[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-lord-of-the-proles":3,"chapter-lord-of-the-proles-lord-of-the-proles-chapter-185":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},2290483,4478,"Chapter 185: Cause and Effect Are Interdependent","lord-of-the-proles-chapter-185",185,"\u003Cp>At dawn, Datou woke up and saw his wife already dressed in formal attire, with breakfast prepared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you get off work early tonight, go pick up the kids—the hotel has several companies holding meetings, it’s busy.” Since returning to work, Miao Ruifang’s mental state had improved greatly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Datou nodded: “I’ll pick up the kids. I’ll cook dinner tonight.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t you dare cook—your cooking’s inedible. Wait till I get back to cook. If you’re really hungry, eat some biscuits first.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Datou smiled: “How about we eat out tonight?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No thanks—I already bought all the ingredients for today’s meal.” His wife remained as frugal as ever.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re busy with work too—why not hire a nanny?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’ve only been working a few days—look at how worked up you are,” his wife frowned. “While we’re still young, earn more, save more—there’ll be plenty of expenses later.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at his wife and child at the dining table, Datou felt he was the happiest man on earth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He first drove the child to school, then dropped off his wife at work. When he arrived at the bureau, he was a few minutes late; an officer in the elevator scolded him about discipline.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, that officer was late too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back at his desk, a colleague nicknamed Glasses sidled up, looking mysterious: “Did you hear? Tangkuai’s being promoted to team leader?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tangkuai, a Qingshou on the second floor, joined the Dark Star Bureau three years ago and is now a team leader.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Datou had been in the Dark Star Bureau for nearly twenty years and was still a field agent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s good—Tangkuai’s a decent person,” Datou nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another colleague, nicknamed Baozi, chimed in: “Brother Ming, I just don’t get it—her cultivation, her seniority, what does she even have over you? How’s she qualified to be team leader?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Datou smiled: “It’s fine. Good.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both Team Leader Chen and Team Leader Xiao arrived. The whole team held their routine meeting, then went about their tasks. Datou took a break to visit Yuezhou Hospital No. 3.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Jiaqing’s ward was packed with medical staff—the critical tube inserted into him had fallen out. How it happened, the cause was unknown.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The attending physician told Datou: “I suspect the patient may have moved. Otherwise, this tube wouldn’t have fallen out.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Datou looked at He Jiaqing lying on the bed and said to the physician: “It might’ve been an accident.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Shouldn’t we inform your team leader about this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Datou nodded: “I’ll report it to the team leader soon.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He did not report it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He only wrote in that day’s work log: “Everything normal.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This carried risk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But based on Datou’s experience, no one would likely pay attention to this—this risk he could handle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng found a patch of wasteland in Kucaizhuang—such wastelands were everywhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He sowed a sack of seeds here—gifted to him by a Gengxiu from Laobing Village—that would yield grain within the same month.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kucaizhuang’s soil was barren; crops were planted and harvested in quick succession, so this land had to lie fallow for a year—but at least the sixty-odd people of Kucaizhuang now had enough food.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Next year, they’d plant elsewhere. Kucaizhuang was vast—Li Banfeng walked for days, over a thousand li, yet still couldn’t find its edge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Teapot claimed Kucaizhuang bordered every place in Puluo Province. Li Banfeng checked the map given by Feng the Shopkeeper but couldn’t find Kucaizhuang’s location.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What kind of place was this? Li Banfeng still hadn’t figured it out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Don’t overthink what you can’t understand—there’s plenty to do now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Ku xiuxiu in Kucaizhuang now deeply respected Li Banfeng. Carrying Tang Dao, he walked door to door, and all the ku xiuxiu followed him to the fields.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ku xiuxiu could endure hardship and worked diligently—especially when they saw Li Banfeng pull out the teapot, their enthusiasm soared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After finishing farmwork, those living nearby returned home; those farther away pitched tents and slept beside the fields.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qian Jiafeng and Ouhai Dong returned to the same home. That night’s incident wasn’t pursued by Old Ku, because it wasn’t their fault.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But since that night, they’d grown bolder, completely forgetting the rules.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Others were even bolder—like the middle-aged woman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She still didn’t trust men, but she liked them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At night, Li Banfeng handed out wine to everyone—this time not mixed into porridge; whoever wanted some could take it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, this mess was caused by the big-bearded man—if Old Ku blamed anyone, it’d be him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng didn’t care—Old Ku couldn’t kill him. If she just expelled him from Kucaizhuang, the matter would be perfect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next morning, three newcomers arrived at Baishi Restaurant, ready to enter the Dao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng stormed into the restaurant, punched and kicked them, and drove them all away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The rice-serving uncle hid in the kitchen, too scared to make a sound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today, the uncle wore a red cotton-padded jacket.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the afternoon, the group worked in the fields while Li Banfeng painted nearby.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Honestly, his skill had improved somewhat—the overall outline was decent, and the details of the laborers were passable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Er walked up to Li Banfeng, glanced at the painting, and exclaimed: “You can paint? Can you paint me one?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng shook his head: “Your family doesn’t lack painters.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Just paint me one—I’ve helped you a lot these days!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sure, paint you now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Er shook her head: “Wait till tonight—I’ll get ready.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That night, Li Banfeng went to Chu Er’s dwelling. She still wore coarse cotton clothing, no makeup—just washed her face and tidied her hair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She sat upright in the courtyard while Li Banfeng held his sketchboard, carefully outlining the lines.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Doesn’t my unmade-up face look ugly?” Chu Er was nervous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng shook his head: “It looks nice.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Am I sitting here like an idiot?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not at all. Just don’t move.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Shouldn’t I…” Before she finished, Chu Er shuddered and jumped up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng turned around—Old Ku stood at the doorway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if he’d expected her, Li Banfeng put down his pen and paper and smiled at Old Ku: “Another training session today?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Er quickly explained: “Auntie, listen—I asked him to paint me…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Girl, go wait inside—I’ll come for you later,” Old Ku dismissed Chu Er, then said to Li Banfeng: “Come with me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng followed Old Ku into the wasteland. Amid swirling dust and wind, he saw a thick, pitch-black fog.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the edge of Xin Di.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Ku looked at Li Banfeng: “Do you know how few cultivators there are in Kucaizhuang?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I know,” Li Banfeng nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you know that if you keep causing chaos like this, this Dao will go extinct?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Really?” Li Banfeng laughed. “If it really can go extinct, I’ll keep causing chaos here forever.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Ku frowned slightly: “How bold—you dare say such things to my face. Do you know the world always has those who must suffer?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng nodded: “I know. But one must still strive for happiness.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you know those who’ve never suffered don’t understand what happiness is?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I know. But one must still strive for happiness.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you know cultivating through suffering is also the true Dao?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s the true Dao. But people still strive for happiness.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every time he said “happiness,” Li Banfeng’s face carried a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing his smile, Old Ku remembered someone: “Do you know Feng Daiku?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng nodded: “I met her once.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Her name contains ‘ku,’ yet she hated that word. Later, some called her Feng Paokou—she didn’t mind. Others called her Feng Kudai—she still didn’t mind. As long as the word ‘ku’ was gone, she’d answer to anything. You’re somewhat like her in temperament.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng sneered: “She refused to suffer, yet made me suffer plenty.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Did she harm you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It depends how you see it. All told, I wasn’t really at a loss.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Ku sighed: “In the end, it’s all karmic cause and effect. Do you know why you came here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You mean Kucaizhuang?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Ku shook her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng understood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At first, Old Ku feared he’d leave—she thought he meant to depart Puluo Province.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When she asked why he came, she meant Puluo Province.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why I came—I can’t explain. But staying here is fine. Whether suffering or enjoying happiness, it’s all good.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Very well. I once guided you here—I’ll guide you once more.” Old Ku grabbed Li Banfeng’s clothes and transported him to a wasteland. Amid swirling dust and wind, Li Banfeng saw a thick, pitch-black fog.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the edge of Xin Di.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Ku looked at Li Banfeng: “Do you remember how many times I trained you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Three times.” Li Banfeng had taken three brutal beatings—he’d never forget.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This karmic debt is settled. Suffering and happiness give birth to each other—debts must be repaid. I should’ve made you repay more, more harshly. But if you keep causing chaos, my Dao may truly vanish.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My Dao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She never mentioned ku xiuxiu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[101] Li Banfeng blinked: “Sis, can you speak more plainly?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Ku wrinkled her brow and said, “You call me Big Sister? Do you even know who I am?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng thought for a long time: “I can’t explain it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Ku sighed: “Take care, young man.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortune and suffering give birth to each other.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng walked into the thick fog, turned back, and saw Old Ku still there. He said, “Take care, Second Aunt.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing “Second Aunt,” Old Ku couldn’t help laughing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Second Aunt, fortune and suffering give birth to each other—letting a Ku cultivator enjoy some luck now and then won’t hurt you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Rascal, if you understand fortune and suffering give birth to each other, you should know this path must not die out.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng didn’t understand, smiled at Old Ku, and walked away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching Li Banfeng’s retreating figure, Old Ku sighed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Karma can never be severed—you ate one of my bitter greens.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I met you first, your fate is stubborn, you belong in my sect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My path is hard; most cultivators die halfway, and for many years no high-level ones have emerged, yet others call us Ku cultivators.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I finally meet a stubborn one like you—but alas, you’re still afraid of suffering and won’t come.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Are there any others with stubborn fates?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Ku returned to Chu Er’s dwelling. Chu Er stared at the unfinished sketch, lost in thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He’s gone,” Old Ku said calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Er shuddered, clutching the drawing paper tightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Does it hurt?” Old Ku asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It hurts,” Chu Er nodded, unconsciously pressing her hand to her chest. “It hurts terribly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good—it hurts. Only when your heart knows suffering can your cultivation advance.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Er couldn’t hold back her tears: “It’s too painful.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Heartache isn’t enough—you must feel it in your flesh,” Old Ku pulled over a stool, picked up a firewood stick, and roared, “Lie down!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Er sniffled twice and lay face-down on the stool.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Worthless slut! I told you not to lure men!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You lured one and couldn’t keep him—you turned the village into a mess. Now do you feel the pain?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Ku swung the firewood stick and beat Chu Er’s buttocks mercilessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Er bit her lip, staring at the drawing, tears falling nonstop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng walked over ten miles through the new land, gradually figuring out his location.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Comparing with Yao Lao’s map, Li Banfeng quickly found the way back to Lan Yang Village.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Turns out the two places weren’t far apart—if he hurried, he could return in less than a day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng felt a surge of joy and was about to quicken his pace when he saw a massive figure crouched on a tree, munching leaves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is that a green caterpillar?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could it be…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No, not just one green caterpillar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Five?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng stopped counting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is Bitter Greens Village—its new land.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When a Ku cultivator woman dies and refuses to be reborn, she becomes a Straw Moth Lady!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So many Straw Moth Ladies…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng thought carefully about his life. He decided Old Ku was right—he wanted to stay longer in Bitter Greens Village.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This man is so handsome,” one Straw Moth Lady spotted Li Banfeng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Look at that beard—I love men like this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng tore off his beard and tucked it into his pocket: “I don’t have a beard.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh my, without a beard he’s even more handsome!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng turned and ran. A swarm of Straw Moth Ladies chased after him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Lan Yang Village, Ma Wu paced frantically—Li Banfeng hadn’t returned in over ten days.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Did something happen to Seventh?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could it be related to Chu Er?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was careless—I should’ve followed Chu Er and escorted her out of the new land!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if I did, she’d find her way back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How persistent this woman is!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as he panicked, Xiao Chuan reported: “Fifth Master, Seventh Master is back—he’s followed by two Straw Moth Ladies, and he’s barely running!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Wu gasped, rushed outside, mounted Yanzi, and shouted to Xiao Chuan: “Quick, lead the way!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yanzi said: “Young Master, don’t panic—I can handle these two sluts myself!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Wu asked Xiao Chuan: “Has Seventh returned to his own plot?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Spare blood! Blood can hold back the Straw Moth Ladies!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We did! It didn’t work—the Earth God didn’t react!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>PS: How could the Earth God not react?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chapter Eight: At the station, Banfeng bought instant noodles from an old woman and called her Second Aunt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2243,"2026-06-20T03:43:13.043Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","8f2d4e64d9c14b69d90b6025b155ad3adaa3e7c3e812cc8b96547c88c1e5096a","lord-of-the-proles-chapter-186","lord-of-the-proles-chapter-184",863,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Flord-of-the-proles-cover.jpg"]