[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-lord-of-the-proles":3,"chapter-lord-of-the-proles-lord-of-the-proles-chapter-261":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},2290559,4478,"Chapter 261: The Identity of","lord-of-the-proles-chapter-261",261,"\u003Cp>“Jiaqing, today Chen Zhangrui from the Dark Star Bureau came to see me. He stayed a long time—he may have noticed something’s wrong.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you lie still, how could he notice anything?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This isn’t his first visit. Last time, he brought a physician to run multiple tests on me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The doctor told him everything was normal, but he still didn’t believe it. He even told his subordinates that my condition was off—I suspect he’s already figured it out.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother, hold on for two more days. I’ll be back in two days.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Jiaqing, this Chen fellow is too dangerous—you must come back as soon as possible.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zhou Changhong” severed the connection, standing in a grove of trees, silently gazing into the distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment, he wiped the bloodstains from his face. That earth god, Qiu Luoye, had a terrible temper and hit hard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could no longer step into the territories of Qiu Luoye or Shuiyongquan, or the consequences would be severe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is there a way to evade the watch of Shuiyongquan and Qiu Luoye and still strike the set?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There is a way, but the risk is too great.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just give up?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just let Ma Wu finish filming this movie?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or force Ling Miaoying to change careers?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Changing careers is unacceptable—his goal isn’t to make money.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wait for the Border Warden to intervene?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the looks of it, they won’t intervene.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Have Lu Xiaolan act from the shadows?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She probably doesn’t have the courage. If she dares leave her own territory now, she’ll be dead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why did Ma Wu come to Xin Di to film a movie?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is such a reckless move really Ma Wu’s idea?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Zhengnan, boss of the Medicine King Hall of the Jiangxiang Gang, sat on the terrace listening to the radio:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Dear listeners, the film ‘Blood Spear Detective III,’ directed by Ma Junyang, is about to be released. Public opinion is divided—summed up in one sentence: criticism and anticipation coexist.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Today we’ve invited Luo Guangxun, editor-in-chief of the magazine ‘Film New Talk,’ to analyze the film’s trajectory from a professional critic’s perspective.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hello, listeners. I’m Luo Guangxun. Everyone knows the ‘Blood Spear Detective’ series challenges the moral values of Pulu Province, yet it also offers the film industry a new direction.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Especially with the third film’s shooting location chosen in Xin Di—its mystique adds even more appeal…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Zhengnan smiled: “This old man Ma is truly a troublemaker—he went to Xin Di to film. He doesn’t fear…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhum~ Zhum~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Zhengnan’s skull trembled, and a string of numbers appeared before his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this number, he really didn’t want to answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the caller kept dialing, so Luo Zhengnan finally picked up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Boss, you called me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lao Luo, you’re getting harder to reach. Still angry about last time’s deputy boss matter?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Boss, you’re overthinking. I’m a veteran of the gang—I know the big picture. I never hold grudges. I fully accept the gang’s decisions.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“With that assurance, I’m relieved. I’m not a man who breaks his word—I’ve kept the deputy boss position open for you. When the right moment comes, I’ll put you in immediately.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you, Boss, for your trust!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lao Luo, I called you because I need you to find out something: Has anyone named ‘En Gong’ been active in the Back Third Lands of Pulu Province lately?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Back Third Lands? I know little about that area.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s why I’m sending you. This ‘En Gong’ is young but has high cultivation. He moves fast—he’s likely a wandering cultivator. Ruthless in action, arrogant in nature. Find out what you can and report back immediately.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Boss, I’ll spare no effort to carry out your orders!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Carry out?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’ll carry out your mother’s egg!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Zhengnan hung up and resumed listening to the radio.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Zhenggong drove while muttering to himself:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“En Gong…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who would name themselves that?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Young, high cultivation, arrogant, ruthless… this description sounds suspiciously like him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could it really be him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His cultivation level has always been unclear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he’s been lying in the hospital—logically, he shouldn’t have had a chance to go to Jianren Gang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unless…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Zhenggong suddenly stopped the car in the middle of the road, ignoring the honking behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was thinking about something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Zhangrui has been visiting the hospital frequently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He said He Jiaqing’s condition was off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn’t say exactly what was wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could the man lying in bed not be He Jiaqing?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could the real He Jiaqing have gone to Jianren Gang causing trouble?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is this kid really that bold?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Zhenggong’s gaze darkened. He turned the car around at the intersection and headed straight for Yuezhou Third Hospital.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the ward, he stared at He Jiaqing lying in bed for a long time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you He Jiaqing?” Xiao Zhenggong asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Jiaqing didn’t move. No response.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Zhenggong added: “If you’re an imposter, don’t pretend. The heat’s died down—I’m planning to kill He Jiaqing. You don’t want to be his scapegoat, do you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Jiaqing remained silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Zhenggong slapped He Jiaqing’s face: “I’m giving you one last warning. Next time, I’ll act for real.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Jiaqing, Xiao Zhenggong from the Dark Star Bureau came again. He said he’s going to kill me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He says he’s going to kill me every day. Brother, don’t worry—he won’t dare.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When will you come back?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Just a few more days—that’s all!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Zhenggong returned to his villa, where a beautiful blonde woman waited in the living room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Boss Xiao, did you call me for affection or for business?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Zhenggong stepped forward and embraced Ailiya, smiling: “Isn’t it the same thing?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ailiya touched Xiao Zhenggong’s face: “If it were affection, you wouldn’t be so urgent. Let’s talk business first.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Zhenggong nodded: “You know me too well. Has your brother come to Waizhou?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, he’s here on business. He leaves tomorrow.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ask him to come over. I need to keep him one extra day.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Keeping him one extra day isn’t hard—but you know the price.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You say that? When have I ever shortchanged him?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next day, Xiao Zhenggong brought a bouquet to visit He Jiaqing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He sent the nurse away, placed the flowers on the table, and stood beside the bed, staring at He Jiaqing for a long time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I gave you a chance. Since you won’t speak, I’ll assume you really are He Jiaqing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After speaking, Xiao Zhenggong placed the flowers in the vase, took a bottle of mineral water from his waist, and poured it over the flowers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After watering the flowers, Xiao Zhenggong turned and left the ward, standing silently at the door watching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One minute later, the flowers bloomed. From their centers, a cluster of golden pollen, alive, slipped into He Jiaqing’s nostrils.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This pollen was indeed alive—it was Cui Ti’s creation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Within thirty seconds after blooming, the pollen would find any human within two meters and parasitize their body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If no host was found within two meters, the pollen would die instantly, leaving no trace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Zhenggong left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Jiaqing, lying in bed, felt an odd sensation in his throat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An hour later, he felt alternating chills and fever.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fever?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the monitors showed no significant change in his temperature.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His throat was dry and itchy, and he dared not make a sound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When night fell, while the nurse went to the bathroom, He Jiaqing covered his mouth and coughed twice, finding his palm drenched in blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What’s going on?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The salty, metallic blood filled his mouth; “He Jiaqing” was frantic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Jiaqing, that Xiao Zhenggong used some trick on me—I think I’m seriously ill. I’m coughing up blood, nonstop. I really can’t hold on anymore…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I told you, I’ll be back soon. Hold on a little longer. If it’s not urgent, don’t keep calling me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next night, Xiao Zhenggong returned to the ward. After sending the nurse away, he smiled at He Jiaqing and asked, “Not enjoying the taste, are you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The taste really is unbearable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His chest burned as if on fire; blood kept flooding his throat. The doctors couldn’t detect anything wrong. He Jiaqing felt every breath was a struggle, yet he dared not show even a trace on his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Zhenggong lowered his gaze and said, “I’ll give you one last chance. Tell me—are you truly He Jiaqing?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you are, then I didn’t kill the wrong man. If you’re not, I can still save you right now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Zhenggong waited a moment, still smiling. “Still silent? Fine. Someone will come to collect your corpse soon.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Xiao Zhenggong reached the door, “He Jiaqing” opened his eyes: “Wait. I’m not He Jiaqing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s better,” Xiao Zhenggong walked back to the bedside. “First, who are you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m Zhou Changhong, from Puluozhou.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Zhenggong nodded. “The celebrity? I’ve heard of you. Why are you impersonating He Jiaqing here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He Jiaqing was going to Puluozhou. He asked me to take his place.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Puluozhou—the location matched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When did you start impersonating He Jiaqing?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Three months ago.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three months ago, someone called “En Gong” went to Jianren Gang—the timeline matched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s your relationship with He Jiaqing?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a pause, Zhou Changhong said, “He’s my benefactor.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Benefactor? Do you call him ‘En Gong’?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Changhong nodded. “I used to. But he said it sounded too formal. He told me to call him brother.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>En Gong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the name matched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Zhenggong pulled out a bottle of mineral water and handed it to Zhou Changhong. “Drink this. You’ll feel better soon. Tell me everything about this benefactor.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Back then, I was just a poor actor, running minor roles in theaters, barely able to afford a meal. He Jiaqing found me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He said my acting was professional, got me into the Dao of Drama Cultivation, and introduced me to Ling Miaoying…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Datou stepped out of the elevator and saw the nurse crouching by the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He glanced at the nurse—the man’s face was pale, his eyes glazed, his mind in a daze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d seen this before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone had entered the ward. Likely Xiao Zhenggong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Xiu’s perception wasn’t strong, but Xiao Zhenggong was at a high level. If Datou continued toward the ward, Xiao Zhenggong would sense him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Datou pulled a wireless earpiece from his pocket and slipped it into his ear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Through it, he faintly heard the conversation inside the ward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After listening a moment, Datou turned and took the elevator down, leaving the hospital.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jianren Gang, Shengxian Peak, the Sage’s residence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Between layers of corridors, the white-robed youth reported through the door: “Master, Second Brother has uncovered the identity of that thief—he’s He Jiaqing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who is he?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Son of He Haiqin, a wealthy merchant from Puluozhou.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How could a merchant’s son possibly defeat Cong Shixiang?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The white-robed youth said, “Second Brother says this man’s cultivation base is high, though not at the level of First Brother. I believe First Brother lost his soul fragment and is mentally impaired—he likely suffered a heavy defeat fighting He Jiaqing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Only mentally impaired? Unlikely,” the Sage’s breathing suddenly stopped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Sage had felt the aura of “En Gong.” He believed the man possessed genuine ability: “Where is he now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“According to Second Brother, this man was recovering outside the state, but has now returned to Puluozhou under the alias Zhou Changhong and has close ties with the wealthy Ling family.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Another merchant? All merchants are in Lüshui Bay. Go to Lüshui Bay. Have your Third Brother deliver a generous gift to an old friend of mine. Have him test He Jiaqing. If he can eliminate him, even better. If not, it doesn’t matter—but find out his Dao sect and cultivation level.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>PS: Who could the Sage’s friend possibly be?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1957,"2026-06-20T03:43:16.386Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","3d12961670e1080a815c56d2366a5f3b6f4f75cc0d39396d43aeaff22ea97427","lord-of-the-proles-chapter-262","lord-of-the-proles-chapter-260",863,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Flord-of-the-proles-cover.jpg"]