"Shipmaster, speak freely if you have anything to say," the composed young man said calmly.

The shipment this time was very large, including a batch of "State Guardian Artifacts" which were extremely heavy. The Wang family's own fleet had limited experience in inland waterway transport, so they chose to collaborate with an old shipmaster well-versed in canal transport.

Of course, this was also related to the Wang family's reluctance to heavily invest in the river transportation industry, as many prominent families currently relied on it for their livelihood. The Wang family's business model has changed significantly over time; they no longer wish to "compete with the common people for profits."

Rather than profiting from transportation, it's more important to quickly develop the economic chain along the canal. Only when the middle and lower-tier prominent families can make money from the canal, and the industrial chain is well-developed, can the Wang family and Da Qian, as the source and upper architecture, benefit more.

Therefore, in some basic industries, the Wang family is willing to yield as much as possible.

"The path through HuiLong Bay is originally a turbulent water bay that requires experience to pass safely," the old master said. "Over the years, there has emerged a group of 'experienced' boatmen who, under the guise of escorting, demand escort fees. Without payment, we're afraid we won't pass HuiLong Bay."

The composed young man raised his brow: "Waterway bandits? In this day and age, is there really someone who dares to set up tolls within the canal?"

"Fourth Master, you may not know, there is an Imperial Manor near HuiLong Bay, and its ruler is... alas~," the old master said helplessly, "so I advise Master not to act on impulse and pay the money, so we can deliver the goods safely to the destination."

Just as the old master's words fell.

Several speedboats suddenly darted out from Backwater Bay nearby.

These boats were much smaller compared to the transport vessels, but their bodies were proportionately long and slender, moving with astonishing speed through the canal, and were extremely agile when turning.

On each speedboat stood five or six burly men with a steady presence.

The fleet of speedboats charged forward aggressively, with an imposing momentum that made the old master aboard the large ship and other crew turn pale with fright, and many crew members' faces even turned white instantly.

"The water at HuiLong Bay ahead is treacherous, each large ship must pay three, no, five hundred Qian Gold, and we brothers will escort you safely,"

In the blink of an eye, the speedboats arrived in front of the cargo ships, and the leading burly man rudely demanded money outright.

This fleet of ten large transport ships was to be extorted for six or seven thousand Qian Gold at once.

The composed young man's face darkened: "What if we refuse to pay?"

"If you don't pay, blame the treacherous water; if something happens, don't blame us brothers~," the leading burly man laughed loudly in response, yet his words made one's hair stand on end.

A series of mocking laughs also erupted from those speedboats, as if the young man had asked something amusing.

The composed young man's face grew even darker, yet he spoke no more nonsense, simply waving his hand and ordering: "Seize them all."

"Yes, Fourth Master."

With those words, a household guard immediately soared from behind the young man, darting towards those speedboats.

His movement technique was light as willow catkins and fluid like rippling waves, and within the blink of an eye, he was already above the speedboats.

"You bunch of ignorant folks, daring to extort passing money from our goods." With a playful smile on his face, as he spoke, the guard effortlessly struck down with his palm.

In an instant.

A vast and majestic Sky Working Boundary Pressure erupted from his being.

The surging Mysterious Energy transformed into a sky-covering giant palm that crashed down, with a force like the mighty Yangtze River or the grand river itself. With one single strike, he shattered a speedboat into pieces.

The remaining palm's wind continued, instantly creating a massive crater on the water's surface with a "boom."

"Heavenly Human Realm?"

The bandits were slightly shocked, but did not appear overly panicked.

The leader of the bandits was even directly enraged by this action, coldly sneering and berated: "How bold! Do you know who's behind us? Hearing it will frighten you."

"Oh, I'm indeed curious to hear who is backing you?" the composed young man's voice also sounded.

"My master is a royal relative [Jia Commandery Prince]. He is a direct elder relative of the current Emperor Zi'an, with the Power of the Dragon," the bandit leader said proudly.

On ordinary days, it's not like they haven't kicked against tougher opponents, but as long as they mention the Jia Commandery Prince's name, who dares challenge his dragon?

The composed young man had heard of the Jia Commandery Prince's name, indeed the direct elder relative of Emperor Zi'an. As for the Power of the Dragon... that was somewhat laughable.

He was merely cheering along, yet he dared claim to have the "Power of the Dragon"?

"This world has only been peaceful for a few years? The situation on the battlefield beyond the realm is critical," the composed young man's voice was cold, filled with deep anger. "Jia Commandery Prince, as a royal relative, yet acts as a bandit and toll collector; truly shameless! Seize them all!"

The Return Dragon Canal had become increasingly prosperous, and among them, there must be ships the Jia Commandery Prince did not dare to charge. However, just the toll fees from the daily merchant ships could easily amount to tens of thousands of Qian Gold.

It's easily over a million Qian Gold yearly, an enormous sum for most families.

With his command, several more Heavenly Human Realm household guards immediately rose, teaming up with the previous guard to effortlessly capture the entire group of bandits.

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