[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-lord-of-the-proles":3,"chapter-lord-of-the-proles-lord-of-the-proles-chapter-795":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},2291093,4478,"Chapter 795: Peaceful Living, Contented Work","lord-of-the-proles-chapter-795",795,"\u003Cp>The cost of the Dark Light Exorcism Technique is high; Li Banfeng didn’t rush to test Hong Ying’s suggestion: “Seven, we’ll stop here. Half-understood is enough—we just need a technique to hold up our cultivation, so we don’t accidentally use it and lose our base without realizing it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Xiaojuan thought this was inappropriate: “If you don’t learn the technique fully, your cultivation will never be stable.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng also felt they should learn the technique completely: “Every technique from the Clouds is extremely precious—how could we learn it half-heartedly?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides, the key to the portable dwelling is where we safeguard our lives—if we truly lost it, I’d gladly sacrifice my cultivation to strike that thief once, and it wouldn’t be a loss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He asked the Copper Lotus: “If I can emit Dark Light from my body, does that mean I’ve mastered the technique?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Copper Lotus said: “Emitting it isn’t enough—the key is catching up to the Spirit Seal. As long as the Dark Light can chase the Spirit Seal, you won’t have to worry about it anymore; once something is stolen, the Dark Light will pursue the thief.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng imagined the technique’s execution in his mind, then nodded to Zhao Xiaojuan: “I’ve learned it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Xiaojuan didn’t know if Li Banfeng had truly mastered it, but the technique was peculiar, and she didn’t want him to test it lightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng got out of bed and paced back and forth: “Next comes the urgent matter.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Xiaojuan thought Li Banfeng wanted to buy furniture; she glanced at Mengde: “Husband, it’s still early—the furniture shops aren’t open yet.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng shook his head: “Put that off for now—there’s something more urgent. I need to learn the sixth-layer technique of Zhai Xiu.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Xiaojuan stared in shock: “Husband, you’re rushing too much!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Didn’t you say yourself? Without a technique to support it, cultivation won’t be stable,” Li Banfeng crouched near the Copper Lotus. “Teach me the Wan Shi Ru Yi Technique.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Husband, you can’t learn that technique!” Zhao Xiaojuan panicked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the Copper Lotus worried for him: “Don’t think this is fun—if you learn both techniques half-heartedly and your cultivation collapses later, you won’t even have a place to cry.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who says I’m half-hearted? I’ve mastered the Dark Light Exorcism Technique well—I’ll leave a Spirit Seal on you right now, so no one dares steal you away.” Li Banfeng picked up a dagger, ready to prick his finger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Copper Lotus quickly blocked him with a lotus leaf: “Seven, why go to such lengths? We won’t leave a Spirit Seal.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I can’t go anywhere in the house—I’ll teach you the Wan Shi Ru Yi Technique right now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“To learn the Wan Shi Ru Yi Technique, you must master three techniques: first, the Zhai Xiu Beam Technique—know your household treasures by heart.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Second, the Earth Layer Seven Technique—An Ju Le Ye. Third, the Earth Layer Four Technique—Jin Wu Cang Jiao. Once you’ve shaped these three techniques, you can learn Wan Shi Ru Yi—whatever you wish for, appears.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng thought a moment: “Don’t I need to master the Gao Zhen Wu You Technique? Before learning Wan Shi Ru Yi, shouldn’t I first show the demeanor of the household head?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Copper Lotus sighed: “I agree the household head’s demeanor is vital, but Wan Shi Ru Yi has no connection to Gao Zhen Wu You. I’ve told you everything—practice the technique yourself.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng said: “You haven’t told me the key to Wan Shi Ru Yi.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Copper Lotus said: “Didn’t I say? Whatever you wish for, appears.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng frowned: “That’s the key?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Copper Lotus swayed her lotus leaf: “The key is simple and clear—even Hong Ying understands it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Ying snapped: “What? Are you looking down on me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng thought for a long while: “I think I’ve already shaped the Jia Zhen Zi Shu Technique somewhat, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes!” The Copper Lotus affirmed. “Forget other things—if your goal is Wan Shi Ru Yi, you don’t need to practice Jia Zhen Zi Shu any further.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng lifted his head confidently: “What about Jin Wu Cang Jiao?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Copper Lotus said: “What do you think? You once pictured Meng Qian and drew Zuo Wugang with a wave of your hand—that drawing’s still here. Go check it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng lost some confidence: “How do I practice An Ju Le Ye? Just stay home every day?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Copper Lotus sighed: “Don’t ask me how to practice techniques you’ve already learned. Your Dao is too unusual—you carry a Traveler’s cultivation. Staying home every day won’t work. I don’t know how to help you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fine, don’t help—I’ll go buy furniture!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng stood to leave, then paused and walked toward the third room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, when he pushed open the door, he’d return to the portable dwelling, because the key was on him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To leave, he needed Lian Dongfang—the third room had the strongest spiritual essence, and his techniques worked most smoothly there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Less than a minute later, Li Banfeng opened the door and entered Ayu’s room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ayu had just stepped out of the bath and hastily grabbed clothes to cover herself: “Brother, can’t you knock before coming in?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng said: “I came through Lian Kuo Dongfang—I didn’t push the door open, so I didn’t know if the technique worked.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sister, I have a question: if I leave a Spirit Seal on an object and gain perception of it, can I activate the Dark Light Exorcism Technique just by focusing my will when it’s stolen?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ayu shook her head: “No need to focus your will—the technique activates on its own.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her words matched the Copper Lotus’s exactly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng asked again: “If I don’t want the Dark Light to activate, can I stop it myself?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ayu smiled: “I don’t know. I’ve lived with the Heavenly Maiden for years—every time I’ve seen her use Dark Light Exorcism, the technique always acted on its own. I’ve never seen her recall it. That bit of cultivation meant nothing to her.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Li Banfeng came prepared, Ayu didn’t hide the fact that Dark Light Exorcism drained cultivation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng smiled faintly: “No wonder she’s the Heavenly Maiden—she doesn’t even care about cultivation. What a formidable foundation.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old woman upstairs was furious: “That vile girl, relying on her seniority, speaks so arrogantly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“She doesn’t even respect the household head.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The girl downstairs said: “Just beat her again—I think she’s been beaten too little.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ayu glared downstairs but said nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng asked again: “Can Spirit Seals only be left on objects?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ayu smiled: “What else? You want to leave one on a person? That thing has no effect on people.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman next door sighed softly: “Sister, how you deceive others is none of our business—but when you speak to our master, you must place your conscience in the middle.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ayu smiled at the wall: “Where else would conscience be, if not in the middle?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A strong wind blew, scattering the clothes Ayu used to cover herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ayu hurried to shield herself: “What’s this? Are you bullying a weak woman?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having been warned by the neighbor, Li Banfeng wouldn’t miss the chance—he looked toward the center of her conscience.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He saw a red mark, the size of a peach pit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ayu glared at Li Banfeng: “What are you looking at? You’ve got a wife—go look at her!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng nodded slightly, stood up, and said: “I’ll go see my wife. Take care.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leaving the house, leaping off the clouds, Li Banfeng pulled out the key.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the key was his Spirit Seal, made with his fingertip’s blood—larger at the top, smaller at the bottom, resembling a tadpole.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you cover the tadpole’s tail, does it look like a peach pit?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not really.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it was his Spirit Seal—his habits differed from the Heavenly Maiden’s.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the mark on Ayu wasn’t a birthmark or scar, but the Heavenly Maiden’s Spirit Seal, what was the purpose of leaving it on her?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Ayu were ever stolen, could the Heavenly Maiden track the thief?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No thief in this world could steal Ayu—Dark Light Exorcism couldn’t be this simple. This Spirit Seal must have another purpose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng went to bother A Yi for a while; A Yi had found autumn leaves on her new land in Gourd Village and was in high spirits these days.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three ate together; Qiu Luoye kept giving Li Banfeng meaningful glances. Li Banfeng understood Qiu’s intentions and drank a few extra cups with A Yi during casual chat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Qiu Luoye saw the wine jar empty, he stood up: “I’ll go get another jar.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Yi said: “My darling, you don’t need to do that—I’ll have them send wine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What kind of swill do they have? Can my brother drink that? You eat—you’ll be fine. I’ll be right back.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qiu Luoye went to get wine. Li Banfeng asked A Yi: “Have you done Zhong Tu recently?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course! At least once a month!” A Yi pulled out a map. “Look—these are all the new lands added to Gourd Village. Nearly double what they were when you first came.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Yi had truly worked hard. Li Banfeng studied the map—the new land in Gourd Village was astonishing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother, we must seize this chance to expand our territory—later, someone won’t let me expand anymore!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng exploded in anger: “Who won’t let you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Yi looked wounded: “The peddler.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng nodded: “Then you must obey him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Yi replied: “What else can I do? We can’t fight him. The peddler says half the Zhong Tu we produce must go to Pu Luo Zhou. Pu Luo Zhou already has so much new land, yet he still covets my scraps.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These weren’t just scraps—getting this Zhong Tu had cost the peddler great effort; he couldn’t let all of it benefit Gourd Village.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Yi also revealed a secret to Li Banfeng: “A few days ago, the peddler came to me, asking me to bring back that foreigner, Cui Ti, from Chao Ge City. I went—but I never imagined Chao Ge had become like that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s it like?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll tell you this: walk three or five li down a street, and you can count the living people on one hand. That foreign devil was too brutal!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng knew well: Cui Ti had been waiting for this day. With a stage to perform on, he must be ecstatic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Did you bring Cui Ti back to Dao Gui Ling?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Yi shook her head: “He won’t go back. I’ve asked him several times—he refuses. He says he’s doing fine. He even tattooed five characters on his chest: ‘I Love Chao Ge City.’”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng sighed: “I’ll find a way to bring him back someday—if Qiao Yi truly turns hostile, Cui Ti won’t be able to escape then.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Yi said: “My father came to see me a few days ago—he specifically mentioned you. He wants you to return to Yu Ren City. The peddler kept his word—he’s restored the flesh and blood to Yu Ren City.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng smiled: “That’s good news—I must go back. I’ll bring Tang Changfa and Yan Cui’er and Yan Hong’er with me. They’ve done great work; we can’t overlook them for such a major event.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I want to go back too,” A Yi said, her expression complex—an unusual sight on her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After two more cups, A Yi suddenly laughed: “I was just talking nonsense—what difference does going back make? Yu Ren City is still the same.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The same?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng believed Yu Ren City would change drastically: “With everyone now possessing true flesh and blood, they’re no different from real living people. Yu Ren City has tens of thousands—once all become living, it must become a proper land.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Yi shook her head: “It’s not that simple. Old land doesn’t become proper land just by gathering ten thousand people.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Those ten thousand must truly live in Yu Ren City—live well, have homes, livelihoods, and hope.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s that saying again? It’s called—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng said: “Call it ‘Peaceful Living and Prosperous Work.’”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, that’s the name—‘Peaceful Living and Prosperous Work’—it’s perfect!” A Yi looked at Li Banfeng with admiration. “Once the tens of thousands in Fool’s City have lived in peace and prosperity for years, there’s hope it’ll return to rightful land.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a full meal, Li Banfeng prepared to visit Ye Songqiao—he needed to buy furniture, and Ye Songqiao’s lumber was the best.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Yi instructed A Yun to take Li Banfeng to Ye Songqiao, then called out to A Long: “Quick, bring my wife back—say goodbye to her brother.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng looked downstairs and saw a group of people carrying a large net filled with autumn leaves, carrying him into the village chief’s small house.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had planned to escape Hulucun under the pretense of fetching wine, but Qiu Luoye failed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Yi beamed: “And bring the dowry too—bring it all!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another group carried a net, bringing in the white crane, Bai Wusong, into the house.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And that servant girl—bring her in too!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two men carried a net, bringing in Bai Wusong’s disciple, Bai Xinsheng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Wusong and Bai Xinsheng had come to rescue Qiu Luoye; they had infiltrated Hulucun two days prior and planned to take Qiu Luoye out today, but near the exit, the three stumbled into a trap A Yi had laid in advance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Yi looked at Bai Wusong: “How did you get into the village?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Wusong turned his head away, silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Entering Hulucun was indeed difficult, but Bai Wusong had once crashed through the boundary himself—once he saw a path, he could find his way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing he wouldn’t speak, A Yi didn’t press: “All of you stay here and reflect deeply—no loosening tonight!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After A Yi left, Bai Wusong looked at Qiu Luoye: “Master Qiu, don’t worry—I’ll get you out for sure.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qiu Luoye’s expression was bleak: “Master Bai, have we not utterly disgraced the White Crane Sect?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Wusong had no reply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Xinsheng shook his head: “Master Qiu, that’s not how it is—the other sects at Three Forks already know about this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They say it’s not just the White Crane Sect’s honor we’ve lost—we’ve disgraced the entire body cultivation world!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qiu Luoye took a deep breath: “When we get out, I’ll go to our sect’s forbidden grounds and end it myself.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Wusong said: “Master Qiu, how shortsighted! Let’s train longer in the forbidden grounds—next time we fight, we won’t fear this woman.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng arrived at Ye Songqiao and walked the streets searching for a furniture shop—he had many business connections in Ye Songqiao, but for furniture, only Xiao Ye Ci’s several shops made the finest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Entering Ci Yun Furniture, Li Banfeng spotted a desk he liked and was about to ask the price when he heard a familiar voice at the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why be so formal with me? I’ll just deliver it to your home!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, that won’t do—it’s business. If you don’t take payment, I won’t take the goods.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng turned and recognized both: Xiao Ye Ci and Chu Huaiyuan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This shop belonged to Xiao Ye Ci—no surprise there—but why was Chu Er here?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the two passed Li Banfeng, they didn’t notice him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Er admired a cabinet and a sofa: “Look at the craftsmanship—in all of Pulu Province, your shop is unmatched!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Ye Ci blushed slightly: “Miss Chu, you flatter me—I only understand this one trade, nothing else. I’ll send the furniture over right away.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Er spotted a screen: “Not yet—I’ll pick a few more items.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng said: “There are so many furniture shops in Lüshui City—why come all the way here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Er replied: “You’re in Ye Songqiao and still don’t know the reputation of Ci Yun Furniture?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng said: “Even if it’s famous, you don’t need to come here personally just to buy furniture!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Ye Ci was startled—she knew Chu Er’s temper; this remark might anger her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As expected, Chu Er turned, head lowered, eyes flicking upward: “I’ll go where I please—what business is it of yours—? Seventh Brother, what are you doing here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng said: “Clarify this—do I have the right to interfere?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Er nodded rapidly: “Seventh Brother can interfere—however he likes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why are you both in Ye Songqiao?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They exchanged glances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng lifted his hat brim and studied them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Ye Ci couldn’t hold out: “Savior, let’s go to the back room.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the back room, Xiao Ye Ci and Chu Huaiyuan explained the situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Hundred Flowers Garden had been struck by a rain of petals; Zhang Xiuling believed the Hundred Flowers Deity was about to descend. She had approached Ma Wu to seize back the Hundred Flowers Sect from He Jiaqing, and Ma Wu had agreed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Huaiyuan said: “If Ma Junyang and He Jiaqing clash, I’ll bring the Chu family to fight He Jiaqing—for Seventh Brother’s sake, I stand with Ma Junyang.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But Ma Junyang is acting for Zhang Xiuling—I can’t interfere. I barely know Zhang Xiuling; risking my life over this, I couldn’t explain it to the Chu family.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Ye Ci said: “Rumors said He Jiaqing cut the Fifth Young Master’s leg tendons, but when I visited him, his legs were fine—I dared not ask further.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng asked: “What about Lu Chunying? Is she hiding in Ye Songqiao too?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Ye Ci shook her head: “She can’t hide—Duan Shaoxia and Zhang Xiuling are close friends; she’ll support Zhang Xiuling. She’s the chief lady of the Lu family! If Chunying flees now, it’s like undermining Duan Shaoxia.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Er said: “If it were anyone else, fine—but the key is that ‘Sister Xiu’ is involved. If things turn bloody, Sister Xiu will still side with He Jiaqing—he’s her nephew.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We once fought together in Neizhou—now we’re all enemies. Seeing the situation was hopeless, Xiao and I fled to Ye Songqiao.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Ye Ci said: “Savior, we know we shouldn’t have run—we’ll take the train back to Lüshui City tonight.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Er nodded: “Since Seventh Brother has intervened, we have no choice. Whatever the reason, we’ll return, gather our people, and fight He Jiaqing to the end.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Huaiyuan was no fool—she had once fought the Border Control General Office to save Li Qi, and killed its chief, Xia Shumin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Li Banfeng stopped her: “You can’t return to Lüshui City. Stay hidden here. Bring Lu Chunying back too. If Ye Songqiao becomes unsafe, go to Qiqiu City.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng’s tone surprised Xiao Ye Ci, but Chu Huaiyuan, having weathered years of turmoil in the Chu family, understood his intent: “Seventh Brother, you don’t want this to escalate?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It will escalate—the Hundred Flowers Deity has appeared; we must give face to this! Isn’t that right?” Li Banfeng touched his Judge’s Pen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Judge’s Pen remained silent. Xiao Ye Ci and Chu Huaiyuan both nodded: “Yes, yes—we’ll follow Seventh Brother’s lead.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They told Li Banfeng about Ma Junyang’s recent actions—he was smashing shops, seizing business, provoking open conflict.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng understood: this was the old-school tactic of Pulu Province’s elder generation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng had Xiao Ye Ci custom-make a set of train furniture and deliver it to his residence. She refused payment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng left a check on the table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leaving the furniture shop, Li Banfeng headed straight for Lüshui City. On the road, he asked the Judge’s Pen: “What’s this Hundred Flowers Deity about?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Judge’s Pen said: “That’s not me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I know it’s not you—can you guess who it might be?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I can’t guess. Don’t keep asking!” The Judge’s Pen paused a long time, then spoke at length: “They must not fight—someone is deliberately stirring trouble.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng said: “They must fight—if they don’t, the Hundred Flowers Deity won’t appear!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back at Xiaoyao Fortress, Li Banfeng found Ma Wu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Li Qi, Ma Wu nearly wept. He dismissed Feng Daiku, Huo Ling, A Qin, and everyone else, just to speak with Li Qi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I feared He Jiaqing would kill you—if you were harmed, I’d die a thousand deaths to make him pay!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng studied Ma Wu’s legs: “You still walk stiffly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Wu sighed: “He Jiaqing cut my leg tendons—not the big ones, just the fine filaments. Only he has such skill.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Later, Mu Yuejuan returned the tendons; Feng Ge helped me reattach them. Otherwise, I’d never walk again.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Wu also spoke of the recent disturbance at Xiaoyao Fortress: “Old Nine was poisoned by it—he survived only because his body is tough.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Was this He Jiaqing’s doing? Why provoke so openly?” Li Banfeng was puzzled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Wu had pondered this too: “At first I thought he was avenging old grudges—I feared he’d harm you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then I thought he might be threatening me with the tendons—after all, we control the railway, and He Jiaqing must covet it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then the Hundred Flowers Garden incident happened—I suspected he was warning us over Zhang Xiuling. I think this petal rain was her own scheme—she’s long planned to reclaim the Hundred Flowers Sect.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Later, when something happened in the Hundred Flowers Garden, I thought he might have been warning us over Zhang Xiuling’s affairs; I suspect this Hundred Flowers Rain was all a scheme of Zhang Xiuling’s—she’s long planned to take back the Hundred Flowers Sect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’ll figure out the reason later—first, guess what he’ll do next.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Wu had already thought it through: “I think he’ll come to Xiaoyao Fortress soon—I’ve laid traps waiting for him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng shook his head: “Not necessarily at Xiaoyao Fortress. He Jiaqing acts for profit—what’s most valuable to you isn’t here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Wu paused, then gasped: “Could he be targeting my territory?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng said: “You’ve opened over ninety percent of your territory—who wouldn’t want it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Wu panicked: “I’ll gather men at once—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wait,” Li Banfeng flexed his wrist. “I haven’t opened new land in a long time. Let me tour your territory.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>PS: Feng and Qing will meet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don't rush to take them yet,\" Li Banfeng stretched his wrists, \"I haven't gone prospecting in a long time; I might as well take a stroll through your territory.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>PS: Ban and Qing are about to meet.\u003C\u002Fp>",3699,"2026-06-20T03:43:17.761Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","b6409238d5823ba8d87982e73a12f6fe3d5f9fc40f3c0652ed521439c279897d","lord-of-the-proles-chapter-796","lord-of-the-proles-chapter-794",863,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Flord-of-the-proles-cover.jpg"]