[{"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-157":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},2337362,4570,"Chapter 157: Si Guo Cliff","the-unorthodox-sword-of-ming-chapter-157",157,"\u003Cp>Pan Yun opened the box, kept only one silver note worth ten taels, and gave the rest to Wang Feiyin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the senior and junior sisters were counting money, Miaohe rushed in like a gust of wind, shouting, “Grandmaster, the masters and uncles from Fuxing Temple are about to fight with Master Zhang and the others!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Feiyin, hearing this, had no time to count—she shoved the money into Miaohe’s arms and stood up. “These are the funds your junior uncle gave to the temple; keep them safe. I’m going to see what’s happening.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Miaohe hugged the pile of silver notes, her attention instantly diverted. “Wow, so much money.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She barely had time to glance down before Wang Feiyin ran off, beaming with excitement. “Li Qingyin has finally arrived—worth the two extra days I waited.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Miaohe lost all interest in the money and wanted to join the commotion. She shoved the notes back at Pan Yun. “Junior uncle, watch this for me—I’ll be right back.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun extended her hand in a dramatic gesture: “Miaohe—you’re really heartless enough to leave me alone?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Miaohe vanished in a flash—utterly heartless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Qingyin arrived at the worst possible moment, because Pan Yun was sent to Si Guo Cliff the next day and didn’t see the outcome;\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn’t have come a little earlier, or even a little later—wait until she was inside. She didn’t know, and perhaps then she wouldn’t have been so tormented.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun stuffed all her prepared items into her Spirit Realm space, then packed her clothes, toiletries, and everything else inside, before waiting for someone to take her to Si Guo Cliff.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Si Guo Cliff lay among the high mountains behind the Academy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sparse trees, composed entirely of rock, the steep cliffs naturally formed one cave after another, winding and twisting inside. The Academy had modified them, though she didn’t know how—once inside, unless the Academy released you, no one could get out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Feiyin had delayed her departure until afternoon; as soon as the time came, disciples from the Punishment Hall arrived to escort her to Si Guo Cliff.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun’s buttock wounds had scabbed over—lying down was bearable, but any movement sent pain surging up, so she gritted her teeth as she rose from bed, taking ten breaths to take one step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She pleaded pitifully to the senior sisters escorting her: “Senior sisters, I’ve truly done my best, but I just can’t walk.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The four senior sisters stared at her for a moment, then waved their hands. “Bring the plank.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A familiar bed plank was carried up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sisters gestured for her to lie down on it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun imagined the mountain path, then decisively spread the quilt over the plank before lying down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She reached out to Pan Xiaohei, who crouched nearby. “Xiaohei, get up here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The black cat leapt onto the plank and crouched beside her head, tilting its small head up to gaze at the four senior sisters with her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun said: “Senior sisters, we’re ready.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The four senior sisters: …\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They looked down at her for a moment, then lifted her up and carried her away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Pan Yun was taken out, not a single person came to see her off; she let out a long sigh. “I’m so pitiful.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One senior sister couldn’t bear it. “Going to Si Guo Cliff isn’t something to be proud of—why would anyone come to see you off?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let me remind you, though all the caves of Si Guo Cliff are sealed, theoretically they’re connected—some things can pass through the rock walls.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun widened her eyes in terror. “Are you talking about… ghosts?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another senior sister frowned. “You’ve never been inside—how do you know what’s in Si Guo Cliff?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She told Pan Yun: “Sister, don’t overthink it. You’re not the only one entering Si Guo Cliff this time.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun: “Who else?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zhou Wang Dao also went in, and… ” She paused. “Anyway, many others. Just settle in quietly—former students who’ve been inside say that if you calm your mind and quiet your spirit, Si Guo Cliff can’t harm you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun raised an eyebrow. The fourth senior sister had said the same thing—that though Si Guo Cliff was empty, calmness would see you through safely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If she could enter meditation inside, even without cultivating, she’d still gain something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun had been looking forward to this trip to Si Guo Cliff all along.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The four senior sisters carried Pan Yun up the mountain, their steps as steady as on flat ground. At first, Pan Yun tilted her head to look around, but by the time they reached mid-mountain, she clutched the quilt tightly, eyes lowered, no longer glancing about—even so, her face had grown pale.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Xiaohei had planned to jump down and run ahead, but seeing her like this, it snorted and stayed crouched beside her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sisters behind also noticed. “Sister, are you afraid of heights?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun denied it firmly. “No. My qinggong is excellent—how could I fear heights?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve heard that fear of heights comes from fearing the fall. If you trust your surroundings and yourself enough while high up, you won’t fear it. Conversely, even with no risk of falling, if you lack inner trust, you still fear it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So are you afraid we’ll drop you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun half-tilted her head to ask: “Will you drop me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The senior sister laughed. “No. So rest easy, sister.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun didn’t believe it at all—in this, she trusted only herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, she felt a flicker of regret—she shouldn’t have lain down to be carried. Her buttocks weren’t that painful; with careful movements, she could have walked herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the words were already spoken—she wouldn’t change them. She could give up everything else, but not her dignity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun stubbornly endured being carried on her stomach all the way to the summit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The summit, of course, was all rock—only a few stunted, clinging trees grew among the stones. A small wooden hut stood nearby, with two large water jars in front, and an open-air kitchen made of straw and wooden poles. All very complete—is this Si Guo Cliff?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as she thought this, a young Daoist stepped out of the hut. He wasn’t surprised by the four senior sisters, but he was startled by the bed plank. “What did she do to deserve being beaten and carried up?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One senior sister said: “Not a major offense—just didn’t treat our Academy like home.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young Daoist: …\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a long pause, he said: “Still, that’s a serious crime. What exactly did she do?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The senior sister: “She threatened Master Zhang and Master Lin to give her an explanation.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young Daoist’s expression instantly normalized. “Oh, then it’s fine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He extended his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One senior sister handed him a slip. He checked it, then looked at Pan Yun. “What’s your name?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Pan Yun.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young Daoist nodded. “Nine years old. This height makes it hard to mistake—alright, take her to Cave Jia-28.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>!. Read\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The four senior sisters responded, then turned to look at Pan Yun, still lying on the plank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun blinked at them, slowly rising from the plank. She reached out to Pan Xiaohei.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Xiaohei leapt into her arms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wait—why is there a cat? And why doesn’t she bring any luggage? I don’t deliver things for people.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One senior sister said: “She has a Sleeve of the Cosmos.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun turned to look at her, half-smiling. “How do you know?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The senior sister glanced at her. “Your wooden basin and toiletries vanished—no racks left. Clearly you packed everything. Sanqing Mountain spoils you—how could they not pack your luggage? Most likely, it’s in a Cosmos Bag.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young Daoist’s expression improved. “Bring your own things. Once here, treat the cave as your home—solve your own problems. Don’t keep bothering outsiders, understood?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He added: “I deliver food and water once daily, usually by morning. If I don’t come one day, it’s because I’m too sick to rise—or dead. Shout loudly inside the cave—someone will come up to check. This isn’t saving me—it’s saving you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, I forgot to mention—only I guard Si Guo Cliff. If I’m gone, you’ll starve or die of thirst. So don’t keep calling me—people can die from exhaustion.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun: “May I ask your name, senior brother?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I am Cheng Lingzi.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Senior Brother Cheng Lingzi, you’re working far too hard. When I return to the Academy, I’ll speak with Master Lin about this—how can such a vast Si Guo Cliff be left to one person’s labor?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheng Lingzi grinned at her. “Thanks a lot.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The four senior sisters, tired of their banter, brought up a large bamboo basket and gestured for her to get in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun: “…So this is how we enter Si Guo Cliff?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Enough talk. Get in quickly—the sun’s about to set.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun stepped into the basket, holding Pan Xiaohei.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under Cheng Lingzi’s direction, the four sisters lowered the basket over the cliff.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cliff plunged into bottomless depths, where rushing river water churned below.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun closed her eyes, trembling as she turned her body to face the cliff wall—only then did she feel slightly better. She asked Pan Xiaohei: “Check if the rope is sturdy—won’t it snap halfway down?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Xiaohei meowed: “The rope is strong.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then check the basket—is it rotten from rain?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The basket is solid too. Can you stop shaking? You say you flew with objects in your past life—I don’t believe you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How can that be the same? I flew because I trusted myself. This basket, this rope, even the people pulling the rope—they’re not me. How can I trust them? There are always malicious people trying to harm me—I must be cautious.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they bickered, Pan Yun’s sharp ears caught: “There—it’s this cave.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun stiffly turned her neck and saw the basket halted before a cave entrance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheng Lingzi leaned over to look down. “What are you waiting for? Get in! Even without qinggong, you can walk in. By the way—she’s nine. Has she learned martial arts? Don’t scream and panic and disturb Si Guo Cliff.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Senior brother, don’t worry—she’s excellent. She beat Zhang Weiyi.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheng Lingzi: “Zhang Weiyi is that weak? Sigh—your generation is terrible. One worse than the next.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The four senior sisters remained silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While they talked above, Pan Yun tugged the rope to confirm the basket was secure, then tossed the cat into the cave and carefully climbed out of the basket.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only when her feet touched the ground did her heart settle. She walked five or six steps into the cave without turning back, then looked out. “Oh my—this is way too high! Why can’t I have a lower cave?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the summit, Cheng Lingzi proudly shouted down: “How’s this cave? High, dry, sunny, great view, spacious!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun: …\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun shouted up: “Thank you, senior brother.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1825,"2026-06-20T22:03:57.478Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","c85329af205e7c375bc00f2b136dc3e51b603aed8f7763c3178f1bed86f86e3e","the-unorthodox-sword-of-ming-chapter-158","the-unorthodox-sword-of-ming-chapter-156",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-unorthodox-sword-of-ming-cover.jpg"]