To Zou Feng's slight surprise, Yang Yanpeng didn't make a move that night.
Even by the next day, there was still nothing.
But Zou Feng wasn't bothered for the time being. In any case, the longer this dragged on, the stronger his three Evil Skills would become.
As for Yang Yanpeng, he would only suffer more from being bled dry.
Meanwhile, that "Xiaocui" hadn't caused any trouble in the Yang Mansion.
Clearly, her mission was to lie low, gather intelligence, and look for an opportunity.
'So for now, there's absolutely no need for me to take a huge risk to expose her.'
'I'll deal with everything after I've completed the Refinement of Yang Yanpeng and my power has surged...'
As he waited patiently, another three days passed.
It was worth mentioning that, over these three days, Xu Haoran had managed not to reveal any obvious weaknesses during his agonizing wait.
After all, under normal circumstances, he should have been unable to eat, drink, or get any sleep.
It seemed his recent breakthrough in strength had given him some confidence.
'Of course, I can't rule out another possibility...'
On the afternoon of the third day, Xu Haoran left the Yang Mansion on an errand with a dozen or so other Household Servants.
The Yang Mansion's businesses were spread throughout Yuan Guang County. Sometimes, when one of the shops outside got too busy, they would temporarily send people from the mansion to help.
Originally, Zou Feng was supposed to go as well, but the kitchen was too short-staffed, so Luo Yong insisted he stay behind.
But with fewer people in the kitchen, things were inevitably busier, and Zou Feng was swamped with work.
'But this life of having to work and cook will be over once I openly reach Entering Grade and shed my Lowly Status.'
Entering Grade Martial Artists are guaranteed a good meal wherever they go and don't have to do any manual labor.
The master and apprentice worked nonstop like this until evening, when they could finally take a break.
"Master, once I reach Entering Grade, you, your wife, and your parents should all leave the Yang Mansion with me."
Zou Feng said this to give Luo Yong some peace of mind, lest he worry that Zou Feng would forget him after making it big.
Unexpectedly, after hearing this, Luo Yong first revealed a gratified smile, then immediately shook his head. "The thought alone is enough for your Master."
"But have you thought about it? An Entering Grade Martial Artist with no family backing can certainly live well on their own, but to support a large family while also maintaining the resources needed for martial arts practice?"
"Throughout Yuan Guang County, while Entering Grade Martial Artists aren't numerous, they aren't exactly rare, either..."
"In short, even after you reach Entering Grade, it doesn't mean all your problems are solved. It just means you've set foot on another path and gained more opportunities that common folk can only dream of!"
At this point, Luo Yong tapped his long-stemmed pipe before continuing, "This other path is a long one, and it might even be harder to walk!"
"So, you still have to keep working hard, kid. Don't be in a hurry to repay your master. There will be plenty of opportunities once you're truly stable in the future."
Luo Yong was genuinely thinking of Zou Feng's best interests, but his words were also filled with the pride of a craftsman.
After all, with his culinary skills, he wouldn't starve anywhere. There was no need to rush to become a burden to his apprentice.
Zou Feng was moved by this heartfelt advice, but there was something he was dying to say that he had to hold back.
'I'm not just some run-of-the-mill Entering Grade Martial Artist.'
'My Poison Skill is about to reach the state of Refined Skill, and I'll achieve an ultra-high-quality breakthrough to Entering Grade that most Martial Artists wouldn't even dare to dream of.'
'Rising to Eighth Grade in a short time is a sure thing, no doubt about it.'
'It's just a shame that when it comes to Evil Skills, not revealing them unless absolutely necessary is the best choice.'
As Luo Yong continued his encouragement, Zou Feng suddenly froze.
In his pocket, the Mother Gu, housed in its small bamboo cage, suddenly reacted.
His expression shifted instantly, and he was overcome with ecstasy.
'Has Yang Yanpeng finally made his move on Xu Haoran?'
Based on the Mother Gu's reaction, Xu Haoran must have crushed the Child Gu.
'No wonder Yang Yanpeng was holding back. So he was waiting for an opportunity when Xu Haoran was out of the mansion?'
'He definitely can't let his family know he's cultivating a Poison Skill. He must be practicing in secret and laying his plans in the shadows.'
'And to make matters worse, there are experts from the Heart Meeting Martial Arts Hall stationed in the Yang Mansion right now, which obviously makes it extremely inconvenient for him to "harvest his fruit."'
'Fortunately, the opportunity finally came today. Xu Haoran went with a number of other Household Servants to the shops outside the Yang Mansion to act as temporary help.'
'Calculating the time, the Household Servants acting as temporary help should be due back at the mansion soon.'
'So, Yang Yanpeng must have struck on Xu Haoran's way back to the mansion and captured him...'
"Master, I just remembered something and need to leave the mansion for a bit." Nowadays, when Zou Feng wanted to leave the mansion, he would just ask Luo Yong for leave directly.
After all, it was common for the kitchen staff to go out for temporary purchases, so as a chef's apprentice, Zou Feng could theoretically leave the mansion openly at any time.
This also allowed him to skip the Steward's approval process, which was much more convenient.
Luo Yong, naturally unaware of the situation, said, "What's the rush? First, drink the Snow Snake Soup your master's wife brewed. This is good stuff; even the master of the house relies on it to replenish his qi and blood."
Zou Feng said hurriedly, "No, no, I'll drink it when I get back. I'm really in a hurry right now..."
"Sigh, in a hurry to get to the brothel?"
Luo Yong didn't press him further and shook his head helplessly. "Go on, go on. You were fine just a moment ago. How did you suddenly get so worked up, kid..."
By this point, Zou Feng had already turned and broken into a jog, his expression one of extreme impatience.
However, he wasn't craving the body of a brothel girl, but rather Yang Yanpeng, who should be ripe for the picking!
Tonight would be the night his Five Poison Skill reached a state of Refined Skill.
Ultimately, because he cultivated an Evil Skill, Zou Feng had to endure a great deal on a daily basis.
His desire for slaughter was surging!
Once outside the Yang Mansion, because a light rain had started to fall, there were few pedestrians around. Zou Feng's expression abruptly transformed.
An aura of malevolence radiated from him!
Inside the Yang Mansion, he had to put in great effort to maintain his image as an innocent, good-natured boy.
'In a little while, maybe I can finally let loose...'
'Whether it was my master Luo Yong or anyone else around me, they were all wrong!'
'The release I need from my martial arts practice isn't listening to songs at a brothel, nor is it having a maid warm my bed.'
'It's...'
'A thoroughly satisfying slaughter!'
Zou Feng wasn't worried about going in the wrong direction.
With the Mother Gu, the closer he got to the Child Gu's corpse, the more violently it would react.
Conversely, its reaction would gradually calm down if he moved away.
Thus, Zou Feng quickly discovered that Xu Haoran had left Yuan Guang County Town through the east gate.
'Of course, it was more likely that he was forcibly taken away by Yang Yanpeng.'
Just before leaving the city, Zou Feng suddenly ducked into a narrow alley.
But after only ten breaths, he emerged again, his clothes already changed.
He now wore gray martial attire and a wide-brimmed bamboo hat.
As he walked, he reached up and pulled the brim of his hat down, obscuring most of his face.
Because it was raining, his attire and hurried pace didn't attract any attention.
He passed through the city gates and continued hurrying east along the main road.
The rain grew heavier...