No Fighting Allowed in the Inn-Chapter 114

◎Confiscation, Advancement of the Staff, A'Yao's Request◎

Lu Jianwei worked swiftly with her needles. Within the time it took for a single incense stick to burn, she had restored vitality to all fifteen critically injured patients.

The physicians who witnessed this "miracle" were overcome with excitement and awe.

Their only regret was that while they could memorize the needle techniques, they couldn't grasp the underlying medical principles.

"Remember to remove the needles," Lu Jianwei turned to Meng Ti'an. "And don't forget to collect the consultation fees."

Meng Ti'an replied, "Rest assured, we won't neglect the payment."

Even if these patients couldn't afford the steep fees, the Divine Physician Valley was willing to cover the cost as a gesture of gratitude for the opportunity to observe her methods.

Lu Jianwei nodded. "The remaining thirty-five will be treated tomorrow. Have them pay in advance."

The acupuncture process was mentally taxing, and she wasn’t some benevolent bodhisattva sacrificing her rest for others.

Most of the injured were young disciples from various sects who had wreaked havoc in the arena. While the Gu Emperor’s influence played a role, their actions couldn’t be ignored.

Among them was the notoriously arrogant Zhao Rui.

Letting him experience the agony of "being gravely injured by a stronger opponent with no justice served" might do him some good.

Perhaps it would make him reconsider his belief in the martial world’s rule that "the strong can act with impunity."

Zhao Rui felt like he was dying.

Under the Gu Emperor’s influence, he had recklessly forced his meridians open, leaving them severely damaged and wracked with unbearable pain.

The physicians in the hall couldn’t treat him, and even those from the Divine Physician Valley could only slow the deterioration.

For a full day and night, he lay in the infirmary like a useless cripple.

The only silver lining was that Bian Xingzhou, that insufferable fool, was in the same state—lying on the bed next to him, hissing in pain.

"Bian Xingzhou, can you shut up?" Zhao Rui snapped through gritted teeth.

After a moment of silence, Bian Xingzhou rasped, "Don’t you think this is strange?"

He had been knocked unconscious by Senior Brother Ying, only to wake up under some bizarre compulsion and proceed to harm himself.

"I’m not an idiot," Zhao Rui scoffed. "It was definitely that bastard Zhuang Wenqing’s doing. Once I recover, I’ll chop him into pieces!"

"Recover?" Bian Xingzhou’s voice was bleak. "Didn’t you hear the physicians? They can’t treat us."

"They can’t, but Lu Jianwei can," Zhao Rui said, clinging to optimism.

Bian Xingzhou rolled his eyes with difficulty. "Why would she save you? Are you two friends?"

"We’ll pay the fee, won’t we?"

Just then, a physician entered and announced, "Lu Jianwei has already treated fifteen patients today. She’ll return tomorrow. You must pay the consultation fee in advance."

"How much?"

"Fifty thousand taels per person."

Zhao Rui and Bian Xingzhou exchanged a silent, despairing glance.

"Well? Are you paying or not?"

Zhao Rui hesitated. "Isn’t that too expensive?"

"There’s a cheaper option," the physician said. "If you can endure a few more days, Yun Hui, Lu Jianwei’s apprentice, will finish her secluded training and can treat you instead."

Bian Xingzhou, ever pragmatic, said, "To be treated personally by a ninth-rank Martial King is an honor. However, I’m currently immobile—please inform my sect members."

"Understood." The physician noted it down and turned to Zhao Rui. "And you?"

Before Zhao Rui could answer, a voice came from outside: "I’ve brought the money."

Upon hearing that Lu Jianwei had arrived at the infirmary, Zhao Xian had immediately prepared a chest of silver notes.

Knowing her esteemed status, he anticipated the fee would be steep and prepared accordingly—fifty thousand taels or more. His foresight proved correct.

The physician accepted the payment, recorded the transaction, and left.

Word spread quickly, and the sects swiftly gathered the funds, delivering them to the infirmary in no time.

Some wandering martial artists couldn’t afford the fee, and the physicians followed Lu Jianwei’s rules, meticulously recording their cases.

After organizing the records, the ledgers, name lists, and payment chests were sent to the main courtyard.

Lu Jianwei had just finished drawing Pei Zhi’s poisoned blood and fed it to Little Wu. The taste was unpleasant, and the little creature fussed, so she coaxed it with rare medicinal herbs.

"Manager, someone from the infirmary is here," Uncle Zhang reported from outside.

Lu Jianwei stepped out, skimmed through the name list, and said, "Invite Deputy Commander Qi Yan."

When Qi Yan entered the courtyard, her gaze instinctively flickered toward the dormitory before she quickly composed herself and bowed to Lu Jianwei, who reclined on a rocking chair.

"Manager Lu, what do you require of me?"

Lu Jianwei smiled. "No need for formalities, Deputy Commander. Please, sit."

Qi Yan obliged.

"Though I am a physician, I’m not running a charity," Lu Jianwei said bluntly, handing her the name list. "The infirmary’s policy allows fee reductions for the impoverished. But I’m unfamiliar with the martial world’s affairs and its people. If someone tries to deceive me, wouldn’t I be played for a fool?"

Qi Yan understood. "Rest easy, Manager Lu. I’ll investigate everyone on this list who applied for a reduction and present my findings to you."

"Thank you." Lu Jianwei appreciated working with intelligent people.

Qi Yan grinned. "If anything, I should be thanking you."

"Oh?"

"You’ve saved the Commander multiple times, as well as our agents, aiding the Mystic Mirror Bureau immensely. I won’t forget your kindness."

Lu Jianwei waved it off. "Our dealings have always been fair exchanges. No need for gratitude."

"Life is priceless; it can’t be measured in silver," Qi Yan said wryly. "You may not know this, but before your inn existed, if a Mystic Mirror agent sought treatment from the Divine Physician Valley, the fee was ten times that of an ordinary martial artist."

Lu Jianwei: "..."

No wonder Commander Pei was so desperate to earn money. With just the court’s stipend, the Mystic Mirror Bureau would’ve been bankrupt long ago.

"Then I won’t stand on ceremony," she said. "There’s one more matter I’d like to entrust to the Bureau."

"Name it."

"The Thousand Miles Tower orchestrated this deadly scheme. While Zhuang Wenqing has paid with his life, shouldn’t they also compensate for the damages inflicted on the inn and the martial artists?"

Qi Yan’s pulse quickened. "You mean…?"

"Confiscate their assets."

Qi Yan was stunned for a few breaths before breaking into a knowing smile. She clasped her fists. "Consider it done, Manager Lu."

Lu Jianwei nodded. "I await good news."

"Manager, I’ll mobilize the Bureau’s agents to head for Jingzhou immediately. But before I leave, may I ask for your assurance?"

"Go on."

"The Commander…"

"He’ll be fine. Don’t worry."

"With your word, I’m at ease."

Qi Yan bowed deeply and strode out of the courtyard.

True to her decisive nature, she swiftly assembled the Mystic Mirror agents and departed for Jingzhou.

By the time the other sects realized what was happening, the Bureau’s forces were long gone.

Even if they had caught on, none would dare contest Lu Jianwei’s claim to the Thousand Miles Tower’s wealth.

As for the Tower’s remaining elders and disciples, resistance was futile.

Their leader was dead, Elder Lan was imprisoned, and Lu Jianwei—now a ninth-rank Martial King—stood as the world’s foremost expert. What could they possibly do?

Better to grab their personal savings and flee.

With the Mystic Mirror Bureau gone, Mei Sixian, their accompanying scribe, had no reason to stay either.

This was another reason Lu Jianwei had tasked Qi Yan with the confiscation.

Having an unknown quasi-Grandmaster lurking in the shadows, observing everything, was unsettling.

"Little Wu, pull up the surveillance footage on Mei Sixian."

That day, she was too busy fighting to pay attention to this person, but fortunately, Little Wu had been monitoring the entire time and recorded his behavior.

The screen began replaying the chaos.

While everyone else wore expressions of shock—either preparing to fight or dodging—Mei Sixian pretended to be terrified, hiding between the seats. Beside him were the panic-stricken Shangguan Yao and Little Tao, who was desperately trying to protect her mistress.

He covered half his face with his long sleeve, revealing only his eyes.

There was no trace of fear in those eyes—only depth, coldness, and a faint hint of amusement.

It was as if he had merely chosen to observe a grand farce to pass the time.

His hiding spot seemed particularly fortunate; not a single martial artist disturbed him from start to finish, and even the frenzied attackers ignored him entirely.

For someone who was supposedly "completely untrained in martial arts," this was nothing short of miraculous luck.

Lu Jianwei closed her eyes in contemplation for a moment before summoning A'Nai.

"Among the Level Nine Martial Kings in the jianghu, is there anyone with the surname Mei?"

A'Nai recalled clearly: "Neither among the deceased nor the living."

"Understood. You may go."

A feeling arose in Lu Jianwei’s heart—this world of martial arts ran deeper than she had imagined.

Beyond semi-reclusive sects like the Carefree Sect and the Sky Pillar Hall, there must exist fully reclusive sects as well.

This should be common knowledge in the jianghu.

Otherwise, why would those people have mistaken her for a disciple of a reclusive sect when she first disguised herself as a master and used the inn’s props to intimidate them?

So, was Mei Sixian, who concealed his inner strength, from one of these reclusive sects?

A commotion suddenly came from the main building.

A burst of Level Four late-stage inner energy spilled out for a few breaths before abruptly retracting.

Tiao had broken through.

Perhaps influenced by her, Xue Guanhe also advanced shortly after, reaching Level Four late-stage as well.

By the time the two had stabilized their cultivation and emerged, the sky was already painted with the glow of dawn.

Xue Guanhe, brimming with energy, rushed to Lu Jianwei.

"Boss, I’ve advanced!"

"Well done," Lu Jianwei nodded. "Tiao did well too."

Xue Guanhe’s intuition had sharpened, and he hesitated before saying, "Boss, I feel like you’re… different from before?"

"How so?" Lu Jianwei smiled.

"You seem stronger, but also… weaker?"

His words were contradictory, but not entirely wrong.

After reaching Level Nine, Lu Jianwei’s overall strength had surged, making her undeniably more powerful. Yet at the same time, her aura had grown even more restrained, giving the illusion of being "weaker."

Just like Mei Sixian, a quasi-Grandmaster—if he wished, no one would ever detect that he was a top-tier expert.

The higher one climbed, the more they returned to simplicity.

"You two were in seclusion, so you wouldn’t know—something major happened the day before yesterday," Yun Hui said as she returned from the courtyard with an account book, casting a fond glance at Tiao and Xue Guanhe. "The boss is now a Level Nine Martial King."

Both Tiao and Xue Guanhe couldn’t help but widen their eyes.

Had they really only been in seclusion for three days, not three years?

"Where’s Yue? And A'Nai?"

"The formation collapsed, so Yue went to reset it. A'Nai is cooking in the kitchen."

"Oh right, cooking!" Xue Guanhe smacked his forehead. "I’ll go find A'Nai."

Tiao paused, then followed.

Having emerged to such drastic changes, she was equally curious about what had transpired.

Soon, the kitchen echoed with the young man’s animated retelling, punctuated by gasps and exclamations of disbelief.

Lu Jianwei and Yun Hui exchanged a smile.

This kind of lively, mundane atmosphere was what truly made life worth living.

The next day, Lu Jianwei took Tiao to the medical hut to treat the wounded.

Zhao Rui, Bian Xingzhou, and the others had endured pain for a full day and night. Seeing the two of them was like seeing their saviors.

"You’ve memorized the needle techniques and grasped the principles of the 'meridians.' Now, all you lack is practice," Lu Jianwei instructed. "Undress."

Tiao promptly lifted Zhao Rui’s robe.

Zhao Rui: "…"

A crowd of physicians from the Divine Doctor Valley stood by the bed, eager to observe.

"Wait," Zhao Rui forced out through gritted teeth. "Manager Lu, aren’t you the one treating me?"

Lu Jianwei smiled. "I’ll be supervising."

"…"

"Young Hero Zhao, don’t move—or the needles might miss their mark," Meng Ti'an said kindly.

Yet Zhao Rui felt a chill down his spine. The way these physicians were looking at him, it was as if he were a mere tool for study.

"Manager Lu, I’ll pay extra—can they not watch?"

Lu Jianwei raised an eyebrow.

"How much?" Tiao asked.

"O-one thousand taels?"

"Tiao, begin," Lu Jianwei said, no longer entertaining him.

Tiao took out a thin needle, focused, and pierced an acupoint, sensing the elusive "meridians" within the body’s energy channels.

After cultivating a new technique, her inner energy had improved rapidly. Following Lu Jianwei’s teachings, she had deliberately sought out these "meridians" within herself and, after much practice, had gained some insight.

Her needlework was precise, her hands steady—she never made a mistake.

But ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‍locating another person’s meridians was a first, so she proceeded cautiously.

For her and the other physicians, this was a learning opportunity. For Zhao Rui, however, it was an exercise in humiliation.

Though he wasn’t fully undressed, never before had so many people scrutinized his body like this. It was… undignified.

"Don’t tense up," Tiao said coldly.

Zhao Rui: "…"

The entire procedure took the time it took an incense stick to burn.

When the last needle was placed, Zhao Rui—who had been sulking—suddenly realized the pain in his meridians was fading.

From agony to a dull ache, it took mere moments.

Then, all discomfort vanished entirely.

He was alive again!

His earlier frustration disappeared, replaced only by gratitude toward Lu Jianwei and Tiao.

They were truly saviors, divine beings in human form.

After successfully treating one patient, Tiao’s understanding of the needle technique deepened, and her confidence grew. Her movements became swifter.

"You’ve mastered it completely. The rest is up to you," Lu Jianwei said, not planning to stay longer. After a few more instructions, she left the medical hut.

Back in the main courtyard, Shangguan Yao and Little Tao were waiting outside.

"Why not go in?" Lu Jianwei asked warmly.

After the chaos, Shangguan Yao had been unwell from the shock and had rested in her room for days before mustering the strength to come out. Her face was still pale, her cheeks noticeably thinner.

"Sister Lu, I have something to tell you," Shangguan Yao said, twisting her sleeves nervously. "I knew you weren’t in the main courtyard, and I didn’t want to intrude."

Lu Jianwei led them inside and had Xue Guanhe bring tea and snacks.

"What is it?"

Shangguan Yao clutched her handkerchief tightly and whispered, "I noticed someone acting suspiciously."

"Who?"

"During the arena matches, he was sitting beside Little Tao and me, asking about you. When the arena descended into chaos and martial artists started killing each other, I was terrified and hid behind the seats. Then I saw him flick his fingers—and the person charging at us was sent flying back."

Lu Jianwei feigned surprise at her sharp observation. "Are you sure you didn’t imagine it?"

"No," Shangguan Yao insisted. "I may not know martial arts, but I’m not completely ignorant. Little Tao said the attacker was Level Six, and there was no one else nearby who could’ve helped us. Who else could it have been?"

"I promised your father you wouldn’t come to harm in the arena," Lu Jianwei said.

She had instructed Xiao Ke to keep a close eye on Shangguan Yao, ensuring that if she ever faced danger, he would use tools to rescue her.

Shangguan Yao frowned slightly. "Sister Lu, I know there are experts from your sect overseeing the arena, but at that time, chaos erupted everywhere—everyone was fighting. That expert couldn’t possibly focus on me alone. Besides, I just had a gut feeling that something was off."

"Xiao Ke, is this true?" Lu Jianwei asked silently in her mind.

Xiao Ke replied, "Mei Sixian bent down to retrieve something from his book box, and his hand was hidden by his sleeve. From my angle, I couldn’t see it. I was ready to intervene, but that martial artist was suddenly sent flying. I assumed someone else had helped them."

"A-Yao, how did you see him flick his fingers?"

"When he took the paper out of the book box, he made a small movement. I happened to be hiding behind a chair and saw it clearly. The moment he moved, that person was sent flying."

"What happened after that? Did anyone else bother you?"

"No. Shortly after, my father arrived."

Lu Jianwei pondered for a moment before smiling. "A-Yao, why did you tell me all this?"

"I’m sorry, Sister Lu," Shangguan Yao lowered her head in shame. "I had selfish motives."

"What motives?"

"Shangguan Chi is affiliated with the academy. After the heavy losses suffered by various sects this time, resentment is bound to grow. My father has been so worried these past few days that he can’t even eat, fearing the academy might face retribution from the martial world. But what Shangguan Chi did truly has nothing to do with my father—he never intended to harm anyone."

"So, you wanted to find a clue that might prove Shangguan Chi wasn’t the mastermind. That way, everyone’s attention would shift to a new lead—one conveniently tied to the Mystic Mirror Bureau, which stands opposed to the martial world. That would stir their interest even more, right?"

"...Yes."

"It’s a clever thought, but not very convincing. Even if you told them, they wouldn’t believe it."

"Sister Lu, I..." Shangguan Yao bit her lip. "I know it’s not much, but I was hoping to earn your favor. If they end up attacking my father and the academy, could you speak up for him? I know it’s wrong of me to ask, but I have no one else to turn to."

"There’s nothing wrong with that. Selfishness is normal—everyone has it." Lu Jianwei soothed her gently. "The one who acts must bear the consequences. As long as it’s proven that Shangguan Chi acted alone, your father won’t be implicated."

Shangguan Yao exhaled in relief. "That’s good. Thank you, Sister Lu."

"Is there anything else?"

"No. Sister Lu, I’ll take my leave now."

Lu Jianwei watched as the two left through the courtyard gate.

Not a few breaths later, Little Tao’s voice drifted over.

"Miss, did you really see that person make a move?"

"Yes."

"But isn’t it normal for experts to visit the inn? Why did you find it suspicious?"

"Only an eighth or ninth-level Martial King could have done something like that, but I don’t recall ever seeing him before. He pretended to be powerless, fooling Sister Lu and everyone else. He must have some ulterior motive. Even without the Shangguan Chi incident, I would’ve told Sister Lu."

"Will Shangguan Chi really not affect the academy?"

"If Sister Lu promised, she won’t go back on her word."

Little Tao fell silent for a moment before murmuring dejectedly, "When I saw Twelve earlier, she suddenly felt a bit unfamiliar—different from before."

"Little Tao, it’s not that Sister Lu has changed." Shangguan Yao’s gaze was clear. "It’s our own mindset that’s shifted."

Little Tao scratched her head. "I suppose so. It just doesn’t feel as comfortable as before, but Twelve is still as kind as ever—she remembered I love snacks."

Their voices gradually faded into the distance.

Lu Jianwei rested her chin on her hand, staring at the small patch of courtyard before her, when a faint sense of loneliness and desolation welled up in her heart.

After the arena’s chaotic battle, regardless of past grievances, everyone treated her with reverence. Wherever she went, people bowed in deference.

This had been her goal ever since transmigrating into this world, and now it seemed she had achieved it.

She was happy, of course—at least in this world, almost no one could easily harm her, let alone kill her.

But the increasingly respectful expressions of her staff, the cautious roundabout words of her friends, and the way former rivals looked at her as if she were a monster—all of it made her feel like an outsider in this world.

Was this the loneliness of standing at the top?

"Manager!" Yue Shu ran over excitedly. "I’ve finished resetting the formation!"

The young man’s face was brimming with anticipation for praise. "This time, I didn’t ask Gentleman Wen for help—I did it all by myself."

Lu Jianwei was infected by his enthusiasm, and all her melancholy and solitude vanished.

"A-Yue, you’re amazing. What reward would you like?"

"There’s a reward?" Yue Shu’s eyes lit up. "Really, anything?"

Lu Jianwei smiled. "As long as it doesn’t violate justice, anything."

Yue Shu pretended to think for a moment before declaring, "I want the manager to fulfill a wish for me."

"What wish?"

"The wish is—" He paused for dramatic effect, then grinned brightly. "I wish for the manager to be happy every day!"

Lu Jianwei was momentarily stunned before bursting into laughter.

Well, it seemed she had overthought things. The staff were still the same staff, and the inn was still the same inn.

Ten days passed in a flash.

The wounded in the infirmary gradually recovered, and the guests’ restlessness grew.

Yet no one dared to approach the main courtyard to ask Lu Jianwei why she still hadn’t judged the mastermind behind the incident.

Lu Jianwei hadn’t been idle either, staying in the main courtyard all this time.

Aside from drawing Pei Zhi’s poisoned blood daily to feed Little Wu, she continued studying martial techniques, medicine, and the art of gu.

The creation of Little Wu, the Gu Emperor, was only possible because she had the perfect alignment of timing, location, and resources. Without the ancient texts gifted by Alehong, the countless medicinal herbs sent by the three tribes, and the gu insects provided by the system, Little Wu would never have existed.

In truth, her gu skills paled in comparison to the Gu God Sect’s experts.

But then again, without her initial efforts, neither Alehong’s books nor the gratitude of the three tribes would have come to pass.

At the very least, the medical knowledge she used to save lives was the result of her own hard work.

Ten days had gone by, and Pei Zhi still hadn’t woken.

A'Nai had been frantic at first, but seeing how composed Lu Jianwei remained and that his master’s condition hadn’t worsened, he gradually relaxed.

"Manager Lu, will you be performing acupuncture on the young master today?" A'Nai asked.

Every time Lu Jianwei drew poisoned blood, she closed the door, leading the staff to assume she was administering acupuncture.

"A'Nai, today I’m entrusting you with a very important task." Lu Jianwei adopted a solemn tone as she handed him a prescription. "This formula can save your master’s life. You must brew it within an hour and bring it to his room. Understood?"

A'Nai instantly felt the weight of the paper in his hands.

He nodded gravely. "I will."

"The herbs are in the storeroom. Ask Uncle Zhang for the key and gather them yourself."

"Yes." He took a few steps before hesitating and turning back. "Manager Lu, are you planning to detoxify the young master?"

Lu Jianwei didn’t hide it from him. "I’ve found a method that might neutralize his poison. Remember, no one is to disturb me for the next hour."

A'Nai's eyes suddenly reddened. With deep solemnity, she bowed and said in a choked voice, "Shopkeeper Lu, from now on, if you ever have any orders, I will go through fire and water without hesitation."

Lu Jianwei: "..."

Had she overacted?