Fu Yunmo tremulously approached the guest’s door, clutching a jar of golden sore ointment. Because the Sihai Pavilion frequently hosted martial arts practitioners, the inn kept a large stock of ointment available for free—one of the reasons the “Jianghu” crowd favored staying there.
Just as Fu Yunmo was about to knock, a cold voice rang out from inside.
“Do not enter. Leave it at the door.”
The person seemed averse to talking, and their voice was bone-chillingly cold, devoid of emotion. Yet, Fu Yunmo could clearly sense a palpable aura of killing intent radiating through the door.
“Certainly, guest. Please rest well.”
Fu Yunmo placed the ointment down and bolted downstairs as if her shoes were greased with oil. She rushed to the counter to record the check-in. Fortunately, the script in this world of The Wind and Cloud Change was the same as what she had learned growing up; she could recognize most characters, which was her one true advantage over Zhang the Pockmarked, who was barely literate.
“Surname… Ye. Room Earth-Three…”
“Hmm? Sister Mo isn’t asleep yet?”
Fu Yunmo jumped, a cold sweat breaking out across her skin. Seeing Young Manager Li, she couldn’t help but complain, “Young Manager Li! You walk without making a sound! You scared the life out of me!”
Honestly! The man is built for burglary!
“Haha… my apologies…”
Young Manager Li didn’t look much like his father, the “Human Spirit.” He had refined features, sword-like brows, and bright eyes. With the onset of autumn, he wore a fur-lined robe, his black hair tied neatly in a crown with two small locks framing his face. He looked like a graceful young scholar or a noble scion.
He was undeniably handsome—the most beautiful scenery in the Sihai Pavilion late at night.
Since learning that Fu Yunmo was older than him, he had insisted on calling her “Sister Mo,” just like Nan Kunlun. She didn’t know why everyone insisted on adding a “little” or “sister” to her name.
“A guest checked in?”
Young Manager Li walked over to her. Fu Yunmo could catch the scent of a very pleasant fragrance on him. Why does a grown man use perfume!
“Yes, a woman named Ye.”
Fu Yunmo grumbled inwardly. If you had come sooner, I wouldn’t have been scared half to death by her, alright?
“…I see. Go and rest! You’ve worked hard.”
Young Manager Li always spoke with a scholarly air. Fu Yunmo never had the heart to raise her voice at him, fearing he’d burst into tears if someone were too blunt.
“I’m heading off then. Oh, by the way, Young Manager Li… that Miss Ye who just checked in? She’s not to be trifled with. Be careful.”
Fu Yunmo vanished in a puff of smoke before he could even say “thank you.”
Young Manager Li lowered his gaze to where Fu Yunmo had been writing. His eyes brightened, and a smile touched his lips.
“Her handwriting is truly beautiful.”
The next day, Fu Yunmo started work as usual, but between the scare and the wine she’d finished the night before, she hadn’t fallen asleep until the early hours. She sported massive dark circles under her eyes.
“Sister Mo, did you sleep poorly?” Nan Kunlun came over to show concern.
“Mind your business, brat. Get to work.”
Though exhausted, Fu Yunmo ensured her tasks were completed. However, anyone could see she was flagging.
“Fu girl, come here.”
The Human Spirit waved her over. Fu Yunmo carried the teapot to his table.
“What is it, Manager?”
Li the Human Spirit stroked his mustache, pondering for a moment. “You… have a new assignment.”
“I’ll add an extra chicken leg to your meal.”
“Spill it.”
“The guest in Room Earth-Three specifically requested your service. She won’t have any male waiters.”
“Oh, alright.”
Fu Yunmo thought it was no big deal—until the realization hit her like a lightning bolt. Her head went numb, her mind turning white.
“Man… Manager, which room did you say?”
“Room Earth-Three.”
“…I don’t want the chicken leg anymore. Send someone else!”
Is this a joke?! That’s the Female Devil! If I slip up, I won’t even know how I died!
“The guest said that if you are unwilling, she doesn’t mind coming down to ‘talk’ to you personally.”
Personally? Fu Yunmo swallowed hard, a drop of sweat rolling down her temple.
“Manager… how about… you hire another female waiter?”
Li the Human Spirit squinted, tugging his mustache. He wished he could! But where was he going to find a well-bred young lady willing to be a servant? You think everyone is as forward-thinking and unconventional as you?
“…So, do you accept?”
“…Do I have a choice?”
“Good. Extra chicken leg for you.”
Fu Yunmo pouted. Even a chicken leg will taste like ash now… If I get ‘snapped,’ you’d better be adding gold ingots and incense to my funeral, Manager…
“Eh, Sister Mo, why the long face?” Nan Kunlun approached again.
Fu Yunmo shot him a look. “Nothing. Have you been practicing your martial arts?”
She knew Nan Kunlun had been working hard at night—not the “Ghost Sword” style, but basic hand-to-hand combat. The kid understood the importance of a foundation.
“I have! How else am I going to teach Zhang the Pockmarked a lesson for Sister Mo in the future!”
Fu Yunmo paused. Something felt off. She leaped a step away. “Kid, you don’t… have feelings for me, do you?”
The voice was low, but a guest at a nearby table leaned in to eavesdrop on the two waiters.
“No, no, no! Sister Mo, don’t misunderstand! We’ve been through life and death together—I think of you as my own sister!”
Nan Kunlun was telling the truth. Fu Yunmo rarely expressed care with her words, but she bought him good food and left ointment at his door. He truly viewed her as family.
“That’s a relief. Scared me to death.”
Fu Yunmo patted her chest. Phew, I thought I was about to become the ‘cannon fodder’ that the male lead likes, only to be killed by a jealous female lead.
“Go, go, stop bothering me. I’m fine.”
She chased him away and continued clearing tables. Suddenly, a thought occurred to her… The disciples of the Tianyuan Sect had gone out again; she hadn’t seen them all morning.
With only three days until the Great Martial Arts Assembly, everyone was busy. The front hall was swamped, and Zhang the Pockmarked had used yesterday’s “injury” as an excuse to take the day off. It was infuriating.
Fu Yunmo worked until she finally collapsed onto a table in the front hall and fell asleep. The rhythmic clack-clack of Li the Human Spirit’s abacus didn’t bother her. He didn’t wake her either; since the Tianyuan Sect and the woman in Earth-Three weren’t back yet, he let her sleep.
Footsteps echoed. Li the Human Spirit looked up. It was the guest from Earth-Three—dressed in dark blue martial attire, her face hidden behind a white jade mask. Having seen countless people, the Manager knew her aura was something the Sihai Pavilion couldn’t afford to offend.
She glanced at the sleeping Fu Yunmo, then at the Manager. Before she could speak, he forestalled her.
“I’ll see to whatever the guest needs immediately.” He didn’t wake Fu Yunmo, preferring to handle the request himself.
“Tell her to bring golden sore ointment up.”
Perhaps hearing the voices, Fu Yunmo woke up in a daze, but the woman had already headed to her room.
“Fu girl, the guest in Earth-Three is back. She wants you to bring ointment up.”
The words “Earth-Three” acted like an ice-water bath. Fu Yunmo woke up instantly, shivering.
“No need to be afraid. No one dares cause trouble in the Sihai Pavilion.”
Li’s words offered some comfort. Although she didn’t know the capabilities of the City Lord of Tianji City, the Sihai Pavilion had always been peaceful in the novel—no one ever died here. It’ll be fine. Yeah, it has to be.
Fu Yunmo took the ointment. Just as she was about to knock, a voice came from within.
“Come in.”
Fu Yunmo pushed the door open. The woman had already removed her mask. She sat with her back to Fu, her cloud-like hair swept over her left shoulder. Fu Yunmo could see the clothing on her back had been slashed, and blood was seeping through.
For some reason… in Fu Yunmo’s eyes, the sight was strangely… sexy.
Wait, no! Isn’t this woman one of the top five experts? Why does she keep getting injured? And why was she such a troublemaker? Chasing that man in black the other night—she must have been the one to start the fight.
Fu Yunmo closed the door and placed the ointment on the table. “Um… guest, do you need anything else?”
Please say no!
“Help me apply the medicine. I can’t reach my back.”
Fu Yunmo’s brain felt like it had been dynamited. Applying medicine to the Female Devil… seriously?!
“…Alright…” Even the word “alright” was trembling. She was truly terrified.
Fu Yunmo stood behind her. The woman deftly pulled her garment down, revealing her pale, silky back and the white silk ties of her undergarment. Her fair neck showed faint veins, the lines of her back… her shoulder blades… she was stunning.
Fu Yunmo felt her face flush. It wasn’t that she’d never seen a woman’s body before, but this was the first time she had to look for the sake of medicine. And this woman… she smelled so good. Even the metallic tang of blood from the gash on her back couldn’t mask her fragrance.
“Hurry up.”
The woman was clearly feeling self-conscious as well, prompting the delay. Fu Yunmo’s trembling fingers dipped into the ointment and applied it gently to the wound. She could feel the woman’s muscles twitching slightly under her touch.
How much must this hurt?! It was a sword wound the length of a finger, the flesh torn open. The blood had mostly stopped, but could a simple ointment really heal this?
“Are you afraid of me?”
The voice was still cold and thin, but there was a slight upward lilt at the end of the sentence. It was as if she enjoyed being feared… or perhaps…
She was feeling playful?
“Uh… I’m just not used to this.”
Not used to applying medicine, and certainly not used to seeing such a wound. It was… horrific. A beautiful back, marred by a scar! What a waste.
Not used to it?
The corners of the woman’s mouth curled into an arc. “Am I so terrifying?”
If she asked this of her cult followers, the answer would be a unanimous “Yes.” But she wanted to hear what this gold-haired little waiter would say.