Under One Person: The Sea Emperor Who Shattered Heaven and Earth

"Shut up," Jiang Zhen said with a laugh, but his feet remained as steady as a mountain.

Behind the trio followed a woman in white.

Lin Zhu carried a wooden basket on her back. There were quite a few medicinal herbs to pick from the back mountain of the Lu family's house, and the basket was soon quite full. She walked silently, and her face always carried a sense of tranquility.

However, after spending some time with her, the three of them had a pretty good understanding of Lin Zhu's personality. At least 80% of the time, this quietness was because she was daydreaming.

"Hey!"

Lin Zhu, who was walking at the back, was lost in thought when she bumped into Jiang Zhen, who had stopped.

Jiang Zhen's back was now as hard as iron, and Lin Zhu was quite badly hurt by the impact; her nose instantly turned bright red. She didn't cry out in pain, but just stood there blankly, touching her red nose, then looked up at Jiang Zhen and asked earnestly:

"What, have you seen the herbs I asked you to find?"

Jiang Zhen turned his head helplessly: "Miss Lin, you bumped your nose, why don't you rub it first?"

Lin Zhu paused for a moment, seemingly only then realizing the pain. She blankly reached out her left hand and pressed her nose, her tone as calm as if she were talking about someone else: "Oh, it hurts a little. But it's nothing..."

Lu Jin watched from the side, unable to help but facepalm. Only after getting to know this Lin girl from Tengshan for a while did he realize that her mind was practically a blank slate, except for herbs and preparations.

She could accurately distinguish the subtle differences between a thousand kinds of herbs, yet she could get lost for two hours in the Lu family compound because she was looking at a butterfly.

Although it takes a hundred days to recover from a broken bone, thanks to the secret medicine from Tengshan and the abundant resources of the Lu family, Jiang Zhen and Zhang Zhiwei were already lively and energetic a month later.

During that month, the four of them spent almost every day together.

Although Zhang Zhiwei was arrogant, he was truly learned. The legacy of Longhu Mountain gave him a profound understanding of the application of Qi and the nature of life, which greatly benefited the other three.

The pit behind Lujia Mountain has now been mostly filled in, and the azaleas at the foot of the mountain have bloomed.

Jiang Zhen stood at the entrance of the Lu family's residence and clasped his hands in a fist salute to Lu Jin: "Brother Lu, I've troubled you for a month. It's time for me to return to Shanghai. I'm guessing that Fifth Master Feng is already urging me to hurry up."

Zhang Zhiwei had changed into a new Taoist robe, and was once again the spirited young Taoist master. He patted Jiang Zhen on the shoulder: "Brother Jiang, until we meet again. Next time we meet, I will definitely withstand your 'Eight Desolations Collapse' move without taking a single step back."

"I'll be waiting." Jiang Zhen laughed heartily.

After saying goodbye, Jiang Zhen turned around and strode towards Shanghai.

After leading the horse for about a few miles, Jiang Zhen suddenly stopped. Thanks to his "vibration perception," he could clearly feel a very regular footsteps following behind him, even without looking.

"Miss Lin, I remember the road back to Tengshan is in the north, isn't it?"

Jiang Zhen turned his head helplessly and looked at Lin Zhu, who was also leading a horse.

Lin Zhu stopped, staring blankly at Jiang Zhen, and took out a crumpled piece of paper from his pocket. He read, "My master said that reading ten thousand books is not as good as traveling ten thousand miles. Although I am highly talented, my temperament is too pure. I need to go down the mountain to gain experience."

After reading it, she put away the letter and looked at Jiang Zhen with a serious expression: "So I've decided to follow you for now."

Jiang Zhen pointed to himself: "Follow me? I'm from the Canal Gang. Every day I live a life of licking blood from a knife's edge and fighting wits and courage with various dock forces. Why would you, a pharmaceutical worker, follow me?"

Lin Zhu seemed oblivious to Jiang Zhen's disdain. She explained earnestly, "Because your innate ability is very unique. Moreover, it is an extremely destructive innate ability. There are also some disciples in Tengshan who awaken their abilities through rituals, but they often suffer physical damage, become disabled, or die because they cannot withstand the burst of energy. Over several generations, only a few people have truly awakened and mastered it. The most recent one is Senior Sister Fang Ying."

She took two steps forward, her large eyes fixed on Jiang Zhen: "So I want to observe you. To see how you can strengthen your body step by step without collapsing under this level of superpower. This will be of great reference value for the improvement of the potions in Tengshan."

Seeing that Jiang Zhen was still hesitating, Lin Zhu added, "Besides, I just realized that I left the map in Lu Jin's pavilion. I can't find my way back to Tengshan, but I remember that Shanghai is in the east."

Jiang Zhen: "..."

He figured it out: this Tengshan girl was essentially a severe "directionally challenged" and "research geek." Expecting her to return to Tengshan alone, she'd probably end up walking all the way to Beiping (Beijing).

"Alright, alright, let's make this clear first: once we get to Shanghai, you'll be on my side. I'll then arrange for someone to take you back to Tengshan." Jiang Zhen sighed.

Lin Zhu nodded, then took out a bright green herb from his basket and handed it to Jiang Zhen: "Here, I just picked it by the roadside. It's not a precious herb, but chewing it can refresh you."

Jiang Zhen took the bitter-looking herb and put it in his mouth to chew.

"Come on, I'll show you what the largest metropolis in the Far East is all about."

As the sun set, Jiang Zhen took the lead, with Lin Zhu following behind, stepping on his shadow.

Chapter 22 Ambition

Shanghai, on the banks of the Huangpu River.

As the first salty sea breeze brushed against his cheek, Jiang Zhen returned.

Compared to the exquisite and elegant Jiangnan gardens of the Lu family, exuding an ethereal charm, the air in Shanghai was filled with coal smoke, rust, cheap cigarettes, and the unique smell of sweat belonging to dockworkers. This chaotic, noisy yet vibrant atmosphere gave Jiang Zhen an unprecedented sense of peace.

Behind him, Lin Zhu continued to lead the skinny horse at a leisurely pace, his large eyes curiously surveying the surroundings. The buildings here were tall and strange, the pedestrians hurried along, and even the sunlight seemed to be filtered through thick clouds, giving it a hazy, gray quality.

"This is... Shanghai?" Lin Zhu's voice was slightly dazed as she stared at a newspaper with a picture of a modern woman in the hand of a newspaper boy on the roadside.

"Welcome to Shanghai, Miss Lin." Jiang Zhen smiled and led her through the bustling city center, heading straight for the headquarters of the Canal Gang.

Before even getting close to the entrance, Jiang Zhen sensed something was wrong.

While the main hall was always bustling, it had never been as lively as it was today, with even the streets in front of it blocked off by burly members of the Canal Gang, their waists cinched with blue ribbons. These men all had bulging temples and sharp eyes; they were clearly elites drawn from various branches.

As soon as Jiang Zhen showed his face, the man guarding the gate was taken aback for a moment, then erupted in a rage, shouting at the top of his lungs:

"The Third Boss is back! 'River-Shaking Dragon' Master Jiang is back in the gang!!!"

That shout stirred up a hornet's nest.

With a series of rapid footsteps, the previously tightly closed vermilion doors of the hall were suddenly pushed open. Jiang Zhen glanced inside and saw that the hall was brightly lit, with rows of armchairs filled with martial arts heroes of various styles. The auras of these people mingled together, forming an invisible aura in the air.

Master Feng strode ahead, with Bai Fu close behind. Behind them stood several deep-set elderly men and burly men, each with a different pattern of river ripples embroidered on their chests.

"Hahaha! Good lad! You're finally back!" Fifth Master Feng stepped forward and gave Jiang Zhen a bear hug, patting him heavily on the shoulder.

Jiang Zhen looked around, secretly surprised. He had mentioned his return date in the letter, but he hadn't expected Master Feng to make such a big fuss.

"Fifth Master, these seniors are..."

Master Feng waved his hand magnanimously, pointing to the first person on his left, an old man with dark skin and large, fan-like hands:

"Come here, Xiao Zhen, get acquainted with your family. This is Master Zhao, the 'Iron Palm Sinking Boat' of the Grand Canal branch. Our canal gang's transportation in the north is all under Master Zhao's control."

Grandpa Zhao nodded slightly to Jiang Zhen, his eyes full of scrutiny: "Young Master Jiang, news of the Lu family's battle has spread throughout the north and south. To be able to defeat the Celestial Master's disciple, you have brought honor to our Canal Gang!"

"Greetings, Uncle Zhao." Jiang Zhen clasped his hands in greeting.

“This is Master Sun, the ‘Reverse-Water Dragon’ of the Three Gorges section of the Yangtze River.” Master Feng pointed to a burly man with a face full of scars and a nine-section whip wrapped around his waist. “The current is the fastest there, and Master Sun’s brothers are all surfers.”

"And there's also 'One-Eyed Owl' Qian, the leader of the Huai River, and 'Wave-Suppressing Master' Li, the manager of the Pearl River Estuary..."

In an instant, the leaders of the major core branches of the Canal Gang, which were spread throughout the country, all made an appearance.

These gangs often fought openly and covertly over territory and transportation fees, sometimes even resulting in deaths. But today, because of Jiang Zhen's earth-shattering "monster" reputation at the Lu family's birthday banquet, these old hands actually sat together for the first time ever.

They wanted to see if this young man, who could command the special attention of both the Celestial Master of the Celestial Master's Mansion and the head of the Sanyi Sect, truly possessed three heads and six arms.

Jiang Zhen returned their greetings respectfully, neither humble nor arrogant. He could sense curiosity and apprehension in their eyes, but more than anything, a sense of pride in being "one of their own." Reputation was paramount among those in the martial world, and for centuries, the Canal Gang had been regarded as "laborers on the docks" by righteous sects. Now that a remarkable figure had emerged who could rival the successors of those prestigious sects, they naturally wanted to come and share in his glory and establish a connection.

The pleasantries lasted for a full hour. Seeing that things had progressed smoothly, Fifth Master Feng waved his hand and said, "Alright! The main guest is back! Everyone, head to the backyard and take your seats! The food and wine are ready; let's drink until we drop!"

The group of hall masters walked noisily toward the banquet hall. However, Fifth Master Feng stopped Jiang Zhen and glanced at Lin Zhu, who stood behind him with a calm expression.

"Xiao Zhen, let's talk in private."

The two arrived at a quiet pavilion in the backyard. Fifth Master Feng approached mysteriously and asked in a low voice, "Kid, what's going on with Miss Lin from Tengshan? Are you still not fully recovered? Did you suffer some hidden injury?!"

Jiang Zhen reluctantly recounted what had happened at the Lu family's residence, and how Lin Zhu had followed him in order to "observe supernatural abilities" and "find her way home."

"Observing you?" Upon hearing this, Fifth Master Feng was taken aback at first, then gave him a look that said, "Do you think I'm stupid?" "Little Zhen, your grandpa has been through this. I've heard of the Tengshan Sect. It's a sect full of women, and they're all incredibly arrogant. Why would they not observe Zhang Zhiwei or Lu Jin, but instead follow you hundreds of miles to Shanghai?"

"It's really to study my innate ability..." Jiang Zhen explained. He and Lin Zhu had mainly talked about their cultivation insights, Jiang Zhen's innate ability, and helping Lin Zhu test medicines along the way.

"Nonsense about research!" Fifth Master Feng glared. "You're not getting any younger, and you don't even have anyone who cares about you. This Miss Lin, with her face, her figure, and her skill in making medicine, she's practically the wife many men dream of!"

Jiang Zhen shook his head with a wry smile: "Fifth Master, you're overthinking it. That's really not true."

"Alright, alright, you're too shy, I won't say anything more. But remember, opportunity favors the prepared mind." Master Feng patted Jiang Zhen on the back with a smile, but then his smile vanished instantly, replaced by an unprecedented solemnity and reverence.

Master Feng turned around, looked at the rolling river flowing eastward outside the pavilion, and remained silent for a long time.

"Xiao Zhen, what do you think our canal gang is now?"

Jiang Zhen was taken aback, and after a moment of thought, replied, "The largest gang in terms of numbers, controlling the vital waterways, with thousands of brothers. Although they are scattered, their power is immense."

“Disperse, well said.” Master Feng sighed, slowly turning around, a hint of sorrow in his tiger-like eyes. “Everyone says the Grand Canal Gang is powerful, but only I know that we’re sitting on a pile of dry firewood. The brothers on the Grand Canal don’t respect the Yangtze River Gang, and the brothers on the Pearl River feel that the Huangpu River Gang is sucking their blood. Everyone has their own ulterior motives, and for those petty gains, they’d rather stab their own brothers in the back.”

Jiang Zhen remained silent. This phenomenon was common among martial arts sects, especially large organizations like the Canal Gang, which were bound together by commercial interests.

“Times have changed, Xiao Zhen.” Master Feng looked at the lights of the foreign concessions in the distance. “The foreigners’ powerful ships and cannons have come to our doorstep. If our canal gang continues to disperse like this, we will be eaten alive sooner or later.”

Suddenly, Master Feng took a step back, and under Jiang's shocked gaze, lifted his long robe and bent his knees.

"Fifth Master! What are you doing!" Jiang Zhen reacted quickly and immediately reached out to help.

However, Master Feng unleashed his inner energy, sinking down as steadily as a mountain, and Jiang Zhen dared not exert any force. Master Feng, disregarding his seniority, then performed the most solemn salute to Jiang Zhen.

"Xiao Zhen, I, Fifth Master Feng, have never asked anyone for a favor in my life. But today I need to ask you for one."

When Master Feng raised his head, Jiang Zhen felt that the intensity in his eyes was even more dazzling than the thunderbolt that struck Zhang Zhiwei that day:

"Please, you must unite the entire canal gang! Turn these scattered rivers into a vast ocean that can overturn this turbid world!"

This bow was as heavy as a thousand pounds.

Jiang Zhen stood there, stunned. He had thought that Master Feng would let him take over, but he had never imagined that he would have such high expectations of him.

"Fifth Master... what have I done to deserve this..."

"You do!" Fifth Master Feng interrupted him, his voice echoing like thunder in the pavilion. "What you displayed at the Lu family that day wasn't just martial prowess. I saw a different kind of spirit! Only a monster like you can subdue those unruly dragon kings; and only you can give me this hope..."

Jiang Zhen looked at Master Feng's graying temples, then turned to look at Lin Zhu, who was squatting by the flower bed not far away, studying the earthworms in the soil, and at the sounds of drinking games and laughter coming from the front hall.

"Fifth Master, please get up first."

But Fifth Master Feng became stubborn, "Little Zhen, I have nothing else left but this old face to show off in front of you. I won't get up unless you agree."

……

"Fifth Master, I understand."

"Get up!"

Looking at Jiang Zhen's profile, Master Feng let out a long sigh of relief, then burst into loud laughter, his laughter filled with long-suppressed joy.

"Good! Good! Good! Let's go drink! Today, I'm going to watch you drink those old fogies under the table!"

Chapter 23 A Thunderclap of the Times