Mr. Du's real name was Du Jun. He was the president of the Wei Kingdom branch of the renowned Alchemist Guild.
The Alchemist Guild was a vast organization spanning many kingdoms, with an intricate web of influence. Its power far surpassed that of ordinary sects and aristocratic clans.
As president of the Wei Kingdom branch, Du Jun held an exalted position. Even the emperor of Wei treated him with respect and dared not slight him in the least.
Zhang Yu had been able to meet the transcendent President Du and become the "young friend" he called him thanks to the [God-tier Alchemy Skill] rewarded by the system.
In order to secure a stable supply of high-quality medicinal ingredients and open up sales channels for higher-level Pills, he had no choice but to undergo alchemist certification.
Zhang Yu also understood the principle that possessing a treasure could invite disaster.
His Martial Dao Cultivation had been low at the time. If he had suddenly revealed "god-tier" alchemy skills, he would likely have become a target for coveting, fighting over, and even imprisonment by various factions.
So during the certification examination, he had deliberately held back his true abilities.
Even so, the strength he displayed still astonished Du Jun, and the two became friends as a result.
They often discussed the classics and the Dao together, and traded pointers on alchemy.
In truth, Zhang Yu had merely held back on purpose and played along with Du Jun, humoring him as if he were a child.
When Du Jun learned that Zhang Yu had been imprisoned this time, he was quite surprised.
He knew Zhang Yu was an alchemist no weaker than himself. As long as Zhang Yu revealed that identity, he would surely be in no danger of losing his life.
He had come this time simply to see what his young friend was up to.
Who would have thought he'd be met with a barrage of mockery for no reason?
No matter how good-tempered Du Jun was, being repeatedly provoked had finally kindled some anger in him.
The moment Du Jun pulled down the black robe covering his head, Xiao Sheng, the Heir of Prince Jing, who had been leisurely drinking, was struck as if by lightning.
"Clang!"
The Gilded Wine Pot slipped from Xiao Sheng's hand and crashed squarely onto the stone floor.
He shot upright from the soft couch, his eyes wide as he stared at the aged face revealed when the hood across the passage was removed.
The color drained from his face in an instant. His lips trembled as if he had seen a ghost.
"P-President... President Du?"
A trembling voice, filled with disbelief and sheer terror, struggled out of Xiao Sheng's throat. He was so shocked that it even cracked.
How could he not recognize that face?
Several months ago, he had accompanied Prince Jing to an Alchemist Guild ceremony and met Du Jun.
Afterward, Prince Jing had repeatedly warned him that this man had an exceptionally distinguished and special status, and that his influence far surpassed that of ordinary princes and nobles. He was a true titan with the ear of the emperor!
A man like that must never be offended. If they could befriend him, it would greatly benefit the estate.
But now...
This President Du, who even the emperor treated with deference and who was rarely seen...
Had actually appeared in the filthy Ministry of Justice Heavenly Prison, where hardened criminals were held, dressed in an unremarkable black robe?
Thinking of how he and the maid had joined forces to mock Du Jun just moments ago, Xiao Sheng felt a bone-chilling cold shoot from the soles of his feet straight to the crown of his head.
It was over!
He had caused a terrible disaster!
If he had offended Du Jun, then forget about him being merely the Heir Apparent—even his Father King, Prince Jing, and perhaps the entire Jing Prince's Estate would suffer the consequences.
If the Alchemist Guild took a dim view of the Jing Prince's Estate because of this, the consequences would be simply unthinkable!
When the maid in green heard her Heir Apparent cry out "President Du" in a voice gone shrill, and saw the terror on his ashen face, she finally understood as well.
An old man named Du, whom the Heir Apparent addressed as "President" and who could make him lose his composure like this... Who else could it be in the Capital City of Wei Kingdom?
"Thump!"
The maid in green's legs gave way, and she collapsed to her knees.
Her face was now as pale as paper. Her lips trembled, but she couldn't utter a word; boundless fear swallowed her whole.
The maid in pink was also so frightened that her face lost its color. She fell to her knees as well, trembling all over and not daring to lift her head.
The prisoners and guards around them, who had been quietly snickering moments earlier, might not have known exactly what "President Du" meant.
But seeing the Heir of Prince Jing and his arrogant maid instantly scared out of their wits, how could they fail to understand?
The old man in the black robe they had mocked for so long was unquestionably a figure of immense power!
In an instant, the entire prison block fell utterly silent. One could hear a pin drop.
Everyone's gaze fixed on the refined, gaunt old man, filled with awe, fear, and lingering dread.
The prisoners who had mocked him moments earlier wished they could bury their heads between their legs.
Du Jun seemed not to notice the terror-stricken master and servants, nor did he care about the change in the atmosphere around him.
Calmly straightening his robe, he turned his gaze back to Zhang Yu inside the cell. A gentle smile appeared on his face, as if the mockery had never happened.
"Zhang, it seems this place of yours really is 'peaceful' in a rather... unusual way."
Du Jun remarked pointedly, then gave a slight nod. "Since your mind is made up, I won't trouble you any further. Do take good care of yourself and 'cultivate your temperament.'"
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