I can bless thousands of magical powers.

Heyuan City is a prefectural city, and its size and population are much larger than those of Xiyuan.

The Nutao River meanders through the southwest of this great city, flowing southeast. Its abundant waters nourish the farmland on both banks, where manors and villages are scattered like stars, creating a thriving scene.

A large wharf was built in the river bend near the city, where dozens of merchant ships, cargo ships and fishing boats were moored.

These ships mainly traveled between the prefectural city and several county towns below, and only played a role within the Hetao region.

Because it is impossible to travel upstream to reach the vicinity of Nishihara, the value of the waterway has been greatly reduced.

It's practically useless!

Having come this far, Zhang Yuan now fully understands the Wu family's resentment.

But where is the great monster in the river?
With a hint of doubt, Zhang Yuan landed on the shore and then entered Heyuan Prefecture City disguised as a wandering swordsman.

In addition to exploring the Nutao River, he also wanted to visit the Wu family in person.

After all, the conditions offered by the other party are currently only agreements on paper.

It cannot be considered entirely accurate.

The Wu family's residence was easy to find. Zhang Yuan simply asked a passerby for directions and learned where it was.

In Heyuan City, the Wu family is the undisputed overlord, and even the local prefect is a member of the Wu family.

This demonstrates the profound foundation and strength of the Wu family during the Great Qian Dynasty.

"Please inform them."

Upon arriving at the gate of the Wu family mansion, Zhang Yuan said to the guards, "Zhang Yuan, the General of Xiyuan, has come to visit."

The two strong and burly servants were both taken aback, then looked at each other in bewilderment.

What is the background of Zhang Yuan, the general of Xiyuan Road?
They've never heard of it!

In fact, Zhang Yuan's name was known to everyone in the upper echelons of the Wu family, but it's normal that those in the lower echelons were unaware of it.

However, as gatekeepers, their eyesight was still quite good.

Although Zhang Yuan's attire was ordinary, his aura of authority was very obvious, indicating that he was definitely not an ordinary person.

One of the servants hesitated for a moment, then bowed and asked, "Do you have an appointment with our master?"

"No."

Zhang Yuan waved his hand: "I only know Wu Ziyu from your family."

"So you know the young master!"

The servant's expression immediately became respectful: "Please wait a moment, I will go in and report right away!"

Zhang Yuan nodded: "Mm."

He did not feel slighted, nor did he try to show off to a servant.

Just then, an exquisite carriage, escorted by several knights, drove up and stopped in front of the gate.

One of the knights gave Zhang Yuan a cold glance, his expression warning.

"Seventh Miss is back!"

Immediately afterwards, a young woman stepped out of the carriage and entered the mansion accompanied by two maids.

Zhang Yuan caught a glimpse of the other person's profile, but only caught half of it.

very beautiful.

But he didn't take it to heart at all and continued to wait patiently.

"Zhang Daojiang?"

Zhang Yuan didn't have to wait long. Soon, a young man rushed out and immediately showed surprise upon seeing Zhang Yuan: "It really is you!"

The other party was Wu Ziyu.

Back in Xiyuan City, this member of the Wu family handed over a letter from his elders to Zhang Yuan before leaving Daocheng to return to Heyuan, which was only a few days ago. He didn't expect that Zhang Yuan would follow him there so soon after he got home.

It appeared right in front of my own door!
Zhang Yuan smiled and said, "Please forgive my intrusion."

To be honest, Zhang Yuan's arrival as an uninvited guest was indeed somewhat presumptuous.

Under normal circumstances, given his status, he would at least send someone to deliver an invitation in advance and arrange a time for his visit.

The Wu family should be given time to prepare.

But Zhang Yuan really disliked these formalities. He didn't need to build connections, and his cooperation with the Wu family was purely for profit, so there was no need to make it so grand and formal.

"Zhang Daojiang is too kind!"

Wu Ziyu said solemnly, "Your presence is an honor to our Wu family. Please come in!"

Thus, accompanied by this member of the Wu family, Zhang Yuan stepped into the gate of the Wu family in Heyuan.

The two gatekeepers were completely dumbfounded.

It should be noted that although Wu Ziyu was not the most favored son of the Wu family, he was the eldest son of the direct line and controlled a portion of the family's business and power, making him an extraordinary figure.

The two had never met before, yet Wu Ziyu was so respectful and polite to outsiders.

It even had a hint of flattery!
Just who is this Xiyuan Dao General that makes this young master so humble and subservient?
Perhaps because the matter was so astonishing, as soon as Zhang Yuan and Wu Ziyu sat down in the inner hall, the news spread like wildfire throughout the mansion.

After the maid brought tea, Wu Ziyu said apologetically, "General Zhang, my father went to the government office. I have already sent someone to inform him, and he should be back soon."

Wu Ziyu's father, Wu Mingrui, was the head of the Wu family in Heyuan. He was usually very busy with many affairs of state.

Zhang Yuan didn't mind: "It's alright."

After thinking for a moment, he said, "I have already explored that section of the Nutao River in the Liping Mountains."

Wu Ziyu was taken aback for a moment, then perked up: "How is it?"

Zhang Yuan smiled and said, "There's no major problem. Give me a month, and I should be able to clear a waterway."

"A month?"

Wu Ziyu was stunned: "Really?"

It wasn't that he doubted Zhang Yuan's abilities, but rather that he found it hard to believe.

The Wu family has been eyeing the Nutao River for decades, and had previously sent people to survey that section of the waterway multiple times.

The river is teeming with reefs, both visible and hidden, enough to make one's scalp crawl. Even with a massive investment of manpower and resources, it would be impossible to clear a passable waterway in less than three to five years.

Unless a powerful figure at the Divine Realm is willing to intervene!
Now that Zhang Yuan says he can finish it in a month, it's really too much to ask Wu Ziyu to believe him.

"Let's not talk about that now."

Zhang Yuan waved his hand: "There's another problem: the strangeness of the river. I haven't noticed anything along the way. Are you sure there's a great monster on this waterway?"

"Absolutely true!"

Without hesitation, Wu Ziyu replied, "Not long ago, one of our family's merchant ships capsized in the river."

The merchant ship was not traveling a long distance and was on a relatively safe waterway, but unexpectedly, it capsized even in calm weather.

Only a handful of people escaped from the ship, and it was all due to some strange occurrence afterwards!

Ordinary supernatural phenomena would not possess such powerful abilities.

"One of my uncles died at the hands of a mysterious force."

At this point, Wu Ziyu's expression turned somewhat somber: "It's a pity that all these years, I haven't been able to avenge him!"

Zhang Yuan nodded silently.

Wu Ziyu certainly had no reason to deceive him. Could it be that this giant monster had gone to the lower reaches of the Nutao River?

This is rather troublesome. (End of Chapter)