Chapter 567 - 567: Dealing with the Tail

"Please rest assured, Father-in-law."

Zheng Wuji said confidently, "I have already dispatched deployments to investigate the various islands. We will certainly find those two soon, and then I will 'invite' them here for you to handle, Father-in-law."

He intentionally stressed the word "invite."

"Shouldn't you coordinate with the Western Territory's General?" Although Cao Shan didn't care himself, he was considering his son-in-law's career.

"It won't be too late to notify the Western Territory after we've captured and dealt with them. We can just play dumb." Zheng Wuji smiled with farsighted craftiness. His methods had clearly been influenced by Cao Shan's teachings.

"Hahaha... Let's do it that way." Cao Shan laughed heartily.

'It seems my own thoughts and worries were too old-fashioned.'

The old man and the young man left the spot and walked toward the villa's courtyard, seating themselves at a stone table.

"Wuji, you haven't had lunch, have you? Perfect. We have plenty of wild game on the island, and we also caught a few deep-water fish. The kitchen is already preparing them. We two can share a few drinks," Cao Shan offered.

"As you wish, Father-in-law." Zheng Wuji personally poured the tea.

His future career depended on his father-in-law.

To be precise, it depended on his father-in-law's father, the Prince of the East, Cao Qing!

The two men clinked their glasses and began to enjoy the feast.

Halfway through their meal, a soldier came to report.

"General, we found a yacht on Qiongjiao Island, but no one was there. They must have gone deep into the island. Our brothers have already gone ashore and begun the search. We believe we'll have results soon," the soldier reported.

"If you can confirm it's Nightingale and the other person, don't make a move yet. I'll go meet them myself." Zheng Wuji's eyes fluttered open, showing a slight hint of intoxication.

"Understood." The soldier turned and left.

"My dear son-in-law, why bother handling this personally? They're just two minor characters." Cao Shan, who had also had a fair bit to drink, picked up a pack of cigarettes.

"Father-in-law, I'm thinking..."

Zheng Wuji glanced around and said in a low voice, "I want to first confirm what kind of rank that Nightingale holds. If she's someone not to be trifled with, I'll just eliminate them both directly instead of bringing them to you."

As he spoke, he took the cigarettes, first lighting one for Cao Shan before lighting one for himself.

"Mm, you're the more thorough one. Let's do as you say." Cao Shan nodded repeatedly.

The two continued to eat and drink. Just as they were getting into the spirit of it, another soldier came to report.

"General, we've confirmed it. There are three of them: two men and one woman. One of the men is elderly. Based on their age, the other man and woman should be Nightingale and Jiang Xinghai," the soldier said urgently.

"How did you determine that?" Zheng Wuji asked in a low, serious voice.

"Our brothers hid and got close to them. They overheard their conversation, including call and response using the names 'Young Master Jiang' and 'Nightingale'," the soldier added.

"Excellent!"

After downing the wine in his cup, Zheng Wuji abruptly stood up and looked at Cao Shan. "Father-in-law, you get some rest. Your son-in-law will be back shortly."

「Half an hour later.」

「Deep within Qiongjiao Island.」

"I was here a few days ago. The space inside isn't very large. It's open at the top, has a lot of rock formations, and there's a foul, fishy smell. Want to go in and take a look?"

Nightingale and Jiang Xinghai stood before a cave entrance. She pressed a hand to her forehead.

Jiang Xinghai looked at the cave and also caught a whiff of the foul smell. He couldn't help but recall the time in the Central State when he and Leng Ning discovered a cave in the Phoenix Mountain scenic area and captured a giant python from within.

"Let's go take a look. We can let Old Sun deal with our little tails."

Jiang Xinghai clasped his hands behind his back and exchanged a smile with Nightingale.

It was as if they shared a single mind; they had, of course, long since noticed they were being followed.

They had nothing to worry about. Sun Zhen was hidden nearby.

They walked side by side into the dark, deep cave.

The moment they stepped inside, the scenery changed in an instant, as if they had entered another world.

Towering rock formations surrounded them. Light shone down from crevices in the ceiling, forming faint beams that brought a sliver of brightness to the cave's interior.

The two continued deeper into the cave, their footsteps echoing in the silence.

The air was thick with the foul, fishy stench and a damp smell.

Suddenly, a slight noise came from behind them.

"Master, there were six people following you. As you instructed, I only knocked them unconscious and did not harm them."

Sun Zhen quickly appeared inside the cave, recounting what had happened outside. "As for the boat on the shore, it belongs to the Eastern Territory's War Department. Four men were left guarding it. I didn't touch them."

"The Eastern Territory's War Department?"

Nightingale's eyes narrowed into a smile. "No wonder. They patrol the entire East Sea. And since I'm from the Western Territory and came to their turf without notice, they must be looking to give me a hard time."

"Nightingale, you mentioned the Eastern Territory's War Department. They must know that Mirror Lake Manor is located on that island, right?" In that instant, Jiang Xinghai understood many things.

Nightingale didn't deny it. "But that's an ironclad secret for the War Department. Unless a Three-Star gives the order, not even Sister Man could get that information from the Eastern Territory's side."

"So, the breakthrough is still with the three major..."

Jiang Xinghai suddenly looked up toward the cave entrance. "Stop skulking around and come on out!"