Chapter 579 - 579: Exploring the Islands at Midnight

"Very well. Let's go."

Zhong Yunman rarely revealed such a gentle side to others. She took Jiang Xinghai's arm and gazed into the distance.

Nightingale, who was responsible for piloting the yacht, watched the couple from a distance, her eyes filled with envy.

As the yacht gradually approached Cui Mountain Island, Zheng Wuji, who was on the shore, suddenly straightened up.

"They're here!"

Zheng Wuji let out a long sigh of relief. It was already eight o'clock at night!

Jiang Xinghai had finally come!

However, he suddenly sensed another powerful aura besides Jiang Xinghai's, which instantly put him on high alert. An indescribable sense of tension welled up inside him.

This aura... it was even a little familiar!

'That's... Zhong Yunman!'

Under the moonlight, Zhong Yunman stood on the deck with her arm linked through Jiang Xinghai's, staring at Zheng Wuji.

"Zheng Wuji's cultivation is still at the Great Perfection stage of the late Creation Realm. No wonder he's so desperate for your Gathering Essence Pill," Zhong Yunman said, having sensed Zheng Wuji's aura from the shore.

He felt apprehensive and surprised, but most of all, he was shocked.

Zheng Wuji never would have imagined that Zhong Yunman, who was in charge of the Western Territory, would be with Jiang Xinghai!

Furthermore, from their posture, Zheng Wuji concluded almost instantly that Zhong Yunman and Jiang Xinghai seemed to be a couple!

'My god!'

'How is there no news about this?' Zheng Wuji was truly on edge.

In terms of cultivation, he was no match for Jiang Xinghai, nor for Zhong Yunman!

In terms of title, he was her equal!

"Yunman, it really is you!"

Seeing them draw closer and closer, Zheng Wuji had no choice but to call out a greeting.

As for Jiang Xinghai next to her, he ignored him completely.

"Zheng Wuji, I don't believe our relationship is close enough for you to call me by my first name. You'd better use my full name," Zhong Yunman said, offering him no courtesy.

'Why would I be pleasant to someone who upset my little junior brother?'

"Hahaha..."

Zheng Wuji forced a laugh, his expression betraying nothing. "Zhong Yunman, what brings you here?"

"I believe my status allows me to visit your territory. It's within the rules, is it not?" Zhong Yunman retorted.

"Of course, it is."

Zheng Wuji kept a smile plastered on his face and turned to Jiang Xinghai. "Wow! Young Master Jiang is here too! I can't believe you two know each other. Right, I should have guessed at your relationship when I confirmed Nightingale's identity."

He had to feign a look of sudden realization. If Zhong Yunman and Jiang Xinghai joined forces against him, it would be far more dangerous than he had imagined. It was best to try and de-escalate things tonight and avoid any conflict.

"From your attitude, it seems you're not happy to see us?" Jiang Xinghai said with a faint smile.

"No, no, no! For Young Master Jiang and General Zhong to arrive together, I couldn't be happier. Please, come ashore," Zheng Wuji quickly replied, adopting a welcoming posture.

Whatever pretense of a welcome he had initially prepared was no longer important.

What mattered was not letting this pair use the opportunity to cause trouble.

Of course, he was also well aware that, given Zhong Yunman's status, even if she did start trouble, she couldn't do anything too serious to him.

After all, he was officially registered.

The yacht finally docked, and Jiang Xinghai and Zhong Yunman leaped onto Cui Mountain Island.

"Patriarch Cao isn't here?" Jiang Xinghai stared at Zheng Wuji.

"My father-in-law had urgent matters to attend to and left me to receive you. I believe that should be sufficient, shouldn't it?" Zheng Wuji didn't show much humility, either; after all, he was the host!

"Fine. In that case, forget about the Gathering Essence Pill."

Taking Zhong Yunman's hand, Jiang Xinghai leaped back onto the yacht.

"Wait..."

A nervous look appeared in Zheng Wuji's eyes. "Young Master Jiang, I can reveal some information to you. At least stay and talk for a bit."

"If that's the case, then get on the yacht. First, take me to see the islands under the Du and Huang Families."

Hand in hand with Zhong Yunman, Jiang Xinghai walked into the cabin without a backward glance.

'What? Go to the islands of the Du and Huang Families?'

Doubt filled Zheng Wuji's eyes. Didn't Jiang Xinghai want to go to the islands under the Cao Family's control?

'Why the sudden change of plans?'

But even so, he leaped aboard the yacht.

"So, are we going to the Du Family's or the Huang Family's island first?"

Zheng Wuji stood beside Jiang Xinghai, asking with due politeness.

In the end, he was only humbling himself for the sake of the Gathering Essence Pill.

Jiang Xinghai said coolly, "Whichever one we pass first. Lead the way."

"Alright."

Zheng Wuji immediately looked at Nightingale, who was piloting the yacht, and rattled off a few coordinates.

The yacht started up and sped off into the distance.

"We've got time to kill anyway. General Zheng, why don't you tell me about the situation with the Huang and Du Families?" Jiang Xinghai lit a cigarette and offered one to Zheng Wuji as well.

"I can do that."

Zheng Wuji accepted the cigarette, lit it, and said with a slight smile, "The most famous islands under the Du and Huang Families are the Du Family's Qingyuan Island and the Huang Family's Haihua Island. Qingyuan Island is the closest to us, about one hundred and fifty nautical miles away, while Haihua Island is another three hundred nautical miles beyond that."

"Both islands are regional strongholds, with their influence covering hundreds of nautical miles. The Du Family's Qingyuan Island, in particular, is small but easily defensible and hard to attack. They have several thousand death-sworn warriors on the island, making it a veritable fortress."

"As for the Huang Family's Haihua Island, although they also have death-sworn warriors, it's mostly a place of peace and prosperity, with music and song every night. It's also known as Joy Island..."

From Zheng Wuji's account, Jiang Xinghai learned a fair amount.

"Tonight, you just need to lead the way to each island. We only need to get within a hundred meters before we can leave."

Jiang Xinghai stared at Zheng Wuji and casually took out a Gathering Essence Pill. "Now, what's this information you wanted to reveal to me? If it's useful, what's the harm in rewarding you with one in advance?"

"Really!"

Zheng Wuji had only been speaking casually, not expecting Jiang Xinghai to actually agree. "Alright, I'll tell you. You just need to... tomorrow..."

Halfway through his sentence, he looked at Zhong Yunman.

Originally, he had planned to say that Jiang Xinghai just needed to wait until tomorrow, go to Marshal Feng's ceremony, and if he could strike a deal with the four-star Tang Zhen, he would naturally obtain the secrets of Mirror Lake Manor.

But now, Zhong Yunman had appeared.

This meant that Zhong Yunman would also be at Marshal Feng's ceremony tomorrow!

Didn't that mean that even if he, Zheng Wuji, didn't mention this, Zhong Yunman would tell Jiang Xinghai anyway?

'In that case, wouldn't my information be worthless?'

"Tomorrow what?" Jiang Xinghai pressed.

After a moment of thought, Zheng Wuji decided to change his words. "Tomorrow, I will take you to meet an expert. He knows the secrets of Mirror Lake Manor, but whether he is willing to see you or not will depend on your own abilities."

"Zheng Wuji, this 'expert' you speak of... could it be the four-star Tang Zhen, Elder Tang?"

Zhong Yunman, who had been silent all this time, suddenly gave an inscrutable, knowing smile.