Becoming an immortal from a canal worker

"Clang!"

With a dull thud, the heavy gangplank slammed down onto the stone steps of the dock, sending up a cloud of mud.

The grain cargo ship has docked.

Chen Ping, dressed in only a thin shirt, led Gouwa, who looked timid and pale, as they slowly disembarked from the ship with the crowded flow of people.

Before he could even get his footing on the shore, a hoarse voice, tinged with a mix of mockery and surprise, pierced through the morning mist and into his ears.

"Oh? Isn't this our Chen Ping?"

Chen Ping paused, looking in the direction of the sound.

Not far away, beside a pile of goods, Ghost Hand Zhang was sitting with his legs spread on a bundle of hemp rope.

Despite the freezing weather, he was still shirtless, revealing his well-built, dark muscles.

He was casually slapping the leather whip at his waist, which was soaked with sweat and blood.

Seeing Chen Ping standing there unharmed, Ghost Hand Zhang's eye muscles twitched noticeably. He then spat out the grass root in his mouth and stood up with a forced smile.

"I thought that a place like the mortuary would have killed your small frame long ago, but I didn't expect you to be so tough."

As he spoke, Ghost Hand Zhang swayed over with his pigeon-toed gait.

Upon seeing this, the surrounding canal workers scattered to both sides, their eyes filled with fear.

Chen Ping stood still, his expression calm: "Thanks to Steward Zhang, I'm still alive."

"It's good to be alive, because as long as you're alive you can work."

Ghost Hand Zhang walked up to Chen Ping and looked down at him.

"Perfect timing. You shouldn't rest either. Our Green Robe Society doesn't support idlers. Now that you're back, you should get those lazy bones of yours to work up a bit."

He stretched out his thick finger and pointed to a small boat moored in the far corner of the dock.

The ship looked quite old, with moss covering the hull and the waterline low.

"That's ship number nine." Ghost Hand Zhang's voice carried an unquestionable command. "We need to cross the river to deliver goods to Black Wind Pass early tomorrow morning. The waters there are swift and the waves are high, and there are also river bandits. We're in dire need of a few tough ballasts. I think you're quite suitable. You'll sleep on the ship tonight and come with us early tomorrow morning."

Upon hearing the words "Black Wind Pass," Gouwa, who was hiding behind Chen Ping, trembled all over and his face turned pale instantly.

That was a notorious place known as the Gates of Hell.

The Black Wind Mouth has a rapid current and is full of hidden reefs. If seven out of ten ships manage to return unscathed, that's considered a stroke of good luck.

Not to mention that it was ballast work; if something went wrong, the people locked in the hold would have nowhere to run and would simply drown.

This is blatantly sending people to their deaths.

Chen Ping narrowed his eyes, about to speak, when a somewhat sarcastic voice suddenly interrupted from the side.

"Oh my, Manager Zhang is really putting on quite a show this early in the morning."

Ghost Hand Zhang frowned, then abruptly turned his head, his fleshy face twitching: "Who's making those sarcastic remarks over there?"

In the morning mist, Steward Yellow Tooth strolled slowly towards them.

Manager Huang held a handkerchief that looked like it had been used for ages in his hand, covered his mouth and coughed lightly twice.

"Yellow-toothed Grandpa?"

Although Ghost Hand Zhang was the manager, he was just a thug. He usually acted arrogantly in front of the canal workers, but when facing Yellow Tooth, the manager in charge of money and grain accounts, he instinctively shrank back.

He took a deep breath, clasped his hands in a respectful greeting, and although his tone was polite, his eyes showed little respect.

"What's up, Master Yellow Teeth? You're up so early today? I'm giving instructions to the canal workers right now, isn't that against the rules?"

"Rules? Cough cough... Of course, our Tsing Yi Society is the most rule-abiding."

The yellow-toothed manager chuckled, revealing a set of yellowed teeth.

He ignored Ghost Hand Zhang directly, but instead glanced at Ghost Hand Zhang's bare arms with a look as if he were looking at something dirty, and then spoke slowly and deliberately.

"However, how you use a person sometimes depends on whose side they are on."

Upon hearing this, Ghost Hand Zhang's brows furrowed, and his voice immediately turned cold: "What do you mean by that, Master Yellow Teeth? Chen Ping signed a contract with no regard for his life, and he is under the jurisdiction of my dock. As the dock manager, it is only natural for me to arrange where he goes."

Manager Huangya seemed completely oblivious to the barb in his words, merely glancing sideways at the one-eyed man beside him before speaking indifferently.

"One-Eyed, give Manager Zhang a look, lest he say I'm heartless."

"Alright."

The one-eyed deputy grinned.

He stepped forward, deliberately walking slowly, and stopped in front of Ghost Hand Zhang. Then, he slowly took something out of his sleeve and waved it under Ghost Hand Zhang's nose.

"Manager Zhang, you're an expert, could you take a look at the quality of this?"

In the soft morning light, the half of the blood-stained jade pendant emitted a warm yet eerie luster.

The jade is translucent, and the blood-red line in the middle seems to be alive, winding and flowing, clearly indicating that it is not an ordinary piece.

Ghost Hand Zhang's pupils instantly shrank to the size of pinpoints.

He's a seasoned veteran, with a sharp eye.

He could tell at a glance that this jade pendant was very valuable!

"This...this is good stuff!"

The greed in Ghost Hand Zhang's eyes was almost impossible to conceal. He instinctively reached out his large hand to grab it: "Where did this come from? When did our docks get this kind of stuff?"

Just as his fingertips were about to touch the jade pendant, the one-eyed deputy flipped his wrist, as if performing a monkey trick, and deftly put the jade pendant back into his sleeve.

"Hey, Manager Zhang has a good eye."

The one-eyed deputy took a step back, looking at the astonished Ghost Hand Zhang with a half-smile, deliberately drawing out his voice.

"This is certainly a good thing. This is a special gift from Brother Chen Ping to Master Huangya."

These words were like a muffled thunderclap, exploding in Ghost Hand Zhang's ears.

Ghost Hand Zhang was stunned.

He blinked, seemingly not understanding the meaning of the words, pointed at Chen Ping, then at the one-eyed man's sleeve, his voice trembling:

"You...what did you say? Who gave it to you? Chen Ping?!"

"That's right," the one-eyed deputy sneered. "That blind pockmarked bastard from the White Gang tried to steal this treasure, sneaking into the mortuary in the middle of the night to kill and rob, but Brother Chen Ping took care of him on the spot. That courage, that loyalty, and that respect for elders—Manager Zhang, what do you think?"

Ghost Hand Zhang's expression instantly became extremely interesting.

First came shock, then his face turned a deep liver color, and finally a deep, dark blue.

This jade pendant actually came from Chen Ping's hands?

In his eyes, Chen Ping was just a dog under his command, a piece of expendable material that could be sacrificed at any time.

The dog found a bone, but instead of wagging its tail to give it to its owner, it bypassed him and gave it directly to another steward.

What is this?

This is betrayal! This is a blatant slap in the face!

"Okay, okay..."

Ghost Hand Zhang stared intently at Chen Ping, his teeth grinding together, and the veins on his neck throbbing.

He had no idea when this kid had gotten involved with One-Eyed, and he never expected that this usually quiet and reserved guy would dare to bypass him!

"Chen Ping, I underestimated you."

Ghost Hand Zhang's voice was squeezed out from between his teeth, carrying a chilling, sinister aura: "Since you have such filial piety, then you should work even harder to repay the company. As for the matter of Ship Number Nine, I think you shouldn't refuse. It's a good opportunity to go and gain some experience..."

"There's no need for ship number nine."

Manager Huangya suddenly spoke, interrupting Ghost Hand Zhang.

He slowly pulled out a red cloth strip that he had prepared beforehand from his pocket, and while playing with it in his hand, he said casually.

"Old Zhang, stop shouting about fighting all the time. We're after money, not pride."

"Besides, the guild has always been fair in its rewards and punishments. Chen Ping has made a great contribution and is a natural-born martial artist. How could such a talent be assigned to the ballast?"

Ghost Hand Zhang stared at the red cloth strip, his eyelids twitching suddenly, a sense of foreboding washing over him.

"Grandpa Yellow Teeth, what's wrong with you...?"

"I just spoke with the head of the incense shop."

Manager Huangya completely ignored Ghost Hand Zhang's ugly face, walked straight up to Chen Ping, and said with a smile, "The incense master said that merit will be rewarded. This red ribbon is for him."

boom!

Ghost Hand Zhang's mind went blank for a moment, completely dumbfounded.

He stared intently at the red ribbon, his eyes almost bulging out of their sockets, his expression as if he had seen a ghost.

Red ribbon.

That's the symbol of identity for the "Red Flower Stick" of the Tsing Yi Society!

Once you become a Red Flower Stick, you're a core fighter in the gang, second only to the manager.

Although he doesn't have as much real power as the manager, in terms of status, they are already "brothers" on equal footing!

Even if it were Ghost Hand Zhang, he could no longer treat Chen Ping like a laborer, beating and scolding him at will, nor could he casually send him to his death. Otherwise, it would be considered harming a fellow disciple, and he would be subject to the punishment of three cuts and six holes!

"Yellow-toothed old man! This is against the rules!"

Ghost Hand Zhang finally couldn't hold back any longer. He stepped forward and said urgently, "This kid has only been here a few days? He hasn't even passed the incense hall test. How can he be promoted to Red Flower Staff directly? What will the brothers below think?"

"rule?"

The smile on Manager Yellow Tooth's face vanished instantly. He turned his head, a cold glint flashing in his cloudy old eyes. His voice, though soft, carried a chilling undertone:

"Old Zhang, are you saying I don't understand the rules? Or... are you questioning the sect leader's decision?"

Ghost Hand Zhang froze, his anger instantly suppressed by this huge accusation.

Questioning the leader of the incense shop? He wouldn't dare even if he had ten times the courage.

He opened his mouth, his facial muscles twitching uncontrollably. The feeling of powerlessness, like punching cotton, made his chest ache with frustration.

He could have easily crushed Chen Ping with one hand, but now, that light red cloth strip was like a mountain, firmly blocking the way between him and Chen Ping.

"I wouldn't dare... How could I possibly question the sect leader..."

Ghost Hand Zhang lowered his head, his voice hoarse.

Manager Huang snorted with satisfaction, turned around, and in front of everyone, personally tied the red ribbon around Chen Ping's right wrist.

"Chen Ping, from today onwards, you are the commune's star performer."

"From now on, follow One-Eye and work hard. Don't tarnish the reputation of our Green Robe Society."

After tying the red ribbon, Manager Yellow Teeth patted Chen Ping on the shoulder, then glanced at Ghost Hand Zhang with a half-smile and said in a sarcastic tone.

"Old Zhang, from now on we're all brothers, we'll see each other all the time."

"This newcomer is new and doesn't know any better. As a senior, you should take good care of him."

Hearing this word "take care of," Ghost Hand Zhang felt a surge of anger, but he could only swallow it down.

He knew that Yellow Teeth was doing this on purpose.

This is both a warning to him and an insult to him.

"Since it was Master Yellow Teeth who spoke..."

Ghost Hand Zhang took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the anger and murderous intent in his heart.

He slowly turned his head and looked at Chen Ping.

The two looked at each other.

Chen Ping's expression remained calm and composed, showing neither arrogance nor the slightest fear.

Ghost Hand Zhang forced a ferocious smile that was more like a grimace onto his face, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and his eyes were filled with malice.

"Well then... congratulations, Brother Chen! Red Flower Stick... well, truly a promising young man."

He emphasized the word "good" heavily, the threat was obvious.

Chen Ping stroked the red cloth strip on his wrist, feeling its rough texture, and calmly cupped his hands in a respectful gesture, his tone neither humble nor arrogant.

"Thank you very much, Manager Zhang. I look forward to your guidance in the future."

"Of course, of course!"

Ghost Hand Zhang snorted coldly, glared fiercely at Chen Ping as if he wanted to carve his image into his bones, and then suddenly waved his hand, shouting at the group of dumbfounded canal workers behind him.

"What are you looking at! You think you're all done working? Believe me or not, I'll throw you all into the river to feed the fish!"

Having said that, he turned and strode away, his anger blazing inside him.

Watching Ghost Hand Zhang's departing figure, Manager Yellow Teeth's smile instantly faded.

He didn't even glance at Chen Ping again, just snorted through his nose, and then turned and left.

The one-eyed deputy stayed behind. He glanced at the crowd who were still in a daze, leaned close to Chen Ping's ear, and whispered something.

"Kid, don't get too excited."

"Yellow Tooth Master is using you as a tool to teach Ghost Hand Zhang a lesson."

"Before, when Ghost Hand Zhang wanted to kill you, it was like stepping on an ant. Now, when he wants to kill you, it's to prove a point."

"This feud is now completely settled. You'd better watch yourself."

After saying that, the one-eyed deputy patted Chen Ping on the shoulder and chased after the yellow-toothed steward, laughing loudly.

The wind was still blowing on the dock.

Chen Ping stood there, staring at the blood-red knot on his wrist, his eyes clear and cold.

He knew, of course, that this was a case of using someone else to do the dirty work.

But so what?

In this cannibalistic world, being used as a weapon means you're sharp enough.

Chen Ping lowered his sleeve, covering the red cloth strip, and turned to the stunned Gouwa, speaking softly.

"Let's go."