[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-lord-of-the-proles":3,"chapter-lord-of-the-proles-lord-of-the-proles-chapter-57":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},2290355,4478,"Chapter 57: Blood-Soaked Pendulum","lord-of-the-proles-chapter-57",57,"\u003Cp>Li Banfeng chopped the pendulum into Rong Jin’an’s skull.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rong Jin’an lay on the ground, his body convulsing violently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng had known he wasn’t dead; though Rong Jin’an played it well, Li Banfeng could sense danger emanating from him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He brought him back to the Residence to please the House Spirit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t quite a House Spirit—Li Banfeng didn’t even know her name.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For now, he’d still call her Madam.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Madam said the food never stayed fresh, and Li Banfeng felt ashamed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ssssh~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The phonograph stirred to life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clang clang clang~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The phonograph had waited a long time: “My lord~~ You truly cherish your humble servant, bringing back such a fresh delicacy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng nodded: “Madam, please dine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you, my lord~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A wisp of steam enveloped Rong Jin’an; his body trembled even more fiercely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suck-suck~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng thought he heard the sound of slurping noodles, but he couldn’t tell what the phonograph was slurping.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only Rong Jin’an knew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, the phonograph was slowly devouring his soul, a sensation like someone slicing his flesh with a knife, cut after cut.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wanted to die quickly, but he couldn’t die yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the midst of unbearable agony, Rong Jin’an remembered Qin Xiaopang, who had wanted to die but couldn’t.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While Madam slurped his soul, Li Banfeng continued observing Rong Jin’an’s wound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why wasn’t it bleeding?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment’s study, Li Banfeng understood: it was bleeding—but the blood had just emerged when the pendulum swallowed it, leaving no trace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The pendulum drank blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Using a blade that drank blood, combined with Luo Yujun’s pendulum, they forged a pendulum that drank blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng glanced at the bronze lotus: “Why go through such unnecessary trouble?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bronze lotus remained silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng pulled the pendulum out of Rong Jin’an’s skull.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The pendulum, now saturated with blood, had turned from bright silver to copper-red. Li Banfeng touched it—felt nothing unusual.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beneath the pendulum was a small screw, used to adjust its length. Li Banfeng noticed the screw had reached the pendulum’s end, as if about to fall off, so he twisted it twice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instantly, golden grease gushed from the pendulum—most splattered on the floor, some landed on the phonograph.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Madam, who had been slurping the soul, immediately stopped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She swallowed the remaining half of the soul, then sang in slow rhythm: “My lord, do you know how hard it is to clean up this grease all over the floor?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The lyrics were soft, yet carried a hint of killing intent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Li Banfeng picked up the broom and began mopping the floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The phonograph sang again: “My lord, how am I to clean myself, covered in this filth?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Li Banfeng wiped the phonograph’s casing with the mop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My lord, is it proper to clean me with a mop?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The lyrics grew sharper with killing intent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng dropped the mop, fetched a handkerchief, and carefully wiped Madam.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The phonograph continued: “My lord, that wretched Honglian forged you a weapon but never told you how to use it—she doesn’t hold you in the slightest regard. If you don’t teach her a lesson, where is the family law?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng turned and glared at the bronze lotus: “What you did is wrong!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bronze lotus opened its petals, looking ashamed, swallowed Rong Jin’an’s corpse, then closed again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“She knows she’s wrong!” Li Banfeng continued wiping the casing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My lord, you’ve worked hard—household chores are best left to your humble servant.” Madam’s anger subsided; a wisp of steam drifted over, and the grease on the floor and casing vanished, sinking into the bucket beside them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once cleaned, the phonograph spoke again: “My lord, bring me that weapon—I wish to hear what she has to say.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Say?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could the pendulum speak?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng placed the pendulum beside the phonograph.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The phonograph and pendulum seemed to converse, but Li Banfeng heard nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, a wisp of steam turned the pendulum glowing red.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The phonograph beat a steady rhythm and scolded sharply: “You wretched thing—I ask you a question, answer properly. How dare you talk back?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The pendulum was indeed speaking to the phonograph—Li Banfeng just couldn’t hear it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a few more minutes, the phonograph sang slowly: “My lord, put away this wretch—henceforth, call her Blood-Soaked.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blood-Soaked?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What did that name mean?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It drinks blood?” Li Banfeng didn’t understand. “What’s the difference from that short sword before?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clang clang clang~ the phonograph replied: “It drinks blood, and it spits it out. Drink the blood of an Oil Cultivator, it spits oil. Drink the blood of a Smoke Cultivator, it spits smoke.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What if it drinks the blood of a Wine Cultivator?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It spits wine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What if it drinks the blood of a Food Cultivator?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It spits blood.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What use is spitting blood?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That use is great—Food Cultivator’s blood heals wounds, House Cultivator’s blood purges toxins, Traveler Cultivator’s blood makes legs nimble, Joy Cultivator’s blood lets my lord ride wild in the bedchamber~~ huuu~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng suddenly understood: the Blood-Soaked Pendulum could spit not only at others, but at himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A fine weapon—truly a fine weapon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng quickly stowed the pendulum, wanting to ask more—but the phonograph’s flames died, falling silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eat and sleep—Madam’s life followed strict rhythm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng too felt weary; he lay on the bed and stretched comfortably.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That visit to the old lady’s house brought rich rewards!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only problem: he still didn’t know what the Red Pill was for.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ask Madam?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Madam was asleep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He should’ve asked that Mouth Cultivator—she read a lot, surely knew something about elixirs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What was her name again?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Yeci and her daughter Lu Chunying stood before the He family’s old mansion, hesitating to enter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such a vast estate, yet the courtyard was empty—even no gatekeeper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Western-style house was pitch-black; no one knew if anyone was inside. Xiao Yeci told Lu Chunying: “Baby, don’t be afraid—follow Mama.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Chunying thought a moment: “Mama, I still believe that person—this place is forbidden.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Where else can we go? We came to Yaowang Gully to find your sister.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We’ve little money left—if we delay any longer, we’ll be sleeping on the streets!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They lingered at the gate a moment, then resolved to enter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Baby, follow Mama—don’t be afraid. Your sister wrote to us—why should we fear?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they stepped through the gate, faint light flickered in the dark Western house.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The light came from the second floor—a candle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gaunt Lu Xiaolan stood by the second-floor window, holding a candle, waving at the mother and daughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Come, come~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Xiaolan didn’t know who they were.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She didn’t recognize them; she hadn’t written them a letter; she didn’t know she had a long-lost sister; she didn’t know why this mother and daughter had come to the He family mansion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Except for Li Banfeng, she couldn’t reach anyone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it didn’t matter—as long as someone came.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone to take her place was enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Come, come~” Lu Xiaolan called anxiously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Yeci seemed to hear Lu Xiaolan’s voice, but couldn’t be sure it came from her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Baby, is that your sister?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Chunying shook her head: “She doesn’t look like her.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Yeci thought again: “Didn’t you say you’d never met your sister?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I never met her,” Lu Chunying looked at the gaunt Lu Xiaolan, shivered, and said, “but I feel—she’s not her.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Yeci pressed her lips: “If she’s not her, then let’s go. It’s late—we shouldn’t disturb others.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then where should we go?\" Lu Chunying was also at a loss. \"Are we really going to sleep on the street?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Ye Ci thought for a long time: \"Aren't we still able to find Master Qiu the steward? Let’s go ask him for a place to stay.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Chunying was deeply troubled: \"We don’t even know who Master Qiu is. Why would he recognize me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Ye Ci looked at Lu Xiaolan inside the Western-style house and swallowed hard: \"You don’t know who Lu Xiaolan is either. Let’s still go find Master Qiu and see if we get lucky.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they spoke, Lu Xiaolan pounded hard on the window, as if urging them to come in quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let’s go,\" Xiao Ye Ci grabbed Lu Chunying’s hand and quickly left the He family’s old mansion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>PS: Dear readers, have a pleasant weekend!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1387,"2026-06-20T03:43:13.043Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","f5d00a64c9ab947121a6fca10c239cc3b1a933c7d7b04fdadc3f76c340f1340d","lord-of-the-proles-chapter-58","lord-of-the-proles-chapter-56",863,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Flord-of-the-proles-cover.jpg"]