Nine Yang Alchemy Emperor

"Damn it! How dare they injure Alchemist Chu to such an extent!" The Eighth Prince's tone was frozen to its extreme, brimming with murderous intent.

Governor Bai's body trembled violently, and he thudded to his knees on the ground.

"Spare my life, Your Highness! Spare me... It was all due to my negligence in supervision, the actions of my subordinate Chang The Fourth!" Governor Bai pushed the scapegoat forward, shaking.

"Hmph, I haven't even started the investigation and you're already begging for mercy here? Are you trying to tell others that I abuse my power and act recklessly?"

"Conduct a thorough investigation for me; do not wrong a good person, but also do not let any bad person go free!"

"All of you kneel and stay kneeling until the investigation is complete!"

The Eighth Prince's face darkened as he ordered his followers to carry out an exhaustive investigation.

Actually, the course of events was not complicated. When dealing with Chu Feng, Vice Minister Zhang and the others did not even bother to take any extra measures. They did not conceal their actions or take precautions because they never considered Chu Feng had a chance to turn the tables.

The Eighth Prince had numerous capable men, and they quickly clarified the whole sequence of events.

"Reporting to Your Highness, the incident started with the Pang Ancestor Alchemy Pavilion's defeat in the Alchemy Battle against Longevity Hall, and then they asked the Ministry of Revenue's Vice Minister Zhang to take action against Longevity Hall. These people not only made up an excuse to shut down Longevity Hall, but they also bypassed the public trial and directly imprisoned Alchemist Chu after beating him with thirty heavy blows."

"Upon learning that Chu Feng was thrown into the dungeon, Vice Minister Zhang immediately took Manager Pang of the Pang Ancestor Alchemy Pavilion into the cell, preparing to carry out extrajudicial punishment on Chu Feng..."

The details were investigated thoroughly and made crystal clear.

Governor Bai and Vice Minister Zhang, kneeling on the ground, both went limp. They knew it was over for them.

The two still wanted to deflect the blame, but in front of the Eighth Prince, this tactic simply didn't work.

Because the authority of the Eighth Prince was there, allowing him to directly probe into both of them.

Unlike Lord Wang Ji, who was insignificant and powerless; even with a Holy Decree in hand, he was still subject to many constraints.

"The case has been clarified! As I expected, Alchemist Chu was framed," the Eighth Prince said after hearing the report from his subordinates. He felt a surge of extreme anger but also relieved a sigh at the same time.

If Chu Feng had really committed a crime, he would probably only be able to plead on behalf of Chu Feng.

"Alchemist Chu, you may deal with this yourself from now on. Each and every one of these people, how they should be punished is entirely up to you," the Eight Virtuous Princes was also more than willing to offer a favor in the current that favored Chu Feng.

He always despised evil; the corrupt officials who knew the law yet broke it had especially incurred his wrath.

"Mercy... Alchemist Chu have mercy..."

Vice Minister Zhang and Governor Bai, both Third-rank Officials, had never dreamed that their lives would now be in the hands of a seemingly insignificant figure like Chu Feng.

They both kowtowed to Chu Feng, begging for mercy repeatedly.

"Now you know to beg for mercy? Where was this earlier!"

"I've said it, each and every one of you—if you dare to be an accomplice to Manager Pang, if you dare to lay a hand on me, you will pay the price. No rush, one at a time!"

After being rescued, Chu Feng took out a healing elixir from his bosom and swallowed it.

As the elixir's power diffused, his wounds began to heal at an astonishing rate.

After such a long recovery, Chu Feng had regained basic mobility.

His gaze was icy as he turned towards Manager Pang.

Not long ago, Manager Pang had gifted him with two heavy slaps.

"What... what do you want to do?" Manager Pang staggered backwards, his right foot crippled by an iron brand. His chest was also branded with a terrifying wound, charred and festering, where peeling skin revealed the raw, bloody flesh underneath.

Pain made him break out in a cold sweat, his face contorted, and his body trembled uncontrollably.

"I said before, for every slap you gave me, you'd lose a hand!"

Chu Feng stretched out his right hand, and the Heavenly Divine Weapon, the Demon Slaying Sword, appeared at his call.

"You, you wouldn't dare..." Manager Pang had backed himself into a corner, watching Chu Feng with immense horror.

"What am I afraid of?"

As the words fell, Chu Feng made his move.

Swish! Swish!

Both of Manager Pang's wrists were severed.

"Ah..." Manager Pang screamed in agony and fainted, with blood gushing from both arms.

Chu Feng would not kill him, wanting him to live a life of pain, like a dog. To be a cripple for life, unable to take care of himself even in daily routines.

After dealing with Manager Pang, Chu Feng's gaze turned to Elder Chang, who had whipped him.

"Elder Chang, didn't you mock me for being ignorant of the ways of the world? You threw me into the dungeon and even gave me thirty lashings, hitting me with such venom!" Chu Feng's tone was exceedingly icy.

The Eighth Prince just watched indifferently.

To him, even if Chu Feng killed all these people, it would be inconsequential.

"Alchemist Chu, please spare my life..."

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Elder Chang was no longer the arrogant figure he once was and began kowtowing to Chu Feng. With each kowtow, his forehead swelled up and bled. Yet he continued to kowtow vigorously, hoping to exchange this for his life.

"Sever both your arms and one leg, and I will spare your life!" Chu Feng harbored an even deeper hatred for this Elder Chang.

The thirty lashings had been extremely severe; they were delivered with lethal force.

Hearing Chu Feng's words, Elder Chang's face turned ashen.

Ultimately realizing that Chu Feng wasn't joking, and seeing the terrifying killing intent in his eyes, Elder Chang, a ruthless character himself, drew his sword and, gritting his teeth, chopped towards his own left leg.

Crack!

"Ah..."

Elder Chang screamed in pain. He did not stop but raised his sword against one of his hands, delivering another strike.

"Ah..."

After another scream, his face was deathly pallid. However, Elder Chang did not intend to stop, instead, he handed the sword to a subordinate, ordering, "Chop off my right hand too!"

Chu Feng couldn't help but silently admire the man, who showed true grit.

"Enough, just leave yourself one hand and one foot!" Chu Feng was not soft-hearted, but purely appreciated the man's resilience and courage.

Thirty lashings, in exchange for one hand and one foot, were sufficient.

"Thank you, Alchemist Chu, for your mercy! Everything is a consequence of my own actions, I harbor no complaints, and from now on, I will definitely turn over a new leaf and lead a new life." With one hand and one foot left, Elder Chang should not find it hard to make a living with his abilities.

In Elder Chang's eyes, Chu Feng truly saw no resentment.

He couldn't help but click his tongue in wonder; this man would be wasting his talent if he did not join a Buddhist monastery. He had long heard stories of how laying down the butcher's cleaver could lead to instant enlightenment and becoming a Buddha on the spot.

If Elder Chang could truly reform and start anew, it would be a meritorious deed for Chu Feng as well.

Having dealt with Manager Pang and Elder Chang, Vice Minister Zhang and others thought Chu Feng would deal with them next. To their surprise, Chu Feng turned and spoke to the Eighth Prince behind him, "Eighth Prince, I have a request. Lord Wang Ji has come with a Holy Decree to handle this matter. I leave the rest of these people to Lord Wang Ji to deal with."

"Agreed!"

The Eighth Prince readily consented.

"Thank you, Your Highness, and thank you, Alchemist Chu!" Wang Ji couldn't help but be overjoyed.

He knew that Chu Feng was looking out for him. The case had already been investigated by the Eighth Prince's men, and all he needed to do was organize the evidence and then convict Vice Minister Zhang and the others, reporting it to the Ministry of Justice.

This matter was thus perfectly resolved.