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

The moment Jiang Zhen jumped off the deck, the entire port seemed to be silenced—everyone gasped simultaneously. Then, that breath was exhaled at the same time, turning into a deafening roar.

"Emperor of the Sea!"

"Emperor of the Sea! Emperor of the Sea!"

"Sea Emperor! Sea Emperor—!"

Countless people cheered wildly.

Jiang Zhen raised his right hand and pressed it down lightly. His voice, though calm, carried throughout the entire hall: "The United States is generous and has even given us a stipend for our hard work. Starting today, we will hold a three-day grand banquet for the whole island to celebrate."

Long live the Emperor of the Sea!

"Long live the Sea Emperor!"

"Long live the guild leader!"

"Long live! Long live! Long live!" The three old guys, Feng Wuye, Bai Fu, and Zhao Yuan, who were standing next to Jiang Zhen, suddenly started shouting for some reason, which startled Jiang Zhen.

That night, the New World descended into an unprecedented frenzy. Strangers from all over the world brought out all the secret brews they had kept hidden in their hometowns—coconut spirits from Southeast Asia, plum brandy from Eastern Europe, mead from Northern Europe, and several other strong liquids whose names no one could recall, all packaged in bottles of various shapes and passed around among the crowd.

Some people were testing their martial arts skills at the dock, and onlookers gathered in circles; some people got drunk and jumped onto the lowest horizontal branch of the sacred tree and sang loudly, singing the tunes of their hometowns, with lyrics made up on the spot, but they could never get away from the words "sea" and "emperor".

But behind the revelry, a hidden undercurrent is rapidly gathering in the darkness.

Late at night, in a hidden cave in the back mountains of New World Island.

Torches flickered and incense smoke swirled inside the cave. Almost all the high-ranking members of the Canal Gang—Master Feng, Zhao Yuan, Bai Fu, Zhou Tiedan, Yao Zhong, and others—had gathered.

Zhou Tiedan was the last to enter. He squeezed through the crevice between the rocks and cautiously glanced back at the outside of the cave—the lights in the distance were still flickering, but there wasn't a single person in sight. He then pushed the stone slab at the cave entrance back up.

Master Feng sat on the stone bench at the head of the table, his face solemn: "Now that we're all here, let's have a chat."

"Fifth Master, what are we still chatting about!" Yao Chong, with his quick temper, slapped his thigh and stood up, his face full of enthusiasm. "In my opinion, we should just put that robe on the gang leader! He didn't get to wear it back in his hometown, but now is the time to put it on him, isn't it?"

The cave was silent, and many people had hopeful looks in their eyes.

"Do not."

To everyone's surprise, Zhao Yuan, who was the most obsessed, shook his head contrary to his usual behavior, saying, "We can't rush things now."

"Old Zhao, why are you chickening out at a time like this?" Yao Zhong glared at him.

"You don't know anything!" Zhao Yuan sneered, his eyes becoming deep. "Don't you know the gang leader's temper? We have to take it one step at a time, and not provoke the gang leader's rebellious spirit."

"Then tell me, how do we proceed step by step?" Zhou Tiedan moved forward slightly.

Zhao Yuan narrowed his eyes: "Let's start with things that seem insignificant. For example, it's no longer appropriate to call us 'gang leader'. Before, it was just small-time stuff, but now we're number one in the world, and calling us 'gang leader' doesn't reflect our status."

"What's it called?" someone tentatively asked from the corner, hesitated for a moment, and then squeezed out two words from their throat, "Your...Your Majesty?"

“No, that’s too blatant. The gang leader will curse as soon as he hears it.” Zhao Yuan tapped the table. “Call it ‘superior’. These two words convey both respect and hierarchy without being overtly obvious. Once he gets used to these two words, the next step will be a natural progression.”

The cave was silent for a few seconds. Then, Fifth Master Feng gently patted his knee with his palm: "Okay. This is good. Not stiff, not harsh, but substantial enough. I agree."

Bai Fu continued, "And then there's the organizational structure. Before, we were a gang leading the troops, with multiple orders going out in different directions, it was chaotic. Now, rules, discipline, and hierarchy are all essential. We all need to discuss this carefully."

"We're all roughnecks, we can't handle these things," Yao Chong said, waving his hand.

“Let’s involve those educated young people; they understand these things.” But the overall direction,” he raised his head, his gaze sweeping over Master Feng, Bai Fu, and Zhao Yuan, “still depends on you three—Grand Secretary Feng, Grand Secretary Bai, and Grand Secretary Zhao—to oversee it.”

Upon hearing the words "Grand Secretary," the air inside the cave underwent a subtle change, and the corners of the mouths of Master Feng, Bai Fu, and Zhao Yuan simultaneously curled up uncontrollably.

"Oh dear, Lord Yao, you can't say that! That's not a proper way to address us!" Zhao Yuan waved his hands repeatedly, but his face was full of smiles. "If the gang leader hears this, he'll tear us to pieces."

"Don't worry, three elders, we'll call each other in private, in private." Everyone laughed knowingly. The laughter was kept low, afraid of being heard outside the cave, but it was a very satisfied laugh.

That night, in this simple cave, a draft that made Jiang Zhen's blood pressure soar was being carefully crafted.

Three days later, Jiang Zhen, still recovering from a hangover, sat on a recliner under the sacred tree. The banquet had lasted for three days, and he was the one being toasted the most each day. Everyone was lining up to have a drink with the Emperor of the Sea.

Zhao Yuan approached with a fawning expression, holding a thick scroll in his hands. The cover was embroidered with six large characters in gold thread: "Sea Laws: The Twelve Laws of the Venerable One".

"Your Excellency, you're awake?" Zhao Yuan's voice was extremely gentle.

Jiang Zhen frowned; the word "ascend to a higher position" sent shivers down his spine. Before he could even ask, he took the scroll, glanced at it, and his temples began to throb.

The first sentence of the scroll reads: "Those in high positions are respected. All members of the gang, from top to bottom, are 'gang members,' distinct from the 'freelancers' outside the gang. No one may overstep their authority."

Jiang Zhen patiently read on:

Article 1: The Law of Eye Contact

Wherever a superior goes, everyone within a hundred paces must remove their hats, lower their hands, and bow their heads, their gaze never exceeding the superior's waist. Direct eye contact with the superior's face is strictly prohibited. When a naval vessel passes by a superior's flagship, all personnel must face the ship's side, bow their heads to their chests, and must not raise their eyes.

Article Two: The Law on Taboo Names

The superior's name must not be addressed directly, written down, or inquired about. He shall only be referred to as "Sea Emperor," while his followers may address him as "Superior."

Article 3: The Law of Sacred Relics

All objects used, touched, or stepped on by the superior during their absence—clothing, cups, writing implements, seating, and beds—are considered "sacred objects." They are immediately sealed by accompanying personnel and placed in the sacred object repository. No one may touch, take, or view them without authorization. The sacred object repository is guarded by designated personnel on a rotating basis.

Jiang Zhen continued reading, his face growing darker with each word.

Article 4: Rules of Procedure

When the person in charge enters the room for discussion, everyone in the room must stand up beforehand, facing the wall, and may only turn around after the person in charge has taken their seat. After the discussion is over, when the person in charge stands up, everyone else must immediately stand up and face the wall, and may only move around and discuss the matter after the person in charge has left.

Article 5: Law of Recusal

If the superior is on land, the road in front must be cleared immediately. If there is no time to avoid it, all personnel around must stop all work, stand facing the wall, and must not turn around, peek out, or whisper. Work may only resume after the superior has moved out of sight.

Article 6: The Law of Silence

Within a hundred paces of the superior vessel, no shouting, crying, arguing, sounding horns, ringing bells, firing cannons, or any other disorderly noise is permitted. When the fleet passes the superior vessel, it must stop, extinguish its horns, and lower its flags. Within a hundred paces, only one type of human voice is allowed—the superior's question and the respondent's answer.

Article 7: Law on Disrespect

Anyone who speaks or acts disrespectfully toward superiors, including but not limited to staring directly at them, harboring resentment, making sarcastic remarks, showing disdain, acting slowly, or behaving improperly, shall be treated as "great disrespect".

Article 8: In the case of the law

All members of the gang must wear a copper badge of the gang at their waist and a righteous robe. This serves as proof of their membership in the gang, and ordinary people recognize them as members of the gang. If any ordinary person offends the gang, they will be punished for "offending the gang's authority."

Article 9: Street Walking Regulations

When members of the gang travel to towns and cities, ordinary people must give way, not walk alongside them, and not block their path. When members of the gang enter a shop, ordinary people must step aside and wait for the gang to proceed with their business. When members of the gang travel by carriage or boat, ordinary people must give up their seats.

Article 10: Sole Judge

Disputes between gang members and ordinary citizens were not adjudicated by local authorities or local laws. Instead, they were decided arbitrarily by the New World Maritime Circuit Court. Ordinary citizens suing gang members had to receive twenty lashes as a form of protest before submitting their lawsuits. Those who made false accusations were punished. Ordinary citizens were not allowed to attend hearings, collect evidence, or challenge the judgments of gang members who broke the law.

Article 11: The Law of Secrecy

Internal affairs, military intelligence, laws, and finances must not be disclosed to outsiders. Any outsider who inquires will be treated as "espionage" and interrogated by the secret guards.

Article 12: The Law of Suppression

If any member of the gang suffers any form of harm from the outside world—whether it be theft, assault, verbal offense, or physical injury—the local authorities or forces must immediately deploy armed forces to kill the perpetrator on the spot, without trial or delay.

Jiang Zhen's hands were shaking after reading it, because he could feel his blood pressure about to burst through the top of his head.

Chapter 118 The Plan (4000 words)

"Oh no, I've become a Celestial Dragon!"

"Snapped!"

Then, Jiang Zhen slammed the heavy scroll in his hand hard into Zhao Yuan's face. Almost at the same second of landing, a dull tremor shot through Jiang Zhen's body from his toes.

"boom--"

The basalt table that was originally placed next to Jiang Zhen instantly disintegrated into a cloud of grayish-white powder.

"Zhao Yuan! Explain this to me, what the hell is written here?"

Jiang Zhen abruptly stood up, his fingers trembling slightly from the sheer absurdity. Pointing at the striking black characters on the scroll, he practically roared, "Can't look directly at faces? Am I so ugly that I'm afraid of scaring people? And standing facing a wall with my hat off and hands hanging down within a hundred feet? Are you putting on a horror movie for me? Or do you think I'm some unearthed stone statue?"

He grew angrier as he spoke, striding directly in front of Zhao Yuan, his spittle nearly landing on the man's face: "And that 'appeal whip'! Before the common people even file a complaint, they get twenty lashes first, and you call that the law? What era are we living in? Calling these things feudal remnants is an understatement; you've practically thrown your brains into the ocean and let them rot!"

"And that word 'superior position,' you're not allowed to say it! It gives me goosebumps, it's really uncomfortable!"

Zhao Yuan's face turned bright red from being hit by the scroll, but he didn't dare to even breathe. He lowered his head, looking utterly aggrieved, just like an old eunuch who had been worrying himself sick over the emperor.

"To...to rise in rank, all for your sake, to maintain your authority," Zhao Yuan mumbled, his voice barely audible. "Without rules, how can there be order? If we don't clearly distinguish between superiors and inferiors, what will happen if the people below become disunited?"

"Do I need these empty platitudes to intimidate others?" Jiang Zhen spun around angrily, the stone bricks under his feet creaking. "I'll throw one punch, and who dares to defy me! Are you cursing me to be too old to fight and have to rely on these ridiculous things?"

"You're using violence, not rule, to take power."

Bai Fu's voice rang out at the right moment as he slowly walked up from behind Zhao Yuan.

“If you were still the same gang leader who drank and ate heartily with your brothers, you could control the tens of thousands of people under you and the world’s shipping lanes that were stunned by your punch for a while, but you couldn’t control them forever.” Bai Fu looked at Jiang Zhen with burning eyes. “These Twelve Laws are not written for you, but for everyone, for the world.”

Master Feng also came out. He was originally an old-fashioned江湖人 (jianghu person, a person from the martial arts world), but now he had changed into a proper outfit, cupped his hands in greeting, and had the air of an important court official.

"The higher-ups. With this set of laws in place, within six months, the entire ocean will know who the true masters are." Master Feng's voice was deep. "The common people respect the gang members, and the gang members respect those in power. Layer upon layer of suppression, clear hierarchy, this is the only way to ensure lasting peace and stability."

"Long-lasting my ass!"

Jiang Zhen cursed loudly, pointing at the third scroll, his hand trembling with anger: "What the hell is this 'Holy Relic Treasury'? Are you going to frame and enshrine the tissues I used to wipe my mouth and the cups I drank from as family heirlooms?"

Zhao Yuan glanced sideways at him and muttered under his breath, "That's a sacred object too. If it still carries your Overlord Haki aura, it'd be worth at least several million US dollars on the black market..."

"Say that again, you fucking idiot?" Jiang Zhen whirled around, a flash of black and red electricity shooting through his eyes. In that instant, a very faint crackling sound came from the air above Zhao Yuan's head.

Zhao Yuan shrank his neck with practiced ease, lowering himself by half an inch, and immediately fell silent. His neck-shrugging technique was so refined that it was incredibly fast, low, and natural, clearly the result of years of practical experience.

Jiang Zhen was extremely irritated. He had almost caused a major incident by carelessness. He pushed the three men aside and strode down the slope of the sacred tree, intending to go to the dock, find some old brothers to have a drink with, and relieve his inexplicable frustration.

However, the moment he appeared on the market street, the bustling crowd instantly froze.

The merchants haggling over prices, the canal gang members slurping noodles, the strange man wiping his knife on the street, the indigenous elders dozing under the tree—all their actions stopped in the same second.

"We've taken the top spot!"

I don't know who shouted.

The next second, in Jiang Zhen's line of sight, the hundreds of strange people and civilians who were busy, drinking tea and bragging suddenly stopped what they were doing in unison, like startled mimosa plants.

"Splash—"

Hundreds of people turned around simultaneously, facing the wall, heads bowed and hands hanging down. The movements were so synchronized and swift that no one gave any orders, yet they achieved a level of absolute obedience.

The noodle stall, which was originally bustling with activity, saw its owner throw down the bowl of noodles and lie face down on the cutting board, pretending to be dead; the vendors who were haggling over prices suddenly plunged into the pile of goods, not even daring to show their backsides.