[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-lord-of-the-proles":3,"chapter-lord-of-the-proles-lord-of-the-proles-chapter-228":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},2290526,4478,"Chapter 228: Recognizing the Master","lord-of-the-proles-chapter-228",228,"\u003Cp>Han Juncheng sat beneath the eaves, a flat-faced man wearing black-rimmed glasses, silently watching the fortune-teller before him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fortune-teller bowed with a humble smile: “Mr. Han, I’ve already explained everything to you—would tonight be a suitable time to act?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Juncheng sneered: “When my father was still the Border Warden, I wouldn’t even have deigned to look at someone like you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fortune-teller nodded rapidly: “Thank you, Young Master Han, for granting me this honor—you’re showing face to the Master.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Juncheng grunted: “Master? Who’s your master? He Jiaqing?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You have no idea what my father’s status was—back then, even a merchant’s son like He Jiaqing couldn’t easily have secured a single meeting with me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fortune-teller kept smiling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Juncheng was indeed arrogant, but it had nothing to do with aloofness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re only telling me now that you’re acting tonight?” Han Juncheng was deeply displeased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fortune-teller explained: “The situation was urgent—the Master had originally planned to wait for a better opportunity…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Enough with the excuses,” Han Juncheng snapped, cutting him off. “Go prepare everything you need. We move at midnight.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I hate that place, Tiemenbao—a bunch of paupers who can’t scrape together a single coin, never seen the world, and still don’t know how to behave. After it’s done, have He Jiaqing find a chance to wipe them out. I can’t stand the sight of them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a Zhai Xiu, Han Juncheng had once been to Tiemenbao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the time, he claimed to be a third-layer Zhai Xiu, but in truth he already had sixth-layer cultivation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He managed to hide it at first, but less than half a month later, over some trivial matter, he beat an old vegetable vendor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He went all out—the old woman was left critically injured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the technique he used, Zhou Anju knew Han Juncheng had surpassed the fifth layer; that very night, he expelled him from the fortress.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Juncheng still harbored resentment—he had always wanted to destroy Tiemenbao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After setting the time, the fortune-teller went to prepare; Han Juncheng consulted his Zhai Ling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had a Zhai Ling, but could he still go and recognize another tonight?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Provided he gained the Zhai Ling’s consent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Juncheng’s Zhai Ling was a woman; no one knew what she saw in him, but she obeyed him utterly—whatever he said, she would agree.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Jun Cheng, be extremely careful—Tiemenbao has many experts,” she said, meaning Zhai Lings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Juncheng sneered: “What difference do experts make? Zhai Lings are merely servants to Zhai Xius.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Zhai Ling fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Juncheng sat beneath the eaves, his expression cold as he stared at the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fortune-teller entered Tiemenbao—and surprisingly, his business thrived there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhai Xius were superstitious, deeply obsessed with fortune-telling, character divination, and palm reading.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fortune-teller walked through the fortress, consulting over thirty households in a single day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those who consulted him all said he was accurate—but once they returned home, satisfied, they all felt drowsy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Drowsy? They slept. Zhai Xius were remarkably carefree about this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this sleep was deep—so deep they didn’t wake until deep into the night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the method of a seventh-layer Bing Xiu—the fortune-teller was Wan Jinxian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had given each Zhai Xiu who consulted him a bout of excessive sleepiness—only once, and they’d recover fully the next morning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In truth, Wan Jinxian could have inflicted far worse illnesses—he could even have brought a plague to Tiemenbao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But making it completely undetectable was not easy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His cultivation was high, his techniques powerful—but Zhai Xius were not easily killed; once they returned to their homes, they recovered swiftly. If one Zhai Xiu fell ill, the others would immediately tighten their guard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wan Jinxian was cautious—he never did anything unnecessary at a critical moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sleeping wasn’t considered an illness among Zhai Xius; even if they slept too long, most wouldn’t care—they’d even think they’d gained something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After dark, Tiemenbao shut its gates, falling into silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wan Jinxian used a magic treasure to bring Han Juncheng directly from outside the fortress into its heart, guiding him along a predetermined path to the fortress master’s residence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Along the way, they passed many Zhai Xius’ homes—but none detected them, for every Zhai Xiu on that route was asleep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The main residence was a forbidden zone; following Li Banfeng’s orders, no one was allowed within a hundred meters, and two Zhai Xius were stationed there as guards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wan Jinxian watched the guards from afar and yawned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The guards didn’t see Wan Jinxian—but the yawn carried a virus that drifted to them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, the two guards began yawning—they grew sleepy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhai Xius had strong responsibility; they couldn’t afford to doze while on watch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They struggled against drowsiness—first tears, then runny noses, then drool trickling from their mouths—until they could no longer resist and collapsed onto the roadside, falling asleep one after the other.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wan Jinxian led Han Juncheng into the main residence, pointing to the eastern annex: “Mr. Han, the Zhai Ling we seek is inside that building. Enter carefully—I’ll wait here for you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Juncheng didn’t want to speak to Wan Jinxian; talking to such a lowborn man made him physically ill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only thing he needed to confirm was one fact: the Zhai Ling’s name was Zhao Xiao Wan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Entering the annex, a chilling aura rushed toward him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Juncheng smelled the scent of the dead in the air; without considering the layout or condition of the building, he followed the scent straight to the second floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wan Jinxian frowned slightly—Han Juncheng’s methods were reckless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Jiaqing had also said Han Juncheng had high cultivation but little experience.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wan Jinxian thought a sixth-layer Zhai Xiu should have experienced some things.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had indeed experienced things—like his father’s arrest, which had hurt him deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But that had nothing to do with combat experience. His cultivation had grown solely through his Zhai Ling. Finding a Zhai Ling devoted to him was pure luck—but now, that Zhai Ling could no longer raise his cultivation further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was why Han Juncheng agreed to this mission—he desperately wanted a new Zhai Ling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had heard of Zhao Xiao Wan’s name; in his eyes, a legendary general, a heroic woman, was barely worthy of his status.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for what to do with his previous Zhai Ling, he hadn’t decided—perhaps keep her as a servant, or offer her as bait to Zhao Xiao Wan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Juncheng favored the second option—he believed Zhao Xiao Wan deserved such a gift.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a Zhai Ling with power and status, offering a gift would surely win her loyalty—then he could command her to do anything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The annex was large; the second floor had seven rooms. Han Juncheng passed each door, walked back and forth twice, then stopped before a door at the end of the corridor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He gently pushed open the door—inside, there were no other furnishings, only a weapon rack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the rack sat only one long spear; nothing else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The spear was twelve feet long, its tip seven inches and seven cun—exactly as described in novels.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only difference: the spear had no red tassel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could a spear without a red tassel be Zhao Xiao Wan?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had he made a mistake?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No mistake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Juncheng sensed the spear’s overwhelming might.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the aura of the Flying General!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Juncheng stood before the spear and called out: “Zhao Xiao Wan!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He waited over a minute—the spear showed no resistance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To call out a Zhai Ling’s name and receive no resistance meant the Zhai Ling accepted the Zhai Xiu—this process was called “Zhai Ling Recognizing Master.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing no resistance, Han Juncheng felt no great joy—he believed his cultivation and status made it impossible for Zhao Xiao Wan to refuse him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He reached out to take the spear from the rack, a satisfied smile on his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the moment he grasped this spear, he was certain his fate would return to its proper path.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had always believed heaven had been unjust to him—why had it taken away everything he deserved?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With this spear in hand, as he walked out of the annex, the first thing he’d kill was that Bing Xiu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He despised Wan Jinxian—a servant shouldn’t dare wear that smug, all-knowing expression!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After killing the Bing Xiu, he’d kill the fortress master—he believed he could then rightfully seize control of Tiemenbao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From Tiemenbao, he’d accumulate wealth, then return to Lüshuicheng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Lüshuicheng, he’d crush every major family, then return to Waizhou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once back in Waizhou, he must kill He Jiaqing—his years of pointing fingers and sneering at him had pushed him beyond endurance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that time, all who looked down on him, all who claimed he was guilty, would die!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Juncheng would make every man who had ever offended him kneel and beg, force them to repent for every sin they’d committed, make them…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As his thoughts raced, Han Juncheng realized his hand had not touched the spear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reason: his hand had fallen to the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The spear had remained motionless on the rack—at least, that’s what he’d seen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet his hand had been cleanly severed, as if cut by a sharp blade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A drop of blood slid from the spear’s tip—could it be…?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But just now, the spear hadn’t moved—was she simply too fast…?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She hadn’t recognized him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had spoken her name—why hadn’t she recognized him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only now did Han Juncheng feel the searing pain in his wrist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He clutched his arm, turned to flee—but stumbled and collapsed onto the floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His left leg, from the knee down, remained on the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More blood stained the spear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Juncheng screamed in agony, the spear trembling slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The writhing Han Juncheng seemed to catch a flicker of shadow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He lost another leg—his right leg was gone, vanished from the thigh root downward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Juncheng was near unconscious from pain; on his torso, the only intact part left was his left hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A woman’s voice came to his ear: “Crawl.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The voice was soft, yet carried an irresistible authority.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With his one remaining hand, Han Juncheng crawled desperately out of the room, across the corridor, down the stairs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he was about to reach the door, the spear suddenly appeared, piercing through his shoulder and pinning him to the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is public display.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the battlefield, this was a common method to intimidate enemy troops.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Juncheng was especially suited for public display, because he screamed loudly enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Save me, save me…” Han Juncheng wept, his vision blurred, staring at Wan Jinxian at the door—he seemed to see his father.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Father, save me, Father, it hurts, save me…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Father, send someone to find my estate spirit—she must be able to save me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Father, pull out this spear—Father, I’m in so much pain…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Child, you’ve mistaken me for someone else. Next life, don’t be so reckless.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wan Jinxian turned and walked away; if he stayed any longer, he might not escape.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>PS: Han Juncheng remained pinned at the door, which terrified Banfeng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The problem is, the estate spirit is both deaf and blind, utterly unable to hear—what good solution could Banfeng possibly think of?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1860,"2026-06-20T03:43:16.386Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","969c169d542343ac0d529d752c5d645114a3cb698f2bb1f5a2614cc24150f50a","lord-of-the-proles-chapter-229","lord-of-the-proles-chapter-227",863,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Flord-of-the-proles-cover.jpg"]