No Fighting Allowed in the Inn

The well was the sole water source for the Eight Directions Inn. If it were contaminated by the venom of insects and used for daily needs, the consequences would be unthinkable.

If this scheme succeeded, the inn would suffer significant losses, hence its defensive value immediately dropped by five hundred points.

Heartbreaking!

Among the inn’s guests, the one most fond of playing with insects was none other than Lv Hudie.

According to the rules of the martial world, severing the limbs of someone who used poisonous insects to release venom would be considered merciful.

Lu Jianwei disliked bloodshed—she was only interested in making money.

But making money required her to fully control a fifth-rank martial artist.

Lv Hudie possessed profound inner energy and carried countless venomous insects that were impossible to guard against. If it came down to pure inner strength, the only person in the inn who could suppress him was Yan Feicang.

But what if he attacked with his insects?

The venom had already seeped into the well water, leaving Lu Jianwei no time to deliberate.

"Yan Feicang!"

She acted decisively, her voice resonating from her core.

Yan Feicang had been contemplating the flaws in his blade technique when the sudden call startled him. Instinctively, he pushed the door open and stepped out.

"Here!"

"Seize him!"

Before anyone could react, a colorful figure leaped from the second floor, attempting to flee over the backyard wall.

Yan Feicang pinpointed the sound, drew his blade, and—

Whoosh! A flash of icy steel swept forth. The swordplay of a sixth-rank martial artist was like an unbreakable iron cage, trapping Lv Hudie beneath the wall.

The latter had no choice but to halt and turn, his powdered face still smiling, as Lu Jianwei strode forward.

"Innkeeper Lu, what is the meaning of this?"

Yan Feicang pressed his blade against Lv Hudie’s neck, equally puzzled as he glanced at Lu Jianwei. His strike had been purely reflexive—he had no idea why she had given the order.

Uncle Zhang and the others rushed over at the commotion.

Lu Jianwei commanded, "There’s an insect by the well. Kill it."

Everyone turned to look.

A black beetle crouched at the edge of the well, its antennae twitching as its wings fluttered slightly, as if preparing to take flight.

It was trying to escape!

The Gale Palm strike came roaring in—its force ruthless and unyielding—shattering the beetle into pieces. Its broken remains fluttered to the ground, utterly lifeless.

Yue Shu and Xue Guanhe shivered at the sight.

"Who in the martial world doesn’t know of Lv Hudie’s penchant for venomous insects?" Uncle Zhang’s gaze sharpened like an arrow, piercing Lv Hudie. "You let that thing near our water—were you trying to poison us?"

Hearing this, Yan Feicang’s expression froze over, and he pressed the blade deeper.

A man of honor, he despised underhanded tricks like this.

"Why would you try to harm us?!"

Lv Hudie clutched his chest, feigning distress.

"How would I dare harm Senior Yan? That insect must have wandered in on its own—it has nothing to do with this humble lady!"

"Then why did you run?" Lu Jianwei chuckled. "Don’t tell me you were just practicing your lightness skills."

Lv Hudie: "..."

With his excuse blocked, he scrambled for another.

"I was just feeling stifled in my room and wanted some fresh air."

Lu Jianwei pressed further, "And where is your companion? Did he not join you?"

Lv Hudie was cornered. Cao Haozi had already left the inn—there was no way he could suddenly appear now. Lying was pointless.

Yet he couldn’t fathom it.

His little darlings were inconspicuous, often killing without a sound. Even Yan Feicang, a sixth-rank martial artist, hadn’t sensed them. How had Innkeeper Lu detected them so swiftly?

He had underestimated the Eight Directions Inn.

"Innkeeper Lu, this humble lady truly meant no harm. Won’t you release me? Warrior Yan’s blade is far too sharp—I’m frightened!"

Lv Hudie’s face was deathly pale, as if genuinely terrified.

"Still denying it?" Lu Jianwei raised a brow. "Yan Feicang, strip him. Let’s see how many more venomous insects he’s hiding."

Yan Feicang hesitated.

"Innkeeper… isn’t that a bit improper?" Xue Guanhe whispered a reminder.

(Don’t forget you’re a lady yourself!)

"Exactly! This humble lady’s appearance is far too unsightly—I wouldn’t want to offend Innkeeper Lu’s refined eyes," Lv Hudie quickly agreed.

Lu Jianwei remained unmoved.

"Do it. And crush any insects you find."

Yan Feicang, ever true to his word, had sworn to obey her commands. Without further hesitation, he reached for Lv Hudie’s collar.

"Wait! I’ll talk!"

Lv Hudie surrendered in a panic, even forgetting his usual "humble lady" affectation.

"I—I just saw Innkeeper Lu had so many exquisite jewelry pieces and thought to steal some for a bit of silver!"

Lu Jianwei’s expression said, You think I’m an idiot?

"The venom on that insect only temporarily paralyzes—it isn’t fatal," Lv Hudie whimpered. "I planned to wait until after dinner, when you were all immobilized, before taking the jewelry and leaving."

Yan Feicang, unaware of the White Crane Manor’s schemes, actually believed him.

"You vile wretch!"

He slammed the flat of his blade against Lv Hudie’s chest.

Lv Hudie couldn’t withstand the force—he coughed up blood with a wretched gasp.

Pitifully, he lifted his head.

"Innkeeper Lu, if you don’t believe me, test the well water on some livestock."

Lu Jianwei didn’t need tests. She mentally commanded her system: "Scan the well water. And check how much money he’s carrying."

"The venom does indeed only cause temporary paralysis," the system reported dutifully. "Diluted in the well water, its effects would be even weaker. As for his funds—he has only a hundred-tael silver note, five taels of loose silver, and a dozen copper coins."

In short, Lv Hudie hadn’t intended murder.

His real goal had likely been to abduct Uncle Zhang and Yue Shu.

Uncle Zhang asked, "Innkeeper, shall I go to Linyue Village for livestock to test the water?"

"No need. The venom is indeed only paralytic," Lu Jianwei replied.

Lv Hudie’s eyes brightened.

"Innkeeper Lu understands poisons?"

"Enough chatter. Whatever your goal, you’ve endangered the inn. You won’t walk away unpunished." She turned to Yan Feicang. "What do you suggest?"

Yan Feicang: "By martial law, thieves lose their hands and their wealth. Poisoners are repaid in kind."

"An excellent idea," Lu Jianwei agreed.

"No! Please!" Lv Hudie panicked, eyeing Yan Feicang’s blade fearfully. "My hands are worthless—taking them won’t benefit you! I’ll pay the fine—take all my money! Innkeeper Lu, show mercy!"

Lu Jianwei ordered Uncle Zhang, "Confiscate all his valuables."

Uncle Zhang moved to strip him of his money pouch.

"That’s everything! Will you let me go now?" Lv Hudie offered an ingratiating smile.

Lu Jianwei reached into her sleeve.

From her system inventory, she retrieved a porcelain vial and tossed it to Xue Guanhe.

"Make him swallow this."

Inside was a paralytic toxin she’d purchased earlier—one pill could immobilize a fifth-rank warrior for three days, leaving them completely rigid.

An eye for an eye.

Lv Hudie paled, his face powder flaking off in his terror. Yet with Yan Feicang’s blade at his throat, escape was impossible. His voice trembled.

"W-what is that?"

"A toxin that paralyzes the body," Lu Jianwei said lightly. "Consider it a taste of your own craft."

Lv Hudie exhaled in quiet relief.

He carried antidotes for such toxins.

Just as the pill neared his lips, a thought struck him.

"Wait!"

"What now?"

"Innkeeper Lu…" He glanced at Yan Feicang. "This humble lady prides herself on the subtlety of her insects. How did you detect them? Surely even Senior Yan hadn’t noticed?"

Yan Feicang: "..."

He, too, wondered the same.

Could it be that Innkeeper Lu’s skills far surpassed his own?

Lu Jianwei’s eyes curved into crescents.

“Want to know?”

“Of course!” Lv Hudie replied.

Failure wasn’t terrifying—what was terrifying was not knowing the reason for failure.

“Apologies, but that’s confidential.” Lu Jianwei’s smile faded. “Xue Guanhe, what are you waiting for?”

“Right!”

Xue Guanhe promptly shoved the poison pill into Lv Hudie’s mouth.

In mere moments, Lv Hudie’s entire body stiffened, and he collapsed to the ground with a thud, his head hitting the floor so hard a lump formed. His eyes quivered in pain, but not a sound escaped his lips.

“Boss, what about the well water?” Uncle Zhang asked.

Yan Feicang sheathed his blade.

“Since he uses poison insects, he should have an antidote on him. Let me search.”

“No need. It’s just a minor toxin.” Lu Jianwei produced another porcelain vial. “He’s still hiding poison insects on him—be careful not to get stung.”

Lv Hudie’s eyes widened in shock.

The insects he bred were no ordinary poison carriers. Their venom wasn’t easily neutralized. He’d planned to leverage the antidote for some advantage, but now it seemed his knowledge was lacking—there were always greater masters beyond his ken.

Just what was the origin of the Eight Directions Inn?

Yan Feicang, seasoned from years of wandering the martial world, instinctively read deeper into the situation.

Obtaining an antidote wasn’t difficult, but effortlessly identifying the poison’s nature and producing a countermeasure on the spot? That was no ordinary feat.

Had Lu Jianwei prepared an antidote specifically for these poison insects the moment Lv Hudie checked in?

Otherwise, there was no explaining what had just happened.

If his suspicions were true, didn’t that mean Lu Jianwei—or rather, the Eight Directions Inn—had an encyclopedic grasp of martial artists and their affairs?

He’d barely stepped into the inn when Lu Jianwei critiqued his blade techniques, even pinpointing his flaws with ease.

He hadn’t understood it then, but now an explanation presented itself.

The Eight Directions Inn must possess vast intelligence networks. The weaknesses in his swordsmanship were likely already documented in their records.

Lu Jianwei might be formidable, but even more awe-inspiring—and unnerving—was whoever or whatever stood behind the inn.

Lv Hudie’s thoughts aligned with his in that moment, his mind reeling like storm-tossed waves.

Had he just crossed some terrifying organization?

Meanwhile, Yan Feicang felt a thrill of anticipation. This meant he’d have the chance to encounter even more masters.

Whatever lay behind the inn, judging by its current rules, it didn’t seem malevolent—just a little greedy for money.

As for Uncle Zhang and Yue Shu, they were inwardly delighted. The stronger the inn, the more security they enjoyed.

Xue Guanhe, still inexperienced in the ways of the martial world, didn’t grasp the implications and simply followed orders.

Together with Uncle Zhang, he hauled the “corpse” to the front courtyard and tied it to a post in the stables.

“Boss, that guy Cao really isn’t here,” Yue Shu reported after specially checking the second floor.

Lu Jianwei replied, “He’s back.”

On the system’s map, a green dot raced toward them from the direction of Moonview City.

Cao Haozi, adept with hidden weapons, wasn’t just unmatched in stealth—his lightness skill was equally exceptional.

He’d pursued the martial siblings to Moonview City, intercepted their messenger pigeon with a well-aimed projectile, then dashed back to the inn to rendezvous with Lv Hudie. Their plan—to abduct the targets after dinner—was flawless.

As Cao Haozi reached the rear wall of the inn, he kicked off lightly, vaulting over without a sound.

Heart brimming with anticipation, he landed—only to find Yan Feicang waiting on the other side, arms crossed, blade in hand.

His foot slipped, and he face-planted onto the ground with a splat.