No Fighting Allowed in the Inn-Chapter 80

◎The Blue Sky Heroine Returns to Jiangzhou—Follow My Arrangements◎

Public fury reached its peak after the Mystic Mirror Bureau released the list of victims.

Over the past decade, Shangguan He and Dou Ting had conspired to harm over a hundred martial artists. Many of the victims' identities were so obscure that even the servants of Guihe Residence could no longer recall them, making verification impossible.

And this was only the crimes committed by Shangguan He at Guihe Residence.

Three years ago, the Cheng Family of Yongzhou; recently, the Ge Family of Wuzhou—and likely other atrocities that had yet to come to light.

Such monstrous deeds deserved nothing less than having their bones ground to dust.

Lin Congyue’s name was finally cleared. No longer seen as a ruthless and jealous demoness, she was now recognized as a benevolent healer who had endured a decade of slander.

Despite being hated and reviled, she had remained steadfast in her medical principles—saving lives and aiding the injured.

Some, overcome with remorse, rushed to her memorial shrine to mourn and apologize, even composing biographies in her honor. Others, too proud to admit their mistakes, privately blamed Lin Congyue for not defending herself earlier, only offering hasty apologies after being scolded into empathy.

Lu Jianwei secluded herself in her room for three days. When she emerged, her spirits were high.

Indeed, knowledge thrives through exchange. She had gained profound insights from the medical texts, and when combined with her own studies, she felt the stirrings of a unique medical philosophy—one that was almost within her grasp.

All she needed now was the right opportunity.

This chapter is updat𝓮d by freēnovelkiss.com.

"Manager Lu, that couple has left. Before they departed, they asked me to give you this." Liang Shangjun handed her an unusually shaped whistle, its dark purple hue resembling sandalwood, its surface carved with swirling cloud-like patterns.

Lu Jianwei had never seen such an object before. "What’s it for?"

"They said that if you ever visit Cangzhou, you can use this whistle to find them at the Yao Family Ironworks in the western part of the city."

Lu Jianwei raised an eyebrow. "If I really went looking for them at an ironworks, why would I need a token?"

"Manager Lu, an ordinary ironworks would naturally allow free entry, but those in Cangzhou are different."

"Why?"

"Cangzhou is renowned throughout the martial world for its forging techniques. Countless warriors seek weapons crafted there."

Lu Jianwei understood. "So the ironworks guard their secrets closely."

"Exactly." Liang Shangjun extended the whistle again. "Your whistle."

She accepted it and discreetly slipped it into her system storage under her sleeve.

"Has the victim list been released?"

"It has. Martial artists everywhere are condemning those three villains, demanding they be sliced to pieces. Unfortunately, the scum couldn’t endure much pain—they died after just a few cuts."

"All of them?"

"All of them."

Lu Jianwei felt a twinge of regret. She would have preferred they suffer longer, but their deaths at least prevented future complications.

"Manager Lu, will you be staying here longer?" Liang Shangjun asked.

She arched a brow. "Why?"

"Just curious. If you stay, I’ll serve you tea and water. If you return to Jiangzhou, I’ll follow as your attendant."

Lu Jianwei smirked. "You’ve become much more obedient compared to your time in Jiangzhou."

"Back then, I was blind to your greatness. Now that the clouds have parted, I see you for what you truly are—a celestial maiden descended to relieve suffering."

"Too much."

"Not at all!" Liang Shangjun widened his eyes. "Do you know what people are calling you now?"

Lu Jianwei was intrigued. "Do tell."

"They say you’re the 'Blue Sky Heroine,' a champion who rights wrongs and clears injustices. There’s even a play about you called The Blue Sky Heroine."

"..."

Liang Shangjun continued enthusiastically, "In Fengzhou, you protected the survivors of White Crane Manor, exposing the truth behind their massacre. In Yongzhou, you rescued the Luo siblings from peril and later exposed the mastermind behind the smear campaign against them. In Jiangzhou, you—"

"Enough!"

Liang ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‍Shangjun blinked. "Did I say something wrong?"

"Who wrote this play?" Lu Jianwei remained level-headed. "Praising me so lavishly—are they setting me up for a fall?"

His heart skipped a beat. "How could that be?"

"A saint only needs a single blemish to be toppled from grace. Lin Congyue is a prime example." Lu Jianwei was acutely aware. "Spread the word that Lu Jianwei is greedy, cold-hearted, and not nearly as noble as claimed. Emphasize minor flaws—just nothing that crosses moral lines."

Liang Shangjun was awed.

"Manager Lu, my admiration for you grows. But my voice alone won’t reach far."

"What do you suggest?"

"Commission another play. Those spread fast."

"Agreed." She nodded. "Make it quick, and let me review it before release."

"Consider it done!"

Three days later, a new play titled Tales of the Eight Directions hit the martial world, featuring the same protagonist as The Blue Sky Heroine.

Yet despite the overlap, enthusiasm remained high, with crowds flocking to bookshops for copies.

In Jiangzhou, Xue Guanhe and Yue Shu bought several copies to share with the others.

Yan Feicang, busy practicing his blade, initially declined.

"I don’t read plays."

"It’s about the manager. Still not interested?"

"...Hand it over."

The group gathered in the courtyard, engrossed in the thin, fifty-page booklet. When they finished, they exchanged uneasy glances.

Tiao pointed out bluntly, "The author claims the manager is greedy."

Xue Guanhe frowned. "And that she’s as cold as frost."

"He even dares to say she’s terrible at needlework!" Yun Hui’s anger flared.

The others chorused, "Is she?"

"..."

Yan Feicang weighed in carefully, "The 'coldness' part is accurate—toward villains."

"But it feels like the book is belittling her," Yue Shu muttered, frustration simmering.

Uncle Zhang chuckled. "I think it’s well-written."

"Why?" Xue Guanhe was puzzled. "Lately, everyone’s been praising the manager. Won’t this book tarnish her reputation?"

Uncle Zhang said sagely, "Being a saint is dangerous."

"Exactly." Yun Hui caught on fastest. "The manager is flawless, but the higher people lift her, the harder she’ll fall if even a drop of mud is thrown her way."

"I get it!" Xue Guanhe exclaimed. "Just like what happened to Senior Lin."

"So this book is actually helping her?" Yue Shu wondered. "But who wrote it?"

Uncle Zhang smiled knowingly. "Whoever put pen to paper, I’d wager the manager ordered it herself."

"The manager is amazing!" Xue Guanhe’s admiration soared as he grasped the strategy.

Yan Feicang nodded. "Indeed."

"After hearing so much about Senior Lin’s ordeal, the martial world feels full of schemes and treachery. It’s chilling." Xue Guanhe rubbed his arms. "I wonder when the manager will return."

Yue Shu propped his chin on his hands. "I miss her too."

At Guihe Residence in Jingzhou...

Before Lu Jianwei returned to Jiangzhou, the Mystic Mirror Bureau and the Divine Physician Valley had finished inventorying the assets of Shangguan He and Dou Ting, sending a portion to Guihe Residence as compensation for the victims.

With so many victims, Lu Jianwei only received five thousand taels, along with the residence, which she later sold for another five thousand taels.

Better than nothing.

"Elder Sister Lu." Shangguan Yao entered the courtyard with Little Tao in tow. "We've packed our belongings. When do we leave? I've never been to Jiangzhou before."

"Has your health fully recovered?"

"It's been fine for a while now. Staying in the Divine Physician Valley for days was suffocating."

Lu Jianwei nodded. "In that case, we won't delay any longer. Liang Shangjun, gather our things. We're setting off."

"Right away!"

To return to Jiangzhou as quickly as possible, Lu Jianwei abandoned her usual leisurely pace. With Shangguan Yao, her maid, and Liang Shangjun in tow, they rode hard for three days straight before reaching Zhangzhou.

Shangguan Yao, frail by nature, could barely endure the grueling journey. She swayed weakly on her horse, prompting the group to decide on an overnight stay at an inn in Zhangzhou.

"Elder Sister Lu, I'm holding you back," Shangguan Yao lamented from her bed, frustration heavy in her voice. "This wretched body of mine!"

Lu Jianwei reassured her, "Your meridians are naturally delicate, making your constitution weaker than most. To endure three days of travel is already impressive."

"Miss, here's some water." Little Tao approached with a basin, dampening a cloth to gently wipe Shangguan Yao's face.

Lu Jianwei instructed, "Rest well."

Returning to her own room, she retrieved the "Spring and Autumn Medical Canon," flipping to the section on meridians.

Those born with weak meridians could not practice martial arts, their bodies frail, their lifespans unlikely to exceed forty years.

Had Shangguan Yao not been born into the Luzhou Academy, had she not been cherished by her family and treated with rare medicinal herbs by renowned physicians, she would never have attained her current vitality.

To cure this condition, one needed the "Vital Earth Lotus Bath," supplemented by the "Small Leaf Acupuncture Technique." Three months of treatment could eliminate frailty, six months would restore normalcy, and a full year would allow martial training.

The medical text was clear, yet Lu Jianwei frowned in confusion.

She knew the Small Leaf Acupuncture Technique, but what was the "Vital Earth Lotus Bath"?

"Xiao Ke, I've read countless medical texts—why have I never encountered this formula before?"

"The 'Spring and Autumn Medical Canon' records prescriptions that once existed or still exist in this world. But every few centuries, large-scale wars break out, and some medical texts are lost forever. It's not surprising you haven't seen it."

Lu Jianwei frowned. "So there's no solution?"

"Not necessarily. If you can rediscover the lost formula or develop a new one tailored to her condition, you could cure her."

Lu Jianwei: "..."

Since the cure remained elusive for now, she turned her attention to the antidote for "Journey to the Underworld."

She had deciphered all but the final ingredient. Once identified, she could fully detoxify Tiao.

Then there was the matter of purging "internal energy parasitism."

Dou Ting's research, based on Lin Congyue's incomplete method, had yielded a flawed but somewhat effective treatment.

Without practicing the Nameless Technique, they couldn't use internal energy to dissolve the condition—instead relying on advanced pharmacology.

Reading this, Lu Jianwei felt a flicker of inspiration.

Her previous treatments, using internal energy, had no side effects and were swift—a boon for martial artists.

But she was just one person, capable of saving only a handful. Her method was unique to her.

If she could devise a treatment that didn't require internal energy, she could help far more people.

She flipped through the "Spring and Autumn Medical Canon" again, searching the section on internal injuries.

Nothing. No mention of parasitic conditions at all.

"Xiao Ke, has no one ever found a perfect cure for this?"

"If the book doesn't mention it, then no."

Lu Jianwei sighed. Medicine was truly difficult.

So many incurable conditions lay before her—it was disheartening.

"Jianwei," Xiao Ke suddenly interjected, "Yue Shu left a note in the west chamber on the third floor of the inn."

"Oh? What does it say?"

"Young Master Wen is unconscious, his condition critical. A'Nai brought him here seeking treatment."

"..."

Lu Jianwei shook her head. "He really doesn’t value his life."

"Are you going back?"

"Given that he was injured in the line of duty—yes. I hope the consultation fee this time will be satisfactory."

If he died now, who knew who would inherit his vast fortune?

Without delay, Lu Jianwei summoned Liang Shangjun. "I have urgent business and must leave Zhangzhou immediately. Take care of Shangguan Yao and Little Tao."

"So sudden? Why not travel together?"

"Can you handle it?" Lu Jianwei fixed him with a steady gaze.

Liang Shangjun’s heart skipped a beat. "I can!"

The city gates hadn’t yet closed. After bidding Shangguan Yao farewell, Lu Jianwei rode out under the fading twilight.

Jiangzhou Inn.

A'Nai dipped a cloth in warm water, repeatedly wiping the sweat from Wen Zhuzhi’s brow, his own lips cracked with anxiety.

"I'll fetch a physician," Yue Shu offered, his face lined with worry.

"It’s no use," A'Nai murmured, his eyes red-rimmed. "If ordinary physicians could help, Young Master’s condition would have improved long ago."

Xue Guanhe frowned. "How did this happen so suddenly? Last time it was enemies—what about now?"

A'Nai remained silent.

Sensing his distress, Xue Guanhe didn’t press further. "I’ll fetch more water."

"Xue Guanhe." A'Nai suddenly called out.

"Yes?"

"Am I useless?"

Xue Guanhe blinked, taken aback. Meeting A'Nai’s gaze, he softened his voice. "Why would you say that?"

"I failed to protect Young Master," A'Nai choked out, guilt and regret twisting his words. "When he collapsed, I panicked—my mind went blank. I knew Manager Lu was returning from Jingzhou. I should have taken Young Master to Wuzhou or Zhangzhou, hoping to cross paths with her. But I was afraid of missing her, wasting more time. Now, with no certainty when Manager Lu will return, I don’t know what to do. And I should have stopped him from risking himself. If I had, he wouldn’t be hurt. I’m truly useless."

His nails dug into his palms, as if physical pain could steady him, but his trembling voice betrayed his turmoil.

"That’s not useless," Xue Guanhe insisted, prying A'Nai’s hands apart. "We’ve all seen how tirelessly you care for Young Master Wen. Last time, it was you who drove him here in time to save him. If you’re useless, what does that make me?"

A'Nai turned away, hastily wiping his eyes.

"But... what if Young Master doesn’t last until Manager Lu returns?"

"Where’s the fearless attitude from when we first met? It’s not over yet. If you break down now, who will care for him? Certainly not me."

"You? Clumsy oaf—I’d never trust you with him!" A'Nai muttered.

Xue Guanhe’s shoulders relaxed. "There. That’s more like you."

"A'Nai," Yue Shu added gently, "I’ve already sent word to the manager. Don’t lose hope."

Watching him, Yue Shu’s chest ached. He’d learned esoteric arts from Young Master Wen—half a mentor to him. He understood A'Nai’s anguish. And like A'Nai, he felt helpless, forced to watch as Wen Zhuzhi’s condition worsened.

A'Nai turned around, his expression solemn as he said, "Thank you."

"Why the formality?" Xue Guanhe playfully punched his shoulder. "You've been taking care of Young Master Wen all night without eating anything. I made some noodle soup—you should have some to keep your strength up for looking after him."

"I want to stay here and watch over him," A'Nai replied, kneeling by the bedside.

Yue Shu offered, "Then I'll bring it over. You can eat while keeping an eye on him."

With that, he dashed out and returned shortly with a steaming bowl of egg noodles with greens, freshly ladled from the pot.

"When Uncle Zhang and I fled to the outskirts of Wangyue City, we didn’t get a single warm meal along the way. After we reached the inn, the proprietor herself made us egg noodles with greens—twenty coppers a bowl. We barely had any money left, but we bought it anyway. The warmth it brought is something I’ve never forgotten."

A'Nai took the bowl and stared at it for a long moment before picking up his chopsticks and devouring the noodles ravenously.

He ate silently, unlike others who slurped loudly, simply shoveling the noodles into his mouth with his chopsticks.

The bowl was soon empty. He wiped his mouth and looked up, his eyes rimmed red.

"It was delicious. Thank you."

"That’s more like it," Xue Guanhe said with a grin. "Keep tending to Young Master Wen. Call me or A'Shu if you need anything."

"Wait." A'Nai stopped the two as they turned to leave.

Xue Guanhe glanced back teasingly, "What, giving orders already?"

"No." A'Nai's expression was grave, his voice soft but firm. "The first time I came to the inn, I meant no harm, but I caused trouble for you. I’m sorry."

Xue Guanhe and Yue Shu exchanged glances, seeing surprise and concern in each other’s eyes.

Hearing such words out of the blue was unsettling.

"That was ages ago—I’d already forgotten," Xue Guanhe waved it off. "Besides, you were a guest. Pickiness is normal. My family runs a tavern—we’ve seen all kinds of customers."

Yue Shu nodded. "A'Nai, don’t overthink it."

A'Nai smiled faintly. "I’m not overthinking. I just feel that Proprietor Lu is wonderful, and so are all of you. It’s just..."

"Just what?"

"Just that this jianghu isn’t so wonderful."

"A'Nai," Xue Guanhe's expression turned serious. "Don’t bottle things up—that’s what you once told me. Are you and Young Master Wen in some kind of trouble? Tell us, and we’ll figure it out together."

A'Nai shook his head. "It’s nothing, really. I just feel that with Proprietor Lu here, and all of you, things are much better than before."

"Before? Was life in Nanzhou not good for you?"

"It wasn’t bad," A'Nai murmured, lowering his gaze. "It’s just—"

The sound of galloping hooves cut him off.

From outside the courtyard came Uncle Zhang’s delighted voice, "The proprietor is back!"

Lu Jianwei had ridden hard through the night, covering the distance from Zhangzhou to Jiangzhou in a single stretch.

She dismounted smoothly, and Uncle Zhang took the reins with a smile. "We thought you’d be back in a few days."

"I’ve been away too long," Lu Jianwei said, stepping into the front courtyard. "Nothing beats the comfort of home."

Xue Guanhe, Yue Shu, Tiao, Yan Feicang, and the others hurried to greet her, while Yun Hui swiftly poured a cup of hot tea and set out pastries and fruit.

"Proprietor, you must be exhausted from the journey."

Lu Jianwei accepted the teacup with a smile. "You’re too kind, Madam Yun."

She made no mention of Wen Zhuzhi’s critical condition, and the others assumed her return was coincidental—no one believed she had rushed back upon receiving word.

The timing simply didn’t allow for it.

"Tiao, here’s the other half of Lin Congyue’s medical texts and notes," Lu Jianwei said, retrieving a stack of books from her belongings. "Study them—there may be hope for an antidote yet."

Tiao accepted them eagerly, her eyes alight with excitement.

"Really?" Yun Hui exclaimed, overjoyed. "Proprietor Lu, thank you so much."

Her gratitude had long overflowed, leaving her with no way to express it beyond repeated thanks.

"Hope is all I can offer—no guarantees," Lu Jianwei said, tempering expectations.

She never made promises before results were certain.

"I understand," Yun Hui replied, her voice choked. She excused herself to the kitchen, wiping away tears in private.

Lu Jianwei then casually inquired about the inn’s recent affairs, and the staff took turns updating her in detail.

"A few days ago, a guest arrived, seeking you out for medical treatment," Xue Guanhe reported. "Since you weren’t here, he stayed to wait. But then he suddenly fell gravely ill in the night—gave us all a scare. Thankfully, Tiao’s skills saved him."

Lu Jianwei nodded approvingly. "Well done."

Her team was becoming increasingly capable.

Just then, a figure peeked in from the hall, eyes filled with urgency but hesitant to interrupt while Lu Jianwei was speaking with the staff.

Noticing this, the others chimed in, "Proprietor, there’s one more thing—"

"Proprietor Lu!" A'Nai didn’t wait for them to intercede on his behalf, stepping forward directly. "My young master is gravely ill. Could you spare the time to examine him?"

Lu Jianwei had returned precisely for this, but she wasn’t about to rush to his aid—she preferred to maintain control.

Upon entering, she’d already confirmed through her system that the wealthy Wen heir wasn’t in immediate danger.

Had the situation been truly dire, she might have set aside her principles to act swiftly. But otherwise, she wouldn’t bend.

By delaying and listening to the inn’s reports first, she’d been waiting for the other party to come to her.

A'Nai’s patience had lasted longer than she’d expected.

Lu Jianwei replied coolly, "I warned him before. If he refuses to heed advice, not even the gods can save him."

"Proprietor Lu, your medical skills are peerless—please, save him!" A'Nai pleaded, on the verge of dropping to his knees.

Lu Jianwei raised a hand, her eighth-level inner energy preventing him from kneeling.

"No need for that. Payment first. Given the severity, the fee won’t be the same as last time."

A'Nai hastily produced a jade token.

"This is the Wen family’s sigil from Nanzhou. With it, you can withdraw a hundred thousand taels from Tianqi Bank."

Lu Jianwei motioned for Uncle Zhang to take it, then stood. "Let’s take a look."

A'Nai followed closely behind.

They entered the dormitory, where a pale, sweat-drenched figure lay on the bed, his brow furrowed as if locked in a fierce internal struggle.

"I thought he didn’t value his life," Lu Jianwei remarked, drawing silver needles from her kit and pulling open Wen Zhuzhi’s robe. "But his will to live seems strong enough."

A'Nai: "..."

The needles pierced key acupoints on his chest, redirecting the toxins in his meridians downward and reinforcing the flow of inner energy.

Wen Zhuzhi’s tense expression relaxed slightly.

A'Nai clenched his fists—it was working!

His burning gaze shifted between the needles and Lu Jianwei’s composed profile, his anxiety gradually easing.

Then the needles trembled, and Wen Zhuzhi’s brow creased again.

"Proprietor Lu..." A'Nai’s heart lurched.

Lu Jianwei raised an eyebrow. The toxins were growing more unruly.

If left suppressed in his lower body, they might have remained dormant. But stirring them repeatedly was bound to provoke resistance.

The silver needle acupuncture was no longer very effective.

She made a swift decision: "A'Nai, help your young master sit up."

Without questioning, A'Nai immediately followed the medical instruction and assisted Wen Zhuzhi up.

"Manager Lu, what else needs to be done?"

Lu Jianwei replied, "He alone cannot fully suppress the poison for now. I will use my inner energy to assist him."

"Inner energy?" A'Nai's gaze at Lu Jianwei grew complicated. "The risks are considerable, Manager Lu. My young master's inner energy may reject yours, and if you suffer backlash, I could never atone for it."

Lu Jianwei said, "It's fine. But the consultation fee won’t be this modest anymore."

For her, backlash was not a concern—if she could earn more, why not?

"But..."

A'Nai was torn. He desperately wanted Lu Jianwei to save his young master, yet he couldn’t bear the thought of her being endangered because of it.

Money was the least of his worries.

"At Guihe Residence, your young master follows my arrangements."

A'Nai: "..."

Fine. He’d keep quiet.