The Eternal Saint of Alchemy

True to his word, Han Fei sent Xiao Fan a detailed map three days later. On this map, he saw all the entrances and exits of Guanlan Garden, patrol routes, shift change times, and even hidden sentries.

After Xiao Fan looked at the map, he asked Han Fei to go to Huichuntang and contact Medicine King Valley.

Although the security at Guanlan Garden is tight, it is not a completely secure situation.

Every day at midnight, when the guards change shifts, there will be a small gap in the eastern wall.

As long as you seize this tiny opening, you'll have a chance to infiltrate.

The problem is, even if we can sneak in, how can we find where my mother is hiding, and how can we take her out without anyone noticing?

Xiao Fan looked at Han Fei and said, "I need an inside man."

Han Fei thought for a moment and said, "There is an old gardener named Liu in Guanlan Garden. He used to be a servant of the Zhao family. After the Zhao family fell from power, he was sold to the Second Prince. He has a son who works in my residence. Perhaps he can be of use to me."

Xiao Fan thought for a moment and said, "You need to think of a way to get him to come out. I want to see him."

Three days later, in an ordinary teahouse in the west of the city.

Opposite Xiao Fan sat an old man dressed in coarse cloth, holding a cup of tea in his hand, looking very cautious.

"Uncle Liu, don't worry." Xiao Fan picked up a teacup and handed it to him. "I just wanted to ask about the situation at Guanlan Garden. Don't worry, after this matter is over, I will not only give you a large sum of money, but I will also help you redeem the Han family and reunite you with your son's family."

Liu Bo's eyes flashed, he hesitated, and finally lowered his voice to ask, "What are your orders, young master?"

"Has Guanlan Garden ever imprisoned a woman surnamed Su? Judging from his appearance, he should be from Medicine King Valley, right?"

Uncle Liu's expression changed slightly. He looked around and whispered, "Yes, but not in the main courtyard."

"Where?" he asked, puzzled.

"At the far end of the backyard is a hidden door. The woman is imprisoned inside. She is fed every three days, but no one can see her normally. I once saw her from afar; she was a woman around forty years old, with a completely different demeanor."

Xiao Fan's heart skipped a beat.

"How are the guards doing?"

"There are four guards on duty around the secret door, each with a cultivation level at the peak of the Spirit Realm. As for whether there are other guards inside the secret chamber, I don't know."

Xiao Fan memorized all the information, then took out a stack of silver notes and a wooden plaque, and pushed them to Uncle Liu.

"Here you go. Take these two silver notes, and we'll go to the Han family, find your son, and then run as far away as possible."

Uncle Liu accepted the silver notes and the wooden plaque, and left with profuse thanks.

Xiao Fan leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes to ponder.

At midnight, four spirits guard the secret door in the backyard.

This is the only chance.

He opened his eyes, a resolute look in them.

late at night.

It was just past midnight; the moon was hidden and the stars were few, scattered across the sky.

Dressed in night clothes, Xiao Fan stealthily approached the eastern wall of Guanlan Garden, following the shadows of the street. Han Fei was right; there was a secluded alley to the east, rarely frequented by anyone.

He crouched on an old locust tree, waiting quietly. Sure enough, footsteps came from behind the wall, and two patrolling soldiers met at the wall, briefly exchanging glances.

The opportunity is coming!

Xiao Fan leaped lightly onto the top of the wall, and then, taking advantage of the darkness, landed on the grass in the courtyard.

This series of movements was fluid and seamless, without any abruptness.

The Qiankun Refining God Technique enveloped the entire backyard, and he memorized all the hidden sentries.

He followed the shadows of the artificial hill and flowerbeds, slowly approaching the end of the backyard.

After dodging three hidden sentries, it only took half an hour to reach the secret door that Uncle Liu had mentioned. The secret door, hidden behind the artificial hill, was covered with vines, and it was easy to miss if you didn't look closely.

Four guards stood watch at the gate, patrolling back and forth in pairs, their steps perfectly synchronized and without the slightest flaw.

Xiao Fan wasn't in a hurry. He observed for half a quarter of an hour to figure out the rhythm of the other side's patrol.

Then, just as the two teams of guards brushed past each other, he burst out of the shadows.

Three hallucinogenic pills flew out simultaneously, exploding silently above the guard's head and releasing a colorless and odorless mist.

The medicinal mist spread extremely quickly, and the four guards had no time to react before collapsing to the ground.

Xiao Fan flashed to the hidden door and pushed it open.

There was no movement at the stone gate.

He looked down and discovered a miniature magic circle on the door, which required specific spiritual energy fluctuations to activate.

Xiao Fan placed his hand on the stone door, and immediately a golden light emanated from the cauldron, directly entering the formation.

The stone door clicked open inwards.

Xiao Fan slipped inside, and the stone door behind him closed automatically.

Beyond the secret door was a stone staircase leading downwards. At the end of the staircase was an iron door, from which a dim, yellowish light shone through the cracks.

Xiao Fan held his breath and carefully opened the iron gate.

The secret room was not large, about three zhang in length and width. The four sides were made of rough stones, and in the corner there was a wooden bed with a woman in gray sitting on it.

The woman looked to be in her forties. Although her face was somewhat haggard, one could still vaguely discern her former beauty. She kept her head down, reading a book, without even lifting her head to look at the door.

"I've told you so many times, I won't eat it."

Xiao Fan stood at the door, looking at the woman in front of him, and felt a tightness in his chest, making it difficult to breathe.

In the dim light, the woman's profile bore a striking resemblance to the portrait on the jade pendant bearing the character "Su".

"mother……"

He called out softly in a hoarse voice.

The woman shuddered, and the book in her hand fell to the ground.

A young man in black stood at the door, with sharp eyebrows and bright eyes, handsome features, and for a moment, he seemed to have a touch of the spirited youth he once was.

"You..." Su Wanqing said in a trembling voice, "How did you address me?"

Xiao Fan stepped forward, took out the jade pendant engraved with the character "Su", and presented it with both hands.

"I am Xiao Fan, Xiao Yuanshan's son!"

Su Wanqing took the jade tablet, looked at the words on it, her fingers clenched tightly, and her whole body trembled.

She looked up at Xiao Fan and remained silent for a long time.

Her eyebrows and eyes, her facial features, all resembled her father's.

"Fan'er..." Su Wanqing cried, tears streaming down her face, as she tightly embraced Xiao Fan, choking back sobs, "Fan'er! Mother thought we would never see each other again in this life..."

Nestled in his mother's arms, Xiao Fan unleashed all the pent-up grievances, loneliness, and longing he had accumulated over the past eighteen years. He clenched his teeth, trying to hold back his tears, but his eyes were still red and swollen.

"Mother, your daughter has come to pick you up."

After crying for a while, Su Wanqing finally came to her senses, let go of him, and said urgently, "How did you get in? The outside is heavily guarded. It's very dangerous for you to go in alone! Get out of here right now!"