[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-nothing-is-taboo":3,"chapter-nothing-is-taboo-nothing-is-taboo-chapter-53":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},2310438,4514,"Chapter 53: Come, Take the Blame","nothing-is-taboo-chapter-53",53,"\u003Cp>Xu Yuan stepped out of the alley and circled to the main gate of the residence, looking up to see a blue plaque with golden characters: Chen Mansion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan left Wangjing Fang and found a random teahouse in town, where he learned that Master Chen was a prominent figure who had recently retired from the Southern Capital, once holding the rank of fourth grade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After leaving the teahouse, Xu Yuan frowned inwardly: A fourth-rank official from the Southern Capital? Why would such a powerful man be targeting me?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is Master Qiao their lackey?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What exactly are they looking for?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The items I found in Qiao Zia’ang’s study didn’t seem suspicious at all…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Xu Yuan walked back, pondering, he realized most of those items were still at home—he needed to return and inspect them again carefully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xing Guolong left Master Chen’s residence and immediately raced back to his post—a carriage and stable yard in Xicheng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this southwestern corner of the city, several warehouses and carriage yards operated here, conveniently near the official road and docks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This carriage yard belonged to the Chen family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xing Guolong’s men were all waiting here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Old Qian’s down—now it’s our turn!” As soon as he spoke, his seven subordinates’ eyes lit up: “Our chance has come! Hah…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xing Guolong and his men had handled more tasks for Master Chen and received greater rewards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Master Chen clearly trusted Old Qian more, entrusting him with all key matters. The men had long been simmering with resentment, determined to outdo Qiao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xing Guolong had already prepared—he spread out a hand-drawn map and began assigning positions: “This is He Gong Alley. There are three roads leading into it. Divide up—each of you take one and hold it! When that boy shows up, seize him immediately!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Try to capture him alive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you can’t take him alive, kill him without hesitation!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xing Guolong slapped a dark-faced man beside him: “Old Si, give each man a Weaving Spirit Spider. After killing the boy, immediately trap his soul.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Also equip each man with a signal firework—if the target resists hard, light the firework! I and Old Ba will rush to support!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Understood?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Understood!” the men shouted in unison.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xing Guolong tapped the table, emphasizing: “Remember—deal with him outside He Gong Alley!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’ve checked—everyone in that alley is strange. Old Qian vanished inside it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Reports from Qihe Tai Town say the boy is only eighth-rank. How could he have killed Old Qian? So we absolutely cannot let him retreat into He Gong Alley!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Chen thought Xing Guolong was not local and didn’t understand the situation—but Xing Guolong had already investigated thoroughly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xing Guolong wasn’t foolish—he was doing a life-or-death job; how could he afford to be careless?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His group had three seventh-rank cultivators, the rest eighth-rank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Individually, each could take down the boy—if we block him outside He Gong Alley and strike fast enough, the people in the alley won’t have time to intervene.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fu Jingyu and Song Lu had been on the move all morning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the morning, they went to He Gong Alley but couldn’t find Xu Yuan, so they rushed back to the county yamen to ask Yan Lao for help “divining his location.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Lu had initially been skeptical, but after Yan Lao’s painstaking calculations, he gave a rough range for Xu Yuan’s location: Wangjing Fang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fu Jingyu had guessed right!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Otherwise, why would a poor boy from He Gong Alley go to Wangjing Fang!?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two hurried to Wangjing Fang but couldn’t go in official robes—they changed into civilian clothes and waited outside the Chen Mansion for a long time, yet never saw Xu Yuan’s figure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Afternoon fatigue set in; they decided to return to the yamen for lunch, then report the day’s developments to their master before deciding next steps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as they reached the yamen gate, Fu Jingyu whispered: “We’re being followed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Lu raised a delicate eyebrow: “They’ve got a death wish.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She swiftly scanned the surroundings, signaling her brother: “Lure them into that alley—deal with them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They turned into the alley; footsteps quickly closed in behind them. The pair blocked the alley front and back—only to face Xu Yuan’s broad grin: “Captain Fu, I’ve finally found you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The pair stared, speechless—we searched for you all morning, and you’ve been waiting outside our house?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Yan Lao clearly divined you were in Wangjing Fang this morning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Don’t tell me you went to Chunxiang Pavilion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fu Jingyu remained stern: “The last time we met, I did say that if you came to your senses, you could come to the yamen to find us.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, yes,” Xu Yuan hurriedly said: “I’m a loyal subject of Huang Ming. After you two visited me last time, I actively wanted to assist the Purification Office with the case, so I stayed up day and night, thinking hard…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Enough,” Song Lu cut him off: “Just say what you want.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan wasn’t embarrassed—he chuckled and said: “This morning, I suddenly remembered—before returning from town, I picked up some junk from the ruins of Master Qiao’s inn. I wonder if you two gentlemen would care to take a look?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan had just realized halfway: First, whatever Master Chen’s group is looking for, it may not even be in my possession—why should I take the blame?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Second, even if I accidentally took their item… it’s not a treasure to me—it’s a bomb!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I have no idea what it does. If I die over it—or worse, if my stepmother gets hurt—I’d be at a massive loss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So Xu Yuan decisively changed course and headed straight for the yamen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Purification Office is investigating Qiao Zia’ang—perfect timing to pass the blame!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whatever it is, I’ll hand over everything I found in his study to the Purification Office.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, what I truly needed—the gunpowder—has already been absorbed into my dantian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fu Jingyu and Song Lu exchanged glances, both thinking: This boy is as cunning as a demon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You just now remembered you brought back some items from town?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And “junk”… if it were truly junk, would you have kept it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet yesterday he knew nothing—today he suddenly produces something to hand over. Why the sudden change?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He went to Wangjing Fang this morning…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fu Jingyu had a suspicion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Come with us. I’ll bring an elder to join us—he has great experience in artifact authentication.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright,” Xu Yuan agreed, following them through the side gate into the yamen’s rear courtyard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wait here,” Fu Jingyu left Xu Yuan in a side hall and went to find his master.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Tianshou listened to his report, then nodded approvingly: “Good you’re being cautious. Go get Yan Lao—ask him to accompany you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fu Jingyu and Song Lu changed back into official robes, fetched Yan Lao, and rejoined Xu Yuan: “This is Yan Lao, our elder.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan beamed and bowed: “Hello, Elder Yan.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Lu couldn’t help herself: “You must address him as ‘Elder’!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan replied confidently: “In our alley, we all call him that. Calling everyone ‘Elder’ sounds too distant.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Lao smiled wryly and waved: “Let it be—it’s just a title. Let’s go.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With Yan Lao present, Fu Jingyu arranged a carriage; soon they neared He Gong Alley.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, the driver cried out—then the horses reared and neighed wildly, the carriage lurching violently, nearly overturning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The four inside stepped out: “What happened?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The driver was baffled: “This horse is always gentle—today I don’t know why…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan scanned the surroundings, activated “Wang Ming,” and immediately spotted two cultivators—both eighth-rank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Requesting monthly votes!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1267,"2026-06-20T12:07:23.516Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","126686dd22a686e8d782a1e5b2a71542cabe588b8b69371e63ba4fea51135e31","nothing-is-taboo-chapter-54","nothing-is-taboo-chapter-52",413,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fnothing-is-taboo-cover.jpg"]