No Fighting Allowed in the Inn

The group of five walked in three separate clusters, clearly keeping their distance from one another.

At the forefront was a tall, robust figure with an unkempt appearance, his hair wild and untamed, gripping a Tang sword in his hand.

Twenty paces behind him, two people walked side by side, seemingly unarmed.

Further back, a man and a woman followed, each holding a long sword.

"Senior Brother Tao Yang, do you think they're all heading to Moonview City?" Wei Liu whispered, her voice low.

Tao Yang furrowed his brows slightly. "I don't know."

"Do you think they're also here for... that matter?" Wei Liu asked nervously. "Their martial skills are far superior to ours. If it comes to that..."

"What are you two whispering about, young ones?" The man at the front suddenly turned around, revealing a face powdered and rouged like a delicate lotus flower. His tone was playful as he said, "Why not share it with the rest of us for some fun?"

His features were delicate, his figure slender and graceful, dressed in a vibrant robe embroidered with butterflies, resembling a fluttering flower butterfly.

Despite his exquisite makeup, his voice was unmistakably male, high-pitched and affected.

Wei Liu felt a pang of discomfort but quickly masked it with an apologetic smile. She clasped her hands and bowed slightly. "We didn't mean to disturb you, Senior. Please forgive us."

"I asked what you were talking about," the man, Lv Hudie, tilted his head and smirked at her. "I don't like it when people avoid answering my questions."

Tao Yang stepped forward, his tone sincere. "Senior, we meant no offense. My junior sister and I were merely discussing how rare it is to see such desolate wilderness. We were simply curious."

"Oh, so protective, are we?" Lv Hudie giggled, covering his mouth with a silk handkerchief. His eyes flicked between the two of them. "Could it be that you two are a pair of runaway lovers?"

Tao Yang and Wei Liu's faces flushed crimson at his words, each instinctively taking half a step back.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk. So shy," Lv Hudie said, as if he'd stumbled upon something amusing. "Well, how about this lady here helps you two along?"

As he spoke, he raised the silk handkerchief in his hand.

"Old Lv," the black-clad man beside him, Cao Haozi, called out. "Don't waste time. We have business to attend to."

"Ugh, why do you have to call me 'Old Lv'?" Lv Hudie shot him a reproachful glance. Before turning away, his lingering gaze swept over Tao Yang and Wei Liu once more before he followed his companion.

Wei Liu and Tao Yang exchanged uneasy glances, their hearts still racing.

Once the two were out of earshot, Tao Yang said with concern, "I think they must be the notorious Lv Hudie and Cao Haozi from the martial world."

"You mean... that Lv Hudie who likes to call himself 'this lady'?" Wei Liu's eyes widened in shock.

"Exactly," Tao Yang sighed. "They say his temperament is as unpredictable as the weather, and he acts entirely on whim. Let's hope we don't cross paths with them again."

Wei Liu nodded and changed the subject. "Moonview City is so remote and barren. Not even a tree in sight. I wonder how much farther we have to go. My water pouch is empty."

"It shouldn't be much longer," Tao Yang said, his eyes lighting up as he pointed ahead. "Look, Junior Sister, isn't that an inn over there? Let's stop by, rest for a bit, and get some water."

"It really is an inn!" Wei Liu's face brightened, but then she hesitated. "But it looks like they're heading there too."

Tao Yang licked his parched lips. "Moonview City is still at least twenty li away. Let's just go in and buy some water."

"Alright."

In the middle of the vast wilderness stood a grand inn, so imposing that even Lv Hudie and Cao Haozi, seasoned travelers of the martial world, were momentarily stunned.

Having roamed the martial world for years, they could sense something peculiar about this inn.

"Could this be a black-market inn?" Lv Hudie asked.

Cao Haozi's expression remained cold. "What if it is?"

Lv Hudie giggled. "Nothing much. It's just that my new robe might get a bit bloody."

"He's gone inside," Cao Haozi said, referring to the lone swordsman.

Lv Hudie's eyes gleamed. "That sword of his is extraordinary. It reminds me of someone."

The two exchanged a glance and said in unison, "Yan Feicang, the Blade Master."

Yan Feicang, a sixth-level martial artist, was renowned for his unparalleled sword skills and hailed as the number one blade master in the martial world.

"I heard he's been close with the Golden Blade Trading Company. What's he doing here?" Lv Hudie wondered aloud.

Cao Haozi said, "Let's go in and see."

"Wait," Lv Hudie's expression shifted slightly. After a moment of concentration, a strange smile spread across his face. "My little darling is stirring."

Cao Haozi caught on immediately. "You mean... the target is nearby?"

"Ha," Lv Hudie waved his handkerchief. "To be precise, they're inside the inn."

This was getting interesting.

Inside the inn, as soon as Lu Jianwei finished speaking, an overwhelming aura approached from afar and stopped just outside the inn's courtyard.

It was the sixth-level martial artist.

Uncle Zhang felt the oppressive pressure and broke into a cold sweat. Martial artists usually didn't release their aura casually while traveling. When they did, it was a sign of provocation.

Sixth level! This was a sixth-level expert!

He couldn't help but glance at Lu Jianwei, who remained unfazed, showing no signs of being affected by the pressure.

This reassured him somewhat.

But Lu Jianwei wasn't as calm as she appeared.

She had cultivated an unnamed internal technique, which made her cultivation level undetectable to others and immune to such pressure. However, facing a sixth-level martial artist's provocation, she wasn't entirely confident.

As for Zhu Yue and Xue Guanhe, they were already too stunned to speak.

"Little Guest, open the door," Lu Jianwei decided not to avoid the confrontation. "And scan how much money he's carrying."

The system, using an invisible force, opened the courtyard gate.

"Only five qian of silver."

Lu Jianwei: "..."

If they were to fight, she wouldn't even bother fining him. What could five qian even do?

Outside the courtyard, Yan Feicang was momentarily taken aback.

The Golden Blade Trading Company's information was correct. There was indeed a martial artist of at least sixth level inside the inn!

He hadn't been able to detect even a trace of their aura.

Yan Feicang's fighting spirit surged, and he stepped into the inn, declaring loudly, "I am Yan Feicang, here to seek a challenge."

"Yan Feicang!" Uncle Zhang exclaimed in shock.

Lu Jianwei hadn't heard of the name, but she knew that a sixth-level martial artist was undoubtedly a top-tier expert in the martial world, someone who couldn't be unknown.

The man before her was handsome and rugged, holding a Tang sword, exuding the aura of a seasoned martial artist.

Lu Jianwei stood calmly under the eaves and asked, "How do you wish to challenge me?"

By now, the other four had also entered the inn and, hearing their conversation, grew intrigued.

Yan Feicang was actively seeking a spar with someone in the inn!

It was well-known that the number one blade master was a martial fanatic who loved challenging others. If he won, it ended there, but if he lost, he would keep challenging until he emerged victorious.

"My, my, who would have thought such a charming lady could be found in this remote wilderness inn?" Lv Hudie's powdered face broke into a smile as his gaze lingered on Lu Jianwei.

Cao Haozi said, "Keep your antics in check. If Yan Feicang is seeking a challenge, the opponent must not be someone to trifle with."

"He's not challenging a delicate beauty," Lv Hudie dabbed at the corner of his mouth with his handkerchief. "This lady is a fifth-level martial artist. I hardly need to fear a fragile little miss."

He couldn't sense any martial energy from Lu Jianwei.

Cao Haozi didn't bother responding.

Meanwhile, Wei Liu leaned closer to Tao Yang, her eyes sparkling. "That lady is so beautiful, no less than the martial world's number one beauty. Her clothes are stunning, her hair accessories are exquisite, and her makeup is flawless..."

"Shh," Tao Yang raised a finger to his lips. "Let's keep our distance."

Whether they got water or not no longer mattered. What was important was the upcoming spar. The chance to witness a top-tier martial artist in action was a rare opportunity.

Yan Feicang drew his blade from its sheath, the cold light reflecting off its surface, exuding an extraordinary aura.

"Let's fight."

He said it as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Lu Jianwei inwardly scoffed, but her tone remained gentle. "Is this how you always challenge people to spar?"

"Why not?"

"You think you can just demand a fight whenever you want? Doesn't that make our establishment look weak?"

Yan Feicang frowned. "What do you want?"

"The rules of this establishment prohibit all forms of combat, including sparring."

Yan Feicang grew impatient.

"Hiding behind rules is the behavior of cowards."

Lu Jianwei's smile vanished in an instant, and she spoke with deliberate clarity. "Who do you think you are? Do you think the entire martial world revolves around you? Are we all your parents?"

This kind of person really needed to be put in their place!

The onlookers were speechless.

Zhu Yue was stunned.

He had always thought of the shopkeeper as an incredibly gentle and kind person. He never expected her to deliver such sharp words.

Xue Guanhe didn't overthink it. Seeing his master scold Yan Feicang, he joined in. "Exactly! You come barging into our shop, demanding a fight. How are we supposed to run our business? You're so rude!"

Uncle Zhang opened his mouth but then closed it again.

Never mind, the expert in the inn wouldn't just stand by and watch.

Yan Feicang was silent.

In all his years wandering the martial world, no one had ever spoken to him like this.

There was an unspoken rule in the martial world: if someone challenged you to a spar, you were expected to accept, or else you'd be labeled a coward.

In all his years of challenging others, no one had ever refused.

He was genuinely perplexed.

"Why won't you spar with me? Shouldn't martial artists grow through combat?"

Lu Jianwei stood with her hands behind her back.

"You're not worth my time."

The onlookers were speechless once more.

"I never spar with women," Yan Feicang said, frowning. "I wasn't challenging you."

Lu Jianwei was at a loss for words.

So he was also a sexist.

Her words grew even sharper. "This establishment is for business, not brawling. Besides, your swordsmanship is so mediocre that I wouldn't bother sparring with you."

She was making it crystal clear: You're not worthy!

Lv Hudie couldn't help but gasp, then covered her mouth and laughed. "Oh my, I've never seen such a bold young lady before."

Wei Liu couldn't help but worry. "If she keeps talking like this, what if she offends Yan Feicang?"

Just moments ago, outside the courtyard, she had been thrilled to hear Yan Feicang's name. But now, seeing him pressure a seemingly delicate young woman, she felt a subtle sense of displeasure.

He was just taking advantage of his status as a martial arts elder, knowing others wouldn't dare offend him.

"Mediocre?" Yan Feicang had never been insulted like this before. He angrily retorted, "You're just a young girl with no martial foundation. How dare you spout such nonsense!"

His swordsmanship was his greatest pride, and he couldn't stand anyone belittling it.

Lu Jianwei showed no fear. "You're too arrogant. Your arrogance is the reason your swordsmanship has stagnated. How many years has it been since you made any progress? No matter how many people you challenge, it won't help."

She delivered a brutal truth.

"You've hit your limit."

Yan Feicang suddenly raised his blade.

"Stop talking nonsense!"

"Do you want to break through your bottleneck?"

Lu Jianwei's words stopped him cold.

"What did you say?"

"I know you don't believe me. How about we make a bet?"

"What kind of bet?"

Lu Jianwei's smile returned, her tone softening once more.

"Demonstrate all your sword techniques in front of me. Let's bet on whether I, a young girl with no martial foundation, can find your flaws."

Yan Feicang fell silent.

"The shopkeeper doesn't like violence," Xue Guanhe interjected, sensing the tension. "She can't break the rules of the establishment for you. This is already a big concession. Are you afraid?"

"Afraid? I, Yan Feicang, have never been afraid of anyone!" Yan Feicang's brows furrowed, and he raised his blade with pride.

Lu Jianwei smiled.

"Master Yan, please proceed."