Chapter 584 - 584: Please Welcome the Newly Promoted 4-Star to the Venue

"Alright, son-in-law!"

Cao Shan deliberately raised his voice in response, partly as a reminder to Patriarch Huang and Patriarch Du.

"Understood." Patriarch Huang gave an embarrassed smile and immediately stepped aside.

Patriarch Du, naturally, didn't dawdle either and also moved back.

Finally, under Zheng Wuji's guidance, the Dongfeng Iron Armor vehicle slowly pulled into a parking spot guarded by several soldiers.

Only then did Cao Shan and the others slowly walk forward.

However, Zheng Wuji simply shook his head at them.

The three of them had no choice but to stop and wait quietly for the Dongfeng Iron Armor's doors to open.

「A short while later.」

The door of the Dongfeng Iron Armor opened, revealing none other than Zhong Yunman in her military uniform!

Three-Star!

She was the first to step out. Holding the door, she waited as a hale, white-haired old man in a military uniform slowly descended.

Everyone's gaze focused on the old man. He was clearly the Four-Star, Tang Zhen!

"Elder Tang!"

Zheng Wuji was the first to step forward and salute, showing his utmost respect.

The others, though farther away, also hurried to salute in a show of respect.

"Zheng, you've done a good job. Thank you for your hard work!" A look of satisfaction appeared on Tang Zhen's square-jawed face.

"It was nothing, sir! It is my duty!" Zheng Wuji's body snapped ramrod straight.

Elder Tang walked to Zheng Wuji's side, a kind smile on his face. "Forbid anyone from using electronic devices today. I forgot to tell you that. Go see to it."

"Yes, sir. Rest assured, Elder Tang," Zheng Wuji replied with a-smile.

Then, he immediately walked toward Cao Shan and the others.

"Zhong, you should also go take a look around. See if anything isn't to your satisfaction. While there's still time, we can hurry and make some final arrangements." Elder Tang's gaze fell gently on Zhong Yunman.

Zhong Yunman smiled and shook her head. "It's already very well done. My junior brother isn't that particular."

"That's good." Tang Zhen nodded and smiled.

His gaze then swept over the crowd before landing on Cao Shan, Patriarch Du, and Patriarch Huang. "So, the three of you came as well."

Cao Shan, Patriarch Du, and Patriarch Huang quickly bowed. "Greetings, Elder Tang."

"Mm. The opportunity for you to observe today's event is a rare one. He is, after all, a figure on the verge of becoming a Four-Star." Elder Tang smiled mysteriously, then began to stroll nearby with Zhong Yunman, seemingly whispering about something.

"A promotion to Four-Star!"

Cao Shan was stunned to hear this, as were the other two.

'Heavens!'

'This person with the skills of a Divine Doctor... which old immortal has descended to the mortal realm?!'

'This is just too outrageous!'

'I originally thought an exceptional promotion to Three-Star for a commoner was enough to make history.'

'I never imagined it would be Four-Star!'

'In that case, wouldn't his status be on par with Tang Zhen's?!'

'Keep in mind, Tang Zhen is a major figure over eighty years old who has made great achievements.'

'So, is this newly promoted Four-Star with the exceptional promotion merely a Divine Doctor?'

Their minds weren't just reeling from the shock.

Deep down, every one of them was making the same decision.

To befriend him!

No matter what, no matter the cost, they had to befriend this new Four-Star!

Especially Cao Shan!

He was still hoping this new Four-Star would save his grandson, Cao Can!

His heart burned with even greater anxiety.

'If it really is Jiang Xinghai, what am I going to do?'

'I'm the one who pissed him off!'

Cao Shan turned to look at Patriarch Huang and Patriarch Du, who also wore expressions of utter shock.

"This... How is this possible?"

Patriarch Huang stammered, "A Four-Star? Doesn't that mean he can be compared to Elder Tang?"

Patriarch Du also nodded. "Yes, it's simply incredible."

Cao Shan took a deep breath. He understood the gravity of this news.

'If this is true, then this new Four-Star will become the new rising power in Shanghai.'

'Even in the Imperial City, he would be someone who could challenge Tang Zhen's position!'

"Wuji, come here for a moment."

Cao Shan decisively called his son-in-law Zheng Wuji over and whispered, "Has there been any word at all? Who exactly is this new Four-Star dignitary?"

"I don't know."

Of course, Zheng Wuji wanted to know too. After all, he was only a Three-Star. If he could befriend the new Four-Star, it would be a huge opportunity for him!

"No matter the cost, we have to get on his good side." Right now, Cao Shan could only hope that his father, the Prince of the East, Cao Qing, would return soon.

Meanwhile, Patriarch Huang and Patriarch Du were also whispering to each other.

The time reached 8:50 AM.

With only ten minutes left before the ceremony, the new Four-Star had still not arrived.

So, they began to act in secret, sending people to inquire about this new Four-Star.

However, they didn't know.

At that very moment, the new Four-Star was sitting in a luxurious private room, enjoying fine wine and delicacies with a beautiful woman by his side.

His name was Jiang Xinghai, a Divine Doctor of superb medical skill.

His life was never meant to be involved with the War Department.

But fate had played a joke on him.

Due to the status of his second senior martial sister, Zhong Yunman, his existence was accidentally discovered by the Imperial City, which then learned more about him through her.

Once the Imperial City understood Jiang Xinghai's identity, they gave him an exceptional promotion directly to Four-Star. Their purpose was also to tell him the secret of Mirror Lake Manor!

This was the only reason Jiang Xinghai had chosen to agree.

Just then, the door to the private room was suddenly pushed open.

A soldier walked in and said respectfully to Jiang Xinghai, "Young Master Jiang, the ceremony is about to begin. Please prepare to change into your uniform."

Jiang Xinghai nodded slightly, stood up, and followed the soldier out of the room, with Nightingale close behind.

「At this moment.」

「Inside the venue.」

The Four-Star Tang Zhen, the Three-Star Zhong Yunman, and the Three-Star Zheng Wuji were seated in the center of the main stage.

The official representatives from Shanghai, as well as the patriarchs of the city's three great families, sat quietly below, waiting for nine o'clock to arrive.

「Finally.」

On the stage, Tang Zhen cleared his throat. He looked at the handful of people with a solemn expression and said in a clear, resonant voice, "Everyone, this ceremony was supposed to have more dignitaries in attendance to observe and offer congratulations. However, considering the new Four-Star's desire to keep a low profile, we have simplified everything!"

The audience below nodded silently.

"Now, then, let us welcome the new Four-Star into the venue!"

Tang Zhen slowly rose to his feet. Zhong Yunman and Zheng Wuji followed suit, and the audience below also stood up abruptly.

Cao Shan, the one most desperate to befriend the new Four-Star, widened his eyes and stared intently at the stage.

A man in a military uniform strode into the venue.

The entire place instantly fell silent.

The man was handsome, with sharp eyes, and his every move exuded an air of majesty and solemnity.

His figure was like a sharp sword pointing to the sky, as if nothing could stand in his way.

All eyes were fixed on this man, astonished by the new Four-Star's bearing.

When Cao Shan saw this person, his heart instantly turned to ice.

Seeing him, his son-in-law, Zheng Wuji, felt his back break out in a cold sweat.

It really was Jiang Xinghai!

Jiang Xinghai stood at the front of the stage like a towering mountain peak, daring no one to approach. He was like an indestructible line of defense, inspiring awe and fear!