No Fighting Allowed in the Inn-Chapter 94

"Don’t worry, you won’t die."

Lu Jianwei’s gentle voice soothed the wounded man’s fragile spirit. Without hesitation, she took out her needle case and, despite the crowd watching, her hands remained steady.

Silver needles pierced acupoints.

The Buwu clansmen had only heard of such Central Plains healing methods—this was their first time witnessing it firsthand.

Within moments, the agony on the patient’s face began to fade.

This was even more miraculous than divine blessings!

Astonishment and fervor flashed in their eyes as they exchanged glances.

Their people could truly be saved!

Once again, this Central Plains innkeeper, Lu Jianwei, had rescued the Buwu Clan.

Now fully mastering the "Departing Soul Needle Technique," Lu Jianwei worked even faster.

But the process was mentally taxing, and with so many wounded Buwu clansmen, sweat soon beaded on her forehead as she treated them one after another.

Wen Zhuzhi stood quietly by her side, using a damp cloth to wipe her brow.

Members of the other two clans who came seeking help were stopped outside the tent—not denied aid, but kept from disturbing her focus.

One by one, the gravely injured were revived, igniting flames of gratitude and reverence in the hearts of the Buwu people.

Their shamans were even more moved.

Once skeptical of Central Plains medicine, they now couldn’t help but yearn to learn its secrets after witnessing Lu Jianwei’s miracles.

Forty-five patients with internal injuries required her intervention.

By the time she finished, the sun had already begun its descent.

Lu Jianwei carefully cleaned her silver needles and returned them to their case before glancing at the man beside her.

Wen Zhuzhi was rinsing a cloth in a clay pot filled with stream water.

The slanting sunlight seeped through gaps in the tent, casting a slender, luminous streak across his arm.

Leaning against a wooden post, Lu Jianwei subtly traced the contours of his profile with her gaze—smooth, flawless lines, long lashes, a straight nose, and lips that…

"What is it?" Wen Zhuzhi lifted his head, his features obscured by the backlight, though the concern in his eyes was unmistakable.

Lu Jianwei propped her chin on her hand and smiled faintly. "Nothing. I was just suddenly wondering… what Commander Pei looks like beneath that mask."

Wen Zhuzhi’s lashes flickered. "And what does Innkeeper Lu think?"

"I’d wager he couldn’t possibly be as handsome as Young Master Wen."

"……"

After resting a while longer and teasing the wealthy young master a few more times, Lu Jianwei regained most of her energy and stepped out of the tent.

Outside, the Buwu clansmen, led by Chief Amuqiao, had formed multiple circles and knelt in reverent prostration.

Lu Jianwei: ???

"Innkeeper Lu, please accept our gratitude!" Amuqiao’s booming voice echoed through the valley, brimming with heartfelt thanks and admiration.

Lu Jianwei chuckled. "There’s no need for such formalities. This was merely a transaction."

Both sides got what they wanted—such gestures weren’t necessary.

"It’s not the same." Amuqiao was clear-headed. "No amount of gold or medicine could replace the lives of our clansmen. For saving them, I, Amuqiao, can never repay you enough."

Lu Jianwei sighed softly. "Stand up."

As Amuqiao and his people rose, the chief of the Miao Clan approached, followed by a burly, rough-looking man who fidgeted nervously, avoiding Lu Jianwei’s gaze.

"Innkeeper Lu’s miraculous skills truly live up to your Central Plains title—'Heroine of the Blue Sky,'" the Miao chief praised first.

Lu Jianwei: This "glorious title" is so embarrassing it makes my toes curl.

"Many of our warriors are also injured. I humbly request that Innkeeper Lu treat them as well. Whether it’s payment or medicinal herbs, our clan will spare no effort to provide it." The Miao chief’s sincerity was evident.

Since Lu Jianwei needed to visit Miao territory to gather "White Hair of the Past," she decided to oblige.

"Very well."

The Miao chief visibly relaxed, gratitude lighting up her face.

"Innkeeper Lu, this way."

"Wait—" Azhashan, chief of the Yi Clan, spoke up awkwardly. "Innkeeper Lu, could you…"

Before he could finish, Amuqiao cut in. "Don’t delay Innkeeper Lu’s work! Whatever it is, discuss it later!"

"You—"

"What about me? Have you forgotten all the terrible things your Yi tribe did before? Innkeeper Lu was peacefully running her Eight Directions Inn in Dada City, and you went there to gang up and bully her. Now you have the nerve to come begging for her help!"

Azhashan's temper flared, and he nearly lunged forward, but was quickly restrained by a perceptive elder behind him.

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Their tribe's warriors were still waiting to be saved!

Azhashan took several deep breaths, steeling himself to swallow his pride and apologize to Lu Jianwei, only to find that she had already entered the Miao tribe's medical hut. Miao warriors stood guard outside, making it impossible for outsiders to approach.

The Miao tribe had few injured, and Lu Jianwei used acupuncture to stabilize their conditions before leaving the remaining treatments to their shamans.

The Miao tribespeople also knelt in gratitude, paying their respects to her.

Azhashan waited outside the entire time. When she finally emerged, he abruptly dropped to his knees. He had spent a long time mentally preparing himself—for the sake of his people, he could lower his head.

Besides, the Buwa and Miao tribes had already knelt before her. It wasn’t so shameful for him to do the same.

If she was truly willing to heal his people, she would become the Yi tribe’s most honored guest from then on. As for past grievances, he was ready to make amends.

"Innkeeper Lu, I beg you to save my tribe's warriors! Azhashan kowtows to you!"

Seeing this, the Buwa tribe’s chief held back his taunts.

For Azhashan to humble himself like this for his people—he was a real man.

Earlier, witnessing his tribesmen gravely wounded, he had been frantic with worry. He would do anything if it meant saving them.

As a fellow chief, he understood that desperation all too well.

Lu Jianwei was not the type to refuse aid. Though she had clashed with the Yi tribe before, in principle, they had already paid the price and bowed their heads in apology. As far as she was concerned, the matter was settled.

Many of the Yi warriors participating in the Gu God Festival were innocent.

She nodded. "For the sake of the Gu God Sect, I’ll heal your people. But the fee will be doubled."

"Yes, yes! Of course!" Azhashan agreed eagerly.

By the time she finished treating the Yi tribe’s wounded, the sun had already set.

A magnificent sunset bathed the entire valley in a dreamy, ethereal glow.

Exhausted, her wrists sore, Lu Jianwei sat motionless in the medical hut, unwilling to move.

Bonfires flickered across the valley, their orange flames mirroring the dazzling hues of the twilight sky.

With the crisis averted, the three tribes began preparing meals.

Wen Zhuzhi soaked a cloth in hot water, carefully wiping her face. Noticing her right hand hanging limply, he folded several steaming towels and wrapped them around her wrist.

"Are you giving me a heat compress?" Lu Jianwei asked with a smile.

"Mn."

"No need for the trouble. A few cycles of internal energy will do."

"You’re uncomfortable. The heat will ease the soreness."

Lu Jianwei chuckled. "Young Master Wen is quite attentive, isn’t he?"

"When I first found A'Nai, he was still young. He often got hurt while training." Wen Zhuzhi replaced the cooling towels with fresh hot ones.

After several rounds, combined with her internal energy circulation, the stiffness in her wrist gradually faded.

The medical hut was dimly lit, its entrance covered by a cloth curtain. The tribespeople outside kept their distance, respecting their privacy.

Suddenly, she seized Wen Zhuzhi’s hand as he reached for another towel.

Long, lean fingers, well-defined knuckles.

With a slight tug, she pulled him closer, studying his frozen expression in the flickering firelight from outside.

"How do you usually handle cases?" she murmured near his ear.

Wen Zhuzhi’s ears burned. His grip on the towel tightened.

"We bring the suspects back to the bureau for interrogation."

"Where do you usually find them?"

"Taverns, inns, marketplaces, the wilderness… many places."

"And where did you catch the flower thief?"

"..."

Lu Jianwei glanced at his lowered, uneasy lashes and deliberately released him.

"Can’t say it?"

"...Brothels." Wen Zhuzhi hurriedly looked up, tossing the towel aside to reclaim her hand. "But I kept my eyes shut."

"At thirteen, you certainly should have." Lu Jianwei rose lazily. "We should head back to the Gu God Sect. I’d rather not spend the night here."

Wen Zhuzhi didn’t let go. Instead, he gazed up at her, his eyes flickering with frustration and an urgent need for her to believe him.

Even though he had never been involved with another woman, some instinct told him he had to prove his innocence.

This mattered.

Lu Jianwei smiled and leaned down, stopping just inches away, their breaths mingling faintly.

She simply watched him, doing nothing more.

Wen Zhuzhi’s palms grew damp. His gaze involuntarily dropped to her lips, as if startled by his own thoughts, then darted back up to her eyes.

His heart had never pounded this hard.

His mind felt stuffed with cotton, unable to think clearly.

Lu Jianwei’s fingers twitched, as if to pull free.

Panicked, he tightened his hold, exerting more force—and she let herself be drawn even closer.

A fleeting warmth brushed the corner of her lips.

Light as a dragonfly’s touch, gone before either could register it.

He recoiled instantly, like a guilty puppy, head bowed in anxious remorse—yet still clinging stubbornly to the hem of her sleeve.

Lu Jianwei sighed inwardly. "Xiao Ke, he’s adorable."

"I saw nothing," Xiao Ke replied. "I was just blocked out."

"Good. That’s a relief."

"..."

Footsteps approached, and someone stopped outside the curtain.

"Shopkeeper Lu, the Sect Leader knows you’ve finished the consultation. He invites you and Young Master Wen to rest at the sect. Dinner has been prepared."

"Understood."

Lu Jianwei straightened up and shook her hand.

Wen Zhuzhi obediently released it but continued gazing up at her. She extended her palm, now damp with fine sweat—left by his touch.

He picked up the towel again and carefully wiped it clean.

"Let’s go, to the Gu God Sect," Lu Jianwei said.

Wen Zhuzhi nodded, packed his belongings onto his lap, and wheeled his chair closely behind her.

Outside the medical hut, the sky was filled with stars.

Gu God Sect

Alehong and several priests interrogated Azhaduo.

The scepter had forcibly extracted the Gu Emperor from Azhaduo’s skull, leaving her severely weakened.

Pale-faced, she leaned against the dungeon wall, a mocking smile on her lips.

"Azhaduo, the sect placed great hopes in you. Why did you betray us?" Alexi asked coldly.

"Great hopes?" Azhaduo’s once-beautiful face now resembled a withering flower. "You mean trapping me forever on this mountain?"

"Azhaduo!" Alexi frowned. "Do you even hear yourself?"

"Oh, I do. I have nothing to hide from you. The so-called Gu God Sect is nothing but a veil for a bunch of narrow-minded, power-hungry Gu masters trying to control the three clans!"

Alexi turned away, too furious to continue.

"Azhaduo, if you despise the sect so much, why did you join through the Gu God Festival selection?" Alehong remained calm.

Azhaduo scoffed. "I was naive then. I thought the sect would be my lifelong devotion. But I was wrong—it’s all a lie! You’re all liars!"

"What lie?"

"If you pledge your life to the Gu God, you must remain pure in body and mind, free of all desire—or face divine punishment." Tears suddenly streamed down Azhaduo’s face. "But no one told me this rule before I joined!"

Alehong understood. "You fell in love. With a Central Plains man."

"Yes. I love him. But I couldn’t leave the sect—I feared the Gu God’s wrath. Every day and night, I suffered. I truly love him… I wanted to be with him!"

Alehong sighed. "Did you forget? If you choose to marry, you may leave the sect and renounce your vows."

"But I couldn’t." Azhaduo clutched her chest in agony. "I had to obey him. I couldn’t leave… couldn’t let you suspect anything."

Alexi whirled around. "Sect Leader, she’s been controlled!"

All this time, they’d noticed nothing!

Alehong tightened her grip on the scepter. "Who is he?"

"Him… him…" Azhaduo suddenly grabbed her head, wailing in torment. "I can’t remember—I think I’ve forgotten!"

Alexi sneered. "How well-hidden!"

"Could the calamity still linger?" Alehong murmured. "This person might possess more than one Gu Emperor. To evade the sect’s watch, he must have used one—or perhaps, he simply slips past unnoticed."

A shadow fell over Alexi’s heart.

"Who holds such a grudge against our sect? Conspiring with Azhaqi, deceiving young women—how vile!"

What did this mastermind want, inciting chaos within the Gu God Sect and slaughtering the three clans?

"Azhaduo won’t yield answers," another elder said. "There are also those Central Plains assassins."

Alexi scoffed. "If Azhaduo won’t talk, what hope do those under puppet Gu have?"

"Puppet Gu can be removed—it’s just troublesome."

"If it fooled us, the mother Gu must be a Gu Emperor. Do you think its offspring are easily extracted?" Alexi retorted.

The elder hesitated, then sighed in resignation.

Alehong said, "Let’s see for ourselves."

The Central Plains assassins were held in another dungeon—100 in total, 13 dead, 87 remaining.

When trapped in the formation, Lu Jianwei had sealed their acupoints. Now, the effect had worn off, but the sect’s disciples had drugged them into unconsciousness. They lay stiffly in their cells.

Alexi attempted to remove the puppet Gu from one assassin. The Gu reacted instantly, burrowing into his heart. The man spat blood and died.

As expected—a Gu Emperor’s offspring wasn’t so easily dealt with.

"Further attempts are futile," she said, rising. "If the Sect Leader could use the scepter to control the Gu Emperor again, there might be hope. But alas…"

Alas, the scepter couldn’t be wielded twice in such short succession.

"Who could refine two Gu Emperors?" The elders were baffled. "Someone of such mastery—why have we never heard of them?"

Alexi suddenly said, "No. There might be more than two."

"What? A third?"

"A few days ago, Shu'er sent me a message saying that a guest at the Eight Directions Inn was found to have what might be a Gu Emperor within them."

Alehong's eyes sharpened. "Could it be the daughter of the Carefree Sect's leader?"

"How did the Sect Leader know?"

"I used a life-gu to trace a thread of fate and specifically had people keep an eye on the Eight Directions Inn."

Alehong lowered her gaze to the transparent orb atop her staff, where a golden Gu Emperor lay dormant.

"Could it be the Carefree Sect?"

"Has the Sect Leader discovered something?"

"It's just a suspicion," Alehong shook her head. "Even if Miss Helian has a Gu Emperor within her, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s connected to the Carefree Sect."

If even they couldn’t detect the Gu Emperor, how could the people of the Central Plains?

"Sect Leader, Innkeeper Lu and Young Master Wen have returned to the mountain," a disciple reported from outside the dungeon.

Alehong turned. "Let us first welcome our honored guests."

The evening banquet proceeded without interruption, with both hosts and guests enjoying themselves.

Alehong spoke frankly, "Today’s incident was caused by someone using the Gu Emperor to stir trouble. I apologize for the inconvenience."

"Refining a Gu Emperor is extremely difficult," Lu Jianwei asked curiously. "How could someone possess at least two of them?"

Alehong was surprised. "At least? Does Innkeeper Lu also know about the Gu Emperor within one of your guests?"

"Thanks to Hall Master Aleshu, I had an inkling."

Everyone turned their gaze to Aleshu at the far end of the table.

Aleshu’s face flushed red. Under the scrutiny of the Sect Leader and the elders, he had no choice but to recount his humiliating defeat that night.

"I pride myself on my gu techniques, and my Si Youyou is undetectable. How did Innkeeper Lu discover it?"

Lu Jianwei replied, "To be honest, I’ve studied some gu techniques myself, though I’m not an expert."

Studying gu techniques didn’t necessarily mean one could detect the presence of a Gu Emperor. She didn’t directly answer Aleshu’s question, but those present would naturally fill in the gaps for her.

Her claim of not being an expert was likely just modesty.

"Innkeeper Lu is even proficient in gu techniques," Alehong praised sincerely. "You truly are a once-in-a-generation genius."

To excel in martial arts, medicine, and now gu techniques—such talent was rare in the world.

And she was still so young.

Aleshu had always considered himself a rare genius within the clan, but ever since meeting Lu Jianwei, he had been constantly humbled.

Now, even his gu techniques paled in comparison to hers.

Lu Jianwei, however, said, "The true genius is the one who can refine multiple Gu Emperors."

Such a person must be far more than just skilled in gu techniques.

Mentioning this topic soured the mood of the Gu God Sect members.

"Today’s ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‍chaos reminds me of some old stories," Alehong mused, her gaze distant. "In my youth, I had a close friend who fell in love with a martial artist from the Central Plains. She was so devoted that she left the sect to follow him."

Lu Jianwei perked up. "And then?"

"After she left, we never heard from her again," Alehong said. "She was the most talented of our generation. Had she stayed, she might have refined a Gu Emperor. What a waste."

Lu Jianwei nodded. "Indeed. But is it impossible to refine a Gu Emperor after leaving the sect?"

"If she married and had children, she would have worldly attachments. Those with too many desires find it difficult to refine a true Gu Emperor."

"Hall Master Aleshu and Elder Alexi are…?"

Alexi quickly clarified, "He is my elder sister’s grandson. After losing his parents, I took him in and raised him in the sect."

She was wholly devoted to serving the Gu God!

"Not necessarily," Lu Jianwei speculated, drawing from her experience with dramas. "What if experiencing worldly desires and then attaining enlightenment makes it easier to refine a Gu Emperor?"

For example, to transcend the world, one must first immerse themselves in it.

Only after tasting the myriad flavors of life and gaining insight can one reach a new realm.

Alehong froze for a moment before her eyes blazed with excitement. "Innkeeper Lu, you are a visionary!"

"You flatter me," Lu Jianwei waved modestly. "It’s just a wild guess."

"No, you’ve shown me a path I’ve never considered," Alehong said fervently. "All these years, I’ve been researching how to refine a Gu Emperor but never succeeded. Your words have enlightened me. The sect must change. It may be too late for me, but perhaps the younger generation can achieve it."

Lu Jianwei swiftly changed the subject. "What was your friend’s name? Since she went to the Central Plains, we might be able to find traces of her there."

Alehong suppressed her excitement. "Her name was Amuyan, from the Buwa clan. She was also Amuqiao’s elder sister."

Amuqiao was the current leader of the Buwa clan.

"Amuyan…" Wen Zhuzhi suddenly spoke up. "I think I’ve heard a similar name before."

Lu Jianwei’s eyes lit up. "If she went to the Central Plains, she likely adopted a Central Plains name. The surname might differ, but the given name might remain."

"Mu Yan," Wen Zhuzhi recalled. "She’s in the Carefree Sect."

Aleshu, most sensitive to the mention of the Carefree Sect, asked in surprise, "The Carefree Sect is semi-reclusive. Apart from the number one beauty of the martial world and a few Martial King elders, outsiders know little about its inner workings. You’re just a merchant from Jiangnan—how do you know this?"

"I never mentioned it to you before because it wasn’t important," Wen Zhuzhi said, his gaze fixed solely on Lu Jianwei. "If you wish to know, I’ll explain in detail when we’re alone."

Lu Jianwei smiled faintly. "Alright."

Aleshu: "…"

"Is she really at the Carefree Sect?" Alehong asked. "Do you know how she’s faring, Young Master Wen?"

"I’m not certain," Wen Zhuzhi replied. "I’ve only heard that she’s lost her mind and no longer recognizes anyone."

A flicker of tears seemed to pass through Alehong’s eyes as she lowered her gaze and sighed. "That makes sense. If she were doing well, she wouldn’t have allowed the disciples of the Carefree Sect to seize Gubaitou."

The moment Wen Zhuzhi mentioned the "Carefree Sect," she had already guessed the outcome.

To lose one’s mind and no longer recognize anyone—what a devastating blow she must have suffered.

"Manager Lu, the Gubaitou will bloom in a few days. If you and Young Master Wen don’t mind, you may stay at our sect until then. On the day it flowers, I’ll take you there myself. Today, the two of you have expended great effort for the people of our Gu God Sect, so you should rest early."

Lu Jianwei: "Thank you."

The Gu God Sect arranged their rooms side by side, separated only by a single wall. The outer wall was built of mountain stone, but the inner partition was made of bamboo and wood.

Bamboo and wood do little to muffle sound.

A knock came from the other side of the wall.

"Manager Lu, are you free?"

Lu Jianwei reclined on the couch and answered, "Come over."