Eternal Saint of Alchemy

Xiao Fan felt a warm current surge into his heart.

Mother is not dead!

"Uncle," he called out.

Su He stood up and went to a hidden compartment in the back hall. He took out a small, palm-sized, cyan jade pendant from his pocket.

The jade plaque is engraved with the character "Su" and emits a faint blue light. Although dim, it is very sturdy.

"This is Wanqing's life-bound possession." Su He handed the jade pendant to Xiao Fan. "Keep it with you. The closer you are to your mother, the brighter this jade pendant will shine."

Xiao Fan carefully took the token and gently placed it into his storage bag.

"Thank you, Uncle." Xiao Fan was also filled with mixed feelings at this moment.

Su He was stunned for a moment upon hearing this, and then tears streamed down her face.

"Eighteen years have passed, and you're finally back. Your mother would be so happy if she knew how outstanding your son is..."

Xiao Fan gave a wry smile and said, "Uncle, don't worry, I will definitely rescue my mother."

Su He wiped away his tears and nodded vigorously.

"You can do whatever you want with the people of Medicine King Valley. Just say the word if you need anything!"

Xiao Fan stood up and bowed.

The afterglow of the setting sun dyed the entire Qingyun Peak red.

He held the life tablet in his palm, feeling its soft light.

Medicine King Valley is quieter at night than ever before.

The mountains were shrouded in mist, and moonlight shone through the thin clouds, gilding the herbs and flowers with a silvery edge.

In a secluded courtyard in the valley, Xiao Fan held his mother Su Wanqing's life tablet in his hand, lost in thought.

The blue light on the jade plaque pulsed slowly like a heartbeat.

"Still not asleep?" Su He's voice came from outside.

Xiao Fan then came to his senses, stood up, and said, "Uncle."

Su He brought over a pot of steaming hot wine, sat down at the stone table, and poured a full glass for Xiao Fan: "This wine was brewed by me personally, taking three years to make. It has a calming and nourishing effect. Have something to drink, but don't make it too hot."

Xiao Fan picked up his wine glass and gulped it down. The warm wine flowed down his stomach, easing his tense mind somewhat.

"Uncle, I'd like to know something about my mother." He placed his wine glass on the table and asked, "What kind of person was she?"

Su He gazed at the moon, his eyes distant.

"Wanqing... has been stubborn since she was little." A smile appeared on his lips. "Su Yuanding was too strict with her. The more he disciplined her, the more rebellious she became."

Most girls were only twelve or thirteen years old when they started learning medicine, but she had already memorized the entire *Compendium of Materia Medica* when she was eight. Back then, my brother said she was a born alchemist.

"And then?" He paused, taken aback. "..."

"When she was seventeen, she went to Qingyun Mountain alone to collect herbs."

At this point, Su He paused for a moment, then continued, "Your father was also a hot-blooded young man back then, with only the cultivation of the Yang Realm, wandering alone in the mountains. The two of them fought fiercely over a Six-Leaf Ganoderma, but later became friends and got married."

Xiao Fan chuckled to himself. He couldn't imagine how his parents had met, but from Su He's description, it all seemed so real.

"Back then, my eldest brother opposed the marriage alliance. On the one hand, he believed that the Xiao family was just a small clan and not worthy of the legitimate daughter of Medicine King Valley, which was why he opposed it. On the other hand..."

At this point, Su He lowered his voice, "Back then, your father had already begun secretly investigating the Zhao family. My elder brother received a secret letter saying that Xiao Yuanshan was investigating things he shouldn't be investigating and would get into trouble sooner or later. He didn't want Wanqing to go with him."

Xiao Fan thought for a moment and said, "My grandfather is right."

Su He sighed, "But Wanqing just wouldn't listen to me. Three years passed. Then your father had an accident, and she was taken away with him."

My elder brother regretted it for the rest of his life. Before he died, he said that if he had supported the marriage between Wanqing and Yuanshan, he might have been able to protect them more...

"It's not Grandpa's fault," Xiao Fan said softly.

Su He didn't say anything, but took out a yellowed booklet from his sleeve and handed it to Xiao Fan.

"This is a notebook left behind by Wanqing when she came out of Medicine King Valley. It contains several pill formulas she developed herself, as well as some cultivation insights. I kept it for you eighteen years ago, and now it is returned to its rightful owner."

Xiao Fan took the booklet, turned to the first page, and saw a line of elegant handwriting that read: "May all lovers in the world be united in marriage, and may everyone in the world be free from illness. Spring of the Bingxu year, Su Wanqing."

Xiao Fan felt a lump in his throat and quickly closed the booklet, tucking it into his pocket.

"Uncle, how well do you know about the Second Prince's residence?"

Su He's expression turned solemn as he said, "The Second Prince's name is Zhao Jun. He is the second son of the current emperor. He is enfeoffed in Qingzhou and has been operating there for many years. His power is immense, and in terms of power, I'm afraid no one can match him."

He owns a villa in the capital called "Guanlan Garden," which secretly houses countless people. Your mother should be inside.

How many guards are there at Guanlan Garden now?

"There are about three hundred guards stationed here year-round, including many experts at the peak of the Yang Realm. I heard that the Second Prince is not in the capital at the moment, but is patrolling in Qingzhou. However, the guards at Guanlan Garden will not relax their vigilance during this time."

Xiao Fan was secretly plotting something.

With three hundred guards and several peak Yang Realm experts, attempting to force their way in would be tantamount to suicide. However, with the help of Medicine King Valley, it might not be impossible.

"Uncle, does the capital city have any properties belonging to Medicine King Valley?"

"Yes," Su He replied. "Our Medicine King Valley has opened a Rejuvenation Hall in the west of the city. The manager's surname is Sun, and he's with us. If you need any help, just let us know."

Xiao Fan nodded and said, "Thank you, Uncle. I have completed this mission. I plan to return to the capital tomorrow to familiarize myself with the layout of Guanlan Garden before making any further plans."

Su He patted him on the shoulder: "Fan'er, remember, saving lives comes first, but never put yourself in danger. If your mother knew you risked your life for her, she would never have peace for the rest of her life."

Xiao Fan said in a deep voice, "I know what to do."

The next morning, Xiao Fan said goodbye to Han Fei and prepared to return to the capital.

Before leaving, Su He gave him a box of top-quality medicinal herbs and two guards with the cultivation level of the Spirit Realm to protect him. Xiao Fan accepted the gifts without ceremony.

On the way, Han Fei rode up, excitedly saying, "Brother Xiao, it seems you've really made a relative! The Valley Master of Medicine King Valley is your maternal uncle; you have quite a powerful backer!"

Xiao Fan rolled his eyes and said, "Don't be so smug. When you get back to the capital, help me find out about Guanlan Garden."

"Leave it to me!" Han Fei patted his chest and assured him, "Our Han family has been operating in the capital for many years, so we naturally have our own informants. Within three days, I will give you a complete defense map."

After a five-day journey at high speed, the two finally returned to the capital.