Chapter 572 - 572: Stalemate, Covert Confrontation

Cao Shan's thoughts were a tangled mess, impossible to sort out.

On one hand, he was stunned that Jiang Xinghai could produce Gathering Essence Pills. The man was clearly no ordinary person.

On the other hand, he was worried, sensing that his son-in-law, Zheng Wuji, seemed to be hatching some malicious plot.

Initially, he had agreed with the idea of harming Jiang Xinghai, proposed by this son-in-law who was usually so obedient and well-behaved in his presence.

But now, he was hesitating.

"Same offer as before. Five Gathering Essence Pills for your answer."

Jiang Xinghai placed another five Gathering Essence Pills on the stone table, seemingly unconcerned that they might just brazenly rob him.

Such confidence made Cao Shan even more hesitant.

In contrast, Zheng Wuji's eyes glinted with cunning, suddenly filling Cao Shan with unease.

"Wuji." He had to speak up to break Zheng Wuji out of his scheming.

"Father-in-law." Zheng Wuji took a deep breath, clearly eyeing Jiang Xinghai's stock of Gathering Essence Pills.

All told, Jiang Xinghai had now produced sixteen Gathering Essence Pills!

If this had happened at the Martial Arts Association headquarters in the Imperial City, it would have been an unprecedented event!

"What are your thoughts on Young Master Jiang's proposal?" Cao Shan asked, hoping his son-in-law would understand the look in his eyes.

At the same time, he sent a Divine Sense transmission to Zheng Wuji: 'Give up the idea of robbing and killing him. First, sound him out about how he got the Gathering Essence Pills!'

Zheng Wuji quickly replied via transmission: 'And what if he refuses to talk?'

Cao Shan: 'It won't be too late to kill him and take his things then!'

Zheng Wuji: 'Father-in-law, this man is skilled. But he has that white-haired old man with him, who might be hiding nearby. Have you been able to sense him?'

Cao Shan's expression flickered with alarm. He continued the transmission: 'I haven't detected anyone. There are only two possibilities: either that person's strength is greater than mine, or he isn't nearby at all.'

Zheng Wuji: 'In that case, I'll cooperate with you, Father-in-law, and we'll start questioning him.'

Their entire exchange via Divine Sense took but a fleeting moment.

Zheng Wuji looked up at Jiang Xinghai. "Young Master Jiang, I told you before that Mirror Lake Manor is top secret. But seeing your sincerity, I admit I'm tempted."

His gaze fell upon the five Gathering Essence Pills on the stone table.

Either he or his father-in-law was confident they could snatch the pills in an instant.

But neither of them knew Jiang Xinghai's true identity, so they had to proceed cautiously, suppressing the greedy thumping in their chests.

"So?" Jiang Xinghai sounded a little impatient.

"So, you need to give me a reason for seeking Mirror Lake Mountain. A good, proper reason."

Zheng Wuji stared at Jiang Xinghai. "Only then can I take the immense risk of telling you."

"What if I'm just curious and want to go have a look?" Jiang Xinghai offered a faint smile.

'Since they're finally willing to talk, the answer can't be far off.'

"Just curious and want to have a look?"

Zheng Wuji was taken aback for a moment, then a smile spread across his face. "Young Master Jiang, that's a rather perfunctory answer, don't you think?"

"Young Master Jiang, if you tell us your true identity, I can make the decision to have my son-in-law tell you the location of Mirror Lake Manor, even at the risk of him losing his official post. We wouldn't even care why you're looking for the place." Cao Shan felt it was time to get straight to the point and ask about Jiang Xinghai's background.

"My identity is very simple."

Jiang Xinghai knew that if he didn't reveal something, they might resort to desperate measures.

Upon hearing this, Cao Shan and Zheng Wuji practically held their breath, staring at Jiang Xinghai with curiosity as they awaited his answer.

"Five years ago, my family was destroyed. I was left for dead, my life hanging by a thread like a stray dog's. By a stroke of luck, I was saved by a passing Divine Doctor. I learned medicine from him, and when I completed my apprenticeship, my master gave me a bottle of Gathering Essence Pills. That's all."

Jiang Xinghai revealed his background with a mix of truth and lies, naturally omitting the key details.

"I see."

Cao Shan was the first to ask, "Then, may I ask who your benevolent master is?"

Of course, he was only interested in the identity of the person backing Jiang Xinghai. He couldn't care less whether his family had been destroyed or not.

"You are not yet worthy of knowing my master's name."

Before his voice had even faded, Jiang Xinghai swept the five Gathering Essence Pills from the stone table back into his hand. "I've said what I'm going to say. Now, give me my answer."

"No, Young Master Jiang hasn't been completely forthcoming," Cao Shan said, shaking his head.

Clearly, Jiang Xinghai had only revealed a tiny fraction of what he wanted to know, which wasn't nearly enough to satisfy him.

"Young Master Jiang, as the saying goes, a smooth transaction requires mutual honesty. We just want to know your true identity, that's all," Zheng Wuji added, following his father-in-law's lead as he looked at Jiang Xinghai.

"Honesty? Fine."

Jiang Xinghai flashed his signature smile. "Tell me the general direction of Mirror Lake Manor first, and then I'll tell you the truth."

'They won't speak the truth, so why should I be the first to talk?'

With those words, the situation devolved into a tense, awkward stalemate—a silent confrontation.

Both sides were weighing the risk of speaking first, worried the other would not hold up their end of the bargain.

Just then, Sun Zhen, who had remained hidden until now, suddenly emerged from the woods.