Just moments ago, the Xu Clan members were lamenting the untimely death of their eldest son and the shattered dream of becoming a great clan, their hearts heavy with sorrow.

But when they saw Xu Qi An truly sit up in his coffin, their legs moved faster than their minds. In a flash, they all rushed to a distance, observing with trepidation.

“It’s a walking corpse! Master Xu has truly become a walking corpse! Quick, report to the authorities!”

“Report to whom? Everyone here outranks the County Magistrate.”

Amidst the rising cacophony, the Xu Clan members were both shocked and frightened. However, the presence of the Princess and several other distinguished guests in the courtyard gave them some reassurance, preventing them from fleeing outright.

While some recoiled in fear, others instinctively drew closer, though still wary and bewildered, unsure of the situation. Among them were Xu Er Lang, Xu Lingye, Chu Caiwei, and Princess Huai Qing.

So itchy… Xu Qi An felt an intense tingling sensation on his scalp, as if lice were crawling about.

He reached up to scratch, and a large patch of scalp came away with his hair.

“Ah!!!”

A timid aunt screamed in terror, pushing Xu Lingye in front of her as a shield.

Xu Lingye was also scared to death. Even though it was her most beloved elder brother, his sudden rise from the coffin made her scalp tingle with fear. She instinctively wanted to scream and run away.

But she didn’t. With tears streaming down her face and a trembling voice, she cried, “Elder Brother, Elder Brother, do you have some last words you couldn’t say? Is that why your soul can’t rest?”

Her grief overcame her, and she wept like a rain-soaked pear blossom.

After a brief moment of shock and confusion, several people in the room quickly grasped Xu Qi An’s true condition.

They were Princess Huai Qing at the Qi Condensation realm, Chu Caiwei from the Bureau of Astronomy, the high-ranking martial artists Nangong Qianrou and Zhang Kaitai, as well as Second Uncle Xu Pingzhi.

Chu Caiwei possessed the ability to discern between the living and the dead. Recalling her teacher’s words, even though this girl wasn’t particularly clever, she began to piece some things together.

…Is this the effect of the Rebirth Pill? No wonder teacher said he had given the Rebirth Pill to Xu Qi An. But how did teacher know Xu Qi An would be resurrected… and how did Xu Qi An take the Rebirth Pill? Chu Caiwei couldn’t quite figure it out.

As for Xu Pingzhi and the others, it was purely their keen martial senses and sharp eyesight that allowed them to hear Xu Qi An’s heartbeat and see the subtle rise and fall of his chest as he breathed.

Their expressions varied, but all shared elements of both surprise and joy.

Xu Pingzhi’s eyes slowly widened, his ordinary face a mix of wild elation and sorrow. This grown man, in front of everyone, began to weep uncontrollably.

Zhang Kaitai was excited and delighted, his emotions written plainly on his face. Xu Ning Yan is alive? He’s come back to life?

Princess Huai Qing, who had maintained a cool and dignified demeanor since entering the Xu residence, suddenly softened her pale face. The joy hidden in the corners of her eyes and brows would have greatly surprised anyone who knew her well.

Nangong Qianrou’s expression was one of suspicion.

Last words? Xu Qi An’s mind stirred, remembering his aunt’s tearful words last night about him being the ugliest. So, in a mournful, low voice tinged with trembling, he said:

“Aunt was unkind to me. I want her to apologize…”

The aunt burst into tears with a loud “Waa!”

“We don’t speak of the supernatural, of strange powers or chaos!”

Xu Er Lang, who lacked the keen senses of a martial artist or a sorcerer’s ability to discern life force, and was only at the eighth rank of Confucian self-cultivation, thought his elder brother had truly become a walking corpse. He stepped forward, muttering incantations.

He intended to use the rudimentary form of the Confucian “words become law” power to make his elder brother lie back down.

“Stop!”

But his father suddenly slapped him aside, and Xu Pingzhi, overcome with conflicting joy and sorrow, rushed to the coffin’s edge as if approaching a rare treasure.

“Wait.”

Nangong Qianrou blocked Xu Pingzhi, narrowing her eyes as she scrutinized Xu Qi An, who kept scratching his ears and face, peeling off patches of skin.

“The body may be alive, but whether it’s still the same person is hard to say,” Nangong Qianrou said with a cold smile.

Everyone was struck with a sudden chill, recalling the strange orange cat. They immediately sensed something was amiss.

The orange cat had leaped over his corpse, and now Xu Qi An had truly come back to life. This inevitably led to speculation – perhaps the one who had revived wasn’t Xu Qi An, but someone else entirely.

Nangong Qianrou, Princess Huai Qing, and the others were all worldly individuals. Even if they hadn’t personally witnessed soul possession, they had certainly heard of such practices.

“No, he must be Qi An,” Xu Pingzhi said firmly.

There was no logical reason; he simply couldn’t accept any explanation other than his nephew’s resurrection. Any other possibility was something he couldn’t face or bear.

The knife had already pierced his heart once.

“Second Uncle, it’s me. I’m not dead,” Xu Qi An said.

Huh… why has his voice changed? Xu Pingzhi’s expression shifted slightly.

This “Second Uncle” was spoken in a clear, resonant voice, full of masculine charm, much more pleasing to the ear than Qi An’s previous voice.

Second Uncle Xu’s heart sank. He clenched his fist and stared at his resurrected nephew. “How can you prove you’re Xu Qi An?”

Xu Pingzhi’s questioning tone made the already suspicious crowd even more wary.

Thankfully I don’t have a mother, otherwise I’d have to prove my mother is my mother… He inwardly grumbled, then after a moment’s thought, said, “Green tangerines are sour and astringent, but Second Uncle thinks the peel juice has other uses.”

Xu Pingzhi’s face froze.

Xu Er Lang still didn’t believe his elder brother had come back to life. Noticing his father’s strange demeanor, he took a deep breath to steady himself and asked:

“Are you really my elder brother?”

At this moment, Xu Qi An’s face was a patchwork of fresh and old flesh, grotesque and frightening. But as he looked at his younger brother, his gaze was deep and enduring, full of emotion as he said:

“If Heaven hadn’t born me, Xu Xin Nian, Great Daofeng would be in eternal night.”

In his heart, he silently added: When the womenfolk are not at home, three people frolic in the Shadow Plum Pavilion.

If Heaven hadn’t born me, Xu Xin Nian, Great Daofeng would be in eternal night… Hearing these words, Second Uncle and Aunt became increasingly certain that the one who had awakened was indeed Xu Qi An. These small details of daily life could only be known by someone who had lived them.

In the mourning hall, everyone’s attention suddenly shifted to Xu Xin Nian.

Chu Caiwei thought that these words must never reach Senior Brother Yang’s ears, otherwise she and her fellow disciples at the Bureau of Astronomy would likely have to endure daily brainwashing sessions.

This is on par with that fool Yang Qianxian’s catchphrase… Nangong Qianrou and Zhang Kaitai frowned, feeling that this Xu family scholar was far too arrogant. Martial artists despised such bravado and swagger.

Princess Huai Qing said nothing, but gazed at Xu Xin Nian with a very meaningful look.

“…”

Xu Er Lang’s handsome face turned bright red, even his ears flushing. It was embarrassing enough to have family members hear such things, but to have his elder brother recite them in front of so many outsiders – this level of shame was beyond what someone Xu Er Lang’s age should have to bear.

He wished he could push his elder brother aside and lie in the coffin himself, ending it all.

Phew…

Seeing his son draw everyone’s attention and become the focus, Second Uncle Xu breathed a sigh of relief, feeling somewhat pleased.

“It really is Elder Brother!” Xu Lingye cried out joyfully, rushing over without hesitation to wrap her arms around her elder brother’s neck, sobbing softly.

“Big Bro, Big Bro…” Xu Ling Yin was overjoyed, jumping up and down at the edge of the coffin, arms outstretched, hoping her elder brother would hug her too.

But Xu Qi An was busy comforting his sister, holding her soft, delicate form, completely overlooking the little one.

Xu Pingzhi also moved forward excitedly, embracing his daughter and nephew, holding them tightly, afraid that if he loosened his grip, they might disappear again.

Xu Er Lang raised his face, refusing to let tears fall from his eyes. In front of such a crowd, he would never engage in such a sentimental display.

“Hmph!”

The aunt tossed her sharp, snow-white chin, turning her head away with a look of disdain. But immediately after, she covered her mouth and began to cry.

Nangong Qianrou discreetly glanced at the fallen dead flesh—not just dead skin, but chunks of dead flesh. She frowned and asked, “How did you come back to life?”

“I never actually died…” Xu Qi An was about to explain when Chu Caiwei raised her hand slightly. The beautiful big-eyed girl with an oval face chirped:

“Did you eat the Rebirth Pill I gave you?”

Xu Qi An was momentarily stunned but quickly regained his composure. Playing along, he adopted a grateful posture and said, “Miss Caiwei, your kindness is immeasurable. Xu Ning Yan will never forget this debt. I wish I could offer myself in marriage to repay you.”

“Pah!”

Chu Caiwei’s cheeks flushed red. In truth, she felt somewhat ashamed. The innocent foodie wasn’t skilled at lying and had a strong moral compass.

Unlike Xu Qi An, who was a habitual liar and whose “fishing” techniques left much to be desired, having nearly drowned in small ponds several times.

Xu Qi An looked at everyone, knowing they needed an explanation. After a moment’s thought, he said:

“During the Yunzhou rebellion, when the rebel army surrounded the Provincial Administration Commissioner’s office and the lives of the Provincial Governor and others hung by a thread, I knew this battle’s outcome was uncertain. Remembering the Rebirth Pill Miss Caiwei had given me, I took a gamble… Heh, the situation was dire, and I had no choice.”

“I suppose the Provincial Governor thought I had died in battle, causing this big misunderstanding.”

So that’s how the Rebirth Pill works… Nangong Qianrou and the others nodded in sudden understanding.

Princess Huai Qing looked at Xu Pingzhi and the others who still seemed confused and calmly explained, “The Rebirth Pill is a miraculous medicine refined by the Chief of the Bureau of Astronomy. Taking this pill is like a cicada pupa forming a cocoon, shedding the old shell and giving birth to a new body.”

“Even if one suffers a fatal injury, they can break out of the cocoon like a butterfly, gaining an entirely new body.”

The power of the Rebirth Pill uses the old body as nourishment to cultivate a new one, much like a cicada pupa transforming into a butterfly.

It also has significant drawbacks, such as being extremely expensive and having strict usage conditions. The drug takes effect after half an hour, and the person who takes the pill must die within that half hour. If you don’t die, it will force you to die.

It could easily lead to the tragedy of sending one’s head a thousand miles away.

If one’s head is chopped off or if one dies on the spot, the Rebirth Pill can’t bring them back.

In short, it only works when one is on the brink of death and the drug’s effects happen to kick in.

Nangong Qianrou and the others, who were well aware of the Rebirth Pill’s effects, could only marvel at Xu Qi An’s incredible luck.

To the Xu family, it seemed that the eldest son’s resurrection was entirely due to the miraculous medicine gifted by Miss Caiwei from the Bureau of Astronomy.

“Miss Caiwei, words cannot express our gratitude,” Xu Pingzhi clasped his fist and said:

“My nephew owes you his life. From now on, whether it’s climbing knife mountains or diving into boiling oil, you need only command him. If he’s unwilling, I, as his Second Uncle, will tie him up and drag him there myself.”

She didn’t do anything and yet earned my life debt. Damn, Chu Caiwei must be the protagonist template… Xu Qi An played along, bowing and expressing his endless gratitude.

“Alright, Lingye, help your elder brother out now. A living person shouldn’t keep lying in a coffin, it’s inauspicious,” Xu Pingzhi said, his mood greatly improved.

“Mm.” Xu Lingye responded but didn’t immediately help her brother up. Instead, she began peeling off the dry, dead flesh from his face.

After removing the skin and flesh from his face and head, Xu Qi An felt a cool sensation on his forehead. His heart sank as he realized, “Damn it, the hair I’ve been growing for twenty years is ruined in an instant.”

Then he noticed Xu Lingye staring at him in a daze.

“What’s wrong with my face?” Xu Qi An’s heart sank, and he quickly felt his face.

Xu Lingye’s pretty face flushed slightly, and she lowered her head without a word.

Xu Qi An had no choice but to climb out of the coffin himself, facing Princess Huai Qing, Nangong Qianrou, and the others. Then, he clearly saw them all pause in surprise.

The Xu Qi An before them had facial features that could be described as perfect, exuding a masculine energy. Thick eyebrows, a high nose bridge, eyes brimming with spirit, and lips curved just right.

His features hadn’t changed, but they had become more refined and perfect.

Is this really the boy I raised? The aunt’s rosy lips parted slightly as she stared at Xu Qi An in disbelief.

Nangong Qianrou let out a “hmph.”

Even Chu Caiwei, who had yet to experience romantic feelings, couldn’t help but look a few more times, thinking that Xu Ning Yan had become even more handsome after his rebirth.

Princess Huai Qing’s gaze lingered on his face for a few seconds before she slightly turned her head, averting her eyes as if caught stealing.

“Elder Brother is so handsome,” Xu Ling Yin said happily. Although her brother didn’t hug her, her love for him remained unchanged.

“I looked like this in my youth too,” Second Uncle Xu said joyfully.

Seeing the family fall silent and stare at him, Second Uncle Xu suddenly felt awkward and added, “Well, more or less…”

“The eldest son isn’t dead?”

An elderly man among the Xu Clan members called out from a distance.

Second Uncle Xu immediately went over to tell the clan members the good news of Xu Qi An’s resurrection and the reason behind it.

Only then did the Xu Clan members realize it wasn’t a case of a walking corpse; Xu Qi An had never actually died. It was the miraculous life-restoring pill from the Bureau of Astronomy that had saved him.

The common people of the capital were no strangers to the Bureau of Astronomy. Many pharmacies and clinics in the city were their enterprises, and ninth-rank sorcerers would occasionally practice at these clinics, offering superb medical skills at affordable prices.

After explaining, Second Uncle Xu pulled Xu Qi An along to pay respects to the elders. The Xu Clan members were also very happy; a young clan member coming back to life was joyous news in itself. Moreover, seeing Xu Qi An’s potential and connections, the clan members naturally hoped he would climb higher and higher.

In an instant, the funeral was filled with a lively atmosphere.

After reassuring the clan members, Xu Qi An saw off the two Golden Gongs, bid farewell to Chu Caiwei and Princess Huai Qing, then turned and headed to the bathhouse.

The Xu Clan members stayed at the Xu residence, helping to remove the funeral arrangements.

…

Pouring a full tub of water, Xu Qi An supported himself on the edge of the bathtub, looking down at the face reflected in the water’s surface.

“Handsome! Now this feels right, although it’s still a bit short of my previous life,” Xu Qi An exclaimed in delight.

At this moment, his features were vaguely reminiscent of his original appearance, but more refined and perfect, his attractiveness having skyrocketed.

Lying in the cool water, Xu Qi An let out a comfortable groan, then dejectedly touched his bald head.

Just then, an orange cat pushed open the door crack, walking in with elegant feline steps, its tail held high.

“Tsk, I’ve long heard that the Rebirth Pill’s effects were extraordinary, and today I see it truly lives up to its name. It’s turned an unremarkable you into someone quite impressive.”

So in your eyes, Daoist Master, I was just an ordinary Bronze Gong… Xu Qi An felt a bit hurt, so he said:

“Daoist Master, you’ve developed the bad habit of peeping at people bathing.”

“Don’t mind such trifles,” Golden Lotus Daoist raised his paw and tapped the ground once.

The orange cat jumped onto the stool beside the bathtub used for clean clothes, squatting and speaking in human language:

“This poor Daoist never believed you would die in the line of duty. When I heard of your funeral today, I came to take a look. Sure enough, although your body showed no signs of life, there were clearly subtle fluctuations of your primordial spirit.”

These subtle primordial spirit fluctuations couldn’t be sensed by martial artists; only Daoist disciples who cultivated the Yin spirit could detect them.

“This poor Daoist gave you a push, allowing your primordial spirit to return sooner.”

“Thank you, Daoist Master,” Xu Qi An sincerely expressed his gratitude. If it weren’t for the Daoist Master striding in without a care and letting out a yowl, even if he had come back to life, it wouldn’t have meant much.

Indeed, good fortune favors the virtuous, and the master of the fish pond enjoys heaven’s protection.

“But Miao Zhen said there wasn’t the slightest primordial spirit fluctuation on you, that you were thoroughly dead,” Golden Lotus Daoist said.

Is that how “thoroughly” is used? Xu Qi An pondered and said:

“On the journey back to the capital from Yunzhou, I had no awareness at all. It wasn’t until last night that I hazily regained consciousness.”

His meaning was that the subtle primordial spirit fluctuations had only appeared recently, as a sign of his revival.

Golden Lotus Daoist nodded, looked down, and placed his paw on the Earth Book fragment. He clicked his tongue and said, “Wei Yuan didn’t take back the Earth Book fragment.”

Is Wei Yuan fishing? Xu Qi An was startled, then heard Golden Lotus Daoist continue:

“However, letting you join the Heaven and Earth Society was just a casual move for him. Those who are good at strategizing plan far ahead. After your death, he might have become somewhat disheartened and unwilling to meddle further in the Society’s affairs. Whether the Earth Book fragment was buried with you or taken by me, it doesn’t matter anymore.”

Daoist Master, you and Wei Yuan are indeed in tacit understanding, but revealing my identity as a double agent right in front of me still makes me a bit uncomfortable… Xu Qi An laughed dryly.

“By the way, could we not tell Li Miao Zhen about my resurrection for now?” Xu Qi An said, splashing the water.

Golden Lotus Daoist stared at him with amber cat eyes: “You should be honest, young man.”

Damn it, who hasn’t bragged online before… When I used to browse Zhihu, I liked to pretend to be a highly educated talent, with my catchphrase being: “Thanks for the invitation, I’m in the US, just got off the plane.”

Xu Qi An laughed dryly again, then remembering what happened in Yunzhou, asked, “Daoist Master, there were traces of sorcerer involvement behind the Yunzhou case, and at least a third-rank sorcerer at that. How much do you know about the Bureau of Astronomy?”

He told Golden Lotus Daoist about the mysterious sorcerer’s deeds in the Yunzhou case.

Golden Lotus Daoist quickly grasped Xu Qi An’s meaning and pondered, “The Bureau of Astronomy has only one third-rank sorcerer, named Sun Xuanji.”

“But I don’t think the sorcerer who acted in Yunzhou was him. It was someone else.”

“Who?” Xu Qi An quickly asked.

Golden Lotus Daoist looked at him, “Do you think I would know?”

…What use are you then? Xu Qi An smiled and said, “Daoist Master, in my heart, you’ve always been a wise elder, knowing both astronomy above and geography below.”

And also an old fox.

Golden Lotus Daoist shook his head and corrected, “Sorcerers know astronomy above, and Confucian scholars know geography below.”

“However, the Chief of the Bureau certainly knows that sorcerer’s background, but that old fellow’s thoughts are unfathomable to anyone.”

Having said this, Golden Lotus Daoist scrutinized Xu Qi An and clicked his tongue, “Your blood essence and qi have increased several fold, and you’re in excellent spirits. Compared to when you left the capital, you’ve made great progress. The Rebirth Pill’s effects are truly remarkable.”

It’s just too expensive… Golden Lotus Daoist lamented inwardly.

“It’s just luck, just luck. Entering the Spirit Refining realm in three months, my aptitude is truly poor, truly poor,” Xu Qi An said modestly.

…The orange cat turned and left, leaving behind a sentence: “Go find Wei Yuan. The resources for the Copper Skin Iron Bones realm, you can’t buy even if you exhaust your family fortune, but he can give them to you.”

After bathing and changing into dry clothes, Xu Qi An rode out of the manor on horseback, heading straight for the Night Watchmen’s Office.