The river divides into two paths here. It continues its mighty flow to the southeast, towards the land of the Southern Barbarians. The other road is filled with vast expanse of water swamp. Big dream! No one knows how big Damengze is. Since ancient times, this vast swamp has been a barbaric area beyond the reach of dynasty forces! Over the past hundreds of years, many people who fled from Xiaxu settled in Damengze, forming a large and loose settlement over time. It is said that there are hundreds of thousands of people living in Damengze, and some say two to three hundred thousand. But no matter how many residents there are, the impression given by Damengze from beginning to end is that it is dangerous and unpredictable! After Zhang Yuan's speedboat entered Daze, its speed dropped suddenly.
He had to paddle faster. Although Zhang Yuan came to Damengze for the first time. But relying on the high-altitude navigation of the red-eyed crow, he always traveled on the correct waterway. There is no disorientation. The sky gradually darkened, and a thin mist appeared on the river. I saw only a few lights in the distance, but it was hazy and hard to see clearly. During the boat ride, it feels like sailing into a dream. Not long after, stilt houseboats appeared in Zhang Yuan's sight. This was a building he had never seen before. These boat-shaped houses are built on the water, relying on bamboos as thick as bowls as supports, and then hanging rope ladders to the water, often with one or two small boats tied next to them. When we got here, it suddenly became lively. There are lighted oil lamps hanging under the eaves of every house. The oil should be some kind of boiled fish oil. Blue-grey smoke rises from the lamp wick, and the orange light smudges in the mist, filling the air with a faint scent of fat. The houseboats are built one after another, high or low, large or small, and are criss-crossed by waterways. It forms a huge maze! Of course, these houses on the water all have owners. Most of the people living here are dressed in rags, some even only wear a pair of shorts, and their living conditions are quite simple. Even original! The women were cooking dinner in the boat house, and the men gathered together in twos and threes to chat and laugh. From time to time, naughty children suddenly jumped into the river, making countless splashes.
There are also some boats that have just returned from fishing, and they look busy. The appearance of Zhang Yuan inevitably attracted the attention and even vigilance of many people. A small boat passed across silently, just blocking Zhang Yuan's front. I saw a man standing on the bow of the boat, bare-chested and barefoot, holding a harpoon in his hand, revealing his strong dark muscles. He shouted in a deep voice: "Who are you? Where do you come from? What do you want to do in Daze?" Zhang Yuan stopped the boat, stood up and clasped his fists, saying, "I'm Zhang Liao. I'm from Xia Xu. I'm here for the first time. Please do me a favor." "Zhang Liao?" The shirtless man snorted, tightened his grip on the harpoon and asked, "Then do you know the rules here?" Zhang Yuan smiled: "I hope you can tell me, I would be very grateful!" "It's very simple." The shirtless man turned his head and spat into the water, and said carelessly: "If you want to live life from now on, leave money to buy the road!" Zhang Yuan nodded: "Easy to say." He reached into his arms and took out a broken piece of silver, then flicked it towards the other party. This half-weight piece of silver instantly turned into a stream of light and shot away! Snap! Before the shirtless man had time to react, he felt a huge shock in his right hand, almost losing his grip on his weapon. He subconsciously looked at the harpoon and saw a piece of silver-white metal on the top of the handle. The shirtless man's expression suddenly changed. The corner of his eye twitched, and then he forced an ugly smile: "Offended!" This guy who was arrogant before bowed respectfully to Zhang Yuan. He behaved in such a arrogant and respectful manner. It's entirely because the methods Zhang Yuan just revealed have gone beyond the level of enthusiasm! The shirtless man has been stationed at the waterway all year round and has seen countless people of all kinds, so he still has some good eyesight. He realized that he had underestimated Zhang Yuan's strength and immediately lowered his body. Immediately gave way to the passage. "Your Excellency, please!" Zhang Yuan did not argue with the other party, said "Thank you" and moved on. The information provided by Han Zixun shows that there are currently four major forces in Damengze. Bao Min, Dahe Gang, Jinsha Gang and Feiyu Alliance!
Bao Min is considered a semi-native of Damengze. It is said that they came from the southern barbarian land, and a group of Jing people ran to Damengze to escape the war. And changed its name to Changmin and took root here. Among the four factions, Chanmin not only has the largest number of people, but is also the most united. But they don't have high-level experts. Therefore, it has never been able to outperform the other three. The Dahe Gang, Jinsha Gang and Feiyu League are all organizations established by outsiders. Although there are many discords and disputes among the three forces. But in order to survive in Damengze, we have always maintained a fragile balance! Zhang Yuan didn't know which group the guy who extorted tolls from him belonged to. Although he wasn't afraid of it, it was a new arrival and there was no need to fight. Therefore, we use some means to make the other party retreat in spite of difficulties. He rowed the boat leisurely and passed between the rows of stilt houseboats. Damengze was completely unfamiliar to Zhang Yuan, and the surrounding scenes were things he had never seen before. But Zhang Yuan felt very at ease here. I feel safer than in Xia Xu! Because there is water all around. As long as Zhang Yuan dives underwater, let alone warriors of the same level... Even if a fifth-level or even sixth-level warrior comes, he can't do anything to him! Splash! Suddenly, the water surface more than ten steps away from the boat exploded, and a furry head poked out. This guy who suddenly appeared was not a water ghost. But a teenager! He raised his arm high, holding a big turtle with bared teeth and claws in his hand. He enthusiastically sold it to Zhang Yuan: "Sir, do you want the old turtle you just caught? It is very good for replenishing qi and blood." Zhang Yuan laughed dumbly. He slowed down the boat and asked, "How much?" Seeing Zhang Yuan's interest, the boy in the water suddenly brightened up and quickly replied: "One tael, just one tael of silver, this old turtle that replenishes qi and nourishes blood is yours!" Zhang Yuan smiled and said, "How about this, as long as you take me to Dachen Island, I will buy this turtle."
In fact, such a big turtle, if placed in Xiaxu, is worth three or five taels of silver. But Zhang Yuan believed that selling one tael here was definitely a high price! He bargained and estimated that he could get it for half a tael. But now Zhang Yuan needed a guide to take him to his destination. So he didn't care so much. "It's a deal!" The boy was overjoyed: "Follow me!" He dived into the water and then emerged in front of Zhang Yuan. Then he swam forward quickly. This boy was very good at swimming and was as happy and free as a fish in the water. He led Zhang Yuan's boat and swam several miles in one breath. Until a land island appeared in front of him!