[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-lord-of-the-proles":3,"chapter-lord-of-the-proles-lord-of-the-proles-chapter-29":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},2290327,4478,"Chapter 29: Hard to Pluck a Beautiful Flower","lord-of-the-proles-chapter-29",29,"\u003Cp>As for forming a partnership, Little Fat wasn’t opposed—he and Li Banfeng weren’t even acquaintances, just had a brief encounter at the peddler’s stall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reason he’d given Li Banfeng so much help along the way was precisely to form a partnership.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now that he’d met this expert with the gold-rimmed glasses, Little Fat naturally didn’t refuse—he immediately agreed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he agreed, the other four around him also agreed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An insider speaking so sincerely—there was simply no reason to refuse him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The four others were: a middle-aged man in his fifties named Old Smoke Cannon, who claimed to be a Smoke Cultivator, Level One, never letting go of his tobacco pipe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A plump, beautiful woman in her twenties named Oil Peach, who claimed to be a Body Cultivator, just started, no level yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A half-grown girl of about fourteen or fifteen named Grass Leaf, who claimed to be a Medicine Cultivator, also just started, no level yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A young man in his early twenties named Tiger Cub, who claimed to be a Wu Xiu, Level One.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their names were clearly fake, and their cultivation bases and sect affiliations were equally dubious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since his own sect had already been guessed by the gold-rimmed glasses, Little Fat openly admitted: “I’m Little Fat, a Food Cultivator, no level.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When asked about Li Banfeng, Li Banfeng replied: “I’m Bai Sha, a Joy Cultivator, no level.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Little Fat froze, staring at Li Banfeng for a long moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Originally he’d introduced himself as Li Qi—whether Bai Sha was his real name didn’t matter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But when had he become a Joy Cultivator?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wasn’t he a Traveler Cultivator?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was he deliberately lying to the gold-rimmed glasses?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then was what he told me true?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gold-rimmed glasses were also curious, asking Li Banfeng: “You’re a Joy Cultivator? You came alone?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Joy Cultivators usually appear in pairs, for mutual cultivation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng pointed at Little Fat: “I came with him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All eyes turned to Little Fat, who fell silent for a moment, then unslung his pack and revealed the dried rations inside, saying to the group:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m a Food Cultivator. I can eat five catties of dried rations in one meal, sometimes ten. I’m telling the truth—I’ll prove it right now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gold-rimmed glasses addressed the group: “I’m Kai Shan, a Traveler Cultivator, Level One. I enjoy touring famous mountains and rivers—I’ve been to Kuwu Mountain a few times before, and I’ll point out anything worth noting on the path.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tiger Cub chimed in: “Big Brother Kai Shan, we all trust you—you’re our leader. When we harvest the flowers, we’ll give you two-tenths as per the road’s custom. What do you say?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this, the others were displeased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You just decide to take a cut? Did you ask us?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gold-rimmed glasses shook his head repeatedly: “I won’t take any of your flowers—these blooms are bought with lives.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’ve done you no favors; I help you, you help me—that’s mutual support, nothing more.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, the group grew even more respectful toward the gold-rimmed glasses—naturally, they accepted him as their leader.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Figures from the Medicine Guild were faintly visible through the thick fog; the gold-rimmed glasses led the group, following at a steady pace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ahead lay a stone bridge, a meter wide, just enough for two or three people to walk side by side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is Wu Hui Bridge,” the gold-rimmed glasses adjusted the nose pads of his glasses. “You may feel your throats tightening—that’s because you’ve already inhaled the poison mist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beyond Wu Hui Bridge lies the territory of Kuwu Mountain. I don’t know if your claimed cultivation bases are real, but I sincerely advise you: if you have no cultivation, don’t go further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every year, people without cultivation climb Kuwu Mountain hoping for luck—but none of them ever return alive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’m not blocking your path to wealth—I’m urging you to think carefully.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The group exchanged glances, silent. Tiger Cub sneered: “Big Brother Kai Shan, you’ve said it all. If anyone still doesn’t get it, they’re asking for death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Girl, I can tell you have no cultivation—I say you should turn back now, while you still can.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The girl, Grass Leaf, lowered her head, blushing: “I really am a Medicine Cultivator. I understand herbs—I can help.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tiger Cub glanced again at Old Smoke Cannon: “You’re an old man. Even if you do have cultivation, you won’t be useful on the mountain, will you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Smoke Cannon smiled: “We’ll see.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one showed any sign of retreating—the seven of them crossed the bridge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the other side, Li Banfeng felt his throat tighten, and began coughing in waves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng had entered his sect under heavenly light—he lacked the long-term accumulation others had, and his physical weaknesses showed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gold-rimmed glasses frowned: “Brother, you really do have cultivation, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng nodded: “Yes. Joy Cultivator.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Smoke Cannon chuckled: “Joy Cultivators are frail—they can’t withstand Kuwu mist. That’s understandable.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke, everyone turned to look at Little Fat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Little Fat puffed out his chest: “I’m a Food Cultivator.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gold-rimmed glasses told Li Banfeng: “Brother, if you can’t hold up on the mountain, turn back early—don’t let greed cost you your life.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Grass Leaf pulled a palm-sized cloth bag from her bosom and took out a sugar cube.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Big Brother, suck on this medicine sugar—it works.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Medicine sugar?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What was this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng stared at the sugar cube, wondering whether to take it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing his hesitation, Grass Leaf put the sugar cube in her own mouth, then offered another to Li Banfeng: “Big Brother, I’m not bad.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To refuse now would be rude.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng put the sugar in his mouth—the cool, slightly sour juice slid down his throat, instantly relieving the dry, itchy pain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stopped coughing. This stuff really worked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng thanked her and continued walking with the group. After more than half an hour, they finally reached the foot of the mountain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A winding dirt path stretched upward, visibility limited to twenty or thirty meters—still no clear view of the mountain’s full shape.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sister, give me one too. When we sell the flowers, I’ll pay you,” said the plump beauty Oil Peach, who had begun coughing, asking Grass Leaf for a medicine sugar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mountain path was narrow and steep; the group walked in single file, Li Banfeng right behind Oil Peach.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng had seen many beautiful girls, but Oil Peach’s figure was truly rare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her hair styled in soft waves, dressed in a red-and-green qipao, her shoulders and back flowing smoothly, her waist slender enough to encircle with one hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially the two peach-like curves below her waist—plump, proud, large yet exquisitely refined, brimming with unique vitality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No wonder they called her Oil Peach.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This peach was flawless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was right before him, swaying step by step, swaying step by step…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was she really here to climb the mountain and pick flowers?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why wear a qipao to climb a mountain?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s clearly inconvenient!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is clearly meant to distract me!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng tried to shift his gaze away from those curves—when suddenly Oil Peach turned around and smiled at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her crescent-shaped eyes carried endless charm; that smile tightened Li Banfeng’s chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Little brother, are you really a Joy Cultivator? I heard Joy Cultivators can go seven or eight times a day without trouble.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng replied calmly: “Sister, you flatter me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oil Peach’s crimson lips trembled slightly as she whispered: “How about we spar sometime?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng shook his head: “My cultivation is still shallow—I’m no match for you, Sister.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oil Peach glanced at Little Fat behind Li Banfeng and smiled faintly: “Almost forgot—you’ve got a partner. You like round ones, not flat ones.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Little Fat wiped sweat from his brow: “I’m a Food Cultivator…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Traveler Cultivators are highly sensitive to distance; according to Li Banfeng’s estimate, the group had walked over five li along the path when a flower with black-and-white markings appeared beside the trail.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The flower’s shape was peculiar—each petal narrow at the top, wide at the bottom, white with black spots, like a snake’s head covered in scales.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snake-Spotted Chrysanthemum!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gold-rimmed glasses had described the Snake-Spotted Chrysanthemum’s features—Li Banfeng recognized it instantly; the flower matched his description exactly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Little Fat recognized it too, and was about to rush forward to pick it—when suddenly a man burst from the bushes beside the path, wielding a long-handled shears, snatching the flower first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Little Fat flew into a rage—not just because someone stole the flower, but because of who it was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man was the bald one they’d met before climbing the mountain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s him again!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Little Fat lifted his axe again—this time, he truly meant to strike.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bald man sneered: “Dumber than a pig—you miss every chance! What are you doing with that axe? Try swinging it!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gold-rimmed glasses blocked Little Fat—the bald man vanished into the bushes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Little Fat gritted his teeth: “That bastard—I’m going to chop him to pieces!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gold-rimmed glasses held him back: “One or two flowers by the roadside—don’t care. When we reach a good spot, there’ll be plenty.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Where’s this good spot?” Little Fat still wasn’t satisfied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gold-rimmed glasses glanced at the path—the Medicine Guild’s people had moved fast and were already out of sight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hurry up—see if we can catch up to them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Smoke Cannon lit his pipe and sucked hard, exhaling a cloud of white-tinged-yellow smoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The smoke shot forward swiftly; he chewed his pipe stem, savoring the taste.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They haven’t gone far—they took the right fork up ahead.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The tiger cub blinked in surprise: “Old bastard, don’t talk nonsense if you don’t know.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Smokepipe tapped his pipe twice: “If you don’t believe me, don’t follow us!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gold-Rimmed Glasses believed Old Smokepipe, because there truly was a forked path ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Turning right along the fork, they walked over an hour more; beyond the dense forest beside the mountain path, a clearing appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They’re right here,” Old Smokepipe stepped into the clearing, Gold-Rimmed Glasses right behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Traveling Cultivator moved quickly; Li Banfeng could have easily led the way, but he deliberately slowed, his eyes seemingly fixed on the two halves of the peach.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After searching the clearing for a moment, Li Banfeng spotted a flower with black-and-white markings at his feet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having watched peaches sway all along the way, he thought he was seeing things.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He bent down to look again—he wasn’t mistaken; it was indeed Snake-Spot Chrysanthemum.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pulled out his sickle and, following the method Gold-Rimmed Glasses had described below the mountain, pinched the stem and cut the flower just over an inch above the root.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first Snake-Spot Chrysanthemum, in hand!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>PS: Dear readers, have a pleasant weekend! It’s the end of the month—please vote for Salad and leave more comments for Salad!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1804,"2026-06-20T03:43:13.043Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","1722a28176e27abf8409e7de9b69e9fd65a70abda03b26984f26587d4d428696","lord-of-the-proles-chapter-30","lord-of-the-proles-chapter-28",863,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Flord-of-the-proles-cover.jpg"]