[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-nothing-is-taboo":3,"chapter-nothing-is-taboo-nothing-is-taboo-chapter-34":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Nothing Is Taboo",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2310419,4514,"Chapter 34: Secret Cannon Powder Formula","nothing-is-taboo-chapter-34",34,"\u003Cp>Xu Yuan exhaled a cloud of turbid qi, finally relaxing—he had been on the edge of life and death for days, his mind taut with tension.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No Taboos” acts upon oneself, while “Eight Directions Harmful Influence” affects the opponent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And it’s an area effect—not like fate arts, which can directly target a specific individual.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Holy Mother made repeated wrong judgments and choices because she fell under the “Harmful Influence.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Holy Mother was an eighth-rank Artisan Cultivator; Xu Yuan was an eighth-rank Fate Cultivator. At the same level, the influence of fate patterns becomes distinctly apparent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the Holy Mother’s case was especially pronounced—another reason was her own stubborn, self-willed nature.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If she had faced a seventh-rank cultivator, “Eight Directions Harmful Influence” would have caused only one mistake during the entire encounter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is how Fate Cultivators fight. The reason upper-three-rank Fate Cultivators are terrifying is that they possess multiple fate patterns, able to alternate and combine them endlessly; under these mysterious influences, opponents often lose without even realizing how.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan reviewed his gains from the battle: the Holy Mother still had four Artisan artifacts—a pair of earpieces made of red wood and yellow brass. After fiddling with them, he understood their use and smiled: “Good stuff.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was also a divine crossbow—though it had no bolts, he could ask his stepmother to craft some later; no big issue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Also, a small knife and a hammer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These were Artisan tools—he could use the knife, and the hammer he’d take back to “honor” his stepmother.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s it?” Xu Yuan was deeply dissatisfied: “You’re the Holy Mother of the Pingtian Society—this is all you’ve got on you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan patted the corpse repeatedly, checking every inch, until he suddenly noticed the Holy Mother’s feet—some people hide things under their shoe insoles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan took off both shoes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He reached inside—and the texture felt strange!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Really something here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan tore open the shoe—sure enough, there was a hidden compartment. Inside fell a thin sheet of oil paper, as delicate as a cicada’s wing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Secret Cannon Powder Formula.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan glanced at it and whistled: “This is the powder formula for bronze-crafted cannons! One of the Pingtian Society’s core assets is supplying cannon artillery to the Divine Machine Camp—this formula is one of their most vital secrets.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Their Holy Mother secretly hid a copy of this formula under her own shoe sole—hahaha, this Holy Mother wasn’t nearly as pure-hearted as she pretended.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan treasured the formula as if it were a priceless treasure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The powder used in these Artisan cannons was far more explosive than the powder used in Old Qiao’s three-eye musket.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But…” Xu Yuan frowned at the formula: “Several key steps require an Artisan to complete—I’ll have to ask my stepmother for help.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But if she finds out my Golden Core is made of powder… she’ll nag me nonstop again.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan tucked the formula away and tore open the other shoe—nothing hidden inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This formula is enough.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The greatest gain, however, was wiping out the entire Pingtian Society contingent—short-term, they wouldn’t come looking for him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan dumped the Holy Mother’s corpse into the nearby wild grass, just as he had done with the others; it wouldn’t be long before it became a feast for malevolent spirits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was just past noon—there was still plenty of time to return to town today.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the evening, Xu Yuan returned to town, planning to spend another night at Zhao’s Leather Shop before heading back to the city at dawn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He kept his thick felt hat pulled low, shading most of his face, determined not to draw attention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Uncle Rongkui sat in Zhang Asao’s tea stall, leaning against the western earthen wall, trying to shrink his bulky frame to avoid notice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The tea stall had no building—just two earthen walls on either side, with bamboo poles stretched above, extending outward one zhang, covered with cloth to provide weary travelers and merchants a place to rest and drink.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One bowl of tea cost one copper coin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many travelers couldn’t afford a restaurant meal—they bought a bowl of hot tea to soak their own bread, calling it a meal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As dusk fell, few remained at the stall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Uncle Rongkui had waited all day—and finally saw Xu Yuan emerge from the mountains. His eyelid twitched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The brat’s back!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He went in and came out—what did he do?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Uncle Rongkui had a suspicion, but even he couldn’t believe it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Pingtian Society was well-armed…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not a single one returned!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the first time, Uncle Rongkui felt a flicker of fear toward this boy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He dropped ten copper coins, rose, and slipped into the alley beside the stall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Asao hadn’t chased him away all day—he’d give her extra coins.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d been staying at Yang the Widow’s house these two days; tonight was his last, and he’d leave at dawn tomorrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the tea stall to the southern end of the street, one passed through a narrow alley.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Uncle Rongkui’s nose twitched—he caught a familiar scent. He turned to check—and froze in cold sweat!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan hovered off the ground, already pressed against his back—he hadn’t even noticed!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was getting old—spying on a young lad, and he’d been caught!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t realize that to Xu Yuan, the “fate” of anyone familiar who appeared nearby was like a lantern blazing in the dark.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A glint of cold light settled against Uncle Rongkui’s neck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cook’s neck was thick, layered with fat beneath the skin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cold light pressed lightly—the skin dimpled slightly, a bead of blood oozed out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Uncle Rongkui cried out: “Don’t move! Don’t move! I’m one of you!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Uncle Rongkui recognized the cold light—it was the Holy Mother’s small knife. She’d used it to pry open Erliang’s skull.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So he really…” Uncle Rongkui thought inwardly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan stared coldly: “One of us?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Uncle Rongkui raised both hands, sweat pouring from his forehead, forcing a smile: “I know you don’t believe me—don’t rush, let me explain…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No nonsense!\" Xu Yuan pressed harder—the knife sank deeper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Uncle Rongkui hurriedly said: “I’m a Platoon Leader of the Demon-Slaying Army! I have my badge—right in my pocket—I’ll show you! I’m truly one of you! Don’t misunderstand! Keep your hand steady…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Uncle Rongkui wanted to slap himself—he always blabbered when nervous. It was an old habit he’d never broken in decades.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan frowned: “Demon-Slaying Army?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes yes yes—the same one your second uncle is in!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan’s face turned icy—he was about to strike: “You came here specifically for me!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The official name of the Demon-Slaying Army was “Imperial Ming Embroidered Uniform Guard Outer Province Demon-Slaying Thousand-Household Office,” founded two hundred years ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that time, the Ming Empire had just conquered Korea, but resistance flared across the peninsula—so they used “demon-slaying” as a pretext to form this force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This Thousand-Household Office had broad duties: suppressing large-scale rebellions, hunting down remnants of the previous dynasty hiding among civilians, and casually eliminating local malevolent spirits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Later, as the Ming Empire added provinces like “Mongol Yuan” and “Da Wan,” they followed the same model, entrusting the Demon-Slaying Thousand-Household Office to pacify regions and crush dissent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Requesting monthly votes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More tonight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1207,"2026-06-20T12:07:23.516Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","9e4f1455fc7d23e40446c7932aa45d6cf1ce08d3ffb5512eed70b2b53783ca16","nothing-is-taboo-chapter-35","nothing-is-taboo-chapter-33",413,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fnothing-is-taboo-cover.jpg"]