[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-nothing-is-taboo":3,"chapter-nothing-is-taboo-nothing-is-taboo-chapter-42":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},2310427,4514,"Chapter 42: Quhuisi","nothing-is-taboo-chapter-42",42,"\u003Cp>“Don’t wander off these days—your second uncle will probably come looking for you again. Also… the matter at Qihetai probably isn’t settled yet.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You mean the Pingtian Society?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The stepmother shook her head: “The Pingtian Society won’t find you anytime soon. But with so much happening, so many dead, the Quhuisi will definitely investigate.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Quhuisi falls under the Qintianjian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It is the imperial Ming dynasty’s specialized department for investigating and handling all manner of demonic and strange phenomena.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Together with the Chuyao Army and the Shanhe Si, they form the Ming dynasty’s “Three Departments of Strange Affairs.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their jurisdictions overlap to some degree—a common situation across all Ming bureaus—leading to constant bickering: everyone rushes in when there’s profit, and everyone shirks blame when trouble arises.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Shanhe Si belongs to the Canal Administration and handles all strange events related to the canal, ensuring its smooth operation above all else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of the three, only the Quhuisi was truly established for the purpose of dealing with demons, and thus it is also the most professional.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since two hundred years ago, the Qintianjian’s power has expanded rapidly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And their greatest annual task is to determine the “Yellow Calendar!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After eating, Xu Yuan took the initiative to wash the bowls.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The stepmother returned to her room and told Xu Yuan: “Go to bed early. You’ll stay in your old room—I’ve already made up the bed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan called her back, grinning: “Can you do me a favor?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Speak.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan pulled out the three-barreled hand cannon and the “Secret Cannon Powder Formula”: “Fix it. And make some powder too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Wan looked at the three-barreled hand cannon with a flicker of distaste, but out of respect for Xu Yuan, she picked it up and examined it. When she saw the name “Chen Wutong” engraved on it, she faintly frowned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan pulled out the hammer from the Holy Mother: “I won’t let you work for free—this is for you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The stepmother had no illusions about what her “prodigal son” might give her—first off, the gift’s shape was perfect: a hammer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She glanced at it casually, then her eyes brightened—she sensed something unusual, and picked it up for a closer look.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A fine artifact of the Artisan Dao—more than sufficient for any cultivator below the Sixth Stream.” Then she accepted it without hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This item was like pearls cast before swine in the Holy Mother’s hands—she lacked the ability to unlock its power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This cannon can be repaired, but I’m not skilled in this area—it’ll take a few days.” The stepmother agreed. As for the “Secret Cannon Powder Formula,” she only skimmed it, then grew wary: “What are you doing with this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I just warned you not to cultivate cannon powder inner elixirs again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan slapped the three-barreled hand cannon on the table: “For this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Really?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan grew impatient: “Can’t you even make it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmph!” The stepmother scoffed. How hard could it be?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the stepmother truly believed it was meant for the three-barreled hand cannon and had no idea this powder was designed for siege cannons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Wan was unskilled in firearms, so this mistake was inevitable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But she wouldn’t make much for Xu Yuan—no more than enough for about twenty shots.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if this brat secretly continued strengthening his cannon powder inner elixir, the damage would be limited.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then I’ll wait.” Xu Yuan wasn’t in a hurry for either item. Then both returned to their rooms to rest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan’s bedding was all freshly washed. Lying down, he felt a wave of comfort—compared to the broken wooden plank and dry straw at Qihetai, it was worlds apart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Home really is better.” Xu Yuan exhaled deeply, rested a moment, then took out the iron box.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside was twenty catties of cannon powder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan swallowed it all at once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The inner elixir, previously the size of a mung bean, rapidly grew to the size of a lychee.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He estimated its power could be used about fifteen times.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But if he wanted to increase its potency, that was another matter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The city’s nights were far “quieter” than those in the town. In one night, Xu Yuan heard only two strange sounds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As dawn broke, both ends of the alleys buzzed with activity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Uncle Mao had already packed up and opened his door, setting out the small furniture he’d crafted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Shen’s folded-basket stall was doing brisk business: two large basins of folded-basket vegetables sat outside, steaming under a fire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beside them stood a large basket filled with baked buns.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One serving of vegetables and four buns cost only fifteen cash. Laborers and porters came and went without end.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan didn’t wake until the sun was high. He glanced at the yellow calendar on the wall: today’s prohibitions: night travel, bathing, sacrifices, temple construction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No wonder the stepmother hadn’t woken him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was supposed to visit his father’s grave today—but sacrifices were forbidden.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan wiped his face with a damp cloth, daring not to truly wash it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Prohibited from bathing—better to be cautious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as he finished, someone knocked: “Anyone home? We’re looking for Xu Yuan.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan opened the door. Outside stood a yamen runner, followed by a man and a woman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan’s gaze lingered a moment longer on the man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man’s destiny pattern glowed brilliant gold:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Taiyin Guarding Destiny Pattern!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This man was born to serve in the Quhuisi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The yamen runner looked reluctant—no one in the yamen wanted to come to He Gong Alley.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m Xu Yuan. What do you want?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The yamen runner stepped aside: “These two officials are here to see you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both wore black satin swordsleeves, with dragon patterns embroidered in red thread along the collars and cuffs—the only difference: the man had three cloud motifs on his cuffs, the woman only two.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Almost everyone in the Ming dynasty recognized them: these were Quhuisi uniforms—their identities were obvious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan silently thought: the stepmother was right—they came fast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man, the senior of the two, gestured to the courtyard: “Let’s go inside to talk.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The yamen runner stood at the door, smiling nervously: “Your Excellencies, shall I…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man didn’t trouble him, waving him off: “You’re dismissed. Return to the yamen.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The yamen runner bowed and hurried away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan ushered them in, pretending to brew tea for guests—but couldn’t find any tea leaves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man said: “No need for trouble. We’re only here to ask a few questions, then we’ll leave.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan sat down: “Ask, Your Excellency.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man proceeded methodically: first he took paper and ink from his sleeve and laid them out on the table in strict order, preparing to record.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he took his official badge from his other sleeve: “Please verify this—it confirms my identity.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I am Fu Jingyu, Third-Class Banshipan Captain of the Quhuisi’s Jiaozhi South Office.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He gestured to the woman beside him: “Song Lu, show him your badge too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Lu reluctantly produced hers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Fu Jingyu asked Xu Yuan: “Have you verified and confirmed?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan: “Confirmed. Both your identities are legitimate.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good.” Fu Jingyu put away his badge and picked up his brush: “Xu Yuan, how did Qiao Zia’ang die?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Requesting monthly votes!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Our ranking has climbed a few spots—thank you all!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1219,"2026-06-20T12:07:23.516Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","70cbce09d0ebc58c6b2861f1705d447d0dd6c9f0a2e81c78f11bd4fe9f2a0e1c","nothing-is-taboo-chapter-43","nothing-is-taboo-chapter-41",413,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fnothing-is-taboo-cover.jpg"]