No Fighting Allowed in the Inn-Chapter 78

◎The Truth, A Healer's Compassion◎

Dou Ting’s medicine servant dared not delay for even a moment.

He rushed back to the Divine Physician Valley at the fastest speed possible and reported the matter to a physician who was on good terms with Dou Ting.

After the initial shock, the physician immediately escalated the matter.

Within moments, the news spread throughout the Divine Physician Valley, reaching even Yuan Qiong, who usually avoided gossip.

Bai Guo blinked her innocent eyes.

"Master, what exactly is this 'indescribable act'? What did Physician Dou do to Hermit Guihe? Why was that kind passerby so outraged? Will Physician Dou be alright?"

Yuan Qiong: "..."

She was just as baffled.

It was common knowledge in the Divine Physician Valley that Dou Ting often treated patients at Guihe Residence and had a good relationship with Hermit Guihe. How could such a bizarre incident suddenly occur?

And who was this so-called "kind passerby"?

"Aunt Yuan!" Shangguan Yao ran over anxiously. "Twelfth Sister should also be at Guihe Residence—what if she’s in trouble? I’m going to check!"

"Wait." Yuan Qiong stopped her. "We’ll go together."

The Divine Physician Valley had been peaceful for years, but now that such a strange incident had occurred, many physicians and apprentices swarmed out like cats catching the scent of prey.

No matter how devoted they were to medical studies, none could resist the allure of drama.

By the time the higher-ups in the valley realized what was happening, the crowd had already traveled far beyond the valley’s borders—too late to call them back.

Yuan Qiong led Shangguan Yao, Little Tao, and Bai Guo, following the tide of people to Guihe Residence.

A crowd of onlookers had already gathered outside the residence.

The martial artists from Wenxian Town, being closest, had arrived early and claimed the best viewing spots—some perched on walls, some on rooftops, others on tree branches, all eyes gleaming with excitement.

Bai Guo hopped up and down.

"So many people!"

Fortunately, the martial artists gave face to the Divine Physician Valley and made way. After all, the protagonist of this spectacle was one of their physicians—it was only right to let them handle the situation.

Several high-ranking physicians hesitated at the entrance, unwilling to step inside. With the situation inside unclear, they dared not barge in recklessly.

"We don’t know what the intruder’s intentions are—charging in blindly could be dangerous."

"What’s there to fear? Anyone bold enough to cause trouble on Divine Physician Valley’s turf won’t leave alive!"

"Poor Physician Dou..."

"Perhaps a few of us should go in first to assess the situation."

They didn’t believe a word of what the medicine servant had reported—no rational person would.

But such an audacious intruder still warranted caution.

Some physicians were purely there for the spectacle and didn’t want to take risks; others disliked Dou Ting and wanted to see him humiliated, so they avoided being the first to act; and some simply weren’t high-ranking enough to qualify.

After much deliberation, no decision was made.

Yuan Qiong frowned. "I’ll go in."

Without waiting for a response, she strode through the open gates, followed by Shangguan Yao and the others.

The medicine servant who had delivered the message slipped in like an eel, darting past Yuan Qiong and the rest. As soon as he entered the courtyard, he dropped to his knees.

"Heroine, I delivered the message! The antidote—I need the antidote!"

Lu Jianwei tossed him a pill with a smile. He caught it frantically and swallowed it whole, not even bothering to chew.

"Was it sweet?" Lu Jianwei asked.

"Very!"

Everyone: "..."

The medicine servant belatedly realized—he had just eaten a candy pill!

"Heroine, the antidote—"

"There was never any poison. What antidote?" Lu Jianwei rested her chin on her hand. "You did well. Consider the candy a reward."

The medicine servant: "..."

The Divine Physician Valley had been revered for too long. From physicians to servants, everyone was accustomed to flattery, breeding arrogance and spinelessness.

A single nonexistent "poison pill" had exposed the frailty of human nature.

Liang Shangjun sighed mournfully. "How pitiful!"

Just look at the people sprawled on the ground—hadn’t each of them bloodied their hands? Hadn’t each of them harbored malice?

Ignoring his pessimistic musings, Lu Jianwei called out clearly:

"Physicians of the Divine Physician Valley, why not join us in the courtyard? Fellow warriors outside are also welcome to observe."

As soon as she finished speaking, several martial artists leaped from rooftops into the main courtyard.

Shangguan He had spared no expense in building this estate—the courtyard was vast, easily accommodating hundreds.

Hearing her voice, the physicians outside could no longer save face and filed through the gates.

Shangguan Yao, who had just reached the courtyard’s edge, froze.

Wasn’t that Twelfth Sister’s voice?

She sprinted into the courtyard, her gaze meeting Lu Jianwei’s as the latter lounged leisurely beneath the corridor.

"Twelfth..."

For a fleeting moment, Lu Jianwei felt a pang of guilt—but only a fleeting one.

Shangguan He was affiliated with Luzhou Academy. Having a Shangguan family member here might actually make things easier.

"Yao’er, come sit." She beckoned Shangguan Yao over and instructed a fifth-rank servant, "Bring four more chairs."

The servant had no choice but to comply.

The chairs were arranged neatly beneath the corridor.

Lu Jianwei smiled. "Little Tao, Physician Yuan, Bai Guo—come join us."

Little Tao, unburdened by complicated thoughts, happily skipped over and sat beside her, her eyes darting curiously toward the room.

Lu Jianwei chuckled. "Bring some fruits and pastries too."

The servant obeyed.

Little Tao beamed. "Twelfth, you’re the best!"

The crowd in the courtyard was speechless once more.

Shangguan Yao sighed and sat down, quickly realizing this was indeed the perfect vantage point for the spectacle.

"Aunt Yuan, Bai Guo, you should come too."

Physician Yuan: "...Miss Shen, may I ask why you’ve humiliated one of our physicians and caused such a disturbance at Guihe Residence?"

The other physicians and apprentices, now gathered behind her, glared indignantly.

"Why bully one of our physicians?"

"Physician Dou is kind and dedicated to saving lives—how could you shame him with such vile methods?"

"Do you think the Divine Physician Valley is easy to push around?"

Lu Jianwei raised a hand. "Calm down."

But the physicians only grew more incensed, their accusations growing louder.

She glanced toward a corner.

"Commander Pei, a little help?"

The oppressive aura of an eighth-rank Martial King instantly enveloped the courtyard, silencing everyone—except Lu Jianwei, who remained perfectly at ease.

Only then did the crowd notice the black-clad man in the corner.

Masked, curved blade in hand, the insignia of the Mystic Mirror Bureau unmistakable at his waist.

It really was Commander Pei!

But why was he taking orders from a woman?

Just who was she?

Lu Jianwei smiled. "My thanks."

"Not ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‍at all," came the muffled reply from behind the mask.

"Xiao Ke, he’s so obedient."

Xiao Ke: "He definitely recognized you—he wouldn’t dare disobey."

Lu Jianwei stifled a laugh.

As the pressure lifted, the crowd finally regained their breath.

"Miss Shen," Yuan Qiong said calmly, "since you’ve summoned us here, you must have something to say. If there’s been a misunderstanding with Physician Dou, let’s hear it and settle this fairly."

Lu Jianwei grinned. "Of course. Feel free to ask Physician Dou anything—no restrictions."

Before their arrival, she had fed Dou Ting and Shangguan He a dose of "Heart’s Confession"—perfect for satisfying the crowd’s curiosity.

Yuan Qiong stayed silent, as did the other physicians.

But the nosy martial artists couldn’t resist.

Someone hiding behind a rooftop shouted:

"Physician Dou, did you really do... that to Hermit Guihe?"

The courtyard erupted in laughter.

Dou Ting, seething with silent fury, had no desire to engage, yet under the influence of the drug, he was forced to respond:

"Nonsense! I was merely treating Shangguan He's 'internal energy parasitic affliction'!"

"What?"

"Internal energy parasitism? Is it what I think it means?"

"Can Dou Ting actually cure it now?"

"Who else can treat it?"

"Have you never heard of Manager Lu from the Eight Directions Inn?"

"Why should I have heard of some innkeeper?"

"I know—Manager Lu can completely cure internal energy parasitism!"

"Really? Tell me more."

Yuan Qiong frowned and asked Dou Ting, "Can you truly treat this condition?"

"Of course," Dou Ting replied smugly. "Lin Congyue researched this affliction years ago and made progress. After years of my own study, I’ve refined the treatment further."

"Lin Congyue? Why is the 'female demon' involved now?"

"The female demon studied this?"

"How did he get her research?"

"Have you forgotten? Her husband was his bodyguard."

The faces of the Divine Physician Valley members darkened.

Borrowing insights from a notorious figure like the female demon was hardly honorable.

A quick-witted martial artist spoke up:

"If your method is so refined, why hasn’t Hermit Guihe’s condition improved?"

Dou Ting scoffed, "Because he keeps draining others' internal energy! I’ve had to constantly readjust his treatment—it’s exhausting!"

The crowd erupted.

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Draining others' internal energy? Was it truly as they imagined?

Another asked, "How can he absorb others' energy without backlash?"

"He hails from Luzhou Academy, which has spent decades researching martial techniques. Naturally, they’ve conducted experiments."

"What?!"

"Luzhou Academy would commit such atrocities?"

"I’ll go demand answers from them!"

"Careful you don’t get drained yourself."

This was a matter of life and death for every martial artist in the realm.

If Luzhou Academy was truly involved, they’d become the enemy of the entire martial world—no one wanted to be another’s fuel.

Shangguan Yao froze momentarily before shaking her head vehemently.

"Impossible! This can’t be true!"

Little Tao gasped, her snacks forgotten in shock.

"Twelve, the academy would never do such things. Never," Shangguan Yao insisted, her face pale with distress.

Lu Jianwei gently reassured her, "Don’t worry. Let’s hear the rest."

"If you can cure this, why ignore so many injured martial artists?"

"Exactly! Didn’t Divine Physician Valley claim it was incurable?"

"Dou Ting was praised for his compassion, but this reeks of hypocrisy."

Dou Ting sneered, "What do you fools know? Do you have any idea how much medicine and effort each treatment requires? I’m not like that fool Lin Congyue, willing to shoulder the burden of your worthless lives."

"What do you mean?"

"A physician’s duty is compassion! How dare you speak like this!"

"Dou Ting, I misjudged you!"

The Divine Physician Valley members’ expressions grew stormier.

After today, their reputation would be in tatters.

How had such a rotten egg emerged among them?

Yuan Qiong’s sharp mind pieced together the implications, and her shock spilled out:

"Dou Ting, what did you mean by 'Lin Congyue shouldering lives'?"

Though Lin Congyue’s reputation was tarnished, her medical skill was undeniable.

Had she not made one misstep, her fate might not have been so tragic.

Her genius was beyond question.

As a fellow woman, Yuan Qiong admired her talent, mourned her downfall, and regretted her loss.

If the truth had been buried, those responsible deserved the deepest hell.

She fixed Dou Ting with an icy glare unlike any before.

Dou Ting laughed mockingly, "I’ve never seen anyone so stupid. The poison wasn’t even hers, yet she claimed responsibility and exhausted herself saving those ingrates. But did any of those fools appreciate it? No—they swallowed the rumors whole, branding her a heartless demon."

The courtyard fell deathly silent, the weight of this revelation crushing every breath.

Bai Guo piped up innocently, "What rumors?"

"The world believed she poisoned her husband and his lover out of jealousy. But the truth? The poison was mine." Dou Ting smirked triumphantly. "Those gullible martial artists danced to my tune. None realized 'Jealous Blossoms' was my creation."

The crowd stood speechless.

Yuan Qiong’s voice dripped with disgust: "You poisoned those faithless men too?"

"Of course!" Dou Ting snorted. "I offered to spare her husband’s life in exchange for her research on the parasitic cure. But guess what she said?"

"What?"

"She claimed she could develop the antidote herself! Ridiculous. How could a woman unravel my poison?"

Yuan Qiong’s gaze turned glacial. "She succeeded."

"Yes, she did. But what good did it do? Du Hanqiu never loved her. Her name was already mud. Even with the antidote, who’d believe her?"

"So you blackmailed her with others’ lives?"

"Exactly. For every day she withheld the formula, I poisoned another. I timed each attack, leaked the news beforehand, and like clockwork, she’d arrive post-outbreak to play the savior—proving the rumors true. Pathetic."

Dou Ting shook his head, though whether in pity or scorn was unclear. "She rushed to heal them with her antidote, but who trusted her? Those martial artists feared and hated her, wishing her dead. Eventually, no one listened to her explanations."

The silence thickened, each person grappling with the horrifying truth.

If this was real, how unjust had Lin Congyue’s death been?

She’d saved countless lives, only to die alone, poisoned by despair.

Tragic. Heartbreaking.

Compared to the world’s betrayal, her husband’s infidelity paled.

A genius healer, extinguished in flames.

Yuan Qiong’s rage reached its peak: "You’re unfit to practice medicine."

"Unfit? And you are? Any of you?" Dou Ting cackled, sweeping a derisive hand across the crowd. "What about these righteous martial artists spectating? Are they fit?"

The crowd had no retort.

"When she fell, did any of you speak for her? Did her fellow physicians?" He jabbed a finger at the Divine Physician Valley group. "So many of you secretly rejoiced, mocked her, relished her downfall. Don’t think I didn’t see your envy."

The accused flushed but couldn’t deny it.

"And you?" He turned to the martial artists. "Those who were there—didn’t you brandish your weapons and condemn the 'demon'?"

Silence.

"Hypocrites, the lot of you, daring to judge me." Dou Ting spat. "Ungrateful wretches! Lin Congyue saved so many, yet none cleared her name. Now the people I’ve healed gawk at my disgrace. Is this your noble martial world? Disgusting!"

Lu Jianwei couldn’t help but applaud.

"Physician Dou Ting's words are indeed deafening, but if you could think of them while harming innocent martial artists, they might carry more weight," Lu Jianwei remarked.

Dou Ting: "..."

"Physician Yuan Qiong, how would your esteemed valley deal with such a morally bankrupt physician?" Lu Jianwei inquired.

Yuan Qiong: "A life for a life."

Ten years ago, Dou Ting poisoned numerous unfaithful men, framed and caused the death of Lin Congyue. Over the past decade, he deceived martial artists into trusting him, only for them to perish at the hands of Shangguan He. His crimes were too numerous to count.

Even ten thousand deaths would not be enough to quell the people's fury.

"Good," Lu Jianwei smiled. "Dou Ting tried to harm me. As the victim, it's not unreasonable for me to demand compensation, is it?"

Yuan Qiong: "What do you want?"

"The other half of Lin Congyue's medical texts and journals."

"Why do you want those?"

Dou Ting seemed to regain some clarity and suddenly exclaimed, "You're Lu Jianwei! You must be Lu Jianwei! The one who broke into my study that day—it was you!"

"Congratulations, you guessed right," Lu Jianwei replied with a grin. "I’d like to know why you dared to plot against me, knowing I have a ninth-level Martial King backing me?"

The crowd gasped, their eyes filled with awe.

While the Eight Directions Inn had gained some fame in the martial world, it was far from being universally known.

Some of the onlookers had never heard of it and were stunned, while those who had were impressed by Dou Ting’s audacity.

Dou Ting said, "Shangguan He will soon become a ninth-level Martial King. As long as I fully master the method to cure the parasitic condition, he will undoubtedly reach that level."

"So what?" Lu Jianwei was puzzled. "Even among peers, there are differences in strength."

Liang Shangjun helpfully explained, "Innkeeper Lu, you may not know this, but over twenty years ago, two ninth-level Martial Kings dueled, resulting in the deaths of many innocent civilians. After that, the martial world reached a consensus: ninth-level Martial Kings must not engage in combat lightly unless both parties agree to fight in a remote, uninhabited area."

Lu Jianwei understood.

Was this referring to the legendary duel outside Wangyue City?

The consensus made sense. It seemed the martial world wasn’t entirely beyond redemption.

Dou Ting relied on this rule. As long as Shangguan He remained in Wenxian Town, the ninth-level Martial King from the Eight Directions Inn couldn’t freely unleash lethal attacks.

This was different from that night in Jiangzhou.

Back then, Lu Jianwei had disguised herself as a ninth-level Martial King, killing opponents far below her level without needing full strength, thus avoiding harm to bystanders.

But a battle between two ninth-level Martial Kings would require full power, and if control was lost, Wenxian Town could be reduced to ashes.

Everything made sense now.

With her doubts resolved, Lu Jianwei saw no reason to keep Dou Ting alive. With a mere flick of her wrist, the man let out a blood-curdling scream, convulsing violently as blood spilled from his mouth.

Countless innocent martial artists had their inner energy drained, dying in agony as their dantians shattered and meridians ruptured.

Wouldn’t a quick death be too merciful for him?

The eighth-level Martial King’s energy ruthlessly invaded Dou Ting’s meridians, ravaging his dantian. Overwhelmed by pain, he repeatedly smashed his head against the ground, the dull thuds echoing.

"You can’t kill me! You can’t!"

Like a cornered beast fighting for its life, he shrieked, "I can cure the parasitic condition! I can cure it!"

The martial artists exchanged uneasy glances.

If the condition could truly be cured, it would be a blessing for martial artists everywhere.

Yet no one dared to plead for mercy.

The woman sipping tea leisurely under the eaves had effortlessly crippled a sixth-level physician with a mere gesture—her power was terrifying.

They neither dared nor could afford to offend her.

Observing their expressions, Lu Jianwei graciously reassured them.

"Don’t worry. If anyone suffers from this condition, they may seek treatment at the Eight Directions Inn in Jiangzhou."

"Can it really be cured?"

Ignoring the question, Lu Jianwei turned to Liang Shangjun. "Now, it’s Shangguan He’s turn."

Liang Shangjun hauled Shangguan He up, forcing him to his knees before unsealing his acupoints.

Finding Dou Ting’s screams unbearable, he silenced him with a tap.

Shangguan He, with a bald patch on his scalp, looked utterly disheveled. Once a lofty eighth-level Martial King, he now couldn’t even cling to survival.

Previously mute due to sealed acupoints, he now erupted in fury.

"Lu Jianwei, you act all righteous, passing judgment on others, but aren’t you—"

His words cut off abruptly.

Lu Jianwei held up a jade pendant, smiling at him.

"How do you have this?" Shangguan He was stunned. "This is an heirloom reserved for the direct descendants of Luzhou Academy! How did you get it?!"

The pendant had been given to her by Shangguan Yao. Lu Jianwei produced it merely to provoke him.

"If you can be from Luzhou Academy, why can’t I?"

"The academy strictly forbids research on 'energy symbiosis'! How could you—"

Lu Jianwei interrupted, "By 'energy symbiosis,' do you mean forcibly absorbing others' inner energy until they die? One studies parasitism, the other symbiosis—you two are a perfect match."

"You—"

She pressed on, "After all these years of absorption, tell me—has your inner energy truly merged? Without Dou Ting’s help, you’d have exploded long ago, wouldn’t you?"

"That useless Dou Ting! After all these years, he still hasn’t cured me!"

The will of an eighth-level Martial King wasn’t easily broken, but the effects of "Open Heart" finally took hold. Shangguan He could now only answer questions, unable to resist.

"One thing I’m curious about," Lu Jianwei said leisurely, "how did you and Dou Ting first conspire? And how did you learn Lin Congyue was researching a cure for 'energy parasitism'?"

Shangguan He, his mind addled, revealed everything.

"Dou Ting and I met in our youth. As for Lin Congyue—pah! She was just a foolish woman who fell for sweet words. A few favors to Du Hanqiu, and he told us everything about her medical progress."

"Why would you do this?" Yuan Qiong couldn’t comprehend it, her heart aching with grief.

Shangguan He sneered, "Lin Congyue rose to fame young. Dou Ting was much older but could never surpass her. Jealousy consumed him."

"And you?"

"I once proposed collaborating on 'energy symbiosis,' but she refused. I wanted her to regret rejecting me."

Yuan Qiong: "..."

She clutched her chest, a trickle of blood escaping her lips—overcome with rage.

"Aunt Yuan!" Shangguan Yao rushed to her side.

"I’m fine." Yuan Qiong had spent her life in the Divine Physician Valley, devoted to medicine, detached from worldly affairs.

The Lin Congyue case had shaken the martial world a decade ago, and due to its medical implications, she had heard the full story.

Back then, she had believed the rumors, thinking Lin Congyue had been driven to madness by love. The complexity of her feelings had been fleeting.

No one cared about the truth. No one sought justice for her.

The more Yuan Qiong reflected, the heavier her guilt grew.

Had she been in Lin Congyue’s place, she doubted she could have mustered the strength to save lives while bearing such slander.

The weight of such a burden was unbearable.

A somber silence fell over the crowd.

The truth, buried for ten years, and justice, delayed for a decade, tore through the martial world’s facade of chivalry, exposing its brutal, bloodstained reality.

Shangguan Yao wept silently, and Little Tao’s eyes reddened.

Amid the silence, Bai Guo suddenly spoke, her voice clear and bright.

"He's a villain—they're all villains."

"Exactly. They are villains, and villains must be punished." Lu Jianwei turned to the black-clad officer from the Mystic Mirror Bureau standing in the corner.

"Commander Pei, it's your turn now."