Chapter 400: Admitting Fault!

That night, several high-ranking commanders of the Gale Guard gathered in a hall, each with a worried expression.

"Old Jin, what's gotten into those Alchemist Guild folks? They're turning down good top-grade spirit crystals—are they trying to pick a fight with us?" one commander complained.

Jin Huanzhen's face was also dark and gloomy.

"Yeah, Old Jin, you're the most senior among us—you need to come up with a plan! We're about to set off, and without the guarantee of these pills, how are we supposed to fight the martial artists of the Boundless Realm?" another commander said.

"Old Jin, do you think they're dissatisfied with the spirit crystals we offered and want to use this chance to extort us?"

Jin Huanzhen felt a surge of irritation and waved his hand, saying, "Alright, alright, stop arguing! Tomorrow morning, I'll go probe Yang Xiu's intentions! I have a feeling this isn't that simple. Everyone, stay calm and go get some rest. Wait for my news tomorrow."

...

The next morning, Jin Huanzhen cornered Yang Xiu at his residence.

"Elder Yang, we've worked together for so many years. You know this batch of pills is a matter of life and death for my brothers. You can't just wash your hands of it!" Jin Huanzhen said with a pained expression.

"Ah, brother, why are you here again? Didn't I tell you? I've been really busy lately—I truly don't have time to refine pills for you!" Yang Xiu also wore a pained look.

Jin Huanzhen grabbed Yang Xiu's sleeve and knelt down directly!

"Brother, what are you doing?" Yang Xiu asked in surprise.

"Elder brother, I'm throwing away all my dignity today! If I can't get this batch of pills, and the Wind Emperor investigates, I'll still be dead! Elder brother, you can't just watch me die!" Jin Huanzhen was on the verge of tears.

Yang Xiu sighed and said, "Brother, it's not that I won't help you—it's that I can't help you!"

Jin Huanzhen's heart stirred, but he still put on a mournful face and asked, "Elder brother, if I've offended you in any way, just say it! But no matter what, you can't abandon me!"

Yang Xiu's brows twitched, and he sighed again. "Brother Jin, our friendship goes without saying—you know it well. But this time, I really can't help you! I'll let you in on a secret, but you must never sell me out!"

Jin Huanzhen's heart was about to leap out of his chest. He quickly replied, "Elder brother, just say it. If I betray you, may the heavens strike me dead!"

Yang Xiu nodded and said slowly, "Actually, this is... the will."

Yang Xiu raised a finger and pointed to the sky.

Jin Huanzhen's expression changed. Though Yang Xiu didn't say it outright, the meaning was clear.

Who was above Yang Xiu?

It could only be the Star Abyss Emperor!

If that was the case, the problem was huge!

Though the Star Abyss Emperor and the Wind Emperor were not on the same level in strength, their statuses were not far apart.

"This... this... Elder brother, what reason could there be for that lord to make such a decision?" Jin Huanzhen asked in astonishment.

Yang Xiu sighed. "For that lord to make such a decision, naturally someone must have touched his reverse scale and offended him! That's all I can say—I can't say more. Once that lord loses his temper, no one can withstand it!"

Jin Huanzhen seemed to recall something terrifying, and a look of fear appeared on his face.

...

"Oh? Something like that? That old man seemed quite amiable—I didn't expect he could be so fierce when angry!" Ye Yuan said, quite surprised.

Third Senior Brother You Guang said with a look of longing: "Indeed! At that time, even the senior brother hadn't joined yet, but this matter was known to everyone in the entire royal city—no one dared to speak of it, that's all. Master was so imposing, he flew straight to the palace, stood in midair, and confronted His Majesty the Wind Emperor. The Third Prince was forced by Master to take his own life! From start to finish, the Wind Emperor never showed his face. In truth, that was already a concession!"

Ye Yuan nodded. How could the Wind Emperor possibly show his face over such a disgraceful matter?

The Third Prince coming out to take his own life, appeasing Xing Yuan's wrath while preserving the royal family's face, was considered a relatively good outcome.

Back then, Shi Haoran had not yet joined the sect. Xing Yuan had once taken on a disciple, who then clashed with the Third Prince and was killed by him.

Upon hearing the news, Xing Yuan flew into a rage, charged straight to the palace battlements, and forced the Third Prince to commit suicide.

From then on, Xing Yuan's reputation for being protective of his disciples became well-known throughout the royal city.

These past two days, Ye Yuan had been instructing his senior brothers, which left him quite at leisure.

Of course, this was not something that could be accomplished overnight.

Among the senior brothers, the most unconvinced was Third Senior Brother You Guang. He came to challenge Ye Yuan under the pretext of exchanging ideas, but ended up thoroughly defeated and convinced.

After that, the other senior brothers no longer doubted Xing Yuan's words.

In the past two days, many senior brothers came to Ye Yuan to seek his advice on various matters. Naturally, Ye Yuan did not disappoint them, providing answers that were all extremely insightful.

When the senior brothers returned and pondered carefully, they felt that his explanations were even more exquisite and easier to understand than those of their master, Xing Yuan!

Although the disciples Xing Yuan had taken on differed greatly in temperament, they were all honest and straightforward people. Not only did they not envy Ye Yuan, but they regarded him as a good teacher and helpful friend.

Speaking of which, this was in the same vein as that fellow Li Daoheng.

…

Unlike the comfort on Ye Yuan's side, the Seventh Prince was plunged into extreme terror!

These past few days, the royal city had been in turmoil, everything in chaos, as they investigated why Xing Yuan was targeting the imperial family.

Others might not know the reason, but he knew it all too well!

He had originally thought it was nothing serious; in the end, he hadn't killed Ye Yuan, and Shi Haoran wouldn't do anything to him.

However, he had forgotten that above Shi Haoran there was an even more terrifying Xing Yuan the Sovereign!

In fact, Zhao Chengqian had truly forgotten about the matter of the Third Prince—he hadn't even been born back then!

Although he had heard of it later, he hadn't taken it to heart.

It wasn't until news of the Alchemist Guild sanctioning the imperial family arrived that Zhao Chengqian was jolted awake, recalling how the Third Prince had been forced to take his own life.

These two days, he had been in a state of constant fear, unable to find peace.

After much deliberation, Zhao Chengqian finally decided to go to the Wind Emperor and confess his wrongdoing!

In the deep, secluded palace hall, there was not a single person.

Standing in the great hall, Zhao Chengqian felt as though countless eyes were fixed on him.

"Your son, Zhao Chengqian, requests an audience with Your Majesty!" Zhao Chengqian said, suppressing the fear within him.

"What is it?" A voice drifted faintly from the depths of the palace, as if emerging from the underworld.

"Your son… Your son…" Zhao Chengqian fell to his knees with a thud, and said nervously: "Your son deserves death. The matter with the Alchemist Guild was caused by your son! I beg… I beg Your Majesty to punish me!"

There was no response; only Zhao Chengqian's breathing remained in the entire hall…