ment, hence he stretched out his hand to check his breathing. It turned out the monk’s breathing had already stopped. He had already passed away. Qiao Feng was so sad that he was speechless. He knelt down and bowed several times. Then he waved to A’Zhu, saying: ‘Let’s go!’

The 2 of them quietly went out of Zhiguan Temple. Crestfallen, they returned to Tiantai county seat.

When they had gone for more than 10 li, Xiao Feng said: ‘A’Zhu, I had no intention of harming Zhiguang dashi, he… he… why did he gotta make himself suffer like this?’ A’Zhu said: ‘This eminent monk understood the world thoroughly and was greatly enlightened so life and death were the same to him.’ Xiao Feng asked: ‘Can you guess why he knew that we were going to Zhiguan Temple?’ A’Zhu replied: ‘I think… I think that it’s a deed of that prime villain again.’ Xiao Feng said: ‘I think so too. This prime villain told Zhiguang dashi in advance that we were going to find him to take revenge. Zhiguang dashi thought that he wouldn’t be able to escape from my murderous hands so after that conversation with us he immediately took poison to commit suicide.’

The 2 of them looked at each other and did not say anything for a long while.

A’Zhu suddenly said: ‘Great master Xiao, there’re some undue words that I would like to say, please don’t take offense at them.’ Xiao Feng said: ‘Why do you need to stand on this kind of ceremony? Of course I don’t mind them.’ A’Zhu said: ‘I think those words that Zhiguang dashi wrote on the floor are very reasonable. ‘Han or Khitan is reality and also fantasy. Kindness, enmity, honor and disgrace all are mere dust.’ In fact, it doesn’t matter if you’re a Han or a Khitan. Is there any difference between them? Perhaps you’re already tired of living by the tip of the saber in jianghu. It’d be better to go to the outside of Yanmen Pass to go hunting and do pasture, and from now on pay no attention to the kindness, enmity, honor and disgrace in wulin in the Central Plains.’

Xiao Feng let out a sigh and said: ‘I’m tired of this business which involves struggling for survival on the tips of the sabers already. It’d really be a lot happier to go to the prairies in the North of the Great Wall to gallop on horseback, set free eagles, release dogs, chase rabbits, and from now on have no worry. A’Zhu, will you come to see me after I’ve returned to the North of the Great Wall?’

A’Zhu blushed and said in a low voice: ‘I said ‘do pasture’, didn’t I? You’ll gallop on horseback and go hunting, and I’ll put cows and sheep out to pasture.’ As she said to here, she lowered her head.

Even though Xiao Feng was a straightforward man, he understood clearly the implication of these several sentences of hers; she meant that she wanted to live together with him in the North of the Great Wall for life and would not return to the Central Plains again. Orginally Xiao Feng saved her merely because of the mettle of the moment; only after she went to the outside of Yanmen Pass in pursuit of him then went together with him to Weihui, Tai’an and Tiantai, rushing about thousands of li, did he feel that she was very tender and amiable. At this moment, hearing her express her feelings, he could not help but be moved, so he put out his bulky palm and held her small hand, saying: ‘A’Zhu, you treat me so well. Don’t you detest and reject me because of my lowly Khitan origin?’

A’Zhu replied: ‘The Han are human, the Khitan are also human. How can one be high and the other be low? I… I like to be a Khitan, this is my heartfelt desire, there’s not the least bit of constraint imposed on me.’ As she said towards the end, her voice became as low as the buzzing noise of a mosquito and almost inaudible.

Very happy, Xiao Feng suddenly grabbed her waist and threw her up in the air. While she was falling down, he gently caught her and put her on the ground. Then he looked at her with a smiling expression and said loudly: ‘A’Zhu, from now on you’ll follow me to ride on horseback and go hunting, and pasture cattle and sheep. You will never regret this?’

A’Zhu adopted a stern countenance, saying: ‘Even if it was following you to commit murder, arson and robbery, I would never regret it. Even if following you meant to experience various sufferings and all kinds of torments, I would still be glad about it.’

Xiao Feng said loudly: ‘Once I, Xiao Feng, have today; needless to say, I don’t like to be reinstated as the Beggar Society’s Chief; even if they were to ask me to be the emperor, I wouldn’t care either. A’Zhu, let’s go to Xinyang to find Madam Ma. It won’t matter if she is willing to tell us or not. This is the last person that we’re gonna find. After a question, we’re gonna left for the North of the Great Wall to go hunting and pasture cattle and sheep!’

A’Zhu said: ‘Great master Xiao…’ Xiao Feng said: ‘From today on, don’t call me great master, 2nd master or something. You call me big brother!’ Totally blushed, A’Zhu said in a low voice: ‘How can I deserve it?’ Xiao Feng said: ‘Are you willing to call me so?’ A’Zhu smiled and said: ‘Extremely willing, but I don’t deserve it.’ Xiao Feng laughed and said: ‘Now you try calling me so 1 time then.’ A’Zhu softly said: ‘Big… big brother!’

‘Ha-ha,’ Xiao Feng laughed loudly and said: ‘That’s right! From now on, I, Xiao Feng, am no longer alone and despised as a lowly barbarian because at least in the world there’s a person… there’s a person…’ For the moment, he did not know what he should say.

A’Zhu continued: ‘There’s a person who deeply respects you, admires you, appreciates you, is willing to stay by your side forever and through all eternity to endure misfortunes, humiliations, dangers and tribulations together with you.’ She said very sincerely.

Xiao Feng let out a long volley of laughs, which echoed throughout the valley. Thinking that A’Zhu had said she would ‘endure misfortunes, humiliations, dangers and tribulations together with him’, he felt grateful to her because even though she knew clearly that there would likely be a lot of trials in the future, she was still willing to put up with them with no regret, and so 2 streams of tears rolled down on his cheeks even though he was having a smiling expression.

The house of the former Vice Chief of the Beggar Society Ma Dayuan was located in Xinyang village, Henan. From Mt Tiantai in Jiangnan to Xinyang, Xiao Feng and A’Zhu would have to travel thousands of li, and this was not a journey that they could finish in 1 day.

Ever since the 2 of them had opened their hearts to each other on Mt Tiantai, they had found themselves very attached to each other. On the way they rode the horses slowly and saw that the natural scenic views were large, wide and totally charming. A’Zhu was not good at drinking wine but in order to make Xiao Feng happier, she always forced herself to drink several cups of wine with him, which made her loveable face become rosy, making her looked even sweeter. At first, Xiao Feng was full of indignation but thanks to A’Zhu laughing and talking to him, and wittily joking with him nonstop, most of his grief and indignation disappeared. In this northward journey from Jiangnan to the Middle Land (Zhongzhou – ancient name of Henan) his state of mind was very different than it had been when they had been hastening to Shandong from Yanmen Pass. Sometimes Xiao Feng recalled and felt that this thousands-of-li journey was hazy just like a great series of dreams; at first, there had been continuous nightmares, but towards the end, they had become nice dreams; were it not for the delightful loveable little girl A’Zhu at his side, he really would wonder if he was still in a dream.

One day, they arrived in Guangzhou; it would take them no more than 2 days to reach Xinyang from here. A’Zhu said: ‘Big brother, how should we inquire Madam Ma, you think?’

In the apricot forest and at Juxian Manor those days, Madam Ma’s words and expression had been full of hostility towards Xiao Feng; even though Xiao Feng had been very unhappy at those times, after those incidents he thought that because she had lost her husband and firmly believed that he himself had killed him, it was normal for her to abominate himself, and if she did not hate himself, it would be unreasonable. He also thought that because she was a widow who did not know martial arts, if he threatened her, his hero status would be lost, let alone asking her by force. Hearing A’Zhu ask so, he could not help hesitating and did not know how to reply. After being at a loss for a while, he said: ‘I think we’ll have no choice but to ask her amicably and hope that she’ll be reasonable and no longer wrongly accuse me of killing her husband. A’Zhu, it’d be better if you go talk to her. Is that ok? You’re clever in your words and both of you are female. I’m afraid if she sees my face she’ll be full of hatred and everything will immediately come to a standstill.’

A’Zhu smiled, saying: ‘I have a plan, but I’m afraid you’ll think that it’s not good.’ Xiao Feng hastily said: ‘What is the plan?’ A’Zhu said: ‘You’re a great hero, a real man, so you can’t extort the truth from her. But how about letting me trick her?’

Xiao Feng happily said: ‘It’d be the best if you can trick her into revealing the truth. A’Zhu, you know, days and nights I’ve been hoping that I’ll be able to personally cut the prime murderer of my father to death. I’m a Khitan so his exposure of my true origin was a thing that should be done as it allowed me to know who my ancestors are. I should’ve been very grateful to him. But why did he kill my foster parents? Kill my enshi (kind master)? Force me to harm my friends, bear infamy and become the the enemy of the heroes in the world? If I can’t chop him into pieces, how would I be able to put myself at ease and ride on horseback, go hunting, and pasture cattle and sheep with you for life?’ Towards the end, his voice became louder and louder. For the past few days, his expression was no longer gloomy as before, despite that, however, his hatred towards the prime villain had not yet diminished in the least.

A’Zhu said: ‘This prime villain has maliciously done you so much harm. I only hope that I’ll be able to slash at him several times to help you vent your anger. After capturing him, we’ll also arrange a great banquet for heroes and extraordinary people in the world then explain the injustices you’ve suffered in front of everyone to restore your clear reputation.’

Xiao Feng sighed and said: ‘That’s not necessary. By killing so many people at Juxian Manor, I’ve caused a deep hatred of me in the world’s heroes. And I’m not asking for forgiveness from other people either. I, Xiao Feng, only hope to put a stop to this matter to give myself peace of mind, then I and you will gallop to the North of the Great Wall and become friends with tigers, wolves, cattle and sheep for life and never see these heroes and brave men of the Central Plains again.’

A’Zhu happily said: ‘Thank heavens for that. That’s what I’ve been eager for.’ She smiled, saying: ‘Big brother, I wanna disguise as a person and trick Madam Ma into revealing the name of the prime villain.’

Xiao Feng slapped his thigh and cried: ‘Yes! Yes! Why haven’t I thought of this? Nothing can be better than your masterful disguising skill in dealing with this matter. Who do you wanna disguise as?’

A’Zhu said: ‘I would need to ask you about that. When Vice-Chief Ma was still alive, who in the Beggar Society was he friendliest with? I’m gonna disguise as this person. Thinking that this is her husband’s close friend, I think Madam Ma won’t hide the truth.’

Xiao Feng said: ‘Oh, the people closest to Brother Ma in the Beggar Society are Captain Wang, Quan Guanqing and Elder Chen; besides, he had a deep friendship with the Elder of Rule Enforcement Bai Shijing too.’ A’Zhu made a ‘hum’ sound and tilted her head to recall the appearances of these people. Xiao Feng continued: ‘Unlike me who am fond of drinking and roughhousing, Brother Ma was a calm and prudent man so he rarely drank or talked with me. Quan Guanqing and Bai Shijing have similar personalities to his so they often studied martial arts together.’

A’Zhu said: ‘I don’t know who Captain Wang is. The jute bag of Elder Chen’s is full of poisonous snakes and scorpions. I got goosebumps as soon as I saw it. My disguising skill can’t make me look like him. Quan Guanqing has a very tall frame so it’ll take quite a while to disguise as him. I’m afraid if I stay in Madam Ma’s house for a long time to slowly and tactfully sound her out I’ll give myself away. It’d be better if I disguise as Elder Bai. He talked to me several times at Juxian Manor so imitating him is the easiest.’

Xiao Feng smiled, saying: ‘Elder Bai treated you very well and tried his best to ask Divine Doctor Xue to cure your injury. Wouldn’t it be wrong to disguise as him to deceive other people?’

A’Zhu laughed and said: ‘I’ll disguise as Elder Bai only to do good, and not to do evil or harm his reputation.’

They immediately disguised in a small inn. A’Zhu changed Xiao Feng into a 5-bag disciple of the Beggar Society who would be considered to be Elder Bai’s attendant. She told him to speak as little as possible for fear that Madam Ma was meticulous and would recognize the flaws. Xiao Feng saw that after disguising herself as Elder Bai, A’Zhu had a frosty face which looked solemn even without being angry. This was really the Elder of Rule Enforcement that was awed by tens of thousand of Beggar Society disciples from the north to the south. Not only did she bear a close resemblance to Bai Shijing, her behavior and words were also exactly the same as those of his. Xiao Feng and Bai Shijing had been friends for almost 10 years, yet he was unable to see any difference between his appearance and A’Zhu’s disguise.

The 2 of them went to Xinyang. On the way, when Xiao Feng saw Beggar Society disciples, he would use the Society’s argot to talk with them and ask about movements of the leading people of the Society; he also made public that Elder Bai had arrived in Xinyang to let Madam Ma know about their visit in advance. As long as she already had first impressions of it in her mind, even if there were flaws in A’Zhu’s disguise, she would not be able to recognize them.

Ma Dayuan’s house was in the western suburb of Xinyang and was 30 li (0.5 km) or so away from the city. After asking local Beggar Society disciples about the way to get there, Xiao Feng and A’Zhu went to the Ma family. They deliberately went slowly and stalled; only at dusk did they arrive. During the day, everything could be seen clearly so their disguises might have been recognized easily, but in the evening, everything looked indistinct so it would be easy for them to trick Madam Ma.

When they arrived at the outside of Ma Dayuan’s house, they saw a brooklet go around 3 small tiled houses. Beside the houses were 2 weeping willow trees, and in front of them was a piece of flat ground which looked like a drying ground of a farmhouse but there was a pit at each of its 4 corners. Very familiar with Ma Dayuan’s martial arts, Xiao Feng knew that Ma Dayuan had normally used these 4 pits to practice his skills. He could not help feeling sad because now they had been separated by life and death. When he was about to knock the door, suddenly there was a grinding noise, the door was opened, and a woman walked out in a full-length white mourning dress. She was Madam Ma.

Madam Ma cast a glance at Xiao Feng then bowed to A’Zhu in salute, saying: ‘Elder Bai’s exalted presence at this humble house is really beyond my expectations. Please come in for some tea.’

A’Zhu said: ‘Dimei (younger sis-in-law), there’s an important matter that I must consult with you so I’ve come here without being invited. Please forgive me.’

With her whole body being covered in a white mourning dress, Madam Ma’s expression resembled a smile yet she was not smiling and the corners of her mouth had a trace of hidden bitterness. In this moment, the sun which was setting towards the back of the mountains was illuminating her face with a dull yellow light. Meeting her this time, Xiao Feng was not stirred up as two times before. He saw that even though there were vague wrinkles at the corners of her eyes and she was around 35 or 36 and not wearing make-up, her complexion did not seem to be less white and delicate than that of A’Zhu’s.

The 2 of them immediately followed Madam Ma into the house. They saw that the hall was rather small, there was a table in the center, and on both sides of the table were put 4 chairs so there was very little space left. An aged maid servant brought tea out. Then Madam Ma asked Xiao Feng’s name. A’Zhu conveniently made up a name for him.

Madam Ma asked: ‘Elder Bai, I’m wondering what you want to instruct me in this exalted visit?’ A’Zhu replied: ‘Elder Xu passed away in Weihui. Dimei must have heard about it.’ Madam Ma suddenly raised her head. With a strange expression in her eyes, she said: ‘Of course I know about it.’ A’Zhu said: ‘We all suspect that Qiao Feng killed him. After that, the 3 seniors Grandpa Tan, Granny Tan and Zhao Qiansun were also killed outside the city of Weihui. Then the Shan family of Impartial Judge in Tai’an, Shandong was burned to the ground. Not long ago, while going to Jiangnan to investigate a matter involving a 7-bag disciple that violated the Society’s rules, I received a message on the way that old monk Zhiguang of Zhiguan Temple on Mt Tiantai had suddenly passed away too.’ Madam Ma trembled all over and her face changed color, saying: ‘This… This was also done by Qiao Feng?’

A’Zhu said: ‘I personally came to Zhiguan Temple to investigate. Though I couldn’t get any result, it’s 9 out of 10 that it was a deed of this fellow Qiao Feng. I’ve expected that his next step will most likely be troubling you so I’ve hastily come here to advise dimei to take refuge somewhere else for about a year to avoid Qiao Feng’s assault.’

With tears welling up in her eyes, Madam Ma said: ‘Ever since Master Ma was unluckily murdered, it’s become pointless for me to live on in this world. If that fellow surnamed Qiao wants to harm me, he’ll be most welcome. Why the need to seek refuge somewhere else?’

A’Zhu said: ‘Dimei (younger sis-in-law), why do you say that? Brother Ma hasn’t been avenged and the murderer hasn’t been captured. There’s a heavy burden on you. Where’s Brother Ma’s memorial tablet? I should give a bow to him.’

Madam Ma said: ‘I dare not accept the honor.’ But still, she conducted the 2 of them to the rear hall. A’Zhu took a bow first then Xiao Feng respectfully kowtowed to the memorial tablet. Inwardly, he prayed: ‘Big brother Ma, if you have supernatural powers after death, today you should induce your wife to say the name of the real murderer so that I can avenge you and get rid of the injustice you suffered.’

Madam Ma knelt down beside the memorial tablet to return the salute, tears rolling down on her cheeks. After kowtowing, Xiao Feng stood up. He saw that there were several elegiac couplets hung in the mourning hall, among which were the ones presented by Elder Xu and Elder Bai, but the couplet he himself gave her was not hung here. The pieces of white cloth in the mourning hall had accumulated dust, adding to the gloomy atmosphere. Xiao Feng thought: ‘Madam Ma has no child, there’s only an aged maid servant beside her every day. It’s really hard for her to pass the time during these lonely days.’

He heard A’Zhu console her with patronizing but tactful words such as ‘Dimei, you should take care of yourself. Brother Ma’s score is everyone’s score. If you have any difficulty, just tell me, I’ll certainly help you.’ He secretly praised: ‘This little girl’s imitation is perfect. The Beggar Society’s Chief was expelled, the Vice-Chief is dead, Elder Xu was murdered and the Elder of Merit Propagation was killed by me so Elder Bai now has the most revered position. The tone of a Chief that she uses in conversation really matches her status.’ Madam Ma thanked A’Zhu but her tone sounded very cold. Xiao Feng felt worried. He saw that she was very bored and her expression was desolate, perhaps because her husband had passed away, she no longer had any joy in life. He was afraid that she might commit suicide to follow her husband. This woman had an unyielding temperament so she was capable of anything.

Madam Ma invited the 2 of them back to the guest hall. Before long, the aged maid servant set the table for dinner. There were 4 dishes, green cabbage, turnip, tofu and cucumber. All were vegetarian dishes. Also, there were 3 bowls of steaming hot cooked rice, but there was no wine. A’Zhu cast a look at Xiao Feng, thinking: ‘No wine for you tonight.’ Staying calm and collected, Xiao Feng lifted up a rice bowl and ate. Madam Ma said: ‘After my late husband passed away, this widow has become a vegetarian. This isolated residence doesn’t have meat, fish or wine, I’m sorry for treating the 2 of you in this cold manner.’ A’Zhu sighed and said: ‘Brother Ma has died and cannot come back to life. Dimei, you don’t need to make yourself suffer.’ Seeing that Madam Ma was so loyal to her deceased husband, Xiao Feng exceedingly respected her.

After the dinner, Madam Ma said: ‘Elder Bai, you came here from afar so I should ask you to stay. But it’s inconvenient for a widow like me. I’m wondering if you still have something to instruct me.’ Her tone hinted that she wanted the guests to leave. A’Zhu said: ‘I come to Xinyang this time to advise dimei to leave your house to avoid danger. Do you have any plan?’ Madam Ma let out a sigh and said: ‘That fellow Qiao Feng murdered Master Ma. If he comes to kill me, it’ll only be as good as ordering me to follow Master Ma to the Underworld. Even though I’m a weak woman, to tell you the truth, when I’m not afraid of even death, I’m not afraid of anything.’ A’Zhu asked: ‘Does that mean dimei is unwilling to take refuge somewhere else?’ Madam Ma replied: ‘Elder Bai, thank you very much for your kindness. This little woman is really unwilling to leave Master Ma’s house.’

A’Zhu said: ‘At first I wanted to stay around here for a few days to protect dimei; though I’m definitely no match for that fellow Qiao Feng, in case of emergency, I’d be able to lend a helping hand. But on the way I heard a very important secret message.’

Madam Ma said: ‘Oh, it must be extremely important.’ It goes without saying that women are always very curious, hence when hearing about an important secret, they will certaintly be pleased to know about it even though it may have nothing to do with them; even if they say that they are not interested, their expression will always show that they really want to know. Who could have expected that Madam Ma’s was still indifferent? It looked like it did not matter to her if A’Zhu said it or not because her husband was already dead, thus nothing in the world could stir up her mind. Xiao Feng thought: ‘They always compare the heart of a widow to a withered plant or cold ash. That expression is best used with Madam Ma.’

A’Zhu waved to Xiao Feng, saying: ‘You wait for me outside. I have some secrets to tell Madam Ma.’

Xiao Feng nodded and walked out of the house. He secretly praised A’Zhu’s smartness because he knew that if one wanted other people to reveal their secrets, he must reveal his own secrets first to make them trust him. He understood that A’Zhu dismissed him because she wanted to earn Madam Ma’s trust and to express that this matter was so secret that not even a trusted subordinate was allowed to hear.

He walked out of the main door. It was dark and quiet outside and he could only hear the vague tinkle coming from the kitchen. The aged maid servant was washing dishes. He immediately went around the corner of the house then squatted down beside the window of the guest hall and held his breath to listen. Even if Madam Ma did not say the name of that man, as long as she revealed some clues, he would still have something to investigate, which would be better than the present when he was totally at a loss. Moreover, this time Elder Bai had shown his kindness first by going thousands of li to give her an alarm, and when he was about to leave, he talked about an important secret matter, he was also the head of the Society so it was unlikely that Madam Ma would hide something from him.

Only after a long time did he hear Madam Ma sigh softly and ask in a quiet voice: ‘You… Why do you come here again?’ Afraid of spoiling the overall situation, Xiao Feng did not dare to rashly stick his head out to look into the guest hall through the window, but he felt surprised: ‘What does she mean by this sentence?’

He heard A’Zhu reply: ‘I really heard the message that Qiao Feng wanted to harm you so I come to tell you.’ Madam Ma said: ‘Oh, thank you very much for your kindness, Elder Bai.’ A’Zhu lowered her voice and said: ‘Dimei, ever since Brother Ma unfortunately passed away, some Elders of our Society have remembered his contributions and wanted to invite you to come out of your seclusion to hold an Elder post.’

Hearing she say in a very cordial manner, Xiao Feng could not help secretly laughing, but he praised that this was a very good idea because if Madam Ma accepted it, ‘Elder Bai’ would immediately become her superior, and then when he asked something, she would not be able to refuse to answer. Even if she did not accept to be an Elder, knowing that the Beggar Society had high regard for her, at the very least she would be happy for a while.

He heard Madam Ma say: ‘What kind of virtue and ability do I have to be an Elder of our Society? I’m not even a disciple of the Society. The post of an Elder is too high for and too far away from me.’ A’Zhu said: ‘I and the people such as Elder Wu have done our utmost to recommend you. Everyone said that if Madam Ma also gave some ideas, it’d be much easier to capture Qiao Feng. I also got a very important message that is closely related to the murder of Brother Ma.’ Madam Ma asked: ‘Really?’ Her voice still sounded rather indifferent.

A’Zhu replied: ‘That day, at the memorial ceremony for Elder Xu in Weihui city, I met Zhao Qiansun. He mentioned a matter to me, saying that he knew who the real murderer of Brother Ma was.’

Suddenly there was a bang. A teacup had been broken into pieces. Madam Ma uttered an exclamation then continued saying: ‘You… What are you joking about?’ Her voice was extremely angry but it also sounded somewhat panicky.

A’Zhu said: ‘This is a serious important matter, how can I be joking? That Zhao Qiansun really told me in person that he knew who actually killed brother Ma Dayuan. He said that it was definitely not Qiao Feng, nor the Murong Clan of Gusu, but he knew absolutely that it was that another person.’

Madam Ma said in a quavering voice: ‘How could he know? How could he know? You’re talking nonsense. Isn’t it unreasonable?’

A’Zhu said: ‘It’s true. Don’t worry, I’m gonna slowly tell you. Zhao Qiansun said: ‘Last year, in the 8th month…’’ When she had not yet finished, Madam Ma let out an ‘Ah’ sound of exclamation and passed out. A’Zhu hastily cried: ‘Dimei, dimei!’ and used force to press on the philtrum between her nose and her upper lip. Madam Ma slowly regained consciousness. She complained: ‘You… Why did you need to scare me?’

A’Zhu said: ‘I didn’t scare you. That Zhao Qiansun really said so. It’s a pity he’s already dead. Otherwise, I’d be able to call him here to testify. He said that on the mid-autumn day in the 8th month last year, Grandpa Tan, Granny Tan and that murderer of Brother Ma celebrated the festival together in the house of that ‘leading big brother’.’

Madam Ma uttered a sigh and asked: ‘Did he really say so?’

A’Zhu said: ‘Yes. I asked who the real murderer was but he said that it was inconvenient for him to say this person’s name. I went ask Grandpa Tan. He angrily stared at me and didn’t say anything. Granny Tan said that it was totally correct and it was her who told Zhao Qiansun about it. I don’t blame Grandpa Tan for getting angry. He must’ve gotten mad because his wife told Zhao Qiansun everything. And Zhao Qiansun was unwilling to say the name of the murderer because he was afraid that he would get his old lover Granny Tan involved in this.’ Madam Ma asked: ‘Oh, so what?’

A’Zhu said: ‘Zhao Qiansun said, everyone suspected that Qiao Feng and Murong Fu killed Brother Ma but let the real murderer go unpunished and walk around at will, if Brother Ma knew about this in the Underworld, he would suffer a wrong and feel bitter about it.’ Madam Ma said: ‘Yes, it’s a pity that Zhao Qiansun is already dead. Grandpa Tan and Granny Tan didn’t tell you the truth, did they?’ A’Zhu replied: ‘They didn’t. When things have become like this, I have no choice but to go ask the leading big brother.’ Madam Ma said: ‘Good. You should go ask him.’ A’Zhu said: ‘It’s really laughable to say, but I don’t know who this leading big brother is and where his house is.’

Madam Ma said: ‘Oh, so you’ve beaten around the bush to tactfully ask me about the name of this leading big brother.’

A’Zhu said: ‘If it’s unsuitable, there’s no need for dimei to tell me. I may think of a way to find out about him by myself. Then we’ll find the real murderer and make him pay for his crimes.’ Xiao Feng knew that A’Zhu was pretending that she did not care in order not to make Madam Ma suspect, but still, he could not help feeling exceedingly anxious.

He heard Madam Ma say indifferently: ‘The name of this leading big brother certainly must be concealed from other people so that Qiao Feng wouldn’t know about it and find him to avenge his parents’ deaths. But Elder Bai is on our own side, why should I hide it from you? He is…’ She lowered her voice while saying the words ‘He is’, then became silent.

Xiao Feng seemed to be able to hear even his own heartbeats but all along he did not