◎IOU, Setting Off◎
Hu Atiao took the antidote, and as the poison was suppressed, she finally woke up half an hour later.
When she opened her eyes, a fleeting confusion crossed her gaze.
Hadn’t she been waiting to die in the freezing snow?
The effects of the poison had been unbearable—her mind, blood, and limbs all felt rusted, leaving her unable to think or move, like a living corpse.
The room carried the scent of medicinal herbs. She sniffed the air.
Red Tongue Grass, Black Horn, Maple Resin, Dwarf Fruit Root…
Her eyes widened abruptly—this was—
"Young lady, you’re awake." Fan Mian entered, holding a bowl of medicine, her expression gentle. "Innkeeper Lu said you’d likely wake around this time, so I prepared a warming tonic. Drink some."
She approached the bed, sat down, and lifted a spoonful to Hu Atiao’s lips.
Hu Atiao instinctively parted her mouth. The warm liquid flowed into her throat and settled in her stomach.
She recognized several herbs meant to dispel cold, along with a few rare, nourishing ingredients.
By the time she finished the bowl, her icy, stiff body gradually warmed. Moving her lips, she rasped,
"Where… is this?"
Fan Mian smiled. "The Eight Directions Inn—Innkeeper Lu’s place. You know of it, right? My son works here as a helper. Three days ago, we came to pay New Year’s respects to Innkeeper Lu and found you by the roadside. Were you heading out of the southern gate to seek her help?"
Hu Atiao remained silent.
"Innkeeper Lu suppressed the poison for you. Are you still feeling unwell anywhere?"
Hu Atiao hesitated. "I… I need to…"
"What do you need?"
Her voice was barely audible until Fan Mian leaned in. Understanding, Fan Mian showed no hint of amusement. "Innkeeper Lu said you can move around now, but you’re still too weak. Best to rest for a couple more days. Let me help you."
Hu Atiao couldn’t refuse.
After tending to her needs, she returned to bed.
The quilt carried the soothing scent of sandalwood, calming her spirit. Two warming pans lay at her feet, and the brazier kept the room as cozy as spring.
It reminded her of childhood, nestled in her mother’s embrace. Her mind relaxed, and she soon drifted into deep sleep.
Fan Mian left the room and entered the hall, where she found Lu Jianwei lazily propping her chin behind the counter.
"Innkeeper Lu, Miss Atiao woke briefly but has fallen asleep again."
"Thank you for your help, Madam Fan." Lu Jianwei smiled warmly. "Without you these past few days, I truly wouldn’t have managed."
Fan Mian chuckled heartily. "I only handled trivial tasks—nothing worth mentioning. But you, Innkeeper Lu, working day and night without rest—that’s real dedication."
"I’m not tired. In fact, I’m quite pleased." Lu Jianwei retrieved a small jade vial. "I was so busy concocting the antidote that I forgot to return your kindness. Consider this a New Year’s gift—Jade Beauty Pills. Please accept it."
Fan Mian didn’t decline. She took it graciously and sighed with admiration. "Innkeeper Lu, I’ve never met a martial artist like you."
"Oh?"
"Those skilled in medicine among the martial sects never bother with common folk like us. They couldn’t care less if we lived or died. But you—you saved the young master of the soy sauce workshop and even took time to treat us sisters. You’re truly a bodhisattva."
Lu Jianwei: "…"
A… bodhisattva?
She froze. Those words had never been associated with her in this lifetime. The praise sent shivers down her spine.
"Madam Fan, you flatter me too much." Lu Jianwei swiftly cut off the terrifying compliment. "I have matters to attend to. I’ll return to my room now."
With that, she fled upstairs as if escaping.
Fan Mian couldn’t help but laugh.
"Mother, what’s so funny?" Xue Guanhe walked in, curious.
"I’m laughing at how fortunate you are to have met such a good master."
"Of course I’m lucky," Xue Guanhe grinned playfully, "otherwise, how could I have such a wonderful mother?"
"Such a smooth talker."
Two more days passed. Once Hu Atiao could care for herself, Fan Mian bid farewell—her family’s shop needed tending.
The task of preparing and delivering Hu Atiao’s medicine fell to Xue Guanhe.
Compared to her near-death pallor before, Hu Atiao’s complexion was now merely pale, though her lips still held a faint purple tint. Gaunt, her eyes seemed disproportionately large, like copper bells embedded in her face.
"Miss Hu, the innkeeper says this is the last dose. Once you finish, you’ll recover fully." Xue Guanhe set the bowl on the bedside table. "Leave the empty bowl here. I’ll collect it later."
"I don’t go by Hu."
"Ah? Then what’s your surname?"
Hu Atiao didn’t answer. Lowering her gaze, she lifted the bowl and gulped the medicine down.
Xue Guanhe scratched his head. "Then I’ll call you Miss Atiao. You’re amazing—drinking such bitter medicine without flinching."
Bony fingers set the bowl down. Atiao spoke stiffly, "Thank you—and your mother—for saving me."
Xue Guanhe waved it off. "Thank the innkeeper. Without her, even if we’d brought you back, we couldn’t have saved you."
"I owe you all a life." Atiao declared. "Whatever you need—scaling mountains of blades, crossing seas of fire—I’ll do it, even if it kills me."
Xue Guanhe: "…That’s too much."
The girl was as unyielding as a statue carved from ice.
Atiao lifted her eyes to him. "What do you need me to do?"
"…" Xue Guanhe forced a smile. "Nothing. I’ll take the bowl. Rest well."
He hurried out, carefully closing the door behind him.
After washing the bowl, he grew increasingly uneasy and sought out Lu Jianwei.
"Innkeeper, Miss Atiao has recovered. Do you have any plans for her?"
Lu Jianwei flipped through a medical text without looking up.
"Once she pays the consultation and medicine fees, she’s free to leave."
"Ah?" Xue Guanhe blinked. "But she doesn’t have any money."
"Then she can write an IOU and repay later—with interest."
Finally, Xue Guanhe voiced his concern. "There’s something off about her. Innkeeper, it’s like she’s suffered a terrible shock and doesn’t value her life at all."
"If she didn’t value it, why would she have stolen ingredients under Hu Jiuniang’s nose to make an antidote?"
"True." Xue Guanhe let it go. "Innkeeper, it’s almost noon. I’ll go prepare lunch."
He took a few steps, then turned back.
"Should I make food for Miss Atiao too?"
Lu Jianwei: "Meals are charged at the guest rate. Considering she’s a patient, I’ll allow her to owe it for now."
"Got it."
Xue Guanhe returned to the dormitory and called through the door. "Miss Atiao, would you like lunch? One meal is a hundred coins. The innkeeper says you can put it on your tab and repay later."
Silence lingered before the girl’s hoarse voice replied,
"No need."
"Alright then."
Xue Guanhe left it at that. He diligently prepared lunch and enjoyed the meal with Lu Jianwei and Yan Feicang.
"I have an announcement." Lu Jianwei spoke up. "As you likely know, I’ll be heading to Jiangzhou after spring. Those who wish to join me may come along."
Yan Feicang answered without hesitation. "I’m in."
Xue Guanhe’s eyes widened. "Innkeeper, you’d really let me come with you?!"
"Why wouldn’t I?" Lu Jianwei teased. "Your cooking is too good to leave behind. What if I can’t stomach the food elsewhere?"
Xue Guanhe grinned foolishly. "Then I’ll cook for you for the rest of my life!"
Lu Jianwei asked, "But your parents are in Moonview City. Jiangzhou is quite far from here. Are you truly prepared to leave your homeland behind?"
"Boss, since I've already started learning martial arts from you, I can't just give up halfway. Besides, martial artists are meant to roam the rivers and lakes to gain experience. Brother Yan also left his hometown to seek duels and hone his skills. I’ve long made up my mind."
"What about your parents?"
"My parents encouraged me to train in martial arts, so they’ve already prepared for me to wander the martial world in the future."
Lu Jianwei nodded. "Good."
"Boss, if we all go to Jiangzhou, what will happen to the inn here?" Xue Guanhe glanced up at the familiar beams overhead. "Will we ever come back?"
"Of course we will." Lu Jianwei had already planned ahead. "I bought eight thousand acres of land here—I won’t let it go to waste. I’m only going to Jiangzhou temporarily. Eventually, I’ll return."
Though Jiangzhou was prosperous and offered greater wealth, she preferred a quiet, leisurely life. Once the branch inn was running smoothly, she would return here and enjoy the luxury of watching money flow in effortlessly.
Xue Guanhe brightened at this. "It’s great that we can come back! Boss, the folks from Linyue Village said the land is fertile. If you don’t want it lying fallow, you could hire nearby villagers to farm it. The only issue is the distance—it’s a bit inconvenient."
"That’s exactly what I had in mind," Lu Jianwei said. "I plan to build a few houses before spring planting, so the farmers can live there and keep an eye on the land for me."
Xue Guanhe nodded vigorously. "That’s a great idea! My father knows many skilled builders. Should I go home and ask him?"
"Good. I’ll leave this matter to you. The funds will come from the inn’s account." With that, Lu Jianwei delegated the task without hesitation.
She had far too many things to handle.
Xue Guanhe, entrusted with this responsibility, immediately returned to the city and explained the housing and farming plans to his parents.
Master Xue waved his hand dismissively. "Don’t worry about these matters. Leave them to me—I’ll handle them perfectly. You just focus on training well under Boss Lu."
"Thank you, Father!" Overjoyed, Xue Guanhe couldn’t help but feel a pang of sadness. "Father, Mother, in two months, I’ll be leaving for Jiangzhou. I don’t know when I’ll return, so please take care of yourselves. I’ll write often."
"Understood. Go and make your mark in the martial world. We’ll be fine here. Visit when you can, or just send letters. Master your skills and bring honor to the Xue family name." Xue Pingshan waved him off casually.
Xue Guanhe’s melancholy vanished instantly.
How could he forget? His father had often traveled for business in his youth, returning home only a few times a year. Sentimentality was never his way.
"Father, if Niu Qiang and the others say the land is fertile, why was it left barren all these years?" Xue Guanhe had always been puzzled by this.
Xue Pingshan said, "Your mother knows more about that than I do."
"Indeed." Fan Mian recalled, "When I was little, I lived in a village outside the southern city. One day, two grandmasters suddenly appeared nearby and engaged in a duel. Boom! Crash! Entire villages and fields were destroyed. So many people died. In the end, those damned martial artists perished together, and the land became a wasteland, unable to grow even a blade of grass for years."
Xue Guanhe was stunned. "Then, Mother… you…?"
"You’re wondering how I escaped unharmed?" Fan Mian patted her chest, her eyes reddening. "Luckily, that day, I went to the market with your grandparents. We avoided the disaster, but our home, our crops, and all our neighbors… were gone."
Xue Guanhe’s throat tightened, rendering him speechless.
Though he hadn’t witnessed such horror firsthand, his mother’s calm retelling conveyed the sheer terror and despair.
What kind of earth-shattering power could render such vast land barren?
He felt insignificant—too small to even fathom it.
Dazed, Xue Guanhe returned to the inn and relayed the horrifying tale to Lu Jianwei.
"You didn’t know?" Yan Feicang suddenly appeared behind them, puzzled.
Xue Guanhe: "Were we supposed to?"
He turned to Lu Jianwei. "Am I the only one who didn’t know?"
Lu Jianwei said, "This is the first I’ve heard of it too."
She had wondered about the origins of the wasteland outside the city. Now, the truth was revealed.
"The martial artists who fought were both ninth-rank Martial Kings. For some reason, they dueled outside Moonview City and died from exhaustion." Yan Feicang frowned. "And they took countless lives with them."
Lu Jianwei asked, "Who were they?"
"No one knows for sure, but the martial world speculates one was the Sword Sage of the Carefree Sect, and the other was an elder from the Sky Pillar Hall—both reclusive old monsters. No one actually saw them, but after the battle, both sects fell into turmoil."
Lu Jianwei nodded. "Ninth-rank Martial Kings—truly worthy of their reputation."
Though fifth or sixth-rank fighters were considered experts in the martial world, they were mere ants compared to such devastating power.
Who knew how many of these old monsters still lurked in the shadows, capable of crushing so-called "experts" with a single finger? Most of them belonged to major sects and factions.
In short, it was best not to provoke the great sects lightly.
The self-destruction of the two Martial Kings had devastated the land, rendering it infertile. Survivors had no choice but to leave, and the area became a wilderness.
Over time, the earth had recovered. With proper fertilization, it could now be cultivated again.
Lu Jianwei had stumbled upon quite the bargain.
The next day, Hu Atiao, now fully recovered, came out to see Lu Jianwei.
Before she could speak, her stomach growled loudly.
Xue Guanhe, oblivious to the awkwardness, said, "Miss Atiao, are you hungry? Would you like something to eat? The boss said you can put it on your tab. Don’t worry about the debt—compared to your medical fees, this is nothing."
Hu Atiao: "…I earned only five hundred coppers a month hauling cargo."
"So you had the prescription but no money for medicine, leaving you to wait for death." Lu Jianwei produced a slip of paper. "This is your IOU. Sign it."
The IOU was meticulously detailed:
- Consultation fee: 100 taels of silver.
- Medicine cost: 500 taels of silver.
- Lodging fee: 100 coppers per night, totaling 400 coppers.
Hu Atiao: "…"
Xue Guanhe: "…"
Yan Feicang happened to pass by, sword in hand. After glancing at the IOU, he nodded approvingly. "Boss Lu is exceedingly generous."
The other two: ???
Even Lu Jianwei was taken aback, half-suspecting sarcasm.
But Yan Feicang was no fool. Sensing their stares, he clarified, "When the Divine Physician Valley cured Lin Congyue’s poison, a single antidote cost a fortune. Boss Lu suppressed Lin Congyue’s new poison—her fees are shockingly low by comparison. Hence, she is remarkably kind."
"Exactly!" Xue Guanhe caught on and said earnestly to Hu Atiao, "Miss Atiao, the boss is truly being merciful. You know how difficult Lin Congyue’s poison was to treat. The boss spent three days and nights developing the antidote."
It wasn’t a perfect cure, but it saved her life, didn’t it?
Hu Atiao was once again at a loss for words.
Is three days and three nights a long time? Even she herself had only deduced the prescription by analyzing the ingredients of the antidote given by Hu Jiuniang.
After a long silence, she managed to utter four words: "You're very impressive."
Lu Jianwei's eyes curved into crescents. "Thank you for the praise. Now, sign the agreement."
"I can't earn much money," Hu Atiao said seriously. "Even if I sign, I can only make five hundred coins a month at most. It would take me a hundred years to repay you."
Lu Jianwei asked curiously, "How did Hu Jiuniang make money?"
"Poison first, then heal—charging exorbitant fees."
Xue Guanhe blurted out, "That's terrifying."
"You have medical skills," Lu Jianwei said. "You can earn money by healing people instead of hauling goods."
Hu Atiao looked at her. "I tried. No one trusted me."
Lu Jianwei asked, "Why did you leave the city?"
"To buy medicine from you." Hu Atiao lowered her gaze. "I have no money, so I could sell myself as a servant for your inn."
Lu Jianwei replied, "I'm not hiring servants right now."
"Then I'll die, and the money you spent to save me will never be repaid."
Lu Jianwei raised an eyebrow. The girl had indeed found her weak spot—her love for money. But six hundred silver and four hundred copper coins were nothing to her now.
"Fine," she said, pointing to the IOU. "Before you die, repay as much as you can. Consider it my good deed for the next life."
Hu Atiao: "..."
She stared at Lu Jianwei for a long moment before finally biting her finger and pressing a bloody print onto the paper.
Xue Guanhe whispered, "There's red ink."
Hu Atiao glanced at him, and he shrank back before mustering his courage. "Time waits for no one. Maybe you should go back to the city and start hauling goods now."
Hu Atiao said nothing, but her stomach growled loudly.
She looked at Lu Jianwei one last time before turning and leaving the inn.
As the courtyard gate closed again, Xue Guanhe hurried back and asked, "Boss, you're just letting her go like that?"
"What? Can't bear to see her leave?" Lu Jianwei teased.
Xue Guanhe waved his hands. "No, no! I’m just worried she’ll run off without repaying. And if she only earns that little every month, how will she ever pay you back?"
Lu Jianwei: "..."
Even the system sighed. "He used to be such an honest kid. Truly, bad company corrupts good morals."
After Hu Atiao left, peace returned to the inn.
The weather grew warmer, and the snow melted.
Master Xue acted swiftly, soon arranging for workers to build houses in eight directions three miles from the inn.
This was Lu Jianwei’s plan.
The houses were arranged in an octagonal formation, located within a five-mile radius, making it convenient for tenant farmers to travel to and from the fields.
A month passed in the blink of an eye. Lu Jianwei, Xue Guanhe, and Yan Feicang had all improved their skills.
Just before the month ended, Hu Atiao returned with ten taels of silver. "I need to buy some herbs. The rest will go toward my debt."
The herbs she requested were common ingredients from the antidote formula, costing a total of six taels.
Lu Jianwei agreed.
"Where did you get ten taels?" Xue Guanhe asked in surprise.
Hu Atiao replied flatly, "Healing someone."
"But you said no one trusted you before?"
"I healed someone the physicians couldn’t."
Xue Guanhe praised, "That’s amazing."
Hu Atiao turned to leave but paused after a few steps, glancing back at Lu Jianwei. "Aren’t you going to ask where I got the other herbs?"
"Is it important?" Lu Jianwei smiled.
Hu Atiao’s lips pressed into a thin line, as if annoyed, but she said nothing and left decisively.
Another month passed. As the day of their departure for Jiangzhou approached, Lu Jianwei received a letter from there.
Written by Uncle Zhang a month prior, it reported that a shopfront had been secured and construction on the inn was underway. By now, it should be nearly complete.
When she arrived in Jiangzhou, a brand-new inn would be waiting.
This time, Hu Atiao brought twenty taels, purchasing another batch of herbs and putting the rest toward her debt.
Xue Guanhe asked, "Why don’t you just buy the herbs in the city before bringing the money here?"
Hu Atiao replied coolly, "The herbs here are better than those in city pharmacies."
"I see," Xue Guanhe said. "What about the price? If it’s the same, wouldn’t the boss be losing money?"
Hu Atiao: "...The prices are higher too."
"Good."
Just then, Xue Pingshan arrived at the inn.
"Manager Lu, all the houses are finished. How many tenants do you plan to hire for the fields?"
Lu Jianwei replied, "I’d like to plant flowers within a mile of the inn and grow crops in the rest. I’m no expert—how many workers would you recommend?"
Xue Pingshan answered readily, "If you trust me, I’ll find you some experienced gardeners. No one turns down land. Plenty would jump at the chance to farm here. The imperial cap on rent is sixty percent, but since you’re generously providing housing, sixty seems fair."
"The soil isn’t fertile—they’ll have to work hard. The houses are just temporary lodgings, so forty percent rent is enough." Lu Jianwei wasn’t counting on farming for profit.
Too high, and no one would work barren land; too low, and they might grow entitled.
She settled on a middle ground.
Xue Pingshan praised, "Manager Lu, you’re truly kind."
Lu Jianwei ignored the compliment, afraid she might one day lose herself in flattery.
"Manager Lu, when do you plan to depart? My wife and I would like to see you off."
Lu Jianwei said, "In five days."
She didn’t refuse—after all, Xue Guanhe was their beloved son.
Mention of their departure stirred an indescribable emotion in Xue Guanhe.
"You’re leaving?" Hu Atiao suddenly spoke up, turning to Lu Jianwei. "If you’re gone, how will I repay you?"
Lu Jianwei said, "Just give the money to Master Xue."
"Oh."
Hu Atiao turned to leave but hesitated after a few steps. "Where are you going?"
"Jiangzhou," Xue Guanhe answered. "It’s far from here."
Hu Atiao’s lifeless eyes flickered. After a long pause, she said nothing and walked away.
Five days passed in a flash.
The night before their journey, Lu Jianwei lay in bed, reviewing her personal stats.
**Name:** Lu Jianwei
**Level:** 5 (1,005,234/10,000,000) *(The world is vast, and you are but a speck.)*
**Skills:** *Fleeting Years* (3/7), *Sparse Stars Swordplay* (4/7), *Frostwind Blade Art* (4/7), *Spring and Autumn Medicinal Codex* (Beginner), *Traceless Steps* (6/9)
**Wealth:** 130,354 silver, 955 copper *(In Jiangzhou, you’re practically a pauper.)*
**Inventory:** Miscellaneous junk
She had mastered the first three forms of her movement technique and was on the verge of grasping the fourth. Her sword and blade techniques were similarly advanced, though she still lacked real combat experience.
*Traceless Steps* was a lesser movement art, but under the influence of *Fleeting Years*, she easily deciphered its intricacies, mastering six forms—more than enough to teach Xue Guanhe.
Everything was ready. Tomorrow, they would set out.
At dawn, Xue Guanhe and Yan Feicang packed their belongings.
Unwilling to ride horseback, Lu Jianwei bought a carriage in the city. The inn’s donkey was sent to the Xue family for care.
The Xues arrived with a carriage, bringing gifts of gold, silver, and fine fabrics.
"Manager Lu," Fan Mian said, stuffing bundles into the carriage, "we’ve packed only the essentials for your journey. Please accept these. We entrust our son to you and Hero Yan’s care."
Listen carefully, and you could still hear a hint of choked sobs.
Xue Pingshan also gave his son some last-minute advice: "This is your first time traveling so far from home. Be cautious in everything you do, listen to Manager Lu, don’t act impulsively, and use your head. Understood?"
"Understood," Xue Guanhe replied brightly.
Though his heart was heavy with reluctance, it was overshadowed by his yearning to venture into the martial world. His entire being radiated excitement.
"Father, Mother, I’ll write often," he promised.
The Xue couple nodded repeatedly. "Have a safe journey. Take care of Manager Lu—and yourself."
Without lingering on farewells, Lu Jianwei boarded the carriage, with Xue Guanhe as the driver and Yan Feicang following on horseback.
Just as the carriage began to move, Lu Jianwei suddenly lifted the curtain and smiled at Fan Mian. "Madam Fan, when you return to the city, you might want to visit the physician for a checkup."
Her gaze drifted meaningfully toward Fan Mian’s abdomen.
Fan Mian instantly understood, her face lighting up with joy. "Manager Lu, your Jade Beauty Pills truly work wonders!"
The carriage had already rolled far into the distance.
Xue Guanhe couldn’t contain his curiosity. "Manager, what did you mean just now? What’s wrong with my mother?"
"Your mother is expecting."
Xue Guanhe: ???
It took him a moment to process the news. After a long pause, he sighed softly. "Well, that’s good."
At least his parents wouldn’t be too lonely after he left.
Unbeknownst to the trio, once news of Fan Mian’s pregnancy spread, the Jade Beauty Pills gained even greater fame among the ladies of Moonview City.
Many flocked in search of them, only to find—unfortunately—that the Eight Directions Inn was already empty.
