[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-lord-of-the-proles":3,"chapter-lord-of-the-proles-lord-of-the-proles-chapter-137":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},2290435,4478,"Chapter 137","lord-of-the-proles-chapter-137",137,"\u003Cp>Si Wennian returned to his home, drank two sips of cold tea, and tried to calm his nerves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could no longer involve himself in the matter of Lan Yang Village.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for the Liu family, Liu Liangyi was likely dead, but his three sons were still alive; whether the Liu family would be ruled by one man or divided among three depended on their own fate, and Si Wennian had no intention of interfering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To be fair, Lu Dongliang’s direct attempt to kill Monkey Qiu was something Si Wennian had never anticipated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had he foreseen it, he would never have gone to see Lu Dongliang today.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What surprised him even more was that Lu Dongliang had designs on his sister-in-law—Duan Shaoxia said one word, and Lu Dongliang immediately backed off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Impressive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Truly, utterly convinced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What else could this second Lu brother accomplish?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu family’s eldest, where are you?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Your household is in chaos—can’t you see it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking of this, Si Wennian rubbed his forehead and suddenly felt a wave of dread.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether Lu family’s eldest sees it or not is beside the point—Si Wennian had seen it himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such things should never have been seen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not only should they not be seen, they shouldn’t even be known—Si Wennian felt disaster was coming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He should move out for a couple of days.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back to the countryside?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not safe enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the Lu family’s power, dragging Si Wennian out from the countryside wouldn’t be hard at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had a travel permit anyway; why not stay at Kucaizhuang for a couple of days, wait until the Lu family matter was settled—or until Lu family’s eldest returned—then move back to Lüshuiwan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking this, he quickly called his servant Xiao Qing: “Qingzi, pack my things—I have urgent business and must go to the train station.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Qingzi? You hear me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He called several times without response, and realized something was terribly wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He rose to leave the compound, but saw Lu Yuan Shan enter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Old Si, in such a hurry—where are you going?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Si Wennian shuddered, stepping back two paces: “Young Master, how did you come here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Yuan Shan smiled: “I came to see you, didn’t I? You just visited my home—reciprocity shows I haven’t neglected proper etiquette as a junior.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Si Wennian turned numb with fear: “Young Master, I went to the main house only on Second Master’s orders—I never meant to cause trouble.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Yuan Shan frowned: “I didn’t mention the main house. You’re inside, I’m outside—you didn’t even invite me in. Is that proper etiquette?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Si Wennian had planned to force his way out, but hearing Lu Yuan Shan’s words, he retreated into the hall and invited him in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Treating him with courtesy was a good way to defuse tension—explain things clearly, and the matter would pass.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once inside the hall, Si Wennian immediately regretted it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could he have thought such a thing?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could this ever be explained away?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Yuan Shan had come to his door—and still he didn’t think of fleeing?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only then did he realize he’d been ensnared by a Wen Xiu technique.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wen Wu Yi was the orthodox cultivation of powerful clans; Lu Yuan Shan, having stacked elixirs, had reached Wen Xiu Level Four. In his panic, Si Wennian had fallen victim to the “Lotus Words” technique.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Old Si, I’m here, and you haven’t even offered me a cup of tea?” Lu Yuan Shan pressed further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Si Wennian replied: “Young Master, please wait—I’ll brew you some tea.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Use good tea—don’t be stingy!” Lu Yuan Shan sat down and waited for the tea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Si Wennian walked again to the hall’s entrance, hoping to slip away—but saw Monkey Qiu walking straight toward him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brew tea? You don’t need to leave the house, do you? Are you going to buy tea leaves on the spot?” Monkey Qiu slapped Si Wennian’s cheek.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Si Wennian stepped back slowly, pleading: “Manager Qiu, Master Qiu, I didn’t come for you—I was forced by Second Master. I never meant to challenge you…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is that so?” Qiu Zhiheng smiled. “But today, I came for you. Level Five Cultivator—you’ve ruined me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ten minutes later, Lu Yuan Shan and Qiu Zhiheng boarded a carriage with Si Wennian’s severed head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Lu Dongliang’s eldest son, Lu Yuan Shan had seen much—he had killed Si Wennian himself, yet his expression remained eerily calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qiu Zhiheng said beside him: “Future matters like this, leave them to me. Don’t leave the house these days, you and Yuanhai.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Yuan Shan smiled: “Uncle Qiu, you’re mistaken. My mother told me your life is more precious than ours—so long as you live, we live. Let me handle these rough tasks from now on.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This wasn’t a “rough task”—Lu Yuan Shan was calculating; this was a perfect chance to establish authority within the family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qiu Zhiheng understood his meaning and said no more: “Let’s hurry home—we must guard against a surprise strike from Lu Dongliang.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Yuan Shan offered a suggestion: “Uncle Qiu, relying solely on you will leave you stretched thin. Why not bring Left Wu Gang back? He wasn’t to blame for what happened.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qiu Zhiheng nodded: “I’ve already sent men to track Left Wu Gang’s whereabouts.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Left Wu Gang waited in the courtyard of Miss Chu’s residence; Yang Yanzheng had just gone inside to announce him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Miss Chu pinched her own fat thigh hard—still not painful enough—ordered her maid to fetch a pair of pliers, and Yang Yanzheng seized the moment to speak of Left Wu Gang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Miss Chu froze: “Left Wu Gang wants to join me? That Lu family’s Big Support? I recall he did nothing the night Lu Dongliang fell.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The situation was unusual—he had no chance to act.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Miss Chu clearly resented Left Wu Gang: “When Lu Dongliang fell, he had no chance. When Lu Dongliang’s family was destroyed, he still had no chance. When, then, will he ever act?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Yanzheng made one final plea: “Miss, Left Wu Gang is Level Six Wu Xiu—men like him are hard to find.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Miss Chu looked at Yang Yanzheng: “What good is Level Eight Wu Xiu if he’s still a useless waste?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Yanzheng said nothing and quickly left Miss Chu’s room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Miss Chu pinched herself with the pliers, but the pain felt cold—wrong sensation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hongyan, pinch me.” Miss Chu lifted her thigh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wen Hongyan pinched hard on Miss Chu’s left thigh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Miss Chu hissed: “Painful—but not the right kind of pain.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What kind of pain?” Wen Hongyan rubbed her forearm, confused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That kind—pain with a special flavor!” Miss Chu rubbed her thigh, savoring the memory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Left Wu Gang trudged out of the Chu residence, dejected, and returned home with Zhen Jincheng and Cao Zhida.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhen Jincheng and Cao Zhida were both Level Three Wu Xiu, former Big Supports of the Lu main house, who had resigned alongside Left Wu Gang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Middle-aged men, they had left to seek fortune out of trust in Left Wu Gang—but Left Wu Gang had won no trust from any major clan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The He, Ma, and Chu families had all rejected Left Wu Gang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All three had some savings; even if they did nothing, they could live comfortably.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But with cultivation in their bodies, they didn’t want to waste away, nor did they wish to spend their lives living off their savings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Must Left Wu Gang seek a Big Support position in a great clan?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Couldn’t he do anything else?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He considered starting a escort business, but didn’t know the roads, couldn’t read well, and couldn’t do accounts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He recruited a few old friends for escort work, but none succeeded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He considered opening a martial arts school, but such schools were hard to establish—without powerful patrons, troublemakers outnumbered students.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He considered many trades, then gradually realized one thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had spent his whole life as a Big Support—his only skill was being a Big Support.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The four great clans wouldn't take him; now, even the young master and young lady wouldn't accept him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Dongliang’s downfall had tainted his reputation irreparably.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could he find a smaller household as a Big Support?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Left Wu Gang couldn’t bring himself to lower his pride.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At his wit’s end, Cao Zhida said: “Left Head, what if we join Master Ma Junyang?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Left Wu Gang snapped: “Are you mad? Didn’t we go to the Ma household just two days ago? Ma Junjiang’s face was long enough—he clearly doesn’t want us. Are we going to beg for humiliation?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Zhida said: “Left Head, not Ma Junjiang—Ma Junyang.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ma Junyang?” Left Wu Gang hesitated. “Is he even still a Ma?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course he is—he bears the Ma surname, and he just took over Lan Yang Village. Ma the Fifth’s prestige and aura still stand.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Left Wu Gang pursed his lips: “If this broken prince rejects us again, we’ll lose all dignity.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhen Jincheng sighed bitterly: “Left Head, we can’t find work now—isn’t that humiliation enough? If you won’t lower your pride, let me and Old Cao go to Lan Yang Village first—we’ll make the connection. We’ve got thick skin—we don’t fear shame.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Left Wu Gang abandoned his pride and went with them to Lan Yang Village.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They went—but didn’t meet Ma Wu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Wu was indeed in the village, but couldn’t receive guests.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had taken a Jin Yuandan and suffered poison—laying in bed, unable to move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Chuan came to report; Ma Wu knew Left Wu Gang was a rare talent and wanted to invite him in—but he couldn’t speak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Left Wu Gang stood outside in the cold wind for half an hour, his heart turning to ice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zuo Wugang stood outside the door, chilled to the bone after half an hour in the cold wind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Go!” Zuo Wugang turned to leave when suddenly a man in a bowler hat, with a full beard, walked up to the wooden cabin door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His hat brim was pulled low; aside from the beard, Zuo Wugang could not see his face at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if he could see the face, it would be hard to recognize the features—Li Banfeng, having advanced to the third level of Zhai Xiu, had facial traits easily overlooked by others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What do you do?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zuo Wugang froze, saying nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Zhida chuckled and said, “We’re here looking for work.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What kind of work?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhen Jincheng said, “I’ve trained in martial arts for several years. We’re here to apply for a branch post.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you have cultivation?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Neither Cao Zhida nor Zhen Jincheng answered. Cultivation base was the foundation of their survival—they wouldn’t casually reveal it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng didn’t press further. He told Xiao Chuanzi, “Take them to Mengchun Garden first. Find a private room, prepare some wine and dishes—we’ll talk while we eat.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Chuanzi quickly led the three to Mengchun Garden. Zuo Wugang asked, “Who was that man just now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Chuanzi replied, “That’s our Seventh Master.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What was the Seventh Master’s background?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zuo Wugang dared not ask outright. Cao Zhida whispered, “What’s the relationship between this Seventh Master and the Fifth Young Master?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Chuanzi answered, “The Seventh Master is a friend of the Fifth Master—a friend who can make decisions.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Zhida saw a glimmer of hope: “Can he make decisions for the Fifth Young Master?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Chuanzi nodded. “Yes. The Seventh Master’s word carries more weight than the Fifth Young Master’s.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this, the group exchanged glances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Lanyang Village, was there someone whose word carried more weight than the Fifth Young Master’s?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But upon reflection, it made sense. Ma Wu had been cast out of his family. With only his own strength, it would be nearly impossible for him to take control of Lanyang Village—it was only natural he had a backer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But where did this backer come from?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Chu family?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The He family?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The group entered a private room in Mengchun Garden. Soon, wine and dishes arrived, and Li Banfeng stepped inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Since you’re here to apply for a branch post, you must speak of your cultivation base. Otherwise, we can’t discuss pay.” Li Banfeng’s hat brim remained pulled low.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Learning that Li Banfeng could make decisions, Zuo Wugang no longer hid anything: “I’m Zuo. Zuo Wugang. Formerly the chief branch post of the Lu family. Sixth-level Wu Xiu.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sixth level!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>People like this were rare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng had seen Zuo Wugang’s name in the newspapers. After the Lu family’s downfall, Zuo Wugang appeared frequently in the commentary of major pundits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Chuanzi brought two old newspapers and handed them to Li Banfeng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn’t read well, but he recognized photos. On these two papers were pictures of Lu Dongliang—and beside Lu Dongliang, Li Banfeng spotted Zuo Wugang’s figure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After confirming his appearance, Li Banfeng asked Zuo Wugang, “How much pay do you want?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zuo Wugang said, “It depends on the employer’s generosity.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng shook his head. “Don’t beat around the bush. Name your price.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zuo Wugang was unaccustomed to this Seventh Master’s direct manner, but Zhen Jincheng appreciated Li Banfeng’s bluntness and spoke up: “Seventh Master, since you asked, we’ll be straightforward. [137] Myself and Old Cao are both third-level Ti Xiu. By standard branch post rates, we each demand one hundred and twenty silver dollars a month. Our leader, as just stated, is a sixth-level Wu Xiu—eight hundred silver dollars a month. Does this figure suit you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lao Cao and I are both third-layer body cultivators; according to the usual practice in this line of work, we charge a hundred and twenty silver dollars a month. Our left-hand man’s cultivation base is sixth-layer Wu Xiu, earning eight hundred silver dollars a month—look at these numbers, are they fair?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The price was indeed standard, but Zuo Wugang had expected negotiation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His reputation was poor—he deserved to be haggled over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng nodded immediately. “Agreed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>PS: Zuo Wugang’s level is too high. Can someone like this even be hired?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2318,"2026-06-20T03:43:13.043Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","abd8cb39b21a05605a5931e30f43699ab2a93331ecd3ed6ee968628dc7c68f35","lord-of-the-proles-chapter-138","lord-of-the-proles-chapter-136",863,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Flord-of-the-proles-cover.jpg"]