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

"Considering your contribution to the battle of Jinling back then, I'll let bygones be bygones for your trespassing on my Canal Gang today." The voice was calm, revealing neither joy nor anger.

"Take your men and go." Jiang Zhen waved his hand.

Hu Tu opened his mouth, but when he met Jiang Zhen's unfathomable eyes, his throat seemed to be blocked, and he couldn't utter a single word.

He lowered his head, not daring to look a second time.

Jiang Zhen turned around, about to say something to his subordinates.

The words were on the tip of his tongue, but he stopped himself.

"What about people?"

There was no one behind him. Bai Fu and his group of elite members of the shipping gang, who should have been standing in neat rows, had all vanished without a trace. It was as if they had evaporated into thin air.

Jiang Zhen's gaze swept into the distance. Behind the pillars at the edge of the courtyard, in the crevices of the artificial hill, and among the bushes in the flowerbeds, he saw many dark heads peeking out. Some showed half their faces, some only their eyes, and one was even more outrageous, huddled behind a pillar with only a corner of his clothes sticking out.

Seeing Jiang Zhen looking over, Bai Fu jogged up to meet him, waving back to signal his brothers to hurry up and follow. The gang members who had been hiding behind the bunkers breathed a sigh of relief and emerged one by one from behind pillars, rockeries, and flower beds, tiptoeing back to their ranks.

"Boss... are you done?"

Jiang Zhen looked at them, somewhat speechless.

Why are you running?

Bai Fu chuckled dryly, "Boss, we brothers have been through a lot with your divine power lately. We all knew exactly what was going to happen when you were about to unleash your power. If we hadn't run fast, we'd probably be lying on the ground sleeping until tomorrow. We brothers want to keep our bodies in good shape to serve you."

The brothers of the Grand Canal Gang were all too aware of the power of this force. It wasn't just pain or a simple sleep; it was like locking your soul in a dark room. When you woke up, it was pitch black, and the weakness was so intense that it made you question your existence. Even after waking up, it would take a while to recover.

Jiang Zhen glanced at the ground and found that there were indeed a few unlucky guys lying on the steps with their eyes rolled back and foaming at the mouth because they were slow.

"Show the guests out." Jiang Zhen withdrew his gaze. "Help the sect leaders deal with those who have fainted."

"Yes!"

Bai Fu should be heard very loudly.

Back in his office, Jiang Zhen slumped into his large armchair and closed his eyes to rest for a moment.

Although Hu Tu's appearance today disgusted him, it was also like a key that helped him understand the logic behind Ma Benzai and Duanmu Ying's behavior.

"Damn, are these two guys afraid of me?"

He had never been able to understand it. Even if Ma Ben and Duanmu Ying were afraid of bringing trouble to the Canal Gang, they should have known to come back and discuss it with him.

Who is he? He is Jiang Zhen. The 300,000 Japanese troops on Purple Mountain couldn't even make him blink. What calamity in this world couldn't he withstand? They've been by his side for so long; they should know this better than anyone else.

But they chose to run. Not only did they run, they vanished without a trace.

Now he understands.

Look at Hu Tu, Hu Haiwang's own master, a disciple he raised from childhood, with decades of master-disciple relationship. And what happened? He killed his disciple with his own hands and then wandered the world with the corpse.

In Ma Benzai and Duanmu Ying's eyes, Jiang Zhen was probably the most terrifying one.

They were hiding outside, constantly on the run, living in constant fear, and possibly dying in some nameless valley at any moment. But at least they could run, hide, and struggle. Once they fell into his hands... with his unparalleled abilities, they would only feel—it's all over. They wouldn't even have a chance to escape.

Jiang Zhen rubbed his temples, a nameless anger rising within him.

There's absolutely no trust in them.

I don't want anything from you guys, all I want is for those two to come back safe and sound. What are you hiding for?

……

Days passed. The situation not only failed to calm down, but instead became like a pot of boiling oil on a blazing fire, with new firewood constantly being thrown in.

"Boss, the situation is getting more and more chaotic."

Bai Fu placed a new stack of intelligence on the table, his face grim. "Hu Tu's farce has become the last straw that broke the camel's back. Originally, those major sects wanted to cover it up, but now they can't anymore. During this period, most of the people who participated in the sworn brotherhood have been captured and taken back by their own sects. As for how they were dealt with, it has not yet been made public."

But worse news was yet to come.

The phrase "Eight Extraordinary Skills" began to spread like wildfire throughout the martial arts world. What was originally just an internal conflict between the sects to which the thirty-six "thieves" belonged had now become a frenzy throughout the entire world of supernatural beings.

Those sects that were originally indifferent and stood by and watched, all stepped in after learning that the Qinling Brotherhood had given birth to a divine skill that was enough to overturn the balance of the supernatural world.

"What did Jishetang and Tiangongtang say?" Jiang Zhen asked.

"The old head of Jishetang felt sorry for Doctor Duanmu, but dared not say it openly due to pressure."

"The situation at Tiangongtang is completely chaotic. Besides Ma Benzai, there are also Zhao Pingshan and Zhao Tianhai."

"The faction that produced three 'thieves' makes them the sect with the most participants in the sworn brotherhood. Although they are better off than Wulou Jingang, their sect leader is already overwhelmed with problems," Bai Fu replied.

"However, they have all agreed to your request. As for those two people, it is entirely up to you."

"That's good."

Jiang Zhen stood up, his gaze sharp: "Now go and announce to the entire martial arts world that the Cao Gang will be fully responsible for the matter between Ma Ben and Duanmu Ying. Anyone who dares to touch them is an enemy of me, Jiang Zhen."

He paused, then his tone suddenly changed: "Also, find those two bastards for me right now. Once I find them, I'm going to give them a good beating."

He no longer cared what those two people would think upon hearing the news—whether they would be even more frightened or slightly relieved.

Living in fear is better than being captured. As long as he raises this banner, Ma Ben and Duanmu Ying's living space will be much larger. Those who want to harm them will have to consider whether they can withstand Jiang Zhen's wrath before they act.

Meanwhile, deep in a certain mountain.

In a secluded mountain hollow, the bodies of several pursuers were still warm.

Zhang Huaiyi stood amidst the corpses, the golden light surrounding him slowly fading. He crouched down, carefully examining the corpses' belongings to ensure no clues that might reveal their whereabouts were missed, and that the annoying trail of death had been cleared away. Only then did he stand up and whisper to a dense thicket behind him:

"It's alright now, you're safe. Come out."

A rustling sound arose.

Two figures emerged, looking somewhat disheveled.

On the left is Ma Benzai, who is carrying a huge box on his back. Due to the long period of escape, he is unshaven and has lost a lot of weight. His eyes are full of fear, like a frightened bird.

On the right is Duanmu Ying, who is in slightly better condition, but is still pale, and her clothes are tattered and covered with mud and grass clippings.

"Brother Huaiyi, thanks to you." Ma Ben wiped the sweat from his forehead and glanced at the corpse on the ground with lingering fear. "This is the third wave today. These people are crazy, really crazy."

Chapter 85 Great Luo Cave Observation

Inside a secluded room, several elderly men dressed in various styles and exuding a deep aura sat together. On the table lay the proclamation issued by the Canal Gang to the entire martial arts world.

"Snapped!"

With a crisp crack, a corner of the mahogany round table was smashed into powder.

"Arrogant! Utterly arrogant!" The one who slammed his fist on the table was a red-faced old man, his beard trembling with rage. "What does Jiang Zhen mean? Ma Benzai and Duanmu Ying are the 'Thirty-Six Thieves'! They are the source of chaos in the martial world! What gives Jiang Zhen the right to protect them? Is he openly shielding them, or does he want to monopolize that legendary divine skill?"

The other man said with a gloomy face: "In the end, Ma Benzai is a member of Tiangongtang, and Duanmu Ying is a member of Jishetang. He's just a canal transportman, and he's overstepped his bounds!"

"So what if he hoarded it all? So what if he covered it up?" The withered old man's voice was hoarse. "In the Battle of Jinling, Jiang Zhen killed more people than you've ever seen in your entire lives."

"The domineering aura emanating from Purple Mountain can make people's legs go weak even from miles away. Since you think he's acting against the rules, why don't you go to Shanghai now and talk to Jiang Zhen in person?"

The expressions on their faces froze instantly.

Everyone then averted their gaze.

……

Meanwhile, in a remote mountain area thousands of miles away...

Zhang Huaiyi leaned against an old locust tree, panting heavily. He had suffered some minor injuries, and the constant running and fighting over the past few days had pushed his body to its limit, leaving him with several hidden wounds.

"Brother Huaiyi, don't move, I'll do it."

Duanmu Ying hurriedly stepped forward, her hands gleaming with a strange light—her left hand was as red as cream, and her right hand as deep blue.

The light was not dazzling, but it carried a vibrant rhythm.

Ma Ben cautiously observed his surroundings, but couldn't help glancing at Duanmu Ying's hands out of the corner of his eye.

Duanmu Ying gently placed her hands on Zhang Huaiyi's wound. Without any unnecessary movements, the red and blue Qi seemed to have a life of its own, directly burrowing into Zhang Huaiyi's flesh.

In less than a minute, all the injuries were healed without even leaving a scar, and the mental fatigue was also greatly relieved.

"Whoosh—", Duanmu Ying withdrew her hand.

Zhang Huaiyi stretched his shoulders, feeling the vitality that had almost instantly returned and the miraculous disappearance of fatigue.

Ma Ben leaned closer and exclaimed, "The Dual-Hand Technique... modifies both the soul and the body. Sister Yingzi, if this method were to spread, all the doctors in the world would kneel before you."

Duanmu Ying's face showed no joy upon hearing Ma Benzai's praise; instead, it revealed a deep sense of worry.

"A miracle?" Duanmu Ying gave a bitter smile. "This is a disaster, Old Ma."

She looked at her hands, her eyes hardening.

“I have found a way. I plan to completely erase the cultivation method of ‘Dual-Handed Technique’ from my mind. Through introspection, I will engrave it into my body’s instincts, turning it into something like an ‘innate ability’.”

"In this way, even if I am captured in the future, I will not have any cultivation methods in my mind that I can pass on to others. I am the only vessel in this world. As long as I die, this skill will be lost forever."

Duanmu Ying looked at the two men: "Brother Huaiyi, Lao Ma, do you need me to help you with the operation? This is the safest way."

Ma Ben paused for a moment, then fell into deep thought.

After a long while, he slowly shook his head.

“Sister Yingzi, my ‘Divine Refinement of a Hundred Techniques’ is not just about weapon crafting. It’s a path, a path that can usher in a new era of weapon crafting. There are too few weapon crafters in the world of supernatural beings, and their lives are too difficult. If possible… I still want to pass it on, even if it brings me danger, I don’t want it to die in my hands.”

Zhang Huaiyi also shook his head, but he did not explain the specific reason.

“Everyone has their own destiny.” Zhang Huaiyi sighed, looking into the distance, his tone becoming heavy. “But when I was gathering information nearby just now, I confirmed some news.”

Ma Ben and Duanmu Ying immediately tensed up.

"Back in Shanghai, Chief Jiang has officially spoken. He declared to the entire martial arts world that the two of you are under his control. Anyone who touches you will be making an enemy of Jiang Zhen, and will be waging war against the entire Cao Gang."

Upon hearing the name "Jiang Zhen," Ma Benzai and Duanmu Ying, who were discussing the divine skill, instantly fell silent.

The only sound in the mountains and forests was the hoarse rustling of the wind through the leaves.

Seeing the conflicted expressions on their faces, Zhang Huaiyi continued:

"Haven't you noticed yet? The people who have been chasing us all this way have been ruthless with every move I make. But they've been hesitant and timid around you two."

Zhang Huaiyi paused and continued, "Although I have never met this Jiang Gang Leader, in my heart, he is very strong, ridiculously strong. Now it's up to you two to think about it."

Ma Benzai and Duanmu Ying exchanged a glance; they both knew that Zhang Huaiyi was telling the truth.