[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-lord-of-the-proles":3,"chapter-lord-of-the-proles-lord-of-the-proles-chapter-93":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},2290391,4478,"Chapter 93: Fate","lord-of-the-proles-chapter-93",93,"\u003Cp>Green Water Bay, Lu family mansion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Xiaolan was released from the dungeon and returned to her bedroom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To be honest, Lu Xiaolan didn’t know if this counted as a good omen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That night, Lu Dongliang came to see Lu Xiaolan—for the first time since returning to the Lu mansion, she saw her father.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She bowed formally to her father; Lu Dongliang put on a benevolent smile: “Sit down, you’re home now, no need to be so formal.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiaolan, you’ve suffered these past two days—I had no choice. Some things must be done to impress the He family. I heard from your mother about He Jiaqing’s matter—I believe you. But about Li Ban, I have a few questions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had people investigate: Li Ban did come to Puluozhou. He got off the train at Yaowang Gou, and after that, there was no trace of him. You say he went to the He family’s old mansion—I believe that too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I received word from outside the province: this Li Ban is a complete novice. He has no cultivation at all. Even if he met a peddler after getting off the train, he’s still just a low-level beginner. How did he escape from the He family’s old mansion?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Xiaolan shook her head: “I told my mother, and I told Second Uncle—I truly don’t know how he got out.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Dongliang fell silent for a long while, then frowned slightly: “Xiaolan, the He family’s old mansion has a spirit guardian. Qiu Zhiheng told me it’s not an ordinary one.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If even you couldn’t get out, how could Li Ban have escaped? Even if I believe you, do you think the He family will?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Whether the He family believes it or not doesn’t matter—Father, don’t you believe me? How much did I suffer to get the Xuan Sheng Honglian? Do you know what I’ve endured these days? Why would I lie to you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Xiaolan’s voice rose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Dongliang blinked, his frown deepening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Xiaolan, I’ll ask you one more time: when Li Ban reached the He family’s old mansion, did you kill him?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He didn’t die! He ran away!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is the Xuan Sheng Honglian in your possession?” Lu Dongliang’s tone grew heavier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not with me. I don’t even know what the Xuan Sheng Honglian is for—why would I keep it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Xiaolan’s voice grew louder; Lu Dongliang stopped asking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence returned to the room. Lu Xiaolan wept softly—she was truly wronged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Dongliang suddenly rose and left Lu Xiaolan’s bedroom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t believe Lu Xiaolan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not only didn’t he believe her—her tears and outbursts filled him with revulsion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Late at night, Li Ban arrived at Paifang Street and saw a phonograph set up again outside Feng’s General Store.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Any news on the travel permit?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hurried into the store. Feng the Shopkeeper was still awake and immediately led him to the back room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Boss Li, the elixirs sold, but something’s odd.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How so?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A customer came and bought twenty She Ban Dan. Paid cash on the spot. Then he asked for another twenty Xuan Chi Dan.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Each Xuan Chi Dan was priced at 250,000—twenty totaled five million. He’d never bought from me before, yet he wanted such a huge order. In all my years in business, I’ve never seen a customer like him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ban thought for a moment, then asked: “Feng Shopkeeper, do you have any rations?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Canned meat?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes—Ingrid’s beef cans. How many do you need?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Two cases of beef cans, and thirty jin of dried rations.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feng the Shopkeeper knew what Li Ban intended: “Boss Li, I have compressed biscuits—would you like some?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Give me two cases. Do you have maps?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I have maps of Puluozhou and Yaowang Gou—Green Water Bay, Kudai Kan, Haichiling, Santou Cha. But Puluozhou changes every year; some maps aren’t accurate.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Just a general direction is fine. Give me one of each.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ban was leaving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Lu family had found a lead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>According to Yu Nan’s description, Dabo Yensī’s cultivation far surpassed hers—this wasn’t some third- or fourth-tier cultivator.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yaowang Gou was no longer safe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feng the Shopkeeper immediately ordered Chunsheng to prepare the goods, then brought out two wide-brimmed hats and two fake beards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hats’ brims were broad—perfect for shielding the face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The beards needed no explanation—their purpose was obvious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Boss Li, take them. You’ll need them on the road. And your stored elixirs—take them too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ban took the hats and beards and said to Feng the Shopkeeper: “Leave the elixirs here. Sell as many as you can. If I don’t come back, consider them a gift.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feng the Shopkeeper’s eyes trembled. In all his years of business, this man had truly forged a bond.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ban truly wanted to give the elixirs to Feng the Shopkeeper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not for any other reason—Dabo Yensī had paid so freely before. If Feng had any intention, he could have betrayed Li Ban at any time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he didn’t. That loyalty deserved Li Ban’s return.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chunsheng had just finished packing when a noise came from the front counter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Feng Shopkeeper, have my elixirs arrived?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the sound of the voice, Li Ban’s hair nearly stood on end.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Private detective Dabo Yensī!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feng the Shopkeeper signaled Li Ban to stay hidden, then put on a smile and went to greet the customer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sir, why are you here so late?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dabo Yensī smiled: “Just passing by. Came to ask about the elixirs. Shall we talk in the back room?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feng the Shopkeeper shook his head: “No need. Your order hasn’t arrived yet. Come back in a couple of days.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not yet?” Dabo Yensī was surprised. “But my friend urgently needs them. How much stock do you have? Let’s discuss prices in the back room.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feng the Shopkeeper shook his head: “Bad timing—I’ve sold out of everything.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So unlucky? No Xuan Chi Dan left? But surely you still have She Ban Dan? Let’s discuss She Ban Dan in the back room?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feng the Shopkeeper glanced at Chunsheng: “Do we still have She Ban Dan?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chunsheng scratched his head: “Boss, we ran out of She Ban Dan yesterday.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No She Ban Dan either?” Dabo Yensī grew even more surprised. “Then what elixirs do you have? Let’s discuss them in the back room.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dabo Yensī kept insisting on the back room—he clearly knew Li Ban was inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under this pressure, Feng the Shopkeeper couldn’t hold out much longer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the back room, Li Ban heard every word through his thread-earring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He sent all the canned meat, rations, and biscuits into his Personal Dwelling, then threw the key out the window.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the front counter, Feng the Shopkeeper’s face changed—the smile vanished. “Sir, we’re out of elixirs. Come back another day.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“All elixirs are out? Feng Shopkeeper, did you give them all to someone else?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feng the Shopkeeper smiled: “That’s none of your business.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dabo Yensī shook his head: “I think you’re not being sincere. I’d like to check the back room myself—see if any elixirs remain.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke, Dabo Yensī stepped around the counter toward the back room. Chunsheng stepped forward to block him: “What’s your meaning? Did we invite you in? Are you just barging in?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dabo Yensī chuckled: “Young man, are you going to fight me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fight? So what? I’m not afraid of some fake foreigner!” Chunsheng glared and grabbed the feather duster beside him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anyone else would have mocked Chunsheng for overestimating himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Dabo Yensī didn’t laugh. Though Chunsheng held only a feather duster, his stance was unusual.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So you’re a Wu Xiu,” Dabo Yensī realized—Chunsheng was indeed a Wu Xiu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Xiu could wield any weapon skillfully—even a feather duster could become deadly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The main force of a feather duster lay in its wooden handle—it could thrust, sweep, or strike. But that didn’t mean the feathers were useless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The colorful feathers could distract an opponent’s vision. Especially with an old duster—years of accumulated dust could fly up and blind the enemy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feng the Shopkeeper added: “As the saying goes, business may fail, but goodwill remains. I’ll keep an eye out for your elixirs. Don’t let a small matter ruin our harmony.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Simple words. Nothing special.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Dabo Yensī found them deeply reasonable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was this the Art of Flowing Speech?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Shopkeeper, are you a Wen Xiu?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feng the Shopkeeper smiled: “Call me a Wen Xiu if you like.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dabo Yensī couldn’t determine his sect, but nodded in admiration: “What a den of hidden dragons and tigers, this general store.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tension flared—just as they were about to clash, Dabo Yensī’s eyes flickered, and he changed his mind: “My apologies. My friend urgently needs the elixirs, so I spoke hastily. Don’t take offense. I’ll take my leave.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dabo Yensī withdrew from the store. Feng the Shopkeeper immediately ordered Chunsheng to close up and find Li Ban in the back room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ban was already gone. The window was open—as if he’d escaped through it. But the window had bars. Feng the Shopkeeper didn’t know how he’d gotten out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ban had thrown the key out the window and escaped using his Personal Dwelling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He sprinted down a dark alley, preparing to leave Ligou immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he exited Paifang Street, he sensed something behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Subtle, but unmistakable—he felt a thread drifting behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could it be…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Spider silk!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng gasped in shock, spun around, and snapped the spider silk—but it was too late.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A harmonica melody sounded beside his ear; Daboyens was coming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had laid spider silk around Feng’s General Store precisely because he sensed its vibration, which is why he left the store; otherwise, he would have stormed in directly—Feng the Shopkeeper and Chunsheng together might not have been his match.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A general store with so many high-grade elixirs? I found that strange. I heard a foreigner often came here to buy things—I immediately thought of you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I waited two days near the store, and finally you showed up. That’s the skill of a detective.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng, my friend, I know your name. Though we’ve met, you may not recognize me. Let me introduce myself: I’m a private detective, Daboyens.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I told you our connection wouldn’t end. We could’ve met properly back in the new lands of Mount Jiangyue, but I never expected you to bring the Cloak Moth Lady here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That day, I suffered greatly. You may not know what I endured then. Don’t rush—everything I went through that night, you will experience again.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tell me, what exactly did you go through that night? I’m curious.” Li Banfeng sought an opening to flee, but suddenly felt danger closing in from all sides.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Daboyens smiled. “A traveler? You sense danger? Every inch around you is webbed. If you want to run, go ahead—hit a web, and I’ll save myself the trouble.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke, Daboyens waved his hand, and two clumps of spider silk shot out from his sleeves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng dodged frantically, avoiding one clump—then another came. In moments, he was backed into a corner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The overwhelming power crushed him, making it hard to breathe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though his cultivation base was invisible, Daboyens made no effort to suppress his malice—Li Banfeng realized he had not the slightest chance of victory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Daboyens bared two sharp fangs and stepped close to Li Banfeng. “Give up your futile struggle. You have no escape.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What should he do?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lure him into the Portable Dwelling?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could his wife defeat him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if she could, what if he refused to enter?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Daboyens was no opponent Li Banfeng could easily control.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he failed to lure him in and Daboyens took the key, Li Banfeng would be trapped forever inside the Portable Dwelling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng touched the Tang Dao hidden in his belt, preparing to gamble—could he cut through the silk?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, a man’s voice came from nearby: “Sir, you directed me to Andetang Pharmacy. I went, but their physician couldn’t cure my herpes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Daboyens froze, turned, and saw the foreigner—the foreigner covered in herpes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cuitike smiled at Daboyens. “You gave me the wrong direction. I suffered great losses. As compensation, hand this man over to me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>PS: To all readers on Qidian who’ve reached this point—thank you for your trust in Shala, your support for Shala, your belief in Shala. Shala deeply thanks you all!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another chapter at 5 PM tonight!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2056,"2026-06-20T03:43:13.043Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","638bca5892f4ecc3f04e15d9c1621b7df9a17a4e2a402290d4470532aead7c76","lord-of-the-proles-chapter-94","lord-of-the-proles-chapter-92",863,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Flord-of-the-proles-cover.jpg"]