No Fighting Allowed in the Inn Chapter 75

◎Dou Ting’s Residence, Reunion with the Phantom Thief, and the Envy of Beauties◎

Bai Guo’s voice rang out.

"Master, Sister Shangguan Yao and Little Tao from Luzhou Academy are here, and they’ve brought a friend."

"Understood." A serene female voice responded. "Go call them in. I’ll check on Yao’s condition first."

"Mm-hmm."

Bai Guo’s footsteps grew closer. She first called for Shangguan Yao and Little Tao, then approached Lu Jianwei’s door.

The door suddenly swung open from the inside, startling her.

She patted her chest and said, "Miss Shen, my master has returned and wishes to see you all."

"Thank you."

Lu Jianwei stepped out with long strides, while Bai Guo trotted behind, nearly struggling to keep up.

"Miss Shen, slow down a little. Sister Shangguan doesn’t walk fast—she might not even be there yet if you rush."

"Ah, thank you for the reminder." Lu Jianwei smiled and slowed her pace.

Bai Guo blinked. "You’re so polite."

"Is politeness a bad thing?"

"Not at all. We’re not familiar with each other, so it’s only natural to be courteous."

"You’re right."

Bai Guo studied her for a moment before asking, "Miss Shen, are you a physician too?"

"Why do you ask?"

"You carry a faint medicinal scent. My nose is quite sharp."

Lu Jianwei replied calmly, "A friend of mine fell ill, and I often helped prepare their medicine. Perhaps that’s how the smell lingered."

"Oh? What illness?"

"I’m not sure." Lu Jianwei listed a few symptoms of the "Three-Month Death" poison, then added, "A month ago, they were perfectly healthy, but then they suddenly took ill. Their condition worsened day by day, and no ordinary physician could diagnose it. That’s why I came to Divine Physician Valley seeking help."

"So you’re here for treatment." Bai Guo mused. "Those symptoms sound familiar. I’ll ask Master about it later."

Before long, Lu Jianwei, Shangguan Yao, and her maid gathered in the main hall.

Seated below was a woman dressed in gray robes, her features delicate and her demeanor refined.

Her gaze swept past Lu Jianwei and settled on Shangguan Yao.

"Sit. Let me check your pulse."

Shangguan Yao obediently extended her wrist.

"Aunt Yuan, I really am much better. I’ve been traveling for so long without any issues—you don’t need to worry."

Doctor Yuan examined her for a few moments before withdrawing her hand.

"Indeed, there’s no cause for concern. However, leaving home without permission was rather reckless."

"I left a letter," Shangguan Yao protested weakly. "And Little Tao was with me."

Doctor Yuan cut straight to the point: "If she could truly protect you, how did you end up meeting this new friend?"

"..."

Seeing her dejected expression, Doctor Yuan sighed. "Well, you’ve lived a sheltered life. It’s only natural to yearn for the world beyond. Now, won’t you introduce your friend?"

"Her name is Shen Shier. She saved me in Wuzhou." Shangguan Yao spoke loyally. "Aunt Yuan, she has a friend who’s fallen ill and came to the valley seeking treatment. But since she didn’t know anyone here, she feared she wouldn’t find a physician. That’s why I brought her in."

Doctor Yuan turned to Lu Jianwei.

Tall and poised, though not strikingly beautiful, she carried an air of distinction. Strangely, Doctor Yuan couldn’t sense even a trace of martial energy from her.

"Miss Shen, are you a martial artist?"

Lu Jianwei nodded. "Just some rudimentary skills. Yao exaggerated earlier—I merely stepped in to block an attack for Little Tao. Even without me, she could have dodged it."

"No, that’s not true! If not for you, I’d have lost at least an eye," Little Tao shook her head vigorously.

Doctor Yuan chuckled lightly and didn’t press further.

Those who walked the martial world all had their secrets. As long as they didn’t harm others, there was no need to pry.

"What are your friend’s symptoms, Miss Shen? If it’s within my ability to treat, you may bring them here."

Shangguan Yao beamed. "Aunt Yuan is so kind!"

"Thank you, Doctor Yuan." Lu Jianwei described the symptoms of Three-Month Death intermittently, tossing in a few misleading details.

Her current persona was that of someone ignorant of medicine—ordinary people often made mistakes or omissions when describing illnesses.

After listening, Doctor Yuan frowned slightly.

"From what you’ve said, it sounds like poisoning."

"Poison?" Lu Jianwei feigned confusion. "It didn’t seem like that to me."

Doctor Yuan explained, "There’s a poison called ‘Three-Month Death.’ It’s a slow-acting toxin. After exposure, the victim gradually experiences dizziness, vomiting, chest pain, and other symptoms. Their organs deteriorate, and in severe cases, they may suffer a stroke. Once the three-month mark arrives, they perish—as if struck by a sudden terminal illness."

"No wonder it sounded familiar just now!" Bai Guo exclaimed. "Miss Shen, how did your friend get poisoned with something like this?"

"What’s special about this poison?"

"Its origins lie in the southwest. It’s quite rare in these parts."

Lu Jianwei wore a worried expression. "Can it be treated?"

Of course she knew it was rare—that’s precisely why she’d chosen it as her cover story.

Doctor Yuan said, "My expertise lies in meridian therapy, not detoxification. I can handle common poisons, but Three-Month Death is beyond my abilities."

Then what should we do?" Shangguan Yao fretted. "Which physician in the valley specializes in detoxification?"

Doctor Yuan pondered for a moment. "Tomorrow is Dou Ting's birthday banquet. You may accompany me there. He excels in detoxification. If he's willing to intervene, your friend may yet have hope, Miss Shen."

Dou Ting.

That was the name signed on the invitation.

Lu Jianwei considered herself fortunate to have met someone like Shangguan Yao—a well-connected individual who’d allowed her to enter Divine Physician Valley discreetly.

If she could stay a few more days and uncover the whereabouts of the other half of Lin Congyue’s medical texts, that would be ideal.

"Thank you, Doctor Yuan."

"No need for thanks."

At precisely 7 a.m. the next day, Lu Jianwei followed Doctor Yuan to Dou Ting’s residence.

Dou Ting’s courtyard bore no flowers—only medicinal herbs. Even from a distance, their faint scent lingered in the air.

As a sixth-rank physician in the valley, his cultivation and medical skills were both formidable. Outgoing and warm, he had a wide circle of friends, and guests streamed in continuously for his celebration.

Dou Ting, unpretentious, stood at the entrance personally welcoming visitors.

Lean with a flowing beard, he wore pristine white robes that lent him an air of scholarly grace.

"Doctor Yuan, your presence honors my humble abode!"

Yuan Qiong returned the courtesy.

"I’ve brought a few youngsters along to broaden their horizons. I hope you don’t mind, Doctor Dou."

"Not at all!" Dou Ting stroked his beard, smiling. "The more, the merrier. Young people especially bring vitality."

His eyes swept over Lu Jianwei and the others, pausing in surprise.

Only one—the tall, sturdy girl—was a martial artist. The other two showed no signs of internal energy.

"Doctor Yuan, might you introduce them?"

Yuan Qiong replied mildly, "This one is from Luzhou Academy—Shangguan Yao. This is Shen Shier, Yao’s friend."

"So this is Dean Shangguan’s daughter! My apologies for the lack of hospitality." Dou Ting cupped his hands, then admitted sheepishly, "As for Miss Shen’s background, I must confess I’m at a loss."

Lu Jianwei demurred, "I’m but a nobody, merely fortunate enough to have met Miss Shangguan, which granted me passage into the valley."

"Nonsense! Your bearing speaks otherwise—no need for modesty. Please, come in."

Past the threshold lay a spacious courtyard, banquet tables neatly arranged, laden with fruits, tea, and delicacies.

"Doctor Yuan, I must return to greeting guests at the front. Do excuse me."

Yuan Qiong nodded faintly.

Lu Jianwei discreetly surveyed the courtyard’s layout.

Unlike most aloof physicians of the Divine Physician Valley, Dou Ting was gentle and hospitable, treating even nameless nobodies like her with courtesy—a man of impeccable social grace.

For someone so meticulous, planting psychological hints in Du Hanqiu’s mind would be child’s play.

He sent an invitation, promising her access to the valley to transcribe medical texts and notes—was it really just to settle the matter?

Lu Jianwei didn’t need to think hard to know it wasn’t that simple.

A physician’s pursuit of medical knowledge was endless.

Dou Ting was renowned inside and outside the Divine Physician Valley for his detoxification skills, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t eager to master other techniques.

Such as the ability to cure patients with severe internal injuries.

Hadn’t Du Hanqiu appeared at the Eight Directions Inn precisely to kidnap her and force her to hand over her medical knowledge?

Lost in thought, she suddenly felt a nudge on her arm.

A tea-colored pastry was offered to her.

“Why aren’t you eating? If you don’t, I’ll finish it all,” Little Tao urged.

Lu Jianwei looked up.

Most of the fruit platter and pastries on the table had vanished, and the waste bucket beside Little Tao was already filled with peels and crumbs.

Her appetite was as hearty as ever.

“I’m not eating,” Lu Jianwei replied with a smile, shaking her head.

Little Tao’s eyes lit up. “Then can I have it all?”

“Mm, it’s all yours.”

With her permission, Little Tao buried herself in eating again.

Shangguan Yao said kindly, “Shier, don’t worry too much. After the banquet, we’ll ask Doctor Dou together.”

“Alright,” Lu Jianwei said. “I need to use the restroom.”

“I don’t know where it is either,” Shangguan Yao glanced around. “Let me ask a servant for you.”

“No ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‍need, I’ll ask myself.” Lu Jianwei stood and walked toward a guard nearby.

The guard stood with his back to her, dressed in black martial attire with a sword at his waist, dutifully watching over the courtyard.

Hearing footsteps, the guard turned sharply.

It was Du Hanqiu!

After botching his mission, Dou Ting hadn’t discarded him? Was he really that merciful?

Her disguise kept Du Hanqiu from recognizing her.

“Miss, what do you need?”

Lu Jianwei altered her voice. “Where is the restroom?”

“Go right from here, then straight, then right again. It’s by the courtyard wall,” Du Hanqiu answered curtly.

“Thank you.”

With her system’s map, Lu Jianwei could easily survey the entire estate from above.

Along the central axis lay the front courtyard, main hall, rear courtyard, and master bedroom, interspersed with rockeries, ponds, and pavilions.

The east and west wings of the rear courtyard were symmetrical, while functional rooms like the medicine hut, study, and kitchen were arranged as needed.

Lu Jianwei followed the winding paths to the restroom.

Dou’s estate had designed its restroom with elegance—spacious, with bamboo baskets of fresh herbs on the walls to mask odors and windows for ventilation.

After observing for a moment, she purchased a slightly rough disguise mask from the system shop, swapped it onto her face, and pulled a green robe over her white clothes. She changed her hairstyle, then slipped out through the window.

The study was in another courtyard, some distance away, but with the aid of "Unconcerned by Time," she arrived in moments.

At sixth-level cultivation, her martial arts were unique—using qinggong barely caused any detectable energy fluctuations.

No one in the estate noticed.

Like a wisp of wind, she landed silently outside the study door.

It wasn’t locked.

The Divine Physician Valley was heavily guarded, Dou Ting himself was sixth-level, and the estate had sixth-level protectors—why worry about thieves?

This made things easier for Lu Jianwei.

No one was around, and the door had no traps.

She pushed it open and stepped inside.

The study was vast, with towering bookshelves nearly reaching the beams, neatly arranged and packed with medical texts.

The books were categorized, most focusing on pharmacology and toxicology.

With so many texts, finding Lin Congyue’s medical notes would take ages.

If she delayed too long, suspicions would rise.

“Xiao Ke, can you scan and copy everything?” Lu Jianwei saw nothing wrong with her plan.

Dou Ting wanted to scheme against her—she was just returning the favor.

“If I can make the ink Feng Yan wanted, scanning is child’s play,” Xiao Ke said. “But it’ll cost you, and it’ll take time—there are too many books.”

Lu Jianwei: “Deduct whatever you need. Just scan pharmacology and toxicology.”

“Got it.”

Xiao Ke activated the scanning function, copying book after book from left to right into her inventory.

“Miss Shen?” A maid’s voice called faintly from the direction of the restroom. “Miss Shen, are you still there?”

“Miss Shen? Miss Shen?” The voice grew more urgent.

Lu Jianwei asked, “Done scanning?”

“Almost.”

“Miss Shen, are you alright?” The maid said, “I’m coming in.”

Lu Jianwei frowned. “Xiao Ke, let’s go.”

Just as she was about to leave, commotion erupted nearby—shouts and frantic footsteps.

“The medicine hut’s on fire! There’s a thief!” Guards rushed toward the flames.

Lu Jianwei raised a brow. Talk about perfect timing—some kind soul had handed her an escape.

Amid the chaos, Xiao Ke sped up the scanning.

Dou Ting had been greeting guests outside. The moment the fire broke out, he dashed over with qinggong. The flames were fierce, but the nearby pond helped douse them quickly.

Staring at the charred door, his heart suddenly lurched.

Something was wrong.

In a flash, he bolted toward the study.

Xiao Ke had one shelf left when energy fluctuations rippled outside. Lu Jianwei held her breath, hiding in the shadows.

The door swung open. White robes swept past the threshold, pausing briefly before heading straight for the pharmacology and toxicology section.

“Come out. I see you.”

Lu Jianwei: Classic bluff. She wasn’t falling for it.

“Xiao Ke, how much longer?”

“Almost. One minute.”

The study had no real hiding spots. Behind the shelves, she’d be found eventually.

Just one more minute, and she could leave.

Dou Ting stepped closer to her hiding place.

“Manager Lu, I sent you an invitation. Why not enter the valley openly? Sneaking in like this puts me in a difficult position.”

Lu Jianwei: Keep bluffing. Whoever admits it first loses.

Dou Ting guessed it was her because she was the only one interested in his medical texts—and capable of acting on it.

From Jiangzhou to the Divine Physician Valley, any ordinary traveler would arrive before the birthday banquet.

In truth, today’s banquet was a trap set for her.

Most guests were physicians from the valley, and any physician would covet the “cure for severe internal injuries.” With a few well-placed words, Dou Ting could corner her.

If she came, she’d face moral coercion; if she didn’t, she’d seem cowardly.

Compared to a groundbreaking medical technique, Lin Congyue’s notes mattered little to Dou Ting.

But for Tiao, they were the key to survival.

Dou Ting was waiting for her to walk into his snare.

Luckily, she’d been cautious from the start.

“Manager Lu, today is my birthday banquet. Since you’ve graced us with your presence, why not step out and greet everyone? No need to be so reserved.”

His footsteps drew closer—only one bookshelf separated them now.

“Weiwei, scanning complete,” Xiao Ke announced just in time.

Lu Jianwei summoned all her inner energy and swept past Dou Ting like the wind, rushing toward the study door.

"Stop!"

Dou Ting, also a sixth-level martial artist, possessed extraordinary vision. Though he couldn’t clearly make out the intruder’s face, he could discern her facial outline and clothing.

He gave chase at full speed.

Lu Jianwei used the garden’s foliage as cover, darting back to the reincarnation chamber. Just as she was about to change masks and remove her outer garment, she sensed another presence behind her.

She spun around instantly, fingers curled like claws, aiming for the stranger’s throat.

"Wait!" The man retreated swiftly. "We’re on the same side here, no need to fight each other."

Same side?

Lu Jianwei scrutinized his figure and assessed his inner energy level.

What a coincidence.

"Did you set fire to the medicine hut?" she asked, altering her voice.

"Yeah. I came for medicine. What about you?" He glanced at her face. "No offense, but your disguise is pretty lousy."

Lu Jianwei: "..."

Thanks to Liang Shangjun unintentionally buying her time, but now, even the reincarnation chamber wasn’t safe.

Without hesitation, she said, "Play along," knocked him out with a chop, and leaped out the window.

In the split second she vaulted through, her mask changed, the green outer robe vanished into her system’s storage, and she reappeared as Shen Shier, clad in white, before the crowd.

Outside the reincarnation chamber, Dou Ting and his guards stood sternly.

Lu Jianwei reacted swiftly, pointing inside.

"There’s a scoundrel in there!"

Dou Ting narrowed his eyes, studying her closely.

"Miss Shen, why are you here?"

Lu Jianwei f