Black Sail
Chapter 378: XIII. Chenxi Port Memories (Part Three)

Chapter 378: XIII. Chenxi Port Memories (Part Three)

The teacher who had been crippled by Mika lived in the Central District of Chenxi Port, on the sixth floor of a building.

It was nightfall.

The area turned into a bustling market, with Mika wearing a coat, concealing a loaded firearm inside.

Nobody would suspect that someone who appeared to be of student age was carrying a Level 1 prohibited item.

The portable firearms, regulated at a higher grade than long matchlock guns.

It’s like how on Earth craft blades are freely available; if you carry one around, it doesn’t pose much of a threat, and onlookers will just have a laugh.

But a spring-loaded knife or dagger that fits in your pocket is a different story; no one can detect it, and who knows if you’re some anti-social personality ready to quietly skin a few people.

Because the remnants of the Witch Hunting Secret Department’s poison had not yet dissipated, although the Royal Court had classified firearms as contraband, the implementation of this law was lax, with many turning a blind eye—as long as matchlock guns stayed at home, out of sight.

If one were caught wandering around with firearms, they could be directly labeled as anti-imperialists, and the outcome wouldn’t be pleasant.

Mika had already arrived near his teacher’s residence, but now there were too many people watching, and a gun shot would be too loud. Coincidentally, there was a fireworks show at nine o’clock tonight, celebrating four years of reform in Chenxi Port, a recurring annual event.

After the show started and the crowd gathered at the dock to watch the spectacle, it would be his turn to act.

That scumbag, he had already crippled, probably couldn’t even leave the house—how daring to demand compensation after being taught a lesson.

A compensation of three or four gold dragons Mika could come to terms with, but twelve gold dragons, that was enough for that thing to live on until death.

At that time, the sound of fireworks came from the port, dazzling against the night sky.

Mika crossed the street and entered the building where his teacher lived.

The stairwell was dimly lit by faint kerosene lamps, casting barely enough light on the rickety wooden steps. Mika’s breath quickened as he ascended; he had stabbed people before, but never fatally—he was kind-hearted, only intending to teach a lesson. Only once had he crippled someone.

His heartbeat also began to accelerate.

His mind raced with thoughts; what if his teacher’s family was also there? No, they must be there since he was disabled and needed care.

If they resisted, should he kill them all?

Many times,

Murderers don’t actually want to kill; they only plan to intimidate, but in such a sensitive and reactive state, if met with resistance or something said that angers them, in a flash of heat, they might kill uncontrollably.

Mika was in such a state now.

First floor, second floor.

Mika had reached the third-floor hallway, close to his teacher’s dwelling.

He was determined to get back the twelve gold dragons.

But in the hallway on the third floor.

"Mika?"

A girl dressed like a student waited there, indeed possessing an endearingly beautiful face, shivering—not because she wished to be there but because she had been coerced, and now Mika had his firearm pointed at her with his finger on the trigger.

"Why are you here?"

Mika, taken aback, felt like a red-hot iron plunged into icy water and immediately calmed down, slowly lowering the gun.

He exhaled deeply, seemingly a bit scared himself afterwards.

"I... I know that your family paid a lot of money, and I understand you were standing up for me. I can save up and pay you back slowly."

Her voice trembled with tears; she clearly did not come here willingly.

Mika sniffed; the scent of Caesar’s favorite Ye Zi filled the air, and he quickly surmised what had happened.

Enervated, the firearm fell to the ground as reason regained dominance over his thoughts. These words had surely been coached by someone.

Women...

Such unreliable creatures.

"Just... go. You don’t have to pay, and there’s nothing for you here."

Mika spoke calmly.

The female student, as if pardoned, hurried down the stairs. In her rush, she stumbled and fell, pain etched on her face but no time to stop, she quickly left the building.

"Come out."

Mika shook a cigarette out of the case and put it in his mouth, leaning against the wall; he lit it with a match.

"Damn, how did you find out?"

Caesar came down from the upper hallway, flanked by Milke and others. This kid had been fixating on the twelve gold dragons for the last few days, guessing Mika would come here, so they arrived early to wait, fearing they couldn’t stop Mika—they had brought the female student to make him realize the twelve gold dragons weren’t paid in vain, at least winning someone’s heart.

A pity, women are cold-blooded animals.

Milke hurriedly picked up the firearm from the ground and stored it in a bag—it would be a disaster if patrolling guards caught them, Mika would be banished to the Northern Realm.

"You guys were making a ruckus; who wouldn’t smell it?"

Mika also felt that Caesar had lost his wits, kidnapping someone just like that. But this matter wouldn’t end there. The woman was a vile hussy, and the money was gone. Had he not just made a complete fool of himself?

A transformation seemed to have occurred.

It wasn’t about radical murder.

Today he had to get back those twelve Golden Dragons, after thinking it through rationally.

He decided to go unarmed, to pay a visit in broad daylight, empty-handed, to convince them with reason, to get the money back. If that failed, he’d resort to other measures, without stooping to something as despicable as a gun. Fists would suffice.

Mika took a leisurely step forward, knocking into Caesar who was blocking his way.

"Hey, hey, don’t tell me..."

Caesar truly conceded; this guy really was hot-headed.

He knew that without revealing some secrets, Mika would not lower his pride, and today’s matter would not be closed.

"I know about the twelve Golden Dragons. Even for your family, it’s a significant amount. You can’t recover the money like this. Though I’m ashamed of my status, I will make my father put pressure... to have him repay you the money. Do you understand?"

Caesar placed his hands on Mika’s shoulders, proclaiming to the world that he was just some obscure Baron’s illegitimate child. In reality, he was the Duke of Aran’s cherished but hush-hush son, raised by someone else for appearances.

The Duke’s lawful wife had only daughters. For the one and only son, even an illegitimate one, love was abound.

Caesar only knew one thing: Mika was a man of mettle, destined for greatness.

Mika was stunned.

He didn’t know why Caesar would go to such lengths.

What he also didn’t know was that, in order to repay this favor, he would, years later, embark on a cutthroat path of no return.

The next day.

Mika’s home was bustling as if a joyous celebration was being held, the hired old maid had prepared a lavish spread of dishes.

The middle-aged woman was visibly elated, and Mika’s father beamed with joy.

Mika knew.

The money had been returned.

Mika’s father was a shrewd man. He once disapproved of Mika mixing with that certain group, but now he saw a bright future and was sure that Mika’s skills couldn’t have achieved this on their own. It must have been that Baron’s bastard who had pulled some strings.

"From now on, you should keep in touch with Caesar, learn from him. Even if you’re not attending school, maintain the relationship, understand? Here’s thirty silver coins, consider it allowance for mingling in society."

Mika’s father tousled his hair; forming a relationship with someone like Caesar was more promising than school.

"Today is doubly joyous; your new tutor will also be arriving shortly. Make sure you study hard, okay? I’m never wrong with my judgments; one day, you’ll be an official."

Mika’s father said this, grinning from ear to ear.

"Heh heh."

Mika was noncommittal, planning to give the so-called tutor a piece of his mind later.

Before long.

There was a knock at the door.

The home tutor had arrived.

Mika’s father told him to open the door. Not wanting to defy his elder’s order, Mika obediently went.

"Hello... is this the... Brookner’s house?"

A delicate feminine voice inquired, unable to hide her curvaceous figure even in a scholar’s robe.

Mika’s full name, Mika Brookner.

"Genuine as counterfeit."

Mika knew that even if he didn’t want to be a bumbling fool dealing in medicinal herbs, he didn’t have a choice anymore.

Now.

The year 2690 on the Holy Spirit Calendar.

Inside the castle of Heaven Port.

"You’ve got a real twisted sense of fun, pal..."

The prostitute, dressed in a scholar’s robe at Mika’s request, knelt on the bed.

"Just reliving the old days,"

Mika said calmly, attacking in a towering guise.

He had heard that Liszt would soon meet with the leader of the Seventh Amendment to head inland.

Mika was now a big shot under the East Sea’s most formidable gang.

He had to clarify what exactly had happened eight years ago.

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