[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-lord-of-the-proles":3,"chapter-lord-of-the-proles-lord-of-the-proles-chapter-797":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},2291095,4478,"Chapter 797: The Art of the Deception Cultivator","lord-of-the-proles-chapter-797",797,"\u003Cp>He Jiaqing swiftly removed the copper coins from his person with his nimble fingers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The copper coins that struck Wen Zhun and Wen Lang were surely the work of Master Kongfang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Jiaqing bowed and said, “Elder, what have I done to offend you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Offend me? Still asking this now? It seems you have not the slightest remorse.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Jiaqing could hear Master Kongfang’s voice, but could not see his figure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking carefully, He Jiaqing truly had done nothing to offend Master Kongfang; he had once considered joining forces against Old Lu, but later realized his own weakness and withdrew—could that count as an offense?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If business fails, let us part amicably. I have never done anything to betray you, Elder.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Never betrayed me? I founded the Hundred Flowers Sect—you nearly wiped it out. How do you account for that debt?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Jiaqing’s heart lurched—was the Hundred Flowers Sect founded by Master Kongfang?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng, hidden in the shadows, touched his Judge’s Pen: “Is this true?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice was too quiet for others to hear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Judge’s Pen trembled in reply: “Disgusting!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Jiaqing trembled too—he knew full well how he had treated the Hundred Flowers Sect. If it truly was Master Kongfang’s creation, the grudges ran deep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Weighing their strengths, He Jiaqing could not defeat Master Kongfang even under normal conditions; now injured, he was no match at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since victory was impossible, he chose to yield.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Elder, I had no feud with the Hundred Flowers Sect. Those past conflicts arose solely from my personal grudge against Zhang Xiuling. Now, under my control, the sect is prosperous, wealthy, and thriving—I have not wasted your efforts.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing this, the Judge’s Pen shook violently: “Even more disgusting!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Kongfang’s laughter echoed through the night: “Hehehe, He Jiaqing, what did you mean by that? You’re young and capable—you made my Hundred Flowers Sect flourish. Should I praise you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Jiaqing shook his head: “I dare not. I was blind and disrespectful to you, Elder. Tomorrow, I will return the Hundred Flowers Sect to Zhang Xiuling and publicly apologize before all major factions in Pulu Province.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You speak lightly. Tomorrow, I’ll have Zhang Xiuling drive you to the brink, then seize your Hand and Foot Alliance, ruin it, and return it to you— [21] would you accept that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Do you agree?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Jiaqing thought again and said, “I am willing to compensate you financially. Please name your price.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Compensate with money? You dare say that? The Hundred Flowers Sect may not match your wealth, but behind me stands Snowflake River. Do you think I lack money?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Jiaqing had dealt with Feng Chongli before; Feng had nearly been driven to death by Zhang Gunli for owing him money, so he inferred [25] Snowflake River was not wealthy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snowflake Bay is not wealthy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet now Master Kongfang refused money, and He Jiaqing did not know what else to offer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then please name your terms.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s more like a human thing to say. I hear you control thirteen territories in the New Lands.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Jiaqing’s heart tightened—this demand was one he could never accept.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Elder, who told you this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t ask who told me. Just answer: is it true?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Jiaqing shook his head: “Those thirteen territories are not mine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I know they’re not officially yours. Those thirteen territories originally belonged to Shangguo. You killed the thirteen Earth Deities and installed a new one. [34] Though the Earth Deity is still not you, you control the land in truth. Am I wrong?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although the Earth God is still not you, this territory is actually under your control—am I wrong?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Jiaqing could not hide his astonishment—he had not expected Master Kongfang to investigate so thoroughly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The truth could no longer be concealed. He Jiaqing decided to speak plainly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Elder, I poured countless efforts into those thirteen territories. Please do not pressure me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why tell me this? How much effort you poured is none of my concern. I demand you surrender those thirteen territories to me!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A hint of murderous intent flashed across He Jiaqing’s face: “I risked my life repeatedly just to gain these thirteen territories—I will never hand them over.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then refuse—and since you value wealth over life, I’ll let you leave here dead.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the night sky, the scroll trembled, and countless petals swirled, surrounding He Jiaqing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at the scroll, He Jiaqing cried out: “Mu Qianbei, you’re here too! When you joined the Hand and Foot Alliance, didn’t you swear an oath?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mu Yuejuan’s voice echoed again through the night: “Jiaqing, I’ve never forgotten my oath. Now, demanding you surrender the territories is also the Hand and Foot Alliance’s order.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Jiaqing exploded in rage: “Whose order?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who does the Hand and Foot Alliance obey? Don’t you know? It’s the Heavenly Maiden’s command. She says you cannot hold these thirteen New Lands, and she wants you to surrender them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Jiaqing clenched his teeth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng smiled inwardly and muttered: “Disgusting!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Heavenly Maiden’s soul resided in the Sui Shen Ju.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her body had been split in two—one half on the clouds above Hulucun, the other on the clouds above Lüshuicheng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who gave Mu Yuejuan her orders? This was clearly nonsense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The situation was now clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Kongfang, Ai Yeqing, claimed to have retired, but in truth he was still stirring up trouble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He impersonated the Hundred Flowers God, inciting conflict between Ma Wu and He Jiaqing, aiming to seize He Jiaqing’s territories and then frame Ma Wu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Wu, falsely accused, would inevitably drag Li Qi into it—then Ai Yeqing would profit from the chaos, reclaiming the underground city and making another fortune.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ai Yeqing stole Ma Wu’s leg tendons; Mu Yuejuan then returned them to Ma Wu, shifting blame onto He Jiaqing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, Ai Yeqing’s goal was to trick He Jiaqing into surrendering the territories, then kill him to silence him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His deception was masterful—he had orchestrated a grand scheme.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng had laid out the logic clearly, but the Judge’s Pen suddenly spoke: “Wrong.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s wrong?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The painting is wrong,” said the Judge’s Pen. “This isn’t Mu Yuejuan’s style.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He meant the painting floating in the night sky—every petal and copper coin emerged from it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng studied the scroll closely: “I know painting well. How is this not Mu Yuejuan’s style?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Judge’s Pen observed again, then hesitated: “Mu Yuejuan’s style varies. Perhaps I’m mistaken.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Kongfang’s voice echoed again: “He Jiaqing, I already know you plan to go to Kucaizhuang. Even if I let you go now, Old Woman Ku will force you to surrender the territories.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’re old acquaintances. For old friendship’s sake, I’ll spare your life—surrender the territories, and I’ll let you leave.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Jiaqing stood in the open field, gazing at the distant forest, then at the weeds at his feet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The New Lands always looked desolate, but his territories were different—they were already eighty percent developed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He closed his eyes, and the image of the thirteen territories appeared before him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was light—vast, continuous light illuminating vast plots of land, abundant water nourishing countless people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He opened his eyes. The light vanished. The people vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked up at the scroll in midair: “For these territories, I risked my life repeatedly—even the Peddler promised me the land. Elder, you seize them from me by force—do you fear the Peddler’s retribution?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He Jiaqing, let me tell you again: behind me stands Snowflake River—and the River Master is the Peddler! [73] If the Peddler thinks I’ve done wrong, I’ll return the territories to you. If you’re dissatisfied, go complain to the Peddler yourself!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the peddler thinks I did something wrong, I’ll return the territory to you; if you’re dissatisfied, you can go complain to the peddler!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had lied so often, he now believed his own lies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snowflake River had nothing to do with the Peddler. If He Jiaqing truly went to the Peddler to complain, how would Ai Yeqing explain it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only reasonable conclusion: Ai Yeqing would never let He Jiaqing leave alive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What should Li Banfeng do now?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Help He Jiaqing escape?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or simply watch silently?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Jiaqing took a deep breath: “Elder, even if I agree to surrender the territories, how will you take them? Must I write a deed?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t want your deed. You’re a thief—you’d forge it. I want the original deed for those thirteen territories. Tell me where it is—I’ll go get it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Jiaqing fell silent. Petals swirled around him like snowflakes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He did not wish to fight Master Kongfang, but he would not surrender the territories.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Have you decided?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Jiaqing nodded: “I’ll tell you the location of the deed right now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t lie to me. I can tell truth from falsehood.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Rest assured, Elder. I speak not a single falsehood.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if he told only truth, he would never lead the other to the deed—he was certain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the other did not take the bait.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You don’t need to speak. Draw it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before He Jiaqing appeared a map, beside it a brush.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the method of experts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If He Jiaqing said the deed was buried on a mountain, there were countless unnamed mountains in the New Lands—vague descriptions would not count as lies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Forcing him to draw it on the map eliminated ambiguity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The brush left the scroll and leapt into He Jiaqing’s hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Jiaqing picked up the brush, when Master Kongfang spoke again: “Let’s be clear—I treat you with honesty, you must do the same. [98] From now on, neither of us lies!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From now on, none of us will lie!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fine. Neither of us lies!” He Jiaqing agreed aloud, but he would never draw the true location of the deed—he would never surrender the territories.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was about to put brush to paper when Master Kongfang spoke again: “I repeat: neither of us lies. Tell me the deed’s location, and I swear I won’t kill you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Judge’s Pen swayed at his waist: “This isn’t right.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng said: “What isn’t right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There’s a technique here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What technique?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Judge’s Pen didn’t answer; it was still judging.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Kongfang’s voice came again: “He Jiaqing, you repeat it too: you never speak falsehoods, never do false deeds—every word and action is true!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Jiaqing repeated: “I never speak falsehoods, never do false deeds—every word and action is true!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The matter is settled—none of us can go back on it!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master, rest assured: as long as you don’t renege, I, your junior, will never renege!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Judge’s Pen finally concluded: “This is Tongwen Gonggui!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could Master Kongfang possibly use Tongwen Gonggui?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if he used a magic treasure, he couldn’t have tricked He Jiaqing—He Jiaqing’s cultivation base isn’t low!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he finished speaking, He Jiaqing drew a circle on the map.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After drawing the circle, He Jiaqing’s head throbbed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mark he drew was real—the land contract was buried there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could this be?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why would he reveal the contract’s location to the other side?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why did he do something so stupid?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is all over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He revealed the contract’s whereabouts—he has no further value. Master Kongfang will never let him live.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No, he still has value.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There’s still the other half of the contract.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Should he use this as leverage?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As He Jiaqing wrestled with this, he suddenly saw all the petals vanish, and the scroll on the night sky disappeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wasteland fell silent; apart from the few copper coins in He Jiaqing’s hand, not a trace remained of Master Kongfang’s presence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Jiaqing didn’t understand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t understand why Master Kongfang hadn’t killed him—didn’t Master Kongfang want to silence him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The petals appeared, the copper coins appeared—he didn’t kill him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng understood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He remembered what the peddler had told him about the Three Rules of Deception.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First: if you don’t act, the matter is real.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Second: if you act but aren’t seen, the matter is still real.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Third: if you’re seen but others can’t comprehend it, the matter remains real.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aside from the petals striking He Jiaqing at the start, the other side had never acted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other side had never revealed his true face—only his voice sounded like Master Kongfang’s.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His actions were utterly incomprehensible: he didn’t kill him, yet cleared himself of all suspicion!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wasn’t Master Kongfang—but the blame now fell squarely on Master Kongfang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only two Wu Xiu had cultivation levels high enough to use Tongwen Gonggui and force He Jiaqing to reveal the contract’s location.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One was Shu Wanjuan; the other was Lao Ban.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who was this man before him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Judge’s Pen asked: “What do we do?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng said: “See who’s faster!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng had clearly seen the mark on the map with Jin Qing’s Autumn Hair; he moved silently to He Jiaqing’s plot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wasn’t familiar with the thirteen plots; the map’s markings might not be easy to locate. Whether he could reach it first depended on luck. He Jiaqing also wanted to run to his own plot and retrieve the contract early—but he couldn’t move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not because of his injuries, but because he was still under the control of Tongwen Gonggui.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other side hadn’t broken the pact, because he hadn’t killed him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He himself couldn’t break it either—so he couldn’t run toward his plot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Jiaqing’s suspicions grew: had that man truly been Master Kongfang?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Kongfang, Ai Yeqing, was lying in wait on He Jiaqing’s plot. Of the thirteen new plots, Mu Yuejuan had placed a scroll on each, with copper coins drifting endlessly around every one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment He Jiaqing appeared, Ai Yeqing would detect him instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Mu Yuejuan worried: “He Jiaqing was defeated by Ma Junyang and Feng Daiku. Could he have fled elsewhere instead of returning to his plot?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ai Yeqing sighed: “I told you to find a way to track him—who told you to paint a courtesan so useless she lost him?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mu Yuejuan snapped: “What kind of talk is that? What’s He Jiaqing’s skill level? How could your painted woman possibly keep up with him?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ai Yeqing still had confidence: “Stay here. He Jiaqing will definitely come to check his plot—just hope he comes soon.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke, Ai Yeqing wiped sweat—carrying all this power on his person couldn’t last long.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At 3:30 a.m., Ai Yeqing sensed movement: “Someone’s coming.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mu Yuejuan yawned: “Who’s coming? Could it be some new settlers?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not an ordinary person. Identity unclear—on the second plot to the east.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mu Yuejuan led Ai Yeqing into the second eastern scroll—a landscape painting with a pavilion in the lower right corner. The two sat inside, shifting the scroll while listening to the outside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, they heard voices:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Old Shu, I truly admire you—how did you know He Jiaqing would run to Kucaizhuang?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I fought He Jiaqing before. It was Old Po who saved him. After losing on Ma Junyang’s plot, he’d flee to the safest place.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brilliant! Old Shu, with all your talent, why don’t you use it properly? Join me as Second King long ago—we’d rule all Puluozhou!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“These tricks aren’t talent.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How can you say that? You fooled He Jiaqing into handing over the contract. You claimed to be the Hundred Flowers Spirit—and he believed you!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sigh. In truth, I only borrowed my disciple’s grandson’s reputation.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t like that. It’s not just your grandson’s reputation—it’s my disciple’s too!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your disciple is a fraud who steals fame. How many deeds were done under the peddler’s name?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So what? Borrowing fame is a skill,” Shan Chengjun said, glancing at a patch of wild grass and grinning, “My disciple, isn’t that right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shu Wanjuan turned, also looking at the grass: “Is this a painting?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shan Chengjun laughed: “You just noticed?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shu Wanjuan was still puzzled: “Old Shan, when did your eyes get so sharp?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shan Chengjun was proud: “If my eyes weren’t sharp, how could I dare to fight to the death?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mu Yuejuan turned pale with fear, pulling at Master Kongfang to flee.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shan Chengjun shouted: “Don’t go, Ai Qian Dao! I’ve framed He Jiaqing’s affair on you—when the peddler comes for you, don’t feel wronged.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ai Yeqing clenched his fist, gritting his teeth in silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mu Yuejuan pulled his hand: “Go now!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shan Chengjun laughed: “Go ahead—I won’t stop you. You taking the blame counts as a service.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I always called you a waste—yet you never believed it. Think: if you’re not a waste, what are you?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even your deception skills can’t match Old Shu’s. You want to found a sect of deceivers? Look in the mirror—do you even deserve it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hide on the clouds, lie that you’re retiring, then think you’re scheming in secret? Do you even have a brain for that?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Waiting here for He Jiaqing—how long will you wait? What can you even accomplish? Even if you did one thing right and earned my praise, that’s your fortune!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shut up!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ai Yeqing burst from the scroll, his body becoming a whirlwind filled with countless copper coins, charging straight at Shan Chengjun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shan Chengjun was knocked back, raising his hands to barely defend: “Good lad, strong force—last time we met, you didn’t have this power.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The whirlwind split: left side became swords, spears, halberds; right side became ten thousand armored soldiers, surrounding Shan Chengjun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After brief combat, Shan Chengjun bled. Shu Wanjuan pulled out his book, ready to help—but Shan Chengjun barked: “Don’t interfere! Watch!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Surrounded, Shan Chengjun grabbed a clump of wild grass from the ground, tossed it—grass leaves blocked the weapons on the left; mud and sand repelled the soldiers on the right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shan Chengjun suddenly kicked—his foot pierced the whirlwind and struck Ai Yeqing’s face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His conical hat shattered. Ai Yeqing fell backward, rose instantly, and his copper coins transformed into a great blade, slashing at Shan Chengjun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shan Chengjun caught the blade with both hands. Shu Wanjuan moved to help again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I said no!” Shan Chengjun glared at Shu Wanjuan. “Watch the surroundings—see if they brought reinforcements!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aside from Mu Yuejuan, Ai Yeqing had no allies—all Snow River members believed Master Kongfang had retired.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No allies didn’t matter—Ai Yeqing brought enough capital today.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He normally couldn’t carry this much power on him—but today, he met Shan Chengjun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He normally dared not reveal this power—but today, it was already exposed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ai Yeqing’s scarred face twisted with fury; his copper coins shifted from a great blade into two massive hammers, one smashing into Shan Chengjun’s face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dan Chengjun’s cheekbones shattered, his face instantly deforming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another hammer blow struck Dan Chengjun’s ribs; a whole section of ribs snapped and caved inward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ai Yeqing snatched the hammer and swung again, but Dan Chengjun suddenly grabbed Ai Yeqing’s head—searing pain in the skull made Ai Yeqing’s arms go limp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hammer struck Dan Chengjun’s body, but he felt no pain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is that all you’ve got?” Dan Chengjun smirked, spat out a tooth, and it pierced Ai Yeqing’s left eye, exiting through the back of his skull.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ai Yeqing’s expression went hazy, then saw Dan Chengjun unbutton his shirt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beneath the clothing, broken ribs had torn through the skin, jutting outward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dan Chengjun snapped off one of his own ribs and pressed it against Ai Yeqing’s jaw: “You’ve been impersonating a peddler for so long—do you actually think you’re one?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Throughout the world, ask around—besides a peddler, who dares fight me alone? Do you think a little capital gives you the right to flaunt yourself before me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ai Yeqing gritted his teeth and hurled every copper coin at Dan Chengjun at once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dan Chengjun chuckled, flipped his wrist, and the rib pierced Ai Yeqing’s chin, emerging through his nose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ai Yeqing struggled to break free, but Dan Chengjun drove the same rib through Ai Yeqing’s throat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ai Yeqing broke free again, and Dan Chengjun pulled out another rib and thrust it into Ai Yeqing’s third eye.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After more than twenty exchanges, the copper coins clattered to the ground; Ai Yeqing lay barely alive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dan Chengjun handed Ai Yeqing over to Shu Wanjuan: “Take him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shu Wanjuan pulled out a book, its cover inscribed with the character “Prison.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He opened to a page, pressed it onto Ai Yeqing—and Ai Yeqing vanished entirely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shu Wanjuan turned to Mu Yuejuan: “Will you come in yourself, or shall I take you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mu Yuejuan tried to flee, but Shu Wanjuan, master of both calligraphy and painting, had already cut off her escape—this painting had lost all connection to the others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shu Wanjuan pointed to the book and beckoned Mu Yuejuan with a wave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mu Yuejuan, tears in her eyes, stepped out of the painting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After absorbing Mu Yuejuan, Shu Wanjuan led Dan Chengjun toward the site where the deed was buried.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Around the deed lay a magical array, traps, and He Jiaqing had specially placed several spiritual artifacts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dan Chengjun prepared to dig up the deed, but Shu Wanjuan stopped him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Better to be cautious.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shu Wanjuan summoned a string of characters from the book; they dug into the earth, probing constantly until every trap was disabled, then unearthed the deed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dan Chengjun said: “Thirteen land parcels—and only one deed?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shu Wanjuan replied: “When all thirteen parcels are granted to one person, that person becomes the land god of all thirteen. Once transformed into true land, the thirteen parcels become one.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dan Chengjun tilted his ear: “Who? I didn’t hear clearly!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A hammer struck his ear; for a moment, he couldn’t hear anything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shu Wanjuan handed the deed to Dan Chengjun: “Take a look—you’ll understand.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright, I’ll look.” Li Banfeng took the deed and bolted away.\u003C\u002Fp>",3604,"2026-06-20T03:43:17.761Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","3d4e8ebd3699299bec0b48c28ce640f973c07e18a4b0ec825bd2c859ba986059","lord-of-the-proles-chapter-798","lord-of-the-proles-chapter-796",863,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Flord-of-the-proles-cover.jpg"]