Jiang Tian smiled and said, “Grandfather is already showing signs of impending decline. On top of that, years of smoking and staying up late, and even contracting various viruses at work that have penetrated deep into his marrow—ordinary medicine can’t draw them out or neutralize them. We must first use a potent substance to combat the toxins, break them down, and only then can the remaining medicinal effects take hold!”
As he spoke, he grabbed a handful of fragments of this potent substance, the amount naturally precise, and placed them into a jade bottle.
“After drawing out the toxins, we’ll use the cooling and detoxifying properties of rhino horn and hawksbill turtle shell to neutralize the first two types of toxins!”
Jiang Tian smiled calmly again, picked up appropriate amounts of rhino horn slices and hawksbill turtle shell, and placed them into the jade bottle.
“But detoxification doesn’t mean a cure. Grandfather’s internal organs are already severely damaged, nearly failing. He’ll also need careful recuperation!”
“In medicine, intention matters. Ye Tianshi, a famous physician from the Qing Dynasty, used a single parasol tree leaf to treat a woman with difficult labor. He did this by harnessing the leaf’s symbolic meaning—embodying the autumn energy that brings descent and the withering of all things.”
“Red coral is red and curves and spreads, much like the meridians. We can use its symbolic meaning to gently nourish those meridians. Ivory, plump and full in shape, feels smooth and moist to the touch. Used medicinally, it can help restore vitality to Grandfather’s torso and internal organs!”
With that, Jiang Tian precisely picked up specific amounts of crushed red coral and ivory and added them to the jade bottle.
“Jiang Tian, your medical skill is truly miraculous! Where did you learn all this?!”
Jiang Changgeng let out a long sigh, so moved that tears streamed down his aged face.
“Adding also…”
Jiang Tian took out the various herbs he had gathered from the Shennong Sect—things like keel wisteria, snow lotus, red daylily, phoenix sunflower—and carefully placed appropriate amounts of each into the jade bottle:
“With the nourishment from these spiritual herbs I’ve cultivated, I can refine thirty doses of the Ninefold Revival Elixir. It will completely resolve the issue of his decline and extend Grandfather’s lifespan by at least twenty years!”
“Excellent! Jiang Tian, my good grandson, I was right about you!” Jiang Changgeng chuckled, his aged heart filled with comfort.
Spending five hundred million to gather medicinal ingredients just to cure his illness—this filial piety alone was something Jiang Shouren, Jiang Yangming, Jiang Qingfeng, and Jiang Banxia could never match!
Every single one of them was hoping he would die sooner so they could take over and enjoy wealth and power.
“This kid is really something!” Ninth Grand-Uncle said, his face full of approval, nodding repeatedly.
“However, the process of refining the elixir cannot be witnessed by just anyone,” Jiang Tian said with a faint smile.
Hearing Jiang Tian’s clear dismissal, the many guests dared not show the slightest hint of offense or displeasure and took their leave one after another.
And so, Jiang Changgeng’s 70th birthday celebration came to an end in such an unexpected turn of events.
It was already three in the afternoon.
In the courtyard, the warm winter sun enveloped everything.
Dishes and bottles lay scattered everywhere, and Jiang Changgeng didn’t ask anyone to clean up. The air carried the faint scent of leftover food and wine—the typical aftermath of a finished banquet.
“Jiang Tian, you said… you can refine elixirs?”
Jiang Changgeng’s face showed disbelief.
This was a lost art, the pinnacle of medical and pharmaceutical knowledge. He had only ever encountered it as legends in ancient texts.
“That’s right!”
Under everyone’s tense gaze, Jiang Tian nodded calmly, his expression peaceful.
“Hiss—!”
Jiang Changgeng drew in a sharp breath, then frowned and asked, “How will you do it? Do you need a crucible?”
“No. I can control fire with my will. Just watch, Grandfather…”
Jiang Tian smiled faintly, gathered the various medicinal ingredients in his hand, and twisted his fingers. With a sharp crackling sound, a blazing flame suddenly ignited in his palm.
“Could it be that my grandson is an immortal?”
Jiang Changgeng shot to his feet, his face a mask of shock and disbelief.
“This…”
Watching Jiang Tian command flames to refine the elixir, everyone was dumbfounded, utterly stupefied.
They felt that Jiang Tian truly was, as Jiang Changgeng had suggested, like an immortal or a deity.
No one dared to meet Jiang Tian’s eyes; they were completely awed.
With his cultivation base elevated, his true essence and spiritual perception were also far stronger. Refining this single elixir only took him about fifteen minutes.
After having the old man take the elixir, Jiang Tian escorted him to his room to rest for a while.
…
At the evening banquet, following the old man’s instructions, everyone gathered again.
However, the way everyone looked at Jiang Tian had changed. They saw him as if he were a deity, reverence mingled with deep-seated awe.
After waking up, Jiang Changgeng felt his body was incredibly light and agile, his spirit high. The signs of his decline were greatly alleviated. He was convinced that after taking the remaining elixirs, he would be completely cured.
When he entered the inner hall, everyone who saw him also marveled at the miraculous power of Jiang Tian’s elixirs.
“Now, I’m going to make a proposal.”
Jiang Changgeng’s authoritative gaze swept over everyone present, immediately giving them an uneasy feeling.
Sure enough, Jiang Changgeng declared in a deep voice, “Jiang Tian will take over from me and succeed as the head of the Jiang family!”
“What?” Exclamations of shock erupted from everyone.
Jiang Shouren’s face turned ashen.
He had been hoping to become family head after the old man passed away, but now… it was like drawing water with a bamboo basket—all in vain.
“I second the motion!” Second Grand-Uncle expressed his agreement.
“Agreed!” Third Grand-Uncle nodded.
“Only by entrusting the Jiang family to Jiang Tian’s hands can we feel at ease. He is truly up to the great task!”
Ninth Grand-Uncle’s gaze towards Jiang Tian was filled entirely with appreciation and admiration.
Jiang Shouren looked towards Jiang Yangming, hoping his younger brother might say something fair.
Unexpectedly, Jiang Yangming didn’t even glance his way and simply nodded, “Agreed!”
“Since no one objects, from this moment on, Jiang Tian is the family head, responsible for all matters. Anyone who dares defy his orders will face the family’s disciplinary code!”
Jiang Changgeng’s stern gaze swept across each person’s face one by one, his own expression solemn.
Jiang Tian sat there, his expression neither sad nor happy, perfectly calm, as if everything was unfolding exactly as he had anticipated.
At this moment, he was no longer that penniless, worthless fool. He was the helmsman of the Jiang family, representing its future hope. Every move he made could shape the family’s path and destiny.
“Now, I’ll turn the family meeting over to Jiang Tian!”
Jiang Changgeng swept his gaze across everyone and spoke solemnly.
“Jiang Qingfeng, kneel!”
This was Jiang Tian’s very first statement as the new family head.
His voice was cold, ruthless, and filled with authority.
“What gives you the right to make me kneel?”
Jiang Qingfeng’s face flushed crimson. He sneered, “I’m your cousin! Even if you hold the authority of the family head, according to the family rules, I don’t have to kneel to you!”
Jiang Shouren, full of unwillingness and resentment, his face dark, said with sarcastic insinuation, “Family Head, you’re wielding your newfound authority quite impressively, aren’t you?”
“I’m not telling you to kneel to me. I’m telling you to kneel to Grandfather, to the ancestors of the Jiang family!”
Jiang Tian stared at Jiang Qingfeng and sneered, “How much kickback did you take when you purchased two billion in equipment from Pfizer Medical Devices? And last year, how much profit did you siphon off from Qixia Pharmaceutical?”
“You… you’re slandering me!”
Jiang Qingfeng’s face showed panic for a moment, then he clenched his teeth and roared in anger.
His contract with Pfizer Medical Devices was a huge secret. He had replaced everyone in the finance department; they were all loyal. How could Jiang Tian possibly know about these shady dealings?
“Did he really embezzle money?”
Murmurs of discussion arose among the seated members. Many looked suspiciously at Jiang Qingfeng, doubt already creeping in.
Jiang Shouren cleared his throat and said gravely, “Family Head, you can’t just speak carelessly. If you firmly believe Qingfeng embezzled, then produce solid evidence. Otherwise, my branch of the family won’t accept this!”
“Alright, I’ll make you accept it!”
Jiang Tian’s expression was composed. He crossed one leg over the other and said calmly, “You set up three sets of books within the group. One for the tax authorities, one for the family, and the last one is the real one. Did you think you could hide this from me?”
He took a sip of tea, then suddenly picked up a stack of documents and slammed them directly into Jiang Qingfeng’s face, rebuking him angrily:
“See for yourself how much you embezzled! The kickback was two hundred million, and the siphoned profits were around one hundred million!”
At that moment, Tang Shaoze walked in. He first bowed respectfully to Jiang Tian, then distributed copies of the documents to everyone.
He sneered, “Every time this year’s financial reports were prepared, he hired Decheng Accounting Firm for an independent audit. Each audit, he spent several million to bribe the accountants. But unfortunately for him, the person who secretly controls this accounting firm… happens to be little old me.”
“Qingfeng, look what you’ve done!” Jiang Yangming, after reading a few pages, exploded with rage.
“Qingfeng, you’ve gone too far! You were brought back to revitalize the family, but instead you’ve been lining your own pockets!”
Elder Aunt scolded him harshly.
“Truly disappointing, embezzling everyone’s money!” Little Uncle also spoke with righteous indignation.
This was human nature. When things don’t affect you, you ignore them. But once your own interests are involved, you immediately roll up your sleeves and get involved.
Jiang Qingfeng fell to his knees with a thud, his voice trembling: “Grandfather, this was a moment of confusion. Please give me another chance. I promise to sincerely reform.”
Deep disappointment etched itself on Jiang Changgeng’s face. Without even looking at him, he said coldly, “It’s useless begging me. I told you, from now on, Jiang Tian is in charge of this family.”
“I propose removing Jiang Qingfeng from his position as Chairman of the Medicine King Group and appointing Ms. Zhang Wanqing to the role!”
Jiang Yangming suddenly stood up and declared loudly. Seeing the tide had turned, he quickly pledged his loyalty.
“Agreed!”
“I agree! Sister Wanqing was originally the founder of the Medicine King Group. Her taking over is what everyone hopes for!”
“We agree!”
Public opinion had formed. Jiang Qingfeng had lost all support. When a wall is about to collapse, everyone gives it a push. All present wanted to add their weight to his fall.
Jiang Qingfeng collapsed limply to the floor, tears streaming down his face.
Jiang Banxia trembled uncontrollably, staring at Jiang Tian in fear as if he were a demon.
Jiang Shouren and his wife looked utterly grief-stricken, their heads hanging low in despair.
“Very well. From this moment on, the position of Chairman of the Medicine King Group will be held by Ms. Zhang Wanqing!”
Jiang Tian’s demeanor was calm and effortless, his decision-making decisive and swift.
“Alright, I promise I will not let everyone down. I will work diligently to restore the prestige of the Medicine King Group!”
Zhang Wanqing stood up excitedly, took a deep breath, and spoke with firm conviction.
“He did it. He really did it!”
Her eyes glistened slightly as she gazed deeply at her son’s handsome, composed face, her heart filled with emotion.
Three months ago.
Her son had said he would help her reclaim her position as Chairman. At the time, she found it unbelievable, thinking it was just wild talk from her son, empty words meant to comfort her.
But now.
He had taken only a few minutes to remove Jiang Qingfeng from his chairmanship, and even crushed Jiang Shouren’s entire branch in the process.
“Wonderful! Wonderful! This is truly a moment to hold our heads high!”
Jiang Zhixing clenched his fists tightly, barely able to stop himself from cheering out loud and jumping for joy.
