[{"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-63":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},2337268,4570,"Chapter 63: The Eldest Nephew","the-unorthodox-sword-of-ming-chapter-63",63,"\u003Cp>Mr. Qian fell silent for just an instant, then burst into fervent enthusiasm, pushing past Mr. Qian’s steward to seize Pan Yun’s hand. “Little Immortal, I am alive to see you only because of your two Talismans of Safety!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun released the stool and clasped Mr. Qian’s hand in return. “I see the blood omen has lifted from you, good sir. My heart is at ease. You are a man of great virtue, and to save a man of great virtue is my own virtue and good fortune—we accomplish each other, we accomplish each other.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Mr. Qian felt a deep sense of comfort, gripping Pan Yun’s hand tighter. “You are so young, yet you understand this so well—no wonder you have Immortal affinity, no wonder you have Immortal affinity!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, Mr. Qian felt only Pan Yun truly understood him—no wonder she was his soulmate. Yes, he was a good man, a virtuous man, and that was why he had met Pan Yun, another good and virtuous soul.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And she asked for nothing in return—only to save his virtue and forge a good connection. What else could this be but a soulmate?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mr. Qian had completely forgotten why he had come here. He pulled Pan Yun onto the stool, eager for a long, intimate talk. “Little friend, you said I am a man of great virtue—how can you tell?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun studied Mr. Qian’s face carefully. “Your forehead is full and high, your brows straight and square—you are clearly a man of righteous spirit and good heart. The blood omen obscured your true visage before, but now that you’ve passed through death’s trial, your original face has reappeared. This is the countenance of great fortune.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mr. Qian’s eyes brightened slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun continued: “Having survived this death tribulation, you now bear the countenance of longevity. As long as you don’t deliberately seek death and follow proper health practices, living to eighty or ninety is certain—living to a hundred is within reach.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mr. Qian’s eyes grew even brighter. “So human lifespan isn’t fixed?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course not. Mortals know of the Book of Life and Death, but they don’t know it is alive. A person’s lifespan and fortune change constantly—like silver exchanged for copper coins, or copper coins for treasure notes—prices shift every few days.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mr. Qian’s eyes widened. “It, it can really be like that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If not, how could there be sudden deaths—and people who die and come back to life?” Pan Yun said. “Mr. Qian, your steward told me you were in danger yesterday. What did you do between the hour of the Snake and the hour of the Horse today?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mr. Qian looked confused. “I—I was on my way to mourn the dead. Oh, and I passed by the place where the rocks fell yesterday.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun leaned forward. “Did you say anything? Do anything?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I didn’t do much…” Mr. Qian said. “Oh—I had people clear away the fallen rocks. That stretch of mountain path always sheds stones. This time I was lucky—I met Little Immortal and escaped. But others won’t be so fortunate.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So I sent men back to remove loose rocks where possible, secure those that can’t be moved, hang nets, and plant more trees—hoping to reduce rockfalls.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun gazed at him with sparkling eyes. “What a good man~~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No wonder he had 99 points of virtue—but why didn’t he gain virtue when he escaped death himself?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could it be… because she took money?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mr. Qian finally remembered why he had come. He sighed. “What good man am I? My brother-in-law is the good man—too bad he passed before me. We never even saw each other one last time…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke, tears fell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun was still thinking when Mr. Sun, who had been watching them, suddenly shouted, pointing at Mr. Qian: “I remember! You’re Xiao Shu! You’re Xiao Shu! Oh no, Xiao Shu, how did you grow so old, so ugly?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only Pan Yun and Pan Xiaohei could hear Mr. Sun’s cry—so the woman and the cat both jumped in fright.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mr. Qian, still holding Pan Yun’s hand, was the first to react. He looked at her suspiciously. “Little friend, what is this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun turned silently to the agitated Mr. Sun. “Could you speak more quietly? This is your brother-in-law. You didn’t recognize him until now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mr. Qian sucked in a sharp breath. His hand gripping Pan Yun’s trembled as he stiffly turned to follow her gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ssshh—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beside him, the space was empty. Nothing at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mr. Qian’s hand shook. His legs shook too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tao Ji, who had been about to greet Mr. Qian, quietly sat back down beside the steward’s bed—moving even farther away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mr. Qian’s steward also jumped, clinging to the doorway, frozen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun quickly soothed Mr. Qian. “Good sir, don’t be afraid. Mr. Sun is a spirit, but not a malevolent one—he won’t harm you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She smiled. “Would you like to see Mr. Sun?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mr. Qian swallowed hard—both wanting to and fearing it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Mr. Sun kept urging: “See him! See him! Let him see me! I have so much to say! Last time I saw him, he was still a handsome middle-aged man—how did he turn into this wrinkled old man?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun said nothing, waiting for Mr. Qian’s decision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mr. Qian whispered: “Does my brother-in-law want to see me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then… could Little Immortal stay here… to witness?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun smiled and nodded. “Good sir, rest assured.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mr. Qian exhaled deeply, nodding repeatedly. “I’m reassured. I’m reassured.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun had no ready Talisman of Opening Heaven’s Eyes, but she could draw one with spiritual power and imprint it on Mr. Qian’s forehead. She traced the talisman in the air—Mr. Qian saw nothing on her fingertip, yet golden-white light formed lines that coalesced into a glowing talisman before his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She pushed gently—the talisman shot into Mr. Qian’s forehead with a whisper. He felt his mind suddenly clear. When he opened his eyes again, the world had changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everything was dim and hazy, the lights dull. A familiar, round face suddenly loomed before him—he recoiled backward. Pan Yun moved swiftly, steadying his back so he didn’t topple off the stool.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mr. Sun instantly knew Mr. Qian could see him. He burst into tears and lunged forward. “Xiao Shu~~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He passed straight through Mr. Qian’s body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mr. Qian saw it too—his body turned cold. He realized what had happened, staring in disbelief. “Brother-in-law…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mr. Sun also realized—he turned back, but didn’t lunge again. Instead, he rested his hand lightly on Mr. Qian’s. “Xiao Shu, I was just wondering where to find you—and here you are! But how did you get so old? All these wrinkles—you look older than I do!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun rose and moved her stool aside for the two, walking over to Tao Ji. “Third master, want to watch the show?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tao Ji said nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun lowered her voice. “Ghosts—once you see them, you’re no longer afraid. It’s the unknown that terrifies.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>!. Read\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tao Ji gave a slight nod.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun immediately drew a talisman for him—he saw it at once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching his master speak to empty air, weeping and laughing, Mr. Qian’s steward grew pale. He shuffled nervously to Pan Yun’s side, pleading with his eyes. “P-Pan Little Immortal…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun never refused. No matter their status, all could become potential clients. She smiled warmly. “You want to see too?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mr. Qian’s steward nodded eagerly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun drew a talisman for him—his world changed. He turned his head and saw his late master sitting across from his master, still in his living form—clothes even more splendid, spirit even more vibrant. Oh no—ghostly spirit, more vibrant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still looked as she did in life, her clothes even more luxurious, and she had more vitality—oh no, the ghost had more vitality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mr. Qian was explaining to Mr. Sun: “Brother-in-law, I visited you three months ago. But you didn’t remember much then. Now you seem so lively—why can’t you remember?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mr. Sun grumbled. “Last time I saw you, you were barely forty…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But none of that mattered. Mr. Sun remembered only how Mr. Qian looked decades ago—but he remembered every recent misdeed of his ungrateful nephews. He gripped Mr. Qian’s hand and wept: “Your nephews are all rotten—especially your eldest nephew. Utterly wicked! A disobedient son!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But none of that mattered; Old Sun remembered only how Old Qian looked over a decade ago, yet he remembered precisely what his ungrateful sons had done recently. He grabbed Old Qian and wept, “Your nephews are all utterly wicked, especially your eldest nephew—thoroughly wicked, a disobedient son!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mr. Sun wept: “He drove me to death!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not metaphorically—literally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mr. Sun: “I’ve been feeling better these past two days, so I wanted to settle my affairs. I’d nearly finished—just needed to tell the children.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Sun: “I’ve been feeling stronger these past two days, so I wanted to settle my affairs before I die. I’ve nearly finished arranging everything, but I must tell the children.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mr. Sun: “When a tree grows large, its branches split. When a family grows large, it must divide. The children all have their own children now. Da Chang even has grandchildren. They can’t keep living all together—someone will always feel they do more, get less. Better to split up—each household lives on its own.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Xiao Shu, I’m not saying this to blame you, but I rushed to divide the estate because Da Chang is stingy with his younger siblings,” Mr. Sun said angrily. “When Hui Niang took a bolt of silk from your sister, he got angry. At meals, he’d insult her indirectly. This past Dragon Boat Festival, he deliberately didn’t send anyone to fetch her home. Your sister feared something might happen to her at her in-laws’, so she sent someone to check—and found out.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tell me, isn’t that infuriating? I earned that money—why shouldn’t I give my daughter a bolt of silk?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mr. Qian nodded vigorously. “Da Chang is outrageous.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Outrageous? He refused to divide the estate! I’m still alive, and he already wants to take control! If he won’t divide it, does he want his brothers and sisters to serve him like slaves?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He cursed the other children too: “I planned everything for them—and they’re all dissatisfied! Complain I gave too much to others, too little to them. All ungrateful wolves. All disobedient sons.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mr. Qian steered the conversation back. “Brother-in-law, how did you divide the estate?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Da Chang is stingy and petty. Your sister will live with him, so I planned to give him forty percent. The remaining sixty percent I divided equally among the other four sons—that’s land, houses, shops, and cash. The rest—my collection of jewels, jade, paintings, and calligraphy—I set aside several chests for the two daughters, and divided the rest equally among them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your eldest nephew is stingy and miserly. Since your sister must live with him, I decided to give him four-tenths of the estate. The remaining six-tenths I divided equally among my four sons—that’s the land, houses, shops, and cash. As for my other possessions—my collection of jewels, jade, paintings, and calligraphy—I set aside several chests for my two daughters, and the rest I divided equally among them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mr. Sun’s face turned black. “He refuses to divide the estate at all! If he must, he wants seventy percent for himself! The other thirty percent split among his four brothers. As for his two sisters—he won’t even give them a single painting from my study. He says they already received dowries and shouldn’t claim any more family wealth.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Sun’s face turned pitch black. “He refuses to divide the estate. If we must divide it, he demands seven-tenths for himself! The remaining three-tenths he’ll split among his four younger brothers. As for his two sisters, he won’t even give them a single painting from my study—he says they already received dowries when they married and shouldn’t come back to claim any of the family’s wealth.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mr. Qian could no longer hold back. “Brother-in-law, he’s my eldest nephew—but he’s your own son.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today’s lucky number is any ending in 7. Screenshot as proof.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2036,"2026-06-20T22:03:57.478Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","8381d4d6e1e9b0a7f2c599571a1218f40e772123d14371819192370a45b8c511","the-unorthodox-sword-of-ming-chapter-64","the-unorthodox-sword-of-ming-chapter-62",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-unorthodox-sword-of-ming-cover.jpg"]