No Fighting Allowed in the Inn

Name: Lu Jianwei

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Level: 2 (214/10000) (Running for your life is the only option)

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Personal Assets: 414 silver, 720 copper (Can't even afford a decent skill)

Now, let's look at the inn's information.

Name: Eight Directions Inn

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Staff: 2 people (Uncle Zhang, Zhu Yue)

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Liquid Funds: 622 silver, 653 copper

Defense Power: 1003

Attack Power: 9888

The attack power was originally 10,000 but decreased after one use. If it falls below 10,000, it can no longer target martial artists above level three, so it must be replenished in time.

Lu Jianwei looked at the account balance and couldn't help but smile. She wished more "fat sheep" would come knocking with money.

"Little Ke, upgrade both the defense and attack tools to level four."

"Upgrading the defense tool to level four requires 110,000 copper, and upgrading the attack tool to level four requires 100,000 copper, totaling 210,000 copper. Shall I deduct it?"

Lu Jianwei sighed, "Do I have to upgrade one level at a time? Can't I skip the first 10,000 and just deduct 100,000? Can I save that 10,000?"

She really knew how to pinch pennies.

The system replied, "No."

"Fine, deduct it." Lu Jianwei gave up bargaining and accepted the cost.

It was just like leveling up in a game. Each level required a fixed amount of experience points, and even if you jumped two levels, the experience points for each level still had to be deducted.

After deducting 210,000, the inn's account balance was 412 silver and 653 copper.

The impoverished household was finally improving.

She needed to make friends with the Golden Blade Trading Company.

"By the way," the system suddenly said hesitantly, "since the inn has already hired staff, and you no longer have to take on their duties, should we stop splitting the profits? As the innkeeper, your monthly salary will be drawn from the inn's account."

Lu Jianwei lamented, "Little Ke, do we really need to be so strict about this?"

The system explained, "Now that the inn is on track, no inn would give its employees such a large share of the profits."

"But the inn's information shows that I am the owner."

"Correct, but this is a system rule," the system said firmly. "It's to prevent the host from abusing their authority, spending recklessly, and leaving the inn without funds to continue operating."

Lu Jianwei thought about it and realized it made sense.

This was, after all, an inn management system. If personal and business accounts weren't separated, the inn's host might spend all the funds on skills to boost their own strength, leaving the inn without money to sustain normal operations.

But the system couldn't just close the shop.

Relying solely on defense and attack tools to protect the inn wasn't a long-term solution. The inn's host also needed to have some personal strength.

Lu Jianwei couldn't hide in the inn forever.

She accepted the system's rule.

"I agree, but I have a question."

"Go ahead."

"That 1,000 tael compensation was for me. Can it be deducted from the inn's account?"

The system: "...The expert was just a prop."

"Fine," Lu Jianwei didn't push further. "Then let's make it clear: from now on, if anyone gives me gifts or compensation, all the valuables go into my personal account."

"No," the system had to remind her. "Upgrading tools requires a lot of funds. Relying solely on room fees might make it impossible to upgrade again."

Upgrading to level five required 1,000,000 copper, which was 1,000 silver, and it could only come from the inn's account.

Lu Jianwei smiled, "If the tools are used to intimidate martial artists, the fines go to the business account. Everything else goes to me."

The system: "...Fine."

"Now that I have money, can I upgrade the map?"

The system: "Yes. How much do you want to upgrade?"

Lu Jianwei declared boldly, "The entire Qi Dynasty territory."

"Done. 5,200 copper deducted. Personal account balance: 409 silver, 520 copper."

If the territory were seen as a circle, 5,200 would be its radius. Deducting 5,200 copper meant the Qi Dynasty's territory spanned approximately 5,200 kilometers from east to west or north to south.

She dragged the cursor and clicked on Moonview City, 20 li away. Sure enough, she saw several villages within five li of the city.

Strangely, the area within ten li of the inn was barren, while the land a few li outside the city was lush and dotted with small hills.

Why was this particular area so desolate?

Lu Jianwei closed the map and glanced at "Buwen Liunian". She was still 1,000 taels short. It was extremely challenging.

She had long yearned for the lightness skill and couldn't wait to experience the elegance of flying over rooftops.

Second-floor guest room.

Zhao Jiang suppressed his pounding heart and gulped down a large mouthful of cold water.

He had been fortunate enough to meet a martial artist friend of the young master. That martial artist was already at level six, renowned as the top swordsman in the martial world, but the internal energy he exuded seemed far inferior to the mysterious expert who had just intervened.

Could it be that the inn was guarded by someone above level six?

He looked up, imagining the mysterious expert must be staying on the third floor.

If he had booked a room on the upper floor, would he have had the chance to be neighbors with a top-tier master?

Of course, Zhao Jiang only entertained the thought. He didn't have the courage to act on it.

Drenched from the rain and having skipped dinner, he was now cold and hungry. Yet, he didn't dare ask the inn's old staff if there was hot water or food available.

That was a level four martial artist!

Asking a level four martial artist to serve him tea and food? Was he tired of living?

Zhao Jiang endured a miserable night and hurriedly left the next morning, leading a group of exhausted men toward Moonview City.

They were miserable, but someone else was even worse off.

The level four martial artist from the caravan had waited in the rain all night. Fortunately, the rain stopped at dawn, and the sky cleared, allowing them to dry off during the day.

"Martial Artist Zou," Zhao Jiang said earnestly, "we can't be so impulsive in the future. Even if it's a shady inn, we can't just start fighting and killing. We need to reason with them."

Zou Dongyang hugged his beloved sword, his wet hair plastered to his scalp, and muttered gloomily, "Shady inns are too unreasonable."

"It's not that bad."

Zou Dongyang: ?

Zhao Jiang sighed, "Our trading company is in the business of commerce, and scarcity always drives value. You've traveled far and wide with the company. You know how pearls and corals from the East Sea can fetch sky-high prices, and the silk from Jiangnan, the jade from Yunnan—aren't they all priceless treasures?"

"How is that the same?"

"How is it not?" Zhao Jiang said. "Think about it. After traveling so far, this is the only inn for dozens of li. For weary travelers, isn't it especially valuable?"

"...Yes."

"Now think, doesn't the inn have at least a level six martial artist guarding it? Aren't the guests under their protection? We've been around the martial world for years. We've seen it all. With so many murderous martial artists out there, staying at the inn means we don't have to worry about safety. That's something money can't buy."

Zou Dongyang pondered for a moment. "You're right."

Seeing that he finally understood, Zhao Jiang breathed a sigh of relief and mused, "I wonder what kind of power backs the Eight Directions Inn. Even a staff member is a level four martial artist, and the female innkeeper is even more impressive."

"They... are very strong!" Zou Dongyang said gravely.

A level four martial artist was strong enough to roam the martial world. He had thought his talent was decent, but after seeing the young innkeeper, who was younger than him, effortlessly manipulate internal energy, he was deeply shaken.

"We must report this to the master," Zhao Jiang said. "If any of our brother caravans pass through here in the future, they must not offend the experts."

Eight Directions Inn.

Lu Jianwei changed into a lavender ruqun and leisurely descended the stairs.

In the hall, Zhu Yue was diligently scrubbing the floor on her hands and knees.

The caravan's muddy footprints from the night before had dirtied the entire inn.

"Innkeeper sister, you're awake," Zhu Yue stood up and said cheerfully. "Uncle Zhang and I boiled some water. If you want to wash up, I'll fetch it for you."

Lu Jianwei waved her hand, "No need, I'll do it myself. Have you had breakfast?"

"Not yet, we were waiting for you," Zhu Yue said, blushing with embarrassment. "Uncle Zhang and I don't know how to cook."

Lu Jianwei smiled, "You can learn."

"Can boys learn to cook too?" Zhu Yue asked, puzzled.

"Why not?" Lu Jianwei asked with a smile. "Aren't most chefs in restaurants men?"

Zhu Yue paused, realizing she had a point.

"Then I want to learn from you, sister!"

Lu Jianwei said with satisfaction, "I'll call you after I finish washing up."

"Okay!"

Zhu Yue quickly finished mopping the floor just as Lu Jianwei finished freshening up and called her to the kitchen.

"To welcome you and Uncle Zhang to the inn, we won't be having plain vegetable noodles today."

Zhu Yue's eyes lit up, "What are we having then?"

"Zhajiang noodles, with minced meat!"

"Thank you, sister!" The boy was a meat lover, and during their journey, they mostly ate dry rations, so it had been a long time since he had anything with flavor.

Lu Jianwei smiled and said, "Once you learn how, you can make it yourself."

She patiently taught him how to mix, knead, and roll the dough. Zhu Yue wasn’t talented in martial arts, but he wasn’t clumsy in the kitchen either. His hands were dexterous, and after just one demonstration from Lu Jianwei, he could perfectly replicate each step. He was truly a rare talent.

She didn’t hold back her praise: "See, you have such a natural talent for cooking. It shows you’re not slow at all—you’re quick to understand and can even apply what you’ve learned in new ways. You’re really amazing!"

Zhu Yue was so flattered that he worked even harder.

Soon, three bowls of fragrant noodle sauce were placed on the table. Lu Jianwei praised Zhu Yue again in front of Uncle Zhang, and Zhu Yue blushed, lowering his head as he ate heartily.

Uncle Zhang chuckled and said, "It’s good to take on more responsibilities, but don’t neglect your martial arts training."

Zhu Yue: "..."

Suddenly, he remembered something and asked, "Sister Innkeeper, doesn’t the senior master eat?"

Lu Jianwei’s expression remained unchanged: "There’s no senior master in the inn."

Zhu Yue was full of doubt—how could that be? But he didn’t press further.

Lu Jianwei thought to herself, "Little Ke, you see, even when I tell the truth, no one believes me."

The system wished it could roll its eyes.

After breakfast, the two naturally took care of the dishes. Lu Jianwei strolled around the courtyard, looking at the spacious front yard and musing:

"Little Ke, imagine how relaxing it would be to have a rocking chair and a tea table here, basking in the sun."

"You could buy one," the system replied.

Lu Jianwei had some money now, and buying a rocking chair wouldn’t be a problem. She called Uncle Zhang over and instructed, "We’ll need a donkey cart to transport groceries. Go to the city and buy one, and while you’re there, order a rocking chair from the carpenter’s shop for me."

Uncle Zhang was about to agree when Zhu Yue suddenly approached, excitedly saying, "Sister, you want a rocking chair? I can make one! Buying from the carpenter’s shop would be expensive."

"You can make one?" Lu Jianwei raised an eyebrow. "Alright, let’s give it a try."

No wonder the boy had strange calluses on his hands.

Uncle Zhang quickly interjected, "Innkeeper, don’t listen to him. Kids like to play around—he doesn’t know anything about carpentry. Besides, we don’t have the wood or tools here."

Zhu Yue wanted to argue further, but when he met Uncle Zhang’s gaze, he swallowed his words.

Lu Jianwei smiled and said, "Since we have nothing else to do, I’d like to try it too. Here’s what we’ll do: Uncle Zhang, go to the city and buy some wood and tools, and bring them back with the donkey cart. Besides the rocking chair, I’d like to make a few other things as well."

Her tone was gentle, but her words left no room for argument.

Uncle Zhang accepted the task, swallowing his advice for Zhu Yue as he looked at the boy’s excited and hopeful face.

Fine, let him have his fun this once.