◎Master of the Sect, Business Plans (Part 2)◎
The six members of the Martial Alliance had all been fed the "Ordinary Guest" poison, tied up with ropes, and locked in the stables.
Lu Jianwei gathered everyone in the main hall, seating them around the table.
"Where's Yue?"
Uncle Zhang replied, "We ordered a signboard from the carpenter's shop. He went to pick it up and will be back soon."
"Good, no matter. Let's hold this meeting first. You can inform him when he returns."
"Please proceed, Manager."
Lu Jianwei smiled. "The first matter is the opening date of the inn. I’m not familiar with the customs of Jiangzhou. Uncle Zhang, which day do you think would be most auspicious?"
"There aren’t any major taboos." Uncle Zhang pulled out a booklet from his sleeve. "Before your arrival, I consulted the almanac. The third, eighteenth, and twenty-sixth of this month are favorable days. There are also good dates next month. Manager, you may choose one."
Lu Jianwei was pleased. As expected of a seasoned steward with decades of experience—his preparations were thorough.
"Then let’s go with the day after tomorrow."
Uncle Zhang nodded with a smile. "Excellent. Shu and I have been eagerly awaiting your arrival to open the inn."
"Congratulations in advance, Manager Lu." Wen Zhuzhi chuckled. "May your profits flow like a river."
Lu Jianwei adored those four words.
"Thank you for your blessings."
"Second matter." She tapped the table lightly with her fingers. "The Martial Alliance couldn’t find the real culprit and tried to pin the blame on me, a nobody. Now, I’ve made enemies of them. They’re a colossal force, while I’m just an innkeeper. If any of you wish to avoid trouble, you may sever ties with me now. I doubt they’d trouble you."
Xue Guanhe blurted out, "I won’t leave! I’m staying with the Manager!"
"Yu Jiansheng has some old grudges with me. When he saw me traveling with you, he deliberately framed you to tarnish my reputation." Yan Feicang slammed his blade down. "If they want trouble, they’ll have to get past my sword first."
Tiao gripped her medicine pouch, expressionless. "A few more test subjects wouldn’t hurt."
"This old bones wouldn’t mind some exercise." Uncle Zhang rotated his wrist, his internal energy pulsing. "I haven’t had much chance to use the new palm techniques you taught me."
Lu Jianwei’s eyes lit up. "You broke through?"
"Thanks to you, I reached the fifth rank last month." Uncle Zhang suppressed his joy.
On the day of his breakthrough, he couldn’t resist testing his strength—accidentally demolishing the stables with a single palm strike. He had to hire craftsmen to rebuild it.
He had been stuck at the fourth rank for so long that he thought he’d never progress beyond being a mere fourth-rank martial artist. Who knew fate would turn and lead him to meet such a benefactor?
"Congratulations." Lu Jianwei felt even more gratified.
The stronger her companions, the more she could accomplish.
"Third matter." Her spirits lifted. "How should we run the inn?"
"Manager, please enlighten us." Uncle Zhang straightened, even pulling out paper and brush to take notes.
Xue Guanhe and the other two: ???
Didn’t this make them seem terribly unserious?
Uncle Zhang chuckled. "Old age dulls the memory. I must write things down."
Lu Jianwei couldn’t help but smile. "On my way here, I observed the surroundings. Our inn faces a medical clinic, flanked by a restaurant and a pastry shop. The location is excellent, with more foot traffic than Fengzhou."
"Does that mean we can earn even more?" Xue Guanhe rubbed his hands eagerly, as if ready to open for business immediately.
Lu Jianwei laughed. "But remember—unlike the wilderness outside Moonview City, we’re not the only inn in town. So our prices can’t match what we charged before."
"Manager, I’ve already surveyed the pricing of other inns in the city. Though we’re not unique, our inn offers a view of the river, nestled in the bustling streets yet secluded—a quiet retreat amidst the noise. Nearby amenities like the clinic and restaurants add convenience for guests seeking leisure or medical care. Thus, slightly higher prices wouldn’t be unreasonable." Uncle Zhang spoke with precision.
"You’ve thought this through well." Lu Jianwei praised him. "But since we’re newly opened, we shouldn’t overshadow the other inns. Let’s set prices at the mid-range."
Uncle Zhang complied. "Understood."
"My journey to Jiangzhou has another purpose." Lu Jianwei revealed her goal. "I’ve studied medicine under my sect’s teachings. With Jiangzhou’s dense population, there may be many patients. If any seek treatment here, they’ll need to pay extra."
Uncle Zhang grasped her meaning—he never doubted her medical skills.
"How do you plan to price your services?"
Lu Jianwei turned to Wen Zhuzhi. "Young Master Wen, as a seasoned merchant, you must have insights on pricing. Any suggestions?"
Wen Zhuzhi’s eyes glimmered with amusement. "I heard Manager Lu saved Luo Sheng for ten thousand taels. Why not follow that precedent?"
"Ah, I almost forgot—they still owe us!" Xue Guanhe suddenly remembered. "Manager, the Crimson Cloud Peak still owes us ten thousand taels!"
Lu Jianwei: "No rush. They’ll pay eventually."
"If you’re clearing internal energy blockages in a patient’s meridians, especially with the risk of backlash, you could charge even higher." Wen Zhuzhi added.
Yan Feicang nodded. "True. Many martial artists suffer from meridian damage. If you can heal such injuries, people would pay any price to seek your help."
"No way!" Xue Guanhe protested. "If backlash happens, what if the Manager gets hurt?"
Lu Jianwei smiled. "We’ll discuss this later."
"Manager Lu could also emulate the main branch’s model. Many in the martial world are fleeing persecution—like Senior Zhang and Young Master Yue before, or Elder Lan of the Thousand Miles Tower, and now me. The inn could offer sanctuary, allowing fugitives to buy their lives with money." Wen Zhuzhi proposed.
Lu Jianwei had already considered this—it was the fastest way to earn money, and only income generated through the inn’s services could go into its official accounts.
Money earned from medical treatment belonged solely to her.
The inn’s coffers needed funds, and so did she.
She couldn’t afford to neglect either the medical or the protection business.
"One condition: the inn won’t shelter the truly wicked. But how do we identify them?"
Uncle Zhang said, "That’s simple. The Thousand Miles Tower publishes a 'Rogues’ Registry,' a compiled record of villains based on their intelligence. It includes identities and portraits. We could buy a copy."
"I’ve read that book," A'Nai scoffed. "The Thousand Miles Tower isn’t exactly righteous itself. Their records are far from objective. Besides, many martial artists are skilled in disguise—relying solely on portraits would lead to mistakes."
Lu Jianwei was curious. "Not objective? Any examples?"
"Too many. Take someone you’ve met. Remember the 'Twin Heroes of Dongliu' outside Dongliu City? What did you think of them?"
Xue Guanhe shook his head. "Not impressed. That herb thief said their White Jade Spirit Mushroom Pills were stolen after they killed someone."
"They weren’t exactly righteous." Yan Feicang agreed.
A'Nai: "My master and I often travel for medicine. We’ve heard of their deeds—killing a family of six was mild. They once slaughtered twenty-five in one household. Yet such men aren’t in the Rogues’ Registry. Instead, they’re called the 'Twin Heroes of Dongliu.'"
"Why?!" Xue Guanhe couldn’t comprehend. "How can murderers be called heroes?"
Uncle Zhang, a veteran of the martial world, saw through it all.
"It's said that family of twenty-five was a wealthy household that oppressed the common people. Killing good folks is called wickedness, while killing bad ones is called eliminating evil."
A'Nai frowned. "But it was later discovered that the wealthy family didn’t oppress anyone—they were actually great benefactors of the area. The Twin Heroes of Eastflow were deceived by sycophants who bore a grudge against the family and used them to eliminate the household."
"What happened afterward?" Xue Guanhe's brows knitted tightly.
A'Nai scoffed. "What afterward? The Twin Heroes were merely misled. After they killed the sycophant, they remained revered as righteous warriors of the martial world."
"So the twenty-five innocent lives were just… wasted?" Xue Guanhe seethed with indignation, imagining himself in their place. His own family was a well-off household in Moonview City. If someone took a dislike to them and tricked martial artists into harming his loved ones, only to face no consequences, he’d return as a vengeful ghost to demand justice.
A'Nai: "Exactly. Wasted."
"In that case, it really is hard to distinguish right from wrong," Uncle Zhang remarked.
Lu Jianwei: "If The Register of Martial World Villains isn’t reliable, then we’ll find one that is. Young Master Wen, with your extensive knowledge, do you have any suggestions?"
"I wouldn’t presume to call it a suggestion," Wen Zhuzhi mused, running his fingers over his jade flute. "But I’ve heard the Mystic Mirror Bureau also keeps a similar record—a detailed ledger of martial artists who’ve slaughtered innocents. Innkeeper Lu, if you don’t mind, you might borrow it for reference."
"The Mystic Mirror Bureau is an imperial institution. How could a mere innkeeper like me gain access?"
"Han Xiaofeng owes you a debt. If you ask, he won’t refuse."
"Our relationship was purely transactional. What debt is there? He’s already paid his dues, and we’re settled."
"There’s no harm in trying."
Lu Jianwei propped her chin on her hand, studying him with an amused smile but saying nothing.
"What Young Master Wen says is true," Uncle Zhang added. "Many martial artists are indeed on the Mystic Mirror Bureau’s wanted list. But most have the protection of their sects, and the Bureau lacks the manpower to pursue them. They’ve even lost agents in clashes with martial factions."
"Very well, we’ll give it a try." Lu Jianwei smoothly changed the subject. "Young Master Wen, with your two hundred thousand taels, how long do you plan to stay?"
Wen Zhuzhi: "The Martial Alliance is formidable. Protecting me won’t be easy for you, Innkeeper Lu. How about a month?"
"Agreed." Lu Jianwei had no objections.
A far better deal than Fengzhou’s rates.
With that, the meeting concluded, and the group dispersed.
The Wen household still occupied three shared rooms. A'Nai busied himself unpacking and tidying the bedding, muttering under his breath, "Young Master, I still can’t figure out how Innkeeper Lu managed to take them all down."
"If it were so easily discernible, how could it be called a unique skill?" Wen Zhuzhi pushed open the window, reading by the sunlight.
A'Nai: "But she barely even moved!"
"A'Nai," Wen Zhuzhi said idly, "some things don’t need to be dissected. Perhaps we’re simply ignorant of the technique’s intricacies. Or perhaps she has a master from her sect aiding her covertly—something she can’t openly disclose."
A'Nai’s eyes lit up. "The latter makes more sense! Innkeeper Lu said she grew up in seclusion and is now journeying to hone her skills. At her age, to be so skilled in both martial arts and medicine—she must be a prodigy in her sect. It’s only natural they’d send a protector to watch over her, even if they can’t intervene openly."
"An astute deduction," Wen Zhuzhi nodded.
"It has to be that!" A'Nai’s curiosity burned brighter. "I wonder which sect she belongs to. Their martial techniques, healing arts, even weapons—Young Master, have you seen Xue Guanhe’s blade? It’s truly extraordinary."
Wen Zhuzhi: "Thinking of switching weapons?"
"Never!" A'Nai clutched his sleeves. "Young Master, no one crafts mechanisms like you."
"There’s always someone greater," Wen Zhuzhi said mildly. "If you wish to change, you could always ask Innkeeper Lu."
A'Nai shook his head like a rattle-drum.
Their conversation didn’t escape Lu Jianwei’s ears.
The inexplicable nature of the inn’s tools had gone unquestioned by Xue Guanhe and the others out of trust—they never probed too deeply.
Wen Zhuzhi had likely noticed discrepancies but, unable to fathom the system’s existence, settled on the most plausible explanation.
Masters secretly guarding their disciples wasn’t uncommon in the martial world.
She’d likely rely on these tools often. Over time, the observant would grow suspicious—but better they assume a hidden protector than supernatural forces. Let them believe she had powerful backing; it might give potential foes pause.
In the stables, Yu Jiansheng huddled in a corner when suddenly a clump of horse dung came flying at his face. He dodged just in time, feeling the heat of the manure brush past his cheek.
The stench left him on the verge of tears.
"Junior Brother Yu, are you alright?" a fellow disciple called from another stall.
Yu Jiansheng, still mute from the earlier silencing drug, could only gape soundlessly. The others, seeing this, erupted in fury.
"Outrageous! How dare they treat a member of the Martial Alliance this way!"
"Junior Brother Yu, was it that Yan Feicang? So-called ‘Number One Blade of the Martial World’—more like ‘Number One Scoundrel’!"
"Even if Yan Feicang’s strong, can he compare to the Eldest Senior Brother?"
"The Eldest Senior Brother’s in seclusion. When he emerges, he’ll be a seventh-rank Martial King!"
One voice piped up timidly: "Lu Jianwei must have a master backing her."
"Exactly! Earlier, I couldn’t see how she took us down—there had to be a master assisting!"
"No kidding."
"Junior Brother Seven, did you overhear something?"
"Right, your hearing’s sharp. What did you catch?"
Junior Brother Seven whispered: "Just Wen Zhuzhi and his servant speculating."
"Wen Zhuzhi—pah! A cripple."
"Don’t underestimate him. He’s the wealthiest man south of the Yangtze. Plenty would kill for his favor."
Junior Brother Seven pressed, "Brothers, we’re in a tight spot. We need a plan."
"What’s there to fear? Who dares cross the Martial Alliance?"
"Exactly. I doubt she’ll dare harm us further."
Junior Brother Seven: "Before we left, I reviewed the reports. Both the Thousand Miles Tower and the Black Wind Fort suffered heavy losses against her."
"You’re comparing them to us?"
"Junior Brother Seven, you’re too timid. You represent the Martial Alliance—don’t shame us."
"Young and easily frightened, letting others intimidate you into submission."
Junior Brother Seven: ???
Weren’t they already disgraced? Wasn’t their current predicament humiliating enough?
Biting back the urge to roll his eyes, he said, "Song Xian tried to self-destruct, and she suppressed it."
"Who’s Song Xian?"
"Are you joking? Self-destruction isn’t something you just ‘suppress’!"
"Junior Brother Seven, you’ve trained your brains to mush."
"You can’t seriously fear a mere innkeeper? Some no-name inn versus the Martial Alliance?"
Junior Brother Seven kept his reasoning clear: "If that’s truly the case, why would she dare antagonize us? The Martial Alliance holds prestige, but compared to the Carefree Sect or the Sky Pillar Palace..."
"You’re not suggesting she’s from one of them, are you?"
"Those sects are half-reclusive. Since when do their disciples run inns?"
"Impossible. Absolutely impossible."
Junior Brother Seven gave up entirely.
If the Martial Alliance reacted quickly, he might only have to spend two days in the stables.
In the third-floor room, Lu Jianwei was utterly perplexed.
"Xiao Ke, did the Martial Alliance pick up the script for brainless cannon fodder?"
Xiao Ke replied, "You praised their scheme to frame you as quite clever earlier."
"That was before," Lu Jianwei shook her head. "Listening to them talk is like attending a meeting of fools."
"Born in hardship, die in comfort," Xiao Ke said. "You have to think from their perspective. The Martial Alliance holds an unassailable position in the martial world. Countless people dream of becoming its disciples, and they bask in the flattery and admiration of others. Over time, its members have developed an arrogant, condescending demeanor. Even a third-tier disciple can openly challenge the master of White Crane Manor."
Lu Jianwei understood—status came first, martial prowess second.
Of course, that status was built on formidable martial strength.
The Martial Alliance had a long history, with deep roots and countless experts. Figures like Yu Jiansheng and his five companions would be elders or sect leaders in ordinary sects or families, yet in the Alliance, they were merely disciples.
That alone spoke volumes about its might.
An ordinary person who offended a Martial Alliance disciple might face utter ruin.
The captives weren’t wrong—no one dared cross the Martial Alliance.
Lu Jianwei sighed.
"Don’t worry," Xiao Ke reassured her. "Not everyone in the Martial Alliance is like this. Plus, internal struggles are fierce. Since Yu Jiansheng tried to harm you, someone else might oppose him."
"I’m not worried."
"Then why the sigh?"
Lu Jianwei frowned. "I’m just thinking about a tricky matter."
"What is it?"
"How much should I sell them for? If I price them too high, it feels like an insult to silver—they’re not worth it. But if I price them too low, it offends my money-making principles. It’s a dilemma."
"..."
"They’re prized Martial Alliance disciples—surely they’re worth more than those from Thousand Miles Tower or Black Wind Fort, right?"
Xiao Ke said, "You sold Hei Hou and Hei Zhong for over twenty thousand each."
"Then fifty thousand per head it is," Lu Jianwei decided. "Any less, and the Martial Alliance might think I’m undervaluing them. Any more, and they might refuse the deal."
"Thirty thousand profit with no cost—not bad."
Lu Jianwei scoffed, "No cost? What about the money I spent on tools?"
Two sixth-tier and three fifth-tier fighters had cost her twenty thousand taels of silver!
Next time, she’d stop them from attacking first to save on defensive tools.
Fortunately, the wealthy Wen Zhuzhi had contributed two hundred thousand taels, bringing the inn’s account balance to two hundred forty thousand.
She almost hoped the Martial Alliance would send more people—the inn was spacious, and she didn’t mind extra guests.
Who knew? Maybe the Alliance, flush with wealth, would consider fifty thousand per disciple an insult and offer even higher ransom.
The sun dipped westward, casting golden light over the courtyard.
Dinner was to be a reunion feast, and everyone was busy.
Uncle Zhang wiped down tables and chairs; Yan Feicang diligently chopped firewood; Xue Guanhe bustled in the kitchen while A'Nai nagged from behind, the two bickering over trivialities like "how much soy sauce to add."
Tiao sat on a small stool, studying "Ordinary Guest."
Her medical and poison skills were largely learned from Lin Congyue’s manuals. Lin Congyue’s medicine was orthodox, emphasizing stability and avoiding unorthodox methods, but her poisons were bold and daring, starkly different from her medical style.
Especially "Envy of Beauties"—it bore no resemblance to her other poisons. Perhaps her husband’s betrayal had awakened a latent ruthlessness in her.
Lu Jianwei’s poison arts were different.
She favored unorthodox methods, not to kill but to torment.
"Ordinary Guest" was one example, as were the two poison pills fed to the gray-clad assassin.
Tiao found these playful toxins far more intriguing.
As she analyzed the components of "Ordinary Guest," she didn’t notice someone approaching the courtyard gate.
"Who are you?" Yue Shu stepped into the yard, disheveled and dusty, staring in surprise. "What are you doing here?"
Tiao glanced up but said nothing.
The standoff was broken by the sounds of firewood splitting in the backyard and the kitchen squabble. Yue Shu’s eyes widened as he instinctively turned toward the stables.
Two horses, two carriages—one particularly lavish and familiar.
The innkeeper was here! So was Young Master Wen!
Overjoyed, Yue Shu forgot about Tiao and dashed into the main hall, nearly colliding with Uncle Zhang.
"Uncle Zhang! Is the innkeeper back? And Xue Guanhe, Yan Feicang, Young Master Wen, A'Nai—are they all here?"
Uncle Zhang chuckled. "They’re all here. The innkeeper’s upstairs—don’t disturb her. Guanhe and the others are in the kitchen. Go on."
Before he finished, the boy had already slipped into the kitchen.
"You’re really here! Xue Guanhe, A'Nai, it’s been so long!" Yue Shu beamed. "I’ve been waiting months for you!"
Xue Guanhe grinned. "You’ve grown taller."
"At least you remember me," A'Nai muttered, stirring a medicinal stew by the stove. "How’s your study of the esoteric arts going?"
Yue Shu scratched his head sheepishly. "There’s still a lot I don’t understand."
"Figures," A'Nai said smugly. "My young master is the smartest—he mastered it all on his own."
Yue Shu nodded. "I’m nowhere near Young Master Wen."
"Don’t pick on Shu. How old is he compared to your young master?" Xue Guanhe defended his junior.
A'Nai opened his mouth to retort but stopped, settling for a huff. He glanced at Yue Shu, intending to criticize his stagnant martial progress, but noticed his disheveled state.
"Did you get into a fight?" he asked. "Uncle Zhang said you went to fetch the signboard. Did you get it?"
Yue Shu’s face fell. "No. I failed."
"What happened?" Uncle Zhang asked from the doorway.
Yue Shu explained, frustrated, "I went to the carpenter’s shop, but the clerk claimed I never placed an order. I showed the contract, and he accused me of forging it. When I threatened to report them to the authorities, he mocked me, saying the young master of White Crane Manor had sunk so low as to involve officials. I lost my temper and fought the clerks."
"What’s wrong with reporting them? Aren’t they under the law?" A'Nai scowled. "White Crane Manor has operated for years with a decent reputation in Fengzhou. Shouldn’t merchants at least show some respect? Why deliberately provoke you?"
Yue Shu shook his head. "I don’t know."
"Did you face this kind of trouble when building the inn?"
"Not at all."
A glint of steel flashed in Uncle Zhang’s eyes.
"I’ll get to the bottom of this."
At dinner, Lu Jianwei noticed Yue Shu and asked casually, "Did you get the signboard? We’ll hang it tomorrow and open the day after."
She usually tuned out her staff’s conversations and hadn’t heard about the carpenter incident.
Uncle Zhang replied, "The carpenter shop reneged for some reason. I’ll go inquire tomorrow—no need for you to worry, Innkeeper."
If White Crane Manor’s name no longer carried weight, perhaps a fifth-tier warrior’s would.
"Mm." Lu Jianwei didn’t press further.
A minor matter—let the underlings handle it.
Dinner was lavish, its aroma drifting from the hall straight into the stables, tormenting the six captives with hunger.
The five newcomers were fine—they had eaten before arriving.
Yu Jiansheng, however, couldn’t hold on any longer.
During the past few days of travel, Lu Jianwei and the others had barely eaten themselves, let alone the captives bound inside the carriage.
He was starving to the point of feeling hollow, his mouth parched, and his vision flickering with black spots.
Once the alliance sent someone to rescue him, he swore to raze the inn to the ground and trample Lu Jianwei and Yan Feicang into the dirt!
The next morning, Uncle Zhang left the inn and personally visited the carpenter’s shop.
A shop attendant received him, repeating the same words as the day before—refusing to acknowledge the contract they had made.
Uncle Zhang released his inner energy, the imposing pressure of a fifth-level martial master instantly overwhelming the attendant, who collapsed to the ground, begging for mercy.
"Spare me, Great Hero Zhang! Spare me!"
Uncle Zhang’s expression remained cold and stern. "In the past, White Crane Manor treated you well. Whenever you sought help from the manor, the lord would always protect you. Why, now that he has passed, do you repay kindness with betrayal?"
"Great Hero Zhang, it’s not that I want to oppose you! It’s—it’s that someone ordered us not to make the plaque. If you don’t believe me, ask other shops—they’ve all received the same command."
Uncle Zhang narrowed his eyes. "Who gave the order?"
"I—I d-dare not say." The attendant trembled like a leaf.
Uncle Zhang had served as a steward for many years. No matter how furious he was inside, his face betrayed nothing.
The carpenter’s shop had no choice but to obey to survive. There was no point in taking his anger out on them.
Yet, over the years, White Crane Manor had never made enemies in Jiangzhou. Who could be targeting them now?
Uncle Zhang visited other carpenter shops in the city, and just as the attendant had said, not a single one accepted his order.
Realizing how strange this was, he hurried back to the inn and reported immediately.
"Every carpenter shop in the city received the same command?" Lu Jianwei teased with a smirk. "White Crane Manor must have offended quite a few people in the past."
Yue Shu looked puzzled. "That can’t be. Everyone used to get along well."
"Manager," Uncle Zhang said with a worried frown, "we’re supposed to open tomorrow, but without a plaque ready in time, this is my failure."
Lu Jianwei waved a hand dismissively. "Plans can’t always keep up with changes. Don’t blame yourself."
"Should we order the plaque from somewhere else then?" Yue Shu asked dejectedly. "Does that mean we have to delay the opening?"
Lu Jianwei remained unruffled.
"No need. We’ll open as scheduled tomorrow."
