[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-lord-of-the-proles":3,"chapter-lord-of-the-proles-lord-of-the-proles-chapter-138":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},2290436,4478,"Chapter 138: The Prescription","lord-of-the-proles-chapter-138",138,"\u003Cp>Done.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With just those two words, Li Banfeng accepted the deal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zuo Wugang was slightly skeptical and planned to confirm again, but saw Li Banfeng whisper to Xiao Chuan, then place a chest of silver dollars on the table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng said: “The payment is here, but let’s be clear—you three are here as branch guards, not as household guests. You must follow orders.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zuo Wugang nodded: “Naturally.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng went out and returned with three contracts, handing them to Zuo Wugang: “Kindly place your fingerprints.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zuo Wugang glanced over them briefly—the terms were simple: Zuo Wugang and the other two were to protect the employer’s safety, and the employer would pay corresponding compensation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Zuo Wugang wished to end his service as a branch guard, both parties could mutually agree to part ways amicably; but during his term, if he disobeyed orders or betrayed the employer, he would be subject to the employer’s punishment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having spent a lifetime as a branch guard, Zuo Wugang had signed similar contracts before; the three men pressed their fingerprints without hesitation, becoming Li Banfeng and Ma Wu’s branch guards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could he trust these three?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Honestly? No.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With Li Banfeng and Ma Wu’s current strength, hiring a sixth-layer senior branch guard carried risk—and considerable risk at that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Zuo Wugang and his group had other intentions, Li Banfeng and Ma Wu had few means to counter them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But “few” didn’t mean “none.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng had channels to investigate Zuo Wugang’s background.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For Zuo Wugang, Li Banfeng was nearly unknown.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just now, the contract they signed was made from copper lotus-forged paper, its auxiliary ingredient being Li Banfeng’s rust pills.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Zuo Wugang broke the contract, he would turn into a pile of rust.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After drinking two cups of wine, Zuo Wugang said to Li Banfeng: “Seventh Master, could we meet Fifth Young Master? He and you are both our employers—we branch guards can’t even see our employer’s face.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A reasonable request. Li Banfeng agreed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Chuan brought Zuo Wugang to Ma Wu’s bedside. Seeing Ma Wu could barely move except for breathing and occasional blinking, Zuo Wugang paused, then asked: “This is wind paralysis, isn’t it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What wind paralysis!” Xiao Chuan glared at Zuo Wugang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng asked: “Is wind paralysis referring to leprosy?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not leprosy,” Zuo Wugang waved his hand. “Wind paralysis comes from exposure to harsh wind, causing full-body numbness and immobility. I have a secret remedy—extremely effective. One dose works.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Chuan frowned: “Master Zuo, you’re a man of standing. Don’t treat healing like a joke. I’ve seen wind paralysis before—it’s nothing like our Young Master’s condition.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zuo Wugang scratched his scalp: “Not the same? The symptoms look similar to me. My remedy is truly effective—many have said so.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng studied Zuo Wugang and sensed hidden meaning in his words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He invited Zuo Wugang to the parlor and asked about the remedy’s origin. Zuo Wugang sipped tea: “Don’t ask about the origin. Suffice it to say, this decoction truly cures wind paralysis.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Especially for those who travel constantly—it works against cold wind, warm wind, even horse wind!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng understood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Those who travel constantly” referred to traveling cultivators.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The remedy worked, proving it had once been effective on Lu Dongliang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had Lu Dongliang ever shown symptoms similar to Ma Wu’s?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yes. He must have.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At his age, with ninth-layer cultivation, he couldn’t have avoided pills. Ingesting pill poison was routine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the foremost household of Pulu Province, Lu Dongliang likely possessed methods to counter pill poison.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though each house’s pills differed in nature, and no single formula could neutralize all pill poisons, the purity of lotus-refined pills was extremely high, and the Golden Core pills reached an exceptional tier—such pills likely shared common traits. The core toxicity of Golden Core pills was full-body numbness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beyond this base toxicity, Golden Core pills obtained through other channels carried unique toxic traits. Neutralizing these was far harder, requiring tailored treatments for each poison—hence no universal antidote existed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zuo Wugang’s method could counter base toxicity, which offered limited value to Lu Dongliang—but great value to Li Banfeng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The lotus-refined poison likely carried only base toxicity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since Zuo Wugang had mentioned it, Li Banfeng wouldn’t let the opportunity slip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This secret remedy must be precious,” Li Banfeng waited for Zuo Wugang to name his price.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zuo Wugang shook his head slightly: “I don’t recall the formula, but I have a few prepared doses.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t want to reveal the recipe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was reasonable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a hard-won skill of his own. The source didn’t matter, but to mention it at all under these circumstances was already generous—he had no obligation to disclose it to Li Banfeng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Prepared doses are fine,” Li Banfeng nodded. “Name your price.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re my employer, I’m your branch guard. I shouldn’t bargain with you.” Zuo Wugang offered the prepared dose to show sincerity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng tilted his head slightly; shadows and beard concealed his face, yet conveyed a simple message.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t want to play games.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zuo Wugang had gained some understanding of Seventh Master’s nature. He spoke plainly: “I failed the Lu family, my reputation is ruined, no one wants me. Yet you took me in without hesitation. I’m deeply grateful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first dose—I give it as thanks for your kindness. Afterward, if you or Fifth Young Master need more, just supply the herbs.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng admired Zuo Wugang’s character. Zuo Wugang went to Ma Wu’s side, pulled out a small vial of powder, and forced it down his throat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Over an hour later, Ma Wu’s fingertips twitched slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Chuan exclaimed: “Master Zuo, your remedy really works!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zuo Wugang smiled: “It works for wind paralysis—only wind paralysis. If it’s another illness, all bets are off. You should advise Fifth Young Master to be more restrained.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What illness are you implying?” Xiao Chuan frowned, thinking he was mocking their Young Master for some shameful disease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zuo Wugang stayed silent, glancing sidelong at Seventh Master.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng understood—Zuo Wugang’s words confirmed his theory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The medicine cured numbness from Golden Core pills, but couldn’t neutralize other toxic effects.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After another half-day, Ma Wu could eat and walk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Wu was deeply grateful to Zuo Wugang and ordered Xiao Chuan to arrange his lodging. No sooner had Zuo Wugang left than Ma Wu clenched his jaw and squeezed out a small clump of powder from between his teeth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng blinked: “You kept this hidden?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is good stuff—real good stuff! I’m cutting off the drug’s effect. I’ve already identified several herbs.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Wu was desperate to reverse-engineer the formula and stayed awake all night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By morning, his eyes were bloodshot—the formula remained unsolved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This powder contains dozens of herbs. Some I can roughly identify, others are completely unrecognizable…” Ma Wu wanted to return to the Ma family estate to search the library for herb-related texts, but feared his father would bar him entry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Should I find a pill cultivator to test it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng shook his head: “No.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Wu sighed—he knew it was improper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This powder was Zuo Wugang’s gift to save Ma Wu. If a pill cultivator cracked the formula, it would be leaked—clearly unfair to Zuo Wugang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother Ma, rest first. I’ll keep this powder.” Li Banfeng took the powder back to his quarters and stared at the copper lotus for a long while.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The copper lotus could refine anything—but Li Banfeng had no intention of refining the powder. He wondered if the lotus could extract the formula itself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This seemed contrary to the lotus’s function. If the powder was consumed and yielded nothing, wouldn’t that be a terrible loss?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After much hesitation, Li Banfeng fed the powder to the red lotus.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zuo Wugang was still here—the source wasn’t cut off. Even if this batch was lost, he could ask Zuo Wugang for more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The red lotus swallowed the powder. Minutes passed with no reaction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng sighed, ready to give up—when suddenly, the lotus petals opened again. Inside, one of its seeds had matured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This seed was forged from Liu Liangyi’s body. Logically, the pill should’ve been complete long ago—but the copper lotus seemed to deliberately slow its pace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The red lotus was indeed deliberate. She feared that if the pill formed too quickly, Li Banfeng’s mind would itch again, and he’d get reckless ideas.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng did feel a surge of impulse. Liu Liangyi had fourth-layer cultivation—his exact years unknown, but Li Banfeng estimated he could yield sixteen to twenty Xuanchi pills.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The result was unexpected: the seed burst open, revealing three Golden Core pills.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That equaled thirty Xuanchi pills.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Profit!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Big profit!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng was rejoicing—when he noticed one pill looked wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other two were perfectly round, glowing golden under candlelight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This one was dull, as if coated with thin gold paint.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why the difference?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was it underweight? Or impure?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Li Banfeng studied it closely, the phonograph suddenly hummed: “Hey~ Master, why stare at that pill? Planning to eat it again and go mad?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng shook his head: “Last time I got burned. I’ve learned my lesson. Won’t eat it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master knows the pain. Since you won’t eat it, sell it quickly—get money for groceries.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wife, your food isn’t something money can buy. Besides, you devoured so many ghost servants—now you’re hungry again?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The phonograph pouted: “Master, my body’s changed—I eat more now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng stared in surprise: “Are you pregnant?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huh~ Huh~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The phonograph sobbed: “Master mocks me again! You know my body can’t bear your child.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Whether you can conceive depends on strength, technique, strategy, and sincerity, Wife. Let’s start by consummating…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huh~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A wisp of steam pushed back Li Banfeng, and a wife’s dignified voice said: “Washing clothes and pants is hard work; husband, be more careful. You slept all night—your cultivation is enough. Go buy vegetables now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng left the portable dwelling, when the phonograph suddenly shouted into the outer room: “Honglian, did that pill just now seem off in quality?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Honglian replied: “It’s going to be sold anyway—let that madman get more money for it, isn’t that a good thing?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If he actually sells it for money, fine. But I’m afraid he’ll go mad and swallow the pill. Don’t poison him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Honglian sneered: “You still care about him, do you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huff~ huff~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sound of steam venting slowed, and the singing voice became cold, syllable by syllable:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Whether I care for him or not is none of your business. Don’t do anything behind my back, or we won’t be done with this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Steam slowly vented.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The copper lotus was covered in dewdrops.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng sat in the wooden hut with the pill, still pondering its quality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After examining it for a long time in his hand, Li Banfeng suddenly noticed cracks on the pill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What material is this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng carefully traced the cracks, like when he was a child disassembling and reassembling a ball, peeling off the pill’s outer shell piece by piece.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The pill was hollow; on the inner wall of the shell, Li Banfeng saw three characters: Lan Ye Yang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>PS: The name of Lan Yang Village comes from Lan Ye Yang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1863,"2026-06-20T03:43:13.043Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","32ce423e020fb48954afe871df0b2ae79429894e6f727c55031f83981ea407c5","lord-of-the-proles-chapter-139","lord-of-the-proles-chapter-137",863,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Flord-of-the-proles-cover.jpg"]