[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-lord-of-the-proles":3,"chapter-lord-of-the-proles-lord-of-the-proles-chapter-113":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Lord of the Proles",{"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},2290411,4478,"Chapter 113","lord-of-the-proles-chapter-113",113,"\u003Cp>“Can you hear my thoughts?” Li Banfeng gasped, stepping back two paces swiftly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ling Miaosheng smiled: “Sir, don’t worry—I can be honest with you. I’m a Kui Xiu; it was because I heard music in your mind that I introduced you to so many phonographs.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I know you’re a music lover, and I’d gladly be your friend—but just now I heard the hiss of steam. I’m afraid I can’t help you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Only two steam phonographs from Amikan Country exist in Pulu Province—one on the Lu family’s private train, the other’s whereabouts unknown.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I suspect you have special feelings for that machine, but I’m sorry—I can’t make up for that loss.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ling Miaosheng prepared to see him out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng glanced around: “I’ll take the sewing-machine phonograph and the bellows phonograph.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ling Miaosheng blinked, then shook his head slightly: “Sir, I must remind you—each phonograph has unique qualities and tone. These two cannot provide what you seek, and they’re not cheap.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng nodded: “Name your price. I’m buying them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bellows phonograph was sixty thousand, the sewing-machine phonograph seventy thousand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Li Banfeng figured the gears, bearings, and other parts inside would be useful—he paid cash without hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet gears and bearings alone weren’t enough—his wife’s steam engine parts were also damaged: the connecting rod bent, several pipes leaking—where could he find replacements?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the corner of the room, he spotted an undisplayed phonograph.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng smelled fuel on it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Show me this machine!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ling Miaosheng hurried to explain: “Sir, this isn’t a phonograph—it’s a motion picture projector.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Motion picture projector?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was, in fact, a film projector.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this projector had nothing to do with electricity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most cinemas in Pulu Province didn’t use electricity either—film didn’t need it. Light, film, and rotation were enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Ling Miaosheng pulled back the curtain, Li Banfeng’s eyes lit up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This projector was exactly what he’d been searching for.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was steam-powered!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is an Amikan steam motion picture projector, fueled by oil. You’ve seen steam phonographs—you’re familiar with how they work.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ling Miaosheng demonstrated the projector to Li Banfeng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He placed the heavy film canister on the stand, hung the screen, then lit the oil.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the oil tank were three mirrors, reflecting the flame behind the lens.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The flame powered both the steam engine and the projector’s light source.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After adjusting focus and pressure, the piston rose, steam hissed, the connecting rod turned the gears—the projector began to run.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a black-and-white film, fifteen minutes long, depicting a man and woman’s bizarre adventures after being stranded on a desert island—no real plot, just absurd, surreal comedy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the film ended, Ling Miaosheng extinguished the flame and said to Li Banfeng: “This projector comes from the same factory as the steam phonographs—and it’s no cheaper.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ling Miaosheng quoted thirty thousand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng didn’t haggle—if it was from the same factory, the parts would be interchangeable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Using the excuse of going home for money, Li Banfeng slipped to Suishenju, returned, paid in full, and bought all three machines together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ling Miaosheng was astonished by Li Banfeng’s straightforwardness—he gifted him thirty records and twenty films. Li Banfeng bought ten barrels of oil and two of lubricant, hired a cart, and loaded the two phonographs and one projector onto it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng gave a random address. At a narrow alley, he ordered the cart to unload.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cart driver added: “Boss Ling paid me in full—he told me to carry the goods into your home.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng waved him off: “No need. This spot’s fine. Go back.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The driver, delighted by the easy tip, left happily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng reached for his keys to carry the machines back to Suishenju—when he sensed hostile intent closing in behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He spun around and saw a young man striding toward him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Less than ten meters away, the man stopped when he noticed Li Banfeng had noticed him, smiling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What’s going on?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d gotten this close—and Li Banfeng hadn’t heard a single footstep?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This man had cultivation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What sect?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he pondered, danger closed in from all sides—five men emerged from the alleyways on either side, surrounding Li Banfeng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They moved without a sound. One touched the phonograph, another the projector, a third brushed Li Banfeng’s body—he felt his inner pocket go empty. His wallet was gone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Impeccable skill!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What sect were these people from?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A man in overalls opened Li Banfeng’s wallet and laughed to the suited man beside him: “Big brother, look—he’s loaded! Over ten thousand in here!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you really need to tell me?” the suited man chuckled. “Who’d buy such expensive phonographs—and so many? Tell you what, brother—you’re rich. Give us a little, just to be friends.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is this Greenwater City?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Does Greenwater City have this kind of thing?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng nodded: “Fine. Let’s be friends. What’s your name?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They burst into laughter. The overalls-clad man doubled over, wheezing: “Big brother, he’s asking your name—will you tell him?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The suited man smiled: “I won’t tell you my name. We’re the Ghost Hand Sect. Ask around Greenwater City—you’ll hear our name. Being friends with us won’t hurt you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I think it won’t hurt either. I’ve given you the wallet. Are we friends now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For Li Banfeng, saying this wasn’t easy—stealing from him crossed his bottom line. But today, he endured it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t want to linger in Greenwater City—he needed to return and repair his wife, and feared exposure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This isn’t enough,” the suited man said, glancing at the wallet in the overalls’ hand, then at the phonographs. “Leave these machines. We don’t know the market, but Ling Miaosheng’s goods always fetch a good price.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I won’t give you the phonographs,” Li Banfeng shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The overalls-clad man laughed, darting forward and slapping Li Banfeng’s face with the wallet: “What did you say? You said ‘won’t’? You tell us ‘won’t’? Do you know what that means? Do you know—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The overalls laughed, flicking forward to stand before Li Banfeng and slapping Li Banfeng’s face with his wallet: “What did you just say? You said no? You tell us no? Do you know what the consequences are? Do you know...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng’s hand shot up—his twin daggers sliced the man’s throat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The overalls-clad man clutched his neck, staring blankly at Li Banfeng, face twisted in shock and terror.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng took back his wallet and slapped the man’s face twice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The suited man gasped, flinging his dagger at Li Banfeng’s throat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng seized the dead man’s head and used his skull to block the blade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A black-clad man came from behind—Li Banfeng spun, drew the Blood Pendulum, and slashed his neck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The suited man froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What kind of man is this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Killing faster than slaughtering a chicken?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At one a.m., Li Banfeng carried the two phonographs and one projector back to Suishenju.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His wife made no sound—she seemed still asleep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng sat beside her, breathing heavily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The stench of blood filled the air—his wife woke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>*Hssss~*\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wei ya~ Xiang~gong,” her voice rose and fell unnaturally, “Where did you go?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I went to Greenwater City. Ran into the Ghost Hand Sect. Fought them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why go to Greenwater City? Isn’t someone after you? Why go there—are you trying to die?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng smiled bitterly: “I thought you never cared about what happened outside the house.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng gave a bitter laugh: “I thought you never cared about what happened outside the house.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ghost Hand Sect? Thief cultivators? That sect still exists? Xianggong, I’m injured—and you didn’t even bring back two thieves to replenish my body?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They were too many. I couldn’t handle them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Too many? Good! Bring them all back—I’ll deal with them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng smiled bitterly: “You’re in this state—if you can’t beat them?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What state am I in? Do you despise me? Did I become like this for anyone but you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You bring home all this junk—there’s no room left—and you didn’t even bring me food. You’re cruel to me, cruel to me, you—how did you get hurt like this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The phonograph was damaged—its vision was poor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only now did she see Li Banfeng clutching his abdomen, blood still seeping.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Xianggong, why are you hurt so badly?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d been stabbed—a deep wound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Didn’t I just say? They were too many.” Li Banfeng leaned against the phonograph, his breathing growing heavier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If they were too many, why didn’t you run? Why bring this junk back?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This isn’t junk. These are Amikan phonographs and projectors. I’ll dismantle them and replace your parts—then you’ll be fine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You risked your life to go to Greenwater City—for this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng said nothing more, struggling to stand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng said no more and struggled to rise to his feet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He planned to take apart the phonograph and the motion picture device.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huh-huh~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A cloud of steam enveloped Li Banfeng, laying him on the bed, swirling gently over his wounds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng’s lips trembled; he gritted his teeth and said, “It hurts like hell...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The steam spun around Li Banfeng’s forehead; he felt a wave of drowsiness wash over him, closed his eyes, and drifted slowly to sleep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huh-huh, huh-huh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You madman, look at yourself—what kind of scallion are you? You think you can save me? Who gave you the ability? Who gave you the nerve?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huh-huh, huh-huh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do I need you to save me? I only ever saw you as a knife that kills—someone I used to scrape by. Do you really think I’m your wife?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Copper Lotus chuckled from the outer room: “If not for this madman saving you, how long do you think your worthless bones could have held out?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The phonograph sneered: “It’s just a body—so what if you discard it? Get another one.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Can you replace it with something else? Is there anything in this room suited to you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There’s nothing here, but there’s plenty outside.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Can you even get out? Besides, things that carry fire, boil water, and sing songs—those aren’t easy to find outside. This madman actually helped you assemble them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huh-huh, huh-huh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The phonograph didn’t want to argue with the Red Lotus.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She kept gently caressing Li Banfeng with steam.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You madman, you good-for-nothing madman.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huh-huh, huh-huh~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng suddenly woke up: “Wife, did you call me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huh-huh~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A wave of steam surged forward, pulling Li Banfeng back into sleep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The steam swirled around Li Banfeng all night long.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>PS: You good reader, I knew you loved salad the most.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1743,"2026-06-20T03:43:13.043Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","e1c8b70983169da9d62a453b841bbde330c0120f3c8d899442fd4b4e32535d81","lord-of-the-proles-chapter-114","lord-of-the-proles-chapter-112",863,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Flord-of-the-proles-cover.jpg"]