[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-lord-of-the-proles":3,"chapter-lord-of-the-proles-lord-of-the-proles-chapter-211":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},2290509,4478,"Chapter 211","lord-of-the-proles-chapter-211",211,"\u003Cp>Three days later, at dawn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the ward doctor left, He Jiaqing opened his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He needed to confirm some matters with Ling Miaoying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My friend is a Traveling Cultivator, skilled in avoiding misfortune and seeking fortune—have you taken any precautions against this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t worry—I have a method to conceal malice. Before I act, your friend won’t sense any danger.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Jiaqing still couldn’t relax; Li Banfeng had given him too many surprises lately: “Traveling Cultivators excel in speed. You must be extra cautious.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You don’t need to worry about your friend—no matter how fast he is, once he’s on my train, even with wings he won’t escape.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But Ma Wu is a problem—he’s currently a big name in Green Water City and has ties with the Border Inspector. Killing him at the station might anger the Border Inspector.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve made preparations outside the station. The moment he steps out, we strike—he and every one of his underlings will die.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t care about others—don’t harm my friend’s life. Our target is the item.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Rest assured—I’ll bring you back a live one.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This must be kept secret. No unrelated person must know.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Since Ma Wu isn’t coming, I’ll act alone. Besides giving a heads-up at the station, no one else knows.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With everything ready, He Jiaqing severed the connection and waited for Ling Miaoying’s report.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng packed his belongings and was about to leave when Ma Wu also dressed fully and prepared to depart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Where are you going?” Li Banfeng asked, puzzled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Wu lifted his backpack: “I’m taking you to the station. I even prepared some food for you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I brought my own food,” Li Banfeng pointed to his suitcase. “No need to see me off—I know the way.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Wu fell silent for a moment, then looked up: “Old Seven, I’ve thought it through—we’ve got plenty of business now. Blue Willow Village and Zhengjing Village are already too much to handle, and now we’ve added Xiaoyao Wu .”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Black Stone Slope can wait—we can’t manage it all. You shouldn’t go.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng frowned slightly, then smiled: “What’s gotten into you? What are you really worried about?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I just feel it’s unsafe for you to go to Black Stone Slope alone.” Ma Wu felt uneasy, just as he had when fighting Shuimengquan and Qiuluoye.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had a feeling something was going to happen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back then, he’d felt something was going to happen—that’s why he went to Bai Man Valley. Now he felt Li Banfeng might be in danger again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng shook his head: “If you go to the station to see me off, that’s when I’m truly in danger. Do you know how many people in Green Water City are watching you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Wu thought long and hard, then decided: “I’ll disguise myself. Only when I see you board the train will I feel at ease.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just then, Xiao Chuan reported: “Fifth Master, Fourth Master is here again—with men. He says he won’t leave unless he takes you home today.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Wu looked at Li Banfeng: “Old Seven, my family’s causing trouble again. You can’t leave—we must deal with this first.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng paused, then said: “Old Five, when we first opened new land, you told me you were my brother—a brother who stands on his own.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I believed you then, and I believe you now. You can handle this—no need for me to interfere.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng lowered his hat brim, picked up his suitcase, and walked out of Xiaoyao Wu .\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching Li Banfeng’s back, Ma Wu felt he might never see him again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chuanzi urged beside him: “Fifth Master, Fourth Master is getting impatient.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let him get lost! If he wants to see me, let him wait!” Ma Wu snapped, lifting his cup and draining a large gulp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside Xiaoyao Wu , a laborer pushed a cart to the corner, pretending to sweep trash.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In truth, he was using his broom to transmit a message—so subtly that no one noticed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ling Miaoying received the message and immediately informed He Jiaqing: “Ma Wu didn’t go—Ma Junjiang came instead, likely delaying him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Only one person left Xiaoyao Wu  this morning—heading straight for the station. It must be your friend.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What does he look like?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wears a hat with a low brim—can’t see his face. Has a big beard.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Jiaqing thought for a moment: “Good that Ma Wu didn’t come. Focus on him. Remember—keep him alive.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At Green Water City Station, Li Banfeng presented his ticket and travel permit and entered the waiting hall, exhaling deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His last train ride had been from Yuezhou to Puluozhou—half a year had passed since then.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Green Water City Station was the largest in Puluozhou, but the waiting hall held few people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Puluozhou, boarding a train required a travel permit—very few possessed one. Only dozens waited: some read, some read newspapers, some sat in silent daze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were no electronic screens. Li Banfeng kept glancing at his pocket watch, fearing he’d miss his train.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he soon realized his worry was unnecessary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Wu had bought him a first-class sleeper ticket—this premium fare came with dedicated service.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sir, your train has arrived. Please follow me to Platform Three.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The station attendant led Li Banfeng to the platform, where a steam locomotive stood parked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng glanced around. A dozen others were boarding—three or four appeared to be seeing someone off. One girl sobbed uncontrollably in a man’s arms, tears streaming down her face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wait—was that line too straight?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng saw a thin black line flash across the girl’s face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is that tears?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No—it’s not tears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng had seen similar black lines before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Jiaqing loved film reels and old movies shot on film.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once, while watching a film with him, Li Banfeng had asked: “Why do these old movies always have black lines and white dots?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Jiaqing had explained: “It’s film wear and oxidation. Film runs at twenty-four frames per second. These imperfections appear as spots and lines on screen—common in early film.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Film reel!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng’s mind trembled—a cascade of thoughts surged through him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Xiaolan had caused trouble in Zhengjing Village.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhengjing Village had a traitor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The traitor was the phonograph.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The phonograph had hooks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Ling family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ling Miaoying of the Ling family—specialized in film!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng controlled his body, showing no overt reaction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d walked into a trap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This platform was fake!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The train was fake!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the station attendant was fake!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The attendant said to Li Banfeng: “Sir, your carriage is Car Three. Please board quickly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng looked down at his shoes and handed his suitcase to the attendant: “Could you hold this for me? My shoelace is loose.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The attendant took the suitcase. Li Banfeng crouched down and suddenly drew his sickle, slashing at the attendant’s ankle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was one of Li Banfeng’s killing techniques—ordinary people had no chance to dodge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the attendant simply lifted his foot—easily avoiding the strike.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So fast?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So quick?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This wasn’t speed or reaction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was prediction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment Li Banfeng drew his blade, he made a faint sound—the attendant heard it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This attendant was Ling Miaoying—a Seventh-Level Seer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he’d wanted to kill Li Banfeng, Li Banfeng would already be dead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But He Jiaqing’s order was to capture him alive. For safety, Ling Miaoying planned to get Li Banfeng onto the train first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His method mirrored how he’d tricked Lu Dongjun: luring Li Banfeng to an abandoned platform and deceiving him into boarding a specially crafted train.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This fake train was Ling Miaoying’s film prop—a high-level magic treasure, filled with traps and sealed tightly. Once aboard, Li Banfeng, at his cultivation level, would never escape.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he hadn’t expected Li Banfeng to notice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he refused to board, a new plan was needed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ling Miaoying had prepared thoroughly—even if Li Banfeng didn’t board, he had other magic treasures on the platform.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But before Ling Miaoying could act, the suitcase shattered—Tang Dao burst out and slashed downward at Ling Miaoying’s face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng didn’t need a suitcase—he had his Personal Dwelling. He never carried luggage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The suitcase was purely for disguise: to make Li Banfeng look like an ordinary traveler, and to serve as a surprise weapon at the critical moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ling Miaoying barely dodged, but Tang Dao slashed a cut across his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only his high cultivation allowed him to hear the sound inside the suitcase in time—had he been a fraction slower, half his face would have been severed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Dao swept horizontally, aiming for Ling Miaoying’s throat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The blade struck—but Ling Miaoying’s form shattered and vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What’s going on?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A step?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What does it mean when the body shatters?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng had no time to think further; he sheathed Tang Dao and sprinted toward the platform exit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After just two steps, Ling Miaoying suddenly appeared before him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So fast?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is he really a Travel Cultivator?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The platform exit was blocked; Li Banfeng turned and ran toward the tracks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He reached the front of the steam locomotive, jumped off the platform, and landed on the sleepers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ling Miaoying appeared before Li Banfeng again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng stomped hard—a stone beneath the sleeper shattered under his foot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Travel Cultivator Level Three technique: Shatter Ten Thousand Rivers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The shattered stones flew like bullets, striking Ling Miaoying—but he remained unharmed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if his body is tough, can his clothes be that tough too?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hit by a spray of shards—and not even a tear?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only reasonable explanation: his speed was too great—he dodged every shard, and moved beyond Li Banfeng’s visual range.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Level Seven Observer, also cultivating Travel Cultivation, and his base is higher than mine?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng felt despair—if this man was a high-level Travel Cultivator, he had no chance to escape.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ling Miaoying smiled faintly; he showed no urgency to strike, waiting for Li Banfeng to surrender on his own.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Thread Earrings suddenly whispered: “Master, he makes no footstep sound.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No footstep sound?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how fast a Travel Cultivator moves, footstep noise is unavoidable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though the Thread Earrings’ level is low, she ate the flesh of a Chong Kui—she should have gained some ability; she wouldn’t miss footstep sounds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’s not a Travel Cultivator.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is still a movie!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What he saw was likely Ling Miaoying’s projection.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now Li Banfeng was calm; he charged straight at Ling Miaoying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ling Miaoying’s body rapidly stretched outward, forming three walls—one ahead, one to the left, one to the right—blocking Li Banfeng’s path.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng didn’t care what form he took; he swung Tang Dao and slashed upward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If this was truly Ling Miaoying, he’d kill him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it was just a projection, he’d break through.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Dao struck the wall, sending up a spray of sparks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This wall is real!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After three strikes, Tang Dao retracted into Li Banfeng’s pocket.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ling Miaoying smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You think a movie must be fake?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the corner of the platform stood a projector—Ling Miaoying’s magic treasure. Part of its projected imagery could transform into common physical objects.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng was trapped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ahead, left, and right: walls. Behind him: the locomotive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>According to Ling Miaoying’s estimate, Li Banfeng’s only escape was to climb onto the train.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The train was filled with traps; the moment he climbed aboard, he’d be instantly immobilized.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Li Banfeng charged straight into the wall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Travel Cultivator Level Four technique: Unimpeded Passage—Li Banfeng passed through the wall and sprinted forward along the tracks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Level Four technique?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ling Miaoying frowned. He had been told by He Jiaqing that his friend’s cultivation base didn’t exceed Level Three—but now his assumption was wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Doesn’t matter. Ling Miaoying had other preparations; he chased after him from behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng heard footsteps closing in—this was truly Ling Miaoying’s real body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Our speeds are matched—why can he catch up?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because Ling Miaoying’s shoes were special—another of his tools, a spirit item of extreme speed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the blink of an eye, they raced over a hundred meters along the tracks, beyond the projector’s control range.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The once-bright tracks lost their illusion, now rusted and decayed—a disused railway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beside the abandoned track appeared a new one—this was the active railway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A coal train roared toward them—this was a real, moving train.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ling Miaoying frowned; he feared Li Banfeng would leap onto the train.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No hesitation—must strike to kill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As long as he left him alive to reveal Red Lotus’s whereabouts, even turning Li Banfeng into a cripple was acceptable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ling Miaoying pulled a pistol from his pocket—another spirit item. Once fired, the bullet would always hit, with immense power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One shot would render Li Banfeng useless for life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The pistol’s only flaw: its report was deafening. On the railway, Ling Miaoying had wanted to avoid such noise—the tracks were under Waizhou Society control; he didn’t want to offend the Border Warden over this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d hoped to capture Li Banfeng silently—but now he had no choice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Click!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first shot didn’t fire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The train roared past, passing right beside them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Ling Miaoying prepared to fire again, he saw Li Banfeng’s form vanish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Where did he go?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jumped onto the train?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ling Miaoying stopped instantly, watching the roaring train disappear—he saw no sign of Li Banfeng, heard no sound from him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he had just heard a metallic clink.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Qi must have thrown something onto the train.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ling Miaoying prepared to leap aboard for inspection—when he saw a uniformed man standing at the edge of a carriage, staring coldly at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Conductor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ling Miaoying frowned, stepping back several paces away from the tracks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under any circumstance, never provoke the conductor—that was the iron law of survival in Pulu Province.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The conductor patrolled every carriage, found nothing unusual, then returned to his rest room, brewed tea, and resumed reading his newspaper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t notice that inside one coal car, a key had appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sixteen hours later, Li Banfeng appeared in the carriage and picked up the key.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>PS: Coal cars are open-topped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2338,"2026-06-20T03:43:16.386Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","4be1d187e8a261eac4719d46162eac8089fad4de65899f5b8cf492bed433260c","lord-of-the-proles-chapter-212","lord-of-the-proles-chapter-210",863,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Flord-of-the-proles-cover.jpg"]