No Fighting Allowed in the Inn

◎The Charismatic Physique, Earning Money, Saving People◎

The moment the staff heard it, they knew the innkeeper was deliberately overcharging.

Though the inn hadn't set prices beforehand, they had privately estimated that lodgings in Dianzhou shouldn’t be exorbitant. The prices the innkeeper just quoted—luxury rooms matching Fengzhou’s rates and standard rooms twice as expensive—clearly meant he took a dislike to these guests.

The conduct of Zhao Rui and Bian Xingzhou from the Kuaiyi Pavilion was indeed hard to stomach.

Xue Guanhe, observing their expressions, knew exactly what they were thinking.

"If you find it too expensive, feel free to seek lodging elsewhere."

"You—"

"With such exquisite tea fragrance, even fifty taels would be worth it, let alone five," Bian Xingzhou cut off Zhao Rui, smiling as he asked, "Might your esteemed establishment serve the same tea?"

Lu Jianwei no longer bothered with such petty earnings and refused without hesitation.

"This tea is not for guests."

Bian Xingzhou stiffened briefly before sighing lightly. "My apologies for the presumption. Merely catching a whiff of its aroma is already a privilege. Innkeeper Lu, I’d like to book a luxury room."

"Apologies, but the luxury rooms are limited to two and reserved for female guests only," Lu Jianwei added another rule offhandedly.

She resided on the third floor and didn’t want male guests staying next door.

Lvluo took out five taels of broken silver. "One luxury room."

Yue Shu accepted the payment, recorded the transaction, and handed over the key.

The mistress and maid entered their room, shutting the bamboo door behind them and cutting off outside gazes.

Bian Xingzhou was speechless. "Innkeeper Lu, since when does business discriminate by gender?"

Lu Jianwei replied, "Because I feel like it."

"……"

Zhao Rui voiced his thoughts: "This is clearly a scam."

But what could he do?

Since Xue'er was staying here, he had no choice but to grit his teeth and pay up.

The second floor’s standard rooms were already occupied by five staff members, leaving only four vacant. Zhao Rui and Bian Xingzhou each picked rooms on opposite ends—the farther apart, the better.

Lu Jianwei stood. "The tea was excellent. Thank you."

The arrival of the guests had interrupted their earlier conversation, and there was no need to resume it.

"Innkeeper Lu," Wen Zhuzhi said, "the landscapes of Dianzhou are uniquely captivating. I’ve long yearned to see them."

"Is that so?"

"Indeed. You needn’t feel troubled. You do as you wish, and I’ll do as I wish. If I overstep, I hope you’ll forgive me."

"I asked too much. It has nothing to do with you." Lu Jianwei wasn’t particularly troubled—it just felt out of place.

Not because of the person, nor anything else.

Her very existence in this world was already out of place.

She blamed herself for prying too deeply.

Returning to her room, she continued studying gu sorcery until Xue Guanhe finished preparing lunch, then descended to the dining hall.

She had barely taken a few bites when Lvluo’s voice came from the main building.

"Innkeeper Lu, does your esteemed establishment provide meals?"

Xue Guanhe called back, "Meals require advance booking and additional payment."

"Understood," Lvluo replied politely. "Then we’d like to book dinner—the same as what you’re having."

"No problem."

"I’ve never seen an inn run business like this!" Zhao Rui kicked open his door in a rage, leaping down. "What kind of inn doesn’t serve meals on demand? What if our Xue'er starves? This scam of a place needs to be taught a lesson!"

His flexible sword gleamed menacingly as it slashed toward the dining table.

Yan Feicang instinctively raised his blade to counter.

"Eat."

At Lu Jianwei’s command, an overwhelming force pressed Zhao Rui flat onto the ground, his face in the dirt. His sword slid pathetically to Tiao’s feet.

With a light kick, Tiao sent it skittering into a corner.

Yan Feicang had no choice but to sit back down and resume eating.

Zhao Rui: "……"

The pressure kept him pinned, unable to move or speak.

Lu Jianwei continued her meal leisurely, and Zhao Rui remained prostrate for as long as she ate.

The dignity of the Celestial Vanguard Hall’s prodigy disciple was utterly shattered.

"Well, well, Brother Zhao, what’s with this grand gesture?" Bian Xingzhou fanned himself mockingly. "I did warn you to mind your manners outside. Was it really necessary to humiliate yourself like this?"

Zhao Rui’s face flushed purple with rage.

"You’re always like this—such a disgrace to the Celestial Vanguard Hall. Xue'er would never favor a reckless brute like you."

"……"

After a few more taunts, Bian Xingzhou let it go.

His gaze shifted to Lu Jianwei, and he smiled. "I thought the name ‘Eight Directions Inn’ sounded familiar earlier. After some reflection in my room, I realized Innkeeper Lu is the famed ‘Righteous Heroine’ of the martial world. My apologies for the disrespect."

His tone was anything but sincere—the "reflection" was clearly meant to provoke.

Lu Jianwei smiled. "I’d heard relations between the various halls of the Martial Alliance were strained, but I didn’t believe it until now. Speaking of which, I do share some history with your alliance. Disciples of the Celestial Vanguard Hall once lodged in my stables in Jiangzhou. Strange that you, a disciple of the Purple Star Hall, were unaware."

"Innkeeper Lu jests," Bian Xingzhou clasped his hands. "My earlier rudeness was inexcusable. I hope you’ll forgive me."

Lu Jianwei set down her chopsticks.

The might of an eighth-rank Martial King instantly crushed Bian Xingzhou, forcing him to his knees beside Zhao Rui—now brothers in misery.

"Martial Artist Bian, do you think you’re more distinguished than Yu Jiansheng?"

Bian Xingzhou: "……"

This woman was terrifying!

"There’s something I truly don’t understand," Lu Jianwei said with a smile. "Would Martial Artist Bian enlighten me?"

Bian Xingzhou forced a smile. "Go ahead."

"Since you already knew of the Eight Directions Inn, what gave you the nerve to act so insolently on my turf? Did you assume the Martial Alliance would shield you, that I wouldn’t dare touch you?"

"…No."

Lu Jianwei tilted her head. "Then why?"

Under the pressure of a Martial King’s aura, Bian Xingzhou’s mind seemed to clear.

He laughed bitterly. "That wasn’t my intention."

"Innkeeper Lu," Lvluo reappeared, "could you release them?"

Lu Jianwei arched a brow. "What if I refuse?"

"Their disruption of your meal was indeed discourteous, and they deserve punishment. However, I doubt it was deliberate."

"If not deliberate, were they acting under orders?" Xue Guanhe frowned.

Lvluo sighed. "It’s rather peculiar—I doubt you’d believe me if I explained."

Lu Jianwei: "I love peculiar tales."

Lvluo: "……"

"If you’d rather not say, that’s fine. The inn could use help cleaning the stables, and these two seem strong enough for the job."

Lvluo’s brows furrowed slightly, as if struggling to speak.

"Innkeeper Lu." A voice as clear as snow lotus blossoms drifted over. "This matter stems from me. I know the rules of the Eight Directions Inn. Name your price, and I’ll redeem them."

Lu Jianwei: "Fifty thousand for the one who acted, ten thousand for the one who didn’t."

"Lvluo."

Lvluo produced a token—half a palm in size, carved into the shape of a snowflake, translucent and lustrous, clearly fine jade.

"This is my lady’s token. It can withdraw funds from any bank."

"How much?"

"Sixty thousand is guaranteed."

"What if I take more?"

"Innkeeper Lu may love wealth, but she takes only what’s fair. Sixty thousand means sixty thousand. We trust you."

Lu Jianwei chuckled. "Lady He Lianxue knows me well?"

"Young lady has read 'Biographies of Eight Extraordinary Figures' and 'The Heroic Maiden of Justice,' so you must be familiar with the rules of the inn."

"In that case, I’ll give Miss He Lian this courtesy." Lu Jianwei withdrew her imposing aura, deactivated the prop’s power, and released Bian Xingzhou and Zhao Rui.

He Lianxue gracefully curtsied and turned to return to her room, leaving Zhao Rui and Bian Xingzhou to wallow in regret.

The two men ran into the courtyard, facing the third floor in self-reproach.

"Xue’er, I shouldn’t have acted impulsively, making you spend so much money. I’m truly despicable!"

"Xue’er, I’m sorry for causing you trouble. I’ll repay you the money later."

The inn staff: ???

"I don’t get it." Yue Shu scratched the back of his head. "What’s wrong with them? They seem… not quite right in the head."

Liang Shangjun scoffed. "Haven’t you heard the rumors?"

"What rumors?"

"The number one beauty in the martial world possesses a unique constitution. Wherever she goes, men fall madly for her, often even clashing over her. How else do you think she earned that title?"

Xue Guanhe frowned. "What kind of strange constitution is that?"

A glint of interest flashed in Lu Jianwei’s eyes.

A living enchantress—what did she really look like beneath that veil?

Wait, if every man who saw her fell for her, then…

She scanned the group and warned, "If any of you behave like those two, leave the inn immediately."

The staff shivered, a chill running down their spines.

They would never become like that!

"Don’t worry, boss," Liang Shangjun said cheerfully. "He Lianxue is veiled now and barely speaks. Nothing like that will happen. Those stories are from years ago."

"What about Zhao Rui and Bian Xingzhou?" Xue Guanhe asked.

Liang Shangjun: "Those two fell for her years ago and have been chasing her ever since. Besides them, plenty of other young talents in the martial world are devoted admirers of the number one beauty."

"Such admirers sound terrifying."

"Absolutely fanatical. Rumor has it that once they’re smitten, even the smallest thing related to He Lianxue can make them act like completely different people."

Yue Shu: "So they lashed out at us because Miss He Lian didn’t get to eat?"

"Seems that way."

"…"

The group fell silent. This was beyond bizarre.

Lu Jianwei mused inwardly, "Little Guest, does a 'universal enchantress' constitution really exist?"

"Unclear."

"Something feels off."

"If you sense it, then it probably is."

Lu Jianwei’s instincts were sharp, and she doubted the so-called enchantress effect.

People’s tastes vary—no face is universally adored.

It’s impossible for every man who sees He Lianxue to fall into obsession.

Could it be… gu sorcery?

Love gu is common—those infected with the sub-gu become irrationally devoted to the host of the mother gu, to the point of ruin.

But she hadn’t detected any gu worms on He Lianxue or those two men.

Then again, her gu skills might not be advanced enough.

Lu Jianwei dismissed the thought.

Whether it was gu sorcery or not, it wasn’t her concern. Just passing strangers—not worth the effort.

"Tiao, want to explore the city this afternoon?"

Tiao’s eyes lit up. "The herb market?"

"Of course. We can’t visit Dada City without seeing its famous herb market."

Lu Jianwei could buy herbs from the system shop, but she hadn’t brought much with her—she couldn’t just conjure them out of thin air.

For a physician to visit the southwest and skip the herb market? Unthinkable.

"Boss, you can’t go without me!" Liang Shangjun sidled up. "You won’t understand the locals."

"Fine, you’re coming with us."

With Yan Feicang and the others minding the inn, Lu Jianwei set out with Tiao and Liang Shangjun.

Dada City thrived on herb trade. Shops and stalls across the city displayed medicinal goods.

Common herbs were sold by the basketful, far cheaper than in other regions—though quality varied wildly.

Poorly processed herbs with rough appearances filled street stalls, while premium stock was kept in tidy apothecaries.

The largest herb shop in Dada City was Kadian Herbal Shop.

"'Kadian' means 'abundant and fine,'" Liang Shangjun explained helpfully.

The two-story shop brimmed with fragrance before they even entered. Common herbs filled the ground floor, while rare specimens were displayed upstairs.

A shop assistant glanced up, offering a stiff smile as he approached.

"What herbs are you looking for?" His Central Plains dialect was heavily accented.

Lu Jianwei: "Blackeye Fruit."

This was an ingredient for the "Journey to the Underworld" antidote—rare, found only in the Soulsever Ridge of the southwest.

The assistant blinked. "Apologies, we don’t sell Blackeye Fruit."

"The largest herb shop in Dada City doesn’t stock Blackeye Fruit?" Liang Shangjun feigned disdain. "Overrated, aren’t you?"

"What did you say?!" The assistant spat a local phrase—clearly an insult.

Lu Jianwei arched a brow at Liang Shangjun.

"He called us country bumpkins who know nothing about herbs." Liang Shangjun raised his voice. "Boss, the herb you seek must be too rare for this shop. Should we try the black market? They often have exotic goods."

The assistant scowled. "Do you have any idea how hard it is to harvest Blackeye Fruit? A single one costs five thousand taels. Can you even afford that?"

"Five thousand taels…" Tiao murmured. "So expensive."

If one ingredient cost this much, what about the rest of the antidote formula? Was her life worth such a fortune?

Lu Jianwei ruffled her hair. "Don’t overthink it. With your skills, earning money won’t be a problem."

Tiao nodded firmly.

She’d earn mountains of silver—all for her boss.

The assistant snorted.

Such arrogance, discussing medical expertise at their age.

Lu Jianwei remained unbothered. Snobbery existed everywhere, and the southwest locals were notoriously insular—precious herbs like Blackeye Fruit wouldn’t be sold to outsiders lightly.

"Let’s go."

As the trio stepped out, a figure came flying straight at Lu Jianwei’s face.

She sidestepped smoothly. With a crash, the man collided with the shop’s signboard—splintering it—before crumpling to the ground.

The assistant gasped, rushing out to check on the groaning victim, whose face was smeared with blood. The man’s eyes bulged, fixed hatefully on something ahead.

The crowd parted.

A towering brute strode forward, a broadsword resting on his shoulder. Each step made the ground tremble.

He was the largest man Lu Jianwei had seen since transmigrating—even the Blackwind Fort brothers paled in comparison.

He wore the attire of an ethnic minority, his broad feet crammed into crude straw sandals that seemed on the verge of bursting apart at any moment.

"Azhami! It's you again!" The shop assistant fumed, his voice trembling with anger. "How dare you harm others like this? Aren’t you afraid the Gu God will punish you?!"

Azhami scoffed. "Your herbal shop’s gatherers keep trespassing on our land. Beating him up was mercy. Let me make this clear—Bawa Mountain belongs to the Yi tribe now. If any of you Bawa people dare set foot there again, don’t blame me for what happens next."

"You—!" The assistant was too furious to speak.

Liang Shangjun quietly explained, "Kadian Herbal Shop is run by the Bawa tribe. They’ve made a fortune, and the Yi tribe is green with envy. But the Yi are better at fighting than gathering herbs, and their own herbal shops don’t turn a profit. So they resort to stealing territory."

Lu Jianwei: "..."

Where there are people, there are conflicts. Even Yunnan isn’t a united front.

After delivering his threat, Azhami turned and left without another glance.

The crowd gathered around Kadian Herbal Shop, all worried about the injured man’s condition.

"Amuli, hurry and take him to the shaman!"

"If you don’t get him help soon, he won’t make it."

"Azhami is a fifth-rank martial artist. How could an unarmed man survive that?"

"Poor lad."

Liang Shangjun continuously translated the murmurs of the crowd.

The assistant, his eyes red, muttered, "The shaman can’t heal this."

In their tribe, injuries like this were deemed fatal by the shamans.

Damn Azhami! How could he attack an unarmed herb gatherer?

A thought suddenly crossed Lu Jianwei’s mind.

She couldn’t stand by and watch an innocent man die before her. Stepping forward, she said, "I’m a physician from the Central Plains. He can still be saved."

The assistant froze.

After his earlier rudeness, was she really willing to help?

Was this a trick?

Skeptical, he asked, "Can a physician from the Central Plains really treat such injuries?"

Lu Jianwei replied coolly, "There’s a saying in the Central Plains: ‘Desperate times call for desperate measures.’ If you don’t trust me, he’ll die. If you do, he might live."

The assistant wiped his tears and bowed deeply.

"Thank you!"

It seemed not all Central Plains folk were cunning villains.

"Move him inside first," Lu Jianwei instructed.

Several kind-hearted bystanders helped the assistant carry the injured man into the back room.

After dispersing the crowd, the assistant returned to find Lu Jianwei holding slender silver needles, poised to insert them into the man’s body.

"Wait! What are you doing?"

Lu Jianwei: "Saving him."

Before the assistant could protest, the needles were already in place.

"This is how physicians from the Central Plains heal. You speak our language—how do you not know this?" Liang Shangjun explained.

Tiao watched Lu Jianwei’s technique intently.

The man had been struck by a fifth-rank martial artist, his meridians ravaged by destructive internal energy, leaving him in agony.

Lu Jianwei’s method was her own creation—the "Soul-Escaping Needle Technique."

Once the needles were inserted, the internal energy in the meridians was guided through an abstract "gate" and expelled from the body.

It sounded simple, but locating this "gate" was incredibly difficult.

As she worked, Lu Jianwei explained the process to Tiao.

"Do you understand?"

Tiao shook her head honestly. "Not really."

She could memorize the needle placements but didn’t grasp the underlying principles or the nature of the "gate."

Lu Jianwei’s hands were steady, her movements swift and fluid, like watching an artist at work.

Gradually, color returned to the patient’s face, and his furrowed brow relaxed.

"Don’t worry. Practice more, and you’ll get it," Lu Jianwei said, inserting the final needle. To the assistant, she added, "His internal injuries are stabilized. If you trust me, I’ll treat the rest of his wounds. If not, take him to your shaman."

"I trust you!" The assistant, now thoroughly impressed, exclaimed, "If you can heal injuries like this, of course I believe you! Please, do whatever’s necessary!"

Liang Shangjun crossed his arms. "You should know, back in the Central Plains, our boss charges ten thousand taels just for a consultation."

The assistant: "..."

That was absurdly expensive!

But she’d just saved his kinsman’s life—they couldn’t possibly refuse payment.

"Ten thousand taels? He doesn’t have that kind of money!"

Lu Jianwei fed the patient a pill, which he swallowed. Moments later, his eyes fluttered open, and he overheard the discussion about fees.

"I… I don’t have money."

Lu Jianwei noted inwardly: Another Yunnan local who spoke the Central Plains’ tongue.

It seemed those involved in trade with the Central Plains had taken the initiative to learn the language.

The patient added weakly, "Did you come to Yunnan… seeking herbs?"

"Correct," Lu Jianwei said. "I need many medicinal ingredients."

The man smiled faintly. "I can’t repay you in silver, but perhaps in herbs? I’m a gatherer, and I have others working under me. Whatever herbs you need, I can collect them for you."

"Don’t make promises you can’t keep!" the assistant snapped. "Do you even know what they want? Black-Eyed Fruit! You know how dangerous those are to harvest!"

"I’ll be careful."

The assistant glared. "Are you trying to get yourself killed?"

"My life belongs to my savior—"

"Hold on," Lu Jianwei interjected. "From what I know, Black-Eyed Fruit attracts swarms of venomous insects and snakes when ripe. Aren’t Yunnan’s people skilled at handling such creatures? Why is harvesting so difficult?"

"Most gatherers aren’t martial artists. A few snakes or insects are manageable, but hundreds? And all those bugs? Trying to snatch the fruit from them is harder than breaking into the Sacred Sect," the assistant explained.

Lu Jianwei nodded. "In that case, forget the Black-Eyed Fruit for now. But I do need other herbs."

"Name them, and I’ll gather whatever you need," the patient said.

"Do you read Central Plains script?"

"I know herb names, but not much else."

"Good enough."

Lu Jianwei had the assistant fetch paper and brush, then swiftly listed dozens of herbs. Among them were ingredients for the "Journey to the Underworld" antidote, but she deliberately mixed in unrelated herbs to avoid suspicion.

Most could be bought in Dada City’s markets, but a few rare varieties required venturing deep into the mountains.

The wilderness was treacherous, and a single misstep could be fatal.

But gatherers made their living this way. Over countless expeditions, they’d learned to navigate the dangers—though accidents still happened.

"My name is Amuan. May I ask yours, and where you’re staying?" the patient asked earnestly. "Once I’ve gathered the herbs, I’ll deliver them personally."

Lu Jianwei replied, "I’m at the Eight Directions Inn in the northern part of the city. I’m the proprietor—just ask for Lu."

"Understood."

Lu Jianwei never relied on verbal agreements. She had Liang Shangjun draft two copies of a contract, which both parties signed and stamped with their fingerprints before she and her companions left the shop.

Once they were gone, the assistant, Amuli, checked Amuan’s condition in amazement. "You’re really healed? No pain at all?"

"None," Amuan said with a smile. "She’s truly remarkable."

Amuli exclaimed, "The medical skills of the Central Plains are truly miraculous. Just a few silver needles, and your wound is healed. If only the shamans in our tribe could learn this technique."

"You know how it is," Amuan shook his head helplessly. "Many in our tribe distrust the people of the Central Plains—you used to be the same. Even if they were willing to teach, the shamans would never agree to learn."

Amuli sighed in remorse. "My prejudice was too strong before. It seems not all Central Plains folk are bad."

"Of course not. Amusha was also saved by them once."

"Are you really planning to gather herbs yourself? Do you know how long it’ll take to find medicine worth ten thousand taels? The mountains are dangerous, and you—"

"After Azhami nearly killed me, I thought death had come. Do you understand what it feels like to face the end? It was Shopkeeper Lu who saved my life. Being given a second chance feels incredible. Whatever herbs she needs, I’ll bring them to her."

Amuli still hesitated. "Why don’t we borrow money from the tribe to pay the medical fees?"

"No. The life I owe is mine to repay. A warrior of the Bawa tribe fears neither insects nor beasts. I won’t let others mock me."

Seeing ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌‍his resolve, Amuli gave up.

Dada City had no secrets—especially when the "secret" unfolded right outside Kadian Herbal Shop.

Soon, everyone in the city, locals and outsiders alike, knew about the new inn in the northern district. Its proprietor possessed extraordinary medical skills, capable of reviving even those on the brink of death.

But peace at the Eight Directions Inn didn’t last long. Within days, another visitor arrived at its doorstep.