[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-immortal-through-martial-path-i-who-cannot-die-s":3,"chapter-immortal-through-martial-path-i-who-cannot-die-s-immortal-through-martial-path-i-who-cannot-die-s-chapter-153":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Immortal Through Martial Path, I Who Cannot Die Shall Ultimately Be Invincible",{"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},2325371,4549,"Chapter 153: Better to Take the Young Widow","immortal-through-martial-path-i-who-cannot-die-s-chapter-153",153,"\u003Cp>After finishing work and heading home, before even stepping through the door, he smelled the thick, bitter medicinal scent in the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Cough cough cough…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From across the way, at Chen Ergou’s house, came a heart-wrenching cough, as if the man were coughing his very brain out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Judging by the sound, it must be Aunt Hu who was ill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His judgment was quickly confirmed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He brought a bowl of braised pork to Sister Chunxiang’s house, and she immediately pulled him into casual chat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I told you so—being cruel to your daughter-in-law every day, you’ll eventually bring misfortune upon yourself.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Aunt Hu is sick? How serious is it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“She’s been sick for days. At first, it was just a chill from the wind; she thought two days of medicine would fix it. But the medicine didn’t help—her condition only got worse. She’s already seen three doctors. Pan Niangzi is so frantic her lips are blistering, and she’s lost a whole layer of weight. This winter’s colder than the last two. I don’t know if Aunt Hu can survive it. With her coughing like this, I’m deeply worried.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Guanlou asked casually, “Maybe the doctors aren’t skilled enough—should you get a different one?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s not the doctors’ fault. When you’re old, your body just isn’t as strong as a young person’s. As long as you don’t get sick, you’re fine—but once you do, every old ailment comes crawling out. Aunt Hu is now too weak to get out of bed, can’t even turn over. The house only has Pan Niangzi, and her tiny frame can’t possibly manage Aunt Hu. I feel sorry for her, so I’ve got to lend a hand.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they were talking about helping, someone knocked on the gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the door opened, Pan Niangzi stood timidly on the threshold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She saw Chen Guanlou too, and instinctively shrank back, daring not to look at him even once, only whispering to Sister Chunxiang, “Again, I’m troubling you. My mother-in-law… I can’t handle her alone. If you’re free…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“She wet the bed again, right? Come on, let’s go change her right away. It’s freezing—can’t let her catch cold. Do you have a brazier lit at home…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Sister Chunxiang spoke, she stepped out, moving with swift efficiency, showing not the slightest aversion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Guanlou stood up and asked, “Need any help?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re a man—can you wash or change her? Don’t get in the way,” Sister Chunxiang shot back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Guanlou gave Pan Niangzi an awkward smile. With Sister Chunxiang’s sharp tongue, he could only surrender.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the days that followed, the sound of Aunt Hu’s condition showed no improvement—only worsened. Sister Chunxiang said Aunt Hu had started coughing up blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The doctor said if there was no improvement, it would be just a matter of days. She would definitely not survive the New Year. The family should prepare themselves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How fast?” Chen Guanlou was stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When you’re old, you fear nothing but illness,” Sister Chunxiang sighed. “But poor Pan Niangzi—running around day and night. If Aunt Hu dies, how will she manage, a young widow with a child who doesn’t even understand?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only silver lining is she rents here among us Chen folk, or people connected to the Hou Fu—no street thugs or riffraff. No one dares cause trouble. If anyone does, I’ll be the first to object.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What kind of man bullies a young widow? If you truly want her, send a matchmaker and go through the proper rites—no one will gossip. We don’t resort to forced taking here. Understood?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Guanlou laughed helplessly—he was truly innocent. “You shouldn’t say that to me. I only do what’s mutually agreeable. Besides, with my face, do I even need to force anyone? Sister Chunxiang, don’t look down on me!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sister Chunxiang snorted. “All men are the same. Good-looking ones just sleep with more women; ugly ones spend more money. Who else but you—good-looking and still spending? Always the sucker.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That remark…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Guanlou had no reply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was damn true.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was good-looking and still spent money—maybe he was a sucker. But from another angle, with his looks, he only needed the base price to sleep with the prettiest girls—and sometimes they even paid him. Ugly men had to spend five or ten times as much, and still got mocked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three days later, Aunt Hu ultimately couldn’t survive the winter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing Pan Niangzi’s wailing, Chen Guanlou joined Sister Chunxiang at Chen Ergou’s house to help with the funeral arrangements.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Niangzi wore mourning clothes. By the lamplight, Chen Guanlou nearly lost composure in public. One glance—it was as if Bai Yinshuang had returned, that innocent, helpless, frail beauty, the one-of-a-kind white flower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sinful!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could he harbor impure thoughts toward a widow in mourning? Unforgivable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He thought again of Li Dahong’s widow, Liu Shi, then looked at Pan Niangzi before him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sinful indeed!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why did he keep running into young widows?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mourners came in unusually large numbers—all old perverts drawn by the young widow’s beauty, all with ill intent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Guanlou took charge on the spot, standing guard to prevent anyone from daring to force himself on the widow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sister Chunxiang privately teased him, “Why not just marry Pan Niangzi? If you’re put off by her widow status, take her as a concubine—I’ll speak for you. She’ll probably agree. She’s utterly alone now, and among all these people, only you treat her with true sincerity and respect.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sister Chunxiang, your attitude changed too drastically. Who was it just days ago saying I shouldn’t even think about young widows?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Times change. Before, Aunt Hu was alive, and Pan Niangzi had to stay loyal to the household—you weren’t suitable. Now Aunt Hu’s gone, and a young widow like her won’t be able to hold out much longer. Better to find a good home for her early, and cut off those perverted thoughts.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Guanlou mulled it over. Taking a young widow as a concubine? That was a good thing! As for his own secrets, Pan Niangzi’s gentle nature meant she’d never gossip—he could say whatever he wanted. He could just wear a disguise and train outside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking of Pan Niangzi’s delicate figure, Chen Guanlou grew more and more delighted. Still, he had to pretend a little: “Would it look like I’m taking advantage of her in her grief if I speak now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sister Chunxiang rolled her eyes, almost scolding him for wanting it all—greedy to the core.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t worry—we’re genuinely thinking of Pan Niangzi’s welfare, no exploitation intended. Besides, you’re a single man—what do you care about gossip? No woman’s watching you. If you’re afraid your sister will scold you, I’ll speak for you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No need, no need. My sister’s hoping I’ll have a proper woman around. Then, Sister Chunxiang, I leave this to you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sister Chunxiang patted her chest. “Rest assured, I’ve got this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Guanlou didn’t know exactly what Sister Chunxiang said to the widow, but afterward, the widow’s glances at him carried a hint of shyness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Aunt Hu’s burial, Pan Niangzi prepared a banquet to thank everyone who helped during the mourning period. Chen Guanlou gladly accepted the invitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he arrived at Chen Ergou’s house, he realized he was the only guest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Niangzi spoke timidly, “Sit for a moment—I still have two dishes to finish in the kitchen.” Then she hurried off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Guanlou sat in the main hall, watching the widow’s slender, swaying back, his heart burning. This Pan Niangzi—she really knew how to play games. Said she was hosting a banquet for everyone, yet invited only him. Cold on the outside, warm inside—perfect!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was lost in pleasant thoughts when Pan Niangzi’s four-year-old son, Pingge, walked steadily up to him holding a cup of hot water. “My mother told me to bring this. Please drink.”\u003C\u002Fp>",1301,"2026-06-20T17:39:56.967Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","4be28a2f1978f52bc5514361cb48a5f82609e3f6fa6bff18d24258e41b1ed866","immortal-through-martial-path-i-who-cannot-die-s-chapter-154","immortal-through-martial-path-i-who-cannot-die-s-chapter-152",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fimmortal-through-martial-path-i-who-cannot-die-s-cover.jpg"]