Chapter 48: The Air of Freedom Is Not Sweet

"Seniors, I’ll take my leave!"

Seeing that Zou Feng was really about to leave this time, a strange feeling settled over Yang Wu.

If he hadn’t watched the entire sparring match between Zou Feng and Yang Chen, he definitely wouldn’t be feeling this way...

But trying to convince him to stay, even by drastically increasing his monthly allowance, would likely be useless.

The young man’s mind was made up.

"Wait!"

On a strange impulse, Yang Wu called out to Zou Feng again.

Zou Feng turned around, a questioning look on his face.

"You are, after all, a man of the Yang Mansion. After all your diligent years with the Yang Family, how could I let you leave empty-handed?"

With that, Yang Wu turned to the steward beside him and said, "Go fetch twenty taels of silver!"

Yang Wu’s sudden change in attitude took Zou Feng by surprise.

After all, Yang Wu had clearly been displeased with him before. After a token attempt to make him stay, he couldn’t wait for Zou Feng to get lost.

This change of heart was, of course, related to the earlier sparring match.

That was why Yang Wu now wanted to preserve this connection.

It was a casual, inconsequential investment for him. What if Zou Feng really did manage to make a name for himself?

Having been the Yang Family Patriarch for so long, Yang Wu was well aware of the potential benefits that could come from forging good relationships.

"Senior, this..."

"There’s no need to refuse. It is a small token of my appreciation."

Zou Feng stopped being modest. "Then I thank you, Patriarch!"

By addressing him as Patriarch again, Zou Feng was making it clear that he accepted the gesture.

Hearing Zou Feng’s words, the frustration Yang Wu had been feeling finally eased considerably.

"Right, also bring three Qi Blood Pills—the pure kind!" Yang Wu shouted to the steward, who hadn’t gone far.

Since the other party had accepted his goodwill, Yang Wu naturally upped the ante.

And so, a situation that had seemed destined to end on bad terms was resolved amicably, all thanks to Zou Feng’s carefully orchestrated performance showcasing his "Talent."

It had basically become a win-win situation for everyone involved.

Seeing Zou Feng take the "farewell gift" from Yang Wu and walk out of the hall, Yang Qianqian was completely baffled by her father’s actions.

The family wasn’t short on such things, but that didn’t mean they could just be thrown away carelessly.

"Dad, why did you have to do that..."

"That boy has clearly gotten arrogant after reaching Entering Grade. Once he’s out in the world, he’ll offend people far too easily."

"In a few days, he’ll probably get caught up in some Jianghu conflict and come running back to us for protection like a beaten dog."

Yang Wu shot his daughter an exasperated look. ’And you have the nerve to say *he* offends people easily!?’

But in the end, he couldn’t bring himself to say it out loud.

He let out a soft sigh and said earnestly, "Qianqian, listen to your father: never bully a young man for being poor!"

Yang Qianqian looked up and rolled her eyes.

Meanwhile, as Zou Feng stepped out of the hall, he was met with a round of congratulations from the people outside.

Those who originally harbored their own little schemes immediately lost all interest after seeing Zou Feng fight Yang Chen to a draw.

Jealousy only exists for those within your line of sight.

Once you can no longer even see their back, there is no room for jealousy.

"What are your plans after leaving the mansion?" Zhao Tianhu stepped forward and asked.

Zou Feng replied, "First, I’ll go to the Government Office and take care of my manumission."

"And then?"

"And then... I’ll go to Hengyu Building to listen to some music and celebrate," Zou Feng joked casually.

Zhao Tianhu laughed along for a moment before his expression turned serious. "Actually, you won’t have to do anything."

"Once word of what just happened gets out... all the major powers in Yuan Guang County will, without a doubt, actively try to recruit you!"

Of course, Zou Feng already had a general idea of the situation he would face after leaving the Yang Mansion.

In a small place like Yuan Guang County, an independent Entering Grade Martial Artist with a clean background was a highly sought-after commodity.

In a gang like the Black Flood Dragon Gang, an Entering Grade Martial Artist could basically become an Incense Master right away.

However, Zou Feng had also done his research and knew that the value of a Martial Artist who achieved Entering Grade through Pile Skill was greatly diminished.

Especially since he had started his martial arts training so late in life.

This was why he had been looking for an opportunity to show off a little more of his "Talent."

Through the spar with Yang Chen just now, even though it looked like a draw on the surface, its true significance was that it had immediately and drastically increased his market value.

The factions that wanted to recruit him would now offer much more sincere terms.

However, the condition Zou Feng cared most about wasn’t actually silver.

Rather, it was finding a place where he could acquire various Evil Skills and easily obtain the corresponding cultivation resources.

’And it’d be best if it’s a place where it’s easy to make enemies...’

’Of course, the prerequisite is that those people can’t be the type I can’t afford to offend.’

He had figured it out now. Due to the high probability that he would need to raise a Human Gu, breaking through to the next realm of his Five Poison Skill in a short amount of time was no longer realistic.

Therefore, if he wanted to maintain his pace of advancing by leaps and bounds, he would need more Evil Skills.

As long as he piled up enough Evil Skills, a quantitative change would naturally lead to a qualitative one, allowing him to advance to Eighth Grade as soon as possible!

While laying low as a Household Slave in the Yang Mansion, reaching Entering Grade gave Zou Feng the satisfying feeling of being a hidden master.

But out in the world, Ninth Grade truly didn’t provide enough of a sense of security.

He had to reach Eighth Grade quickly before considering anything else...

After leaving the Yang Mansion, Zhao Tianhu was still by his side, clearly intending to accompany him to the Government Office to handle his manumission.

"Xiaozou, when you make it big in the future, don’t forget to give your big brother a hand!" Zhao Tianhu was a straightforward man who never minced words.

He wasn’t actually that old and was unwilling to simply waste his years away as a mansion guard in the Yang Mansion.

Zou Feng nodded. "Brother Hu, don’t worry. Once I’m settled and need a hand, just make sure you don’t refuse."

Zhao Tianhu let out a hearty laugh. "I knew I wasn’t wrong about you! You’re destined for great things!"

Bantering like this, they soon arrived at the entrance of the Government Office.

Because a notice had already been sent, someone was already waiting for them outside.

Normally, at the moment of his manumission, Zou Feng would have had the opportunity to meet the County Magistrate.

However, Magistrate Huang was occupied with important official business and wasn’t at the Government Office at all.

Therefore, Zou Feng only met Steward Sun of the Government Office.

This Steward Sun also seemed very busy. He offered a few casual words of encouragement and then left in a hurry.

After Steward Sun left, Zhao Tianhu explained, "Don’t be fooled by Steward Sun’s appearance as a frail scholar. He’s an Eighth Grade expert!"

’Huh? The government stewards are all Eighth Grade experts?’

It wasn’t that Zou Feng had poor judgment; he could actually tell that Steward Sun was a practitioner. But without the use of Inner Qi, it was truly difficult to discern someone’s specific grade.

A junior official was responsible for handling the specific paperwork.

The entire process took no more than the time it takes to eat a meal.

When Zou Feng walked out of the Government Office again, he was finally, officially a free man.

He took a deep breath.

’Huh. The air of freedom doesn’t taste any sweeter...’

Just as Zou Feng was about to invite Zhao Tianhu for a celebratory drink, someone came striding quickly toward them from across the street, a wide smile on their face.

"Excuse me, young master, but might you be Zou Feng of the Yang Mansion?"