[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-lord-of-the-proles":3,"chapter-lord-of-the-proles-lord-of-the-proles-chapter-41":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},2290339,4478,"Chapter 41: Jiangxiang Bang","lord-of-the-proles-chapter-41",41,"\u003Cp>The patrolmen were right in front of him—what should Chu Yunlong do now?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Explain to the patrolmen: “I don’t know that man!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That won’t work—he’ll be taken back to the patrol station.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His background isn’t clean enough; he absolutely cannot go to the police station.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Say something else?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The patrolmen gave Chu Yunlong no chance to speak—they swung their clubs straight at his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One blow landed, and blood welled on Chu Yunlong’s forehead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He dared not fight back; with no other choice, he dodged the two patrolmen and burst out of the ticket hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside the ticket hall, Chu Yunlong saw no sign of Li Banfeng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course he couldn’t see him—Li Banfeng had dashed out of the ticket hall and immediately entered the Personal Dwelling, tossing the key into the tangled weeds outside the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Where the hell did that brat run off to?” Chu Yunlong cursed, then felt a sudden, searing pain at the back of his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud! Thud!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The patrolmen chased after him from the ticket hall, swinging their clubs again at his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Yunlong covered his head and sprinted toward the footbridge—there were many Chalu  there, a chance to escape.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Yunlong ran ahead; the two patrolmen chased behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng stepped out of the Personal Dwelling, watched the three figures vanish into the distance, and silently followed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The test of his legs had come—he couldn’t follow too closely, nor fall too far behind; he had to maintain the right speed and distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In truth, Li Banfeng didn’t control his pace well—he still couldn’t fully restrain his legs. At one point, he was less than ten meters from the patrolmen, nearly spotted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, he was a Zhai Xiu, and just emerged from a residence, carrying a subtle, unremarkable aura that made the patrolmen overlook him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, Chu Yunlong was too busy evading capture to notice Li Banfeng behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They ran through three entire alleys, all the way to the wastelands, until the patrolmen were exhausted and bruised, and gave up the chase.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Yunlong’s face was caked in blood; he leaned on his knees, gasping inside an abandoned house.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn’t understand Li Banfeng’s earlier actions—he didn’t know why Li Banfeng had stormed the ticket hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>True, he came from another province, but no matter where he came from or which station he boarded at, entering or leaving any part of Pulu Province required a travel permit—that was the rule.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Didn’t he know the rules?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then how did he get to Yaowanggou?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unless some powerful figure had bypassed the rules and bought him a ticket.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if such a powerful figure had indeed bought him a ticket, he still shouldn’t have stormed the ticket office.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Pulu Province, storming the ticket office led to extremely serious consequences.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His breathing gradually steadied; Chu Yunlong wiped the blood from his face, and his emotions calmed too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had Li Banfeng’s sudden outburst earlier been motivated by something else?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Did he know I was about to attack him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was he deliberately provoking the ticket clerk to escape me?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His speed was clearly that of a Lv Xiu—Lv Xiu do have the ability to sense danger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So his earlier quarrel with the ticket clerk was all an act!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He sensed my killing intent, provoked a disturbance, and tried to use it to escape.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That little brat is cunning!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Where could he go now?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just now I saw he had nothing on him—no bag, so the treasure wasn’t with him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I were him, I’d move that treasure right now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could I catch him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Immediately order my disciples to search near the station—Li Banfeng wouldn’t dare carry the Bronze Lotus on him; it’s probably hidden nearby…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While he was thinking, a sickle over ten centimeters long pressed against Chu Yunlong’s throat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who?” Chu Yunlong startled—he wasn’t strong in perception, but years on the road shouldn’t have let someone get this close without warning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unless the opponent’s cultivation base far surpassed his own.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or unless the opponent was a Zhai Xiu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the cultivation gap was too great, Chu Yunlong could only wait to die.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the opponent was a Zhai Xiu, Chu Yunlong wasn’t too worried—he had ways to deal with Zhai Xiu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother, let’s put down the blade first. We’re not enemies—let’s talk this out properly…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pfft—the sickle’s edge sliced into Chu Yunlong’s throat, warm blood gushing out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Yunlong was stunned—he’d intended to negotiate, but the man had struck without warning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who sent you?” Li Banfeng asked, holding the sickle, his tone calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was him!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was Li Banfeng!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Yunlong was dumbfounded—how had Li Banfeng gotten this close?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I sensed no aura at all?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is he a Zhai Xiu?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Impossible—based on earlier assessment, he was clearly a Lv Xiu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is his cultivation base far above mine?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the Sect Master said he had no cultivation base—he was a white lamb, a novice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Sect Master’s information must be unreliable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hss~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The blade sank deeper into his neck; Li Banfeng asked: “Won’t you speak?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pain and fear don’t lie—Li Banfeng was this ruthless; Chu Yunlong was certain Li Banfeng was no novice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Sect Master might have been deceived by him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More likely, I’ve been deceived by the Sect Master!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’s clearly a ruthless man, yet they called him a novice—this kind of thing, the Sect Master has done before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The blade began sinking deeper again; Chu Yunlong abandoned all thoughts of resistance or delay.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It was our Boss’s order!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t speak in underworld jargon—speak in words I understand!” Li Banfeng twisted the blade inside Chu Yunlong’s wound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Yunlong dared not use coded speech anymore: “My Sect Master sent me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What sect are you from? Who is your Sect Master?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’re from the Jiangxiang Bang. Our Sect Master’s surname is Xiao—Xiao Zhenggong.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng frowned: “Have I met your Sect Master?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Probably—you wouldn’t know, I’m not sure…” Chu Yunlong spoke truthfully—he had no idea what dealings Xiao Zhenggong had with Li Banfeng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng tightened his wrist; the sickle’s edge kept sinking into the throat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those who’ve walked the road know: men like Li Banfeng don’t reason—Chu Yunlong had no choice but to reveal everything he knew:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Our Sect Master is from another province—he’s from the Dark Star Bureau. You might know him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dark Star Bureau!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What does your Sect Master want with me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He said you have a treasure—he ordered us to kill you and retrieve it.” As he spoke, Chu Yunlong reached for the dagger at his waist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His movement was subtle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under these circumstances, he had no choice—he had to risk everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng was still pondering Xiao Zhenggong’s identity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Jiangxiang Bang came for me because of the Bronze Lotus.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So Xiao Zhenggong must be the “Xiao Team Leader” the big-eyed man mentioned on the phone!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’s the one who ordered my execution!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng asked again: “How many people are in your Jiangxiang Bang? Are all of you hunting me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Chu Yunlong didn’t rush to draw his dagger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng didn’t even know the Jiangxiang Bang—he seemed to know nothing about Pulu Province.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dealing with such a man didn’t require risk—he could be outwitted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking this, Chu Yunlong said: “Jiangxiang Bang disciples are scattered across Pulu Province—tens of thousands in total. Our Sect Master has issued orders—every Jiangxiang Bang disciple is now searching for you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Friend, I can tell you’re no ordinary man. Spare my life—I’ll become your inside man in the gang. I’ll warn you of any news ahead of time. If you’re just a little careful, they’ll never find you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once this storm passes, I’ll find some friends to get you a train ticket back to your province. Then, even if our Sect Master wants you, he’ll have to follow your province’s rules—he won’t be able to kill you on a whim like they do here in Pulu Province.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Yunlong had already gripped the dagger—he was a Wu Xiu, slightly slower than a Lv Xiu, but if he got one opening, Li Banfeng would die without doubt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng nodded: “Once I return to my province, I’ll change my name and vanish—your Sect Master will never find me again.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Yunlong replied sincerely: “Leave it to me! In three days, I’ll get the ticket. We’ve met under fire—we’re friends now. I’m truly determined to be your friend.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ask around in the Jiangxiang Bang or in Yaowanggou—find out who Chu Yunlong is, and you’ll know what kind of man I am!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your name is Chu Yunlong?” Li Banfeng liked the name very much—“Just hearing it, you sound like a good man!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Can you tell a good person just by their name?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That doesn’t make sense!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Chu Yunlong naturally wouldn’t argue with Li Banfeng: “I, Chu Yunlong, have roamed the Jianghu and never done anything to betray a friend. Since we’ve crossed paths like this, I’ll risk my life to keep you safe!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Li Banfeng was deeply moved: “Brother, you’re in great danger within the Men, so protect yourself too. Whatever happens between us, don’t tell anyone!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course, brother, rest assured—this secret is known only to heaven, earth, you, and me. No one else will ever find out.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Yunlong now had a clear measure of this Li Banfeng: his cultivation base wasn’t low, and his mind was sharp, but he was an outsider from another province—his heart wasn’t cruel enough, his hand wasn’t ruthless enough; he had no chance of surviving in Pulu Province.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few words could fool him—this man was truly a greenhorn. The Sect Master was right after all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thank goodness I didn’t fight him head-on just now. Waiting until he sheathed his blade was the safer move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment Li Banfeng moved the blade away from his neck, Chu Yunlong would kill him in the next instant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking of this, Chu Yunlong added: “Brother, you must believe me!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother, I believe you. I leave the rest to you,” Li Banfeng’s grip on the blade loosened slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Leave the rest to me, brother. Travel safely,” Chu Yunlong gripped the hilt tightly, waiting for Li Banfeng to sheath his blade so he could strike immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother, take care on your journey!” Li Banfeng retracted his sickle—and slit Chu Yunlong’s throat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Yunlong clutched his neck, staring in horror at Li Banfeng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng had sheathed his blade—but first, he had cut Chu Yunlong’s throat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The slight loosening of his wrist had been to facilitate the strike.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could this be?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wasn’t he already fooled?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shouldn’t it be him who’s dead now?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why did this happen…?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This bastard is truly ruthless!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I’d known this, I should’ve fought him head-on from the start!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Chu Yunlong’s fading vision, there was only despair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng comforted him: “Rest well on your journey. Don’t be so tense. It does hurt, but it’ll pass soon.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t worry—I truly believe you. You won’t be able to speak now, so you won’t tell anyone about us.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Relax a little more, yes—don’t be so tense. Close your eyes. Don’t keep staring at me. I feel quite guilty.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>PS: Our Banfeng feels awful—everyone, go comfort him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1864,"2026-06-20T03:43:13.043Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","7779f7e04d12d81d0945ed1568b57bba2e90c374272a7c43d2ff8e84abf1c91c","lord-of-the-proles-chapter-42","lord-of-the-proles-chapter-40",863,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Flord-of-the-proles-cover.jpg"]