[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-lord-of-the-proles":3,"chapter-lord-of-the-proles-lord-of-the-proles-chapter-124":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},2290422,4478,"Chapter 124: Face-Off","lord-of-the-proles-chapter-124",124,"\u003Cp>Li Banfeng went to the Song family’s great warehouse, and Ma Wu couldn’t stop him; when Ma Wu tried to follow, Li Banfeng found him an annoyance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With no choice, Ma Wu returned to his wooden hut and began packing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every time he went hunting with Li Banfeng, as soon as he got a kill, he’d sell it immediately—was there anything valuable left in his hut?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every time Ma Wu went to new territory, he recorded his observations—over seventy pages of notes, plus a dozen sketches; these were priceless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He gathered his notes and drawings from under the bed, took two sets of clothes, and went upstairs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wanted to help Li Banfeng pack his things, but when he looked out the window from the second floor, he saw a group of men armed with weapons approaching from both ends of the alley.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Jiasen has arrived!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How did he get here so fast?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>According to Ma Wu’s estimate, Song Jiasen should’ve been waiting at home for Tang Tianjin to return—least an hour or two—how could he be here so soon?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone’s been watching this area—they saw me come home!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Wu grabbed some clay and prepared to set traps, but then he reconsidered—setting traps would be useless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How big should the traps be?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Song Jiasen sets fire to the hut, no trap size matters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I need an escape route.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Where would be the best place to leave an escape route if Song Jiasen surrounds the hut?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nowhere is suitable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Jiasen brought over fifty enforcers, surrounding the wooden hut from front and back; seeing the curtains drawn, he asked a nearby enforcer: “Did you personally see him return?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The enforcer nodded: “I saw him with my own eyes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ma Junyang, get your ass out here!” Song Jiasen shouted repeatedly, but the hut remained silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Won’t come out? Break the door down!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The situation was better than Ma Wu expected—Song Jiasen wasn’t burning the hut, just ordering the door smashed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two enforcers stepped toward the door, only to find their feet stuck fast to the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was clay at the entrance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Jiasen flew into a rage but dared not advance: “You fucking bastard, playing dirty tricks? Ma Lao Wu, are you coming out or not?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The curses grew louder, and the crowd of onlookers swelled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But weren’t these onlookers afraid of trouble?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But today’s situation was special.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Lanyang Village, fights happened daily; murders weren’t rare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Song family rarely intervened personally—most often, they acted as impartial witnesses, maintaining a lofty image.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today, the Song family suddenly turned on Ma Wu, the fallen young master, and many wanted to know why.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some had already guessed the reason:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ma Wu must’ve been selling goods behind Song’s back—otherwise, Elder Song wouldn’t show up himself.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Selling behind Song’s back? Is he really that desperate to die?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who really wants to die? Even fallen, he’s still a young master—Elder Song is just bluffing; he wouldn’t dare kill him, would he?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the crowd murmured, Song Jiasen suddenly barked: “Ma Lao Wu, before all the folks of Lanyang Village, don’t say I’m framing you—you sold goods behind my back, didn’t you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hut gave no reply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why didn’t Ma Wu respond?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because he wasn’t in the wooden hut at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Right now, Ma Wu was hiding in Wei Fangdong’s house.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Wei Fangdong died, the house had stood empty—and Li Banfeng had guessed right: with Wei gone, there was no one collecting rent, and no one cared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside Wei Fangdong’s small building, Ma Wu could see the scene at the wooden hut from the second floor, and faintly hear voices.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as Song Jiasen withdrew, Ma Wu could leave calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Jiasen waited a moment, then roared: “Ma Lao Wu, you won’t admit it? I’ve brought witnesses—now see if you still deny it!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two enforcers dragged forward a man; seeing him, Ma Wu clenched his fists.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was his friend!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was Xiao Chuan!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Did Chuan betray Ma Wu?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Wu knew this—Chuan wasn’t that kind of man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Jiasen received word from Yang Yanzheng, learned of the rumors, and captured Xiao Chuan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chuan was stubborn—he never confessed to selling goods.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Chuan had been tortured, beaten black and blue, and dragged before the crowd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Jiasen pointed a knife at Xiao Chuan’s eyes and asked: “Did Ma Lao Wu send you to Lüshuicheng to sell goods? Tell me the truth.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Chuan lowered his head, silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Jiasen smiled: “Fine, you’ve got guts—take off one of his legs.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several guards pinned Xiao Chuan down; two lifted one leg, one tied a rope tightly around the thigh, another raised an axe to chop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Stop!” Ma Wu stepped out—he couldn’t let Xiao Chuan die.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stood before Song Jiasen and shouted: “Elder Song, what are you doing?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Jiasen smiled: “Ma Lao Wu, don’t you know what I’m doing? You came to Lanyang, and I never gave you trouble—you sold goods behind my back, breaking my rules!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Wu’s face was expressionless: “You need proof—who saw me sell goods behind your back?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Jiasen grabbed Xiao Chuan’s hair and sneered: “The witness is right here—still dare to lie?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Chuan shouted: “Fifth Master never sent me to sell goods—don’t frame him!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good boy, tough mouth!” Song Jiasen raised his knife to gouge out Xiao Chuan’s eye.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Wu roared: “Song, you dare? Don’t you know who he belongs to?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Jiasen paused, then laughed: “Him? He’s just a worker from the Ma family—what’s he worth?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You know he’s from the Ma family, yet you dare touch him?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Jiasen laughed: “Is there only one Ma family in Puluozhou? Can’t I touch Ma family workers? Do you think my Song family is that easy to bully?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Wu smiled too: “I know you’re backed by the Lu family, but I’ll tell you this—the Ma family’s worker is still a person, and the Lu family’s lapdog is still a dog.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Jiasen, do you really think you’re a lion? In my eyes, you’re nothing but a dog!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could Xiao Chuan’s status be compared to Song Jiasen’s?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No—Ma Wu knew this clearly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if Song Jiasen killed Xiao Chuan right here, he could just pay the Ma family compensation and call it settled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If anyone compared Xiao Chuan to Song Jiasen, Song Jiasen would laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But when Ma Wu said it, Song Jiasen didn’t laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The aura of a noble young master made him unable to laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Jiasen’s eyes turned bloodshot: “Ma Junyang, you insult me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll say this now—if I kill you right here, even him, do you believe me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Wu stared straight into Song Jiasen’s eyes: “Come on—I’m standing here, kill me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Jiasen twisted the dagger in his hand: “Don’t think being a Ma family young master gives you the right to talk like this—I’m telling you, this is Lanyang Village, not your Ma family mansion!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Wu sneered: “I haven’t been a Ma family young master for a long time—I was cast out of the family, slept in shacks, scavenged food from trash heaps, barely better than a beggar—kill me if you dare, no need for more words.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Would Song Jiasen really kill Ma Wu?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not even if he killed Ma Wu in front of so many people—he’d fear the Ma family’s revenge even if he used a hidden hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he wanted to teach Ma Wu a lesson—beat him badly, make this young master understand Lanyang Village’s rules, and who the real master here was!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Jiasen knew about Ma Wu’s earlier robbery—Ma Wu wasn’t new to beatings; he’d probably beat him half-dead and the Ma family wouldn’t pursue it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Wu had prepared himself for the beating—if he could save Chuan, taking another beating didn’t matter—as long as he kept breathing!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Jiasen was about to order his men to attack when a subordinate rushed up: “Master, the great warehouse is on fire!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Jiasen’s veins bulged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t know what had happened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Wu heard it too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He suspected Li Banfeng had done it, but couldn’t fathom why.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng had said he’d go to the Song warehouse to take something—could he have set fire to it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter what churned inside, Ma Wu showed no expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The warehouse fire was an opportunity—Ma Wu could use it to assert his authority.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He kept staring at Song Jiasen, shouting fiercely: “If you’ve got the guts, kill me—let’s see who’s tougher!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Jiasen gave no reply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Jiasen did not respond.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What does Ma Wu mean by that?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Did he send someone to burn the big warehouse?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Isn’t he already expelled from the family…?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There’s something fishy here!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Ma family may have already forgiven Ma Wu, even secretly aiding him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Ma family burned the warehouse—they’re sending me a warning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Continuing to clash with Ma Wu, he fears the situation might spiral out of control.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But should we just back down now?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many people are watching. Song Jiasen came to assert dominance—if we back down now, we’ll never establish ourselves again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having monopolized Lan Yang Village for twenty years, Song Jiasen was still shrewd enough to devise a response under pressure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Young Master Wu, I respect you as a man. Though you’ve fallen on hard times, I, Song, won’t bully you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lan Yang Village is my territory. You broke my rules, which is like slapping my face—I can’t just swallow this insult.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since I set the rules, we’ll follow them: tomorrow at noon, we’ll settle this in the open field, under Qingtian Arena, to see who’s superior.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I win, you leave and find your fortune elsewhere—never step foot in Lan Yang Village again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you win, I’ll pack up my entire family and move out within three days. What do you say?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Wu didn’t want to accept. He knew he wasn’t a match for Song Jiasen, and he wasn’t the type to risk his life for reputation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Xiao Chuan was in Song Jiasen’s hands. If he refused, it would mean backing down—everything he’d built up would collapse, Xiao Chuan might die, and he’d be beaten senseless anyway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Better to agree first, then rescue Xiao Chuan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Senior Song, you’re a third-layer Wu Xiu. I’ve just reached first layer. Fighting you is basically suicide.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What, are you scared? Don’t worry—you won’t die in Qingtian Arena. Just admit defeat.” Song Jiasen sneered at Ma Wu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Wu sneered back: “Admit defeat? Is it that easy? I want to send someone else to fight for me—isn’t that allowed under the rules?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was perfectly allowed. Song Jiasen had proposed Qingtian Arena—a daytime duel—meaning Ma Wu could send a proxy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Jiasen could also send a proxy—but what level could he find?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At most, a fourth-layer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What level could Ma Wu find?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hard to say.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Ma Wu spent heavily—or if the Ma family secretly intervened—they could easily find someone at fifth or sixth layer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Jiasen was torn inside, but kept his expression calm: “Young Master Wu, this is between you and me. No need to drag others in. I won’t bully the weak—I’ll let my son fight you. First layer against first layer. Fair enough?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Jiasen had two sons: Song Zhigang and Song Zhiyi, both first-layer cultivators.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zhiyi, dare you fight Young Master Wu?” Song Jiasen entrusted the task to Song Zhiyi, as his eldest son, Song Zhigang, had injured himself from rushed cultivation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Zhiyi had never participated in a duel before. He’d begun training at six and spent most of his time studying in town, rarely returning home. He knew little of family affairs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet he wasn’t afraid. He looked at Ma Wu with contempt: “What’s there to fear?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With things at this point, Ma Wu had no reason to refuse: “Fine, it’s settled. Let go of Xiao Chuan first.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Jiasen threw Xiao Chuan down before Ma Wu, then led his men away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They walked away calmly, but Song Jiasen’s heart burned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The big warehouse was still on fire!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What the hell was Luo Sancai doing?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How many people did the Ma family send to burn the warehouse?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Actually, just one person—and not sent by the Ma family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng had been lying in wait beside the warehouse. Seeing Song Jiasen leave, he entered his portable dwelling, tossed the key inside, and slipped in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d hoped to find something valuable, but the warehouse was huge and the valuables few. With time pressing, he grabbed a few items he liked, set fire to the place, and seized the cash chest amid the chaos.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cash chest held little—only over three hundred thousand. After hearing the full story, Li Banfeng handed all of it to Xiao Chuan: “You’re a real man. Take this—get your wounds treated.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Chuan shook his head: “No need for money. These are just surface bruises. A little ointment’s enough—no big deal.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng was surprised: “Really no big deal?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Chuan nodded: “Really fine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng praised him: “If you’re fine, then get back to work.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Chuan and Ma Wu stared at Li Banfeng. They thought no normal person would say something so cruel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng spoke sternly: “You said you’re fine—why aren’t you going to work?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Wu couldn’t understand Li Banfeng’s thinking. He turned to Xiao Chuan: “Xiao Chuan, forget road construction. Come with me from now on. We can’t stay in Lan Yang Village. I won’t fight Song Jiasen in the open field. We leave tonight.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng looked at Ma Wu: “Leave? Why leave? This place is perfect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s just a duel—what’s hard about it? First, polish your rhetoric!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Wu blinked: “Why do I need to polish my rhetoric?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng said seriously: “A duel isn’t about strength—it’s about rhetoric.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>PS: I believe a duel isn’t just about rhetoric—appearance matters too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2316,"2026-06-20T03:43:13.043Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","1622d8a68ed4ce3053e06647fcec42a84c9a028d32272bcfb740b2e55afcc07f","lord-of-the-proles-chapter-125","lord-of-the-proles-chapter-123",863,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Flord-of-the-proles-cover.jpg"]