[{"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-72":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},2337277,4570,"Chapter 72: Crossing or Not Crossing","the-unorthodox-sword-of-ming-chapter-72",72,"\u003Cp>Sun Xian niang heard this, her body went limp and she collapsed to the ground; she stared blankly up at her bewildered daughter and burst into tears, “My little girl...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old Mrs. Sun was also panicked, but she now had blind faith in Pan Yun, believing that if she could make them see the dead, there was nothing she couldn’t accomplish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So she too tried to kneel down, “Little Immortal, please have mercy and save my granddaughter.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun caught her and held her up; no matter how hard she struggled, she could not kneel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, the old Mrs. Sun became even more convinced, pressing harder to kneel and bowing her head to beg.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun stopped her and sighed, “I have a karmic connection with you, good elder. Very well—I am low in cultivation and truly powerless, but my senior brother and third brother have deep cultivation; perhaps they can help.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing this, the old Mrs. Sun immediately sent someone to fetch Wang Feiyin and Tao Ji.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this time, strict gender boundaries prevailed; Pan Yun was a young girl and could freely enter and leave the inner quarters, but Wang Feiyin and Tao Ji were men—even Daoists were not allowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The news reached Sun Dachang, and the destiny readings Pan Yun had given Sun Huiniang and Sun Xian niang spread throughout the household.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Dachang was displeased: “The funeral is tomorrow—why is Mother causing trouble now? Are two daughters more important than my Sun family’s descendants?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No sooner had he spoken than he felt a chill on his left neck; he touched it, remembering how his father had always favored Huiniang, his expression froze, then he said, “I understand. Send for Master Wang and Master Tao to take a look.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He summoned his two sons-in-law and ordered them to bring Wang Feiyin and Tao Ji to the inner courtyard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tian Xu and Zhou Chao exchanged glances; they had not been present during the family division at the funeral.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though they had wanted to come in, their wives were married daughters; returning home to divide property after their father’s death was already scandalous—had they been present too, the gossip would have been unbearable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So they had not been there, but their wives had described the events in detail afterward; they both knew their father had manifested his spirit, and everyone in the funeral hall had seen his ghost.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though their wives swore it was true, the two men were half-skeptical.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, hearing the rumors from the inner quarters, they grew even more doubtful—especially Tian Xu, who sneered, “What good fortune brings a husband prosperity? I say it’s all those Daoists playing tricks.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Chao said nothing; he was still worried about his daughter and hurried off to fetch Wang Feiyin and Tao Ji.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the four entered, Pan Yun saw Old Master Sun following Tian Xu, occasionally leaping up to kick him and curse him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their eyes met; Old Master Sun immediately rushed to her, “Little Immortal, let my eldest son-in-law see me—I’ll scare him to death!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun said, “Old Master Sun, you’re leaving for the underworld tomorrow—why hold a grudge against him?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, you must let him see me—I’ll pay you!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun: “Ah, I understand. Old Master Sun, you’re a loving father.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She turned to Tian Xu: “Mr. Tian, Old Master Sun wishes to see you and catch up.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tian Xu had entered and seen her speaking to empty air, as if answering someone invisible; he sneered, “You’re just a child playing tricks, swindling money. Fooling ignorant women and children is one thing—but you think you can fool me? I’m...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun had no patience for his words; she drew a talisman and slapped it onto his forehead. With her Heavenly Eye, Tian Xu suddenly found his face pressed against his father-in-law’s.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ahh—!” Tian Xu’s eyes bulged; he flew backward, rolled twice on the ground in panic, and finally came to a stop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He sat up and saw his father-in-law walking toward him with a grim face; he scrambled backward in terror, “Y-y-y...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Y-y-y, what are you y-y-y-ing? Unfilial brat—I’m your father-in-law, you can’t even say ‘Father’?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tian Xu’s legs trembled, his strength gone; he crawled to the ground and banged his head repeatedly, “Father, Father-in-law, Father-in-law, Father-in-law...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Master Sun snorted, “Be more respectful to the Little Immortal from now on.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes yes yes, I’ll be respectful, I promise I will!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tian Xu immediately turned and bowed his head to Pan Yun, “Little Immortal, spare my life! Little Immortal, spare me! I was blind to your greatness—I didn’t know you had real power!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun waved her hand, unconcerned—she’d already been paid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She smiled sweetly at Zhou Chao, who stood frozen nearby: “Mr. Zhou, would you like to see your father-in-law?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Chao hesitated, then nodded; he wanted to see whether they were truly powerful or just faking it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun turned to Old Master Sun, who had opened his mouth to speak: “This one’s free—no charge.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Master Sun fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun also drew a talisman for Zhou Chao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Chao had prepared himself mentally, but still jumped when he saw Old Master Sun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stepped back two paces, then remembered himself and bowed deeply: “Your humble son-in-law greets you, Father-in-law.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Master Sun was fairly satisfied with this son-in-law; he nodded solemnly: “First, let’s see Mei niang.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Chao snapped back to himself: “Yes yes—where’s my little girl? Bring her here quickly!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Xian niang wept as she carried her daughter up: “The Little Immortal says she can’t see her—only her two senior brothers can help.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Xian niang knelt before Wang Feiyin and Tao Ji with the child in her arms: “Please, Immortals, save my daughter.” Tao Ji’s face-reading skills were mediocre, but he knew medicine; he instantly sensed the child was in grave danger. He glanced around and said, “Place her on the table—I’ll examine her.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Where’s she unwell?” Tao Ji was about to examine her closely when Wang Feiyin stopped him and lifted her tiny foot directly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tao Ji looked closely and realized the shoes were wrong; his expression changed slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Feiyin removed the shoes and gently pressed the bound foot; the child whimpered, tears falling one by one, yet dared not cry out in pain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Feiyin sighed, unwinding the gauze as he spoke: “These feet are ruined.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Xian niang panicked: “How could they be ruined? We hired the best foot-binding woman in town—her bindings are the finest, few have failed under her hands!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Chao agreed: “Yes, that’s true.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Feiyin’s smile was faint; he glanced quickly at Pan Yun’s icy eyes and spoke before she could: “Good elders, fortune is innate, hidden within one’s natural form. You’ve broken her feet—you’ve broken her fortune, and your entire family’s fortune.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Feiyin shook his head and sighed: “She was destined for prosperity and longevity—but now, because of foot-binding, her fortune leaks away, and her fate has become one of early death.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Xian niang collapsed to the ground; Zhou Chao bowed urgently: “Immortal, please save my daughter!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>!. Read\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Feiyin spent a long time unwinding the bindings; he pinched the child’s foot bones—they had been broken, forcibly bent downward, compressed, then bound with cloth to prevent healing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes flickered with pity; he knew even a light touch now would cause her unbearable pain—but to heal her, the bones must be realigned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her feet were swollen beyond measure; the flesh and bone within were clearly dead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether removing rotting flesh and bone or resetting the bones, the pain would be extreme. This child was so young—under such agony, her heart might fail, and she would die of pain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Feiyin looked up at the little girl; her tiny eyes were filled with tears, watching him timidly, yet still bright with innocence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun pushed forward, crouched beside him, and asked: “Senior brother, is there a way?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Feiyin glanced at her: “Try.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He reached out and stroked the child’s head, smiling gently: “Heaven brought you two together—it must intend to grant you one more chance at life.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned to Zhou Chao: “Let me be clear, Mr. Zhou—I cannot guarantee she will survive this tribulation. If she does, her life will be smooth, free of further calamities. If she doesn’t, she will merely pass to the Yellow Springs three or four months earlier. The choice is yours.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Chao turned pale: “So... my daughter has only three or four months left?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Feiyin nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Chao turned on Sun Xian niang in fury: “You said the foot-binding woman was excellent, never killed anyone—how did you choose her?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun sneered: “Mr. Zhou, it makes no difference who you choose—foot-binding violates Heaven’s natural order.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Chao: “But others bind too...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So others’ fortunes are also being destroyed,” Pan Yun cut him off bluntly: “The head receives yang energy from heaven; the feet receive yin energy from earth. Only when yin and yang are balanced is there the Dao. Virtue and fortune arise from this balance. Foot-binding severs yin energy and drains fortune.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun paused, her eyes flickered, then added: “A pair of bound feet doesn’t just drain your family’s fortune—it drains your husband’s family’s fortune too. Bind them, bind them—when you have enemies, bind your daughter’s feet and marry her into their house. Within three generations, their family will decline, even perish.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Chao’s eyes widened: “Then... how do we fix this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Unbind them! That’s the only effective cure,” Pan Yun sneered. “Don’t even think of killing the girl to end it—there is karmic retribution. Binding feet causes three generations of decline; if you kill her and stir up resentment, your family will be wiped out in one generation!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those in the room who had entertained dark thoughts suddenly shuddered and crushed them instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tao Ji had already unwound the bindings on the other foot—the condition was equally dire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To treat her, they must first relieve the pain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Feiyin already had a plan; he pressed Zhou Chao: “Give me a clear answer—will you cross this tribulation?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Chao snapped back: “Yes, yes—please, Immortal, save her!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Even if she ultimately fails?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Chao gritted his teeth: “Even if she ultimately fails.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good,” Wang Feiyin said. “One more thing: after unbinding, she must never bind her feet again.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Chao smiled bitterly: “How could I ever let her bind them again? When we first had them bind her feet, she cried so terribly—but everyone said it was normal, so I didn’t object. Had I known how much pain it caused, I would have stopped them at once.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Xian niang wept, unable to speak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Feiyin said: “Since you’ve chosen to cross this tribulation, begin preparations now—we need to buy herbs.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Feiyin wrote out a list of herbs, densely packed with names.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Chao took it, glanced once, then hurried off to arrange it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Feiyin told Tao Ji to needle the girl: “Start with medicine first—let my third brother give her a few needles to ease the pain. After tomorrow’s funeral, I will treat her.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The lucky number for this chapter is any number ending in 2, screenshot as proof.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1872,"2026-06-20T22:03:57.478Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","81dfc87f682c7210c251a2ccc109adbfd3ef1581b04944cf94928b1e32789872","the-unorthodox-sword-of-ming-chapter-73","the-unorthodox-sword-of-ming-chapter-71",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-unorthodox-sword-of-ming-cover.jpg"]