Chapter 59: Commendation Banquet

Ma Pingchuan’s posture was so humble, and he came to apologize with such "sincerity," that Zou Feng simply went with the flow and offered a "reconciliatory" smile.

Of course, he didn’t actually believe Ma Pingchuan had genuinely given up on opposing him.

After all, this guy had wanted him dead before; otherwise, he wouldn’t have made it onto the list.

’You can’t just try to kill me, realize it’s not so easy, then turn around, apologize, and think a bit of silver will settle everything, can you?’

Besides, Ma Pingchuan’s submission was likely just a temporary tactic to make him lower his guard.

The conflict between the two Hall Masters, Chen Jingsheng and Qian Kun, was already irreconcilable.

There was no way Qian Kun would allow one of Chen Jingsheng’s subordinates—a "promising" general like himself—to rise through the ranks.

"Ma Incense Master, you exaggerate. It was all a misunderstanding. As long as it’s cleared up, we’re fine!" Zou Feng appeared magnanimous.

Ma Pingchuan nodded hastily. "Yes, yes, all a misunderstanding! Zou Incense Master is truly magnanimous!"

What followed was what Ma Pingchuan did best: a session of flattery. For a moment, the atmosphere was perfectly harmonious.

On the surface, at least, it seemed the two had buried the hatchet.

Even Liu Chun and Xiong Datian thought so.

They weren’t unhappy about it.

After all, they were all in the same gang. If the infighting continued, there was no telling what the future would hold.

After exchanging some pleasantries, Zou Feng casually invited Ma Pingchuan and his men to stay for a meal.

But when Ma Pingchuan and the others learned that Zou Feng was actually going to cook himself, they couldn’t help but picture those bright red hands, reeking of cooked meat...

Their stomachs churned at the thought. How could they possibly stay? They quickly made an excuse and fled.

Watching their retreating figures, Liu Chun spat in contempt. "Serves those bastards right. They have no idea what a delicacy Zou Incense Master’s cooking is!"

Xiong Datian added, "It’s better they don’t eat. It saves them from getting addicted and shamelessly coming back to freeload every day!"

Zou Feng accepted their flattery without batting an eye.

After all, when he cooked, if he increased the "dosage," his food could indeed get people high and addicted...

’Well then, let’s see what other tricks Ma Pingchuan has up his sleeve...’

’But if these guys are still planning to cause trouble, it definitely won’t be the same kind of petty skirmish as before.’

’Qian Kun is still holding on; he hasn’t been "trained" to death yet. He must have arranged some backup plans.’

’But no matter what tricks they have, my response is a single word—"Train!"’

And so, a superficial peace returned to the Black Flood Dragon Gang’s warehouse district.

For Zou Feng, life naturally became much more comfortable.

Thanks to Ma Pingchuan’s "generosity," they could afford to eat Spirit Beast Meat at almost every meal.

Zou Feng wasn’t the least bit concerned about whether the Spirit Beast Meat sent by Ma Pingchuan was laced with some sort of slow-acting poison.

When it came to playing with poisons, he could be Ma Pingchuan’s, or even Qian Kun’s, ancestor.

***

「Two evenings later, on a third-floor balcony in the rear courtyard of the Guangfa Gambling House.」

Zou Feng had been invited here for a banquet by Chen Jingsheng.

The stated reason was that Chen Jingsheng had been too busy to give Zou Feng, a new brother who had just joined the Black Flood Dragon Gang, a proper welcoming feast.

But Zou Feng knew the truth. It was only after Chen Jingsheng learned about the events at the warehouse and was satisfied with his performance that he had begun to truly take him seriously.

Although being valued by his superior wasn’t Zou Feng’s intention, he had no choice. Ma Pingchuan had to be suppressed, or the scoundrel would only become more aggressive in causing trouble.

"Worthy Brother, you’re here!"

Wang Xingjian was also there. Seeing Zou Feng arrive, he was incredibly enthusiastic, even changing his form of address to "Worthy Brother"...

"Greetings, Hall Master Chen!"

"Brother Wang, it’s good to see you!" Zou Feng greeted them one by one.

On the balcony were many lightly dressed Maids, whose eyes all lit up when they saw Zou Feng.

Zou Feng had always been a handsome man, just with a rather dark and coarse complexion. However, from his recent Cultivation of the Black Tortoise Sea-Suppressing Force, he had soaked in so many medicinal baths that his skin had been bleached pale.

The aesthetic of the Great Yan Dynasty favored fair skin.

But on closer inspection, Zou Feng’s paleness was unnatural. The longer one looked, the more unsettling it became.

Chen Jingsheng glanced at him a few times before nodding. "Not bad. You’ve reached Minor Success in the Black Tortoise Sea-Suppressing Force?"

"Just a stroke of luck..."

Chen Jingsheng waved a hand dismissively. "It’s because you work hard and are ruthless with yourself!"

Chen Jingsheng had long known about Zou Feng’s insane training regimen.

"But remember to take a break and recuperate. Otherwise, you’ll develop significant hidden injuries."

As he spoke, he casually tossed two small vials to Zou Feng.

Without even opening them, Zou Feng could tell from the scent alone that one vial contained Qi Blood Pills and the other Essence Strengthening Pills—and both were pure!

’Once you demonstrate your value, the rewards are sure to follow. Those higher up will immediately increase their investment.’

"Many thanks, Hall Master Chen!"

Chen Jingsheng nodded slightly, then gestured for Zou Feng to sit.

The moment Zou Feng sat down, two gorgeously dressed, beautiful Maids pounced on him from the left and right.

Both of them sat on his lap.

"Ah, that hurts..."

The two women cried out in surprise at the same time.

They had sat on Zou Feng’s thighs, but it felt like they had landed on a lumpy block of iron.

Caught off guard, they were naturally bruised and sore.

Seeing this, Wang Xingjian laughed. "Worthy Brother’s Tribulation-Indestructible Body has also reached Minor Success. It really is hard!"

Most Evil Skills were like this. In the early stages of Cultivation, they had obvious characteristics, like the fragrance of the Five Poison Palm.

Only after reaching a certain Realm would these traits gradually diminish or disappear.

However, Zou Feng’s Tribulation-Indestructible Body had actually already reached the Realm of Entering the Hall and the Room.

But to avoid drawing attention, he deliberately pretended that he couldn’t control his body’s hardness yet, giving Chen Jingsheng and Wang Xingjian the false impression that he had only reached Minor Success.

Back when he was still a Household Slave, Zou Feng had cultivated an image of someone who enjoyed frequenting brothels.

So, he naturally couldn’t pretend to have no interest in beautiful women now.

He immediately wrapped his arms around the two women, pulling them tighter, and said with a sly laugh, "It’s fine. Once you get used to sitting here, it won’t hurt anymore."

Wang Xingjian immediately hooted in agreement, and even Chen Jingsheng—who was usually stern and wore a perpetual scowl—gave a symbolic chuckle or two.

The atmosphere instantly became relaxed and lively.

However, Zou Feng’s smile gradually became strained when he noticed that Wang Xingjian, who was sitting across from him, had no Maid accompanying him.

Tilting his head, he saw a large, fluffy white fox squatting beside Wang Xingjian.

When the White Fox saw Zou Feng looking at it, it gave him a surprisingly human-like, flirtatious smile.

"Oh, I’ve always enjoyed raising Spirit Pets. This White Fox is a recent acquisition of mine. Quite a likable creature, isn’t she?" Wang Xingjian explained with a smile, noticing the confusion in Zou Feng’s eyes.

Zou Feng: "..."

As for Chen Jingsheng, the same Maid Zou Feng had seen in the Practice Room was still by his side.

In truth, her looks weren’t particularly outstanding compared to the other Maids present.

But for Chen Jingsheng to have kept her by his side for so long, she must have an extraordinary talent for musical instruments.

Despite the congenial atmosphere, Chen Jingsheng didn’t stay long. He soon excused himself, citing gang business, and left first.

With only Wang Xingjian and Zou Feng remaining, they naturally let loose even more.

Zou Feng cuddled the beauties while Wang Xingjian cuddled his White Fox, both eating and drinking with great pleasure.

Just as they were finishing their food and drinks, a commotion erupted from the main entrance of the Guangfa Gambling House.

It sounded like someone had been causing trouble in the gambling house and was getting thrown out.