What a Good Kid!

At noon three days later.

A familiar voice came from outside the woodshed. "Little Zou, feeling any better?"

Before the words had even faded, the door was pushed open, and a weathered middle-aged man walked in.

The newcomer was Luo Yong, one of the cooks at Yang Estate.

Because Zou Feng was quick and capable in his work, with a good eye for what needed doing, Luo Yong thought highly of him.

Not only did he usually look after Zou Feng, he had even begun considering taking him on as an apprentice.

These days, being able to learn a cook's craft meant that even if one still could not escape the lowly slave register, one would count as a first-rate servant and receive far better treatment.

"Uncle Luo, I'm much better..." Zou Feng pretended to struggle as he sat up from the bed.

Normally, three days of rest would certainly not have been enough for Zou Feng's injuries.

Fortunately, Zou Feng had been diligently practicing the Five Poisons Palm these past few days, and his physical condition had improved by leaps and bounds.

It was not only the cultivation movements of the Five Poisons Palm; even the specially prepared venom itself could strengthen the body.

After all, many poisonous substances could originally be used as medicine.

It was simply that this sort of body-strengthening method was far too dangerous. At the very least, it would leave one chronically poisoned.

So he had to thank Li Rui again...

Looking at the name in his mind growing increasingly dim, Zou Feng sincerely hoped Brother Li could hold on a little longer.

Luo Yong had no idea that Zou Feng had actually recovered. Seeing him stagger down from the bed, he could not help sighing inwardly.

"Little Zou, by rights, I should let you recuperate for a few more days. But the estate is preparing a grand open feast lately, and there can't be any mistakes..."

They truly must have been short-handed; otherwise, Luo Yong would never have come to trouble him.

But Zou Feng had never intended to keep pretending to be seriously injured. After all, Yang Estate did not keep idle hands.

"Uncle Luo, I can work already. It's fine!" Zou Feng spoke the truth, though he naturally still had to put on a pained expression.

Luo Yong nodded, then could not help complaining, "It's all that brat Li Rui's fault. He had to fall sick now of all times, stirring up trouble right at this critical moment!"

Li Rui and Zou Feng had both mainly worked as kitchen helpers. Now one was sick and the other injured; no wonder they were short-handed.

"Ah, Brother Li is sick?"

Hearing this terrible news, Zou Feng, the true culprit, was quite "surprised."

He then asked with concern, "Is Brother Li seriously ill? Has he seen a doctor?"

He truly was worried about Li Rui's safety. There was no need to act.

Luo Yong shot Zou Feng a slightly puzzled glance and casually said, "Every coin he saved went cheap to the brothel girls. Where the hell would he get money to see a doctor?"

"Now he's sprawled flat in bed. Who knows whether he can pull through..."

"Ah!?" Zou Feng genuinely began to panic.

The Five Poisons Palm had not yet broken through the "First Glimpse of the Doorway" stage, and no second eligible heir had appeared.

So nothing could happen to Brother Li!

After pondering for a moment, Zou Feng immediately turned around and rummaged through the wooden cabinet. He took out a paper packet that gave off the scent of medicine.

"Uncle Luo, I have some medicinal herbs here that I do not need. Could you help me deliver them to Brother Li?" Zou Feng asked earnestly.

Naturally, he could not deliver them himself, and Li Rui would not dare eat them anyway.

Luo Yong glanced at Zou Feng again. He said nothing, merely took the paper packet and opened it on the spot.

In his mind, Zou Feng was taking this chance to retaliate. There had to be something extra mixed into the herbs.

Yet after inspecting them closely and even smelling them, Luo Yong was immediately at a loss.

As a cook who often prepared medicinal meals for Yang Estate, Luo Yong was extremely familiar with ordinary medicinal herbs and the effects produced by combining them.

So he could tell that there was nothing wrong with Zou Feng's prescription. Its effects were to clear heat, detoxify, replenish blood, and promote circulation...

That was indeed the truth. How could the detoxifying medicinal brew used alongside Five Poisons Palm cultivation possibly be harmful?

After staring blankly for a long while, Luo Yong finally asked with an odd expression, "Little Zou, you know that Li Rui was the one who reported you to Third Young Master and got you beaten until you nearly lost half your life, right?"

Zou Feng nodded without hesitation.

"Then why are you..." Luo Yong pointed at the paper packet in his hand.

It was not easy to save up these herbs. They could be useful even for a minor illness on ordinary days.

There was truly no need to hand them over cheaply to his enemy, especially when even Luo Yong could not stand that brat Li Rui.

Zou Feng gave an honest smile. "I remember that when I first entered the estate, Brother Li took good care of me. Besides, when I was beaten last time, it was indeed wrong of me to steal food because I was greedy."

At that moment, Luo Yong's eyes widened. He felt as though some dazzling radiance was faintly shining from this young man.

But the more he admired Zou Feng, the more Luo Yong felt that he ought to make him understand just how treacherous this world was.

"Little Zou, Li Rui did not report you because he wanted to uphold Yang Estate's rules."

"To tell you the truth, I intend to take you as my apprentice and have you eventually succeed me as a cook at Yang Estate. Li Rui clearly noticed the signs, which is why he entertained crooked thoughts."

"After all, he had believed that I would take him as my apprentice..."

Do not underestimate the cooks of wealthy households. Because they were skilled at preparing all kinds of medicinal meals, they could even help brew certain ready-made medicinal soups that aided martial arts training.

There were countless varieties of medicinal herbs, and the finished medicine required different heat levels and different brewing times. Unless one was a doctor, few people would deliberately memorize such things.

Thus, cooks in wealthy households often amounted to half an apothecary, and their treatment naturally differed greatly from that of ordinary servants.

Zou Feng had already guessed why Li Rui wanted to harm him. Luo Yong was merely confirming it now.

"Uncle Luo, I believe Brother Li is not bad by nature. This time, he was merely confused for a moment..."

"His grave illness this time can count as punishment enough. Please still give these medicines to him!" Zou Feng's gaze was firm.

His desire to save Brother Li had never been an act.

Luo Yong considered himself to have lived long enough to possess some ability to judge people. After being dumbfounded for a while, he finally reached a conclusion.

What a good kid!

His resolve to take on an apprentice was completely firmed up as well.

With such a pure-hearted, kind apprentice, he would not need to worry about lacking someone to care for him in his old age and see him off in death.

As for whether Li Rui would cause trouble again in the future...

He only needed to give the brat a stern warning. Surely the boy would not dare make mischief again.

Next, Luo Yong accepted Zou Feng as his apprentice on the spot and even summoned a Yang Family steward to serve as witness.

Unfortunately, a servant was still a servant. Once the simple apprenticeship ceremony was over, Zou Feng had to immediately head to the kitchen and work.

As for the detoxifying herbs, Luo Yong promptly delivered them to Li Rui as well.

With Yang Estate's grand feast set for tomorrow, if Li Rui improved even a little, he would have to get his ass up and help.

Before dawn the next day, Zou Feng opened his eyes and immediately activated the panel.

Li Rui's name on it had grown somewhat brighter.

The detoxifying medicinal brew really worked.

He could keep harvesting Brother Li again.

So he hurriedly got up, pulled the chamber pot containing the specially prepared venom from beneath his bed, and immediately resumed practicing the Five Poisons Palm.

This cultivation session lasted another full half hour, with the intensity pushed to the limit.

"Five Poisons Palm (First Glimpse of the Doorway): 52%"

Zou Feng was extremely satisfied with that progress.

As long as Brother Li could hold on for another five days or so, he should be able to break through to the next stage of the Five Poisons Palm.

Thinking of this, Zou Feng raised his hand and lightly struck out with his palm.

A passing fly, though still some distance from Zou Feng's hand, immediately spun through the air and fell to the ground.

At the same time, a faint fragrance spread through the surroundings.

Zou Feng stared blankly at his palm, which was emitting a light fragrance, and silently marveled at its power.

Flies were terrifying creatures that could come and go freely through piles of shit, yet they could not even withstand the palm wind he released...

It was clear that the poison in this palm strike was not something an ordinary person could endure.

However, Zou Feng knew he could not get carried away because of it.

The Five Poisons Palm had no exquisite techniques, and its striking power was not much to speak of. It relied entirely on poison to injure people.

It was suitable enough for sneak attacks and underhanded schemes, but it would fall flat in a head-on fight.

Take Yang Estate's guards, for instance. Once they noticed that something smelled wrong and held their breath in time, they could beat him until he could not tell east from west.

So it was still far from enough. He had to lie low and continue "practicing bitterly."

And if he wanted to escape the lowly slave register, he had to at least cultivate inner qi and enter the ranks of martial arts...

Speaking of which, the reason Yang Estate was holding such a lavish open feast this time was precisely because the family head's youngest daughter had entered the martial arts ranks.

Her name was Yang Qianqian. She had trained at a martial arts school in the county town since childhood, and it was said that her talent was quite good.

Moreover, she had entered the ranks at such a young age. With some further maneuvering, she might very well join a sect in the future. Her prospects were bright.

After tidying himself up a little, Zou Feng hurried out of the woodshed to work.

When he reached the back kitchen, he greeted his master Luo Yong, then sat down to wash and sort all kinds of ingredients.

Before long, Li Rui entered, trembling unsteadily.

His face was full of gloom, and he was listless, but he had no choice but to come work.

"Brother Li, I heard you were sick. Are you feeling better?" Zou Feng acted as though he did not know Li Rui had reported him.

Li Rui gave an awkward smile. "Uh, a little better..."

He was telling the truth. After drinking the medicine Luo Yong had brought over last night, he really had improved greatly.

When he woke up in the morning, he had even felt that he was more than halfway recovered.

Yet for some reason, just as he was preparing to get out of bed, he suddenly became dizzy and lightheaded again.

How strange...

It seemed he could not stop taking the medicine yet!