The Tales of the Martial World is a chaptered novel that blends history, comedy, and transmigration. The story takes place in Qixia Town during the Northern Song dynasty, centering on a bustling little inn called the Yunlai Inn.
Lin Xiaofan, a modern graduate student in history, unexpectedly transmigrates to the Song dynasty and is forced to take shelter at the Yunlai Inn. The inn's owner, Liu Jinsuan, is a penny-pincher; the errand runner, Feng Xiaopao, is quick on his feet; the bookkeeper, Mo Wenzhai, speaks in classical phrases but wears a monocle; the cook, Tie Dashao, has a fiery temper but superb skills; and the general helper, Su Xiaoxiao, is lively and impulsive. Faced with these vivid new “coworkers” and an utterly unfamiliar era, Lin Xiaofan puts his modern knowledge to use and launches a farcical inn renovation plan, from bookkeeping methods and marketing strategies to simple technology and cultural upheaval.
Yet beneath the town's peaceful surface, undercurrents are stirring. Lin Xiaofan's advanced knowledge and skills win admiration, but also draw him into one bizarre incident after another: a stolen family recipe, strange rumors surrounding the imperial examinations, mysterious tales from the martial world... He must carefully balance the wisdom of past and present, working with the inn's residents to deal with one trouble and crisis after another amid their daily banter and laughter.
With a witty touch, this book paints a lively picture of everyday life and the martial world. Amid a steady stream of jokes and twists, it explores cultural clashes, the warmth and coldness of human relationships, and the “chivalry” and tenderness that can be found in an ordinary little inn.
