Under One Person: Rebuilding the Glory of the Beast Master

The pine trees lining the mountain path were covered with icicles, which shimmered in the morning light. As far as the eye could see, the whole mountain was covered in white, a scene that perfectly described the world as a silver-clad landscape.

Zeng Runguo walked ahead, holding the reins with steady steps. Although Zeng Runguo was not an extraordinary person, he possessed martial arts skills, and ordinary people could not get close to him.

After walking for a while, Zeng Runguo turned around and glanced at Zeng Su. Seeing the child sitting quietly on the mule's back, neither crying nor making a fuss, he sighed inwardly. A child who is too sensible makes one's heart ache.

"Su'er," he said, his voice exceptionally clear in the empty valley.

"Um?"

"Your grandfather told me a lot of things last night," Zeng Runguo said. "Most of them were about you. What to eat, what to wear, where to live, how to talk to people, how to become an apprentice, and how to give gifts—he told me everything in detail."

Zeng Su remained silent.

"But to tell you the truth," Zeng Runguo paused, "even if your grandfather hadn't told me, I would have known what to do. The reason he told me so many times wasn't because he didn't trust me, but because he didn't trust you."

"I know," Zeng Su said.

Zeng Runguo was silent for a moment, then smiled and said, "You know everything, kid. I've heard for a long time that the Zeng family has produced a prodigy, but I've only just seen him in person these past few days."

The two walked slowly along the mountain path, one in front of the other. Zeng Runguo also recounted his experiences in the martial arts world.

The morning light grew brighter, and the snow crunched underfoot.

Zeng Su sat on the mule's back, took out the wooden plaque from his pocket, and held it in his palm.

Zuo Ruotong, Sanyi Sect, Reverse Life Triple.

Those names I saw in comics in my past life are now becoming a real future.

He suddenly realized that this journey might be far more important than he had imagined.

It wasn't just for refuge, nor was it just for learning skills.

More importantly, it's about finding a path that belongs to oneself.

In this turbulent but full of possibilities world, find a way for the Zeng family, for yourself, and for everyone he cares about to live well.

The road ahead is still long.

But he's already on his way.

This is enough.

The location of the Sanyi Sect is not clearly marked in the comics, but as a legitimate sect of the Xuanmen in this world, most people in the martial arts world have heard of the name Sanyi Sect.

The route from eastern Fujian to Ningde Prefecture, from the Taimu Mountains to Sanyi Peak, is where Sanyi Gate is located.

The straight-line distance from Daqingshan to Ningde Prefecture is approximately three thousand li.

In later times, it would be a matter of three or four hours by plane or a day by high-speed rail. But in the winter of 1929, this journey meant crossing more than a dozen mountain ridges, fording seven or eight rivers, passing through four provinces, and having to be wary of possible war, banditry, and natural disasters. For ordinary people, crossing such a long distance would be very difficult.

However, Zeng Runguo had already planned the route.

After leaving Daqingshan, first go to Baoding Prefecture, then take a train south to Zheng County, then transfer to a train to Hankou, then take a boat down the Yangtze River to Shanghai, then take a boat from Shanghai to Sandu'ao in eastern Fujian, and finally enter Taimushan from Sandu'ao.

This route may seem roundabout, but it's currently the safest and fastest option. With good luck, you can reach the destination in twenty days; with bad luck—well, that's hard to say.

"It's the twelfth lunar month now. During the period before and after the New Year, the official checks will be a bit more relaxed." Zeng Runguo led the mule ahead, constantly telling Zeng Su about the tricks of the road. "But bandits won't stop working just because it's the New Year. On the contrary, they'll be even more ferocious. The end of the year is a hurdle for the poor, but a festival for bandits."

Zeng Su rode on the mule, listening and nodding. These things had to be kept in mind; it was the rule of the martial world.

In his previous life, he had traveled all over the world, but that was within the framework of modern society, with high-speed rail, airplanes, hotels, and mobile phones, so he was not afraid to go anywhere.

This era is different now. Stepping out of your home is like entering a world of martial arts, where every step must be taken with utmost care, for one wrong step could lead to certain death.

They walked along the mountain path for a whole day, and when it got dark, they stopped at a small village called Liugou.

The village was small, with only twenty or thirty households, nestled beside a stream at the foot of the mountain. Zeng Runguo found a house at the village entrance, knocked on the door, took out a handful of copper coins, and said he wanted to stay the night.

The man who opened the door was an old man in his sixties, hunched over with a face full of wrinkles. He looked at Zeng Runguo, then at Zeng Su sitting on the back of a mule, hesitated for a moment, and then opened the door.

"Come in, it's cold outside."

The house was very simple, with a mud floor and adobe walls, and a table with a missing leg propped up with bricks.

The iron pot on the stove was steaming, cooking sweet potato porridge, so thin that you could see your reflection in it.

After some conversation, it was learned that the old man's wife had passed away, and his son had been conscripted last year and there had been no news of him since. He lived alone.

"Where are you going?" The old man brought over two bowls of sweet potato porridge, then took out half a black flatbread from the cupboard, broke it in half, and gave one half to each of them.

"I'm going to visit relatives in the south." Zeng Runguo took the bowl and thanked him.

The old man didn't ask any more questions. There are plenty of people out in the world these days, and asking too many questions would be inappropriate.

Zeng Su ate his porridge and looked around the room. The rice jar in the corner was mostly empty, a few strings of dried chili peppers hung on the stove, and the only meat was a piece of cured pork hanging from the beam, so thin that it was skin and bones, clearly something only eaten during the New Year.

In rural areas during this era, most families lived this kind of life.

Zengjiazhuang was considered wealthy thanks to pig farming and animal husbandry, but it was still one of the few in the country. For many villagers, it was already a struggle to have enough to eat, let alone eat meat.

"Sir," Zeng Su put down his bowl, "where was your son arrested?"

The old man was taken aback, not expecting a child to ask such a question. He sighed, a hint of pain flashing in his cloudy eyes: "Last spring, two men in military uniforms came to the town at the foot of the mountain, saying they were recruiting soldiers for some kind of war. My son, Gou Dan, was only fourteen years old and hadn't even gotten married yet, when they took him away... They didn't even give him a decent cotton-padded coat when they left."

He lowered his head and wiped his eyes with his sleeve.

"I wonder if they're still alive."

The house fell silent, with only the crackling of the firewood in the stove.

Zeng Su didn't ask any more questions; he couldn't bring someone else's son back to normal.

After dinner, the old man gave them the inner room to sleep in, while he himself made a makeshift bed on the floor next to the stove in the outer room.

"You have a child with you! It's the same whether the old man sleeps there or not. It's only for one night, so you two should go to sleep!"

Zeng Runguo couldn't refuse, so he had to agree. However, he still used the excuse of going to the restroom to wander around the area, thinking, "One should not have the heart to harm others, but one should not be without the heart to guard against others."

The two of them got up before dawn the next day.

Zeng Runguo thanked the old man and left a silver dollar under the bed. This silver dollar could buy the old man two months' worth of food; any more money would be too much.

As you leave Liugou, the mountain road gradually widens, and there are more and more people on the road. There are people driving donkey carts to town to sell mountain products, peddlers carrying loads from village to village, and travelers like them.

After walking for about two hours, the mountain path turned into a dirt road, and then into a gravel road. In the distance, a gray expanse of rooftops could be seen.

"That's the territory of Baoding Prefecture," Zeng Runguo said, pointing ahead.

Zeng Su squinted and looked for a while.

Baoding Prefecture, a vital town in Zhili Province, controls the grasslands to the north and guards the Central Plains to the south, making it a strategically vital location fought over by military strategists since ancient times. However, at this time of year, Baoding Prefecture is most famous not for its strategic importance, but for its Army Officer School.

Zeng Runguo worked there.

Instead of taking the main road, he took a detour and entered the city through a small gate on the south side.

There were sentries at the city gate. Two soldiers carrying guns were leaning against the wall, smoking with their hats askew. When they saw them coming, they lazily stretched out their hands.

"Where did it come from?"

Ordinary civilians are usually afraid of these soldiers, but Zeng Runguo wasn't. Instead, he helped you take out his identification.

"He's from the army academy, going to the countryside to pick up his nephew."

The soldier took the documents, looked them over, then glanced at the two men up and down before waving them away.

Upon entering the city, Zeng Su truly experienced the spirit of this era for the first time.

The street was narrow, lined with shops of varying heights on both sides—pawnshops, pharmacies, general stores, teahouses, and restaurants. The signs had characters that were either elaborate or simple; some read "Name of Shop," some read "Name of Hall," and some simply had a drawing.

The road was paved with bluestone slabs, worn smooth and shiny by wheels and hooves, with black mud accumulating in the gaps. Rickshaws, mule carts, and bicycles ran on the street, and occasionally a black car could be seen, chugging and belching smoke as it drove past, attracting the attention of passersby.

Zeng Runguo led Zeng Su into a small alley and stopped in front of an inconspicuous inn.

"I'll stay here tonight and head to the train station first thing tomorrow morning."

The inn was small, with two floors. The dining hall was downstairs and the guest rooms were upstairs. The innkeeper was a fat man in his fifties surnamed Zhao, who was an old acquaintance of Zeng Runguo.

"Runguo? It's been a while since you've been here!" Manager Zhao came out from behind the counter and patted Zeng Runguo on the shoulder warmly. "And this kid is—?"

"My nephew, I'm taking him to study in the south." Zeng Runguo didn't say much more. "Old Zhao, get a room, something quiet."

"Alright!" Manager Zhao replied and personally led them upstairs.

The room was at the end of the corridor; it wasn't big, but it was very clean. There was a wooden bed, a table, a washbasin stand, and white paper pasted on the window, letting in plenty of light that made the room bright and airy.

Zeng Runguo put down his bundle and said to Zeng Su, "You rest first. I have some errands to run, and I also need to take care of those two mules. I'll be back before dark. Don't wander off. If you need anything, find Manager Zhao."

Zeng Su nodded.

After Zeng Runguo left, Zeng Su closed the door, took out a wooden plaque from his pocket, and gently patted it.

A flash of white light, and the massive white and black body appeared in the room.

As soon as Baijiahei came out, it snorted and shook its head, then nudged Zeng Su's hand with its nose in protest—it had been cooped up in the wooden sign for a day and a night and was feeling suffocated.

"Shh—" Zeng Su put a finger to his lips. "Don't make a sound. We're outside, not at home."

If ordinary people saw the product being sold online, they would be shocked. It's better to keep it quiet.

Baijiahei snorted aggrievedly, but obediently lowered its voice. It looked around the cramped room, not knowing where to put its four legs, so it simply plopped down on the floor, filling the entire room to the brim.

Zeng Su opened the system panel to check the status of white-on-black mode.

【White Plus Black】

Breed: Iron-bristled Pig

[Current Evolution Stage: Beast (Beginner)]

[Potential Rating: D+]

Current status: Healthy and full of energy

【路线一：钢鬃猪（C）——条件：目标年龄≥5，累计进行五次生死战斗（0/5），以特定方法锤鍊体魄100次（0/100），餵养（灵钢饲料）】

……

The last battle was not recorded as a life-or-death battle, so Bai Jia Hei's evolution progress is still zero. Once an evolution path is chosen, all information related to evolution can be obtained, such as how to temper Bai Jia Hei's physique.

But now is not the time. The most important thing now is to arrive safely at Sanyi Gate and settle down before we find an opportunity to enhance Baijiahei.

He turned off the system panel, took out a piece of dry food from his bag, broke it in half, ate one half himself, and fed the other half to Baijiahei.

Baijiahei swallowed it whole without even chewing, then nudged his hand with its nose, as this little bit of food was really not enough to fill its teeth.

"That's all." Zeng Su spread his hands. "I'll make you something to eat when Uncle Runguo comes back tonight."

"Hmph!!"

Baijiahei grunted unhappily twice, rested its head on its front hooves, and closed its eyes, pretending to sleep.

Zeng Su smiled, leaned against Bai Jiahei's warm body, and closed his eyes. As long as he didn't put his head on Bai Jiahei's mane, he could still fall asleep.

Zeng Runguo returned before dark.

He brought back two train tickets and a package.

"The train leaves at nine o'clock tomorrow morning, from Baoding to Zhengxian, third class." He put the ticket on the table and opened the package—it contained a new cotton-padded coat, a new pair of cotton-padded shoes, and a tiger-head hat.

"Your grandmother instructed that when you arrive in Baoding Prefecture, you should be given a new set of clothes. You can't dress too shabbily so that people will look down on you at Sanyi Gate."

Zeng Su touched the cotton-padded jacket. It was a very good item, made of the finest fabric, but he really didn't want to wear these cute clothes. Although he was actually 8 years old, his mental age was already over that age.

There's nothing I can do; I've already bought it, so I can't just say I don't want it.

"Thank you, Uncle Runguo."

"You're not allowed to say thank you anymore. We're all family, it's too formal to talk like that," Zeng Runguo said sternly, then smiled and took out a large bag full of white steamed buns.

"This was bought for Baijiahei (a Chinese cold medicine brand)."

Bai Jiahei also smelled the aroma of steamed buns, his eyes lit up, and he quickly got up without pretending to be asleep.

Then it stared at the owner with its two eyes, and wouldn't move without the owner's command.

"Eat!"

Zeng Su reached out and patted Bai Jiahei's head.

After receiving its master's command, Baijiahei could no longer resist and began to eat, devouring dozens of large white steamed buns in no time.

"Hmph!"

It ate every last crumb, but even after finishing the last bite, it still wasn't satisfied. This amount of bread was simply not enough for its size. If it weren't now a beast, it would starve to death on just this much food every day.

"Here, have some!"

Zeng Su took out a wooden box from the bundle beside him. Inside the box were small white pills, which were the Zeng family's ancestral secret recipe, "Full Meal Pills".

One pill can make a person go five days without eating, but it has an impact on the human body, so this thing is made to feed beasts.

In this situation, the satiety pills come in very handy.

However, Baijiahei doesn't like eating the "fullness pills" because, how should I put it? They're bitter, astringent, and have a strange taste.

"have eaten."

Zeng Su wasn't going to tolerate Bai Jiahei; his face hardened, and he gave a stern reprimand.

Seeing that its master was angry, Bai Jiahei didn't dare to cause any trouble, so it reluctantly ate the food-filled pill.

Zeng Runguo, who was standing nearby, grinned as he watched the scene unfold. It was quite amusing to see such a large beast being scolded by a child.