[{"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-152":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},2337357,4570,"Chapter 152: Unending Quarrel","the-unorthodox-sword-of-ming-chapter-152",152,"\u003Cp>Lin Jingle said expressionlessly: “This is the rule.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then tell me,” Wang Feiyin pointed at Nong Zhiyi and the others, “according to the rule, how should they be punished?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jingle: “Strip their cultivation, expel them from the Academy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three kneeling men collapsed, immediately banging their heads on the ground to beg forgiveness—stripping their cultivation and expelling them from the Academy would ruin their lives.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nong Zhiyi let out a bitter laugh; he had known it all along.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he had passed out, he’d been foolish; only when his reason returned the next day did he realize how dire his situation was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This matter could be big or small—if labeled as brawling, he’d at most be sentenced to one year on the Contemplation Cliff, plus fines and resource penalties.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But if labeled as harming fellow disciples, with Cui Huai injured so badly and Dai Yong still unconscious, all of them would face severe punishment—certainly stripped of cultivation and expelled from the Academy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nong Zhiyi felt deep resentment, yet knew he had no power to change it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun was capable and well-connected; judging by her firm stance confronting Zhang Zi, she would never let this go—clearly, this was their only fate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether or not they implicated Zhang Weiliang, this was their fate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, if they implicated Zhang Weiliang, their fate would be worse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Zhang family would retaliate—he knew they would.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So he could only take all the blame upon himself; at least, the truth that Zhang Weiliang was the mastermind must never come from him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He quickly glanced at the three others kneeling beside him—and if possible, he wanted to protect them; even if their dantians were destroyed, he refused to abandon them entirely—saving even one meant keeping one more path open for the future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nong Zhiyi gritted his teeth, forced himself up through the pain, and knelt again, bowing his head: “Headmaster, this was my doing alone. They were deceived and coerced by me into following me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“During the beating of Cui Huai, I had the highest cultivation and struck the hardest. Please, Headmaster, spare them—I am willing to die in their place.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three others kneeling beside him bowed their heads repeatedly, trembling, saying nothing in protest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The onlookers felt conflicted: “Nong Zhiyi may be evil, but he’s still loyal.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Pah! You’ve never been robbed—you can afford to talk from your high horse. To me, this ‘loyalty’ is just some secret deal between them. If they were truly loyal, aren’t we their classmates too? Why did they rob our resources and bully us?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I see—you’ve been robbed by him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Robbed? I’ve been beaten by them too! Whoever defends them, I’ll cut ties with them!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many immediately withdrew their sympathy for Nong Zhiyi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Feiyin didn’t care about any of this—whether Pan Yun was sentenced to the Contemplation Cliff for three months, these five, minus the unconscious Dai Yong, would all be severely punished—none would escape.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After their cultivation was stripped, they’d wait until Zhang Weiliang was captured, convicted, then expelled from the mountain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nong Zhiyi’s confession mattered—but somehow, it didn’t matter much.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He raised his bloodshot eyes to Pan Yun: “Pan Yun, do you know how hard it is for ordinary people to cultivate? Do you know how hard it is just to survive in this Academy?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course I know,” Pan Yun replied coldly. “They endure oppression from the upper class—and malice from you. Robbed of money, robbed of resources, beaten by you. It’s truly hard for ordinary people to cultivate.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nong Zhiyi: “When I first began cultivating, I was robbed and beaten too—who stood up for me? If I don’t rob others, others will come rob me!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That question should be directed to Headmaster Lin and Headmaster Zhang,” Pan Yun glared at the two. “Is the Academy’s rule just decoration? Cultivators must cultivate their hearts—but we can’t even speak of the Dao, and already within this tiny Academy, we fight each other. We haven’t battled heaven, yet we’ve begun battling each other.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun turned the question back on Nong Zhiyi: “Why don’t you question your teachers? Is the Academy teaching us to cultivate the Dao, to uphold justice—or to nurture dark hearts and endless strife? You bully the weak and fear the strong—you dare not question your superiors, yet you prey on even weaker fellow disciples. The dragon slayer becomes the dragon. Nong Zhiyi, you lack even the courage to ask the Dao—how can you pursue the Great Dao?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nong Zhiyi’s lips trembled; he could not speak for a long while.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jingle and Zhang Zi, along with the other Headmasters, turned pale with shame—even Lou Tong flushed with embarrassment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Pan Yun wasn’t done. She looked up at Lin Jingle: “Headmaster Lin, if my anger two days ago was a sin—because I didn’t treat the Academy as my home—then now, I truly see this Academy as my home. I wish it to grow better. I wish it to endure for a thousand years.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So I ask you: should the Academy’s corrupt atmosphere be corrected, and its good traditions preserved? Does the Criminal Law Hall bear responsibility? Do all the Headmasters bear responsibility?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jingle’s eyes seemed to burn. He stared steadily at Pan Yun: “Yes. I and all the Headmasters are guilty. I accept my guilt.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Zi frowned: “Headmaster Lin!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jingle: “Headmaster Zhang, the boil has burst. If we don’t cleanse it now, the whole body will rot.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Zi: “Haste makes waste, Headmaster Lin. The precedents are clear. And the True Person is absent—I urge you to think carefully before acting.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jingle: “Is this such a great matter that the True Person must be present? We’re merely purging the Academy’s incorrigible students, preventing such things from recurring. Maintaining the Academy’s moral clarity is the Criminal Law Hall’s duty.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is that so?” Zhang Zi said. “I suspect you want to do more than just clean up the Criminal Law Hall.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned to the other Headmasters: “Gongze, Sister Lou, Headmaster Xue—what do you think?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Gongze: “This is too serious. Let’s wait for the True Person’s return.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Headmaster Xue frowned: “The Academy does need cleaning—these past years, its atmosphere has grown worse. But Zhang Zi’s concern is valid—we must be cautious, lest we cause trouble.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lou Tong frowned in silence, glancing involuntarily at Xuanmiao standing at the front of the crowd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xuanmiao met her gaze, gave no reply, and sneered: “Just cleaning up the Academy’s rules? Does this require the True Person’s return? Those who don’t know might think the Academy is truly controlled by him—but he spends half the year away. Who keeps it running the rest of the time?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Zifang: “Xuanmiao, stop your sarcasm. You’re no longer part of the Academy—this is an internal Academy meeting.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xuanmiao stepped forward a few paces, coldly: “I’m no longer part of the Academy—but I still bear the surname Zhang. So what if I speak?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The familiar scent of quarreling filled the air. Pan Yun simply sat back on her heels, watching it all with quiet amusement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the second-floor balcony nearby, Zhang Liuzhen coughed, clutching his chest. A handkerchief was offered before him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Liuzhen turned his head and saw Li Wenying. He took it, pressed it to his mouth, and coughed: “Your wound seems worse. How many years do you have left?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Liuzhen clutched the handkerchief, hiding the bloodstain, and smiled palely: “Don’t worry—I’ll live a long time.” Li Wenying paused a long while, unsure whether to believe him, then tilted her chin toward the crowd below: “They’re arguing again. This will probably end in nothing. Won’t you go down and help?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You said it’ll end in nothing,” Zhang Liuzhen replied. “Reform or not—it’s not up to Zhang Zi or Lin Jingle. It’s up to those in the Celestial Master’s Office below the mountain.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“True,” Li Wenying scoffed, brushing past the topic. “What about Pan Yun? If you won’t go, she’ll really be sent to the Contemplation Cliff. Life there is harsh—three months, and she’s so young. She might go mad.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Liuzhen coughed lightly, then smiled: “With your aunt there, don’t worry—she won’t go. Not now, at least.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Indeed, the final hearing devolved into a squabble among the elders. Wang Feiyin was the true outsider—but he expertly stoked the flames.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He interjected occasionally, successfully igniting everyone’s anger—even the usually mild-mannered Headmaster Xue snapped: “The Criminal Law Hall merely seeks to enforce discipline—why not let them do their job? Such trivial matters warrant such heated arguments? So many students are watching—aren’t you ashamed?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Zi: “Headmaster Xue, we act for the Academy’s good. Any change risks deviation—and could ultimately harm the Academy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Though His Majesty currently favors the True Person, the court has long criticized the Celestial Master’s jurisdiction over this Academy. If reform causes scandal, a single order from above could abolish it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Gongze nodded: “There are precedents. Caution is wise.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The court longs for the Academy to produce loyal, virtuous, righteous people,” Xuanmiao sneered. “Do you think the officials in court would be pleased to see the Academy rot into a cesspool? If you fear Lin Jingle’s reforms will hurt your interests, say so plainly—don’t hide behind the court’s banner.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>!.read\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun nodded vigorously beside them, nearly clapping for Xuanmiao—her sister’s words were absolutely right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Zi caught her gesture and shot her a furious glare—this whole mess was her doing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun met his gaze with innocent confusion. How could this be her fault? She truly saw the Academy as her home—she only wanted it to improve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it weren’t her home, who would care if it lived or died?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The quarrel grew so fierce that even the Dai family dared not speak—especially since they barely understood the words, so they shrank to the side in silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the arguing finally ceased, Dai’s mother assumed it was over and tugged her husband’s sleeve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dai’s father gathered courage, lips trembling: “That… that… Reverends, what will happen to my son Er-Gou? How much compensation will you pay us? When can we take him home?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jingle’s face darkened: “Didn’t we say? All five will be stripped of cultivation and expelled. But since Dai Yong is severely injured and unconscious, the Academy will arrange for Master Wang to revive him—then decide whether to expel him based on his condition.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dai’s father: “What about the money?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jingle glared at him: “What money?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But they beat our Er-Gou so badly—don’t they owe us compensation?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jingle: “Dai Yong struck first.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s impossible!” Dai’s father shouted. “If you don’t pay, I’ll carry him to the government office and sue you! You must pay!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jingle sneered: “First, the Academy handles its own affairs. Second, he’s a Daoist—even if taken to the government office, the case would be transferred to the Celestial Master’s Office. Do you not know Daoists are outside worldly law, and the Celestial Master’s Office oversees all Daoist matters nationwide?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Dai family didn’t understand—but seeing Lin Jingle speak with such certainty, and the onlookers nodding as if it were obvious, they realized the government office was useless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And they had no skill for reason—only tears and wailing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dai’s mother slapped her thigh and wailed: “My poor son! You were beaten for nothing! Open your eyes! Your parents are being crushed by these people—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Feiyin pinched his ear: “Enough, enough. You just want money? Let Lin Jingle convert the cost of his medicine into silver for you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dai’s mother kept wailing: “They abuse their power, beat your son, and won’t even take responsibility—they’re going to throw him out—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Feiyin: “The medicine alone is worth about two hundred taels.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dai’s mother fell silent, eyes wide. Dai’s father’s face lit up—he shoved his wife. She hesitated, but after he twisted her arm several times, she finally said: “We don’t trust you. Give us the money—we’ll take him home and treat him ourselves.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Feiyin: “Think carefully. Throughout the empire, only the imperial physicians might revive him—and I’m the only other. Once you take him away, you’re just waiting for him to die.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dai’s mother opened her mouth but no sound came out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dai’s father shoved her again, then stepped forward himself: “We won’t let you treat him. You’re her family—who knows what tricks you’ll play? Give us the money. We’ll find our own physician.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The students watching felt a chill of shared sorrow. Though Dai Yong wasn’t good, they felt the Dai family was worse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Feiyin laughed loudly, stroking his beard: “Zhang Zi, see? This is the true wickedness of men. This is the heart they must refine. This is cultivation! You force them to fight each other, to compete for resources—you’re the one manufacturing the chaos.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zhang Zi, the boil’s pus is too thick. Once it spreads, it strikes the organs—no medicine can save him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stepped forward, took Cui Huai and Pan Yun by the arm, and said plainly: “Handle your own family affairs. My promise still stands—bring him to me, and I’ll revive him for free.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone watched in silence as he led them away—even Lin Jingle made no move to stop him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tao Ji looked at Xuanmiao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xuanmiao no longer paid them any attention. She stepped forward and took Miaozhen by the arm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tao Ji hurried after her, grabbing Miaohuo and following.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Sanqing Mountain group vanished. In the crowd, Xuan Li jumped up and down but saw nothing—only sounds reached her, her view completely blocked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the crowd fall silent, she asked: “What’s going on? Why is everyone quiet?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The teachers not only stopped speaking—they drove everyone away, locking Nong Zhiyi and the others in the Criminal Law Hall. As for the Dai family, they would settle matters privately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the crowd dispersed, she learned Pan Yun had been taken away by her brother. She immediately lifted her skirt and ran after them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun and Cui Huai were brought to the Taisu Academy’s infirmary, where Wang Feiyin would treat Cui Huai anew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He dropped Pan Yun there, lightly tapping her forehead: “You… you…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2349,"2026-06-20T22:03:57.478Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","71d56fd4498eb850c793db87c0d95c52817175bfdf193792d2d84a749ad637a8","the-unorthodox-sword-of-ming-chapter-153","the-unorthodox-sword-of-ming-chapter-151",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-unorthodox-sword-of-ming-cover.jpg"]