Chapter 133

For over ten years, Lu Youjiao has been handling the Beggar Sect's affairs in place of Huang Rong, fair and upright, daring to act; both the dirty‑cloth and clean‑cloth factions wholeheartedly admire and obey him.

At that time the elder of the clean‑cloth faction, Jian, had already died; Elder Liang lay long‑term on his sickbed, and Elder Peng had defected, leaving no one in the sect who could contend with Lu Youjiao for the leadership, so the position of Beggar Sect chief was practically in his pocket.

Guo Fu naturally knew all this; hearing his words, she fixed her water‑cut pupils on Feng Yi, a strange look on her face, and suddenly said, 'So you mean you still want to be chief of the Beggar Sect?'

Feng Yi saw her jade cheeks flush, her red lips holding a smile, his heart stirred; recalling her past, he thought, 'If I become chief, you'll be the chief's wife…' and couldn't help laughing.

Guo Fu said crisply, 'What's funny? I don't have any flowers on my face.'

Feng Yi stifled his laugh and said, 'If your face has no flowers, then the world would have none.'

Guo Fu's beauty was peerless; compared with Hong Lingbo, Lu Wushuang, Wanyan Ping, Yelü Yan and others she was three parts more lovely, and even compared with Cheng Ying and Li Mochou she was not lacking. Hence, when Feng Yi first saw Guo Fu, even while fighting others he never forgot to chat with her, and now he naturally couldn't resist teasing her.

Guo Fu knew Feng Yi's character, yet she wasn't annoyed, and calmly said, 'With your great reputation, coming to the Heroes' Assembly, you surely aren't just here to joke with me, are you?'

Feng Yi laughed and said, 'Miss Guo, don't you realize how good you are?'

The Wu brothers obey you completely, that's fine enough; Yang Guo is deeply devoted to his aunt, isn't he also eagerly hoping you'll give him a chance?

I, Feng Yi, am not as deep‑feeling as they are, and I'm notorious as a rogue; having come here, how could I not joke with you?

Guo Fu, struck where she felt guilty, her face flushed crimson, she snapped, 'Nonsense! Who—who wants me to give him a chance…'

Feng Yi fixed his gaze on her, eyes like torches; Guo Fu, under his stare, instantly felt her innermost thoughts laid bare, she wanted to speak but hesitated, her face growing ever more rosy, like rouge, her beauty rivaling a crabapple.

The Wu brothers both liked Guo Fu and vied for her favor, leaving her torn. She knew this, the Wu brothers knew, her parents knew, and even their grandmaster Ke Zhen'e knew, but everyone felt it was too awkward to bring up; each often thought about it in silence, never uttering a word.

But that morning, when Guo Fu spoke with Yang Guo, he brought it out; she had thought it over countless times and indeed felt that each of the Wu brothers had his merits: in daily play and banter she got along better with Wu Xiuwen, but for handling serious affairs Wu Dunru was far more suitable.

A young girl's heart first awakens; Guo Fu, alternating between anger and annoyance, joy and sorrow toward the two, has the Wu brothers spinning in confusion. Yet inside she feels torn, unsure which to favor, a matter no one can discuss; hearing Yang Guo lay bare the core issue, she impulsively asks him which of the Wu brothers is better, only to hear him say both are no good—if they were, how could he still have any hope?

Yang Guo's nature made him say that; although he was only teasing, Guo Fu didn't know, and such words are private talk between youths.

In saying that, Feng Yi, Guo Fu didn't know whether he was smarter than Yang Guo and had guessed correctly, or whether he had merely been eavesdropping nearby at the moment; she also didn't know whether she should be angry or not.

Seeing her half‑shy, half‑annoyed, her charming manner endearing, Feng Yi felt greatly amused and sighed, 'Too bad that boy Yang Guo talks sweetly, but his heart holds only his aunt—he simply can't be counted on.'

Although the Wu brothers fall short of Yang Guo, among the younger generation they are still rare talents; you can't split yourself in two, but if you choose one, the other will inevitably be hurt.

Who knows, the two brothers might even turn against each other, fighting to the death; Miss Guo, I truly worry for you!

Guo Fu was both shy and anxious, her face seeming to burn.

She didn't know how to choose between the Wu brothers, and she knew picking one would leave the other unhappy, yet she failed to grasp Feng Yi's warning that they might become enemies, fighting to the death.

Thinking of their feelings for her, she instantly felt dizzy, her heart pounding like thunder, a faint sweat on her temples, almost unable to breathe, and she blurted, 'What should I do?'

Originally a young lady's private thoughts shouldn't be confided to outsiders; though she and Yang Guo could be considered childhood playmates, Feng Yi made her feel utterly different.

Consider that Feng Yi openly declared before the crowd that he was a rogue; if anyone else said that, they'd likely be laughed at, but Feng Yi is different.

Given his standing in the martial world and his peerless skill, his every word and deed carry great weight, leading Guo Fu to think, 'The Wu brothers and Yang Guo, though excellent, all praise themselves to my face; I never imagined there existed such a remarkable man who openly admits his faults and cares nothing for others' opinions.'

Thus, when speaking with Feng Yi, she somehow felt an indescribable sense of ease in her chest, as if she needed no restraint.

Precisely for this reason, Feng Yi's words sometimes have a frivolous tone, yet she isn't annoyed; knowing that Guo Fu is a pampered young lady who has never tolerated even a hint of frivolity from anyone, with others she would have walked away long ago.

Yang Guo merely remarked that they were no good, otherwise would he, Yang Guo, still have any hope? Guo Fu retorted, 'If you won't say it, then don't; who's joking with you?' and turned away.

Yang Guo hit a snag, feeling the eldest wasn't sincere, and still thought the Wu brothers treated her like a celestial maiden, fearing she wouldn't marry him. Actually, if he really married her, spending every day with such a pampered, willful girl would surely bring more hardship than joy—hey, that's really funny!

Little did he know that at that time Guo Fu also utterly looked down on Yang Guo, merely finding his jokes a fresh change from talking with the Wu brothers, and he was just being self‑deluded!

Seeing Guo Fu's pleading expression, as if she truly wanted him to offer an idea to free her from the trouble between the Wu brothers, Feng Yi laughed and said, 'Miss Guo, with your looks and virtue, fine young men are yours for the choosing—why waste time on the Wu brothers?'

Guo Fu stared, then gave a wry smile, 'You make it sound easy, but where are all those fine young men?'

Feng Yi shook his head and said, 'Actually, many affections sprout up unconsciously, which is why we speak of fate.'

Perhaps the Wu brothers' fated affinity with you isn't mutual; you're merely childhood companions who grew up together on Peach Blossom Island, lacking the worldly experience.

Guo Fu's heart fluttered as she listened; seeing his smile, she thought, 'Could he be saying he himself is my destined match?' She pursed her lips and snapped angrily, 'Are you going to look or not? Who's joking with you?'

Feng Yi gazed at her flower‑like jade face, thinking, 'What a bargain for that Yelü Qi kid!' and laughed, 'I'm not joking!'

I said your mother and the others let that old fool Lu Youjiao become chief—I certainly wouldn't go for that, but if there were a chance to make you the chief's wife, I'd certainly give it a try!

'What do you mean?' Guo Fu's eyes flashed with anger as she stared at him and said, 'You say—how am I to become the chief's wife?'

Feng Yi chuckled and said, 'If I can become chief, why couldn't I ask you to be the chief's wife?'

Guo Fu, both shy and angry, shouted, 'In broad daylight, what nonsense are you spouting? Aren't you ashamed?'

'What's there to be ashamed of?' Feng Yi laughed, 'A graceful lady, a lord's good match—the Wu brothers can think of marrying you as wife, so why can't I, Feng Yi, entertain the thought? And what's wrong with broad daylight—must such words be spoken only in the dead of night when no one's around?'

Guo Fu's eyes widened, she was momentarily speechless, then her sparkling eyes flashed and the corners of her mouth held a smile as she said, 'All right, you truly live up to your reputation as a rogue, but joking with me like this—aren't you afraid that wicked woman will find out and not spare you?'

Suddenly a clear, bell‑like voice interjected, 'The wicked woman you speak of—is that me?'

This voice was both crisp and soft; Guo Fu didn't need to turn around to know who spoke, and she frowned, turning to say, 'How come you haven't left yet?'

Only then did Li Mochou walk in slowly, pursing her lips in a faint smile, and say, 'Why should I leave? This is the Lu manor, not your Guo manor.'

Guo Fu stiffened her neck and shouted, 'I was speaking just fine—what are you butting in for?'

Li Mochou smiled and said, 'You're bad‑mouthing people behind their backs—what gives you the right to stop me from interjecting?'

Guo Fu flared, 'How have I spoken ill of you?'

Li Mochou replied, 'A wicked woman—isn't that slander enough?'

Guo Fu spat, 'There are plenty of wicked women in the world; I didn't name names, so how do you know I meant you?' Although she remained overbearing, her tone had softened considerably.

Li Mochou gave a small smile and said, 'Little sister, I still like the way you were when we first met.'

Hearing this, Guo Fu's eyes drifted, she showed a resentful look, and muttered, 'What ill luck.' Saying that, she deployed her lightness skill and rushed out.

As it turned out, when Guo Fu was nine, she first saw Li Mochou in Jiaxing; she thought Li Mochou beautiful and kind‑hearted, not seeming like a 'wicked woman' at all. Li Mochou, seeing her young age, also thought her extremely lovely, and asked, 'Little sister, are you surnamed Guo?'

Guo Fu honestly answered yes, and then asked what her surname was.

Li Mochou also said she wanted to take her out to play, but Ke Zhen'e stopped her; thus, when Li Mochou spoke of their first meeting, Guo Fu recalled the incident, felt rather embarrassed, and could no longer bear to stay.

Feng Yi well knew Guo Fu was overbearing and insolent, yet when he met Li Mochou he was toyed with at her whim, and could do nothing about it.

Seeing this, Feng Yi couldn't help wanting to burst out laughing; the moment he saw Guo Fu run off, he could no longer hold back his laughter.

Li Mochou gave a faint cold smile and said, 'You really never stop for a moment!'

Feng Yi smiled and said, "You've known me for more than a day; such a beautiful, lovely girl—if I don't exchange a few jokes with her, am I still me?"

Li Mochou, feeling angry, said, "You say she's beautiful—that's true—but a spoiled, arrogant, ignorant country bumpkin, can she even be called lovely?"

Feng Yi shook his head and said, "A woman as refined and intelligent as you naturally sees her as nothing more than a pretty face with no real talent, relying on her family name and acting arrogant—just a spoiled, country bumpkin."

Even a woman like you—if you gathered all the noble ladies from across the world, those who could match you would be as rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns.

Her arrogance and disdain for others are just a common female flaw—you're no exception, are you?

Influenced by your grandmother-master and your teacher, you don't even regard the Quanzhen sect's supreme master, Wang Chongyang, as worthy of notice.

If you hadn't personally studied under Huang Yaoshi, would you even deem the so-called Five Greats worth your notice?

Even Guo Jing—you've likely felt the urge to challenge him; aren't these actions just arrogance and contempt for others?

Hong Lingbo and Lu Wushuang are even more like you—their kung fu isn't even up to Guo Fu's, yet they talk even bigger; one is ordered to kill, and she even tells the victim to hurry up and kill herself!

At such a young age, upon seeing her limp, he would just slice off people's ears.

Even Xiao Longnü—her real martial skills a few years ago were still inferior to Guo Dagou's, yet she dared to say things like 'if you don't kill yourself and apologize,' and without trickery or relying on her weapon's edge, could she even win a single move?

Isn't this arrogance and disdain for others?

It's a flaw everyone has—why be so hard on her?

It's just because she looks down on Yang Guo and has hurt him.

Li Mochou smiled faintly, her charm infinite, her lovely eyes glancing sideways at Feng Yi, a mix of worry and joy in her expression, and she said, "In your eyes, do I truly deserve to be called graceful and exquisite, clear and brilliant?"

Feng Yi, having said all that, knowing she cares most about this, said without hesitation, "These eight characters—if not you, who deserves them?"

You've fallen into such notoriety, and only I know it's due to a sorrow in your heart; though others may not understand, who could deny your beauty and wit?

This isn't flattery; the only ones who could escape the Eastern Heretic and Western Poison are Li Mochou and Huang Rong, and it's thanks to their wisdom, so Feng Yi's words are precise and well-rounded.

Li Mochou smiled charmingly and said, "You're shameless—upon seeing a beautiful woman you can't walk away, yet you know many beautiful women, but this is the first time I've heard you speak of Guo Fu like this; are you really developing feelings for her, wanting to marry her?"

Feng Yi saw her eyes full of emotion, her lips like pearls, her smile like a spring breeze, making his heart bloom with countless pear blossoms; he composed himself and said, "If you ask me that, you're putting me in a difficult spot!"

Li Mochou asked, "Why?"

Feng Yi sighed and said, "If a man must have only one woman in his lifetime, Guo Fu would naturally be the first choice. Because a woman like you—talented and intelligent—while I lack ability and have a short temper; even a little talent makes you formidable, and if neither yields, resentment is inevitable."

And you never know which day you'll suddenly lose it and deal with me, just like last night!

A woman like Cheng Ying overthinks; she keeps her thoughts to herself, constantly ruminating, believing she's right—just like your junior sister.

For a woman like that, if you don't fall in love, once her beauty is stripped away, what attraction does she hold for a man?

But if you do fall in love, they won't even say goodbye and just disappear—do you look for them or not?

Not looking seems cold and unfaithful; but looking, where would you even begin in the vast sea of people?

But Guo Fu is different—she's pure, she lets you feel her love and hatred directly, without needing to guess her motives.

She's also very kind—you see the Wu brothers like her; she doesn't know how to choose, but just that single thought makes her precious.

"Precious?" Li Mochou didn't understand.

"Backup?" Li Mochou asked.

Feng Yi's modern slang—Li Mochou, no matter how smart, still didn't get it, and she asked curiously.

=9+book_right?

Feng Yi laughed and said, "This refers to a backup in a relationship—like riding a donkey while looking for a horse."

Feng Yi continued, "She's troubled because she doesn't want to choose one and hurt the other; if it were another woman, she wouldn't even consider the mindset of a sycophant."

"Sycofant?" Li Mochou asked.

Li Mochou still didn't understand.

Feng Yi said, "This means describing someone with no principles or bottom line, who fawns and flatters."

Feng Yi said, "Of course, in love, it's knowing they don't like you, yet repeatedly having no dignity or bottom line, sticking your hot face to their cold butt."

Li Mochou laughed and said, "Sticking your hot face to their cold butt—yeah, that description is pretty apt!"

Li Mochou said, "Yeah, people should live true to themselves and never be a sycophant!"

Feng Yi thought, "Indeed, who'd dare make you a sycophant? Even Lu Zhanyuan's ashes have been scattered by you!"

Li Mochou's face was as cold as frost, yet her mouth full of playful charm, her voice still gentle and refined.

We'll translate.

But when her husband Yelü Qi encounters danger, she can kneel and bow her head without hesitation—surely that's the virtuous wife every man dreams of!

She dislikes her sister Guo Xiang's mischief, saying so, but when danger arises, she can single-handedly hold off an opponent she knows she can't beat, yet lets her sister go first.

She can also accompany her parents, guarding Xiangyang year after year, even though it's not closely related to her.

Under twenty years old, she often charges into battle—how could such a woman not be good?

It's just that many people take Yang Guo's side, see her hurting him and Xiao Longnü, and then condemn her.

But no one considers the actions of Yang Guo and Xiao Longnü,

Xiao Longnü took away her own sister; Yang Guo may have been unintentional, but Guo Fu isn't a reader with god's-eye view.

She's just a living, breathing person!

Furthermore, Xiao Longnü mistakenly thought Yang Guo had changed heart, went to tell her things like 'you were meant to be together, make him forget me,' and gave her her own lady's sword so it would match Yang Guo's gentleman's sword.

When Yang Guo heard these words from Guo Fu's mouth, he didn't believe them, instead saying Guo Fu had stolen her sword.

He wrongly accused Guo Fu of stealing things; how could she tolerate such shame? She then revealed that Xiao Longnü had stolen a person, saying it's just tit-for-tat—you call me a thief, see who really is.

It's just because she looks down on Yang Guo and has hurt him.

Li Mochou smiled faintly, her charm infinite, her lovely eyes glancing sideways at Feng Yi, a mix of worry and joy in her expression, and she said, "In your eyes, do I truly deserve to be called graceful and exquisite, clear and brilliant?"

Feng Yi, having said all that, knowing she cares most about this, said without hesitation, "These eight characters—if not you, who deserves them?"

You've fallen into such notoriety, and only I know it's due to a sorrow in your heart; though others may not understand, who could deny your beauty and wit?

This isn't flattery; the only ones who could escape the Eastern Heretic and Western Poison are Li Mochou and Huang Rong, and it's thanks to their wisdom, so Feng Yi's words are precise and well-rounded.

Li Mochou smiled charmingly and said, "You're shameless—upon seeing a beautiful woman you can't walk away, yet you know many beautiful women, but this is the first time I've heard you speak of Guo Fu like this; are you really developing feelings for her, wanting to marry her?"

Feng Yi saw her eyes full of emotion, her lips like pearls, her smile like a spring breeze, making his heart bloom with countless pear blossoms; he composed himself and said, "If you ask me that, you're putting me in a difficult spot!"

However, Yang Guo naturally did not believe, and he slapped her, which then caused an uncontrollable uproar, resulting in Yang Guo suffering the disaster of a broken arm.

And Xiao Longnv being poisoned by the needle was entirely a misunderstanding; she only thought it was Li Mochou hiding in the coffin; how could she know it was Yang Guo Xiao Longnv.

Therefore, all her unpleasant actions, in the eyes of Feng Yi, who has a god's-eye view, are just human nature.

If it were me, I might not be any stronger than her!

After all, if someone stole my newborn sister, she would deserve to die first!

But Feng Yi bears no hatred toward Guo Fu, yet he also knows he has become entangled with Li Mochou; if he went to ask for Guo Fu's hand in marriage, that would be bringing disgrace upon himself, so he won't do that.

Earlier, the reason I spoke well of Guo Fu was also to avoid giving Li Mochou a feeling of insincerity; after all, the fact that I joke with her exists, and if she didn't have qualities that let me appreciate her, I couldn't justify myself—could Li Mochou believe it?

It would be better to openly admit it!

Moreover, he must necessarily go down the lecher's career path with no return; otherwise, when could the dream of sharing a bed ever be achieved?

After Li Mochou pondered, she also felt Feng Yi made sense, and with a "gege" laugh she said: "You and I are truly kindred spirits?"

Feng Yi nodded slightly: "You said last night that I have neither love nor hate in my heart. I've thought about it, and this is because I lack experience."

But Lingbo has left me for two months, and we never spoke of breaking up; if one day I suddenly meet her, and she then tells me she wants to marry someone else, tell me, could I not be angry?

Perhaps my approach is not so different from yours.

If I don't kill her, I must kill that man? Daring to steal my woman, has he grown tired of living!

But if I try to deal with him, someone shows up to cause trouble. I can't even beat them, and being forced under everyone's gaze to make a ten-year poison oath, I would surely go mad with rage!

As for love, perhaps I cannot achieve pure love, loving only one person, but any woman who is with me, Feng Yi, I will absolutely not abandon them, no matter what they do; if others want to harm her, they must wait until I die first—that's how it is!

Li Mochou saw him speaking solemnly, and not wanting to ponder true or false, she smiled faintly and said: "You can talk the talk, you oily-tongued smooth-talker; for a young lady to meet you is a calamity!" Then she flicked her whisk in hand and said: "Let's go see the beggar gang's grand gathering now!"

Feng Yi saw her smile enchantingly, her autumnal eyes flowing, her lovely gaze shimmering, hand holding her whisk—just one pose, and she was alluring beyond measure, truly like a bodhisattva descending to earth with no desire in her heart; he gently embraced her, turned her lovely face, and lightly kissed her, saying: "Only you would say I'm oily-tongued and smooth-talking, and that was appropriate; who else has ever tasted that!"

In an instant, Li Mochou's cheeks flushed two rosy clouds, and she spat: "Be serious—this is someone else's home; if seen, would we even still be alive?"

Suddenly shouts of "Elder Hong, Chief Huang!" rang out, I don't know how many thousands, and in a moment the sound rolled like thunder.

Such a spectacle would surely frighten anyone into losing their soul, but Feng Yi steeled himself: "To die beneath a peony flower, even as a ghost I'd be flirtatious." He quickly kissed her face and said: "From today on, the whole jianghu will spread rumors about us; even if we aren't husband and wife, we are as good as married—I, Feng Yi, cannot suffer a loss!"

Li Mochou, like a little thief caught red-handed, stammered: "You, how... can't you accept a loss?"

Feng Yi heard her timid, trembling voice—nothing like the female demon who roams the jianghu—and seeing her beautiful, radiant visage, skin like jade, charm arising naturally, in an instant his blood surged, his cheeks flushed, and his whole body grew hot.

He felt the soft-jade-like body in his arms tremble slightly, and his own heartbeat quivered with hers, rapid as a drumbeat; suddenly, it was as if his cherry lips kissed her.

Li Mochou, who preserved her purity like jade, had been without a beloved for many years; now she felt both shy and delighted, emotionally stirred, and upon catching Feng Yi's strong masculine scent, her heart and soul became intoxicated, joy beyond words,

But suddenly, with a "heng" sound, she broke free, looked at Feng Yi, and tremulously said: "You treat me so frivolously—aren't you afraid of dying?"

Feng Yi saw the beauty in his arms, her half-lidded starry eyes, her cherry lips slightly parted, her face flushed with peach blossoms, her brows holding spring's dye; unable to wait, he laughed: "I have never known defeat in my life, yet I have taken a great tumble before you—I want to see exactly what's going on."

Moreover, to die under the Scarlet Fairy's skirt—I, Feng Yi, would die without regret!

Li Mochou, already limp all over, suddenly bit down hard on his left shoulder, while her delicate, jade-like hands also rested on Feng Yi's back, stroking incessantly, as if awaiting something.

Feng Yi naturally gave a fervent response.

No, it was wildly!

Li Mochou seemed unable to withstand this frenzy, and suddenly thrust out both palms.

Feng Yi's heart jolted, yet he heard the clang of a pot.

It turned out the room door had been shut by the gust of her palm.

But Li Mochou's door was opened by Feng Yi.

Feng Yi's very nature holds a madness and recklessness beyond ordinary people; in the Lian Cheng world, despite being pointed at by Ling Tui Si's myriad poison arrows, he could retreat but does not, insisting on killing him at that time and place, uncompromisingly!

And in the Condor Heroes world, he has never been mad, always rational, but now he has gone mad.

Li Mochou, encountering his madness, was stirred to a unique passion.

One of them is unrestrained, the other beautiful; I don't know whether this is the absurdity of extreme madness or a fusion of bestial error, but once they become one, they no longer know what time or place, what dynasty or land they are in—only feel that this suite of guest rooms is paradise on earth.

All sorrow and joy, fear and setbacks, at this moment are merely fleeting clouds; there is nothing but worldly happiness!

Although Li Mochou is a virgin, she is ice-snow clever, having practiced martial arts since childhood; as Feng Yi watches her myriad charms, their deep affection and mutual understanding, he naturally does not forget to painstakingly instruct her.

Yet Li Mochou still cannot withstand his madness; her body writhes like a dying snake, she continually lets out soft cries, interspersed with the gasps of "Sister Chou" and "Brother Feng".

As they entwine, their affection is endless.

(End of chapter)