[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-lord-of-the-proles":3,"chapter-lord-of-the-proles-lord-of-the-proles-chapter-51":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},2290349,4478,"Chapter 51: Husband, Go Buy Groceries","lord-of-the-proles-chapter-51",51,"\u003Cp>“Remember my affection, remember my love, remember that I wait for you every day—I wait for you to return, don’t you dare forget me, don’t you dare forget me~~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The phonograph sang a cheerful tune.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amid the cheerful song, Li Banfeng quietly moved toward the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I should just leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He felt the grandfather clock’s ferocity—he knew he had nearly died.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this phonograph seemed far more dangerous than the clock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Li Banfeng reached the door, the phonograph suddenly changed its voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The devoted girl singing to her lover had become a wandering songstress of the horizon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My love, where are you going?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Before you leave, take all the trash with you,”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The house is small, there’s no place to put the trash,”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My love, our trash truly has nowhere to go~~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She can even change the lyrics.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Do I really have the mood to care about the lyrics right now?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng pushed open the door to leave—when a stream of steam blocked his path.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My love, our trash truly has nowhere to go!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I—I’ll come back later and take out the trash.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng tried to leave again—the steam grew hotter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My love, our trash really has nowhere to go!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The song grew colder, the steam fiercer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng’s chest was drenched in sweat, his back chilled by icy dread.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he didn’t clear the trash, he suspected the phonograph would scald him to death with steam immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under pressure, Li Banfeng turned around, using the phonograph’s glow to search the room for trash.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the corner of the room, he found scraps of cloth—scraps left behind by Chu Yunlong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cloth scraps were sticky, coated with Li Banfeng’s own vomit—he stuffed them all into his sack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Did the phonograph clean up the vomit with these scraps?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She loves cleanliness!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is this phonograph a house spirit?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My Personal Dwelling is my home—I’ve already formed a bond with it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I speak its name, won’t it become my house spirit?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking this, Li Banfeng stared at the phonograph, sensing his bond with the Personal Dwelling; when his breath and rhythm aligned, he called out: “Sing…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wait!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What’s her name?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She doesn’t go by “phonograph.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as Luo Yujun isn’t called “grandfather clock.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment he said “Sing,” the phonograph responded instantly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My love, if you want me to sing, I’ll clear all the trash—then your little servant will sing for you~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Steam curled gently toward the wreckage of the grandfather clock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To the phonograph, even that was trash.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng didn’t dare delay—he quickly gathered the shattered clock face, scattered gears, broken pendulum, and loose wood shavings and springs into his sack, only then daring to leave the Personal Dwelling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside the door, he retrieved his key and exhaled deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No wonder the shopkeeper of Feng’s General Store sold me the phonograph so cheaply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No wonder he gave me so many other things.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This phonograph was an unowned house spirit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An unowned house spirit is equivalent to a malevolent spirit—its power far exceeds Luo Yujun’s, beyond Li Banfeng’s comprehension.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I can’t even say her name—what do I do now?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No, I must find Feng the shopkeeper and get answers!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng was just looking for a place to dump the trash when he suddenly felt eyes watching him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Danger!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng could clearly sense danger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Get out! This place is not safe to stay in!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng forced himself forward two steps—when a man suddenly appeared at the front door, blocking his path.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wore a white shirt and gray vest, chin tucked, eyes rolled upward, grinning half-open at Li Banfeng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was Luo Yujun’s lover—and the killer who murdered her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wasn’t he hanging from the willow tree?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How did he get down?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wasn’t alone—another man and a woman appeared beside him, and behind them, numerous shadows shifted restlessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A chilling presence came from behind—Li Banfeng turned and saw several men and women peering through the windows.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More spirits circled the house in the yard; some had half their bodies protruding from the walls.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All the spirits had descended from the trees—what was happening?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng thought for a moment and immediately understood the reason.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These spirits had been controlled by the house spirit Luo Yujun, serving her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now that Luo Yujun was gone, they were unbound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly, they were interested in Li Banfeng—once they helped Luo Yujun feast on flesh, now they wanted to taste it themselves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A woman rushed forward, extending her tongue toward Li Banfeng’s ear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She liked his taste.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng ducked—another man lunged at him with a knife.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Where did that knife come from?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dammit!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That short knife!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng had left the blood-drinking short knife outside the Personal Dwelling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Can ghosts wield that knife?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course they can!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Yujun used that knife to avenge herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man swung the short knife, slashing at Li Banfeng again and again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng swung his scythe in retaliation—the blade passed through empty air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn’t hit the ghosts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the ghosts could hit him!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even ghostly hands without weapons could strike—a spirit grabbed Li Banfeng and tore a strip of fabric from his clothes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What do I do now?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng retreated, dodging—until he had nowhere left to go. Large numbers of spirits poured through the walls, surrounding him completely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Retreat back into the Personal Dwelling?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But there are ghosts everywhere—where do I throw the key?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If these malevolent spirits pick up the key, it’ll be trouble!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No choice—force my way out!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng gritted his teeth and charged forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He took one step—and the ghosts inside vanished instantly?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They’re gone?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Did my aura scare them off?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nonsense!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The danger was still nearby—he could still sense it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He lunged for the door—only to find the ghosts blocking his path, smiling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They could appear or vanish at will.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These malevolent spirits were mocking Li Banfeng, like prey with nowhere to run.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The male ghost swung his knife again—in desperation, Li Banfeng raised his sack to block it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ghost slashed through the sack—its contents spilled across the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ghosts froze for a moment, then retreated—they saw the broken pendulum.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That pendulum was Luo Yujun’s relic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They retreated!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were afraid!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng’s eyes lit up; he seized the opportunity to pick up the pendulum, hoping to break through the ghostly encirclement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the ghosts quickly stopped retreating; they stood in place, silently staring at Li Banfeng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Are they stunned?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng stepped forward and kicked the man with the knife.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had texture—he was certain he’d kicked the man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Did I hit him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the texture wasn’t quite real; Li Banfeng felt as if his foot had sunk into muddy sludge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It really was like kicking into sludge—his right foot was stuck and wouldn’t pull free!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ghost had deliberately let him strike; it meant to trap him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It could vanish at will, appear at will, shift between illusion and reality at any moment—Li Banfeng never imagined ghosts could be this ruthless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wrapped its body around Li Banfeng’s leg and raised its knife to chop it off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng raised the pendulum; its golden glow illuminated the man’s face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man’s short knife froze midair; the ghost stared dumbly at the pendulum, unable to strike.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng struggled fiercely, but his right leg remained trapped; the surrounding ghosts slowly gathered closer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No other choice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng swiftly turned the key; he had no option but to retreat temporarily into the Personal Dwelling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he stepped over the threshold of the Personal Dwelling, he used the doorframe to wrench free the ghost Chanzhe  his right leg—he was about to shut the door when he suddenly realized the key was still in his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He must not leave the key inside the Personal Dwelling; even if the evil ghosts picked it up, he couldn’t leave it inside—otherwise, he’d be trapped here forever.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng immediately threw the key outside, but it was too late to shut the door—the evil ghosts had already pressed against it and burst in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A chilling wind howled; ghosts surged in like a tidal wave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the door of the Personal Dwelling finally slammed shut, over a hundred corpses piled atop one another, filling the room completely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Over a hundred pale faces, their eyes hollow, stared dumbly at the pendulum in Li Banfeng’s hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I shouldn’t have brought this thing in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The pendulum could temporarily repel the corpses, but the ghosts weren’t merely afraid of it—they were obsessed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng held the pendulum, squeezed among the corpses, searching for a solution.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A solution?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was there even a solution left?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chit-chit-chit~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clang-clang-clang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The phonograph was still running, but this time it didn’t play a song—it played gongs and drums.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Can she still perform opera?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course she can.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Playing opera records on a phonograph was the fashion in Puluozhou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among the records Feng Zhaogui had given Li Banfeng, two were selections by famous opera singers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the gongs and drums intensified, a clear, pure soprano voice rang out:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My lord~~~ you went to the market to buy vegetables, didn’t you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I bought vegetables…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is that what buying vegetables sounds like?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng didn’t know opera—he’d just let her say whatever she wanted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huuu~” the phonograph sang again, “The vegetables look good, but sadly, they’re not fresh~~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The singing stretched long and hazy; steam filled the Personal Dwelling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ghosts grew agitated; they felt fear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some ghosts rushed toward the door—but it was too late.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The steam suddenly boiled over; the gongs and drums in the phonograph erupted in unison.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clang! Clang! Clang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Over a hundred corpses, like fish caught in a net, shrieked and howled as they were sucked whole into the phonograph’s horn—leaving only Li Banfeng, unharmed, standing silently beside the machine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ate them?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She ate all the corpses!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So that’s what she meant by “buying vegetables”?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clang-clang-clang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The singing resumed: “My husband~~~ you love me so dearly, I’m overjoyed,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>but as the saying goes, prosperity comes from diligence and frugality, ruin from excess. Our marital affection should flow like a gentle stream—henceforth, you must not be so wasteful~ Waaah, burp-burp-burp~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A puff of steam shot out; the phonograph let out a satisfied burp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng shuffled step by step to the door and muttered two lines of spoken verse: “Wife, since you’re full, rest now!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you, my lord, for your kindness—I’m truly exhausted!” The flames died; the steam vanished; the phonograph fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng quickly left the Personal Dwelling, picked up the key, and sat by the door, gasping for breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He still clutched the pendulum; he’d wanted to throw it away, but thought it might have other uses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He found a clean cloth bag to store the pendulum, paused to think—and suddenly realized he’d forgotten something else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the Personal Dwelling, the short knife that liked to drink blood at midnight lay on the floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The phonograph had eaten the corpses—but not this knife.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sssss~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The copper lotus petals unfolded one by one; after a whirlwind passed, the knife was drawn into the lotus heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>PS: Dear readers, Shala swears on her conscience—this is definitely a good book!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1865,"2026-06-20T03:43:13.043Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","113edcdcf887f636a8360bfde3ab3a79d2adda15352e14e8ca511e8340c7fd74","lord-of-the-proles-chapter-52","lord-of-the-proles-chapter-50",863,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Flord-of-the-proles-cover.jpg"]