Xiao Sheng Was Almost Scared to Death

Mr. Du, whose given name is Du Jun, is the esteemed president of the renowned Alchemist Guild's Wei Kingdom branch.

The Alchemist Guild is a sprawling organization that spans multiple kingdoms, its influence deeply entrenched and far surpassing that of ordinary sects or noble houses.

As the president of the Wei Kingdom branch, Du Jun's status is supremely exalted. Even the Emperor of Wei must treat him with courtesy and dare not show the slightest disrespect.

The reason Zhang Yu was able to befriend this aloof President Du and become what he called a "young friend" was all thanks to the [God-tier Alchemy Skill] rewarded by the system.

To secure a stable, high-quality source of medicinal herbs and open up higher-level channels for selling pills, Zhang Yu had no choice but to undergo an alchemist certification.

Zhang Yu was also well aware of the principle that "a man who treasures a jade vessel invites its theft."

At that time, his Martial Dao Cultivation was low. If he had suddenly revealed a "God-tier" level of alchemy, he would have immediately become the target of covetousness, competition, and even imprisonment by various forces.

Therefore, during the certification exam, he deliberately suppressed his true ability.

But even so, the skill he displayed still shocked Du Jun, and the two became friends.

They often discussed the Dao and exchanged alchemy techniques together.

In truth, Zhang Yu was deliberately holding back, playing along with Du Jun as if humoring a child.

When Zhang Yu was imprisoned this time, Du Jun was quite shocked upon hearing the news.

He knew that Zhang Yu was an alchemist no weaker than himself. As long as he actively revealed this identity, his life would certainly not be in danger.

His purpose in coming here was to see what tricks this young friend was up to.

Who would have thought he'd be met with a barrage of mockery?

Even with the best of tempers, Du Jun couldn't help but feel a surge of anger after being repeatedly provoked.

The moment Du Jun pulled down the black hood over his head, Xiao Sheng, the Heir of Prince Jing, who had been leisurely drinking wine, felt as if struck by lightning.

"Clang!"

The Gilded Wine Pot slipped from Xiao Sheng's hand and crashed heavily onto the stone floor.

He shot up from the soft couch, his eyes wide as saucers, staring fixedly at the aged face revealed after the hood was removed across the corridor.

The color drained from his face in an instant, his lips trembling as if he had seen a ghost.

"P-President... President Du?"

A trembling voice, filled with disbelief and extreme terror, squeezed out of Xiao Sheng's throat, cracking from the sheer shock.

How could he not recognize that face?

Months ago, he had attended an Alchemist Guild ceremony with Prince Jing and had seen Du Jun once.

Prince Jing had repeatedly warned him afterward that this man's status was extremely noble and special, his influence and reach far surpassing ordinary nobles—a true titan whose voice could reach the heavens!

Such a figure must never be offended. If befriended, it would bring immense benefit to the Prince's Estate.

But now...

This President Du, whom even the Emperor treated with deference, a man as elusive as a dragon...

Was wearing an unremarkable black robe and standing in this filthy, foul Ministry of Justice Heavenly Prison, where heavy criminals were held?

Thinking back to how he and his maidservant had just mocked Du Jun, a bone-chilling cold surged from the soles of his feet straight to the top of his head.

It was over!

He had stirred up a huge disaster!

Offending Du Jun meant that not only he, a mere heir, but even his father, Prince Jing, and the entire Jing Prince's Estate would be in deep trouble.

If the Alchemist Guild developed a grudge against the Prince's Estate because of this, the consequences would be unthinkable!

The green-clad maidservant, upon hearing her master's distorted cry of "President Du" and seeing his ashen, terrified expression, finally understood.

An old man surnamed Du, whom the heir would address so reverently as "President"... in the entire Capital City of Wei Kingdom, who else could it be?

"Thud!"

The green-clad maidservant's legs gave way, and she collapsed directly to her knees.

Her face was now deathly pale, her lips trembling, but she couldn't utter a single word, only boundless fear drowning her.

The pink-clad maidservant was also so frightened that her beauty faded, and she knelt as well, trembling all over, not daring to raise her head again.

The surrounding prisoners and guards, who had been snickering, might not fully grasp what "President Du" specifically meant.

But seeing the Heir of Prince Jing and his arrogant maidservant instantly scared out of their wits, how could they not understand?

This black-robed old man they had been mocking was absolutely a terrifying figure of immense stature!

In an instant, the entire prison area fell into dead silence, so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Everyone's gaze was fixed on the clean-featured old man, filled with awe, fear, and lingering dread.

The few prisoners who had just made sarcastic remarks wished they could bury their heads in their crotches.

Du Jun seemed not to notice Xiao Sheng and his maidservant's panic, nor the shift in the surrounding atmosphere.

He calmly straightened his robes, turned his gaze back to Zhang Yu inside the cell, and a gentle smile appeared on his face, as if the mockery had never happened.

"Young Friend Zhang, it seems your 'peace and quiet' here is indeed... quite special."

Du Jun said with a pointed remark, then gave a slight nod. "Since you've made up your mind, this old man won't disturb you any longer. Take good care... and 'cultivate your nature.'"