Simultaneously traversing: the pinnacle of all realms

Manager Tong went downstairs and quietly called out to Bai Zhantang, then grabbed his arm and led him upstairs.

"What are you doing, shopkeeper? Pulling and tugging like that, it's not good if others see."

"Go, go check on that customer. I think something's off about him."

Bai Zhantang looked disgusted. "You were the one who let him in, so why should I be allowed in?!"

"Don't be afraid, we're all here. Go, go, go," said Manager Tong, pushing Bai Zhantang forward.

A moment later, the sound of fighting came, startling the innkeepers who rushed out. They saw Bai Zhantang shouting, "Murder! Murder!" as he sprinted down the stairs.

Lu Ze quickly stepped forward to support him, suppressing a smile. Bai Zhantang was just taking advantage of the fact that the other people in the inn didn't know martial arts. With his lightness skill, Guo Furong probably couldn't even touch a hair on his head.

Guo Furong followed closely behind, while Manager Tong shielded everyone behind her like a mother hen protecting her chicks. "Young Master Guo, let's talk this out. What's going on here?"

"Acting on behalf of Heaven!"

"Oh my god, why does this phrase sound so familiar!" Big Mouth poked his head out from behind, as if he had remembered something, "The Male and Female Duo!"

"It's the Twin Heroes!" Guo Furong corrected. "How did you know?"

"Everyone on Earth knows that!" Mo Xiaobei shouted, and the others echoed her.

Guo Furong took a few steps forward, and then Xiao Bei's legs went weak. "Oh my god, just kill me!"

"Young lady, you haven't broken the law, why would I kill you?"

Manager Tong shielded everyone, retreating step by step, saying, "We haven't broken the law!"

"Isn't running an illegal business a crime?"

"What makes you think you can call us a shady business?!"

"If it's not a shady business, why aren't there lights on in front?"

"I don't turn on the lights, it's all to keep you out of trouble."

"If it's not a shady business, why are you being so defensive?"

"If it's a shady business, we don't need to worry about you anymore, Zhan Tang! We're counting on you!"

Bai Zhantang looked conflicted. "Shopkeeper, I've been out of the martial world for many years. I swore a solemn oath never to fight again."

Seeing the crowd shoving and huddling together, Guo Furong laughed and slapped out with her palm, "Make your move!"

Bai Zhantang closed his eyes tightly, muttering, "Don't force me, don't force me!" In a flash, he struck out with his Sunflower Acupuncture Point Technique.

Guo Furong was frozen in place, still in the posture of striking out with her palm, her whole body like a statue, with a smile on her face.

"This...it's already lit?" Lü Ze looked at Guo Furong, then at Bai Zhantang.

The crowd sized up Guo Furong, circling her twice. "So this is the Male and Female Duo."

"Is this one male or female?" Da Zui reached out and touched Guo Furong's arm. "This one is male. The female is probably still outside!" Bai Zhantang stood to the side with an air of superiority.

"Manager," Lu Xiucai said weakly, "isn't it inappropriate for us to leave her here? What should we do next?... Report her to the authorities?"

"No need. Carry it to the backyard, tie it to the millstone, and hand it over to the authorities first thing tomorrow morning!" Tong Xiangyu glared at Guo Furong, her face full of schadenfreude.

-

The next morning, just as dawn was breaking, there was a series of urgent knocks at the inn's door. Manager Tong hurried downstairs, "Coming, coming! Stop knocking! This is an elm door, you'll have to pay for it if you break it."

The moment the door opened, the man barged in. Lü Xiucai, who had just come from the backyard, made a gesture to block him, but was shoved aside by the man's hand.

"I'm asking you, have you seen our young lady?"

"no."

"So, did someone come to stay at our place last night?"

"But he's a man!"

Lu Xiucai was puzzled, and Tong Zhanggui was even more surprised. So you were the only one who didn't realize yesterday that the person was a woman disguised as a man. Even Da Zui asked if it was male or female.

"She hasn't been here," Tong Zhanggui said, giving the scholar a meaningful look.

While Lü Xiucai was still dazed, Li Dazui and Lü Ze lifted the curtain and came in. "Boss, that kid from last night is half dead. Should we give him some water?"

Shopkeeper Tong slapped his forehead, and Li Dazui, noticing something was wrong, asked, "What's going on?"

"Jin Ben, there's murderous intent... Bah, you're really stupid, the male and female duo, the female one is attacking!" Seeing that the situation was not good, Lü Ze hurriedly pulled everyone back.

Upon hearing this, Xiaoqing overturned the table, drew her sword, and pointed it at Tong Xiangyu, shouting, "To catch the thief, first catch the king!"

"Zhan Tang saves the day!"

At this moment, Bai Zhantang, who had heard the commotion, came out with his sword, holding Guo Furong down. "Release our young lady!" Xiaoqing was very anxious upon seeing this.

"We can't let them go!" Manager Tong stepped forward. "They're a vicious duo! If we let them go, they'll wreak havoc on the town's inhabitants again!"

During the stalemate, Xiao Mi, a beggar passing by the door, noticed the situation inside the inn. She came in, and overjoyed, jumped and shouted as she ran out, "The duo of killers are caught! The duo of killers are caught!"

That sight was particularly jarring to Guo Furong—why did he act this way when he saw the person who had helped him? Manager Tong was also a shrewd person; he gave Bai Zhantang a wink, signaling him to put his sword away. Guo Furong looked dejected. "How could this be?" she said, turning to walk towards the backyard.

Xiaoqing quickly sheathed her sword and chased after her, asking, "Miss, where are you going?"

"Go away and have some peace and quiet alone!"

"Alright," Tong Xiangyu waved her hand to everyone, "Go do what you're supposed to do." She then walked towards the backyard.

Although everyone was apprehensive, they had no choice but to obey. Lü Ze wasn't surprised; he figured that after today, the inn would need another waiter.

-

That evening, Bai Zhantang went to call for help, and Tong Zhanggui finally pulled Guo Furong, who had changed into women's clothing, out of the house.

The shopkeeper turned to look at Lü Ze, then at Guo Furong, and pondered for a moment: "Xiao Ze, from now on you will help the scholar with the accounting, and then go to Da Zui's place to do some odd jobs, like chopping wood and washing dishes. Let Furong do the chores like washing clothes and dishes."

"Okay." Lü Ze readily agreed. Less work, but the monthly salary was still the same, which was good. He just didn't know how Manager Tong managed to keep Miss Guo on the shop without Guo Furong and her companion smashing up the place.

"Alright, alright, everyone disperse," Tong Xiangyu waved her hand. "Da Zui, heat up the food, everyone hasn't had dinner yet. Furong, come and have some too."

Li Dazui responded and jogged back to the kitchen, calling Lü Ze along the way.

-

Dinner was set back on the table, with an extra set of chopsticks and a bowl.

Guo Furong sat at the table, right next to Xiao Bei and the shopkeeper. At first, she was aloof and ate with restraint.

She picked up a piece of chicken, put it in her mouth, chewed it a couple of times, and her eyes lit up slightly.

"Isn't it delicious?" Li Dazui raised his chin proudly when he saw it. "I made it," he said, turning to add a piece of meat to Lü Ze's plate. "You can learn from me in the future, and I guarantee you'll make it just as delicious."

Lu Ze understood that everyone in the inn treated him like a younger brother, even though he wasn't actually that much older than Xiao Bei.

Big Mouth became his master, Lü Xiucai was his elder brother, and Guo Furong might become his sister-in-law in the future. Not bad, that's good. Thinking of this, Lü Ze took a few more bites of steamed bun.

After the meal, the atmosphere eased considerably because Guo Furong was present.

After finishing his work and the inn closing, Lü Ze returned to his room, closed the door, and lay down on the bed.

Today wasn't exactly busy, but it was packed with information. Guo Furong arrived, meaning the "core team" of Tongfu Inn is now complete. The days to come will likely be filled with all sorts of chaotic daily life.

He closed his eyes, and with a thought, his consciousness sank into that space that was white on top and black on the bottom.

-

The scene was different this time.