"What could possibly be so important for you? Stop wasting my time. My business is what’s important—I need to go find Senior Brother Wang," Zhang Juan snapped impatiently, stressing the last three words, "Senior Brother Wang."
Xu Qing’s expression flickered. The Senior Brother Wang whom Zhang Juan mentioned was an Inner Sect Disciple of Medicine King Peak. He was said to be very talented in Alchemy and was already proficient at refining Qi Gathering Pills.
Rumor had it that Zhang Juan and this Senior Brother Wang had an ambiguous relationship.
She was no fool. ’Zhang Juan is bringing up Senior Brother Wang right now to let me know she has connections.’ While Zhang Juan might not be able to harm her directly within the Sect, she could certainly get her kicked off her assignment on Medicine King Peak.
’My older brother, Xu Yang, spent so much money pulling strings just to get me this assignment on Medicine King Peak. It’s my chance to learn Alchemy in the future. I absolutely cannot let myself be driven off this peak.’
"Alright, I’ll come and help you, Senior Sister."
Xu Qing relented. She rose and left her designated area, walking over to where Zhang Juan was.
"Senior Brother Sun! What brings you here? If you need any herbs, just say the word, and I’ll have them sent right over."
Just then, the slightly fawning voice of the Inner Sect Disciple in charge of this herb garden drifted over from nearby.
Xu Qing paused in her tracks and looked over, only to see Sun Jian, an Inner Disciple of Elder Tie Fu, striding toward them.
She paid it no mind. ’I just want to get this done for this annoying woman as quickly as possible, and then I can head to Li Fire Peak to ask about my brother.’
"Senior Brother Sun, it’s been a while!" With a sycophantic grin plastered across her face, Zhang Juan hurried toward Sun Jian.
Sun Jian glanced at the woman’s fawning smile and barked, "Get lost!"
"Senior Brother Sun..."
Zhang Juan, who had been hurrying over, froze in place. A look of confusion crossed her face; she couldn’t understand why Senior Brother Sun, with whom she could usually exchange a few words, would suddenly respond to her greeting with those two words: "Get lost!"
Sun Jian shot Zhang Juan a cold glance and walked right past her. His icy expression instantly melted into a smile as he strode to Xu Qing’s side and said gently, "Junior Sister Xu, wonderful news! Truly wonderful news!"
Xu Qing stood up, looking bewildered. "Senior Brother Sun, what wonderful news?"
Zhang Juan’s face was a mask of disbelief. ’The proud Senior Brother Sun is actually speaking to Xu Qing in such an ingratiating tone?’
’This can’t be the real Senior Brother Sun. Otherwise, why would a man of his stature need to curry favor with Xu Qing?’
Sun Jian smiled. "With my master’s approval, you may now learn Alchemy. Come with me."
’I can learn Alchemy?’
Xu Qing was ecstatic. She had applied several times before, only to be rejected each time. She never imagined Sun Jian would be the one to tell her she could finally learn Alchemy.
Zhang Juan’s eyes widened in astonishment. ’Senior Brother Sun came all this way just to tell Xu Qing something so trivial? Did a small matter like this really require him to deliver the news in person?’
’His master? Isn’t that Elder Tie Fu? And something as minor as learning Alchemy needs Elder Tie Fu’s personal approval?’
As the realization dawned on her, Zhang Juan could only conclude that Sun Jian had gone mad and was spouting nonsense.
"Senior Brother Sun, are you in a hurry? If not, I can help Senior Sister Zhang finish with these herbs before I go with you," Xu Qing said.
’My business is important, but I shouldn’t hold up Senior Sister Zhang’s work.’
Sun Jian’s expression darkened. He turned to the Inner Sect Disciple who managed the area and roared, "Get over here! My master entrusted this herb garden to your care, and this is how you manage it? You let senior disciples bully new ones and take credit for their work?"
With his level of Cultivation, he had of course overheard the entire conversation between Xu Qing and Zhang Juan.
He wasn’t the supervisor here, so he couldn’t punish Zhang Juan directly. But he could certainly hold the person in charge accountable.
Zhang Juan’s face went pale with terror. ’How could that little bitch Xu Qing have earned Senior Brother Sun’s favor?’
’No, it’s not Sun Jian... it’s Elder Tie Fu.’
The Inner Sect Disciple scurried over and shot Zhang Juan a venomous glare. "Don’t bother coming in tomorrow."
Then, he turned to Sun Jian, cupped his hands, and asked, "Senior Brother Sun, is this handling of the matter to your satisfaction?"
Sun Jian nodded. This was as much as he could do about Zhang Juan bullying Xu Qing—get her kicked off Medicine King Peak.
"Senior Brother Sun, I’m friends with Senior Brother Wang Jianxing," Zhang Juan said, unwilling to accept her fate.
Her family had spent a fortune just to get her a position on Medicine King Peak. If she were kicked out, getting back would be nearly impossible. She had no choice but to play her Senior Brother Wang card.
"Wang Jianxing? And who is he supposed to be?"
Sun Jian let out a cold snort, then turned to Xu Qing. "Let’s go, Junior Sister Xu. Someone will finish your work for you."
"Thank you, Senior Brother Sun!"
Xu Qing cupped her hands in thanks and followed Sun Jian away.
"Senior Brother, can you tell me why this is happening?" Zhang Juan asked, her face deathly pale as she looked at the Inner Sect Disciple who managed the garden.
’She had brought up Wang Jianxing, but Sun Jian hadn’t shown him the slightest bit of deference.’
"Her brother reached Marrow Cleansing Minor Achievement. Finish your work and Xu Qing’s, then don’t come back tomorrow. And if you don’t want to die, you’d better go kowtow to Xu Qing."
With that, the man turned and left.
Zhang Juan felt a roaring in her ears, as if she had been struck by lightning. Her face was a picture of pure horror.
She knew of Xu Qing’s older brother, Xu Yang. He had entered the Inner Sect less than four months ago and was from the same batch of Dragon Ascending Disciples as she was.
’Xu Yang... achieved Marrow Cleansing Minor Achievement...’
Now she understood. She understood why Sun Jian was currying favor with Xu Qing, and why even Elder Chang Chun had been alerted. To reach Marrow Cleansing Minor Achievement at this stage meant Xu Yang’s talent was comparable to the likes of the Young Master Marquis, Li Chuyang. He was destined to become a Celestial Essence Martial Artist.
Compared to a genius like that, her backer, Wang Jianxing, was less than nothing.
"I..."
All the blood drained from Zhang Juan’s face. She really would have to go and kowtow to Xu Qing.
...
"Senior Brother Sun, why?" Xu Qing asked.