Chapter 69

After confirming that Old Man Sun wouldn't harm anyone, the elders in the mourning hall grew enthusiastic, greeting him one after another; Pan Ershu walked straight to the coffin and asked, "Big brother, did you meet the King of Hell? What's the netherworld like?"

The other old men all leaned in to listen; they were elderly too, and a little curious.

Old Man Sun couldn't say he hadn't gone to the netherworld, so after a moment's hesitation, he said, "The affairs of the netherworld cannot be spoken of aloud. When you die, you'll know."

Everyone: …

Old Man Sun: "But you must know, ghosts exist in this world. If you commit unjust or unfilial deeds, the King of Hell records them all, every single one, and one day, retribution from the netherworld will come."

The five Sun brothers felt this was aimed at them; they collapsed to the ground, wailing and confessing, "Father, we know we're wrong, we know we're wrong."

Old Man Sun looked down at them, his expression complex; in truth, since his death he had come to understand: since all men must die, families rise and fall, and he was already dead, there was no need to worry over his descendants anymore—these unfilial sons weren't worth it.

But…

He glanced at Old Man Qian; his brother-in-law had gone this far for him, and if he didn't try his best, he'd be betraying him.

So Old Man Sun, face grim, asked, "Da Chang, I ask you: can I decide to divide the Sun family's estate?"

Sun Da Chang bowed his head repeatedly, "Yes, yes."

"What about you four?"

The four brothers also bowed their heads repeatedly, "Yes, yes."

"Very well. Today, before your uncle, the village head, and all the village elders, I will divide it again: aside from the two plots your uncle already pointed out, the rest of the fields, Tian Zhai, and shops will be split into six equal parts. Each of you five brothers will draw one, and the remaining one is for your mother."

Old Man Sun said, "After your mother passes away, you five brothers will divide that last portion equally. Do you have any objections?"

The four Sun brothers had no objections at all; they nodded immediately. They had opposed before only because they thought Old Man Sun gave the eldest too much—four tenths.

Old Man Sun turned to Sun Da Chang, who had remained utterly silent, and narrowed his eyes. "Da Chang, do you have any objections?"

Sun Da Chang collapsed to the ground, tears welling but no sound escaping. "No, no, I follow Father's wishes."

Old Man Sun snorted. "Then it's settled. Divide it now, before my eyes."

Since Old Man Sun wanted to divide the family, he had already inventoried all assets and written them down in a ledger, already portioned out.

All ready to hand out to the children.

Who knew he hadn't distributed the estate—he'd been so angry he died.

Now it was convenient: go straight to his room, bring the inventory list, divide it evenly into six portions, label each with a number, write each number on a paper slip, toss them into a bowl, shake it, and let the five brothers draw lots on the spot.

Pan Yun tiptoed to take a look, and couldn't help whistling—so rich.

It seemed in this world, being a scholar-gentry was richer than being an official.

Her father was an official, yet their family's assets didn't even reach one portion of the Sun family's.

Sun Da Chang drew a slip, unfolded it, and saw a large "3" written on it—meaning he received the third portion.

The third portion was decent, including a silk shop with excellent business, but Sun Da Chang still felt deep regret.

If only he'd accepted Father's original proposal the day before yesterday, instead of demanding seven tenths.

That four-tenths share included not just this silk shop, but also a porcelain kiln and a bookstore, and far more fields and Tian Zhai than what he now held.

The most painful thing in this world is losing something you once had; for an instant, Sun Da Chang wanted to leap up and object regardless of consequences.

But fear of his father's spirit outweighed his greed for wealth.

With the main fields, Tian Zhai, and shops distributed, only minor details remained.

Given Old Man Sun's current state, the division proceeded swiftly and smoothly: "The rest—my collections—will be divided into…"

He glanced at his two daughters and changed his mind: "Eight portions. Your mother, and you two sisters, will share with you. Draw lots too. First, let your uncle pick some to keep as mementos."

He added, "The household cash will also be split into eight portions: your mother and Huiniang and Xianiang will share them. You have no objections, do you?"

The five Sun brothers were heartbroken, but still nodded.

Old Man Sun sneered repeatedly; seeing his unfilial sons unhappy made him happy.

Old Man Qian, seeing the division complete, began handing out red envelopes to the village head and elders, sighing, "Today has frightened you all. Last night I dreamed of my brother-in-law, and only then did I learn he passed suddenly without dividing the estate—his unfinished wish kept him lingering, unwilling to reincarnate."

The village head understood instantly; after taking the envelope, he said, "Old Man Qian, rest assured. Today we're here merely to witness the Sun family's division of estate and property. We saw no… the spirit of Old Man Sun."

The village elders were eager for the village head to cover it up; they nodded vigorously. "Yes, yes."

If this got out, it would sound terrible. If outsiders learned the Sun family's division of estate had so enraged Old Man Sun's spirit that he returned to preside over it, who knew what rumors would spread?

The Sun family's reputation would suffer greatly.

Old Man Sun sighed, and followed Old Man Qian in bowing to the crowd.

Who dared accept? They all dodged away.

Old Man Sun turned to Pan Yun. "Little Immortal, thank you for this."

Pan Yun, having feasted on gossip until full, waved her hand dismissively, speaking with righteous solemnity: "Helping the dead fulfill their wishes is my duty."

The village elders turned to stare at Pan Yun, eyes gleaming, crowding around: "Little Immortal, where do you cultivate? How old are you?"

"I am a Daoist Priest of Sanqing Temple on Mount Sanqing. I am eight years old."

The village elders exclaimed in awe: "So young and already so powerful—Sanqing Temple truly lives up to its reputation!"

"Little Immortal, can you divine fortunes? Might we be fortunate enough to ask for a divination?"

"Little Immortal, can Sanqing Temple grant talismans? Like peace talismans or wealth talismans?"

Old Man Sun was pushed out entirely.

He tried several times to squeeze back in and speak to Pan Yun again, but their human scent washed him away.

Honestly, just now you were so afraid of him, but now you're not afraid at all.

Really, just moments ago they were terrified of him, and now they're not afraid at all.

Old Man Sun turned to find Old Man Qian, but was stopped by Old Lady Sun.

She asked, "Husband, did you linger in the mortal world because you didn't eat the scallion oil noodles I cooked for you? Let me go make you a bowl now—you'll eat it and go down."

Old Man Sun: "I don't want scallion oil noodles."

Old Lady Sun burst into tears. "Then why did you make me cook them? You didn't even let me see you one last time—if I'd been there, could those wicked sons have driven you to death?"

Master Sun: "If you were here, I'd be afraid you'd die of anger just like me."

"Pah!" spat Sun Laoyi, "I think you just don't want me involved in dividing the estate. Such a huge fortune—you decide to split it all without even consulting me!"

Master Sun was stunned. "Y-you—you spat at me!"

Is this really the wife who used to be as docile as a clay figure?

Sun Laoyi: "Who else should I spit at? You're already a ghost now—why should I fear you?"

Master Sun fell silent.

Qian Master, astonished, leaned in. "Sister, everyone else fears ghosts, not people—why are you the opposite?"

Sun Laoyi spoke coolly: "Ghosts aren't the righteous path in this world—why should I fear him? He can't even slap his disobedient son, no one else can see him, and he can't command anyone. A ghost with no power or influence is far less terrifying than a living person with power."

Both Qian Master and Master Sun fell silent.

Sun Laoyi left the man and the ghost behind and walked over to pull Pan Yun aside. "You look like such a sweet girl—there's chaos out front. Come sit with me in the back courtyard later; it's quieter. I'll treat you to snacks."

Pan Yun agreed at once.

Sun Laoyi said to Sun Da Chang: "Even though we've divided the estate, we still need to jointly handle your father's funeral. More guests are arriving every moment—go discuss with your brothers how to proceed. Don't be disrespectful."

Sun Da Chang glanced at Pan Yun and hesitated. "But what if the guests come into the mourning hall and see Father...?"

Pan Yun said: "Easy."

She walked to the door, picked up the three copper coins she had placed earlier, and the talisman in the mourning hall shattered with a soft pop. Bright sunlight fell directly on them, and Master Sun vanished from their sight.

But he hadn't truly disappeared—he was just no longer visible to them.

For some reason, everyone shuddered, feeling a chill crawl over their skin.

Sun Da Chang's face turned pale. He regretted it now—he'd rather see his father wandering before him than not see him at all.

Isn't it more terrifying to know someone is there but you can't see them?

Pan Yun seemed not to notice his expression. She spoke gently: "Master Sun, go attend to your duties. Master Sun is right here in the mourning hall—he won't wander off."

Sun Da Chang:... Even more afraid.

The village head and others were also unnerved. They simply followed their instincts: "It's getting late. We'll offer incense to Master Sun and leave now—we won't disturb you further."

Led by the village head, the group quickly offered incense and departed.

Only Pan Ershu and Sun Sanshu remained. They turned to Qian Master and Sun Da Chang and asked: "Qian Master, how did our elder brother die? Could it be...?"

Their gazes fixed on Sun Da Chang and the remaining nephews.

Sun Da Chang and the others stiffened, trembling all over.

Qian Master glanced at Master Sun, then covered for them: "You both saw—before your brother appeared, how loudly they argued over dividing the estate. Your brother had a fiery temper. When they argued like that right before him, he couldn't catch his breath and..."

Pan Ershu scowled and cursed them: "Unfilial descendants!"

But inwardly, he sighed with relief—he'd feared Sun Da Chang and the others had murdered Master Sun.

Master Sun's face was sour, but he said nothing to stop Qian Master.

The real situation was worse than mere arguing: to divide the estate, all four of them—except Sun Wuyi—had come to blows, even Master Sun's grandsons joining in.

A mob had fought violently right beside Master Sun's bed, and he had been literally enraged to death.

Master Sun was bewildered. "I always thought of myself as a good man—I honored my parents, got along with my brothers, cared deeply for them, sent them to school, taught them to read and write—how did they turn out like this?"

Today's lucky number is any number ending in 1—screenshot as proof.

(End of Chapter)