The Eternal Saint of Alchemy

"Your Highness, will you leave on your own, or shall I personally escort you away?"

Zhao Jun, who hadn't spoken for a long time, suddenly laughed.

It was a kind of helplessness, a kind of self-deprecation, and a kind of relief.

"I will go myself." He smoothed his robes, fastened his folding fan to his waist, and said, "Take me to see the Emperor."

Xiao Fan nodded and gestured to Han Fei to go and capture Zhao Jun.

Zhao Jun didn't struggle, letting Han Fei put a spirit chain on him. As he passed Xiao Fan, he paused and lowered his voice, saying, "You're even more ruthless than your father. If your father had been as ruthless as you, he wouldn't have died here."

Xiao Fan said calmly, "Your Highness, it's not that my father is ruthless, but rather that he is too kind and believes that people's hearts can be changed. I will not make the mistakes he made."

Zhao Jun said no more and let him lead her down the mountain.

Xiao Fan stood amidst the ruins of the manor, watching the flames gradually die down. The night wind blew against his face, carrying a burnt smell.

It's finally over.

Seeking revenge for his father, he imprisons his mother; the Zhao family plots against him, as does the second prince.

Everything will end today.

"Brother Xiao!" Han Fei exclaimed excitedly, "The Tower Master wants you to take Zhao Jun back to the capital, lest anything untoward happens!"

Xiao Fan then realized what was happening and nodded, saying, "Let's go."

Upon returning to the capital, Zhao Jun was imprisoned in the imperial prison and interrogated jointly by the Ministry of Justice and the Court of Judicial Review.

"Unauthorized modification of demonic beasts," "raising soul-devouring beasts," "imprisoning innocent civilians for eighteen years," "plotting against a court official," "unauthorized troop deployment and treacherous schemes..." Each of these charges was enough to cost him his head.

His Majesty was furious and ordered that Prince Zhao Jun be stripped of his title and demoted to a commoner.

Zhao Jun's cronies were wiped out, and the Qingzhou army was incorporated into the imperial court. Following this event, the imperial family's prestige soared to unprecedented heights throughout the capital.

While Xiao Zhankui was practicing his boxing in the courtyard, the news had already reached Donglin City.

Fan Jian scrambled in, his fat face jiggling, "Master! Sir! The eldest young master has done a great service! Even the second prince has been dragged into this!"

Xiao Zhankui nearly punched himself, glaring at himself as he asked, "What did you say?"

"The Second Prince was captured by the Eldest Young Master himself!"

Xiao Zhankui was stunned for a long time, then suddenly burst into laughter, laughing until tears streamed down his face.

"Good! Excellent! Excellent! Yuanshan! Did you hear that? Your son has avenged you!"

Meanwhile, inside a secret room within the Dan Tower.

Su Wanqing sat by the window, holding a letter delivered by Xiao Fan, bearing her name. The letter was short, containing only a few sentences:

"Mother, Zhao Jun has been arrested. After I return to the capital, I will take you to Donglin City and visit Grandpa there as well. I will not let you suffer again."

Su Wanqing pressed the letter to her chest, closed her eyes tightly, and two lines of clear tears silently slid down her cheeks.

Eighteen years.

She had waited a long time for this day.

Half a month has passed.

Xiao Fan hosted a small banquet for guests at the Pill Tower. Jiang Yuanji, Gu Yuan, Han Fei, Su Qinghe, Xiao Zhankui from Donglin City, and Yun Ruoxi were all invited.

Sitting next to Xiao Zhankui was Su Wanqing. Eighteen years had passed since they last met, and both of them had aged considerably. Xiao Zhankui looked at his daughter-in-law, his lips trembling for a long time before he finally said, "That's wonderful, that's wonderful."

Su Wanqing nodded with tears in her eyes and poured the old man a glass of wine.

Xiao Fan sat down next to Yun Ruoxi, placed a piece of food on her plate, and said in a low voice, "Now that things are resolved, can I marry you?"

Yun Ruoxi rolled her eyes, her face flushed. "Who said I want to marry you?"

"There's no other way," Xiao Fan said, mimicking his father's tone. "Uncle Yun told me to propose marriage when you turn eighteen."

"I'm eighteen years old this year."

Xiao Fan was slightly taken aback, then burst into laughter, put his arm around her shoulder and said, "Okay, then we'll go tomorrow. No, tonight."

Yun Ruoxi slapped him with a grin, then leaned against his shoulder, resting her whole body on him.

Jiang Yuanji walked over with a glass of wine in hand, smiling as he spoke.

"Kid, when are you planning to get married? This meal is on us at Danta."

Gu Yuan laughed loudly, "Tower Master, what a generous gesture! This is the first time I've ever seen you so magnanimous!"

Everyone burst into laughter.

Xiao Fan stood up, raised his wine glass, and glanced around.

Grandfather, mother, Ruoxi, tower master, elder Gu, Han Fei, Su Qinghe... Fan Jian, Zhao Tieshan, Xiao family guards, are all in the distant Donglin City.

These are the people he has encountered since his rebirth, people he has protected with his life.

"This toast," he raised his glass and said loudly. "To the honored guests. May everyone be safe and well."

Everyone responded in unison, raised their glasses, and drank the wine in one gulp.

Outside the window, the night sky over the capital was clearer than ever before, dotted with countless stars.

Xiao Fan put down his wine cup, feeling the warmth emanating from the Qiankun Creation Cauldron in his arms, and a smile appeared on his face.

There is still a long way to go.

Tribulation Realm, Celestial Being, and even higher levels.

But now, he just wants to cherish everything he has.

There's plenty of time ahead, so don't underestimate a young person's potential.

The wedding is scheduled for March 18th.

The capital city enjoyed a rare clear sky and a gentle breeze. The entire Dan Pagoda was brightly decorated, with red ribbons hanging from the top. The nine-story pagoda looked like a rushing red river from afar.

Jiang Yuanji kept his word. He covered all the expenses for this banquet, which lasted from morning until night. Anyone in the capital who had time was welcome to attend the wedding.

Xiao Fan, dressed in bright red, stood at the entrance of the Pill Tower to greet guests. Master Gu Yuan pulled him along, offering him wine and bowing repeatedly, his smile almost frozen.

"Elder Gu, this wedding of yours is really torturous." Taking this opportunity, he whispered to Master Gu Yuan, "It would be better to go and fight Zhao Jun again."

Gu Yuan laughed loudly, "You should be happy! The Tower Master actually brought out a whole box of fourth-grade pills as a birthday gift. If word gets out, all the alchemists in the capital will be green with envy."

Xiao Fan was truly moved. Jiang Yuanji's attitude towards him had transcended the scope of a tower master's treatment of a disciple; it was more like the care and concern of an elder for a junior.

Guests arrived one after another.

Han Ziying led Han Fei over first, presenting him with two black iron paperweights and a valuable calligraphy scroll from a previous dynasty. Han Fei walked over to Xiao Fan, put his arm around his shoulder, and said, "Brother Xiao, drink less tonight. A moment of bliss on this night is worth a thousand pieces of gold."

Xiao Fan raised his hand and slapped him on the back of the head: "If you keep talking nonsense, I'll kick you out."

Su Qinghe, accompanied by a dozen or so disciples from Medicine King Valley, brought two large boxes filled with high-grade spiritual herbs rarely seen on the market. Xiao Fan hurriedly stepped forward: "Why isn't Uncle here?"

"The Valley Master is unwell and asked me to bring you a letter and a gift." Su Qinghe took out a wooden box from his sleeve and handed it to Su Yu. "The Valley Master said that this jade was your mother's favorite item back then, and now it has been passed on to Consort Ling as a memento."