Master Qian's Questions

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

On the way, Su Chen heard Xu Yin cough several times in succession and asked, "Aunt, is your old injury acting up again?"

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

Su Chen nodded lightly. With his memories of his previous life, he naturally knew that Xu Yin's injury was actually a cold poison that was extremely difficult to eradicate. Every flare-up brought tremendous pain, and as time passed, it would eventually threaten her life.

But in this life, as long as he successfully refined the Hundred-Year Supreme-Yang Pill, he would certainly be able to purge the cold poison from Xu Yin's body.

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

The banquet hall was festooned with lanterns and colorful decorations, with four tables laid out. As usual, the main table stood in the center, seating the honored guests and members of the Jiang Family's main line, while the other three tables seated members of the branch lines.

At that moment, everyone's face brimmed with joy, and the entire banquet hall bustled with excitement.

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

"Young Master Minghao has extraordinary talent. Now that an alchemist from the Alchemy Guild has taken a fancy to him, he'll surely rise straight into the clouds!"

Jiang He's bearded face was wreathed in smiles, looking thoroughly pleased and delighted, though he still spoke modestly. "Not at all. Minghao is only average. How could he compare with someone as outstanding as Mingxuan?"

Beside him, Jiang Mingxuan did his utmost to suppress the trace of jealousy in his eyes. In the past, his martial talent had always put him a cut above Jiang Minghao, but today, Jiang Minghao had completely stolen his thunder.

After all, an alchemist's standing far surpassed that of an ordinary martial artist. If Jiang Minghao could become an alchemist in the future, a bright future awaited him.

"Third Brother, congratulations."

Xu Yin offered a lukewarm word of congratulations. Whether Jiang Minghao did well or poorly had little to do with her. She merely wanted to live her own life in peace.

"Haha, Second Sister-in-law, you're here! Come, take a seat!" Jiang He smiled as he gestured 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 too, Jiang He reached out to block him. "Hey, your seat isn't here!"

"Third Brother, what do you mean?" Xu Yin's slender brows shot up. Was Jiang He planning to play the same old trick again?

Jiang He pointed at a nearby table. "Second Sister-in-law, you've misunderstood! I'm only asking him to sit with the branch family members! Surely that isn't unreasonable!"

That left Xu Yin with nothing to say. Last time, Su Chen had been able to sit with the main line because Jiang Feng had helped him. She could hardly ask Jiang Feng to help again this time, could she?

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

With that, Su Chen really did leave the main table and sit down at the table for branch family members.

"Hmph!" Watching Su Chen walk away, Jiang He gave a barely perceptible snort. So what if Su Chen had defeated his son? Today, his son was the star, the focus of everyone's attention, while Su Chen was merely a nobody sitting in a corner.

"My good son, your father is proud of you!" Jiang He patted Jiang Minghao on the shoulder. "Do your best. Don't let down your father, who arranged this banquet especially for you. Tonight, all eyes will be on you!"

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

Meanwhile, Jiang Mingxuan's brows

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were tightly furrowed as he said to Jiang Shan, "Father, the third branch has completely stolen the limelight today."

Jiang Shan said evenly, "What are you saying? Minghao is your cousin. The first and third branches are one. Isn't glory for the third branch glory for us as well?"

"But..."

Jiang Mingxuan wanted to say more, but Jiang Shan interrupted him. "Mingxuan, remember this: until your father truly secures the position of family head, the first and third branches will always be allies."

"We already have a lead on the Family Head's Seal. I believe we'll obtain it before long. If Minghao really can become an alchemist, he'll be a great asset to us in the future! Rest assured, the position of head of the Jiang Family will be ours sooner or later, and you will be the future heir!"

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

Just then, a servant hurried into the banquet hall, walked straight over to Jiang He, and whispered a few words in his ear.

Jiang He's face immediately lit up. He hastily rose and strode to the banquet hall entrance, beaming at the visitor outside. "Welcome, Master Qian! Your honored presence brings splendor to our humble Jiang Family!"

Master Qian was a thin, middle-aged man in his forties. Faced with Jiang He's enthusiasm, he merely nodded and offered a perfunctory acknowledgment, seemingly paying little heed to the warm welcome.

But Jiang He did not mind. After all, Master Qian was a Certified Alchemist of the Alchemy Guild, so his pride was perfectly natural. Such men commanded a measure of respect even before the commandery prince, let alone someone like him.

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

Two apprentice alchemists followed behind Master Qian, both wearing equally haughty expressions. The three came to the main table and sat right down.

"Where is Jiang Minghao? Have him come and see me," Master Qian asked directly after sitting down.

Jiang He hastily said, "Minghao, why haven't you come forward to pay your respects to your master and offer him a toast?"

"Yes!" Jiang Minghao answered loudly, then immediately approached with a cup of wine and said respectfully, "Master, your disciple offers you a toast."

"Mm." Master Qian glanced at Jiang Minghao, his cold expression softening somewhat. Though he disliked the air of vulgarity about Jiang He, Jiang Minghao did possess some talent for alchemy. With some time spent nurturing him, he stood a chance of becoming an apprentice alchemist.

The banquet then got underway amid a lively atmosphere.

Jiang He and Jiang Minghao were unquestionably the stars of the banquet. Beaming with delight, Jiang He kept striking up conversations with Master Qian, pouring out an endless stream of flattery. Though Master Qian disliked it, he patiently exchanged remarks with Jiang He.

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

In any case, he was not sitting at the main table, so no one would care if his attention wandered.

After three rounds of drinks, Jiang He's face was flushed with wine. Buoyed by his tipsiness, he suggested with a smile, "Master Qian, isn't it about time to hold the apprenticeship ceremony?"

"There's no hurry."

Master Qian set down his cup and said, "Although Minghao's talent for alchemy caught my eye, I still need to test him with a few questions about alchemy today. If he passes, we can formally proceed with the apprenticeship ceremony."

"Don't be nervous. These questions aren't difficult. They're all about the basics of alchemy," Master Qian said.

"Rest assured, Master. Your disciple will definitely be able to answer them!" Jiang Minghao brimmed with confidence. He had spent the preceding days diligently studying books on alchemy at home, so he expected no problems. Seeing him act this way, Xu Yin could only suppress her worries, and the three of them headed toward the Jiang Family's banquet hall together.

"Rest assured, Master. Your disciple will definitely be able to answer them!" Jiang Minghao brimmed with confidence. He had spent the preceding days diligently studying books on alchemy at home, so he expected no problems.