Chapter 570 - 570: A Taste of His Own Medicine

Zheng Wuji felt the temptation of the five Gathering Essence Pills like a thousand-pound hammer striking his heart.

He fought back the urge to snatch the pills, a sinister smile creeping onto his lips.

"It seems we have a deal. In that case, why don't you come with me to Cui Mountain Island first? The environment is lovely, the facilities are top-notch, and we can discuss the details at our leisure." Zheng Wuji suppressed his greed, masterfully concealing his true intentions.

"Very well. Let's be on our way, then." Jiang Xinghai gestured for Zheng Wuji to lead.

He then handed all five Gathering Essence Pills to Sun Zhen. "When the time is right, these will help you advance further."

Since Sun Zhen was his servant, it was only right to help him grow stronger.

"Thank you, Mas— Young Master Jiang!" With an outsider present, Sun Zhen stopped himself from calling him "Master."

His heart pounded as he carefully stored the five Gathering Essence Pills, a sense of security washing over him.

He had been at the Great Perfection stage of the Celestial Destiny Realm for a long time. To ascend to the Human Emperor Realm, he not only needed the right opportunity but also a massive amount of Spiritual Qi to absorb. These five Gathering Essence Pills were unbelievably precious to him.

Meanwhile, Zheng Wuji, who was walking ahead, felt a pang of regret with every step.

But then, a thought occurred to him!

'Jiang Xinghai has produced ten Gathering Essence Pills so far. That means he must have at least five more on him. Otherwise, how could he trade with me?'

'It has to be... Jiang Xinghai really is an Alchemist!'

"Young Master Jiang, you're not an Alchemist, are you?" Zheng Wuji finally caved and asked the question he'd been holding back.

"Just a stroke of luck," Jiang Xinghai replied, unwilling to reveal his true identity to Zheng Wuji.

"Your luck is truly enviable, Young Master Jiang."

Zheng Wuji was genuinely jealous. Luck or not, getting his hands on so many Gathering Essence Pills was like using a cheat code.

Still, his mind was racing, plotting his next move once they reached Cui Mountain Island.

He had no intention of actually trading with Jiang Xinghai. He planned to use this opportunity to take back the five Gathering Essence Pills.

He had already devised a foolproof plan. Once they were on his father-in-law Cao Shan's turf, everything would be much easier.

The thought filled Zheng Wuji with anticipation and excitement.

This was the Eastern Territory—his territory!

And Cui Mountain Island was his father-in-law's territory. Even if Jiang Xinghai and that old man were absurdly powerful, he and his father-in-law were no pushovers.

He could almost see it now: Jiang Xinghai, powerless before Cao Shan, forced to watch as the Gathering Essence Pills were snatched away.

"Young Master Jiang, shall we take the same yacht, or travel separately?"

Reaching the shore, Zheng Wuji turned and asked, pointing to two boats belonging to the Eastern Territory's War Department.

"Separately. You lead the way," Jiang Xinghai decided without a moment's hesitation.

"You got it!"

Zheng Wuji nodded, then bellowed, "Set sail!"

His boat led the way, with Jiang Xinghai's boat following closely behind and the other War Department boat bringing up the rear.

"Nightingale, what's your read on Zheng Wuji's character?" Jiang Xinghai asked, his gaze fixed on the horizon.

"I'm not too familiar with him, but I've heard Sister Man mention him a few times. He was an orphan... Wait, that reminds me! If he knows we were the ones who went up against the Cao Family, then his father-in-law must be from the Cao Family!"

As Nightingale spoke, her expression suddenly changed. "I've been investigating this for so long without finding anything. They've hidden this connection incredibly well."

"So, this Cui Mountain Island we're heading to... it belongs to the Cao Family?" Jiang Xinghai pressed.

Nightingale paused to think for a moment, then nodded sharply. "That's right! Cui Mountain Island is leased by the Cao Family!"

"That confirms the connection between Zheng Wuji and the Cao Family. It also means Zheng Wuji's little scheme is about to play out," Jiang Xinghai said with a knowing smile, his eyes narrowing.

Indeed, Jiang Xinghai had noticed the subtle shift in Zheng Wuji's expression when he had first invited them to Cui Mountain Island.

"You mean, he's luring us to Cui Mountain Island as part of a plot..."

Nightingale mulled over Jiang Xinghai's words, and it dawned on her. "He knew he couldn't beat us on his own. So he pretended to agree to our deal, planning to use the Cao Family's power to team up and take the Gathering Essence Pills by force."

"That's about the gist of it."

Jiang Xinghai watched the boat ahead, shaking his head and speaking in a low voice. "I just never expected a dignified General like Zheng Wuji to resort to such despicable means."

"Shouldn't we be figuring out how to handle things once we get to the island?" Nightingale asked with a wry smile.

She knew Jiang Xinghai was powerful, but they were about to walk into a trap on enemy turf. Now that they knew about the conspiracy, they should at least come up with a solid counter-plan.

"It's simple."

Jiang Xinghai glanced back with a mysterious smile. "We're just here for a normal transaction. If they try anything funny, we'll just give them a taste of their own medicine."

"..." Nightingale was still apprehensive.

"What? You don't seem to approve of my plan," Jiang Xinghai noted, slightly taken aback.

"Zheng Wuji is a Three-star General of the War Department, after all. If he tries to pull something on us, we can't just..." Nightingale trailed off, making a throat-slitting gesture.