[{"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-173":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},2337378,4570,"Chapter 173: Counterfeit and Shoddy","the-unorthodox-sword-of-ming-chapter-173",173,"\u003Cp>As soon as Chen Ziwu left, Pan Yun began shouting, but those who came were only buying medicine; they glanced at her talismans and walked away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a brief thought, Pan Yun handed her stall to Miao Zhen and Miao He to watch, then went inside the shop to examine the talismans there and those sold at other stalls.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She looked and understood: the talismans on this street were mostly decent, at least meeting standard quality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The talismans in the shop were 100% standard—meaning the energy embedded in them exceeded the standard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The talismans displayed at outdoor stalls could achieve standard energy levels in about seventy percent of cases; of the remaining thirty percent, twenty percent carried some energy but fell short of the standard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The remaining ten percent were counterfeit and shoddy—only their form remained, lacking any true essence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pilgrims or tourists coming to burn incense and pray would directly buy from the shop, assured of quality; merchants and Daoists sourcing talismans either had established shop partners or stall owners and wouldn’t wander the streets searching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only wandering cultivators like Chen Ziwu, with limited funds, would think of buying from stalls.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But all the talismans on display looked nearly identical—why would anyone come to her stall?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was young and unknown; unless her cultivation was high enough to perceive that the energy within her talismans surpassed others’, no one would notice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But when she looked up at the street, few had high cultivation, and those who did looked wealthy, ignoring her subtle glances, walking straight into the grandest, largest shop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was said that shop was run by the Zhang family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun only glanced outside and knew she couldn’t beat them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She truly couldn’t beat them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were gilded and magnificent, with three full floors; how could she, who could only find any patch of ground to set up a stall, compete?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sigh—another day missing Master Qian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun pulled her gaze back and returned to her stall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The medicine bottles in front of Miao Zhen and Miao He had all sold out; Pan Yun waved her hand. “Pack up. We’re leaving.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Miao Zhen and Miao He immediately moved. “Little Master, aren’t you selling your talismans?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’re moving to another place.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun first took Miao Zhen and Miao He to Wenda General Store.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Manager Chen saw them and smiled. “What would you like to buy, esteemed guests?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun pretended not to know him. “We wish to consign talismans.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Manager Chen processed their consignment. “Our store charges five percent commission on consigned talismans. What price do you set for yours?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s the usual price for Peace Talismans?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Two taels.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun nearly spat blood. “Only two taels? In Yushan County I sell them for twenty!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Manager Chen smiled. “Young Daoist, rarity commands value. In Yushan County, twenty taels isn’t unusual—even fifty wouldn’t surprise. But here on Long Hushan, two taels is the limit.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun opened her mouth. “Are all Peace Talismans priced at two taels?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No. Unknown Daoists like you sell at two taels; those with minor reputation sell at five; some higher, even up to a hundred taels per talisman for a few renowned Daoists.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun humbly asked, “For example?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“For example, Peace Talismans personally written by a True Person.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Celestial Master?” Pan Yun: “Is he selling Peace Talismans? He’s selling his reputation!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Manager Chen smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun thought a moment. “How much could Zhang Liuzhen, the Celestial Master’s son, sell his talismans for?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After thinking, Manager Chen replied, “About twenty taels.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun exhaled, feeling slightly more balanced. “My talismans may not match the True Person’s hand, but they’re certainly better than Zhang Liuzhen’s. Manager, set my price at twenty taels too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Manager Chen smiled. “Since it’s consignment, you may set any price. But young Daoist—can you even sell them?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun felt deeply melancholy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leaning on the counter, she asked Manager Chen, “Is there any way to earn a hundred taels overnight?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Manager Chen: “Rob someone?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun paused, then nodded. “Good idea!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She told Manager Chen, “Do you have boxes? I’d like to rent one.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Manager Chen stared. “Rent?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. I’ll return it in no more than half an hour.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Manager Chen thought a moment. The shop had no customers. He dropped the pretense, leaned close, and whispered, “Miss, if you need money, I’ll give it to you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun glanced at him, maintaining her professional tone. “Manager, we are students of the Learning Palace. We wouldn’t deceive you. Trust us.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Manager Chen looked at her, sighed, then said, “Fine. But you must leave a deposit.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright.” Pan Yun still had over ten taels—not much, but enough to rent a decent box.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Manager Chen handed her a fine box.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun took the bundled talismans from her satchel, picked two of each kind, placed them inside, then added two more Lei Fu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She closed the box, tucked it into her satchel, waved her hand. “Let’s go.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Manager Chen stared, stunned. He hurried after them. “Wait—wait!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked torn. “Let me inspect the goods first. If they’re good, I’ll buy them outright—or advance you a hundred taels.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn’t possibly let them rob someone. His employer would kill him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wasn’t that stealing from his senior disciple’s money?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Senior disciple’s money was Sanqing Mountain’s money. Sanqing Mountain’s money included his share. What’s the point of earning his own money?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun waved him off. “I’ll come back later to consign.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun led Miao Zhen and Miao He straight to Shenxian Pavilion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oh—that was the luxurious shop run by the Zhang family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as they entered, the clerk warmly greeted them. “What would you like, young Daoists?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He instantly noticed their Learning Palace robes—six out of ten customers here wore the same.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun quickly scanned the room. “I’m here to sell talismans. Do you buy them?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The clerk paused, hesitated, then nodded. “We do. Wait a moment—I’ll call the manager.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shenxian Pavilion did accept outside talismans, but rarely bought them on the shop floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because it was a Zhang family shop, and the Zhangs had no shortage of people who could paint talismans.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So while they might lack other goods, talismans were never in short supply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Usually, Learning Palace students wouldn’t dare come to Shenxian Pavilion to sell talismans; they sold to nearby small shops, consigned, or set up stalls themselves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone like Pan Yun, walking in directly to sell, was rare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The manager arrived much later, glanced at the three quickly, then stepped forward with a smile. “You three wish to sell talismans?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun smiled back. “Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let me see what you have.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun took the elegant box from her satchel, placed it on the table, opened it, and pushed it forward. “Take a look.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The topmost items were Lei Fu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At a single glance, the manager straightened, picked one up, examined it closely. His eyes flickered. He smiled at Pan Yun. “Acceptable. Our rule: half-price purchase. So one tael per talisman.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was too greedy!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun’s face remained expressionless. “Then I won’t sell. These are special talismans my fourth senior sister painted for our survival.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She snatched the Lei Fu back, placed them in the box, closed it, and prepared to leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wait,” the manager frowned. “These aren’t your own work—they’re from a senior?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. My fourth senior sister painted them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Manager: “Who is your fourth senior sister?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Xuanmiao of Sanqing Temple, Sanqing Mountain.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The manager’s legs went weak. His eyes glazed over the box. He looked at Pan Yun. “If these are gifts from your elder and meant for survival, why sell them?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The question made Pan Yun uneasy—she feared hurting her own side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She ventured, “We’re short on funds. We’re selling them temporarily to raise cash.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The manager fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing his silence, Pan Yun cautiously lifted the box to leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wait,” the manager gritted his teeth. “If these are painted by Master Xuanmiao, the price can be higher. Young Daoist, name your price.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun thought, then named her old price. “Twenty taels.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Manager: “...Impossible. Fifteen taels. No more.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fine. Fifteen taels it is.” Pan Yun took the talismans from the box and handed them over. “Ten total. One hundred fifty taels.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The manager nearly doubted their identity, but after observing their stature, clothing, and the faint medicinal scent clinging to them, he reached out and accepted the talismans.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He checked each one carefully, confirmed their energy far exceeded ordinary talismans, then smiled. “Wait a moment.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He returned the talismans to the box, then fetched one hundred fifty taels in silver notes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun counted them, placed the notes inside the box, tucked it into her satchel, and bowed. “Farewell.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The manager escorted them to the door. “If Master Xuanmiao finds out, won’t she come here to cause trouble?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What are you thinking? My senior sister isn’t unreasonable.” Pan Yun said. “Don’t worry—she’ll just beat us and throw us out. She won’t bother you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The manager nodded vigorously, then stopped halfway, realizing his mistake, and gave her an embarrassed smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun led Miao Zhen and Miao He away, not heading straight to Wenda General Store, but first buying the herbs for their baths, then daily necessities, and finally wandering stalls before entering Wenda General Store.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun returned the box to Master Chen and left the remaining talismans with him for consignment: “Twenty taels each, not a single copper less.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Chen: “...Are you absolutely certain you won’t reconsider?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun nodded. “I’ve given it serious thought. My talismans carry no value from fame—they’re worth exactly this much, nothing more, nothing less.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Chen stopped trying to dissuade her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though he didn’t know what she had done, her trip out had cut her talismans in half, yet she carried herself with unshakable confidence—clearly, she had sold them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this Shangqing Town, no one who traded talismans was a fool. If someone paid a high price, there must be profit to be made.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Chen decided to display her talismans in the most prominent spot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After completing the consignment paperwork, Pan Yun wandered through the general store, picking up a few useful items on the way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since she was spending money anyway, it was far more satisfying to spend it from her senior disciple’s purse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three gathered their purchases and realized they had bought a great deal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Miao Zhen tied up the cloth sack of herbs to carry it, but Pan Yun snatched it away. “I’ll carry it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She immediately stored it in her spiritual realm, leaving only three cloth bundles for small items, stuffing everything else inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Miao Zhen and Miao He were unfazed; they willingly picked up Pan Xiaohei. “Little Master, let’s head back.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun glanced at the sky and nodded. “Let’s go.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they neared the town’s edge, Pan Yun halted, frowned, and turned to Miao Zhen. “Did you recognize Chen Ziwu too?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Miao Zhen paused, then shook her head. “I didn’t recognize him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then why did you find him strange?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Miao Zhen thought a moment. “I observed their qi. I felt their qi were nearly identical—that’s why it struck me as odd. Faces can resemble each other; I’ve heard twins look so alike they seem to share one face. But my master said: faces may be identical, but qi never are.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There are no two identical leaves in this world. If two faces are exactly alike, if two people are indistinguishable, their difference must lie in their qi.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yet the young Chen Ziwu and the middle-aged Chen Ziwu—their qi were extremely similar.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Extremely similar—not perfectly identical?” Pan Yun asked, though her tone was certain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. Their qi had changed. Not perfectly identical.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun fell silent. “I was too focused on his face and forgot to observe his qi. But his features... Come, let’s go back. I suspect he’s in danger tonight.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Miao Zhen immediately followed. “I also sensed bloodshed looming for him, but I wasn’t sure enough to speak up.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Miao He hurried after them. “Little Master, are we going to save him?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun: “We’re going to buy the disguise technique from him before he dies.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Miao Zhen and Miao He: “Oh.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three followed Immortal Street but found no trace of him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They rejoined the main street, searched the grand marketplace, and even checked the taverns.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They didn’t find him—but they grew hungry and thirsty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun sat down at a tavern. “Let’s eat first. Life and death are fated. If we truly can’t find him, then this is his destiny.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Miao Zhen nodded and sat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Miao He hesitated. “Shouldn’t we look a little longer? We could buy two buns and eat while searching—it’s a human life.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun said, “Relax. Sometimes, when we stop looking, he appears.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this time, even after finishing their meal and retracing the streets, they found no trace of him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Miao He grew anxious. “Little Master, shouldn’t we use divination to find where he is?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun: “I’m not your Fourth Master, able to divine someone’s location after one glance. I don’t even know if his name is real—how can I cast a divination?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Miao He: “Ah, his name’s fake too?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun thought briefly. “Since the matter is so complicated, let’s try the simplest method.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What method?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun: “Throw a stone.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In short: throw a stone to seek direction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stand in the middle of the road, silently focus on the direction your target has taken, close your eyes, and toss the stone. Where it lands, go there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun stood at the town’s edge and threw a stone. She glanced at its direction, raised an eyebrow. “That’s the direction of Huishan? How convenient. Let’s go.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Miao Zhen: “What if the stone’s direction is wrong?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then it’s his fate. Heaven has decreed it. No one to blame.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2305,"2026-06-20T22:03:57.478Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","3ec27d4ff20078da3160c7a08a43c3c66005dbbdcacea2727ddd87b5d2ddf8f8","the-unorthodox-sword-of-ming-chapter-174","the-unorthodox-sword-of-ming-chapter-172",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-unorthodox-sword-of-ming-cover.jpg"]