No Fighting Allowed in the Inn-Chapter 124

◎The Gu Emperor, Thick Pine Scent, Cavern◎

The abandoned peak still had dwellings, though years of neglect had left them covered in cobwebs and layers of dust.

"Manager, please bear with it for a few days," Helian Xue said apologetically, rolling up her sleeves and fetching an old wooden bucket from the corner. "I'll go look for a water source nearby."

Lu Jianwei: "I'll come with you."

She also wanted to survey the layout of the abandoned peak.

With the system's map navigation, she could easily locate nearby water sources and even detect human presence—though only in open areas with few obstructions.

Lu Jianwei led Helian Xue toward the water without drawing attention. The midday sun filtered through the dense forest, casting a serene and peaceful glow.

Inside the glass bead, Xiao Wu, her gu companion, was no longer restless. Instead, it radiated a sense of pride and satisfaction.

Only when encountering its own kind would it display such rich emotions.

—The abandoned peak hid a Gu Emperor.

Xiao Wu's earlier agitation had been due to sensing the Gu Emperor's presence. After some probing, it realized the other was no match and settled into confidence.

Interesting.

An uninhabited abandoned peak, yet it concealed a Gu Emperor.

Lu Jianwei asked, "The scenery here is beautiful, and the view is open. Why was it abandoned?"

"I don’t know. It’s been deserted since I can remember, and no one ever told me why. When I was little, I wanted to come play, but the nannies wouldn’t allow it." Helian Xue couldn’t help but smile. "Ever since meeting Manager Lu, I’ve dared to do many things I never could before."

Lu Jianwei chuckled. "So you brought us here to get back at your childhood self?"

"A little. But this place really is deserted, perfect for us to stay." Helian Xue suddenly stood on tiptoe, delighted. "I think I hear water—it’s just ahead!"

A small mountain stream flowed nearby, clear water gushing from the mouth of the ravine and pooling into a shallow pond, its pebbled bottom clearly visible.

Lu Jianwei glanced into the dark ravine before withdrawing her gaze.

Something felt off.

As a ninth-level Martial King, she should have been able to detect sounds or scents from within the ravine. Yet her senses seemed dulled, as if something was blocking her perception.

She could only rely on Xiao Wu’s senses to confirm the presence of a Gu Emperor nearby, but even Xiao Wu seemed disoriented about its exact location.

Strange. Wasn’t this supposed to be the emperor among Gu Emperors?

Xiao Wu, as if sensing her skepticism, fluttered its wings indignantly.

Even the greatest Gu Emperor had to start somewhere—it needed experience too!

Returning with water, they found the dwelling transformed.

The thick cobwebs had vanished, the toppled tables and chairs were neatly arranged, though years of dust still clung stubbornly.

Pei Zhi, wielding a broken broom, was diligently clearing the courtyard of dead leaves and branches, oblivious to the strands of spider silk clinging to his hair.

Hearing them return, he looked up, his gaze settling intently on Lu Jianwei.

"I found some wild vegetables behind the house. There’s also a kitchen—we can cook."

"Who’s cooking?"

Lu Jianwei had only cooked for a few days after first arriving in this world. Once Xue Guanhe joined the inn, she’d happily relinquished kitchen duties.

It had been over a year since she last touched a pot.

Once accustomed to luxury, it was hard to go back—she had no intention of returning to a smoke-stained face.

Pei Zhi smiled faintly. "I will."

Even beneath his plain, middle-aged disguise, that smile carried a quiet charm.

The dwelling was nestled halfway up the mountain, hidden by dense woods. A small fire wouldn’t draw attention.

With no inhabitants on nearby peaks—and the upcoming Alliance Leader’s decree assembly being the only reason anyone would come—they could likely stay undetected for months.

Lu Jianwei raised a brow. "You can cook?"

"I could, before I lost my sense of taste. It’s been a while, though. Bear with me for these few days."

Helian Xue felt compelled to remind them: "We didn’t bring any food."

"Does the Carefree Sect not have food?" Lu Jianwei asked.

Helian Xue: "..."

"I did gift a treasured sword to Zizai Peak. Borrowing some grain isn’t too much to ask, is it?"

"...No, but how do we ‘borrow’ without being noticed?"

The Carefree Sect’s provisions weren’t freely obtained—most came from their farm estates or grain merchants. Each peak had its allocated share, and any missing stock would alert the stewards, potentially disrupting their covert plans.

Pei Zhi said, "Every organization has its corrupt individuals. We could check if the grain steward has any embezzled stock."

Stolen grain wouldn’t be reported missing.

Lu Jianwei nodded. That had been her thought as well.

Of course, if the steward proved incorruptible, they’d need another plan.

"But Zizai Peak has guards. How do we get in?" Helian Xue had never done anything like this—her heart raced with nervous excitement.

Leading outsiders to "steal" from her own sect… was that going too far?

But Manager Lu wasn’t wrong. That sword was worth a year’s worth of grain, let alone a few days’ rations.

Lu Jianwei: "You stay here. Pei Zhi and I will go."

As the sun dipped westward, the three finished tidying their rooms.

"Manager, when will you go to Zizai Peak? Do you need me to draw a map?" Helian Xue asked.

"We didn’t eat at noon—I’d rather not starve through dinner too," Lu Jianwei joked before replying, "Show me what you can sketch."

She had the system’s map, but there was no need to reveal that.

Zizai ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‍Peak had only one eighth-level mid-stage Martial King—Yin Sui, one of the Carefree Sect’s former "Six Heroes."

True to his name, he was known for his indifference, rarely involving himself in peak affairs, let alone external matters. He often secluded himself in meditation, disappearing for long stretches.

With Lu Jianwei and Pei Zhi’s skills, slipping past the guards was effortless.

The grain storehouse sat halfway up the peak, watched over by a few fourth or fifth-level disciples and stewards, all living in nearby courtyards.

The two moved unimpeded, reaching the storehouse vicinity.

A fifth-level steward had just finished overseeing grain distribution when a fourth-level disciple scurried over, whispering fawningly, "Elder, that last batch of grain—I got this much for it."

He held up five fingers.

Grain was a stable commodity, easily sold for profit.

Stewards often skimmed small amounts, accumulating enough to sell for a tidy sum.

Fortune favored them—they’d stumbled upon a corrupt steward right away.

Lu Jianwei transmitted via internal energy: "Him."

Selling grain took time. Though the last batch had just been dealt with, the steward likely had a new stash.

Pei Zhi: "Agreed."

"Well done." The steward patted the disciple’s cheek. "I’ve got an old sword lying around—from the Yao family’s forge. Take it for practice."

The disciple beamed. "Thank you, Elder!"

"I’m heading back. Keep watch here."

"Yes!"

As the steward left, Lu Jianwei and Pei Zhi followed.

He returned to his residence and closed the courtyard gate.

Lu Jianwei was about to step inside when Pei Zhi took hold of her wrist.

"What is it?"

"An array."

Lu Jianwei raised an eyebrow. As expected of a major sect—even a mere steward had such methods.

She freed her wrist and instead interlaced her fingers tightly with Pei Zhi’s, teasing, "Commander Pei, don’t you dare abandon me."

Pei Zhi gave their joined hands a light shake. "Shopkeeper Lu might as well hold on even tighter."

With a shift in his step, he led Lu Jianwei through the courtyard’s array as if it were nothing.

The two stepped onto the corridor.

Lu Jianwei glanced back and found the courtyard’s appearance entirely different from before.

"He’s not in the house," she said.

Pei Zhi nodded. "He must have gone to the underground vault. Given his cautious nature, there are likely traps there too."

"So?"

"So," Pei Zhi lifted their clasped hands, his expression serious, "Shopkeeper Lu mustn’t let go so easily."

Lu Jianwei’s lips curved. "Fine, I’ll listen to the commander."

They slipped into the main house, its furnishings illuminated by the waning sunlight.

Simple and unadorned, it looked surprisingly austere.

As the head of the Mystic Mirror Bureau, Pei Zhi was all too familiar with hidden mechanisms like secret chambers.

A single sweep of his gaze revealed the anomaly.

For once, Lu Jianwei didn’t have to think too hard. She relaxed and let Pei Zhi take the lead.

The Carefree Sect was nestled high in the mountains, often shrouded in mist, the air sweet with moisture.

It would indeed be a fine place to retire.

She truly hoped that one day she could leave the strife of the martial world behind, lounging in such a picturesque setting while earning money effortlessly. Once she’d saved enough and completed her mission, she’d buy the means to return home.

Back in the modern world, she’d collect her hefty salary and bonuses, settle all loose ends, then pick a tranquil spot to live in seclusion. If she grew bored, she could venture out to enjoy the neon-lit bustle, retreating again when the noise became too much.

What a blissful life that would be…

"Weiwei." Pei Zhi squeezed her palm. "What are you thinking about?"

Lu Jianwei: "The future."

"What kind of future?"

She wondered if it included him.

"You’ll know once you earn enough money and come back with me," she said, then suddenly remembered something.

"Xiao Ke, you said before that if I earn a hundred million, I can exchange it for the same amount back home, right?"

Xiao Ke: "Correct."

"Then if Pei Zhi earns a hundred and one million, can he also—"

"No. Your right to return is yours alone. He doesn’t have that privilege."

Lu Jianwei: "So if he follows me back, he’ll be penniless?"

"If you put it that way, yes."

"What about identification?"

"That’s for you two to figure out."

Lu Jianwei: "..."

A thought struck her. "How exactly is the money I earn defined?"

"All assets under your name, of course," Xiao Ke replied, puzzled. "Why even ask?"

Lu Jianwei smiled. "Does joint marital property count?"

"It does—wait, no!" Xiao Ke hastily corrected. "Regardless, any hundred and one million you spend on him can’t be converted into modern currency."

Lu Jianwei: "No matter. He’ll just have to earn two hundred million."

"..."

"Weiwei, I found the mechanism."

Lu Jianwei snapped back to attention, listening carefully. "He’s about to come out. Let’s wait until he leaves before going in."

"Alright."

They exited the house and leaped onto the roof.

The steward, completely unaware, cheerfully hummed a tune as he walked away, tossing a jade pixiu in his hand.

Once he was gone, Lu Jianwei and Pei Zhi re-entered the house.

The mechanism activated, revealing a dark opening in the floor, barely wide enough for one person.

Pei Zhi tossed a coin tied to a string into the vault, letting it circle once before retrieving it.

"I’ll go first," he said.

"Be careful." Lu Jianwei sensed no danger—after all, this was just a fifth-rank steward’s private stash. It wouldn’t have lethal traps.

Pei Zhi dropped into the hole. Moments later, his voice echoed up: "Weiwei, come down."

The vault had airflow, likely from ventilation shafts. He lit a firestarter, casting a small pool of light.

The familiar presence behind him drew near, and he instinctively reached back to take her hand, guiding her forward.

The vault was crude, the passage narrow.

Lu Jianwei followed, her hand securely enveloped in Pei Zhi’s warm grasp, never once loosening.

The cramped stone corridor was dim, the flame of the firestarter flickering gently. The faint scent of pine lingered in the air, crisp and clean.

"Pei Zhi," she called softly.

He turned immediately. "Weiwei?"

The firestarter’s glow illuminated his profile. Though half-hidden behind a mask, his features still carried an air of quiet elegance.

Lu Jianwei: "I think something got in my eye."

"Let me see." Pei Zhi leaned in, cradling her face gently. The small flame reflected the concern in his eyes. "Which one?"

"The right." Lu Jianwei preferred tilting her head slightly to the left.

Facing her, he had to angle slightly to inspect her right eye, his thumb brushing her eyelid as he searched for the irritant.

"Found it?"

"Not yet."

"Then forget it."

"It’ll bother you."

"Pei Zhi."

"Hm?"

"I want to kiss you."

"..."

His fingers stilled at her temple, the worry in his eyes darkening into something deeper.

With a flick of his wrist, he tossed the firestarter aside. Propelled by inner force, it landed in a corner, its flame still burning against the stone wall.

The light on their faces dimmed further.

But he no longer cared. His right arm wrapped around Lu Jianwei’s waist, turning her gently as his left hand cradled the back of her head, pressing her against the cold stone.

The subtle pine scent intensified.

He bent down and kissed her.

On an unfamiliar mountain, in a narrow stone passage, under the faintest light, he held her with reverence and longing—eager yet cautious, deepening only when she allowed it.

Joy and fervor surged like a spring breaking free, unstoppable.

Lu Jianwei indulged him.

When emotions ran this high, the crude tunnel and icy walls meant nothing.

All that mattered was the moment.

The firestarter stood alone in the corner, its flame dancing in the drafts from deeper within the vault.

Much later, a hand retrieved it.

"You alright?" Lu Jianwei chuckled softly.

Pei Zhi gripped her hand, his palm slightly damp. "Fine," he rasped. "Let’s find the grain."

The passage wasn’t long. After a few steps and a turn, the space opened abruptly.

A cavernous chamber, large enough to hold a hundred people, was piled high with gold, silver, jade, and sacks upon sacks of grain.

Lu Jianwei: "Greedy indeed."

"This is a natural cave. The ventilation must lead to the cliffside," Pei Zhi observed. "Weiwei, how much grain should we take?"

Lu Jianwei: "The three of us won’t need much. A large haul would be hard to move unnoticed. Just a small bag will do."

"Alright."

Among the discarded sacks in the cave, Pei Zhi picked the cleanest one, filled it sparingly, and tied it to his waist.

"Weiwei, ready to leave?"

Lu Jianwei nodded, and the two of them left the underground storeroom together.

No one on Zizai Peak noticed their departure.

When they returned to Abandoned Peak, Helian Xue had already cleaned the kitchen spotlessly—unfortunately, her own dress had become filthy in the process.

"Manager, did you really find the food stores?"

Lu Jianwei replied, "We did. The grain steward of Zizai Peak embezzled a considerable fortune. His private stash likely holds hundreds of thousands of taels of silver."

For a mere grain steward to embezzle so much spoke volumes about the deep coffers of the Carefree Sect.

"That much?" Helian Xue's expression darkened. "I never even considered such things before."

Lu Jianwei said, "Corruption exists everywhere. There's no need to feel disheartened."

"Does the Eight Directions Inn have it too?"

"Just because there isn’t any now doesn’t mean there won’t be in the future."

Helian Xue was surprised. "Aren’t you worried?"

"Why should I be?" Lu Jianwei was pragmatic. "People will always make mistakes. We can’t demand perfection from others. As long as order is maintained and principles aren’t violated, I can turn a blind eye. But if someone crosses the line, they’ll face severe consequences."

Pei Zhi nodded in agreement. "Greed can never be fully eradicated."

"It just needs to be kept within reasonable bounds," Lu Jianwei said with a faint smile. "Everyone has their own selfish desires."

Helian Xue blinked. "...Aren’t you supposed to be the impartial and righteous 'Blue Sky Heroine'?"

"If I meddled in every little affair under the heavens, I wouldn’t be the 'Blue Sky Heroine' anymore."

"Then what would you be?"

"The 'No-Rest Heroine.' Besides, how do you know Elder Yin Sui of Zizai Peak wasn’t aware of this?"

Helian Xue burst into laughter. "You’re right. I was overthinking it."

With the food secured, the three of them finally had a proper meal.

Under the cover of night, Abandoned Peak was tranquil and serene.

After dinner, Lu Jianwei retreated to her room and lay down on the bare wooden bed, contemplating the next day’s plans. But Xiao Wu, her spirit insect, began to stir restlessly again.

This agitation was different from earlier in the day.

During the day, it had sensed the presence of a Gu Emperor nearby. Now, however, it was reacting to the Mother Love Gu she carried with her.

Originally, she had kept the Mother Love Gu in the clay jar Xiao Wu once inhabited. But since the jar was cumbersome to carry, she had transferred it to a brocade pouch tied to her waist.

With Xiao Wu around, even if they entered the Carefree Sect, the Gu wouldn’t be detected by any potential master.

Its former master would only know it was alive—not that it had left its host, nor that it was now within the Carefree Sect.

Yet, strangely, the Mother Love Gu in the pouch suddenly struggled to break free, its aura even overpowering Xiao Wu’s dominance, much to the latter’s irritation.

Recalling how Xiao Wu had sensed a Gu Emperor upon arriving at Abandoned Peak but couldn’t pinpoint its location, a thought struck Lu Jianwei.

A Perception Gu could shield itself from detection and confuse the senses of other Gu.

Could it be a Perception Gu Emperor?

Her covert infiltration of the Carefree Sect was meant to uncover more secrets.

Earlier, with Xiao Wu unable to locate the Gu Emperor and the situation still unstable, she had feigned ignorance to avoid alerting anyone.

But now, with the Mother Love Gu acting up, it was better to indulge it and see where it led.

"Xiao Wu, lead the way."

Gu insects could communicate among themselves. While Lu Jianwei didn’t know the Mother Love Gu’s destination, Xiao Wu could interpret its signals.

She left the room without suppressing her movements, and as expected, the door next to hers soon opened.

"Care to join me for a nighttime exploration of the Carefree Sect?"

Pei Zhi smiled and nodded. "I was just thinking the same."

The night was deep, like dark blue glass studded with countless stars.

Lu Jianwei’s lightness skill was peerless, her figure weaving through the dense forest like a phantom, leaving fleeting shadows in her wake.

Pei Zhi followed closely behind.

Soon, they arrived at a mountain stream.

The area around the stream was long untrodden, overgrown with weeds. A shallow pool collected the water, its surface dotted with fallen leaves spinning lazily in small eddies.

A cave loomed ahead, its entrance pitch-black like the gaping maw of a beast, promising no return for those who entered.

The starlight reflected off the pool, but the moment its rays touched the cave’s mouth, they were swallowed whole.

The Mother Love Gu in the pouch grew increasingly restless, even excited.

—Something inside the cave was calling to it.

Her system’s map showed no green dots nearby, but that only meant no people were detectable on the surface.

The mountain’s thickness blocked any signals from within.

"Xiao Ke, you’re still not smart enough," Lu Jianwei remarked.

"Want an upgrade? The kind that bankrupts you," Xiao Ke retorted without hesitation.

Lu Jianwei: "..."

She missed the days when her system was simpler and couldn’t out-argue her.

"Jianwei?" Pei Zhi noticed her staring at the cave entrance. "Shall we go in?"

"Yes." Her tone was resolute.

According to a certain narrative law, caves were hotspots for special events or hidden quests.

She leaped gracefully over the pool, landing on a large, water-smoothed rock at the cave’s entrance. Its surface was slick with moisture.

Pei Zhi landed beside her and lit a firestarter.

A chilly, damp wind rushed from the cave, extinguishing the flame after a few flickers.

"Let’s go straight in." Lu Jianwei stepped into the darkness without hesitation.

As a ninth-level Martial King, her senses were sharp enough to navigate the pitch-black cavern with ease.

Pei Zhi had no trouble either.

The cave twisted and turned, its floor occasionally yielding underfoot with the softness of thick moss.

Small creatures skittered past their feet, vanishing into crevices in the stone walls.

"Back at the Gu God Sect, you told Alehong about someone from the Carefree Sect named 'Mu Yan' who went mad and lost her memories. Why haven’t we heard anything about her since?" Lu Jianwei stepped onto a protruding rock, keeping her shoes dry.

Pei Zhi replied, "Rumors say she’s already dead."

"You didn’t tell Alehong because you didn’t want to upset her?"

"I wasn’t certain, so I didn’t mention it."

"When did she die?"

"Likely soon after fleeing the Carefree Sect." Pei Zhi’s voice echoed faintly in the cavern. "Everything I know about the sect comes from the old servant who brought me back to the capital."

Whether the information was accurate, he couldn’t say.

The Mother Love Gu thrashed violently in the pouch, forcing Xiao Wu to expend great effort to suppress it—and then it sulked at Lu Jianwei.

She stroked the glass bead on her wrist, soothing it with her energy.

A hunch told her that whatever lay ahead might be the Carefree Sect’s greatest secret.

Suddenly, a faint rustling sound reached their ears.

"Pei Zhi, do you hear that?"

"I do."

From the depths of the cave, a tide of insects surged toward them—as if welcoming new guests.

The swarm halted a few feet away, parting into two neat rows to form a path.

The cave was too dark for Lu Jianwei to see clearly, but as a Gu master, she could sense them.

"Hold onto me."

Pei Zhi tightened his grip on her hand.

In the steward’s private storeroom, he had guided her. Now, their roles were reversed—she led the way.

With every step they took, the insects behind them turned in unison, following like a disciplined army.

Lu Jianwei marveled inwardly.

Whoever controlled them had to be a master of insect manipulation. Aside from Amuyan—the genius Gu master Alehong had praised—she couldn’t imagine anyone else capable of this.

After rounding a fork in the path, a wide cavern suddenly opened ahead. Two additional passages branched off, stretching in separate directions, forming a perfect "Y" shape with the one she stood in.

At the intersection of the three stone paths sat a figure, their voice hoarse and rough, like the broken bellows of a blacksmith’s forge in Cangzhou City.

"An honored guest arrives, and I failed to greet you properly."