Chapter 43: Cultivation Predicament

"..."

Yang Zhengfei, who had been exuding a fearsome aura the entire time, finally found his composure cracking when he heard this.

He couldn’t help but turn and size up Zou Feng once more.

Any normal man would inevitably take an interest in such matters.

Especially to make a brothel girl, who only cared about money, say something like she wouldn’t charge... just how...

After a long silence, Yang Zhengfei finally spoke again. "You may leave."

Zou Feng acknowledged him and then pretended his legs were sore and weak as he left.

’It seems that while the Government Office’s method for finding Yang Yanpeng’s remains was quite miraculous...’

’...this Yang Zhengfei’s investigation methods are still within the realm of my understanding.’

’Of course, this also had to do with the fact that, after Entering Grade, I was completely unaffected by Yang Zhengfei’s intangible pressure.’

’Otherwise, if I had been intimidated and flustered, I would have inevitably revealed a flaw.’

’Well then, the situation from here on out should be simple.’

’After being interrogated by Yang Zhengfei, I’ve actually been temporarily cleared of suspicion.’

’Next, I’ll just do what I need to do. Let the Yang Mansion continue its descent into chaos.’

’However, I wonder if that Fake Xiaocui can continue to pull the wool over their eyes under such scrutiny...’

The deaths of Yang Ling and Yang Yanpeng had caused a huge uproar, and not just within the Yang Mansion.

The entire Yuan Guang County had been restless lately.

The constables were running around with great fanfare, but who knew what they were actually trying to accomplish.

Unfortunately, in the end, they naturally found nothing.

The Blood-handed Butcher remained well-hidden, showing no signs of appearing.

But Zou Feng knew this was perfectly normal.

The Blood-handed Butcher had been inexplicably saddled with the blame. With even Yang Zhengfei rushing back, it would be strange if he still dared to come out and cause trouble.

For the near future, at least, no matter how unwilling he was, he would have to abandon his plans and continue to lie low.

And so, a month later, life in the Yang Mansion gradually returned to normal.

During this time, Zou Feng did not do anything out of the ordinary.

He didn’t even revisit places like the Ghost Market or the brothels.

Although he did take the opportunity of an outing for supplies to bring food to Xiaolv and the Red Flower Scorpion at East River Port.

But Zou Feng was certain he hadn’t been followed.

Even if someone had been, they wouldn’t have been close enough to see anything. They would have just thought he went for a stroll, then, suddenly feeling the call of nature, rushed over to a ditch to relieve himself.

In any case, everything was back to normal now. There was no need to stay on edge.

The only thing that surprised Zou Feng during this period was that Fake Xiaocui hadn’t been exposed and was still "guest-starring" as a maid.

’She’s got some skills...’

But as long as she didn’t bother him, he couldn’t be bothered to get involved with her.

However, what gave Zou Feng a headache was that, for the past few days, Fake Xiaocui had clearly started to flirt with him from time to time...

"Brother Feng, what do you think of my new clothes? Do they fit well?"

On this day, using the excuse of coming to pick up some pastries, Fake Xiaocui began her daily flirting.

Zou Feng glanced at her impatiently.

’Fit well, my ass. It’s obviously two sizes too small. The clothes are about to burst.’

As for why she was flirting with him...

Zou Feng had already thought it over.

’Actually, there’s no need to see a conspiracy in everything.’

’Especially after Entering Grade. The scent from cultivating the Five Poison Skill is gone. As long as I don’t fight anyone, it’s impossible to expose myself.’

’So, this Fake Xiaocui is most likely just bored out of her mind. She’s lying low in the Yang Mansion, can’t cause any trouble at the moment, and is just looking for some fun.’

’Coincidentally, I’m handsome, and my body has become increasingly strong and well-proportioned since I started training.’

’So, it’s no wonder I’m getting attention from an uninhibited Evil Cultivator like her. Even Zhuang Sixuan from the Heart Meeting Martial Arts Hall, who’s stationed here, gives me a few extra glances whenever we cross paths.’

However, it was precisely because Zou Feng knew she was a follower of the Evil Dao that he wanted nothing to do with her.

Even if there were no strings attached, who knew if she would suddenly use a Replenishing Evil Skill during... you know.

Therefore, from beginning to end, Zou Feng had clearly shown his lack of interest in her.

He deliberately acted as if he was on the verge of Entering Grade, that his status was now different, and that he looked down on her as a mere maid.

"Don’t you need to deliver the pastries? Hurry up and go, don’t be late!"

After tossing out a casual reply, Zou Feng turned and went back to his work.

Fake Xiaocui’s face fell, and she could only turn and leave dejectedly.

’Such a convincing performance...’

Seeing this, Luo Yong couldn’t watch any longer. "You kid, Xiaocui is a good girl. Even if you don’t want to marry her, you could still take her as a Bed Warmer Maid after you Enter Grade."

’Warm my bed? It’s more likely she’d blow it up...’

"Master, my mind is completely focused on Entering Grade as soon as possible. I really don’t have time to think about these things."

"...You mustn’t rush it, either. You know what they say, more haste, less speed..."

Luo Yong had opened the floodgates and began to ramble on endlessly.

Zou Feng listened on the surface, but inwardly, he was pondering the predicament he’d recently encountered.

To put it bluntly, his progress in cultivating his skills had slowed to a crawl!

He knew the reason very well: he no longer had the necessary resources.

Or rather, the resources he could currently obtain no longer matched the pace of his Cultivation.

After reaching Refined Skill in the Five Poison Skill, where could he find suitable poisons to continue his Cultivation?

The poisons available for purchase in the Ghost Market were completely inadequate.

Xiaolv’s poison was decent, but the quantity was too small.

The Cultivation of his other skills was also progressing very slowly.

After achieving Integration and Mastery with the Chaos Finger and Drunken Immortal Moon Gazing Step, he could no longer get by with ordinary cultivation resources.

For the Drunken Immortal Moon Gazing Step, he had to drink top-quality wine just for his body to have a "tipsy" reaction.

He even needed to go a step further and drink Spirit Wines whose effects were comparable to elixirs.

In addition, the Red Flower Scorpion’s poison could no longer improve his Chaos Finger.

The most frustrating part was that the resources he needed from now on weren’t problems that could be solved just by throwing money at them.

He also needed the right connections, networks, and so on...

Therefore, he really couldn’t stay in the Yang Mansion any longer.

Sometime in the next few days, he would find a suitable opportunity to have a sudden "epiphany" and Enter Grade in public, allowing him to openly break free from his Lowly Status.

Fortunately, from the very beginning, he had been cultivating the image of a peerless genius on the path of the Martial Dao.

Although he had only been training in martial arts for about three months, it wouldn’t be abrupt for a genius to have a sudden epiphany.

Besides, everyone thought he had started training too late, missing the optimal age. Even if he were a true genius, his ultimate achievements would be limited.

This would, in turn, make his "genius" less conspicuous and prevent him from attracting too much attention.

So, all he had to do was pick an auspicious day and formally sever ties with the Yang Mansion!

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