2 Chapter 2 Where did the System go? _1

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"Looks like we'll just take things one step at a time." Wang Shouzhe looked slightly serious, but he soon let go. Even without superhuman abilities, he still had a few advantages.

At least after fusing memories, he found that although there are many powerful figures in this world, in terms of civilian development and advanced thinking, they are not as good as humans on Earth, even if he is just an ordinary university graduate with a day job...

Just as Wang Shouzhe was about to summarise his advantages.

Suddenly, the servant Wang Gui rushed in flustered: "Family Head, Family Head, something terrible has happened. Sixth Master has been beaten up, he has sent people back for assistance."

Sixth Master?

Wang Shouzhe frowned slightly, memories came to the fore: "It's my Sixth Uncle Wang Dinghai."

Wang Dinghai is Wang Shouzhe's clan uncle, ranked sixth among male family members. Though he has average talent and cultivation base, he is proficient in water sports and therefore responsible for one of the family industries, the fishing fleet.

Now that Wang Dinghai's been beaten up, there must have been changes in the fishing fleet, which would be a good opportunity to observe this world for himself.

"Calm down, what is the point of panicking?" Wang Shouzhe mused and calmed down. After reprimanding, he calmly said, "Prepare the carriage, let's go take a look."

"Yes, Family Head." Wang Gui hurriedly responded and ran off to prepare for the journey.

Wang Shouzhe, following his memory, left the room and leisurely headed towards the main residence gate. He observed all the buildings and structures in the main residence along the way, comparing them with the memories in his mind.

On the way, he happened to see his stepmother, Gongsun Hui, leading a few family guards with a serious look on her face, rushing towards the front gate.

Wang Shouzh greeted Gongsun Hui: "Greetings, Madam."

Wang Shouzhe who has merged memories already knew, he lost his mother at an early age. Gongsun Hui is his father Wang Dingyue's wedded wife, with an eight-year-old legitimate daughter named Wang Luomiao.

Therefore, even though Gongsun Hui is Wang Shouzhe's stepmother, she is not his biological mother. However, her nature is simple and kind, she has always treated Wang Shouzhe as her own, taking care he is well cared in all aspects.

This is quite different from the usual fantasy novel tropes.

As soon as Gongsun Hui saw Wang Shouzhe, she came forward and grabbed his hand, her face full of concern: "Zhe Er, why are you out? Have you eaten yet? Is your body feeling better?"

The other guards also hurriedly saluted Wang Shouzhe.

"Madam, I am fine now, and have finished all the spiritual meals you ordered. I will talk about it further later." Wang Shouzhe extricated his hand calmly and said seriously, "You're leading the guards, presumably you're going to support Sixth Uncle? I'll go with you."

Gongsun Hui's face darkened, after a moment of hesitation she said: "Zhe Er, now that you've succeeded to the position of clan leader, you'll face these things sooner or later. If you're not feeling unwell, then let's go and see."

"Yes, Madam."

Both of them left the main residence together. The plaque of the gate was calligraphed with the words Ping'an Wang Family in bold style, exuding an extraordinary aura.

Yet against the weather-beaten pillars, and a white lantern swaying in the wind with the word "Offerings" on it, there is a sense of decline and desolation of the Wang family.

"Family Head, Madam Gongsun, the carriage is ready." The personal servant Wang Gui came running, "The swords and bows are already in the cart."

After a brief discussion, Wang Shouzhe and Gongsun Hui shared one carriage, while the remaining four family guards each rode a yellow steed to guard both sides. They headed towards Dingpu Ferry on Peace River.

On the way, Gongsun Hui explained the whole story.

Wang Shouzhe, with the thinking of his past and present life, quickly clarified the actual situation. Peace River is a large river more than several hundred feet wide. It is rich in aquatic resources that helped produce long-term economic benefits through the fishing fleet.

But where there are benefits, conflicts are bound to arise. The three prominent families of Ping'an town certainly weren't willing to give up this piece of good fortune. After a series of struggles and compromises, the territories of the three prominent families were clearly defined, with none crossing into each other's.

This section of Peace River starting from Dingpu Ferry and stretching thirty miles to the Chaotic Stone Beach, is the Ping'an Wang Family's water territory.

However, in recent years, talents have constantly emerged from two other prominent families, increasingly ambitious as they rose to power. In a world where the overall territory is limited, they have inevitably reached into others' pots with their chopsticks.

Plans for gradual encroachment have been continuously executed; the family's territories and businesses have been shrinking year by year. The smaller the territory, the scarcer the resources, and the harder it is for the clan members to grow without resources, thus falling into a vicious cycle.

Worse still, the health of the Wang's family Old Ancestor, Longyan, who holds the Sea Stabilizing Needle, seems to be deteriorating year by year. In recent years, she has been in closed-door cultivation and even with the major troubles within the family; she has not shown up for audience hence stirring up endless speculation about whether she could still fight.

The situation does not seem to be improving, sighed Wang Shouzhe with knitted brows.

The main residence of the Wang family is built alongside a mountain and a river, only a few miles away from Dingpu Ferry. The road foundation is firm and well-maintained year-round. With the vanguard leading the way, the horse carriage reaches its destination in less than an hour.

This ferry was one of the outposts of Changning Guard when Ping'an Town was first established. After over a hundred years of development, Dingpu Ferry has become a crucial thoroughfare connecting the north and south.

All three prominent families of Ping'an have their own docks, ferries, stores, and other basic facilities here.

There are some simple defense facilities at the ferry, and the city wall is merely five or six meters high, only strong enough to resist the attack of small-scale fierce beasts.

After Wang Shouzhe and his team entered the ferry, they headed straight for the deep-water dock. Under the long wooden pier, multiple giant wooden pillars each as thick as a man's arms ominously stood tall, suspending the dock above the water at a depth of three to four zhangs. Deeper down, two side piers were forming individual berths.

At the dock, ships of various sizes were moored. They included ferries, merchant ships, and fishing boats.

From a distance, they could see two groups confronting each other at the end of the pier. Both parties were holding clubs, pitchforks, and appeared emotionally intense.

"Sixth Master Wang, you've got quite the nerve. You dare to bring men to block your master, Liu Yongzhou. Do you think I haven't beaten you badly enough before?" The young man's voice was full of ridicule.

"You little cur from the Liu family!" Another man roared angrily, "Wasn't it just an ambush underwater? If you have the guts, we should fight underwater again fair and square, I, Sixth Master Wang, will teach you a lesson on how to behave."

"Sixth Master Wang, don't take offense if I look down on you. You've become a dog despite your age, without a grain of wit." The young man sneered, "Ambushing underwater is just a military tactic. Are you suggesting that we should declare beforehand that tactics are forbidden? Ha ha, you're regressing with age. It would be better if you just leave Ping'an Town, so you stop wasting food."

There was raucous laughter from the young man's group, each echoing, "Get out of Ping'an Town, get out of Ping'an Town."

The population at Dingpu Ferry was mixed, with many passing travelers and merchants. At this moment, they gathered around to watch the spectacle, voicing opinions.

The conflict today would inevitably spread far and wide by virtue of their feet and tongues. As the disadvantaged party in this conflict, the Wang Family of Ping'an Town would become a laughing stock for a while, even the subject of postprandial chitchat, damaging their reputation.

"You loathsome cur from the Liu family!" The man looked extremely angry, his face flushed with rage, "You've gone too far! I'll put an end to this!"

"Come on, you old dog from the Wang family!"

The imminent confrontation between them was on the verge of violence.

"Stop!" Gongsun Hui, seeing the emergency, hastily stepped into the confrontation to try and stop them, "Wang Dinghai, Liu Yongzhou, calm down and talk things out."

Worried about his wife getting hurt, Wang Shouzhe waved his hand and four of the household heads rushed forward to protect Gongsun Hui. He stood behind them, continuing to observe everything coldly.

Through on-the-spot observation and memory, he recognized the reckless young man who wore skin-tight water-resistant clothing, a short blade at his waist, and had an unrefined appearance as Liu Yongzhou, a member of the Yong generation of the Liu family.

It is said that this youth excels in underwater combat and is particularly skillful in the Water Escape Technique. He is known for capturing and killing a Level One ferocious Red-scaled Eel, which weighs over two hundred catties using just his short blade underwater. At only 23 or 24 years old, he was quite reputed and considered a noteworthy member of the Ping'an Liu family.

The other man was lean and dark-skinned, obviously a regular fisherman. Only his head and arms were bandaged, making him look somewhat downcast.

This was Wang Shouzhe's uncle—Wang Dinghai, who was mainly responsible for the fishing work in the waters controlled by the family. He was very proficient in underwater combat and fishing. He was also the main person who caught that Red-tailed spirit bream that Wang Shouzhe had previously eaten.

"Oh, so it's Granny Gongsun from the Wang family." That man called Liu Yongzhou casually greeted with a smirk. then scornfully provoking Wang Dinghai," Sixth Master Wang, you ran to your sister-in-law for reinforcement just because of a minor conflict with me, a younger generation member. I, Yongzhou, admire you for that. I really am outclassed."

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

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