[{"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-98":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},2337303,4570,"Chapter 98: I Have Fortune in Wealth","the-unorthodox-sword-of-ming-chapter-98",98,"\u003Cp>The county magistrate’s handwriting was utterly unappealing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Cong was mentally prepared and showed little change in expression, nodding slightly: “A bit better than last time I saw it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun couldn’t help sighing inwardly: 【My senior disciple isn’t having an easy time—his handwriting is even worse than my second brother’s.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The black cat poked its head out from Pan Yun’s arms and silently chuckled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ming Xuan didn’t notice, and Wang Cong’s approval boosted his confidence: “I now practice calligraphy for half an hour every morning.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady Ming entered with tea and smiled: “Yes, our lord has become quite diligent.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Wang Cong merely smiled—he knew it was absurd to think Ming Xuan truly practiced so diligently; if he truly spent half an hour daily on calligraphy, his writing could never be this bad.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At mealtime, Pan Yun whispered to Wang Cong: “Senior disciple, perhaps next time you could give him a calligraphy model book.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Cong lowered his voice: “Useless—I’ve given him several already. Now I think keeping them with him is a waste; I’d rather take them back for Miazhen and the others to practice with.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ming Xuan helped set the chopsticks and asked: “What were you two discussing?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, we were talking about books,” Wang Cong said. “My father said the children in the temple have grown up and should study the classics, histories, philosophers, and anthologies, so he sent me down to buy more books to bring back.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He added: “Other books are fine, but the Great Ming Code is hard to find—I was just about to ask if Zi Bi has any extras.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ming Xuan’s courtesy name was Zi Bi; since he wasn’t in the front office, Wang Cong no longer called him “County Magistrate” but used his courtesy name directly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course—I still have the Great Proclamation. Do you want it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes yes yes,” Wang Cong hurriedly said. “I’ll take as many as you have. You know our temple is full of people—one or two copies won’t be enough.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You think it’s cabbage, that you can have as much as you want,” Ming Xuan said. “The copies of the Great Ming Code and Great Proclamation here were issued by the court or given by colleagues. I’ll go check the study and see how many sets I can find—you can take them all.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Cong smiled and agreed, then began chatting with him about his journey.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun sat quietly beside them, eating without speaking, fully adhering to the rule of silence at meals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady Ming, seeing how well-behaved she was, picked up a few dishes for her and asked gently: “You’re so young—why did you become a Daoist nun?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun replied: “My senior brothers and sisters say I have a natural talent for cultivation.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady Ming asked: “What about your parents and family? Did they allow you to leave home?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun lowered her head, dejected: “My mother died. My father… I was sold into slavery, and by chance met my senior brothers and sisters.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady Ming felt deep pity: “Now that you’re here in Yushan County, forget your past. I can see your senior brothers and sisters treat you very well.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re already the temple attendant—you’ll have a future. Even if you fail the ordination exam when you grow up, you can still settle in the Fen River villages and live off your position as temple attendant.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Temple attendants had extra income—not only could they take on side jobs related to the mountain god temple, but they could also claim a share of the offerings made by the people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So she had already secured her place in this world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady Ming felt the Sanqing Temple truly treated this little girl well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun smiled and nodded confidently: “But I will definitely pass the ordination exam.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh? So confident?” Ming Xuan chuckled. “Do you know how hard the ordination exam is now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun was utterly confident: “No matter how hard it is, I will pass.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In her past life, she had studied Daoist arts for so long; even if the Daoist methods differed slightly between worlds, she could still learn faster and double her progress—she refused to believe she couldn’t pass.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ming Xuan clapped his hands and laughed: “That confidence is good—it has my style. How about this: next year, you take the exam with Wang Cong. If you pass, I’ll reward you with the same benefits as a licentiate.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun turned to Wang Cong: “Next year’s ordination exam?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes,” Wang Cong said. “The ordination exam is in June next year, so after this trip, I won’t travel far—I’ll just do business nearby and go to the Guangxin Prefecture exam when it opens.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ming Xuan, upon hearing this confirmed news, sighed again: “With your talent, you’re taking the ordination exam? What a waste. Have you truly considered taking the imperial examination instead?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Cong shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fine, I won’t pressure you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though he said he wouldn’t pressure him, when he went to the study to fetch the Great Ming Code and Great Proclamation, he also dug out extra classics, histories, philosophers, and anthologies, plus his own old study notes, and shoved them into Wang Cong’s arms: “These are all the materials I used for the imperial exams. Some of the essays may be outdated, but the analyses of the classics and histories aren’t—read them carefully. If you fail the ordination exam next year, come back and take the imperial exams.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Cong laughed and scolded: “Stop being a jinx. I’ve studied Dao since childhood—how could I fail?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were too many books—they filled an entire chest, and finally had to be carried out by servants onto the cart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Cong bowed to Ming Xuan: “I’ll be off now—we’ll meet again another day.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ming Xuan returned the bow and watched them climb onto the mule cart, sighing: “It’s his father who ruined him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady Ming had quietly walked to his side and said: “A thousand gold pieces can’t buy inner joy. I see Master Wang is truly happy—why force him against his will?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You don’t understand. Outside the imperial examination, all other paths are deviations.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I think you’ve gone mad. Studying is good—why must it be the imperial examination?” Lady Ming said. “If not for our family’s wealth, your salary as county magistrate wouldn’t even feed us properly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Nonsense. Our ancestors calculated officials’ salaries precisely—there’s no danger of going hungry, just that the food isn’t as good.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well said. Tomorrow you won’t eat meat. For the next month, no tea, no wine.” Lady Ming turned and walked away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ming Xuan gaped, then hurried after her, apologizing: “My lady, I’m sorry! I didn’t mean it—I know most of our household’s wealth comes from you. Thanks to your management, we’ve managed to get by…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ming Xuan went to soothe his wife, while Wang Cong comforted Pan Yun: “Little auntie, are you bored? I’ll take you for a stroll later?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun wasn’t really a child—she refused outright: “Let’s go to the Qian family.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Last time she sold twenty talismans to the Qian family, she spent all the money in one day. Fifty taels were still sent to Datong; one hundred fifty taels repaid her debts to Tao Ji and Wang Feiyin; the rest went into the temple’s account for repairs to the mountain god temple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sure enough, after spending all the money, she didn’t suffer misfortune—in fact, these past two days she’d been unusually lucky. She faintly sensed her fortune was improving—or at least, she was becoming less unlucky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though the change was subtle, she felt it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Cong knew she intended to visit the Qian family to sell talismans and hurriedly said: “Little auntie, I’ve made a good profit from this business trip—if there’s a shortfall for building the mountain god temple, I can cover it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Didn’t you just say only you and your father are supposed to pay for the mountain god temple?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Cong: “That’s what my father said. But I think the money I earn will eventually go into the temple anyway—what’s mine is my father’s. So it’s still his money, isn’t it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun, seeing how carelessly he treated money, sighed deeply and patted his shoulder: “Good nephew, you’re truly burdened—carrying such a large temple on your shoulders…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m not burdened,” Wang Cong said matter-of-factly. “After my father passes, this temple will be mine. Isn’t it natural for me to maintain it now?” The temple was his home—what was wrong with supporting his own family?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun paused, then said: “But we might all scatter eventually. I heard Third Senior Brother’s medical income doesn’t even cover his own alchemy costs—the entire temple’s expenses rely on you. Everything we eat, wear, use, even our medicinal baths—all depend on you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Cong laughed at her adult-like worry, gently stroking her head: “Little auntie, you’re still young. Don’t worry about these troubles. We’re family—supporting each other is only natural.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t fear spending,” Wang Cong said gently. “I have no other talent, but I can earn enough to support you all. Just focus on cultivating with Miazhen and Meihé—you don’t need to worry about anything else.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He paused, then added: “Besides, your fortune in wealth is poor—you shouldn’t trouble yourself with such matters, lest it disturb your Dao heart.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun’s voice rose sharply: “My fortune in wealth is poor?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She snorted, defiant: “I can’t save money, but that’s not because my fortune in wealth is poor—I’m excellent at earning and lucky with money.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Cong merely smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing he didn’t believe her, Pan Yun pointed ahead: “Go to the Qian family—right now!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun had originally only intended to visit the Qian family to strengthen ties—she couldn’t hold onto money anyway, had no major expenses, and talismans took a long time to consume, so she hadn’t planned to sell any this time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>!. Read\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now she changed her mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun pulled out her large money pouch, opened it, moved her hand inside the cloth bag, and the talismans stored in her spiritual realm appeared in her palm. She took them all out, selecting one by one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She wanted to pick a unique, interesting talisman for Old Master Qian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon she chose a Strength Talisman, folded it, and stuffed the rest back into her large money pouch, hanging it at her waist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Cong watched, curious: “What kind of talisman is this? I’ve never seen it before.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’ve never seen it? Good—that’s because I drew it myself. Only I can draw it. It’s called the Strength Talisman. When activated, it grants immense strength—your physical power increases like an ox’s, whether working or fighting.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Cong frowned: “Such a talisman exists? Where does the strength come from?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun said: “We always assumed the strength came from the body itself—like concentrating one’s primal energy briefly in one place. That’s why users often suffered muscle soreness and fatigue afterward. But now I know: the strength comes from the gods.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This talisman I drew now draws power from the Earth Mother,” Pan Yun said. “After many trials, I found drawing power from the Earth Mother is the most efficient and yields the greatest strength boost. I believe it’s because spiritual energy is closer to the Earth Mother—when activated, the talisman directly captures ambient spiritual energy and converts it into primal energy, bypassing the dantian entirely.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Strength Talisman was a basic talisman from her past life, always causing soreness and weakness as side effects.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She and everyone in her past life never thought anything was wrong—until she came to this world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only then did she realize talismans could be used so comfortably, so smoothly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She learned that drawing talismans wasn’t just about communicating with spiritual energy and borrowing cosmic rules—it was also about forming a cooperative relationship with divine will.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When all three elements combined, the talismans became stronger, required less effort from the user, and functioned more smoothly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only heaven knew how joyful she’d been studying these talismans on the mountain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sigh—such mundane affairs are annoying. Once the mountain god temple is built, she’d definitely cultivate hard and stay on the mountain for two months.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the Qian residence, Old Master Qian welcomed her warmly as always.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t hesitate—he closed his eyes and accepted Pan Yun’s recommendation immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing only one talisman, he was disappointed: “Little Immortal, why only one this time? Are you unwell?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m perfectly healthy. I’ve just been absorbed in cultivation and haven’t had time to draw more talismans.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Cong couldn’t help turning to look at her—he’d seen her pull out a large handful of talismans just now, all glowing with spiritual light, clearly finished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun wanted to maintain the relationship, but didn’t want to fleece the sheep bare. Making money should be a steady trickle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun earned twenty taels and chatted with Old Master Qian until he was satisfied, then took her leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, Old Master Qian gave her two silver ingots—pure white, large, and beautiful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun held one in each hand, sat on the cart, and showed them to Wang Cong: “See? I told you earning money isn’t hard.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Cong didn’t understand: “Why? My father and Fourth Senior Uncle can draw talismans too—why don’t theirs sell in Yushan County?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun: “Because they don’t sell them? I’ve never seen them sell talismans—even drawing them, except during lessons.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Cong turned to look at her: “Little auntie, you’re too naive. My father and Fourth Senior Uncle don’t draw talismans because, outside ritual ceremonies, their talismans are practically useless.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why?” Pan Yun didn’t understand. “I think their talismans look fine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Cong shrugged: “Perhaps it’s because they lack fortune in wealth.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun leaned close to Wang Cong and whispered: “Big nephew, do you know why people from Sanqing Mountain rarely have fortune in wealth?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Cong: “Influenced by the mountain god, I suppose—but only up to your generation. My younger brothers and sisters aren’t affected much.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you know the origin of the Mountain God, Master Pan?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Cong shook his head. \"I don’t know. Even my father never dared to ask the Mountain God. But...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He glanced around, then lowered his voice. \"My father secretly consulted ancient texts and suspects He took part in the Divine War. He may have chosen the wrong side.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun widened her eyes and whispered, \"Really?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don’t know if it’s true. That’s what my father suspects—and he only told me. Little Master, don’t tell anyone.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun nodded. \"I won’t tell. So which side did he choose?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Maybe he sided with the demons, or favored demon-aligned deities. Isn’t the Mountain God a rooster’s head and crane’s body? As a demon god, he naturally stood with the demons.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun turned to look at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Cong felt uneasy under her gaze. \"What?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun patted his shoulder. \"Nephew, rumors aren’t trustworthy. Who said the Mountain God has a rooster’s head and crane’s body? He’s clearly just a crane—a beautiful crane. If you don’t believe me, go ask your father.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Cong: \"…Did Little Master actually see the Mountain God?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun beamed proudly. \"Of course I did. More than once.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today’s lucky number is any number ending in 9. Screenshot as proof.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2542,"2026-06-20T22:03:57.478Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","ec7d780e05511acecc78173973264726b8f803d81ecb7b0126c024684d0e1b8c","the-unorthodox-sword-of-ming-chapter-99","the-unorthodox-sword-of-ming-chapter-97",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-unorthodox-sword-of-ming-cover.jpg"]