[{"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-57":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},2337262,4570,"Chapter 57: Has the Skill Arrived Home?","the-unorthodox-sword-of-ming-chapter-57",57,"\u003Cp>Hearing the shout behind her, Pan Yun quietly exhaled, softly curving her lips into her warmest smile as she turned around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The steward swiftly scanned her from head to toe, then forced a smile and offered the red envelope with both hands. “Thank you, young Daoist, for making the special trip—this is a small token from our master.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun didn’t move; Miao Zhen and Miao He looked puzzled, but Tao Yanbai was the first to react, stepping forward quickly to take the envelope.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only then did Pan Yun smile. “Mr. Qian is too kind.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She paused, then added again, “Please, Mr. Qian, be extra cautious—do not leave your home for the next three days.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The steward nodded vaguely, surprised that Master Tao had such a sister—someone who didn’t study elixirs or medicine, but instead followed the ways of street Daoists, swindling and deceiving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun glanced at the steward, frowned, and could only repeat, “If you must go out, be sure to carry the protective talisman.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Misfortune can often be avoided, but good advice cannot save a man destined to die.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had done what she must. Taking the red envelope brought her no guilt. What happened next was up to Mr. Qian’s fortune.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he had fortune, he would listen—and avoid this tribulation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun turned and left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The steward was taken aback by her swift departure—he’d expected her to drone on, trying to curry favor with the Qian family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun walked quickly; Miao Zhen and Miao He were equally inept at social niceties and followed without hesitation. Only Tao Yanbai bowed before departing with the steward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Little Master Auntie, Little Master Auntie…” Tao Yanbai caught up to Pan Yun. “Do you really think Mr. Qian’s fortune is so bad?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Miao He said, “Can’t you see, Third Brother? Even I can tell.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Miao Zhen said, “If even you two can see it, this isn’t just today’s misfortune—it’s tomorrow’s. So Little Master Auntie was right to tell him to stay indoors for three days.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun: “Open it. See how much silver is inside.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only then did Tao Yanbai realize—he handed her the envelope, worried. “Little Master Auntie, should we tell Third Master? Let him go back and warn Mr. Qian again? What if Mr. Qian ignores us and still goes out?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing his persistent concern, Pan Yun turned to Miao Zhen. “What do you think?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Miao Zhen shook her head directly. “Three days ago, Third Master taught us: when we divine or read faces, we may help others avoid disaster and invite fortune, but we must not forcibly alter fate.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tao Yanbai: “I was still tending the furnace in the elixir room three days ago—I didn’t attend the class.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Miao Zhen recited the lesson plainly: “Third Master said, if we foresee an invisible pit ahead, we warn passersby to detour.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those who detour—this is good karma. Those who ignore us and walk straight ahead—we feel pity for their impending death, so we knock them out and drag them around the pit—that is bad karma.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If we foresee a red envelope falling from heaven, we warn passersby. Some believe us, stop, and catch it—that is good karma. Some ignore us and walk on—we pity them for missing fortune, so we knock them out and tie them to the spot, waiting for the red envelope to fall—that is bad karma.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun nodded. “We’ve fulfilled our duty to Mr. Qian. This is good karma. Do not go further—don’t turn good karma into bad. Come, it’s late—I still need to visit the Minxin Bureau.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ten taels of silver in the envelope was no small sum—it matched the income Tao Ji earned in a week as a traveling physician.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun was satisfied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yushan County had a Minxin Bureau; Pan Yun had confirmed its location before descending the mountain, so she’d prepared what she needed to send ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She took down her pack, opened it, and placed two boxes before the clerk. “Do you need to inspect the contents?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The clerk glanced and shook his head. “Too small to inspect. Are both boxes going to the same destination, Daoist?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun nodded. “Yes. Both to Datong.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The clerk pulled out a larger rectangular box, placed both inside, and reached for a seal. Pan Yun narrowed her eyes and stopped him. “This box holds only my boxes?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The clerk nodded, smiling. “Since you wish to insure them, our Minxin Bureau must be extra careful. These will be shipped alone—no mixing with other goods. No damage or loss.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I trust you, of course,” Pan Yun said, pulling a yellow talisman from her sleeve. “But a yellow talisman will make it safer.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She personally affixed the protective talisman to the box. The clerk, speechless, followed her instructions and placed the seal beside the talisman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun paid, took the receipt, and hurried to the city gate—she was running late.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three followed her sprinting, still curious. “Little Master Auntie, what did you send home? Those boxes looked valuable.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The street was crowded. The four used their meager lightness skill, dashing past people like a gust of wind. Many turned to glare. “Where do these brats come from? Running wild on the street—what if they knock someone over?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before the words faded, the four were gone. They sprinted straight to the city gate. Pan Yun leapt onto the cart and sat down before answering. “I sent plenty—pills, powders, talismans—all specialties of Mount Sanqing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tao Ji, leading the mule, froze, then realized. “You asked me for so many pills and powders yesterday—to give away?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun: “For my father and brothers.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh.” Tao Ji’s annoyance vanished. “Next time, tell me ahead. I’ll brew tonic elixirs for you. Datong is cold and harsh—sending only wound and cold remedies won’t help. They need tonics.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun nodded eagerly. “Thank you, Third Master! I knew you’d be the kindest to me!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Miao Miao: “Tonic elixirs? Big Master makes the best.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun: “Big Master is kind to me too—like a father.” Tao Ji: …\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun smiled. “Sister is kind to me—like a real sister. Third Master is like a brother.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Miao He hurriedly asked, “What about me? What about me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun smiled at her. “You’re like my daughter.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Miao He: “...Little Master Auntie, I’m your age.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Enough. Enough. Stop joking. Get on the cart—we won’t make it back before dark.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wouldn’t be dark yet—the sun still blazed overhead. But Yushan County was far from Mount Sanqing; they’d still have to climb after reaching the foot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone climbed onto the cart at once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Miao Miao handed out the buns she’d bought. Tao Ji leapt aboard, cracked his whip to urge the mule into a trot, and took a bun to chew with them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only after they’d traveled far did Tao Yanbai remember to tell the adults they’d visited the Qian household.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>!. Read\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tao Ji didn’t care that Pan Yun had hawked talismans to the Qians—he was curious. “Mr. Qian is sharp as a blade. How did you convince him to buy?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I didn’t sell. I gave them. He insisted on giving me the envelope—I couldn’t refuse.” Pan Yun said. “Ask Tao Yanbai. When I met Mr. Qian, it was like meeting an old friend—great affinity. He believed me at once.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tao Ji turned to Tao Yanbai.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In front of Pan Yun, Tao Yanbai couldn’t deny it—he nodded stiffly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tao Ji studied Pan Yun. “You don’t look especially trustworthy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Miao Miao tilted her head. “Is there something wrong with Mr. Qian?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun: “His forehead is dark. His fortune is terrible these days.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Miao Miao: “Did you warn him?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun: “Of course. I came to him myself. If I see disaster, I must warn.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Miao Miao nodded. “Since you’ve done your part, now it’s fate’s turn.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fate might still favor Mr. Qian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The steward watched them go, then returned to the main hall and relayed Pan Yun’s two warnings to Mr. Qian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mr. Qian waved dismissively. “I’ve just recovered. I have no plans to travel. Her warning is useless to me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The steward agreed, glancing at the protective talisman on the table. “Then this...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Put it away.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mr. Qian never wore foreign talismans. He only sought blessings from masters in temples himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ten taels were merely to maintain goodwill with Mount Sanqing—not to offend them. After all, their elixirs and medicine were truly powerful. If he fell ill, he’d need their Daoists.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The steward knew his master’s habits. He took the talisman away, planning to burn it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mr. Qian returned to his room, hands behind his back. He’d barely sat down when a servant rushed in. “Master! Master! The Sun family sent word—your brother-in-law fell ill this morning. He may not survive the day.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mr. Qian shot upright. His brother-in-law, Sun Quan, was not just family—he was his closest friend, his confidant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Quick! Prepare the carriage. We leave for Sun Village now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The servant bowed and rushed off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As servants helped Mr. Qian hurry out, his heart clenched. He suddenly realized—he grabbed the steward’s hand. “The talisman—where’s the protective talisman?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The steward paused, then hurried: “It’s still here—untouched. I’ll fetch it at once.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He ran back and returned, panting, handing Mr. Qian two folded talismans.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mr. Qian took them, examined them, then slipped them into his waist pouch. “I’m going to Sun Village now. Send someone to summon Zhao the Physician from East City. Send another to Mount Sanqing to fetch Master Tao. Bring them both to Sun Village.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The steward bowed and went to arrange it after seeing Mr. Qian onto the carriage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mr. Qian sat inside, squeezing his waist pouch, exhaling. He comforted himself: Those children’s divinations can’t be accurate—they’re still young...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet a quiet unease lingered. He’d never imagined leaving home today.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I have the talisman. I have the talisman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, Mr. Qian hoped both that Pan Yun was wrong—and that she was truly skilled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today and tomorrow’s lucky numbers end in 9. Screenshot as proof.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1670,"2026-06-20T22:03:57.478Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","c791777353bd7d57fd0d852dff57173b75982004b38a9f887cee8c2668e26592","the-unorthodox-sword-of-ming-chapter-58","the-unorthodox-sword-of-ming-chapter-56",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-unorthodox-sword-of-ming-cover.jpg"]