[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-lord-of-the-proles":3,"chapter-lord-of-the-proles-lord-of-the-proles-chapter-165":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},2290463,4478,"Chapter 165: This Madman","lord-of-the-proles-chapter-165",165,"\u003Cp>Li Banfeng laughed bitterly at Pan De: “Old Pan, if I give you the prescription today, can you guarantee you’ll stop the insect plague?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan De sighed deeply: “How to use this prescription, and where to use it—this requires careful deliberation.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No!” Li Banfeng knew this old devil had another trick up his sleeve. “No time for deliberation. Find the herbs, mix the medicine, kill the insects—do it as fast as you can.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The First Ridge is in chaos right now; moving herbs will be difficult. We must wait until the turmoil there subsides before making plans.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The First Ridge was the transportation hub of Haichi Ridge; under normal circumstances, herb shipments indeed had to pass through it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Pan De had special means—why didn’t he use them?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why not source the herbs from the New Lands? The local deities there should help you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan De shook his head: “This is an internal matter of Haichi Ridge; we shouldn’t trouble outsiders.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What kind of nonsense was that?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Didn’t you just say we were united against a common enemy? Didn’t you just want to divert the plague elsewhere? Now you don’t want to trouble anyone?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan De still shook his head: “Earlier, to unite all regions, I had no choice but to act thus. Now that we have a strategy, we must deliberate carefully.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In truth, Pan De’s logic was clear—there was no contradiction at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Spreading the plague to drag others into the mess—he was happy to do that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Letting other local deities interfere in Haichi Ridge—he was unwilling to do that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The plague must be stopped, but only if it didn’t shake his position in Haichi Ridge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng understood his thinking: “If you’re so protective of yourself, then I won’t give you the prescription.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan De’s face darkened: “Young man, what did you just say? I didn’t catch it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng repeated it: “I’m not giving you the prescription.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you don’t give me the prescription, what will you use to save the people?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll find the peddler. He’ll surely have a way to move the herbs. If you won’t stop the plague, I’ll find someone who will.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan De stared at Li Banfeng and spoke slowly: “Do you believe I can keep you from leaving Haichi Ridge? Do you believe I can make you stay in Luobing Village?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng’s face was expressionless: “I believe you. Come then.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re arrogant,” Pan De growled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wine gourd was also tense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Has this little brother gone mad?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why keep provoking the local deities?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She rubbed against Li Banfeng incessantly; he paid her no attention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He really was mad.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Opposite him was the strongest presence in Haichi Ridge—even if Li Banfeng said one word of submission…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he said even one word of submission, he’d be dead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan De excelled at exploiting others’ humility, guilt, and fear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wine gourd suddenly realized this—she stopped rubbing against Li Banfeng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the correct way to deal with Pan De.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This little brother might be mad, but he wasn’t wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan De slowly calmed down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was angry, but not irrational.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His cultivation level was invisible—he truly didn’t know what realm this young man was in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could test him; one glance could knock Li Banfeng unconscious—but he didn’t do it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This man was sent by Old Yao, and from his tone, he seemed close to the peddler.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To anger Old Yao over him wasn’t worth it; to anger the peddler was even less worth it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After careful thought, Pan De nodded: “Fine. I’ll source the herbs from the New Lands and begin treating the plague immediately.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Put it in writing,” Li Banfeng said, pulling out paper and ink.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan De glanced at the blank paper and couldn’t suppress his anger: “That’s a covenant paper!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It is a covenant paper,” Li Banfeng nodded. “You’re thinking of backing out?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This covenant paper was forged from Liu Liangyi’s contract; though born of Honglian, its level might not be sufficient.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Doesn’t matter if it’s sufficient—use it anyway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan De was speechless. He signed the covenant, pressed his thumbprint, then asked Li Banfeng: “You came all this way—it’s not easy. I’d like to gift you a magic treasure as thanks.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng didn’t want a magic treasure, but before he could speak, Pan De had already pulled it out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He produced a folding fan: red bone, white surface, over a foot long, exhaling a faint ink fragrance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan De told Li Banfeng: “This fan has accompanied me for years, steeped in the aura of sacred virtue. Held in hand, it’s an excellent weapon for both offense and defense.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In three exchanges, it can subdue enemies with the aura of sacred virtue, drastically reducing their combat power.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In plain terms, it’s the standard tactic of a Virtue Cultivator: make the opponent feel guilt and shame, causing hesitation in their strikes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A rather interesting magic treasure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How much does it reduce combat power?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It depends on the enemy's level, your own cultivation, and most importantly, the depth of your virtue. A few words can't explain it—you must realize it for yourself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The depth of virtue means the height of your moral ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s the cost of this magic treasure?” Li Banfeng hadn’t forgotten that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You must cultivate with this fan, meditating on the thought of sacred virtue—at least three hours daily.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meditate?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Spend three hours a day staring blankly at a fan?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cost wasn’t heavy, and it didn’t conflict with Zhai cultivation—but Li Banfeng was reluctant. Still, that wasn’t the point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After giving the magic treasure, Pan De took his leave: “Tell Old Yao I’ve received his favor.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng didn’t leave Haichi Ridge—he still didn’t trust Pan De.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He returned to Suishenju, took ten doses of insect medicine, and left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The phonograph sensed an unfamiliar aura and asked: “Hey~ Master, what did you bring back?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fan unfolded its surface and bowed to the phonograph: “I am the Fan of Sacred Virtue. I greet you, Madam.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The voice sounded like a young man’s. The phonograph sniffed: “Looks like you know the rules, but your voice is muffled.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fan startled, cleared his throat: “It’s been cold these past days—I must have caught a chill.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A chill? Seems you really did. Your voice is so nasal,” the wife chuckled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was reminding Li Banfeng—the fan’s voice had an echo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why would it echo?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because there was something hidden inside the fan’s bones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Old Yao had said, Pan De’s magic treasures might have recording functions. This fan contained something else—Li Banfeng couldn’t tell what, but the wife’s ears couldn’t miss it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fan grew nervous and quickly changed the subject: “Master’s residence is truly a world apart.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not bad, right?” Li Banfeng smiled. “I’ll show you around.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Excellent!” the fan agreed eagerly—he wanted to gather more information.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The phonograph scolded: “Master, you’re taking him to see more places?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She feared Li Banfeng hadn’t understood her hint.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng seemed to have truly not understood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He took the fan to the outer chamber: “What do you think?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fascinating! Marvelous! Such exquisite layout—may I ask the name of this residence?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t ask for the name. Quickly meet the Second Madam.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng brought the fan before Honglian, who slowly opened her petals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What realm is this magic treasure?” the fan was stunned, eager to record every detail of Honglian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng smiled: “You’ll find out soon. Ah Lian—refine him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Refine him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before the fan could grasp Li Banfeng’s meaning, the lotus heart had already summoned a whirlwind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To refine meant to melt down and remake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the time the fan realized what was happening, it was too late: “Master! Why treat me thus? I only wished to serve you! Why do you do this to me!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fan was drawn into the lotus heart—his cries cut off abruptly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A layer of white mist seeped from the wine gourd, more than her earlier sweat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This madman—he really is mad…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chit-chit~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The phonograph laughed: “Little sister, don’t fear. My man’s just like this—sometimes even I can’t figure him out.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng patted the gourd, wiped away her sweat, and left Suishenju with the insect powder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He handed the powder to Niu Fuzhi, who thanked him profusely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Savior, what do you want? Whatever we have, just name it!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng said: “There is one thing I’d like you to help with. You mentioned a village called Mitang still selling wine—I’d like to go see it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t want to buy wine—he had no shortage of it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wanted to see whether that village could still hold on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Old Pan refused to rescue the victims, he would find a way to do it himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Lu Dongjun’s side truly achieved results, that would be even better—no matter who it was, the disaster must end as soon as possible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>……\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Dongjun arrived at Jiangyuan Leather Factory, which had originally been Ma family property, shut down accidentally during the insect plague, and now belonged to Lu Dongjun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Dongjun still disguised himself as a branch manager and entered the factory manager’s office.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The manager sat behind his desk; a wind-up phonograph played “Peaceful Spring.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A fine night as bright as day, a new moon like a hook, joy rings across the four seas…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A cheerful tune, yet the manager’s face showed not a trace of happiness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The factory had only just opened two days ago; with the insect plague returning, the manager was considering whether to halt operations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing someone push the door open, the manager frowned: “Who are you? What do you want? How rude!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Dongjun stepped before the manager: “I’m someone from Second Master’s side. He sent me to collect payment.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Collect payment?” The manager stared blankly for a long while.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Dongjun had prepared for this—he knew empty words wouldn’t get him money—and pulled out a document to hand the manager: “This is Second Master’s official order.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was indeed written in Lu Dongjun’s own hand. The manager took it, glanced at it casually, and returned it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t know where you got this order, but I’m certain Lu’s Second Master would never write something like this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Dongjun glared: “You’re saying this order is fake?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The manager smiled: “Even if it’s real, what does it matter? This factory now belongs to the Shen family. What are you collecting from here with Lu Dongjun’s order?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Belongs to the Shen family? Which Shen family?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The manager frowned: “Is that your business to ask? You come to swindle money, yet didn’t even bother checking the facts? At least read the newspapers.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that, he tossed a newspaper at Lu Dongjun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On page two was a notice: Lu Dongjun had sold Jiangyuan Leather Factory to Shen Rongqing, accompanied by a photo of the two shaking hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Rongqing was a woman in her twenties, strikingly beautiful—but Lu Dongjun had never seen her before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Where did this photo come from?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When did I ever shake hands with this woman?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When did I sell the factory to her?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I gave orders to sell only shares, not the factory itself!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Where’s the contract? Where’s your purchase contract?” Lu Dongjun glared at the factory manager.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The manager’s face darkened: “If you’re going to make a living, learn some restraint. You’ve been exposed—why keep acting out? Before I call someone to beat you, get as far away as you can…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he finished speaking, Lu Dongjun stepped forward and gripped the manager’s throat: “Tell me where the contract is.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The manager couldn’t speak—he had no cultivation base.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Dongjun struggled to hold back, but his grip didn’t release—he strangled the manager to death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mountains vie in beauty, rivers race in flow, bright candles burn, the music of peace plays…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The phonograph’s song went unheard; Lu Dongjun tossed the manager aside and pondered where the contract might be.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The contract wasn’t in the factory at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the manager’s office was a hidden compartment; Lu Dongjun found over a hundred and sixty silver dollars inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was the entirety of his gain from this trip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Dongjun threw the silver dollars onto the floor, scattering them everywhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment, he bent down and picked them up again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He carried little cash on him, and bank checks couldn’t be cashed—he hadn’t expected to ever run short of money.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He collected the silver dollars and left Jiangyuan Leather Factory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>……\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Half an hour later, He Jiaqing, lying in his hospital bed, received word that the Jiangyuan Leather Factory manager was dead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing the sounds of the struggle, He Jiaqing identified the attacker’s identity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The nurse had been sitting beside the bed the whole time, making He Jiaqing feel awkward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why is this aunt staring at me so much today?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Almost forgot—she’s about to wash me. She seems to enjoy this process.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Jiaqing suddenly opened his eyes—the nurse collapsed instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He sat up and whispered softly: “Tell my father—I found Lu Dongjun.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What about the other families?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ignore them. Only my father truly wants Lu Dongjun dead.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>PS: Banfeng has this temperament—I sometimes can’t fathom him either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2191,"2026-06-20T03:43:13.043Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","9e62a4bcfb0223a362e15196326e35f2e1e6fd45b9a1fdd6cf0547ebd03b030f","lord-of-the-proles-chapter-166","lord-of-the-proles-chapter-164",863,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Flord-of-the-proles-cover.jpg"]