Chapter 15: The Second Madame

The landlady of the Friendly Inn was universally called Second Madam. This title had two possible meanings: either her husband was the second eldest in his family, with the younger generation addressing him as Second Master, thus calling her Second Madam; or simply because she was the second mistress, hence the name Second Madam.

Second Madam was a woman in her forties, blessed with striking beauty and well-maintained youthfulness, still attracting the covetous gazes of unscrupulous men. She hesitated over which pieces of jewelry to wear, for she possessed many treasures. Ultimately, she chose a pearl necklace to hang around her neck, but finding it insufficiently grand, she added another pearl strand. A nearby maid with a sweet tongue remarked, “These pearls are beautiful, and so is Second Madam. Pearls worn on you shimmer with such brilliance—it’s truly lovely.”

Fond of flattery, Second Madam was naturally pleased. Yet just then, a servant knocked on the door and loudly announced, “Second Madam, something terrible has happened—Uncle has died!”

The servant brought news of her brother’s death. Second Madam refused to believe it. The maid opened the door, and the breathless servant gasped, “Second Madam, your own brother Liu Zhu is dead!”

Upon confirmation, Second Madam was thrown into panic. But being a woman who managed great affairs, she swiftly commanded, “Gather everyone in the main hall, and quickly send for Zhang Dog and Niu Er.”

In the main hall, Yu Datou took a scroll from his bosom and unrolled it to reveal a portrait of Ma Ruyun. He examined it carefully, confirming that the man speaking before him was indeed Ma Ruyun himself. He cupped his hands and said, “So you are the great boss Ma.”

Ma Ruyun replied, “That would be me.”

Yu Datou said, “We, the Seven Fiends, have come today to demand the return of our demon sect’s treasure from Boss Ma.”

Ma Ruyun responded, “That puzzles me. Though I, Ma, am fond of seizing things, I have never taken anything from the demon sect. Pray tell, what treasure has your sect lost? Please, sit down and let us drink as we discuss this matter at leisure.”

The massive black pig began shrinking, transforming into a small adorable creature like a pet, cradled in Wu Ke’ai’s arms. The Six Fiends prepared to sit, but then the inn’s musclemen arrived. A well-run inn naturally kept a few skilled enforcers, and with the innkeeper’s younger uncle dead, the killers could not be spared. Many men brandished knives, surrounding the Seven Fiends.

Second Madam saw the headless corpse of Liu Zhu and, unable to recognize him, began to scream madly, “Who killed my brother?”

An informed servant pointed to Wu Ke’ai. Wu Ke’ai, meeting Second Madam’s fierce gaze, immediately raised the little black pig in both hands and said innocently, “My pig’s bites never hurt anyone.”

The servant angrily accused, “Second Madam, it was that pig that bit off Uncle’s head.”

“Well, then I’ll compensate you with the pig,” Wu Ke’ai said bluntly, tossing the little black pig to the servant. Terrified by the pig’s charge, the servant fell to the ground, shut his eyes tightly, clenched his teeth, and pretended to be dead.

The little black pig did not continue its assault. It stepped over the servant’s body and sneezed into the filthy pool of blood, spraying thick phlegm onto Liu Zhu’s severed head. Miraculously, Liu Zhu’s head revived, blinking and turning around. His head rolled back to the headless body and fit perfectly onto the severed neck. The wound healed instantly, and he came back to life.

Liu Zhu danced about as he revived and walked up to Second Madam. “Sister, I’m not dead. Please don’t be sad.”

Second Madam grew fearful; her beloved brother now seemed strange. “Are you really my brother? Where is your arm?”

At her words, Liu Zhu’s severed arm began to regenerate, restoring itself to a complete limb. He said to her, “Sister, I’m not dead. Just now, I clearly lost my arm. Could it have been a nightmare, or some illusion cast by these strange men?”

Second Madam looked skeptically at the fallen servant, who got up and explained, “Second Madam, Uncle really did die. He was bitten to death by this pig—I swear on my life. Everyone in the hall saw it!”

The little black pig, growing bolder, jumped onto the servant’s shoulder, opened its mouth, and crazily licked the servant’s face with its tongue. Terrified, the servant squeezed his eyes shut and shouted, “It’s a dream! It’s a dream! It’s a dream!”

Second Madam ignored the servant and ordered the attendants to take Liu Zhu away to rest. Then, cold as ice, she turned to the Seven Fiends and said, “The visit of the demon sect’s Seven Fiends brings great honor to this humble establishment. Today, I invite you all to the private room for drinks, with Boss Ma as your host. Please, follow me.”

“Let’s go! We want the finest wine and the best dishes!” Wu Ke’ai, as one of the Seven Fiends, boldly declared without fear or shame. Hearing there would be a feast, the little black pig jumped back into Wu Ke’ai’s arms.

Ma Ruyun knew the Seven Fiends had come for him, and with this new shield, he was pleased. “Second Madam is hosting; I shall gladly accompany you all.”

The private room was on the second floor, a guest chamber converted for this purpose. A huge round table could seat twelve. The Six Fiends sat on one side; Ma Ruyun and Second Madam took their places nearby. Two seats were reserved for Ma Yun’s two brothers. Next to Second Madam stood a lovely maid, and two chairs remained empty—likely for guests yet to arrive, as twelve sets of tableware were prepared. Servants brought in dishes and poured wine one after another.

Yu Datou said, “I’ve never tried donkey meat buns. Second Madam, could you have the kitchen send out some to start us off?”

Second Madam nodded, “Very well, tell the kitchen to send forty donkey meat buns.”

A moment later, the messenger returned, smiling kindly. “Master Zhang and Master Niu have arrived!”

Yu Datou sneered, “Reinforcements? The Seven Fiends are not afraid of anyone.”

Second Madam smiled, “These two are here to accompany us in drinking.”

The wealthiest man, Hao Jingming, commanded eight enforcers known as the Eight Kings of Gold, or by some as eight beasts or brutes: Xu He, Chen Long, Zhao Hu, Ma Zhong, Zhang Dog, Niu Er, Zuo Biao, and Wang Xiong.

Zhang Dog and Niu Er—one tall and brawny, the other stout and hefty—approached the Seven Fiends and Boss Ma. Niu Er smiled and said, “Sorry to keep you waiting. Bring the wine. I’ll start with a penalty of three bowls.” Fond of drink and always late, this was his usual opening at meals. The messenger had already set three large bowls on the table and filled them with wine for Niu Er.

Niu Er bowed to the guests, then raised the wine bowls with both hands and drained all three in succession.

Zhang Dog was different. He calmly sat beside Second Madam and, while Niu Er spoke and drank, whispered a few words with her, seemingly communicating silently, unintelligible to others. After understanding the situation, and as Niu Er finished his performance, Zhang Dog stood and said, “Now that Brother Niu has taken his penalty, it’s my turn. Sister Yan, bring me three bowls as well.”

Obediently, Yan placed three large bowls on the table and filled them with wine.