[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-lord-of-the-proles":3,"chapter-lord-of-the-proles-lord-of-the-proles-chapter-851":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},2291149,4478,"Chapter 851","lord-of-the-proles-chapter-851",851,"\u003Cp>Prince Anshun departed his mansion, escorted by a group of subordinates, heading for Qiao Yi’s residence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng had chosen an ideal location; elsewhere, Prince Anshun might not have dared to go.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Visiting Qiao Yi’s residence posed no issue: first, it proved Qiao Yi was still alive, helping Prince Anshun temporarily stabilize the other cabinet members.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Second, Qiao Yi’s residence was entirely staffed by his own men—he could handle any emergency.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon reaching the study, Prince Anshun dismissed all his subordinates, waited over ten minutes, then Li Banfeng slowly appeared within the study.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Highness!” Prince Anshun bowed deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No need for such formalities,” Li Banfeng said, offering a token gesture of support.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both sat down; Prince Anshun asked: “Since Your Highness summoned me, I’ll speak plainly—I’m in a dire position. What can you do to help me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng replied: “The way to help you is to make you emperor. First, tell me how much capital you have.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Prince Anshun admitted: “I have little capital—I doubt I can become emperor. I’d be satisfied just to control the cabinet, like Grand Secretary Qiao.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This statement revealed a key fact: Qiao Yi was truly gone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng asked again: “Why can’t you become emperor? Aren’t you legitimate imperial blood?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Prince Anshun gave a bitter laugh: “Imperial blood has many branches. Mine is the most rejected—don’t dwell on it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng frowned: “Controlling the cabinet isn’t easy. Do the cabinet members obey you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Prince Anshun lowered his head in silence—clearly, he couldn’t control them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng said: “You may lack manpower, but surely you have some material resources.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Prince Anshun raised his head, his expression slightly stern: “In Zhaoge, there are countless first-class weapons—all under my command.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng showed faint admiration and smiled: “With such assets, why not move directly into the imperial palace? Kill anyone who disagrees.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Prince Anshun’s face darkened: “Li Qi, I came to you because you’re the head of Pulu Province. I don’t want to fight Pulu Province anymore. I only seek to control the cabinet—then our two families can reconcile. This is serious business, not a jest.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng’s smile vanished: “Shunzi, I want to help you because I think you still have some strength. Answer honestly about your capital—don’t waste my time with empty boasts.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Prince Anshun asked: “What exactly do you mean by ‘capital’?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng said: “Internally, you must have the imperial seal—otherwise, you can’t even issue a single edict!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Externally, you must have the Great Totem—without troops, how can you command the court?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Prince Anshun lowered his head: “I have neither. Both imperial seals were stolen by He Jiaqing. I don’t even know where the Great Totem is.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng rose to leave: “Shunzi, that’s dishonest. If you had no Great Totem, you’d be dead at Sanshoucha already. Now you tell me you don’t know where it is? That’s not sincere.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Prince Anshun quickly blocked Li Banfeng: “I know where the Great Totem is—but I don’t know how to activate it!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng smiled: “That’s more like it. The method to use the Great Totem can be studied later. But you must have the seal. Originally, Qiao Yi’s seal was forged by Duan Tielu. Can you find him? Have him make you another.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Prince Anshun said: “I know where Duan Tielu is—I just don’t know if he’ll help me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng said: “Duan Tielu won’t help you. He’s paranoid. Qiao Yi used countless methods just to sway him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We’ll need to figure this out together—he’s from Pulu Province. If he still wants profit there, he can’t bypass me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll give him advantages—he’ll naturally look out for you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Prince Anshun nodded: “I trust you. If both tasks succeed, I’ll sign a contract with you—while I remain in office, the Shang state will never attack Pulu Province.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng shook his head: “Shunzi, your offer is too low. I help you achieve this, and all I get is safety?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng shook his head and said, “Shunzi, you’re offering too little for this. I helped you pull off something this big—do you think it’s just for your safety?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng said: “Dingye City looks good—I want it as my fief.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Prince Anshun frowned tightly, then slowly relaxed: “I agree.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I enjoy music and dance. Moyi is the city of music and dance—I want it as my fief too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moyi was the capital of music and dance; half of Shang’s dance halls were there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Prince Anshun gritted his teeth: “I agree to that too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng produced a contract and wrote it out: “Since you agree, place your blood seal.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Prince Anshun pressed his blood seal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng tucked the contract away: “Tell me the location of the Great Totem first—don’t lie. The contract binds us.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Prince Anshun said: “The Great Totem is in Zhen, the former capital. Zhen’s location cannot be described in words, nor drawn on a map—but I remember where it is.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s choose a suitable day—I’ll personally escort Your Highness to Zhen. What do you say?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng paused, then said: “I’ll set the date. We’ll depart then.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Prince Anshun nodded: “As Your Highness wishes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both parties settled their terms and left Qiao Yi’s residence one after the other.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back at his mansion, Prince Anshun stretched his shoulders and asked his right hand: “Is the hook removed?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The right hand replied: “Removed the moment we left Qiao Yi’s residence.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Prince Anshun smiled, took off his right hand, and placed it on the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hand transformed into a eunuch, standing respectfully beside him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This right hand was a first-class weapon, possessing both Kuixiu  and  Wuxiu  properties. Just now, Prince Anshun had pressed his blood seal using this very hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Li Qi wants to uncover the Great Totem and Duan Tielu’s whereabouts,” Prince Anshun sneered. “He thinks a few lies will earn him such a big prize? He underestimates me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The eunuch asked: “Your Highness, why not kill him then?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qiao Yi’s residence had many first-class weapons; Prince Anshun had deployed his own weapons and men—killing Li Qi wasn’t impossible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Prince Anshun didn’t want to risk it. He’d been too close to Li Qi—such words couldn’t be spoken before weapons. Besides, his visit to Li Qi had other intentions: “Using Li Qi’s reputation, we can accomplish many things. Many in the court fear Li Qi—this is the perfect chance to intimidate them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“As for his claims about the seal and the Great Totem—they’re actually true. Using his name might truly get things done.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Tianyi City, A Yu listened carefully, then told Li Banfeng: “He said he’ll use your name to accomplish everything inside and out.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng nodded: “Let him do it. Will the hook remain undetected?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Yu shook her head: “He has no such ability. This hook has three layers of casing. Finding the first layer is already his fortune.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng knew Prince Anshun wasn’t easily fooled. He’d arranged the meeting not to directly extract the Great Totem or Duan Tielu’s location, but to plant the hook.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the study, Li Banfeng and Tian Nü had concealed A Yu while she attached the hook to Prince Anshun. To ensure safety, A Yu had layered three casings around it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng deployed multiple channels to gather intelligence: Zuo Anna, Yuan Miaoping, Luo Lijun, Boluo, A Yu—waiting to see which path yielded the first lead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the return journey to Pulu Province, Li Banfeng asked A Yu: “Where is the former capital, Zhen?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Yu shook her head: “Zhen is a legendary place. I’ve heard the name, but I don’t know where it is.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng thought: I’ll find an opportunity to visit Waizhou—perhaps there I’ll find clues.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Yu advised against it: “If you’re seeking clues from Anxing Bureau, don’t bother. Their records on Zhen are nearly nonexistent.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Better to find Zhou Badou. In Pulu Province, only he has any historical knowledge—he’s collected many texts on the Xia Dynasty.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Yu paused, as if disturbed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boluo stepped forward: “Elder, did you sense something?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The hook received a response!” A Yu looked at Li Banfeng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unexpectedly—Li Banfeng had contacted Prince Anshun last, yet he was the first to yield information.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Yu repeated Prince Anshun’s words verbatim:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What Qiao Yi gave you, I’ll double—don’t worry about those things. I’ve already spoken to Li Qi—I tell you, if you want to return to Pulu Province, you need Li Qi’s approval. He’s the boss—you have no other path. Talking to those others is useless; the old men now all listen to Li Qi.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You don’t need to worry about Li Qi’s side—I’ll handle it. Right now, I just want the seal. Your reward is right before you: make me the seal, and from now on, no one in Shang or Pulu will trouble you. Shang has me watching over you, Pulu has Li Qi watching over you—you can live anywhere. Your old agreement with the Peddler is void. Now Li Qi is in charge. I’ll tell you plainly: even Li Qi listens to me. If you refuse to cooperate with me, don’t even think of Li Qi. Go to Pulu, and he’ll kill you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The communication ended. A Yu relayed everything she’d heard to Li Banfeng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuan Miaoping cursed Prince Anshun: “This bastard is shameless! Our boss listens to him? What’s he thinking? He’s blowing so hard, even oxen would fly!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng didn’t care how many lies Prince Anshun told—he cared why A Yu had only repeated Prince Anshun’s words: “What about Duan Tielu? What did he say?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Yu remained silent. Tian Nü explained: “No need to repeat Duan Tielu’s part—you can guess the gist.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Guess what gist?” Li Banfeng snapped. “Just say it!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Yu shook her head: “I didn’t hear anything.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng stared: “What do you mean, didn’t hear?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I heard nothing!” A Yu shook her head urgently. “I didn’t even hear Duan Tielu’s voice.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng stared: “Impossible. Was his voice encrypted?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng frowned: “That can’t be right—did he encrypt his voice?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ba Suan added: “Even if encrypted, even if it’s just noise—we have ways to break it!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Yu used her  Kuixiu  technique: identical replay.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She replayed the entire conversation exactly as heard, including background sounds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sound of Prince Anshun drinking tea, slapping the table, pacing—clearly audible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ba Suan asked: “Where’s Duan Tielu’s encrypted voice?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boluo, also a top-tier  Kuixiu , listened long and whispered: “The other side’s voice is completely silent.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tian Nü speculated: “I think this prince is bluffing. He can’t reach Duan Tielu at all—he’s testing us.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuan Miaoping said: “You mean he spotted A Yu’s hook? That’s why he’s acting?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuan Miaoping said, “So you think he saw through Ah Yu’s hook, and that’s why he put on a show for us?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Yu shook her head repeatedly: “He couldn’t have seen it—he has no such ability. Duan Tielu just replied—I sensed his reply.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ah Yu shook her head repeatedly: “He couldn’t have seen it—he doesn’t have that ability. Duan Tielu just replied, and I felt his reply.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t know what technique this is. Duan Tielu couldn’t possibly have this ability—he can’t evade my ears. I was just careless!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Yu replayed the conversation dozens of times.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng noticed A Yu’s distress: “Sister, that’s enough. We can study this later.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng felt Yu was acting strangely: “Sister, that’s enough—we can study this slowly later.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Heavenly Maiden directly blocked Yu: “No need to take it so seriously—it’s not a big deal. If you can’t hear, then you can’t hear; there’ll be plenty of chances later—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Get out of my way!” Yu shoved the Heavenly Maiden aside, her eyes filling with blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The others didn’t understand why Yu was so obsessed, but the Heavenly Maiden knew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the first time in her life, Yu could sense someone speaking—but hear no sound at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After another dozen minutes, Yu collapsed with a thud and couldn’t get up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Heavenly Maiden supported Yu and said to Li Banfeng: “Take her back to the mansion—she’s injured!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng returned to his Personal Chamber and used the Linked Chamber to bring Yu back to the mansion in Gourd Village.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ba Suan didn’t understand: “Is this your Kui Xiu obsession? Once you can’t hear, you have to torment yourself like this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bo Luo shook his head: “This isn’t a Kui Xiu obsession—it’s her own. She’s the strongest Kui Xiu in the world. If she loses to Duan Tielu, then the entire Dao Sect loses to Duan Tielu.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng laid Yu back in the mansion and, seizing the opportunity, decided to ask his wife about the Jade Seal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Heavenly Maiden stayed behind to care for Yu. An old man’s laughter echoed through the mansion: “Mansion spirits belong inside the mansion. Running around outside for no reason? This is what happens.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old woman upstairs sighed: “This isn’t Yu’s fault—our master ordered her out.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man gloated: “I didn’t say it’s anyone’s fault. I just want to warn her: no matter how big the matter, she should stay inside. A mansion spirit wandering outside all the time—what kind of image is that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Shut up!” The Heavenly Maiden suddenly spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man froze: “Who the hell are you? You’re telling me I can’t speak?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hss~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A faint breeze stirred, lifting the Heavenly Maiden’s hair. A chilling, deadly aura filled the entire room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What are you planning?” The old man grew tense—but didn’t back down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman next door said: “Be careful, everyone. She’s a very powerful Zhai Xiu. Watch out—she might take over your mansion.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You dare!” The old man gritted his teeth. “We’ll fight you to the death!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Heavenly Maiden spoke slowly: “I don’t want to fight you, or talk to you. I made a pact with Li Qi. As long as it holds, I won’t take over his mansion.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ten mansions fell silent, listening to the Heavenly Maiden, yet ready to fight her at any moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Heavenly Maiden truly had no intention of fighting them: “You have only one mansion spirit. Your master isn’t the type to guard his home. If the spirit is harmed, your future will be ruined. Use all your skills to restore Yu quickly—she pushed her technique too hard. She may have already damaged her soul.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Xiao followed Li Banfeng back to his Personal Chamber and brought out the Dark Bridge Cannon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the Dark Bridge Cannon, Ai was ecstatic: “Sister, this thing is well-made—it’s just a giant Jade Seal!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qiu Luoye blinked: “What connection does this have to the Jade Seal? They look nothing alike!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ai snapped: “No wonder you’re so narrow-minded. Go cook dinner. Don’t clutter up here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qiu Luoye stormed off. Zhao Xiao activated the Dark Bridge Cannon and said to Ai: “This thing isn’t quite the same as the Jade Seal. You’ll understand once you see it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though there was no visible boundary, the Dark Bridge Cannon still constructed a dark bridge. Zhao Xiao pulled out two Jade Seals and handed them to Li Banfeng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After roughly two seconds, the Jade Seals glowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng frowned: “What’s going on?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>According to Li Banfeng’s understanding, the Jade Seal only glowed when encountering an entrance or exit to a path.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Xiao explained: “The reason is that the Jade Seal has detected a path.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Detected a path? Isn’t it just detecting an entrance?” Li Banfeng was confused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Xiao said: “At first, I thought the Jade Seal sensed entrances. But there are too many—strange, varied, impossible to distinguish. The reason it recognizes each entrance is because it recognizes the path. All these entrances connect to the same road.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng was still pondering the theory when Ai took action: “Xiaowan, let me try!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She moved to another spot and activated the Dark Bridge Cannon again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the dark bridge appeared, the Jade Seal glowed once more after two seconds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if the Jade Seal recognizes paths, Li Banfeng still didn’t understand: “The dark bridge is a temporary road we built. Can the Jade Seal recognize that too?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Xiao shook her head repeatedly: “Beloved husband, the bridge is temporary, but the road isn’t. I’ve told you many times—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You just don’t listen.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This road has always existed. Like Professor Yu Yao’s lecture on wormholes: wormholes were always there. We only discovered how to enter and exit them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I built the Dark Bridge Cannon, but I never understood which road it connected to. Now I think… I might finally understand.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng was stunned. His wife had solved something Professor Yu Yao spent half his life failing to understand?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was about to ask for details when Ai stopped Zhao Xiao: “Sister, I’ve studied this for years too. We can’t discuss it here—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Some things can’t be heard by others. Let’s go inside.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng retracted the Dark Bridge Cannon and followed Ai and his wife into the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His wife hung the blueprints of the Dark Bridge Cannon and the Jade Seal on the wall: “Look—don’t these two diagrams look similar?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ai said: “I don’t need to look at the diagrams. Just seeing the real thing, I knew they were alike. Leave the diagrams for your husband to study.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng glared at Ai but stared intently at the blueprints—they were beautifully drawn!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Actually, the principle is simple,” his wife pointed to each diagram. “There’s only one road, but many entrances and exits—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Just like the expressways in Waizhou.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“These entrances are fixed. To open them, you need a key. The Jade Seal is that key.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng thought a moment: “Without the key, you can’t get on the road?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His wife shook her head: “Without the key, there are other ways—like building a bridge from outside to force your way onto the road. That’s the Dark Bridge Cannon.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ai stared at the Dark Bridge Cannon for a long time, still pondering his wife’s words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng didn’t fully understand: “Wife, are you saying the road from Neizhou to Santou Cha and the road from Neizhou to Jianren Gang are the same?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His wife nodded: “They’re the same road. The Jade Seal has a special resonance with this road, so it glows near entrances and exits.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That can’t be—” Li Banfeng recalled the Heavenly Maiden’s explanation of roads. “Different regions are connected by different roads—I understand that. But you say different regions are connected by the same road? I can’t grasp that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Xiao understood Li Banfeng’s confusion: “Some things here can’t be grasped by logic alone. You need calculation, extensive deduction and experimentation. Some concepts may still be beyond your understanding now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng snapped: “What’s that supposed to mean? Looking down on me? I went to university!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Xiao quickly soothed: “I’m just afraid I’m not articulate enough to explain it clearly. Let me organize the deduction process one day—you’ll understand at a glance.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng wasn’t sure he’d understand the deduction: “Wife, you said there’s an experiment too. Show me one.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Xiao said: “Easy. No matter where you move the Dark Bridge Cannon, as long as you create a dark bridge, the Jade Seal will respond—proving it always connects to the same road.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng shook his head: “The Dark Bridge Cannon generates intense electromagnetic interference. Maybe that’s why the Jade Seal glows.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Xiao pressed her lips tightly, her nose trembling slightly, then nodded: “Husband, you might be right.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng snapped: “What? Again with the condescension?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Beloved husband, you misunderstand—I could never—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ai interjected: “Brother, stop. Even I look down on you now. Do you think the Jade Seal is a lightbulb? Do you think such a simple thing escaped Xiaowan’s notice?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng looked at Zhao Xiao: “Wife, did you think of this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Xiao lowered her head: “Before you mentioned it, I never thought of it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ai was furious: “Are you really that protective of him? Don’t you know spoiling children ruins them? If my mother hadn’t spoiled me so much, would she have become my sister?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng fell silent. Compared to these two, he was truly out of his depth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ai stared at the two diagrams for a long time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Xiao said: “I’ve only theorized so far. Many things still need verification. It’s natural for you to raise questions.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ai pinched her chin: “I have a perfect experiment—but I’m not sure whether to do it. If I do, I’ll hand over the foundation of my survival to you. But if I don’t… I just can’t stop itching to try.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng urged: “Then do it. That itch is unbearable.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ai looked at Li Banfeng: “Do it now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng nodded: “Why wait?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Xiao said: “Then I’ll watch closely—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After careful consideration, Ai led Zhao Xiao and Li Banfeng to a cave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mountain lay at the edge of the Gourd Belly. Li Banfeng had lived in Gourd Village for a while, yet he still knew nothing about this mountain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cave was extremely narrow, with countless side passages. The two followed Ai for over half an hour before reaching a slightly more spacious area.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Slightly more spacious” meant about five or six square meters. Ai opened a hidden door in the stone wall. Inside were three valves. She shut two of them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The instant the valves closed, Li Banfeng felt a surge of danger: “Sister, what are you doing?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ai turned back to Li Banfeng and Zhao Xiao: “The Gourd is always concealed. From one end of the village to the other, it’s layered under hundreds of layers of Manzi, just to keep it from being sensed. Brother, do you understand?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng nodded: “Of course. It’s invisibility and shielding!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Xiao praised: “Well said, husband!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ai pointed to the third valve: “If I shut this one too, the Manzi will be lifted. Gourd Village will be exposed. Brother, you get my meaning?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng nodded: “I get it. Don’t keep asking me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Xiao explained: “Ai, my husband’s afraid I won’t understand.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ai placed her right hand on the valve: “I built Gourd Village. The Peddler helped. Old Train helped too. But because they helped, things became complicated.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“For years, Gourd Village has traveled in secrecy. But what exactly is secrecy? Honestly, I don’t understand.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, Li Banfeng didn’t understand: “You don’t understand secrecy, yet you control Gourd Village moving through it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ai nodded: “It’s like people in Waizhou—they can write programs on computers, but they don’t actually understand how electricity and magnetism make computers work.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ai Yi nodded: “It’s the same as with people from other provinces—many of them can write programs on computers, but they don’t actually understand how computers run on electricity and magnetism.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As she spoke, Ai slowly turned the valve: “I can only close the valve for two seconds—otherwise, Gourd Village might be exposed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng understood Ai’s intent. He pulled out the Jade Seal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ai flipped her wrist—the valve slammed shut completely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Yi flipped her wrist, and the valve was completely shut.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng looked down at the jade seal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The jade seal initially showed no reaction; after nearly a second, it began to emit a faint light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After another nearly second, the jade seal gradually brightened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng was astonished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Yi was also astonished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She immediately closed the valve, and the jade seal’s light vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Xiao wan murmured softly: “So Hulucun is also on this path.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>PS: Besides Hulucun, what else is on this path?\u003C\u002Fp>",3911,"2026-06-20T03:43:18.603Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","01db94b2a81b2510f4e4cffe5c2cb25dbe7ff81af5828dec799ba7cfb02fe3d6","lord-of-the-proles-chapter-852","lord-of-the-proles-chapter-850",863,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Flord-of-the-proles-cover.jpg"]