[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-lord-of-the-proles":3,"chapter-lord-of-the-proles-lord-of-the-proles-chapter-170":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},2290468,4478,"Chapter 170: Good Goods Have Arrived (Requesting Monthly Votes)","lord-of-the-proles-chapter-170",170,"\u003Cp>Toudao Ridge, Shaomai Street, Wonton Alley.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside a civilian home, the woman carefully opened a tin box, then opened a wooden box inside it, scooped out two bowls of rice, and quickly shut both boxes again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man was also in the kitchen, holding a fly swatter and guarding warily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman swiftly rinsed the rice and put it in the pot; only then did the couple relax slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man wiped his sweat and said: “It’s been half a month since we’ve seen a single mosquito—I think they’re truly extinct.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who knows for sure?” the woman scoffed. “Didn’t Lu Dongjun also claim he wiped out all the mosquitoes? Where did he run off to when they came back? If I hadn’t been quick enough to save this rice, you’d be dead of hunger, you oaf.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man gave her cheek a loud kiss: “That’s why I say you’re virtuous—go cook first, I’ll go buy some incense and candles.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why buy that? Do you even have spare money?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Buy a little anyway—we must worship Seventh Elder. Everyone’s talking about it: Seventh Elder has quelled the insect plague, every household is burning incense. If you’re not sincere, next year the mosquitoes will come right back to your house.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the word “mosquitoes,” the woman shuddered: “Is that true? Who told you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s true—it’s all over town! They’re even building a temple for Seventh Elder over at Sandao Ridge.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sandao Ridge really was building a temple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Luobing Village, they were building a temple. Niu Fuzhi summoned the village’s only skilled craftsman, Niu Xiaoxian, and frowned: “How can you build Seventh Elder’s statue like this? You can’t even see his face!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Niu Xiaoxian scratched his head: “I don’t even remember what Seventh Elder looks like. Do you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Niu Fuzhi didn’t remember either: “Then ask others—hasn’t anyone in our village ever seen him?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No one remembers—I asked everyone. What can we do?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Erdao Ridge, Guokui Town: Li Banfeng noticed many people going out to buy incense and candles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They can’t even afford food, yet they’re buying incense?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Erdao Ridge’s economy was in ruins, yet incense shops were thriving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why don’t we open an incense shop too?” Li Banfeng bought two bowls of porridge and six guokui from a breakfast stall and squatted in the alley to eat with Cui Ti.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the first breakfast stall to open in Guokui Town; though few customers came, the owner put real effort into his food—the guokui tasted excellent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cui Ti ate while instinctively placing his begging bowl in front of him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng was baffled: “You’re not short on money—why insist on begging?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cui Ti answered solemnly: “It’s respect for the Daoist ancestors. Until the sores on my body heal, I will follow his path of cultivation.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng looked at the begging bowl, then thought of Lü Huazi’s appearance, and broke out in goosebumps: “Will your ancestor heal your sores?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No,” Cui Ti shook his head. “Though I’ve only seen him once, I’m certain he’s a cruel man. The only one who might cure my sores is the Peddler.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then why don’t you follow the Peddler’s path? Push a cart and go sell things?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cui Ti pointed to his face: “I want to sell, but with this face—who would buy?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After wandering Erdao Ridge for several days, not a single mosquito was seen on the streets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng bought a newspaper: mosquitoes had vanished from Toudao Ridge too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Looks like we’ve accomplished our task,” Li Banfeng said, glancing at Cui Ti.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone tossed a few copper coins into Cui Ti’s broken bowl; he was thanking them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cui Ti put the coins into his pocket, then took out some white rice and placed it in the bowl. He waited half a day—no mosquitoes appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They repeated this test several times; the insect plague in Haichi Ridge seemed truly quelled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, the most authoritative voice was the Earth God.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After lunch, Pan Dehai’s voice reached his ear: “Young man, the mosquito plague is truly extinct. Though you’re arrogant, you’re a man of virtue. I’ll give you one more thing—what do you want?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng thought for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At first, he’d wanted money.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Li Banfeng had ways to earn money; this was a rare opportunity—he should ask for something more valuable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another magic treasure? To refine the Bronze Lotus again?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That fan still hadn’t been forged—the Lotus seemed to be in trouble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After much thought, Li Banfeng thought of something: “Master Pan, do you still have any spare heart’s flesh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Dehai flew into a rage: “Vile! Dishonorable! Shameless! I shouldn’t have bothered with you, you madman!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As his voice faded, a worm appeared before Li Banfeng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thumb-sized, legless, a white, wriggling creature.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s this worm good for?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is the ultimate treasure of the Food Cultivators—the Intestine-Whirring Silkworm, a rare marvel unique to Haichi Ridge. When a Food Cultivator swallows it, their appetite surges, even beyond Haichi Ridge’s natural abundance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you don’t wish to eat, carry it with you—it will help you find sustenance in dire straits.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What do you mean by ‘dire straits’?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In places with no food, you may consume things normally inedible as sustenance.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng didn’t understand the cryptic explanation—he asked for a long time before grasping it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His meaning was simple: in places with no food, you can substitute other things.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For example, eating leaves, grass, chewing on wood, or even sand and stones can barely fill your stomach.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng stared at the worm for a long time—it lay motionless in his palm, already stiff.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This isn’t alive?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s alive—but dormant. Swallow it, and it becomes active. But you’re not a Food Cultivator—don’t swallow it. Otherwise, you won’t withstand the hunger.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve given you the gift. My intent is clear. Young man, we’ll meet again.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Dehai left. Li Banfeng kept the worm on his person. Soon after, he grew hungry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just carrying it had such a strong effect?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was truly a rare treasure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng bought more guokui, ate half himself, and gave half to Cui Ti.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cui Ti looked at Li Banfeng: “Are you leaving?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng nodded: “Haichi Ridge’s task is done.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cui Ti fell silent for a long while, then smiled: “If one day I make every person on earth die of pustules, I hope one person survives—I hope that person is you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng waved his hand: “That day won’t come. If you dare do it, you’ll be the first to die.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching Li Banfeng’s retreating back, Cui Ti murmured softly: “Perhaps that day isn’t far off.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon after Li Banfeng left, the sound of a rattle drum grew faintly audible near Cui Ti: “I have fine snow cream. Want a bottle?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cui Ti’s eyes lit up: “Can it remove the power my ancestor planted in my body?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cui Ti’s eyes dimmed: “Then what use is this snow cream?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It turns Lü Huazi’s pus and blood into cultivation.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cui Ti bowed repeatedly in gratitude: “Tomorrow, I’ll tattoo four characters on my chest: I Love the Peddler.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Peddler fell silent for a moment: “If you truly intend to do that, you won’t live to see tomorrow.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Has the Haichi Ridge insect plague truly been quelled?” He Haiqin flipped through the newspaper, astonished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d received similar reports before and assumed it was just a temporary reduction, like before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Haisheng had just returned from Haichi Ridge and confirmed it: “Brother, this time it’s different—the mosquitoes are truly extinct.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Haiqin put down the newspaper: “Quick—go to Haichi Ridge and take over our half of the business.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Haisheng shook his head: “Brother, you sold our half to Ling Miaoying.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Haiqin smacked his forehead: “That deal doesn’t count! I sold it for pennies then—now it’s worth far more.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Yuxiu added: “Yes, it’s invalid. I’ll burn down her photo studio and reclaim the contract.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Haisheng advised, “Brother, sister, the Ling brothers aren’t easy to handle. We underestimated them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Haiqin rubbed his temple: “We killed Lu Dongjun, and now the Ling family reaped the fruit. Why do I feel we’ve been outmaneuvered?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Jiaqing lay in bed, receiving a message from Ling Miaoying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Haichi Ridge insect plague had been quelled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who did it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ling Miaoying replied: “No leads yet. But rumors in the countryside say a deity called Seventh Elder saved Haichi Ridge—there’s now a wave of worship for Seventh Elder.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Seventh Elder?” He Jiaqing had never heard of such a figure. “How do they worship him? Incense? Offerings?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It varies by region. In Toudao Ridge, people just set up a tablet and burn incense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Erdao Ridge, they make offerings and erect statues.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Sandao Ridge, the incense is thick—some villages are even building temples for Seventh Elder.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What does the statue look like?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They all look different—some young, some old, some ugly, some handsome.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Any common features?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The only common trait: all the statues have thick beards.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beards?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Jiaqing pondered long, then told Ling Miaoying: “Investigate the Earth Gods of newly claimed lands around Haichi Ridge. Report any leads immediately.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ling Miaoying agreed, then asked: “The He family wants to reclaim their half of the business—they say they sold it to us too cheaply and want to back out.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Jiaqing sneered: “Do I really have to teach you this? If soft doesn’t work, go hard. If words fail, use force. If open won’t do, go covert.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There are plenty of ways—but that’s your family.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve told you many times: no need to hold back. Old Wan’s already gone to Green Water Bay, right? If all else fails, have him pay another visit to my father.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That foreigner’s still missing. If my father breaks out in another rash, I wonder how brave he’ll feel then.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside the ward, someone turned their gaze toward the hospital bed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Jiaqing immediately severed his link with Ling Miaoying and slipped swiftly into unconsciousness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The one watching him was Chen Zhangrui, captain of the Dark Star Bureau’s security team.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Right now, he was asking the attending physician about He Jiaqing’s condition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Still no idea when he’ll wake up?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The attending physician shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After leaving the hospital, Captain Chen got into his car. “Tangyuan” You Xuehan quickly pulled out her notebook and waited for his orders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Captain Chen lit a cigarette: “Still don’t know when he’ll wake. If he’s not seriously ill, we should send him back to Pulu Province as soon as possible. Him being in Yuezhou makes people uneasy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tangyuan turned back to look at Chen Zhangrui: “What’s Pulu Province really like?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Zhangrui chuckled: “You wanna go see it? You really ought to get yourself trained.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiaozi Town, Sanxian Village.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng unfolded the map Yao Lao had given him and arrived at the entrance to the New Land.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having finished the matter at Haichiling, he was preparing to return to Lanyang Village.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as he was about to step into the New Land, the wine gourd suddenly spoke: “Little brother, could I ask you a favor?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Go ahead,” Li Banfeng smiled at the gourd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I want to go back to Yaowang Gou and tell Yao Lao about Haichiling. I won’t say anything extra—just mention the locust plague. Once that’s done, I’ll have given him his due, and I can settle down and follow you properly from now on.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng agreed promptly: “Sure. I’d like to meet Yao Lao too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The pendulum stirred twice inside his pocket.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng patted the pendulum, signaling her not to worry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many thoughts had clashed inside his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The decision Li Banfeng made was the result of all those thoughts reaching consensus.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng was about to change his path when he suddenly heard the sound of a rattle drum.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ding le gong dang, ding le gong dang!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Foreign soap, snow cream—fine goods galore, pick your pick!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A peddler?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng turned around and saw the peddler pushing his cart toward him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Old customer, take a look! Got plenty of good stuff today—prices negotiable. If I break even, I’ll sell it cheap.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What good stuff do you have?” Li Banfeng grew interested and walked over to the cart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Plenty of good stuff. How about this?” The peddler picked up a massive locust head, its antennae still twitching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng froze: “What’s this thing for?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The peddler grinned: “This thing’s got plenty of uses—great for soup, great for porridge, delicious and perfect with rice. Twenty yuan—I’ll sell it to you. Want it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>PS: I think twenty yuan isn’t expensive—what do you think?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2100,"2026-06-20T03:43:13.043Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","e43de5013c6ca999005f1bfef976d67f6bdd4f53eb4d12e0dc113124f4aaa34e","lord-of-the-proles-chapter-171","lord-of-the-proles-chapter-169",863,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Flord-of-the-proles-cover.jpg"]