No Fighting Allowed in the Inn-Chapter 123

◎Infiltration into the Carefree Sect, Abandoned Peak (Bonus Chapter)◎

Late at night, in Coldwater Alley.

Two figures silently descended into a courtyard.

This was the residence of the "black-hearted grandson" Madam Zhou had spoken of.

The grandson, known as Tenth Yao, was from the same clan as Seventh Yao, both belonging to the lesser branches of the Yao Family.

However, Tenth Yao had an uncle who was a disciple of the Carefree Sect, which earned him some superficial respect.

The reason he seized Seventh Yao’s credit was to gain favor for his uncle in the eyes of their superiors.

Tenth Yao’s uncle’s master wished to commission a custom weapon for his descendants. However, the design was unconventional, and the forging process posed a unique challenge, making many blacksmiths reluctant to take on such a troublesome task.

To help his master, the uncle approached Tenth Yao, convincing him that solving this problem would earn them greater favor and future benefits—benefits Tenth Yao could share in.

Knowing Seventh Yao was skilled in forging, Tenth Yao devised a scheme to trap him, steal his work, and then injure him so severely that he couldn’t defend himself. With the clan elders’ backing, Seventh Yao was expelled from the Yao Family.

Due to years of suppression, none in the Yao Family except Tenth Yao knew of Seventh Yao’s extraordinary talent. To them, he was just a worthless thief. With Tenth Yao’s backing in the Carefree Sect, the plan went smoothly.

But even with the stolen formula, Tenth Yao couldn’t forge the weapon immediately.

The process took time, and the weapon hadn’t yet been delivered to the Carefree Sect.

Alongside this special weapon, Tenth Yao had also taken orders for a batch of standard weapons, all to be delivered to the sect on the same day.

Proud of his connection to the Carefree Sect, he often boasted about it, making the matter widely known.

All this was what Madam Zhou had told Lu Jianwei.

But she needed to verify the truth herself.

"Having to rely on Tenth Yao for weapon forging suggests that his uncle’s master isn’t very influential in the Carefree Sect," Lu Jianwei mused as she stepped onto the roof, using internal energy to transmit her voice.

Pei Zhi nodded. "The eighth-rank elders of the Carefree Sect have numerous disciples. If he claims to be under Elder Yin, he’s likely just borrowing prestige."

Many disciples had never even met their supposed masters.

Without connections to renowned blacksmiths, they had to settle for mediocre craftsmen.

Tenth Yao lived in a modest two-courtyard house, with his parents occupying the main quarters while he stayed in the east wing.

By the hour of Hai (9–11 PM), the east wing’s lamp was still lit.

Tenth Yao, in his prime at just thirty, was far from sleep. While others rested, he was still entangled with his concubine, lost in pleasure.

Lu Jianwei landed silently on the roof of the east wing, only to be assaulted by the lewd noises from within.

She turned her head, glancing at Pei Zhi under the moonlight.

As expected, the tips of his ears were flushed red.

"When you encountered situations like this during missions, how did you handle it?" she whispered, her voice carried by a thread of internal energy.

Pei Zhi maintained his composure. "I dealt with it professionally."

"You interrupted them directly?"

"...Mn."

Lu Jianwei stifled a laugh, leaning closer to his ear. "We still need him to guide us. Let’s spare him for now, alright?"

"As you say."

They lay side by side on the roof tiles, waiting until the commotion inside subsided. Then, Lu Jianwei lifted a tile and sprinkled a fine powder—Heart’s Confession—into the room.

Tenth Yao, his mind blissfully empty in the aftermath, noticed nothing amiss.

Heart’s Confession was odorless and tasteless, blending seamlessly with the perfumed air. Within moments, his mind grew hazy.

To be a true blacksmith, one needed internal energy. Mere metalworkers were just ironmongers.

Tenth Yao’s forging skills were mediocre, and his martial talent was lackluster—at his age, he was only a third-rank warrior.

Lu Jianwei didn’t even need her usual methods.

A single dose of Heart’s Confession was enough.

She and Pei Zhi slipped into the room. Fortunately, the couple under the thin blanket spared them any awkwardness.

Dazed, Tenth Yao suddenly saw two figures looming by his bed. Panic surged, but before he could scream, Lu Jianwei sealed his voice with a touch of internal energy.

A third-rank warrior stood no chance against a ninth-rank Martial King. His concubine, deep in slumber, remained oblivious to the intruders.

The terror was his alone to bear.

"Answer a few questions," Lu Jianwei said. "Was the weapon design Seventh Yao’s idea?"

Unable to speak, Tenth Yao nodded under the influence of Heart’s Confession.

"You framed him and stole his work?"

Another nod.

"To silence him, you had him beaten so he couldn’t defend himself, then had him expelled from the family?"

Nod.

"Who injured him?" Lu Jianwei released his voice restriction.

"Uncle," Tenth Yao blurted out.

The drug’s hold deepened, stripping away his resistance.

"Is the weapon already forged?"

"Yes."

"When ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‍will it be delivered to the Carefree Sect?"

"The day after tomorrow, at the beginning of Si hour (9 AM)."

"Alone?"

"There are many swords. I’ll need extra hands."

"Why so many?"

"They said the sect’s armory swords had rusted beyond use. Needed replacements."

Satisfied, Lu Jianwei tapped his pressure point, plunging him into sleep. She then lit a medicinal incense in the burner—its fumes would cloud his memory of tonight’s events for at least ten days.

Back at the inn, she and Pei Zhi discussed their plan to infiltrate the Carefree Sect the next day.

She had no intention of obeying the alliance leader’s decree to wait passively until everyone arrived.

Rather than let Helian Zheng spin his lies, she’d uncover the truth herself.

"Tomorrow, you arrange a carriage. I’ll prepare some weapons," she said.

"Alright." Pei Zhi paused, then added, "It’s late."

"Then let’s rest."

"Jianwei." Pei Zhi caught her wrist, leaning in—only for her hand to press against his shoulder, stopping him.

"Just remembered something."

"What?"

"The Carefree Sect has ninth-rank Martial Kings. If you disguise yourself, you might be exposed."

Pei Zhi: "I can suppress my energy."

"You can?" Lu Jianwei smiled. "I thought few besides Liang Shangjun had that skill."

"Indeed, very few."

"His weapon was his mother’s legacy, and his techniques—including energy suppression—must have come from her. Who was she, really?"

"Her origins are untraceable." Pei Zhi tugged her sleeve. "Let’s not speak of others, alright?"

"Then tell me about you," Lu Jianwei teased. "Where did you learn energy suppression?"

"My parents left it to me."

"One more ques—"

Her words were cut off.

Eyes closing, a soft laugh escaped her lips.

At dawn two days later, Lu Jianwei set the plan in motion.

Before leaving the inn, she asked Helian Xue, "Are you sure?"

"I am." Helian Xue’s gaze was resolute. "After years of confusion, I want the truth."

The truth behind her father’s indifference, the elders’ neglect, and the sect’s twisted rules.

"Good." Lu Jianwei instructed, "You know the Carefree Sect best. Once inside, find us a place where we won’t be noticed."

Helian Xue nodded: "I’ve already decided where we can settle."

Tenth Yao had been struck on a pressure point to sleep and didn’t wake until the beginning of the Chen hour (7-9 AM), completely forgetting the events of the previous night.

He hastily dressed, rinsed his mouth, washed his face, and tidied himself up neatly before summoning a few servants and setting off in a carriage toward the Carefree Sect.

The Carefree Sect was located west of Cangzhou City, where the rolling mountain ranges stretched from the western edge of the city all the way to the horizon.

Towering peaks rose layer upon layer, shrouded in mist and glowing with the hues of dawn.

Hidden deep within these countless mountains and treacherous valleys, the Carefree Sect was nearly impossible to locate. With its perilous cliffs and sparse human presence, it truly exuded an air of transcendence and detachment from the mundane world.

Tenth Yao rode ahead on horseback, followed by several carts laden with swords, axes, and halberds.

Within the territory of the Carefree Sect, no one dared to recklessly plunder, so he wasn’t worried about the weapons behind him.

The journey from Cangzhou City to the Carefree Sect’s gates took about half an hour by carriage. However, weighed down by the heavy weapons, the carts moved slower than usual.

Tenth Yao kept urging the servants driving the carts—he was impatient to enter the world’s greatest sect.

Before long, a cart appeared ahead, parked by the roadside, with three ordinary-looking individuals standing anxiously beside it.

Using his third-tier cultivation to sense them, Tenth Yao detected no internal energy fluctuations. Their clothes were plain, and their expressions somewhat timid, so he instinctively assumed they were common folk.

A sense of disdain rose in his heart. He lifted his chin, nostrils flaring, exuding an air of haughty superiority.

As he passed the cart, his peripheral vision caught sight of several long cases on it. One of the lids was slightly ajar, and a piercing gleam of cold light flashed toward him.

A treasured sword!

Based on his years of experience in forging, the case must contain a peerless blade!

Tenth Yao’s mind raced. He abruptly reined in his horse and spoke down to them: "Who are you? What’s in those cases? Where are you headed?"

Pei Zhi subtly blocked the cases and clasped his hands politely. "This humble one does some small business in the city. These are just trivial items, hardly worth your notice."

"I asked where you’re going," Tenth Yao said, his expression darkening.

Pei Zhi: "T-to the Carefree Sect."

"The Carefree Sect would buy such trifles from you?" Tenth Yao scoffed, swiftly dismounting. Ignoring the three’s attempts to stop him, he flung open the lid of the case.

Inside lay an exceedingly sharp sword, its gleaming blade so bright that Tenth Yao and his servants had to squint.

They all marveled inwardly: What a magnificent sword!

Seeing their expressions, Lu Jianwei knew the fish had taken the bait.

She had purchased a few of the cheapest swords from the system’s shop, along with one slightly higher-quality blade, deliberately waiting by the roadside to catch Tenth Yao’s attention.

The Yao Family’s smithy was renowned across the land. Even though Tenth Yao was a mere fringe member of the family, his ability to appraise weapons far surpassed that of ordinary people—and his servants were no different.

Seizing their moment of astonishment, Pei Zhi quickly closed the lid and again tried to shield the case with his body.

His cautious demeanor only fueled Tenth Yao’s greed.

"So we’re both delivering weapons—what a coincidence! I am Tenth Yao of the Yao Family. May I ask your esteemed name, brother?" Tenth Yao concealed the avarice in his eyes, his attitude shifting instantly.

Pei Zhi seemed to relax slightly. "So it’s Young Master Yao—an honor. This humble one is surnamed Lu, the eighth in my family."

"Brother Lu, the pleasure is mine." Tenth Yao cupped his hands. "Since you’re heading to the Carefree Sect, why stop halfway?"

Pei Zhi sighed. "The wheel broke. We can’t go any further."

"The cart’s broken?" Tenth Yao called to his servants. "I happen to have skilled hands here who can take a look for you."

Pei Zhi brightened. "Many thanks, Brother Yao. But won’t this delay your journey?"

"No trouble at all," Tenth Yao said magnanimously, waving a hand.

If he could bring these weapons to his uncle, there was no way he’d be scolded for being late.

As the servants crouched to inspect the wheel, Tenth Yao leaned against his horse and made small talk. "Brother Lu mentioned doing small business in the city—do you run a smithy?"

Pei Zhi laughed self-deprecatingly. "How could I have such skill? To my shame, my ancestors were once prosperous, but by my generation... To make ends meet, I had to sell these heirlooms for silver and find some work in the city."

"I see." Tenth Yao thumped his chest. "If you trust me, Brother Lu, you could sell these treasures to me instead."

Pei Zhi shook his head. "That won’t do. I’ve already promised a distinguished person from the Carefree Sect. I can’t go back on my word."

"Who might this distinguished person be?"

"A disciple under Elder Xie."

Xie Tongshu?

Tenth Yao frowned. If it were any other elder, he might have pressed further, but his uncle had mentioned that Elder Xie was difficult to deal with.

Besides, if he tried to seize the goods now, these three would surely resist fiercely, wasting time and possibly causing complications. Better to wait until they entered the Carefree Sect.

With his uncle there, nothing could go wrong.

He turned to his servants. "Why isn’t it fixed yet?"

A servant replied respectfully, "Young Master, the cart is beyond repair. It needs a new wheel entirely."

"What do we do now?" Tenth Yao feigned distress. "The martial artists of the Carefree Sect aren’t to be trifled with. If we delay their training, we’ll have trouble explaining ourselves."

Pei Zhi heaved a despondent sigh.

"How about this?" Tenth Yao offered warmly. "Brother Lu, if you don’t mind, you can ride in my carts. We can rearrange the boxes to free up one for you."

Pei Zhi hesitated.

"Young Master," Lu Jianwei tugged at Pei Zhi’s sleeve and whispered, "Why not accept Young Master Yao’s offer? We can’t afford to offend a disciple of the great sect."

Pei Zhi seemed persuaded and clasped his hands in gratitude.

"Don’t stand on ceremony. Load these treasures onto the cart." Tenth Yao ordered his servants to rearrange the boxes, forcibly clearing space.

Pei Zhi carefully carried the treasured sword onto the cart first.

"What are you all standing around for? Help them!" Tenth Yao barked, and the servants hurried to move the long cases.

Pei Zhi thanked him again.

Once everything was loaded, the convoy set off. Lu Jianwei and the other two sat in the cart, guarding the cases vigilantly.

Tenth Yao rode alongside, saying, "These items of mine are meant for Elder Yin’s disciples. Once we enter the Carefree Sect, why don’t you come with me to Elder Yin’s peak first? After I deliver these, I’ll help you take yours to Elder Xie’s side."

"We can go inside?" Lu Jianwei’s eyes widened with naive wonder. "Not just wait outside the gates?"

Tenth Yao’s vanity swelled. He laughed heartily. "If you went alone, you’d probably have to wait outside for the gatekeepers to announce you. Lucky for you, you met me. My uncle is a disciple under Elder Yin and has given me a pass token."

"So impressive!" Lu Jianwei praised, her voice brimming with longing. "If only I could live in the Carefree Sect every day."

Tenth Yao thought: What a delusional fool.

"Once we’re inside, stick close to me. Great sects have many rules. If you accidentally offend a disciple, even I might not be able to intercede for you," he warned sternly.

Lu Jianwei and the other two stiffened, clearly taking his words to heart.

"But don’t be too nervous," Tenth Yao softened his tone. "Just follow my lead and don’t speak out of turn."

"Understood."

By the Si hour (9-11 AM), the convoy finally arrived at the gates of the Carefree Sect.

The towering mountain gate stood majestic and imposing, with guards dressed in white robes and long swords hanging at their waists, their demeanor ethereal as immortals.

Tenth Yao and his attendants bowed their heads respectfully, while Lu Jianwei and the other two followed suit.

They were from the Yao Family’s ironworks, and given the long-standing cooperation between the Carefree Sect and the Yao Family, they wouldn’t be subjected to excessive scrutiny.

However, with the recent activation of the Alliance Leader’s decree, the sect’s disciples had grown restless, making everyone more vigilant.

The inspection was extremely thorough—even to the point of pressing their fingers against Tenth Yao and his attendants’ faces to check if they were wearing masks.

Helian Xue nervously twisted the hem of her robe.

“It’s fine,” Lu Jianwei reassured her, patting the back of her hand.

The disguise mask provided by the system couldn’t even be detected by Liang Shangjun, let alone these gate guards.

As expected, the convoy passed through without issue.

The main hall of the Carefree Sect was built in a vast, open valley. From above, it resembled a soaring roc, grand and magnificent.

This was where the sect received guests and held morning assemblies for disciples. The highest pavilion housed the sect’s council hall, symbolizing supreme authority.

The residences of the sect’s elders and disciples were not in the valley but scattered across different mountain peaks.

The convoy bypassed the main hall, following a stone-paved path until they reached a steep mountain peak. A stone tablet stood at its base, inscribed with the words “Peak of Ease.”

“This is Elder Yin’s residence. His disciples all live within the peak. Let me first report to my uncle, then I’ll escort you to Elder Xie’s dwelling,” Tenth Yao said before urging the convoy toward the peak’s entrance.

Each peak had its own disciples guarding it, barring unauthorized entry.

“Wait,” Pei Zhi interjected. “No need to trouble you, Brother Yao. We’ll deliver these items ourselves.”

He reached for a long case on the cart.

Tenth Yao blocked him with a forced smile. “Brother Lu, do you not trust me?”

“I just don’t want to waste your time.”

“Is that so?” Tenth Yao pressed his palm against the sword case, his eyes glinting with hostility. “After all the effort I went through to bring you in, this is how you repay me?”

Pei Zhi protested, “But—”

“No ‘buts.’ Since you know I’m Tenth Yao of the Yao Family, don’t push your luck. Otherwise, you won’t even be able to keep your petty business in the city. And if you disturb the sect’s warriors, losing your lives would be a poor trade.” Tenth Yao picked up the sword case. “I’ll accept Brother Lu’s goodwill.”

With a wave of his hand, his servants took all the weapons and headed toward the peak’s entrance.

“Tenth Yao, this is robbery!” Pei Zhi fumed. “Aren’t you afraid Elder Xie will hold you accountable?”

“Hah, try reaching Elder Xie first.” Tenth Yao dismissed him with a flick of his wrist. “Brother Lu, you’d best watch your step.”

The peak’s gate slammed shut, cutting off the convoy from view.

The anxious expressions on Lu Jianwei and Pei Zhi’s faces vanished instantly, leaving only Helian Xue looking somewhat aggrieved.

“What a waste of all those fine swords.”

“No need to regret it,” Lu Jianwei said. “Only one was truly exceptional. The rest were shoddy work.”

“Still, it’s a waste.”

“Without the swords, Tenth Yao wouldn’t have believed us. With that one fine blade, even if the others were inferior, they wouldn’t suspect deception. Instead, it reinforces our disguise and keeps them from coveting more, which would interfere with our plans.”

A struggling merchant fallen from grace would only have one treasured sword—any more would raise suspicion, making Tenth Yao and his uncle turn the sect upside down to hunt them down.

Too much commotion would hinder their mission.

Helian Xue understood. “Tenth Yao is so bold because he plans to report to his uncle and have us expelled before we can reach Elder Xie’s Peak of No Return.”

Bringing them inside was merely to prevent a scene at the gate, where the guards had no connections. A disturbance there would spell trouble for everyone.

Lu Jianwei nodded. “Then we’ll find a place to hide.”

Helian Xue gestured. “Follow me.”

Inside the Peak of Ease, Tenth Yao presented the sword case to his uncle like a prized offering, revealing the dazzling blade within.

“Where did this sword come from?” His uncle’s eyes gleamed with admiration.

Tenth Yao recounted the journey, then added, “They won’t take this lying down—they might cause trouble below the peak. Uncle, why not have someone drive them out?”

“Well done,” his uncle praised before ordering servants to deal with the matter.

Tenth Yao grinned so widely his face creased, eagerly opening the other cases—only to freeze.

Instead of treasures, they contained ordinary swords, the kind he wouldn’t spare a glance on any other day.

“He tricked me!” Tenth Yao seethed. “He claimed they were all treasures!”

His uncle patted his shoulder. “Calm down. A down-and-out merchant wouldn’t have a collection of fine swords. One is already a stroke of luck—the rest were probably just throw-ins for novice warriors to practice with.”

“True. Given his shabby appearance, his ancestors were never wealthy. One is more than he deserves.”

Soon, a servant returned to report, “Honored Warrior, the three were not found below the peak, nor did anyone hear of them heading to the Peak of No Return.”

Tenth Yao scoffed. “With their swords gone, they wouldn’t dare approach Elder Xie. They must have left on their own—smart of them.”

With that, he dismissed them from his mind.

The Carefree Sect spanned vast mountain ranges, its territory sprawling and secluded.

Disciples typically trained within their respective peaks, rarely venturing out unless necessary.

Helian Xue led the other two through the valley, encountering few sect members along the way.

Whenever they did, Lu Jianwei and Pei Zhi concealed their presence, blending into the shadows.

Helian Xue, with her sect token and unremarkable face, drew no attention.

Among thousands of elders and disciples, no one had the time to memorize every face.

Soon, they arrived at an unmarked peak, devoid even of a stone tablet.

Helian Xue explained, “This is an abandoned peak within the sect. No one comes here, and the surrounding peaks are uninhabited. We can use it as a temporary hideout.”

“Good.”

Just as Lu Jianwei was about to follow her up the peak, she sensed Little Wu stirring restlessly inside the glass bead.

She asked, “Where is Sect Master Helian’s residence?”

Helian Xue pointed toward the highest peak, her expression complicated. “That’s Carefree Peak, the dwelling of successive sect masters.”

“I’ve heard the Carefree Sect has a ninth-level grandmaster. Where does he reside?”

“The grandmaster lives in seclusion, in the sect’s most remote location,” Helian Xue replied. “It’s not visible from here.”

Lu Jianwei nodded, though a sliver of doubt arose in her mind.

Little Wu’s agitation could only mean two things:

Either a supreme poison emperor was nearby, or it sensed a warrior of comparable strength to its master.

That was why she had asked about Sect Master Helian and the grandmaster’s whereabouts—but both lived far away, beyond Little Wu’s range.

Stranger still, the higher they climbed, the more intense Little Wu’s reaction became.

Could this long-abandoned peak be hiding secrets unknown to the world?