[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-lord-of-the-proles":3,"chapter-lord-of-the-proles-lord-of-the-proles-chapter-59":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},2290357,4478,"Chapter 59: Write an IOU","lord-of-the-proles-chapter-59",59,"\u003Cp>Do you need to pay a price just to use a magic treasure?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Does “price” mean you have to pay a cost?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Do all magic treasures come with a cost?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What is the cost of the copper lotus?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng wanted to chat more, but the phonograph fell silent—she was tired.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This isn’t even crucial—it’s just makeup.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crucial part is that I’ve now reached the level of a Home Cultivator: not only has my strength surged, but for now, I don’t have to worry about Traveler suppression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng was in high spirits; he no longer disturbed his wife’s rest—he still needed to visit Qin Xiaopang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leaving the Portable Dwelling, Li Banfeng went to the riverbank and washed off his heavy makeup under the watchful eyes of a group of washerwomen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The women whispered among themselves:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is this person male or female? Why dress like that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Could he be a rabbit from Beehive Alley?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Look at how high his peach is—definitely from Beehive Alley!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beehive Alley has men’s brothels.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Rabbit” means a male courtesan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng had no patience to explain to these shallow people—he hurried toward Yu’s Cloth Shop, but halfway down the street, before he even reached it, a carriage blocked his path.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The driver asked: “Sir, are you hiring a carriage?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng froze: “I didn’t hire one.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The driver ignored Li Banfeng’s answer and went on: “In this area, the fare is twenty.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng didn’t understand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’m not riding—why are you talking to me about fare?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The driver didn’t consider Li Banfeng’s thoughts—he pulled open the carriage curtain: “Please step inside.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng looked up—the carriage held someone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The person wore a black suit and a flat black top hat, its brim pulled low; though his face was hidden, Li Banfeng knew this was a man with conscience.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite his best efforts to conceal it, his conscience had swelled slightly—and couldn’t escape Li Banfeng’s fiery golden eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a woman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman lifted her head—Li Banfeng immediately recognized her: it was Yu Nan, the cloth shop owner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No wonder everyone called her “Male Auntie”—when dressed as a man, anyone without sharp eyes couldn’t tell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng got in; the driver pulled the curtain shut and immediately drove off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Madam Yu, where are you headed?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Nan lit a cigarette: “I’m going with Seventh Master to visit Old Man Qin.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng asked seriously: “Are you dressed like this because you’re planning to run away?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Nan choked on her smoke, coughing several times: “In the Jianghu, there’s reciprocity. Yesterday we struck at Rong Jin’an—now it’s Geng’s Medicine Shop’s turn to strike back at us.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng asked: “Do they blame you? Do they have proof?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Nan shook her head: “No proof needed—I have a grudge against Rong Jin’an, and the Geng family knows it well. Even if I didn’t do it, they’ll think I did. That’s the Jianghu.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We used a covert strike against Rong Jin’an; Geng’s Medicine Shop will surely use a covert strike against us. Covert arrows are hard to guard against—I must hide for a few days in my hometown, Baixiang Village.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Until when?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Until Geng’s Medicine Shop is willing to bring this into the open and negotiate properly with me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng was astonished: “Can this even be negotiated?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Nan lit another cigarette, drew a deep breath: “We all do business in Li Gou. The Geng family can’t afford to make a permanent enemy of me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Covert arrow against covert arrow, spear against spear—you give me an inch, I give you a foot. Reciprocity—that’s the Jianghu code.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whenever she spoke of the Jianghu code, Yu Nan carried an innate sense of superiority.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Li Banfeng still didn’t understand what she meant by “Jianghu.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If this can be negotiated, why didn’t you approach the Geng family earlier?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Nan sighed: “The Geng family has strong influence. I invited them for tea to clear the air, but they refused me face. So I had no choice but to strike covertly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng was curious about how powerful Geng’s Medicine Shop really was: “Does the Geng family control all of Medicine King Gou?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Nan sneered: “The Geng family is nowhere near that level. In Medicine King Gou, the He family once held the strongest banner. But in the past two years, the He family has declined, while the Lu family has risen—most of the business now belongs to the Lu family.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I heard the He family’s eldest son is to marry the Lu family’s daughter. In the end, Medicine King Gou will still be theirs.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The He and Lu families marrying?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could she mean He Jiaqing and Lu Xiaolan?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Jiaqing was lying in bed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Xiaolan was confined in her mansion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Given their current conditions, marriage might be difficult.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In Medicine King Gou, after the He and Lu families, is the Geng family next?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Nan exhaled smoke: “Beyond the two great families, there are the Han, Bai, Huang, Lu, and Liu families—all major banners in Medicine King Gou.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Compared to them, the Geng family is merely a junior. But last year they allied with the Jiangxiang Gang—and that’s when they grew bold.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Which family does the Jiangxiang Gang belong to?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Nan laughed: “You speak of families as white-path banners. The Jiangxiang Gang is a black-path banner. Black path—that’s Jianghu.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng tried hard to make sense of it: “So on the black path, the Jiangxiang Gang holds the greatest power?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Nan glanced at Li Banfeng: “Seventh Master, what was your original trade? You strike hard—but you know none of the Jianghu rules.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng said: “I used to run legitimate business. Now I’m still legitimate.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To help Li Banfeng understand, Yu Nan gave a vivid analogy: “The Three Heroes Sect, Qingyun Society, Hundred Flowers Gate—these are true great sects.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“These sects are towering figures. The Jiangxiang Gang is at most a dog. But when a dog is desperate, it can bite. When a man is angry, he can crush a dog underfoot.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng didn’t understand: “If it’s just a dog, why are you afraid of them?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Nan had no answer to this question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Logically, she should admit she was worse than a dog.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could this Seventh Master be so tactless!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was he clueless—or was he doing it on purpose?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Old Man Qin is in Baixiang Village—it’ll take half a day to get there.” Yu Nan changed the subject.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuezhou had a Baixiang Hall that sold medicine. From the name, Li Banfeng assumed Baixiang Village must be a place that produced herbs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since Yu Nan’s hometown was Baixiang Village, she likely understood some herbal medicine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng pulled out a red pill and asked: “Madam Yu, do you recognize this pill?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Nan picked up the pill, studied it for a moment, then widened her eyes: “Seventh Master, where did you get this pill?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng smiled: “A friend gave it to me—but didn’t say what it does.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This excuse was weak—how could someone give such a precious pill without explaining its use?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Nan didn’t press further. She stared at the pill again, then said: “If I’m not mistaken, this is a Xuanchi Pill—one pill equals ten days of cultivation.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Madam Yu has sharp eyes!” Li Banfeng praised calmly, as if he knew the pill and was testing her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Nan shook her head: “I have no sharp eyes—I’m far worse than Feng the Shopkeeper at identifying pills.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I recognized it as an Xuanchi Pill because I once saw one sold—back then, the price was 150,000 per pill. I don’t know the current rate.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that, Yu Nan returned the pill to Li Banfeng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng immediately tucked it away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>150,000 per pill?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I originally planned to give you one—now I can’t just hand it out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is this pill really worth that much?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng asked: “I recall Sheban Pills cost 10,000 each and grant one day’s cultivation. Xuanchi Pills grant ten days—logically, they should sell for 100,000. Why 150,000?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Nan paused, wondering if he was testing her again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She explained: “All medicine carries poison—elixirs even more so. Even the most toxin-resistant Poison Cultivators dare not consume many pills.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ten Sheban Pills mean ten times the toxicity. One Xuanchi Pill means only one pill’s toxicity. So naturally, Xuanchi Pills are more valuable.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Taking pills comes at a cost.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Xuanchi Pill’s effect is ten times that of the Sheban Pill—but one pill still equals only ten days of cultivation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eat a hundred pills—that’s a thousand days of cultivation. Eat a thousand pills—that’s ten thousand days.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ten thousand days is less than thirty years. In cultivation base, that’s barely Level Four.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One pill at 150,000—thousand pills cost 150 million.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ten levels grant triple lifespan. The path of cultivation is too hard!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Forget it—I’ll just earn more money and find a way to get a travel permit, then return to Yuezhou and live in peace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Madam Yu, do you have connections at the Border Control Office?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Nan thought a moment: “Not exactly connections—I’ve had some dealings. If you need a travel permit, I can arrange it—but it’ll cost something.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Cost is no problem,” Li Banfeng said confidently about his current finances. “I’d truly appreciate your help with this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Nan nodded: “Wait until the heat dies down, then I’ll arrange it for Seventh Master. Where are you going? If it’s Green Water Bay, it’s easy. Pants Belt Cliff isn’t hard either. But if you’re headed to Sea-Eat Ridge, it won’t be easy at all.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Going to the Sea to eat the Ridge isn’t easy, is it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng had imagined the situation far too optimistically.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Li Banfeng remain silent for a long while, Yu Nan ventured: “Seventh Master, you’re thinking of going to Ku Dai Kan to pass a few days, aren’t you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had great confidence in Ku Dai Kan, but Li Banfeng had no interest in it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What if we go to Waizhou?” Li Banfeng asked directly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Nan immediately shook her head: “That’s beyond me. Not even San Tou Cha is accessible to ordinary people, let alone Waizhou. I can’t help you with this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng smiled: “No matter. I was just curious.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After half a day, the driver brought the carriage to Baixiang Village.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng had assumed Baixiang Village was a medicinal township, but he was wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was called Baixiang Village because most households grew tobacco, and every home carried the scent of tobacco leaves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was a gathering place for Smoke Cultivators.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng stepped down from the carriage and followed Yu Nan into a small courtyard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The courtyard had three tiled houses and one storage shed. Having traveled through many places in Yaowang Gou for cultivation, Li Banfeng knew such a compound was standard for a middle-class household in any village.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Middle-class households didn’t have many servants, but they hired long-term and short-term laborers, and sometimes one or two personal attendants.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Nan didn’t usually live in this outlying residence; there were no attendants here, and the house had just been cleaned by the fabric shop’s clerk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Pan lived in the eastern wing, attended by one clerk. His spell had not yet been lifted; he lay on the bed, his lower body still frozen in a kneeling posture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Nan asked the clerk: “Have you called a physician?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The clerk replied: “Yes. The physician said it’s a curse—medicine won’t help.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Nan added: “I’ll go tomorrow to ask Master Yao to lift the curse.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The clerk replied: “Madam, I went to see Master Yao this afternoon. He came and examined him, but said this won’t be resolved for less than two hundred thousand.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Nan looked at Li Banfeng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The meaning was clear: they were partners. Yu Nan sought revenge; Li Banfeng sought to save a life. Each got what they wanted, and neither owed the other.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After success, Yu Nan’s willingness to find a place to settle Qin Xiao Pan was already more than generous. Paying for his treatment? She wouldn’t spend a copper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qin Xiao Pan lifted his head, gazing at Li Banfeng. On his pale face, he forced a faint smile: “Brother Li, you saved my life. I can never repay this debt.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t want to be a useless cripple for the rest of my life. Give me a quick end—I’ll repay you in my next life as a beast of burden.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Next life isn’t out of the question,” Li Banfeng murmured, licking his lips. “But even if you’re reborn immediately, to repay me, you’d have to wait eighteen years. That’s too long—the interest is impossible to calculate.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Here’s what we’ll do: write me an IOU first.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2122,"2026-06-20T03:43:13.043Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","1506944b4c453d0ab7a397b10c260f7869db236a6a7c2200831b9b68589e8b31","lord-of-the-proles-chapter-60","lord-of-the-proles-chapter-58",863,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Flord-of-the-proles-cover.jpg"]