[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-nothing-is-taboo":3,"chapter-nothing-is-taboo-nothing-is-taboo-chapter-35":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},2310420,4514,"Chapter 35: Demon-Slaying Thousand-Household Office","nothing-is-taboo-chapter-35",35,"\u003Cp>When the province of Korea was newly established, the Eastern Depot considered it remote and harsh, and dumped it as a burdensome task onto the Embroidered Uniform Guard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Embroidered Uniform Guard then drew a boundary with the Eastern Depot: the original two capitals and thirteen provinces of the Ming Dynasty were called “Inner States,” under the Eastern Depot’s jurisdiction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All newly conquered lands henceforth would be collectively termed “Outer States,” under the Embroidered Uniform Guard’s jurisdiction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Embroidered Uniform Guard had been suppressed by the Eastern Depot for centuries and sought this opportunity to break free from its constraints.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Eastern Depot initially dismissed it, but over two centuries, the Ming Dynasty continuously expanded its territory… before the establishment of Jiaozhi Province, the Eastern Depot had already regretted it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The people called the “Demon-Slaying Thousand-Household Office” the Demon-Slaying Army.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As its strength grew, it no longer satisfied itself with “pacifying regions after battles,” but took direct action to expand the Ming’s borders, its fame long overshadowing that of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During the conquest of Jiaozhi, the Demon-Slaying Army served as the vanguard; it was said to have forty thousand combat troops, organized into the “Demon-Slaying Camp.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Xu Yuan’s second uncle was in his teens, he joined the Demon-Slaying Army, often returning only once every three or five years with a message.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Xu Yuan’s father died, he sent word through someone to the Demon-Slaying Army, but his second uncle likely never received it—certainly, he never returned before the burial.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Over the past decades, Jiaozhi has been fully assimilated; it is said the Demon-Slaying Army’s vanguard has pushed as far as Chenla, fought several battles with the Red-Haired Barbarians, and reported “great victories” to the court, though rumors suggest it was not so optimistic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Rongkui arrived at the inn later than Xu Yuan, clearly having come specifically for him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And he never revealed his identity, merely shadowing Xu Yuan in secret!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could his second uncle have committed an offense, dragging his family into it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Rongkui felt the small knife at his neck about to cut into his flesh and screamed in terror: “Listen to me, listen to me—it’s not what you think! Your second uncle achieved great merit, was promoted, made a Commander-in-Chief, a proper official!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan was even more confused: “If he was promoted, why are you still spying on me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Rongkui’s face fell: “Your second uncle ordered me to do this…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan had long suspected his father and second uncle were estranged—otherwise, how could his second uncle have been gone for decades without ever returning?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your second uncle achieved great merit, not only was he promoted, but he gained the favor of a powerful patron who intends to cultivate him. Unfortunately, your second uncle has only a band of old comrades who’ve shared life and death with him—no usable subordinates—so he sent me back to secretly assess how you’re doing…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Rongkui spoke rapidly and finally made the situation clear. Then he cautiously glanced at Xu Yuan, thinking: Brother Xu, your nephew is no ordinary man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My official badge is in my chest—I’ll show you, and there’s also a letter written in your second uncle’s own hand.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan released the knife. Zheng Rongkui exhaled deeply, silently cursing: nearly scared me into wetting my pants—no wonder this kid became the leader of the entire Pingtian Society.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Rongkui pulled out the badge and the letter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan merely glanced at the badge—he couldn’t tell if it was real or fake anyway. The key was the letter written in his second uncle’s own hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His second uncle had occasionally sent letters home, and Xu Yuan recognized the handwriting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the letter, his second uncle said Zheng Rongkui was a brother-in-arms who had shared life and death with him, and instructed Xu Yuan to follow his arrangements, and so on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan frowned: “Why didn’t he mention my father’s death?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Rongkui sighed: “When I left, I hadn’t yet received news of your father’s passing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he looked at the sky: “Don’t stand out on the street—it’s getting dark. Come to my lodging first.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Where are you staying?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“At the widow Yang’s house.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan turned and walked away: “Come to mine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan took over Zhao’s Leather Shop without hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Zheng Rongkui entered, Xu Yuan led him straight to the kitchen, where many pieces of meat hung from the rafters, all cured and dried.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Few hunters have the skill to enter Ghost Witch Mountain, so the wild beasts there grew fat and robust; the floor beneath the rafters was covered in streaks of dripping fat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan pointed to the cured meat and the rice vat: “Cook. Eat first.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan hadn’t eaten all day and was already starving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Rongkui rubbed his nose. Fine—he’d been doing the cook’s job at Yi Fang Ting Inn anyway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Somehow, though outwardly reluctant, Zheng Rongkui showcased his culinary skill, preparing a small feast of six dishes and one soup with limited ingredients, the rice steamed fragrant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He also rummaged through Zhao Yong’s room and found a bottle of good wine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan pointed at the table: “Taste everything.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Rongkui stared: “I’m your elder… fine, I’ll taste.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan slipped the knife back into his sleeve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Rongkui ate everything. Xu Yuan waited the length of an incense stick, found no issues, then picked up Zheng Rongkui’s chopsticks, washed them, and used them himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You…” Zheng Rongkui was speechless—this kid was too cautious. Who taught him this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan devoured the meal like a whirlwind. Zheng Rongkui’s cooking was truly excellent—on this front, he rivaled his stepmother.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Rongkui ate slowly, sipping his wine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After finishing his meal, Xu Yuan put down his chopsticks and stared fixedly at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Rongkui was mid-sip: “Don’t rush. Wait till I finish, then I’ll explain properly… You’re such a bore—always pulling out knives, just like your damn second uncle!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Rongkui set down his wine cup. He dared not curse the knife-wielding Xu Yuan, so he vented his fury on his old comrade far away—the now-superior he once served.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan relaxed. According to the letter, Zheng Rongkui and his second uncle had shared life and death for over a decade in the Demon-Slaying Army… this was exactly how they behaved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Rongkui detailed his second uncle’s arrangements.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…I didn’t come to secretly spy on you—well, not exactly spying. I was to observe you. Your second uncle said if you weren’t suitable, I shouldn’t mention this at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Demon-Slaying Army is too dangerous. If you lack the ability, don’t let your uncle die without an heir.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan asked coldly: “Why didn’t you help me when I was in danger?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Rongkui glared: “How didn’t I help? When you tried to run, didn’t I deliberately give you the chance?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan thought back—the morning Zheng Rongkui had sent him to fetch water had indeed been intentional.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What about after that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“After that… I didn’t want to help? I couldn’t. You all rushed into Ghost Witch Mountain at once—I’m an outsider. Would I dare go in?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan could barely understand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Rongkui’s strength had already been tested—he was at best eighth-tier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Facing the Pingtian Society head-on would mean certain death—he couldn’t even escape.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Asking him to enter Ghost Witch Mountain to help fight the Pingtian Society… he lacked both the ability and the courage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Xu Yuan understood: he was merely a nephew. If he were a son, Zheng Rongkui might have mustered the will to risk his life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My second uncle…” Xu Yuan glanced at Zheng Rongkui: “Why send such a useless man back?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Rongkui’s fat face flushed crimson. He opened his mouth several times to defend himself, then deflated: “Forget it. You’ve become the leader of Master Qiao and the Pingtian Society—you’ve got real ability. I can’t match you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan made no denial. He tapped the table: “Keep eating. I’m going upstairs to sleep. I’ll return to the city tomorrow.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Further requests for monthly votes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Data during the new book period is crucial. Dear readers, please lend your support.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1363,"2026-06-20T12:07:23.516Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","687b1073894bc57f24928ece9e6955a35001f3a92f508b25c2ef33388a4975fb","nothing-is-taboo-chapter-36","nothing-is-taboo-chapter-34",413,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fnothing-is-taboo-cover.jpg"]