[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-lord-of-the-proles":3,"chapter-lord-of-the-proles-lord-of-the-proles-chapter-231":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},2290529,4478,"Chapter 231: Zha Hu Spear","lord-of-the-proles-chapter-231",231,"\u003Cp>A common spear, a belt that enhances aura, a button that mimics voices—put together, could they become Hong Ying?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng believed they could, because cultivation base is invisible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the foundation for all this was Hong Lian’s intervention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng moved the copper lotus from the sixth wing to the main chamber; Hong Lian was ready, her petals heavy with dew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah Lian, I have a favor to ask of you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Puh~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Lian spat a dewdrop straight onto Li Banfeng’s face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng wiped his face, not angry—but the singing machine was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You vile woman, how dare you spit on your husband? Who gave you the nerve?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Puh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Lian spat another dewdrop at the singing machine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The singing machine hissed steam, ready to lunge at Hong Lian, when Li Banfeng shouted: “My lady, if Ah Lian refuses to act, I’ll have to send Hong Ying away.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huh-chit~ Huh-chit~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The lady adjusted her breathing, the loudspeaker turned toward Hong Lian, and drew its fiddle to sing:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hey, little sister, we’re family—no need for two households’ talk. Why still hold a grudge over that old business?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Puh! Still one dewdrop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Little sister, I was wrong before—please let it go.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng added his plea: “I was wrong too. Let’s put this behind us.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After much pleading and being drenched in dewdrops, Hong Lian finally agreed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The spear, the button, the belt—all were absorbed into the lotus heart; Hong Lian spoke a few words to the singing machine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The singing machine used its needle to retrieve two poetry collections and a stack of newspapers, handing them to Hong Lian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After nearly two hours, a spear was forged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This spear looked exactly like Hong Ying—even before a high-level cultivator, it might pass as real.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The singing machine sighed in awe, praising Hong Lian’s skill: “I’ll say it—this vile… sister—is actually quite useful.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Ying awoke, but her body was bound by steam, immobile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She sensed a powerful aura—but only her hearing had returned; her eyes remained blind. She did not know what stood before her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This aura was stronger than hers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who is this person?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Has the enemy arrived?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Hong Lian’s refinement, the belt’s power was fully unleashed; in aura alone, it surpassed the real Hong Ying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Ying spoke: “Wicked woman, is this aura yours? No—this bearing doesn’t match you. What exactly is this thing?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng held the spear, unable to say what it was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two high-grade spiritual objects, reworked by Hong Lian, fused with an utterly ordinary weapon—what should you call this thing?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng named it “Zha Hu.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What a mighty name!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng lifted the Zha Hu spear; it let out a call.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Snow dims the banners’ designs; wind blends with drumbeats.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Ying tensed: “Who is this thief? Are you challenging me?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng was even more tense; he turned to Hong Lian: “Ah Lian, did you refine Tang Dao? That blade’s still useful!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Lian said nothing. Li Banfeng rushed into the second wing and found Tang Dao peering through the door crack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The newly forged Zha Hu spear recited poetry—its recitation fascinated Tang Dao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this spear’s sentience came from two spiritual objects, not a magic treasure; spiritual objects have extremely limited awareness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This spear could recite poetry, but only from the two poetry collections it had been refined with—it could not speak otherwise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It emitted a powerful aura, stronger than Hong Ying’s own, and its voice closely mimicked hers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it could not respond to complex situations or fight autonomously—this was the unbridgeable gap between spiritual objects and magic treasures.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could this spear fool Luo Zhengnan?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That depends on how convincing the performance is.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng left the portable dwelling and summoned Wu Yongchao, ordering him to prepare a banquet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Yongchao didn’t know why, but since the fortress master didn’t explain, he didn’t ask.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Food and drink were bought; Li Banfeng chose the main mansion as the venue, setting up over twenty tables on the first floor, and specially arranging a tea room in the east annex.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What’s the fortress master up to?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Didn’t he just say the main mansion was forbidden?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially the east annex—no one was ever allowed inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng’s explanation: the matter in the main mansion was resolved; from now on, it would be where the fortress handled official business.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mansion cultivators were delighted—they had all believed demons or evil spirits plagued the fortress, had even seen someone nailed to the gate, plunging the entire fortress into panic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now the evil was gone—surely the fortress master had eradicated it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Filled with reverence, they raised their cups to toast the fortress master.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hu Fangyuan raised his cup: “Fortress Master, this cup is my tribute. I rarely drink, but today I’ll drink one, just to honor you—I’ll down it first, you drink as you please.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng looked at Hu Fangyuan: “If I don’t drink, won’t that seem ungrateful?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After finishing his cup, female mansion cultivator Li Zhijuan approached: “Women don’t drink, but I respect the Fortress Master—I’ll drink one with you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After drinking, Li Zhijuan’s face flushed as she stared at Li Banfeng: “Fortress Master, I really drank it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good…” Li Banfeng couldn’t refuse without embarrassment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the second cup, Wu Yongchao came over with his cup: “Fortress Master, I usually don’t drink either…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng frowned: “Then don’t drink.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tonight, I must drink with you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t want to drink with you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When are you returning my novel?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng poured a cup: “Chao, what kind of talk is that? What bond do we share…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By late night, of three hundred mansion cultivators, over half were drunk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next day at market, mansion cultivators lay in bed, unwilling to rise; Luo Zhengnan squatted by the roadside selling vegetables, when an old oil peddler whispered in his ear: “Last night’s victory feast—they all got drunk. A girl just told me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Zhengnan said nothing—he spotted Li Banfeng strolling through the market.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They exchanged no words; Luo Zhengnan simply followed Li Banfeng into the mansion where they’d met before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guests seated, Li Banfeng got straight to the point: “I sold the item. Have you gathered the money?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Zhengnan smiled: “Gathered? I’ve brought it all!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng froze: “Eight hundred thousand silver dollars?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One hundred thousand silver dollars per crate—eighty crates—how could he possibly carry them?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Zhengnan lowered his head and pulled out a pouch from his waist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He untied the pouch’s cord—but the pouch did not open.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This pouch was a spiritual object; opening it required a verification process.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Zhengnan pressed the pouch against his forehead; they exchanged a brief communication.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng watched the entire process, cautiously asking: “What technique is this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Zhengnan didn’t hide it: “It’s called short-range wireless communication. Waizhou Society calls it Bluetooth technology. I love things from Waizhou—even at my age, I still like to keep up with trends.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng stared at Luo Zhengnan’s skull, searching for the Bluetooth switch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This thing couldn’t stay on all the time—it drained power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Bluetooth verification, the pouch opened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Zhengnan reached inside and pulled out a tray.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The pouch spasmed, as if about to vomit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Zhengnan warned: “Don’t rush.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He laid the tray flat on the ground; beneath it was a mechanical counter, currently reading zero.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This tray looked like a scale—but it wasn’t. It was a mechanical counter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whenever the tray received a certain impact, the counter would increment by one. Its maximum display was 99,999—once it reached 100,000, it reset to zero.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Zhengnan inserted a tube into the pouch; the pouch spasmed again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, the pouch couldn’t hold back—it spat silver dollars through the tube.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clang! Clang! Clang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silver dollars clattered onto the tray; the counter clicked continuously as Li Banfeng and Luo Zhengnan watched the pouch spew out eight hundred thousand silver dollars in a steady stream.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eight hundred thousand silver dollars piled on the floor; there was barely room to step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Zhengnan smiled: “Fortress Master, the money’s delivered. Is my sincerity sufficient?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Didn’t he fear the fortress master would steal it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yes—he feared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Luo Zhengnan had a backup—there was more inside the pouch, though he wouldn’t use it unless absolutely necessary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The money has been paid, and Li Banfeng didn’t hesitate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He went upstairs, locked the door, entered his Personal Dwelling, and pulled out the long spear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he placed the long spear before Luo Zhengnan, its overwhelming aura made Luo Zhengnan shudder, nearly falling off his chair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s this thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No mistake!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Zhengnan steadied his spirit, tried twice, and finally managed to take the spear in his hands, storing it inside that enormous pouch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The pouch convulsed violently, struggling desperately to swallow the Thundering Tiger Spear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Zhengnan was terrified; he wiped sweat from his forehead and said to Li Banfeng, “Lord, I’m not criticizing your gift, but next time you hand over something like this, at least seal it first.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You just gave it to me like this—I nearly lost my soul just holding it! This pouch probably won’t last much longer.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng sighed: “Only the side building beside us can seal this spear.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But I broke its seal, and now I can’t think of anything that can contain it again.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Zhengnan looked at his pouch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was still convulsing, appearing terribly weakened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was his most important spiritual item; Luo Zhengnan watched it with pain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s getting late—I should leave. We’ve known each other this long; we’re friends. The road ahead is long—look out for each other in the future, Lord. Until we meet again.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Luo Zhengnan about to leave, Li Banfeng politely offered: “Lord Luo, don’t rush—I’ve prepared some light wine. Let’s have a few cups together.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Zhengnan waved him off: “I’m a straightforward man—I’ll speak plainly. Having this thing on me makes me uneasy every second. Once I’ve dealt with it, I’ll come to your estate to pay my respects.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that, Luo Zhengnan left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he stepped out of the fortress, Wan Jinxian was still setting up his fortune-telling stall on the street.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Luo Zhengnan hurry away in a fluster, Wan Jinxian immediately sent a message to He Jiaqing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Jiaqing, Lao Luo just came out of the fortress. He looked frantic—probably sealed the deal.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sealed it? So fast?” He Jiaqing thought Luo Zhengnan shouldn’t act so recklessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t think it’s fast at all!” Wan Jinxian was deeply worried. “It’s not just Luo Zhengnan who came out—the others from Jiang Xiang’s gang left the fortress too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Jiaqing froze: “Are they pulling out?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wan Jinxian said: “Yesterday, the Tiemen Fortress held a victory banquet. A group of Zhai Xiu got drunk to the point of collapse, and the seals on the forbidden zone were torn off.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Today, Luo Zhengnan entered the fortress in the morning and was running out by noon. I fear this isn’t just a deal sealed—it’s likely already completed!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Jiaqing gritted his teeth, nearly falling off his sickbed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lao Wan, you must follow Luo Zhengnan closely. Don’t let him leave Tiemen Fortress. If the item is on him, retrieve it at any cost!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>PS: Luo Zhengnan accomplished a great deed—he bought back a great treasure for eight hundred thousand silver dollars.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But can he even take this “great treasure” away?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1889,"2026-06-20T03:43:16.386Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","0ffd4408befaae1bfd7f9db10b624eeb0c9fe58aca488de2410d7140f0c2cbc4","lord-of-the-proles-chapter-232","lord-of-the-proles-chapter-230",863,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Flord-of-the-proles-cover.jpg"]