Black Sail
Chapter 87: LXXXVII. The Old Nest

Chapter 87: LXXXVII. The Old Nest

Black Sail gang walked for over twenty minutes and arrived at the Inner City.

Here, it was no different from a proper city, with meticulous urban planning. Buildings were limited to ten stories in height, and the architectural style was relatively uniform, centered around blue and white. Looking out at the horizon, it felt like a holiday destination.

The storefronts on the commercial streets were also exquisitely decorated, a far cry from the apocalyptic wasteland style of the outer city.

The island’s bigwigs would fund the refurbishment of public areas. The stone pavements were extremely clean and flat, and there were streetlights. Only with valuable real estate could they attract various "divine" figures to come live here in seclusion, supporting the tourism industry and stimulating consumption.

Though there was a civilized air here, it wasn’t entirely civilized.

But neon fluorite lights seemed mandatory, ubiquitous everywhere, along with various large characters advertising bright and dizzying options—restaurants, pubs, real estate agencies, home-delivered beauties, assassin services, low-interest loans, and if you want "Ye Zi," just look for XXX, only twenty-eight.

Not everyone in Heaven Port took kindly to Liszt. He had engaged in underhanded dealings before, offending many, especially those involved in hallucinogenic substances.

Before even reaching the inn, three people walking towards them stopped at the sight of Liszt.

Adhering to a policy of trying to appeal to all sides and leaving room for maneuvering, Liszt would press hard on those where no room was left.

These three hadn’t blocked Liszt’s way.

But Liszt deliberately turned back, changed his path, and deliberately bumped into one of the spirited young fellows in the group, who wore a skull necklace around his neck.

After the bump, Liszt continued walking as if nothing had happened.

In the Inner City streets crowded with people, such public humiliation couldn’t be easily swallowed. One of them immediately pulled out an axe, only to be held back by his companions.

Black Sail had become quite powerful nowadays; even if Liszt and his crew hadn’t been around during the time when they wiped out Lord of Blue Bay Port’s entire family, the news had spread across the island.

They were known not just for violence but also as one of the pirate gangs that used their brains the most. Without using their brains, pirates would always be pirates. They had considerable influence locally and had gained a foothold.

They thought it over and decided to let it go.

But it wasn’t over yet.

"Still wearing a necklace? Who the hell do you think you’re fooling?"

Rein mocked them, looking down on the hallucinogen-dealing gang that had been decimated to a Remnant Party by Black Sail, patting the guy’s face with his claws.

The guy’s face turned red, but his two companions held him tight.

"I never should’ve bought you that phone to download that crappy Genshin."

Morison pointed out, amused by the get-up. It seemed like this guy liked to wear his ferocity literally on his body. Brother Sha didn’t understand phones or Genshin, but he knew they could be played on a phone.

Fen was speechless, they had just mentioned keeping a low profile, and yet more trouble ensued.

"Alright, let’s get moving."

Fen was also exhausted and truly needed to sleep in a real room after being at sea for so long, which left them feeling numb.

"Stop playing games now, Mr. Skeleton."

Fafna waved her fists in encouragement.

Liszt’s expression was priceless; this girl was actually quite cute.

Soon, they had walked to the inn, located on a bustling commercial street at a busy crossroad junction.

When Black Sail Crowdfunding first opened the inn, the business was booming thanks to the interior decoration personally overseen by Liszt, who favored a modern minimalist aesthetic with touches of Nordic natural wood and a bit of red brick vintage industrial style.

The business was on fire, and everyone came here to drink, turning it into a trendy spot for check-ins.

But it wasn’t long before others mimicked them. There was no sense of copyright here, and soon enough, the minimalist decor was everywhere, and their business plummeted.

Because Liszt was a decent person and did not engage in the bunny girl scenario, the signboard girls in other pubs were overtly flirty and titillating, willing to do whatever the customer desired, and the dance performances were just icing on the cake.

It was a disruptive setback.

Until Liszt took a differentiated business strategy, transforming it into an intimate and completely private pub that attracted those focused on reading and sipping crafted drinks in tranquility, business began to rebound slightly.

The inn was named Black Sail Inn, succinct and to the point, making it known who was backing it.

Once back at the inn, they first settled Goria and her companions.

The inn had six floors in total, with the first and second floors serving as the pub that also offered some cooked fast food, and the upper floors consisting of guest rooms.

The guests on the first floor were sparse, but the setting was quite nice, with appropriate lighting, dark grey floor tiles, light brown wood back walls, and wrought iron chandeliers, all kept very clean.

The person watching over the place wasn’t just anybody—in front of the bar stood a middle-aged man with a resolute face and white hair, polishing glasses. He was tall with a straight back, wearing a white shirt under a black vest, his white hair was tied back in a ponytail, and he had an appropriately trimmed beard. His kind and spirited eyes exuded the air of a gentleman. He must have been a former butler or knight.

But since Liszt had placed him here, it had to be the latter.

"Old Wei, guess who’s back?"

With a big group following him, it was hard for Liszt not to be noticed.

"Ah, Captain, it’s been more than three months, hasn’t it?"

A hint of joy appeared on the middle-aged man’s face.

"Reserve three rooms first. Let the esteemed guests settle in," Fen said to the middle-aged man courteously. Then turning to Goria and the others, he added, "As for food, it will be delivered to your doors daily. You can also roam around the city, but I wouldn’t recommend it."

The inn had quite a few hired servers.

A female server led Goria and the others up to the top-level chambers.

"How’s business?"

Liszt asked casually, not really caring. He would be over the moon if they made a hundred silver coins, as this place was always meant to serve as Black Sail’s den. To really make money, they had to rely on Fish Seller Fei and Mad Tiger.

"A little over eighty silver coins. It’s been too quiet," replied the middle-aged man.

"That’s pretty good. This time I’m back for a long stay, probably for quite a while." Liszt whispered into his ear, "I’m going to tackle... New Heavenly Port."

"Do whatever you want," the middle-aged man laughed lightly, seeming unconcerned, accustomed as he was to tumultuous times.

"You’re as impressive as ever, a real member of the Gureg Royal Knight Order! Brother Wei is amazing!"

Liszt couldn’t help but admire. This middle-aged man was also one of the big shots seeking refuge, short on money and taken in by Liszt—a great catch—even though getting him to lift a finger was unlikely; it was just a regular employment relationship.

But they had known each other for years, and in case of trouble, playing the sentiment card might at least get some support.

"Consider this three months’ salary."

Liszt took out twenty Golden Dragons. Although Old Wei could take his cut from the inn’s earnings, it was hardly enough for anyone’s use.

"Is that so? Well, then I won’t hold back," said the middle-aged man, understanding that Liszt never made a trip without profit in mind. This time, he was likely up to some tough tasks.

Golden Dragons held a currency hegemony; not only because of their intrinsic precious metal value but also because the Emperor controlled a vast supply of Spiritual Material mines. Wherever there were veins, the military would sniff them out and conquer fiercely, determined to equate Golden Dragons with Spiritual Ore as a mark of trustworthiness. "Deal with me, pay with Golden Dragons," the Emperor would proclaim, harvesting other nations’ gold with a vengeance.

The trend towards a universal currency was escalating, accepted everywhere.

"Looks like all has been calm these past three months, nothing to worry about. I’m off then, brothers,"

Rein had to find his Furry mistresses—some were bartenders, others café waitresses. Some were drawn to Rein’s quiet demeanor, especially because he always had money on him.

"Just leave already,"

Mika muttered sarcastically.

The Black Sail crew also needed to rest up; they had a big job in half a month. Everyone on board was ambitious and not content with the status quo.

"Oh, and your wife has been coming here every day looking for me. It’s driving me insane. Captain, you might want to take some time to calm her down,"

the middle-aged man said evenly.

Claude’s world was turned upside down—Liszt... married? With a family to take to a secret port to start such trouble?

"Tsk, I’ve said it before; she’s not my wife. Who the hell has a 200-year-old wife anyway?"

Liszt was speechless. Due to the hardships of starting Black Sail, he once had to seek a loan from a Vampire to get some seed money.

"Eh... But wasn’t it blessed by a Priest?"

The middle-aged man was a bit confused. In the Western Continent, having clergy act as witnesses was tantamount to an official marriage.

"What does a Priest’s blessing count for? I’m an atheist, okay? It only counts as a marriage if I go back to my hometown and register it."

Liszt only acknowledged the civil office. He did consider going to see her, though; if she got angry, it could be frightening.

The middle-aged man chuckled awkwardly. Captain, you sure are a scoundrel.

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