Under the current propaganda battle and public opinion war, the Liu and Zhao Clans have gained a terrible reputation for hiring loose cultivators to kill and seize property. This is also why many wealthy families have been eager to relocate. A few words, and people were moved beyond measure. Though expensive, Zhuwei Mansion is extremely prestigious, and living here is a mark of status. Most importantly, as Ouyang Junyan said, it’s safe! In this day and age, having money and property is not enough; a group of deranged loose cultivators could easily wipe out your entire family. Only under the protection of the Wang Family can one truly live and work in peace. "Alright, I’ll buy it." Zhang Tiedan was moved and said decisively, "Junyan, give me a discount." "No, you don’t yet have the qualification to buy a house and land." Ouyang Junyan shook his head. "What? You need qualifications to buy a house and land?" "Your Zhang Family has never paid even a single coin of tax to the Wang Family, nor contributed anything. What gives you the right to settle in Zhuwei Mansion?" "Then how can I acquire the qualification to buy a house?" "For a family like yours, you need at least five able-bodied men to participate long-term in the dredging and landfilling project, or pay 10 Qian Gold in contribution tax per household member." Ouyang Junyan said proudly, "The threshold for Zhuwei Mansion’s first phase is quite high." This threshold is indeed high! However, after confirming that there would be Black Tortoise Practitioner household generals guarding and patrolling for security in the future, Zhang Tiedan gritted his teeth and decided to send five able-bodied men for labor, just to have the right to buy a house. As for the other wealthy families, they either contribute manpower or money. Wealthy families with money are astute; they have realized that this prime land of Zhuwei Mansion will likely appreciate in value in the future! Even if they have to sell their properties in the territories of the Liu and Zhao Clans, they are determined to buy a unit in Zhuwei Mansion. The safety on the other side is too lacking. In the future, Zhuwei Mansion will have walls, and outsiders will be thoroughly questioned when entering or exiting, with no entry for unauthorized people. Additionally, Black Tortoise Practitioner household generals will patrol day and night, doubling as bodyguards, providing not only safety but also prestige. Wang Shouzhe’s black canopy boat headed towards the river. At this time, Wang Xiaohan still hadn’t recovered from his shock: "Eight hundred and eighty-eight Qian Gold, eight hundred and eighty-eight... Shouzhe, did you really sell eighty acres of land and property for such a high price? And people actually bought it!" What amazed Wang Xiaohan the most was that the land was merely newly filled, with no houses built yet, and people were already scrambling to pay. "This can’t be blamed on me; it’s mainly because of the terrible reputation of the Liu and Zhao Clans." Wang Shouzhe said with a smile, "The common wealthy families have already started to move beyond worrying about food and clothing. What they pursue first is an enhancement of status and prestige. Second, is absolute safety. Zhuwei Mansion’s first phase just happens to meet their needs." "Fourth Uncle, are you really going to have household generals guarding the gate and patrolling?" Wang Lici asked in surprise, "Many Black Tortoise Practitioners look down on civilians." "With money, ghosts can be made to grind grain. We can hire loose cultivators of good character to be household general bodyguards." Wang Shouzhe said calmly, "A bodyguard is only around ten Qian Gold a year. The work has no danger, so many loose cultivators will rush to do it." "Will the money come from our family?" Wang Xiaohan asked worriedly, "If this goes on long-term, the expenses will be considerable." "Grandpa Six, there’s a type of expense called property fee..." Wang Shouzhe laughed, "When split among all the owners, it doesn’t amount to much." The black canopy boat gradually sailed into Zhuwei Lake. At this moment, Zhuwei Lake had evidently turned into a large construction site, with a total of several hundred boats participating in the work, and the number was continually increasing. With such a massive crew involved, the project’s progress accelerated significantly. Wang Shouzhe stood at the bow, spirited as he watched the scene. The dredging and landfilling major project had evolved to become a strategic project for the Wang Family. a fast boat sped toward Wang Shouzhe, with the third of the Shou generation, Wang Shounuo, standing on the bow. Originally, Wang Shounuo was the chief director of the entire project. However, he was clearly overshadowed by Wang Luqiu. "Fourth Brother, Fourth Brother, you’re finally back." Wang Shounuo said delightedly upon seeing Wang Shouzhe, "Quick, quick, come with me, that fierce beast has appeared again." Wang Shouzhe hurriedly ordered the black canopy boat to follow him and leapt onto Wang Shounuo’s boat, asking suspiciously, "Third Brother, what do you mean by ’the fierce beast has appeared again’?" "You have no idea." Wang Shounuo said anxiously, "In the few days you were gone, a turtle-like fierce beast appeared in Zhuwei Lake, specifically ramming the dredging boats. I’ve organized personnel several times to drive it away but to no avail. Fortunately, the beast is quite gentle and doesn’t harm people." "But even so, panic is starting to spread. If this continues, many workers won’t dare to work on the lake anymore." A turtle-like fierce beast? Wang Shouzhe’s expression tensed as he said solemnly, "Could it be the legendary one?" When he was a child, he had heard that a turtle-like fierce beast lived in Zhuwei Lake. It was said to be an indigenous resident of Zhuwei Lake, and since it was quite docile and never harmed anyone, Ancestor Zhou Xuan didn’t eliminate it. But rumors are just rumors, Wang Shouzhe had never seen it, some clansmen said they’ve seen it, others said they haven’t. Therefore, when Wang Shouzhe was planning the dredging and landfilling project, he completely overlooked this matter. Could it be that the massive dredging project angered that turtle beast? While pondering, Wang Shounuo’s boat quickly reached the incident site. A dredging boat was already capsized, and the boatmen and dredging workers had all fallen into the water. This update ıs available on 𝓷𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓵※𝖿𝗂𝗋𝖾※𝙣𝙚𝙩 A gigantic turtle-like fierce beast was lurking on the water’s surface, occasionally using its head to pester the dredging workers. Luckily, it didn’t have any intent to harm them and seemed only to be venting. Upon seeing Wang Shounuo’s boat, the turtle paddled rapidly, charging head-on with the apparent intention of ramming and sinking the boat. Wang Shouzhe’s face turned stern: "You dare." He drew his sword, soared into the air, and a layer of white light covered the Fine Steel Sword as he struck with the force of thunder. The turtle didn’t flee but curled up on the water’s surface. A water-blue light shield covered its shell. The sword struck the light shield, the enormous counterforce made Wang Shouzhe’s profound qi surge wildly, almost causing him to spit blood. The water-blue shield of the turtle merely rippled a few times without breaking. The turtle head extended again, spraying a water column at Wang Shouzhe. Wang Shouzhe’s heart tightened, surprised that the turtle had reached such a realm. The water column moved with lightning speed, and just as he intended to dive into the water to evade— a voice thundered in his ear. "How dare you! Shouzhe, retreat!" A powerful force pulled Wang Shouzhe, tossing him back onto the boat. It was Grandpa Six, Wang Xiaohan, the newly ascended Ancestor Xiaohan of the family. He effortlessly shattered the water column with a punch, lightly tapping the water’s surface with his feet, causing ripples. Following that, he glided over the waves, his stature imposing, with his coarse hemp garments fluttering like a land immortal. In a breath, he leapt above the turtle, striking down with a powerful blow. Profound Force surged as the water-blue shield shattered, and Wang Shouzhe was on the verge of spitting blood. Meanwhile, the massive turtle’s water-blue shield was barely disturbed. Caught up in the spectacle, Wang Shouzhe’s heart raced in awe. Realizing it was facing a formidable opponent, the turtle quickly submerged, vanishing without a trace.