Preparations Before "Enlightenment"

"Qi-Dispersing Pill, as the name suggests, temporarily disperses most of an established martial artist's inner qi after ingestion."

"Even experts with abundant inner qi would be affected to some extent. At the very least, it could throw their inner qi into disorder."

In the ghost market, which had relocated and was now set up in Plum Blossom Alley on West Street of Yuan Guang County, the disguised Zou Feng stood before a stall selling all sorts of unorthodox pills.

"How much?" Zou Feng picked up a Qi-Dispersing Pill and held it beneath his nose for a sniff.

The peddler rubbed his hands with a beaming smile. "I'm looking to close up early today, so I'm selling them cheap. Fifteen taels of silver each."

Zou Feng was immediately amused by the fellow. "Fifteen taels each?"

"At that price... you might as well rob people outright. At least then you wouldn't have to throw in this completely useless pill!"

The peddler's enthusiastic smile froze. "Uh... Brother, why do you say that?"

"This pill reeks so strongly. What established martial artist wouldn't smell that something was wrong?"

"So who could you drug with this thing? An established martial artist born without a sense of smell?" Zou Feng sneered repeatedly.

The peddler said awkwardly, "There's always a way. Under normal circumstances, it really isn't easy to use this pill against someone, but if you use something else as well..."

Zou Feng impatiently waved a hand, signaling that he did not want to hear his nonsense.

"Fifteen taels for three. Selling or not?"

As he spoke, he shifted his feet and made as if to leave.

"Done! Three Qi-Dispersing Pills, wrapped up for you! Take them!" The peddler swiftly wrapped up three pills, looking as though he feared Zou Feng might change his mind.

That damned profiteer. Looks like I hadn't haggled hard enough.

Forget it.

"Are you sure they work?"

"This isn't your first time at the ghost market, and it isn't my first time running a stall here. If they don't work, you can come back and demand a refund."

Every time Zou Feng came to the ghost market, he dressed much the same way, always wearing a veiled conical hat.

Moreover, he deliberately let his poison palm emit its fragrance each time. As a result, regular visitors had learned to recognize him by scent, and most knew that a mysterious poison cultivator like him would occasionally appear in the ghost market.

Even though the Five Poisons Palm no longer needed to emit a fragrance, as long as Zou Feng wished it, fragrant gusts could still swirl around him.

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

In truth, he had not bought the pills to plot against anyone.

He intended to use them on himself.

After all, Zou Feng had decided that within the next day or two, he would publicly "attain enlightenment" and become an established martial artist at the Yang Estate.

Yet he had actually entered the ranks long ago. After cultivating for some time, with miscellaneous pills replenishing his qi and blood, his inner qi had become extraordinarily abundant.

Not to mention that he believed he had attained a superior grade. Once he unleashed his inner qi, even if he tried his utmost to control it, there was still a considerable risk of exposing himself.

Therefore, the Qi-Dispersing Pills he had bought this time were necessary.

The inner qi he displayed then would not merely lack abundance; it would also enter the state of disorder that nearly all martial artists found unavoidable when first entering the ranks.

Only then would it be the proper way to enter the ranks through the Five-Beasts Stance Exercise.

Having obtained what he needed, Zou Feng did not linger and immediately headed out.

Unexpectedly, when he was nearing 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. One glance was enough to tell that he practiced a tough body-tempering art.

Zou Feng answered flatly, "I recognize you. Zhang Ye of the Black Flood Dragon Gang, right..."

"You have a good memory, sir. I just wonder—have you considered what I mentioned last time?"

On a previous visit to the ghost market, this Black Flood Dragon Gang member, Zhang Ye, had tried to persuade him to take on dirty work such as assassinations.

"My apologies, but I have no plans in that regard for the time being."

With that, Zou Feng took another step, preparing to leave.

The last time Zhang Ye had been refused, he had merely appeared regretful and had not given Zou Feng much trouble.

But this time, for some reason, he seemed to have grown anxious.

The next moment, Zhang Ye actually gave the nearby gang members a meaningful look.

Four more men immediately came over and surrounded Zou Feng.

Zou Feng halted, slowly turned back, and stared expressionlessly at Zhang Ye. "Hm... what is the meaning of this?"

Zhang Ye said in a deep voice, "Sir, why not hear what the job is first? The reward is truly generous. Perhaps you'll be interested once you hear it."

"What if I insist on leaving?"

There was a clear chill in Zou Feng's voice.

He had absolutely no intention of getting involved in such dealings now. Zhang Ye could wag his tongue like a lotus or use threats and temptations alike—no interest meant no interest.

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

So even though he knew Zou Feng was a poison cultivator not to be trifled with, he still intended to brace himself and press on.

"You should understand that this is—ow!"

The back of Zhang Ye's head was suddenly struck by a heavy slap.

But Zou Feng had not made the move. It was a brocade-clad man who looked thin and weak, yet exuded an exceedingly sinister air.

"Hall... Hall Master Wang!?" Once Zhang Ye saw who it was, he was both shocked and bewildered.

"You pile of shit-for-brains, get the hell out of here!" The man called Hall Master Wang delivered another vicious kick, booting Zhang Ye hard in the backside.

He kicked Zhang Ye sprawling face-first onto the ground, where he fell in a miserable heap and wailed repeatedly.

Only then did Hall Master Wang clasp his hands toward Zou Feng with an apologetic expression. "Brother, I have offended you. It is all because I, Wang Xingjian, have failed to discipline my subordinates!"

"I hope you will not hold it against them."

Anyone who could become a hall master in the Black Flood Dragon Gang was undoubtedly an established martial artist.

Since this man had lowered himself so much, and Zou Feng had no intention of causing trouble on Black Flood Dragon Gang territory, he said, "Forget it."

Only then did Wang Xingjian look relieved. "It is also my fault. Recently, I truly have needed a poison expert like you, brother, to undertake something together."

"Please rest assured, this matter is absolutely within your capabilities."

"Once it is done, I will offer one thousand taels of patterned silver, along with fifty pure-grade qi and blood pills!"

To be honest, that reward had nearly made Zou Feng say, "You really know how to judge people."

But reason told him that money like this would not be easy to earn.

Besides, his most urgent task now was to openly enter the ranks and leave the Yang Family safely and steadily.

He could not take risks. He could not invite unnecessary complications!

With that thought, Zou Feng continued in a hoarse voice, "I truly have important matters to attend to. Hall Master Wang should seek someone more suitable!"

"Farewell!"

With that, he clasped his hands toward Wang Xingjian as well, then turned and left at a brisk pace.

Watching Zou Feng's departing back, Wang Xingjian could only shake his head helplessly.

By then, Zhang Ye had already climbed back to his feet. Unable to hold himself back, he stepped forward and said, "Hall Master Wang, this bastard refuses a toast only to drink a forfeit. Why not simply..."

As Zhang Ye spoke, he made a gesture with his hand, clearly suggesting that Wang Xingjian order Zou Feng seized first.

Wang Xingjian turned his head and looked at Zhang Ye as though he were an idiot. "You stupid mule, I just saved your life, and you still don't understand!?"