No Fighting Allowed in the Inn Chapter 59

◎Offering Oneself at Night, a Midnight Scheme◎

Lu Jianwei had just finished breakfast when she heard the magpies chirping outside her door.

Something auspicious was bound to happen today.

"What's wrong with you?" A young man's exasperated voice came from the stables. "You don’t shovel horse dung like this. It’s like this… got it?"

"What’s the difference? This way or that way?"

"There is a difference! Your way wastes effort and doesn’t even clean properly."

"I’m just a thief—how would I know how to shovel dung?"

Yue Shu scoffed. "I heard from Envoy Han that the 'Master of Disguise' can flawlessly impersonate anyone. If one day you had to pretend to be a stablehand but couldn’t even clean the stables, you’d be exposed in an instant."

Liang Shangjun fell silent for a few breaths, his expression turning unusually solemn.

"You make a good point. Teach me again."

The six prisoners in the stables: "…"

"You’re really the 'Master of Disguise'?" Yu Jiansheng blurted out in shock.

Liang Shangjun rolled his eyes at him.

"What kind of stupid question is that?"

Yu Jiansheng’s unkempt hair was tangled in clumps, hanging messily from his head, filthy and disheveled—a far cry from the dignified bearing expected of a disciple of the Martial Alliance.

If he were alone, he would have gone mad by now.

Fortunately, he had five fellow disciples keeping him company.

Though even so, his mental state was teetering on the edge.

Liang Shangjun’s eye roll was the last straw.

"What’s that supposed to mean? You looking down on me?"

Liang Shangjun paused, then burst into laughter.

"How amusing. Plenty of people look down on you."

"I’m a disciple of the Martial Alliance!" Yu Jiansheng roared.

Liang Shangjun flicked his wrist, sending a clump of horse dung flying toward Yu Jiansheng’s face. The latter barely dodged in time, his head jerking aside.

"So what if you’re a Martial Alliance disciple? There are so many of you—you’re just another face in the crowd. What’s there to boast about?"

"You—"

"Senior Brother Yu, save your breath."

"Seventh Brother, he hasn’t spoken in days. Let him talk."

"Fine."

The seventh brother quietly shuffled farther away.

"See? Even your own brothers can’t stand you," Liang Shangjun taunted mercilessly. "I heard you couldn’t find the culprit behind the Zhou family massacre, so you tried framing our innkeeper. Tsk tsk, now you know the consequences, don’t you?"

Yu Jiansheng: "…"

"And the rest of you—did none of you use your brains? Did you really think Innkeeper Lu was someone you could mess with? Didn’t even bother gathering intel before chasing after her. Now you’re reaping what you sowed."

The other five: "…"

"Enough talk," Yue Shu cut in. "Hurry up and finish cleaning."

"Ah, life under someone else’s roof is tough. Even a kid can boss me around." Liang Shangjun sighed dramatically.

Yue Shu thought: Even more talkative than A'Nai.

Once the stables were finally clean, Liang Shangjun washed his hands and hurried to Lu Jianwei to report his accomplishment.

"Innkeeper Lu, I’ve finished sweeping."

He wasn’t wearing his mask, dressed instead in rough hemp clothes, his tall, slender frame accentuated by the messy hair falling over his forehead. Yet even so, his striking handsomeness was undeniable.

Lu Jianwei flipped through her ledger and said, "You come from a distinguished family. Why resort to thievery?"

"Distinguished family? Me?" Liang Shangjun let out a self-deprecating laugh. "Innkeeper Lu, you’re mistaken. I’m all alone—what family do I have?"

"Oh." Lu Jianwei didn’t buy it.

The momentary stiffness in Liang Shangjun’s expression when she mentioned his background confirmed her suspicions.

She wasn’t interested in digging deeper—just testing the waters.

"Since the stables are done, sweep the entire courtyard next."

Liang Shangjun grimaced. "Innkeeper Lu, just give it to me straight—what will it take for you to let me go?"

"Pay your ransom, and I’ll release you."

"But what Wen Zhuzhi wants me to do is impossible!"

"Then go sweep."

Liang Shangjun smoothed back his hair, revealing his smooth, high forehead, and fixed Lu Jianwei with a deep, soulful gaze from his peach-blossom eyes.

"Tell me, Innkeeper Lu—are you married?"

Lu Jianwei chuckled. "No."

"Anyone you fancy?"

"No."

"Then… what do you think of me?" Liang Shangjun’s eyes shimmered like a pool of spring water, brimming with affection.

Lu Jianwei raised an eyebrow. "Do you own a house?"

"No."

"A carriage?"

"…No."

"Do you have tens of millions in the bank?"

"…"

"With nothing to your name, what gives you the courage to offer yourself?" Lu Jianwei dismissed him mercilessly. "Go sweep."

Liang Shangjun flushed red to the roots of his hair and stomped off to sweep, head bowed.

For the first time, he began doubting his own charm.

As he swept near the dormitory steps, A'Nai sat on the veranda, legs crossed, leisurely cracking melon seeds and spitting the shells right where Liang Shangjun had just swept.

"Can you stop that?" Liang Shangjun finally snapped, leaning on his broom and glaring. "Have some manners!"

A'Nai snorted. "If you’d just agreed to my master’s terms, you wouldn’t be sweeping right now."

"I don’t mind working for Innkeeper Lu." Liang Shangjun brandished his broom indignantly.

"Exactly—I’m a guest, you’re a servant. Since when does a servant lecture a guest on manners? Careful, or I’ll report you to Innkeeper Lu."

"Go ahead, report me. Just don’t get in my way."

A'Nai’s eyes gleamed mischievously. "I heard you’re incredibly patient when stealing—sometimes lying in wait for hours without moving."

"Child’s play."

"But today, you seem awfully impatient." A'Nai studied his face. "Don’t tell me you just shamelessly offered yourself to Innkeeper Lu and got rejected?"

He burst into laughter, leaving no room for Liang Shangjun’s dignity.

"Brat, none of your business!"

"Who’s a brat? Innkeeper Lu would never fancy you!"

"If she doesn’t fancy me, would she fancy you? Dream on, kid—you’re not even grown yet."

"How dare you! I’m nothing like you, you pervert!"

"Still denying you’re a kid? What’s perverted about love? Virgin."

"I don’t even like Innkeeper Lu! What nonsense are you spouting?"

"If you don’t like her, why argue so much? Be brave—what’s wrong with offering yourself? 'Fair maiden, gentleman’s desire.' Isn’t a beauty like Innkeeper Lu worth admiring?"

"You—"

"A'Nai." Wen Zhuzhi wheeled himself out, cutting off A'Nai’s retort. He turned to Liang Shangjun. "Innkeeper Lu’s celestial grace and jade-like beauty are indeed worthy of admiration."

"Oh?" Liang Shangjun leaned on his broom, smirking. "So you’re smitten with her?"

Wen Zhuzhi remained unruffled. "Whether one admires her or not, it’s unbecoming of a gentleman to declare it publicly."

Liang Shangjun sneered. "Too scared to admit it? Don’t worry—Innkeeper Lu wouldn’t fancy you either."

"A'Nai, let’s go back inside." Wen Zhuzhi turned his wheelchair around.

Liang Shangjun snorted and resumed sweeping with renewed vigor.

The six prisoners in the stables watched the entire spectacle unfold, sinking into silence.

Yu Jiansheng couldn’t help himself. "Someone actually likes a woman like that?"

No one answered.

He pressed, "Why is no one talking?"

The seventh brother muttered, "She’s quite beautiful."

"And strong."

"And she can heal."

"Her sect must be formidable."

"It’s normal to admire her."

Yu Jiansheng was aghast. "Have you all been brainwashed by her abuse?"

The five fell silent.

They were just stating facts.

If they hadn’t crossed Lu Jianwei, a woman of both striking beauty and formidable skill like her would have been an excellent choice for a partner.

Yu Jiansheng found the situation utterly absurd and glared at them for a long moment.

The Martial Alliance had lost all face—both outwardly and inwardly!

Behind the counter, Lu Jianwei flipped through a medical text while Xiao Ke, the voice in her head, expressed deep confusion.

"They actually praised you."

Lu Jianwei wasn’t the least bit surprised.

"Am I not outstanding enough to deserve praise?"

"But the problem is, they’re currently being mistreated by you, yet they still manage to flatter you." Just look at Yu Jiansheng.

"It means they’re smarter than Yu Jiansheng."

"What do you mean?"

"They’ve realized their predicament and are deliberately buttering me up, hoping I’ll take pity and let them off the hook."

Xiao Ke: "Predicament?"

"The Martial Alliance hasn’t sent anyone to rescue them, so naturally, they’re anxious. The longer they stay, the harder it’ll be for them to hold their heads high in the alliance."

"But didn’t they already lose face after being defeated earlier?"

"It’s different. If the Martial Alliance had reacted swiftly and rescued them from my grasp, they wouldn’t be in such a passive position now."

"True."

Lu Jianwei smirked. "Too bad. Flattery won’t work on me."

She only cared about money.

By noon, Han Xiaofeng returned to the inn, presenting eight thousand taels in silver notes and an illustrated catalog.

The five-day extension was merely a precaution in case unforeseen delays prevented the funds from being retrieved on time.

"Your Mystic Mirror Bureau isn’t as poor as I thought," Lu Jianwei remarked offhandedly.

Han Xiaofeng chuckled. "For some reason, the funding approval went unusually smoothly this time."

"Officer Han, does the bureau cover medical expenses if its members are injured?" Xue Guanhe asked curiously.

Han Xiaofeng: "If the injury is sustained during a mission, the bureau provides compensation. If it’s a personal matter, the individual bears the cost."

"Then your mission must have been quite dangerous, given how severely Officer Feng was injured." Xue Guanhe’s eyes filled with sympathy.

Han Xiaofeng smiled and cupped his hands toward Lu Jianwei.

"Manager Lu, Feng Yan’s injuries are no longer life-threatening, so I won’t impose on your hospitality any longer."

For martial artists, injuries were commonplace. With the residual internal energy cleared from Feng Yan’s body and the medicine administered, the remaining wounds didn’t require further convalescence at the inn.

Lu Jianwei nodded. "Farewell, then."

As the three stepped out of the courtyard, they ran into the trio from Red Cloud Peak, who had come seeking treatment.

Elder Ge’s sharp gaze swept over Feng Yan, and he couldn’t hide his astonishment.

It was no secret that a Mystic Mirror Bureau officer had been severely wounded by a sixth-rank martial artist and sought treatment at the Eight Directions Inn. Many had been watching to see how things would unfold.

Now, Feng Yan’s internal energy was stable, with no trace of the agony or weakness that came with damaged meridians.

He had truly been healed by Lu Jianwei!

Just who was this Manager Lu? How could she treat such severe injuries?

Back in Shuangxi City, Red Cloud Peak hadn’t spoken up for her. Would she now refuse to treat their disciple?

Countless thoughts raced through Elder Ge’s mind.

"Guests!" Yue Shu hurried to the door and greeted them politely. "Are you here to stay?"

He didn’t recognize Luo Lianhuan and the others.

Xue Guanhe quickly stepped in. "Miss Luo, Elder Ge, please come in."

"Young Hero Xue." Elder Ge clasped his hands in greeting, then turned to the disciple behind him. "Carry your senior brother Luo Sheng inside."

The disciple obeyed.

Luo Lianhuan rushed into the hall as soon as she entered, her eyes darting around until they landed on Lu Jianwei behind the counter. She hurried over.

"Manager Lu, please save my senior brother!"

Lu Jianwei leisurely closed her book. "First, pay me the ten thousand taels you owe."

"Uncle Ge, quick—ten thousand taels!" Luo Lianhuan urged the elder behind her.

Elder Ge sighed and produced the silver notes.

"We were remiss in Shuangxi City and failed to deliver the payment promptly."

Lu Jianwei accepted the money, then asked, "You want Luo Sheng treated?"

"We beg Manager Lu to lend your expertise." Elder Ge bowed and handed over another ten thousand taels. "This is the consultation fee."

Lu Jianwei raised the price. "After such a long delay, his condition has worsened. Ten thousand won’t cut it."

Elder Ge remained composed. "Name your price."

"Twenty thousand."

"Deal."

Under Yue Shu’s guidance, the Red Cloud Peak disciples carried the unconscious Luo Sheng into the treatment room.

At a glance, Yue Shu nearly recoiled in shock.

The patient’s face was ashen, as if death were imminent.

"No outsiders are allowed during treatment," Lu Jianwei said as she entered the room. "Please wait in the front courtyard."

Everyone retreated to the courtyard.

Xue Guanhe and Yue Shu, now experienced in such matters, promptly brought out benches for seating.

Luo Lianhuan’s gaze lingered a moment too long on Liang Shangjun’s face before she whispered, "Where’s Brother Yan?"

"You mean Yan Feicang?" Yue Shu pointed toward the back of the inn. "He’s practicing his blade on the river."

"Why on the river?"

"The manager finds the noise bothersome."

"..."

Luo Lianhuan suppressed her curiosity, more concerned about her senior brother’s fate, and sat quietly in the courtyard to await the results.

"Everyone, have some tea and snacks." Yun Hui appeared from somewhere, setting down a low table with a teapot and pastries.

Xue Guanhe marveled. "Aunt Yun, when did you prepare these?"

"While they were paying the manager." Yun Hui smiled gently and offered a red bean cake to Tiao. "Have some."

Tiao obeyed. The sweet, soft bean paste made her eyes crinkle with delight.

Yun Hui’s eyes reddened slightly. "Eat as much as you like."

Tiao glanced up at her, took another piece, then turned away—her silent refusal clear.

"Aunt Yun, I’ll have some too!" Xue Guanhe playfully snatched the plate. "Your cooking is amazing."

Yun Hui smiled. "Eat to your heart’s content."

"Gladly!"

In the treatment room, Lu Jianwei worked with practiced ease. After absorbing the internal energy, she fed Luo Sheng a pill for internal injuries and sat down to meditate.

Luo Sheng’s wounds had been inflicted by a fifth-rank assassin—hardly more than a snack for Lu Jianwei.

The progress bar inched forward slightly, but she still hadn’t broken through to the sixth rank.

Within an hour, the foreign energy was fully assimilated, settling into her dantian and flowing smoothly through her meridians.

Lu Jianwei left the treatment room and opened the hall doors.

All eyes turned toward her.

The slanting rays of the setting sun bathed her in a golden glow, illuminating her jade-like complexion and catching the edges of her fluttering robes. For a fleeting moment, she seemed to transcend this world entirely.

Xue Guanhe was the first to snap out of it. "Manager, are you hungry? I’ll start cooking."

Lu Jianwei nodded. "Go ahead."

The staff sprang into action—they couldn’t let their manager go hungry!

Tiao tilted her head up, eyes shining, waiting for Lu Jianwei’s instructions.

Lu Jianwei didn’t disappoint. "He’s out of danger. You handle the rest of his injuries."

The girl immediately grabbed her medical kit and dashed to the treatment room.

Only then did Elder Ge and the others react.

"Manager Lu, it’s—it’s already done?"

"Why would I lie?" Lu Jianwei feigned exhaustion, rubbing her temples. "If you don’t believe me, check for yourselves after Tiao finishes."

Yun Hui said sympathetically, "You’ve worked hard, Manager. Sit and rest."

A warm cup of tea was handed to her.

Lu Jianwei accepted it with a smile. The tea warmed her from the inside out.

"It’s not that we doubt you, it’s just..." Elder Ge sighed in admiration. "With skills like yours, Manager Lu, the martial world is truly fortunate."

"Elder Ge, you flatter me too much." Lu Jianwei set down her teacup. "If it's convenient, perhaps you could spread the word for me."

So she could earn more money.

Luo Lianhuan said bluntly, "Who needs us to spread the word? The news of you successfully treating the Mystic Mirror Bureau's Green-Robed Envoy has already gotten out. We heard about it on our way here."

"Who spread it?" Lu Jianwei asked curiously.

"I’m not sure. The Mystic Mirror Bureau came to seek treatment openly—it was never a secret to begin with."

Lu Jianwei raised an eyebrow. "Even if the Mystic Mirror Bureau sought treatment, how would outsiders know what injury I treated?"

"That Green-Robed Envoy was injured by someone from the Thousand Miles Pavilion," Luo Lianhuan blurted out. "The Thousand Miles Pavilion boasted about it as an achievement."

"..."

"Who injured him? Why would they harm Envoy Feng? That’s just too much!" Yue Shu, overhearing from the kitchen, stuck his head out indignantly.

Luo Lianhuan shrugged. "Who knows? They’ve had a grudge against the Mystic Mirror Bureau for a long time. Managing to seriously injure a Green-Robed Envoy is something worth bragging about."

"A sixth-rank injuring a fourth-rank—is that really something to boast about?" Uncle Zhang shook his head with a sigh. "How shameless."

Elder Ge coughed lightly. "Han Xiaofeng was also present at the time. Managing to injure his subordinate right under his nose counts as a success."

"Who exactly made the move? Someone stronger than Envoy Han?" Yue Shu asked.

Elder Ge replied, "They say it was Xia Huaigu from the Thousand Miles Pavilion."

"That name sounds familiar."

Xue Guanhe gasped. "Isn’t that the person who took Elder Lan away in Fengzhou? He’s stronger than Envoy Han?"

"The Thousand Miles Pavilion has numbers on their side," Elder Ge pointed out fairly.

"Ganging up on someone and still bragging about it?" Yue Shu muttered angrily before retreating to the kitchen to work.

Soon after, Tiao emerged from the examination room.

Luo Lianhuan and the other two went inside to check on Luo Sheng. Seeing his complexion restored and his breathing steady, they felt greatly relieved.

Since Luo Sheng needed a few days to recuperate, they decided to stay at the inn.

Each booked a standard room.

After lunch, Lu Jianwei returned to her room to meditate.

A faint sensation prickled at her awareness. Suddenly, she opened her eyes.

Her companion, Xiao Ke, promptly warned, "Jianwei, several experts are approaching."

"Mm." Lu Jianwei focused her senses. "Three sixth-rank, four fifth-rank."

Some came by land, others by water—and one even burrowed underground.

The underground traveler recklessly forced his way into the inn’s front courtyard, about to emerge from the earth when an overwhelming force slammed down. His head barely peeked out before he was shoved back into the dirt.

A soft, feminine voice drifted from the third floor.

"If you love tunneling so much, stay underground forever."

The Earth-Diving Ghost: "..."

The Eight Directions Inn truly lived up to its reputation!

"Manager Lu, my apologies! I lost my bearings underground and ended up here by accident. Please, be merciful and let me out."

Lu Jianwei: "One thousand taels fine."

"Fine, fine! I’ll pay!"

The pressure vanished instantly. The Earth-Diving Ghost crawled out of the dirt—a man barely half the height of an average person, with a spiky topknot and a face that could only be described as... unique.

"Wasteful fool!" A voice snarled from the rooftops. "How long will it take to earn back a thousand taels?!"

The newcomer landed outside the courtyard. He was thin—not just slender, but unnaturally so, like a sheet of paper. From the side, he was barely visible; from the front, he resembled a walking skeleton.

Lu Jianwei flipped through her Rogues' Compendium in her room.

These two weren’t listed.

"The Twin Ghosts of Yin Mountain!" Yu Jiansheng exclaimed.

"Kid, at least you’ve got eyes," the paper-thin man rasped in a grating voice, turning toward the main building. "I am the Starving Ghost."

"And I’m the Earth-Diving Ghost."

Lu Jianwei: "..."

Strange people, strange names.

The other experts had gathered outside the courtyard. After witnessing the Earth-Diving Ghost’s fine, none dared to barge in recklessly.

Lu Jianwei asked, "What brings you here?"

"We’re visiting Jiangzhou City and thought to stay at your inn for a few days," the Earth-Diving Ghost piped up shrilly. "Manager Lu, do you have enough rooms?"

Lu Jianwei chuckled. "Four standard rooms, two superior rooms. Seven people might be a tight fit."

Earth-Diving Ghost: "The Starving Ghost and I will share a superior room!"

A woman in black stepped forward. "Give me one superior room."

"That superior room is mine!" A burly man brandishing a blade strode in. "Don’t any of you dare fight me for it!"

"Mine!"

The group erupted into chaos, each vying for the superior rooms, yet none dared to actually fight—not with the inn’s rules clearly displayed: No brawling within the premises.

In the past, they would’ve already torn the place apart.

Lu Jianwei, annoyed by the noise, decisively declared, "First come, first served. The Twin Ghosts get the east superior room. The lady gets the west."

Silence fell instantly.

The seven filed into the hall, paying Uncle Zhang for their lodgings.

The Starving Ghost grudgingly forked over an extra thousand taels, cursing the Earth-Diving Ghost for his incompetence.

The two bickered and shoved their way up to the third floor.

The other five dispersed to their rooms.

Their registered identities? Just wandering martial artists.

"Xiao Ke, the inn hasn’t been this lively in a while," Lu Jianwei mused, eyes curving with amusement.

Xiao Ke caught her meaning. "May your profits soar."

"Your blessing is appreciated."

With every room now occupied, Lu Jianwei felt a peculiar satisfaction. By dinnertime, she was still smiling as she descended the stairs.

Yun Hui, spotting her, said guiltily, "Manager Lu, I’ve taken up a second-floor room and inconvenienced your business. Maybe I should move back home."

"No need," Lu Jianwei waved her off.

Yun ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‍Hui clearly didn’t want to return to a place of painful memories. Besides, she was diligent, attentive, and well-liked by everyone.

"But—"

"You can stay with me," Tiao suddenly offered.

Yun Hui stared at her, throat tight. "Tiao, you—you mean..."

"If you don’t mind."

"Of course not! How could I mind?"

Lu Jianwei nodded approvingly. "Then it’s settled."

Everyone gathered around the table for dinner.

Yan Feicang returned from his blade practice and silently took his seat—only to nearly drop his chopsticks when a sudden cry of "Brother Yan!" startled him.

"Brother Yan, we meet again!" Luo Lianhuan bounded over eagerly, about to sit beside him.

"Wait!" Yue Shu hastily intervened. "That’s Uncle Zhang’s seat. If you want to eat here, you need to order in advance."

Luo Lianhuan: "..."

"Miss Luo," Lu Jianwei said gently, "this is the inn’s mealtime. If you have business, discuss it afterward."

Not daring to defy her, Luo Lianhuan relented. "Brother Yan, I’ll wait for you to finish."

Yan Feicang: "..."

The others stifled laughter, already anticipating the post-meal drama.

Alas, Yan Feicang bolted the moment he finished eating, vanishing into the night to practice his blade techniques by the river. The churning waves made it impossible for Luo Lianhuan to approach, forcing her to give up.

Night deepened. The inn’s lights dimmed, and silence blanketed the surroundings, broken only by the distant chirping of insects along the riverbank.

The insect sounds waxed and waned—sometimes near, drilling into the ears and unsettling the mind; other times distant, like a summons from beyond the heavens.

A faint medicinal scent lingered in the air.

Lu Jianwei jolted awake.

"Jianwei, what’s wrong?"

She frowned. "You didn’t sense anything unusual?"

"Not at all." Xiao Ke scanned the area. "Everyone’s in their rooms... Wait, someone’s moving. And they’ve set up an illusion!"

Lu Jianwei swallowed a pill, and her mind instantly cleared.

She narrowed her eyes.

Hypnosis, drugging, formations—what else?

In the stables, a shadowy figure slipped inside, using internal energy to sever the ropes before feeding pills to the six captives.

"What is this?"

"An antidote for the Ordinary's Bane."

"How do you have it?"