Chapter 123: Chapter 123: When You See This Steward, Be Polite

Ling Xuan was furious that Jiang Chen had rejected his application to the Alchemy Master Guild.

He was still determined to join. Membership in the Alchemy Master Guild would not only elevate his status but would also allow him to sell his Elixirs in the Guild’s Pill Workshop.

Then, Ling Xuan would earn a much higher share of the profits than he did from the Ximen Family.

These overwhelming temptations made him dead set on joining the Alchemy Master Guild.

He went to Ximen Gong for help once more.

Ximen Gong mulled it over for a moment before nodding. "Fine. I’ll go see that person again and give it a shot."

In truth, Ximen Gong was also determined to get Ling Xuan into the Alchemy Master Guild.

If Ling Xuan successfully joined, it would pave the way for Chen Ran to join the Guild as well.

This would be a great boon for the Ximen Family.

With that, he spoke to Ling Xuan and Chen Ran before leaving the Ximen Family’s residence.

The three great families of Hanwu City were the Jiang Family, the Bai Family, and the Ximen Family.

Of the three, the Bai Family was the most powerful.

They also possessed the greatest wealth.

The Bai Family had gotten Bai Shu into the Alchemy Master Guild long ago, and now, Bai Shu had even become a disciple of Elder Xiao Gu.

The person Ximen Gong sought out was, naturally, the Bai Family’s Patriarch, Bai Xiong.

"Ximen Gong, what brings you to our Bai Family today?"

Although the three families were competitors, Ximen Gong’s relationship with the Bai Family was decent.

He had frequent dealings with the Bai Family’s Patriarch, Bai Xiong.

Now, upon seeing Ximen Gong arrive, Bai Xiong welcomed him in and asked his purpose.

A sinister glint flashed in Ximen Gong’s eyes before he said to Bai Xiong, "Ling Xuan’s application to the Alchemy Master Guild was rejected. He failed."

What?

Bai Xiong was taken aback. "He failed? How could he possibly fail?"

Ximen Gong gave a bitter smile. "I’m not sure either. I heard he failed during the Senior Steward’s review."

"The news just came in."

This caused Bai Xiong’s expression to darken.

He was the one who had arranged this matter.

After all, his son was already an Official Alchemist in the Alchemy Master Guild and had even become a disciple of Elder Xiao Gu.

He had used his son to contact Elder Xiao Gu about Ling Xuan’s application.

As a result, the initial stages of his review at the Alchemy Master Guild had been incredibly smooth, a green light all the way.

But now he was hearing that the application was stuck at the Senior Steward’s desk.

He frowned slightly.

"That can’t be right. You know my son is an Official Alchemist, and his master is Elder Xiao Gu."

"If Elder Xiao Gu had intervened, I refuse to believe he would still be blocked. Besides, Elder Xiao Gu met Ling Xuan before and spoke very highly of him."

"There’s no way he would have prevented Ling Xuan from passing."

Bai Xiong wracked his brain but still couldn’t fathom why the application would get stuck with a Senior Steward.

Ximen Gong said, "Why don’t you go ask around and find out what’s really going on?"

For the time being, he didn’t mention that Jiang Chen had become a Senior Steward in the Alchemy Master Guild.

After a moment of silence, Bai Xiong said, "Fine. It’s a little late today. Tomorrow, I’ll have my son take Ling Xuan back to the Alchemy Master Guild to try again. If that doesn’t work, we’ll just go find Elder Xiao Gu."

"Leave this to me. I guarantee I’ll get Ling Xuan through."

Bai Xiong declared, patting his chest in assurance to Ximen Gong.

Ximen Gong nodded. "Then I thank you. As I said, once this is done, I’ll give you five million essence crystals, not a single one less." 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

With the arrangements settled between them.

The next day, after hearing what his father had to say, Bai Shu also frowned deeply.

"That can’t be right. My master already spoke to his subordinates. Ling Xuan’s application was supposed to be green-lit, no review necessary."

"How did it get stuck with a Steward?"

Hearing his father’s account, Bai Shu couldn’t make sense of it either.

He knew perfectly well that his master, Elder Xiao Gu, thought very highly of Ling Xuan. He had hoped Ling Xuan would study under him after joining the Alchemy Master Guild.

Yet now, he was hearing the application had failed.

Bai Shu looked at Ximen Gong and Ling Xuan sitting to one side.

Then he said to Ling Xuan, "Come with me. As long as I invoke my master’s name, it should be approved."

Ling Xuan was ecstatic and immediately followed Bai Shu straight to the Alchemy Master Guild.

Watching Ling Xuan and Bai Shu leave,

Ximen Gong said with some envy, "Bai Xiong, you have a fine son. Your line is in good hands."

Bai Xiong was very pleased with himself.

"I hope so. By the way, what about revenge for your son? Have you given up on it?"

Bai Xiong had known about Ximen Jianren’s death for a long time, and he brought it up again now.

Ximen Gong gritted his teeth. "How could I not avenge my son’s murder?"

"It’s not a matter of if, but when. The time just isn’t right yet. I will not let the Jiang Family get away with this."

Having suffered several defeats at the hands of the Jiang Family, Ximen Gong had been constantly plotting a way to bring them down.

Getting Ling Xuan into the Alchemy Master Guild was one part of that clever plan.

Unfortunately, things had become complicated. Not only could Ling Xuan not join the Guild, but the Jiang Family’s own Jiang Chen had suddenly become one of its Senior Stewards.

"The Jiang Family... Ximen Gong, you can’t underestimate them now."

"From now on, our two families will join forces. Together, we will utterly destroy the Jiang Family."

Ximen Gong was ecstatic. He hadn’t expected Bai Xiong to also want the Jiang Family destroyed.

The two hit it off immediately.

Crossing his legs, Jiang Chen leisurely sipped the Alchemy Master Guild’s Spirit Wine.

Life was good for Jiang Chen.

As he was comfortably enjoying himself, an errand boy walked in.

"Steward Jiang, that Ling Xuan from yesterday is here again. Will you see him?"

The boy reported to Jiang Chen.

Jiang Chen’s brow twitched almost imperceptibly.

"Ling Xuan?"

He remembered that he had rejected Ling Xuan’s application yesterday.

He hadn’t expected Ling Xuan to be so persistent.

A cold smile played on his lips.

’It seems that blow wasn’t enough for you.’

Jiang Chen said to the boy, "Fine. Let him in."

The boy had barely run out when Ling Xuan walked in with another man.

When Jiang Chen saw them, he was even more amused.

His visitors were Ling Xuan and, surprisingly, Bai Shu.

’Enemies truly do travel a narrow road.’

Jiang Chen settled into a comfortable posture.

"This..."

Seeing Jiang Chen sitting there, Ling Xuan was now absolutely certain: Jiang Chen was indeed the Lord Steward who had reviewed his application.

He was at a loss for words.

’Should I greet him? Say hello?’

’He couldn’t seem to find a suitable excuse.’

"Uh..."

"It’s you?"

Bai Shu had sworn up and down that he could get Ling Xuan’s application approved.

But now, seeing that the one reviewing the application was none other than Jiang Chen...

He froze on the spot, as if struck by lightning.

Jiang Chen was only a temporary replacement, but he was still a replacement for a Senior Steward.

Ling Xuan’s application still had to get past Jiang Chen.

But Bai Shu and Jiang Chen had a deep-seated feud.

Normally, the two were like fire and water.

Moreover, Bai Shu had humiliated Jiang Chen many times.

And Jiang Chen had made Bai Shu suffer his fair share of setbacks as well.

Lounging in his chair, Jiang Chen said coolly, "Bai Shu. Ling Xuan. When you see this Steward, you should show some manners. Shouldn’t you two be offering a greeting?"

Bai Shu’s face turned utterly foul.

He grew angry under Jiang Chen’s piercing gaze.

But he still forced himself to say, "Greetings, Lord Steward Jiang."

He finally understood why Ling Xuan’s application had been rejected.

Ling Xuan also hurriedly said with deference, "Ling Xuan greets the Lord Steward."

His respectful demeanor was a complete 180 from his attitude the day before.

Now, his only fear was angering Jiang Chen.

The crucial thing was that Jiang Chen held all the power over whether he could enter the Alchemy Master Guild.

He couldn’t afford to provoke him.