[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-lord-of-the-proles":3,"chapter-lord-of-the-proles-lord-of-the-proles-chapter-85":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},2290383,4478,"Chapter 85: Hard Cultivation (Two Chapters Combined)","lord-of-the-proles-chapter-85",85,"\u003Cp>Qin Xiaopang’s blood and qi were too excessive; he couldn’t hold out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The principle was very simple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Food cultivators rapidly convert food into nutrients the body needs, and much of that nutrition turns into new blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For elderly food cultivators, whose blood production slows, no problem arises.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiaopang’s blood production is too strong; his food converts too fast, causing trouble—he’s about to burst his vessels!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Liuzhe had seen food cultivators die from ruptured vessels before; he should have prepared earlier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But that was over twenty years ago, and Zhang Liuzhe had forgotten.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother, stop eating!” Zhang Liuze blocked Qin Xiaopang, then turned to his men, “Go to the pond and catch some leeches.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why catch that thing?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t ask stupid questions—go now!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just after Zhang Liuze gave the order, he saw Xiaopang still eating buns nonstop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother, didn’t I tell you to stop eating?” Zhang Liuze gripped Xiaopang tightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiaopang gasped, “Six Brother, right here in front of everyone, I’ll die before I let these twenty jin of buns go uneaten.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I can’t even control you anymore!” Zhang Liuze shoved Xiaopang into his chair; the crowd murmured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s going on?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The food cultivator’s blood and qi surged—don’t let him eat more, or he’ll die.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Look at his face—red as fire. It’s probably too late already; the food in his belly has turned to blood. If we don’t release it, he’s done for!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Letting blood’s easy—just slash him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You think this is murder? It’s not that simple! His blood and qi are extremely strong—if the cut’s too wide, he’ll spurt blood and die; if it’s too narrow, the blood won’t flow enough and will clot on its own—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who can judge the right depth? If I handed you a knife now, would you dare go cut him? Even a medical cultivator with layers of skill might not have the finesse.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Six Brother did right—only leeches can help now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crowd murmured; Xiaopang’s face turned from red to purple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Liuze’s eyes turned red: “Where the hell are they? I told you to catch a few leeches—why haven’t you brought any yet?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if they brought leeches now, it was too late.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiaopang dared not move an inch—any critical vessel might rupture, and he’d be dead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng walked behind Xiaopang, took off his suit jacket, covered his right hand, and whispered low: “Brother, bear with it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Li Banfeng pulled out the Blood Pendulum and pressed it against Qin Tianjiu’s spine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The pendulum shifted from bright silver to red, from red to purple, from purple to deep black.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng heard the pendulum’s voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master, I can’t take any more.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he pulled the pendulum away, the color drained from Qin Xiaopang’s face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Blood Pendulum had bled off Qin Xiaopang’s blood pressure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng tucked the pendulum away and examined Xiaopang’s wound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wound was only two centimeters; the blood had already clotted—no serious issue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiaopang sat resting for a while; his complexion gradually improved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Liuze remained tense—he didn’t know what method Li Banfeng used, nor was he sure if Xiaopang was truly safe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhong Desong, shopkeeper of Qingtang Tea House, ordered tea brought over to Xiaopang: “Nine Master, drink some tea, calm your qi.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qin Tianjiu waved it off: “No tea—I’m not feeling well in my stomach.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhong Desong set the teacup aside and glanced at Xiaopang’s back wound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng had hidden the pendulum under his coat, but Zhong Desong still saw it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This drew Li Banfeng’s attention—he lowered his voice and asked the manager: “Who is this man?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zhong Desong of Qingtang Tea House—you should know him,” the manager smiled meaningfully at Li Banfeng; Li Banfeng remembered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This man had appeared on the manager’s list.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhong Desong!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Sage of the Second Division of Jiangxiang’s Medicine King Hall, Second Layer Wu Xiu Zhong Desong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today was Xiaopang’s big day—why invite someone from Jiangxiang?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng didn’t know the inside story.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most guests today were invited by Zhang Liuze; Zhong Desong was one of them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Liuze knew Xiaopang had a grudge with Jiangxiang, but he himself had no feud with Zhong Desong—they were even on good terms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was to give Xiaopang a face-saving way out, to ease the enmity and avoid it turning into a life-or-death feud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiaopang sat for a while, looked at Zhang Liuze, and after a pause said: “Six Brother, my stomach feels uneasy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You ate too fast—rest a bit, you’ll feel better. You didn’t reach the first level this time, don’t be upset. Next time we’ll…” Zhang Liuze tried to comfort him, but saw Xiaopang reaching for a bun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I think I’m hungry.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hungry?” Zhang Liuze was baffled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Being hungry was normal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The buns Xiaopang ate had turned to blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Blood Pendulum sucked away the blood, triggering accelerated food conversion—Xiaopang truly was hungry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Liuze called out: “Who has a watch? Is time up?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the shopkeeper’s table sat a clock: “Six Master, still fifteen minutes left!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Xiaopang grabbed buns and stuffed them into his mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Less than ten minutes later, all the buns were gone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Worried it wasn’t enough, Xiaopang snatched up a roasted chicken and devoured it in three bites.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Six Brother, is that enough?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Liuze wasn’t sure—cultivation levels weren’t visible; he couldn’t tell if Xiaopang had reached the first level: “Brother, what do you feel?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qin Xiaopang stretched his neck and shoulders, waited over ten minutes, and his shoulders visibly swelled by a full circle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not just shoulders—his waist, abdomen, thighs, and forearms grew too; everything visible except his height had expanded—he was far rounder than before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Liuze burst out laughing: “Brother, you made it! I got fat like this too back in my day!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiaopang was delighted; everyone cheered. Only then did Zhang Liuze remember the stranger who had saved Xiaopang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Liuze approached Li Banfeng and whispered: “Friend, what technique did you just use?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Family medical art—I can’t reveal it,” Li Banfeng smiled, then changed the subject: “Six Brother, where did you get that Clear Stomach Powder? I’d like some too—to regulate my digestion.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Liuze chuckled: “Friend, I won’t lie—those Clear Stomach Powders? I bought them from a roadside pharmacy. No real effect. I gave them to Xiaopang just to give him courage.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng couldn’t help smiling—it was exactly what he’d thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The feast lasted until dawn before breaking up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng left early.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one noticed when he came; no one noticed when he left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was the power of a Second Layer Zhai Xiu—most present had insufficient cultivation and overlooked Li Banfeng entirely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But one person did not overlook him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng walked down a narrow alley, planning to find a quiet spot to open his Portable Dwelling, when he sensed danger approaching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He spun around and saw a man slowly entering the alley’s mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man was around fifty, wearing a long robe and a flat round hat, holding a teapot, smiling as he walked toward Li Banfeng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Qin Tianjiu calls you Seventh Brother; the Yujia Cloth Shop staff also mentioned a Seventh Master. You must be Li Qi, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng didn’t answer, but asked: “Master Zhong, what do you want?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man was none other than Zhong Desong, shopkeeper of Qingtang Tea House, Sage of the Second Division of Jiangxiang’s Medicine King Hall, Second Layer Wu Xiu Zhong Desong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhong Desong held the teapot, gazed at Li Banfeng, and smiled gently: “No advice—just want to invite Seventh Master for tea. Will you come to my teahouse, or shall we drink right here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng shook his head: “It’s late—I won’t drink tea. I fear I won’t sleep. Thank you for the offer.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhong Desong still held the teapot, gently stroking its lid and spout; the tea inside slowly began to boil.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Seventh Master, ruthless and cruel—you burned down Geng’s Pharmacy. Yet now you won’t even drink a cup of tea from me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng kept his hands in his pockets, checking the position of every weapon: “Master Zhong, I don’t know where you heard this, but I had no dealings with the Geng family. Their pharmacy burning has nothing to do with me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhong Desong sneered: “A true man stands tall—why do what you won’t admit? Geng Zhiwei deserved to die; I won’t investigate that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for the Immortal Music Dance Hall—that’s our organization’s property. I suspect you did it too, but our sect forbids inquiry, so I won’t ask.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But there’s one thing I must ask: Did you kill Old Lady Han of Changliu Village and her two sons?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Changliu Village?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That old woman’s family?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That old woman was surnamed Han?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I nearly forgot—she was also from Jiangxiang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So Zhong Desong came here for revenge?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re mistaken. I’ve never been to Changliu Village. If there’s nothing else, I’m leaving.” Li Banfeng turned to go.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhong Desong flung the teapot—the tea inside spilled onto the ground, then surged upward in scalding jets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What kind of technique was this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng leapt upward, landing on the wall to avoid the boiling water below.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wanted to jump into the courtyard of a residence to shake off Zhong Desong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Li Banfeng couldn’t jump in—a wall of invisible force blocked the courtyard, the alley entrance, and even the sky, turning the entire alley into a sealed space.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hot water kept surging, the level rising higher and higher, the temperature long exceeding that of boiling water, even hotter than molten iron.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng stood atop the wall, his back pressed against the invisible barrier, ready to plunge into the scalding water at any moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He tilted his ear to listen closely, faintly hearing an ancient voice speaking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Come on, come warm up with me—both of you!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the teapot in Zhong Desong’s hand—the teapot was speaking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The scalding water beneath his feet did not come from Zhong Desong’s magic, but from this teapot; Li Banfeng recognized its spiritual resonance—it was a magic treasure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What a formidable magic treasure—is this something a second-layer cultivator could control?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this magic treasure seemed flawed; Li Banfeng saw Zhong Desong leap onto the wall too, his back pressed against the invisible barrier, avoiding the boiling water below.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The teapot was attacking indiscriminately—both the boiling water and the barrier struck Li Banfeng and Zhong Desong equally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet the effects differed greatly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Scorching steam churned back and forth in the sealed space; Li Banfeng began to sweat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhong Desong did not sweat; he remained calm, able to endure pain beyond ordinary human imagination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This magic treasure was crafted specifically for ascetics.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It could create a harsh environment, devastating to other Dao sects, but barely affecting ascetics.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng raised an eyebrow and said, “Master Zhong, why go to such lengths? Are you trying to die with me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhong Desong shook his head and smiled, “We won’t die together—I can endure this pain, but you can’t. You’re a homebound cultivator, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng’s heart tightened; many could tell he was a wandering cultivator, since wandering cultivators had obvious traits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Zhong Desong hadn’t recognized him as a wandering cultivator—he’d identified him as a homebound cultivator.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How had he figured it out?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhong Desong stroked the teapot in his hand and whispered, “Old Lady Han’s house had a treasure—a grandfather clock. No one else saw it as anything special, but I knew its secret: it was Old Lady Han’s home spirit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That pendulum in your hand? It came from that clock—I recognize it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You killed Old Lady Han inside her home and took her home spirit. Only a homebound cultivator could do that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So he hadn’t seen it—he’d deduced it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhong Desong moved along the wall, stroking the teapot, slowly approaching Li Banfeng: “Li Qi, you killed Old Lady Han’s entire family—your cultivation base must be high. But judging by your age, you’re at most second-layer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A second-layer homebound cultivator, fresh out of his home? I’d never dare fight you. But I’ve calculated: since you entered the bun shop, three hours have passed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Your home must be nearby. Once you return to it, I’d be no match for you. But here, on this ground, you won’t survive the night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feeling hot? Do you feel like you’re about to be steamed to death? Homebound cultivators grow accustomed to comfort in their homes—they can’t endure hardship. In this place of torment, you’re powerless to fight.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhong Desong understood homebound cultivators well—he knew they were unfit to fight in harsh environments.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He intended to kill Li Banfeng, and he’d prepared for this battle thoroughly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wall-top was narrow, wet, and slippery; beyond it lay the invisible barrier. Normal people couldn’t walk on it—couldn’t even stand still.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Zhong Desong stepped with perfect stability; his smiling face gradually twisted into a grimace:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tell me—how did you kill Old Lady Han? And how did you kill her two sons?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng blinked in surprise. “Why are you so obsessed with Old Lady Han? Is she your wife?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If only she were,” Zhong Desong didn’t deny it—he truly cared for Old Lady Han, but she never gave him a chance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What did you find so appealing about her?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Everything about her was good. She was a good person!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That old woman was a good person?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What kind of thinking was this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He truly loved her!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Zhong Desong drew closer, Li Banfeng shifted his foot slightly, as if retreating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhong Desong chuckled twice: “Don’t move. Don’t dare move. This wall-top is slick as ice—one misstep and you’ll fall into the water. Once you fall, not even a bone fragment will remain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this pot of tea-water, I’ve killed six second-layer cultivators, two third-layer ones, and wounded a fourth-layer one. Do you think you can escape?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I can walk on this wall—you can’t. No matter how treacherous the path, I can walk it. I can fight here—you can’t. Because I can endure any suffering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you don’t believe me, take a few steps forward. Want to be boiled alive? I won’t stop you. If you want a quick death, answer my question: how exactly did you kill Old Lady Han’s family? You really are…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng sprinted forward and kicked Zhong Desong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhong Desong staggered, nearly falling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Caught off-guard, Li Banfeng seized his wrist and snatched the teapot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhong Desong gasped, trying to drag Li Banfeng into the boiling water with him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could withstand the heat for a while—but Li Banfeng couldn’t endure even a second.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Doesn’t matter—he never intended to jump in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng sidestepped and kicked Zhong Desong again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhong Desong lost his balance and fell alone into the boiling water.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Agony surged—he struggled desperately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How is this possible?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could he stand steady?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How did he run over here?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How didn’t he fall off the wall?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The steam had indeed made the wall-top slippery.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Normally, a homebound cultivator standing on the wall-top, back pressed against the invisible barrier, unable to control balance, feet slick with moisture—couldn’t take a single step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhong Desong could endure harsh conditions and possessed extreme adaptability, so each step was firm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But if you compare footwork with a wandering cultivator, he was deluding himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To a wandering cultivator, this slippery wall-top was no different from flat ground—Li Banfeng could run on it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhong Desong, boiled through in the water, struggled to surface—he tried to transfer his agony onto Li Banfeng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng stood firmly on one foot atop the wall, extended the other, and stamped down on Zhong Desong’s head, forcing him back under.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You like enduring pain? Go ahead—have your fill!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhong Desong surfaced again—Li Banfeng kicked him back under.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You loved Old Lady Han so much? I’ll send you to join her!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>PS: Dear readers, isn’t Shala’s update impressive?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shala wrote until utterly exhausted, just to write a good book—to hear your cheers, to hear you applaud!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2641,"2026-06-20T03:43:13.043Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","fa417f9202ee4496ddf8803fcdf96f63305cd9092bbe748b1ab2fd8b7045bef6","lord-of-the-proles-chapter-86","lord-of-the-proles-chapter-84",863,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Flord-of-the-proles-cover.jpg"]