No Fighting Allowed in the Inn-Chapter 141

◎Fu Ji: A Test of Human Nature◎

Lu Jianwei couldn’t help but feel intrigued by the unfolding drama.

The newcomer appeared to be around thirty years old. He couldn’t be called unhandsome, but the gloom and hostility in his eyes dragged down his overall appearance.

His earlier words had been dripping with resentment, and the look he cast at Mei Jiuyi was complex—hard to tell whether it was bitterness, joy, or a mix of both.

Mei Jiuyi continued to fan himself calmly, his expression serene as he said, "Fu Ji, it’s been a long time."

Fu Ji?

The deceased former leader of the Thousand Miles Tower!

Lu Jianwei’s intuition had been right. Back at the Carefree Sect, she’d already suspected the identity of the ninth-rank grandmaster. Now it seemed clear—the ninth-rank Martial King who had left the Carefree Sect must have been Fu Ji, who had faked his death thirty years ago.

What exactly was his relationship with Mei Jiuyi?

Had he boldly appeared here because of Mei Jiuyi’s presence?

And why had he hidden his identity after faking his death, only to stir up chaos in the martial world?

These questions flashed through her mind one after another.

Lu Jianwei wanted answers, but she wasn’t in a hurry. Fu Ji had chosen to reveal himself for a reason.

Even if he was the mastermind behind all those past incidents, she couldn’t just apprehend him on the spot.

Fu Ji was at the late ninth-rank, slightly stronger than her but still below Mei Jiuyi and Elder Yi.

Mei Jiuyi and Elder Yi wouldn’t interfere in martial world affairs. For her to truly suppress Fu Ji would require a significant effort.

Besides, they were in White Cloud Village—she couldn’t exactly start a fight in the middle of the settlement.

"It has been a long time," Fu Ji said, slowly stepping forward until he stood before Mei Jiuyi. The resentment he’d suppressed for years finally spilled out. "Why did you abandon me back then without a single word?"

Mei Jiuyi’s expression remained unchanged. "Is that why you sought me out?"

"Yes."

"You’re lying."

"..."

Xu Sanzuo had already reached his limit. "Mei, who the hell is this one?"

"A young friend I met while traveling the martial world. He’s a bit older than you." Mei Jiuyi turned back to Fu Ji. "You came here with another purpose. There’s no need to pretend you’ve been holding onto this grievance for years."

Fu Ji was, after all, a ninth-rank Martial King who had weathered countless storms. Having hidden behind the scenes at the Thousand Miles Tower and the Carefree Sect for so long, he was far from reckless.

But the sudden resolution of a long-held obsession had made him act impulsively.

A hint of grievance flickered in his eyes, but he obediently took a seat, his gaze shifting to Lu Jianwei—laced with hostility.

"Manager Lu, I’ve long heard of your reputation."

Lu Jianwei smiled faintly. "No need for flattery. It’s I who should be saying that to the esteemed Tower Leader Fu."

"Zhuang Wenqing lost to you. Helian Zheng was reduced to dust. The pawns I painstakingly nurtured were all effortlessly destroyed by you. Manager Lu, false modesty doesn’t suit you."

"I can’t take all the credit. It was the collective effort of the entire martial world."

"..." Fu Ji’s attempt to provoke her had bounced off like a soft rebuff, deepening the hostility in his expression. "I’ve heard Manager Lu is sharp-tongued. Seeing it in person today, you truly live up to your reputation."

Lu Jianwei grinned. "Tower Leader Fu has been buried for thirty years, yet your bones remain so sturdy. Admirable, truly admirable."

Fu Ji turned away abruptly. "Sir, is this the reason you chose to appear?"

"What do you mean?"

"I did all of this just to draw you out, yet you never once acknowledged me." Fu Ji’s chest heaved with emotion. "Did you grow tired of me long ago?"

Mei Jiuyi replied, "People grow up and must eventually leave their elders to forge their own paths. I dislike farewells and prefer a carefree existence, so I didn’t explain myself to you. But you claim you orchestrated all this just to see me—is that truly the case?"

"I knew you loved spectacles. Wherever there was chaos in the martial world, you’d be there. I gambled right. When the Eight Directions Inn’s arena was thrown into turmoil, you were sitting in the crowd, watching. You must have thought to yourself—how thrilling."

Lu Jianwei’s eyebrows rose slightly. Fu Ji had used the Thousand Miles Tower and the Carefree Sect to unleash all this bloodshed… just to lure Mei Jiuyi out?

What an absurd reason.

If the martial artists who had suffered because of his schemes learned of this madman’s plan, they’d surely cough up blood in fury.

"It was only after Wu Ping failed that I thought to check the Mystic Mirror Bureau’s records. Clerk Mei, you’d rather work as a petty scribe than visit me at the Thousand Miles Tower?"

Xu Sanzuo frowned deeply. "Hold on—how old are you?"

"None of your damn business."

"Hey, you little brat! No wonder Mei didn’t want anything to do with you. With an attitude like that, who’d—"

"What right do you have to earn Sir’s favor?"

Xu Sanzuo’s eyes widened. "...You’re insane. This old man won’t waste words on a fool."

"Fu Ji." Mei Jiuyi’s smile faded. His fan rested motionless against his chest as his expression turned calm and detached. "Veiling ambition with sentimentality only makes it uglier."

Fu Ji stiffened under his gaze.

"Sir..."

"If you want the Earth Lotus, just say so. No one will laugh at you." Mei Jiuyi’s tone softened again. "You came here not just to see me, but for the Earth Lotus, didn’t you?"

"And you, Sir—aren’t you here for the same?"

Mei Jiuyi waved his fan leisurely. "No."

"So… it really is for her?" Fu Ji glared at Lu Jianwei. "Because she’s more of a genius than I am?"

Pei Zhi reached for the teapot, pouring Lu Jianwei a fresh cup—his arm incidentally blocking Fu Ji’s venomous stare.

"Genius?" Mei Jiuyi chuckled. "I have no interest in geniuses."

"Then why?"

"Fu Ji, do you remember why I gave you that name?"

"You said… you hoped I would always uphold a heart that aids the world."

"‘Aid the world’?" Elder Yi mused. "Little Mei, that was quite the challenge you set for him."

Mei Jiuyi tapped his fan against his chin in thought. "Remaining true to oneself is indeed the hardest thing in the world."

"All people are ruled by their desires. Circumstances change, and so do hearts. Nothing stays the same forever."

"Brother Yi speaks wisely." Mei Jiuyi turned back to Fu Ji. "When I met you, you were only six. Your family had been slaughtered by martial artists, and you were the sole survivor, hiding in a cellar. You told me then that once you mastered martial arts, you would help the weak and uphold justice for the innocent."

Fu Ji: "..."

"Human nature truly can’t withstand testing." Mei Jiuyi smiled. "You’ve only reinforced my belief in that."

Xu Sanzuo snorted. "Seems to me both of you have screws loose."

"When I first met you, your heart was devoted solely to weapons—pure and untainted. That’s how you forged nine divine arms. But later? You became drunk on fame, lost in the martial world’s flattery, and never crafted another masterpiece."

Xu Sanzuo: "..."

"I’ve tested many others since. Without exception, they all failed." Mei Jiuyi idly fanned himself, sipping his tea.

Lu Jianwei cut straight to the point. "You’re not wrong, but what’s the value in such a conclusion?"

"Value?" Mei Jiuyi smiled. "Amusement—that’s its greatest worth."

Fu Ji said coldly, "So now you’re studying Lu Jianwei? What’s so special about her? She’s been extorting wealth across the martial world—greed incarnate."

"Everything she did was in self-defense," Pei Zhi couldn't stand others slandering Lu Jianwei and argued, "The money was all obtained as compensation."

Mei Jiuyi: "Exactly."

"Little Mei," Elder Yi rocked on his rattan chair and said, "I must remind you again—reclusive sects must not interfere in martial world affairs."

Mei Jiuyi replied arrogantly, "I have never interfered."

If merely speaking a few words counted as interference, then all reclusive sect disciples traveling abroad might as well pretend to be mute.

"But a single word or action from the 'Martial King Mei' could stir up a storm in the martial world," Lu Jianwei seemed to grasp a hidden truth. "If you hadn’t spread news of your presence, Sect Leader Fu wouldn’t have come so quickly. By luring him here, what kind of spectacle did you hope to witness?"

Mei Jiuyi’s gaze turned distant: "After all the harm he’s brought to the martial world, as the righteous leader, what should you do, Innkeeper Lu?"

"Nothing," Lu Jianwei answered without hesitation. "I came here only for the Earth Lotus."

Mei Jiuyi: "That hardly aligns with your reputation as the 'Heroic Blue Sky Maiden.'"

"Just idle talk from others. Lu cares only for wealth."

"Compared to those who preach benevolence and morality, I find Innkeeper Lu far more genuine," Mei Jiuyi chuckled. "I’ll judge your character as I see fit."

Fu Ji, noticing Mei Jiuyi’s genuine interest in her, grew increasingly resentful.

"Sir, if reclusive sects aren’t allowed to meddle in martial affairs, doesn’t Lu Jianwei’s behavior violate the rules?"

In his mind, he had already labeled her as part of a reclusive sect.

Nearby, Yi Baige also cast a skeptical glance.

"Lu has never claimed to belong to a reclusive sect," Lu Jianwei never left room for criticism. "My sect has no such rules."

Fu Ji: "..."

"Young Lu’s origins remain a mystery even to me," Elder Yi spoke impartially. "I’m familiar with the existing reclusive sects, yet I can confirm she doesn’t hail from any of them."

Mei Jiuyi grew even more intrigued: "Could there be an even more secretive reclusive sect?"

Lu Jianwei smiled without answering.

Fu Ji, gaining no advantage, grew visibly sullen, his gaze toward Lu Jianwei turning hostile.

Ignoring him, Lu Jianwei asked, "Elder Yi, Master Xu claims White Cloud Village knows the Seven-Step Swamp best. Would you share the details?"

"I can, but on one condition."

"Name it."

Elder Yi’s eyes gleamed shrewdly: "Anyone entering must leave behind a martial technique."

"Martial techniques are a warrior’s livelihood," Xu Sanzuo, though not planning to enter, found the demand harsh. "Elder Yi, even if you warn them of the swamp’s dangers, they may not avoid them. Isn’t demanding their techniques too much?"

Elder Yi: "All the more reason to secure their techniques. If they perish, their knowledge won’t be lost."

"..."

It sounded disturbingly logical.

Lu Jianwei had countless techniques at her disposal—her system’s marketplace overflowed with them—but she traded only at her whim.

If ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‍willing, she’d give freely; if not, no one could take advantage.

"Elder Yi, if the swamp is so perilous, how does White Cloud Village know so much about it?"

Yi Baige cut in: "We have our methods. If you find it unworthy, don’t trade."

"Baige," Elder Yi chided lightly before turning back with a smile. "Given the company here—top-tier experts all—there’s no harm in honesty. The Seven-Step Swamp is treacherous, but for generations, our warriors have used it as a trial ground, accumulating experience."

Lu Jianwei: "Have you seen the Earth Lotus?"

"Yes, and harvested it," Elder Yi confirmed. "Young Pei’s grandmother once ventured into the swamp with companions and glimpsed it."

Companions?

Likely including the imperial physician who suppressed Pei Zhi’s poison—hence knowing of the Earth Lotus and recounting it as a rare tale.

"Any martial technique will do?" Fu Ji asked.

Elder Yi: "Any."

"When can we trade?" Fu Ji pressed. "I didn’t bring mine, but I can transcribe it."

"No written records."

"What?"

"Knowledge and techniques stay in the mind," Yi Baige stated. "I’ll describe the swamp once—no repeats. You teach your technique the same way."

Fu Ji: "...Fine."

"Come with me."

The two left the courtyard. Moments later, Yi Baige returned alone—Fu Ji had vanished. freewebnσvel.cѳm

"Gone?" Xu Sanzuo asked.

Yi Baige: "Gone."

"Wasn’t he here for the bookworm?"

Mei Jiuyi sighed, amused: "Seeking me was just a pretext. He wanted to exploit reclusive sects for power-boosting treasures."

Lofty words, but only to mask his ambition.

The boy who once vowed to "master martial arts and save the world" was long gone.

"What about you two?" Yi Baige eyed Lu Jianwei and Pei Zhi.

Lu Jianwei smiled: "White Cloud Village is lovely. Might we stay a few more days?"

"No freeloading," Yi Baige would rather she left.

"In that case," Lu Jianwei rose, "I’ll visit Fengguang City first for supplies. I’ll pay my way."

"Big Sister Lu, bring more of those colorful candies!" Yi Dazhu peeked over the fence, shouting before his father could grab a broom—then bolted.

Xu Sanzuo roared with laughter.

Yi Baige stiffened: "See yourself out."

"Innkeeper Lu," Mei Jiuyi teased, "Aren’t you worried Fu Ji will claim all the Earth Lotus first?"

Lu Jianwei: "If gained, fortune; if lost, fate."

Her system’s map showed Fu Ji’s green dot racing northeast—toward the vast forest swamp. Its true dangers eluded even her system’s scans.

But if the Seven-Step Swamp hadn’t become a martial hotspot like the Soul-Severing Ridge, its "entry fee" was surely higher. White Cloud Village wouldn’t invite outsiders without absolute confidence.

No rush. Let Fu Ji scout ahead.

"Innkeeper Lu is truly enlightened," Mei Jiuyi praised. "I’ll await your return here."

As they departed, village children trailed behind, faces wistful.

Were it not for the snacks clutched in their hands, Lu Jianwei might’ve believed they’d miss her.

Huzi, sucking on candy, asked, "When will you come back?"

"Want to know?"

"Yeah."

"Answer a question first."

"Can’t. Parents said no talking to strangers."

Lu Jianwei shrugged: "Then I guess I don’t know when I’ll restock candy."

Huzi: "..."

"Just teasing you. It'll take at least five days, at most ten."

Lu Jianwei swung onto his horse and rode off with Pei Zhi, leaving a trail of dust behind.

The children were left coughing in the cloud of dirt.

Huzi counted on his fingers, then let out a sigh.

"Five days... That's so long."