No Fighting Allowed in the Inn-Chapter 117

◎Charming, Captivating the Gu King, and the Blade of Tender Affection◎

Liang Shangjun knew he couldn’t evade the questioning.

After Ping Wu mentioned "Jiangzhou Magistrate," a complex, indescribable feeling surged in his heart. The walk back from the arena to the main courtyard felt like trudging through frost—his steps were unsteady, as if he were a wilted eggplant.

He had always been eccentric, fond of pretending to be an ordinary person with unsteady footing, so none of the servants noticed anything unusual.

"Brother Liang, do you really know that magistrate?" Yue Shu quickly asked. "I only know his name is Yu Nian, and he has no ties to our family. How could he have leaked the treasure map to the Idle Cloud Manor?"

Liang Shangjun didn’t want to answer, but under the gazes of Lu Jianwei and the others, he had no choice but to speak.

"He’s a protégé of the current Minister of Justice."

Uncle Zhang froze, then exclaimed, "You mean Minister Wen, the iron-faced, impartial, and incorruptible official?"

Liang Shangjun lowered his head and gave a muffled acknowledgment.

"I’ve heard of him," Yue Shu said, puzzled. "But what does that have to do with the treasure map?"

Lu Jianwei glanced at the dejected Liang Shangjun and said, "Earlier, we speculated that the ones most likely to know about the Liang King’s tomb were either members of the imperial family or court historians. Unfortunately, Song Xian and his servant died suddenly in the Mystic Mirror Bureau’s prison before we could uncover the mastermind behind it."

"I see," Xue Guanhe said. "Not just anyone can break into the Mystic Mirror Bureau’s prison to kill someone—unless they used special means. And among the court officials, the only ones with that capability would be from the Ministry of Justice."

Though the Mystic Mirror Bureau handled disputes in the martial world, it still fell under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Justice. For the Minister of Justice to interfere wouldn’t be difficult.

If the Jiangzhou Magistrate was truly Minister Wen’s protégé, and if Ping Wu’s words held any truth—that he was a "distinguished guest" of Idle Cloud Manor—then he couldn’t possibly be unaware of the shady dealings behind the scenes.

When Ping Wu mentioned the term "distinguished guest," his eyes were clearly laced with sarcasm.

This was no ordinary guest.

Yue Shu’s mind was in a daze, and he looked helplessly at Lu Jianwei and Pei Zhi.

"But isn’t Minister Wen a famously upright and incorruptible official?"

Lu Jianwei: "Based solely on Ping Wu’s words, we can’t determine the Jiangzhou Magistrate’s true nature."

"I’ll investigate," Pei Zhi said.

"You’ve ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‍just recovered from a serious illness—you shouldn’t overexert yourself," Lu Jianwei raised a brow. "Does the Mystic Mirror Bureau have no one else?"

Pei Zhi immediately amended, "I’ll have someone look into it."

"Xiao Liang, the stables are dirty again. Go clean them," Lu Jianwei dismissed Liang Shangjun, then assigned tasks to the other servants. Soon, only she and Pei Zhi remained in the room.

"You know Liang Shangjun’s true identity," she stated confidently.

With no outsiders present, Pei Zhi visibly relaxed, his eyes brighter than before.

"His original surname is Wen."

"If Minister Wen is as upright as they say, how could he afford to commission such an exquisite weapon for him?"

"The weapon was his mother’s heirloom."

Lu Jianwei nodded—that made sense.

She picked up her teacup, took a sip to moisten her throat, and said casually, "What kind of person do you think this Minister Wen is?"

Pei Zhi’s gaze drifted over her features, lingering on her lips, which had just been moistened by the tea, adding a faint sheen.

"My duties concern the martial world. I have no authority to oversee court officials."

Lu Jianwei understood: "No authority, but not incapable."

"Weiwei, even if he is the Minister of Justice, it’s unlikely he’d have access to records of the previous dynasty’s imperial family." He paused, then added, "When Song Xian died in prison, I found some clues pointing to him, but there was no concrete evidence."

"And then you investigated this Minister Wen," Lu Jianwei propped her chin on her hand and smiled. "I’m guessing he must have surprised you."

"He did."

Lu Jianwei waited eagerly for the juicy details, but Pei Zhi simply acknowledged it and fell silent, his gaze fixed on her without wavering.

The usually attentive and considerate Pei Zhi wouldn’t normally be so oblivious.

Lu Jianwei’s thoughts shifted—ah, his courage has grown.

She let him look openly, even teasing, "Time waits for no one, Commander Pei. Aren’t you going to send someone to investigate?"

"A'Nai will handle it." Pei Zhi’s ears gradually reddened, but his gaze remained reluctant to leave her. "Weiwei, I want…"

"Want what?"

Pei Zhi suddenly grasped her sleeve—the fabric was smooth and cool to the touch, its pale green hue a perfect match for her fair wrist.

The warmth in his chest emboldened him. He pushed further, gently holding her wrist through the sleeve.

The heat of her skin seeped through the fabric into his palm, stoking the fire in his heart.

Lu Jianwei didn’t move.

She leaned leisurely against the chair, a hint of amusement in her eyes, catching the faint scent of medicinal herbs slowly drawing closer.

He had been drinking medicine these past few days, and the aroma clung to him—not unpleasant, but fresh and clean, quite charming.

Only, he was like a clumsy turtle, always testing the waters cautiously, making her wait a bit too long.

"The tea’s gone cold." Lu Jianwei stood, flicking a hand to shut all six doors of the hall in an instant.

She turned Pei Zhi’s chair, trapping him against the table, one hand braced on the edge, the other cupping his face.

The doors were closed, but the windows weren’t.

A'Nai happened to pass by and glanced inside, nearly dropping the clay pot in his hands.

Though he knew about his master’s relationship with Shopkeeper Lu, this wasn’t quite what he’d imagined.

In front of Lu Jianwei, his master was actually so…

A burst of internal energy surged—A'Nai only saw his master raise a hand before the window slammed shut, cutting off his view.

"……"

With the window closed, the atmosphere inside grew even more heated.

Lu Jianwei brushed aside Pei Zhi’s increasingly bold hand and tilted her head with a low laugh. "Quite daring."

"My apologies," Pei Zhi murmured, his ears burning red as he admitted fault. "I overstepped."

Lu Jianwei: "You’re not fully recovered yet."

"Mm." Pei Zhi wrapped an arm around her shoulders, fingers lightly stroking the ends of her hair, unwilling to let go.

"You’ve had your kiss. Now, tell me about this Minister Wen." Lu Jianwei sat back in her chair.

Pei Zhi obliged. "He has a secret residence."

"What’s inside?"

"Beautiful concubines. Treasures."

Lu Jianwei arched a brow. "Quite the contrast to Minister Wen’s pristine reputation."

"Mm. That’s all I’ve uncovered for now." Pei Zhi held her hand, reluctant to release it, hesitating before adding, "Weiwei, I…"

"What?"

"I might be about to advance."

"That’s good news." Lu Jianwei sent a thread of internal energy into his meridians, meeting no resistance before withdrawing it. "You’ve spent years suppressing toxins with your energy, refining it through countless trials. You should’ve broken through long ago—only the toxins held you back."

"I may need to seclude myself for a few days."

"Focus on your breakthrough. No one will disturb you."

Pei Zhi chuckled ruefully. "I wanted to hold it back a little longer."

"Why?" Lu Jianwei frowned. "The poison is gone, and your vitality has somewhat recovered. Advancing is only natural."

"After the poison was cleared, being able to stay with you like this… I wanted it to last a bit more." A trace of reluctance flickered in his clear, handsome eyes.

Lu Jianwei: "……"

A bit clingy, isn’t he?

Unable to help herself, she curved her lips into a smile, stroking his hair before leaning in to press a kiss to his brow, then another on the bridge of his nose.

"Be good. There’ll be plenty of time later."

Pei Zhi’s breath hitched. He pulled her closer, tightening his hold on her waist, tilting his head up to capture her lips.

In the courtyard, Uncle Zhang was clearing the wild grass sprouting at the corner with Yue Shu, smiling cheerfully as he remarked, "Spring has arrived, hasn't it?"

"Yes, so many flowers have bloomed outside," Yue Shu replied innocently, admiring the spring scenery. "It's truly beautiful."

When the news spread that Pei Zhi was going into seclusion, no one was happier than A'Nai.

Helian Xue arrived alone at the main courtyard. Before she could knock, she heard a young man's clear voice from inside.

"The first time I saw Shopkeeper Lu, I knew she was extraordinary. I was deeply impressed by her demeanor. Xue Guanhe, wasn’t that why you wanted to become her disciple when you first met her?"

Xue Guanhe: "...I remember you being quite critical when you first arrived."

"..."

Helian Xue couldn’t help but laugh, though her brows soon furrowed again as she thought of her own troubles.

She knocked on the courtyard gate.

The door opened quickly, and a young man peeked out, visibly surprised to see her.

"Miss Helian, is something the matter?"

Helian Xue replied politely, "I’d like to speak with Shopkeeper Lu. Would you mind informing her, Young Hero Xue?"

"Wait a moment." Xue Guanhe closed the door and hurried to the third floor.

Lu Jianwei was in her room studying the principles of meridians. She had gone through all the medical texts related to meridians, trying to deduce a feasible method to expand them without leaving lasting side effects.

The conclusion was that it couldn’t be done.

The "Spring and Autumn Medical Canon" mentioned the Life-Restoring Earth Lotus Formula, but only in passing—no specifics were provided.

She had asked Xiao Ke about it before, and he said the formula was likely lost to time.

So where did the Thousand Miles Tower obtain the formula to expand their assassins’ meridians?

"Shopkeeper, Miss Helian is here to see you."

Lu Jianwei snapped out of her thoughts, set down the medical text, and stepped out of the room.

Outside the courtyard, Helian Xue stood alone.

"Miss Helian, come in." Lu Jianwei turned and descended the stairs.

Helian Xue took a seat in the hall, visibly uneasy. She seemed to want to say something but hesitated, her fingers twisting the handkerchief in her hands nearly to shreds.

Lu Jianwei poured her a cup of tea and said gently, "Speak your mind freely."

"Shopkeeper Lu, after the chaos at the arena, I’ve been thinking a lot. There’s something I’d like to ask you." Helian Xue mustered her courage. "Is there... a gu worm inside my body?"

Lu Jianwei wasn’t surprised. She took a sip of tea before replying calmly, "Why do you say that?"

"The martial techniques I practice do have the effect of bewitching people, so I always assumed their behavior was due to my skills. It never occurred to me that it might be because of a gu worm."

Helian Xue gave a bitter smile. "But after that day, the more I thought about it, the more something felt off. If others who practiced sound-based martial arts were like me, the martial world would have descended into chaos long ago."

Lu Jianwei asked, "Is there no one in the Carefree Sect who studies gu techniques?"

No matter how unorthodox, there’s always someone willing to delve into it. Could such a large sect truly have no practitioners?

"Shopkeeper Lu, you may not know this, but the sect has a rule—no one is allowed to study gu techniques."

"Oh?" Lu Jianwei raised an eyebrow with interest. "Why is that?"

Helian Xue shook her head. "All I know is that many years ago, there was a gu worm rebellion in the sect. I don’t know the details, and no one in the sect talks about it. Since then, gu techniques have been strictly forbidden."

"I see." Lu Jianwei smiled faintly. "You came to ask me because you think I might know gu techniques?"

Helian Xue: "I don’t know if you do, but since you dealt with Zhuang Wenqing, perhaps you have a way to counter gu worms."

"Are you sure you want me to intervene?"

"Yes. I’m asking for your help." ƒrēenovelkiss.com

Lu Jianwei set down her teacup and said seriously, "My help doesn’t come cheap."

"Name your price."

"I don’t want money." Lu Jianwei studied her expression. "I’ll ask you a few questions, and you must answer truthfully."

"Alright."

"Who was your mother?"

"Ah?" Helian Xue was taken aback, then replied blankly, "My mother passed away shortly after I was born."

"Even so, she must have had an identity, right?"

"I asked my father, but he wouldn’t tell me." Helian Xue hesitated, visibly uncomfortable. "But I’ve heard people whisper that my mother... she had me before marrying my father."

Lu Jianwei countered, "Do you think that was your mother’s fault?"

"I don’t know." Helian Xue shook her head. "She gave birth to me. I shouldn’t think that way."

"‘Shouldn’t’ implies that you do."

Helian Xue lowered her head in shame. "They all say a woman having a child out of wedlock is... is..."

"Promiscuous?"

Helian Xue remained silent.

Lu Jianwei: "Did your mother force your father?"

"Of course not! My father is a powerful man—how could he be forced?"

"If your father was willing, if he shared intimacy with your mother and allowed her to conceive you, why didn’t he marry her? Why has he never spoken of her? Why did he let others slander her after her death?"

Helian Xue froze, then weakly defended, "Because... because they weren’t suited."

"In what way?"

"My father is the leader of the Carefree Sect. My mother’s background was unclear."

"Who told you that?"

Helian Xue’s eyes reddened. "That’s what everyone said. Since I was little, the matrons taught me etiquette, telling me to be a gentle and virtuous lady of noble birth—unlike my mother."

Lu Jianwei sighed inwardly. This girl had been mentally conditioned by the sect since childhood. Fortunately, she hadn’t completely lost her ability to think.

Though she’d been fed some outdated ideas, there was still hope for her.

She asked, "If your mother never coerced your father, why should she bear all the blame for something they both did? Do you think that’s fair?"

Helian Xue’s heart trembled, and tears streamed down her face.

"I know it’s unfair, but no one ever said this to me before."

"I’m curious," Lu Jianwei said, "why didn’t you turn into the so-called ‘virtuous lady’ under the matrons’ teachings?"

Helian Xue flushed slightly.

"If it’s hard to say, never mind."

"No, it’s just... I don’t know how to explain it." Helian Xue twisted her handkerchief. "When I was little, I followed the matrons’ lessons, but every time Elder Xie saw me, he would scold me for being ‘pretentious.’ I knew he disliked me, but it made me start resisting those rules."

Lu Jianwei understood.

Children crave praise and encouragement from elders, especially respected ones.

No matter how persuasive the matrons were, their words couldn’t truly influence Helian Xue in the face of Xie Tongshu, a sect elder.

"Why does Elder Xie dislike you?"

Helian Xue shook her head in confusion. "I don’t know. Maybe because he and my father don’t get along."

Lu Jianwei had seen the full recording of that day. Xie Tongshu had protected Helian Xue when Zhao Xian tried to kill her.

Dislike was one thing, but he wouldn’t harm her.

So, when he called her "pretentious," was it genuine or deliberate?

"Why does Elder Xie have a strained relationship with your father?"

"He’s cold to everyone."

"Does he have any friends?"

"I heard he used to, but they had a falling out."

"Who were they?"

"Other elders in the sect."

At the Gu God Sect, Pei Zhi once mentioned that the five factions responsible for the poisoning were the five elders of the Carefree Sect: Xie Tongshu, Yin Sui, Luo Xianshan, Lang Ye, and Lou Qingyi.

They also shared a mutual close friend—Huan Meng.

Huan Meng was Pei Zhi’s father and had grown up with these five, roaming the martial world together. They were known as the Six Heroes of the Carefree Sect.

Lu Jianwei asked, “Why did they turn against each other?”

“I don’t know.” Helian Xue sounded somewhat guilty. “I’m sorry, but I don’t have the answers to your questions.”

“It’s fine.” Realizing she wouldn’t get more information, Lu Jianwei returned to the main topic. “Are you truly resolved to have me help you?”

Helian Xue nodded firmly. “Right now, you’re the only one I trust.”

“Alright.” Lu Jianwei raised her hand. “This might hurt a little.”

“I’m not afraid of pain—ah!”

Using her inner energy like a blade, Lu Jianwei made an extremely fine incision at the back of Helian Xue’s head. Unlike how she had dealt with Zhuang Wenqing, she didn’t dig out the Gu Emperor directly.

Xiao Wu held absolute dominance over the mother love gu, forcing the Gu Emperor hidden in Helian Xue’s skull to crawl out through the wound.

Under Xiao Wu’s command, the golden gu insect flew before Helian Xue, its wings still stained with blood.

Helian Xue was so disgusted she momentarily forgot the pain.

Staring at the gu in a daze, she murmured, “It was really there… Why? Who wanted to harm me?”

“Perhaps it’s related to the gu insect chaos in the Carefree Sect years ago.” Lu Jianwei arched a brow. “Should I kill it?”

Helian Xue clenched her fists, her gaze darkening. “No, not yet.”

She couldn’t risk alerting the mastermind.

Even with her limited knowledge of gu arts, she knew the gu’s keeper would sense its death immediately.

Lu Jianwei wrapped the gu in a handkerchief. “Then I’ll keep it for you.”

If the host died, the gu would perish without nourishment—hence why Zhuang Wenqing’s gu had died.

But this one, freshly extracted, could survive if properly cared for.

She tossed Helian Xue a small jar. “Apply this three times, and the wound will heal.”

Helian Xue caught the jar. Though the container was cool to the touch, warmth bloomed in her chest.

“Manager Lu, you’ve helped me so much and taught me invaluable lessons. I don’t know how to repay such kindness.”

Lu Jianwei smiled as a slanting ray of sunlight gilded her brows with gold.

“Miss Helian, you might not have so many talented young men chasing after you anymore.”

“Good riddance.” Helian Xue closed her eyes, a faint smile curving her lips. “I’m free.”

Lu Jianwei said, “May all your future endeavors go smoothly.”

“Manager Lu once told me in Dada City that the inn would always welcome me.” Helian Xue’s eyes crinkled with joy. “Does that offer still stand?”

“It does.”

Helian Xue pressed further, “Then when can I become an inn attendant?”

“Don’t forget—the grand competition isn’t over yet.” Lu Jianwei teased, “If you join now, should your future wins count for the Carefree Sect or the inn?”

“But didn’t I lose?”

“Zhuang Wenqing disrupted the match intentionally, so it doesn’t count.” Lu Jianwei’s tone turned earnest. “You can give your all in the remaining rounds.”

Helian Xue paused, then softly asked, “Manager Lu… may I hug you?”

Lu Jianwei: ?

Before she could react, Helian Xue threw her arms around her, pressing her cheek against Lu Jianwei’s shoulder, enveloped in the faint, elegant fragrance of the other woman.

“Thank you… truly.”

Lu Jianwei chuckled awkwardly, patting her back stiffly.

“Go rest and heal. When the competition resumes, show them all that Helian Xue of the Carefree Sect is as formidable as she is beautiful.”

Helian Xue laughed brightly as she pulled away.

“I’ll strive to live up to your example, Manager Lu!”

She rose, bowed solemnly, and left the main courtyard.

On her way back, she passed many young martial artists. Their gazes no longer held feverish infatuation—only quiet admiration.

The suffocating attention she once endured had vanished.

No longer did she need to hide behind a veil, peering hazily at the world outside.

For the first time, Helian Xue realized how light and unburdened walking could feel.

She straightened her posture, her eyes alight with joy.

“Xue’er?” Zhao Rui called out from a small courtyard, but when Helian Xue turned, he faltered. “Ah—Miss Helian, you seem… different today.”

Helian Xue gifted him her first genuine smile.

“Farewell, Young Master Zhao.”

Baffled, Zhao Rui scratched his head. What exactly had changed?

Back in the main courtyard, Lu Jianwei placed the love gu emperor into a clay pot—Xiao Wu’s old nest. The lingering scent kept the gu docile, though not trembling in fear.

The identity of its keeper remained a mystery for now.

With peace restored, she resumed her research on the Life-Restoring Lotus formula.

Two uneventful days later, an energy surge erupted from the common quarters before swiftly receding.

Lu Jianwei smiled. Breaking through from early to late eighth rank in one go—impressive.

Pei Zhi’s advancement was the result of accumulated effort. Progress wouldn’t come so easily hereafter.

Still, in the martial world, a late eighth-rank master was already among the elite.

She stepped out and leaned against the railing, gazing at the figure now standing in the front yard.

“Commander Pei, congratulations on your breakthrough.”

Pei Zhi looked up, his refined features radiant, warm eyes reflecting only Lu Jianwei’s smiling visage.

“Young Master!” A’Nai dashed over from the rear courtyard, beaming. “You really advanced? That’s wonderful!”

Yue Shu grinned. “Congratulations, Young Master Pei!”

The entire staff gathered to offer their well-wishes.

Pei Zhi acknowledged each before turning to Lu Jianwei with a smile.

“Manager Lu, care to exchange pointers in blade techniques?”

Back in Jiangzhou, Lu Jianwei had jokingly proposed a spar once his poison was cured.

She’d nearly forgotten, but Pei Zhi remembered clearly.

“Pointers might be too humble,” Lu Jianwei replied, leaping down with her blade. “But do go easy on me.”

Fifth Form of the Frost-Curling Blade Art—Cry of the Winter Crow.

Icy, piercing sword intent shot toward Pei Zhi’s face, her inner energy perfectly honed to the gleaming steel without a hint of waste.

He retreated gracefully, his counterblade weaving through the crow’s shrill cry like layered snowdrifts among pine forests—deceptively light yet profound.

Their techniques mirrored their souls: beneath Lu Jianwei’s serene moonlit vastness lay boundless resolve, while Pei Zhi’s tranquil exterior concealed the solitary, relentless force of a snowbound wilderness.

As their blades clashed midair, the two styles intertwined seamlessly, as if two lonely hearts had found harmony amidst the dance of steel.

Lu Jianwei sheathed her weapon abruptly. “Enough.”

Any longer, and this would turn into a “lovey-dovey blade duel.”

The staff muffled their laughter—all except Yan Feicang, who eagerly stepped forward.

“Pei Zhi, spar with me next.”

Pei Zhi glanced at Lu Jianwei.

Her ears twitched. “Save the matches for later. Deputy Commander Qi has returned.”