No Fighting Allowed in the Inn-Chapter 64

◎Identity Revealed, Removing the Gu Poison◎

Xue Guanhe quickly opened the courtyard gate, his face lighting up with joy.

"You're back so soon."

A'Nai pushed aside the carriage curtain, set up a ramp, and climbed inside. Carefully, he helped Wen Zhuzhi out, his expression fraught with worry as he stepped into the courtyard and looked up at Lu Jianwei, who stood by the third-floor railing.

"The young master's condition has worsened. Since you're highly skilled in medicine, Madam Lu, could you please examine him?"

"Take him to the common room," Lu Jianwei replied calmly, turning away as the hem of her robe brushed against the railing.

For some reason, A'Nai felt his anxiety instantly soothed, replaced by an inexplicable sense of reassurance.

It was as if, with Madam Lu here, every problem would be effortlessly resolved.

Wen Zhuzhi reclined weakly in his wheelchair, eyes lightly closed, his breathing faint and his face deathly pale.

Just as Lu Jianwei approached, he suddenly coughed—once, then again, deep and wracking, as if trying to expel his very organs.

"Young master… young master…" A'Nai's eyes reddened with panic. "Madam Lu, please save him!"

Lu Jianwei reached out to take his pulse.

The moment her fingertips touched his wrist, he instinctively flinched, his eyes snapping open with a sharp glint.

Upon recognizing her, his gaze softened, and he slowly closed them again.

"Madam Lu… my thanks," he managed to rasp, his voice hoarse.

Lu Jianwei remained silent, pressing her fingers to his pulse.

She had taken countless complex pulses on anatomical models, but never had she encountered one so erratic.

One moment, it was so faint it seemed on the verge of stopping; the next, it surged with unnatural strength—over and over, like a mind at war with itself.

"What caused his condition to worsen?"

A'Nai wiped his tears. "We encountered enemies, and the young master had to use his inner energy."

Lu Jianwei knew he wasn’t telling the full truth.

When a martial artist was poisoned, they needed to use inner energy to suppress the toxin’s spread through their meridians, and indeed, reckless exertion could be dangerous.

But Wen Zhuzhi’s condition was far more severe than that.

He had been poisoned for years, using both inner energy and medicine to confine the toxin to his legs, rendering him unable to walk. The poison had stabilized—even if he exerted himself, it shouldn’t have caused such a drastic decline.

His current state suggested the toxin had circulated through his entire meridian system.

The commander of the Mystic Mirror Bureau never revealed his true face—not for secrecy, but because he couldn’t.

Inner energy flowed through the eight extraordinary meridians, which spanned the torso and limbs but not the face. To maintain mobility and ensure smooth energy circulation, he must have forced the toxin into his face.

From his legs to his face—effectively spreading it through his entire body.

Lu Jianwei didn’t hesitate. "Move him to the bed."

A'Nai immediately wheeled him over and reached to lift him.

"No need. I can manage." Wen Zhuzhi coughed lightly, bracing himself against the bedframe to shift onto the mattress.

The effort drained him completely. The moment his strength faltered, he swayed backward, his head nearly striking the bedpost.

Lu Jianwei, standing by the headboard, instinctively caught him. Her fingers caught his hair ribbon, loosening it. His hair cascaded down like silk, spilling over her arm and across the pillow.

"Careful."

Wen Zhuzhi blinked, momentarily dazed, before mustering a faint, wordless gratitude in his eyes.

"Everyone, out," Lu Jianwei ordered.

Xue Guanhe ushered A'Nai from the room.

Silence settled, so deep a pin drop would echo.

Lu Jianwei helped Wen Zhuzhi lie flat, then took his wrist again, pushing up his sleeve—only for him to resist.

"What? Afraid I’ll see something unsightly?"

Wen Zhuzhi steadied his breathing, gathering just enough strength to murmur, "It’s… not pleasant."

"I’m a physician. You’re a patient. I’ve seen far worse. Don’t worry—it won’t change my opinion of you."

"And what… is that opinion?"

Lu Jianwei smirked. "Wealthy. Handsome."

"Flattered." He released her wrist, his gaze lingering on her face.

She pushed the sleeve to his elbow. His skin was pale, veins stark beneath the surface—but instead of the usual blue or faint purple, they were tinged an ominous black.

Lu Jianwei frowned. "Are you trying to die?"

Wen Zhuzhi’s lips curved weakly. "Not immediately."

"Was it worth shifting the toxin just for a fight?" She reached for his collar.

"Madam Lu." His fingers closed around her wrist, something unreadable flickering in his eyes.

She arched a brow.

"If you didn’t want treatment, why come here? Wouldn’t it be better to return to Nanzhou and die peacefully in your manor?"

"That’s not what I meant."

"Then is it shyness?"

"…"

"Seems so." She undid his collar without ceremony, revealing a chest mapped with blackened veins. "And yet you’re still alive. Impressive stamina."

Wen Zhuzhi averted his eyes, murmuring, "Your blessing."

"You’re relying too much on your deep reserves of inner energy."

"Madam Lu… what makes you say that?"

She produced silver needles, swiftly inserting them into key acupoints. Her hands were steady, her focus unshaken—like a seasoned physician who had treated countless patients.

"With only third-level inner energy, as you’ve displayed, you couldn’t possibly suppress the toxin, let alone shift and suppress it again."

The third-level display was a ruse—most of his energy was devoted to containing the poison in his legs.

Once shifted to his face, it no longer obstructed his meridians, requiring only minimal energy to maintain, leaving his apparent strength unchanged.

Wen Zhuzhi met her gaze, studying her intently.

"Madam Lu sees through everything."

"Hardly." The needles descended lower, nearing his abdomen. "When you shifted the toxin, remnants lingered in your meridians. Your pulse fluctuates because you’re using inner energy to force them back into your legs."

Her hand moved toward his belt.

Wen Zhuzhi caught her wrist again.

Any further would cross a line.

"The last needle. Guanyuan point." Her tone brooked no argument.

Her composure was unnerving, leaving no room for protest.

He slowly released her and shut his eyes, amused at his own inexplicable hesitation.

He was a patient.

A patient’s duty was to obey.

The final needle pierced his skin. The searing pain in his meridians abruptly faded as the scattered toxins gathered under the needles’ guidance, retreating to his legs.

The blackened veins in his arms and chest faded to a healthier blue.

"Keeping the toxin confined to your legs isn’t doing you any favors," Lu Jianwei remarked.

Wen Zhuzhi opened his eyes, serene.

"It’s fine. They’ll serve their purpose before I die."

"Some cling to life desperately. Others court death. Which are you?"

"Neither." He smiled. "Living is acceptable. Dying is, too. No regrets either way."

"If that’s the case, why search for rare medicines?" Her gaze sharpened. "You’re not seeking a cure—just fulfilling your duty."

Wen Zhuzhi chuckled. "Nothing escapes you."

Lu Jianwei had no interest in his true identity. She simply thought he carried too much, lived too burdened, and needed to unshackle himself.

"Was Xia Huaigu really the one who leaked the information?"

"I shouldn’t have kept it from you, but this concerns Mystic Mirror Bureau secrets. I hope you’ll understand."

"I see."

"However, you are the aggrieved party and have assisted the Mystic Mirror Bureau greatly. You are no outsider." Wen Zhuzhi swiftly shifted his stance, his tone softening. "He was acting under orders. The rumor about the 'Polar Golden Silkworm' was fabricated by them."

Lu Jianwei nodded. "Because I tricked them before?"

"Yes, and no."

"How so?"

"Thousand Miles Tower is renowned in the martial world for its intelligence network, privy to countless secrets. As long as the price is right, one can buy any information they desire from them."

"So?"

"They stumbled at your doorstep, Innkeeper Lu." Wen Zhuzhi's body gradually regained warmth, his pallid complexion fading as his voice steadied. "Someone wanted to purchase information about the Eight Directions Inn, but Thousand Miles Tower couldn’t provide accurate intelligence."

Lu Jianwei chuckled lightly. "So they blame me for tarnishing their reputation?"

"They hoped to use the rumor to force your hand and uncover your secrets," Wen Zhuzhi replied, unable to suppress a smile.

Who could have guessed it would lead to such earth-shattering revelations?

Thousand Miles Tower seemed to have gained intelligence—yet also seemed to have gained nothing.

Now that everyone knew of the existence of a ninth-level Martial Sovereign, the Tower’s intelligence lost its value.

For the time being, no one dared challenge the Eight Directions Inn.

"One more question," Lu Jianwei said as she began collecting her needles.

"Go ahead."

"Is the 'Wealthiest Man Wen' title real?"

"..."

Lu Jianwei wiped the silver needles clean with a damp cloth before tucking them away into her case, her movements fluid and rhythmic.

"Is it difficult to answer?"

"It’s real," Wen Zhuzhi admitted, lightly adjusting his collar. "I just didn’t expect that to be your question."

Once the needles were stored, Lu Jianwei stood. "With your capabilities, why not pursue something else?"

If she had enough wealth to last a lifetime, she doubted she’d have the courage to endure such suffering.

To constantly suppress toxins with inner energy while enduring the agony of their spread through every meridian—she could scarcely imagine it.

Wen Zhuzhi smiled faintly. "You flatter me, Innkeeper Lu."

"Qi deviation?"

"Martial world rumors."

"Twenty-seven years old?"

"Twenty-eight last year, twenty-nine this year."

Lu Jianwei chuckled and turned away, tossing a final remark over her shoulder.

"Don’t forget—ten thousand taels for the consultation."

In the backyard, Xue Guanhe stood with his back to A'Nai, drawing water from the well to wash vegetables.

"What exactly happened between you and Young Master Wen?"

Silence answered him.

Xue Guanhe turned in surprise, nearly dropping the bucket in his hands.

A'Nai stood with his head bowed, tears streaming soundlessly down his face, falling like rain.

"H-Hey, don’t cry," Xue Guanhe stammered, setting the bucket down in a fluster. "Whatever’s wrong, tell me. I’ll help you figure it out. Just stop crying."

He couldn’t stand seeing others cry.

Especially A'Nai, who was always sharp-tongued and never one to take grievances lying down. This sudden outburst was utterly unexpected.

A'Nai sniffled but kept his head down.

"Mind your own business. Wash your vegetables."

"I want to mind your business!" Xue Guanhe scowled. "It’s just… your crying is ruining the mood."

"I’m not even making noise! What’s it to you?" A'Nai retorted, his voice thick. "You’re being ridiculous!"

His quarrelsome spirit was intact, but his muffled tone made him sound pitiful.

Xue Guanhe softened slightly but still teased, "A grown man crying like this—aren’t you ashamed? Keep this up, and even if your master recovers, he’ll starve."

"Shut up!"

"If you don’t want me to talk, then stop crying."

A'Nai wiped his tears and lifted his red-rimmed eyes.

"What? Want to fight?" Xue Guanhe rolled up his sleeves. "Not like your family can’t afford the fines. What’s there to fear?"

A'Nai glared at him for a long moment before suddenly bursting into laughter, tossing him a familiar eyeroll.

"So stupid."

"Hey!" Xue Guanhe grabbed a wilted vegetable leaf and flung it at him. "I was trying to comfort you, and this is the thanks I get? No gratitude at all!"

"Who comforts people like you? Calling you stupid is being kind. And don’t throw that at me—it’s disgusting!"

Xue Guanhe tossed the leaf aside, washed his hands, and plopped down beside A'Nai, propping his chin on his palm as he gazed at the sky.

"Was it about Young Master Wen’s condition?"

A'Nai gave a sullen nod.

"Young Master Wen is a good man. Heaven will watch over him."

"You don’t understand."

"Right, right, I don’t. Please enlighten me, oh wise A'Nai."

"Even if I explain, you still won’t get it."

"Talk like that, and you’ll have no friends left!"

"Aren’t you my friend?"

"Only because I’m kind-hearted."

"Exactly. So, kind-hearted Young Master Xue, could you please go back to washing your vegetables?"

Xue Guanhe: "..."

Enough. This conversation was shortening his lifespan.

Just then, the sound of a door opening echoed.

A'Nai sprang up and dashed to the front courtyard, intercepting Lu Jianwei.

"Innkeeper Lu, how is my master?"

"The toxicity has been suppressed. He’s stable for now," Lu Jianwei replied. "But if this happens a few more times, not even the gods could save him."

"Thank you, Innkeeper Lu." A'Nai hesitated before asking hopefully, "Your medical skills are extraordinary—you easily neutralized 'Beauty’s Envy' and 'Heartless Lover.' Could my master’s poison…"

Lu Jianwei shook her head.

Seeing the boy’s face fall, she added, "But everything in this world follows its own logic. There’s always a solution."

A'Nai’s shoulders slumped. "We’ve searched for so long. Too long."

"The poison in his body—any single strain would be fatal. Yet the five distinct toxins have formed an equilibrium, confined to his legs under the suppression of his inner energy. That means the heavens have left him a path."

"Wait—what?" A'Nai’s eyes widened. "Five poisons?"

Lu Jianwei raised a brow. "You didn’t know?"

"I… My master never mentioned it. When he found me, he was already poisoned. I only knew it was deadly, but not that it was five different toxins."

"If it were a single poison, finding the right antidote wouldn’t be difficult. But with five intertwined, neutralizing one could disrupt the balance and unleash the rest." Lu Jianwei mused. "That might be why his condition has persisted."

A'Nai: "..."

What ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‍in the world had his master endured before?!

Lu Jianwei returned to her room and sank onto the daybed, lost in thought.

"What’s on your mind?" Xiao Ke asked.

"I’m wondering—if I cure the Five Elements Poison, would the 'Wealthiest Man Wen' be willing to hand over his entire fortune to me?" Lu Jianwei mused. "Earned through skill—perfectly legal and fair, no?"

Xiao Ke: "…You haven’t even cured Tiao’s poison yet."

Lu Jianwei rubbed her temples.

"Not just Tiao’s poison—I still haven’t lured out the parasitic gu either. Xiao Ke, you dropped me into hard mode."

Xiao Ke: "No one’s forcing you to solve it."

"No!" Lu Jianwei forced herself upright. "I need to earn my way home. I can’t afford to slack off."

She had fully analyzed the Blood-Consuming Gu, but how to coax it out of the body remained a mystery.

Yue Shu’s ant formation had given her an idea, but without understanding the principles of formations, she couldn’t devise a flawless method.

Should she ask the 'Wealthiest Man Wen'?

But he’d just endured another episode of toxin migration—would he even have the energy to discuss formations?

Lu Jianwei tugged at her hair and sighed deeply.

Days passed. Wen Zhuzhi recovered enough to move to the courtyard and bask in the sun.

With no breakthrough in sight, Lu Jianwei steeled herself and decided to seek his advice.

She handed a can of white silk-scented tea to Wen Zhuzhi.

"What's this?"

"You like this tea, don't you? It's for you."

Wen Zhuzhi chuckled. "No reward without merit—does Shopkeeper Lu need something from me?"

"I have a few questions I’d like to ask." Lu Jianwei placed the tea can directly onto his lap, then paused. "Where’s your Cold Jade Flute?"

Wen Zhuzhi: "After your acupuncture treatment, I’ve improved. There’s no need for the Cold Jade Flute to suppress the poison anymore."

"Cold jade can suppress poison?" Lu Jianwei looked baffled. "Are you joking with me?"

"It’s related to the cultivation technique I practice."

"Oh."

Wen Zhuzhi cradled the tea can in his hands, his eyes gentle and warm.

"Shopkeeper Lu, feel free to speak plainly."

"You’re skilled in formations—have you ever tried setting one up on a human body?" Lu Jianwei knew her idea was unconventional. "It might sound far-fetched, but..."

"I have." Wen Zhuzhi smiled. "It’s rare for someone like Shopkeeper Lu, who hasn’t studied formations, to have such an inventive thought. The human body’s vital energy aligns with the balance of yin and yang and the five elements, falling within the scope of mystic arts."

Lu Jianwei’s eyes lit up. "Really?"

"Really."

"How effective is it?"

"That depends on what kind of formation you want to set up."

Lu Jianwei grabbed the handles of his wheelchair.

"Come with me."

The wheelchair rolled toward the examination room, where an unconscious man in gray lay on a bed, his chest exposed as if it had been uncovered multiple times.

Wen Zhuzhi understood immediately.

"A gu worm?"

"Right." Lu Jianwei briskly pulled open the man’s clothes and pointed near his heart. "The gu worm has nestled close to the heart. Forcing it out is impossible."

"You want to set up a formation to deceive the gu worm’s instincts, luring it out on its own?"

Lu Jianwei shot him an appreciative glance—talking to someone sharp was always easier.

"Is it feasible?"

Wen Zhuzhi lowered his gaze in thought, his slender fingers resting on the tea can, his pale skin contrasting elegantly with the celadon-colored container.

After a few breaths, he nodded. "It’s worth a try."

Lu Jianwei fetched paper and a brush, then pulled up a chair to sit beside him.

"My idea is..."

Wen Zhuzhi kept his eyes fixed on the tea can, silent until her voice pulled him back.

"What do you think?"

"It’s possible."

Lu Jianwei grew excited. "When can we test it?"

"Some preparations are needed." Wen Zhuzhi turned his wheelchair. "I’ll return to my room first."

Lu Jianwei: "I’ll await good news."

Back in his quarters, Wen Zhuzhi carefully placed the tea can into a chest, wrapping it in layers of soft cloth before retrieving paper and a brush.

"Young Master, why are you drawing again?" A'Nai leaned in. "Last time before we left the inn, you gave Shopkeeper Lu a set of formations, but she had a ninth-rank Martial King backing her—they weren’t even needed."

Wen Zhuzhi smiled. "How were they not used? I heard your good friend managed to hold his own against a fifth-rank martial artist thanks to them."

"Who’s his good friend?!"

"I never named anyone. How did you know who I meant?"

"..." A'Nai’s face flushed. "I’m going to brew the medicine!"

He dashed out but turned back with a grin. "Young Master, you usually can’t be bothered to argue unless you’re feeling guilty!"

Wen Zhuzhi’s brush paused, leaving an ink blot on the paper. When he looked up, the cheeky servant was already gone.

In the examination room, Lu Jianwei was cutting flesh to draw blood.

The blood-devouring worm craved fresh blood. She nicked the gray-clad assassin’s shoulder, collecting a vial of blood before mixing it with the juice of an Everbloom flower to preserve its freshness.

Soon, Wen Zhuzhi arrived with a diagram.

"Ready?" Lu Jianwei asked.

He nodded, laying out the materials for the formation—an assortment of peculiar miniature objects, mostly crafted from fine steel, along with rare treasures like a blue-glowing stone.

Lu Jianwei wanted to ask about them but didn’t want to interrupt his work.

"This is Blueheart Stone, essential for setting up an illusion formation," Wen Zhuzhi explained unprompted. "The blood-devouring worm relies on scent to navigate. With this and other tools, we can block its perception."

Lu Jianwei understood. "With the scent weakened, it’ll think the flesh here is no longer fresh, driving it to relocate."

"But since the host is healthy, its trained body won’t trigger an alarm, nor will it force it to gnaw through the heart at the last moment. The mother gu won’t notice either," Wen Zhuzhi added.

Lu Jianwei nodded in satisfaction. "Good. Let’s begin."

The gu worm was barely an inch from the heart, just beneath the skin. A small incision would suffice to extract it—but doing so would only alert the worm, causing it to burrow deeper.

Wen Zhuzhi began setting up the formation.

Lu Jianwei watched intently, unable to grasp how these tools could create such a mystical effect when combined.

His hands moved as swiftly and precisely as hers did when she administered acupuncture.

In mere moments, the formation was complete.

Lu Jianwei blinked—the tools, including the Blueheart Stone, had vanished!

Her stunned expression was too obvious, and Wen Zhuzhi couldn’t help but laugh.

"The essence of an illusion formation is deception. It can fool your eyes, and it can fool a mindless gu worm."

Lu Jianwei nodded, placing the fresh blood near the wound on the assassin’s shoulder.

She couldn’t see the worm’s movement, so she asked, "Has it moved?"

"Yes."

"How far?"

"Slowly—just two inches so far."

"And now?"

"Another cup of tea’s worth of time."

Unable to observe the worm and unwilling to keep staring at the wound, Lu Jianwei turned away—only to meet Wen Zhuzhi’s gaze by accident.

Both froze for a moment.

Wen Zhuzhi averted his eyes first, refocusing on the worm. Casually, he asked, "Shopkeeper Lu, is your sect’s trial just earning enough money?"

"What?" Lu Jianwei glanced at the small mole on his earlobe. "Think it’s too vulgar?"

Wen Zhuzhi: "I wouldn’t dare. Is it only you, or do all disciples face the same trial?"

"What if it’s just me? What if it’s not?"

"If it’s only you, it makes sense. If not, the fact that no similar establishments exist in the entire jianghu might raise suspicions."

"Thanks for the reminder." Lu Jianwei had already considered this and had a ready explanation. "The sect’s trials aren’t set in stone."

This content is taken from fгeewebnovёl.com.

"I spoke out of turn."

"You’re meticulous, not presumptuous." Lu Jianwei smiled, steering the conversation elsewhere. "Xue Guanhe mentioned A'Nai cried terribly before. Young Master Wen, you really shouldn’t joke about your health like that again."

Wen Zhuzhi looked up. "Shopkeeper Lu, may I ask a favor?"

"Go ahead."

"A'Nai is straightforward and sharp-tongued, but he’s kind-hearted and thorough in his work. If something ever happens to me, could you look after him?"

Lu Jianwei was taken aback before replying, "You’d better stay alive. I’m not an easygoing employer—he might not adapt well."

"You’re a good employer." Wen Zhuzhi’s eyes crinkled with warmth. "If you agree, I’ll leave you eighty percent of my family’s wealth."

Lu Jianwei: "..."

The richest man truly knew how to impress.

As tempting as it was, she’d already misunderstood once before—she wasn’t keen on inheriting any legacies now.

"Is the worm almost out?" she asked.

"Mm." Wen Zhuzhi waved his hand, and the illusion dissipated.

An ugly little worm was probing the edges of the cut wound with its antennae.