Under One Person: Rebuilding the Glory of the Beast Master

"Young brother," Du Fusong suddenly spoke, interrupting his thoughts, "I have a question—when you went to the Sanyi Sect, were you going for Zuo Ruotong, or for the Reverse Life Triple Realm?"

Zeng Su thought for a moment: "It is, and it is neither."

"Oh?" Du Fusong's interest was piqued. "What do you mean by that?"

"I chose Zuo Ruotong because he's a wise teacher who can teach me skills. I chose the Reverse Life Triple Technique because it's a good cultivation method," Zeng Su said. "But most importantly, I want to find a place where I can cultivate in peace."

He paused, looking out the window at the pale sky: "Zengjiazhuang is too small; it can't contain my journey."

Du Fusong was silent for a moment, then nodded, his smile fading and a rare serious expression appearing on his face.

"Well said," he said. "Zengjiazhuang is too small to contain your journey."

He picked up the teacup on the table, took a sip, and as he put it down, he said softly, "However, young brother, remember this—you walk your own path, and the sect is just there to guide you. Don't take the sect too seriously, but don't underestimate yourself either."

Zeng Su looked at him and nodded.

Tang Tongbi remained silent, but her gaze fell upon Zeng Su with a hint of tenderness.

It was already afternoon when the train arrived in Zheng County.

Zeng Runguo packed his bags and took Zeng Su's hand as they got off the train.

Du Fosong and Tang Tongbi also got off the bus. The four of them stood on the platform and looked at each other.

"Young man," Du Fusong pulled something out of his sleeve and stuffed it into Zeng Su's hand, "Here, keep this for self-defense."

Zeng Su looked down and saw that it was a jade pendant, about the size of his palm, with a complex rune engraved on it. It felt warm to the touch and seemed to have a faint flow of energy within it.

"This is--?"

"A talisman." Du Fosong smiled, a smile that held a hint of nonchalance and casualness. "It's not worth much money, but it can block a blow in a crucial moment."

Zeng Su clutched the jade pendant, looked up at Du Fosong, and then at Tang Tongbi.

Tang Tongbi stood behind her husband, her hands tucked into the sleeves of her cotton-padded jacket. Her face still held that aloof expression, but her eyes were much softer than before.

"Sister Tang, Brother Du," Zeng Su said earnestly as he carefully put away the jade pendant, "thank you."

Du Fosong waved his hand: "No need for thanks. We've just met by chance. Hope we meet again someday."

Tang Tongbi didn't say anything, he just nodded.

Zeng Runguo clasped his hands in a fist salute: "Until we meet again, gentlemen."

Until we meet again.

The two groups of people separated on the platform.

Zeng Runguo led Zeng Su toward the exit, while Du Fosong and Tang Tongbi walked in the other direction.

After taking a few steps, Zeng Su suddenly turned around.

Du Fosong and Tang Tongbi's figures gradually disappeared into the crowd. Du Fosong's hand was on his wife's shoulder, and Tang Tongbi's hand was around her husband's waist.

The two walked slowly, as if they were taking a stroll, or perhaps saying goodbye.

Zeng Su withdrew his gaze and followed Zeng Runguo out of the platform.

He glanced down at the jade pendant in his hand, feeling a warm touch on his palm.

Du Fusong said this thing was "not worth much money," but he could feel that the Qi sealed in this jade pendant was profound and long-lasting, and it was definitely not an ordinary item.

This is a token of their goodwill.

"History can be changed, can't it?"

He murmured to himself, but his current power was far from enough to change history.

He then carefully put the jade pendant away and followed Zeng Runguo into the streets of Zheng County.

Zheng County wasn't as bustling as Baoding Prefecture, but the streets were still teeming with people, with rickshaws, horse-drawn carriages, and bicycles constantly moving about. Shops lined both sides of the street, their signs displaying various names, and some even had red lanterns hanging, exuding a festive atmosphere for the New Year.

The two found a decent inn near the train station and settled in. Zeng Runguo put his bundle away, told Zeng Su not to wander off, and then went out to buy tickets and food.

Zeng Su closed the door and took out a small bundle from his pocket—he had taken it from the green-eyed man.

When Bai Jiahei brought the man back, he was half-dead. Zeng Runguo searched the man's belongings and then threw him off the train again, this time right under the train wheels, where he was crushed into a pulp by the speeding train.

There's no need to be subdued when dealing with these people.

Zeng Su untied the bundle and laid out the contents one by one on the table.

He drew a short knife, its blade less than a foot long, the scabbard made of black wood with some twisted patterns carved on it. He pulled out the knife; the blade was light and felt good in his hand, just the right size for him to use. A knife that was too big would be too heavy for his current hands to hold.

There was another talisman folded into a triangular shape, with intricate runes drawn in cinnabar. He carefully unfolded it; the paper was already somewhat wrinkled, but the runes were still clear, and it contained an extremely powerful energy. This was the green-eyed man's Golden Knife Talisman, but Zeng Su didn't recognize it; he had absolutely no knowledge of talismans.

Talismans are an extremely profound and complex art, and very few people in the world of supernatural beings can use them. But they must be valuable, so I've kept them.

There were two bottles of medicine in the bundle. When opened, they emitted a pungent smell. Zeng Su threw them directly into the trash can. No matter what kind of medicine it was, it was definitely not good stuff, and there was no need to bring it.

When Zeng Runguo returned, it was almost dark. He was carrying an oil paper package in his hand and a very large white cloth bag on his back.

"I got the tickets, first class for tomorrow morning." He put the tickets on the table, then opened the oil paper package, which contained several roast chickens and a few white flour pancakes. "Eat first, then go to bed early."

"The bag contains things I bought for Baijiahei: steamed buns and mutton."

Zeng Su took a chicken leg, took a couple of bites, and asked, "Uncle Runguo, don't you have anything you want to ask me?"

A lot happened at the train station, and Zeng Runguo didn't say a word during it, just sat quietly to the side.

"Haha!" Zeng Runguo laughed, then reached out and ruffled Zeng Su's hair vigorously. "What's there to ask? We're family."

"Hmm!" Zeng Su nodded and smiled with his eyes narrowed.

Bai Jiahei was also released, and its mouth watered uncontrollably at the sight of a bag of steamed buns and mutton. At its owner's command, it immediately started showing off.

The next morning, the two checked out of the hotel and headed straight to the train station.

The first-class carriage was a completely different world from the third-class carriage. The wooden seats had been replaced with spacious and comfortable leather ones, with a table fixed between two seats, carpet on the floor, velvet curtains hanging in the windows, and electric lights on the ceiling instead of the glaring kerosene lamps.

The passengers in the carriage were quite different as well. There were foreigners in suits, wealthy merchants in silk robes, fashionable ladies, and a few officers in military uniforms. The air was filled with the scent of perfume, a stark contrast to the stench of sweat and coal smoke in the third-class carriage.

Zeng Runguo found their seats, put their bags away, and let Zeng Su sit in the window seat.

"It's much more comfortable here." Zeng Runguo sat down and let out a long breath.

"yes!"

Zeng Su nodded, but his gaze swept around the carriage.

The carriage was about two-thirds full. Three foreigners—two men and one woman—sat in the front row, conversing quietly in a foreign language. In the middle sat a Chinese man in military uniform; judging by his epaulets, he was a major, and he was resting with his eyes closed. In the back row sat a well-dressed middle-aged couple; the woman was carrying an elegant handbag.

There were also a few Japanese people.

Zeng Su's gaze lingered on the group of Japanese men. Why were they called Japanese? Because they were all wearing Japanese kimonos. One of them, the older one, was in his forties, with a square face and a mustache, and was reading a newspaper. The other two, younger men, sat upright, guns tucked into their belts, their eyes scanning the carriage warily; they were clearly bodyguards or something similar.

Zeng Su withdrew his gaze and looked out the window as if nothing had happened.

Japanese people were ubiquitous in China during this era—merchants, soldiers, spies, all sorts of people. Northeast China had already fallen under the control of the Kwantung Army, and a large number of Japanese had infiltrated the interior of China. In two years, the September 18 Incident would erupt.

To be honest, he felt a slight urge to kill these Japanese soldiers. At this time of year, killing 100 Japanese on Chinese soil might harm one innocent person, but killing every other one would surely spare half.

"Phew~~"

He took a deep breath and withdrew his gaze, suppressing the turmoil in his heart. He was not yet able to do as he pleased.

The whistle sounded, and the train slowly started moving.

Zeng Runguo took two books out of his bundle and handed them to Zeng Su: "Don't just sit there on the road, read some books. Your grandmother said that even if you're going to learn skills, you still need to study and understand principles."

Zeng Su took it and saw that it was a textbook used in schools these days, and he couldn't help but laugh. These things were of no use to him, but he still obediently opened it and started reading.

Nothing else happened this time. Security for first class is very strong. After all, a ticket costs thirty yuan, which is more than an average person could save in a year without eating or drinking.

When the train arrived in Nanjing, it was already past nine o'clock at night.

Zeng Runguo took Zeng Su out of the station and found a hotel near the station to stay in.

"Go to sleep early, we'll go to the dock to catch the boat first thing tomorrow morning." Zeng Runguo checked the doors and windows to make sure everything was alright before leaving.

Zeng Su locked the door and released Bai Jia Hei from the wooden sign.

As soon as Baijiahei came out, it yawned widely, nudged Zeng Su's hand with its nose, and made a dissatisfied snort—it had been cooped up in the wooden sign all day and was feeling suffocated.

"Bear with it." Zeng Su patted its head. "Once we get to Sanyi Gate, I'll let you stay outside as long as you want."

Bai Jiahei snorted again, lay down on the ground and rested its head on its front hooves. Its clear eyes looked at Zeng Su, and there was grievance and dissatisfaction in its eyes, but more than anything, there was trust.

Zeng Su leaned against its warm belly and closed his eyes, but he wasn't resting. Instead, he was activating his senses, with the white and black Qi intertwining and influencing his own Qi, slowly growing stronger.

Tomorrow we'll take a boat from Nanjing to Shanghai, then another boat from Shanghai to Sandu'ao in eastern Fujian, and then head to Taimu Mountain.

almost.

The next morning, Zeng Runguo took Zeng Su to Xiaguan Wharf.

The dock was packed with people: travelers carrying large and small bags, rickshaw pullers soliciting customers, hawkers, and police maintaining order—all crammed together in a chaotic mess.

Several ships were moored on the river, some unloading cargo and others loading passengers, their horns sounding incessantly.

The passenger ship traveling from Nanjing to Shanghai was called the "Jianghua." It was a 3,000-ton iron-hulled steamship with three decks and a capacity of over 500 passengers. This was considered a top-notch ship on the Yangtze River, far superior to those dilapidated wooden-hulled vessels.

Zeng Runguo bought a second-class cabin, a two-person room with bunk beds. The cabin was small but clean and tidy, with white sheets on the bed. The river was right outside the window, and you could smell the river's distinctive fishy smell when you opened the window.

"It's much more comfortable to travel by boat." Zeng Runguo put his bag down on the lower bunk and stretched. "The train ride was so bumpy, my bones almost fell apart."

Zeng Su didn't reply, but stood by the window looking outside.

Passengers were still boarding at the dock, the crowd jostling together—carrying loads, backpacks, and families—all sorts of people walking along the gangplank onto the ship. Several uniformed crew members stood by the ship's side to maintain order, blowing whistles and giving exaggerated hand gestures as they directed traffic.

His gaze swept across the crowd, and suddenly he spotted someone familiar.

Japanese people on a train.

He had changed his clothes; he was no longer wearing the kimono from yesterday, but a dark gray suit, a top hat, and carrying a leather briefcase. His two bodyguards had also changed, wearing black suits, and followed closely behind him.

The three stopped in front of the gangplank. The bodyguard took out his ticket and showed it to the crew, then followed the Japanese man onto the ship.

"Uncle Runguo," Zeng Su suddenly spoke.

"Um?"

"Those Japanese were on the same ship as us."

Zeng Runguo, who was packing his things, paused for a moment upon hearing this, then continued packing as if nothing had happened. "What are you paying attention to them doing?"

"It's nothing," Zeng Su shook his head. "It's just that the older one doesn't seem like an ordinary person."

Zeng Runguo was silent for a moment, then walked over and stood next to Zeng Su, looking out the window at the crowd on the dock. His gaze lingered on a few Japanese men for a moment, then he looked away and patted Zeng Su on the shoulder.

"When you're out and about, mind your own business," he said. "These days, the Japanese are not to be trifled with. It's not that I'm afraid of them, it's just that there's no need to cause trouble."

Zeng Su nodded.

"Buzz~~"

With a long whistle, the "Jianghua" slowly departed from the dock.

The river water at the bow of the boat was split open, churning up white waves, and the buildings and figures on the shore grew smaller and smaller.

Zeng Su went to the deck and held onto the railing with both hands. The river wind made the fur collar of his cotton-padded coat flutter backward.

The Yangtze River is very wide, so wide that the opposite bank cannot be seen. The river water is muddy and yellow, churning at the bow of the boat. Occasionally, one or two fish leap out of the water, leaving a silver streak before falling back down. In the distance, there are several sailboats, their white sails billowing in the wind, like a few leaves floating on the water.

He had seen the Yangtze River in his previous life, but that was at a tourist attraction, on the edge of a modern city, where the river was restrained by dams and flowed in an orderly manner.

Back then, the Yangtze River was scenery, a tourist attraction, and a backdrop for taking photos.

The Yangtze River is different now.

It is alive.

The muddy river water churned and roared, carrying silt and power, flowing eastward relentlessly. Standing on the deck, one could feel the overwhelming force, making one feel ridiculously small, and even causing the Qi within one's body to surge.

"The Yangtze River..." Zeng Su murmured.

"Young man, is this your first time on a boat?"

A voice came from the side.