◎Returning to the Inn, Plans for a Branch◎
Lu Jianwei prepared to return to the Eight Directions Inn, but Fan Mian was reluctant to see her go. She gifted Lu Jianwei an entire carriage full of beautiful jewelry and fine garments, instructing the servants to escort her back to the inn.
"Mother, nothing for me?" Xue Guanhe asked, incredulous.
Fan Mian chided sternly, "Focus on learning martial arts from Manager Lu instead of indulging in luxuries."
Xue Guanhe: "…"
"Madam Fan," Lu Jianwei, deeply moved by the generosity but unwilling to owe a debt, retrieved a small porcelain vial from her medicine pouch. "I have some knowledge of medicine. This is a tonic I formulated myself—it nourishes the blood, calms the spirit, and enhances vitality."
Fan Mian accepted it with delight. "Thank you so much!"
After giving birth, she had never fully recovered, often suffering from insomnia and night sweats. Countless physicians had diagnosed her with chronic blood and qi deficiency, but no remedy had brought lasting relief.
Managing both the household and external businesses left her overburdened, exacerbating her symptoms and prematurely aging her appearance.
If even the poison that baffled every physician in the city had been effortlessly neutralized by Manager Lu, her medical prowess was beyond doubt. Fan Mian treasured the gift.
Long after Lu Jianwei’s carriage had vanished from sight, Fan Mian lingered at the gate, gazing wistfully into the distance.
Xue Pingshan called gently, "Come inside, dear."
"Just a moment." Clutching the vial like a precious gem, Fan Mian sighed admiringly, "Manager Lu is as kind as she is beautiful."
The carriage sped along the cleared snowy road, no longer requiring Uncle Zhang’s palm strikes to part the drifts. Twenty li vanished in the blink of an eye.
As they neared the inn, a crowd of about a hundred people loitered outside, murmuring among themselves—Black Wind Fort members mingled among them.
At the sound of the approaching carriage, the group scrambled to their feet, turning solemn stares toward the vehicle.
"What’s all this about?" Xue Guanhe muttered, steering the carriage to a halt and hopping down. "Manager, we’re back."
Lu Jianwei’s keen ears had already caught their distant grumbling—complaints about her ruthlessness, echoed by the Black Wind Fort members’ grievances about humiliation. Strangely, mutual disdain had forged an alliance:
*Speak ill of a common enemy, and you’ve made a friend.*
"Uncle Zhang, ask which of them wish to leave the inn," Lu Jianwei instructed, casting a glance that sent the crowd shrinking like frightened quail.
Uncle Zhang nodded and strode off.
The courtyard gate swung open abruptly. Lan Ling emerged, swaying with her usual coquettish grace. "Manager Lu, you’ve been gone so long—I’ve missed you terribly."
Xue Guanhe directed the Xue family servants to unload the gifts, teasing, "Elder Lan, if you missed her that much, you could’ve visited us in town."
Lan Ling: "…"
Spending too much time with A'Nai had clearly sharpened his tongue.
"Manager! Brother Xue! You’re back!" Yue Shu bounded out excitedly, helping with the luggage. "Where’s Uncle Zhang?"
"On an errand." Xue Guanhe lowered his voice conspiratorially. "The case was solved thanks to the manager. The Mystic Mirror Bureau couldn’t crack the poison for days, but when another victim fell ill that very night, she cured them instantly. Absolutely incredible!"
"Wow!" Yue Shu’s eyes sparkled. "I wish I’d been there!"
Xue Guanhe thumped his chest. "Don’t worry, I’ll tell you everything later."
Once the goods were unloaded, the Xue servants departed with the empty carriage.
Lu Jianwei, brimming with new insights on poisons from the trip, was eager to jot them down in her notes.
But Lan Ling intercepted her, eyes alight with gossip.
"Manager Lu, who sent you all these gifts? Could it be Han Xiaofeng?"
Lu Jianwei: "If you’re bored, go spar with the Black Wind Fort members. I’ll cheer you on."
Lan Ling pouted. "I’ve been *dying* of boredom! You’ve no idea how dull it’s been without you. The inn might as well have been empty."
"Oh?"
"Yan either chops wood or trains. Jin does nothing *but* train. Wen hasn’t left his room. Even A'Nai stopped bickering with me."
Lu Jianwei suppressed a smile. She could easily picture the scene—utter torture for someone as vivacious as Lan Ling.
"Yue Shu was here, wasn’t he?"
"Him? Always buried in books by Wen’s side. And he only cooks noodles—I’m *sick* of them!"
When the inn first opened, lacking staff, Lu Jianwei had taught Yue Shu basic cooking—noodles and a few simple stir-fries. Then Xue Guanhe arrived, relegating Yue Shu to sous-chef duties.
Lu Jianwei chuckled. "Beggars can’t be choosers, especially penniless ones."
"Manager Lu, how cruel!" Lan Ling dabbed at imaginary tears.
Lu Jianwei delivered the coup de grâce: "Still no word from the Thousand Miles Pavilion? Have they truly abandoned you?"
Lan Ling: "…"
"I have work to do." Lu Jianwei sidestepped her and headed upstairs.
Lan Ling called plaintively, "What about the scar ointment you promised?"
"Tomorrow."
Back in her room, Lu Jianwei recorded her findings on *Heartless Lover’s Toxin*. Hesitating, she added a new line:
*Beauty’s Jealousy* + ?
Hu Jiuniang had revealed that Hu Atiao’s poison was formulated by Lin Congyue before her death—even its creator had failed to devise a perfect antidote, only suppressants.
Yet Lin Congyue’s belongings contained no complete recipe, leaving Hu Atiao’s condition unresolved.
The newly introduced toxin was rare. Without firsthand knowledge of its properties, crafting a cure was impossible.
The deeper Lu Jianwei delved into medicine, the more she recognized her limitations.
Solving those two poisons had relied on her system’s *Herbology* and *Toxicology* manuals. Without them, she’d have been utterly lost.
The path of healing stretched endlessly before her.
But to earn enough for her return home, mastery was non-negotiable. A single life saved on this trip had netted nearly ten thousand taels.
This road, willingly or not, was hers to walk.
After some martial practice, Lu Jianwei descended for dinner.
The three youths huddled together, dissecting the serial poisoning case.
"Ah…" Yue Shu murmured sympathetically. "So she’s… not long for this world?"
"Maybe that’s why Envoy Han didn’t convict her," Xue Guanhe said. "Still, her life’s been tragic—abandoned at six, picked up by Hu Jiuniang, poisoned, and manipulated for a decade."
A'Nai fumed. "Exactly! If you take someone in, raise them properly!"
"At least she showed some remorse at the end. Knowing she’d face execution, she didn’t drag her disciple down with her."
"That counts as remorse?" A'Nai scoffed. "What if her real family had found her if Hu Jiuniang hadn’t interfered? Plus, she’s stuck with an incurable poison—all her suffering traces back to that woman."
Yue Shu nodded. "Hard to argue with that."
"Not necessarily," Xue Guanhe countered. "Constable Wang mentioned Hu Atiao testified she’d been deliberately dumped in a mass grave. Without Hu Jiuniang, she’d have died there."
"Who could abandon something like this? How utterly heartless!" A'Nai couldn't help slamming the table in frustration.
"No idea," Xue Guanhe shook his head, then added curiously, "You seem particularly upset about this."
A'Nai: "I was abandoned as a child too. If I hadn’t met the Young Master, I wouldn’t have survived."
He said this without much resentment, as if recounting an ordinary matter—clearly, he had long moved on from the past.
"Manager Lu," Jin Poxiao strode in, his voice booming, "Old Zhang has already spoken to me. You’ve agreed to transfer those people’s indentures to the Golden Blade Trading Company?"
Lu Jianwei nodded. "Naturally, I’m happy to do business with you, Young Master Jin."
"Manager Lu, you’re truly decisive! Once the caravan arrives, we’ll finalize the contract." Jin Poxiao grinned.
"Caravan?"
"The same one that was rather… impolite to you before," Jin Poxiao explained with a smile. "They’ve completed a trade run and are heading back to Nan Province. They should arrive at Moonview City by tomorrow and will take those people with them."
Lu Jianwei raised an eyebrow. "With all this snow outside, the caravan can still travel?"
"They have martial artists in the group—they can clear the snow while moving, just like Old Zhang."
Lu Jianwei thought to herself: *As expected of a major trading company—they’re relentless when it comes to business.*
She replied to Jin Poxiao, "It depends on how many are willing to leave. I won’t force them."
The others exchanged glances: *Since when do you not force people?*
Uncle Zhang entered at that moment to report. "Manager, they’ve all agreed to join the Golden Blade Trading Company."
Lu Jianwei nodded in satisfaction. "Good. They know what’s best for them."
The others: *Anyone would make the same choice.*
Compared to having their inner energy suppressed and their bodies enslaved, they’d rather take up trading—at least they’d have a little freedom.
"Manager Lu, I’ve always been curious," Lan Ling, who had somehow sidled up to Lu Jianwei again, asked sweetly, "What’s the name of that inner energy-suppressing drug? I’ve never heard of it before—not even the physicians trained at great expense in our establishment could counteract it."
Lu Jianwei replied coolly, "It’s a new formula. I call it ‘Ordinary Guest.’ I wanted to see if these reckless martial artists, once reduced to ordinary people, might gain some enlightenment."
"What kind of enlightenment?" Jin Poxiao asked.
"To treat ordinary people with kindness."
"Hahaha!" A'Nai burst into laughter, clapping his hands. "Manager Lu, you’re truly something! I’ve always despised those types—flaunting their martial skills, treating human lives as worthless. This is so satisfying!"
"Indeed," Jin Poxiao agreed wholeheartedly. "Under the drug’s effects, they’re no longer mighty warriors. They’ll finally understand the struggles of ordinary people. Manager Lu’s method is both effective and avoids further bloodshed."
"What bloodshed?" Yue Shu asked, confused.
"Without this drug, the usual martial world solution would be to sever their meridians and cripple their cultivation—forcing them to experience suffering firsthand. But that would only deepen grudges."
The Golden Blade Trading Company never shied away from conflict, but they upheld the principle of "harmony is precious." If grievances could be resolved peacefully, why invite more trouble?
Endless cycles of revenge—what was the point?
"But they attacked first! Crippling them wouldn’t be unjust, would it?" Yue Shu argued.
Jin Poxiao chuckled. "Defeat the small fry, and their elders come knocking. Do you want your inn to stay in business? If money can solve the problem, why resort to violence?"
"But—"
"Of course, if they truly cross the line—harming your people or damaging your property—then crippling them is fair game."
His earlier stance only applied when no real losses had been incurred.
Yue Shu: "Oh."
The next day, the caravan arrived as promised.
The overseer was still Zhao Jiang, and the guard captain remained Zou Dongyang.
Having learned their lesson at the inn, they had kept a close eye on news about the Eight Directions Inn during their travels. The entire caravan frequently marveled at how fortunate they were that they hadn’t acted rashly that night, choosing instead a more diplomatic approach.
What had once seemed like an outrageous compensation of a thousand taels now felt like a bargain.
When Zou Dongyang saw Lu Jianwei again, all traces of his former arrogance and suspicion were gone. He bowed deeply in apology—he had drawn his blade that night and nearly caused irreparable harm.
Lu Jianwei graciously accepted his apology; she had almost forgotten the incident.
The transaction proceeded smoothly.
The hundred-plus burdens finally contributed their last bit of value—earning Lu Jianwei a tidy sum of 150,000 taels.
Jin Poxiao, ever generous, rounded it up to an even figure.
"Manager Lu, the caravan would like to rest here tonight and depart tomorrow," Jin Poxiao said. "There are eighteen in the group. Nine will share a dormitory with me, and the remaining nine… A'Nai, mind helping out?"
A'Nai agreed readily. "I’ll stay with the Young Master tonight. They can have my room."
"Young Master, perhaps you should take a room on the second floor," Zhao Jiang suggested. "I’m afraid the others might crowd you."
Jin Poxiao waved a hand. "It’s just one night. No need for special arrangements."
"Then how about this—eight with you, and ten in the other room." Since A'Nai’s room was vacant, the dormitory could accommodate ten.
No sense inconveniencing the Young Master.
Jin Poxiao didn’t argue further.
"Manager Lu, the Young Master and I will be leaving with the caravan for Nan Province tomorrow," A'Nai said, an unexpected pang of reluctance in his voice. "I haven’t had the chance to wash that crane-feather cloak you lent me."
Lu Jianwei paused, then smiled. "I only wore it briefly. No need to wash it."
"Oh. Then I’ll let the Young Master know."
Yue Shu sidled up. "A'Nai, you’re really leaving tomorrow?"
"Yeah. The Young Master’s health isn’t great—he needs to return to Nan Province to recuperate." A'Nai patted his shoulder. "I know I’m unforgettable, but don’t miss me too much. Maybe we’ll meet again someday."
Yue Shu: "…I was just thinking, guests as generous as Young Master Wen are rare."
If they stayed another month, the inn could earn another ten thousand taels!
A'Nai: "…"
The others: "…"
Lu Jianwei couldn’t help but laugh.
*Now that’s the spirit of an Eight Directions Inn employee—priorities straight.*
Excusing herself, she retreated to her room and opened the system panel.
The inn’s ledger now held 380,000 taels—enough to upgrade her tools.
"Little Guest, upgrade the attack tool to level seven."
"Right away, Weiwei."
The sound of coins clinking filled her ears as 100,000 taels vanished, leaving the ledger at 280,000.
Upgrading from level seven to eight would cost a million taels.
Two tools meant two million.
An astronomical sum—far beyond her current means.
With the Eight Directions Inn’s reputation spreading beyond Moonview City, it was unlikely anyone would foolishly provoke her again—unless, like Lan Ling, they were willing to pay exorbitant sums to save their lives.
Even then, she’d need twenty such people.
*Making money is too hard.*
"Weiwei, the inn’s offensive and defensive systems have both reached level seven, triggering a side quest—opening a branch location. You may accept or decline this quest."
Lu Jianwei was momentarily stunned, then thrilled. *Talk about perfect timing.*
Just as she was worrying about income, the system delivered a solution.
"Little Guest, you really do love me."
Xiao Ke: "...This is the system's built-in trigger mechanism. Once the attack and defense items in the main inn are all upgraded to level seven, the branch inn operation mode will be unlocked."
"What specific requirements are there?"
"The main inn’s building is a perk that came with the transmigration. For branch inns, you’ll have to purchase and construct them yourself, and the location is also up to you. Whether you make money, and how much, depends entirely on your efforts."
"What else?"
"Existing branch inns must reach attack and defense level seven before the next branch can be opened. At that point, you can also choose whether or not to proceed."
"Is there a time limit for opening branch inns?"
"No." Xiao Ke reminded her, "I suggest you choose carefully. The main inn was opened here out of necessity back then."
Lu Jianwei naturally understood.
Now that she had the strength to protect herself, she needed to open the inn in a bustling place where the chances of encountering wealthy patrons would be higher.
"Xiao Ke, are we limited to just running inns?"
"What do you mean?"
"Well, can we create a brand? Like the 'Eight Directions Group,' with subsidiaries such as Eight Directions Inn, Eight Directions Restaurant, Eight Directions Pharmacy, Eight Directions Emporium, and so on."
Xiao Ke paused for a moment before replying, "I’m an inn management system. I can only activate inn operation modes."
"Fine, then let’s take a different approach," Lu Jianwei began persuading. "Aren’t modern hotels essentially the same as inns?"
"That’s not wrong."
"See, modern hotels have various themes—hot spring hotels, e-sports hotels, resort hotels, couples’ hotels, and so on. Why don’t we create themed inns?"
Xiao Ke hesitated. "What kind of theme are you thinking of?"
"What do you think is the main selling point of our main inn?" Lu Jianwei countered.
Xiao Ke: "...Expensive?"
Lu Jianwei fell silent for a moment before clearing her throat. "I mean, what’s the core appeal of the inn? For example, why did Lan Ling stay here after being hunted? Why did the richest man, Wen Zhuzhi, extend his stay for a month?"
Xiao Ke: "You mean… the guarantee of safety?"
"Exactly. The main inn’s selling point is the mystique and inviolability brought by its attack and defense items. It’s not impossible to replicate this in branch inns, but being too ostentatious might be risky—level seven might not be enough to cover it. Besides, the inn doesn’t have the funds to upgrade everything to level seven right away. We need to take it slow and try a different approach."
Xiao Ke grew wary. "We’re supposed to be running an inn."
"It *is* an inn," Lu Jianwei said matter-of-factly. "Just a *themed* inn."
"What theme?"
"A 'recovery' theme. The inn’s basic function would still be lodging, but we’d add a new recovery feature. Think about it—hot spring hotels have health benefits, e-sports hotels offer gaming entertainment—so adding a recovery function isn’t too much, right?"
Xiao Ke was convinced. "How exactly would the recovery feature work?"
"I haven’t fully figured that out yet. But tell me, is this themed inn idea feasible?"
"It is."
"Then it’s settled." Lu Jianwei opened the map. "Let me see where would be the best place to open it."
Her knowledge of the Qi Dynasty’s regions was superficial, and mere speculation wouldn’t suffice. She needed to consult someone well-informed.
The Golden Blade Trading Company traveled far and wide and was itself a business enterprise, so they undoubtedly had deep insights into the economic conditions and the number of martial artists in various regions.
Without hesitation, Lu Jianwei went downstairs to find Jin Poxiao.
In the shared dormitory, A'Nai was bent over, straightening his bedding. "Young Master, Innkeeper Lu said the cloak doesn’t need washing. Since we’re leaving tomorrow, should I return it now?"
Wen Zhuzhi was playing a game of chess against himself. His expression remained unchanged, and his hand was steady as he placed a piece.
"Alright."
A'Nai then carried the neatly folded cloak out and bumped into Lu Jianwei at the hall entrance.
"Innkeeper Lu, here’s your cloak."
Lu Jianwei said, "Just leave it on the counter."
With that, she headed straight for the stables on the west side.
Jin Poxiao was tending to his beloved horse, patting its head and saying earnestly, "We’re returning to Nanzhou tomorrow. Eat well now, or you’ll slow us down if you get hungry on the road."
The horse munched away, ignoring him completely.
Lu Jianwei smiled. "Winter roads are tough. The poor thing will have a hard journey."
"Innkeeper Lu," Jin Poxiao turned around with a bright grin, "you’re looking for me?"
Lu Jianwei got straight to the point. "Yes. I’m planning to open a branch inn elsewhere, but I don’t have a solid plan yet. Young Master Jin, you’ve traveled the martial world for years and have seen much. Could you offer some guidance?"
"You flatter me," Jin Poxiao said sheepishly. "I only have a superficial understanding of business myself. Guidance is too strong a word, but I’ll share whatever I know."
Lu Jianwei smiled. "Where do martial artists gather the most, and where do fights and injuries frequently occur?"
"Well…" Jin Poxiao thought for a moment. "Martial artists also gravitate toward prosperous places. Besides Luozhou, where the Martial Alliance is based, places like Jingzhou, Wuzhou, Luzhou, and Jiangzhou are quite bustling, with many large and small sects and plenty of martial artists."
"Martial Alliance?"
Jin Poxiao was surprised. "Innkeeper Lu doesn’t know about it?"
Lu Jianwei replied calmly, "I grew up in seclusion and am not well-versed in martial affairs. Forgive my ignorance."
"I see." Jin Poxiao nodded in understanding. "Innkeeper Lu’s sect must be a reclusive great clan. No wonder you’re so accomplished at such a young age."
Lu Jianwei smiled and went along with his assumption. "The elders said martial artists should train in the secular world, so they sent me out. But I dislike fighting, so I chose a quiet place to open an inn."
"Then why open a branch now?"
Lu Jianwei’s gaze deepened. "In just a few months since entering the world, I’ve witnessed the extermination of A'Yue’s family, martial artists besieging the inn, and Hu Jiuniang’s indiscriminate killings. This isn’t the chivalrous and righteous martial world I imagined."
"The martial world also has many heroic and compassionate figures. Don’t lose heart, Innkeeper Lu," Jin Poxiao tried to console her.
"I’m not disheartened," Lu Jianwei shook her head. "At least I’ve met friends like you."
"It’s my honor to be your friend, Innkeeper Lu," Jin Poxiao said solemnly.
Lu Jianwei steered the conversation back. "I thought running an inn in this quiet place would suffice as worldly training, but now I realize it’s far from enough. That’s why I’m planning to open branches. Young Master Jin mentioned the Martial Alliance earlier—is it a gathering place for experts?"
"Yes and no. The Martial Alliance has existed for a long time, evolving over dynasties. Its influence today is extraordinary.
"The current alliance leader is an Eighth-Level Martial King, and the alliance has countless disciples. But unlike other private sects in the martial world,
"centuries ago, the first Martial Alliance was established to mediate disputes in the martial world. It remains neutral and holds some judicial authority.
"Even now, its status is transcendent, but after centuries of development, its internal factions have grown complex. The selection of the alliance leader, once decided by the entire martial world, is now an internal competition, straying from its original purpose.
"Nevertheless, the Martial Alliance in Luozhou remains a sacred gathering place for martial artists. One can always grow there."
Lu Jianwei nodded in understanding.
To use an imperfect analogy, what was once public had turned private, and within this private conglomerate, numerous directors vied to become the chairman. Each faction schemed against the others, with little regard for the lives of martial artists outside their circle.
Such a colossal entity could casually let slip a mere fraction of its resources, and even that would greatly benefit lower-level martial artists. This allure drew countless fighters into its fold, turning them into mere tools in the struggle for power and profit.
Lu Jianwei mentally crossed it off her list.
"What about the other provinces?"
Jin Poxiao understood—she wasn’t choosing Luozhou.
"Jingzhou has many sects—the Thousand Miles Tower and the Divine Physician Valley are based there. You’re already familiar with Black Wind Fort in Wuzhou. As for Luzhou, its most renowned institution is the Luzhou Academy."
"Academy?"
"It’s a place where many martial artists study and refine their skills." Jin Poxiao couldn’t help but show a hint of admiration. "It’s hard to explain in just a few words. If you ever get the chance to visit, you’ll understand its profound mysteries."
Lu Jianwei thought: *Sounds like another faction not to be trifled with.*
She asked about the final option: "What about Jiangzhou?"
Jin Poxiao chuckled. "Isn’t young brother Yue Shu originally from Jiangzhou? He and Old Zhang know the place far better than I do."
Lu Jianwei’s eyes brightened.
Of course—having connections made things easier!
