Chapter 589 - 589: The Truth Behind Mirror Lake Manor

Tang Zhen nodded, a hint of relief in his eyes. "I'm glad you think that way. For this trip, we'll take an ordinary car and an ordinary boat, just to avoid attracting attention."

"Understood," Jiang Xinghai nodded.

"Alright, there's no time to waste. Let's go change into civilian clothes." Tang Zhen took a deep breath and stood up. "Let's be on our way."

Then, Jiang Xinghai and Zhong Yunman exchanged a glance before following Tang Zhen out of the banquet hall.

In the changing room, the three of them changed into ordinary clothes, neatly folding and stowing away their uniforms.

When they walked out the door, a black business van was already parked there, with Nightingale waiting in the driver's seat.

Jiang Xinghai and Zhong Yunman got into the back seat, while Tang Zhen sat in the front passenger seat.

Nightingale started the car and sped toward the coast.

Jiang Xinghai's heart pounded with excitement the entire way. He was finally going to learn the whole truth about his parents.

After some time, the car finally came to a stop. The group had arrived at the seaside.

A yacht was already moored at the shore.

Zheng Wuji, also in civilian clothes, was waiting by the boat.

Jiang Xinghai's heart couldn't help but beat faster.

He couldn't remember the last time he'd been this excited.

The yacht slowly pulled away from the shore and headed out to sea.

"Elder Tang, can you explain things now?" Jiang Xinghai had been hoping Tang Zhen would give him a heads-up, so he wouldn't be completely in the dark when they arrived at Mirror Lake Manor.

"Of course. I was just about to."

Tang Zhen slowly lit a cigarette, his hands resting on the railing as he gazed at the horizon. "If you have any questions while I'm explaining, feel free to interrupt me."

"Alright," Jiang Xinghai nodded.

"The existence of Mirror Lake Manor stems from a powerful sect that is not of the Mortal World."

Whenever Tang Zhen thought about this, he felt particularly frustrated. "And this sect is so powerful that even the strongest experts the Dragon Country could send would be no match for them. You can think of them as the absolute ceiling of power in the Mortal World."

"A sect from outside the Mortal World would naturally be at the pinnacle of power here. I can understand that."

Jiang Xinghai's brow furrowed. "But where is that sect from? Could it be from the Celestial Profound Realm?"

"Exactly!" Tang Zhen nodded.

Jiang Xinghai's mouth twitched. 'Considering how mysterious Mirror Lake Manor is, I should have guessed it sooner!'

"That sect is called the Shadow Sect."

A hidden worry clouded Tang Zhen's eyes. "Even in the Celestial Profound Realm, the Shadow Sect is a dominant power."

"But from what I know, experts from the Celestial Profound Realm aren't allowed to enter the Mortal World without authorization, or they'll face some kind of divine retribution. So, the Shadow Sect members who appear in the Mortal World probably aren't that strong, right?" Jiang Xinghai asked.

"That's right."

Tang Zhen nodded. "But even so, the weakest Shadow Sect members in the Mortal World are at the Human Emperor Realm, and there are even peak experts at the Guiyuan Realm."

"What!" Jiang Xinghai started to get anxious.

If their opponents were at the Human Emperor Realm, he could just fight with all his might, especially with his senior sister's help.

But they actually had Guiyuan Realm experts—the absolute pinnacle of power in the Mortal World, and extremely rare.

"Don't be so anxious just yet."

Tang Zhen maintained his slow, deliberate tone. "The strongest individuals stationed at Mirror Lake Manor are only at the Human Emperor Realm. The Guiyuan Realm experts only come for occasional inspections, and they aren't here right now."

"That's good!" Jiang Xinghai felt a surge of relief.

"As for why the Shadow Sect's Mirror Lake Manor remains in the Mortal World, with our War Department handling security and confidentiality for its perimeter... it's just a rather unbalanced agreement." Tang Zhen revealed the most critical point.

"In other words, the Shadow Sect is bullying us with their power. We want to resist but lack the strength, so we can only tacitly accept it," Jiang Xinghai instantly arrived at this conclusion.

Elder Tang's face was full of bitterness as he took a hard drag from his cigarette. "Yes, that's exactly it!"

"So, the Shadow Sect established Mirror Lake Manor in the Mortal World and demanded we help them with security and secrecy. It was something you were forced into..." Jiang Xinghai was now getting a much clearer picture of the situation surrounding Mirror Lake Manor.

"Actually, that's not the whole story."

Tang Zhen continued with a wry smile, "If we did nothing, the existence of Mirror Lake Manor would cause unnecessary panic among the public. So, after weighing the pros and cons, you could say we're helping them on our own initiative."

His words were heavy with a sense of helplessness.

Jiang Xinghai fell into contemplation, then slowly looked up. "There's one more critical point. Why are they holding my parents captive? Do my parents have some secret they need?"

"That point is indeed very critical."

Tang Zhen took out another cigarette and lit it from the first before speaking slowly, "As for what secret your parents might have, we actually haven't been able to find out. Over the past five years, we've negotiated with Mirror Lake Manor more than once, but we've never received a clear answer."

"Could it be the Ancient Martial Secret Scripture they had?" Jiang Xinghai suddenly recalled that back then, the man in the black cloak, Mr. Long—Ji Xiao—had been after the Ancient Martial Secret Scripture, which was why he had plotted to have the major families of Ji City frame his parents!

"It's not that." Tang Zhen seemed very certain.

"In that case, I'm afraid the only way to find out the answer is to enter Mirror Lake Manor and see my parents." Jiang Xinghai also lit a cigarette and took a deep drag.

Tang Zhen nodded with a bitter smile. "That's right. It's the only thing we can do for now."

He turned to look at the approaching island, his tone filled with a mix of anticipation and worry. "Jiang, there's one more crucial thing I need to remind you of. After we arrive, you are not to reveal your identity, nor are you to show any hostility toward Mirror Lake Manor."

"Are you worried I'm not strong enough and will be countered, Elder Tang?" Jiang Xinghai looked frustrated.

"There are two reasons."

"First, you cannot expose your identity until you are powerful enough. Second, when you do have the strength, you must come here in a personal capacity. The rest of us cannot accompany you," Tang Zhen explained enigmatically.

"I understand. You're worried my failure would implicate the Dragon Country." The realization instantly eased Jiang Xinghai's mind.

Tang Zhen nodded awkwardly.

"Fine. I understand."

Jiang Xinghai sighed. "But you're the ones bringing me on this trip. If I show up alone later, they'll definitely make a connection. So, I'd better disguise myself."

Tang Zhen nodded again.

He already knew that Jiang Xinghai was capable of the Transform Body and Bone technique.

In front of everyone, Jiang Xinghai disguised himself to look like "Little Chef."

"I'm growing more and more curious about the sect heritage of Jiang and Zhong."

Tang Zhen was undeniably envious of the sect behind Jiang Xinghai and Zhong Yunman.

He knew some inside information: Jiang Xinghai and Zhong Yunman both hailed from a powerful sect in Kunlun.

"When the time is right, I'll tell you all about it, Elder Tang."

Jiang Xinghai smiled, then changed the subject. "Actually, since we're about to arrive at Mirror Lake Manor, I think we should rescue my parents today. After we get there, all of you should leave. Even if it's a dragon's lair or a tiger's den, I'm going to charge in!"

Tang Zhen shook his head hastily. "Don't be reckless. Our current strength is no match for the Shadow Sect. Forcing our way in will only lead to failure, make Mirror Lake Manor more vigilant, and naturally put your parents in even greater danger."