No Fighting Allowed in the Inn-Chapter 145

◎Return to Fengzhou, Cultivating Talent◎

Lu Jianwei and Pei Zhi successfully left the Seven-Step Marsh and returned to White Cloud Village.

On the way back, she quietly transferred the Earth Lotus petals from her bag into her system storage, leaving only twenty petals in a small box to show the villagers, pretending she had only picked one flower.

"Manager Lu, congratulations," Mei Jiuyi said, fanning himself with a feathered fan. "When do you two plan to return to Fengzhou?"

"Tomorrow," Lu Jianwei replied.

"So soon? What time?" Xu Sanzuo emerged, clutching his gourd of wine. "Don’t leave this old man behind! You promised to take me to your inn to taste fine wine."

"At the break of dawn tomorrow. We won’t wait if you’re late," Lu Jianwei said, standing outside the courtyard. Her gaze met Elder Yi’s, and she nodded slightly. "We’ve been well taken care of these past few days."

Elder Yi waved off her thanks. "No need for formalities. In the future, I hope Manager Lu will look after the young talents of our village."

"Naturally."

After Lu Jianwei entered the Seven-Step Marsh, Elder Yi had Yi Baige select eight young martial artists from the village—five at the fifth rank and three at the sixth. They would be led by Yi Baige to Fengzhou’s Eight Directions Inn.

Yi Baige had initially been reluctant, but Elder Yi’s remark about his "lack of progress in years" struck a nerve.

He wasn’t the only one—many martial artists in White Cloud Village faced the same issue.

In recent years, the village had struggled to produce high-ranking Martial Kings. Most of them were once prodigies, but now they were aging and couldn’t protect the village for much longer.

With the younger generation failing to rise, what would happen to White Cloud Village’s training grounds like the Seven-Step Marsh once the Martial Kings passed on?

This journey was an experiment.

Moreover, Lu Jianwei didn’t belong to any of the hidden sects, which would undoubtedly pique their curiosity. They would surely visit the inn to investigate.

White Cloud Village couldn’t afford to fall behind.

Yi Baige was convinced.

At dawn the next day, Lu Jianwei and Pei Zhi set off for Fengzhou, accompanied by Xu Sanzuo, Yi Baige, and the eight young martial artists.

Mei Jiuyi didn’t explicitly state his intention to go to Fengzhou, but he followed on horseback, making his intentions clear.

The group rode swiftly and arrived at the Eight Directions Inn in Fengzhou seven days later.

Yue Shu was sweeping fallen leaves from the path when the sound of hooves made him glance up.

Probably guests looking for lodging—he wondered if they had the proper credentials—

His eyes widened in surprise, and he rushed forward eagerly.

"Manager! Young Master Pei! You’re back!"

After the Carefree Sect incident, rumors had spread like wildfire across the martial world.

The tangled web of love, hatred, and grudges between Helian Zheng, Amuyan, Chang Ci, and the Six Heroes of the Carefree Sect had already spawned multiple versions of storytelling scripts.

But no matter the version, Manager Lu was always portrayed as the wise and heroic figure who turned the tide.

The inn’s staff had practically worn out their copies of these scripts, yet the manager still hadn’t returned.

Meanwhile, more and more guests had been arriving.

Lu Jianwei dismounted smoothly and smiled. "Is everything well at home?"

"Everything’s fine!" Yue Shu’s eyes sparkled. "But Sister Xue hasn’t returned yet. Brother Liang left for a few days but came back. And Hero Ying—he couldn’t find work in the inn, so Uncle Zhang sent him to hoe the fields."

The rest of the inn’s staff, hearing the commotion, rushed out to welcome Lu Jianwei.

Yun Hui hurried over, still clutching her needlework.

"Manager, everyone’s been waiting for your return. You must be tired from the journey—let me brew some tea for you."

"Manager, I’ll take the horses!" Xue Guanhe eagerly took the reins.

Lu Jianwei’s smile didn’t fade. "These guests are all distinguished. Ah Yue, show them to the courtyard for rest."

Yue Shu glanced at Xu Sanzuo and the others.

Staying in the courtyard—should they charge for that?

Lu Jianwei had already explained the costs on the road, and Xu Sanzuo’s group knew the courtyard was expensive. But money was no issue for them—they planned to stay for at least a month anyway.

"Young Master!" A'Nai came sprinting from the training grounds.

Pei Zhi’s eyes softened with warmth. "You’ve grown taller, and your martial skills have improved."

After some time apart, A'Nai had broken through from the fourth rank to the fifth.

Hearing this, Lu Jianwei remembered to check the progress of her staff and was pleased to find that each of them had advanced in their training.

She entered the main hall, sipped some hot tea, and then instructed Uncle Zhang, "Notify all martial factions to come to Fengzhou for discussions on establishing the ‘Martial Support Alliance.’"

Uncle Zhang accepted the order.

"Wait—add a note for Shangguan Huai to bring Yao along."

Once the invitations were sent, the factions responded enthusiastically.

After returning to the inn, Lu Jianwei finally had time to relax. She spent her days training, studying medicine, and researching poison arts.

Pei Zhi rested at the inn for a few days before reluctantly returning to the capital to hand over his position as the Mystic Mirror Bureau’s commander. He then planned to head to Cangzhou to manage business affairs.

He and Lu Jianwei had acquired several estates and shops, requiring more hands to oversee them. He had no choice but to make the trip.

This separation would likely last several months.

Lu Jianwei didn’t feel much about it, except that the inn suddenly felt quieter without Xue Guanhe and A'Nai’s usual bickering.

She lounged in the courtyard, basking in the sun, a cup of Yun Hui’s fragrant tea at her side. The aroma filled the courtyard, blending with the deepening hues of autumn—peaceful and serene.

Liang Shangjun vaulted over the wall with a bucket of water, only to freeze mid-air when he spotted Lu Jianwei in the courtyard, nearly losing his balance.

"Manager, your concealment skills have gotten even better—I didn’t even sense you here."

It wasn’t concealment—Lu Jianwei’s internal energy had reached the mid-ninth rank, and the nature of her techniques made her presence nearly undetectable to others outside the courtyard.

Lu Jianwei half-closed her eyes lazily. "Do you ever use the door?"

"Where’s the fun in ‘stealing’ if I use the door?" Liang Shangjun had his own twisted logic. "Besides, this way, I serve guests more efficiently."

"Your job is cleaning the stables—since when do you serve guests?" Yan Feicang strode in, followed by Ying Wumian.

After losing his challenge and all his possessions, Ying Wumian had vowed to serve under Yan Feicang. Once he used the Ancient White Head to save someone, he returned to the inn as an ordinary worker.

With little else to do—Yan Feicang monopolized the firewood-chopping duties—Uncle Zhang assigned him to hoe the overgrown fields outside.

To everyone’s surprise, Ying Wumian was not only capable but skilled at the task.

The staff watched in amazement, asking how a former disciple of the Martial Alliance knew such rough labor. Ying Wumian remained silent, focusing on his work, so they stopped questioning him.

"Yan, you’ve learned bad habits from them—always picking on me," Liang Shangjun grumbled. "Manager, be the judge here."

Lu Jianwei: "Don’t bother me with trivial matters."

"…"

Liang Shangjun, failing to regain his dignity, trudged off to the backyard with his bucket.

"Manager, Brother Yang asked me to check—when will the custom blade he ordered be ready?"

During the inn’s grand competition, the winner of each rank’s tournament earned the right to a custom weapon.

Yang Yi was the top-ranked warrior in the seventh-level group, but his blade had snapped during his duel with Yan Feicang, leaving him in urgent need of a new weapon.

Apart from him, the top-ranked warrior in the fourth-level group had also commissioned a custom weapon.

Helian Xue was the top-ranked warrior in the fifth-level group, while Yan Feicang led the sixth-level group—neither of them had used their quota for a custom weapon.

Xiao Ke handled all the weapon commissions, but the profits were split evenly with Lu Jianwei.

"In five days," Lu Jianwei replied casually before turning to Ying Wumian. "Martial King Ying, have you been settling in well at the inn?"

Ying Wumian bowed respectfully. "Innkeeper Lu, you flatter me—just call me by my name. The inn is wonderful; I’ve been very comfortable."

Lu Jianwei nodded. "Good. Go about your business, then."

A moment later, Xu Sanzuo and Mei Jiuyi strolled over together.

No one greeted them, but the two were used to making themselves at home. They pulled up chairs and sat down without ceremony.

"Innkeeper Lu, I’ve finished all the wine you gave me yesterday," Xu Sanzuo said, shaking his empty gourd for emphasis. "Could I trouble you for a few more jars?"

Lu Jianwei replied, "Fine wine isn’t easy to brew."

"You’re lying! You’re just teasing me on purpose."

"You’re free to leave if you’re unhappy," Lu Jianwei retorted bluntly.

Xu Sanzuo’s eyes widened. "You’re the stingiest innkeeper I’ve ever met—charging such high rent and still hoarding your wine! And here I was, planning to—"

He cut himself off deliberately.

Lu Jianwei glanced at him, amused. "Planning to what?"

"Your inn has a training ground, a medical hut—it’s starting to resemble a martial sect. But it’s still missing one thing."

"Do enlighten me."

Xu Sanzuo lifted his chin. "Though my forging skills may not compare to those of your sect’s master smiths, I’m more than capable of teaching a few apprentices. Talent like that shouldn’t go to waste."

"Talent?" Lu Jianwei had already considered hiring Xu Sanzuo, but she wasn’t sure what he was referring to.

Xu Sanzuo stroked his goatee, frowning. "There’s a worker in your inn—a sweeper—with decent forging potential. It’s a shame he’s stuck sweeping floors."

Lu Jianwei: ???

There’s a hidden genius among the staff?

She summoned Uncle Zhang and said, "Master Xu claims there’s a sweeper here with forging talent."

Uncle Zhang looked baffled. "Which worker does Master Xu mean?"

"Yao Jun."

Uncle Zhang recalled. "Ah, the new hire. He said his whole family owed you a debt of gratitude, so he traveled from Cangzhou to Fengzhou to work here."

"Does he have a wife and child?" Lu Jianwei asked.

Uncle Zhang was surprised. "So it’s true—you really do have a connection."

Given Innkeeper Lu’s reputation, many applicants claimed some past tie with her—ranging from life-saving favors to shared lodgings.

Lu Jianwei nodded. "His forging talent is indeed noteworthy."

"See? I told you!" Xu Sanzuo crossed his legs smugly. "All your inn lacks is a forge. I don’t mind the cramped space—I’m bored anyway. Might as well do a good deed and train a few smiths for you."

Lu Jianwei chuckled. "This humble inn can’t accommodate someone of your stature. Let’s not bother."

"..."

Mei Jiuyi fanned himself, laughing. "Xu Sanzuo, who’d have thought you’d ever beg to work a forge?"

"Shut it, you bookworm. Don’t act all high and mighty—I know exactly what you’ve been up to these days."

"Oh? Do tell."

"You went to the fields, egging that Ying kid to become some alliance leader. Then you babbled nonsense with that Yan fellow at the training ground. And don’t think I didn’t see you whispering weird things to that girl in the medical hut—not that anyone paid you any mind."

Mei Jiuyi paused his fanning. "Just casual conversation. Don’t exaggerate."

Xu Sanzuo redirected the argument. "Innkeeper, be the judge—am I exaggerating?!"

"Innkeeper?" Lu Jianwei raised an eyebrow.

"Hearing the staff call you that all the time, it stuck," Xu Sanzuo said shamelessly. "Since I’ve decided to work here, it’s only fitting."

Lu Jianwei said, "Volunteers don’t get paid."

The main courtyard staff had all volunteered to stay—none had ever received wages.

Xu Sanzuo waved it off. "I don’t need money."

His past earnings were enough to last a lifetime. Wealth no longer drove him—forging mastery did.

He wasn’t bold enough to beg Lu Jianwei’s sect for teachings, but time might wear her down. Maybe one day, she’d take pity and let him glimpse a master smith’s furnace.

Just look at Yan Feicang and Ying Wumian—both success stories.

"Do as you please," Lu Jianwei agreed. Then she added, "I promised you a fine sword if you made it out of the swamp—a token of thanks for guiding us to White Cloud Village. I’ll have it delivered to your quarters later."

"I ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌‍said it wasn’t necessary. Unless you’d take me to—"

"There’s also a manual detailing the sword’s complete forging process."

"What are we waiting for?!" Xu Sanzuo shot to his feet. "Give it to me now—I need to study it!"

"No rush." Lu Jianwei dismissed him before turning to Mei Jiuyi. "Martial King Mei, were you trying to poach my staff with all that talk?"

Mei Jiuyi shook his head. "I could never steal from you. I merely thought that, given your reputation, you deserve better."

"Better how?"

"For instance, the rule-abiding martial world you’ve been striving for."

Lu Jianwei countered, "Ambition breeds greed, and greed erodes goodwill."

"I simply believe your staff must rise higher to implement your vision more effectively," Mei Jiuyi said, watching her closely. "Don’t you want that day to come sooner?"

Lu Jianwei sidestepped the question. "Good luck."

Her goal wasn’t just establishing new rules—the return ticket after their enforcement mattered most.

She wouldn’t lose herself in power or wealth like Fu Ji or Mei Jiuyi’s past experiments.

Mei Jiuyi admired her confidence but doubted she’d remain unchanged.

"So you won’t stop me from guiding your staff?"

"Why would I?" Lu Jianwei said plainly. "If you want Ying Wumian to lead the martial alliance, he must first reach the eighth level as a Martial King. The same goes for Tiao, Yan Feicang, Xue Guanhe, and Yue Shu. If you’re willing to pour effort into nurturing talent for my inn, I welcome it."

Liang Shangjun popped his head in. "Why’d you leave me out again?"

"Hey, don’t interrupt the innkeeper!" Xue Guanhe yanked him back.

Mei Jiuyi: "..."

This inn’s owner and staff are all a little unhinged.