No Fighting Allowed in the Inn

◎Continuing to Make Money, the Richest Man Comes Clean◎

Lu Jianwei found the noise irritating and ordered Xue Guanhe to gag Jiang Yaozu. Outside the courtyard, Jiang Yunsheng, who had been pleading for mercy, met the same fate.

The father and son were tied together and locked in the firewood shed.

Seeing the matter resolved, Wei Liu took her leave with a few disciples.

After a tumultuous day, Lu Jianwei finally sat quietly behind the counter, sipping tea.

Before long, the Hong Family father and son arrived in person, hauling several carts laden with chests.

"Manager Lu, congratulations on your grand opening. This is a small token of my appreciation. Please accept it," said Mr. Hong.

He instructed his men to carry the chests into the courtyard and open them one by one. Inside were rare treasures—fine porcelain, exquisite jade, antique calligraphy, and paintings—each chest worth a small fortune.

Xiao Ke quickly estimated, "Weiwei, you've struck gold."

Lu Jianwei's heart skipped a beat. "How much?"

"Converted to silver, five hundred thousand taels."

"..."

Lu Jianwei held her breath.

After running the inn for so long, her personal assets amounted to only a hundred and forty thousand taels. Adding the ten thousand taels Luo Lianhuan owed her, the total barely reached a hundred and fifty thousand.

Yet the Green Dragon Gang could casually produce five hundred thousand taels—utterly incomparable.

And this was just a congratulatory gift combined with an apology.

Hong He shot a glare at Hong Yingjie, who forced an ingratiating smile and produced a seal.

"Manager Lu, with this, you can withdraw fifty thousand taels from Tianqi Bank in the city."

Lu Jianwei had Uncle Zhang take it.

The two didn’t linger. After delivering the wealth, they hastily left the inn, not even daring to glance at the stables.

Lu Jianwei ordered, "Guanhe, Yue, move these to my room. Uncle Zhang, take the seal and retrieve the fifty thousand taels."

The three promptly obeyed.

"Such a lucrative deal on the very first day of business," Wen Zhuzhi remarked, wheeling himself closer with a smile. "Manager Lu, congratulations."

Lu Jianwei replied, "Thank you."

"Care to make a second deal with me?" Wen Zhuzhi cut straight to the point. "Brother Jin wrote to ask if you truly possess White Jade Lingzhi Pills."

Lu Jianwei was always eager for business.

The more money she earned, the closer she’d be to going home.

"I do."

"How many?"

Lu Jianwei smiled. "Lingzhi is a rare herb. How many do you think I could have?"

"I’d like to buy two. Price is no issue," Wen Zhuzhi said.

"Brother Jin could ask for himself. Are you really buying them for his father?" Lu Jianwei found it odd. "Do you truly have money to burn?"

"In Nanzhou, the Jin Family has shown me great kindness. This is merely a small gesture of gratitude," Wen Zhuzhi said calmly. "Besides, I won’t live much longer. What use is hoarding wealth?"

Lu Jianwei met his gaze. "I’ve heard one White Jade Lingzhi Pill is worth a thousand gold. Scarcity drives value—that’s just the baseline. How much are you willing to pay?"

A thousand gold equated to ten thousand taels of silver.

Wen Zhuzhi said, "Two pills, fifty thousand taels."

"Deal." Lu Jianwei agreed readily. "I’ll fetch them."

She went up to the third floor and entered her room.

The Hong Family’s gifts had already been moved inside. She had Xiao Ke scan them before storing everything in her personal inventory.

Xiao Ke asked, "Aren’t you converting them to cash?"

"Some items can be used or gifted later," Lu Jianwei said. "And I have a feeling I’ll be living in the Qi Dynasty for many years. Porcelain and jade will appreciate in value over decades, right? Then I could exchange them for even more money."

Xiao Ke: "...Aren’t you worried about inflation? Money might lose its worth too."

“Regardless, the price of the teleportation item won’t change, will it?” Lu Jianwei paused. “Don’t tell me the item will get more expensive.”

Xiao Ke hesitated before grumbling, "Special items and props won’t increase in price."

"Good."

She opened the shop interface and found the White Jade Lingzhi Pills—each priced at a thousand taels, with an annual limit of five.

"Is there a recipe?"

Xiao Ke: "Yes, but at your current skill level, you can’t make it. The ingredients are also scarce."

Lu Jianwei pulled up the recipe. The formula was more expensive than the pills, costing two thousand taels. After some thought, she decided to hold off for now.

The Spring and Autumn Medicinal Classics might contain the recipe. There was no need to spend money on it yet.

She bought two pills, placed them separately in celadon bottles, and set them on the table before browsing the weapons section.

The shop offered an overwhelming variety of weapons. After careful consideration, she selected a silver-white spear, more imposing and majestic than Hong Yingjie’s.

The Hong Family father and son would surely be satisfied.

Lu Jianwei carried the two bottles downstairs. Wen Zhuzhi was still waiting in the hall, his profile turned toward the staircase. Hearing her approach, he shifted his gaze from the window lattice. Sunlight flickered in his eyes, his thick lashes blinking as golden light rippled in their depths.

"Xiao Ke, I just thought of a great way to make money," Lu Jianwei mused, a rather unscrupulous idea flashing through her mind.

"What?"

Lu Jianwei: "The richest man is terminally ill. If I marry him, wouldn’t I inherit all his wealth after he dies? Maybe then I could afford the teleportation item."

"..."

"Just tell me if this plan is feasible."

Xiao Ke seemed thoroughly scandalized, taking a long moment to respond.

"Guess why he’s still unmarried?"

A bucket of cold water doused her enthusiasm.

"Right. Even if he’s disabled, with his wealth and looks, someone would’ve married him by now."

Xiao Ke: "Unearned gains aren’t encouraged."

"Ha," Lu Jianwei scoffed. "Is forcibly binding someone to travel through time in line with universal values?"

Not a day passed without her longing to return to the modern world.

The desire grew stronger, which was why, upon seeing Wen Zhuzhi, she’d suddenly entertained such an uncharitable, immature thought.

Hoping for someone’s death to inherit their fortune—she wouldn’t have even considered it in the past.

Wen Zhuzhi waited a few breaths. When she remained motionless and silent, he asked, "Manager Lu, having second thoughts?"

"No," Lu Jianwei snapped out of it, a faint pang of guilt making her smile more genuine than usual. "Just lost in thought."

Wen Zhuzhi noticed the difference in her smile.

"Something pleasant?"

"Why ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​​‍do you say that?"

"Perhaps I misread."

Lu Jianwei: "..."

Sharp eyes—no wonder he’s the richest man.

"Your pills." She handed him the bottles. On her way back, she accidentally brushed against the jade flute resting across his lap and froze.

Her gaze moved from the flute to his face.

"What is it?" Wen Zhuzhi asked, puzzled.

Lu Jianwei studied him. "I shouldn’t meddle, but since you’re staying here, you’re practically family."

"Speak freely, Manager Lu."

"Your health is already poor, and your constitution leans cold. Yet you keep holding something made of cold jade—aren’t you afraid of worsening it?"

The brief contact with the flute had sent a bone-deep chill through her.

Wen Zhuzhi was momentarily taken aback.

He looked up, clearly catching the surprise and concern in her eyes, his fingers tightening imperceptibly around the cold jade flute.

"Manager Lu, do you dislike pink porcelain?"

Lu Jianwei: ?

The topic shift was too abrupt.

But she wasn’t one to pry. If he didn’t want to answer, she wouldn’t press.

"I do like it."

"Then why refuse it that day?"

"Undeserved rewards bring no peace. Such expensive porcelain would’ve weighed on my conscience."

Wen Zhuzhi remained silent for a few breaths before suddenly speaking solemnly, "My apologies."

"Why are you apologizing to me?" Lu Jianwei frowned. "You’re not trying to weasel out of paying, are you?"

Wen Zhuzhi was amused by her reaction.

"If I tried to skip out on the debt, I’d probably end up as the seventh son of the stables in no time. I’m apologizing because I took advantage of you before."

Lu Jianwei raised an eyebrow. "Haven’t you been using me all along? Business is all about mutual exploitation. As long as the money’s right, everything’s negotiable."

"The East Flow Twin Heroes obtained the White Jade Lingzhi Elixir. After learning of it, I traveled from Nanzhou to Dongliu City, only to discover that the 'Thousand-Faced Phantom Thief' planned to steal it."

Lu Jianwei’s expression turned serious. "If you knew so much, why did you buy information from me in Shuangxi City?"

"I only knew that much. I wasn’t aware of the matters involving Yunlai Inn and the Zhou Family. But I figured that if the Phantom Thief failed to steal the elixir, he’d look for another opportunity. The Zhou Family’s birthday banquet would be crowded, leaving room for oversight. With his skills, theft wouldn’t be difficult."

"What does this have to do with the pink porcelain?" A sudden realization flashed in Lu Jianwei’s mind. "You were trying to lure the Phantom Thief out?"

Wen Zhuzhi looked surprised, then smiled. "Manager Lu’s insight is truly remarkable."

"The Phantom Thief stole the elixir because he couldn’t stand the East Flow Twin Heroes harming others. You wanted to use the pink porcelain to draw him out—because it’s also stained with blood?"

"Correct."

Lu Jianwei’s gaze turned cold. "If it’s bloodstained, how did you get your hands on it?"

"Pink porcelain is rare, with an extremely low success rate in firing. Once produced, it’s priceless. After the tea set was revealed, someone wanted to monopolize the credit and wealth, slaughtering over a dozen members of the kiln worker’s family."

"You killed the murderer and took the porcelain," Lu Jianwei guessed. "But no one knows about this. Whoever possesses the porcelain could be the killer. You wanted to exploit the information gap to trap the Phantom Thief."

Wen Zhuzhi asked, "Why didn’t you assume I killed the kiln workers?"

"The vision of the richest man in Jiangnan wouldn’t be so narrow," Lu Jianwei replied. "Your plan failed. Why tell me all this now?"

"It didn’t fail," Wen Zhuzhi admitted sheepishly. "After you refused the porcelain, I had A'Nai spread the word that I possessed it while he was out on errands."

Lu Jianwei was puzzled. "Why? Just for the White Jade Lingzhi Elixir?"

"No," Wen Zhuzhi said. "I wanted to ask the Phantom Thief for a favor, but he’s elusive. This was the only way."

Lu Jianwei understood. "So the Phantom Thief likely followed you to Jiangzhou. You spent two hundred thousand to stay at the inn, hoping I’d help suppress him?"

"Exactly."

"Rumor has it your own estate is filled with intricate formations. Couldn’t you catch a mere thief?"

Wen Zhuzhi smiled, eyes glinting. "If he were that easy to catch, he wouldn’t be called the Phantom Thief."

"You didn’t have to tell me any of this," Lu Jianwei said curiously. "What made you suddenly confess?"

"You’ve treated me with sincerity, and I felt guilty. I didn’t want to deceive you further."

Lu Jianwei couldn’t help but laugh. "I’m not a child. You don’t need to sweet-talk me. Everyone has secrets. Do you really have nothing else hidden from me?"

Wen Zhuzhi smiled without answering.

The two tacitly dropped the subject. If they were to compare secrets, Lu Jianwei had far more—she had no right to demand complete honesty from others.

"Payment for the medicine," she said, holding out her palm.

Wen Zhuzhi chuckled and pulled a seal from his sleeve, placing it in her hand.

"Any bank in Jiangzhou or Nanzhou will honor this for silver."

Instead of accepting it, Lu Jianwei pushed it back. "Honestly, I prefer straightforward cash. Going to the bank wastes my time."

"Understood." Wen Zhuzhi took back the seal. "I’ll have A'Nai withdraw it later."

Just then, Uncle Zhang returned from the bank with fifty thousand taels in silver notes—fifty sheets of a thousand taels each, filling an entire money box.

Lu Jianwei happily took the box, her eyes crinkling with satisfaction.

Seeing her like this, Wen Zhuzhi asked, "Manager Lu, are you short on funds?"

"Desperately," she affirmed with a firm nod.

"Your sect possesses countless treasures. Why the need for money?" Wen Zhuzhi voiced the same question Uncle Zhang had in mind.

From the moment they met, Lu Jianwei had always been money-hungry.

Despite being able to produce rare artifacts that could shake the martial world, she remained fixated on gold and silver.

Lu Jianwei made up an excuse on the spot. "It’s part of my sect’s training. I must earn enough before I can return."

"I see," Wen Zhuzhi said with a smile. "How much do you need? I may not have much else, but wealth is something I can assist with."

Thinking of the price of her dimensional travel tool, Lu Jianwei sighed.

"Ten million taels of silver."

A hundred million! That’s a hundred million!

She was convinced the system was deliberately keeping her from going back.

Uncle Zhang gasped. "That’d require mining entire mountains!"

"Mines are usually controlled by the government," Wen Zhuzhi remarked. "Though some powerful sects seize them privately. But even through business, earning ten million taels would be difficult."

Lu Jianwei shrugged. "So, you can’t help me."

As dusk approached, Tiao returned to the inn and handed Lu Jianwei two hundred taels.

"Debt repaid."

"Payment from the Jiang Family?" Without hesitation, Lu Jianwei took out the IOU and tore it up in front of her.

"Mm."

Xue Guanhe sidled over. "Tiao, what illness did Master Jiang have? Did you cure him?"

"Chronic poisoning. Yes, I cured him."

"Poison?!" Yue Shu exclaimed. "Someone poisoned him?!"

Tiao nodded. "They said they’d come tomorrow to express their gratitude."

Lu Jianwei studied her expression. "Do you want to reunite with them?"

"I don’t know."

"They didn’t recognize you?" Yue Shu, unable to bear the thought of family separation, said with reddened eyes, "Having parents who care for you is a good thing."

Tiao remained silent.

Lu Jianwei pressed, "Do you want them to know the truth?"

"Yes."

"Go rest in your room for now," Lu Jianwei patted her head. "Leave tomorrow’s matters to us. Don’t overthink it."

Tiao took a few steps with her medicine bundle before suddenly turning back. "Now that I’ve repaid my debt, will you make me leave?"

Lu Jianwei was caught off guard.

The girl’s expression was deadly serious, demanding an honest answer.

"You don’t want to return to the Jiang Family? You don’t want to inherit their fortune?"

Tiao shook her head. "I want to learn medicine and poison. You’re skilled. I want to stay with you."

She rarely minced words—either silent or bluntly straightforward.

Lu Jianwei appreciated such directness and smiled warmly. "If you’re worried, we can sign a contract. You’ll work at my inn—room and board included, but no wages. How’s that?"

"You said before you didn’t want to hire her," the system dug up old grievances. "Something about smart people being hard to control."

Lu Jianwei always had an answer. "We weren’t familiar then. Now I know her better. She’s not just smart—she’s perceptive. I like that."

"Okay," Tiao agreed without hesitation.

"No wages?!" A'Nai, who had been watching, was aghast. He turned to Xue Guanhe. "Don’t tell me none of you get paid either?"

Xue Guanhe scoffed. "What’s the big deal? The manager’s my master. I should be giving her offerings!"

"Back then, it was the innkeeper who took me in. I swore an oath to serve as a porter at this inn for life," Yue Shu declared firmly.

Uncle Zhang chuckled. "I don’t need money."

Yan Feicang was practicing his swordplay in the backyard and didn’t join the idle chatter.

Had he been present, he would’ve surely worn a look of disdain.

A'Nai gave a thumbs-up. "Impressive."

"Does Young Master Wen pay you a monthly wage?" Yue Shu asked curiously. "How much is it?"

A'Nai flustered, "We’re not the same!"

"How are we not the same?" Xue Guanhe frowned. "Are you looking down on us?"

"No, that’s not it—"

"A'Nai is family to me," Wen Zhuzhi interjected with a smile. "He’s free to use any of the household’s resources."

Yue Shu, young and quick-tongued, blurted, "But what if Young Master Wen gets married someday? What then?"

Everyone: "..."

Good question. They’d all like to know too.

Even Wen Zhuzhi was momentarily stumped.

"What do you mean, ‘what then’?" A'Nai didn’t understand. "Just because the young master marries, does that mean I can’t take care of him anymore?"

Xue Guanhe teased, "After my parents married, my mother took charge of the household. All the finances went to her. What if the future Madam Wen doesn’t like you dipping into the family funds? What’ll you do then?"

"I’m not greedy for money—everything I do is to care for the young master!" A'Nai hastily defended himself. "Young Master, if you marry, I’ll take care of both you and your wife!"

The group couldn’t help but laugh.

Wen Zhuzhi smiled faintly. "Mm, noted."

The next day, news of the Green Dragon Gang’s humiliating defeat spread rapidly throughout Jiangzhou, turning the Eight Directions Inn into the city’s latest hot topic.

The mysterious inn, its unfathomable proprietor, the renowned top blade master of the martial world, and even the former young master and steward of White Crane Manor—all of it stoked public curiosity.

Many came to gawk, though none dared approach, lingering instead at a distance.

Thus, when Master Jiang and his wife appeared, the murmurs grew even more fervent.

The young apprentice at the medical hall resumed his post by the door, peering out.

"What’s so interesting?" the hall master chided. "The patient we admitted yesterday needs his medicine. Go attend to him."

The apprentice pouted. "I already gave it to him before you even woke up. Oh, and that young man said he wants to stay here to personally care for his elder brother."

"Fine, it’s not like we haven’t had that before. Just remind him to pay," the hall master waved him off, then stroked his beard with a sly grin. "His brother’s injuries are severe—he’ll be stuck here for at least ten days to half a month."

The apprentice gasped. "Hall Master! It’s Master Jiang! He’s at the inn!"

"What did you say?" The hall master jerked his head up. "It really is him! But his illness was incurable, wasn’t it? How is he suddenly cured? And Madam Jiang looks well too. How bizarre."

"Every physician in the city examined Master Jiang’s condition, including you, Hall Master. Didn’t you all say there was no hope?" The apprentice’s face was full of suspicion.

"Why are you looking at me? If no one could cure him, it’s not like my skills were lacking," the hall master retorted before suddenly recalling something. "Yesterday, when Gang Leader Hong left, wasn’t there a young woman from the inn who followed him?"

The apprentice muttered, "Said you weren’t watching, yet you noticed everything."

"What in the world is going on?" The hall master was itching with curiosity. "Master Jiang’s illness was untreatable—how did he recover overnight?"

"What are you two talking about?" A voice suddenly spoke up behind them, startling both.

The apprentice clutched his chest. "Young man, must you walk so silently?"

"You were spying on the inn?" The youth eyed them strangely.

"Not spying—just observing openly," the apprentice explained. "Judging by your accent, you’re from Jiangzhou, right? Then you must know Master Jiang of the Ru Gui Inn."

"I do. What about him?"

"He fell gravely ill some time ago. Every physician in the city said he wouldn’t last long. But we just saw him and his wife enter the Eight Directions Inn!"

"So he got treated, then."

"But no physician in the city could cure him."

"The world doesn’t begin and end with Jiangzhou’s doctors."

The hall master shook his head. "I wouldn’t call myself a master physician, but there are plenty of skilled doctors in Jiangzhou. What illness haven’t we seen? It’s one thing if we couldn’t treat it, but not even identifying the cause is another matter entirely."

The youth took a step back. "Don’t tell me you couldn’t even diagnose it."

"Master Jiang’s condition was too peculiar," the hall master mused, oblivious to the youth’s expression. "Only now do I realize—it wasn’t an illness at all."

The apprentice gasped. "Then what was it?"

"A rare poison—the kind only physicians who’ve mingled in the martial world would recognize," the hall master said, saving face. "How could we common folk compare to those well-traveled martial artists?"

The apprentice was stunned. "You mean that girl… but how old is she?"

"What do you mean?" The youth pressed sharply. "Are you saying your medical skills can’t even measure up to a little girl’s?"

The hall master finally caught on and panicked.

"Ah, different fields, different expertise! How could we possibly understand the affairs of martial artists? But your brother’s injuries—we can treat those, no problem. Don’t worry."

The youth looked unconvinced. "No, I’m not leaving him here. If you claim some girl across the street is a better physician, then I’ll take him to her!"

With that, he rushed inside, helped his unconscious brother up, and marched resolutely toward the inn opposite—ignoring their protests.

The hall master: "..."

The apprentice: "..."

They exchanged glances. Why did this scene feel so familiar?

Inside the inn, Lu Jianwei sat in the main hall, scrutinizing the couple before her.

Both had decent, honest faces—Jiang Yunchang with his broad forehead and square features, Madam Jiang with her delicate brows and clear eyes—yet neither resembled Tiao in the slightest.

No wonder they hadn’t recognized her.

"I am Jiang Yunchang, at your service, Innkeeper Lu. This is my humble wife," Jiang Yunchang bowed. "We’ve come today to express our gratitude for the young lady who saved my life yesterday."

He glanced back, signaling a servant to present a gift—a wooden box of unknown contents.

"You already paid the consultation fee yesterday. Master Jiang is too kind."

"A life-saving grace—how could mere payment suffice?" Jiang Yunchang turned to Tiao, his expression remorseful. "Yesterday, I was still weak from illness, and the young lady left in haste. I didn’t even have the chance to ask her name."

Tiao replied, "Jiang."

"Which ‘Jiang’?"

"The same as yours."

Jiang Yunchang smiled. "What a coincidence. It seems Physician Jiang shares a bond with my family."

As he said this, an inexplicable feeling stirred in his chest—something wistful, like the sour tang of unripe citrus.

Madam Jiang had been staring at Tiao when she suddenly asked, "Forgive my boldness, but what is your full name, young lady?"

"Madam," Jiang Yunchang cautioned.

Madam Jiang lowered her gaze. "My apologies. That was presumptuous of me."

"Innkeeper Lu, there’s another matter I must trouble you with," Jiang Yunchang said awkwardly. "Yesterday, some of my household acted rashly and offended you. I hope you’ll be magnanimous and forgive them."

Lu Jianwei smiled amiably. "Of course. How much ransom are you offering for their release?"

"Name your price, Innkeeper. I’ll do my utmost to meet it."

Lu Jianwei arched a brow and ordered, "Uncle Zhang, bring them out."

"At once."

Uncle Zhang hauled the two men from the storage room, dumped them on the floor, and yanked the gags from their mouths.

The moment the two men saw Jiang Yunchang, they immediately broke into desperate wails, pleading for help.

Jiang Yunchang shook his head with a long sigh, then clasped his hands and bowed to Lu Jianwei. "Innkeeper Lu, name your price."

"No rush."

Lu Jianwei retrieved two pills and motioned for Xue Guanhe to feed them to the men.

"Hear me out first. Then you can decide."