Chapter 2

......

After a while, there was no response at all.

No way, right? Wang Shouzhe's heart sank. Without a golden finger, this situation is a bit of a pitfall, isn't it? He tried repeatedly, but the golden finger never appeared.

His heart grew colder and colder. In this fantastical world, experts abound and fierce beasts dominate. How can he survive without a golden finger?

"It looks like I can only take it one step at a time for now." Wang Shouzhe's expression was somewhat solemn, but he soon calmed down. Even without a golden finger, he still had some advantages.

At least, after merging with the memories, he found that although this world had many powerful experts, it lagged behind Earth in terms of civilian development and advanced thinking, even if he was just an ordinary office worker with a university degree...

Just as Wang Shouzhe was about to summarize his advantages,

Suddenly, the servant Wang Gui rushed in, flustered: "Master, Master, something terrible has happened. Sixth Master was beaten, and he has sent someone back for help."

Sixth Master?

Wang Shouzhe's brows furrowed slightly as memories flooded in: "It's my uncle, Wang Dinghai."

Wang Dinghai is Wang Shouzhe's clan uncle, the sixth in the male lineage. He has average talent and cultivation but is skilled in water techniques, so he is in charge of the family's fishing fleet.

Now that Wang Dinghai has been beaten, it must mean that there has been a change in the family's fishing fleet. This is a good opportunity to observe this world firsthand.

"Stay calm, what kind of demeanor is this?" Wang Shouzhe calmed down and scolded, "Prepare the carriage, we'll go and see."

"Yes, Master." Wang Gui hurriedly responded and ran off to prepare the carriage.

Wang Shouzhe left the room based on his memories, slowly walking towards the main gate of the residence, observing the various buildings and structures along the way, and verifying them with the memories in his mind.

On the way, he happened to see his mother-in-law, Gong Sun Hui, leading several family guards, heading towards the main gate with a serious expression.

Wang Shouzhe bowed to Gong Sun Hui: "Greetings, Mother."

Wang Shouzhe, who had merged with the memories, already knew that he had lost his mother at a young age. Gong Sun Hui was his father's second wife, who had a daughter named Wang Luomiao, who was already eight years old.

So, although Gong Sun Hui was his mother-in-law, she was not his birth mother. However, she was kind and always treated Wang Shouzhe as her own, taking good care of him in every aspect.

This was quite different from the typical plot of fantasy novels.

As soon as Gong Sun Hui saw Wang Shouzhe, she pulled his hand, her face full of concern: "Shuo'er, why are you out? Have you eaten? Are you feeling better?"

The other family guards also hurriedly bowed to Wang Shouzhe.

"Mother, I'm fine. I've finished the meal you prepared for me. I'll talk to you in detail later." Wang Shouzhe calmly pulled his hand away and said solemnly, "Mother, are you leading the guards to support Uncle Dinghai? I'll go with you."

Gong Sun Hui's face darkened, hesitated for a moment, and then said, "Shuo'er, since you have inherited the position of clan leader, you will eventually face these situations. Since you are already well, let's go together."

"Yes, Mother."

The two of them left the main gate together. The sign above the gate read "Wang Clan of Ping'an" in bold, dragon-like calligraphy, exuding a formidable presence.

However, the peeling paint on the pillars and the white lanterns with the character "奠" (memorial) swaying in the wind highlighted the decline and desolation of the Wang family.

"Master, Lady Gong Sun, the carriage is ready." The servant Wang Gui ran over, "The sword and arrows are already in the carriage."

After a brief discussion, Wang Shouzhe and Gong Sun Hui shared a carriage, while the other four family guards rode yellow horses to protect them on either side, heading towards the Dingpu Ferry on the An River.

On the way, Gong Sun Hui explained the situation.

With the combined thinking of his past and present life, Wang Shouzhe quickly understood the actual situation. The An River is a wide river, several hundred meters across, rich in aquatic resources. The fishing fleet can generate long-term economic benefits.

However, where there is profit, there is often conflict. The three major families in Ping'an Town are naturally unwilling to give up this lucrative resource. After various struggles and compromises, the three major families of Ping'an have each demarcated their territories and do not cross boundaries.

The An River from the right of the Dingpu Ferry for thirty miles to the Rocky Beach is the territory of the Wang Clan of Ping'an.

In recent years, the other two families have produced many talented individuals and have been rising, with growing appetites. With limited territory, it is natural for them to extend their reach into others' territories.

The encroachment has been ongoing for years, and the family's territory and industries have been shrinking year by year. The smaller the territory, the scarcer the resources, making it harder for clan members to grow, leading to a vicious cycle.

The situation is even worse because the Wang Clan's pillar, Longyan the Elder, seems to be in declining health. She has been in seclusion for several years and has not shown her face even for such a major event, leading to speculation about whether she can still fight.

The situation is not optimistic, Wang Shouzhe's brows furrowed.

Speaking of the Wang Clan's main residence, it is built by the mountains and water, only about ten miles from the Dingpu Ferry. The road is solid and well-maintained. With the family guards leading the way, the carriage arrived at the ferry in less than half an hour.

This ferry has been a forward post of Changning since the founding of Ping'an Town. After more than a hundred years of development, the Dingpu Ferry has become a key transportation hub connecting the north and south.

The three major families of Ping'an have docks, ferries, and shops here.

The ferry has some simple defensive facilities, with a rather rudimentary wall about six meters high, capable of withstanding small-scale beast attacks.

Wang Shouzhe's group headed straight for the deep-water dock. The long wooden pier is supported by giant wooden pillars, extending to a depth of several zhang (about 3-4 meters). There are two lateral piers in the deep water, forming berths.

Various-sized boats are moored at the berths, including ferries, merchant ships, and fishing boats.

In the distance, two groups of people were facing off at the end of the pier. Both sides held sticks, knives, and forks, their emotions running high.

"Wang Lao Liu, you've got some nerve. You dare to bring people to block my way? Do you think I didn't beat you enough?" A young man's mocking voice rang out.

"You f*cking Liu family puppy." Another man's voice was filled with anger, "You just sneak attack underwater? If you're a man, let's fight it out in the water. I, Wang Lao Liu, will teach you how to behave."

"Wang Lao Liu, don't blame me for looking down on you. You're just a dog, with no brains at all." The young man sneered, "Underwater ambush is a legitimate tactic. Do you expect to declare before a fight that tactics are not allowed? Haha, you're getting dumber with age. You might as well leave Ping'an Town and stop wasting food."

The young man's group burst into laughter, chanting, "Leave Ping'an Town, leave Ping'an Town."

The Dingpu Ferry is crowded with travelers and merchants. They gathered around, watching the commotion, and various comments were flying.

This conflict will surely spread through their mouths to other places. As the disadvantaged party in this conflict, the Wang Clan of Ping'an will become a laughingstock, a topic of conversation, and a blow to the Wang Clan's prestige.

"Liu family puppy." The man's face was red with anger, "You've gone too far. I, your Sixth Uncle, will fight you to the death!"

"Wang family old dog, come if you dare!"

A fight was about to break out.

"Stop!" Gong Sun Hui, seeing the urgency, hurriedly stepped between the two groups, "Wang Dinghai, Liu Yongzhou, calm down. Let's talk this out."

Wang Shouzhe, fearing his mother-in-law would be at a disadvantage, waved his hand, and the four Wang family guards rushed forward to protect Gong Sun Hui. He followed closely behind, observing everything with a cold eye.

From his observations and memories, the young man in a tight-fitting water suit with a short blade at his waist, who looked somewhat laid-back, was Liu Yongzhou, a member of the Liu family's Yong generation.

Rumors say he is skilled in water combat, especially in water evasion techniques. He once killed a first-stage fierce beast, the Red-Scaled Eel, weighing over 200 pounds, with a short blade underwater. He became famous at the age of 23 or 24, a rising star of the Liu family of Ping'an.

The other man was lean and dark-skinned, clearly someone who lived on the water. His head and arms were bandaged, looking rather disheveled.

That was Wang Shouzhe's clan uncle, Wang Dinghai, responsible for the family's fishing operations in the territorial waters. He was also skilled in water combat and hunting, and was the main catcher of the Red-Tailed Spirit Carp that Wang Shouzhe had eaten earlier.

"Oh, it's Lady Gong Sun of the Wang family." The young man, Liu Yongzhou, smiled and casually bowed. Then he mocked Wang Dinghai, "Wang Lao Liu, you had a little conflict with me, and you even brought your clan sister-in-law for support. I admire you, I really do."

"You..." Wang Dinghai's dark face turned black with anger.

...