[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-lord-of-the-proles":3,"chapter-lord-of-the-proles-lord-of-the-proles-chapter-229":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},2290527,4478,"Chapter 229: The Red Tassel Is Not a Spear (Nuclear Continuity)","lord-of-the-proles-chapter-229",229,"\u003Cp>Wan Jinxian returned to the village, feeling his blind man’s bamboo cane, and delivered a message to He Jiaqing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The mission failed. Han Juncheng couldn’t subdue Zhao Xiao, and got nailed to the front gate of the mansion.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Jiaqing’s mood was extremely foul.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew Han Juncheng was overambitious and inexperienced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But subduing a sixth-layer Zhai Xiu was not easy, so He Jiaqing had always tolerated him and planned to wait for a better opportunity before letting Han Juncheng act.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unexpectedly, the secret agent he had cultivated for years beside Tiemenbao was gone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was not Old Wan’s fault, and He Jiaqing had no reason to blame him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Wan asked: “What should we do next?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After long thought, He Jiaqing said: “Wait for Jiang Xiang’s movements. If Luo Zhengnan succeeds, we’ll intercept him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wan Jinxian agreed: “Intercepting him is the best strategy, but I worry Luo Zhengnan won’t succeed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A sixth-layer Zhai Xiu cannot even be regarded as a person before that mansion spirit. In all my years in the martial world, I’ve never encountered such a situation.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“General Zhao Xiao is one of the top Wu Xiu leaders—certainly no ordinary figure. Unfortunately, we have too few Zhai Xiu; one misstep and we lose the chance.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But if Tiemenbao intends to hand Zhao Xiao over to Luo Zhengnan, things are different.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tiemenbao has countless Zhai Xiu. One failure means another try. Three hundred Zhai Xiu must include someone who can succeed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In He Jiaqing’s eyes, these Zhai Xiu were just numbers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Here, He Jiaqing sighed: “Tiemenbao is a good place. I’ll eventually seize it. Old Wan, you’ve worked hard tonight. Don’t enter Tiemenbao again for now—don’t draw suspicion.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng stood before the main gate, watching Han Juncheng still screaming in agony.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wanted to ask what the man had endured inside the side pavilion, but the imposing spear pinned to him made Li Banfeng dare not approach.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was that spear the mansion spirit’s true form?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who had sent the man pinned by the spear?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Xiangbang—or some other faction?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng couldn’t figure it out, but he knew Tiemenbao was about to face disaster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the mansion spirit wasn’t dealt with promptly, Tiemenbao would be utterly destroyed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Father! Save me! Save me!” Han Juncheng still screamed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cry sent chills down the spine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>News of Han Juncheng’s fate spread through Tiemenbao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An evil presence had appeared in the fortress—someone had been nailed to death in the eastern side pavilion, in Tiemenbao’s forbidden zone!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What did this portend?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was an omen of impending catastrophe!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The superstitious Zhai Xiu were terrified—some bought incense and candles, others bought talismans, some even replaced their door gods with new ones!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Zhengnan was selling vegetables at the market when Second Commander Sun Xiaoan walked over, pretending to browse while whispering to Luo Zhengnan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tiemenbao’s stirred up trouble last night. Someone broke into the forbidden zone—seems like stealing something—and got nailed inside. Screamed all day before dying.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who?” Luo Zhengnan’s eyebrows immediately knotted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Identity still unknown.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Zhengnan gritted his teeth: “Damn it. Who dares strike now? The fortress master will suspect us.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Should we go back into Tiemenbao and explain to the master?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Explain what? Going in now will make him think we’re threatening him!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Xiaoan said: “Since you know the thing’s in the forbidden zone, why not send someone to probe it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Zhengnan looked at Sun Xiaoan, lowering his eyes: “Old man, you’ve seen off several commanders. Now are you trying to get rid of me too?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Xiaoan fell silent—he had no good strategy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Zhengnan dismissed two buyers, then told Sun Xiaoan: “Don’t rush. We have two days. Wait for the fortress master’s move.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If he’s willing to act, we’ll pay—more money’s no problem.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If he refuses, we leave immediately—faster the better.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Old Sun, warn the others to be cautious—watch Tiemenbao, and watch strangers too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If the deal goes through, be extra careful—watch for Tiemenbao’s tricks, and watch for ambushes!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng returned to his quarters, sat before the phonograph, and asked: “Wife, what kind of person is Zhao Xiao?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chtch~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why are you asking about her again?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng said: “Today I saw her kill someone. I feel she’s truly cruel.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Klang-lang-lang~ Daa~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His wife beat the gong and drum, singing:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Cruel? Not exactly. She’s been on the battlefield too long—life means little to her.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zhao Xiao is a general—a famous one. She fights well, won many battles.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“She’s strict with her troops. Everyone fears her. Many have been beaten by her.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Beyond that, she has no special traits.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng recalled the novel’s description: “Some say the Emperor adopted her as his daughter, made her a princess, and married her to a prince consort.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If they could find that prince consort, perhaps they could subdue Zhao Xiao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chtch~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The phonograph laughed: “She never had such luck. The Emperor wouldn’t casually adopt a daughter.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zhao Xiao only knows how to fight. She knows nothing else. The idea of a prince consort never crossed her mind—in her eyes, men and women are the same.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly, this ending didn’t match Zhao Xiao’s true story.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng asked again: “Some say she guarded the border, fighting enemies her whole life. Is that true?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His wife sighed: “She wished for it. Someone like her, dying on the battlefield, would die honorably.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But she wasn’t so lucky. For a few merits, she was recalled to the capital.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng said: “Then, because her achievements overshadowed the Emperor, she was thrown into prison?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. In prison, she lived worse than a dog.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then, when war broke out again, Zhao Xiao was sent back to the battlefield?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. You see how lowly she is—send her to fight, and she fights. She gives everything!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then she died on the battlefield?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chtch~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His wife laughed long: “If she’d died on the battlefield, it’d be better—her life wouldn’t have been wasted.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“She was betrayed by her own men—not killed by enemies, but by her own. You see how lowly her fate is? Wasn’t her life a joke?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng fell silent for a long time, suddenly feeling profound sorrow for Zhao Xiao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But no matter how much sorrow, he couldn’t spare her now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His wife’s vengeance must be paid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tiemenbao’s situation must be broken!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wife, I’ve decided—we must subdue this mansion spirit.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Husband, are you truly doing this to avenge little slave?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Truly!” Li Banfeng answered decisively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“With this heart of yours, I—I’m enough. Husband, truly, don’t go…” Her voice trembled, her whole body shook.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng looked at his wife and asked calmly: “Wife, can you truly bear this insult?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Little slave can bear it. Little slave… little slave…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huh-huh-huh~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Steam spewed faster and faster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The record spun faster, the drumbeats grew more urgent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Flames blazed, reflected in the mirror. The main room was filled with flashing blades and shouts of battle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I can’t bear it! I’d rather die by anyone’s hand than hers! I’ve wanted to kill that bitch day and night—even in my dreams!” His wife suddenly roared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng nodded: “The time has come. We act now. I’ll lure the mansion spirit into our room first—then it’s up to us as husband and wife.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Husband, how will you lure her inside?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Same old method—I’ll call her name face-to-face, make her recognize me as her master.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“She can’t see or hear. How will she know you called her name?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng had seriously considered this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll touch her first.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Husband!” Flames shot three feet from the phonograph’s casing. The machine roared: “Why touch that bitch?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Husband!” the flames inside the chassis shot up three feet high, and the phonograph roared, “why are you touching that whore?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the mention of this grievance, his wife was clearly too agitated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mentioning this grudge clearly made the lady overly agitated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I write on her body, writing her name—she will naturally know my intent.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wife had calmed for a long while; the flames on her body gradually retracted into the machine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That might work, but that bitch has a violent temper—if you touch her the moment you enter, you’ll suffer dearly; she might strike you outright.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If she strikes, I’ll leave immediately.\" Li Banfeng had seen Han Juncheng’s scene—he was already prepared to flee for his life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Husband, if you wait until she strikes, it’ll be too late to escape. She’s one of the leading Wu Xiu of the Travelers. Though her soul is incomplete and her body weakened, if it comes to agility, you’re no match for her.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"With your current cultivation base, dealing with that bitch requires wit, not brute force. You should cater to her tastes—bring her gifts to lower her guard first.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gifts?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What kind of gift suits such a lofty woman?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It must have taste.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It must have depth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It must match her temperament, especially her martial commander’s aura.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng pondered a moment, then asked: \"What about silver dollars?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wife thought, then agreed: \"That bitch does love money—silver dollars are good, but she can’t see them; they may not move her.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If she can’t see or hear, even a music box probably won’t work.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What kind of gift would suit her?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng recalled the scene when his wife first met Zhao Xiaowan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She said she smelled the powder on his wife’s skin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wife, what if I give her some rouge? What do you think?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The phonograph grew angry again: \"Husband, how could you give rouge to that bitch? Don’t you know rouge isn’t something you just give away?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wife, calm down!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They say killing one’s father is the greatest offense, but Li Banfeng thought killing one’s own life was even more terrifying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His wife’s emotions became extremely volatile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I give her rouge to win her favor, to make her lower her guard temporarily.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huff~ huff~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After breathing heavily for a long while, the wife calmed again: \"Don’t buy good rouge—just buy some cheap stuff from the street.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wife, I’m being serious. Good rouge will move her more easily.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"She dislikes fine rouge. That cheap, vulgar kind is exactly what she likes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng soothed: \"Wife, don’t sulk. When she said you used rouge worth two cash a box—was that really worth holding a grudge over?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wife snapped: \"So what if I used two-cash rouge? She’s obsessed with even one-cash rouge! We’re both lowly creatures—what right does she have to judge me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng nodded: \"I’ll prepare the rouge. What else would make a good gift?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wife thought carefully: \"That bitch loves to be beautiful—bring her flowers. The more fragrant, the better.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Flowers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Easy enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng actually knew a flower seller.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Husband, prepare the gifts, but don’t rush to approach her. Wait until her aura weakens a bit, then move closer.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng nodded: \"I’ve noted it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Husband, if you feel her aura growing stronger, return to the house immediately—run as fast as you can. Just get back here. We’ll figure out how to leave later.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don’t worry, wife.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Husband, that bitch is petty—when you write on her, avoid writing in critical spots, or you’ll anger her.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don’t worry, I know my limits.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Husband, that bitch cares about face—be courteous to her. Never argue with her.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"She can’t hear me—how could I argue?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Husband, that bitch truly loves money—bring the silver dollars too. Even if she can’t see them, she might smell them.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alright, I’ll bring them.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Husband, remember—she doesn’t go by Zhao Xiaowan.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng was startled: \"Then what’s her name?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That bitch is Hong Ying.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hong Ying? Hong Ying… Hong, as in red tassel spear?\" Li Banfeng stared, dumbfounded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Legends are full of errors. Hong Ying isn’t a spear—she merely wields the long spear well.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"She’s not Zhao Xiaowan?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No.\" The wife answered with absolute certainty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then who is Zhao Xiaowan?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wife fell silent again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng remembered how, the first time he mentioned Zhao Xiaowan to his wife, she had also fallen silent for a long while.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To speak a spirit’s true name before it is bound—if the spirit does not resist, it has accepted you as master.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His wife knew war.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Xiao Huangquan, Li Banfeng had once encountered a group of spirits—soldiers in appearance—who had bowed obediently before his wife.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could it be…?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wife, are you…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Husband!\" The phonograph played again—the song \"My Precious\" floated out, its melody still tender, but the wife’s voice now slightly stammered,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You are my master, my, my heart’s core. Husband, I may forgive my vengeance—but you must return safely!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>PS: Honest people don’t lie—yesterday’s chapter? Definitely nuclear-powered!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone, it’s the 1st tomorrow—please give your base monthly votes to Shala!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2112,"2026-06-20T03:43:16.386Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","9bf25e2b56bba861935332aef6205086263304732ac6b7380a1f22fb7165a695","lord-of-the-proles-chapter-230","lord-of-the-proles-chapter-228",863,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Flord-of-the-proles-cover.jpg"]