[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-nothing-is-taboo":3,"chapter-nothing-is-taboo-nothing-is-taboo-chapter-404":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},2310789,4514,"Chapter 404: The Giant Python (Combined Three Parts)","nothing-is-taboo-chapter-404",404,"\u003Cp>Zhang Tong lay back on the stone slab beside the well, staring at the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A faint, elusive smirk lingered on his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His entire body showed not a single wound—he clearly had his soul stolen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A strong servant from a nearby wealthy household discovered him while fetching water at dawn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The servant wasn’t the least alarmed; in these times, finding a corpse by the roadside was nothing surprising.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He first reported it to the authorities, then carried his buckets to another well farther away to fetch water.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the officials inspected the scene, they passed the case to the Purification Office.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was clearly the work of a malevolent spirit last night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Purification Office sent a Police Inspector.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon learning the dead man was a ninth-rank clerk from the Canal Office, they gave it slightly more attention—but still didn’t disturb the Police Inspector, instead summoning Yu Yunhang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Yunhang investigated briefly and concluded: killed by the tree-nose worm spirit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The malevolent spirits within the city each had their own territories.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By this well stood a half-dead old tree.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On it lived a tree-nose worm spirit, whose favorite pastime was crouching on the branches, watching the people coming and going at the well, imagining how it would suck in their souls with a single sniff and devour them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it dared not actually do so.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whenever someone died beside the well, the Purification Office would kill it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, for it, consuming souls was merely “indulgence”—its true purpose in staying within the city was the abundant “worldly qi” here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It survived and grew by feeding daily on the murky, polluted secular energy of the city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it left the human city, it would steadily wither away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But last night, someone suddenly rushed beneath the tree and taunted and humiliated it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I ignored him, yet he dared try to kill me!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had no choice but to fight back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who knew such a lowly ninth-rank was so weak? I merely sniffed—and his soul left his body, willingly crawling into my nostrils…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The tree-nose worm fled the city in terror that very night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Yunhang solved the case and issued a symbolic warrant for the tree-nose worm’s capture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When a city spirit kills someone and escapes, this is always the final disposition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside the city, the land is vast, and similar spirits are as numerous as hairs—how could one possibly identify the culprit?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pi Long’s “Sheng Li” could slip unseen into a target’s body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But if the target was of higher caliber—say, sixth-rank—it was best to subdue them first, or their resistance might kill the Sheng Li.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Zhang Tong was merely ninth-rank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan idly waited inside the “Jade Pavilion” for Zhang Tong and the cold beauty, Miss Cui, to finish, then quietly released the Sheng Li.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After controlling Zhang Tong, he learned Zhang Tong’s hidden patrons were the Hejian and An Chengyuan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Tong was now useless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan didn’t want to waste a Sheng Li on him, so he manipulated Zhang Tong to leave at midnight and walk straight into death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Early this morning, the clerks of Yuan Sheng Hao removed their shutters and opened for business.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet as they worked, each was distracted, glancing nervously at the street now and then.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The water-horse laborers had been causing trouble for days.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When would they arrive today?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yesterday they extorted twenty taels; today they’d demand even more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The clerks felt deeply oppressed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Our proprietor is a high official—why do we endure this humiliation?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But all day, until nearly noon, not a single water-horse laborer appeared on the street.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The clerks were puzzled when a rumor began spreading among the shops along the wharf: “Zhang Tong is dead!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon after, the details of how Zhang Tong died spread across the entire wharf as if everyone had witnessed it firsthand!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The clerks of Yuan Sheng Hao exchanged glances, unable to suppress their excitement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One gossipy, frivolous clerk couldn’t help blurting out: “No wonder our boss has been holding back—he was saving up for a brutal strike! Hehehe, now who dares bully us on the wharf again…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke, a cough came from behind him—Uncle Yang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you so idle you’ve got nothing better to do than gossip here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The clerk shrank his neck, grinning as he wiped the table: “Boss, I’m working right now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he couldn’t resist adding: “Boss, was this really our boss…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Nonsense!” Uncle Yang glared at them all: “Don’t go spreading rumors outside! Zhang… the official died by the hand of a malevolent spirit!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There are plenty of shops on the wharf with grudges against Official Zhang—why blame us?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Understood?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All clerks chorused: “Understood!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But no matter what Uncle Yang said, neighbors immediately suspected Yuan Sheng Hao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yesterday I was certain Yuan Sheng Hao would go under—that shop would change hands—yet now they’ve outright murdered a Water-Horse Deputy!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, the neighbors became friendly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the past, when setting up stalls outside their doors, they’d argue for half a day over who took an extra foot of space.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now each shop willingly gave Yuan Sheng Hao more room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The clerks, oppressed for days, finally felt vindicated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But some privately wondered: Zhang Tong is dead—how could the Hejian Lord let this go?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone on the wharf knew: the Water-Horse Deputy was the Hejian Lord’s dog.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Hejian Lord was indeed furious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how Zhang Tong died, the Hejian Lord believed Xu Yuan was responsible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How bold of this dog!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Openly murdering a ninth-rank imperial official!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Tong was obedient and efficient.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such a dog wasn’t easy to find.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But since he was dead, another must be found.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the Water-Horse Deputy position vacant, many came to court the Hejian Lord, seeking the post.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Hejian Lord wasn’t in a hurry; competition allowed him to drive up the price.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had done this many times before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That night, the Hejian Lord accepted an invitation from a Tongpan of the Zhan City Prefecture, dressed casually, and went to Xie Liu Alley for drinks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During the meal, the Tongpan mentioned a distant nephew willing to pay a thousand taels for the Water-Horse Deputy post.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Hejian Lord smiled and evaded the offer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The price wasn’t low—but he’d hear other bids first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Tongpan understood, mentioned it once, then dropped the subject; they shifted to talk of poetry, wine, and beauties, and by late night, each took a girl to his room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the room, the girl offered him one final cup of wine to “enhance pleasure,” then prepared for bed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After drinking it, the Hejian Lord collapsed into sleep and could not be roused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Xu had once bought a wine flask from the Yin-Yang Shop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Hejian Lord was sixth-rank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once unconscious, Xu Yuan sent the Sheng Li into the Hejian Lord’s body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the same one used on Zhang Tong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wasting it on Zhang Tong was pointless—using it on the Hejian Lord was perfect!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The shops along the wharf all believed the Hejian Lord wouldn’t let this go—but day after day passed, and Yuan Sheng Hao remained unharmed, its business growing ever more prosperous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Hejian Lord showed no reaction whatsoever.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even days later, the Hejian Lord appointed a new Water-Horse Deputy: a man named Qin Tu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was a distant cousin of Qin Ze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Qin Ze had nearly become “Gatekeeper Qin the Elder” in the Purification Office, he was still the first Police Inspector to willingly pledge loyalty to Master Xu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though his big mouth often earned him punishment from Master Xu, he still received his due rewards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for whether the Hejian Lord could retain his position…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As long as the money was paid, it was no problem.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Hejian Lord had plenty of money—but he truly didn’t want to spend his own.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now Master Xu was taking charge—spend freely, and his seat would remain secure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For Xu Yuan, secretly dismantling the Canal Office was no longer a major matter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a place like Zhan City, a “Double Fifth-Rank” could do as he pleased!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this point, Master Xu was in effect the de facto emperor of Zhan City.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Prefect’s Ya  should not come stirring—otherwise, Xu Yuan won’t mind deploying another shengshi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan was secretly basking in triumph when his stepmother and Wang Shen came to see him; his stepmother got straight to the point: “Your aunt and I must return home.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan blinked: “Return? Why the sudden urge?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We need to go back early to prepare,” Lin Wan said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone understood what preparation meant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan lowered his head, silent for a moment: “Alright…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Shen was reluctant to leave the child; she brushed her fingers across Ah Yuan’s cheek and said, “If we don’t go back now to prepare, it’ll be too late.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan said, “My Transformation Dragon Art has already advanced to the Fifth Rank. When you prepare, count my combat strength among you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Shen’s eyes lit up: “So fast?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Wan couldn’t help saying, “Recently, the River Office and the Fu family both learned of it—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan nodded, smiling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Words were unnecessary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Wan studied her stepson carefully, confronting reality for the first time: “You’ve truly grown up…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the Princess Consort to Luo Gongqiao, multiple Fourth-Rank cultivators arrived in Zhan City.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who could have guessed the mastermind behind it all was this seventeen-year-old young master?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The key was, he’d snatched the loot he wanted right from the fire, and his Transformation Dragon Art had smoothly advanced to Fifth Rank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan ventured, “Is this family matter connected to Master Ruan Tian?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Wan and Wang Shen both stared in surprise: “You… figured it out?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan smirked: “Jiaozhi is such a small place. The court would pardon a rebellion—whose sake could it possibly be?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was also one reason Xu Yuan was willing to cooperate with the ancient corpse empress against Master Ruan Tian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan had long suspected that his family’s affairs were tied to this Master Ruan Tian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Our alley must ensure Master Ruan Tian is ‘nailed’ within Ghost Witch Mountain…” Wang Shen suddenly spoke; Lin Wan no longer stopped her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Back then, Master Ruan Tian fled into Ghost Witch Mountain with Jiaozhi’s royal robes and jade seal.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And every dynasty in Jiaozhi had historically been invested by the Central Plains courts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These royal robes and jade seal were the sacred relics of Jiaozhi’s kingdom, sharing the same lineage as the Ming Dynasty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, the Ming’s own state relics could not suppress them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As long as these relics remained in Master Ruan Tian’s hands, He could burst forth at any moment, rally the local tribes to rebel, and restore the Jiaozhi Ruan dynasty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The court once devised a method: using the ancestral corpses of the Ruan dynasty, bound by bloodline, to trap Him within Ghost Witch Mountain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this arrangement must be reinforced every year.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whenever anything unusual occurs, we must closely monitor whether the seal has weakened.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Here, Wang Shen paused, then looked slowly at Xu Yuan: “The root of this seal lies in the Yin Realm—not the Yang World. To strengthen it, each year we must pass through the Ghost Gate and walk the Yellow Springs!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan’s eyes snapped wide open: So that’s it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Shen continued: “Everyone in our alley carries Yin energy, because each of us has crossed into the Yin Realm multiple times.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Grandpa and Uncle Si can’t just fight freely outside the alley either—because we’ve crossed over too often; our bodies bear too much damage.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan nodded. Wang Shen and Grandmaster Shen must have once been Top-Third Rank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now their physical condition was roughly equal to that of the Third-Rank cultivator in Xiang Wangfu .\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Shen: “But crossing into Yin isn’t all bad—our alley has far more Top-Third Rank cultivators than the outside world. Can you guess why?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan: “Also because of crossing into Yin?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“To advance from Fourth Rank to Third Rank, you must do it in the Yin Realm—never in the Yang World!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan was stunned again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was an absolute secret of the Seven Gates.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only closest kin were ever told.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I understand…” Xu Yuan said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Try to further elevate your Transformation Dragon Art,” Lin Wan said. “Its resistance to the Yin Realm is the strongest among all techniques.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan nodded firmly, more determined than ever to raise his Transformation Dragon Art to Fourth Rank before the Seventh Month Festival.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That afternoon, after lunch, Lin Wan and Wang Shen left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All the private secretaries of the San Niang Association followed Wang Shen back to Shanhe County.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While some of them were emotionally reluctant to leave her, the greater reason was that they had already prepared to “step aside and make way.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The San Niang Association was now free of its shackles and could expand openly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Younger generations needed to step up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The elders were willing to let go and let the likes of Miao Yan take charge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With Master Xu in charge, nothing would go wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With his family gone, Master Xu felt hollow inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several more days of rain followed, deepening the gloom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The river swelled; a landslide struck Xiao Yushan, burying an entire village.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Prefect’s Ya  scrambled to rescue victims; the River Office struggled against the floods.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Miao Yan had already resumed managing the Fish Guild.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Over these days, the Fish Guild kept catching strange malevolent spirits—fetching good prices—and remained utterly unaware that danger was approaching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some of these spirits were offspring of great malevolences from Ghost Witch Mountain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan entrusted this matter fully to the San Niang Association.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Five days later, the rain finally stopped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Purification Office sprang into action.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During the downpour, countless malevolent spirits had slipped into the city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These newcomers didn’t know the rules—there would surely be a wave of strange cases.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan dispatched all his Captains to patrol rigorously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At noon, Lang Xiao Ba still worried the Master hadn’t eaten—Madam had left, and now the Master was alone again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lang Xiao Ba went to Wuwei Restaurant to buy wine and dishes; as he entered the office, he heard Zhu Zhanlei and Miao Yu’s voices.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Come on, come on—what’s the point of sitting alone? I’ll treat you to drinks,” Zhu Zhanlei tugged at Xu Yuan’s sleeve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Zhanlei had ultimately failed to join Da Fu in carrying out his “revenge” against Xu Miao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>True, Xu Yuan kept Da Fu tightly watched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But later, Xu Yuan realized: Zhu Zhanlei lacked the courage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He truly didn’t want to provoke Xu Miao again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Zhu Zhanlei’s view, isn’t it better to just enjoy food, drink, and pleasure?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’ll swallow this loss this time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides, I’ve already lost Xu Miao’s “Dragon Wart.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I truly made a mortal enemy of her, she’d come back to retaliate… cough, cough—revenge begets revenge, when will it end? This young master won’t stoop to her level.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan had been half-hearted about going out anyway; with Lang Xiao Ba bringing back wine and food, they simply ate inside the office, sipped a few cups, and chatted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They hadn’t finished when a Captain under Shi Bading rushed in: “Master, Shiping County has sent for help—they’ve discovered a colossal python. It’s come ashore three times already and swallowed eight people…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Colossal python?” Xu Yuan’s heart stirred.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Xu was seeking another advancement of his Transformation Dragon Art; the only immediate malevolent spirit he could think of that could serve as bait was the… Yin-Yang Python from the old market at Xiao Xi Temple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But that one was not to be trifled with.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After two days of hesitation, Xu Yuan dismissed the idea, citing “I’ve already swindled it of many treasures—I must be decent.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, a colossal python had suddenly appeared in his jurisdiction—Master Xu’s interest was instantly piqued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Bring the man in.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, Master.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Miao Yu and Zhu Zhanlei took their leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon after, the man from Shiping County was brought in, kneeling humbly below, too timid to raise his eyes to Xu Yuan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was merely a yamen runner from Shiping County, subordinate to its magistrate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His status was far beneath Xu Yuan’s.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What exactly happened?” Xu Yuan asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Excellency, the rain has been constant these past days—this colossal python must have been washed down from Xiao Yushan. Our county never had such a malevolence before.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It now dwells in the Little Black River. That river once held a Lion-headed Toad spirit, but since the python appeared, the toad vanished—likely swallowed whole.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Three villages lie along the Little Black River. Villagers know it’s haunted and never go near the water.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yet in these three days, the python has come ashore and devoured eight people from those three villages.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Our magistrate risked his life to investigate, but the python stared at him from hundreds of zhang away—its gaze poisoned his soul; he collapsed instantly and still hasn’t awakened.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man bowed his head repeatedly: “Please, Master, save us! If you refuse to act, soon the entire county will be devoured!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lang Xiao Ba stood aside, impatient: “Enough with the bowing. One python can’t eat your whole county!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man bowed his head and dared not speak again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those who came seeking aid usually did the same—fearing their superiors would refuse to send help, they always exaggerated the danger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan asked again: “What level is this lion-headed toad?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ninth stream!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan frowned: “Really? Do you know what happens if you lie to me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man’s eyes darted: “I—I suppose it’s ninth stream. I only heard rumors from the county—I’ve never seen it myself...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan slammed the table and roared: “Fool! Still trying to deceive me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man’s legs buckled and he knelt again: “I dare not!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Exactly what level?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ninth... ninth stream.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmph!” Xu Yuan let out a cold snort.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the county had a sixth-stream evil, would they still need that giant python to eat people?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That lion-headed toad would’ve devoured every village along the river long ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lang Xiao Ba flew into a rage and reached to grab him: “My lord, this fellow is utterly despicable! He comes begging for our help but lies through his teeth—let me give him a few punches first!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan raised a hand: “Enough.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lang Xiao Ba stepped back, sullen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man was now ashen-faced: “My lord, that giant python is truly terrifying—the county simply lacks the strength to exterminate it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan thought for a moment, then said: “Xiao Ba, take a squad and accompany me to Shiping County.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, it’s a dragon-affiliated evil—must see it for myself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shiping County lies between Zhancheng and Luocheng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan set out at noon; after everyone mounted their horses, they affixed talismans to the horses’ legs and rode at breakneck speed, entering Shiping County by dusk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The County Magistrate stood at the county office gate, flanked by his three squads of yamen runners, bowing respectfully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your servant Lu Chengwen welcomes Lord Xu.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan dismounted without pleasantries and demanded: “Where is the County Liaison?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“After County Liaison Wei Zhenbang collapsed, his subordinates revived him and he has remained in the county office ever since.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lead the way!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The County Magistrate hurried Xu Yuan to the back courtyard of the office and pointed to a quiet chamber: “My lord, he’s inside.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The County Magistrate opened the door; as Xu Yuan stepped forward, a chilling wind blew from within, making him shiver involuntarily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The County Magistrate said: “Since Wei Zhenbang collapsed, it’s been like this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan nodded and entered, seeing the unconscious County Liaison lying motionless on the bed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His body was rigid, icy cold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cold energy radiated from him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A lowly servant, clad in a cotton-padded robe, stood beside a brazier, fanning it continuously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fire burned fiercely, yet not a trace of warmth could be felt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan first used the Sight of Fate—it revealed the County Liaison’s life thread had thinned to a mere strand, like a wisp of smoke hovering above his body, trembling, ready to vanish at any moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the Sight of Fate could not reveal the cause.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan then gripped the Yin-Yang Guillotine; this time he saw Wei Zhenbang’s body and soul frozen solid by thick, heavy yin energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The yin energy was strange—it formed a block of ice that froze Wei Zhenbang without dissipating itself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan pondered, gripped the Yin-Yang Guillotine, observed closely with his right eye, then gently exhaled a thread of belly fire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such a peculiar injury demanded extreme caution.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If anything went awry, Xu Yuan would withdraw immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could not risk saving him only to kill him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan controlled the belly fire, thin as a hair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He touched it to the ice-like yin energy encasing Wei Zhenbang—like a blade, slicing off a sliver.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once detached, the sliver slowly melted and vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan watched Wei Zhenbang—no change.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan relaxed slightly, then sliced off another sliver with the fire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a few moments, he had removed all the yin energy from Wei Zhenbang’s exterior.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan frowned—Wei Zhenbang still showed no change.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No improvement, but no deterioration either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since the frozen yin energy was gone, Xu Yuan reasoned his method was correct; after a brief pause, he guided the thread of belly fire into Wei Zhenbang’s ear canal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under the fire’s heat, the yin energy within Wei Zhenbang’s body began to slowly dissipate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Xu Yuan unleashed fully—“whoosh!”—the belly fire became a fiery dome, enveloping Wei Zhenbang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah!” cried the County Magistrate, wanting to stop him but daring not.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He feared this Lord Xu, in his recklessness, might kill Wei Zhenbang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But after a while, they saw Lord Xu inhale—and all the belly fire surged back into his abdomen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The chill in the room vanished entirely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the bed, Wei Zhenbang’s eyelids fluttered—he opened his eyes and awoke!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The County Magistrate instantly changed tone, gushing praise: “Lord Xu, your skill is miraculous!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Zhenbang blinked, dazed: “I...” He suddenly noticed Xu Yuan’s official robes and tried to rise and bow, but Xu Yuan stopped him: “Are you well?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your servant is unharmed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Check yourself—body and soul—no lingering damage?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Zhenbang silently examined himself, then said: “Indeed, no damage. With your personal intervention, I am at ease.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Xu Yuan felt uneasy—something felt... too simple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",3726,"2026-06-20T12:07:25.031Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","883e1d0ae00d7dfb28a92194c8955e86196ad5dbeb9c0a0d1c34358d0720345b","nothing-is-taboo-chapter-405","nothing-is-taboo-chapter-403",413,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fnothing-is-taboo-cover.jpg"]