[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-lord-of-the-proles":3,"chapter-lord-of-the-proles-lord-of-the-proles-chapter-196":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},2290494,4478,"Chapter 196: Listen to His Live Broadcast","lord-of-the-proles-chapter-196",196,"\u003Cp>Ma Wu sat in the wooden hut, still shaken from the ordeal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He and Li Banfeng pondered together: where had they gone wrong today?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time luck saved Ma Wu’s life, but if they didn’t figure out what happened, next time they might not be so fortunate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng believed Ma Wu had brought too few men: “Only three went—only Qin was truly combat-capable.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Wu thought it wasn’t about manpower: “Assassinations—Ma family has done plenty. More men just become a burden.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Qin and Xiao Chuan—one attacks, one defends. I can spot Lu Xiaolan, and at critical moments we can cover each other. Three of us is enough for this job.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Today we failed because Da Boyins showed up, and because there’s a traitor inside.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How can you be so sure there’s a traitor?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Old Seven, think carefully—I went to deal with Lu Xiaolan. Did she know about it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng nodded: “She probably didn’t.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then why did Da Boyins find me the moment I left the plot—and take the initiative? That proves he knew where I was hiding.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng agreed: Da Boyins had indeed known Ma Wu’s hiding spot in advance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this wasn’t hard to explain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lu Xiaolan is a Whisperer. You stayed beside her plot for three days—she must’ve heard you moving.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How? Listen randomly all over? Do you think Lu Xiaolan has a radar on her? You’ve got this thing called radar in Waizhou—does she have one?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Without prior warning, Lu Xiaolan couldn’t possibly find me by random searching.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Qin isn’t a novice. She’s done stakeouts and kills countless times. She picked the location—how could it be so easily exposed?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Wu’s logic held weight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng asked: “Who could the traitor be?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Wu paused, then said: “Old Seven, do you know why I brought Qin this time and no one else? We’ve got another skilled hand right here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng froze: “You mean Zuo Wugang? You suspect him of being the traitor?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Wu nodded: “He used to be with the Lu family.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng shook his head: “Don’t guess blindly. Blind guesses only sow chaos.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Wu’s expression turned grim: “Lu Xiaolan is lurking outside, and inside there’s a traitor watching. We’re in deep trouble.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lu Xiaolan must die, and the traitor must be dug out. I think it’s Zuo Wugang.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He’s got feelings for Qin. If Qin returned them, I’d support it—I don’t lack for people.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But Qin doesn’t want him. He blames me for it, and wants to team up with Lu Xiaolan to kill me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng was truly exasperated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two grown men arguing over a bug.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fine young men, yet obsessed with insects—Li Banfeng despised them!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Li Banfeng was certain Zuo Wugang was not the traitor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zuo Wugang had signed a covenant—a written contract. Unless he could nullify it, he’d already turned to rust.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But if not him, then who?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Wu said: “Old Seven, leave Lu Xiaolan to me. You handle the traitor.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This time it’s serious—life or death. We can’t afford to be soft!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Softness wouldn’t be an issue—but recklessness was dangerous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng told Ma Wu: “I’ll talk to someone first. Once I understand everything, we’ll act.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Late at night, Li Banfeng returned to his own plot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ten-li plot had a traitor—anything could be leaked. His own one-li plot was safer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng set up the offering table and waited quietly. A ghostly flame appeared above it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother Li Qi, there’s something you might not realize—even the lord of a plot needs sleep.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So that’s it!” Li Banfeng realized. “Then when do you sleep?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I just… what do you want?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng wanted to confirm something: “Those people have opened new land in Qiuluoye’s plot. If we kill them later, will Qiuluoye not bother us again?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The new land is already established. As long as the killing doesn’t happen within the plot, the plot lord’s fate won’t concern the land god. That’s the logic—but this matter…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Forget logic today. You’re reasonable. Qiuluoye doesn’t seem to be.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shui Yongquan sighed: “I’m worried too. Qiuluoye craves vitality—he’s foolish, sees the land-reclaimers and becomes obsessed. But these land-reclaimers… they arrived too suspiciously.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng asked: “Do you think they’re connected to those land-reclaimers who opened land on the border?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ghostly flame hovered before the table as Shui Yongquan thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I think they’re connected—but I can’t say how.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll go talk to Qiudaxiang, then to the other land gods. I don’t know what I’ll learn.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother Li Qi, I feel something big is coming—not just in my hundred-li territory, but across the entire Puluo Province.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I can’t control Puluo Province’s affairs. I only hope nothing happens on my land.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t fight others. I came to this remote place just for peace. Brother, I want us all to have a few quiet days.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Quiet days were over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the council hall, Xiao Genzi, bruised and swollen, kept apologizing to Ma Wu: “Five Brother, I’m sorry. I fought with all my strength, but they were too strong—I couldn’t win.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Genzi led a team to escort goods to Lanyang Village. The cargo was ambushed en route. Xiao Genzi barely escaped with his life and brought back the surviving escorts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This wasn’t the first shipment stolen. Yesterday, another was taken; several escorts were severely wounded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now Ma Wu dared not send out goods—Lu Xiaolan watched every shipment from her plot. She couldn’t be avoided.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Wu didn’t blame Xiao Genzi: “You brought the men back—that’s what matters.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He ordered treatment for Xiao Genzi and gave him a reward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zuo Wugang spoke up: “Five Brother, let me escort the next shipment.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fine, if you want to go, go,” Ma Wu smiled. “I’ll go take a walk—see how our neighbors are doing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zuo Wugang sensed Ma Wu’s attitude was off—had been off for two days—but he dared not ask more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside the council hall, Ma Wu walked to the plot’s boundary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stared at Lu Xiaolan’s plot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He felt an urge—to rush in, drag her out, and kill her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a flash of thought, Ma Wu exhaled deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Calm. Must stay calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Xiaolan had Da Boyins beside her—and her mother, Zhuo Yuling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She’d opened new land and enjoyed the land god’s protection.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dealing with her wouldn’t be easy. Never act rashly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Wu took a deep breath, stood still a moment, then turned to leave—when he heard a voice behind him:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Five Brother, you were looking for me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Wu startled, whirled around—Lu Xiaolan was right behind him!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When had she arrived?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How did she know I was here?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Five Brother, did you miss me?” Lu Xiaolan smiled, not crossing the plot boundary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Wu smiled: “How do you know I missed you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’re soulmates, Five Brother. Whatever you think, I know.” Her tone was playful, just like when they first met.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Wu’s gaze swept over Lu Xiaolan’s eyes: “Guess what I’m thinking now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I guess you hate me fiercely—just like I hated you back then, wishing I could kill you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You guessed right.” Ma Wu prepared to activate his technique.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Xiaolan shook her head: “Five Brother, you used to be straightforward. Why are you so timid now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Whether you miss me or hate me—I’m right here. Why won’t you come over?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you want to kill me, get closer!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Wu drew a dagger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Xiaolan feigned surprise: “You’ll kill me with this? Five Brother, do you think this thing can kill me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Wu knew the dagger couldn’t kill Lu Xiaolan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He drew it to shed blood—to invoke the land god’s protection.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Xiaolan saw through him, smiling: “Five Brother, look at you—so pitiful. I don’t want to kill you today, no need to worry.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But next time? Who knows. If you’re scared, stay here forever. Never step out again.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Xiaolan left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Wu gripped the dagger tightly, head bowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No ally stood beside him. Had he taken one more step, he’d be dead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back in the council hall, Ma Wu looked at Zuo Wugang: “Guess what just happened? I wanted to visit the neighbor—she knew I was coming. She even came to my doorstep to meet me. Isn’t that strange?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zuo Wugang didn’t know how to answer—he didn’t understand Ma Wu’s meaning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Wu fell silent, then told Zuo Wugang to leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sitting alone in the council chamber, Ma Wu repeatedly reminded himself to stay calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zuo Wugang may not be the traitor; catching the traitor should be left to Old Seven.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he couldn’t calm down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master Wu, the newspapers.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Chuan entered the council chamber with two newspapers—these had been brought back by Ma Wu’s men from Green Water City.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because of the long journey, the newspapers were three days old; Ma Wu saw his own name on the second page.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Fifth Young Master of the Ma Clan still commands respect, making bold moves in the new lands of Lan Yang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Making bold moves?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I can’t even step out of my own gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Wu let out a bitter laugh and tore up the newspaper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The business he and Old Seven had worked so hard to build was about to be ruined by Lu Xiaolan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>……\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the Three Academies of Yuezhou, He Jiaqing lay alone in bed and chuckled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ma Wu’s been a bit irritable lately.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A voice replied at his ear: “After enduring so much hardship, he finally got a taste of comfort—and now that comfort’s about to vanish. Of course he’s upset.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Jiaqing sighed. “I feel sorry for him. Have you found out Lu Xiaolan’s cultivation level?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“She might be hiding it deep. I’ve probed a few times—she’s probably still at Level Four.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Still at Level Four? That means the item isn’t with her—it’s with my friend.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That Li Qi—is he your friend?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I heard his voice—I’m certain. He was my best friend during my four years at university.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who should we send to retrieve the item?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We can’t send our own people. Find a way to make Lu Xiaolan go. Our identities must stay hidden.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Can Lu Xiaolan get it back?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. My friend is a reasonable man, and Lu Xiaolan very much wants that item. Just persuade her a little—she’ll go. Let them settle it properly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Borrowed things must be returned. If he refuses, he’ll suffer the consequences.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If he still refuses after suffering, then someone will die.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He’s on good terms with Ma Wu—if Ma Wu dies over this, he’ll grieve.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So if he returns the item, we spare his life?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’ll see. Some things I can’t predict. If you hear his voice again, forward it to me directly. In the outer provinces, they call this ‘live streaming.’ You understand?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I understand.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I want to hear him speak. His voice is so interesting. I haven’t seen him in so long—I miss him.” He Jiaqing smiled and ended the connection.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>PS: Old Zuo is truly wronged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1827,"2026-06-20T03:43:13.043Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","b18e884858eb044556ccca0193fd543c24fa796c227fdf7def25bd11468f531c","lord-of-the-proles-chapter-197","lord-of-the-proles-chapter-195",863,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Flord-of-the-proles-cover.jpg"]