[{"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-146":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},2337351,4570,"Chapter 146: Revenge","the-unorthodox-sword-of-ming-chapter-146",146,"\u003Cp>Zhou Wangdao sighed with envy and jealousy: “Sister, though you suffered in the past few years, you’re doing well now—you’re a disciple of the Mountain God and serve as temple keeper; someday you’ll surely be appointed to serve the Mountain God of Mount Sanqing, and a divine post is guaranteed. If you pass the ordination exam, even entering imperial service isn’t out of the question.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s the point of entering imperial service? Better to roam freely, do good deeds, exterminate demons and defend the Dao, and spread our Daoist prestige. By the way, Brother Zhou, I heard you can earn merit points during your off-campus training?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Wangdao nodded: “There are two types of off-campus training. One is directly taking assigned tasks from the academy and earning corresponding merit points upon completion. The other is if, while training outside, you encounter demons or natural or human disasters, and as Daoist disciples you fulfill your duty by aiding and rescuing the people—if you have proof, you’ll still earn merit points upon returning.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun: “The first type is fine, but how do you verify the second? How do you get proof?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Wangdao: “Go to the local government office—they’ll issue you the proof.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun widened her eyes. “There’s such a thing?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course there is,” Zhou Wangdao said. “Sister, are you thinking of exchanging merit points for cultivation techniques or something similar?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Wangdao continued: “But merit points aren’t just for that. The academy’s merit points also count as a bonus in the ordination exam, and the most outstanding can even exchange for resources directly from the imperial court.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun’s heart stirred. “Can I keep using them forever? What if I graduate and leave the academy…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sister, you’ve forgotten the Celestial Masters’ Bureau,” he said. “It oversees all Daoist temples and priests across the land, and they also use merit points. The academy’s merit points are fully compatible with those of the Celestial Masters’ Bureau.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Though the realm is currently at peace and the nation prospers, demons still roam among the people. To encourage monks and Daoists to exterminate demons and defend the Dao, the court and the Celestial Masters’ Bureau have established merit points.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“With merit points, you can exchange for silver, elixirs, cultivation techniques, spells, and other training resources at the Celestial Masters’ Bureau. That’s why not only academy students roam the land to slay demons and do good, but other Daoists do too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Daoist system of this world became clearer to Pan Yun. She asked: “How do I take on a task for off-campus training?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Wangdao frowned. “You can’t yet.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun: “Brother, didn’t you just say my cultivation base is decent? Zhang Weiliang—that senior—can go on off-campus training. Why can’t I?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Wangdao didn’t care about her pivot—he’d never been close to that fool Zhang Weiliang. He replied: “It’s not just about cultivation base. To go on off-campus training, you must study at the academy for at least one year. Only after next April can you take on tasks.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This year is to help you understand the academy, the Celestial Masters’ Bureau, and the Daoist tradition, and to learn about the outside world—the most basic spells, talismans, and elixirs,” he said. “It’s said some temples’ lineages are incomplete. Even if they’ve trained for years in their original temples, they still need to fill gaps and master everything required for off-campus training.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s to ensure their safety,” Zhou Wangdao said. “There are many demons below the mountain. If you’re unprepared and act recklessly, your life could end in an instant.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Take you, for example,” he said. “You arrived too early. Mount Sanqing hasn’t had time to teach you many things, so you don’t even know them. If you go down unprepared and encounter a demon disguised as a person, what if you’re deceived?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun sighed. “Are demons this powerful in this world?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Wangdao: “They’re extremely powerful.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was equally stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two chatted for another half-hour until dusk fell, and only then did Pan Yun reluctantly leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Wangdao had also enjoyed the conversation immensely—it was rare for someone to talk so much with him. His throat was already hoarse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On his way back to the dormitory, everyone he passed greeted him: “Senior Zhou.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Wangdao nodded solemnly, grunted an “hmm” through his nose, and walked on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one minded. Zhou Wangdao was always quiet, like his master, Lin Tangzhu. He often wore a gloomy expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Lin Jingle was the Dean of Discipline, Zhou Wangdao was his loyal Student Union discipline committee member, constantly jotting down everyone’s misdeeds in a small notebook.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So who would talk much with him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who knew if chatting too much might lead to self-exposure—or revealing a companion’s misconduct?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For instance, right now, someone hid behind several trees, watching the new students pass by. When they spotted Cui Huai, one immediately spat out the grass stem in his mouth: “That’s him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He’s Pan Yun’s lackey? Looks weak.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He’s a new student—how high could his cultivation be? I’m certain it’s him. In several major classes, he’s always saved seats for Pan Yun. Even when Pan Yun skips class, he saves seats for Miao Zhen and Miao He. If they’re not a group, even dogs wouldn’t believe it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Isn’t there another one? We took money to do a job—so we must finish it. Two new students—beat them both and be done.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The other’s a girl. Hard to touch her—her father’s an official,” Nong Zhiyi spat. “What’s wrong with her family? Sending their child to become a Daoist when they’re officials?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who knows? But she clearly gets favoritism, so we’d better leave her alone.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Celestial Masters’ Bureau sounded imposing, overseeing all Daoist temples and priests, but in reality, its official ranks started at sixth-rank, and it held little power within the court.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They only managed Daoist affairs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only the Celestial Master himself was extraordinary, able to directly petition His Majesty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So they always viewed the children of officials as: too dangerous to provoke, better to avoid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, if someone deliberately provoked them, most Daoists weren’t cowardly—in nearly every case they knew, the Daoists had struck back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But most acted carelessly, were noticed by the Celestial Masters’ Bureau, and were ultimately punished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They weren’t afraid of these official children—they just didn’t want to lose their academy credits or merit points because of them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No, they weren’t afraid at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Cui Huai drew near, Nong Zhiyi glanced left and right. The nearest person had just turned a corner—this spot was a blind spot. He immediately ordered: “Go!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The group lunged at Cui Huai.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cui Huai was quietly reciting the incantation of the spell he’d learned that day. They rushed him—he had no time to react, staring blankly as the fist swung toward his face…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They planned to knock him unconscious with one punch, drag him to a secluded spot, beat him up, then explain why they were doing it—demand he stay away from Pan Yun, and ideally join them in bullying her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oh, forget the last part—even Liangge couldn’t bully Pan Yun. Recently, the Criminal Law Hall had spread word: no one was allowed to harass Pan Yun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the past few days, Criminal Law Hall personnel patrolled the path to Fengqi Courtyard and Pan Yun’s usual routes three or five times daily. No one dared defy it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But if they couldn’t strike, they could isolate her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They simply refused to speak to Pan Yun, befriend her, or associate with her. Of course, they also forbade others from being near her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This wasn’t misconduct—they just didn’t want to be friends with her. The Criminal Law Hall couldn’t punish them for that. Of course, they didn’t plan to do it themselves—they wanted others to dare not befriend Pan Yun either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After considering all options, targeting Cui Huai was best.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It would be better if Miao Zhen and Miao He also distanced themselves from Pan Yun—but that was too difficult. Nong Zhiyi’s group decided to start with Cui Huai.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fist slammed down. The incense pouch around Cui Huai’s neck grew hot. The punch, aimed at his temple, veered off, grazing his head and striking the chin of the man behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A scream rang out: “Aaaah—Who the hell are you hitting? My… tongue…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His words were slurred—he’d injured his tongue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the punch, Cui Huai finally reacted. He dropped into a crouch. All blows aimed at his upper body missed their target and hit each other.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He crouched, trying to squeeze out of their circle. Nong Zhiyi kicked toward him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing he couldn’t dodge, Cui Huai grabbed the incoming leg…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The kick was powerful, but his abdomen didn’t hurt much. Cui Huai gritted his teeth, gripped the leg tightly, and yanked upward. Nong Zhiyi fell instantly. A chaotic brawl erupted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The talisman continued to heat, then turned to ash. A fist finally struck—precisely, squarely—on Cui Huai’s face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>!. Read\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“His luck’s gone! Brothers, attack!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were all Daoists. After repeated failures, they deduced Cui Huai must be wearing a powerful protective or luck talisman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So they’d already ripped off his money pouch and two sachets—but none worked. They didn’t know where he’d hidden the talisman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now that they could finally hit him, their rage exploded. They surged forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only Nong Zhiyi remembered the key point: “Take him somewhere secluded…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun, humming as she walked toward Fengqi Courtyard, turned sharply the moment the talisman turned to ash.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She’d only infused her own blood into the protective talismans for her father and brother. All others were ordinary drawings. Unless extremely close, she wouldn’t sense them shattering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Within the academy, only Miao Zhen, Miao He, Xuan Li, and Cui Huai had her protective talismans.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun’s heart tightened. A cold gleam flashed in her eyes. “It’s Cui Huai…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She activated her lightness technique and sprinted toward the direction she sensed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A dozen breaths later, she saw over a dozen people huddled together, peering ahead. She leapt over them, stepping on their shoulders, and saw Cui Huai pinned to the ground—one man sitting on his chest, punching his face, while three or four others kicked his body…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Murderous intent flashed in her eyes. She leapt forward and kicked the man sitting on Cui Huai, sending him flying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The men surrounding Cui Huai saw Pan Yun appear. Their faces paled. They finally remembered—they’d been so enraged by Cui Huai, they hadn’t dragged him to a secluded spot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Four of them turned to flee without thinking. Pan Yun leapt up and kicked them into a kneeling position. She didn’t hold back. As they knelt, she kicked their heads. They crashed to the ground, bounced once, and lay still, eyes wide open.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nong Zhiyi, who’d run two steps, saw this. His eyes bulged. “Dai Yong!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He glared at Pan Yun, eyes bloodshot. “You’re insane—you’re killing your own sect-mate!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Merit -5\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun whirled toward him, silent, charging straight at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nong Zhiyi staggered back two steps, then stepped forward to confront Pan Yun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fist met fist, leg met leg. They clashed five or six times in an instant. Nong Zhiyi, who dared bully in the academy, wasn’t weak. He’d been caught off guard, but now he closed in, refusing to give Pan Yun time to form hand seals or summon spiritual power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nor did he give her a chance to draw her sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing his unconscious comrades, Nong Zhiyi’s fury surged. He infused his fist with internal energy and struck swiftly and precisely at Pan Yun’s temple. Pan Yun stepped lightly, leaned back, spun—and instantly appeared behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her palm, coated in Yuan energy, slammed hard into his back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nong Zhiyi’s heart meridian throbbed. Blood trickled from his lips. Without turning, he changed his fist to a palm and struck backward. Pan Yun stepped lightly again, reversed, spun, and reappeared at his side-front—but his center of gravity was now behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun slapped his face. She spun again, moving from his right front to his left front, then kicked his knee pit with full force. Nong Zhiyi knelt on one knee. He pushed up to rise—but Pan Yun seized his throat, forcing his head up. Instantly, he felt his entire body go limp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His face twisted in terror.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Students watching from afar also looked terrified—but none approached. They only watched from a distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun slowly tightened her grip. Nong Zhiyi’s terror deepened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three companions who’d fled turned pale, clenched their fists, and charged forward. Pan Yun lifted her head, coldly glaring at them. Their feet froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They looked at her in fear, their voices pleading: “Pan Yun, killing a sect-mate means expulsion and punishment. You—you must think carefully.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is that so?” Pan Yun tightened her grip on Nong Zhiyi’s throat again. Seeing his fear, she asked: “Then why did you try to kill Cui Huai?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We didn’t want to kill him—we just wanted to beat him up…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three turned to look at Cui Huai. Seeing him lying on the ground, barely breathing, their faces changed. They’d been too enraged, nearly lost their senses. They’d only meant to beat him, to threaten him—they never meant to go this far…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun sneered, lowered her head, and prepared to crush Nong Zhiyi’s larynx. Zhang Ziwang and Lin Jingle rushed over, shouting: “Stop!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun paused. She glanced at them, then slapped Nong Zhiyi’s dantian with her left hand. Only then did she withdraw her grip under Zhang Ziwang and Lin Jingle’s warning stares.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nong Zhiyi fell to the ground, spat out a tooth, his face swollen and red with handprints, one eye nearly swollen shut, but what pained him most now was his dantian, slowly throbbing with agony.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cold sweat drenched him, his complexion paling; he reached out to grab Pan Yun’s pant leg.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun stepped aside, avoiding his hand and ignoring his plea, her face grim as she turned to Zhang Zi and Lin Jingle. “Chief Zhang, Master Lin, the Academy must give us Mount Sanqing and Fuxing Temple a proper explanation!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Zi and Lin Jingle: !!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun turned toward Cui Huai, flipped him over, pried open his mouth, and shoved an elixir between his lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2371,"2026-06-20T22:03:57.478Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","b07c8defd0427f902c465837a910487ce13115049481cfc0d7b1993544fe8ef6","the-unorthodox-sword-of-ming-chapter-147","the-unorthodox-sword-of-ming-chapter-145",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-unorthodox-sword-of-ming-cover.jpg"]