Chapter 594 - 594: The Deepest Part of Mirror Lake Manor

"As for why I'm here..."

"It's actually quite simple. I know this is Mirror Lake Manor, a holding of the Shadow Sect. It's stood here for many years, a place where no one has ever dared to tread."

Jiang Xinghai was blunt. "But I'm not one to be scared off. I consider my skill in the Martial Arts to be decent, and I wanted to trade a few pointers with you all to see just how deep my skills run."

His words made Tao Wenbing's blood boil.

'He wants to start a slaughter here just to test his Martial Arts proficiency?'

'If word of this gets out, will every new expert who emerges feel the need to come to Mirror Lake Manor for a bit of slaughter?'

'It'll become a proving ground!'

'Absolutely not!'

"Then let me ask you, even if you're here to test your mettle, was there any need to kill two of my companions without so much as a word?" Tao Wenbing's face was flush with anger, clearly incensed.

'Daring to trespass in Mirror Lake Manor is a capital offense!'

'And he killed two of my companions on top of that?'

"And?" Jiang Xinghai offered an innocent smile.

Tao Wenbing breathed heavily, itching to attack. But then he considered Jiang Xinghai's talent. If he could recruit him into the Shadow Sect, the man would surely soar to new heights, and Tao Wenbing himself would reap considerable benefits.

"Of course, if you believe the deaths of your two companions are worth more than the value of recruiting me, then we have nothing more to discuss." Jiang Xinghai's words carried a subtle hint of playing hard to get.

He really didn't want to waste any more time talking.

If Tao Wenbing didn't agree, then they would fight.

"Fine. You have a point. It's been at least ten years since those two companions of mine broke into the initial stage of the Human Emperor Realm, and they haven't made an inch of progress since. There's truly nothing to regret." Tao Wenbing sighed, as if a great weight had been lifted from his shoulders.

"Then let's go in. I'm dying to meet Lord Tan and ask about the legendary Cultivation Treasure Technique." Jiang Xinghai's face was filled with anticipation.

Tao Wenbing nodded and waved a hand. "Before that, come with me. We need to stop the fight between the other four."

"I'm afraid it's too late for that," Jiang Xinghai said with a shrug.

"Too late?"

The realization hit Tao Wenbing in an instant. "Damn it!"

He hastily tried to contact his other two companions—the ones fighting the Prince of the East and his ally—via Divine Sense.

But there was no response.

"You...!"

Tao Wenbing's expression turned frigid. "So you've killed all four of my companions. Even if you're a heaven-sent prodigy, I can't forgive this!"

"And do you think you can take on the three of us by yourself?" Jiang Xinghai asked, his voice calm.

"I..."

The question left Tao Wenbing speechless.

'He's right!'

'I might have more than enough strength to handle Jiang Xinghai, but he has two allies!'

"So, you only need to consider one question: do you want to recruit me, or do you want to be my enemy? That's all there is to it." Jiang Xinghai casually tossed his cigarette butt to the ground and crushed it out with his foot.

"Fine. Come with me."

Tao Wenbing gave a grand wave of his hand, seemingly letting go of the fact that his companions had been killed.

But deep down, he would never forget.

'First, I'll bring Jiang Xinghai into the manor. It won't be too late to decide his fate when we're in front of Lord Tan!'

'That way, I can completely avoid the Prince of the East and Zhong Yunman, who haven't caught up yet.'

"By the way, young friend, you still haven't told this old man your name."

Tao Wenbing paused, his gaze strange as he looked at Jiang Xinghai. "A little basic sincerity is in order, don't you think?"

"You can call me Little Chef. Of course, that's just an alias. Once I see the Commander, Lord Tan, I'll properly introduce myself." Jiang Xinghai wasn't about to reveal his true identity now.

"Little Chef?"

Tao Wenbing frowned. Secluded here at Mirror Lake Manor on its island, he paid no mind to happenings on the mainland.

"Very well, Little Chef. Follow this old man. One wrong step, and it will cost you your life."

With that, Tao Wenbing turned and walked toward the interior of the manor.

Jiang Xinghai followed behind Tao Wenbing and soon arrived at the edge of a vast lake.

The lake's surface was perfectly still, like a mirror under the cold moonlight.

Jiang Xinghai couldn't help but wonder, 'Is this how Mirror Lake Manor got its name?'

"Watch your step."

Tao Wenbing's pace quickened as he stepped directly onto the lake. With a light tap of his toes, he glided toward its center.

'Simple enough.'

Without hesitation, Jiang Xinghai copied Tao Wenbing's movements, skimming across the water toward the center of the lake.

A few seconds later, they reached the center of the lake, where a luxurious, antique-style building stood—the main structure of Mirror Lake Manor.

"Lord Tan, Wenbing requests an audience on an urgent matter."

Tao Wenbing motioned for Jiang Xinghai to stop, then bowed toward the main hall and called out.

"WHOOSH!"

Suddenly, a figure in black shot out from within the hall.

"Ah, it's Deputy Commander Tao. Please, come in."

The newcomer was a burly, middle-aged man in his forties with a full head of white hair. Despite his apparent age, he was full of vigor and his eyes were bright.

"Thank you, Left Guard."

Tao Wenbing nodded to the man in black with a smile and led Jiang Xinghai into the main hall.

"This is a young friend who goes by the alias Little Chef. He has quite a reputation in the Dragon Country and is a rising prodigy whom I am recommending to Lord Tan." Tao Wenbing gave a brief introduction.

"Oh, so it's Brother Jiang."

The man in black, the Left Guard, was Commander Tan Yuan's closest subordinate, so of course he had to vet everyone carefully.

"Deputy Commander Tao and Little Chef, please wait here a moment. I'll go report to Commander Tan." The man in black greeted them warmly, his words carrying a frank and open air.

"Thank you."

Jiang Xinghai nodded his thanks.

"Deputy Commander Tao, I have other matters to attend to. Yunxi will be over in a moment." With that, the man in black left the hall.

Tao Wenbing had Jiang Xinghai take a seat in the main hall.

A few minutes later, a young woman approached. She was petite with delicate features and fair skin. It was Yunxi.

"Deputy Commander Tao, please come with me."

She bowed politely, then led Jiang Xinghai and Tao Wenbing toward a nearby corridor.

As Jiang Xinghai followed, he couldn't help but size up the young woman.

Yunxi was a member of the staff at Mirror Lake Manor, responsible for receiving guests.

Though young, she handled herself with a maturity and poise that had earned her Commander Tan's favor.

After a few twists and turns through the manor, Yunxi led Jiang Xinghai and Tao Wenbing to the door of a study.

"Commander Tan said that you may both enter directly upon arrival." After speaking, Yunxi bowed and departed.

"Little Chef, are you ready?" Tao Wenbing's words were laced with hidden meaning.

Jiang Xinghai was perfectly calm. "Yes," he said with a nod. "I'm ready."

'Five years! It's been five years since I started searching for my parents!'

'In all those five years, not a single night has passed that I haven't missed them!'

'And now, I've finally reached Mirror Lake Manor, the place where they're being held!'

'I've been ready for a long time!'

"In that case, let's go in."

Tao Wenbing sneered inwardly. 'Once we're inside the study, no matter how skilled Jiang Xinghai is, he won't be able to resist!'

"This is..."

The instant Jiang Xinghai stepped into the study, he felt a powerful force bind him, rendering him unable to move.

He looked around and saw that there wasn't a single book in the study. Instead, it was filled with all sorts of strange energies.

These energies converged to form a massive energy field, trapping him securely within it.