[{"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-69":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},2337274,4570,"Chapter 69: Dividing the Estate","the-unorthodox-sword-of-ming-chapter-69",69,"\u003Cp>After confirming that Old Man Sun wouldn’t harm anyone, the elders in the funeral hall grew enthusiastic, greeting him one after another; Second Uncle Sun even walked straight to the coffin and asked, “Big Brother, did you meet the King of Hell? What’s the netherworld like?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other old men leaned in, listening closely—they were old too, and curious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Man Sun couldn’t admit he hadn’t gone to the netherworld, so after a pause he said, “The affairs of the netherworld cannot be spoken of. When you die, you’ll know.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone: …\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Man Sun: “But you must know—ghosts exist. If you commit unjust or unfilial acts, the King of Hell records every single one. One day, retribution from the netherworld will come.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Man Sun looked down at them, his expression complex. In truth, since his death he’d come to understand: everyone dies, families rise and fall. He was dead—why should he still worry over his descendants? These unfilial sons weren’t worth it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He glanced at Old Man Qian. His brother-in-law had gone this far for him. If he didn’t try his best, he’d be betraying him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So Old Man Sun, face grim, asked, “Da Chang, I ask you—can I decide to divide the Sun family’s property?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Da Chang bowed his head repeatedly, “Yes, yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What about you four?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The four brothers also bowed repeatedly, “Yes, yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good. Today, before your uncle, the village head, and the elders, I’ll divide it again. Aside from the two plots your uncle already pointed out, the rest of the land, houses, and shops will be split into six equal shares. You five brothers each draw one. The remaining share is for your mother.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Man Sun said, “After your mother passes, you five brothers will divide that last share equally. Any objections?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The four Sun brothers had no objections at all—they immediately nodded. Their earlier resistance had been because they thought Old Man Sun gave the eldest too much—four tenths.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Man Sun turned to Sun Da Chang, who hadn’t moved a muscle, and narrowed his eyes. “Da Chang, do you object?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Da Chang collapsed to the floor, tears welling but no sound escaping. “No, no. I’ll follow Father’s wishes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Man Sun snorted. “Then it’s settled. Divide it now, before my eyes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since Old Man Sun had wanted to divide the household, he’d already inventoried all assets and written them down in a ledger, neatly portioned out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just to hand out to his children.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who knew he hadn’t even distributed the property before he died of rage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now it was convenient: they simply went to his room, fetched the inventory list, divided it evenly into six portions, numbered each, wrote the numbers on six paper balls, dropped them into a bowl, shook it, and let the five brothers draw lots on the spot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun tiptoed to take a peek and gasped—so rich.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed in this world, being a gentry was richer than being an official.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her father was an official, yet their family’s assets didn’t even amount to one-sixth of the Sun family’s share.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Da Chang drew a slip, unfolded it, and saw a large “3” written on it—meaning he got the third portion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The third portion wasn’t bad—it included a silk shop with excellent business. Still, Sun Da Chang was filled with regret.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If only he’d accepted his father’s original proposal two days ago instead of demanding seven tenths.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That four-tenths share included not just the silk shop, but also a porcelain kiln and a bookshop, plus far more land and houses than what he’d drawn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The most painful thing in this world is losing something you once had. For an instant, Sun Da Chang wanted to leap up and protest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But fear of his father’s ghost outweighed his greed for wealth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the main land, houses, and shops distributed, only minor details remained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Given Old Man Sun’s current state, the division proceeded swiftly and smoothly: “The rest—my collections—will be divided into…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He glanced at his two daughters and changed his mind: “Eight portions. Your mother, your sisters, and you five brothers will each draw one. First, let your uncle pick a few to keep as mementos.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He added, “The household’s silver will also be split into eight portions—your mother and Hui Niang and Xian Niang will share them. No objections?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The five Sun brothers were heartbroken, but nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Man Sun sneered. Seeing his unfilial sons unhappy made him happy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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 learned he passed suddenly without dividing his estate—his unfinished wish kept him lingering, unwilling to reincarnate.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The village head understood instantly, took the envelope, and said, “Old Man Qian, rest easy. We’re here only to witness the Sun family’s division of property. We saw no… spirit of Old Man Sun.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The elders were eager for the village head to cover it up and nodded vigorously. “Yes, yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If word got out that the Sun family’s division of property had so enraged Old Man Sun that his spirit returned to preside over the division, who knew what rumors would spread?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Sun family’s reputation would suffer greatly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Man Sun sighed and bowed along with Old Man Qian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who dared accept? Everyone scrambled to avoid him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Man Sun turned to Pan Yun. “Little Immortal, thank you for this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun, full from watching the drama, waved dismissively, solemnly declaring, “Fulfilling the wishes of the dead is my duty.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The 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 of the Three Pure Ones Temple on Mount Sanqing. I am eight years old.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The elders gasped in awe. “So young and so powerful—the Three Pure Ones Temple truly lives up to its name!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Little Immortal, can you divine fortunes? Might we be fortunate enough to ask for a reading?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Little Immortal, can the Three Pure Ones Temple grant talismans? Like peace talismans or wealth talismans?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Man Sun was pushed out entirely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He tried several times to squeeze back in and speak to Pan Yun, but their body odor drove him away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Man Sun: …\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Really. Just now they were terrified of him. Now they’re not afraid at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Man Sun turned to find Old Man Qian, but was blocked by Old Lady Sun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She asked, “Husband, did you linger because you didn’t get to eat the scallion oil noodles I cooked for you? Let me go make you a bowl now—you’ll eat and go down.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>!. Read\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Man Sun: “I don’t want scallion oil noodles.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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 ungrateful sons have driven you to death?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Man Sun: “If you’d been there, I fear you’d have died of rage alongside me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Pah,” Old Lady Sun spat at him. “You just didn’t want me involved in the division! Such a huge estate—you just handed it out without consulting me!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Man Sun was stunned. “You—you spat at me!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was this still the meek wife he’d married?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Lady Sun: “Who else should I spit at? You’re a ghost now. Why should I fear you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Man Sun fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Man Qian was astonished. He stepped closer. “Sister, Da Chang and the others fear ghosts, not people. Why are you the opposite?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Lady Sun replied coolly, “Ghosts aren’t the true power in this world. Why should I fear him? He can’t even slap his sons, no one else sees him, he can’t command anyone. A powerless ghost versus a powerful person—who’s more terrifying?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Man Qian and Old Man Sun fell silent together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Lady Sun left the ghost and the man behind and joined the crowd around Pan Yun. “Little girl, you’re so likable. The front’s chaotic—come to the back courtyard later. It’s quieter. I’ll treat you to food.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun agreed at once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Lady Sun turned to Sun Da Chang. “Even though you’ve divided the estate, you still need to jointly handle your father’s funeral. More guests are arriving—go discuss with your brothers how to manage things. Don’t neglect them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Da Chang glanced at Pan Yun, hesitating. “But if guests enter the funeral hall and see Father…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun said, “Easy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She walked to the door, picked up the three copper coins she’d placed earlier, and the funeral hall’s array shattered with a pop. Bright sunlight fell directly on them. Old Man Sun vanished from their sight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he hadn’t truly vanished—he was still there. They just couldn’t see him anymore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For some reason, everyone shivered, feeling a chill run down their spines.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Da Chang turned pale. He regretted it—he’d rather see his father wandering before him than not see him at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not seeing him, yet knowing he’s there—isn’t that more terrifying?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun acted as if she hadn’t noticed his face. She smiled gently. “Master Sun, go attend to your duties. Old Man Sun is still in the funeral hall. He won’t wander.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Da Chang: … Even more terrified.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The village head and others were also unnerved. They followed their instincts: “It’s getting late. We’ll offer incense and leave. We won’t disturb you further.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Led by the village head, they quickly burned incense and departed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only Second Uncle Sun and Third Uncle Sun stayed. They looked at Old Man Qian and Sun Da Chang. “Old Man Qian, how did our brother die? Could it be…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their eyes turned to Sun Da Chang and the other nephews.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Da Chang and the others stiffened, trembling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Man Qian glanced at Old Man Sun, then covered for them: “You saw yourselves—before your brother appeared, how they argued over dividing the estate. Your brother had a fiery temper. When they shouted at him like that, he couldn’t catch his breath and…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Second Uncle Sun scowled and cursed, “Unfilial descendants!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But inwardly, he sighed in relief—he’d feared Da Chang and the others had murdered Old Man Sun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Man Sun’s face was sour, but he didn’t stop Old Man Qian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The real situation was worse than arguing. To divide the estate, all four except Sun Wuyi had fought—Sun Sun’s own grandsons had joined in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A mob had brawled right before Old Man Sun’s bed. He’d died of rage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Man Sun was bewildered. “I always thought myself a good man. I honored my parents, got along with my brothers, raised them with care, sent them to school, taught them to read. How did they turn out like this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today’s lucky number is any number ending in 1. Screenshot as proof.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1849,"2026-06-20T22:03:57.478Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","2bbc204bea2e1ee60bcd7c69260f944cdb061ab3bbd10675eca687876a5d7e54","the-unorthodox-sword-of-ming-chapter-70","the-unorthodox-sword-of-ming-chapter-68",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-unorthodox-sword-of-ming-cover.jpg"]