◎ New Employee, A Low-Key Start ◎
When Lu Jianwei handled personal matters, she usually instructed Xiao Ke to block out the commotion from the staff.
So when Helian Xue came to the main courtyard looking for work, she was unaware.
A spring breeze brushed against the third-floor window lattice, as if too shy to linger, swirling midair before returning to the front courtyard, lifting the hem of Helian Xue’s skirt.
Yun Hui, Tiao, Yue Shu, Xue Guanhe, Liang Shangjun, and Uncle Zhang all stood before her.
She had deliberately changed into coarse linen clothes and wore no jewelry, fully prepared to become one of the employees.
"Manager Lu already agreed," Helian Xue said under their collective gaze, feeling an inexplicable timidity. She turned to the gentlest and kindest among them, Yun Hui, for help. "Miss Yun, what work can I do?"
Yun Hui smiled warmly. "What tasks are you skilled at, Miss Helian?"
"Needlework, sweeping, wiping tables—anything, really," Helian Xue eagerly recommended herself. "I can also learn other jobs."
"Master Yan is in seclusion, so no one’s been chopping firewood. You can take over that for the next couple of days," Liang Shangjun declared sternly, arms crossed.
The inn had finally welcomed a newcomer, and he had long wanted to experience the seniority of "oppressing" a junior.
It felt great.
"Isn’t that a bit much?" Yun Hui couldn’t picture such a delicate girl chopping wood and quickly mediated. "Miss Helian, why not follow me first to get familiar with the inn’s affairs?"
Helian Xue gave her a grateful look but shook her head. "I’ll follow Mr. Liang’s suggestion. I’ll chop the wood."
The staff: "…"
Would this even work?
Uncle Zhang chuckled. "Why not come with me to the backyard and give it a try first, Miss Helian?"
"Thank you, Uncle Zhang."
After the two left, the others huddled together.
"Brother Liang, why make her chop wood? That’s just bullying," Xue Guanhe fretted. "She’s so slender—can she even manage?"
Liang Shangjun scratched his head. "I just wanted to give her a little warning, to show her that everyone here has to work hard. Who knew she’d be so stubborn? Sigh."
"She’s a fifth-rank martial artist," Tiao pointed out. "Why worry she can’t chop wood?"
"With Master Yan in seclusion, it’s perfect timing for the newcomer to take over. Once he’s out, we can assign her other tasks," Yue Shu agreed.
Xue Guanhe sighed. "But if she chops them unevenly, how am I supposed to cook? Different firewood affects the heat and the dishes."
"True. My bad idea," Liang Shangjun admitted regretfully. "I should’ve just let her take over my job cleaning the stables."
Yun Hui: "Then chopping wood is still better. I’ll go check on her."
The others followed, curious to see the spectacle.
"Chop them neatly, like this," Uncle Zhang demonstrated, raising the axe and splitting a log into two nearly identical halves. "Now you try."
Helian Xue took the axe, propped up half the log, and mimicked Uncle Zhang’s stance. With a swift swing, the wood split perfectly.
"You’ve got a knack for this, Miss Helian," Uncle Zhang praised with a smile.
The onlookers fell silent.
Helian Xue wasn’t what they’d imagined.
Thunk. Another axe strike.
Helian Xue beamed. "This is so fun! I love it!"
She swung the axe with increasing enthusiasm, splitting log after log.
The staff: "…"
Yun Hui couldn’t help but laugh. "Seems Miss Helian is well-suited for this job. Let her handle the firewood for the next couple of days."
"No problem!" Helian Xue brandished the axe with gusto.
By the time Lu Jianwei and Pei Zhi came downstairs, she had already piled the chopped wood high in a corner. Spotting Lu Jianwei, her face lit up with joy.
"Manager, chopping wood is amazing! Can I keep doing this?"
Lu Jianwei: "…Discuss that with Yan Feicang."
Was this girl treating axe-work as a stress-relief toy?
Three days later, Yan Feicang emerged from seclusion, having successfully advanced to seventh-rank Martial King.
His first act? Heading to the backyard to chop wood and vent his excitement.
But a slender figure already stood in his usual spot, wielding the familiar axe, effortlessly splitting log after log.
Yan Feicang: Did the inn hire a new employee? Is my role obsolete?
He turned and entered the kitchen, where Xue Guanhe was chopping vegetables. "Who’s the one chopping wood?"
"Brother Yan, you’re out!" Xue Guanhe congratulated him before answering. "That’s Miss Helian. You’ve met her before, right?"
Yan Feicang: "…"
Honestly, he wasn’t great at remembering faces.
"Is she handling the firewood from now on?"
"You were in seclusion, so she took over. Maybe you two can discuss it?"
Yan Feicang: "Hm."
He returned to the backyard and cut straight to the point. "Miss Helian, thank you for covering the firewood these past few days. But chopping wood is my job. Please find another task."
Helian Xue, mid-swing, felt like cold water had been dumped on her.
Reluctantly gripping the axe, she asked, "Don’t you need a day to stabilize your cultivation?"
Yan Feicang: "No."
"Here’s your axe back." Helian Xue trudged away, dejected.
Xue Guanhe peeked out. Seeing her downcast expression reminded him of his own past rejections when seeking a master, and his heart softened.
"Miss Helian, I’m a bit swamped. Could you help me mince some meat?"
Helian Xue instantly brightened. "Of course!"
"But mincing meat requires technique. Let me show you first."
Soon, rhythmic thudding echoed from the kitchen, accompanied by Helian Xue’s delighted exclamations: "Wow, this is so fun too!"
Xue Guanhe: "…"
The staff: "…"
But the kitchen didn’t need minced meat every day. The next day, Helian Xue found herself idle again, gazing wistfully at the others as they worked.
Liang Shangjun paused, shovel in hand, and tentatively asked, "Miss Helian, if you’re free, would you like to help me clean the stables?"
Surely, such a filthy job would deter her.
Helian Xue’s eyes sparkled. "Thank you, Mr. Liang!"
"Shoveling manure requires technique too. Let me demonstrate first."
"Like this?"
"Yes, perfect. You’re doing great." Liang Shangjun hinted, "But if you find it too dirty, you’re welcome to take on lighter tasks."
"Not at all! I think cleaning up a messy stable is really satisfying!"
Liang Shangjun: "…"
Was this really the former number one beauty of the martial world?
The staff enjoyed a few peaceful days before news from the martial world reached Fengzhou.
The Alliance Decree had been activated!
The Martial Alliance was summoning heroes to march on the Carefree Sect and hold its leader, Helian Zheng, accountable.
"What if Sect Leader Helian refuses?" Xue Guanhe asked.
Liang Shangjun: "If he weren’t the leader of the Carefree Sect, the Alliance Decree wouldn’t even be necessary. But precisely because he is, the decree must be enforced. If he refuses, the Martial Alliance will rally the heroes to besiege the Carefree Sect and force him to comply."
"The Alliance Decree is that powerful?" Xue Guanhe marveled. "And if he accepts?"
"If he accepts, he’ll open the sect’s gates and welcome everyone in. No need for a siege."
Xue Guanhe couldn't help but glance at the silent Helian Xue and whispered, "What happens after we go in?"
"Naturally, he’ll be given a chance to refute the evidence found at the Thousand Miles Tower."
Xue Guanhe wanted to ask more, but with Helian Xue present, he swallowed his questions.
"Everyone, I plan to depart for the Carefree Sect tomorrow. The inn will be left in your hands," Lu Jianwei's words redirected everyone's attention.
Xue Guanhe asked, "Just you alone, Manager?"
"Pei Zhi and Miss Helian will accompany me," Lu Jianwei replied without elaborating further, then turned to Tiao. "Meng Ti'an has inquired about the school. I intend to open it tomorrow, and the acupuncture techniques will be taught by you."
Tiao bowed. "Understood."
"Uncle Zhang, issue an announcement to the martial world. Any physician may come to the inn to learn the acupuncture technique for curing 'internal energy parasitism.' However, each physician must provide proof of a clean criminal record."
"Understood. But what exactly is a clean criminal record, and how can one obtain it?"
Lu Jianwei solemnly explained, "Remember, from now on, only those who have never committed wrongdoing may enter the inn to study medicine or martial arts. The proof can be obtained from local authorities. This matter has been delegated to the Xuanjing Bureau for coordination."
"Understood, Manager."
Yun Hui asked, "What should we do with the person in the woodshed?"
The person in the woodshed?
Lu Jianwei had nearly forgotten—Shangguan Chi was still alive.
"I’ve already made arrangements." Today, she would practice her meridian-expanding acupuncture technique on him.
A human model simply couldn’t compare to a real person.
As for whether he could endure it or if his internal energy would "disappear" as a result—that was beyond her control.
She entered the woodshed and found Shangguan Chi in a wretched state. Hearing movement, he assumed it was another servant bringing him leftovers and opened his clouded eyes, only for his pupils to shrink abruptly.
Lu Jianwei unsealed his mute acupoint.
"Finally decided to kill me?" Shangguan Chi’s voice was as grating as a saw scraping wood.
Lu Jianwei took out her needle kit. "Death won’t come so easily."
"What are you planning?!"
"I’ve recently learned a new acupuncture technique and haven’t tested its effects yet. You’ll be my test subject—consider it your final contribution to medicine."
"You—"
The first needle struck, and Shangguan Chi’s eyes widened in disbelief.
"My meridians!"
Lu Jianwei worked the needles methodically. "You’ve always been researching 'internal energy symbiosis,' trying to absorb others' energy for your own use. But there was no need for that. When you conspired with Zhuang Wenqing, didn’t he tell you he had a method to expand meridians and enhance internal energy?"
"..."
As needle after needle pierced his body, Shangguan Chi could feel his meridians slowly expanding. But without prior medicinal conditioning, the rapid dilation made them thin and fragile, even causing faint pain.
The Life Lotus Remedy, combined with the Gentle Needle Technique, could treat congenital meridian weakness. However, fully expanding meridians without damaging them required a year.
This wasn’t just because of medicinal baths—the Gentle Needle Technique was also divided into stages.
Initially, the technique was gentle, and only after the meridians were nourished by medicine would the treatment gradually intensify.
It was a gradual process, not something that could be rushed.
Lu Jianwei had experimented on a human model without pre-soaking it in medicine.
The model had regenerative abilities—as long as she didn’t completely "kill" it, non-fatal injuries would heal on their own. But if it truly "died," it would be rendered useless.
To avoid wasting money on a new model, she hadn’t tested the final stage of the technique. She had planned to wait until she found the Life Lotus before experimenting, but now that she had Shangguan Chi—a man who deserved death—why not make use of him?
Pain. Excruciating pain!
Shangguan Chi’s acupoints were sealed, leaving him unable to move. He could only endure the relentless agony, his face contorted beyond recognition.
Lu Jianwei’s hands remained steady. "When you experimented on other martial artists for 'internal energy symbiosis,' they suffered just as much."
Shangguan Chi: "..."
Just let me die!
Lu Jianwei: "Don’t worry. I won’t let you keep your wretched life."
As she worked the needles, she recorded the maximum threshold of meridian expansion. Shangguan Chi soon passed out from the pain.
His meridians showed signs of rupturing, and internal energy began leaking from tiny fissures.
Lu Jianwei raised her hand. Under the influence of her ninth-level internal energy, the escaping energy gathered like obedient children, slowly converging into her palm and flowing into her meridians.
In the system’s progress bar, the ninth level was marked at ten million, while the grandmaster level was one hundred million. To reach grandmaster, she needed to cultivate nine more ninth-level increments.
Shangguan Chi was at the late eighth level, with an internal energy value of nine hundred thousand. Even if she absorbed all of it, her progress bar would advance by less than a tenth.
No matter how powerful the Nameless Technique was, it couldn’t fully convert another’s energy into her own.
The progress bar inched forward slightly.
Lu Jianwei couldn’t help but think of that quasi-grandmaster who had disguised himself as a clerk. She wondered how many years it had taken him to reach the late ninth level.
By the time she finished absorbing the energy, Shangguan Chi had already died from meridian rupture—his corpse a gruesome sight.
Lu Jianwei used her internal energy to straighten his robes, her expression somber.
"Jianwei, he deserved it. Don’t feel burdened," Xiao Ke comforted her.
"I don’t," Lu Jianwei said.
Xiao Ke: "But you look really troubled."
"I’m just worried—when I return to modern society, will I end up facing execution because I’ve grown too accustomed to taking lives?"
"..."
Lu Jianwei: "From now on, I’ll focus more on upholding justice. Those who deserve death will be handed over to the authorities so I don’t have to kill them myself."
"That’s a great idea!"
Shangguan Chi’s death stirred no emotions among the staff. As a member of the Luzhou Academy, his body was sent back to Luzhou.
Even if someone discovered he had died from meridian rupture, they would assume Lu Jianwei had killed him with her internal energy.
After death, internal energy dissipated—no one would know it had been absorbed.
The next day, Lu Jianwei, accompanied by Pei Zhi and Helian Xue, packed light and mounted their horses.
The staff and A'Nai bid them farewell in the inn’s courtyard.
Once they left Fengzhou and reached a deserted area, Lu Jianwei retrieved three disguise masks from her bag.
"Put these on. We’re traveling incognito."
Portraits of the three were widespread in the martial world, especially Helian Xue’s—once hailed as the most beautiful woman in the land. The moment she showed her face, she’d be recognized.
Lu Jianwei had her own plans for this trip and didn’t want unnecessary trouble along the way, so she purchased three masks from the system store.
The system’s masks fit flawlessly and were incredibly easy to apply.
Even in her heavy-hearted state, Helian Xue couldn’t help but marvel.
"These are truly extraordinary."
The fact that Lu Jianwei could produce three such masks on the spot spoke volumes about the depth of the Eight Directions Inn’s resources.
Following Lu Jianwei’s instructions, she fitted the mask to her face, completing the process swiftly.
"Jianwei, mine doesn’t seem to fit properly," Pei Zhi suddenly said.
Lu Jianwei thought to Xiao Ke, "A prodigy of the Mystic Gate, nimble-fingered and precise—there’s no way he can’t apply a mask correctly."
"Maybe he’s using this as an excuse to get closer to you?" Xiao Ke, having read plenty of romance novels, was well-versed in such tactics.
"You're absolutely right," Lu Jianwei chuckled softly.
She didn’t mind such harmless little schemes—in fact, she rather enjoyed them. While she wasn’t accustomed to relying on others, she occasionally relished the satisfaction of being needed.
Pei Zhi sat beneath a tree, dappled sunlight filtering through the leaves and dancing faintly across his features. He tilted his head to look up at her, his slender neck just within reach, his eyes brimming with complete trust.
Lu Jianwei leaned down, her fair hand brushing lightly over his face as she swiftly secured the mask in place. The transformation was immediate—a middle-aged man with a faint stubble now stood before her, his appearance merely decent, far from handsome.
She had chosen the mask deliberately.
When disguising oneself in the martial world, maintaining a believable persona was crucial.
Her cultivation technique was unique, and as a ninth-level Martial King, no one could discern her true strength. Thus, her mask depicted a delicate young woman in her early twenties.
Helian Xue, a fifth-level Martial Master, matched her actual age in cultivation, so her mask also portrayed a woman around twenty, though it concealed her striking beauty, turning her from a peerless beauty into an ordinary female warrior.
As for Pei Zhi, his status as an eighth-level late-stage Martial King at such a young age would easily reveal his identity.
That was why Lu Jianwei had selected a plain, middle-aged martial artist for him.
And so, the trio set off for Cangzhou—a middle-aged eighth-level Martial King, accompanied by a fifth-level junior and a seemingly ordinary young woman with no martial prowess.
The journey from Fengzhou to Cangzhou would take five days on horseback.
Lu Jianwei wasn’t in a hurry. The Alliance Leader’s decree had only just been issued, and it would take at least half a month for the gathered forces to reach the Carefree Sect.
Since they had ventured out, rushing the trip would only waste the scenery along the way.
Two days later, they arrived in Suzhou.
Suzhou was even more remote than Fengzhou, its landscape dominated by swirling dust and endless stretches of yellow earth.
Unsurprisingly, Cangzhou was even more isolated and desolate.
The Carefree Sect’s choice to establish itself in Cangzhou aligned perfectly with its semi-reclusive philosophy.
Suzhou’s towns were bleak and quiet, lacking even a proper inn. Most rest stops were simple structures built from packed earth.
Were it not for the influx of martial artists heading to Cangzhou, bringing some business with them, there might not have been any lodging at all.
The Yao Family’s forge was located in Cangzhou, and many warriors traveled there in hopes of commissioning a master-crafted weapon.
Besides, with the world’s foremost sect based in Cangzhou, even a brief visit to bask in its prestige would make the trip worthwhile.
The trio settled into a modest rest stop in Huangyu City.
The place was crude—small, thatch-roofed huts made of earth, barely enough to shield them from wind and rain.
The owner, a man in his forties, was assisted by a lively sixteen- or seventeen-year-old boy who greeted them warmly in broken standard speech.
"You’ve come at the perfect time, honored guests! We happen to have two rooms left. How would you like to arrange your stay?"
Lu Jianwei remained silent—she was playing the role of the "junior" and had to maintain her act.
Only Pei Zhi could make the decisions.
"One room for me, and the two of them together," he said coolly.
This had been their agreed-upon arrangement for the journey.
"Of course!" The boy beamed. "One room costs a hundred coins, so two rooms are two hundred, plus a hundred for the deposit—three hundred in total."
Lu Jianwei thought, Not exactly cheap.
But given the difficulty of providing water and food in such a place, the higher price made sense.
Pei Zhi handed over three qian of silver, which the boy accepted eagerly before leading them to their rooms.
Since they had arrived late, they were assigned the most secluded corner, requiring them to pass by the other occupied rooms.
Most of the lodgers were martial artists, their cultivation levels ranging from fifth to seventh rank, with one at the early stage of the eighth level.
Just as they passed the eighth-level Martial King’s door, it swung open, revealing a round, cheerful face.
The man’s gaze lingered on Pei Zhi for a moment before shifting to Lu Jianwei and Helian Xue, his eyes gleaming with interest.
"I’m Wan Cong. Since fate has brought us together, may I ask your esteemed name, brother?"
He could sense Pei Zhi and Helian Xue’s cultivation levels but detected no martial energy from Lu Jianwei, naturally assuming that Pei Zhi was the leader, with the other two being his juniors.
This, of course, was exactly what Lu Jianwei had intended.
Pei Zhi maintained the demeanor of a senior expert. "My surname is Lu, the eighth in my family."
"So it’s Brother Lu! My apologies for the oversight." Wan Cong grinned and clasped his hands in greeting. "And these two young ladies are…?"
Helian Xue replied, "This one is Lu Fang. Greetings, Senior Wan."
"Ah, no need for such formality! Just call me Brother Wan." He was effortlessly friendly and didn’t neglect the "non-martial" Lu Jianwei. "I assume this young lady also shares the Lu surname?"
Lu Jianwei shook her head. "My surname is Shen."
"Are the three of you also heading to Cangzhou?"
Pei Zhi frowned. "What makes you say that?"
"Brother Lu, you don’t know? Everyone staying here is going to Cangzhou." Wan Cong looked surprised. "I’ve been in seclusion for over a year and only emerged last night. As soon as I heard about the Alliance Leader’s decree, I rushed here—though I haven’t had time to learn the full details. Could it be that Brother Lu, like me, has just come out of seclusion?"
Pei Zhi countered, "How do you know they are going to Cangzhou?"
"I overheard them, of course." Wan Cong gave him a look as if the answer were obvious. "Brother Lu, are you truly unaware of the Alliance Leader’s decree?"
Pei Zhi said, "I’ve heard some rumors."
"If you’re not going to the Carefree Sect, why come to Suzhou?"
Pei Zhi replied, "We’re passing through Suzhou on our way to the Yao Family in Cangzhou."
"Ah, I see!" Wan Cong nodded knowingly. "You’re getting a suitable weapon for Miss Lu Fang here, right?"
Pei Zhi gave a slight nod before turning to the boy. "Lead the way."
His tone made it clear he had no interest in further conversation.
"Right this way, honored guests." The boy obliged, then added to Wan Cong, "Young Master Wan, the water you requested is ready. I’ll bring it over shortly."
"Take your time."
The boy escorted the trio to their rooms, exchanged a few polite words, and left.
He soon returned from the kitchen with a pot of hot water and knocked on Wan Cong’s door.
When the door opened, he stepped inside.
"Young Master Wan, your hot tea."
"Little brother," Wan Cong called out, pulling five qian of silver from his sleeve. "Heat two more pots for those three guests earlier. Keep the rest for yourself."
The boy pocketed the money, his smile widening.
"Understood, Young Master Wan."
A short while later, the boy returned with two pots of tea, delivering the first to Pei Zhi’s room. Searᴄh the NovelZone.fun* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.
"Honored guest, this tea is courtesy of Young Master Wan. We’ve used the finest leaves we have—please enjoy."
"Hm."
"Great Hero Lu, what kind of dishes do you prefer? My mother is an excellent cook—she can prepare dishes from many regions, so you needn’t worry about going unsatisfied here."
Pei Zhi shot him a cool glance. "Don’t pry."
A chill ran down the boy’s spine, and he wisely retreated without another word.
As an eighth-level Martial King, Wan Cong’s hearing was sharp, and the thin walls of the rest stop did little to muffle sounds. He caught every word, his plump, fair face twisting with feline curiosity.
He was dying to know—just who was this Lu-named Martial King?
He’d only been in seclusion for a little over a year! How had the martial world changed so much in his absence?
Since when was there an eighth-level late-stage Martial King surnamed Lu?!
If not for the urgency of the Alliance Leader’s decree, he would’ve tailed Lu the Eighth to uncover the truth.
There was no way something this significant could happen in the martial world without him knowing!
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