Chapter 571 - 571: What? Already Eaten Ten Like Candy

"Of course, I won't do that."

Jiang Xinghai smiled. "Zheng Wuji belongs to the War Department. He is expected to hand them over, and I don't care about that. But the Cao Family is a different matter."

"And we can't ignore the Prince of the East behind the Cao Family," Nightingale added, continuing her analysis.

Jiang Xinghai nodded slightly. "As for what happens next, we'll have to see what they do after we set foot on Cui Mountain Island."

"I hope Zheng Wuji stays true to his principles. Even if he doesn't trade with us in the end, it would be best if he doesn't try anything dirty. Otherwise, he'll be the one to suffer." Nightingale slowly leaned against Jiang Xinghai, feeling the cool sea breeze.

Jiang Xinghai was silent, gazing quietly out at the sea.

「Half an hour later.」

The lush, green Cui Mountain Island was now in sight.

"Young Master Jiang, after you."

Zheng Wuji had already leaped off the boat and was standing on the shore, waving to Jiang Xinghai and Nightingale.

On the way, he had already communicated his plan to his father-in-law, Cao Shan. Everything was prepared; they were just waiting for Jiang Xinghai and Nightingale to set foot on the island.

Jiang Xinghai and Nightingale disembarked slowly, with Sun Zhen following beside them.

Shortly after stepping onto Cui Mountain Island, they saw a magnificent, traditional-style building: the Cao Family estate.

An elderly man in a Zhongshan suit, looking vigorous and high-spirited, walked out from the courtyard. It was Cao Shan.

"Father-in-law, Young Master Jiang and Miss Ye have arrived."

Zheng Wuji, walking in front, stepped to the side and turned to Jiang Xinghai and Nightingale to introduce his father-in-law. "This is my father-in-law, Patriarch Cao."

"The same Cao Family whose infant heart transplant I obstructed, I presume," Jiang Xinghai said bluntly, looking at Cao Shan.

"Well, that was all a misunderstanding."

Cao Shan gave a noncommittal smile and spread his hands. He clearly hadn't expected Jiang Xinghai to bring up this "scandal"—as far as the Cao Family was concerned—at their very first meeting!

'And it was Jiang Xinghai himself who had interfered!'

Although, according to the final analysis by his father, Cao Qing, the Prince of the East, a heart transplant would have only guaranteed his grandson Cao Can's survival, while his special constitution would have very likely disappeared.

'But that doesn't negate the impact of Jiang Xinghai's obstruction on my Cao Family!'

"Father-in-law, let's talk inside."

Seeing the hostile expressions on both their faces, Zheng Wuji worried this would disrupt his plan. He shot a look at Cao Shan, then turned back to Jiang Xinghai. "Young Master Jiang, this way."

With Zheng Wuji mediating, the group walked quietly into the spacious courtyard.

"Young Master Jiang, Miss Ye, please sit."

Zheng Wuji gestured with feigned enthusiasm, but when he looked up and didn't see Sun Zhen, his brow furrowed slightly.

'The next part of the plan has to go off without a hitch.'

"In that case, let's just get straight to the point." Jiang Xinghai didn't stand on ceremony, sitting down on a stone bench with Nightingale.

Zheng Wuji looked at Cao Shan.

Cao Shan kept his eyes fixed on Jiang Xinghai, his mind racing.

'A kid this young can really make my son-in-law this wary?'

'Is it just because he has Gathering Essence Pills?'

At the thought of the Gathering Essence Pills, his expression softened. "Fine. Let's get straight to the point."

"I want to know the exact location of Mirror Lake Manor."

Jiang Xinghai's gaze was calm as it swept over Cao Shan and Zheng Wuji.

"How about you let my father-in-law inspect the Gathering Essence Pill first, and then we can talk?" Zheng Wuji asked tentatively.

"Shouldn't you give me a little something first?" Jiang Xinghai watched them with a noncommittal smile.

"Not even my father-in-law knows where Mirror Lake Manor is. In the entire Eastern Territory War Department, only I and my elite team know its location." Zheng Wuji shrugged, as if to say, *That's your 'little something.' Take it or leave it.*

Jiang Xinghai nodded. "Very good. As long as you know, that's what matters."

He then took out a Gathering Essence Pill and placed it on the stone table.

It was the size of a fingernail and brown all over. Five intricate Pill Patterns swirled across its surface with a crystalline light. As the fragrant scent of the pill spread, Zheng Wuji's eyes instantly turned red with envy.

As for Cao Shan, his expression was one of utter astonishment. "Amazing. It's a Gathering Essence Pill. And just from the looks of it, it's a Middle Grade one at that—five Pill Patterns!"

Once, with his father's help, he had been fortunate enough to take a Gathering Essence Pill.

But that one only had three Pill Patterns, making it merely an Initial Grade pill.

And yet, the one Jiang Xinghai had just produced was a Middle Grade Gathering Essence Pill!

To say it was priceless would be no exaggeration!

"Young... Master Jiang, this Gathering Essence Pill..." A smile finally forced its way onto Cao Shan's face.

Jiang Xinghai smiled faintly, picked up the pill, and popped it into his mouth. "Tastes pretty good," he said, chewing.

"You... you just ate it like that?" Cao Shan exclaimed in shock.

"Father-in-law, Young Master Jiang has plenty more of those. They ate ten of them earlier like they were candy," Zheng Wuji said, seemingly forgetting Jiang Xinghai was even there, his face a mask of envy, jealousy, and bitterness as he commented.

"What? You ate ten of them like candy?!"

Hearing this, Cao Shan gasped. Even with all his self-control, he lost his composure and stared at Jiang Xinghai in disbelief.

'Who in the world is this person?'

'Should I still go along with my son-in-law's plan to murder Jiang Xinghai and take his things?'