[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-unorthodox-sword-of-ming":3,"chapter-the-unorthodox-sword-of-ming-the-unorthodox-sword-of-ming-chapter-118":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Unorthodox Sword of Ming",{"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},2337323,4570,"Chapter 118: Trouble","the-unorthodox-sword-of-ming-chapter-118",118,"\u003Cp>Shameless Pan Yun broke free from Wang Feiyin’s grip and asked, “Senior Brother, do we have any grudge against that Daoist just now? Should we be careful?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No need. She’s just foul-mouthed, but her character is fine. See that old Daoist standing ahead? That’s who you need to watch out for.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun looked up and saw a handsome young Daoist standing before the steps, speaking quietly to someone. As if sensing their gaze, he suddenly turned his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing them, he smiled warmly, his whole face lighting up as if the wind itself had grown brighter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun halted her steps, but Wang Feiyin quickened his pace, stepping forward with a cheerful grin, “Junior Brother Ming, long time no see!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young Daoist clasped his hands in greeting and smiled, “Senior Brother Wang, long time no see. Is this the temple keeper of the Mountain God Temple—the Mountain God of Mount Sanqing’s personal young disciple?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Feiyin nodded and smiled, “Yes, my little sister. Pan Yun. Little sister, this is Master Ming You from Laozi Temple.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun smiled and clasped her fists, “Senior Brother Ming.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ming You hurried to say, “Your humble servant’s Daoist name is Yuchengzi. Sister Pan, you may call me by my name. I don’t yet know your Daoist name.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun said, “I’m still young. My master says I’ll receive a Daoist name when I’m older, so I don’t have one yet.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ming You smiled and nodded, “I see. Sister Pan does indeed look very young.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He led Wang Feiyin and the others to the back courtyard and said, “Everyone’s arrived—just waiting for you, Senior Brother Wang. Won’t Senior Brother Tao and Sister Zhang be coming?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They’re coming. They’re right behind us.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The back courtyard of Fuqing Temple was no less bustling than the front, crowded with many people. Looking around, there were not only male and female Daoists, but also monks and nuns.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The open ground was marked with circle after circle, forming an ellipse within an ellipse, with a path cutting through the center. With so many people, it looked chaotic from afar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But upon closer inspection, one realized that if viewed from above, all the circles formed a Bagua diagram.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Pan Yun wondered what the circles were for, an old Daoist pushed through the crowd and grabbed Wang Feiyin’s arm. “We’ve been waiting for you! Hurry, hurry—we’re drawing lots to assign spots.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Feiyin said, “You’re too eager. We said the draw would be at the hour of Si, and it’s barely past Chen. You’re already trying to divide the spots?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This year’s event is especially lively—Long Hushan’s Zhang family even sent people. We can’t keep them waiting.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old Daoist pulled Wang Feiyin into the main hall. The crowd in the courtyard fell silent, all eyes turning toward the main hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two chairs stood in the center of the hall. One was occupied by a man around thirty, dressed in a Daoist robe, his expression solemn. Only when Wang Feiyin reached him did he rise, clasping his hands in greeting: “Senior Brother Wang.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Feiyin stroked his beard and smiled, “So it’s Brother Zhang Wu. I thought Brother Zhang Er would send Brother Zhang San. After all, Mount Sanqing’s been unusually lively this year.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It has been lively,” Zhang Wu’s gaze settled directly on Pan Yun behind him, and he offered a faint smile. “Is this the Mountain God’s personal young disciple?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, my little sister.” Wang Feiyin gestured for Pan Yun to step forward and introduced her: “This is Daoist Zhang Zifang of Long Hushan. He’s the fifth in his family—call him Brother Zhang Wu, just like your sister does.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun clasped her fists in greeting, “Brother Zhang Wu.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Zifang paused, then nodded with a smile and pulled a jade talisman from his sleeve. “This jade talisman holds a Thunder Sword. A small gift from senior brother to junior sister.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun glanced at Wang Feiyin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Feiyin immediately said, “Don’t delay—thank your Senior Brother Zhang! Long Hushan’s talismans are legendary, and the Thunder Sword is their second greatest art. You’ve received both masterpieces at once!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun immediately thanked him, accepting the jade talisman with gratitude and carefully placing it inside her pouch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Zifang smiled and asked, “Senior Brother Wang, may I ask where Sister Pan is from and what cultivation art she’s currently studying?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Feiyin smiled broadly, “She’s originally from Jiangnan. Now she’s studying Kunyuan Art.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Zifang frowned slightly. “Kunyuan Art? I thought only half the scroll remained. Has Mount Sanqing found the complete version?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, but she’s suited to it. And in my view, half is enough for her to train with for a long time.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Zifang said, “Senior Brother Wang, you have too little faith in Sister Pan. I heard she built the Mountain God Temple the moment she arrived at Mount Sanqing—clearly the Mountain God favors her deeply. With her potential, she may even become a Earth Immortal. How could half a scroll of Kunyuan Art possibly suffice?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How many people in today’s world have broken through the First Marquis and entered the Second Marquis? Half a scroll of Kunyuan Art is enough to carry her to the Second Marquis. In my view, it’s more than enough.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Zifang looked at Pan Yun with clear disapproval and regret. “That’s mistaken thinking. Our inability to advance doesn’t mean Sister Pan cannot. Without long-term planning, near-term troubles will follow. If you don’t choose the right cultivation art now, you’ll find it nearly impossible to progress later—and once you hit that wall, there’ll be no turning back. What then?” If not for her twenty years of past-life memories, and if she didn’t know the true power of Kunyuan Art, she might have doubted whether Wang Feiyin had given her an unsuitable art.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This man is sharp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Zifang said, “Sister Pan, the Long Hushan Academy opens next April. Would you consider studying there? There are many cultivation arts to choose from. Since you’ve only just begun, you might find one better suited to you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“At least, the other arts are complete—not like Kunyuan Art, which is only half a scroll.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Feiyin said, “She’s still young. Isn’t the Long Hushan Academy only open to those over twelve?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Since Sister Pan has taken the Mountain God as her master, her cultivation speed will surely be swift. All orthodox Daoists must receive talismans before ascending from mortal to sacred, gaining divine rank and office. I’ve heard she built the Mountain God Temple herself and appointed herself temple keeper. Senior Brother Wang, forgive my frankness—this makes her a rogue divine office.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Feiyin snapped, “Brother Zhang Wu, my master is the legitimate Mountain God of Mount Sanqing. What do you mean ‘rogue’? Watch your tongue!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I didn’t say the Mountain God of Mount Sanqing is rogue. I said Sister Pan has not received talismans from Long Hushan—her temple keeper status is a rogue divine office.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Feiyin’s face turned cold. “We obtained county government approval to build the Mountain God Temple. I also sent a letter to Long Hushan. From the moment I wrote it until the temple was completed—two full months—you never replied. Isn’t that tacit approval?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“She was appointed temple keeper by my master. The court approved it. Long Hushan said nothing. How is she a rogue divine office?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Zifang sighed helplessly. “But she hasn’t received talismans. Long Hushan oversees all deities. Daoists must be talisman-authorized to hold office. That’s the rule.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Bullshit rule! Ask my master if He recognizes your rule,” Wang Feiyin sneered. “You didn’t reply to my letter for two months because you thought Mount Sanqing’s temple was too small and didn’t take it seriously. I bet you didn’t even open it!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Wu’s face stiffened. “Senior Brother Wang, don’t speak nonsense.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Pah! You know as well as I do whether I’m lying. Your own fault, yet you want to blame my brother and sister? Dream on!” Wang Feiyin shouted loudly. “Listen up: either keep pretending you don’t know about this, let everyone ignore it and move on—or give her talismans right now, and let her take the official seal as temple keeper!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Zifang: …\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under so many eyes, his voice carried to everyone outside—the monks and nuns included. Could he possibly brush this off?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could never grant her talismans. If he did, wouldn’t every Daoist temple across the land descend into chaos?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Zifang lowered his voice, whispering a threat: “Senior Brother Wang, let’s discuss this later.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No discussion! You can pressure Mount Sanqing all you want—but you won’t pressure my junior brother and sister!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Zifang: … So your temple is split between mountain and people?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Zifang’s face darkened, about to erupt—when a voice cut in: “Senior Brother!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Zifang looked up and saw Xuanmiao walking slowly through the crowd, sword in hand. Tao Ji and Wang Cong followed behind her, each carrying a massive bundle, bowing apologetically to those they jostled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But no one paid them any mind. All eyes were fixed on Xuanmiao, burning with awe, as if they wanted to cling to her and Zhang Zifang’s faces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Xuanmiao, Zhang Zifang’s face grew even stiffer. He fell silent and involuntarily stepped back half a pace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Feiyin rushed forward the moment he saw Xuanmiao, grabbing her hand and choking up, “Sister, you’ve arrived just in time! Someone’s bullying your old, weak senior brother—I’ve been pushed around so badly!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun’s eyes welled up too. She pushed forward and seized Xuanmiao’s left hand, overlapping it with Wang Feiyin’s, choking out, “Fourth Sister, someone’s bullying me for being young and powerless—I’m so terrified!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xuanmiao: …\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crowd: …\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Zifang felt a lump lodge in his chest—neither rising nor falling—nearly choking on rage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xuanmiao tried to pull her hands free, but Wang Feiyin and Pan Yun held them tight, even using her sleeves to wipe their eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xuanmiao: …\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xuanmiao took a deep breath, her gaze sharp as she turned to Zhang Zifang. “Long Hushan is indeed powerful. Mount Sanqing’s temple is indeed small. But even our small temple followed the rules. I wonder if Long Hushan followed them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Zifang hurried to explain, “Sister Li, Long Hushan did receive Senior Brother Wang’s letter. But the junior disciple assigned to sort letters was new, careless. When delivering it to Brother Er, he passed the Divine Turtle Pond and was startled by the turtle—the letter fell in. Not just Senior Brother Wang’s, but several others were soaked. Afraid of punishment, he secretly destroyed the ruined letters. That’s why the temple never knew.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother Er learned Mount Sanqing had built a temple and appointed a newly initiated disciple as keeper. He guessed someone was scheming. He knew Senior Brother Wang is scrupulously rule-abiding—he wouldn’t appoint a keeper without notice. An investigation uncovered the junior disciple. He’s already been dealt with. But the damage is done. We can’t undo it—we can only fix it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Last digit is 8\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of this chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1839,"2026-06-20T22:03:57.478Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","c34697e67c7d3de42c01ac4623bed43332af356d58ff9d4d7846c8b5452ac8f4","the-unorthodox-sword-of-ming-chapter-119","the-unorthodox-sword-of-ming-chapter-117",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-unorthodox-sword-of-ming-cover.jpg"]