Master Qian's Questions

Seeing him like this, Xu Yin could only suppress her worries as the three of them headed together toward the Jiang Family's banquet hall.

On the way, Su Chen heard Xu Yin cough several times in succession and asked, "Auntie, has your old injury flared up again?"

Xu Yin covered her mouth and coughed once more, then shook her head. "It's nothing. I've long grown used to this old injury. Let's hurry to the banquet hall."

Su Chen nodded lightly. With the memories of his previous life, he naturally knew that Xu Yin's injury was actually an extremely stubborn cold poison. Every flare-up caused unbearable pain, and as time passed, it would eventually threaten her life.

However, in this life, as long as the Hundred-Year Supreme-Yang Pill was successfully refined, the cold poison in Xu Yin's body could definitely be rooted out.

The three arrived at the Jiang Family's banquet hall.

The banquet hall was festooned with lanterns and decorations, with four tables laid out. As was customary, the main table stood in the center, seating honored guests and direct descendants of the Jiang Family, while the other three tables were for collateral relatives.

At that moment, everyone's face was beaming with joy, and the entire banquet hall was buzzing with excitement.

"Third Master, congratulations! You truly raised a fine son!"

"Young Master Minghao's talent is extraordinary. Now that he has caught the eye of an alchemist from the Alchemy Guild, he is sure to soar straight up the ranks in the future!"

Jiang He's bearded face was wreathed in smiles, and he looked thoroughly delighted. Yet he still said modestly, "Not at all. Minghao is merely average. How could he compare to Mingxuan's excellence?"

Beside him, Jiang Mingxuan fought hard to suppress the trace of jealousy in his eyes. In the past, his martial talent had always overshadowed Jiang Minghao's, but today Jiang Minghao had completely stolen his thunder.

After all, alchemists stood far above ordinary martial artists. If Jiang Minghao could truly become an alchemist in the future, his prospects would be bright indeed.

"Third Brother, congratulations."

Xu Yin offered her congratulations without much warmth. Whether Jiang Minghao turned out well or badly had little to do with her; she only wanted to live her own life well.

"Haha, Second Sister-in-law, you're here. Hurry and take your seats!" Jiang He said with a laugh, gesturing for Xu Yin and Jiang Tingyi to sit at the main table.

But just as Su Chen was about to sit at the main table as well, Jiang He stretched out an arm to stop him. "Hey, your place isn't here!"

"Third Brother, what do you mean by that?" Xu Yin's willow brows shot up. Was Jiang He planning to pull the same trick again?

Jiang He pointed to a table beside them. "Second Sister-in-law, you've misunderstood! I'm asking him to sit with the collateral relatives! That's not too much to ask, is it?"

This left Xu Yin with nothing to say. Last time, Su Chen had been able to sit among the direct descendants because Jiang Feng had helped him. She could not ask Jiang Feng to help again this time, could she?

Xu Yin looked toward Su Chen, but to her surprise, he seemed utterly unconcerned. "Sure. I'll sit over there."

With that, Su Chen truly left the main table and went to sit at the table for collateral relatives.

"Hmph!" Watching Su Chen's retreating back, Jiang He let out an almost imperceptible snort through his nose. So what if Su Chen had defeated his son? Today, his son was the protagonist, the center of everyone's attention, while Su Chen was merely a nameless nobody sitting in some corner.

"Good son, Father is proud of you!" Jiang He patted Jiang Minghao's shoulder. "Perform well. Don't disappoint Father after he went out of his way to hold this banquet for you. Tonight, you are the focus of the entire hall!"

"Father, I understand!" Jiang Minghao nodded heavily.

On the other side, Jiang Mingxuan frowned deeply and said to Jiang Shan, "Father, the Third Branch has completely stolen the limelight today."

Jiang Shan said mildly, "What are you talking about? Minghao is your cousin. The First Branch and Third Branch are one body. When the Third Branch shines, isn't that our glory as well?"

"But..."

Jiang Mingxuan still wanted to say something, but Jiang Shan cut him off. "Mingxuan, remember this: before Father truly obtains the position of family head, the First Branch and Third Branch will always be allies."

"Now, we already have clues about the Family Head's Seal. Before long, we will surely obtain it. If Minghao can truly become an alchemist, he will become a great aid to us in the future! Rest assured, the position of Jiang Family head will sooner or later be ours, and you will be the future heir to the family head!"

"I understand, Father!" Jiang Mingxuan's expression eased considerably.

At that moment, a servant hurried in from outside the banquet hall, went straight to Jiang He's side, and whispered a few words in his ear.

Jiang He's expression immediately blossomed like a spring breeze. He quickly rose and strode to the entrance of the banquet hall, greeting the person outside with a face full of smiles. "Welcome, Master Qian! Your arrival brings glory to the humble Jiang Family!"

Master Qian was a thin middle-aged man in his forties. Faced with Jiang He's enthusiasm, he merely nodded indifferently, seemingly not taking Jiang He's warmth to heart at all.

But Jiang He did not mind. Master Qian was a Certified Alchemist from the Alchemy Guild, after all. It was only natural for him to be proud. Even before a county prince, men like them had some standing, let alone before someone like Jiang He.

"Master Qian, please, take your seat," Jiang He invited.

Two apprentice alchemists followed behind Master Qian, both wearing equally arrogant expressions. The three went to the main table and sat down directly.

"Where is Jiang Minghao? Have him come out and see me," Master Qian asked as soon as he was seated.

Jiang He hurriedly said, "Minghao, why aren't you coming out to pay respects to your master? Offer him a toast!"

"Yes!" Jiang Minghao answered loudly. He immediately brought over a cup of wine and said respectfully, "Master, your disciple offers you a toast."

"Mm." Master Qian glanced at Jiang Minghao, and the coldness in his expression softened somewhat. Although Master Qian disliked Jiang He's vulgar air, Jiang Minghao did indeed possess some talent for alchemy. With a period of training, he had hope of becoming an apprentice alchemist.

The banquet then began amid a lively atmosphere.

Jiang He and Jiang Minghao were clearly the undisputed stars of the banquet. With his face glowing like spring, Jiang He constantly conversed with Master Qian, his flattering words pouring forth one after another. Though Master Qian disliked it, he still patiently exchanged words with Jiang He.

Su Chen watched the scene indifferently and found it thoroughly dull. He simply half-closed his eyes and let his mind wander beyond the heavens.

In any case, he was not seated at the main table, so no one would care if he was distracted.

After three rounds of wine, Jiang He's face was flushed with drink. Taking advantage of his tipsiness, he suggested with a smile, "Master Qian, the apprenticeship ceremony... shouldn't it be about time to hold it?"

"No hurry."

Master Qian set down his cup and said, "Although I have taken a liking to Minghao's talent for alchemy, today I still need to test him on several questions concerning alchemy. If he passes, we can formally proceed with the apprenticeship ceremony."

"Don't be nervous. These questions are not difficult. They are all basic questions about alchemy," Master Qian said.

"Rest assured, Master. Your disciple will certainly answer them!" Jiang Minghao was brimming with confidence. During this period, he had diligently studied books on alchemy at home, so there should not be any problem.

Seeing him like this, Xu Yin could only suppress her worries as the three of them headed together toward the Jiang Family's banquet hall.

On the way, Su Chen heard Xu Yin cough several times in succession and asked, "Auntie, has your old injury flared up again?"

Xu Yin covered her mouth and coughed once more, then shook her head. "It's nothing. I've long grown used to this old injury. Let's hurry to the banquet hall."

Su Chen nodded lightly. With the memories of his previous life, he naturally knew that Xu Yin's injury was actually an extremely stubborn cold poison. Every flare-up caused unbearable pain, and as time passed, it would eventually threaten her life.

However, in this life, as long as the Hundred-Year Supreme-Yang Pill was successfully refined, the cold poison in Xu Yin's body could definitely be rooted out.

The three arrived at the Jiang Family's banquet hall.

The banquet hall was festooned with lanterns and decorations, with four tables laid out. As was customary, the main table stood in the center, seating honored guests and direct descendants of the Jiang Family, while the other three tables were for collateral relatives.

At that moment, everyone's face was beaming with joy, and the entire banquet hall was buzzing with excitement.

"Third Master, congratulations! You truly raised a fine son!"

"Young Master Minghao's talent is extraordinary. Now that he has caught the eye of an alchemist from the Alchemy Guild, he is sure to soar straight up the ranks in the future!"

Jiang He's bearded face was wreathed in smiles, and he looked thoroughly delighted. Yet he still said modestly, "Not at all. Minghao is merely average. How could he compare to Mingxuan's excellence?"

Beside him, Jiang Mingxuan fought hard to suppress the trace of jealousy in his eyes. In the past, his martial talent had always overshadowed Jiang Minghao's, but today Jiang Minghao had completely stolen his thunder.

After all, alchemists stood far above ordinary martial artists. If Jiang Minghao could truly become an alchemist in the future, his prospects would be bright indeed.

"Third Brother, congratulations."

Xu Yin offered her congratulations without much warmth. Whether Jiang Minghao turned out well or badly had little to do with her; she only wanted to live her own life well.

"Haha, Second Sister-in-law, you're here. Hurry and take your seats!" Jiang He said with a laugh, gesturing for Xu Yin and Jiang Tingyi to sit at the main table.

But just as Su Chen was about to sit at the main table as well, Jiang He stretched out an arm to stop him. "Hey, your place isn't here!"

"Third Brother, what do you mean by that?" Xu Yin's willow brows shot up. Was Jiang He planning to pull the same trick again?

Jiang He pointed to a table beside them. "Second Sister-in-law, you've misunderstood! I'm asking him to sit with the collateral relatives! That's not too much to ask, is it?"

This left Xu Yin with nothing to say. Last time, Su Chen had been able to sit among the direct descendants because Jiang Feng had helped him. She could not ask Jiang Feng to help again this time, could she?

Xu Yin looked toward Su Chen, but to her surprise, he seemed utterly unconcerned. "Sure. I'll sit over there."

With that, Su Chen truly left the main table and went to sit at the table for collateral relatives.

"Hmph!" Watching Su Chen's retreating back, Jiang He let out an almost imperceptible snort through his nose. So what if Su Chen had defeated his son? Today, his son was the protagonist, the center of everyone's attention, while Su Chen was merely a nameless nobody sitting in some corner.

"Good son, Father is proud of you!" Jiang He patted Jiang Minghao's shoulder. "Perform well. Don't disappoint Father after he went out of his way to hold this banquet for you. Tonight, you are the focus of the entire hall!"

"Father, I understand!" Jiang Minghao nodded heavily.

On the other side, Jiang Mingxuan frowned deeply and said to Jiang Shan, "Father, the Third Branch has completely stolen the limelight today."

Jiang Shan said mildly, "What are you talking about? Minghao is your cousin. The First Branch and Third Branch are one body. When the Third Branch shines, isn't that our glory as well?"

"But..."

Jiang Mingxuan still wanted to say something, but Jiang Shan cut him off. "Mingxuan, remember this: before Father truly obtains the position of family head, the First Branch and Third Branch will always be allies."

"Now, we already have clues about the Family Head's Seal. Before long, we will surely obtain it. If Minghao can truly become an alchemist, he will become a great aid to us in the future! Rest assured, the position of Jiang Family head will sooner or later be ours, and you will be the future heir to the family head!"

"I understand, Father!" Jiang Mingxuan's expression eased considerably.

At that moment, a servant hurried in from outside the banquet hall, went straight to Jiang He's side, and whispered a few words in his ear.

Jiang He's expression immediately blossomed like a spring breeze. He quickly rose and strode to the entrance of the banquet hall, greeting the person outside with a face full of smiles. "Welcome, Master Qian! Your arrival brings glory to the humble Jiang Family!"

Master Qian was a thin middle-aged man in his forties. Faced with Jiang He's enthusiasm, he merely nodded indifferently, seemingly not taking Jiang He's warmth to heart at all.

But Jiang He did not mind. Master Qian was a Certified Alchemist from the Alchemy Guild, after all. It was only natural for him to be proud. Even before a county prince, men like them had some standing, let alone before someone like Jiang He.

"Master Qian, please, take your seat," Jiang He invited.

Two apprentice alchemists followed behind Master Qian, both wearing equally arrogant expressions. The three went to the main table and sat down directly.

"Where is Jiang Minghao? Have him come out and see me," Master Qian asked as soon as he was seated.

Jiang He hurriedly said, "Minghao, why aren't you coming out to pay respects to your master? Offer him a toast!"

"Yes!" Jiang Minghao answered loudly. He immediately brought over a cup of wine and said respectfully, "Master, your disciple offers you a toast."

"Mm." Master Qian glanced at Jiang Minghao, and the coldness in his expression softened somewhat. Although Master Qian disliked Jiang He's vulgar air, Jiang Minghao did indeed possess some talent for alchemy. With a period of training, he had hope of becoming an apprentice alchemist.

The banquet then began amid a lively atmosphere.

Jiang He and Jiang Minghao were clearly the undisputed stars of the banquet. With his face glowing like spring, Jiang He constantly conversed with Master Qian, his flattering words pouring forth one after another. Though Master Qian disliked it, he still patiently exchanged words with Jiang He.

Su Chen watched the scene indifferently and found it thoroughly dull. He simply half-closed his eyes and let his mind wander beyond the heavens.

In any case, he was not seated at the main table, so no one would care if he was distracted.

After three rounds of wine, Jiang He's face was flushed with drink. Taking advantage of his tipsiness, he suggested with a smile, "Master Qian, the apprenticeship ceremony... shouldn't it be about time to hold it?"

"No hurry."

Master Qian set down his cup and said, "Although I have taken a liking to Minghao's talent for alchemy, today I still need to test him on several questions concerning alchemy. If he passes, we can formally proceed with the apprenticeship ceremony."

"Don't be nervous. These questions are not difficult. They are all basic questions about alchemy," Master Qian said.

"Rest assured, Master. Your disciple will certainly answer them!" Jiang Minghao was brimming with confidence. During this period, he had diligently studied books on alchemy at home, so there should not be any problem.