[{"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-165":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},2337370,4570,"Chapter 165: All Punished","the-unorthodox-sword-of-ming-chapter-165",165,"\u003Cp>The evening breeze drifted in, swept away the scent from the cave, then departed; soon after, the caves above, below, and on either side of Cave 28 on the Penitence Cliff all caught the scent of this rare, special food.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How extraordinary—the Penitence Cliff was now filled with the smell of meat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheng Lingzi, who had been meditating on the cliff’s edge, opened his eyes. He sniffed incredulously, sniffed again, then silently lowered his gaze toward the cliff below.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Wangdao, who was gnawing on a cold, hard steamed bun, sniffed the air, followed the scent to the cave entrance, and cautiously poked his head out to sniff carefully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn’t detect the source of the scent, but on the Penitence Cliff, the only person who could eat meat with the faint fragrance of rice was clearly Pan Yun—the one who could fetch water with a bucket.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Wangdao tilted his head upward and shouted, “Pan Shimei! Pan Shimei—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Immediately he realized it was wrong—he hadn’t used internal force, so his voice wouldn’t carry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He felt frustrated. Why did the Penitence Cliff block sound but not scent?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Wangdao sank his qi into his dantian, summoned his internal force, and shouted upward: “Pan Shimei—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun, who was happily eating from her pot, lifted her head to glance outside, then looked back down at the rice in the pot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because she was alone, Wang Feiyin thought a large pot would waste charcoal and produce inferior rice, so he specifically chose a small pot—just enough for her to eat, with just enough left over for two extra portions for the cat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He never expected Pan Yun to cook or stir-fry anything herself, so the chicken, duck, fish, and meat were all pre-prepared—cleaned, marinated, and ready to toss into the pot. When the rice was done, the meat was done too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the vegetables were easy: pick a handful whenever she wanted, rinse them, break them into pieces, and toss them into the pot to steam just before the rice finished. If she found it troublesome, she could simply drop them in with the water from the start.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, it wouldn’t kill anyone—it was just a matter of tasty versus not tasty, thoroughly cooked versus even more thoroughly cooked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Feiyin had taught her nothing but his own experience. In his words: “As long as it doesn’t kill you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because of that, Pan Yun assumed the food wouldn’t taste good, and since she’d been busy lately, she’d had little appetite for eating, so she’d never bothered to cook.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She never imagined it would taste this good.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such delicious food, and so little of it—she simply couldn’t bear to share. So she pretended not to hear and kept eating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Pan Shimei—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun didn’t hear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The voice from below the cliff fell silent. Good—she hadn’t heard it; surely he understood what that meant?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun picked up a piece of cured pork and put it in her mouth, savoring it as she chewed. So delicious. If it were spicy, it would be even better. She picked up three more pieces and stuffed them into her mouth…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How heartless~~” A voice drifted softly from behind her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun turned around, still holding the pot, her mouth stuffed with three pieces of meat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheng Lingzi watched her cheeks puff out like a mole’s and reached out to poke her with a finger. “Your Zhou Shixiong called you—just for this bite of food—and you pretended not to hear?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun quickly shook her head to explain, but realized she couldn’t speak with her mouth full. She chewed and swallowed hurriedly, then asked in confusion, “Did Zhou Shixiong call me? I didn’t hear anything.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She immediately turned to the black cat. “Xiao Hei, did you hear it? Did Zhou Shixiong use spiritual power to call me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Hei, still eating rice and tiny fish, ignored her completely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun sighed in disappointment. “Why won’t you even respond?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She hurriedly turned to Cheng Lingzi. “Shixiong, I was so absorbed in eating, I didn’t hear him. What did Zhou Shixiong want?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She tried to step past Cheng Lingzi toward the cave entrance, but he pinched her robe with two fingers and pulled her back—then wiped his fingers on her sleeve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her face was oily; just now, when he poked her, it felt like he’d touched grease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun glanced at the spot on her shoulder he’d wiped, then stared at him silently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheng Lingzi withdrew his hand, shook his fingers, and said, “No need. He saw me come and retreated.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh.” Pan Yun sat back down and resumed eating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheng Lingzi glanced around, waved his hand, and another stone bench flew over, landing with a thud beside him. He lifted his robe and sat, watching her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After eating two bites, Pan Yun sensed his gaze and offered an explanation: “Shixiong, I’d love to offer you some, but I cooked only a little—and I’ve already contaminated it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheng Lingzi said, “I don’t mind.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun choked, then shoved the pot toward him. “Then take it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheng Lingzi studied her expression, then suddenly smiled and pushed it back. “Enough. I’m not teasing you anymore. Just eat.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun immediately brightened, pulled the pot back, and said, “If you like it, I’ll give you a piece of cured pork later. Take it back and cook it yourself—it’s super simple. Just slice it thin and toss it into the pot after the rice is done.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheng Lingzi shook his head and smiled. “Should I call you shrewd or foolish? Because I didn’t steal half your pot of rice, you’re so grateful you’re offering me a whole piece of cured pork?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Pan Yun, the petty fear authority but not virtue; the noble fear virtue but not authority. Is this piece of pork given to me because of my virtue—or because of my authority?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun looked torn. If she said virtue, she’d seem stingy—unwilling to give even leftover rice to someone she admired.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If she said authority, she’d seem a sycophant—giving him pork out of fear. Seeing her face twist in distress, Cheng Lingzi stood. “Fine. I understand. You’re unwilling to give up a single bite from your mouth, so you’re giving me ten times as much from your hand.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun nodded vigorously. “Shixiong, tell me—I’m a noble person or a petty one?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheng Lingzi flicked her forehead and laughed. “You’re a greedy cat.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheng Lingzi left. Pan Yun, pot in hand, chased him to the cave entrance but dared not get too close. She leaned out sideways and called upward, “Shixiong, you really won’t take the cured pork?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheng Lingzi’s voice floated back, distant and airy: “I don’t accept gifts from those punished and confined here. If you still want to give me cured pork after you leave, I’ll take it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So principled? Like my Third Shixiong,” Pan Yun muttered, sitting back down to eat. “But more likable than my Third Shixiong.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Hei finished eating, carefully wiped his mouth with a paw, and said, “Tell Tao Ji that when you leave.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun: “Am I stupid? In front of my Third Shixiong, my most likable shixiong is obviously my Third Shixiong.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Hei: …\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After tasting white rice with cured pork, Pan Yun made the same dish again at noon the next day. This time, she added two washed cabbage leaves to the pot—perfectly balanced, delicious beyond measure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After scooping half a bowl of rice for Xiao Hei, Pan Yun remembered Zhou Wangdao’s call yesterday. She pulled a tiny bowl from her spiritual realm, filled it with rice and cured pork, and lowered it to him in a wooden bucket.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Wangdao smelled the scent again. As he gnawed his bun, heartbroken, he saw the wooden bucket descend and land at his cave entrance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Wangdao froze, then pulled the bucket inside. Inside was a bowl of rice, its surface piled high with three slices of cured pork, completely covering the bowl. Overcome with emotion, he poked his head out and, regardless of whether Pan Yun could hear, cried out through tears: “Shimei, from now on, I will uphold justice and crush tyranny! I will never again bully the weak and fear the strong!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun turned to Xiao Hei. “What’s he yelling? Can you read lips?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Hei, as a realm spirit, glanced once and replied: “He says he will uphold justice and crush tyranny, and never again bully the weak and fear the strong.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun frowned skeptically. “Is that true? What does this have to do with my pork rice? I just wanted to get on his good side—so I’ll have the Criminal Law Hall as backup when I get out.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though I already have Zhang Liuzhen as backup—he’s too lofty. I can’t bother him with trivial matters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That would disrespect his dignity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Wangdao is perfect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jingle’s top disciple, senior brother of the Criminal Law Hall, student council discipline officer, confidant of the Discipline Office director—he can shield me from most trouble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Hei didn’t understand. “Humans can’t even fathom human thoughts. How could I, a realm spirit, understand?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Forget it.” Pan Yun smiled down at him, gesturing for him to eat heartily. “If you need more, I’ll have more tomorrow.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Wangdao pulled the bowl from the bucket, tilted his head upward to smile—then froze. His smile, half-formed, turned to ice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun: … Even seeing Cheng Lingzi shouldn’t have terrified him that much.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun pulled the rope and looked up. Cheng Lingzi and Lin Jingle stood together on a flying sword above them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun’s smile stiffened. One hand gripped the rope, the other waved upward. “Hi, Lin Tangzhu. Shixiong Cheng Lingzi.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheng Lingzi couldn’t help laughing. He mimicked her wave. “Hi, Pan Shimei.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jingle’s face darkened. He stared coldly at Zhou Wangdao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Wangdao clutched the bowl and silently retreated into his cave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as he entered, Pan Yun saw the water-like ripples at the cave entrance fade into nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun stared thoughtfully, lost her appetite, and wanted to return to study the lines inside the black cave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fascinating. The array of the Penitence Cliff was truly fascinating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was Cheng Lingzi who reminded her: “Are you turning into a stone? What, do you have a grudge against Lin Tangzhu and keep staring at him?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun snapped back, quickly pulled up the bucket, then asked: “Shixiong Cheng Lingzi, why is Lin Tangzhu here on the Penitence Cliff? Who punished him?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheng Lingzi: “He punished himself.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun snapped out of her daze, hurriedly pulled up the wooden bucket, then remembered to ask, “Senior Brother Cheng Lingzi, why is Master Lin here on the Reflection Cliff? Who punished him?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheng Lingzi waved dismissively. “I don’t care about affairs below the mountain. As long as the paperwork is complete, I accept anyone sent up.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun asked: “Then what was his crime?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Negligence and dereliction of duty—failing to maintain discipline and justice in the Academy,” Cheng Lingzi studied her, then smiled. “The one who sent him up said this whole matter started with you. Lin Jingle didn’t just punish himself—he punished eight of the nine Academy heads, forcing them to come here for penance. But so far, only he has arrived. The other eight… hmm…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun was speechless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Negligence in duty, failing to maintain discipline and justice in the Academy,” Cheng Lingzi said with a smile, sizing her up. “The one who raised him claims this whole affair began with you—Lin Jing not only punished himself, but also fined all eight other Academy Heads, forcing them to come here for reflection. But so far, only he has arrived. The other eight Academy Heads… tsk tsk tsk…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun stared in stunned silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1969,"2026-06-20T22:03:57.478Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","ac32be10c0a79c27d32ff1cf1248f9078dd469ca7059526c5d9d8f117660ce7c","the-unorthodox-sword-of-ming-chapter-166","the-unorthodox-sword-of-ming-chapter-164",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-unorthodox-sword-of-ming-cover.jpg"]