Jing Shanqu and his group stood there, dumbfounded.
"Jing Shanqu, take your people and get out of Splendid Pill Tower immediately!" Jing Yan then looked at Jing Shanqu and ordered.
He wouldn’t employ someone like him despite his abilities.
"Jing Yan, you can’t do this!" Jing Shanqu’s face turned deathly pale.
"Oh? And why can’t I do this?" Jing Yan laughed upon hearing this response.
"You... I, I have given so much to Splendid Pill Tower, how can you dismiss me so casually? Without me, could Splendid Pill Tower have developed so quickly? Jing Yan, you can’t burn bridges !" Jing Shanqu was truly desperate.
Being expelled from Splendid Pill Tower would not only mean losing a significant source of Spirit Stones but would also be extremely humiliating.
"Enough! Save your breath. I’m giving you an opportunity to leave unscathed; leave Splendid Pill Tower immediately. I couldn’t care less to pursue what you’ve done; whatever resources you’ve embezzled, I won’t hold it against you. But if you refuse to see reason, don’t blame me for being ruthless!" Jing Yan had no patience for more idle talk with Jing Shanqu.
"I mean, even if you established Splendid Pill Tower, can’t you be a bit less tyrannical? Jing Shanqu has sacrificed so much over these years, and you just let him go ? Aren’t you afraid people will talk behind your back?" A middle-aged man sitting next to Jing Shanqu raised his voice.
This man, extremely close to Jing Shanqu, was also someone Jing Shanqu had brought into Splendid Pill Tower. He could see now that if Jing Shanqu was expelled, he would surely be driven out as well.
He knew that Splendid Pill Tower was established by Jing Yan, and he knew of Jing Yan’s status in the Jing Family and his reputation in Donglin City. However, fearing for his own future, he boldly accused Jing Yan.
Jing Yan’s gaze shifted toward the speaker.
"What’s your name?" Jing Yan narrowed his eyes and asked.
"My name is Qian Li! A senior manager of Splendid Pill Tower!" The man raised his head defiantly.
This Qian Li, a Dao Spirit-level martial artist and one of the peak martial artists in Donglin City which was in a state of rapid development, was considered a distinguished figure. Although the number of Innate Martial Artists was rising quickly, those who had stepped into the Realm of Dao Spirit were still rare.
Thus, being a Peak Innate Martial Artist, he was considered a top expert.
Speaking of which, this Qian Li was rather troublesome. He was not originally from Donglin City and moved there only after the city had gained significant renown. He met Jing Shanqu by chance, found they shared common interests, and thus their relationship grew closer.
Jing Shanqu used his authority to get Qian Li into Splendid Pill Tower. Because of his outstanding Martial Arts Cultivation, Qian Li rapidly rose through the ranks until he became a senior manager and was entitled to participate in the high-level meetings of the Tower.
"Qian Li, hold your tongue!" Although Qian Li did not much respect Jing Yan, Jing Shanqu, aware of the fearsomeness of Jing Yan, advised Qian Li in a low voice.
"Manager Jing Shanqu, you may fear this Jing Yan, I certainly do not!"
"True, he founded Splendid Pill Tower, but how long has it been since he last returned? What contribution has he made to its growth since then? Manager Jing Shanqu, how much effort have you put in? Without you, could Splendid Pill Tower have achieved its influence today?"
"And now, just as Jing Yan returns, he wants to overthrow you and kick you and your brothers out of Splendid Pill Tower. On what grounds?"
"I’ve always said, Su Zixuan, that woman, must be having an affair with Jing Yan. Otherwise, how could she become a manager? Look, as soon as Jing Yan returns, he immediately appoints her as Chief Manager while you, Manager Jing Shanqu, are kicked out. Where is the justice in that?"
This Qian Li, indeed a troublemaker.
"What... what nonsense are you spouting?" Su Zixuan’s face flushed with anger upon hearing these last remarks. This bastard, speaking so vulgarly, insinuated here that she was having an affair with Jing Yan!
"Su Zixuan, if you’re innocent, why fear what others say?" Another confidant of Jing Shanqu coldly sneered as he spoke.
"You appoint Su Zixuan as manager, I naturally have no right to oppose your decision. However, asking me to leave Splendid Pill Tower, isn’t that a bit unreasonable?" Jing Shanqu spoke up again.
Jing Yan, his mouth curling into a cold smile, watched Jing Shanqu and Qian Li.
"Moreover, asking me to take my people and get out, that’s not going to be good for the Pill Tower. If my people and I were to leave, I think Splendid Pill Tower would hardly be able to function." Jing Shanqu added another sentence.
Currently, most of the management personnel in Splendid Pill Tower were his people.
If they indeed left directly, the Pill Tower would likely fall into a state of paralysis.
Considering this, Jing Shanqu felt much more confident. He didn’t believe Jing Yan would just watch as Splendid Pill Tower collapsed.
It was known that not only were most of the management his people, but many of the Pill Masters and Pharmacists were also closely associated with him.
"Zixuan, how is this Qian Li performing at the Pill Tower?" Jing Yan didn’t respond to Jing Shanqu, instead turning to Su Zixuan and pointing at Qian Li as he asked.
Su Zixuan frowned and glanced at Qian Li, hesitating slightly.
Then, she moved closer to Jing Yan and whispered, "Brother Jing Yan, this Qian Li is a scoundrel! He doesn’t do his actual job in the Pill Tower, always idling around, often not showing up, and always finding excuses to withdraw cultivation resources from the Pill Tower."
"That’s not all; he has abused several of the Tower’s staff! Now, the staff members of the Pill Tower fear him the most! As a Peak Innate Martial Artist, backed by Jing Shanqu, the rest of us can’t do anything about him." Su Zixuan said through clenched teeth.
"This man deserves to die!" A cold look flashed in Jing Yan’s eyes.
Now, Jing Yan felt a killing intent towards Qian Li. His insolence just then was outrageous but that was not primarily why Jing Yan wanted to kill him.
Jing Yan wanted to kill him mainly because of Qian Li’s actions within Splendid Pill Tower. Abusing women was something Jing Yan could not tolerate.
"Die!" Jing Yan’s finger twitched slightly, and a burst of energy shot out.
Qian Li screamed in agony.
How could Qian Li, a mere Peak Innate Martial Artist, withstand Jing Yan’s power? Even though it was just a flick of his finger, Qian Li stood no chance.
Following Qian Li’s scream, a hole the size of a finger appeared in his forehead. Red and white substances continuously oozed out.