Black Sail
Chapter 463: XCIV. Death and Resurrection

Chapter 463: XCIV. Death and Resurrection

Under the temptation of the explosive price, Chuan Che couldn’t help but advertise for Cloud Palace, leaving behind his signature and a photograph.

With the full support of the Alan Royal Court, the new inventions in the Imperial City New Industrial Zone, which Lagrange was in charge of, flourished; the camera was one of them.

Given the incomplete industrial supply chain, don’t expect a portable digital camera.

Instead, it was a box camera supported by a tripod, a big fellow at first glance, with film coating layers that were only silver halide emulsions, which resulted in black and white images once developed.

Of course, this was far from being popularized among the civilians; it was just that the owner of Cloud Palace had connections at the Royal Court and he got someone from the Industrial Zone to provide one.

Lagrange was now a hotshot in the Royal Court; the Emperor had once opened his mouth to personally mention him, albeit in a praising nature, which suggests how high his status was now.

He had recently suffered malicious allegations from a Sect, suffered a kidnapping, and lost two thumbs, but he ultimately survived unharmed because he agreed to the conditions of the Eternal Sect.

However, those with a keen political sense could easily guess that in Mulong Duchy, the Aran Army might just measure strength against the Eternal Sect.

In the exclusive photo studio.

Behind Chuan Che was the trademark lightbox background wall of Cloud Palace. Of course, he wasn’t one to strike a pose, standing there foolishly, not knowing what the camera actually was.

The female executive pressed the shutter, and under the combustion of metallic magnesium, with a "click", the room flashed like lightning.

Chuan Che reacted, his exoskeleton Arm Armor extending out, darkening the fluorite in the room due to the murderous intent.

"Sorry! I should have warned you; this is just for added illumination to make for a better photograph. I assure you there’s no harm!"

The female executive had overlooked this detail. Although Cloud Palace had strong security, it was merely papier-mâché in front of such a character.

"Is it done yet?"

Chuan Che looked at the pictures of three other Hall-level adventurers on the wall, not the drawn kind but cut from reality, they were too real.

He had seen the wider world; some magicians’ crystal balls could display images and even sound, but those were magic power-driven devices.

This gadget he had truly never encountered before.

These three comparisons were also male, Chuan Che had met one of them; these people looked decent on the surface but were damn prostitutes too.

"It’s done, thank you for your support. As agreed, we will reimburse ninety percent of the expenses for you and your companions."

The female executive ordered her subordinates to carry the machine back, and rushed to develop the film.

The room charges of Cloud Palace, accommodation fees, meal fees, service fees.

There were different standards.

Tonight was definitely going to be a blast. Although the group didn’t choose the highest tier, they opted for upper-midrange, considering connectivity, all six had separate rooms, just the accommodation was a huge expense.

Those who come here are rich, but most also shared a room with a partner, without hiring musicians for entertainment, bringing their own companions, saving where they could and spending where needed.

So, without the explosive price, the expenses for the six people tonight would be horrifying.

After a ninety percent discount.

Fourteen gold coins and eighty silver coins later, Chuan Che didn’t hesitate to swipe his guild card, which converted into Lostra paper money, was also more than eight hundred thousand.

Dedicated attendants led the six people to the private rooms, entering the massive structure that seemed to hover in the air, with the golden inner lights of the full-view glass windows shining bright, obscuring the interior and emanating a dreamlike atmosphere.

The red carpet laid out the gangplank that exuded a sense of ceremony. As they ascended step by step, they discovered an entirely different world, with two rows of receptionists looking just so.

"This is still a damn ninety percent discount; it’s like a freaking money printer, I swear. Going up and down once a day, with so many people, isn’t that thousands? It’s simply making a killing. If what we eat isn’t made of gold, I’m going to lose it."

Rein did the math. At full price, the six of them tonight would spend close to one hundred and fifty gold coins, not even counting the money for hiring the girls later.

"Actually, it’s not too bad. Many people come just to dine in the hall and get a single room. The total cost might be just over ten or twenty Golden Dragons. We, however, have six separate accommodations and a private booth, which puts us in the high-consumption bracket. We’re not the same as those who force one visit just for appearances."

Swan said as much, having mingled in Duguli himself and thus keenly aware of the pricing. It’s only two or three times more expensive than other high-consumption spots in the city, which, considering the cost, isn’t really price gouging.

He was a sharp one. Although Saleret remained silent, his thoughts were likely complex at the moment. Before his guild expulsion, he was far more prominent than Chuan Che, counted among the elite in the world.

"Damn! You guys are loaded. What do you mean ’just over ten or twenty Golden Dragons’? Twenty Golden Dragons could buy you a small flat in a city with good public order."

Incredibly, Ben didn’t need anyone to cover for him. Everyone had already handed their money to Chuan Che, and Rein had paid for Galen too. It only came out to a little over two Golden Dragons each. Nobody knew where Ben had conjured his money from.

As expected of a Shadow Messenger, everyone here was loaded. While Chuan Che was busy snapping photos, Ben took a little stroll and managed to steal seven Golden Dragons, even changing into a set of decent clothes.

True to the Flying Dragon Cloud Hand tradition, here comes Bend, leisurely and grand. Where, oh where, is my greasy senior sister?

The server led the party into the hall first and then up the champagne-gold wrought-iron spiral staircase to the second-floor private booth.

It was now past seven o’clock, and the place wasn’t full yet, but the hall bustled nonetheless. Seeing a group dressed in tatters ascend to the second floor elicited gasps. Without a doubt, they were either tough adventurers or the most expensive mercenary group.

Swan brought up the rear, wary of any unforeseen incidents. He scanned the hall, looking for familiar faces.

Despite being a hall, the decoration was top-notch, copied from the aesthetic tastes of a particular Tower Master. It featured cool tones, an indoor ornamental pool reflecting the shimmering light, with exotic fish from Mirror Sea, and spaced-out tables partitioned by screens. The seats by the window were bound to be pricier than those in the center, and there was a stage for a music band to play.

Fortunately, there were no unsightly characters.

Since they were hosting a meal and asking for favours, staying in the booth and acting high and mighty would be impolite. Bartlan and Zahak stood at the base of a different spiral staircase, waiting for the navy officer. You didn’t wait atop the stairs, but beneath them—that too was etiquette.

As Swan took one final glance, his heart skipped a beat.

He even paused, stunned, for two seconds. How could this be? Zahak! Wasn’t he dead? Killed by Morison—and he had even used his Sword, Shadi, for a while, though it shattered during a carriage robbery.

He looked again to confirm.

Although Swan had never met him in person, Fen had acquired portraits of that gang when recapping events at Heaven Port. Despite a fierce-looking scar added to his face, it was undoubtedly Zahak.

Morison... had not killed him?

Having honed his skills in the Sword King’s training ground for an extensive period, Zahak improved his craft. Feeling Swan’s gaze, he sharply turned to look.

But Swan had been a local big brother in the Thief Guild, calm and collected. He walked up the stairs as if nothing were amiss, fortunate that Rein was eager and almost manically rushing past the leading server.

Rein had indeed come face-to-face with Zahak before.

"What’s wrong? Cheer up; they’re here."

With a smile, Bartlan nudged Zahak with his elbow.

"Nothing, I was mistaken."

Zahak was somewhat preoccupied. The Aisnor Province, then. Piapan’s daughter had been born seven months ago, and according to the customs there, they would hold a feast. Such a pity.

"Sorry to have kept you waiting."

The navy officer seemed satisfied with the location.

"Not at all. It’s worth every minute of your time coming all this way."

Bartlan invited the navy officer upstairs.

Zahak also echoed his sentiments.

It wasn’t that this official had any significant power, but indeed, he held appointment authority for this matter.

Swan...

had murder on his mind.