No matter how skilled Cao Haozi was with hidden weapons, he stood no chance against a sixth-rank martial artist like Yan Feicang.
Knowing his plan had been exposed, he simply raised his hands in surrender, forcing an awkward smile.
"What instructions does Hero Yan have for me?"
Yan Feicang, annoyed at the interruption to his training, replied coldly and tersely.
"To the front courtyard."
Cao Haozi’s beady eyes darted around, but he obediently walked ahead, circling around the main building of the inn until his gaze landed on Lv Hudie, who was fused with a stable post.
Under the eaves of the corridor, the elegant innkeeper, Lu Jianwei, reclined in a rocking chair, leisurely sipping tea.
The rest of the staff stood guard around her.
"What’s going on here?" Cao Haozi feigned surprise. "Innkeeper Lu, did Old Lv offend you? Let me apologize on his behalf. He’s a bit of a smooth talker, but he means no harm."
Lu Jianwei lifted her eyes and smiled at him.
"Ah Yue, show him."
"Right away!" Yue Shu stepped forward with a simple wooden box and opened it before Cao Haozi.
Inside lay the mangled remains of a black beetle, torn to pieces beyond recognition.
Cao Haozi: "..."
There was no denying it now.
Still, from Lu Jianwei’s demeanor, there might still be room for negotiation.
Without hesitation, he spoke earnestly. "So Old Lv’s pet accidentally escaped and disturbed you, Innkeeper Lu. It’s only right to apologize. If there’s anything you need, just say the word."
Lv Hudie’s poisonous insects had never failed before. Today’s failure wasn’t due to carelessness—they had simply underestimated the inn’s prowess.
A mysterious inn in the middle of nowhere truly was unfathomable.
Lu Jianwei wasted no time. She set down her teacup.
"Two thousand taels of silver to redeem him."
Cao Haozi’s face twisted in distress. "Innkeeper Lu, how could I possibly afford that? Selling me wouldn’t even cover the cost."
"Yan Feicang." Lu Jianwei had no patience for his excuses.
Yan Feicang unsheathed his blade, its cold gleam flashing toward the stable post where Lv Hudie was pinned. The man’s face turned ashen, his makeup flaking off in terror, but with his body immobilized, he had no way to dodge.
"Stop!" Cao Haozi shrieked in horror.
Yan Feicang arched a brow, effortlessly halting the blade mid-swing before sheathing it with a crisp ring.
The display left everyone’s jaws on the floor.
They had now witnessed the true prowess of a sixth-rank blade master—his control was impeccable, worthy of his title as the finest swordsman in the martial world.
Xue Guanhe’s blood burned with excitement. If he could one day wield a blade with such effortless grace, he’d die without regrets.
The crowd gazed at Yan Feicang with awe.
He was used to such reactions and rarely cared for others’ opinions—yet he couldn’t resist stealing a glance at Lu Jianwei.
Her expression remained unchanged, as if she’d just watched an utterly unremarkable performance.
A twinge of disappointment pricked his heart.
So she truly didn’t think much of his swordsmanship.
"Money or his life." Lu Jianwei propped her chin lazily on her hand. "Martial Artist Cao, choose."
Cao Haozi sighed in resignation. "We don’t carry that much on us. Allow me to make a trip to Moonview City to withdraw the silver notes from the bank."
"Granted." Lu Jianwei’s lips curved slightly.
Cao Haozi could only see a dagger hidden behind her smile. His heart quivered, and he immediately dashed toward Moonview City at full speed using his lightness skill.
"So straightforward." Lu Jianwei frowned. "Did I ask for too little?"
Everyone: "..."
After Cao Haozi left, Lu Jianwei returned to her room.
The others resumed their duties, leaving Lv Hudie alone with the stables.
Before long, Tao Yang and Wei Liu returned with their donkey cart. Seeing Lv Hudie in such a pitiful state, they froze on the spot.
"What’s this—?"
Wei Liu started to speak, but Tao Yang tugged her sleeve.
"Junior Sister, tie up the donkey. Let’s go rest."
"Ah… alright."
The two pretended not to notice, sparing Lv Hudie’s dignity.
Lv Hudie: "..."
This humiliation was beyond redemption.
At the front desk, Wei Liu and Tao Yang retrieved their deposit and quietly asked Yue Shu, who was handling the refund.
"What happened to Senior Lv?"
Yue Shu saw no reason to cover for him.
"He tried to steal the innkeeper’s jewelry and poisoned the well water. Thankfully, the innkeeper discovered it in time and prevented disaster. This is his punishment."
The two exchanged glances.
Back in their room, after a long silence, Wei Liu spoke first.
"Did they already make their move?"
"Seems so." Tao Yang’s brow furrowed. "This inn really isn’t simple. We must tread carefully."
Lv Hudie was a seasoned veteran in the martial world. If even he failed, their chances of pulling off any covert operations were slim.
"What’s there to fear? We’re just here to gather information. The letter’s already been sent. Once it’s done, we’re out of it."
"True."
"Senior Brother, I’m exhausted from the journey. I’ll rest first."
"Go ahead." Tao Yang called after her. "We’ll stay here and wait for further orders. No more running around for now."
"Perfect."
Once in her room, Wei Liu summoned Yue Shu.
"Attendant, draw me a bath."
Yue Shu responded brightly.
"Wait." Wei Liu hesitated. "Earlier, you mentioned the well was poisoned. Is the water safe now?"
Yue Shu beamed proudly. "Yes! The innkeeper already neutralized the poison. No need to worry, Miss Wei."
"Neutralized? Did Senior Lv provide the antidote?"
"No, the innkeeper handled it herself."
"Oh. Good."
Cao Haozi pushed his lightness skill to the limit, barely making it to Moonview City before the gates closed. He retrieved the two thousand taels in silver notes and rushed back to the inn under the cover of night.
"Innkeeper Lu, here’s the silver. Please verify it."
Lu Jianwei accepted the notes, her expression serene.
"Excellent."
"Now that the ransom’s paid… could you release Old Lv?"
"By all means."
Cao Haozi started toward the stables but turned back.
"It’s late. Would it be possible for us to stay the night?"
The last thing he wanted was to camp outside with a "corpse."
"This inn is open for business. As long as guests are willing, they may stay as long as they like." Lu Jianwei smiled. "But for an extension, you’ll need to pay another five hundred coppers."
"Naturally." Cao Haozi fished out five mace of silver.
He headed to the courtyard, freed Lv Hudie from his equine company, and hauled him upstairs.
Behind them, Lu Jianwei’s gentle voice carried.
"Guanhe, go ask Miss Wei and the others if they’d like supper."
His stomach growled pitifully, and bitterness welled in his heart.
The fines went into the inn’s treasury. The hundred-some taels from Lv Hudie’s person and the two thousand taels of ransom swelled the inn’s coffers to over twenty-five hundred taels.
Upgrading fifth-rank equipment required one hundred thousand coppers—a thousand taels. With twenty-five hundred taels on hand, she could boost both offensive and defensive gear to the fifth rank.
Without hesitation, Lu Jianwei invested two thousand taels, elevating both sets of equipment to fifth rank.
The remaining five hundred would serve as backup funds—enough for now.
A long-lost sense of security wrapped around her.
In the martial world, fifth-rank fighters were already considered experts. Someone like Yan Feicang, a sixth-rank martial artist, stood at the pinnacle of the younger generation.
Those above the sixth rank were either sect leaders who rarely engaged in combat or recluses who seldom appeared in public.
Unless treasures or spiritual artifacts surfaced.
Now that the inn was secured with fifth-tier protective artifacts and guarded by a sixth-tier martial artist like Yan Feicang, Lu Jianwei faced no safety concerns as long as she stayed within its walls.
The only hitch was that advancing to the sixth tier required ten thousand taels of silver—who knew how many years it would take to earn that much?
Even so, her spirits remained high, and she specially instructed Xue Guanhe to prepare extra dishes for dinner.
The food was served, but not everyone had arrived yet.
"Where’s Yan Feicang?" she asked.
Yue Shu promptly replied, "I’ll go call him."
Just then, Tao Yang came downstairs and inquired, "Innkeeper Lu, are you about to dine?"
"Yes. Were you looking to order something?" Lu Jianwei said. "We just sent someone to check, but Miss Wei is bathing and couldn’t respond."
Tao Yang nodded. "If we order now, would it delay your meal? Would it be possible for my junior sister and me to join you? We’re happy to pay."
The dishes on the menu paled in comparison to the feast laid out on the table. After days of exhausting travel, he craved something delicious.
His junior sister shared the sentiment, which was why she’d sent him to ask.
Lu Jianwei blurted out without thinking, "You can join, but these dishes will cost extra."
Xiao Ke: "…"
Everyone else: "…"
The desire to make money was truly ingrained in Innkeeper Lu’s bones.
Tao Yang hesitated, feeling a twinge of disappointment.
Such an elegant woman, yet tainted by worldly greed.
"That’s fair," he conceded.
"Then invite Miss Wei down to eat," Lu Jianwei said, taking her seat at the head of the table. "The food will get cold if we wait any longer."
Tao Yang looked uneasy. "My junior sister seems to be…"
"What’s wrong with her?"
"I’m not sure. She might be having some trouble, but it’s inappropriate for me to enter her room. Would you mind checking on her, Innkeeper Lu?"
Lu Jianwei was genuinely hungry and didn’t want to deal with any complications.
But since Wei Liu was a valuable customer, she reluctantly went upstairs and knocked on her door.
"Miss Wei, it’s time for dinner."
Wei Liu exclaimed cheerfully, "Innkeeper Lu! Come in, please—I can’t get my eyebrows right. Could you help me?"
Lu Jianwei: "…"
So it was just makeup.
She pushed the door open and was greeted by the graceful silhouette of the young woman.
Wei Liu wore a newly bought ruqun, similar in style and color to Lu Jianwei’s own, with only subtle differences.
At a glance, it was hard to recognize her as the same swordswoman from earlier that day.
Wei Liu turned around, her lively almond-shaped eyes sparkling. Dressed in the flowing robes, she looked nothing short of stunning.
"Innkeeper Lu, could you fix my eyebrows? I just can’t get them even."
Lu Jianwei sighed inwardly but stepped closer, taking the eyebrow pencil. Gently tilting Wei Liu’s chin up, she bent down to refine the arches.
Wei Liu’s brows were naturally well-shaped, with no stray hairs needing correction.
Their faces were so close that Lu Jianwei could count her lashes.
Suddenly, Wei Liu spoke up. "Innkeeper Lu, you’re really beautiful."
Lu Jianwei, being human, naturally enjoyed praise. Smiling, she replied, "So are you."
"It’s not the same."
"How so?" Lu Jianwei finished the last stroke.
Wei Liu propped her chin on her hand, studying Lu Jianwei’s reflection in the mirror.
"It’s a feeling. You have this extraordinary aura—warm and kind, yet also like a detached observer of the mortal world."
Lu Jianwei paused, meeting her gaze.
Those eyes were clear and innocent, like those of a girl untouched by worldly troubles.
She suddenly laughed.
"I’m just an ordinary innkeeper."
Wei Liu smiled too. "I know, Innkeeper Lu."
She stood and headed for the door, turning back to add, "Your chef’s skills are incredible. The smell alone makes me hungry."
Then, lifting the hem of her new dress, she skipped downstairs.
Just as she reached the dining hall, Yan Feicang walked in.
He gave a casual greeting: "Innkeeper Lu."
Wei Liu froze.
Lu Jianwei, who had followed behind, also stopped in her tracks.
The others stared in shock.
Had he mistaken her? Impossible.
A sixth-tier martial artist, the top blade master in the martial world—surely his perception wasn’t that poor!
Yan Feicang sensed the awkward silence and looked up, startled. Without thinking, he blurted, "Why are there two Innkeeper Lus?"
Everyone: ???
Lu Jianwei arched a brow, teasing, "Master Yan, no matter how funny your joke is, we won’t pay to applaud it."
"HAHAHAHA!" Xue Guanhe burst out laughing. "So even Master Yan cracks jokes!"
Yan Feicang recognized the voices and realized his blunder, his expression turning slightly stiff.
"You’re dressed identically—just a jest. My apologies, Innkeeper Lu, Miss Wei."
"No harm done. Beautiful people share similarities—what does that tell you?" Lu Jianwei smiled. "It means both Miss Wei and I are quite lovely."
"Absolutely! The innkeeper is stunning, and so is Miss Wei," Yue Shu chimed in.
Being the youngest, his praise sounded innocent. From anyone else, it might have come off as presumptuous.
The topic was smoothly brushed aside, and the meal proceeded with warmth and laughter.
Meanwhile, in the eastern room on the second floor, Cao Haozi retrieved the last antidote from Lv Hudie’s belongings, his voice strained.
"If this one doesn’t work… your poison may truly be incurable."
Lv Hudie lay rigid on the bed, tears of despair slipping down his cheeks.
He had prided himself as the top insect master in the martial world—what venomous creature had he not encountered? What toxin had he failed to neutralize?
Yet here he was, in this remote wilderness inn, suffering the backlash of his own arrogance.
That Innkeeper Lu—she’d effortlessly countered the poison in the well and then administered an untraceable toxin of her own.
How could someone like her remain unknown in the martial world?
Just who was she?
