Black Sail
Chapter 438: LXXIII. Brothers

Chapter 438: LXXIII. Brothers

Haywood had everyone else in the ballroom leave.

The undercover agents who were on the same side as Kai Deng felt that something was not right. This helmeted man had been targeting the Netherworld Envoy from the start. Could it be that he knew the truth?

To eliminate this helmeted man, Kai Deng, of course, wouldn’t personally take action.

Many underlings of the pirates heard Haywood’s order but did not withdraw immediately. Members of the Thief Guild infiltrated among them, waiting for "Liszt’s" response.

"Fine, I will discuss some confidential matters next. Not just you all, but all the waiters in this pub should leave."

Kai Deng agreed in an extremely abnormal manner.

The rest of the key figures had mixed expressions. Could they be one hundred percent certain? Although there were many experts present, the problem was that the traitor was among these experts. How should they face the enemy?

They all became wary and alert. Those temporarily put-together tables now had people sitting a bit more spread out, cautiously watching to ensure they wouldn’t be taken by surprise and killed with a single blow.

The undercover agents of the Thief Guild were somewhat incredulous. Despite the Netherworld Envoy being powerful, who were the people in this room? Ghost Eye Mad Blade and the Thousand-Armed Shura were long-established top-notch experts. The Black Sail could dominate the East Sea, and none of them was easy to deal with.

Even the fiercest fighter could be overwhelmed by numbers.

But Kai Deng remained calm and insisted on his approach, so the many aides had no choice but to withdraw and stand by outside.

Swan had deduced the whole truth behind the matter, but still had no idea what the fake Liszt was planning.

"If you can be one hundred percent certain of who it is, there’s no need to beat around the bush. Just say the name."

Saleret had no loyalty towards Liszt, but Heaven Port was indeed the only place where he could find refuge. Being expelled from the guild and wanted, going somewhere else would only put his family in danger.

Some people’s heart rates quickened.

Archer’s initial proposal hadn’t been so well thought out—he had guessed that nothing would come out of it. Well, this was really something—had they indeed discovered a spy?

"Five days ago, an Honorable-level Adventure Group came to Golden Palm Port from Aran, bringing me a letter. The letter was written by Liszt. He had an accident, but luckily as the container for the Evil Curse Device, he had a special constitution. To have maintained his act for so long with hardly any slip-ups could only mean it was the Netherworld Envoy. The Liszt standing here now, is not the real one."

Haywood took out Liszt’s handwritten letter from his breast pocket. The burnt marks had been trimmed away by him, but the content was completely preserved.

For him.

The fake Liszt had a reason to die, for he had informed him about the Agares Dagon Expeditionary Army’s affairs.

Morison took the letter and examined it carefully. It was indeed Liszt’s handwriting. Even if it couldn’t be called delicate and neat, it could still be said to be gnawed by a dog.

Morison nodded, acknowledging that it was indeed the genuine article.

All eyes focused on Kai Deng, and even Celeste, who was closest to him, quickly moved a few steps away. She hadn’t taken the sexually harassing demon’s abnormal behavior seriously at first, but now, reflecting on it, she found many things perplexing.

As everyone knew.

Haywood was an honest man and was unlikely to lie.

In an instant, blades were drawn, and everyone except Kai Deng, Celeste, Chuan Che, and Ben, those four, drew their weapons.

"I thought it was strange. My Heavenly Human Sensing can’t be wrong. I absolutely don’t feel attracted to men. Unfortunately, you targeted our Black Sail’s people, and even if you are a woman, don’t blame me for ruthlessly cutting you down."

While Mika said so, wielding a short-handled axe, he positioned everyone in front of him as a shield. It was a joke—if it was the Netherworld Envoy, then that was a Boss Level monster.

But the others were still hesitant, standing in place without acting. They couldn’t be certain just like that; they needed something decisive to confirm it.

The others thought deeper. Liszt was no longer the same. He wasn’t just a leader of a broken pirate group anymore; he was the Boss of the East Sea. If any slip-up occurred, the first person to act would likely have a difficult time ahead.

For Rein, as long as Liszt wasn’t dead, the crisis of a power vacuum was resolved, and it was time to identify him officially.

Kai Deng’s face was expressionless.

Every force has its cracks, as strong as Aran’s territory riddled with anti-imperialist agents, let alone the Triad Gang of the East Sea.

In the absence of confirmation of Liszt’s survival, Rein indeed taught Kai Deng how to keep up the act.

But for Kai Deng to take his every word at face value, to obey without question, would be too foolish.

With her skills, as well as the Magic Nightingale granted the protection of the Night Goddess and the Shadow Lady, infiltrating to investigate was nothing short of simple.

She turned many people’s residences on the ship upside down.

This Tiger-man thief had a deep friendship with Black Sail’s second in command, Fen.

It was utterly unexpected that events of the past year would become today’s strongest killing move for outsiders.

Fen was a top-ranking magician from the Tower Alliance with extensive knowledge. He was fixated on the Destruction Material discovered after raiding the Skull Club.

Since the change of leadership in the East Sea, Fen had time and instructed Swan to keep an eye on Haywood, to observe his every move carefully, and best to write everything down for Fen to judge, without missing any detail.

This also gave Kai Deng an opportunity to exploit.

"Brother Hai... I call you Brother Hai.

I was hesitant about the proposal you put forward, but I never expected you would devise a scheme to kill me, achieving your goal, forming your own investigative team. Have I lost my value now?

I pushed back against everyone to save you back then."

Kai Deng’s voice was icy cold.

"What do you mean?"

Haywood, though a Demon, found himself at a loss for words due to Kai Deng’s combo of moves.

Among those present, there were many dissatisfied with the so-called Relic Investigation Department. A budget of 1,200 a quarter, 300 Golden Dragons every month, 10 Golden Dragons a day—it wasn’t much for Black Sail’s finances, but it was still a significant sum. If it were used for proper business, it would be fine, as Ox Wolman had big things to handle.

But this so-called relic investigation, the money shouldn’t be wasted like that. Black Sail’s money wasn’t blown in by the winds. Londen City’s blockade, the great train heist, the struggle of the East Sea—weren’t all these matters of life and death?

"A single letter proves nothing.

Swan should know, at the old lair of the Skull Club, that secret door you found was identified by Fen as Destruction Material.

According to Fen, such a small piece of the material couldn’t possibly explain the strange changes in your body; it’s an issue of energy level.

As a member of the Demon God Expedition Army, the fact that you were separated from the corps suggests you weren’t part of the main forces but rather a scouting sentinel.

You must have a way to communicate with the corps.

If that’s indeed the case, before reaching Golden Palm Port, Brother Hai had already informed me that he had communicated with the corps. Dagon’s army was nearing quickly. To gather intelligence from this area, the Relic Investigation Department was formed.

I wanted to believe you, but you wanted to kill me.

This is the reality. That piece of Destruction Material is the best evidence. Your strength doesn’t come from that small thing, but from Dagon, doesn’t it?"

Now, Kai Deng was Liszt. He didn’t need to lift a finger to kill.

Celeste stood agape, aware of the Demon God Expedition Army, but to establish communication... it had already arrived?

Everyone present was equally shocked; the news exploded beyond comparison.

Demon God?

Are you fucking destroying the world?

All eyes once again converged on Haywood.

Swan had a bad feeling; this was just Fen’s own speculation, not yet a confirmed conclusion. He was extremely cautious about this matter, not daring to discuss it publicly, it wasn’t his job to worry about a world crisis. But, if this leaked out, and Internal crises, even a split or collapse, would be trivial. The reputation Black Sail had established would be no more and all key members would be cursed for all eternity as ultimate traitors.

With this pull from Kai Deng, even if Haywood jumped into the East Sea, he could never clear his name, all the more so because it was true.

"What kind of disastrous shit are you talking about? It’s true that Liszt is fake; he admitted it to Rein. But we can’t confirm if the real Liszt is still alive. We’ve kept it under wraps to avoid splitting Black Sail."

Swan stated it bluntly, clear on the priority of things.

"You’re a real fucking schemer."

Rein had been observing the others, and now it was clear that Fake Liszt was dominating the scene.

"Swan, it was Fen who vouched for you to get on board. Times have changed. You were once a member of Thief Guild. Compared to the Stele and those two broken stones, I think... the many treasures inside Black Sail are more attractive now. You could also redeem yourself. Seems like it’s not just about Thief assessment anymore. There are many here willing to mingle with Boss Dagon, hungry for a power grab? I welcome a vote, but that method... forget it."

Kai Deng’s expression was ruthless, even she was shocked to her core that gods actually existed.

But now...

Things weren’t so simple.

The atmosphere in the ballroom was extremely complex.

Although Archer was a drunken immortal, he now understood what a trust crisis was.

The truth about Liszt could wait.

Unknown to all, among those present, who were Boss Dagon’s men, who were Liszt’s men.

Whether Swan and Rein were backing Boss Dagon or not, the mention of Demon God was too impactful.

"Fuck me."

Morison caressed his Flying Knife, unsure who to chop down. Liszt might be fake, but if Haywood and his people were leading them astray, not only would Morison need to overthrow Liszt for power, but he’d also die mocked by idiots, looking like a fool himself.

Celeste retreated to a corner, unwilling to partake in the strife.

"Whoever you are, knowing what’s happening here today, no one’s leaving. Chuan Che, you’re not working for Lost anymore, from now on you can only stick with Black Sail. And that woman, whether you’re the East Sea Commissioner or not."

Saleret’s tone was ice cold as his long sword split into two, revealing dual blades, and under the iron mask, Ghost Eye’s eyes twinkled red.

"Fuck this, you think you can overpower me?"

Chuan Che thought that being tricked by Celeste into the decisive battle at Heaven Port was foolish enough, but today he was the ultimate sucker, enraged, he unfurled his Arm Armor, ready to shatter metal and rock with his steel fists.

"Brother Sha, control Haywood, we’re brothers, no need for bloodshed."

That’s what Kai Deng said to Morison.

The ballroom descended into chaos, everyone grabbing their weapons as a fight became inevitable.

Swan knew when to be ruthless.

"I’ll kill you!"

Swan didn’t care about Netherworld Envoys or the sort, drawing his short sword and charging at Liszt.

However...

Before things settled, Shadi thought they couldn’t afford a full-blown conflict.

He flicked his Willow Leaf Blade, sending Swan’s dagger flying into the wall with a clear ring.

Once the real fight began, the atmosphere in the hall froze, an indication that blood needed to be seen.

Without waiting for someone else to speak.

"Enough of this racket."

Shadi overturned the table, smashing all the bottles to the ground with a series of crashing noises. His sudden action quieted everyone down.

He was a traitor from Summer Sunset Island who had joined various movements for various reasons, including the anti-Empress Recovery Association, and after being purged, he roamed around the world, even hiding in the Far East Islands, later joining Reggae Defense.

He didn’t stay long in those places, only Black Sail had a long history.

"I have two things to say."

Shadi spoke calmly, his words striking forcefully.

"First, so it’s Demon God, the destruction of the world, we’re all brothers here, we can discuss this matter later.

Second..."

Shadi pulled out a dagger, his movements sleek and decisive.

With a slash, he drew a brutal cut from the forehead down to the eyelid of his left face, carving a ravine that sent blood gushing, spattering on the floor, and dripping from his chin, alarmingly vivid.

"We’re all brothers, all pirates. A cut or two doesn’t matter. The rest, we’ll talk about later."

After two crisp sounds.

The bloody dagger was thrown in front of Kai Deng.

Rein swallowed hard, witnessing a youthful Shadi make a limited comeback.

Archer was convinced, though reluctant to admit, Brother Shadi was really fucking cool.

All eyes turned to Kai Deng once again.

Even Kai Deng hadn’t expected this group to be so damn ruthless.

Now it was too late.

She had to follow suit.