Black Sail
Chapter 261: CCLXI. New Year’s Greetings

Chapter 261: CCLXI. New Year’s Greetings

Taylor was so fucking scared he couldn’t have possibly bitten off more than he could chew; you have to take it slow.

But the more Taylor looked at Liszt, the more he liked him, growing increasingly appreciative. Truly a motherfucking son-in-law on a Dragon.

Still, a point of caution was necessary.

"No, we’re investing; we’ve all been friends for so many years," Doringger naturally wouldn’t shortchange us.

Now Taylor was playing the peacemaker. It didn’t matter who was Boss; making money was the golden rule. Doringger had already acknowledged the loss, so there was no need to further escalate the situation. It was fine as long as there was meat for everyone to eat.

But that didn’t mean he was suggesting giving Doringger money, just that Liszt should take back his words. Doringger’s massive bleeding out was enough; to those in the power center of Heaven Port, he would certainly throw them a big piece of the pie.

But Taylor didn’t know what was going on with Liszt.

Doringger must die! Otherwise, Liszt couldn’t live!

Doringger gave a signal to his men; there were some things he couldn’t say.

Now Liszt was really dancing in a minefield, shaking the foundation of Doringger.

"Territorial division? I didn’t catch your meaning."

The current captain of Iron Soul spoke in a cold tone.

"Isn’t the New Continent discovered by you guys? Really grateful to the folks of Iron Soul for providing so many job opportunities for Heaven Port, even if that place is vast. But we’re likely to bump into each other, and it’s important we demarcate our territories well."

Liszt spoke calmly, as if discussing the weather.

This was the real crux of the matter; it wasn’t just about Doringger acquiring Iron Soul, and therefore the island was his, but this seemed to have become the accepted narrative.

Everyone believed it was a sure thing for Doringger, but that wasn’t the case.

The captain of Iron Soul wanted to continue saying something.

"All these pirate gangs, I’ve already hired them. I’m not asking them for money; in fact, I’m paying them, including a labor fee. But you know how it is with jobs: the highest bidder gets the talent. Lord Dor, you can also set up positions. But I offer a generous salary over here—twenty Golden Dragons guaranteed per ship per month for them to distribute. And if they bring back goods, I’m buying. I have a friend in Duguli dealing in mining, his connections reach to the heavens. We demarcate properly and we can face together the pirates from other regions coveting the New Continent, keeping the fat within our fields—the only way to expand the business."

Liszt named that upstart from Duguli.

By this point.

He had completely fallen out with Doringger, but it was also a complete success.

Without being outright enemies with Doringger, there was a good chance he would quietly be eaten away completely.

It was a life-and-death struggle now, otherwise, Doringger would gather a bunch of pirates in secret, suppress others, stir up divisions, and over time, he would undoubtedly come out on top.

But with a full-scale war, Doringger would have to tread carefully.

Not just merchants were coming from the outside, but also pirate robbers from other places, or even national navies disguised as robbers, anyone in a mask could be a pirate, and they would smell the opportunity and come.

Doringger was now caught between internal and external troubles; sure, he could kill him and perhaps everyone on the island too, but it would cost him dearly.

Everyone on Boss’s side was stunned—where was Liszt getting all this money?

The audacity of a grand robbery.

That put Liszt in an invincible position.

Doringger naturally had money, more than fifty thousand Golden Dragons, but in Liszt’s hands was cash, fifty thousand Golden Dragons of liquid assets, ready for use at any moment. Could it really be the same as just having it?

Doringger was already formulating a terrifying plan in his mind, but it would need to be executed gradually; tonight, he had conceded.

"Of course, the New Continent naturally isn’t for me to claim alone; I haven’t bought it; it belongs to everyone on the island. How do you propose we divide it?"

Doringger was entirely composed now.

Taylor also knew that completely turning against him was necessary, but stability still had to be maintained, or no one could survive.

"I think we should stick to the old rules, a sixty-forty split."

Taylor was citing the island’s traditional rate, thinking that was enough advantage gained for one night, surprised that Liszt’s methods and money had actually managed to bring over so many people from the island.

"Sss..." Liszt sucked in a breath of cold air and said, "With so many wolves and tigers lurking outside, and Lord Dor busy dealing with this mess, how can it be just forty percent? I think we should split it evenly."

In reality, the division didn’t matter anymore, as they were already mortal enemies.

"Tsk."

Taylor felt the situation was somewhat out of control. Liszt was truly fucking insane.

"Then, let’s do it your way, an even split."

"Lord Dor is truly generous. I think with so many company representatives here, there’s no need for investment anymore. Companies can operate however they want, but no armed personnel should be sent over."

Liszt already had the demeanor of Boss of Heaven Port, beginning to strategize and direct the scene.

All the representatives from the companies were dumbfounded. No need for investment, you say? Does your word really carry that much weight, Liszt? Legitimate companies don’t have armed personnel. Even if they do, it’s just a limited number of security staff.

Anyway, the negotiations had already fallen apart.

Violence between the two parties could break out at any time, and the atmosphere was becoming increasingly tense.

Doringger’s smile was full of amusement.

"How can this be acceptable? People need to save money to build their companies here, not to mention recruiting staff and buying ships—all that costs money."

Taylor really thought Liszt had gone mad, probably eager for the killing to start tonight.

"Hey, when the time comes and I join forces with Lord Dor, all the companies will have a grand opening and move all the goods from the New Continent inland. This money is just a trifle."

Liszt picked up a wine glass from a completely stunned waiter’s tray.

Even Fen hadn’t anticipated such a situation, knowing tonight was going to be big, but not this huge. It wasn’t about fear of death, but the somber and frenetic atmosphere of the venue was damn unnerving—this was no trifle.

Doringger had already accepted all the losses for the night; if he was going to take a fall, so be it. In fact, he was already considering the best time to kill Liszt.

"Still, let’s listen to the Captain."

Doringger also raised his glass in a toast, simultaneously inviting the representatives of the major companies to share the drink.

"Lord Dor, you’re too generous. I’m impressed!"

Liszt gave a toast from afar and downed his glass.

What was supposed to be a festive atmosphere

was now unbearably heavy.

Everyone on Doringger’s side looked at Liszt as though they were staring at a corpse.

A fight breaking out was just a matter of time.

Qi Li and Wen Kui were completely subdued by Liszt. He had indeed achieved his goal, grabbing meat from the New Continent and now standing on an equal footing with Doringger, in an impasse.

It was really indescribable.

The guests only knew one thing.

The New Continent...

was full of crises.

Today was January 2nd.

Liszt’s long-term strategy had taken its first successful step.

"There’s still a lot I’ve got to take care of here. You all enjoy yourselves. My brothers and I will take our leave now. I also wish everyone a Happy New Year and prosperous business."

Liszt naturally did not want to stay longer. Doringger wanted to kill him badly, and he felt the same way. He had big plans to settle once he got out.

"You all go see them off."

Doringger directed his youthful and beautiful attendants.

Liszt’s eyelid twitched, still able to hold it together, okay, let’s see how long you can keep up this act.

"No need to trouble yourselves, Lord Dor. We can see ourselves out."

Led by Liszt, the group successively left the banquet, not forgetting to leave behind a few auspicious words and blessings.

Following their departure,

the next part of the event was a dance on the dance floor, but the representatives from the major companies had long since lost the mood.

Doringger’s face turned utterly cold.

"Here’s the thing—I have a few small islands in the East Sea Domain. In the coming days, you are all welcome to visit. It will be my treat, and there will be plenty of business to conduct. I’ll cover the expenses as an apology for the debacle earlier. You’re also welcome to stay overnight in the castle."

Doringger remained composed even now but had firmly memorized Liszt; despite being enemies, one had to admire the other.

At this moment,

on the rooftop observatory with a swimming pool of the main building.

Hall-level adventurers.

Could not be mentioned in the same breath as the Guild’s rank-and-file brothers.

Just like a milk cap tea, the lower and upper layers simply didn’t mix.