旁门左道 unorthodox methods
Explanation
原指不正派的宗教或学术派别，现泛指不正派的方法或手段。
Originally referring to unorthodox religious or academic schools of thought, it now broadly refers to unorthodox methods or means.
Origin Story
话说唐朝时期，有个名叫李白的书生，一心想要考取功名，光宗耀祖。他勤奋好学，博览群书，却始终未能如愿。一次偶然的机会，他遇到一位自称精通“奇门遁甲”的老道士，老道士声称可以助他通过捷径考取功名。李白心动之下，便拜老道士为师，学习“旁门左道”。老道士传授给他一些所谓的“秘诀”，例如如何作弊、如何讨好考官等等。李白起初有所顾虑，但为了尽快实现自己的理想，还是铤而走险。然而，他的“秘诀”最终并未奏效，反而让他在考试中屡屡失败。最终，他明白“旁门左道”终究是不可靠的，唯有踏踏实实学习才是正道。从此，他痛改前非，潜心苦读，最终通过自己的努力，考取了功名，实现了自己的理想。
During the Tang Dynasty, there was a scholar named Li Bai who desperately wanted to pass the imperial examination and bring honor to his ancestors. He studied diligently, reading widely, but to no avail. One day, he encountered an old Taoist priest who claimed mastery of "mysterious arts" and promised a shortcut to success. Tempted, Li Bai became his disciple, learning unorthodox methods. The Taoist taught him so-called "secrets," such as cheating and flattering examiners. Initially hesitant, Li Bai took the risk for the sake of his ambition. However, his methods failed, leading to repeated exam failures. He finally realized that shortcuts were unreliable and that honest hard work was the true path. He repented, studied diligently, and ultimately achieved his goal through his own efforts.
Usage
常用作宾语、定语；指不正派的方法或手段。
Commonly used as an object or attributive; referring to unorthodox methods or means.
Examples
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他为了达到目的，竟然使用了旁门左道。
ta wei le dad dao mude, jingran shiyong le pangmenzuodao
He actually used unorthodox methods to achieve his goal.
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不要走旁门左道，踏踏实实地学习才是正道。
buyao zou pangmenzuodao, tatashishi de xuexi cai shi zhengdao
Don't take shortcuts; diligent study is the right path.