"Brother Qian is gone..."
On the List of Gods, Qian Kun’s name had vanished completely. Zou Feng observed a moment of silence for him.
But Brother Qian’s death was far from meaningless.
"Chaos Finger (Integration and Mastery), Progress: 58%"
The cultivation progress for Chaos Finger had barely budged recently. But today, after using the poison from Xiaolv’s evolved tail for the first time, its progress shot up from just over twenty percent to fifty-eight.
’But to break through to the Refined Skill realm, I feel like relying on Xiaolv alone won’t be enough.’
’I need to add something more potent...’
’Once Chaos Finger reaches the Refined Skill realm, just how terrifying will its side effects be?’
’After all, even the current side effects are enough to make the poor sap on the list go berserk at the sight of any living creature.’
’Though that was partly because their bodies were already too weak to resist, it’s still horrifying.’
’So once this skill reaches the Refined Skill realm, will it even matter if the target is alive?’
’A large, cracked rock by the road, a tree hollow carved out by insects... anything could become a target for the victims on the list...’
For a long time to come, Yuan Guang County would likely be shrouded in the strange tales and jokes of "One Hundred Most Shameful Ways to Die."
Of course, Brother Qian’s contribution wasn’t limited to just this progress.
"Tribulation-Indestructible Body (Entering the Hall and the Room), Progress: 89%"
"Karmic Fire Red Lotus Palm (Entering the Hall and the Room), Progress: 75%"
"Black Tortoise Sea-Suppressing Force (Slightly Accomplished), Progress: 93%"
After "recuperating" for over ten days, the progress on his three new Evil Skills had also soared.
Among them, the Tribulation-Indestructible Body and Karmic Fire Red Lotus Palm were about to break through to the Realm of Synthesis and Mastery.
Once he broke through, these two Martial Arts would no longer be just a cover for his real trump cards.
Instead, they would become formidable techniques in their own right.
However, the progress of his Black Tortoise Sea-Suppressing Force was still slow; it hadn’t even reached the Entering the Hall and the Room stage.
’To put it bluntly, I’m just too poor. I can’t maintain a stable supply of the medicinal baths required for the Black Tortoise Sea-Suppressing Force.’
’And some of the required herbs had a price, but no one was selling...’
Zou Feng rubbed his temples.
’Maybe I should just substitute the missing herbs with other potent ingredients that have similar effects?’
’After all, Ji Duanming has already seamlessly taken Brother Qian’s spot.’
’If any problems arise from my practice, Brother Short Life will naturally be the one to bear the consequences...’
「At dawn.」
As expected, Wang Xingjian came bearing good news.
Qian Kun had been Chen Jingsheng’s biggest rival in the Black Flood Dragon Gang.
With him dead, Chen Jingsheng and Wang Xingjian probably felt like throwing a feast for seven days and seven nights.
"My brother, how are your injuries?"
Hearing Wang Xingjian approaching the gate, Zou Feng immediately swallowed a Qi Dispersing Pill and, with well-practiced ease, slumped onto a long chair.
"Thank you for your concern, Brother Wang... COUGH COUGH... much better... COUGH COUGH..."
Seeing this upon entering the room, Wang Xingjian’s smile froze. He frowned and said, "Tsk, you still don’t look right. What did the doctor say?"
"The doctor said it’s nothing serious... I just need to rest and recover properly."
Wang Xingjian nodded. "That makes sense. I suspect it’s because you were training so hard before. This injury probably caused all the hidden problems from your past cultivation to flare up at once!"
"Don’t worry about it. Just focus on getting better. I’ve brought you some good news!"
He then quickly recounted the embarrassing story: Qian Kun, despite clearly suffering from a bizarre illness, had tried to demonstrate his spear techniques to a guard and ended up dropping dead on the spot.
Wang Xingjian told the story with such vivid detail, it was as if he’d been there himself.
He even made sure to emphasize that the guard was a man.
’What’s so strange about it being a man?’ Zou Feng wanted to retort. ’You hug a real fox when you drink...’
By the time he finished, Wang Xingjian was laughing so hard he was nearly in tears.
Zou Feng played along, laughing for a moment before breaking into another fit of coughs.
’He planned to keep up the act for a while longer.’
’Lying low and cultivating in this secret spot was quite comfortable, at least for now.’
’Besides, because of the Ten Directions Sect, Zou Feng had a feeling that major trouble was about to break out in Yuan Guang County.’
’It was best to keep a low profile and not get involved.’
’Plus, it wouldn’t be safe to return to the warehouse until he had completely ruined Ji Changsheng with his cultivation.’
’Heaven knows what schemes that guy had prepared for him.’
"Oh, right! Once you’ve recovered, my brother, you’ll have the final say on everything at the warehouse!" With Qian Kun dead, Wang Xingjian was bold enough to make Zou Feng this promise ahead of time.
"What about Ma Incense Master?"
Wang Xingjian scoffed. "Him? With Qian Kun gone, Master Chen will just transfer him somewhere else. You think that bastard would dare refuse?"
This was actually why Zou Feng hadn’t immediately made Ma Pingchuan his next number one target after Qian Kun’s death.
’With his backer gone, the guy was no longer a threat. Once Ji Changsheng had served his purpose, he could just swap in Ma Pingchuan.’
Just as they were talking, one of Wang Xingjian’s men knocked on the door, saying he had something to report.
Wang Xingjian didn’t let the man in, stepping outside to hear the report instead.
He returned only a moment later.
The expression on his face was rather awkward.
"My brother, I really need to learn to watch my mouth..."
"Just now... just pretend I was spouting nonsense!"
After the awkward moment passed, Wang Xingjian looked both exasperated and amused, a helpless expression on his face.
Zou Feng asked, perplexed, "Brother Wang, what do you mean?"
"It’s no good. You can’t have the final say at the warehouse just yet."
Before Zou Feng could ask, Wang Xingjian continued, "Ma Pingchuan, that shameless bastard! Qian Kun isn’t even in the ground yet, and he’s already sent his sister to the Sixth Young Master!"
The only person in the gang referred to as the Sixth Young Master was, of course, the Gang Leader’s sixth apprentice.
Zou Feng already knew these six apprentices consisted of three men and three women, and all had acknowledged Gang Leader Deng Guangxin as their adoptive father.
As such, they were addressed as "Young Master" or "Young Miss" within the gang.
But even knowing who the Sixth Young Master was, Zou Feng was still completely bewildered, failing to grasp the crucial detail.
"Wait, Brother Wang. If Ma Pingchuan wanted to curry favor with the Sixth Young Master, shouldn’t he have sent a young, beautiful maiden?"
"Why would sending his own sister, who just became a widow, earn the Sixth Young Master’s appreciation?"
Wang Xingjian shook his head with a wry smile and lowered his voice. "The Sixth Young Master just so happens to have a... particular taste. He likes other men’s..."
’Tsk. Another shameless wife-snatcher...’
’Seriously, are there any normal people in the Black Flood Dragon Gang’s leadership besides me?’
Zou Feng was speechless for a moment, then immediately checked the List of Gods.
The Sixth Young Master’s name hadn’t appeared.
’That wasn’t surprising. Ma Pingchuan had sold out his sister for his own gain, but for now, that only earned him the Sixth Young Master’s protection.’
’It wasn’t enough to make the Sixth Young Master want to kill him just yet.’
’But if Ma Pingchuan’s sister gradually wins the Sixth Young Master’s favor and starts whispering things in his ear... well, the situation could change...’
’Sigh. If Ma Pingchuan had just kept his head down, he could have lived a while longer.’
’Now he’s forcing my hand.’
’Forget it. No need to make things complicated. I’m supposedly "recuperating" here, so I have the perfect alibi.’
’I’ll just find a chance to send Ma Pingchuan on his way as soon as possible.’