[{"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-62":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},2337267,4570,"Chapter 62: Gathered Together","the-unorthodox-sword-of-ming-chapter-62",62,"\u003Cp>Sun Master had no idea what his obsession was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was simply enraged, his chest constricted, eyes shut, and when he opened them again, he was a ghost, surrounded by a crowd of disobedient sons and grandsons wailing fake tears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They cried so loudly, yet few had tears on their faces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he had wanted to do something before dying, now that he was dead, he felt all those wishes were pointless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He thought deeply for a long time, then said: “I just want to see a few old friends; nothing else matters.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This wish was far easier than avenging his so-called filial sons and grandsons. Pan Yun smiled and asked: “Give me a name, and I’ll find them for you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Master said: “First, let me see my old steward—he spent his whole life with me. I intended to let his family go free before I died, but I died suddenly and never got around to arranging it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun went to find the old steward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the main path, she casually grabbed a servant and asked: “Excuse me, where is the old steward now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The old steward?” The servant sized up Pan Yun, frowned. “Who are you? If you have business, find your own manager—or if that fails, go to Sun Guanli. Why are you looking for the old steward?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun told the truth, lowering her voice into a chilling tone: “It’s not me looking—he’s the one who wants to see you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The servant didn’t sense the chill; he misunderstood. “Is it Master Da looking? Why send some outsider Taoist priest? Master Da’s people are growing lazy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, he had no intention of taking the task himself. He pointed a direction: “The old steward’s in that row of rooms—last one, near the cowshed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun was surprised. Did the Sun family’s old steward live in such squalor?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Master’s anger surged—he shot past in a flash.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun hurried after him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the time she reached the door, Sun Master’s furious curses were already echoing inside—still cursing his so-called filial sons and grandsons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun pushed the door open. The man lying on the bed stirred at the noise, struggled to lift his head, eyes blurred, unable to make out faces. He croaked: “Who is it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun stepped forward. His face was flushed, eyes dull and lifeless, a faint stench of blood in the air. She yanked the blanket off his back—his inner robe was soaked through with blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Master saw it and erupted again in curses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun touched his forehead, lifted his shirt to examine the wound on his back. She confirmed this injury was beyond her healing ability. She pulled a Health Talisman from her sleeve, activated it, and shoved it into his hand. “Wait here. I’ll get someone to save you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Master, still cursing, watched Pan Yun turn to leave. He hesitated, then drifted after her. “Who are you going to get? It’s definitely one of my disobedient sons who did this. You’re here to perform rites for them—won’t saving the person they hurt make them angry?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun said: “We just won’t let them know.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun walked straight into the courtyard housing the ancestral hall. Whether the Sun family’s filial sons and grandsons were truly guilty or not, the Taoists performing the rites were lodged in the rooms to the left of the ancestral hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So they could respond immediately if needed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mount Sanqing had two rooms—one for men, one for women.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun went straight to knock. The door flew open at the first tap. “Little Master Aunt?” Tao Yanbai exclaimed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned and shouted inside: “Third Master Aunt! Little Master Aunt is here!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun gave him an approving glance, slipped in, and said: “Third Brother, it’s urgent.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tao Ji had just finished his cultivation, still seated cross-legged. “What’s so urgent?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Someone needs saving!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tao Ji opened his medicine chest, stuffed numerous herbs and gauze into his sleeves, then shoved some into Pan Yun’s sleeves too. Only then did he pick up his needle case and step out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before leaving, he instructed Tao Yanbai: “If anyone asks, say I’m preparing for tomorrow’s rites. Don’t let anyone disturb me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tao Yanbai agreed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two siblings deliberately chose paths shaded from view—and not a soul noticed them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When they returned to the old steward’s room, he was already unconscious, clutching the Health Talisman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tao Ji glanced at the wound on his back, frowned, emptied all his herbs onto the bed, selected one pill, and slipped it into the old steward’s mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun immediately poured a cup of water.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tao Ji tipped the cup, then pressed his jaw shut and pinched his throat. The old steward involuntarily swallowed, gulping down the pill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the medicine, Tao Ji began cleaning the wound. “This wound is too severe, too filthy—it must be washed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He handed her a vial. “Go fetch a basin of boiling water. Pour half the powder into it, stir, and bring it back.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this hour, where was she supposed to find boiling water?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Master said: “Go to the kitchen—it’s not far.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Master even kindly guided her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the kitchen, half the staff had already left. Only two men leaned against the wall, dozing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun saw them and slowed her steps instinctively. She shushed Sun Master. The once-chatty ghost fell silent at once, growing cautious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ghost and the girl tiptoed into the kitchen. Their eyes swept the room—several kettles sat steaming on the stoves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun checked each one, finally lifting the largest, fullest kettle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She picked it up and walked out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Master followed close behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Pan Yun passed the two men, one tilted his head, nearly falling. He opened his eyes, yawned, glimpsed a shadow flicker past—startled, he rose to jump—when a cat darted past his head from the side, landing lightly on the floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Meow—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man woke slightly, instinctively watched the cat for a moment. When he looked up again, the shadow was gone. He assumed he’d imagined it, muttered: “Where did this stray cat come from? Get lost, get lost…” Pan Xiao Hei tilted her head at him, meowed, and slipped away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The servant felt the cat’s gaze had been contemptuous. He grew angry—and couldn’t sleep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So he went to check the kitchen as usual.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon entering, he immediately spotted the missing kettle. He jumped. “Who? Who stole the kitchen kettle?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everything here was accounted for!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun carried the kettle back to the old steward’s room and helped Tao Ji tend to his wound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tao Ji moved swiftly. In less than half an hour, he cleaned the wound and applied medicine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He then felt the old steward’s forehead and pulse. He pulled out his needle case. “The injury is too severe, and too much time has passed. He may not survive.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tao Ji inserted needles to reduce fever and stop bleeding. When he withdrew them, the old steward trembled violently. Pan Yun gasped. “What’s wrong? Third Brother, look—his face is turning purple!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tao Ji glanced, immediately lifted the old steward’s head, forced his mouth open, and reached into his throat. The old steward gagged, spewing a thick clot of purple-black blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tao Ji exhaled, cradled half his body, pressed his palm to the old steward’s back, stroked once, then gave a light tap upward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old steward lurched forward, then vomited blood in great gouts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun and Sun Master stared, frozen, crouching in trembling silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The purple-black blood turned purplish-red, then slowly became red.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tao Ji then pressed three acupoints on his back, and gently massaged the area.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old steward’s ashen face gradually regained color; his lips finally showed a hint of red.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tao Ji exhaled. “He’ll live.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun exhaled. Beside her, Sun Master exhaled too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stared at Tao Ji, murmuring: “I always heard Xiao Shu say the Taoists of Mount Sanqing had excellent medical skills. I never believed it. But they really are this good?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You didn’t believe, so you missed your chance? If you’d summoned Mount Sanqing’s healers sooner, you might not have died so early.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Master sighed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tao Ji, holding the old steward, stiffened. He tightened his grip, turned his head rigidly. “Little… Little Sister—who are you talking to?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun looked at her brother, then glanced at Sun Master crouched beside her. She turned back and grinned. “Almost forgot—you haven’t opened your spiritual eyes. Let me properly introduce you: this is Sun Master.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Master grinned at Tao Ji.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tao Ji stared at the empty space to her left, silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could he forget? This was a funeral. And his little sister always loved stirring up trouble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tao Ji strained to imagine a figure standing there, forcing a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun: “Third Brother, if you don’t want to smile, don’t. Let’s focus on healing the old steward. Sun Master is a kind man—he won’t mind these small things.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Master nodded vigorously. “Yes, I’m a very kind man.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too bad Tao Ji couldn’t hear him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, he turned his attention back to the old steward. Since he’d expelled so much stagnant blood, Tao Ji decided to insert a Recovery Needle to bolster his body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he withdrew the needles, it was already half an hour later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Night had deepened. Outside, silence fell—even the wailing had stopped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In that stillness, Tao Ji sharply heard footsteps on the stone pavement—uneven stones, each step lifting with a thud-thud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tao Ji’s heart leapt. He gripped his needles, whispered: “Little Sister, did you hear that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun whispered back: “I heard it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tao Ji: “W-what is that sound?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun’s face turned serious. “Could be someone coming to check on the old steward—or someone coming to kill him. Don’t be afraid, Third Brother. I’ll go see.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tao Ji’s fear lessened. “Not a ghost?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun gave him a look. “Third Brother, what’s scary about ghosts? Humans are the real danger. Besides, we’re not even alone in this room.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tao Ji’s eyes darted around. He mumbled something, rose, and pressed close to Pan Yun as they moved toward the door. “If it’s a person, I’m not afraid. I’ll go check.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tao Ji wasn’t afraid. Sun Master was even less afraid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing it was a person, not a ghost, he leapt from beside Pan Yun, shouting: “No need for you—I’ll go!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he finished speaking, he passed through the door—and collided face-to-face with the visitor outside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Master was thrown back into the room. But the visitor outside noticed nothing, only tapped lightly on the door. Hearing no reply, he quietly pushed it open.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He peered inside—and locked eyes with Pan Yun, who held a wooden stool raised overhead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both froze. Qian Master shoved Qian Guanli forward, annoyed: “What are you sneaking around for? Are you going in or not?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Qian walked into the room, saw two familiar faces, and fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The lucky number for this chapter is any number ending in 7, screenshot as proof.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1838,"2026-06-20T22:03:57.478Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","4db91bd77d7a6be5f38c72d050eac6fb3c9e34f8105b9ee687da21360b82d1cf","the-unorthodox-sword-of-ming-chapter-63","the-unorthodox-sword-of-ming-chapter-61",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-unorthodox-sword-of-ming-cover.jpg"]