Chapter 580 - 580: Impossible, This Is Absolutely Impossible

"This..."

Zheng Wuji awkwardly touched his nose and smiled. "That's right. It's Elder Tang."

"So you think that Elder Tang can tell Xinghai about Mirror Lake Manor, which you don't have the authority to disclose?" Zhong Yunman said with a faint smile. "But did it ever occur to you that I might have already told Xinghai?"

Zheng Wuji nodded, abashed. He had truly overlooked one crucial detail.

'Of all the things to consider, I never imagined Zhong Yunman and Jiang Xinghai would be so close!'

"General Zheng, you really lack sincerity. This piece of information is practically worthless. As for this Gathering Essence Pill... forget it." Jiang Xinghai popped it into his mouth and chewed.

"Wait..." Zheng Wuji licked his dry lips, his anxiety mounting.

'All I need is one Gathering Essence Pill!'

"Of course, if you perform well while we're exploring the islands, I might just reward you with a Gathering Essence Pill." Jiang Xinghai didn't completely shut the door, as he might still have a use for Zheng Wuji later.

"Deal!"

Zheng Wuji's spirits lifted.

During the rest of the voyage, Zheng Wuji's reserved attitude did indeed change. He began to meticulously describe the details of each island, not leaving out a single particular.

His descriptions not only gave Jiang Xinghai a concrete understanding of the islands but also deepened his own knowledge of them.

Meanwhile, Jiang Xinghai maintained his usual practice. He sat cross-legged, using his Divine Sense, which could probe up to two hundred meters, to give every island they passed a rough scan.

His Divine Sense was like a pair of invisible eyes, delving into every corner. Whether it was a dense forest, a complex cave, or a hidden reef beneath the waves, nothing escaped its reach.

He hoped to find some clue about Mirror Lake Manor on these islands. Even the faintest trace could be a vital lead in his search.

However, as they continued onward, Jiang Xinghai discovered things weren't that simple.

Despite having carefully probed every island, he had found nothing.

'Unless... Mirror Lake Manor isn't on any of the islands under the jurisdiction of Shanghai's three great families: the Cao Family, the Huang Family, and the Du Family!'

Around three in the morning, Zheng Wuji spoke up again. "Young Master Jiang, we've scanned all the islands except for the official government ones. Should we proceed to investigate those?"

"What do you think?" Jiang Xinghai left the decision to Zheng Wuji.

After all, Zheng Wuji was someone who knew the secret of Mirror Lake Manor.

Jiang Xinghai had been waiting for Zheng Wuji to be more forthcoming.

"I think... it doesn't matter." Zheng Wuji finally gave an answer that wasn't exactly a bombshell.

But this answer was enough to excite Jiang Xinghai.

'In other words, Mirror Lake Manor isn't on any of the islands they knew of!'

"Forget it. Let's head back to the city."

Jiang Xinghai no longer had any intention of continuing the search. Since it wasn't on any publicly known island, it seemed only the Four-star Elder Tang could provide the answers he sought.

"Young Master Jiang, it seems my previous investigation was misguided, causing such a long delay. I apologize."

Nightingale, who had been silent all this time, stepped forward and said with great self-reproach.

"It's not your fault. Your clearance level is limited, after all."

Jiang Xinghai reassured the inwardly turbulent Nightingale. "Let's head back. We'll find out tomorrow. Tonight, I got to see the unique features of the various islands. I'm sure that by the time I actually find Mirror Lake Manor, I'll have accumulated more experience."

"Young Master Jiang, then I..."

Would Jiang Xinghai bestow upon him the Gathering Essence Pill that Zheng Wuji so eagerly coveted?

"Catch."

Jiang Xinghai wasn't stingy. It was just one Gathering Essence Pill.

Though it was extremely precious to others, it was truly nothing to him.

He decided that when he had time, he would refine a few more batches of pills. Using Gathering Essence Pills as bargaining chips in the future would certainly make things much more convenient.

"Thank you, Young Master Jiang!"

Zheng Wuji cupped the shimmering brown pill in both hands, as excited as a child who had just been given candy.

「Soon after.」

The group returned. Jiang Xinghai and his two companions headed straight for their hotel.

Zheng Wuji, however, went directly to the Cao Family estate.

It was already almost five in the morning.

"Father-in-law, look!"

Zheng Wuji presented the Gathering Essence Pill with both hands. Although he desperately wanted to take it himself, he considered his future career and his reliance on the Cao Family's Prince of the East. He had no choice but to suppress the urge to swallow it and offer it to his father-in-law.

"A Gathering Essence Pill!" Cao Shan had been sleepless all night, having failed in his search for the Divine Doctor. Now, upon seeing the Gathering Essence Pill, he was so excited that all traces of drowsiness vanished.

Zheng Wuji briefly recounted the events of the evening—hosting Jiang Xinghai and Zhong Yunman, and the overnight survey of the numerous islands.

"Wuji, I have a bad feeling about this!" Cao Shan said, clutching the Gathering Essence Pill and sucking in a sharp breath.

Zheng Wuji was confused. "Father-in-law, why do you say that?"

'Logically speaking, shouldn't he be happy about getting a Gathering Essence Pill?'

"Of course, what I'm about to say is just speculation, but it seems to be based on some clues. Just listen."

Cao Shan led Zheng Wuji into the study and said quietly, "Jiang Xinghai possesses Gathering Essence Pills and is on very good terms with Zhong Yunman. So, could we not infer that Jiang Xinghai is the Divine Doctor we've been searching for?"

"What?!" Zheng Wuji's eyes widened in shock upon hearing this.

That was a possibility he had never dared to consider!

But now, after his father-in-law Cao Shan laid it out, he suddenly felt it might actually be possible.

"However, just because Jiang Xinghai has Gathering Essence Pills doesn't prove he's the Divine Doctor," Cao Shan added.

Zheng Wuji nodded blankly. "Right. He probably isn't the Divine Doctor. After all, his combat power is on par with yours, placing him at least in the top fifty or so of the Martial Arts Hidden Dragon List. How could he also be a Divine Doctor?"

"Unless he has mastered both Medical and Martial Arts!" Cao Shan blurted out.

"Mastered both Medical and Martial Arts?"

Zheng Wuji had, of course, considered this possibility. Otherwise, how could Jiang Xinghai possess a heaven-defying pill like the Gathering Essence Pill?

"And, if he truly has mastered both, and he is that commoner who was unconventionally promoted to three-star rank, then he..."

Cao Shan trailed off, hesitating.

"Then he... what?" Zheng Wuji's curiosity peaked.

"Then he... is very likely also an Alchemist!" Just voicing this speculation was enough to make Cao Shan's aged face freeze in shock.

"An Alchemist..."

Zheng Wuji's face went pale as if he'd seen a ghost. He muttered, "Mastering both Medical and Martial Arts is terrifying enough, but he's also an Alchemist, a profession thought to be long extinct? Impossible. That's absolutely impossible!"

"Of course, this is all just our speculation. As for whether it's true, we'll be able to confirm it at Marshal Feng's ceremony tomorrow." Cao Shan couldn't help but clench his fist, then quickly relaxed it, remembering the Gathering Essence Pill in his palm.

"My god!"

Zheng Wuji didn't dare to imagine any further.

"Let's hope all our speculations are wrong. Otherwise, if this is the truth... both the Cao Family and you have had friction with Jiang Xinghai. It will be incredibly difficult to salvage the situation!" Cao Shan's old face fell, looking deathly still.