Chapter 162: Chapter 162: Qin Lie’s Displeasure

Qin Lie was thrilled to see Murong Xiangming.

He knew Murong Xiangming, of course, having met her on a few occasions.

Her charm was unforgettable.

He hurried forward a few steps and waved the guards away. "You’re dismissed. Miss Murong is here to see me."

Upon seeing Qin Lie, the guards all greeted him respectfully.

This was Qin Lie, the son of President Qin. No one in the Alchemy Master Guild dared to cross him.

Even though Murong Xiangming was there to see Jiang Chen, with Qin Lie now involved—and given the rumors that he had long coveted her—the guards didn’t dare get in the way of Young Master Qin’s good fortune.

They all backed away.

Approaching Murong Xiangming, Qin Lie asked excitedly, "Miss Murong, it’s been a few days. Are you here to see me today?"

’In the whole Alchemy Master Guild, I must be the only one she knows well,’ he thought, secretly pleased.

’Her visit must be for me.’

Most importantly, he had genuinely been fond of Murong Xiangming for a long time.

Murong Xiangming glanced at Qin Lie with a hint of disdain.

Her tone was cold as she said, "Young Master Qin, don’t get the wrong idea. I’m just here to see Steward Jiang from your Alchemy Master Guild about a small matter."

She was well aware that Qin Lie had feelings for her.

Unfortunately, even though Qin Lie was indeed suave and an Alchemist with considerable potential, Murong Xiangming paid him no mind.

She was only looking for Jiang Chen.

Qin Lie’s expression froze. He was stunned.

’So she didn’t come for me after all.’

’She’s looking for a ’Steward Jiang’?’

Qin Lie considered this. Murong Xiangming rarely asked anyone for favors. ’Anyone who can get the proud Miss Murong to visit them personally must be someone of considerable status,’ he thought.

But he had no idea who this "Steward Jiang" was.

’The person she came to see in person must be quite something.’

He then asked curiously, "This Steward Jiang you mentioned, Miss Murong, what’s his full name? I can have him brought out for you."

He began to take an interest in this so-called Steward Jiang.

"His name is Jiang Chen," Murong Xiangming stated.

"Jiang Chen?"

Qin Lie’s brows furrowed instantly. Jiang Chen. That name had been making quite a splash recently.

The man was really in the spotlight.

Still, Qin Lie didn’t think much of him.

The only thing he wasn’t sure about was if this was the same Jiang Chen who had recently become so famous.

He smiled. "Alright, come with me. I’ll give you a tour and show you the sights of our Alchemy Master Guild. Afterward, I’ll order Jiang Chen to come and see you."

In the Alchemy Master Guild, Qin Lie’s power was virtually absolute.

His father was the President of the Alchemist Guild, and he himself was an exceptionally talented Alchemist.

Sometimes, his words carried the weight of his father, President Qin.

"A tour? No, thank you. I’m busy. Perhaps another time."

Murong Xiangming had no desire to spend another moment with Qin Lie. The lust in his eyes made her extremely uncomfortable.

Qin Lie glanced at Murong Xiangming’s chest and shapely rear, secretly gulping.

He could tell Murong Xiangming had zero interest in him.

He felt a surge of resentment.

After all, he was the son of the President of the Alchemist Guild. His status was so high that if he were to simply call out on the street, countless girls would likely throw themselves into his arms.

But Murong Xiangming was not that kind of woman.

He began to feel a pang of envy toward Jiang Chen, which quickly soured into anger.

He gritted his teeth, but let none of his frustration show on his face.

He forced a smile. "Fine, I’ll take you to see this Steward Jiang."

"Follow me."

With Murong Xiangming in tow, Qin Lie went to find Jiang Chen.

After asking around, he learned that there was, in fact, only one Senior Steward named Jiang Chen.

BANG!

Qin Lie shoved Jiang Chen’s door open. Xiaoba didn’t dare try to stop him.

Still, he managed to say, "Eldest Young Master Qin, Steward Jiang is resting. You can’t disturb him."

"Shut up."

Qin Lie whipped his head around and snapped at Xiaoba.

He was furious.

’So this Jiang Chen really *is* the one who’s been making waves.’

He’d forced the door open precisely to make a show of his own power.

Trailing behind Qin Lie, Murong Xiangming was clearly repulsed by his behavior.

"Jiang Chen?"

Qin Lie bellowed upon seeing Jiang Chen meditating with his eyes closed.

Jiang Chen’s Cultivation was interrupted by Qin Lie’s shout.

He opened his eyes and looked at Qin Lie, a flicker of cold light glinting imperceptibly in their depths.

Interrupting someone’s Cultivation was an extremely provocative act.

"Is there a problem?"

he asked, his brows furrowed.

His voice was completely devoid of emotion.

He had no idea the man before him was Qin Lie, the son of Master Qin.

This seemed to anger Qin Lie even more, despite the fact that he was the one who had interrupted Jiang Chen’s Cultivation.

He didn’t expect Jiang Chen to use such a tone with him.

He held his temper for the moment, however, and demanded loudly, "You’re Jiang Chen?"

"I am."

Jiang Chen remained seated, perfectly still.

He was merely holding himself back.

Qin Lie gritted his teeth, then said angrily, "Is that the attitude you take when you see me, Qin Lie? If it weren’t for Miss Murong’s sake, I’d teach you a lesson right now."

He then gestured to Murong Xiangming at his side.

"Miss Murong is here to see you. Get up and greet her."

Only then did Jiang Chen notice Murong Xiangming.

She was giving him an apologetic look.

Her expression told Jiang Chen that this was not her doing.

Jiang Chen finally stood up and smiled at Murong Xiangming.

"Ah, Miss Murong. To what do I owe the pleasure?"

He couldn’t be bothered to pay Qin Lie any mind.

As for Murong Xiangming, Jiang Chen had a rather favorable impression of her.

"Young Master Jiang Chen, it has been a few days."

"Congratulations on your promotion to Senior Steward of the Alchemy Master Guild."

"I meant to come and offer my congratulations sooner, but I was delayed by other matters. My apologies."

She gave Jiang Chen a beautiful smile.

Seeing this, Qin Lie’s eyes practically shot fire.

Whenever Murong Xiangming saw him, she was always cold and unapproachable.

But with Jiang Chen, she was all smiles. The difference in her treatment of them was like night and day.

A bitter resentment welled up inside him.

Jiang Chen waved his hand dismissively. "It’s nothing. An appointment like this is hardly worth celebrating."

As expected, Qin Lie interjected, "That’s right, Miss Murong. He’s just a placeholder. In a few days, he’ll be swept out the door by the Alchemy Master Guild. It’s not worth congratulating at all."

Jiang Chen’s brow furrowed once more, and a cold glint flashed in his eyes.

The man was far too insolent. Jiang Chen felt he had shown more than enough restraint.

Murong Xiangming was also getting angry.

She suddenly raised her voice. "Eldest Young Master Qin, I’ve met with Steward Jiang. There’s nothing else, so you may leave."

What?

Hearing Murong Xiangming actually tell him to leave, Qin Lie flared with anger.

But Murong Xiangming was staring at him with a look of extreme displeasure.

Qin Lie knew that staying any longer would only worsen Murong Xiangming’s impression of him.

He nodded. "Fine, Miss Murong. I’ll wait for you outside."

"Don’t."

Murong Xiangming’s tone was still icy, showing him no courtesy whatsoever.

Qin Lie was choked with fury.

In the end, he resentfully turned and left Jiang Chen’s office.

As he left, he shot Jiang Chen a threatening glare.