◎The Uncatchable Thief and the Martial Alliance's Discord◎
Lu Jianwei detected the surprise in his tone.
“What is it?”
“Han is just a bit astonished,” Han Xiaofeng replied, collecting himself. “‘The Faceless Thief’ possesses unparalleled lightness skills, excels in disguise, has a secret technique to conceal his aura, and is fluent in regional dialects. He can impersonate anyone flawlessly—it’s nearly impossible to detect him.”
Lu Jianwei thought: A technical genius and linguistic prodigy, huh?
Such talent was indeed worth tricking into submission.
A few days locked in the stables should have worn him down enough.
“If he’s so skilled in disguise, how can we confirm he’s really Liang Shangjun?”
Han Xiaofeng explained, “A few years ago, Commander Pei captured him once and recorded his true appearance. As long as we remove his mask, we can verify his identity.”
“He was caught?” Lu Jianwei glanced at Wen Zhuzhi. “Even the Mystic Mirror Bureau’s prison couldn’t hold him?”
Wen Zhuzhi met her gaze calmly.
Uncle Zhang, having just finished the accounts, chimed in, “I heard Commander Pei released him afterward.”
“That’s correct,” Han Xiaofeng added. “Liang Shangjun’s actions never truly violated the Mystic Mirror Bureau’s laws.”
Lu Jianwei understood now.
“Then I’ll trouble you, Envoy Han, to help verify whether the man I caught is indeed Liang Shangjun.”
Han Xiaofeng: “It would be my honor.”
The three of them headed to the stables together.
Wen Zhuzhi wheeled his chair himself, but as he descended the ramp beside the steps, one of the wheels suddenly slipped, tilting toward the open space beside it.
Lu Jianwei, standing nearby, reacted swiftly. She grabbed the back of his collar, yanked him upright, then pressed down firmly, using his body weight to right the wheelchair’s direction.
“……”
Silence lingered for a few breaths.
Wen Zhuzhi lifted his head and said sincerely, “Many thanks, Innkeeper Lu.”
“No need for thanks.” Lu Jianwei withdrew her hand with a smile. “Ensuring guest safety is part of the inn’s duty.”
Her peripheral gaze lingered on his collar.
Her forceful tug had bunched the front of his robe around his neck, leaving the back gaping open. The sharp lines of his cervical spine and the firm contours of his shoulders were faintly visible.
Disheveled, slightly disgraced—but that wasn’t the point.
Lu Jianwei mused inwardly: “Little Guest, did you see that?”
“See what?”
“Some people’s disguises are no less impressive than a master thief’s.”
“……”
Lu Jianwei had only glimpsed it in the instant she pulled his clothes.
The moment her fingers tightened, his back muscles tensed abruptly—then relaxed just as quickly.
In that brief shift, the definition of his muscles was strikingly elegant.
Wen Zhuzhi calmly adjusted his collar and continued wheeling toward the stables.
Inside, the six disciples of the Martial Alliance glared at Lu Jianwei with furious, accusatory eyes.
The thief, however, was different.
With an ordinary face, he wailed pitifully, “Innkeeper Lu, Heroine Lu, Senior Lu—I truly meant no harm to your inn! Please, show mercy and let me go! This place is no place for a man!”
“Of course it isn’t,” Lu Jianwei replied leisurely. “It’s a stable.”
Liang Shangjun laughed bitterly. “Innkeeper, these men offended you, but I’ve done nothing wrong!”
“Outside Dongliu City, at Yunlai Inn—if you hadn’t stolen the White Jade Spirit Pill, we wouldn’t have been delayed.”
“That was a misunderstanding! Who knew the Twin Heroes of Dongliu would be so unreasonable?”
“Oh?” Lu Jianwei raised a brow. “As I recall, you were leaning against the doorframe, slurping noodles, thoroughly enjoying the spectacle.”
Liang Shangjun, hands bound, wished he could wipe his face in exasperation.
“It’s just a bad habit of mine, Innkeeper. I didn’t mean to watch your troubles—and with Senior Yan around, the Twin Heroes never stood a chance.”
“I don’t care whose troubles you watch. Let’s just say you were unlucky to cross paths with me.” Lu Jianwei remained unmoved.
She studied Liang Shangjun’s face closely.
The art of disguise was truly remarkable—the mask adhered seamlessly to his skin, his expressions natural and unstrained, without the slightest hint of artifice.
“Innkeeper, don’t look at me like that.” Liang Shangjun lowered his head bashfully. “It’s… embarrassing.”
“……”
With an extra layer on his face, his skin had certainly thickened.
She called for Uncle Zhang. “Drag him out, wash him down, and remove that mask.”
Uncle Zhang complied but admitted sheepishly, “Innkeeper, I know nothing of disguise arts. I can’t remove the mask.”
Special solvents were needed to dissolve the adhesive—otherwise, water alone would ruin it. How else could it last so long?
Han Xiaofeng stepped forward. “I can assist.”
“Much obliged.” Lu Jianwei nodded with a smile.
“No need for courtesy, Innkeeper,” Han Xiaofeng said. “Truthfully, I’m also curious whether this man is Liang Shangjun.”
Liang Shangjun: “……”
He felt like a monkey on display.
Had he known he’d end up like this, he would’ve planned more carefully before entering the inn.
Countless successes had bred arrogance and overconfidence, making him forget that beyond the heavens were higher heavens, beyond men were greater men.
After his failure at Yunlai Inn, he’d consoled himself with bad luck.
With his reputation as the number one thief in the martial world, how could he be exposed so easily?
Lost in thought, he was hauled to the backyard by Uncle Zhang and doused with a bucket of cold water.
“……”
Wahhh—from now on, he’d remember: Never, ever provoke the Eight Directions Inn!
Han Xiaofeng followed to help remove the mask.
The aroma of food wafted from the kitchen, and lanterns glowed under the eaves as night fell, stars faintly twinkling above.
A horse snorted, its large dark eyes blinking curiously at the two figures—one seated, one standing—before the stable.
Lu Jianwei patted the horse’s muzzle and asked, “The Martial Alliance hasn’t sent anyone all these days. Why do you think that is, Young Master Wen?”
“The Martial Alliance is divided into different halls, and there’s some discord between them. I’ve heard that the Celestial Vanguard Hall, to which Yu Jiansheng belongs, has had disputes with the Literary Brilliance Hall.”
Lu Jianwei teased, “‘Heard’… Young Master Wen seems to hear a great deal. You must have quite the intelligence network.”
“You flatter me.” Wen Zhuzhi smiled. “I’m merely searching for a life-extending remedy, so I must gather information widely. The affairs of the Martial Alliance aren’t secrets—it’s just that you, Innkeeper, have lived secluded in the mountains and haven’t heard of them.”
Lu Jianwei returned to the topic. “What does the discord between the two halls have to do with their delay in sending someone?”
“Aside from the Purple Star Hall, the Celestial Vanguard Hall boasts the strongest martial prowess. These six are among its finest young disciples. Their utter defeat at your hands has humiliated the Celestial Vanguard Hall.”
“So?”
“The Celestial Vanguard Hall is reckless and domineering. They tried to make you the scapegoat to salvage the Martial Alliance’s dignity, but they’ve trapped themselves instead, becoming a laughingstock. The Martial Alliance has its share of fools, but it also has its wise ones.”
Lu Jianwei pondered. “The Celestial Vanguard Hall wants to retrieve their men, but the other halls are using this to restrain them, enjoying their embarrassment—hence the delay.”
“Mm.” Wen Zhuzhi stroked his Cold Jade Flute. “The disciples of the Literary Brilliance Hall are shrewd and skilled in diplomacy. They often handle external affairs.”
Lu Jianwei understood. “The Martial Alliance is the sacred ground of the martial world, broad-minded and just. Knowing the Celestial Vanguard Hall’s disciples acted rudely, they’ll surely give me a proper explanation.”
If they’d investigated her past, they’d know her modus operandi: hefty ransoms for captives.
For such negotiations, they’d naturally send envoys from the Literary Brilliance Hall.
Their absence so far likely meant they intended to teach Yu Jiansheng and his comrades a harsh lesson.
Seeing their enemies in dire straits without having to lift a finger—what could be more satisfying?
The back-and-forth between the two left the six men in the stables utterly bewildered.
“Those heartless bastards!” Yu Jiansheng muttered under his breath.
Lu Jianwei smiled faintly. “No need for such harsh words. Do you know how much your lives are worth?”
“Lu, you’ve kept us locked up for days without killing us. Is it because you’re afraid of the Martial Alliance?” Yu Jiansheng scoffed.
Lu Jianwei: “If not for the fact that each of you is worth two hundred thousand taels, you’d have long been fertilizer for the vegetable patch.”
“Two hundred thousand?!” Yu Jiansheng’s eyes bulged. “You’re robbing us blind!”
Xiao Ke was equally shocked. “Didn’t you say fifty thousand per person earlier? Why the sudden price hike?”
“I underestimated before. These martial sects are far wealthier than I imagined. A single Green Dragon Gang could easily cough up seven hundred thousand taels. The Martial Alliance is a giant in the martial world—what’s a mere one hundred twenty thousand to them?”
Xiao Ke: “…”
Lu Jianwei sighed. “The Thousand Miles Tower and Black Wind Fort will be laughing behind our backs when they hear this.”
She could’ve aimed even higher.
“Young Master Wen, do you think it’s too much?”
Wen Zhuzhi shook his head. “Young Hero Yu slandered you first, and the other five ambushed you afterward. Whether it’s reputation or life, twenty thousand taels is far too little.”
Lu Jianwei liked that answer.
She picked up a shovel used for cleaning horse manure and pressed it against Yu Jiansheng’s throat.
“If you’d prefer a cheaper price, I can leave a few scars on you. Still too expensive? Then you’ll stay here forever, keeping these lovely horses company.”
Yu Jiansheng: “…”
The other five cowered like quails.
The higher a warrior’s rank, the more they valued their life—and their pride.
Before Lu Jianwei, their dignity had long been stripped away. The days spent hiding in the stables would be a stain on their honor they could never wash away.
How could they not hate her?
Every night in their dreams, Lu Jianwei knelt before them, weeping and begging for forgiveness.
They crippled her martial arts, severed her meridians, shattered her dantian, leaving her no chance to escape.
They made her repent day and night.
Yet when they woke, it was still the same—dung and piss flying everywhere.
Such despair.
“Manager, they’re cleaned up,” Uncle Zhang reported briskly.
Lu Jianwei tossed the shovel aside and strode toward the main hall.
She wasn’t interested in the thief’s true face—what intrigued her was why Wen Zhuzhi had lured him here.
In the hall, Liang Shangjun knelt on the floor, drenched from head to toe, his hair a tangled mess as he hung his head low.
Xue Guanhe and the others circled him, staring in astonishment.
“Manager Lu, the mask has been removed,” Han Xiaofeng clasped his hands. “Confirmed—it’s the ‘Thousand Faces Thief’ without a doubt.”
Lu Jianwei nodded and took a seat, casting an indifferent glance at Liang Shangjun.
“To what do we owe the honor of the legendary thief’s visit?”
Liang Shangjun slowly raised his head.
His peach-blossom eyes brimmed with charm, his face as fair as jade, his gaze like morning stars. A mole at the tip of his nose served as the perfect accent, and his full lips pressed together in a pout, exuding unparalleled handsomeness.
He stared at Lu Jianwei, his eyes tinged red as if brushed with flower dye, and said pitifully, “Manager Lu, ever since our encounter at Yunlai Inn, I’ve been utterly captivated by your grace. I couldn’t forget you, no matter how hard I tried. I came here to ease the torment of my longing.”
Lu Jianwei arched a brow. “Your pretty-boy act won’t work on me.”
Her heart belonged to one thing only—making money.
Still, she had to admit, it was a waste for a thief to be this good-looking.
Liang Shangjun: “…”
This woman had no heart!
“Young Master Wen, I’ve delivered the thief as promised. How do you plan to settle your debt to me?” Lu Jianwei ignored the thief’s pleading gaze.
Wen Zhuzhi chuckled. “Name your price, Manager Lu.”
“The Martial Alliance’s ransom is two hundred thousand per person. A thief isn’t worth that much—fifty thousand will do.”
Before Wen Zhuzhi could respond, Liang Shangjun protested.
“What do you mean ‘not worth it’? I’m the number one thief in the martial world! Countless people have tried and failed to catch me. Who do those Martial Alliance lackeys think they are? Just riding on their sect’s coattails—what have they ever accomplished?”
“Brother Liang speaks wisely,” Wen Zhuzhi agreed. “Fifty thousand taels does disservice to your reputation.”
Liang Shangjun shot him a glance. “You’ve got a silver tongue.”
“If you’re willing to do something for me, I’ll pay no less than two hundred thousand for your freedom. How about it?”
“What kind of something?”
“The kind involving theft.”
Liang Shangjun: “Wait, that doesn’t add up. You pay to free me, I steal for you, and in the end, Manager Lu gets the money, you get the goods—what’s in it for me?”
“Nothing. But if you refuse, you’ll remain here with the horses.”
“Fine by me. At least horses don’t scheme.” Liang Shangjun gave up. “Manager Lu, you two planned this, didn’t you? I quit. Just tie me back up in the stables.”
A'Nai rushed in and snorted. “You’re just scared.”
“What’s there to be scared of?”
“You’re scared you can’t fulfill Young Master’s request.”
Liang Shangjun sneered. “There’s nothing in this world I can’t steal. Don’t try to provoke me.”
“Big talk. You’ve stolen from the Dongliu Twin Heroes, from minor sects—but can you steal from the Martial Alliance? The Carefree Sect? The Heaven-Supporting Hall?”
Liang Shangjun: “I only steal what deserves to be stolen.”
“And what deserves to be stolen?” Lu Jianwei asked curiously. “Because the owners have blood on their hands?”
Liang Shangjun blinked his peach-blossom eyes at her.
“Exactly.”
Lu Jianwei understood. “You fancy yourself a lone hero, dispensing your own brand of justice.”
“Fancy myself?” Liang Shangjun sighed dramatically. “Is that how you see me, Manager Lu?”
“Isn’t it?”
“They seize treasures, slaughter the innocent—shouldn’t they be taught a lesson?”
Lu Jianwei: “And your idea of a lesson is taking their valuables? That’s a light punishment compared to the lives they’ve taken. What do you do with the stolen goods?”
“Sell them and donate the money.” Liang Shangjun lowered his gaze. “I don’t like killing.”
Lu Jianwei turned to Wen Zhuzhi. “What is it you want him to steal?”
“My apologies, Manager Lu, but I can only disclose that to Brother Liang.” Wen Zhuzhi said regretfully. “If you hand him over to me, I’ll pay fifty thousand taels.”
“Deal.” Lu Jianwei didn’t hesitate. “Money first, then the man.”
Liang Shangjun protested, “Didn’t you say no less than two hundred thousand?”
“That’s for leaving the inn.” Lu Jianwei clarified. “Fifty thousand just buys you a private conversation. You really are expensive.”
“…”
A'Nai presented the fifty thousand taels, muttering, “Manager Lu’s prices keep going up.”
“That’s unfair,” Xue Guanhe argued. “Young Master Wen was the one who offered fifty thousand.”
“Only because—” A'Nai cut himself off with a huff, then hauled Liang Shangjun away.
The three disappeared into a private room.
Lu Jianwei could’ve eavesdropped if she wanted, but she’d given her word to Wen Zhuzhi. Integrity mattered.
“Manager, dinner’s ready,” Xue Guanhe reminded her.
Lu Jianwei smiled.
“Let’s eat!”
Liang Shangjun had been subdued with tools—the fifty thousand counted as ransom and would go into the inn’s ledger.
Fifty thousand, plus the earlier two hundred sixty thousand, totaled three hundred ten thousand taels.
The Wen family’s wealth was truly boundless.
Such a big client like this should be collaborated with more often.
Not long after, the door to the common room opened.
Liang Shangjun stumbled out, looking utterly dejected, and rushed to Lu Jianwei to play the victim.
"Manager Lu, you should just keep abusing me. I really can't handle Young Master Wen's matter."
Lu Jianwei's tone was gentle: "I abused you?"
"No, no—detained me," he hunched his shoulders, trembling slightly. "Please keep detaining me."
Lu Jianwei: "Wasting food."
"Then you'll let me go?" His face lit up with hope. "Manager Lu, you're as kind as you are beautiful!"
Lu Jianwei smiled. "You're quite skilled in martial arts. How can we let such talent go to waste in the stables? From now on, cleaning the stables will be your job."
Such a good laborer—why let it go to waste?
Liang Shangjun: "..."
This punishment is too cruel!
Xue Guanhe and the others welcomed him enthusiastically—the Eight Directions Inn had gained another employee.
"Manager, the employee quarters are full. Where will he sleep at night?" Yue Shu asked.
"There's an empty bed in the common room. He can stay there—it’ll also make it easier for Young Master Wen to conduct business with him."
"Got it."
Liang Shangjun shivered involuntarily.
The future looked bleak.
Late at night, all the lights in the inn went out. Under the cover of darkness, a shadow slipped out of the common room, light as a willow catkin, drifting silently without a sound.
He stealthily crossed the front courtyard, about to leap over the wall—
An invisible force pressed down on him, a familiar power that sent him crashing to the ground with a dull thud.
A woman's soft laughter drifted from the third floor.
"Even after taking 'Ordinary Guest' and losing your inner strength, you can still move like a ghost. Truly worthy of being called the number one thief in the martial world."
Liang Shangjun stared helplessly at the sky.
Since entering the martial world, the number of times he had failed could be counted on one hand—and recently, twice, both times at the hands of the same person.
"If I was truly undetectable, how did you know, Manager Lu?" he asked bitterly.
Lu Jianwei: "You have your tricks, I have mine."
"I surrender, I really do." Liang Shangjun sprawled on the ground. "Manager Lu, working under you isn’t a bad deal."
"It's late. Don’t disturb people’s sleep." Lu Jianwei’s tone was merciless. "And don’t forget to clean the stables tomorrow morning."
Gritting his teeth, Liang Shangjun picked himself up, clutching his aching chest as he trudged back to his room.
The next morning, Lu Jianwei emerged from meditation.
After washing up, she had just descended the stairs when Tiao blocked her path.
"He’s awake."
When Feng Yan was injured by a sixth-level martial artist, he had already resigned himself to a future as a cripple.
Upon opening his eyes, he didn’t even attempt to circulate his inner energy.
Zheng Dalu sat by the bed, his broad shoulders shaking slightly.
Was he… crying?
Sniff… sniff…
Feng Yan: ???
"Dalu," he called out.
Zheng Dalu stiffened before turning around, holding a large bowl of noodles—strands still dangling from his mouth to the bowl.
His eyes widened in delight. "Envoy, you're awake!"
Chewed bits of noodles sprayed out as he spoke.
Feng Yan: "..."
All his grief and indignation shattered into pieces.
Zheng Dalu hurried out with the bowl. Moments later, a teenage girl entered, carrying a bowl of medicine. She looked somewhat familiar.
"Drink." She brought the bowl to his lips.
Feng Yan instinctively opened his mouth, only to grimace at the bitter taste. His gaze flickered over the girl’s faintly purple lips—
Suddenly, realization struck. His mouth snapped shut in horror.
This was Hu Jiuniang’s disciple, Hu Atiao! He’d seen her in Moonview City! What kind of poison was she feeding him?!
Medicine dribbled down his chin, soaking the bedding.
He clenched his jaw, refusing to drink.
Atiao frowned. "Drink."
No! He wouldn’t!
Atiao sighed, set the bowl aside, and left the treatment room. Spotting Lu Jianwei coming downstairs, she intercepted her at the stairs to complain.
"He’s awake? Good." Lu Jianwei noticed her lingering. "Is there something else?"
Atiao fretted. "He won’t drink the medicine."
"Why?"
"I don’t know."
Lu Jianwei hadn’t expected a Mystic Mirror Bureau envoy to be afraid of medicine. She entered the treatment room and met Feng Yan’s conflicted gaze.
"M-Manager Lu!" Feng Yan was both startled and relieved. But seeing Atiao follow her in, he hesitated. "What’s going on?"
Lu Jianwei understood his expression immediately.
"You were severely injured. Envoy Han and Envoy Zheng brought you here for treatment. Atiao is an employee here—she’s been tending to your injuries."
Feng Yan’s mind finally caught up. Guilt flashed across his face. "Miss Atiao, I misunderstood earlier. I spilled your medicine—I’m truly sorry."
"Now that the misunderstanding’s cleared up, will you drink?" Lu Jianwei teased. "Should I call Envoy Han over?"
"No need, no need!" Feng Yan flushed red, bolting upright and downing the medicine in one go.
As the last drop disappeared, the dull pain in his chest gradually eased. A faint warmth spread through his dantian and meridians.
He gasped. "I’m not a cripple?!"
"Envoy, what are you saying?" Zheng Dalu rushed in. "Manager Lu saved you."
Feng Yan was overwhelmed with gratitude. "Manager Lu, you’ve saved me twice now."
Back at the inn, if not for Lu Jianwei’s protection, he and his companions would never have survived the ambush by forces like the Thousand Miles Tower and the Black Wind Fort.
Lu Jianwei: "Envoy Han paid for it. I’m just doing my job."
Feng Yan: This isn’t just doing a job—this is something no amount of money could buy!
Life at the Eight Directions Inn carried on leisurely, while rumors swirled through the martial world.
Disciples of the Martial Alliance had tried to hunt down Lu Jianwei, only to end up trapped in the Eight Directions Inn. The Green Dragon Gang had come looking for trouble but left in disgrace, forced to present carts of gifts. And now, a Mystic Mirror Bureau envoy had sought treatment—Lu Jianwei had expelled sixth-level inner energy, saving a Blue-Robed Envoy from shattered meridians.
Aside from the second incident, the other two made waves.
Who is Lu Jianwei?
Since when are Martial Alliance disciples so weak?
The Blue-Robed Envoy’s injury must’ve been minor—even the Divine Doctor Valley wouldn’t boast like this.
On the road to Jiangzhou City, a group rode hard, a carriage trailing behind them.
Luo Lianhuan’s face was tight with urgency.
"I told you Manager Lu could save Senior Brother, but you wouldn’t listen! Now he’s suffered for nothing all this time!"
Elder Ge sighed. "At the time, Young Master Yu was clearly trying to arrest Lu Jianwei. If we’d sought her help, what would the Martial Alliance have thought?"
"Who cares what they think?" Luo Lianhuan’s willow-thin brows shot up. "They’re incompetent—they can’t even find the killer of our three senior brothers, yet they want to pin it on someone else? Disgusting!"
Elder Ge: "Young Master Yu acted rashly, but afterward, didn’t the Martial Alliance decide to go to Jiangzhou to apologize and make amends?"
"Hmph! The Zhou family case has dragged on forever with no progress. Are the Martial Alliance people just eating free meals?"
"Lianhuan, watch your words." Elder Ge sighed. "We might run into Martial Alliance members in Jiangzhou—you mustn’t say such things."
Luo Lianhuan pouted. "I know, I’m not stupid."
Then she muttered, "If they don’t want people talking, they shouldn’t do such shameless things!"
Elder Ge: "..."
Thankfully, with their swift pace, Jiangzhou City was now within sight.
