Hearing Ximen Gong’s words, Ling Xuan was tempted.

In truth, he had long been dissatisfied with the Jiang Family’s profit-sharing. As an Alchemist, he worked himself to the bone performing Alchemy, only to receive a mere one-tenth of the profits.

Of course, he was only responsible for the Alchemy; the sales and all the materials were provided by the Jiang Family.

Even so, he felt he should receive at least one-fifth.

Now, Ximen Gong’s offer was even more astonishing. Ximen Gong was actually willing to split the profits fifty-fifty with him.

However, he remained reserved for a moment.

"Patriarch Ximen, isn’t this... inappropriate?"

"After all, I’ve been with the Jiang Family for many years."

He couldn’t just agree to Ximen Gong’s proposal right away. For now, it was just talk. He had to make Ximen Gong show more sincerity.

Ximen Gong seemed to have come prepared.

He took a stack of papers from his Qiankun Bag.

And handed them directly to Ling Xuan.

"Mr. Ling, I am, of course, absolutely sincere. When I, Ximen Gong, do something, my word is my bond."

"Here, this is an agreement I’ve drafted. See for yourself if you’re satisfied."

Ximen Gong had made many preparations and was naturally confident he could poach Ling Xuan for the Ximen Family.

In this world, who isn’t greedy?

As long as one could grasp this point of human greed, anything could be changed.

Those who couldn’t be swayed simply hadn’t been offered enough. As long as the offer met their expectations, nothing was a problem.

Sure enough, after Ling Xuan read it, his breathing grew heavy.

This was, in fact, exactly the kind of guarantee he wanted.

Ximen Gong was not only willing to split the profits fifty-fifty, but he also offered all sorts of generous conditions.

This was countless times better than what the Jiang Family offered.

He took a deep breath.

Finally, he nodded.

"Patriarch Ximen, since you’ve invited me with such sincerity, I, Ling Xuan, will admit it: I work for money."

"I’ve long been dissatisfied with how the Jiang Family has treated me."

"Patriarch Ximen, I accept your offer. I will go to your Ximen Family."

Ximen Gong was overjoyed.

"Excellent, Mr. Ling! As long as you are with my Ximen Family, I, Ximen Gong, guarantee all your interests. Your status will be second only to my own."

"If you’re willing, sign the agreement. It’s in duplicate."

"After all, I believe verbal promises are empty. If I dare to make a promise, I dare to back it up with action."

Ling Xuan was naturally moved.

He decisively signed the agreement along with Ximen Gong, and the deal was done.

Ling Xuan smiled and said, "Patriarch, in that case, I’ll take two days to prepare and leave the Jiang Family for the Ximen Family right away."

But Ximen Gong said, "Mr. Ling, there’s no time to waste. Since you’ve made your decision, it’s best to make a clean break."

"There’s no time like the present. Leave the Jiang Family today. My Ximen Family will hold a grand reception for you at the Jiang Family’s main gate."

Hearing this, Ling Xuan slapped his thigh.

"Good! You’re right. I’ll follow the Patriarch’s arrangements."

"I’ll go pack my things now and leave the Jiang Family immediately."

Ximen Gong smiled, a very pleased smile.

’Jiang Family,’ he thought, ’sooner or later, I’ll make you disappear completely.’

With Ling Xuan successfully poached, everything was proceeding as he’d hoped. He and Ling Xuan left at once, and Ximen Gong went to the Ximen estate to gather his clansmen, preparing to welcome Ling Xuan at the Jiang Family’s main gate.

Doing so would be a great humiliation for the Jiang Family.

It was a way to vent his frustrations.

「The Jiang Family.」

Jiang Han and the others had just finished touring Ling Xuan’s Alchemy Room.

At this moment, they had all returned to the family’s main hall to discuss family matters.

Jiang Chen was also present among them.

As they were discussing business, a clansman suddenly rushed in.

"Patriarch, Mr. Ling requests an audience."

Jiang Han stood up in a hurry.

"Quickly, show Mr. Ling in."

Mr. Ling was their Jiang Family’s Treasure Mountain. As the Patriarch, Jiang Han was also very respectful towards Ling Xuan.

So, hearing that Ling Xuan had come to see him, he was naturally exceptionally welcoming.

After all, Ling Xuan usually stayed in his Alchemy Room or went out to select materials; he was rarely seen.

But now he had come to the family’s main hall.

The other Jiang Family members were all very happy and looked forward to Ling Xuan’s arrival.

Soon, Ling Xuan, dressed in a moon-white monk’s robe, slowly strode into the main hall.

"Mr. Ling, please, come in."

Jiang Han strode down from the Patriarch’s seat, happily welcoming Ling Xuan.

The other Jiang Family members also stood up, each greeting Ling Xuan with a smile.

The Jiang Family’s respect for Ling Xuan was at its peak.

Only Jiang Chen remained seated, his eyes narrowed as he observed Ling Xuan.

His face was expressionless, and he made no move.

Ling Xuan was somewhat cold.

He didn’t respond to Jiang Han’s welcome.

This caused Jiang Han to lose a bit of face.

But Jiang Han still didn’t mind.

"Mr. Ling, please, have a seat."

Ling Xuan, however, said flatly, "Patriarch, I won’t sit."

"I have something I need to say."

"I’ll just say it today, in front of everyone."

Jiang Han was a little surprised and looked at Ling Xuan in confusion.

At this moment, Ling Xuan seemed different from his usual self; it was very strange.

He seemed to be deliberately creating distance between himself and Jiang Han.

Although he didn’t understand, he didn’t think too much of it.

He laughed heartily and said, "Mr. Ling, please feel free to say whatever is on your mind."

"We’re all family here."

He didn’t see Ling Xuan as an outsider.

And that was the truth.

The other Jiang Family members all looked at Ling Xuan curiously, waiting to hear what he had to say.

Jiang Chen remained impassive, watching Ling Xuan.

’With his keen eye, he had long since noticed something unusual.’

’This man is proud and arrogant, with no respect for anyone in the Jiang Family. A person like this will leave the Jiang Family sooner or later, because he doesn’t hold the family in any regard at all.’

’Leaving is just a matter of time.’

’And since Ling Xuan is an outsider, not a member of the Jiang Family, there’s nothing to stop him from leaving.’

Sure enough, Ling Xuan cupped his fists in an apologetic gesture toward Jiang Han.

He then said something that sent a shockwave through the entire Jiang Family, leaving them stunned and in disbelief.

"Patriarch Jiang, I’m very sorry, but I’m leaving the Jiang Family."

"Which means I will no longer be able to perform Alchemy for the Jiang Family."

What?

Everyone was stunned.

Including Jiang Han. He had expected Ling Xuan to bring some good news, but instead, Ling Xuan suddenly announced he was leaving the Jiang Family.

In an instant, the main hall erupted in an uproar.

"Did I hear that right?"

"Did Mr. Ling say he’s leaving the Jiang Family and won’t perform Alchemy for us anymore?"

"That’s what it sounded like."

After all, most people never would have thought Ling Xuan would say such a thing. The Jiang Family members were completely unprepared to accept it.

If Ling Xuan had been plotting to leave for a long time and had given some indication, that would have been one thing.

But this was a sudden announcement, a departure without any warning.

It absolutely caught the Jiang Family completely off guard and unprepared.

Jiang Han froze.

He still couldn’t quite believe his own ears.

It felt like Ling Xuan was joking.

He pressed, "Mr. Ling, you were joking just now, right?"

"That’s not a funny joke."

But Ling Xuan remained expressionless. He sneered inwardly, long dissatisfied with the Jiang Family. He now said coldly, "I’m not joking, Patriarch Jiang. I’m telling you the truth."

"I am leaving the Jiang Family today. I just came to inform you, and I’ll be leaving right after."

He was no longer addressing Jiang Han as "Patriarch," but as "Patriarch Jiang." The moment he accepted Ximen Gong’s invitation, he had completely abandoned the Jiang Family.