Chapter 590 - 590: The Green Light

When Jiang Xinghai thought about the danger his parents would be in if he made a mistake, he gradually calmed down.

After a moment of quiet contemplation, he had to admit Tang Zhen's suggestion wasn't without merit.

He nodded resignedly. "Fine. Do you have a plan, Elder Tang?"

Tang Zhen nodded slightly. "Of course I have a plan. Don't worry, you just need to follow my instructions."

Hearing this, Jiang Xinghai's eyes lit up. "So Elder Tang already had a plan."

Tang Zhen smiled. "Of course, but my plan might require you to swallow your pride a bit. Do you want to hear it?"

"I would give my life to save my parents. Swallowing a bit of pride is nothing. Of course, it's not a problem. Please, Elder Tang, tell me." Jiang Xinghai's expression grew serious.

Tang Zhen paused, then said, "I suggest you first become a doctor of traditional medicine at Mirror Lake Manor. It would be best if you could then get into the Shadow Sect."

"You mean you want me to go undercover in the Shadow Sect, Elder Tang?" Jiang Xinghai asked, slightly taken aback.

"That's right."

Tang Zhen nodded. "If you want to rescue your parents safely, this is the best way. Unless you have the power to defeat a Guiyuan Realm expert right now. And you... you can't do that yet."

"The Guiyuan Realm?"

Jiang Xinghai stared blankly at Tang Zhen, his mind a whirlwind of emotions.

'I have to admit, going undercover in the Shadow Sect to rescue my parents is an option.'

'Then again, it's just the Guiyuan Realm, right?'

'I'm itching to give it a try!'

"Elder Tang, what if I go undercover at Mirror Lake Manor but don't get chosen by the Shadow Sect? Won't I end up empty-handed in the end?" Jiang Xinghai suddenly asked.

Tang Zhen faltered for a moment, then gave a wry smile. "Yes, we can't rule out that possibility."

"That's why I've decided not to go undercover. Besides having no interest in joining the Shadow Sect, I'd much rather see what their Guiyuan Realm experts are made of." Jiang Xinghai took a hard drag from his cigarette before stomping it out under his foot.

"Jiang, don't be rash!" Seeing his persuasion had failed, Tang Zhen grew anxious.

"I'm perfectly calm, Elder Tang. It's just a Guiyuan Realm expert, right? I might not be able to defeat one head-on, but you said it yourself: the Shadow Sect's Guiyuan Realm expert stationed at Mirror Lake Manor isn't there." A slight smile played on Jiang Xinghai's lips.

"But have you thought about the consequences?" Tang Zhen took a deep breath.

"Consequences?"

Jiang Xinghai said calmly, "Of course I have. If I force my way in, Mirror Lake Manor will definitely notify their Guiyuan Realm expert from the Shadow Sect. When that happens, there will be bloodshed, and innocent people might even get hurt."

"So you're going to do it even though you know the consequences?" Tang Zhen was starting to get angry.

Zhong Yunman quickly walked over from the side. "Elder Tang, please let my junior brother finish. I'm sure he has his own plan."

Jiang Xinghai turned to Zhong Yunman. "You get me, Second Senior Sister."

"Alright now, hurry up and say it, or Elder Tang is really going to blow his top," Zhong Yunman said with a slight smile, pressing her lips together.

"Yes, Jiang, speak up. I can't let your recklessness bring ruthless suppression down on this land. We're talking about innocent lives here." Tang Zhen reined in his emotions and lit another cigarette.

"Elder Tang, first tell me this: if a Guiyuan Realm expert from the Shadow Sect were to head to Shanghai, how many days would it take for them to arrive?" Jiang Xinghai asked seriously.

Elder Tang seemed to ponder this for a moment before saying, "I once attended a reception with them and overheard them mention it. It takes five days to travel from the Celestial Profound Realm Shadow Sect to the Dragon Country."

"Five days. That's enough." Joy flashed in Jiang Xinghai's eyes.

"So, what is your plan? Don't tell me you're planning to raise your cultivation to the Guiyuan Realm in five days, are you?" Tang Zhen looked astonished.

"I can't guarantee it, but I have to try."

Jiang Xinghai suddenly sat cross-legged on the deck. "Elder Tang, for today, all you need to do is lead the way. We'll turn back once we reach our destination."

"Jiang, what exactly is your plan?" Tang Zhen pressed.

"I'll lie low for five more days and focus on my cultivation."

Jiang Xinghai looked up and said, "In five days, I believe I can reach the Middle Stage of the Human Emperor Realm. At that point, I'll storm Mirror Lake Manor alone, rescue my parents, and—ideally—kill every last member of the Shadow Sect there so they can't alert those Guiyuan Realm experts."

"And what if you don't reach the Middle Stage of the Human Emperor Realm?"

Tang Zhen pressed, "Or what if you do reach the Human Emperor Realm but fail to kill them all? If even one person escapes, they'll still notify the Shadow Sect!"

"Don't forget, Elder Tang, even if the Shadow Sect's Guiyuan Realm experts do come, it takes them five days to get here."

Jiang Xinghai smiled confidently. "Which means I'll have another five days to continue my training."

"That's right. When the time comes, we three sisters will also be there to help our junior brother," Zhong Yunman added.

It was even possible that in such a crisis, their master, Yao Gu, would appear in the secular world!

This gave Tang Zhen pause.

"Give me some time. I need to think this over."

With his hands clasped behind his back, Tang Zhen walked over to Zheng Wuji at the helm. "Don't get too close when we reach Lightning Island. Just call out to me."

With that, he sat alone in the boat's cabin, lit a cigarette, and dialed the phone number of a mysterious, high-ranking official.

「In a classified location within the Imperial City.」

An old man with a youthful complexion despite his white hair answered Tang Zhen's call. "Old Tang, how are things progressing?"

"Sir, there have been some… complications."

With a wry smile, Tang Zhen briefly recounted his conversation with Jiang Xinghai.

The official in the Imperial City fell silent in thought upon hearing the report.

After a moment, the official suddenly laughed. "Hahaha, I think Jiang's plan is feasible. It's time we showed the Shadow Sect that our Dragon Country is getting serious. Let's proceed as he suggests."

"But sir, what about when the Shadow Sect sends reinforcements…?" Tang Zhen's voice was laced with bitterness.

"If they really send people, it's not like our Dragon Country is helpless. When the time comes, at least three of the top ten on the Martial Arts Hidden Dragon List will go to Shanghai and assist him from the shadows," the official said with conviction.

Tang Zhen took a deep breath. "Understood, sir."

"Good. After he rescues his parents, arrange a video call between him and me," the official added.

"Isn't that a bit premature?" Tang Zhen asked.

"No, I think the timing is perfect."

The official continued, "Don't mention it to him for now. Just make the arrangements after he successfully rescues his parents."

"Understood," Tang Zhen said with a firm nod.

The two spoke a little longer before ending the call.

HAAAAH...

Tang Zhen stood up and walked out of the cabin, just in time to see Zheng Wuji approaching.

"Elder Tang, we're now one nautical mile from Lightning Island," Zheng Wuji reported.

"Excellent!"

With the high-ranking official's instructions, Tang Zhen felt completely at ease.

"Jiang, see that island over there?" Tang Zhen came out onto the deck. He saw Jiang Xinghai and Zhong Yunman gazing at the island in the distance and came to a quiet stop beside them.

He stood at the railing as well, looking toward the island.

Seen from a distance, Lightning Island truly lived up to its name.

Every so often, a bolt of lightning would descend from the sky, silhouetting the pitch-black island and deepening its mysterious aura.