[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-nothing-is-taboo":3,"chapter-nothing-is-taboo-nothing-is-taboo-chapter-393":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},2310778,4514,"Chapter 393: Refined Scheme (Combined Three Parts)","nothing-is-taboo-chapter-393",393,"\u003Cp>“Why did Xu Miao insist you impersonate Fu Yuhuan?” Xu Yuan asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke, Master Xu seemed to glance casually toward the courtyard gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under “Wang Ming,” a clear, bright green “Ming” rose high outside the gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone had come, but upon hearing their conversation, stopped outside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Zhanlei grumbled: “That woman said I’m full of idle aristocrat vibes—perfectly matching Fu Yuhuan’s demeanor, so I’d be the most convincing impostor.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan nodded solemnly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zhanlei, tell me every detail of Xu Miao’s scheme—I’ll help you find its flaws so you can refute her.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Otherwise, since she’s already convinced Master Luo, even if you send Dafu to peck her, it won’t change your situation.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Zhanlei calmed down, realizing it was true: if he wanted to oppose the plan, he needed solid reasoning—Master Luo would never swap him out just to spare the Zhu family’s face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Zhanlei then recounted the entire plan in detail.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, more specifics emerged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For instance, Fu Yuhuan must deliberately display affection for his sister, pretending to weep several times in the mountains.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For instance, upon entering the mountains, he must deliberately hunt for dragon-affiliated malevolent spirits, constantly feeding them to draw the attention of the hidden villain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Also, four fourth-rank cultivators will lie in ambush behind, but not too close—the villain is formidable and might sense them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet if they’re too far, Master Luo must apply to the River Authority for several artisan devices capable of instant communication.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such devices do exist—they’re called “Heming Lu.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their crafting method is a secret of the River Authority.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each deployment requires strict procedures.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Master Luo must follow them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After hearing Zhu Zhanlei out, Xu Yuan sneered: “This scheme has too many flaws.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Zhanlei’s eyes lit up; he sat close beside Xu Yuan and poured him tea: “Brother, tell me quick.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“First, the core of this plan is: Fu Yuhuan and the Princess Consort are deeply bonded; the Fu family, fearing the dangers of Ghost Witch Mountain, refuses to send high-level cultivators to avenge her, so Fu Yuhuan sneaks out alone to seek revenge.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He weeps a few times in the mountains, hoping the cunning villain will believe his bond with the Princess Consort is so strong it drives him to madness—so he dares to act alone?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Zhanlei’s eyes flickered, then nodded firmly: “That’s a huge flaw—it makes Fu Yuhuan look stupid.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If the villain falls for it, it only proves he’s even stupider—but he killed the Princess Consort and Uncle Seventeen; clearly, he’s not stupid.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan shook his head: “So the core of this scheme must be rewritten to fool the villain.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Zhu Zhanlei could ask, Xu Yuan continued: “Change it to: Fu Yuhuan is deeply attached to his sister, so he deliberately uses himself as bait—but two fourth-rank cultivators follow him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These two Fu family fourth-ranks are openly visible, trailing Fu Yuhuan about three li behind, pretending to be stealthy, trying hard not to be noticed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But in truth, the villain will surely detect them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master Luo and Shen Chen are the real backup—they must stay farther away, thirty li beyond the two fourth-ranks.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The villain killed the Princess Consort and Uncle Seventeen; Uncle Seventeen was a fourth-rank, so he likely won’t fear two fourth-ranks.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fu Yuhuan thinks: last time only Uncle Seventeen was present; now there are two—he’s finally strong enough to avenge his sister.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Only then will the villain be lured.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Here, Xu Yuan seemed thirsty; he tapped the table with his finger. Zhu Zhanlei hurriedly refilled his tea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan shook his head again: “Actually, there’s an even better version.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That is: Fu Yuhuan pretends to avenge his sister, but his real target is the villain who secretly cultivated the ‘Dragon Transformation Art’ in the mountains.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he captures the villain and devours him, Fu Yuhuan’s cultivation will surge!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’s just using the pretext of avenging his sister.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All other arrangements remain unchanged.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Zhanlei felt this second version was clearly superior.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Zhanlei knew the temperament of those who cultivated the ‘Dragon Transformation Art.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They’d long since lost all sense of kinship.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dragon nature is inherently violent and cold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Besides this, are there other flaws?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Another: how will they confirm the villain has noticed them during execution?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If all their ostentatious actions go completely unnoticed by the villain, the entire scheme is wasted—like offering coquettish glances to a blind man, ending in utter futility.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You and Xu Miao won’t mind, but four fourth-ranks are prestigious—if they’re humiliated, it’ll be hard to recover.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Zhanlei couldn’t help asking: “The villain won’t be completely unaware, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s your assumption—you’ve never entered Ghost Witch Mountain, so you don’t know how vast it is,” Xu Yuan said. “And the villain is a lone wolf with no allies outside; he has almost no intelligence network. No matter how loudly you make noise—unless you happen to stumble upon him—he likely won’t even know someone entered the mountains to hunt him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Zhanlei frowned; Brother Xu made sense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan continued: “The solution is simple. The Princess Consort originally tracked the villain—Gao Wanli knows exactly how. So have Gao Wanli go too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Gao Wanli is the Station Master of the Shanhe Office, and after barely escaping death last time, she’d surely be too terrified to re-enter Ghost Witch Mountain.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So Gao Wanli must appear to be coerced.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan added: “Also, ask the Fu family if they have any method to detect those who’ve cultivated the ‘Dragon Transformation Art’ within a certain range—if so, you’ll know the villain is near, and confirm whether he’s aware you’ve entered to lure him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With these improvements, Xu Miao’s scheme finally became executable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That artisan device—Xu Yuan was determined to get it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once he dismantled it and devoured its core, his ‘Dragon Transformation Art’ would surge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So… this time, poor Young Master Zhu and Gao Guanzi must suffer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, the villain doesn’t even exist—Zhu Zhanlei won’t be in real danger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And as for Gao Guanzi, Xu Yuan would warn him to hide secretly; but Gao Village would probably have to move again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The final addition was Xu Yuan testing whether the Fu family had any method to detect those bearing the ‘Dragon Transformation Art.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If they did, he’d need to be even more cautious around Fu family members in the future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Xu Yuan suspected they didn’t—if they did, the conditions must be extremely strict, or the Princess Consort would’ve used it last time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Zhanlei clapped and laughed: “Hahahaha! That woman thinks she’s clever, but her scheme has so many flaws! I’ll go see Master Luo right away—I’ll make sure…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Zhu Zhanlei finished speaking, a voice he utterly despised rang from outside the courtyard: “Master Xu truly possesses great talent. I thank you for helping refine the plan.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Zhanlei and Xu Yuan both froze in shock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A group entered the courtyard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leading them was a female official, short in stature, but with hair like a cloud, beautiful in hue, her figure striking—her walk made her chest sway, her waist slender as if barely holding the weight before and behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her eyes sparkled, her gaze alive with charm—she was in the prime of her vitality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She brought two subordinates, both female cultivators.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Zhanlei saw her and gritted his teeth: “Xu Miao!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Grandma’s here!” Xu Miao shot back without mercy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Zhanlei’s nostrils flared with heat: “You—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan wore a look of utter regret: “Damn it, Zhanlei—everything we just said, she overheard!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah!” Zhu Zhanlei finally realized, his face turning ashen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Miao smiled triumphantly: “I was sent by Master Luo to bring you back—but this unexpected bonus is even better.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She bowed to Xu Yuan, fist to chest, her chest dipping with the motion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you, Master Xu!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As she rose, her chest trembled again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master Xu, such talent must not be wasted—I’ll personally recommend you to Master Luo!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan immediately scowled, feigning deep regret.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Miao laughed loudly at Zhu Zhanlei, then turned and left: “I’ll return immediately to discuss this plan in detail with Master Luo!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She didn’t even bother with Zhu Zhanlei.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Zhanlei and Xu Yuan stared at each other. Xu Yuan sighed deeply: “Zhanlei, you’ve ruined me!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Zhanlei: “...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Zhanlei felt something was off, but couldn’t say what.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too annoyed to think further, he let it go.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This time, I’m doomed—she’s got me by the throat,” Zhu Zhanlei sighed, waving his hand as he walked off: “I need to prepare—before that woman lures me to my death in Ghost Witch Mountain.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a few days, Zhu Zhanlei might suddenly realize what was wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now, all his thoughts were on how to survive the coming “calamity.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if he realized later, he’d likely dismiss it as overthinking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, what benefit did Xu Yuan gain from this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And given his nature, if he couldn’t figure it out, he’d just let his mind rest…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan saw Zhu Zhanlei to the gate; at the threshold, Zhu Zhanlei suddenly gritted his teeth: “No—I must make Dafu Lord help me settle this score!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dafu shook his head, indicating that once the insects arrived, everything would be fine!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan also feigned hatred toward Xu Miao: “Fine—this matter is up to Dafu!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Miao acted swiftly: that afternoon, Master Luo’s classified request to deploy the “Heming Lu” was sent out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Within moments, three “Heming Lu” devices arrived almost simultaneously with the two Fu family fourth-ranks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But no action was taken yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This day, Zhu Zhanlei came again, listlessly telling Xu Yuan: “The Fu family really has that technique, but it seems to have many restrictions. The two fourth-rank Fu members are currently communicating with their family.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’ll have to wait a few more days.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan hadn’t been idle these past few days either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Xu Miao said he would recommend Xu Yuan to Luo Gongqiao, Xu Yuan immediately sent a letter to Ma Tianshou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the letter, he poured out his grievances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Master Ma naturally understood the boy’s intentions, so he sent an official notice to the Canal Yamen and applied some pressure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Previously, Xu Yuan had already hinted to Miao Yu and Zhu Zhanmei that he wanted something in return.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Gongqiao hadn’t summoned Xu Yuan these past few days—he must have already learned Xu Yuan’s stance from the two of them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now we’ll see what price Luo my lord is willing to pay.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While waiting for the Fu family’s reply, Xu Yuan did two things, keeping himself very busy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One was the shop at the dock, which opened with astonishing speed, hanging red lanterns.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Xu named it “Yuan Sheng Hao.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The shopkeeper was an elderly man recommended by Miao Yan, in his early fifties, named Yang Laicai.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan called him “Uncle Yang.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had served as shopkeeper for twenty-three years at a store in northern Cheng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Half a year ago, his old proprietor passed away; within three months, the young master replaced him with one of the three apprentices he had trained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Laicai brought wine and food to his old master’s grave, bowed three times with his forehead hitting the ground, thanking his master for two decades of trust.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he said not a word of complaint, packed his things, and prepared to return home to retire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Miao Yan had him brought over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan even suspected the old man had changed his name to “Laicai” deliberately, to bring good fortune to his former proprietor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was a ninth-rank Wen Xiu who had once passed the provincial examination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could write and calculate, and his speech was refined.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The shop’s other owner besides Xu Yuan was Miao Yu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Miao Yu provided one hundred thousand taels of silver, taking a thirty percent share.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He also agreed with Xu Yuan: no profits for the first three years; then, for the next ten years, at least twenty thousand taels per year would be paid to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After ten years, it would be up to fate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During this time, if any incident occurred on the canal dock’s territory, Miao Yu would handle it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Overall, Xu Yuan still came out ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But ten years of two hundred thousand taels wasn’t a bad deal for Miao Yu either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mostly because Miao Yu trusted Xu Yuan as a person.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The shop dealt in specialty goods from Wushan and Zhancheng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whatever you fish up from the canal—if you’re willing to bring it, the shop will buy it!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The second matter was secretly practicing Pi Long’s “Transformation Dragon Method.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As his Dao progress deepened, the connection between Pi Long, the Dragon Pearl, and the internal artifacts grew ever tighter, showing signs of “merging into one.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The five internal artifacts Xu Yuan obtained were: an ancient scripture, a bronze mirror, a medicinal essence, a grain ear, and five-colored thread.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The scripture’s pages were all stuck together, impossible to open.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The characters on the cover were blurred beyond recognition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bronze mirror was heavily rusted; only faintly could one make out the back pattern—a Kui Dragon design.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The medicinal essence had been burned into a lump; even a Dan Xiu couldn’t identify which herbs it once was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The grain ear could only be recognized by its general shape.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The five-colored thread was tangled into a knot, colors indistinguishable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet their “intended meanings” still persisted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they fused, the speed of recovery during Pi Long’s cultivation—whether growth, deformity, or decay—grew ever faster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bond between Xu Yuan and Pi Long also became increasingly acute.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Previously, Xu Yuan had to sink his consciousness into Pi Long to control it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now he could manipulate it in a state akin to “contemplation,” almost unconsciously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In short: if he simply thought of Pi Long, it could perform simple actions on its own.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many other benefits were also slowly emerging.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only after truly practicing the “Transformation Dragon Method” did Xu Yuan understand its subtleties.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It truly granted one, gradually, the innate abilities of the True Dragon lineage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or perhaps one should call them… divine powers?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fu Shuanghui, Fu Chongjiu, and the Princess Consort each had different strengths.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was due to their individual differences; they each developed the aspects they favored or excelled in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan would need to do the same in the future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Xu Yuan was in no rush to choose a focus for the “Transformation Dragon Method”; he wanted to speak again with his stepmother and Shen Daye.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, he would get clear answers about his family’s situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only then could he determine which ability to develop in the “Transformation Dragon Method” to offer the greatest assistance by the Mid-Year Festival.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These past few days of cultivation yielded an unexpected gain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One night, while Pi Long chased a golden-thread eel in the canal, it accidentally bumped into an iron cage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cage, sunk underwater, was as large as three or four houses, filled with strange creatures.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pi Long hid nearby; the next day, he saw the Fish Guild come to “collect the cage.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the Fish Guild’s method of capturing strange beings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pi Long followed their boat and found the Fish Guild’s lair for cultivating evil spirits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the Princess Consort’s case is settled, Xu Yuan plans to deal with this immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few more days passed; the Fu family still gave no sign, but Xu Yuan discovered a problem with the “Transformation Dragon Method”:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cultivation speed was slowing down!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pi Long required more and more food daily, yet its progress slowed instead of increasing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the canal, Pi Long hunted only eighth- and seventh-rank evil spirits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It rarely caught sixth-rank ones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Relying solely on low-rank Dragon-affiliated beings offered diminishing returns for Pi Long’s “Transformation Dragon Method.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No wonder—from Fu Shuanghui to Fu Chongjiu to the Princess Consort—all have gone to great lengths to capture stronger Dragon-affiliated beings.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The ‘Transformation Dragon Method’ is truly seizing Heaven’s creation—it demands beings of equal or higher rank; consuming them seizes their essence for real advancement.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Eating only low-rank ones will make breakthroughs nearly impossible.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“To raise the level of my ‘Transformation Dragon Method,’ I must find a fifth-rank Dragon-affiliated being. Perhaps… even one fifth-rank won’t be enough.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fu Chongjiu’s Dragon Pearl was fifth-rank, his internal artifacts fifth-rank; only Pi Long’s rank was unclear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Pi Long was undoubtedly the most bizarre of the three.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After merging, and beginning true cultivation of the “Transformation Dragon Method,” he had only reached sixth-rank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan was not disappointed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan knew well: by fusing all three, his foundation was deep and solid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His future potential was immense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he had reached fifth- or fourth-rank immediately after fusion, it would have been false glory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It might have led to an unstable foundation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A deep, solid foundation meant each subsequent advancement would require greater fortune and careful reinforcement at every step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Therefore, Xu Yuan was determined to obtain Xu Miao’s artifact this time!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the future, Xu Yuan would subtly ask Bai Lao, Gao Guanzi, and others about which high-rank Dragon-affiliated evil spirits lurked in Wushan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn’t ask directly, lest he reveal secrets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two more days passed; the Fu family finally sent someone again, bringing the “secret method.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan was once again summoned by Luo Gongqiao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Gongqiao had no particular fondness for this young head of the Purification Office.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Xu Miao had strongly recommended him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lately, Luo Gongqiao had placed great trust in Xu Miao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, upon meeting, Luo Gongqiao brushed his sleeve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A strange, whiskered insect crawled out, landed on the table, and vibrated its feelers, emitting a continuous low hum.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Gongqiao cut straight to the point: “After this case, I will assign Gao Wanli a crime. Her best outcome will be demotion and transfer.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The insect was not Xu Yuan’s reward; punishing Gao Wanli was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The insect’s hum blocked eavesdropping.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If anyone nearby used an artifact to listen in, a piercing sound would instantly rupture their eardrums.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It also prevented all supernatural methods from recording Luo Gongqiao’s words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today’s discussions and agreements are merely mutual understanding between us two. If anyone asks, Luo Gongqiao will deny everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan shook his head: “I have no objection to Gao Wanli’s stay or departure.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if Gao Wanli remained in Zhancheng, she would not trouble Xu Yuan much.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Gongqiao frowned and added, “You’re a Dan Xiu—I hear you’ve reached the Fifth Flow? Remarkable for your age. I can arrange for you to receive a Fire-Refining scripture from the yamen’s scripture library.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the Fourth Flow of Dan Xiu, the fire in the belly can be refined further into different attributes, its power no longer comparable to lower levels.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Wang Shen should have any Fire-Refining scripture Xu Yuan desires.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan replied bluntly: “No need. I dare not use the yamen’s Fire-Refining scriptures.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Gongqiao’s face darkened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This boy was truly a troublemaker.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To his face, he defies me—just like An Chengyuan, who speaks to me with such disrespect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What do you want?” Luo Gongqiao asked outright.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it weren’t for Ma Tianshou backing you, why would I, a senior official, bargain with a mere Zhanglu? I could simply conscript you outright.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he refuses, I’ll seize him and take him straight to Ghost Witch Mountain!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan replied: “I wish for a Fourth Flow quality material.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s greedy!” Luo Gongqiao frowned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I myself struggle to hunt Fourth Flow malevolent spirits—do you just demand one outright?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan added: “If that’s impossible… does the yamen’s treasury hold any discarded Fourth Flow sword pellets?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Gongqiao thought a moment—yes, the Shanhé Si’s Jiaozhi Office did have one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Fourth Flow quality material seemed less valuable than a Fourth Flow sword pellet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Quality materials require crafting by a Jiang Xiu, adding an extra step—and Fourth Flow Jiang Xiu are hard to find.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But a quality material can be shaped as one wishes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A discarded Fourth Flow sword pellet is useful only to Dan Xiu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It merely enhances one’s own sword pellet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most Dan Xiu are of low caliber; Fourth Flow ones are exceedingly rare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To others, it’s just a heavy lump of scrap metal—worse, it might injure them with its lingering sword qi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, a Fourth Flow quality material is actually far more valuable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fine. I’ll give it to you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you, my lord,” Xu Yuan said with a broad smile, clasping his fists in bow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Gongqiao shook his head, muttering under his breath: “First arrogant, now obsequious.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do your duty well!” he warned. “Let your performance prove this gift was worth it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan returned to his courtyard, made simple preparations—Luo Gongqiao had said they would depart at first light tomorrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He would take none of his subordinates, but he felt he should bring Da Fu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet after searching the entire courtyard: “Da Fu? Where have you run off to?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan’s heart sank with a bad premonition: Zhu Zhanlei and Da Fu—one recklessly bold, the other… utterly unaware of how grave the consequences might be!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Could those two really have gone after Xu Miao…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan rushed out to find Zhu Zhanlei, but barely had he stepped beyond the gate when he saw Da Fu crouched against a wall, jaws clenched tightly around a dark shadow, trying to drag it from the gutter beneath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The shadow was long and thin, its surface seemingly scaled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Da Fu pulled hard, it twisted back, revealing a human face no larger than a fist, fangs bared, lunging to bite Da Fu’s neck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",3585,"2026-06-20T12:07:24.624Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","f0d1b09abd27e8b72e6f59268b95815d771ef35c6c9f82f888d361c5c5900f4d","nothing-is-taboo-chapter-394","nothing-is-taboo-chapter-392",413,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fnothing-is-taboo-cover.jpg"]