No Fighting Allowed in the Inn-Chapter 90

The disciples of the Holy Medicine Hall averaged 150 catties each, while the warriors of their Yi clan averaged 300 catties. The ransom was already double.

Was an extra twenty percent still not enough?

He wiped his sweat. "Manager Lu, name your price."

"Fifty percent more," Lu Jianwei declared firmly. "If you haggle any further, they might suffer a bit more."

Azhahe swallowed his words of negotiation and forced a bitter smile. "Allow me to report back to the clan leader and await his decision."

"As you wish."

After Azhahe left, Lu Jianwei asked Xiao Ke, "If I ever save up enough money to buy the time-traveling tools and still have some left, can I take the extra gold, silver, and jade back with me?"

Xiao Ke replied, "Theoretically, yes. But in your era, trading gold, silver, or jade requires proof of origin. Bringing them back would be useless."

Lu Jianwei: "…Can’t I just display them at home for decoration?"

"Of course you can."

"Will my martial arts skills also not carry back?"

"Your world doesn’t have martial arts."

Lu Jianwei frowned. "By the time I can return, I might already be old. If I can’t use martial arts to preserve my youth, what’s the point of this journey?"

"The time-traveling tool will return you to the exact moment before you left," Xiao Ke explained. "In simple terms, no matter how many years you spend here, time in your original world remains frozen. As long as you save enough money before you die, you can return to the moment before everything began."

Lu Jianwei gasped. "So I’m working for free?"

Neither wealth nor martial arts could be taken back. What was the point of coming here?

"Not exactly," Xiao Ke reassured her. "As long as you earn enough money without violating the system’s rules, you’ll receive a corresponding salary upon returning. If you complete the mission exceptionally well, the system will also grant you a substantial bonus. It won’t disappoint you. And…"

"And what?"

"You get to live an extra lifetime."

Lu Jianwei: "…How much is the salary and bonus?"

"The salary is tied to the wealth you accumulate in this world. For example, if you earn 100 million taels of silver, you’ll receive 100 million yuan upon returning. The bonus is calculated based on your mission performance."

"You bound me here to reform the martial world’s customs, right?"

"Correct."

"What counts as completion?"

"When you’re qualified to establish a set of rules and enforce them across the entire martial world, the mission will be complete."

Lu Jianwei sighed. "A long and arduous road lies ahead."

"But progress has already been made," Xiao Ke said. "I believe that day isn’t far off."

Lin Wang returned to the Holy Medicine Hall, removed the short sword from his waist, and summoned Ashicai.

"Have the lashings been administered?"

Ashicai knelt on one knee and replied respectfully, "Reporting to the Hall Master, Ashiqiu and the others have all received their lashes. However, I took the liberty of curing their poison before the punishment."

"No matter. We can’t just let a dozen people die so easily. Did their internal energy suffer?"

Ashicai shook his head. "No effect."

Lin Wang let out a cold laugh. "So it was all a bluff. Wonderful."

He suppressed his anger but eventually lost control, flipping over the desk. Papers and brushes scattered across the floor, revealing fragments of poetry on the sheets.

Ashicai quickly lowered his head. "Hall Master, please calm your anger!"

"I’m not angry," Lin Wang said, lifting his chin. "The deceit of Central Plains people is nothing new to me. There’s no reason for me to be angry."

Ashicai glanced up cautiously. "The Divine Sect has sent word. Elder Xi asks if you’ll attend the Gu God Festival."

Lin Wang had initially planned to skip it, but after recalling the events at the Eight Directions Inn, he reconsidered.

"Tell Granny Xi I’ll attend—but not as a clansman."

"Yes."

In the Yi clan’s territory, Azhahe relayed Lu Jianwei’s demands to the elders, who nearly lost their tempers and reached for their weapons.

Clan Leader Azhashan raised a hand to silence them. "Do as she says. We can’t let our warriors miss the Gu God Festival."

Calculating at an average of 300 catties per warrior, the ransom for Azhami and the other fourteen amounted to 450,000 taels. With an additional fifty percent, it came to 675,000 taels. After weighing them, the total exceeded expectations, reaching roughly 700,000 taels of silver.

To Lu Jianwei, this sum was no longer significant.

But to the Yi clan, it felt like carving flesh from their bones.

Basket after basket of jade was transported to the Eight Directions Inn, filling the entire courtyard. If not for the Yi clan’s habit of idly mining jade, they wouldn’t have been able to gather so much in such a short time.

Zhao Rui and Bian Xingzhou were speechless.

Despite coming from prestigious sects, neither had ever witnessed such a lavish display of jade.

The Yi clansmen, having delivered the jade, stood outside the courtyard in sullen silence.

Azhahe alone remained inside. "Manager Lu, will you release our warriors now?"

"Of course." Lu Jianwei instructed her staff, "Untie them."

The warriors, freed from their ropes, rushed out of the stables, reeking so badly it made heads spin.

Azhahe instinctively stepped back but bumped into a bamboo basket.

The ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‍courtyard was so packed with jade that there was barely room to stand.

Just as he was about to lead the fifteen away, Azhami suddenly spoke, leaving him stunned.

When the others echoed similar grievances, he finally snapped out of it and turned to Lu Jianwei with a bitter smile. "Manager Lu, what kind of poison did you give them? They’ve lost their internal energy!"

Lu Jianwei smiled sweetly. "Want the antidote? One pill costs a thousand taels. And this time, jade won’t be accepted as payment."

One pill for a thousand taels—fifteen pills totaled 15,000 taels, an amount the clan could still afford.

Azhahe had no choice but to send someone to withdraw the silver from the bank in Dada City.

Given that large-scale transactions were common in Dada City, the presence of a bank was unsurprising.

The 15,000 taels in banknotes were soon delivered, all deposited into Lu Jianwei’s account.

The Yi clansmen left in low spirits.

Xue Guanhe asked, "Manager, what should we do with all this jade?"

They couldn’t just leave it piled in the courtyard forever.

Lu Jianwei planned to discreetly store it in the system, then claim her sect had secretly retrieved it—she’d done this before.

Just as she was about to speak, Wen Zhuzhi’s voice drifted down from the second-floor corridor.

"Manager Lu, care to make a deal?"

Lu Jianwei responded without thinking, "What kind?"

"Mr. Wen is willing to pay a million taels to purchase all the jade here and hire a merchant convoy to transport it to the Central Plains. What do you think?"

"Do you really have too much money to spare?"

Wen Zhuzhi chuckled. "My family also owns shops selling jade artifacts. Once these raw stones are carefully carved by skilled craftsmen, they can fetch a high price. I know many wealthy families who adore jade pieces, so there’s no worry about sales. Manager Lu, would you be willing to give me this opportunity to make a profit?"

Seventy thousand exchanged for a million—what a massive profit.

Lu Jianwei had no reason to refuse this deal.

The two immediately drew up a contract and signed it with their seals.

"I’ll need to arrange for a merchant convoy. Please bear with me for a day or two."

"No trouble at all." Lu Jianwei smiled teasingly. "Young Master Wen just earned me three hundred thousand taels. Even if it took three or four days, I’d wait patiently."

Wen Zhuzhi gazed at her with a smile. "I wouldn’t dare keep Manager Lu waiting."

True to his word as the wealthiest man in Jiangnan, within a single day, a merchant convoy arrived to transport the goods.

It was the Golden Blade Trading Company, bringing not only a fleet of carts and horses but also a million taels of silver.

Payment and goods were exchanged on the spot.

Azhami and his men had been subdued by Lu Jianwei personally, and the full sum went straight into her personal account.

Her savings now approached twenty million taels.

The amount was staggering, but the price of her interdimensional travel artifact was even more outrageous. If not for the extravagant spending of these martial arts elites, she’d never have been able to save enough for a return ticket in her lifetime.

Zhao Rui, witnessing this, suddenly felt his pride as a scion of a great sect waver.

The Heaven-Supporting Palace was one of the top sects in the world, rivaled only by the semi-reclusive Carefree Sect.

As the son of an inner elder, he had grown up in luxury, accustomed to opulence, and never once struggled for money.

Yet at this moment, he felt an inexplicable envy.

One was an innkeeper, the other the richest man in Jiangnan—both had thoroughly broadened his horizons.

Bian Xingzhou wasn’t faring much better.

The Martial Alliance was indeed a colossal entity, but internal strife had left it in decline.

Though he was a disciple of the Purple Star Hall and never lacked for funds, he had never possessed such vast wealth.

"Manager Lu." He Lianxue descended the stairs, her veil fluttering, and spoke apologetically, "I behaved improperly after drinking last night. My apologies."

Lu Jianwei smiled warmly. "Miss He Lian is delightfully spirited—how could that be improper? Did you rest well last night?"

"Very well."

"That’s good."

"Manager Lu," He Lianxue called out to her, "if I may ask, how long do you plan to stay in Dianzhou?"

Lu Jianwei replied, "It’s uncertain. Do you have business with me, Miss He Lian?"

"Are you also here for ‘Old White Hair’?"

"I do want it."

He Lianxue said, "I’ve heard ‘Old White Hair’ grows in the Miao territory, guarded by their elite warriors. Harvesting it won’t be easy."

"What are you suggesting?"

"We could cooperate."

Lu Jianwei raised an eyebrow. "Why should I work with you?"

"You may not fear the Miao warriors, but countless venomous insects and snakes—even gu—will be a challenge. No matter how strong your internal energy is, you might not withstand swarms of them."

"You can?"

"I can control those who command the insects and snakes." He Lianxue’s voice carried an almost hypnotic persuasiveness. "Without their interference, you’ll face far fewer obstacles."

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Lu Jianwei was indeed tempted.

He Lianxue could not only neutralize the flute players but was also a living weapon against poison.

Even a Gu King would retreat at her presence, let alone ordinary gu.

She asked, "If we succeed in obtaining ‘Old White Hair,’ how would you divide it?"

He Lianxue answered, "Half and half."

"Have you considered this?" Lu Jianwei’s smile faded abruptly. "‘Old White Hair’ belongs to the Miao people. If we openly seize it, how are we any different from bandits?"

He Lianxue: "..."

"But this is how the martial world has always operated," Zhao Rui interjected. "Whether it’s rare herbs, treasures, or divine weapons, whoever seizes them first claims ownership."

Lu Jianwei countered, "Just because it’s always been this way, does that make it right?"

"Exactly," Yue Shu frowned. "Young Master Zhao, with the backing of a powerful sect, you’ve never experienced the tragedy of having your family slaughtered by bandits."

Zhao Rui argued, "The martial world is survival of the fittest. Just like how your Manager Lu extorted vast sums from the Sacred Medicine Hall and the Yi tribe—wasn’t it all thanks to her overwhelming strength?"

"You’ve mistaken cause for effect," Xue Guanhe retorted. "The Sacred Medicine Hall and the Yi tribe oppressed others first. The manager merely fined them silver—that was already lenient. If things were truly as you say, you and Young Master Bian would’ve been dead the moment you offended her."

Bian Xingzhou: "..."

He hadn’t said a word—why drag him into this?

Zhao Rui fell silent.

As a beneficiary of her "mercy," he could no longer defend the "might makes right" philosophy.

He Lianxue suddenly spoke again. "Manager Lu’s words are like a wake-up call. I’ve learned much."

"You flatter me, Miss He Lian."

"Manager Lu, I prided myself on understanding you through novels, but I completely missed their deeper meaning. The ‘Heroine of Justice’ isn’t just about righting wrongs—she also has the courage and resolve to break outdated rules."

Lu Jianwei: "..."

Please, no more literary analysis. This is too much.

"Though you’re an Eighth-Level Martial King, you still consider the weak and never abuse your power to harm the innocent. I admire you deeply."

"..."

"Manager Lu, please accept my bow." He Lianxue solemnly bowed at the waist. "From now on, I will strive to emulate you."

Lu Jianwei turned to Lvluo. "Miss Lvluo, has your mistress been drinking again?"

Lvluo shook her head helplessly.

Her young lady was perfect in every way—except she had suppressed her true nature for too long and could no longer hold back.

"Miss He Lian, since you’ve come to this realization, let’s forget about cooperation." Lu Jianwei spoke gently. "I have matters to attend to, so I’ll return to my room now."

He Lianxue called out, "Wait, Manager Lu! Though retrieving ‘Old White Hair’ was a sect mission, I’ve changed my mind. I won’t act like a bandit, nor will I allow others to plunder another tribe’s possessions. I intend to stop them."

"Whether you seize or prevent, the choice is yours. No need to consult me." With that, Lu Jianwei retreated to her room.

He Lianxue stood silently in place.

"Xue’er, so many martial artists are after ‘Old White Hair.’ Whether we join or not makes little difference. There’s no need for such guilt," Zhao Rui consoled her. "This is simply how the martial world operates. We’ve done nothing wrong."

He Lianxue ignored him.

Bian Xingzhou added, "Manager Lu has her principles, and we have ours. If we don’t go, other martial artists will take advantage, and the Miao still won’t keep their treasure."

"Enough." He Lianxue’s voice turned icy.

Bian Xingzhou: "..."

What had happened to his beloved Xue’er?

He Lianxue turned to face them both.

"Those who walk different paths cannot work together. If the two of you insist on banditry, do not accompany me further."

The two men: "..."

Torn between sect duties and their beloved, what choice could they make?

"Xue'er, the sect didn't send just me. Even if I don't go, the other disciples will," Bian Xingzhou said. "One person's strength can't change the established rules."

"Rules..." He Lianxue suddenly laughed. "The sect has its rules, the martial world has its own rules. Everywhere is filled with so-called rules—I'm truly sick of it."

"Xue'er?" The two were puzzled.

Only Lvluo's eyes reddened slightly as she softly urged, "Miss, let's return to your room."

He Lianxue ignored them and left with Lvluo.

Soon, it was the fourth day of the ninth month, with the Gu God Festival just a day away.

Amusha and Amuan personally came to the inn to invite Lu Jianwei and Wen Zhuzhi to the Buwa tribe's territory.

A'Nai had prepared a large bundle for Wen Zhuzhi, muttering before their departure, "Did I forget anything? Let me check again."

"We're only going as guests for a few days," Wen Zhuzhi said helplessly. "No need for so much."

"It's necessary! The mountains have more insects and snakes, and the weather is colder. These are medicines to repel pests and warm clothes."

Amusha smiled warmly. "Our tribe has these things too. Don’t worry, I’ll take good care of Young Master Wen."

"I wish I could go too," A'Nai sighed.

Xue Guanhe nodded vigorously beside him. "Me too."

He was worried the innkeeper might not like the Buwa tribe's food.

But outsiders weren’t allowed at the Gu God Festival, so they couldn’t follow.

"While I'm away, keep the inn running well," Lu Jianwei instructed the staff. "Practice diligently, but don’t forget to eat and rest."

The staff nodded in unison.

"If anyone causes trouble, don’t hold back. Fine them if possible, otherwise drive them away."

"Don’t worry, I’ll guard the inn," Yan Feicang solemnly promised, gripping his sword, Jingtao.

In Dada City, a mid-sixth-level martial artist was already among the top-tier.

Yue Shu added, "Innkeeper, no need to worry. I’ve set up formations, and with Tiao’s medicine and Brother Xue’s blade, nothing will go wrong."

"What about me?" Liang Shangjun complained. "Why am I always left out?"

A'Nai teased, "You only came to be an interpreter. Fighting isn’t your thing."

"But I’m still a fifth-level martial artist!"

"You said you dislike killing. Why insist on joining the fray?"

"I won’t kill, but I can knock them out."

Lu Jianwei wasn’t concerned. If the inn faced danger, its defensive mechanisms could activate at any time.

But that was the last resort—before real danger struck, they had to rely on themselves.

"Innkeeper Lu," He Lianxue approached, her white robes fluttering. "Before leaving the inn, I’ll also help guard it."

Lu Jianwei smiled. "Thank you."

After farewells, the inn’s residents watched them depart.

The Buwa tribe lived deep in the mountains outside Dada City. From the city to the foothills took two hours on foot, and crossing the mountains into Buwa territory took even longer.

The Buwa tribe was spread across a vast area, with Amusha and Amuan’s village located at the edge, making it easier to travel in and out.

Years of foot traffic had carved winding paths through the mountains for the villagers.

The road wasn’t smooth, but Wen Zhuzhi’s wheelchair had ingenious mechanisms, allowing him to move freely despite the bumps.

"Innkeeper Lu, Young Master Wen, it’s a long journey," Amusha said apologetically. "But we’ll arrive before nightfall."

Lu Jianwei smiled. "No matter. The mountains have their own charm."

She treated it as a leisurely hike.

Beside her, Wen Zhuzhi sat in his wheelchair with a large bundle on his lap—an incongruous sight that grew increasingly amusing the longer she looked.

"What’s so amusing, Innkeeper Lu?" Wen Zhuzhi sensed her gaze and glanced up.

"I’m just happy to attend the Gu God Festival."

Amuan chimed in, "It’s an honor for our tribe to have you join us."

As they ventured deeper, the forest grew denser, and insects and snakes multiplied.

A striped snake, startled, reared up to strike. Lu Jianwei plucked a leaf and severed its spine with a flick. The snake fell lifeless.

Amusha and Amuan froze, their hands halfway to sprinkling repellent.

With a martial arts master like her, safety wasn’t a concern.

The journey dragged on, and boredom set in. Lu Jianwei bought a romance novel from the system store and had Xiao Ke read it aloud.

The title sounded poetic, so she expected a sweet love story—but the plot took a dark turn.

"Xiao Ke, what kind of story is this?" Lu Jianwei was baffled. "The female lead’s father killed the male lead’s father. The male lead, after rising to power, returns for revenge, schemes to kill her father, ruins her family, and imprisons her despite having a fiancée. After all the torment, they still end up together? Seriously?"

Xiao Ke replied, "That’s what the novel says."

"How does that work?"

"Maybe love just defies logic."

Lu Jianwei: "..."

Two hours of romance left her feeling sour.

"It’s almost noon. Should we rest?" Amusha asked. "We brought water and rations."

Neither Lu Jianwei nor Wen Zhuzhi were tired, but Amusha and Amuan, lacking inner strength and having traveled since midnight, were weary.

They agreed to stop.

Lu Jianwei spread a cloth on the grass and ate a meat pie Xue Guanhe had prepared at dawn. The savory flavor slowly eased her frustration.

"Unhappy?" Wen Zhuzhi wheeled closer.

Lu Jianwei: "..."

Was she that transparent?

Wen Zhuzhi explained, "You’ve been quiet, and your brow kept furrowing."

With no one else to vent to—Xiao Ke being a system that didn’t understand—she bluntly asked, "Let me pose a question."

"Go ahead."

She summarized the novel’s plot and asked, "Do you think their ending makes sense?"

Wen Zhuzhi paused, then answered under her expectant gaze, "If I were that enemy, I’d eliminate the root of the problem. There’d be no story afterward."

Lu Jianwei: Well, that settles it.

She resumed eating.

"Was it the story that upset you?" Wen Zhuzhi asked.

"Not exactly," she shook her head. "It just felt stifling. Saying it aloud helped."

He nodded. "It is an unpleasant tale."

He opened his bundle and took out a waxed paper pouch.

"Dried fruit from A'Nai. Sweet. Care for some?"

Her mood lightened, so she accepted a piece.

The sweetness lingered.

Afternoon sunlight filtered through the trees, casting dappled gold on her face—dancing from her brow to the corner of her eye.

A sudden breeze tousled her hair, strands catching at her lips.

Wen Zhuzhi instinctively reached out.

Lu Jianwei absentmindedly tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear and noticed his raised hand. "What is it?" she asked.

"Nothing."

Wen Zhuzhi smiled faintly and offered her the paper bag of dried fruit once more.