The Extreme Alchemist of the Mighty Cauldron

At this moment, Yang Wanshan was in his manor, drinking freely with his confidants. They appeared to be in high spirits, and their conversation was full of confidence and satisfaction.

“Congratulations, Prince Yang Wanshan, on removing a major threat,” someone stood, raising a toast in Yang Wanshan’s honor.

“With Yang Pojun out of the picture, your competition for the position of Crown Prince has become much easier,” said another.

“Prince Yang Wanshan, your virtue and talent are unmatched. The Crown Prince’s position is undoubtedly yours.”

As Yang Wanshan downed another glass of wine, the color in his face seemed to dull slightly.

Seeing this, everyone around him was somewhat at a loss.

“The position of Crown Prince is fraught with difficulties, and as long as my elder brother still lives, it will never be my turn,” said Yang Wanshan with a bitter smile.

Upon hearing this, everyone fell silent, even those who wanted to flatter Yang Wanshan didn’t know what to say.

Yang Xuanfeng, it’s a name that made them all feel oppressed. Every single one of them was very shrewd, having seen ups and downs in their many years in the officialdom, understanding much about the intricacies of it all.

On the current court, although Yang Xuanfeng rarely made appearances, his reputation was extremely high and his power significantly surpassed that of the other princes.

Most importantly, the Emperor greatly favored this son, and the position of the Crown Prince was, with high probability, going to be Yang Xuanfeng’s.

“Prince Yang Wanshan, do not be disheartened. The position of the Crown Prince still holds uncertainties. As long as a Crown Prince has not been officially named, you still have a chance,” an old minister spoke out.

Just then, noises erupted outside. Yang Wanshan frowned, obviously displeased.

“What’s happening?” Yang Wanshan demanded.

A troop of guards rushed in. They all wore purple armor and possessed extraordinarily strong auras, especially the man in front, who seemed to have an air of killing intent so strong that it made people instinctively want to step back.

Upon seeing these purple armored guards, Yang Wanshan’s eyelids twitched slightly, and a vague sense of unease arose in his heart. The supporters of Yang Wanshan also felt as if impending doom was approaching.

“Captain He, what is your intent in intruding into my manor?” Yang Wanshan managed to keep his composure and questioned the leader.

That Captain He took out a golden plate and announced loudly, “By the Emperor’s decree, I’m here to arrest the criminal, Yang Wanshan, and bring him to the emperor.”

Upon hearing this, Yang Wanshan felt as if his head had been struck by lightning, his body felt drained of strength in an instant.

The guards – regardless of their rank, kept their hold on all the men present at the scene, even if they were princes. The four middle-aged men who were with Yang Wanshan earlier were heavily bound and pushed onto the ground.

Yang Wanshan wasn’t tied up, but at this moment he felt like a walking corpse, his mind in utter chaos.

Could his plan have failed? But how could that be possible? It was supposed to be foolproof. Based on the time, Fang Lin and Yang Pojun should’ve been torn to shreds by the Steel-backed Bear by now, so how could the blame be pinned on him? Could it be that Leader Mo betrayed him and sold him out at the last minute?

“Your Highness, come with me, and if you dare to resist, don’t blame me for my mercilessness,” Captain He said coldly, not giving Yang Wanshan any face at all.

Yang Wanshan’s lips were dry, and his legs felt heavy as if they were filled with lead. He could barely walk.

He was terrified. Once he was taken away, he was afraid he would lose everything he had, and he wasn’t sure if his life would be spared.

But he had no room to resist!

Yang Wanshan and the four middle-aged men were taken away. The rest of the people dispersed immediately, still feeling the aftershock.

They knew very clearly that Yang Wanshan had fallen, and fallen completely, otherwise the emperor would not have sent the Purple Armored Guards to arrest him.

Once the Purple Armored Guards were used, it meant that the emperor was truly outraged.

All of them, though loyal to Yang Wanshan, were a group of fair-weather followers. Now that they knew Yang Wanshan was in trouble, they would naturally choose to withdraw and avoid getting burned.

On this day, the royal family was shaken, everyone in the court was shocked.

After Yang Wanshan was taken away by the purple armored guards, the incident at the Imperial Beast Garden was known to everyone.

Anyone who knew about this matter all sighed inwardly, feeling that Yang Wanshan was doomed. Not only had he tried to kill a prince, but he also dragged Fang Lin of the Purple Mist Sect into it, which meant that even if the Emperor wanted favor his son, he couldn’t.

After Yang Wanshan was brought to the Golden Throne Hall, many people were silently watching, wanting to know his fate.

At this moment, in the Golden Throne Hall, Yang Wanshan was kneeling, his face pale and bereft of color. Yang Pojun and Fang Lin were both present. Han Luoyun sat on the side, quietly sipping tea.

Yang Jianye was seated on the dragon throne, looking extremely unhappy. In his rage, he violently smashed a slate inkpad on the table.

Bang!

The inkpad landed squarely on Yang Wanshan’s forehead. Yang Wanshan let out a horrible scream and collapsed on the ground while blood streamed from his forehead.

“You traitor!” Yang Jianye scolded, wishing he could crush his son on the spot.

But after all, he was his own son. Seeing his son’s bleeding, he couldn’t help but feel a bit of sympathy.

“Father, I admit my mistake! I apologize to my fourth brother, and I apologize to Fang Lin. I will kowtow to you!” Yang Wanshan burst into tearful cry, kowtowing to both Fang Lin and Yang Pojun. His blood stained the floor.

Fang Lin didn’t even glance at him, standing there as if none of this had to do with him.

Yang Pojun snorted, “When you trapped me and Fang Lin in the Imperial Beast Garden, did your conscience not bother you? Or is it that you only start caring now that you’ve been found out and worried that Father will blame you?”

“Fourth brother, I’m truly sorry! It was all due to those four treacherous men who misguided me and coerced me into making such a mistake. Father, please see clearly!” Yang Wanshan cried out, pushing all the blame onto his four confidants.

At this moment, a well-dressed woman entered the hall, crying loudly. She fell to her knees and begged Yang Jianye to spare Yang Wanshan.

This woman was Yang Wanshan’s biological mother and a high-ranking concubine in the palace.

“Guards, take this woman away,” Yang Jianye was already furious. Seeing this woman crying and making a scene made him more irritable, and he ordered the guards to drag her away.

Yang Jianye looked at Yang Wanshan, trembling like a leaf, then at Han Luoyun, who was showing no reaction, and sighed in his heart.

Truth be told, Yang Wanshan was his biological son, and it wasn’t easy for him to condemn his own son.

But Han Luoyun was present. If he didn’t give her an answer, it could affect his relationship with her and their factions.

“Your Majesty, the Eldest Imperial Son requests an audience,” someone outside announced at that moment.