[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-nothing-is-taboo":3,"chapter-nothing-is-taboo-nothing-is-taboo-chapter-76":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},2310461,4514,"Chapter 76: Settling the Displaced","nothing-is-taboo-chapter-76",76,"\u003Cp>“Those wealthy families won’t provide enough houses, money, or grain?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fu Jingyu shook his head, pulled Xu Yuan to a quiet spot, and said, “The local wealthy families have temporarily lent us seven large courtyards, and we’ve requisitioned Chen’s carriage and horse yard—Chen dared not refuse—this is enough to house them, since we’re only providing temporary shelter.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for food and grain, we can take them from the Chen family; it should be sufficient.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fu Jingyu looked again at the displaced people, his expression complex: “Among these displaced, some must have been contaminated by malevolent spirits.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But we have no effective means to identify them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“At night, these people will transform grotesquely!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan’s expression grew grave; after a moment, he said, “These displaced must be isolated and housed separately…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The problem is, there’s no suitable place within the county. The courtyards provided by the wealthy families are surrounded by dense residential neighborhoods.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fu Jingyu finally revealed his purpose: “The only active members of the Purification Office now are you and Yan Lao. Yan Lao must protect Master, so I’m left alone.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve already conscripted seven cultivators from the local wealthy families to stand watch with me tonight, but they’ll surely do the bare minimum…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fu Jingyu stared intently at Xu Yuan, who frowned and said, “I’m here to meet Elder Ma Tianshou.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fu Jingyu nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Tianshou was staying at an inn in Xicheng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>According to Fu Jingyu and Yan Lao’s plan, he should have been moved to Wangjingfang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the old elder adamantly refused—even severely wounded, he insisted on staying in Xicheng to keep watch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone knew something would happen tonight!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And everyone also knew the best place to house the displaced was Wangjingfang—but even Ma Tianshou couldn’t make it happen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Tianshou’s condition was actually decent; his injuries had stabilized, though he remained weak and listless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Given his status, he certainly had no shortage of fine pills.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Xu Yuan, Ma Tianshou’s face brightened slightly as he smiled: “I heard from your family you were injured too—how are you? I have some pills here; take some.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan bowed and thanked him: “I’m already fine, thank you for your generosity, but no need.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Tianshou nodded, not pressing further: “Very well. But the Purification Office’s reward won’t end here—your courage this time saved us from disaster.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Tianshou paused briefly, studying Xu Yuan, and saw the boy’s face as still as a deep well, showing no trace of pride—he nodded inwardly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Lao promised you the rank of Ban Shan Xiao Wei…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan rose and bowed: “Elder, let’s not speak of that now. Regarding the displaced, I have an idea I’d like you to hear.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Tianshou was curious: “What idea? Speak.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan had thought of this idea just now during his conversation with Fu Jingyu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Exorcism Army has a camp southwest of the city. If we can communicate with them, we can house these thousands of displaced within the military encampment.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Tianshou furrowed his white brows—he understood Xu Yuan’s meaning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If even one of the thousands of displaced transformed at night, it wouldn’t only endanger the displaced—it might break out and prey on other civilians.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And it wasn’t enough to just survive tonight; some contaminated displaced transformed that very night, others on the second or third night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>According to the Purification Office’s past experience, displaced must be isolated for at least ten days.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Tianshou weighed his words: “It’s a good idea, but we’ve always had little communication with the Exorcism Army…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan understood perfectly—the Purification Office, Exorcism Army, and Shanhe Office had overlapping jurisdictions; naturally, they were rivals, mutually hostile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan said: “If you think it feasible, I can try to establish contact. My second uncle is now the overall commander of the Exorcism Army; one of his subordinates is nearby—he could approach them, and there’s a chance of success.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Tianshou was surprised, his gaze toward Xu Yuan turning complex: “You have family in the Exorcism Army?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My second uncle left home long ago and hadn’t returned until recently—he sent word just now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Tianshou thought for a moment, then reluctantly nodded: “Try it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan rose, bowed, and hurried off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xing’an Freight Station was also in Xicheng; Xu Yuan asked around and soon found it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan announced Zheng Rongkui’s name at the gate; a clerk went inside to announce him, and soon Rongkui Uncle burst out laughing: “Nephew, have you changed your mind?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I need your help with something else.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rongkui Uncle opened his mouth: “Don’t worry—I’ve shared life and death with your second uncle. Say what you need.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Xu Yuan explained the displaced situation, Rongkui Uncle’s expression grew uneasy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This matter… is difficult.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan said: “You and my second uncle share life-and-death bonds!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rongkui Uncle was left speechless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And if he remembered correctly, this was the first time the boy had called him “you”—truly, use me when needed, discard me when not.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rongkui Uncle’s mind turned, and he chuckled: “Though difficult, given my bond with your second uncle, I’ll at least ask on your behalf—but if this succeeds, you must come with me to the Exorcism Army…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Rongkui Uncle finished, Xu Yuan turned and walked away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hey hey hey!” Rongkui Uncle called, grabbing him: “What’s this? You ask me to help, yet give me no promise?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yuan spoke plainly: “This isn’t you helping me—it’s my idea, and if it succeeds, it’s a merit shared by both of us. But don’t try to blackmail me—I’m no kin or relation to these displaced.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You little rascal!” Rongkui Uncle sighed helplessly: “Fine, I’ll ask for you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hurry up—it’s almost nightfall.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Understood!” Rongkui Uncle took a horse from the freight station, mounted it, and rode straight out of the city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Exorcism Army’s camp was named Tiemenbao, under the Exorcism Battalion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In its prime, it once housed ten thousand elite soldiers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Later, the Exorcism Battalion marched south with the Imperial Army, clearing the southwest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the front line pushed further south, Shanhe County became a “rear base,” and this camp lost its importance; for years, only a hundred men remained, maintaining repairs and occasionally escorting Exorcism Battalion grain supplies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rongkui Uncle could have stayed directly at the camp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the camp was austere—no wine, no meat, no women—far less comfortable than the county town.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And though both were “Exorcism Army,” Rongkui Uncle truly looked down on these common soldiers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Exorcism Battalion held the lowest rank within the Exorcism Army.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rongkui Uncle rode over, showed his badge, mentioned nothing about cooperating with the Purification Office, only said he was acting on superior orders to investigate in Shanhe County and demanded Tiemenbao’s cooperation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Do your duty, don’t ask questions, and I’ll supply the paperwork later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The highest-ranking officer in Tiemenbao now was only a Platoon Leader, but before Zheng Rongkui, he adopted the posture of a subordinate, instantly intimidated, dared not ask a single question, and could only open the gates to accept the displaced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Request Monthly Votes!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There’s more tonight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1188,"2026-06-20T12:07:23.516Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","65e771011dac8d08136654a9f319943c96c18b352739346fbd437a9002c3b5d1","nothing-is-taboo-chapter-77","nothing-is-taboo-chapter-75",413,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fnothing-is-taboo-cover.jpg"]