Chapter 44: Chapter 44: Preparations Before the “Epiphany

“A Qi Dispersing Pill, just as the name suggests, will temporarily scatter most of an Entering Grade Martial Artist’s Inner Qi after it’s consumed.”

“Even a master with profound Inner Qi will be affected to some extent. At the very least, it can cause their Inner Qi to fall into disarray.”

The Ghost Market had moved. It was now set up in Meihua Lane on the West Street of Yuan Guang County. A disguised Zou Feng stood before a stall selling all sorts of unorthodox elixirs.

“How much?” Zou Feng picked up a Qi Dispersing Pill and held it to his nose, sniffing it.

The vendor rubbed his hands together with a wide grin. “I’m looking to close up shop early today, so I’ll sell it to you cheap. Fifteen taels a piece.”

Zou Feng couldn’t help but laugh. “Fifteen taels a piece?”

“At that price… you might as well just rob people outright. At least then you wouldn’t have to throw in this useless piece of crap!”

The vendor’s eager smile froze on his face. “Er… what makes you say that, my friend?”

“This elixir has such a strong smell. What kind of Entering Grade Martial Artist wouldn’t be able to tell something’s wrong with it?”

“So who are you supposed to drug with this? An Entering Grade Martial Artist who was born without a sense of smell?” Zou Feng scoffed.

At this, the vendor said awkwardly, “Well, there are always ways. Under normal circumstances, it’s true that it’s not easy to trick someone with this elixir, but if you use something else with it…”

Zou Feng waved his hand impatiently, cutting off his nonsense.

“Fifteen taels for three. Deal or no deal?”

As he spoke, he started to walk away.

“Done! All wrapped up. Three Qi Dispersing Pills, here you go!” The vendor moved with incredible speed to wrap up the three elixirs, looking terrified that Zou Feng might change his mind.

’This damn swindler. Looks like I still offered too much.’

’Ah, well.’

“Are you sure it really works?”

“This isn’t your first time at the Ghost Market, and it’s not my first time selling here. If they don’t work, feel free to come find me for a refund.”

Every time he came to the Ghost Market, Zou Feng wore roughly the same disguise, which always included a veiled conical hat.

Furthermore, he always deliberately let his Poison Palm emit a fragrance. As a result, the regulars here could identify him by scent and knew that a mysterious Poison Cultivator would occasionally appear in the Ghost Market.

Even though his Five Poison Palm no longer needed to emit a fragrance, Zou Feng could still make it do so at will.

After stowing away the Qi Dispersing Pills, Zou Feng immediately paid and left.

In truth, he hadn’t bought the elixirs to use on anyone else.

He intended to use them on himself.

After all, Zou Feng had already decided that in the next day or two, he would publicly “achieve an epiphany” and reach the Entering Grade at the Yang Mansion.

However, he had actually reached the Entering Grade a long time ago. After his recent period of Cultivation, supplemented by Mixed Pills for his qi and blood, his Inner Qi had already become quite profound.

Furthermore, he suspected his was an Upper Grade Entry. The resulting display of Inner Qi, even if he tried his best to control it, carried a significant risk of exposing his true level.

Thus, the Qi Dispersing Pills he had just bought were essential.

When the time came, the Inner Qi he displayed would not only be far from profound, but it would also exhibit the chaotic, unstable state that was almost unavoidable for most Martial Artists upon their initial breakthrough.

’That would be the proper way to stage a Pile Skill Entry using the Five Beasts Pile Skill.’

Having acquired what he needed, Zou Feng didn’t linger and prepared to leave at once.

But unexpectedly, as he neared the exit, a somewhat familiar figure suddenly blocked his path.

“Do you still recognize me, sir?” The man before him had dark skin and exceptionally solid muscles. A single glance told Zou Feng he practiced some kind of body-hardening Skill.

Zou Feng replied nonchalantly, “I do. Zhang Ye of the Black Flood Dragon Gang, wasn’t it?”

“You have a good memory. I was just wondering, have you given any more thought to that matter from last time?”

On a previous visit to the Ghost Market, this Black Flood Dragon Gang member, Zhang Ye, had tried to convince him to take on a “black job,” a contract killing.

“My apologies, but I have no interest in that kind of work at the moment.”

With that, Zou Feng once again made to leave.

The last time he was rejected, Zhang Ye had merely seemed regretful and hadn’t pressed the issue.

This time, however, he seemed anxious for some reason.

The next moment, Zhang Ye shot a meaningful glance at his nearby gang members.

Immediately, four more men walked over and surrounded Zou Feng.

Zou Feng stopped in his tracks. He turned around slowly, his expression unreadable as he stared at Zhang Ye. “Hn… what is the meaning of this?”

Zhang Ye’s voice was low. “Why don’t you at least hear the details of the job? The pay is extremely generous. What if you’re interested after you hear what it is?”

“And if I insist on leaving?”

A distinct chill had entered Zou Feng’s voice.

He had absolutely no intention of getting involved in such affairs. It didn’t matter how eloquently Zhang Ye spoke, or what threats and temptations he offered; he simply wasn’t interested.

As a Little Banner Lord of the Black Flood Dragon Gang, Zhang Ye had at least a dozen lives on his hands.

So even knowing that Zou Feng was a Poison Cultivator who was not to be trifled with, he steeled himself to press on.

“You need to understand, this is… OUCH!”

Zhang Ye was suddenly struck by a heavy slap to the back of his head.

It wasn’t Zou Feng who had struck him, but a man in a brocade robe who, despite his thin and weak appearance, had a sinister air about him.

“Wang… Wang Incense Master!?” Zhang Ye was both shocked and bewildered when he saw who it was.

“You shit-for-brains, get the hell out of my sight!” The man called Wang Incense Master then delivered a fierce kick to Zhang Ye’s rear.

The kick sent Zhang Ye sprawling to the ground in a pathetic heap, face-first in the dirt, where he wailed in pain.

Only then did Wang Incense Master turn to Zou Feng, his face a mask of apology as he clasped his fist in salute. “My friend, my deepest apologies. It is my fault. I, Wang Xingjian, have failed to properly discipline my subordinate!”

“I hope you won’t hold this against them.”

Anyone who could become an Incense Master in the Black Flood Dragon Gang was, without a doubt, an Entering Grade Martial Artist.

Since this man was willing to be so deferential, and Zou Feng had no real intention of causing trouble on the Black Flood Dragon Gang’s turf, he simply said, “Forget it.”

Wang Xingjian seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. “It is my fault as well. I’ve just been in dire need of a Poison Dao expert like you for a certain matter.”

“Rest assured, this matter is well within your capabilities.”

“Upon its completion, I will present you with a thousand taels of patterned silver, plus fifty Pure Qi Blood Pills!”

’Honestly,’ Zou Feng thought, ’that reward almost made me admit the man knew how to make an offer.’

But his reason told him that money like that was never easy to earn.

Besides, his most urgent priority was to have his “open and aboveboard” breakthrough and leave the Yang Mansion safely.

’I can’t take any risks. I can’t afford any complications!’

With this in mind, Zou Feng maintained his hoarse voice and said, “I truly have urgent business to attend to. Wang Incense Master, you had best find someone else.”

“Farewell.”

After speaking, he gave Wang Xingjian a perfunctory fist-clasp salute, then turned and walked away quickly.

Watching Zou Feng’s departing figure, Wang Xingjian could only shake his head in resignation.

Just then, Zhang Ye scrambled back to his feet. He couldn’t stop himself from stepping forward. “Wang Incense Master, that bastard clearly won’t listen to reason. Why don’t we just…”

As he spoke, Zhang Ye made a gesture, clearly suggesting that Wang Xingjian should just give the order to have Zou Feng captured.

Wang Xingjian turned his head and stared at Zhang Ye as if he were an idiot. “You stupid jackass! I just saved your life, and you still don’t get it!?”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep