One person: Starting with the Snow Drinking Blade

It's been ten years.

He finally returned to human society and had a temporary place to stay, breathing in the air filled with the scent of human life.

Although this world is not the Earth he is familiar with, it has laws, order, civilization, cola, air conditioning, and beds. More importantly, it has "fellow humans"—the Outcasts—and a "Do-Ku" who manages the Outcasts and maintains the superficial balance.

This is Under One Person.

His brain began to race, recalling the plot of this world: Zhang Chulan, Feng Baobao, Luo Tian Grand Ceremony, Biyou Village, Tang Sect, Nasen Island... If the timeline is not significantly off, Zhang Chulan should still be playing the fool at Nanbukai University, Feng Baobao is secretly watching him, the Luo Tian Grand Ceremony has not yet begun, and all the storms are brewing.

So, what should I do?

Stay in the Southwest Branch and follow Wang Zhenqiu, this "Southwest cancer"? With Wang Zhenqiu's personality and strength, plus his revealed "ancient martial arts heritage," life would definitely not be boring, and he could integrate into this supernatural society more quickly, acquiring information and resources.

but……

Nie Lingfeng thought of "Shandong," the "ancestral home" he had filled in on the form. Shandong was not only the ancestral home of the Nie family (as he claimed), but also Zhang Chulan's hometown, the place where many stories began. If he wanted to get into the main plot more quickly and personally experience those turbulent events, then going to Shandong, or to North China (Tianjin), would undoubtedly be a better choice. After all, the desecration of Zhang Chulan's grandfather Zhang Xilin's grave was the direct trigger for a series of subsequent events. And Xu San and Xu Si, the heads of North China, as well as the key figure Feng Baobao, were all active there.

"North China..." he murmured softly, his eyes gleaming with a thoughtful light in the darkness.

The next morning, Nie Lingfeng was awakened by a series of impolite knocks on the door.

"Little Fengfeng! Get up! The sun's already high in the sky! Uncle Hao wants to see you!" Wang Zhenqiu's overly energetic voice rang out from outside the door.

Nie Lingfeng quickly finished washing up and followed Wang Zhenqiu to Hao Yi's office again.

Hao Yi looked like he hadn't slept all night; his eyes were bloodshot, and there were a few more cigarette butts in the ashtray on his desk. But he seemed to be in good spirits, and his eyes were still sharp.

In front of him lay a freshly printed report, still smelling of ink.

"All done investigating." Hao Yi lit a new cigarette, took a deep drag, and slowly exhaled. "We used every available channel and investigated every possible avenue. The result... is completely clean, a total blank."

He raised his eyes and looked at Nie Lingfeng, his gaze sharp: "There are seventeen registered or recorded Nie families in Shandong Province, none of whom match your age, appearance, or martial arts style. The Taoist Association's records of hermit practices over the past fifty years do not include anyone with the Taoist name 'Feng Daoren.' The national population database, household registration records, and even some 'special channels' databases cannot find a record matching your name 'Nie Lingfeng,' your age, or your face."

He paused, his tone tinged with weariness and scrutiny: "Either what you said is true, and your master is a truly reclusive master with extraordinary abilities who can completely evade all modern information network tracking, and you are a 'blank slate' that he carefully cultivated."

"Or..." Hao Yi's voice lowered, carrying an invisible pressure, "Your identity is a flawless fabrication. The power or individual behind you is so great that they can erase all traces of your existence over the past eighteen years and have tailored a near-perfect script for your 'deep mountain ascetic' background."

Nie Lingfeng met his gaze, his face showing a hint of confusion and unease, but his eyes remained clear: "Uncle Hao, everything I said was told to me by my master. As for why we can't find it... I don't know either. Perhaps... my master really just didn't want to be disturbed by the outside world."

The two stared at each other for a few seconds.

Hao Yi suddenly smiled, a smile that dispelled the fatigue on his face and eased the tense atmosphere. He picked up the official seal on the table and stamped it heavily in bright red on the "Registration and Filing Form for Extraordinary Persons" that Nie Lingfeng had filled out yesterday.

"Fine. The company has decided to believe your explanation." Hao Yi pushed the form over, which now had an approval note and a red stamp: "Filing approved, registration granted." "After all, if you were a pawn painstakingly planted by 'Quanxing' or some other organization, you wouldn't usually use such a... simple, even somewhat clumsy, reason. Besides, your skills can't be faked; they truly require years of arduous training, not something that can be achieved quickly with drugs or evil methods."

He extended his hand: "Welcome to the 'NaDuTong' family, Comrade Nie Lingfeng. Although you are not yet a formal employee, you are at least a 'registered individual under the company's supervision and protection.' The company will make special arrangements to help you reissue your ID card through special channels, and you should be able to get it in about a week."

Nie Lingfeng breathed a sigh of relief, reached out and shook hands with Hao Yi, feeling the calluses on Hao Yi's fingers: "Thank you, Uncle Hao."

"By the way," Hao Yi sat back in his chair, relaxing a bit, "about your upcoming arrangements. Do you want to stay in our Southwest branch for the time being to familiarize yourself with the environment and rules, or... do you have other plans? The company can make arrangements accordingly."

Wang Zhenqiu immediately answered, "Of course he'll stay in the Southwest! Uncle Hao, I'm the one who discovered Xiao Feng! Besides, he's new here and doesn't know anyone, so of course I, as his guide, should continue to mentor him! I guarantee I'll train him to be our Southwest branch's ace fighter!"

Nie Lingfeng hesitated. He looked at Wang Zhenqiu, who was full of expectation, and then at Hao Yi, who was waiting for his answer. After a few seconds of silence, he slowly said, "Uncle Hao, Qiu'er... thank you for your kindness. But... I think I should go back to Shandong first."

Wang Zhenqiu's smile froze instantly, his eyes widening: "What? Back to Shandong? Now?"

"Yes." Nie Lingfeng nodded, his tone sincere with a hint of barely perceptible homesickness (actual). "I stayed in those deep mountains for more than ten years, isolated from the world. Now that I've finally come out, I still want to go back to my 'hometown' first. Even if there's no one left at home, and the ancestral hall may have collapsed, at least... I want to see what that land looks like, drink a sip of water from my hometown, and that would be... to put an end to a matter on my mind, and to give an explanation to my master and my parents."

He looked at Wang Zhenqiu with sincere eyes: "Qiu'er, I am truly grateful to you. If it weren't for you, I might still be wandering around in that forest, or even encountering danger. You brought me out, and I will remember this kindness in my heart. But... recognizing my ancestors and returning to my hometown is a thought I had before I came down the mountain, and it was also one of my master's dying wishes. I hope you can understand."

Wang Zhenqiu opened his mouth, looking at Nie Lingfeng's serious expression, a bellyful of words of pleading stuck in his throat, finally turning into a long sigh, his shoulders slumping: "Alright, alright... I understand, it's human nature to return to one's roots." But he quickly cheered up again, raising an eyebrow, reverting to his cynical demeanor, "However! Next time we meet, you have to treat me to a big meal! No, you have to give me a big gift! To compensate me for the emotional trauma of losing my beloved general... uh, my playmate... no, I mean, my colleague!"

Nie Lingfeng couldn't help but laugh: "Okay, it's a deal, I'll definitely make it up to you."

Hao Yi wasn't surprised and nodded: "Wanting to go back to Shandong is only natural. It falls under the jurisdiction of the North China region. I'm quite familiar with Xu Si, the person in charge of North China, so I can put in a good word for you and ask him to look after you there."

He paused for a moment, then added, "But you need to think carefully. Are you just going back to visit and fulfill your wish before returning, or do you plan to develop your career there long-term? If it's just a short-term family visit, the company can grant you a leave of absence and reimburse your travel expenses. If you want to stay there long-term, or even join the North China branch, then it will involve a formal inter-regional transfer."

Nie Lingfeng gave his prepared answer almost without hesitation: "Uncle Hao, I'd like to... develop my career in North China for a while. Besides going back to my hometown, I also want to travel more and see different places. My master once said, 'Reading ten thousand books is not as good as traveling ten thousand miles.'"

Wang Zhenqiu clutched his chest, making a pained expression that said, "That hurts, bro."

Hao Yi readily agreed: "Sure, it's good for young people to be adventurous. I'll give Xu Si a call. Although that kid is reckless, he's always been good to his capable subordinates."

He picked up the landline on the table again, dialed a long number this time, and pressed the speakerphone button.

The phone rang four or five times before being answered. Immediately, a loud male voice with a distinct northern accent and a rather noisy background came through, seemingly mixed with sounds of punches and kicks and someone's (?) muffled groans.

"Hey?! Who is it?! It's me, Xu Si! I'm busy right now! Spit it out!"

Hao Yi spoke slowly, "Fourth brother, don't get so angry. It's me, Hao Yi."

"Hey! Old Hao?! What a rare guest! You nouveau riche from the Southwest, what brings you to call a poor, remote place like here?" Xu Si's voice was laced with laughter, and the sounds of clashing in the background seemed to intensify. "What's up? I'm 'educating' a newbie here, and this kid's asking for it! If there's nothing else, I'm hanging up. My fists are ready!"

"What's the rush?" Hao Yi coughed, his tone unchanged. "I'm sending you a talent, a real 'talent,' do you want him?"

"Talent?" Xu Si paused for a moment, then his interest was piqued. "What kind of 'talent'? Can they fight? We're short of fighters in North China right now! Those bookish, tech-savvy types are useless in a fight!"

"He's good at fighting, extremely good at fighting." Hao Yi glanced at Nie Lingfeng, a slight smile playing on his lips. "He's just been 'unearthed' from the mountains. He's been trained by a reclusive master since childhood. His kung fu style... I reckon that if he really fights, he's no weaker than my temporary worker." He glanced at Wang Zhenqiu, who was listening intently to the side.

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone.

Immediately afterward, Xu Si's voice suddenly rose, almost shattering the speakerphone: "Holy crap! Really?! Lao Hao, you can't be lying to me! Not inferior to your 'cancer' ball?!"

"I saw it with my own eyes," Hao Yi said slowly. "Cloud-Dispelling Palm, Wind God Leg, Heavenly Frost Fist, Six Secrets of Frost... a complete set of ancient martial arts techniques I've never seen before, with exquisite moves and solid internal strength. There's also a family heirloom sword called 'Snow Drinker,' which exudes a chilling aura when drawn; it's no ordinary weapon."

"Damn it!" Xu Si cursed again, the fighting sounds in the background seeming to stop. "This isn't just talent, this is a fucking gem! Where is he? I'll send a helicopter to pick him up right now! No, I'll go myself!"

"What's the rush? Let me finish," Hao Yi interrupted his excitement. "The kid wants to go back to his hometown in Shandong first, and then... he plans to develop his career in North China."

"Shandong? His ancestral home is Shandong?!" Xu Si's voice was even more excited; you could practically picture his eyes shining through the phone. "That's even better! A fellow townsman! So relatable! Lao Hao, I want this guy! Name your price! As long as it's not my wife and kids, whatever you say!"

Hao Yi revealed a sly smile: "I quite like your newly acquired, modified 'Warrior' off-road vehicle, which you haven't even had a chance to warm up yet."

Xu Si gasped in shock on the other end of the phone, followed by a strained, clenched-teeth voice: "...Old Hao, you're ruthless! Taking advantage of my misfortune, huh?! Fine! Here you go! The car's yours! But where's the person? When are you going to bring them over?"

"The ID card company is expediting the process; it should be ready in about a week."

"A week?! That's too late!" Xu Si said urgently. "Okay, have him come over first! I'll use my connections to expedite the ID card process! Three days, no, two days! Get him on the next plane or train to Tianjin, and I'll take care of the rest!"

Hao Yi looked at Nie Lingfeng, asking with his eyes.

Nie Lingfeng nodded.

"Okay," Hao Yi said into the phone. "Then get ready to pick him up. By the way, his name is Nie Lingfeng."

"Nie Lingfeng... Nie... Good! That surname sounds reliable! Old Hao, thanks! I owe you a huge favor this time! When you come to Tianjin again, I'll cover all your eating, drinking, gambling, and whoring... uh, all the fun and games! If you in the Southwest ever need any support, just say the word, and North China will definitely not hesitate!"

The phone call ended amidst Xu Si's hearty laughter and assurances.

The office was silent for a few seconds.

Then, Hao Yi rubbed his face, and a satisfied smile, almost like a "profiteer who has succeeded," appeared on his usually serious face: "I made a profit... Anyway, I can't keep it, but at least I made a top-of-the-line modified SUV, plus a real favor from Xu Si... It's a good deal, a huge profit."

Wang Zhenqiu slumped in his chair, covered his face with his hands, and let out an exaggerated wail: "Ahhh! My newbie! My treasure! Gone! Just like that, snatched away by that rough guy Xu Laosi! Uncle Hao, don't you love me anymore!"

Looking at the scene before him, Nie Lingfeng saw one shrewd and calculating man secretly pleased with himself, while the other, a dramatic and heartbroken individual, couldn't suppress the smile on his lips.

He suddenly realized that this "All-in-One" company, with its diverse "temporary workers" and managers, seemed...really quite interesting.

At least, I'll never be bored again.

A week later, Nie Lingfeng received his first ID card, a simple but still unpretentious "smart old-fashioned phone" with a touchscreen, a second-class train ticket to Tianjin booked by his company, and a simple backpack containing a few changes of clothes and a small amount of cash.

Wang Zhenqiu drove him to the city's train station.

"Once we get to North China, stick with Xu Si. Be smart." Wang Zhenqiu, unusually serious, patted Nie Lingfeng on the shoulder, his usual playful demeanor gone. "That guy may look rough, but he's loyal and protective of his own, he's a shrewd old fox. But he'll definitely treasure someone like you with real skills. Do a good job, don't embarrass our Southwest Branch... well, don't embarrass your brother Qiu."

Nie Lingfeng smiled and nodded vigorously: "Okay, I'll remember."

"And one more thing," Wang Zhenqiu suddenly leaned closer, lowering his voice, a sly glint in his peach blossom eyes, "you promised me you'd teach me a move from the Cloud-Dispelling Palm next time we meet, you can't go back on your word!"

"...Definitely." Nie Lingfeng was somewhat helpless, but he still agreed.

The announcement of the high-speed train's arrival could be heard in the distance.

Nie Lingfeng slung the Snow Drinking Blade over his shoulder (still wrapped in cloth, but with a sturdier new cloth cover), picked up his simple luggage, and turned to walk toward the ticket gate.

He turned around and waved vigorously to Wang Zhenqiu, who was standing by the car with his blond hair swaying gently in the breeze on the platform.

Wang Zhenqiu smiled and waved, shouting, "Keep in touch, Xiao Fengfeng!"

The high-speed train started smoothly and accelerated. The platform and the people seeing them off outside the window quickly receded, became smaller, and finally disappeared from sight.

Outside the window, the lush, verdant land of Sichuan and Chongqing rushes by in early summer, with its rolling green tea mountains, scattered silver fishponds, and the gradually emerging, ever-widening, flat plains on the distant horizon.

Nie Lingfeng sat by the window, watching the ever-changing scenery outside, and slowly closed his eyes.

He secluded himself in the deep mountains for ten years, in complete silence, with only the sound of swords clashing and wind howling.

Upon first stepping into the world, I was bewildered and just beginning to explore, but fortunately, I met someone who would guide me.

Now, the train roars, carrying him in a new direction; the real journey has only just begun.

North China, Tianjin, Xu San and Xu Si, Feng Baobao, Zhang Chulan...

And hidden beneath the seemingly peaceful modern society is the bizarre, unpredictable, and turbulent world of "Outcasts"—a place where heroes and madmen coexist.

He, Nie Lingfeng, has arrived.