Chapter 220: Chapter 218: Demanding Someone Face-to-Face

At the Jiang Family estate, Jiang Han was startled to hear that Wen Bufan had arrived.

He hurried out to greet him.

After all, he was the City Lord’s son, so he dared not show any disrespect.

"Eldest Young Master Wen, welcome."

As the Patriarch of the Jiang Family, he had the clearest understanding of the powers within Hanwu City. The so-called three great families of the past were truly no match for the City Lord’s Mansion.

However, the City Lord’s Mansion had allowed the three great families to exist without suppressing them too heavily.

This was because, from the perspective of the City Lord’s Mansion, annihilating the three great families would be as easy as turning over a hand.

Even though the Jiang Family’s strength had now grown immensely, Jiang Han knew that the City Lord’s Mansion was still an entity they could not afford to provoke.

After all, the City Lord’s Mansion was backed by the entire Fire Sparrow Kingdom.

Wen Bufan glanced at Jiang Han with arrogance.

He gave a slight nod.

Jiang Han immediately greeted Lin Hai as well.

Lin Hai, however, stared at Jiang Han with a hint of confusion.

This was because Jiang Han’s aura was completely restrained.

Even with his Martial Master Ninth Heaven cultivation, he couldn’t see through him.

This shocked him to the core.

’How can I not see through his cultivation?’

’Why can’t I see through this Jiang Han?’

His expression grew pensive, but he kept his thoughts to himself.

This time, however, he wasn’t overly arrogant toward Jiang Han. Instead, he gave a slight gesture, acknowledging the greeting.

At the same time, he stuck close to Wen Bufan.

He remained on guard against Jiang Han.

The man before him, Jiang Han, was now exerting a great deal of pressure on him.

He remembered that Jiang Chen’s cultivation was only at the Martial Master Seventh Heaven, and he absolutely refused to believe anyone could break through to the Martial King Cultivation realm in such a short time.

And yet, the Jiang Han before him was utterly unfathomable.

The last time the Jiang Family had fought the Alchemy Master Guild, the battle was already over by the time the men from the City Lord’s Mansion arrived.

They didn’t know the specifics of what had happened.

After taking a seat, Wen Bufan fearlessly crossed his legs.

Jiang Han already knew what had happened outside but didn’t dare to blame Wen Bufan.

"Eldest Young Master Wen, may I ask the purpose of your visit to our Jiang Family today?"

He did his utmost not to provoke Wen Bufan, and his words were exceedingly polite.

He had no choice. If the Jiang Family wanted to survive in Hanwu City, they had to submit to the City Lord’s Mansion.

Wen Bufan’s eyes darted around the room as he said with a grin, "Patriarch Jiang, your family is the sole powerhouse in the city now. Quite impressive."

He said it casually, as if making a simple observation.

Jiang Han’s expression flickered. He quickly forced a smile and said, "You’re too kind. The Jiang Family will always be a part of Hanwu City. We would never dare compare ourselves to the City Lord’s Mansion."

He didn’t know the true purpose of Wen Bufan’s visit.

But he could sense from his words that the man was looking for trouble.

This made him respond with even greater caution.

He was terrified of provoking the City Lord’s Mansion.

Wen Bufan chuckled drily.

"Of course. How could your tiny Jiang Family possibly compare to the City Lord’s Mansion?"

"But I won’t waste any more words."

"Patriarch Jiang, I came here today to meet your family’s Alchemist."

"Bring them out. I want to see for myself."

In truth, Wen Bufan had come precisely for the Jiang Family’s Alchemists.

The Jiang Family used to have an Alchemist named Ling Xuan. But after he left, the family had not only survived but had somehow found a new one.

The quality of the elixirs they refined was exceptionally high.

This had attracted the attention of the City Lord’s Mansion long ago.

What?

Jiang Han was shocked. Wen Bufan actually wanted to meet their family’s Alchemists.

At first, his thoughts went to his son, Jiang Chen.

But then he realized that couldn’t be right. The City Lord’s Mansion wouldn’t be here for his son.

That meant he truly wanted to meet the Jiang Family’s Alchemists.

And the current Alchemists of the Jiang Family were none other than Jiang Xuan and Jiang Ling.

The quality of the elixirs the two of them refined had long since surpassed Ling Xuan’s.

He hesitated for a moment before asking, "Eldest Young Master Wen, is there a particular reason you wish to see our family’s Alchemists?"

"I would appreciate it if you could tell me."

But Wen Bufan simply waved a hand dismissively. "No special reason. I just want to see them for myself. I trust Patriarch Jiang can fulfill this small wish of mine?"

Jiang Han considered it. ’Refusing will obviously make Wen Bufan angry.’

Finally, after a long moment of deliberation, he nodded.

"Very well. Since Eldest Young Master Wen wishes to meet them, I will have someone fetch them."

He then gave a quiet order to one of the Jiang Clan Members.

The clan member hurried away.

A moment later, Jiang Xuan walked in.

That was right. Jiang Han was unsure of Wen Bufan’s objective, so he had held an ace up his sleeve.

Although the Jiang Family had two Alchemists, Jiang Xuan and Jiang Ling, he wasn’t about to summon both of them at once.

That was why he had specifically instructed the clan member to summon only Jiang Xuan.

"Greetings, Patriarch."

As soon as Jiang Xuan entered, he first bowed to greet Jiang Han.

The entire Jiang Family now depended on Jiang Han.

His status in the hearts of the Jiang Clan Members had grown ever higher.

Jiang Han nodded and said to Jiang Xuan, "Jiang Xuan, allow me to introduce you. This is the Eldest Young Master from the City Lord’s Mansion, Wen Bufan."

Jiang Xuan was taken aback. It was actually the City Lord’s son, Wen Bufan.

He had, of course, heard of him, but he had rarely seen the man and didn’t have a strong impression.

He quickly smiled at Wen Bufan and said, "Jiang Xuan, at your service, Eldest Young Master Wen."

"I’ve heard so much about you. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you today."

Wen Bufan stood up and sized Jiang Xuan up from head to toe.

His curiosity was palpable.

At the same time, he exclaimed in admiration, "Not bad, not bad at all. So young and promising."

It had to be said, Wen Bufan was also surprised.

Jiang Xuan was exceptionally young to be an Alchemist for the Jiang Family.

Normally, an Alchemist needed many years of practice to successfully refine elixirs, typically only achieving success in their thirties or forties.

But looking at Jiang Xuan, he was clearly not old at all.

Yet he was able to refine enough elixirs for the Jiang Family to sell.

And that was the truth. The rapid growth and expansion of the Jiang Family was in large part thanks to the contributions of Jiang Xuan and Jiang Ling.

Either one of them, working alone, was more than enough to supply the Jiang Family’s needs.

Let alone with both of them refining elixirs for the family.

As such, the Jiang Family’s development was even more rapid.

Furthermore, both of them had long since surpassed Ling Xuan.

From time to time, they even received a pointer or two from Jiang Chen, causing their Alchemy Skill to advance by leaps and bounds.

Even among First-Grade Alchemists, the two of them were already considered to be at an intermediate-to-advanced level.

However, Jiang Xuan didn’t understand Wen Bufan’s intentions.

"You flatter me."

He merely smiled humbly.

Just as Jiang Han was puzzling over Wen Bufan’s objective...

As expected, Wen Bufan revealed his true colors.

He grabbed Jiang Xuan’s hand and declared loudly, "Mr. Jiang, are you willing to come and refine elixirs for our City Lord’s Mansion?"

"The City Lord’s Mansion will give you the absolute best treatment—ten, even a hundred times better than what the Jiang Family offers."

What?

Both Jiang Han and Jiang Xuan were stunned.

Wen Bufan had come with ill intentions, brazenly trying to poach Jiang Xuan right in front of Jiang Han’s face.

This was a blatant show of disrespect for Jiang Han as the Patriarch.

Rage surged through Jiang Han.

But he knew he couldn’t show his anger. He had to endure it.

He had no choice. He didn’t dare do anything to Wen Bufan.

He quickly cut in, "Eldest Young Master Wen, Jiang Xuan is an Alchemist of our Jiang Family. This is absolutely out of the question."

Jiang Xuan also rejected the offer outright.

He was a member of the Jiang Family to begin with. Moreover, everything he had was thanks to Jiang Chen.

He would not be so disloyal, nor would he ever betray the Jiang Family.