Chapter 175

Feng Yi's words had not yet fallen,

A soft "Hiss!" sounded, a slender green spike thrust toward Feng Yi's back, another toward his shoulder.

As Feng Yi held Madame Ma in his arms, the sharp tip was only an inch from his body.

Feng Yi gave a light laugh, his body swayed, and his silhouette vanished.

The attacker immediately felt a pat on his back, then heard from behind: "Elder Bai, you should have used the Silk-wrapping Seizing Hand, why use a steel awl?"

The one who launched this sneak attack was naturally Elder Bai Shijing of the Beggars' Gang; he and Madame Ma had been carrying on an affair for a long time, with great tacit understanding, and a single gesture in the room just now made his meaning clear.

He had Madame Ma invite Feng Yi inside, then followed up with a lunge; Feng Yi, this greenhorn, seeing a beauty enter his arms, would surely be overcome with infatuation just as he had been that day, and seizing the chance to sneak attack would certainly succeed—yet he ended up grasping at air.

But he was no easy opponent; he thrust the steel awl backward with his right hand, swiftly turned, and still Feng Yi was nowhere to be seen.

Then came Madame Ma's annoyed voice from behind: "Why are you holding me so tight? You've hurt me."

Bai Shijing seethed with shock and anger, cursing: "Little harlot!"

Since his sneak attack missed, he threw caution to the wind, suddenly turned, and unleashed the "Rushing Thunder Lightning": his right awl stabbed at Madame Ma's chest, the left followed, aiming for her throat.

Feng Yi slipped one arm around Madame Ma, thrust forward with his right palm, and laughed: "This carriage gives you only limited usage rights—why won't you let others use it?"

The sheer force of his strike was already rare, and its direction was beyond Bai Shijing's expectation.

This palm struck his right arm, involuntarily blocking the left awl with a clang; the two awls collided, and Feng Yi's push felt like a surging tide.

Bai Shijing desperately tried to grab the awls with both hands, but couldn't; with two swishing sounds, he felt a pain on his face as one awl grazed him, blood spraying and soaking his clothes, while the other awl whacked and lodged in the beam.

Bai Shijing's arms went numb and sore, but the situation left him no choice but to strike again, lunging with both hands using the Silk-wrapping Seizing Hand.

Feng Yi didn't retaliate; he simply held Madame Ma, circling around her.

After several moves, Bai Shijing grabbed out with his left hand, anticipating Feng Yi would dodge left, then reached with his right for Feng Yi's left shoulder—and actually got hold of it. Overjoyed, he hurriedly added force to lock the shoulder joint, hoping to prevent any escape.

But as he exerted force, his own body flew sideways in a flat trajectory, landing with a heavy thud outside the door.

Bai Shijing only saw stars burst before his eyes; he tried to rise but could not move at all—turns out Feng Yi had sealed his pressure points.

This truly frightened him out of his wits, and he stammered: "Yo... you..."

He never imagined a single person's martial arts could be so high. After all, his Silk-wrapping Seizing Hand is a peerless technique in the martial world; once he grabs someone, how could they resist?

It turned out Feng Yi was using a superior technique from the Nine Yin True Classic called "Floating Fluff Force"—essentially a method of dissipating and redirecting force. With deep inner strength, one can not only render an opponent's force invisible but also throw back the force they borrow.

Feng Yi walked out holding Madame Ma, smiling narrowly, and said: "Elder Bai, I don't want to kill you, but Madame Ma is a flower-like person I've yet to enjoy; if you keep interfering, I'll have to be sorry to you."

Bai Shijing laughed: "I dare not, I dare not!"

These words were heard by Qiao Feng and all the Beggars' Gang members, filling them with shame and anger—is this still the gang's law-enforcement elder?

If this got out, the Beggars' brothers would hardly be able to face people; Wu Changfeng and the others exchanged glances, wanting to rush in and directly question Madame Ma—but then a numbness struck their backs, their pressure points were sealed, and they couldn't even speak.

It turned out Qiao Feng knew Feng Yi had forbidden the Beggars' Gang from making a move or speaking, but things had come to this point, which was utterly humiliating.

But he wanted to get to the bottom of everything—not just Ma Dayuan's death, but also his own origins and the grudge against his parents' teachers; unwilling to be disturbed, he signaled Ah Zhu to keep quiet, then dropped silently from the tree. Moving like the wind, he pressed hard on each person's "Suspended Pivot Point" at the lower back, immobilizing their bodies and sealing their speech; this time Qiao Feng didn't climb the tree again, but went straight to the window to peek inside.

Here Feng Yi held Madame Ma, feeling her slender, soft waist, smooth to the touch, a faint fragrance on her; he couldn't bear to let go, lifted the door curtain, entered the inner room, the lamps unchanged, walked to the sandalwood table, sat down, and finally gazed at the Madame Ma in his arms.

In the candlelight she looked ever more lovely, like a blooming peony, possessing an allure that could overturn nations.

Feng Yi's heart pounded uncontrollably, fearing he could not restrain his lust; desire for Madame Ma flared, and he chuckled: "Madame, your looks are extraordinary, but your taste is truly poor—what do you see in Elder Bai as a lover?"

Madame Ma couldn't help but smile faintly, then spat: "You... you person, really annoying—what do you think I'm after? Is it his old age, or his handsome beard? Compared to you, Young Master Feng, he isn't even fit to hold your shoes."

She said this and broke into a giggle.

Madame Ma saw Feng Yi's face carved like white jade, peerlessly handsome, especially that strand of frost-white hair at his forehead, adding a touch of evil charm; thus her words were sincere.

Bai Shijing, hearing this, felt his eyes almost burst; he silently cursed "Little harlot!" but dared not speak, only closing his eyes to cultivate, hoping to break the sealed pressure points.

Qiao Feng and the others frowned deeply: "Brother, brother, how can you still have the mood to flirt with this harlot? You'd be better off having fun in the brothel."

Although Madame Ma is fickle, no one can deny her beauty; otherwise famed beauties like the assassin Duan Zhengchun and heroes like Bai Shijing would not have fallen at the feet of her pomegranate skirt.

One could see spring in her brows and corners of her eyes; her pair of watery eyes gazing at Feng Yi seemed about to drip.

Especially, viewing a beauty under the lamp, the longer you look the lovelier she becomes—truly captivating; Feng Yi couldn't help thinking: "If I didn't know this woman's nature, could I resist her temptation?"

He laughed: "Madame, would you be willing to share a bed and pillow with me?" saying this, his hand had already reached into her bodice.

Anyway, in Feng Yi's eyes Madame Ma is just a common prostitute—convenient to take advantage of, neither owing nor being owed.

Madame Ma lightly tapped his arm, gave him a seductive glance, and smiled: "Young Master Feng, a good night is rare—why be so hasty? Let me serve you a few cups of wine, how about that?"

Feng Yi smirked inwardly and said: "In the world of romance, lust provides courage, wine acts as matchmaker—excellent, excellent!"

Everyone heard his words comparing Madame Ma to a prostitute, but then thought: isn't Madame Ma just that sort of person?

Madame Ma felt annoyed, yet she smiled: "Young Master, you seem to be a regular player!" She moved her lotus steps lightly, smiled, and went out.

Soon a pot of wine and two cups were brought over; the tray was set on the kang table, a cup poured, her lovely eyes turned, she smiled: "Young Master, please!"

Feng Yi laughed: "Moonlight clear, candle shadows swaying red, beauty under the lamp—hehe, this wine is for drinking." He then walked over, sat on the kang, held Madame Ma again in his arms, and indulged his habit.

"Young Master," Madame Ma's lightly powdered cheeks flushed, she did not resist but raised her cup with a smile: "How rare tonight's lovely scenery and beautiful night; to gain the favor of a hero like Great Hero Feng is a blessing of three lifetimes!" She then pressed a cup of wine to Feng Yi's lips.

Feng Yi laughed: "Madame, your alluring ways pale beside the top courtesan of the Jiangnan brothel—this wine is for drinking!" and drained it in one gulp.

The brothel is a Song-era house of prostitution, also the place where Feng Yi drinks flower wine in the Condor Hero World.

Madame Ma need not know; though she seethed inside, she was a natural fox-spirit embryo, her face showing nothing, thinking: "As long as you're willing to drink, it's easy—I'll first get you drunk, then whatever your abilities, you'll have to obey me." She then deployed her seductive tactics, smiling: "Young Master, you truly have a huge capacity..." and coaxed Feng Yi to drink seven or eight cups.

The Beggars' Gang had always thought Madame Ma was chaste and widowed, dignified and stern, never joking lightly; upon hearing her lascivious laughter and lewd words, they were utterly astonished. Some wanted to hurl vulgar insults, but couldn't speak.

Qiao Feng hadn't wanted to watch the two flirt, but Feng Yi's comings and goings were unpredictable, so he could only look on; seeing Feng Yi drink, he couldn't hold back his alcohol craving and swallowed a mouthful of saliva.

Madam Ma saw Feng Yi's handsome face flushed red, secretly thinking she had succeeded; she also drank a few cups, her cheeks taking on a bright hue, growing ever more alluring. She extended her slender white hand, filled a cup with wine, drank it herself, leaned back, her eyes full of allure, as if saying, "Sir, please drink."

Feng Yi smiled with narrowed eyes, about to step forward, but unexpectedly he grabbed Madam Ma with one hand and pinched her full chest hard with the other, exclaiming, "Aiyah!"

Madam Ma also cried out "Aiyah!", screamed shrilly, and the wine splashed all over Feng Yi's body.

And Feng Yi even fell onto the kang.

Qiao Feng felt suspicious.

Then Madam Ma spoke softly, "Ah yo, I'm feeling dizzy, Great Hero Feng—could it be… could it be that you tampered with this wine?"

Feng Yi let out a long breath and slowly said, "Madam Ma, was Ma Dayuan killed by you like this?"

"Don't talk nonsense!" Madam Ma's eyes were like autumn water, and the smile on her face grew richer: "Great Hero Feng, please hurry and hold me; I can't wait any longer!" Her voice was extremely soft and tender, her expression infinitely charming.

Although Qiao Feng felt disgust toward this woman in his heart, seeing her gaze in the candlelight and hearing her say, "Come quickly and hold me," he couldn't help but feel his heart skip.

Then Bai Shijing shouted from the doorway: "You little slut, he's been hit with the Seven Fragrance Confusion Powder and can't move; hurry up and kill him!"

Bai Shijing wanted to unblock his own meridians, but the acupoint sealed by Feng Yi with the Nine Yin Divine Art—how could he possibly undo it?

Yet he gave Madam Ma a deadly weapon.

Everyone understood clearly that once the Seven Fragrance Confusion Powder is taken, one's internal energy is completely lost.

Feng Yi glanced at Madam Ma and smiled: "You poisoned Ma Dayuan, leaving him weak and limp all over, and then Bai Shijing moved in to kill him, right?"

"How do you know?" A flicker of confusion passed through Madam Ma's eyes.

Everyone's hearts jolted—indeed, it was exactly so.

Feng Yi laughed: "I not only know that you conspired with Bai Shijing to murder your husband, but also that when you were an unmarried young maiden, someone took advantage of you and then discarded you..."

"Bullshit." Madam Ma's face flushed red, she sprang to her feet, and her eyes flashed with murderous intent.

Seeing that Qiao Feng was unharmed, he knew she had indeed administered poison, but he must have taken the antidote beforehand.

Then Bai Shijing whispered: "Little darling, hurry up and kill him; if an outsider comes, it'll be disastrous!"

Only Madam Ma's coquettish voice was heard: "Master Feng, when I poured your wine, hehe, it seems I accidentally dropped a packet of the drug into the wine jug. Ah, the moment I saw you, I was dazed and at a loss—please don't blame me!"

Just moments ago she was full of killing intent, but now she suddenly turned alluring. If not for Qiao Feng seeing it himself, no matter who told him, he would denounce it as absurd nonsense.

Feng Yi coldly snorted: "You treat me this way, I will be unfeeling toward you, so don't blame me either!"

Bai Shijing said: "He's just bluffing; don't be afraid, hurry up and kill him!"

Madam Ma chuckled: "Master Feng, no matter how high your martial arts soar, if you ingest the potent poison of the Seven Fragrance Confusion Powder, your internal energy will surely be completely lost."

"If you could still use your internal energy, wouldn't a flick of your finger be enough to kill me?"

Saying this, she took a dagger from the drawer of the cabinet, pulled out a white cloth from her bosom, wiped the dagger while walking up to Feng Yi, leaned sideways, and spoke softly: "Master Feng, I actually like you, but I know you won't like me! Since I can't have you, I'll destroy you—do you understand?"

Outside the window, Qiao Feng and the Beggars' Sect members all felt an indescribable sense of fear upon hearing this.

What cannot be obtained must be destroyed.

Indeed, the conduct of a poisonous woman!

Feng Yi lightly laughed: "I know your character; go ahead and make your move—so-called dying beneath peonies, even as a ghost would be flirtatious!"

Madam Ma laughed: "See Master Feng off on his journey!"

Saying this, she thrust a sword at Feng Yi's chest; unexpectedly, Feng Yi lightly deflected the blade with his left hand, swung his right arm round, and delivered a hard slap to Madam Ma's face, shouting: "You wretched wretch, dare to be rude to your benefactor?"

Poor Madam Ma, a weak woman with no strength, emitted a pig‑like squeal from that slap, collapsed to the ground, and fainted on the spot.

Everyone was already itching with anticipation, and Qiao Feng was even more ready to intervene to rescue Feng Yi—but who could have guessed that, in a sudden turn, Feng Yi would suddenly beat Madam Ma into unconsciousness.

Feng Yi slowly rose, and a stream of wine shot from his mouth, directly spraying onto Madam Ma's face.

Madam Ma, jolted awake by the wine, scrambled up intending to flee, but Feng Yi grabbed her shoulder, smirked, and pressed her back onto the bed, saying: "Good lady, you poisoned me once; I slapped you once—we're even, so don't take offense."

Madam Ma had all her life turned clouds and rain with a flip of her hand, toying with the world at her fingertips; who would have thought she'd today encounter Feng Yi, this moody, extraordinarily powerful master?

Even now she doesn't understand why Feng Yi possesses internal energy.

Little did she know that Feng Yi had long been aware of her tactics; in the original plot, wasn't Duan Zhengchun also poisoned? Without Qiao Feng, he would have been done for.

Moreover, he is of a merchant's disposition; the reason he went to such trouble to set this up was also to experience it himself, to see whether this poison could overwhelm him.

Usually he lacked suitable poison and opportunity to experiment; today he had a ready‑made poison he knew of, a beautiful companion, and Qiao Feng, such an expert, to guard him.

This is favorable timing, location, and harmony—thus he enjoyed the poisoned wine with relish.

Even if he were to fail, Qiao Feng would still protect him.

He trusts Qiao Feng's martial arts, and also trusts Qiao Feng's character!

Without Qiao Feng, he would certainly not do this.

Of course, although Feng Yi intended to experience it, he also drank the wine into his belly and wrapped it with internal energy.

Because ordinary poisons also couldn't harm him, since he deliberately sought an opportunity to test the poison, what he was really checking was whether this toxin had the instantaneous ability to destroy internal energy and corrode the bones, like the Golden Wave Ten‑Day Flower.

After all, Ding Dian, who had mastered the Divine Illumination Skill, died solely because of this poison; in an instant it left him powerless to resist.

Now it seems the Seven Fragrance Confusion Powder is also ordinary, not that potent; having wrapped it with internal energy, it lacked the ability to disperse, so he simply spat it out.

Madam Ma took a heavy slap to the left cheek; the swelling was visible, the finger marks turning from red to purple to blue, as if branded, yet she still wore a full smile, her eyes unblinking as she gazed at Feng Yi.

Feng Yi clapped and laughed: "Indeed, you're capable of plotting to kill your husband. Considering your composure is decent, I won't torment you this woman—just speak plainly!"

Having said that, he untied a cloth sack from his side, gave it a shake, and a human head rolled out with a thud.

Madam Ma cleared her view of the head's face, her complexion changed, and she cried out in loss: "Quan Guanqing!"

Feng Yi gave a hehe laugh, pointed at the head, and said: "This can serve as proof; he has confessed your affair—deal with it as you see fit!"

Madam Ma was first startled, then both shocked and angry, thinking: this dead man, though his words sounded pleasant, still sold me out; otherwise Feng Yi wouldn't have come here. For a moment she felt the grief of a rabbit dying, a fox mourning.

Madam Ma's face flushed then turned pale; after a silence, she coldly said: "Feng Yi, you are a martial arts master, yet you rely on a dead man to frame a weak woman like me—do you ask, is there any justice left in this world?"

Feng Yi hehe laughed: "Slandering justice? Well said!"

Madam Ma cut him off: "You claim I had an affair with Quan Guanqing—where's the evidence? Are you going to rely solely on your one‑sided word? Humph, Feng Yi, you probably don't even have that much influence!"

"Madam Ma speaks correctly." Feng Yi laughed: "That's why, to make people believe, I've been acting this whole play with you!"

"Brother Qiao, come in!"

Madam Ma stared: "Brother Qiao?"

No sooner had the words fallen than Lü Zhang shouted: "Elder Chen, you and two disciples search everywhere, see if any outsiders remain. Chief Feng, you and a disciple guard the gate; if you spot enemy traces, call out!"

Madam Ma sprang to her feet, face full of terror; suddenly she heard a cold laugh, glanced over, and saw Qiao Feng lift the curtain and enter—he not only freed the Beggars' Sect members from their sealed meridians, but also restored his true appearance.

Upon seeing him, Madam Ma felt as if pricked by a needle, shrank back slightly, then straightened her spine and shouted sharply: "Qiao Feng, when did you arrive?!"

Qiao Feng's face was shrouded in cold frost; he said coldly: "Not too early, not too late—I've seen every bit of your disgrace! Today, if you don't honestly confess everything, I, Qiao, will have you torn apart alive!"

"Qiao Feng!" Madam Ma's eyes widened, the blue veins bulging beneath the fair, tender skin of her neck: "Come on, don't think that just because you look mighty and imposing before the heroes of the world, I, a mere woman, am not afraid of you!"

Qiao Feng desperately suppressed his anger, his voice trembling, and he said harshly: "You are lewd and shameless, colluding with Xu Chongxiao, Bai Shijing, and Quan Guanqing, you caused the death of Deputy Chief Ma, and then had them steal my folding fan, thus framing me; furthermore, you forged letters and fabricated lies, accusing me of being a Khitan!"

Qiao Feng paused, gritting his teeth slightly: "You poisonous woman, wanton and vicious-hearted—though that might be forgivable, what grudge do I, Qiao Feng, have against you that you would not hesitate to murder your own husband and set up such a vicious, lowly trap?" Qiao Feng was bold and forthright, trusting by nature, never imagining he would fall into the hands of a woman who couldn't even truss a chicken. Tormented by this plot to the brink of madness, he grew angrier the more he spoke, venting all his hatred and rage upon Madam Ma.

If the opponent weren't a frail woman, Qiao Feng's irresistible Subduing Dragon Palm would have already struck.

"Big brother!" Ah Zhu saw his deathly pale face, his eyes bloodshot, this aspect like a lion about to devour someone; unable to restrain herself, she grabbed his hand, hoping to calm him.

Upon hearing Ah Zhu's two words "big brother," Madam Ma's heart jumped; she guessed the owner of the clear voice and exclaimed in shock: "You little slut, is it you?"

Ah Zhu glanced over and saw her eyes instantly turn scarlet, staring fixedly at herself.

Feng Yi smiled faintly and said: "Indeed, that's the look of a romantic rival!"

Ah Zhu trembled at the words, her body slightly shaking; she vaguely guessed what it was, yet dared not believe it, and she stared fixedly at Madam Ma.

Madam Ma wore a smile, half manic, half delighted; deep in her eyes lay something icy and piercing: "Qiao Feng, you just want to know the truth, right? Well, I'll tell you—I killed Ma Dayuan, heh, and I, with my own hands, destroyed you, Qiao Feng—how about that?"

Qiao Feng's breathing grew ragged: "You… you finally admitted it!"

"Qiao Feng!" Madam Ma said softly, "Do you know? Watching you helpless in the Apricot Forest, and everyone at the Villa of Gathered Worthies shouting to beat you, I was truly delighted!"

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Ah Zhu's heart sank, for Madam Ma's demeanor was unlike before; her brows and eyes revealed an indescribable infatuation.

Qiao Feng gave a cold snort: "What are you happy about? Today all the brothers are here; my grievance will surely be cleared!"

Madam Ma sneered: "Grievances can be washed away, but can you change the blood flowing in your veins?"

"What are you saying?" Qiao Feng thought this was a plot, so perhaps he wasn't a Khitan; he never expected to hear such a line.

"You're always so self-righteous!" Madam Ma gave a grim smile, her laughter bordering on madness: "Ma Dayuan is weak and foolish; he's utterly a good-for-nothing—I married him only because I was blind."

But I've ended up like this today all because of you, this arrogant, overbearing beast who doesn't even deign to look at others!

You Khitan barbarian, worse than swine and dogs—after you die you'll fall into the eighteen levels of hell, where evil spirits will torment you daily. You damned bastard, son of a turtle…

These words shocked the world and defied convention; coming from the usually gentle Madam Ma, they were all the more startling.

Even those of some standing in the Beggar Sect had seen her; she always gave an impression of dignity, yet no one expected her mouth to utter such filthy, vulgar slang—it was truly beyond belief.

Consequently, several young disciples of the Beggar Sect shrank back, heads lowered, peeking from the doorway.

Ah Zhu couldn't help but shout: "You crazy woman!" She lunged forward, but Qiao Feng raised a hand and held her back behind him.

Feng Yi chuckled, waved at Ah Zhu, and said: "You'd better come sit down and watch the show!"

Qiao Feng said: "The first time I met you was outside Wuxi City in the Apricot Forest; by then my elder brother Ma had already been killed by you. Previously I had no acquaintance with you—how could you say I caused you to come to this pass?"

Ah Zhu lifted her robe and sat down, gazing at Madam Ma.

Madam Ma spat resentfully: "Ha, you claim that the first time we met was outside Wuxi City—that very statement, correct, is precisely for that reason."

Qiao Feng, people say you're the chief of the Beggar Sect and invincible under heaven, but in my Kang Min's eyes you're nothing but an arrogant, overbearing fool—from head to toe, you're not even worth a damn thing!

After finishing her tirade, Madam Ma covered her face and broke into a bitter smile; clearly she had pent-up resentment that demanded release.

After she had shouted herself hoarse, Madam Ma added: "Qiao Feng, I've scolded you for being arrogant and overbearing—do you accept that or not?"

Qiao Feng replied coldly: "I never considered myself invincible under heaven; I'll just say that Brother Feng's martial skill surpasses mine. If I truly had ability, I wouldn't have been manipulated to this state."

Madam Ma said: "You don't accept? Fine, let me tell you! You claim you first saw me outside Wuxi City—hmph, didn't you see me at the Hundred Flowers Gathering in Luoyang City?"

Qiao Feng startled, the Hundred Flowers Gathering in Luoyang City had been two years prior. He had gone with the other Beggar Sect brothers, thrown dice, drunk, and caroused, yet no matter how he tried he could not recall ever seeing her there.

Qiao Feng paused, then said: "That time, Elder Brother Ma went, but he didn't bring you to see me."

Madam Ma spat and cursed: "What are you? You're merely the head of a bunch of stinking beggars—what airs do you give yourself? At that Hundred Flowers Gathering, I stood there by the white peony; which hero among the assembly didn't stare at me in a daze? Which wasn't utterly captivated, gazing at me?"

Yet you, this fellow, didn't even deign to glance at me properly. If you truly hadn't seen me, that would be forgivable; I wouldn't blame you.

You clearly saw me, yet you acted as if you didn't—your gaze swept over my face without lingering a moment, treating me no different from a vulgar commoner.

You hypocrite, shameless wretch!

Qiao Feng gradually grasped the implication, saying: "That's right, I recall now—by the peonies that day there seemed to be a few women; I was only concerned with drinking, having no leisure to look at peonies and paeonies, men or women."

If they had been senior heroines, I would certainly have gone to pay my respects; but you are my sister-in-law, and not seeing you—what great breach of etiquette is that? Why bear such a grudge?

Madam Ma stared blankly, then murmured: "What breach of etiquette? Why hold such a grudge?"

Suddenly she let out a mournful, bitter laugh, laughed for a while, then clutched her chest and gasped: "Qiao Feng, could it be you were born without eyeballs? No matter how famous a hero, he would examine me from head to toe."

Even those of high virtue and prestige, who dare not look me straight in the eye, will, when others aren't noticing, still sneak a few glances at me.

Only you, only you… hum, among the over a thousand men at the Hundred Flowers Gathering, you alone never glanced at me from start to finish. You are the chief of the Beggar Sect, a renowned hero under heaven…

Saying this, she gave a grim smile, her voice tinged with hatred: "At Luoyang's Hundred Flowers Gathering, the men ranked you first, and the women naturally placed me first!"

Yet you didn't even deign to give me a few proper looks; even if I were proud of my beauty, what good would it do? With all those people still bewitched by me, how could my heart be at ease?

These secrets, too, were heard for the first time by other Beggar Sect members; previously they had only seen Madam Ma gentle and affectionate, Ma Dayuan greeting with a smile, and assumed they were deeply in love—little knowing that Madam Ma harbored a fixation on Qiao Feng.

Qiao Feng fell silent for a moment, sighed, and said: "Since childhood I've disliked playing with women; as I grew older I had even less leisure to look at women, and it wasn't simply that I wasn't looking at you. Even women a hundred times more beautiful than you, I initially paid no heed to."

Madam Ma pointed at Ah Zhu and snapped: "Who is she? If you say you don't associate with women, why did you bring her to the Villa of Gathered Worthies?"

"Isn't this saying one thing and doing another, the conduct of a hypocrite—aren't you just a shameless petty person?"

Ah Zhu clenched her lips, her eyes flashing with killing intent.

Feng Yi chuckled: "Brother Qiao, if you were to marry this woman, perhaps you wouldn't have so many troubles."

Madam Ma's delicate frame swayed slightly, she drew a deep breath, and said slowly: "Feng Yi, you still see clearly—marrying Qiao Feng is something I dare not even imagine."

But if he treated me as Xu Chongxiao, Quan Guanqing, and Bai Shijing do, he would still be the north Qiao Feng who shakes the heavens; having seen that letter recording his origins, I would burn it at once—how could I ever devote myself to those several old fogies?

Qiao Feng originally didn't believe Madam Ma had murdered her husband; he only thought it was because he hadn't glanced at her once. But trusting Feng Yi, he sighed: "No matter how many mistakes, everything is on me! If you want revenge, come find me—why kill Elder Brother Ma?"

Madam Ma gave a strange smile and said coldly: "You say that? That's truly stupid. With your superb martial prowess and great reputation—let alone the Beggar Sect's stinking beggars who revere you as a deity, who in the world would dare offend the chief of the Beggar Sect, the number one martial artist under heaven?"

"As a weak woman, what chance would I have to harm you, except by sleeping with you?"

Ah Zhu exclaimed angrily: "You truly have no shame!"

Madam Ma turned her body, stood straight with a smile, locked gazes with Ah Zhu without blinking, and said softly: "What's shame about it? Will you refrain from sleeping with men from now on?"

Ah Zhu momentarily didn't know how to reply.

Feng Yi secretly chuckled.

Madame Ma deals with Ah Zhu, and she always succeeds.

Qiao Feng said coldly: "Don't spout nonsense about others; tell me how you harmed Elder Ma!"

Madame Ma said: "Old Ma, usually I tell him to go south and he dare not go north; I tell him to go east and he dare not go west."

Hmph, if you said he was always this obedient, that would be fine, but at the crucial moment he actually showed some backbone, spouting brotherly righteousness!

Qiao Feng's body shuddered, and he blurted: "What do you mean?"

Madame Ma gave a cold smile and said: "Let me tell you, you look down on me; besides hating you for a lifetime in my heart, what else can I do?"

It's also heaven's eyes opening; that day it let me discover the deceased chief Wang's last will in Ma's iron box.

I secretly read that letter, learned the grudges therein; you can imagine how delighted I was then.

Ha ha, this is a great opportunity for me to vent this pent-up resentment.

I will ruin your reputation and make you unable to pose as a hero. I will have Ma Yuan publicly expose you, so all heroes know you are a Khitan barbarian, preventing you from ever becoming the Beggars' Gang chief, let alone surviving in the Central Plains—your life will be in jeopardy!

Even though everyone already knew her viciousness, hearing this sent a chill down everyone's back.

Madame Ma gave a bitter laugh and said: "But he not only refused, he scolded me fiercely, saying from now on I am not allowed to leave the house, and if I utter a word, he will chop me into minced meat."

Hehe, he has always been utterly obedient to me; when has he ever spoken so harshly?

But I have never taken him to heart; seeing him offend me like this, I will surely make him suffer.

"Bitterness?" Feng Yi chuckled: "Just like giving Bai Shijing and them a big, round steamed bun to eat?"

"Exactly!" Madame Ma felt pleased inside, hehe-laughing: "As expected, Master Feng understands me. Later, after more than three months, on August 14th, Bai Shijing came to my house for the Mid-Autumn Festival; he glanced at me, then again, humph, this old lecher!"

I ruined my own body, causing that old lecher to become infatuated with me. The old lecher wanted to be my long-term husband, so he killed Ma Yuan.

Feng Yi sighed softly and said: "Indeed, 'the mouth of a green bamboo snake, the sting on a wasp's tail'—neither is poisonous, but a woman's heart is the most toxic."

Qiao Feng suddenly shouted: "Bring Bai Shijing and Xu Chongxiao in!"

Elder Wu responded with a sound, grabbed one in each hand, and threw them at Madame Ma's feet.

Qiao Feng flicked his palm twice; the palm wind swept everywhere, Elder Xu's acupoints were released, and he tremblingly stood up.

Bai Shijing, however, remained completely still.

Feng Yi had sealed the point with the Nine Yin True Classic; Qiao Feng couldn't undo it at once. Feng Yi flicked his finger, with a soft 'hiss,' Bai Shijing's acupoint was released, and he also stood up.

Elder Wu said: "Surname Bai, will you speak properly, or shall we torture you?"

Bai Shijing shouted angrily: "Elder Wu Feng, it was I who did it; I naturally admit it—don't underestimate me!"

"On that Mid-Autumn Festival, that little harlot quietly told me that Qiao Feng is a Khitan barbarian, saying the evidence is in Ma Yuan's hands, and we discussed how to retrieve it and hand it over to Elder Xu."

"Unexpectedly, Ma Yuan was hiding in the dark and heard everything; even our idle talk was all heard by him."

That little harlot suddenly noticed, gave me a glance, and chatted to cover things up. That evening we drank and ate meat as usual. Ma Yuan didn't expose it either, just spoke little, clearly preoccupied. I said: "Elder Ma, thank you for putting up with me for two days. I'll take my leave early tomorrow."

He said: "Brother Bai, if you don't mind the simplicity, please stay a few more days at my place."

I saw his words were insincere, only saying he'd leave tomorrow. After a few drinks, he suddenly slumped over the table, dazed and asleep. That little harlot clapped her hands and laughed: "This Seven-Scent Bewildering Powder really works!"

Brother Bai? Qiao Feng lifted his head toward the window, his voice hoarse: "Is it worth crushing a brother's throat bone, pretending to be the Jiangsu Murong clan using the 'Seizing Throat Grabbing Hand' to kill him, just to provoke a feud between the Beggars' Gang and the Murong family, all for a woman—or a brother's wife?"

Madame Ma laughed: "You guessed right; if that old lecher hadn't mentioned 'Jiangsu Murong,' I wouldn't have known."

Bai Shijing's face showed shame as he said: "Brothers, my wife has been dead for twenty years; in those twenty years I have not touched a woman, never visited a brothel, never dallied with wild grass or idle flowers. Put yourselves in my place—you should know I am no saint or sage, not the Buddha himself!"

That little harlot, as Master Feng said, is a fox spirit reincarnated; that day she arranged a lavish banquet and got Brother Ma drunk.

That little harlot helped Brother Ma to bed, then came to keep me company drinking, and I had three cups.

She didn't know whether he was truly drunk or pretending, and in a hazy state she recounted how Brother Ma spent the day practicing fists, training his strength, rising early and training late, always at the training ground, unwilling to keep her company even a moment.

I said: "As martial artists, we say that training comes first; Brother Ma's 'Seizing Throat Grabbing Hand' shocks the Hebei region, everyone admires it—that is the result of hard training."

She said: "Heh heh, the day his wife uses a waist‑seizing grappling hand on someone else, he'll regret it too late!"

Madame Ma, hearing this, suddenly burst out laughing with a 'puchi.'

Bai Shijing cursed: "That little harlot, she can still laugh. I said: 'Nonsense! There's no such thing as a waist‑seizing grappling hand!'"

She laughed and said: "How could there not be? Haven't you learned it?"

She laughed while walking to my side, grabbed my left arm, wrapped it around her waist, and said: "Press hard, keep me from moving—that's the waist‑seizing hand."

She then reached out, pulled my right hand over, placed it on her chest, and said: "Do you know how to apply a grappling hand? Don't use too much force, or it will hurt."

Upon hearing this, even Ah Zhu, a woman, couldn't help but feel her face heat up.

As for men, one can easily imagine.

Bai Shijing continued: "At that moment I thought, 'I can't let Ma down!' I hastily pulled back my right hand, saying, 'Sister-in-law, that's not allowed—I don't know this technique.' But my left hand remained around her waist, unwilling to let go."

Moreover, her waist kept twisting and shaking. I said: "Don't move, just keep drinking."

She lifted herself, sat on my thigh, poured a cup of wine into her mouth, then both arms reached out to embrace my head and neck, leaned in to kiss my lips, and slowly fed the wine from her mouth into mine. After spitting out the wine, she cooed: "Brother Bai, I've toasted you a cup; you ought to return the toast."

Thus we exchanged cups; before the moon had reached its zenith, I and she were already in a drunken stupor, a utter mess!

Alas, I deserve to die; I am sorry to Brother Ma and to all the brothers.

Qiao Feng's expression was deeply dejected; Vice‑Chief Ma usually had little interaction with me, yet he showed such profound loyalty—such a fine brother is rare nowadays. A flicker of pain crossed his eyes as he said: "Your bewitched hearts are bad enough, but I can only blame Brother Ma for marrying you this harlot, and what about Quan Qingcheng and Xu Chongxiao?"

Madame Ma gave a gleeful giggle and said: "I had Bai Shijing step forward to expose your secret origins. Pah, that old lecher took possession of my body, yet he dares to talk about righteousness to you!"

Pressed hard by me, he drew a knife intending to kill himself.

All right, I let him off and sought out Quan Qingcheng, that lifeless fellow.

I merely slept with him for three nights, and he obeyed everything I said; first he stole your folding fan, then he slapped his chest loudly, claiming he would take responsibility for everything.

I figured that relying on Quan Qingcheng alone couldn't topple you, so I went to find another old lecher, Elder Xu, to act as front. Hence the events at the Apricot Grove came about.

One of Qiao Feng's earlier doubts was also cleared up: why Feng Yi said Xu Chongxiao, Quan Qingcheng, Bai Shijing, and Madame Ma were involved, yet in the Apricot Grove it was Quan Qingcheng who led the rebellion against himself, while Bai Shijing was instead captured by the rebel faction.

Elder Wu Feng said resentfully: "Elder Xu, you have been a hero all your life, extraordinarily righteous—how could you also fail to resist this harlot's seduction? How could you commit such a foolish act?"

"Speak clearly!" Madam Ma coldly laughed and said: "Bai Shijing and Quan Guanqing are the ones I seduced—that's correct."

But I didn't seduce Elder Xu—he's so solemn, I wouldn't dare.

But if he reaches out his hand to touch me, I can't avoid it! Since I don't dodge, he'll help me deal with Qiao Feng.

Before his words even finished, Elder Xu suddenly spat a mouthful of blood and collapsed to the ground.

(End of chapter)