The Ultimate Evolution

Chapter 78: Concealed Trap

Sheyan held his breath as he witnessed such an extraordinary sight. He had prepared earlier; an apple, fried bacon, two loaves of rye bread according to Chris’s instructions, and threw them into the water.

A peculiar sound rung softly; the soft sound of a Greece Harp. From beneath the water surface, a shadow darted back and forth. This shadow was strangely fast, like a black belt darting around rapidly.

Sheyan observed the shadow, and felt a queer dangerous sensation welling up in his heart; as though he would get polluted and suffer dire consequences. He knew this was his high perceptive sense warning him. Thus, he reflexly took a step back in precaution, that he may dive behind the nearby rocks to take cover.

The shadow seemed as though it had no intention to surface. After consuming the food Sheyan threw in, it dispersed. The silverish glow on the water surface gradually dimmed, at this moment he could see a message in a bottle, covered in moss and algae, floating inwards at a fast pace.

Sheyan picked up the bottle, as the silverish glow dissipated regaining its earlier turbulent condition.

He wasn’t willing to continue staying by the seashore, as his lone figure was extremely prominent in the darkness of the night.

After entering a tavern, he tossed out 2 guineas and requested a room from the bartender.

Presently, taverns were the combination of a supermarket, hotel and even a brothel. Thus, the bartender was not surprised at all, bringing Sheyan to the back as they rounded a corner, and entered into a room.

Probably because their main customers were mostly pirates or sailors, this room was renovated to look like a ship’s cabin. Atop the wall, hung a decorative rudder. It had small oval-shaped windows, and beside it was the popular darts game set at the time. On top of a bench at the side, were several distinct burn marks, it seemed like an inconsiderate customer had previously pressed their cigarette bud there. The room’s only praiseworthy aspect was an old fashioned greyish striped linen made bed sheet that was relatively clean. It even gave off a clean and fresh fragrance as though it had previously been in the sun.

Sheyan sat down on the bed, and carefully inspected the bottle. This was a dark brown, thin neck circular body type bottle, with a thick layer of wax sealing it which maintained the cork of the bottle to be clean and dry.

The surface of this bottle was no longer glossy, several vine and algae had attached itself to it; producing a deliberate rough feeling. What surprised Sheyan was that, the bottle was icy-cold to touch; as though it was just taken out from a freezer. Holding it eliminated all trace of warmth from his hand all the way into the bone marrow.

According to Chris, if he opened this bottle, the mission would abruptly cease and cause an evil spirit to emerge. This evil spirit was an illusionary being and no amounts of attack could harm it. Instead, it would carry out curses on people and the user that opened it would have a 100 HP reduction within 5 minutes. Then, it would vanish. Previously, an unfortunate member impulsively opened it, and was subsequently cursed by that evil spirit.

Before entering the nightmare realm, that unfortunate member was a pickpocket. He was known as a sly and slick expert who could pinch out over 10 coins secretly from others without harming them. His agility had painstakingly been raised above 20 points, however, his physique was only on par with an average person. In the end, after suffering from that curse, and even after racking his brains to think of a solution, he could only watch in silence as he stepped into death’s doors after five minutes……one could only imagine his crumbling state of mind before dying.

After witnessing such a scene, the rest obviously dared not open up their bottles. After a series of investigations, Chris’s party managed to discover an old person named, Palesius, who resided inside Turtuga castle and expressed great interest in this object.

That old man’s status wasn’t low in the castle, he was probably a butler who had earned the trust of his masters. Every day at 9 in the morning, he would go out to purchase groceries.

Once one passed the bottle to him, one would obtain a hefty reward of 20 guineas and even obtain his friendship. From then, one can use the excuse of visiting Palesius to freely enter the outer area of Turtuga castle. This was obviously not without any benefits, based on Chris, using a piece of whetstone in there could enhance your weapon’s attack powers permanently by 11, and even held a certain percentage of receiving other deeper level mission.

However, Sheyan had no intentions of following the action sequence that Chris took.

Firstly, Chris brat wasn’t a good person. Earlier he had exploited the agreement contract, and purposely omitted the essential clue of having to build a good relationship with Mole Waller. This caused huge frustrations to Sheyan. According to psychologists, a person would let his guard down the most when he was nearing success. Therefore, if Sheyan continued to follow this action sequence, he may encounter another trap that Chris had craftily set up.

Crucially speaking, the rewards from this did not attract Sheyan much. After Ammand’s generous division of loots, Sheyan’s personal guineas exceeded 3 figures. A mere 20 guineas was not important.

Regarding the ability to be able to freely enter the outer courts of Turtuga castle, it looked like it provides many benefits, but to the killer of the Madam of the castle and a Bell and Mug pirate member, frequently entering that place was not a good idea. If something went wrong, it would do more harm than good.

Therefore, Sheyan chose to attempt the other pathway of this side mission – that was opening the bottle which Chris’s party avoided!

The spirit’s curse seemed exceedingly dreadful, but unfortunately this sort of abnormal conditions (loss of blood etc) would not threaten Sheyan at all.

Once he equipped the title of ‘pirate ringleader’, his maximum life points would reach as high as 190 points. Even now, his life point was worth 170 points. Draining 100 HP within 5 minutes to him, was just a slight strain….. It would not carry any life threatening or crippling injuries at all.

After carefully weighing out the pros and cons, Sheyan steadily picked up the bottle and willfully absorbed the icy chill into his body temperature. He retrieved the candlestick beside him, before using his hand to touch the flames for a moment; as though he was testing the heat of the flames. He then placed the tip of the bottle against the candle.

Slowly, the thick and reliable wax started melting from the roasting heat.

Following the heat from the flames, the wax at the tip started dripping, one drop at a time, onto the table. A faint fragrance permeated into the air.

Sheyan looked at this image, and suddenly recalled a time when he was young where Uncle Dasi told him a ‘haunted house’ story, which was roughly about Uncle Dasi’s father.

When he was young he travelled with his friends for business. In a mountainous area when the sky had turned dark, they found a small house. There was nobody in the house, a sinister looking headless idol was displayed in the center of the house, but the rice bags, firewood and bed were fairly organized. Although everything felt very eerie, their stomachs were rumbling with hunger from walking the whole day in the mountains, in addition to the pouring rain, they decided to rest there for the night.

Naturally, the few businessmen decided to start a fire to cook their meal, after eating they slept early. In the end, the house had no chimney, the vapour from cooking the meal extended everywhere. Not long after, when their meal had not yet finished cooking, they realized dozens of horrifying evil spirits had appeared and frantically charged at them. Astounded, they fled for their lives, two of their counterparts fell off an overhanging cliff because of the slippery roads. Afterwards an experienced and intelligent colleague mentioned that the house was a trap set up by bandits, the crux was the firewood that they used to cook their rice.

This firewood was probably layered with a poisonous mushroom extract from Ailao town, interpreting it would simply mean a layer of hallucinogen. After it burnt up, it would produce a smoke which would cause the inhaling persons to hallucinate. Adding up the surrounding eerie environment, the sinister headless idol, of course a terrifying image would be formed.

Yet when Sheyan saw the burning candle wax and after smelling the faint fragrance, his heart unconsciously formed an anxious and ominous premonition. Because following this present generation, to open up this message in a bottle, the most common method was undoubtedly to melt off the wax.

Therefore, it was hard to determine if there were booby traps devised with it. As such, he immediately moved away the bottle and from the candle flames, before opening the window to take in a few breaths of fresh air. He did not know if he was paranoid or what, but Sheyan felt that his head had cleared up a little.

Although there was no notification of damage from the nightmare imprint, he still had a strange paranoid feeling. He swiftly checked on his personal attributes, and instantly he obtained the origin of his paranoia! Because on the side of his attributes showed a prominent notification:

[ 14% chance of your attack being ineffective when attacking an enemy ]

Very naturally this cruel effect faded rapidly, because Sheyan immediately examined himself again after reading those words. He realized this damned negative buff had not much difference in nature. That effect of probability in rendering an attack ineffective had dropped to 13%. It looked like within a minute, this debuff would gradually fade away and wouldn’t alarm anyone.

Chapter 79: Apparition!

“So that’s the case.” Sheyan roughly figured out the tragedy of Chris’s party.

If not for Sheyan’s outstanding perceptive sense and his quick thinking, he would’ve been caught up in the deluding vicious cycle of that invincible spirit.

While waiting for the damned negative buff to wear off, Sheyan leaked out a cold grin as he held onto the bottleneck of the bottle. He decided to use an efficient and swift approach to open up this conspiracy filled, supernaturally tough bottle.

“Piank!” This durable glass bottle was smashed hard against the opposite wall. Although the algae and moss that lodged onto the external of the glass provided some sort of cushioning, Sheyan had utilized his entire bodily strength!

Under the high pressure of 12 points of strength, this rum bottle exploded into fragments scattering everywhere. During the moment it shattered, a strange serene radiance glowed from inside. That radiance swelled up like a mist, and rapidly spiralled into the air. It then metamorphosed into a blurry light blue transparent apparition.

The apparition’s face consisted of high cheekbones, protruding lightbulb like eyes which enhanced its already terrifying appearance. Its model was akin to the ghost army in the Lord of the Rings.

Sheyan instantly activated his ‘insight’ ability. This was despite a red warning appearing, due to Sheyan having already used the ability an entire 9 times and his perilous economic situation. Without paying up utility ponts it was no doubt showed him a red deficit letter.

This ability had been extremely advantageous for him, even though he was a contestant that had no anticipations/ foresights towards the future storyline, through this ability, he was still able to obtain huge reliable amounts of information.

Following the activation of insight, gentle rays enshrouded onto this apparition, causing it to make a threatening gesture. Sheyan instantaneously obtained first-hand information.

[ ‘Contract Apparition’ (Loyal servant spirit, only a portion of its protective instincts remained) ]

[ Species: Dead spirit ]

[ Life span: 24 hours (Remaining of 23 hours 57 minutes) ]

[ Height: 4 inches, Weight: nil ]

[ Strength: 8 points ]

[ Agility: 7 points ]

[ Physique: 5 points ]

[ Perceptive sense: 11 points ]

[ Charm: 0 points ]

[ Intelligence: ? points ]

[ Spirit: ? points ]

[ Remaining life points: 50 points ]

[ Dead spirit category characteristic: Immune to fear, illness, deformation, pains, bleeding effects. ]

[ Dead spirit category characteristic: Divine type ability will deal twofolds damage, fire type will deal 1.5 folds damage. ]

[ Passive ability: Blur – 50% chance of an enemy’s attack rendered ineffective. Suppressed by divine type abilities, unable to prevent damage from any divine type. ]

[ Ability: ? ]

[ Ability: ? ]

Sheyan looked at the question marks in this report. He understood that his own intelligence and spirit could not match up greatly. Therefore, certain accurate information was unable to be displayed. Looking at the ‘Blur’ skill of that apparition, a portion of comprehension grew in his heart; looks like after the minerals mixed in with the wax were released, the highest negative buff that a person inhaling it would be ‘50% chance of rendering attacks ineffective’.

Based on that negative buff, in addition to its ‘Blur’ skill, it was no wonder that Chris’s party could not cause any harm to it.

There was an underlying message, it was either the divine type ability was relatively rare, or it was considered a relatively high level ability. If not, Chris’s party would have at least one contestant who could use an ability of similar type.

Observing the apparition whistling and twirling around in the room, Sheyan reached out his left hand. Instantly, his cobalt steel exoskeleton materialised on his arm.

Although the apparition seemed pretty terrifying, Sheyan had likewise faced off with a horrifying creature like the decaying undead. That was considered a warm-up and he currently felt no hint of pressure.

Nevertheless, he could imagine Chris’s party, whom had inhaled the mysteriously vile poisonous fog and coupled with them having no preparation beforehand, they would’ve definitely been frightened stiff when encountering such a creature thought to only exist in fables!

Sheyan had no long range battle capabilities. Therefore, naturally he arched his body down, and aiming towards that apparition, he charged at it viciously.

Floating in mid air, the apparition abruptly shuddered hazily. Then, it raised its misty fuzzy arms directly at Sheyan. Simultaneously, a gigantic formless vortex formed at the front of its arm. The vortex was not absorbing air or water, but the surrounding heat!

Sheyan couldn’t help quivering violently as he felt a cold chill gripping part of his heart. Concurrently, he received a notification.

[ You have been cursed by the contract apparition ]

[ You will lose 100 HP within 5 minutes ]

Everything was similar to what Chris had estimated. The only difference was, the unlucky victim had a mere 50 HP at that time, and did not even last for 3 minutes. Instead, Sheyan felt vigorous and lively even after 3 minutes.

After releasing its curse, that apparition had consumed quite a bit of energy and remained floating on its original spot. Sheyan did not show any courtesy as he pounded across with his ferocious fist!

When his fist came into contact with the surface of the apparition, he felt the skin on his left hand suddenly immerse in frost; as though he had plunged his hand into ice water. A layer of ripple correlated across the surface of the apparition, causing Sheyan’s attack to completely be negated; as though hitting an empty space.

Passive skill, ‘Blur’ success!

Sadly, Sheyan hadn’t anticipate for the mysterious skill of this apparition. Once his fist failed to contact with something, his whole body tumbled forward and his fist heavily smashed onto the opposite wall. The tough wooden board cracked under such ferocity, producing crackling sounds as wood pieces and dust puffed out.

The bartender below shouted out in frustration.

“Oi oi oi! The mister above, I remember you telling me you wanted to rest and not destroy the room. If you are unable to calm yourself, then I will be delighted to clear your head a little. Presently, I regrettably have to increase your bill for repair fees.”

Sheyan answered by tossing a bag of coins down.

He immediately turned around, staring at that apparition in front of him, he once again raised his fist.

The candle flames brightly reflected against the cobalt steel exoskeleton, flashing out a cold glimmer!

That apparition spat out a mouth of white vapor, it rapidly flew towards Sheyan. After it swept past the nearby table, this floating dull mist suddenly lifted up a knife from the table, before slicing forward like lightning.

Sheyan’s fist once again failed to connect, because he had no time to react, that knife sliced open a long wound across his face. Blood trickled down the wound like a small red serpent, giving off a miserable look.

In spite of that, Sheyan was relaxed as though he just released a heavy load. Perceiving the necessity for this apparition to borrow a weapon to conduct its attack, therefore, it meant that it didn’t possess further stronger killing abilities. Furthermore, Sheyan had his innate ability ‘Endurance’, such an injury was nothing to him.

Thus, Sheyan’s only worry was if this apparition would suddenly release another of its ‘curse’! Regardless of how much vitality he had, he would still be unable to withstand another blow.

Sheyan once again bent forward, leaning his centre of gravity forward, he once again barrelled in aggressively. In that moment, Sheyan had already braced his entire body, like a long bow that was extended fully. He was extremely clear in his heart, he had consecutively missed two entire strikes!

Following the probability of 50%, the chance of three consecutive strikes to hit was a lowly 80%! Sheyan inhaled deeply, his eyes ignited with a blazing fury!

His pair of eyes were not blazing with hatred nor anger, but from top to bottom, it was pure insanity! They were like a devout extreme religious believer, and nothing could replace the faith in his heart!

This time, the shimmering white cobalt steel exoskeleton whizzed in mid air, splitting apart the air with its pressing strength as it heavily crashed against the body of the apparition. This time, Sheyan felt something different from the previous two rounds. He was completely unable to restrain himself, as he felt his fist had immersed into the interior of an extremely viscous substance, with an interior boiling with dense eeriness!

Nevertheless, the latent insanity within the fist exploded out like a one-off destructive torrent!

Under the immense agony, the apparition suddenly faced upwards; extending its mouth before issuing out an extremely sorrowful and piercing shrill. It seemed as though something was exploding forth with unparalleled maliciousness within it. This screech was so abrupt, it echoed around the entire room, piercing into his brain and the rest of his body.

Such an internal attack caused Sheyan, who was bearing the brunt of it, to be overwhelmed in dizziness and tottered on the verge of collapse. Then, the apparition seized the opportunity to fly out of the door, however as it flew, it left spots of facula from its back; resembling a comet that was gradually dissipating. Evidently, the strike it received from Sheyan wasn’t light.

After roughly 3-4 seconds, Sheyan regained control of his body. His battle with the apparition had not exceeded a minute, as such, the damage caused by the curse had not even reached 30 points. Astoundingly, after being assailed by such an unprecedented sorrowful screech, his life points had dropped by 70 points.

When Sheyan urgently accessed his battle statistics from the nightmare imprint, he became gravely shocked!

Chapter 80: Witch’s Howl!

“Your strike dealt 32 points of damage to the contract apparition.”

“The contract apparition is left with 30 HP.”

“The contract apparition gradually crumbled from the pain, releasing a ‘Witch’s Howl (Fake)’, causing 90 points of damage to all surrounding enemies within a 4 meter radius. Additional 5 seconds of intimidation and dizziness effect.”

“After reduction from your resistive physique capabilities, your actual damage sustained is (90 – 21 = 69) points

“You have entered a state of intimidation and dizziness.”

“You have recovered from the state of intimidation and dizziness.”

“The curse user has separated over a hundred metre from you, your curse from the contract apparition is dispelled.”

“It was actually a Witch’s Howl?” Sheyan was no stranger to this renowned skill, his heart quivered. Looking at things now, only a fake Witch’s Howl was able to cause such a fearsome area of effect ability. After experiencing it firsthand, Sheyan discovered, based on logic and comparison to science of the present world, the Witch’s Howl momentarily sound explosion should include a range of infrasonic wave attack.

Previously when he was a seaman, Sheyan would often listen to horrifying tales. For example, in 1990 there was a large ship from Panama named ‘Marco Polo’ which, while enroute from New Zealand to the UK, suddenly lost signal within a storm. Three days later it was discovered that the entire crew was massacred, it was an unfathomable mystery. In 2003, At a cave entrance in Hungary, 3 tourists abruptly collapsed in unison, and stopped breathing….after investigations, the main culprit of these strange happenings was infrasonic waves.

A person’s ear can only capture a frequency of 20Hz to 80Hz, anything below 20Hz (Hertz) are called infrasonic waves. Higher than 80Hz are called ultrasonic. The vibration frequency of infrasonic waves is closely similar to the brain rhythm. Easily causing resonance which would intensely provoke the brain, in less severe cases it would only cause fear. For violent, crazy and unstable severe cases, it may cause the victim to suddenly faint or lose bodily control and even lead to death.

Once the infrasonic waves resonates with the rhythm of a person’s internal organs, and the person remains in a high frequency infrasonic waves environment, their five viscera and six bowels (Internal organs) would break out in a violent resonance. In an instant, the arteries would rupture causing death. The earlier massacre of the ship was the product of infrasonic waves travelling along the sea level within the storm. Under normal circumstances, a person would hear a whistling sound tearing away his soul, and his internal organs will tremble. Even when a tiger is hunting, its ferocious roar would contain infrasonic waves.

“Well done, you escaped quickly.” Sheyan deeply inhaled, and proceeded to wipe away the blood leaking from his nostrils. He glanced towards the floor, within the shattered glass bottle, there was a roll of mouldy parchment. A string was tied at the middle, it looked like it was made centuries ago. It was covered with a white frost which was probably the reason it could be preserved for so long. That apparition that was sealed inside the bottle should also have been used as a refrigeration tool.

Sheyan picked up the parchment, his lips curling into a smile. So thats the case, the reason that unfortunate brat in Chris’s party failed the mission was not because he opened the bottle, but because he did not pass the test from the apparition!

This mission advancement diverted into several pathways, obviously one was to lead a contestant into Tortuga castle. The other path, was what Sheyan chose, that was this mouldy parchment!

The icy cold parchment was rolled open, placing it on the table, a layer of thick frosty stench soared out, causing one to sneeze. The parchment contained a decorative design, obviously the previous owner had a lofty status, it was probably a noble of high status. Locked into Sheyan’s eyes were the following words:

“He humiliated me, hindering me thousands of times, mocking at my loss, jeering at my gains, despising my nationality, obstructing my dealings, ridiculing my friends, assisting my enemies; why? Because I’m a Jew….”

A huge portion of words in the middle were smudged and unclear, only the last phrase of sentence remained distinct.

“I swear on my soul and blood, collaborating together from tomorrow, even our offsprings will live in peace for many generations. Anyone violating this would have their blood vessels boil, breathing ceased, their flesh will decay under the scorching sun, and the breath of the earth will shackle their footsteps.”

Inscription signed off two names: Bernard Fokke & Cooper Jones.”

Sheyan closely examined the writings on the parchment, in a flash absorbing everything into his brain. Simultaneously, he obtained 500 utility points and 300 pirate reputation points. After several minutes, this parchment paper was like an ice cube placed in the sun, gradually dissolving on the table. After its last trace vanished, this mission concluded. Obviously, upon choosing this pathway, the mission would come to an end. Actually, the most important rewards from this mission was that piece of parchment, more precisely, it was the contents on the parchment!

Sheyan by selecting this mission pathway, it carried a difficulty higher than the option Chris’s party chose. Following the logic of high difficulty reaps greater rewards, it meant that the contents of this parchment within the nightmare realm, would surely exceed the 20 pound sterlings, Palesius’s friendship, and the probability of other small missions.

Sheyan sat in his room, deep in thoughts. After a while, he then picked up a broom and meticulously swept and disposed of the glass bottle fragments. He then blew out the candle and rested.

The next morning, Sheyan returned to the Bell and Mug, fulfilling his responsibilities as the crew head first before standing at the bow of the ship. He noticed that although the might of the hurricane had halved, but the waves were still as turbulent as before.

According to Sheyan’s estimation, the waves soared to about 5 metres high, from afar, it looked like layers of black mountains rushing forward, brimming with unparalleled strength. Under such situations, even a huge ship in the present world would not dare to sail out, what more were the pirate ships of the Caribbean world.

Looking at this, Sheyan confirmed that there would still be 2-3 days before the discovery of Madam Lord Fokke. He leisurely visited Chris, and reminded him that the patrolling had slacken within the port, it was the best opportunity to return to his party. Instead, Chris vehemently refused this suggestion. Sheyan quickly realized, he did not know when this brat colluded with Xiaer, after paying a certain price, he even managed to learn and upgrade his basic abilities through Xiaer.

Under the threatening frame of this crew head, Chris unwillingly leaked out information he obtained. This was linked to his charm, and after paying a certain price, he attempted to learn a basic ability from a storyline character that was stronger than him. Amongst that he also tapped on a hidden nature of ‘compatibility’.

This compatibility level could only be viewed by a contestant who had an adequate amount of charm, plainly, it meant if both parties could hit it off. For example, a fiendish and queer tempered person could have a close confidante, and a handsome and capable person would equally make arch rivals.

Contestants with high charm would always prepare enslavery abilities, they would normally receive a skill to observe the complementary level. Those characters/creatures with high compatibility level with themselves, the enslaving would be as natural as flowing water, utilizing half the effort to achieve the maximum results. For characters/creatures with low compatibility, they would rather die than submit against an enslavery skill.

Obviously, Chris and Xiaer had a high hidden compatibility with each other, therefore Xiaer would put in effort to teach him, but Sheyan did not believe that Chris had not been taken advantage of. Looking at this brat’s pale expression just like that of a drug addict, he knew that Chris had paid a relatively painful price.

After obtaining this news from Chris, Sheyan attempted to try it out with his affiliated pirates, however, he did not dare to use the pricy ‘insight’ ability. Calculating till now, he should have roughly owed the nightmare realm a total of 900 utility points, and right now he only had 1340 utility points on hand. Thus, Sheyan could only inquire about the pirates individually, indirectly probing them to see if there was any probability.

Regrettably, Sheyan’s charm wasn’t high, in addition he was still in an early phase of learning, therefore, the chances of meeting one was small. Someone like Chris whose charm was much greater than Sheyans, he had known of this information for 3 whole worlds already. The amounts of storyline characters he had encountered and interacted exceeded a hundred. Still he only met one Xiaer who had high compatibility, and even had to pay a huge price.Such was the minute probability. If not for Sheyan being fairly infamous amongst the pirates, the pirates would definitely not care much about him, and work half-heartedly.

Fortunately, Sheyan’s effort finally paid off in his assistant that Ammand allocated, Blind Matt. This person actually agreed to imparting certain footwork and evading techniques during a battle, but his prerequisites were that Sheyan needed to announce his training in the next morning. His aim was very simple, he wanted to borrow Sheyan’s incapabilities to showcase his personal might, raising his prestige and solidifying his position on the ship.

Chapter 81: Alchemist

One has their schemes, but the other their stepping stones. Blind Matt was oblivious to Sheyan merely using his crew head position as a springboard, he had no intentions of retiring on this ship. Therefore, his suggestion clicked with Sheyan, after Sheyan paid a fee of 10 pounds, he earned 1 hour of basic footwork lessons every morning for the next 3 days. Every lesson would result in a 30% chance of raising his basic footwork level, however the highest advancement would not exceed Blind Matt’s grasp of basic footwork lvl 3.

Blind Matt was very nervous, because he knew that he wasn’t Sheyan’s match in terms of fighting as well as managing, therefore, this practice of footwork was a rare opportunity to showcase his capabilities which exceeded Sheyan’s. Although the number of pirates left guarding the ship wasn’t a lot, he still requested Sheyan to train for an hour in the morning. Sheyan was also extremely proactive to his request, therefore, its conclusion was to everyone’s delight and satisfaction. Sheyan succeeded in raising his basic footwork to lvl 2 from the first 30% training. On the other hand, Blind Matt succeeded in contrasting his nimble footwork against Sheyan’s clumsy one, winning the envious gasps of the observing pirates.

After raising a level in basic footwork, finally Sheyan had made up for that particular shortcoming in his personal close combat capability. The 3 most crucial attributes regarding close combat are strength, agility and physique. Strength determined your might and suppressive abilities during combat, agility determined reaction and speed, while physique determined how long one could last in battle. Based on the difficulty of this world, Sheyan’s 12 points in strength (not inclusive of the title bonuses, due to limitations) was counted as above average. His impressive 170 HP could be hailed as extremely outstanding, the only flaw was his mere 8 points in agility.

There is a philosophical wooden pail theory in the present world which was: “the amount of water a pail can store is not dependant on the longest wooden plank but determined by the shortest one”. Currently, Sheyan raised his basic footwork to lvl 2, it was equivalent to upgrading his total power by one bound. Furthermore, he still had two more training opportunities with Blind Matt, if he could grasp it and raised his basic footwork lvl again, this would no doubt be a great boost to Sheyan’s future plans.

After settling these trifling issues, Sheyan once again went up to test-fire a musket in an attempt to see if he could nurture any sort of long range combat abilities. Unfortunately, it was obvious that he had no talents whatsoever in that aspect, any target beyond 5 metres would post a high probability of missing. It seemed like even if he wasted all the resources aboard the Bell and Mug completely, he would still not make half a level of improvement. Chris snuck up to his side wanting to sneakily test a few shots to satisfy his hand itchiness. Instead, the vice officer Robben immediately stood out, strictly opposing such wastage of resources behavior even though a minute ago he was the one who assisted Sheyan in loading up the musket.

To the pirates, this sort of stormy and gloomy weather was akin to them taking an annual paid leave during the new year. Most pirate captains would station their ships within the port, and allow their crew to indulge to their hearts content. Of course their activities included prostitution, drinking and gambling their entire fortune to the last penny. Therefore, once the weather clears up, these pathetic trash where some even sold off their pants would be complaining and once again give their all when plundering merchant ships.

Even the disciplined Ammand only enforced his subordinates to practice for about 1 hour in the morning before allowing them to rush in ecstasy to the bars and gambling dens. If not, these savages and uncouth bastards would never tolerate such regimes and flee to other ships. Furthermore to the pirates, they were still experiencing a sort of ‘recovering economic phase’, therefore, every ship will actively recruit manpower which led veteran pirates who dared to fight would easily be welcomed to the other ships.

Staying on a deserted pirate ship alone had no meaning, Sheyan decided to patron a bar to test his luck, at the same time try to mingle with any pirates who had high compatibility with him and who knows he may even receive a hidden mission. Sadly after wasting an entire 2 hours, he realized that this sort of coincidental attempts had the same chance to winning a lottery ticket. Yet he suddenly recalled that worn out cross that he exchanged from Old Bill, remembering that item was an invitation by a certain alchemist. At the point he had a little scepticism towards this, because Old Bill that bastard was not an honest person, in addition, his unreasonable pressuring left a very bad impression of him. Therefore, Sheyan did not harbour any high hopes towards this so called alchemist, but since he had spare time now, Sheyan could afford to spend it on this as a way to pass time.

Under directions from a pirate, Sheyan followed the motley flagstones as he walked towards the east end of the port. Due to the low visibility from the storm, the pleasant and flat flagstone pathway had turned into a rocky and dense swamp. If he was not careful, stepping on a loose flagstone would cause a splash of muddy water to spurt up from the yellowish puddles, splashing uncaringly onto the entire pants, it was even worse when a carriage passed by.

From the profound cracks grinded out on the flagstones, one could tell that the main route of the port had not been maintained for at least the past 20 years. It was obvious that the owners of this free port, the Fokke family, placed no concerns on carrying out maintenance of the port. Therefore, it was evident that the decline of their power within Tortuga port was not by random, it was a miracle that the foundations laid by the former generations could even last until now.

Although an alchemist gave an impression of only dealing with minerals and medicines, but actually their skills also comprised of purifying metals. Alchemy was created because people had a thirst of precious metals like the beautiful but rare gold. Therefore, every alchemist had the ultimate dream of researching how to make cheap metals like lead, iron and copper transform into gold. Gradually on this path of alchemy, they established the modern time chemistry foundation.

Ahead of Sheyan lies a typical house that an alchemist would stay in. Its covered with dense windows which would allow the poisonous gas to rapidly disperse outside through it. The pointed roof which provided an enlarged attic which almost certainly where the materials were stored. The surrounding mottled and chaffed walls suggested that fire was common here, but it seemed that the fire was extinguished as fast as starting it up.

Sheyan knocked on the sliding, rugged and thick wooden door. No reply, except for a burst of fluttering wing sound. Then the door opened silently, it produced no such creaking sound that Sheyan was expecting, welcoming him was an owl inside a beech wooden birdcage hung in front of the door. It tilted its head, using a pair of emerald pupils to stare at Sheyan. Sheyan noticed that the interior was spacious, the nearby table supported various used crystal beakers, test tubes, other olden distilling apparatus, a half-filled cup of coffee and even a remnant of suspiciously dried up tray with meat sauce….luckily there wasn’t any flies buzzing around or he had to pay respect to this staunch appetite landlord.

An old man wearing a pointed black hat was sitting 5 metres away on a experiment platform at the back. Hearing the sound he raised his head, he looked through the filthy test tubes which contained dark green sediments, assisted by the combusting spirit lamp, he glanced at Sheyan’s face. Naturally Sheyan’s pathetic charm did more harm than good as this wrinkled face old man harshly scolded out.

“Get out! This place doesn’t welcome any crude or foolish brats!”

Sheyan quickly flashed out that worn out cross, swaying it with his hand. This old man dazed out, reaching out his hand, he seemed like he wanted to examine the authenticity of this cross. After a moment, he impatiently said.

“Looks like Old Bill owed you a favour….. However he did not tell you, he still owes the grand alchemist, Mr Peigan, 10 pound sterlings right?”

The astounded Sheyan replied.

“What has that got to do with me?”

Peigan coldly issued.

“Since Old Bill has gifted this cross to you, that means that he will not frequent my business anymore, that debt is considered a dead debt and thus it falls on you to repay it.”

Sheyan wanted to argue but he very swiftly realized it would be useless, this strange old man provided two options. One was to turn around and leave, the other was to obediently hand him 10 pounds. If he continued arguing, even the opportunity from this 10 pounds may be destroyed. After forking out a payment, Sheyan finally received the rights to enjoy this alchemist’s services.

Under Peigan’s instructions, Sheyan sat on a stool at the side. A weird painting was nailed onto the wall beside him. The mural had a sun with an outstanding beard smiling wickedly, on the lower right angle was a crescent moon with a small bell hanging on at the bottom. In an alchemist world, the sun was like gold, and moon represented silver. The underlying meaning of that painting referred to an alchemist’s two ultimate goals. As the bored Sheyan wasted his time daydreaming on the stool, a black fog emerged from the terrible looking table as though something combusted, it then scorched out characters one by one on the table top.

Chapter 82: Bait and Fishermen

“Welcome to the laboratory of the grand alchemist Mr Peigan, every equipment enhancement effect can only exist on one item, incapable of coexisting with other alchemy effect of additional enchantment(Magic) effect. You have the privilege to obtain the following alchemist services:

“Enhancing 11 equipment damage. Payment of 100 pound sterlings or 1000 utility points”

“Defense enhancement of absorbing additional 1 damage ability. (Payment of 100 pound sterlings or 1000 utility points.”

“Enhancing 20 points of movement speed for your footwear. Payment of 500 pound sterlings or 5000 utility points” (This services is not applicable, because you do not have any foot equipment) (further explanations: Sheyan’s current highest movement speed based on his agility is roughly 220 points)

“Enhance firearm class equipments an additional round chamber. Payment of 1000 pound sterlings or 10000 utility points) (This service is not applicable because you are not wielding any firearms class equipment) (This enhancement nature to submachine gun class firearms is worthless, however in this world of manual muskets, it is definitely an essential upgrade)

“Presently you can only acquire services up to here.”

Sheyan’s jaw dropped in astonishment from looking at the list of notifications, after receiving the loot bonus from captain Ammand, he had a mindset that it was already a huge amount of money. Instead, this pound sterlings that could not be brought out of this world, and could not be used to exchange for utility points, but looks like it other critical uses in certain areas. Sheyan fished out his already starting to shrivel up coin purse, there was still the sound of coins clinking against each other, but Sheyan already started regretting his flamboyant ways when he was loaded.

After paying two hundred pounds, Sheyan enhanced his cobalt steel exoskeleton by 11 damage, that FBI special windbreaker by 1 ability to absorb damage. However he was only left with roughly 2 pound sterlings on hand, returning to the poverty state he had entered with into this world. Alchemist Peigan after receiving payment, his attitude towards Sheyan became more courteous, reluctantly answering Sheyan’s inquiries.

“What? You asked me how to initiate higher level services? Oh, Lord, why did I hear such a stupid question. Kid, alchemy is a very very very wealth consuming divine task. Therefore, high level services would be at the expense of even costlier materials, investing alarming expenditure therefore, requesting for high level services would first require proof of having adequate financial capabilities. Once you attained a degree of reliability through your payments, then you will received my acknowledgement.”

“Alright alright.” After Sheyan left, his mind was wrecking with thoughts of earning money. However, he reckon the only way to earn cash was to gamble at a bar. Only those pirates were relatively shrewd, even though Sheyan could rely on his high perceptive sensing to win much and lose little, and sneakily devised traps disguised as losses on purpose, but the pirates all carried a personal limitation. That was once they lost 2 – 3 pounds they would stop playing. Hence, after labouring for an entire afternoon, he only earned 10 pounds, this sort of speed was in no way adequate to satisfy the appetite of the greedy Mr Peigan.

During the evening, Sheyan returned to his personal cabin and prepared to rest. He had a training session with Blind Matt early the next morning, if he maintained his optimum status, then he had a better chance of raising a level for his basic footwork skill. However, at this moment Chris drifted into the cabin, seeing his fake smile and clasped hands, Sheyan instinctively held his coin purse tightly and spoke out.

“What do you want?”

Sheyan cheerily replied.

“Heard you receive a huge loot bonus? I’m referring to the pound sterlings of this world.”

Sheyan softly brushed off.

“I didn’t.”

Chris was like a chicken whose neck was choked, he suddenly burst out in exasperation.

“How can that be? Xiaer clearly mentioned that Ammand divided several hundred pounds to you.”

“Then that’s my problem right?” Sheyan replied bluntly.

Chris unfolded his hands, helplessly saying.

“Oi, don’t be like that brother, I won’t leech of you. How about i use utility points to buy your pound sterlings? 500 utility points for 500 pounds!”

If Sheyan had not gone to the alchemist today, he may have really done the deal. However, now that he understood that the valuation from this Chris brat was extremely unreasonable, enduring his anger he replied softly:

“What do you want so much money for?”

Chris was obviously well-prepared, saliva splashing around as he spoke:

“Hey, buddy, I’m currently engage in a mission, this mission requires a huge amount of pound sterlings to satisfy that greedy storyline character, afterwards it will unlock an alchemist’s laboratory. We will be able to enhance all sorts of mysterious attributes for our equipments, it is all ours! Don’t hesitate, hand over your cash.”

Sheyan coldly replied:

“Your so called alchemist is called Peigan right?”

Chris was stunned for 3 seconds then he exclaimed.

“Oh shit! How did you know?”

Sheyan retrieved a heavy coin purse, within it the coins produced a mesmerizing clinking rhythm. Chris’s eyes leaked out a blazing hope.

“Listen, the things I know far outweighs yours. You truthfully tell me what do you want to do with that 500 pound sterlings, then I will hand over this coin purse to you.”

“You promise? Do you dare to use the nightmare imprint to initiate a contract?”

“No problem.”

“Alright, you win. That greedy old crook has reached an astounding degree in being able to squeeze out money, if you are able to pay double the alchemist’s price, then you will be able to acquire an alchemy scroll of a certain enhancement service which can be brought out of the nightmare realm! Certain excellent quality, best selling alchemy scroll can even be sold for relatively high profits, give the coin purse to me!”

Sheyan nodded his head, tossing over the heavy coin purse. He then chased Chris out of the cabin and locked the door, finally he was able to lie on his wooden bed, folding his hands behind his head. Very quickly he heard a mournful cry from the outside, that voice came from Chris. His cry was due to realizing that the jam-packed coin purse was filled with pennies (Britain currency, fraction unit measurement. 1 pound sterling was worth 240 pennies, 1 shilling is worth 12 pennies, 1 pound sterling is worth 20 shillings)

Brimming with anticipation Chris opened up the bursting coin purse, the immense dip in expectations leading to disappointment was unimaginable. That coin purse belonged to a crafty gambler who used it to disguise as a wealthy man, of course he ended up being beaten to a pulp by pirates and thrown out to the streets. His only bit of wealth was collected by Sheyan as a betting compensation. After obtaining this information, Sheyan instantly understood why that damned Old Bill would inflate the value of the cross by so much. The facts were that if someone was able to bring that cross coupled with his adequate charm and money, then he would at least earned 100% of the profits back!

Chris naturally did not have the guts to return and argue with Sheyan. Following logic, during his dealings with Sheyan the way he was cheated was not in any way inferior to what he previously did, Sheyan doing this only regained his dignity slightly. Yet, Sheyan did not shut his eyes to sleep, a piercing smile leaked out from his lips as though he had been waiting for this a long time. Not long later, a short knocking sound transmitted from the outside. Sheyan’s eyes flickered as he asked.

“Who’s that?”

“It’s me, Mr crew head.” The person speaking was obviously vice officer Robben.

This man had hurriedly ran here and said.

“I have no choice but to report to you, your cousin is going around borrowing cash with your name. On one hand he repeatedly announces your close relationship with him, on the other hand, he uses a very high interest way to borrow money. If he does not return the money as well as the interests before the deadline, then i’m afraid he will face a huge problem, and may even implicate you.”

Obviously, this was the cunning Chris’s retaliation. Previously, Sheyan proclaimed their close relationship to fulfill his agreement, therefore, now Chris was publicizing this news, leveraging on Sheyan’s reputation to borrow money! After thinking for a moment, Sheyan immediately swung open his cabin door to find Chris. However, he underestimate Chris’s contingency planning. Once he stepped out onto the deck, Chris was already on a sampan, reaching the shore in a few metres. In his hands was an extremely overloaded with noisy coin purse, more importantly, its interior consist fully of pound sterlings!

Looking at Shayn standing on deck, Chris laughed out in delight, loudly shouting:

“Beloved cousin, don’t worry, my loan deadline is 7 days later.”

Very obviously, after 7 days the two contestants would have already returned to the present world. But, who was to say Chris would not return here in the future? Even if he returned it may not be with Sheyan. But from here on, Chris would no longer need to go near the Bell and Mug. As for Sheyan, he would not easily give up the crew head position that required so much effort to obtain! Therefore, this meant that the debt Chris owed would be counted on Sheyan, if Sheyan defaulted on this debt, his reputation would surely plunge frantically. Sheyan naturally realized this point, losing himself he bellowed furiously:

“F** you don’t think of returning to the ship, just wait for the Tortuga patrol guards to capture and kill you!”

Chris regrettably shrugged his shoulders, giggling as he said:

“I’ll return after settling my affairs, don’t be angry my beloved cousin. Mr Xiaer and me get along pretty well, even if you don’t allow me up the ship, he would still receive me.”

Sheyan could only watch helplessly as the sampan blended into the darkness. His expression looked helpless and furious, but only going nearer could one notice a slight cold grin forming on his lips. It was as though he was a hunter watching his prey falling into a pitfall!

Chapter 83: Decaying grieve

On the third morning, the weather finally cleared up. The glaring sun rays, spotless white beach, emerald-green coconut trees and azure blue sky. This was the most beautiful scenery of the Caribbean sea. However, within Tortuga castle, everyone was trembling with fear and trepidation under the thunderous rage of Little Lord Fokke, they had no desire to appreciate such a scenery. The only thing on their mind was that Madam Lord Fokke had been missing for 3 whole days, furthermore, she may very well be suffering on Herb island. Therefore, Tortuga castle had dispatched their fastest ship out earlier.

As usual Sheyan continued his practice of basic footwork with Blind Matt the next morning, sadly this morning’s hard work ultimately did not raise a level of basic footwork. Still he did not place much thoughts on that matter. When it was close to noon, that ship that was dispatched out sailed back swiftly into the port, however at the masthead there was a black flag.

That flag was called a mourning flag, it meant that an important person had passed away. The pirates were already extremely used to news of death, regarding an important character it was pretty clear-cut. Chief officer, or the captain, even crew head or navigator was a possibility! Accidents occurred daily out at sea, a black flag was a common sight, therefore nobody linked that mourning flag to the death of the noble Madam Lord Fokke.

At this point in time, Tortuga castle was brimming with an extremely nervous atmosphere. It was as though all the servants had committed an error. Ever since Madam Lord Fokke did not return to the ship, the originally cool and reclusive Lord Fokke became greatly agitated, once in awhile he would vent his anger on his servants. Within the past 3 days, there were already over 10 corpses that had been carried out of the castle, all of whom were flogged to death. All of them suffered such a tragic fate because they had caused a tiny blunder in the form of bad food or even accidentally knocking over a plate. Therefore, nobody dared to go within a proximity of 10 metres to Lord Fokke. These miserable servants could only carry out their necessary duties in trembling fear, and once they completed their task they would instantly leave.

After the ship belonging to Tortuga castle neared the shores, someone went ahead to report to Lord Fokke, afterwards a linen-wrapped corpse was lowered from the ship. On the thick shroud, there was a clear drenched trace, it was obvious that under the warmth of the caribbean sea, this rotting corpse had begun effusing out bodily fluid. Therefore those carrying the body had a heavy and cringing look, as though they would vomit at any second.

The corpse was quickly carried to a broad hall on the third floor of the castle, this was also Lord Fokke’s personal area. Under normal circumstance, if a servant had wandered in here by mistake they would equally suffer a miserable fate. Two seamen placed the body down and immediately hurried out. Looking at them covering their mouths, it was obvious that their vomit had already rose into their throats, using great effort to suppress themselves from spraying it everywhere.

A total silence.

Leaving one the impression of a tomb.

A housefly was attracted by the rotting stench, buzzing in from outside the window. Its life goal was to first indulge in a sumptuous meal and then laying hundreds of eggs before happily flying off. However, upon approaching the corpse, its wings that could flap for over 300 times per minute suddenly halted. The rich moisture in the air assembled from all over the port, forming into a piece of sparkling and pure ice-cube freezing the housefly within midair, as it crashed to the ground instantly.

This tiny piece of ice was like brittle glass shattering into fragments upon impact, of course the frozen housefly was not spared.

At this moment, a hand wearing a black glove pushed open the door, Lord Fokke with an unkempt beard strolled in. His appearance was dejected and depressed, if not for his wealthy outfit, he would have looked similar to a random hooligan on the streets of Tortuga port. Inside his eyes was a dangerous and crazy glow, this was definitely not a good omen.

“Except for me, nobody has the rights touch her.” Little Lord Fokke pressed his left hand on his chest, unable to skip his lordly gracefulness, humbly bowing at the place that the housefly had fell.

“Not even a housefly.”

This Lord then knelt by the dead body, extending his hands to slowly open up the linen cloth. A rich rotting stench surged in. But looking at Little Lord Fokke’s expression, it was as though he did not even notice it. His actions were extremely gentle and precise, just like how a groom unveiled his wife with such warmth and affection. This action lasted throughout, opening the bag to reveal a soaked and bloated, decaying Sally Hepburn.

“Beloved Sally, welcome home.” Little Lord Fokke warmly embraced this drenched corpse, as though she was still deep asleep and he could wake her up. His eyes carried a dense sweetness akin to honey. “I’ll bring you to see your gardens, yesterday a merchant ship delivered the black tulips you loved. Just based on this, don’t you owe me a kiss?”

Little Lord Fokke lovingly gazed at his wife, that swelling face and sulk had already dissipated from his face. This guy tightly embraced the corpse, passionately kissing the lips that were flowing with yellow liquid from the ulcerate swelling!

After a brief moment, the entire Tortuga castle could hear a agonizing wailing coming from the third floor! Upon hearing that sound, it gave one a heart wrenching and suffocating sensation, just like a wolf, giving up a hysterical howl in a world of ice and snow! This irresistible sound reverberated throughout the castle for close to 15 minutes, and finally stopped.

Not long after, Lord Fokke drenched in the pungent stench reappeared to the audience, there was no way of telling any difference in him. Instead the sun rays beating down on his body gradually darken. The ruler of Tortuga port declared his first command in 3 days:

“Invite the great alchemy Mr Peigan, pay him as much as he demands! Most importantly, I want to see him in person within the hour! Hurry up! Now!”

One had to admit that in the face of such a lucrative prospect, Mr Peigan became extremely efficient and fast. After a mere 10 minutes, Little Lord Fokke’s order was satisfied. After an hour, the old and decrepit Mr Peigan was already brought to the prison beneath the castle.

It was clear that this place had been tidied up, any offender no matter the crime would be imprisoned here. Yet there was a moist stale air inside this place. People with sinusitis would definitely sneeze profusely over here. After entering the second basement of the prison, the floor beneath the feet actually produced waves of cold air, rising up to the heart as though a person’s bone marrow would likewise be frozen. Mr Peigan mumbled a few words to himself, following that he mysterious retrieved a circular neck glass bottle from a box on his hand. He drained the glass of light blue liquid in one gulp, simultaneously looking very revitalized from it.

After Little Lord Fokke observed Peigan’s actions, his pupils slightly shrank but continue to lead the way. He only stopped when he reached an extremely spacious underground room. This underground room was overwhelming cold, in the middle stationed a sparkling and translucent broad icy platform, its height was as tall as a person’s waist. Above the icy platform was placed a female corpse that had been fermented by the Caribbean rain for 3 days. Of course, due to the lower temperature of the ice, the stench it emitted had already reached an approachable level.

“Hmm….although saying like this is unmannerly, I still need to ask, what area can i assist you with.” Mr Peigan had endured watching the Little Lord Fokke gazing at the female corpse for 10 minutes and finally decided to say something.

Little Lord Fokke suddenly turned his head, his eyes was blazing with a raging insanity, obviously he did not appreciate someone interrupting his train of thoughts. However, that intense mood was like a dragonfly touching the water, leaving as quickly as it came. The ruler of Tortuga port spoke out with a hoarse voice:

“My apologies Mr Peigan, I have not been sleeping well these days, and am feeling frustrated. Please examine this body for me, find the cause of death, of course it will be better if you could deduce the assassinator. If you can I will double the payment fees and materials.”

Alchemy Peigan raised his brows as he observed the body, his phrased with words with relative eloquence:

“Respected Lord sir, old Peigan is merely an alchemy practitioner, this skill is not my domain…. Furthermore this female corpse has already decayed severely…..my God, will you grant me a miracle today?”

Unknowingly, the stern like an iceberg Little Lord Fokke was already holding onto an ash brown colored pouch. This pouch looked similar to any ordinary pouch, however its appearance radiated a layer of glow, as though a clear river covered it! This was a model high grade alchemy material. The old senile looking Peigan nimbly thought of a legend upon seeing that pouch, and linked it with an extremely high level item. His lips began to tremble violently.

“This… isn’t this the…. Endless gold pouch?”

Chapter 84: The Truth and Poaching

From the legends, this was the first valuable and most precious object amongst Cortes’s treasure: ‘Endless Gold Pouch’. Furthermore, within Cortes’s treasure the other legendary object was the ‘Fountain of Youth’ that was rumored to grant immortality. The ‘Treasure Island’ that was filled with danger and riches was hailed as the third legendary object! Rumour has it that the endless gold pouch would generate a fixed quantity of gold daily, this undoubtedly was the pinnacle of alchemy! Not one alchemist was able to reject such an enticement, not one alchemist would not tremble with ecstasy upon seeing this legendary treasure!

“Fulfill my wish, then your wish will also be fulfilled!”

Little Lord Fokke’s voice echoed within the entire room, it carried a grimly deep and imposing tone. Yet, Alchemist Peigan no longer cared about all these, frenziedly opening up his case. What was astonishing was that the space within this case seemed to be infinite, as he hastily assembled together a wide experimenting platform. Above it was an ignited spirit lamp, disarrayed test tubes and a clutter of books. He hurriedly allocated and mixed different chemical compounds, following that Peigan increased the intensity of the spirit lamp, finally he poured a colourless liquid from the test tube onto the lower belly of the corpse. He then leaned forward to examine it closely, after confirmations, he adopted a professional tone as he offered his first deduction.

“Before dying, she was raped by someone.”

After saying this sentence, an echo resounded in the room, the echo sounded similar to a layer of ice being cracked open. Peigan spun round in surprise, he could feel that the cold air of the room had intensified a little, sweeping slightly with his suspicious eyes, he once again focused onto the dead body. At the point, Little Lord Fokke seemed to be resisting something as he struggled to speak.

“You sure?”

Just like any great master when their professional skills were being questioned, Peigan indignantly raised his voice.

“Lord! I just used a reagent produced from mixing Rier grass extract and cuttlefish ink, not only does this reagent provide great benefits for the male prostate, it has another unknown property. That is when the liquid comes into contact with a male’s semen, it will turn scarlet, just look at that part of her!”

Little Lord Fokke slanted his head, after a while he softly said.

“The cause of death?”

Peigan raised his brows as he observed, he then bluntly put on his gloves and examined the corpse, giving out his answer.

“There is no obvious wounds, it should be choking. Oh, look at her neck bone! When a normal person dies, it is impossible to demonstrate such a posture, she should have been choked to death. Either that or the murderer strongly snapped her neck!”

“Oh, wait.” Peigan continued to rummage through the body, prying apart her hand. An incomplete necklace dropped to the floor within her palm, giving out a sharp metal collision sound. “She should have been holding on to this before her death, it looks like an important item to this poor lady. Could it be a memento from her family?”

Little Lord Fokke marched forward with big steps, snatching the necklace and raising it to eye-level. His voice was like a thunderous echo resounding throughout an emptive cave.

“Impossible! This is a shoddy brass necklace, her personal accessories would have been of better quality! Right, she should be wearing a gold pearl ring on her finger! That is the only treasure of its kind in the Caribbean sea, did you discover it?”

“My apologies, I only discovered this necklace.” Peigan very composedly continued. “Looks like this matter is clear, this lady’s valuable accessory had attracted the covetous look of a greedy brat, after being brutally raped she was murdered. Before she died, she probably grabbed onto the murderer’s necklace while struggling and tightly held onto it.”

“Find him.” Little Lord Fokke hysterically howled in anger, his voice even caused the surround ice walls to vibrate. “Find him. Immediately!”

“Calm down, Calm down, Calm down!” Peigan hurriedly replied, he wasn’t afraid of him, it was just that Little Lord Fokke’s left hand was still tightly clutching onto that pouch. That ‘Endless Gold Pouch’ representing the ultimate treasure of an alchemist. He then adopted an assuring tone.

“I swear to you that I will surely find him. Just give me 10 minutes! First please let go of the ‘Endless Gold Pouch’, seeing you pressing it with great strength is causing my heart to twitch violently, this will affect my working efficiency.”

Little Lord Fokke snorted, inhaling in a few deep breaths, he finally managed to suppress his inner fury. Peigan fished out a crucible from his case, once again forming a stove on the ground. Following that he filled the crucible with a certain liquid, then placing it on the stove, he ignited the wood beneath setting up a bright yellowish flame as it cheerfully lick against the bottom of the crucible. The dry twigs crackled inside the makeshift bonfire, as the spiralling smoke from the combusting resin blended with the pungent chemical aroma. It gave off a strange sensation, and finally everything returned to quietness. Peigan gaze steadily at the crucible, even though the flames below were huge, the liquid looked like it solidified, making no movements. Little Lord Fokke paced about back and forth impatiently like a trapped beast, sinking into an endless wait.

……

At this time, Sheyan had entered a bar that was closest to Tortuga castle. Because once that gap appeared in his previous scheme, staying on the ship would allow his pursuers to simply chase up and catch a turtle in a jar (Chinese idiom meaning set oneself as an easy target). Furthermore, Tortuga port on the island was average sized, it did not have the complications due to certain regions being closed off, hiding someone in a short period of time is still roughly manageable.

Sheyan settled on a position adjacent to the street on the second floor of the bar. Because of this he once again paid an additional fee of 1 pound sterling, but over here he could casually observe the movements around Tortuga castle. Once he notices that the patrol guards started flocking out like ants that got stabbed, the first thing would be to flee deep into the island. Chris’s party had proven a fact, that was that even though the Tortuga patrol guards were relatively valiant when congregated together, the contestants that fled to the depths of the island was beyond their reach, unable to do anything about it.

Just as he was engrossed in the exterior movements, the bartender suddenly came up, placing a glass of cocktail that was still blazing with flames. This drink was called ‘fiery red lips’, probably the bar’s trademark cocktail. Its selling price was also relatively high. Sheyan suspiciously raised his head and said.

“Sorry, I think you got the wrong table.”

The bartender shook his head in reply.

“This drink has already been paid for.”

Sheyan was stumped for words, filtering his thoughts rapidly in his mind, yet he could not connect a person to this. However once he raised his head again, a red bandana met his eyes. A man with two tiny flinging and pretty beard started ascending the stairs, elegantly poised as he toasted to Sheyan with a smile. Sheyan’s heart fired up, but he only took in a deep breath as he leaked out a smile and toasted back.

“Good morning, Captain Jack Sparrow.”

Upon hearing that, Jack Sparrow expressed an amazed look, shrugging his shoulders as he laughed.

“Oh, I did not recall getting a promotion, but that should be an inevitable fact.”

Due to having done such a shameful deed by using his lover to set up this main lead, Jack Sparrow, Sheyan felt guilty and thus momentarily forgot that Jack’s father was still healthy and had not retired. Thus, he committed the error of calling Jack a captain. Instead he very quickly composed himself, and started chatting up with Jack.

One had to admit, Jack Sparrow was a character with exceptional charm. His eloquence coupled with exaggerated hand gestures and expression, his smart words were like a string of pearl (Chinese idiom it means endless witty remarks), it gave one the cleansing feeling of a spring wind. Unconsciously getting intoxicated by him. After a short chat, they were both fairly agreeable, borrowing this fairly amicable atmosphere, Jack Sparrow told Sheyan his reason for visiting. It was obviously to poach Ammand’s croner and invite Sheyan to join the Black Pearl.

Currently, Sheyan’s reputation had reached an amicable 913/3000 amongst the pirates. He was definitely not an intricate nameless thug. Furthermore, facing the impending storm previously, Sheyan took over command and he actually managed to rally a group of drunkards with an astonishing success. Thus, enabling the Bell and Mug to take the lead in leaving. This capability was seen by everyone on board the Black Pearl, after a series of investigations they decided to carry their poaching action.

Of course Sheyan’s qualifications were still pretty superficial, if he went over, he could only be a bottom class member at the Black Pearl. However Jack Sparrow sincerely promised, saying that the third officer was going to retire after one last voyage, he would then raise Sheyan’s position. Following logic, encountering such a good opportunity Sheyan should have immediately agreed, but his scheme had just started to take effect. If he went to the Black Pearl now, he would be able to successfully complete his mission, however that would mean sacrificing too many things.

More importantly, Sheyan had already committed the crime of framing this handsome and charming Jack Sparrow behind his back. Although the chances of being exposed were low, there was still a relatively immense pressure on his heart. Even though there was no such lie detecting device, there was still alchemy, the voodoo cult and its witchcraft. Afraid that even a dead person may not keep a secret. Therefore, Sheyan tacitly replied that he needed time to consider, exposing a suspicious expression giving an appearance that his thoughts and his expression were conflicting.

Chapter 85: Fury

Although Jack Sparrow was pretty bummed out by failing to recruit Sheyan, he still noticed Sheyan’s deep desire through his hesitation. He then laughed as he diverged the discussion to women. This topic was obviously his forte, after Sheyan feigned several lines ‘coincidentally’ mentioning that he had a secret fetish for sophisticated women and even other people’s wife, the future captain Jack’s eyes glowed as if he found a kindred spirit. Thus they became more complementing in their chatting.

Through this style of conversation, Sheyan realized that Jack Sparrow was not considered a playboy, saying from a deeper perspective, he should be a emotional and passionately devoted person. If he had to use an example, that would be Duan Yu’s dad in the film, Tian Long Ba Bu (Chinese show martial art show). This sort of person loved many women, but their feelings for each individual were real, therefore, they constantly felt harsh emotional pains as much as their tireless enjoyment. Furthermore, Jack Sparrow was not yet an unrestrained and frivolous man, from his speech one was able to vaguely pick up the great ambition of being a pirate lord.

Just when their conversation was in full swing, the short and honest Mr Joshamee trotted up the stairs. He flashed a glance at Sheyan and proceeded to speak a few words into Jack’s ears. Presently, Jack Sparrow was intensely arguing about the most outstanding and mesmerizing female part, where it was the butt or chest. Once he heard Joshamee’s words he could only shrug his shoulders, and regrettably sigh.

“I have to admit Joshamee brought me a bad news. Something cropped up on the Black Pearl, I have to rush back, I’m afraid we have to save this merry conversation for another time.”

Sheyan smiled and toasted:

“Accidents always lingers around us, no matter the case it would not be as bad as the time I racked my brains out to hook up with a girl in Malacca while she was on her inconvenient days of the month.”

Jack Sparrow spaced out a moment, followed by an uncontrolled loud laughter. Raising his pirate hat a little before giving a humble bow, he then left the bar. Such an elegant demeanor even captivated a male like Sheyan, its mesmerizing powers towards women was unimaginable.

Looking at Jack’s departing figure, Sheyan could tolerate no longer, once again activating his ‘insight’ ability. Even though he was already in jeopardy economically wise, faced with this character that can be said to be the number 1 legend in the Caribbean sea, he could not resist this notion. Especially when the opposite party’s status had already changed from ‘stranger’ to ‘friendly’. The ability ‘insight’ should be able to search for deeper information right?

After activating his insight ability, Sheyan waited for quite some time before receiving notifications from the nightmare imprint.

Jack Sparrow

Legendary pirate ship, Black Pearl, Chief Officer

Height ?

Weight ?

Strength ? points

Agility ? points

Physique ? points

Perceptive sensing ? points

Charm 50 points (this value has reached the upper boundary of this world)

Intelligence ? points

Spirit ? points

Basic skill: unknown

Advanced skill: unknown

Combat ability: unknown

Rank 7 special passive ability: Authentic luck.

Summary: unknown

Although this was a long list, in reality there were only two credible points: the first being Jack Sparrow’s exceptionally high charm of 50 points. Based on the pointer at the back, his charm may have been capped by the highest limit of the nightmare world, or it could have been higher. The second was that this main lead had a rank 7 special passive ability: Authentic luck!

After digesting this information and rapidly reflecting and analysing it, he finally established certain inference:

A: Under the boundaries of the world, there was a possibility that someone’s (Inclusive of storyline characters or contestants) individual attributes could reach a maximum of 50 points. Unable to break through this limitation.

B: To a contestant, breaking through 50 points might be a dividing line.

C: Various abilities of contestants and storyline characters can be categorised into different ranks. Rank 1 should be the lowest, and his personal ability that he had…. Was probably too common, there was no chance of ranking it, or probably there was some other profound principles?

D: As the name implies, ‘authentic luck’ this ability should be an extremely rare and mighty ability. The main lead was able to constantly turn peril into safety, misfortunes into blessings he spared no delay in relying on it for a comeback in a moment of life or death. This skill had a position of rank 7, therefore one can attempt to estimate that the highest top-notch skill would be tough to exceed 9 ranks.

E: After personally inspecting Jack Sparrow and encountering so many unknown variables, it meant that his powers vastly outweighed his. Believe that if not for Sheyan’s prior conversation raising his friendship value, those two attributes would be similarly unknown. Therefore, not within a very very very long period of time, captain Jack Sparrow was definitely not a wise enemy to make.

At this moment the bartender came again and poured a glass of alcohol for Sheyan, thick foamy bubbles rolled within the golden colored alcohol, it looked like a hallucination of a thousand minute boiling world, mesmerizing people. Away from here directly 4km underground, Peigan’s crucible liquid finally started boiling.

Looking at the boiling liquid in the crucible, Peigan then retrieved a brown glass bottle from his case. He handled the glass bottle in such a cautious manner for fear of infecting it, following that Peigan sprinkled fine powder into the pot, which caused the liquid to immediately combust, transforming into a violet black flame. In a flash the flames consumed the entire pot, engulfing its surrounding as it formed into a violet black bonfire.

This violet black flames disappeared as fast as it came, even the solid ground surface started to melt, leaving a deep hole half metre deep and 2 metres wide. What was strange was that from the center of the hole a chilling to the bone air shot out, surrounding the nearby atmosphere forming a round indistinct white mist! This could not be felt on the skin, but the chill leaked into the bone marrow, it was an extremely strange and mysterious abnormality.

Peigan exerted strength attempting to lift the female corpse on the ice bed into the hole, but he was harshly pushed aside by Little Lord Fokke. He personally carried his precious wife’s corpse, and placed it steadily into the hole. Peigan fished out a dark green bottle, very carefully sprinkling a little onto the body, at the same time he chanted several profound words. Consecutively, the surface of the body started to emit a faint glow.

Looking at the intensity of the glow, Peigan raised his brows as he gritted his teeth and sprinkled more powder. However, the glow remained the same. This powder was purchased using a high price, it was the dried blood of a nine-headed beast, one small bottle was worth half of his fortune! Therefore, he felt heartache, furthermore what Peigan was doing currently was not fully alchemy, it was the spirit black magic that he had grasped, regrettably it looked to have little effects.

Peigan glanced at the endless gold pouch that Little Lord Fokke was holding, he painfully bit his lips, pouring the entire bottle of powder out. Concurrently, the glow flourished, as a faint vapour float up from the female corpse, gathering in mid air and not dissipating, metamorphosing into an apparition like existence. This spirit looked exhausted, the glow on her body was stable as though it could be blown and scattered at any time.

“Sally! Beloved Sally!!” Little Lord Fokke charged to the front of the spirit and knelt, frenziedly calling out like an injured beast. Instead Peigan immediately obstructed his barbaric behaviour, furiously scolding out.

“Respected Lord sir! I have not attain control of spirit, this is only a fraction of her memory before she died. Because the decomposed rate of the body was already advanced, this fragments of memories are pretty disorganized and scattered. If you continue being rash, then all my efforts would have been for nothing!”

Little Lord Fokke dejectedly shifted to the side, while Peigan retrieved a wooden basin filled with fresh water. He then started chanting a spell along with a set of complicated hand gestures, the white vapour in the air gradually floated towards the wooden basin. Also, the water inside started to form several disorderly and messy images, it was the memories of the dead Madam Lord Fokke. In order to exact revenge, Little Lord Fokke absorbed himself into the images, he was determined not to miss out on any detail.

Very quickly, Little Lord Fokke’s expression changed from a pale white to a reddish fury and finally into ashen! It must be acknowledged that Peigan’s black magic was quite proficient, the images formed started to turn supremely clear, as clear as the 1080p resolution of the Pirate of the Caribbean movie in theatres.

“Catika! Jovan! Jack Sparrow!”

After viewing the entire memory log, Little Lord Fokke stood up as he seemed to be at a loss, waves of cold air was blowing out from his body. The feeling it gave to others could only be described as:

“Zombie!”

His voice was struggling to break forth within his empty chest, giving one a feeling that the entire world has turned grey. In his heart, two targets were added onto his slaughter list, that was the living Catika and Jack Sparrow!

Chapter 86: Confusion

Evidently, as long as Catika and Jack Sparrow lived for another day, then the green hat on Little Lord Fokke would never fade away. To him, his prior deep emotions were like a huge laughing stock, such an insult could only be cleanse with the blood of his enemies!

Of course, to Sheyan this doesn’t mean that Little Lord Fokke would spare him or even be treated with this notion of “Brother, thanks for getting rid of the slut for me.” He was similarly included into the blacklist of Little Lord Fokke. As the proverb goes, Revenge against my father’s killer, hatred for stealing my wife. Sheyan had gloriously occupied one of the two greatest hatreds. Except from a hatred perspective, these two handsome and cunning: guard Catika, and the graceful Jack Sparrow occupied the the top spot. Before finishing those two, if Sheyan did not offer himself foolishly to Lord Fokke, then this green hat mister would not take initiative to find trouble for him.

Peigan had also witnessed and understood the memories of Madam Fokke, therefore, he could comprehend what the noble Lord Fokke was feeling. Although he had not obtained that coveted ‘endless gold pouch’, he remained silently beside him. Instead, Little Lord Fokke turned his head over, staring at him with an emotionless pair of eyes, softly saying.

“Take it, this is your reward.”

After saying he tossed the ‘endless gold pouch’ over. Peigan elatedly reached out his hand to receive it. Who knew that at the moment when he was about to receive the pouch, Little Lord Fokke suddenly drew out his mythical icy blue sword across his waist, stabbing in with a deadly viciousness! This old man Peigan’s pupils contracted, a clump black glow appeared in his left hand. “Pom!” It flew towards the opposite little Fokke.

Little Lord Fokke did not dodge or run, allowing that frightening corrosive ball of magic to strike his right chest. His flesh and clothes immediately crackled out with light yellow fumes, yet his sword had already emotionless penetrated that precious ‘endless gold pouch’, and pierced into the right hand of the old man Peigan. A layer of frosty ice formed instantly on his right hand and rapidly fissured!

Old man Peigan cried out in agony, not sure if his pain was because his right arm had been crippled or because the ‘endless gold pouch’ was ruined. At this moment, an owl-like shrill sounded out from Peigan’s case, it suddenly turned red and hot, followed by an explosion releasing a dense smoke. Old Peigan seized the opportunity and used his remaining left hand to cover his mouth and nose and flee. Just when he reached the entrance of the prison, he felt a slight shudder on the ground. Following that blue smoke spiralled up into the air, a huge horse raised its hoof and charged forward, driving its head heavily onto old Peigan. It was the huge demonic horse Momore!

Upon impact, old Peigan was knocked back by 5-6 metres! He landed on a solid flight of stairs, rolling onto hardly on the protruding concrete, looking like he broke at least 7-8 of his bones. His frozen right arm had already been shattered into oblivion like ice to his shoulders, leaving a wound at the end which had a distorted purplish colour as though his bones, flesh and blood vessels coagulated together. Blood leaking from his mouth had already dyed his chest red.

He only held concurrent post as an alchemist and black magician, his physique was far from a warrior’s composition.

At this point, Little Lord Fokke’s figure emerged from within the floating dust, his hair had already turned white. Glancing at the huge corroded injury atop his chest, old Peigan’s dying expression flashed with sudden realization.

“Ke, ke, ke ke (coughing)…..so, you actually gave it up…..”

Little Lord Fokke’s eyes were icy cold, he was completely devoid of emotions.

“Regrettably I have to end your life here, but the Fokke Family has always been

True to their words, the ‘endless gold pouch’ will be buried together with you.”

After listening to his, old Peigan’s eyes flashed with a comforting light, and it swiftly faded out, dead. Little lord Fokke mounted his demon horse, Momore. His white long hair swayed against the wind, depositing mottled hoarfrost everywhere. His voice sounded like windless as though his chest had been knocked for a thousand times, covering the entire castle in an unparalleled manner.

“Catika~~ where are you?”

…….

Looking at the lazy patrol guards strolling about on the streets, Sheyan felt flabbergasted. Following logic, Lady Lord Fokke’s body had already been escorted into the castle for nearly 6 hours, this period of time was enough to bring about an action. Yet, Tortuga castle was as peaceful as any other day, following the reasonable thinking of this world, it should be because they couldn’t deduce the culprit. However, after Madam Lord Fokke’s death, there should at least be procedures like wearing black armbands or firing the cannon in salute and grief.

“Unless…..” a sudden notion jolted like electricity in his heart. The extended period of silence signified that something frightful was about to break out, this delayed reaction should represent to deductions. One was that the entire Tortuga castle completely treated this event lightly, but the other deduction was that the castle’s owner was buried deep in his grief. In addition he was unable to find the culprit and sunk into complete despair. This model of thinking meant that the eventual consequences would be insanity and may even start a wide scale destruction.

If that’s the case, Sheyan immediately thought that staying here would not be a wise decision. If things developed exactly like he guessed, then Tortuga castle was now a ticking time bomb! The closer he was, the more he would be affected. If he wanted to completely hide from the storm, then following his initial plan to make haste to the inner district of the island is definitely the best decision. However, this chaotic situation would imply more opportunities to fish in troubled water(chinese idiom to take advantage of a crisis for personal gain)! If Sheyan wanted to fish out great credits in a fire, then immediately returning to the Bell and Mug would be the best choice!

The sky gradually darkened, the bustling Tortuga port became brightly lit as usual, the aroma of rum and roasted meat filled the atmosphere. Sheyan stood at the bow of the Bell and Mug as he gazed into the distance, in his heart was an unclear and perplexed feeling. He could sense an impending massive crisis within this port, but when was this crisis going to happen, he was unable to predict. This sort of waiting suspense was really a torture, besides Sheyan had no choice but to wait, he had to wait!

A line of fire lit up the darkness! It looked like the upwards gush of blood when a person’s neck got slashed. Following, the glow of fire spread out like a turbulent announcement, the rate of dispersion was like a flood leaving one speechless. In a flash it engulfed all the houses, it was obvious that the culprit had already made meticulous plans and arrangement.

The blaze charged towards the heaven, producing an oppressive sound from far. It was like the horizon had two gigantic hands, clapping with great force.

There was an unexplainable pressure in the air, rising up slowly like a river tide.

That majestic brilliance looked as though it wanted to swallow up the heavens and the earth!

The raging blaze reflected onto the initially permeated by darkness sails and also against the slender and majestically gorgeous gigantic hull. Above it was a chaotic battle scene.

The battling parties were actually the Tortuga patrol guards and the pirates!

The Black Pearl was under attack!

Sheyan’s eyes suddenly blazed up with a fiery passion, he deeply inhaled trying to suppress his billowing emotions. Presently, most of the pirates were aware of this situation, swarming onto the deck like ants, as they frantically pointed towards the distant Black Pearl.

Under the leaping blaze, one could make up that the Black Pearl pirates were resisting with great resilience, but because of this abrupt conflict, their casualties were heavy as they retreated little by little. At this crucial moment, a white haired rider rode in on a huge uncompelling horse, as it gently stepped onto a footboard and ascended the Black Pearl. Looking at his appearance, he seemed to be exuding a rather relaxed aura, as though he was just here to admire the scenery. But unknowingly, upon looking at this figure, everyone’s heart beat with a plaintive wail.

An ominous neighing.

“Where is Jack Sparrow?” That white haired rider boomed with a steady tone. His voice carried a thick nasal sound, like his nose was clogged from a flu. Although he was far from the Bell and Mug by close to two kilometres, but for some unknown reason, the people here could also hear his voice! Yet the pirates on the Black Pearl held no joking intent, immediately releasing a glaring signal into the sky from the ship’s bow, exploding with a sorrowful glow in the sky.

“It’s the guarding signal flare!”A veteran old pirate cried out. “The Black Pearl requests aid!”

The guarding signal flare is a contract object by the British for arms and merchant ships. If any party that previously signed a guarding contract, they could use it to request for aid in an emergency. In view that the British Queen at the time had issued lots of license for personal plunder to many merchant ships, many armed merchant ships had pirates moonlighting. At a later period, even though the british ships had internal strifes on sea, once they encounter a dilemma they could request for aid. Therefore, these guarding signal flares were also passed on to navy fleets and pirate ships.

Chapter 87: Real intention is revealed in the end

Currently, people still highly valued oaths and contracts. After seeing the signal flare, pirate ships immediately leaned over to aid. However, the legendary pirate ships, Queen Anne’s Revenge and the Flying Dutchman unusually chose to take a neutral stance, raising their sails sailing away into the distance. Although many pirates flogged over to help, the Black Pearl’s Captain Old Jack and chief officer Jack Sparrow did not surface. This caused the pirates to sink into an individual battle, a group without a head giving rise to a particularly chaotic situation.

Ammand had also stepped out to the deck, resting his hand on the hilt of his silver sword. He stared at the white haired rider on the Black Pearl as his eyes leaked out a murderous gaze, his ambitions on the verge of bursting forth! A few days ago when battling against the Paragon fleet, Ammand’s reputation had rose to number 1 just beneath the other 3 legendary pirate ship captains. Ever since, he was like the head of the pack, if he could oppose the Tortuga’s owner by himself and lead the masses to a victory, then his reputation would surely not be second to the likes of Blackbeard, and Davy Jones. Surpassing them in the future would definitely not be a difficult thing!

Just as Ammand had decided to give his orders, Sheyan took a deep breath and called out.

“Captain! If I didn’t see wrongly, the one on top of the Black Pearl should be Little Lord Fokke right?”

Ammand tilted his head, his eyes glimmering as he replied.

“That’s right.”

Sheyan glanced at him without fear saying.

“Although we don’t know the reason for Little Lord Fokke’s fanatical attacks on the Black Pearl, but right now the whole Tortuga nest had come out, their guarding forces are extremely thin!”

Till here, Sheyan’s eyes exhibited a greedy flash, lowering his voice and schemingly asked.

“Why don’t we make a little fishing trip?”

Ammand’s heart was stirred, he swept the battlefield again with his eyes. Currently, there were at least 5-6 ships that responded to the call, completely sealing the waters around the Black Pearl. Fire sounds from the muskets boomed in multiple successions, smoke had engulfed the area and the hand-to-hand combat was at its climax. The spectacle was desperate and chaotic. If they rushed over, there would be difficulties for the Bell and Mug to close in, why not assault Tortuga castle, which was staying clear of the enemy’s main force and striking at its weak point! If they could force Little Lord Fokke to return, then no doubt the credit would be his to take. Even if Little Lord Fokke was stubborn and persisted on, they would still fish up bountiful loot!

In short, plundering was more pleasurable than rescuing.

Even though his heart had already acknowledged Sheyan’s suggestion, Ammand purposely paused for a moment. After deliberating through thoroughly, his hungry eyes emitted a verdant ray, using a greedy expression and declared.

“En, that is my exact sentiments.”

The pirates simultaneously cheered! They were ready to bleed and strive, but on one side after risking their lives in a wild slaughter they would only receive a word of thanks from their ally. On the other side, they could avoid the chaos, and carry their plundering. Even a fool would choose the better path.

Ammand’s wit was profound, just a light sentence was needed to steal Sheyan’s suggestion as his, he completely marginalized him.

“Xiaer, Matt.”

“This time you guys lead the way, bring a few young guys with you! But don’t bring too many to prevent other bastards from catching onto us, the quick-footed will climb up first.” After calling out these two names, his lips curled into a sinister grin!

“The peace has been established for far too long, they actually made the first move against the pirates! Let them have a taste of blood and steel!”

Electing Xiaer was not at all by chance, logically it should be the chief officer Harry that should lead, however his head injury from the Paragon fleet battle had not healed completely. Therefore, Xiaer was naturally the next in command, but for Blind Matt this vice crew head, his election seemed to be random but was actually considered. The Fokke family had governed Tortuga port for an entire 70 years, the riches it contained should probably pile up like mountains, once breaching through, the rewards would be immeasurable.If he did not have his trusted aide in Blind Matt to keep watch, how would Ammand let Xiaer go in peace?

Ammand as a ship’s commander had already elaborately considered, as a future pirate lord, Ammand was obviously not someone that would be easily blinded by riches. Although Tortuga castle’s hidden 70 years of wealth was simply alluring, tonight’s events were extremely strange. The Black Pearl was actually assaulted by Little Lord Fokke, according to logic, both like-minded legendary pirate ship actually chose to spectate. At least half of the pirate ships were also biding their time. Under such circumstances, risking danger and attacking is essential, but more critically they had to first locate a retreating route for the Bell ad Mug! Furthermore Ammand’s perceptive sensing was outstanding, he could feel a faint feeling of extreme danger in his heart. Thus, he calculated that he should not step out of his own ship tonight.

From Ammand’s perspective, by staying guard on this ship, then when the pirates return from a rewarding journey, they would return to the Bell and Mug. Furthermore if there was an unforeseen hazard, Ammand could immediately raise his sails and flee. This ship was specialized in speed, if their pursuers were neither the Black Pearl nor the british royal navy flagship, they had nothing to fear and could easily escape! Therefore, keeping watch is Ammand’s exceptionally shrewd behavior, it was a brilliant move that could easily attack or retreat.

Time rapidly sped by, very swiftly almost 2 hours had past. The battle atop the Black Pearl continued, Ammand’s good pirate captain friends sent bits and pieces of reports overtime.

In the report it mentioned that during 5 in the afternoon, Tortuga castle had dispatched its butler to invite the captain of the Black Pearl and its chief officer Jack Sparrow to attend a banquet. Saying that they needed to negotiate about this year’s sugar cane quota. However only Old Jack attended while chief officer Jack Sparrow did not.

Another report mentioned that someone spotted the chief officer Jack Sparrow at the west of the island.

The last piece of report mentioned that somehow Tortuga castle had obtained news of the pirates wanting to revolt against the port and ransack it. Therefore, they took the first strike.

All this information was extremely messy, truths and false could not be differentiated. This witty Ammand actually sunk into a period of deep thinking. Attempting to connect such a messy picture and seek for the truth now was simply an arduous and unrewarding journey. There was one crucial point: Sheyan may not be the only person that thought of Tortuga castle’s slim defence at the moment. The reason why Sheyan’s primary reaction amidst this social upheaval was because he already had some sort of mental preparation for this situation. Furthermore, triggering this atrocity of plundering Tortuga castle and even thousand of other scenarios were earlier swirling through Sheyan’s mind previously. Therefore, he appeared calm and cool-head in the face of such an event.

Visibly, a few pirate ships had already begin to raise their skull flags, and started to send their subordinates to rush into the familiar streets of Tortuga, except this time they frantically brandished their sabres and held the identity of a pirate instead of a civilian. Instead the merchants or workers in the port were also not sitting ducks, thus in a brief moment, the entire bustling tortuga port was thrown into a smoky bloodbath.

Ammand towered at the tip of the Bell and Mug, his back was perfectly straight. He folded his hands and gazed at the distant and chaotic tortuga port, his gaze had gradually intensified. Standing beside him, Sheyan was also breathing deeply in the faint traces of smoke brought about by the breeze of the Caribbean sea. It seemed like he was concerned, but deep within his heart was a cold grin.

“Things were actually going as planned….”

To the Sheyan who single-handedly constructed this storyline, he could clearly guess what Ammand was worrying about. It was obviously the small plundering task force that comprised of Blind Matt and Xiaer. Based on the time, if things went smoothly for the task force, they should have already sent back a report, any delays would undoubtedly mean two possibilities:

A possibility: After successfully infiltrating into the defenceless Tortuga castle, they looted an immense amount of treasure.

B possibility: The infiltration was not smooth, casualties were heavy.

If possibility A arises, then the pirates enroute back to the Bell and Mug had lost control due to the chaos happening on the streets of the port. After those red eyed greedy pirates had noticed Xiaer’s group carrying the huge loot, even fools could guess what they would do! Xiaer’s group would definitely be surrounded and suffered heavy casualties!

No matter what the outcome, this dispatched pirate task force would definitely suffer from the lack of manpower! This was definitely not what Ammand hoped to see, the Bell and Mug had already recently lost too many capable members. Once this dispatched task force met with any accidents, Ammand’s personal powers could no longer be described as heavy injuries, it was like sliding down by 1 grade. This was not inclusive of the spoils of war that they successfully looted.

In a moment, the surrounding people all recognized Ammand’s hesitation and hard-pressed predicament, but nobody said anything, nobody dared to say anything. This scenario had sunk into an embarrassingly silent situation, only the sound of waves and muffled fighting was clear to the ears. Ammand gazed at the blazing red Tortuga night sky, his right hand subconsciously pressing onto the hilt of his sword, clutching it tightly and loosening his grip. Clutching again and loosening, it seemed like a decision was tough to make.

Suddenly Sheyan gasped.

In the gathering dusk, the sea humbly swayed.

Sheyan stood at the edge of the ship, his body apparently blending into the deep and boundless sea. It brought an unexplainable mysteriousness and peculiarity.

His gasp sounded like correlated with the ocean’s tide, after awhile he finally said a sentence.

This sentence was directed while looking into Ammand’s eyes. It was extremely sincere, coming from the bottom of the heart.

But only a well-informed person could decipher the degree of shamelessness carried in this phrase! This phrase had been planned for a long time, painstakingly with much effort. But this phrase completely striked the crux of this puzzle, thus completely revealing his real intentions of this set up at the end!

Chapter 88: Good Brother

Tortuga port was buzzing with violence, there was still a concern for the small force that was dispatched out, sending out any reinforcement team would be Ammand’s only reassuring choice. However, this ship still had an X factor, Sheyan! This was the greatest reason for Ammand’s hesitation! To Ammand, Sheyan is extremely talented but someone that had not completely won over his trust. Unsure why, Ammand always had a queer feeling in his heart. Sheyan was like a double-edge sword, using it well would bring great destruction to his opponents, but if he managed it wrongly, then it would turn around and stab him!

The question posed to Ammand now was: Personally, he needed to stay on the Bell and Mug to maintain command of the ship, a ship without a captain is like a coat without its fur. If something crops up on the ship, it was like placing his own fate into someone else’s hands. Currently his chief officer Harry was still injured, the only capable underling he had was Sheyan. However if he used Sheyan, and Sheyan turned disloyal at the sight of riches….. Blind Matt’s prestige is lower than his, and Xiaer’s combative ability is not stronger, this will land him in an extreme situation of dead loss, like a chicken flying into its coop only to find its eggs broken!

“Let me go! Captain, let me bring others to assist our brothers!”

Sheyan resolutely and decisively pleaded.

Seeing Ammand’s emotionless expression, he continued sincerely pleading.

“Please believe in me, even if I lose this life, I will definitely bring my brothers back safely! But if….. If any mishaps were to happen, please take good care of my cousin!”

Sheyan’s reasoning was obvious: Ammand still had a ‘hostage’ aboard! Even if he didn’t trust Sheyan, there was still his cousin to factor in. But even after that he still rejected, then he would seem extremely obnoxious to the others for having such unreasonable suspicions.

If Chris was still here, he would have frantically run up and cried out to Ammand. Holding onto Ammand’s leg to beg him to do a DNA test, and persistently reject any form of relationship with Sheyan.

At the front of the Bell and Mug was like a relatively classified authorities meeting, don’t talk about participating, Chris would be immediately stopped by the cold blades of the pirates if he even went near!

After Sheyan finished speaking, the veins on Ammand’s forehead were pulsing like dragons. This ‘cousin’ of Sheyan was extremely renowned, his close relationship with Sheyan had been widely publicized by that big mouth of his. Even the rats and cockroaches on board could recite their entire relationship.

However, to this willy old fox Ammand, even though this news was widely publicized personally, he held a degree of disbelief. This was until someone reported that Chris used Sheyan’s name to borrow a lump of money, while Sheyan did not make a big fuss but was willing to lose a family fortune’s worth to be his guarantor. Only then did Ammand believed that there was something special about their relationship, something important that could easily prevail within the human heart. Loyalty was definitely placed ahead of money!

Several people who normally brag about righteousness and helping the needy for justice, but they would turn timid in the face of death. They were willing to share the riches but not willing to go through thick and thin with you. Some people were willing to risk their lives for you at a critical time, but still be unable to resist the temptation of money. They loved money more than their lives. Ammand had seen far too many people turned shameless when stuck between the choice of loyalty or money. Therefore, he secretly believed in the brotherhood between Sheyan and Chris who had gone through the test of money.

Yet believing was one thing, and trusting was another. Ammand placed arms behind his back as he paced back and forth, his eyes radiating with glow of a risky gambler. His body was enveloped in a shade.

The truth was, ever since the uprising within the port started, Ammand’s heart harboured a grave premonition of a critical crisis. Therefore, being forced to a point where he had no choice but to dispatch Sheyan, Ammand’s expression was heavy and persisted in his silence.

At this moment, a creaking sound travelled from the hold of the ship. A huge and sturdy figure appeared, his shiny head was wrapped with a white bandage, it was Ammand’s most trusted chief officer, Scarface Harry. Even though his expression looked quite dispirited, an overbearing aura of vitality could be felt from his body.

“I’ll go with Seaman Yan! We can look after each other.”

If Ammand’s most trusted confidante, Scarface Harry, was willing to accompany Sheyan, then he would naturally be free of worries and hesitate no longer. But Ammand looked at the white bandage wrapped on Harry’s head, the veins in his eyes intensified densely, he could not help hesitating as he said:

“But your wound……”

Scarface Harry seemed to look fine in front of any onlooker, but the fact was something that only he and Ammand knew. Actually, his wound hadn’t recovered one bit. After receiving the damage to his head, his state was like a roller coaster, but inclined to a worsening trend. Away from the sight of others, Harry would frequently vomit and his headaches felt like someone was using a knife and scraping the innards of his brain. Comparing to the modern time diagnosis methods, it should be the severe cerebral concussions resulting in terrible repercussions.

Scarface Harry could see through Ammand’s dilemma. The silver glow flickered on his body, trying very hard to concentrate as he offered a smile saying.

“This time’s operation was obviously led by our crew head, I only impulsively spoke out due to my plentiful years of survival instincts.”

Scarface Harry’s words were extremely humble, but actually it was giving Ammand a reason to send him.

“Don’t worry, I’m only there to observe the boy. He will be the one at work. If there is any suspicious movement, I can easily command others to eliminate him.”

Ammand turned around to look at the rummaging flames within Tortuga port. He could more or less confirm that Xiaer had met with trouble, or else Blind Matt would have already sent someone back to report. He glanced at Scarface Harry, nodding as he made his decision.

“Alright! With you two working together, I need not worry.”

After speaking, Ammand drew out that glowing silver sword of his, tossing over the sword accurately towards Scarface Harry.

“Catch! I am absolutely safe aboard, I have no need for it. But it will be a huge aid in a critical time.”

Harry caught it single handedly as he bowed his head. The reason why Ammand transferred his sword was not to guard against Sheyan, but he was scared that Xiaer who was competing against Harry for prestige would make any moves on him. As a pirate captain of extremely high prestige, his personal sword would be extremely useful in a critical time. Especially in an extreme case to pressure into submission any pirates who had conspired and staged a mutiny. This may seem excessive to say, but it was akin to a nameless foot soldier being able to enter any area in the military camp, and even proclaim death to a high authority figures with an imperial edict.

Sheyan was spectating such a well crafted emotional performance by the side, his expression became a little grim unknowingly. Scarface Harry following him was obviously outside of his calculation. Speaking truthfully, this guy’s outstanding 30 points in physique undoubtedly caused Sheyan to be fearful. Because 30 points in physique did not merely mean a vast life points, it also translated to an impregnable defence!

Besides, Scarface Harry had a known ability called big heart, which would award him an additional 1000 HP. In addition, the faint silverish light on his body was clear, seeming to result from strong equipment. Even worse, if Scarface had other unknown titles to his name, he would definitely raise in strength. If Sheyan wanted to take advantage of this crisis in this battle, he needed to have a blitzkrieg strategy (One that would bring about a swift victory). But after adding this new variable, his plans had became more complicated.

His only consolation was that Scarface Harry’s head was injured, and this injury did not look light.

The rescuing pirates were swiftly selected and dispatched. Based on the previous lesson, Ammand already held great confidence in Sheyan’s managing and rallying capabilities. With this the entire Bell and Mug was united as a whole force. Only 20 men stayed with Ammand, these guys were mostly the sick and aged. Their only reason for staying was in order to quickly sail the Bell and Mug out in case.

Looking at the pirate group disembarking in a single file, with Scarface Harry and Sheyan leading the pack, Ammand’s eyes flickered with chill. He gestured to the remaining vice officer Robben, whispering.

“Choose 4 men to watch over Chris. Once that bastard makes any suspicious move, immediately capture him and report to me. I want him alive, if he manages to escape, then you guys can forget about living.”

Robben nodded his head repeatedly in fear and trepidation under Ammand’s glare. Ammand continued.

“Remember, you are the vice officer of the Bell and Mug. Never forget your position.”

Upon hearing that, Robben lowered himself even more, eventually kneeling to represent his loyalty. Ammand was obviously satisfied with the effects of his words, waving his hands at him to leave. Presently even though the manpower was inadequate on board, these few were Ammand’s old goats, there was no cause for doubts towards their devotion. After Xiaer and company came on board, Ammand’s control of the entire ship was roughly 70%, but currently it could be said to be 100%! Under such circumstances, Ammand personally believed that even if Sheyan stayed he could not stir up a ruckus, what more that weakling Chris?

Chapter 89: Castle

The formerly busy districts had declined into crimson dyed streets, with raging flames reflecting cries and curses. The wild laughters of the pirates echoed throughout the once peaceful for 70 years port. After going ashore, the chosen pirates stood around disorganized, they had a fanatical expression, filled with an urge to move about. If not for the stress of Harry’s authority and Sheyan’s cruel methods, they would have immediately rushed in to join the fun and loot something for themselves.

After a series of profanities and commands, the pirates of the Bell and Mug swiftly made their way towards Tortuga castle. Their motivation behind this was obviously the rumoured ‘mountains’ of riches within the castle. During their journey, they stomped through numerous warm corpses. Still able to smell the remains of the fight from the smoke and blood, excitement surged inside of many senior pirates as they raised their weapons and roared.

Sheyan who had never experienced such a despondent scenario became a little distracted, but he immediately steadied his emotions, shouting loudly at the nearby pirates to quicken their pace. Ordering them to slaughter anyone obstructing without hesitation! Such barbaric behavior would normally stir up a huge calamity, however in this currently lawless and chaotic port, it undoubtedly raked in great effects.

“Look!” A pirate at the front cleverly picked up a small piece of cloth. “This is Old Buqi’s, looks like they used the same route to the castle.”

Sheyan received that piece of cloth, noticing that on its rough surfaces there were no blood stains. His eyes flickered, while his pupils contracted as he raised his voice loudly exclaiming.

“Let’s hurry up! Old Buqi was so excited that even his bandana was thrown aside. Our companions are still waiting for us to move the mountains of treasures!”

The blood boiled within the surrounding pirates as they raised their sabres and daggers in wild exasperation! Hastening their pace as they started running. Originally, Scarface Harry also wanted to take a look at that piece of cloth, but at this point in time, Sheyan was already leading a group of men and sprinting ahead. A bone shattering pain electrified within his head. He immediately grabbed a pouch of rum and gulp down mouthfuls to numb the pain, before enduring the pain and joining up with the rest.

Once this group of pirates reached the entrance, they realized this majestic and towering castle was unexpectedly entirely dark. It brimmed with a deathly stillness, as though it had been abandoned for centuries. The only thing left behind were ghastly shadows, cobwebs and its glamorous lights were like a exhausted fantasy. The castle main doors were widely opened, and within it was a pitch-black darkness as though a ferocious huge beast was waiting for its food inside the darkness. It was like the former advance force had completely evaporated into the thin air!

Faced with such a strange image, the pirates became quiet. Only the crackling sounds of their torches could be heard, as the pirates glanced at each other in hopelessness. Some faces even turned cowardly. Within their minds, they imagined it to be heavily-guarded or in a state of great confusion, this sort of strange picture was something they had never encountered before.

This was the time where Sheyan should make a decision. He trotted towards the side of Harry and lowered his voice saying.

“This is probably a bluff by the enemy.”

Scarface Harry dropped his tone and spoke.

“Why’d you say so?”

Sheyan calmly replied:

“Based on my prior understanding of the situation, Little Lord Fokke took the lead in acting against the Black Pearl. This meant that he would have ample time to plan and prepare of that assault. Presently, Little Lord Fokke’s main forces are aboard the Black Pearl, there are not many guarding the castle. Thus, he had to resort to this cheap tactics, once his enemies separated after entering the castle, he would wither their forces slowly. If not, wouldn’t it be better to shut the castle gates and repel any hostile aggressors?”

“Then how about Xiaer and the rest?” Harry replied.

Sheyan raised his voice in resolution.

“I reckon that they should have entered the castle and splitted up in search of the treasures. They should still be trapped within. If we immediately enter, we may still be in time to save them!”

Presently, Sheyan was the main person leading, Scarface Harry was only responsible in keeping watch. Even though he could smell something fishy, but after bearing with this unending torturing pain, he could no longer think of any reason to refute Sheyan. Furthermore, Sheyan went ahead and announced his deductions to the pirates. Based on his prior reputation, even if someone felt suspicious they could only keep in within their chest.

Following that, Sheyan divided the pirates into 6 groups, one group contained at least 20 pirates. Each group was distributed fairly in terms of combat abilities of short or far range, and nobody could be fussy about it. After that, he once again utilized the prospects of the treasures to rally the pirates, and finally led the charge into the darkness of the castle.

Since Sheyan adopted a ‘follow me” approach instead of the “listen to me” one, Scarface Harry was also embarrassed to remain at the back as he led another group into the castle. Since their heads were willing to set the example, what could the other pirates say? In additional the infiltrating forces boosted their courage as they roared and charged in. Based on their initial arrangement, whenever a group would meet another crossroad, they would divulge into smaller groups to search. Very quickly, the massive Tortuga castle cut up the six groups and swallowed them in.

After splitting into small groups, Sheyan still led his group at the front. However, he seemed to be extremely relaxed, as though he had confirmed that his surroundings were adequately secured. It was not in the least on guard. Furthermore, Sheyan’s prestige wasn’t lower amongst the pirates, the pirates following him were naturally remained silent and occasionally uttered a sentence or two. Initially this absolute silence felt extremely grave.

The furnishings within the castle were relatively gorgeous, the shining torch brightened up the area as it revealed a velvet carpet beneath their stomping footsteps. Its delicate design was a given, its furry sensation felt extremely cozy giving these pirates a whole new experience. However, those valuable objects like gold plated candlesticks or cutleries were strangely missing, obviously already hidden by their owners which supported Sheyan’s initial conclusion. Suddenly, one of the front pirate halted, pressing his hands on the hilt of his blade, he turned around and exclaimed urgently.

“Careful, I can smell blood!”

The others instantly gasped, and simultaneously discovered the faint blood smell in the air. To these merciless robbers, this was obviously an extremely familiar aroma. The atmosphere tensed up as a few pirates drew their weapons. Sheyan placed this torch nearer to the ground, as he discovered a faint brown bloodstain on the thick and spongy carpet. Following this blood trace, they came to a stop abruptly by a tough granite wall.

“It’s a hidden passage!” An excited pirate said out with a shivering voice. This blood trace was broken of in front of the granite wall after making a bend, that injured person could not have suddenly evaporated right? The only explanation was he fled into the hidden passage! If it weren’t for the guiding of the blood trace, who would have thought this durable and thick granite wall would have a hidden passage behind it?

After realizing this lead, the pirates scrambled about in search of a clue. These old foxes were naturally experts in such a field, they very quickly discovered a small lever beneath the carpet. Two pirates expanded their strengths to pull and drag the lever, and suddenly a heavy and dry mechanical sound creaked out from within the wall. Following that, the granite wall shook and gradually raised itself, exposing a secret and dim pathway.

Under the torch’s illumination, the floor of the secret passage was filled with scattered and adorable looking twinkles. The breathing of the pirates turned heavy, gold coins sparkling, beautiful cutleries and glossy silk cloths scattered around the hidden passage. This looked to be the result of a hasty renovation. Undoubtedly, these pirates emitted a greedy croak from their throat as they pouched on the treasures. Only Sheyan stood still while still raising his torch, his expression was peculiar, it looked somewhat sympathetic and somewhat relieved.

Following that he threw down his torch, taking a deep breath, he exerted force in his right shoulder to heavily bang against a sliding window at the side! The rusty hinges of this window surrendered under the immense force, distorting and finally breaking apart. The colourful glass of the window shattered in a flash, as the fragments shot all from all angles. Yet Sheyan seized this opportunity to dive out of his castle, bending his knee and sucking in his stomach as he landed on the ground!

His sole landed first, followed by the arch of his foot. At the moment his foot came into contact with the ground, he shifted his centre of gravity forward as he directed the force forward. Sheyan could feel an immense pain transmitted from his feet to his elbows. But it was only a superficial pain as he rolled 5-6 times forward. Afterward he casually pushed himself up from the ground. Although he fell from the third floor of the castle, his execution was perfect as he only suffered light injuries. He did not lose even one-fifth of his life points. Presently he was not in a combat state, therefore after 5 minutes his HP would naturally regenerate fully.

Sheyan fished out that semi-torn bandana from before, humby sighing.

“I’m sorry, I already knew this was a trap but I still brought you guys in.”

Chapter 90: Prison!

Although that small cloth seemed useless,with critical thinking, one would be able to find several suspicious points. What was a bandana used for? Obviously to wrap the head. For the exceptionally charming Jack Sparrow, it was used as an alluring aesthetic. Most pirates used it for warmth and to shield against the rain. There were no corpses near the spot where the bandana was discovered , that meant that this should have been placed down by the owner on purpose. Looking at the torn and jagged side of this cloth, it should have been ripped apart instead of being sliced off from a sharp weapon. Therefore, what would a pirate tear apart his bandana underneath a random tree be thinking? The bandana was a cloth that was the least likely to be dirtied, therefore, it was obvious that the most logical explanation was that it was used to wrap a wound!

If this deduction was true, Sheyan can then conclude several other points of this. If the owner of this bandana, Old Buqi, had wrapped his wounds well and fled to the Bell and Mug, then they should have met him long ago. This clearly points to the fact that Old Buqi obviously had no plans to head towards the ship. This will then lead to several other possibilities.

The most possible was that after Old Buqi reaped such a massive benefit, he was unwilling to share and fled off. Furthermore he knew this action would incur the wrath and pursue of the Bell and Mug, therefore, either this object’s worth must have been richly blinding or that the threat of the Bell and Mug had declined to an acceptable level for him to commit such atrocities. Old Buqi’s capabilities were extremely mediocre, the chances of acquiring a precious and rare object was small, therefore, the second explanation is the most logical. That was Xiaer and Blind Matt’s groups had suffered from a huge assault, the other pirates became hugely disorganized and thus it gave birth to such a despicable notion of running away after gaining some profits.

Of course another possibility was that Old Buqi had met with some terrifying mishap inside the castle, after the calamity he had lost all sense of rationality causing a nervous breakdown which eventually led him to flee in horror. However, it was contradicting that a person that has lost his senses would pause to wrap his wound, but still the odds of it happening was still relevant.

Whatever the case, Tortuga castle was like a lion’s den, full of danger at every corner. Sheyan was willing to boldly charge in because he understood one thing. After laying down his trap, a good hunter would wait for all his prey to take the hook before raising the fishing net. He would not want to alert the horde when only one of his prey had entered the trap. Upon seeing that ‘luckily’ discovered hidden passageway, he immediately knew that it was a trap. The one behind this obviously capitalized on the pirate’s greed and looting nature to trick them in. If not for those treasures not holding much worth towards a contestant like Sheyan, he may have also been blinded by such benefits.

Currently inside Tortuga castle, shoutings of curses, cries and even gunshots could be heard. Only these sounds were pretty muffled, as though it came out from enclosed rooms. Following that flashes of flames could be seen, as fuzzy silhouettes could be seen pacing back and forth around the corridors.In this sort of picture it was hard to fathom who had the upper hand. Looking at this, Sheyan’s deduction was spot on, the current manpower of Tortuga castle was inadequate. However due to Sheyan’s scheming measures, he distributed the pirates into 6 small teams in order to allow the guards to trapped them in, giving them a chance to annihilate the pirates.

Sheyan’s painstaking planning, was actually to wither out the forces from both sides. Although the Tortuga castle guards were relatively powerful and held the a favourable location advantage, they had already clashed with the teams under Xiaer previously. Currently they were locked in battle with the valiant Bell and Mug pirates, even if they were victorious it would still be a tragic ending. The pitfalls and booby traps within the castle would also have been wasted on the pirates.

If Sheyan seized the opportunity now and entered, the worst possible scenario would be to finish off the already heavily wounded guards, receive their key loots and retreat. The best scenario would be to acquire the mouth-watering and legit 70 years collection of wealth within Tortuga caste! Even though he would not be able to bring everything with him, he could still hand-pick several items. This would earn him immense profits, and also hugely raise his reputation. This sort of situation was exceedingly better as compared to being an always suspected crew head under Ammand.

Time sped by. After waiting for a while, Sheyan tidied up his appearance to look relatively worn out and even wiped on fresh blood on his face. Coupled with his staggering footsteps and dark expression, he looked like a person that was on the verge of fainting. He once again entered into the castle, tiptoeing quietly towards the sounds of fighting.

The eerie pitch-black feeling of his castle was as dense as before, and the stench of blood was piercing to the nose. Sheyan did not follow the stone steps and ascend the building this time, rather he followed the dark corridor on the right as he felt his way along. The reason he did this was simple, because rumour has it that most of the treasures were all hidden in a secret underground lair beneath the castle. Sheyan equipped his ‘Intoxicated man’ title and gulped down a mouth of rum, thus raising his explosive strength. Because there may be traps ahead, his every step was extremely steady, taking gentle steps one at a time.

A gentle flame could suddenly be seen in the darkness ahead. Following that were curses and pathetic wailing cries. This cry was very familiar, it was one of Scarface Harry’s trusted aide. Normally emotionless even in the face of crisis, who knew what terrifying experience he had just went through. The cries gradually weaken, it was obvious that the victim was nearing the end of his life. Another trembling voice echoed.

“No, Don’t come near! Freaks! Oh Lord, God, please open your eyes. If anyone can save me from this depth of hell, I am willing to give up my life and be his loyal servant!”

Sheyan had already felt the entrance of the door, he took a furtive glance inside. He could see a hidden passageway exposed within the castle room, the passage was flooded with dripping blood. Blood was splashed everywhere, as though someone had taken basins of blood and aggressively splashed away. Such was the tragic battle that had occurred. Flames could be seen at the end of the passageway, constructed there was a heavily enforced cell. Its surrounding walls were crafted with massive rocks piling up, looking similar to a firm city wall.

Within the cell were three men dressed in black tight fitting chain armour. The chain armour seemed to not only have excellent craftsmanship, it was made with superior quality materials. In this world, this equipment was similar to the special forces bullet proof vest in America. These three men had their backs against the door, silently standing. Their shadows were elongated by the blazing flame, their skin was abnormally pale, this caused the atmosphere here to be particularly sinister.

From Sheyan’s angle he could see a pirate bounded to a stone chair on the right side. Although he could not see his face, he could tell this pirate was badly frightened, his entire body violently shivering. Through the gaps of the three clad in black armour men, a stone platform could be seen. On the platform should be a victim, tied up and tortured. The limbs of that person gave out a final twitch, and obviously submitted to his fate. His miserable ending also smashed the hopes of the other guy in captive.

Sheyan inhaled a deep breath of blood stench. He once again activated his ‘insight’ ability and started probing out the strength of these 3 guys. If he had to take a huge risk, then he would leave without hesitation! To him, saving the other guy was secondary, the most important was retaining his strength to acquire the treasures inside the castle.

After once again expending 100 utility points, a flow of information of these 3 guys streamed in and displayed itself in front of Sheyan.

Black guard.

Tortuga castle elite guard.

Status (Injured)

Description: They have been affected by witchcraft; decreased feeling of pain, various attributes increased, but lifespan has been greatly shortened.

Height: 5 foot 4 inches

Weight: 80 kg

Strength: 10 points (Injured)

Agility: ? points

Physique: 8 points

Perceptive sensing: 6 points

Charm: 8 points

Intelligence: 7 points

Spirit: 7 points

Basic close combat lvl 3, basic endurance lvl 1

Elite guard category passive ability: Lethargy lvl 1, Blackguards speed of blood flow is affected by a chilling frost, flowing speed is greatly reduced, immunity to blood loss effect.

Elite guard category passive bility: Zombie lvl 1, A portion of the blackguard’s soul has been offered to its owner, they would not be affected by fear or negative effects.

Elite guard category passive ability: Tenacity lvl 2. Additional bonus of 300 HP.

Lifepoint upper limit value: 177 points (Injured)

Looking at these 3 injured fellows, and after considering his interests, Sheyan made a decision in his heart. Shutting his eyes, he regulated his breathing as his muscles started to loosen up, and tense up, and then loosening again. He already made a decision, that was to get rid of these 3 guys and save the guy. At this time, a black guard suddenly shouted.

“If you refuse to talk, we will commence our punishment. You’ve already seen, once this sentence has been placed on you, even if you immediately divulge information, you will still die. Therefore, this is your last chance of survival.”

Chapter 91: Sickening Torture

The tone of this guard was flat and the interval between each words were consistent. It was extremely precise, and held no trace of emotions. Thus, each word carried an intense confidence, giving the listening party a feeling of trust. This pirate captive trembled violently, and the clattering sound of his teeth could even be heard. He suddenly frenziedly shout out:

“Please just kill me with one blow!”

The black guard coldly replied:

“Commence!”

At this moment, Sheyan’s calf tensed up, exploding out with great power. His body seemed to slightly lean back and all of a sudden exploded forth with unbelievable speed. He extended out his limbs parallel to the ground, booming forward to the nearest black guard with his fist. Because his fist carried such speed, it created a faint but audible sound inside this enclosed cell.

The black guard’s reacted swiftly. After hearing movement, he immediately tilted his body and pressed his right hand against his waist, conveniently using the scabbard to block Sheyan’s fist. This movement could be said to carry both defensive and attacking nature. Once he blocked Sheyan’s fist with the scabbard, he would instantly draw out his blade and swing at Sheyan’s head.

Instead, Sheyan lips curled into a cold grin. At the instance where his fist connected with the scabbard, a terrifying metallic brilliance glowed on his left arm! Following that, the malevolent looking cobalt steel exoskeleton emerged, covering his fist, forming into a metal fist. It wildly smashed onto the scabbard, causing a gloomy distorting sound on it, and was instantly blown away. This one fist carried the full force that Sheyan was slowly building up, an unstoppable force pounded against the waist of the black guard.

Even though this blackguard was equipped with superior chain armour, this sort of defence was only great against slashing, stabbing or any form of sharp weapon. It provided very little defence against attacks like punches, banging or any pressuring blunt weapon. Receiving such a blow directly from Sheyan, it obviously dealt tremendous damage! The formidable might of the ‘intoxicated man’ title was demonstrated evidently through a horrifying depression at the guard’s waist. Naturally, the skeletal joints had also been shattered. A mix of blood and bits of organs shot out from his mouth, forcing down a gurgling sounds. The spurting blood dyed everything nearby, red!

Such a well-built, clad in excellent black chain armour, guard was actually blown away by Sheyan’s punch. Flying in midair as he crashed against the person beside him, knocking him down. The chain armour scraped against the ground, producing a scratching sound, carving up a bitter mutilated scar against the limestone floor. What was weird and appalling was that he did not produce not even a slight groan, as though that awful strike was directed at someone else.

At this moment, the rightmost black guard darted forward in a flash. Using both hands to push off from the table in front, he somersaulted gracefully in midair, towering over and flying towards Sheyan in an awe-inspiring move. Within the dusty saturated air, there was a flash of cold radiance,same as the glowing white fangs of a ruthless wild beast! This guard was using a sword similar to Ammand’s; it was nimble, swift and ruthless.

Currently, Sheyan had already exhausted his old force, and had not yet generated any new force. His eyes blazing with a fiery glow as he could only twist his hand around and pinch the incoming blade!

The sharp blade swiftly slashed against his palm, yet, the driving force did not lessen as the ferocious thrust produced a grinding finger bone sound. Still, it forcefully pushed through and stabbed into his lower rib!

“You received an enemy’s stab! Damage of 86 points. After activation of innate ability, total HP reduced by only 43 points!”

Concurrently, Sheyan bent his knee, furiously smashing it against the crotch of the black guard who presented himself in front of him. His knee carried such force that even his pain from his own injury was fully unleashed in this one strike. Bypassing the cloth of his pants, Sheyan could feel two oval shaped ball like object splitting open with a loud “thump!” These mysterious black guards were also human, they should similarly feel pain, or panic and confusion (although lessened). Upon seeing this close proximity guard’s expression twitching, a thread of elation swept through his heart. Suddenly, inhaling and exerting force, he raised his left fist, as the cobalt steel exoskeleton materialized into two steel fingers. Drenched in warm blood, he pierced deeply into his opponent’s throat, hooking then pulling.

Fresh blood outrageously spurted out. This black guard’s reddish throat was ripped out crazily! His eyes stuck out with rage, clutching onto his throat as he forced out a “Ke Ke” sound. Blood gushed out from the finger sized rift, his entire body stumbling backwards as he leaned against the wall and convulsed. Eventually, he unwillingly collapsed and rolled onto the floor in spasm.

At this point, the formerly knocked down blackguard finally steadied himself up from the ground. He slowly brandished the blade on his waist. Furthermore, the heavily injured by Sheyan’s fist black guard also struggled to get up, standing side by side with his comrade. The both of them understood that their opponent was not so simple. Sheyan’s hand injury looked relatively garish, and the wound beneath his rib was whirling mess of scarlet flesh. It was like a tiny mouth spilling out blood, soaking his clothes thoroughly.

Faced with a 1 vs 2 situation, Sheyan slightly tilted his body with both arms extending out. Although his broken bone could be seen vaguely from his rib injury, his threatening eyes were relentless. It gave an impression of a strangely reserved leopard, dangerously stationary as it gave one a feeling of palpitation and ruthlessness.

This brief visual confrontation lasted only for a few seconds. Suddenly, Sheyan pulled back his right leg, and releasing it on the ground like a relentless thunderbolt. He kicked the heavily wounded and unconscious black guard into the air, as the blood sprayed across the other side. The two black guards were already prepared as they retreated a step back, wary of a sudden attack by Sheyan from this distraction. Instead, Sheyan only gave out a haughty laugh, as he darted to his right. Raising his equipped with the exoskeleton left hand, he smashed down on a nearby iron chain.

Obviously, the iron chain of this era could not compare with the tough and durable ones in the future. Sparks flew as a sharp and clear ring sounded from the chain, it then broke into two. The chains dropped to the floor like two dead snakes. The pirate in captive immediately frantically struggled. Initially being gripped by fear and terror, he suddenly saw a ray of hope. This came in the form of broken iron chain, this was such a pleasant turn of events.

As he struggled without thinking of the consequences, he quickly regained his freedom. Picking up the blade, he cried out in agony as he charged towards the heavily injured black guard. Also, Sheyan aptly kept up with the pace, confronting the other black guard. Most of his attributes held overwhelming pressure over this injured black guard, in a duel he could handle it skillfully with relative ease. However, this blackguard looked extremely serene in the face of such attacks, it was like he completely abandoned his brain mechanisms of fear, depression and frustrations. He seemed to have an aura of never committing mistakes, which caused others to be like a mouse trying to pull a turtle but had nowhere to get a hand grip (Chinese idiom – no clue where to start).

Sheyan still harbored great ambitions, how could he be content to drag time over here? He ferociously swung his body round using his right shoulder to received the enemy’s blade, as his blood gushed out causing him to lose 50 HP. Yet, Sheyan seized the opportunity when the black guard swung to raise his left fist, and ruthlessly smashed down! The black guard’s pupils contracted, he could only toss away the blade in his hand as he used both hands to block his face in resistance. However, his inferiority in strength attribute cost him dearly. As Sheyan’s hand pounded down, the black guard groaned as he staggered backwards with blood leaking at the side of his mouth.

Seizing this chance, Sheyan defiantly stepped forward, once again pounding with his fists. That cobalt steel exoskeleton glistened with bits of glow, as blood on it drizzled around like rain. This black guard could not retreat in time, he could only use his elbow in an attempt to resist.

This time the blackguard’s hurried resistance surmounted to nothing as his elbowed was easily brushed away. “Thump!” This murderous cobalt steel weapon once again struck his throat, causing him to be blown into the air with both legs off the ground. He fell to his death, rolling a few times on the ground, eyeballs and tongue sticking out and a trickle of filthy blood down his lips.

In another short 10 seconds, the remaining heavily injured black guard was easily slayed by Sheyan and the freed pirate. After the battle ended, that pirate bend over at the bloodied stone platform as he weeped with grief.

“Steven! I’ve avenged you, please rest in peace!

At this time, Sheyan was finally able to see clearly the punishment executed by the 3 black guards. Although his mentality was tough, in this moment he still felt nauseous.

That dead pirate, Steven, had all 4 limbs binded to the stone platform. His abdomen clothes had been ripped apart, his belly button was carved apart by something sharp. Following that, his connecting blood sausage like intestines were ripped out and tied to a spinning wheel torture equipment above the stone platform. Once the wheel was spun, the victim’s intestines would be forcefully uncoiled and dragged out, the pain was simply unimaginable!

Chapter 92: Servant

Even in the uncivilized and dark medieval times, this sort of cruel judgement could only be executed by master sorcerers, and were labeled as ‘heresy’! Observing that malevolent and grimace expression of Steven, Sheyan could only sigh and offer a small condolences:

“No matter what, we’ve already avenged him. Right you should be Charlie, how are the rest doing?”

Pirate Charlie hesitated as he looked at Sheyan, he suddenly knelt and exclaimed:

“In my greatest despair I’ve sworn an oath, no matter who saved me, he will win my loyalty till my dying breath! Seaman Yan from the mysterious east, from now on you are my master!”

Sheyan was taken aback, but he very quickly received notifications from his nightmare imprint.

“You managed to rescue storyline character Charlie from the grips of death. Because of his oath, Pirate Charlie has become your servant.”

“During your paused duration of the nightmare realm and world, a servant will continuously consume your utility points as wages, it will not take into account of your return to the present world. The higher the rank of the servant, the more utility points he/she will consume.”

“Your servant is a battle type, upon death his loyalty degree will drop by 10 points. He may drop by 1-2 ranks according to the situation, but can be resurrected with an amount of utility points. The amount of utility points is based on the rank of the servant, and have a directly link to the equipments he is wearing.”

“If a servant’s loyalty degree drops to a defecting level when he dies, then he will be unable to revive.”

“Your current charm is 8 points, once your servant’s loyalty degree drops below 80 points he will exhibited slacking behavior. Once it drops beneath 70 points, there is a possibility of defect.”

“Note: Acquiring a servant is extremely rare, please cherish this opportunity.”

“Do you wish to accept this named servant? Yes / No?”

Sheyan hesitated slightly, but still selected yes. The main deciding factor was because of that sentence “Acquiring a servant is extremely rare, please cherish this opportunity”. After selecting to accept, Pirate Charlie moved to stand behind him looking docile and obedient. Following that the nightmare imprint exhibited a series of notifications.

“Warning: Your servant’s loyalty degree is 55 points, it is within the danger zone.”

“Warning: Your servant’s loyalty degree is 55 points, it is within the danger zone.”

“Please raise your loyalty degree to above 70 points within the 24 hours protection phase, if not there is a possibility of your servant defecting after 24 hours.”

Looking at this warning, Sheyan heaved a sigh of relief. The things pirates adored were money, women, alcohol etc. Once this mission ends, raising his loyalty degree was not a challenge. However, Sheyan was still unclear about the capabilities of this Pirate Charlie, therefore, he started to probe at this person’s introductory information.

Pirate Charlie (Battle type servant): This is a common type character seen within the Pirates of the Caribbean world. His current ranking is 4, experience 1351/5000. After ranking up, his all around attributes will increase. He can also acquire potential points to upgrade his personal skills/abilities.

Current loyalty degree: 55 points. (Remaining protection time of 23 hours 49 seconds)

Basic attributes:

Strength: 8 points

Agility: 11 points

Physique: 8 points

Perceptive sensing: 4 points

Charm: 10 points

Intelligence: 5 points

Spirit: 5 points

Basic close combat lvl 1, basic endurance lvl 1.

Basic advance ability: Light firearms proficiency. This skill allows the user to be adept in using light gunpowder weapons.

Special ability: Pirate lvl 1 (Passive). Movement and attack speed increased by 15 aboard a ship, all attributes increased by 2.

Special ability: Weather-beaten lvl 1. Ability gives a bonus 150 HP to character.

Special ability: Expert Sailor (Active). Using this ability consumes 33 lifepoints of Pirate Charlie, resulting in increase in operating speed of ship’s devices by 15. Duration lasts 10 minutes.

Equipment: Pirate crew shirt (Strength + 1)

Equipment: Pirate crew long pants (Charm + 1)

Weapon: Seaman blade (attacking power 5 – 9). This is a common blade within the pirates of the Caribbean world. It can be used in battle, or used in hacking at sails, multi-application.

Weapon: Manual musket (attack power 8 – 20. Accumulated power) This primitive firearm can occasionally display an unimaginable strength. ‘Accumulated power’: When not in battle state, the probability of explosive power of its next attack will increase with time, every minute will raise probability of explosive power by 1%. Maximum accumulation is 50%, and after firing the accumulated probability will disappear.

Looking at the information of this pirate Charlie, Sheyan felt that this Pirate Charlie was a contrast to mediocre. He was comparatively superior within the sea, and he held great interest in the ‘Accumulated power’ aspect of that musket. Although that ability can only be used once in a battle, but to the Sheyan who was currently lacking in a trick of explosive powers, it was extremely enticing.

After plundering the 3 black guards he killed, he did not discover anything of much value. Their swords included, are only grey objects like sabres etc, together, they could only be sold for about 400 utility points. This sort of stingy loots probably had a linked to their ‘injured’ status before Sheyan attacked. Sheyan hurriedly wrapped the wounds on his body, as his lifepoints gradually regenerated. He then turned around and inquired of pirate Charlie.

“Do you know where Scarface Harry and the rest headed off to?”

Charlie was formerly Scarface Harry’s follower, he was even a close confidante. After Sheyan inquired, he held some hesitations, and remained silent. A raged welled up inside Sheyan, as he suddenly scolded out:

“You better remember your status! Since you’ve agreed to be my servant, then you should prioritize the interests of your master!”

Charlie jolted, immediately describing out:

“That time, I was following boss Harry on the same path, suddenly I discovered a room brimming with golden flickers, within it was a case filled fully with golden coins. Gold coins were scattered around the floor, resulting in everyone charging forward to snatch…..then the entire floor of the room sunk! Throwing everyone into confusion, some brothers were even stabbed by the booby trap below. Then that group of bastards raided us in the darkness, everyone was thrown into a panic as they frenziedly swung their fists at their friends. Finally we managed to escape into a dark corridor. Steven and I searched around and finally discovered a place filled with corpses then…. We got captured.”

Sheyan listened carefully, but he realized there was a certain evasiveness in Charlie’s expression. He instantly knew that this servant had purposely withheld certain information. Sheyan’s primary charm was extremely low, in addition to that he was not compatible with Charlie, and only became his servant because of his oath. His loyalty degree wasn’t high. Furthermore, previously he was Scarface Harry’s trusted confidante, it was natural that he would be holding something back. Just when Sheyan was about to force the truth out of him, he received warnings from the nightmare imprint.

“Warning: Your battle servant, Pirate Charlie, loyalty degree has dropped by 5 points.”

“Warning: Your battle servant, Pirate Charlie, loyalty degree has dropped by 5 points.”

“Please hurry up and raise your loyalty degree with your battle servant. If not once the loyalty degree has slipped to half of the initial value, then even if you have the protection phase, he will still defect.”

Pirate Charlie’s starting loyalty degree was merely 55 points. Half that would mean only 28 points. Sheyan’s eyes flickered, relaxing his expression as he laughed gently.

“Poor Charlie, You are probably still affected by those bastard’s cruel methods right? Why be so tensed up? The reason for finding Scarface Harry, is only to join up with him and the rest, right? Within this cursed castle, it is essential to have the same goals! Don’t tell me you still want to fall into the hands of these bastards?”

Undoubtedly, Sheyan’s last line stirred up great effects. After the trauma of such a abominable torture tactic, his entire body shuddered as he urgently spoke:

“Alright, master, let’s hurry and go.”

Sheyan surveyed his environment, his gaze once again landed on Pirate Charlie. It was obvious Pirate Charlie had avoided an extremely crucial question, that was the contents of the 3 black guards were persistently interrogating him about. However, he did not dare to probe further into this because it may result in the further declining of their loyalty degree. Therefore, to Sheyan, this guy still had an important value. Currently he still needed this Charlie by his side, once all these ended, Sheyan’s lips curled into a cold smile. Sheyan had started living alone at the age of fourteen, he held not much emphasis for such a frail and indecisive servant like Pirate Charlie.

“Oh right, tell me more about the location of the place filled with corpses.”

Sheyan suddenly questioned.

Regarding information excluding Scarface Harry, Charlie described endlessly. Actually, three other divisions had infiltrated into the castle, but their scale was not as large as the Bell and Mug. Some were even acquaintances of Charlie, but they all met their end here. Their dead bodies were even collated and piled up by the black guards, and their arteries were even sliced to release blood, he had no clue what the bodies were being used for. Sheyan listened and reflected. He knew that amongst black magic there were several spells and witchcrafts that required immense amounts of blood. Yet, he did not want to think further, as he advanced silently.

Chapter 93: Verbal Sparring

Pitch-black passage, dense smell of blood and a quiet mournful wailing. This slowly devoured away Pirate Charlie’s soul. Sheyan uncaringly allowed him to walk ahead, while he himself leisurely followed from the back. Shayen sharply noticed, the decorative engravings on the wall had both new and old, the newer ones seemed to have been engraved in the recent years. If he were to differentiate them, it seemed like they were drawn with bizarre letters forming together. Although Sheyan did not understand these letters, he could feel from his sensing a weird chilling feeling that was hard to explain! It was like… the feeling of the underworld.

The floor suddenly shook.

Gently but firm.

It could be felt, that the entire castle was actually shaking!

Sheyan halted his steps, yet Pirate Charlie immediately prone to the ground, this sort of actions made it easy to tell why he was so easily captured before. Very quickly, the second stronger vibrations appeared, Sheyan could even feel that a portion of this massive tower was collapsing. After that, a barely audible and hard to distinguish cheering could be heard, but it was clear that those were the unique cheerings of pirates. Within the darkness, a raging and chilling throbbing could be heard, most of it coming from the guards who were frenziedly pacing about.

“Over here!” Pirate Charlie snapped out of his earlier confusion, using an excited tone saying. “God, they must have defeated those damned bastards! Boss did beautifully, using his sword to stabbed the venomous heart of these cowards in the shadows. He must have infiltrated the Tortuga castle treasury as promised!”

Sheyan’s pupils contracted, infiltrating the treasury? That disunited and split up group of pirates was actually able to achieve the goal? He suddenly realized that his own plans took a sudden twist. This twist only happened because Scarface Harry volunteered himself, but Sheyan only felt he was just a slight nuisance. But now, Sheyan realized that he had been underestimating Scarface Harry all this time, the man who gave him a start by purposely losing in armwrestling.

That scenario was not counted as a defeat caused Shayan to neglect Harry’s other identity, which was the notorious chief officer of the Bell and Mug! The second in command behind captain Ammand! Someone fierce and experienced that had slaughtered thousands during 20 years in the caribbean sea!

The two continued advancing in the darkness for another 10 minutes, they then witnessed a glaring blaze from faraway. Following that 20 over pirates drenched in blood strutted around and out a corner. Although these barbaric and rough pirates looked worn-out like a beggar, their expressions were that of a king. Everyone started to sing aloud and dance about. It was clear by looking at these group of people hobbling about, they carried 4 gigantic chests, and the chests were bound with copper hoops. On the chest were decorative engravings as beautiful as the flooring, of course the twin-headed serpent emblem of the Fokke Family was indispensable as well. Sheyan’s gaze fell on the chest, the notification he got was “Sealed treasures”, and nothing else.

Sheyan just realized Scarface Harry was leading at the front of the group, clutching both his fists, his upper body was leaking with his sturdy muscles. His body was glowing with a layer of silver, like olive oil had been smeared onto it and his facial muscles twitched occasionally. The surrounding pirates gazed upon this bald man as though he was the God of war.

Naturally, Scarface Harry displayed immense strength that was compatible to his reputation, trying very hard to save a crisis. He managed to rescue these victims from the hell of a wrong mistake, wrong location and wrong battle tactics. This led to Sheyan’s plan to crumble into a mess of ruins.

Of course, take note that his plan had only suffered a huge setback, it was not yet defeated.

Sheyan had already successfully persuaded Ammand to release him to go ashore, his scheme had already successfully been laid out. There was only a twist of events, but the only difference was only in how much he would gain from it. Furthermore, defeat was a word that had been temporarily tossed out of his dictionary. When these pirates discovered two persons approaching them from within the direction, then were alarmed and immediately braced themselves, pulling out their weapons. After seeing clearly Pirate Charlie’s face they immediately gasped in shock and cheered:

“Oh! God. Guess who I just saw! It’s actually our Charlie, you damned bastard, you haven’t died yet! It’s f**king great to see you!”

The surviving pirate was no doubt Harry’s trusted aide, therefore, after a series of teasing, Charlie immediately received a warm hearted treatment from the pirates, kneading his head and all. However, Sheyan who appeared behind did not receive the same treatment. Every pirate already knew, their earlier tragedy was because of person’s mistake in judgement! They definitely would not look on Sheyan favourably, and some rough guys even brandished their swords and demanded justice for their fallen comrades.

“Bastard! You still dare to show your face in front of us?” A pirate raged out. His scoldings received the commendations of his comrades, and it seemed like they wanted to overturn the entire castle. Concealed by the uproar, Scarface Harry then stood out, his humongous physique was extremely oppressive. Sheyan could even see the veins on his temple pulsating, the beads of perspiration glowing on his bald head like the morning dew. The usually cheerful and friendly giant appearance seemed to be concealed by greyish dark thunderclouds.

Scarface Harry stared at Sheyan, his expression was like a hungry beast preying on his food. It was like he was about to burst over and behead him! This huge brute raised out his right hand, in this palm were many old fashioned bracelets. These bracelets were crafted with weird materials, some were made with grass, some cut slices from the sail cloth. They were all rough and have traces of bloodstains on them, giving a sorrowful look.

“These, belonged to the brothers who gave it to me before they died. But there are many others who did not even have the chance to pass their bracelets to me! And all this was because of your mistake! Seaman Yan! Your foolish actions has caused many of other comrades to fall to the cold floors of this damned castle. You, let down the expectations of the Great Son of the Black Sea!”

While Harry was speaking, Sheyan could see the dense bulging veins within his eyes. His eyes were bloodshot and even his pupils could not be seen. It blended well with the tense atmosphere now, leaving one with a horrific taste in their mouths. Regarding the contents of that vehement howling, he had selectively disregarded it. To Sheyan, 130 hours and 29 minutes ago he had already calculated such an outcome could happen and was already prepared.

Sheyan looked at Scarface Harry without dreading, raising his own right hand and extending out his fingers he slowly spoke out.

“Regarding your criticisms I will not deny. But even a captured and bounded person, is entitled the privilege of his last words! I have only one question, Harry, I hope you answer me honestly.”

Scarface Harry’s face twitched. It was obvious his own state was not as good as it looked. However, Sheyan’s request was undoubtedly reasonable, he cannot and could not reject it. Unless he immediately acted out and killed him!

“What else do you have to say?”

Scarface Harry’s voice carried a raging explosiveness. Concurrently he took out a wine pouch, and drank from it. Although this may cause the injured part of his head to worsen, Scarface Harry did not care so much anymore.

“Since you criticise that my plan was wrong, then if it were you, what would you do before entering the castle?”

Sheyan replied in a manner that was fitting of his style, swift and aggressive like offense is the best defence! It was like a dagger to the crux of the problem! Harry raised his brows, he knew that Sheyan’s words carried a certain snare. However, his brain had been clouded by the searing pain, it was like numerous needles poking randomly through his ears, straining a huge portion of his mentality.

Yet, Sheyan’s question carried a particular relevance, because more people would have questioned themselves after experiencing a certain event. Most people would have the thought of; “If it were me, what would I do?”. The thrill of placing themselves into the shoes of others in history and trying to change events cause Scarface Harry to be engrossed and hesitant of an answer, also partly because of the pain. Yet, a few pirates started to curse and swear at Sheyan, as they personally answered his question.

“You fool, your brain is infested with worms! Obviously we will stick together and slowly search. Once those rats hidden in the dark move even a hair, we will immediately blast out their innards with our muskets! This way we would not lose half our men, those bastards will know, our blades and gunfire tastes even better than starch and the sea breeze!”

Chapter 94: Words like daggers

Sheyan frowned as he sweeped these pirates with his cold and disdainful eyes. Although he did not say a thing, his contemptuous look revealed his inner mockery. Until the shoutings and the curses died down, Sheyan then raised his voice calmly.

“Respected ladies and gentlemen, what do you take this place for? London’s Oxford street? A random bar? Or a merchant ship that has been captured by you?”

His quick-fired questions in succession caused the pirate’s enthusiasm and rage to suddenly choke back into their throats.

“This is Tortuga castle! The reason we can charge in with blades and torches raised to fill our wrinkled pockets, is because we seized an amazing opportunity that only happens once in 70 years!! If we did what you pictured, a hundred persons grouping up and slowly creeping around this damned castle…..yes, I admit, this perfect plan will guarantee the safety of everyone. But tell me, how long do you intend to take to search the whole building? One day? Two days? Or one week? This cursed castle has rooms as huge as houses!”

Up till here Sheyan then slackened his voice, using a resolute and sarcastic tone he continued:

“Two hours, yes, two hours. But this duration includes us going from our old mate (referring to the Bell and Mug) to here and back again. That is our limit for raiding Tortuga castle! Once we overshoot this duration, then I’m sure, at the castle’s entrance obstructing us would definitely be the Demonic rider himself, the respected Lord Fokke. If not him, then perhaps the chief officer of the Black Pearl Jack Sparrow and his scheming. He may let us leave, but he would definitely required to lay down our weapons and every valuable loot we obtained. Is there anyone who still wishes to question my method? Anyone! F**king step up now!”

Sheyan’s eyes were blazing with an unexplainable fury, as he said to this point. His thundering voice echoed throughout the empty corridors of the castle. These overbearing pirates all started looking at each other in dismay, since they had no words of rebuttal, they avoided eye contact with Sheyan’s eyes. At this critical moment, Sheyan struck out with his already prepared mental dagger.

“Morons, wake up! You think coming here is as easy as going to a random British bank, firing some warning shots, and slapping the asses of the female workers to get money? Every golden coin here carries the blood and the mournful wails of departed spirits! If this was a heaven that easily gave out treasures, then why didn’t Ammand himself lead you guys? You, me and everyone clearly understands, if we could bring such hefty treasures back, even if there was one of us left the Great Son of the Black Sea would still rejoice. But if we return empty handed, even if all our hair remained intact, then all of us would definitely be made to walk the plank! Is there anyone who thinks I’m wrong? Step forward! Step forward ah!!”

“Enough! Shut your damned mouth!” Scarface Harry boomed out with his furious voice. Sheyan’s face was resentful. But that bald head had glaring bloodshot eyes, his facial muscles trembled uncontrollably, it was obvious his rage had hit the limit. If not for that damned searing pain in his head, Scarface Harry would definitely counter argue against Sheyan’s sharp words. Instead the only thing he could do was to shut the mouth of this eastern yellow-skinned monkey!

Sheyan’s last few sentences had already pierced into the hearts of everyone. A dangerous mentality was starting to spread amongst this small group. Some of Sheyan’s words were indeed overboard, but his speech was undoubtedly 70-80% correct. His words unknowingly brought in a feverish instigation to the hearts of the pirates. This had nothing to do with charm, but because Sheyan was good at capturing the dark side of people’s hearts. Furthermore, the pirates were not short of dark sides in their hearts.

A deathly silence ensued, but the formerly raging animosity the pirates had against Sheyan had already subsided by 50-60%. Of course the anger had not fully vanished, but Sheyan had successfully transferred some of it to Ammand. The atmosphere was awkwardly silent, finally Sheyan clapped his hands and tried to rally the pirates.

“Everyone! It looks like you have succeeded in ransacking the treasury of this demonic place. Now what is important is that we can shift these objects to a safer place in one piece. Raise your knees, let us swiftly leave this damnable place!”

Very naturally, Sheyan robbed the hurting Scarface Harry of his script. His bossy orders were obeyed by the silent pirates. Scarface Harry raised his brows, he could smell a strange dangerous feeling from Sheyan. If Sheyan could be said to be a talented and self-effacing knife when he first came aboard, then the Sheyan now was like a raging fire mountain, spitting suffocating smog out and blazing magma!

“Wait till we return and I’ll settle you.” Scarface Harry remained emotionless, he thought to himself harbouring a strong killing intent. No matter what, now was not a good time to deal with Sheyan. Putting personal feelings aside, the critical duty was to deliver these generous treasures back into Ammand’s hands!

At this moment he glanced at his trusted confidante, Charlie. This already missing brat in his memories was now standing by his side laughing and chatting away. Scarface Harry felt a warmth in his heart, he could feel harmony between these filthy greedy pirates beside him already cracking apart. Furthermore, at this point most of his trusted aides were either dead or heavily injured. In this unstable environment, there was nothing better than suddenly having a trusted friend beside him.

This good news lessened Scarface Harry’s searing headache, he immediately pulled pirate Charlie to him and spanked his ass. Using a rough and familiar laughter he teased.

”

“Damned scum, looks like even hell doesn’t want you!”

Pirate Charlie giggled, casually jousting about with Scarface Harry as usual. Beside Scarface Harry, he always acted pretty silly. However, Harry’s next words stumbled him.

“Right, they mentioned you had been captured by those black rats and taken to some hidden room. How did you expose their asses and escape?”

By asking this, Scarface Harry was firstly trying to brag about this man’s courage and determination. Secondly, he was trying to borrow his success to raise the gloomy morale that was suppressed by Sheyan’s few words. Regrettably, he neglected the point that Pirate Charlie had appeared only a few seconds before Sheyan, they came from the same channel!

“I’m sorry, sir.” Pirate Charlie started stammering. “Its….. Its…….”

Scarface Harry’s emotions became a little jittery, he did not notice his subordinate’s peculiar behaviour, slapping his head and scolded.

“I have reminded you thousands of time, speak louder when you talk to me!”

“Yes sir!” Pirate Charlie immediately straightened his voice. “Steven and I after being captured by those scums, our poor Sten had his intestines forcefully dragged out by several metres, in the end he cried up and died. Before I was about to suffer the same cruel fate, Crew head…..”

After uttering crew head, these 2 words, Pirate Charlie witnessed Sheyan coincidentally glancing behind. He immediately remembered his new status and altered his words.

“It was master who rescued me from that nightmare.”

The word master attracted the ears of everyone present. Some were astonished, some were amazed and yet some were….furious! Following that, Pirate Charlier recounted his earlier incidents with a stammering and fast voice. Finally he shrugged his shoulders and spoke with a helpless voice.

“I’m very lucky to still be alive in the face of such despair, therefore I will honour my oath. Sacrificing my freedom to serve my saviour. This is probably my destiny, who knows.”

At this moment, the other pirates started to gaze upon Sheyan with an unusual look. Every one would also wish to have someone selflessly not caring about his own life to rescue them from the verge of death. Yet, Sheyan had done it, and the person he saved was even Scarface Harry’s trusted confidante. This unknowingly gave this pirates a broader and public-spirited sensation. To Scarface Harry, his initial excitement had dropped to an all time low. This sort of feeling of punching the air and having it recoil back to harm him made him want to vomit blood.

They continued advancing with Sheyan at the helm. Presently, he had already understood the earlier happenings. After segregating into six groups, these pirates were like a greedy pack of mice as they quickly dispersed to every corner of the castle. Because of all sorts of booby traps and witchcraft they suffered heavy casualties. At this moment, Scarface Harry stood up, this robust viking that was ferocious as a bear demonstrated explosive and terrifying strength. He led a group of trusted comrades to save two groups of desperate pirates. Afterwards, he purposely released a blackguard during battle and traced his footsteps until they found the castle treasury.

Chapter 95: Bloody Mechanism!

Although the treasury door was extremely hard, so much that even ghosts would give up passing through it, Scarface Harry drank a glass of devil’s medicine, that was heard of in the legends. Using the simplest but crude method of forcing the treasury door open, was the reason that Sheyan formerly felt the entire castle vibrating.

As they are nearing the main doorway of the castle and could even see the rays of blaze coming from the outside. The pirates excitedly roared. Instead, Sheyan sensed an unexplainable danger, a sensation that was like drowning in the Arctic ocean. At this moment, at the corner of his eyes, Sheyan noticed the nearby castle wall. There were numerous decorative engravings, but the newer word character like decorative engravings were more plentiful. Sheyan used his hand to feel against the engraving, he felt a warmth that did not tally with the chill he had in mind.

It was a warmth that was close to body temperature.

“Don’t tell me the guard’s aim for releasing blood is……..”

A fierce and dangerous feeling surged in his heart, his eyes flickered as he glanced at Scarface Harry at the rear end. This bulky brute had beads of sparkling perspiration glowing countlessly in his bald head, he had not engage in any intense activity for the past half an hour, why was he sweating so much? Sheyan’s lips formed into a cold sneer, he abruptly halted his footsteps and shouted out:

“Listen to me! If you guys still wish to enjoy your rum, sunshine, beaches and women, then we cannot advance anymore.”

The group of pirates looked at him in a stupor.

One of Harry’s subordinates, Pirate Sigma, replied with a sarcastic tone:

“What you mean is you want us to turn around, and lawfully return the treasure chest to the respected Little Lord Fokke?”

Sheyan anxiously replied:

“There is a huge danger ahead, believe me, I can sense it. The safest way to leave this castle shouldn’t be by the stairs but by the air. Although the castle’s second floor is high, but i think the most serious consequences of jumping down would only be a little injury to the legs.”

Sigma had already become Harry’s messenger, he immediately argued back:

“Then should we leave the Little Lord Fokke’s chest over here?”

Sheyan sincerely implored:

“Everyone can put in effort to carry some on hand, then we will toss the chest out of the window.”

“Your suggestion will only shrink our loots by more than half!” Sigma laughed coldly as he took out a porcelain from the nearby chest. “Look at this delicate china porcelain! Its as smooth as an infant’s skin, rubbing it is like groping at a sixteen year old virgin’s…… It is worth at least 50000 pounds sterling to any British nobility. But falling from a half a foot high would already cause it to shatter in a million pieces, it is not worth!”

At this point, Scarface Harry coughed gently. It was not because his throat had phlegm but because he wanted the attention to be directed to him.

“We will advance forward……no matter if it’s angels or demons obstructing us, we will equally trample over them!”

“Very good, in order to establish superiority he overruled me.”

Sheyan sighed in his heart, but still remained firm in appearance. He helplessly raised his hands as though he wanted to say something, but the impatient pirates brushed past him in succession. Even his servant Charlie excitedly rushed ahead, but fortunately after running for 10 metres out he remembered his master Sheyan and returned to find him. Currently, Sheyan felt helpless and lonely, he was like a lone upright reef on the seabed. But people normally forget, the tide would quickly subside, but a reef would stand firm for a millennium!

The pirates gape at the glimmer coming from outside the castle gate, frenzy and hope filled their eyes. Already trapped in this darkness enshrouded castle for too long, they could not wait to bask in the familiar and warm sea breeze. Although they were exhausted, they quickened their steps and nobody glanced back to look at Sheyan. Nobody expected that they have already fell into a huge pitfall.

Sheyan shook his head gently as he reclined a few steps back. His perceptive sensing had forewarned him. In actual fact, from a young age Sheyan possessed a strong analytical intuition and meticulous thinking. If not, he wouldn’t have been able to climb to the position of vice captain at the young age of 17 years old.

However, this great scheming ability was not flawless. Its greatest flaw was that it needed adequate thinking period and essential information! In the present world, Uncle Dasi’s sudden case was an emergency, how much buffer time did it gave to Sheyan?

Given Sheyan’s capability at that time, was there a possibility of devising a plan to finish off Huashan Fei? Yes! However he would need 1 year to prepare and arrange everything! Putting it bluntly, under those circumstances, even the smartest housewife cannot cook without rice (Chinese idiom – you won’t get anyway without equipment).

After entering the Terminator world, Sheyan who had just entered the space suffered from all sorts of assault. This was because he was still unfamiliar to the world, he had to familiarize himself with the rules and regulations and even grasp his personal strength and abilities. He was human and not God, if he could still scheme under such circumstances, then his only consequence would be to implicate himself.

Until arriving at this world could Sheyan exhibit fully this outstanding ability bred from his character. Primarily, he had adequate time, upon arriving he was also relatively familiar with the Caribbean Sea world. Furthermore he managed to obtain essential information from different places, and these information were not confined to this world. He obtained it through the shadow of this world as well as his ‘insight’ ability. It can be said that his ability could only be demonstrated through preparation of different factors. But looking back now, his devised schemes still contained some loopholes, luckily lady luck had continually shined on him. That was why his plans had not been ruined, and continued to develop.

It was when the pirates approached the main gate that the air suddenly sounded with a minute for queer sound. This sound was like the murmur of a dried river, or the nibbling of fragments from a mulberry tree. Within the darkness, something had unfolded. Scarface Harry’s brows jumped, he immediately halted his steps. But the giant stone floor of the entrance had already started to reverse abruptly, it became like a towering wall in front of everyone!

Two persons were impaled on the massive spikes of the stone board.. These two faces were extremely familiar with the pirates! They were the previously dispatched navigator Xiaer and Blind Matt who were used to suppress Sheyan. But right now these two had their entire body nailed onto this immense black colored stone board, their fate unknown. But their skin was ghastly pale, it looked like all their blood had been drained out.

Most of them gasped in astonishment, some cried out loudly while others wanted to save them, and yet some recalled Sheyan’s words and backed off. The originally organized group fell into a mess. The pirates were all confused and shocked. “Beng!” another sound floated into the air! That sound seemed to be groanings from the downtown area, if one wasn’t careful in listening and discerning, one would not discover its existence. But once it was discovered, it was already almost within reach!

That was the sharp sound of an arrow piercing through the air!

Based on Sheyan’s judgement, that arrow shot from outside was travelling above a speed of 100 metres/second, it was like a bolt falling down from the 60th floor. Or a rock that was tossed in front of a speeding at 200km car. Such destructive speed was exceptionally astonishing, even an ordinary thumb size thick board would be unable to block against it within 100 metres. What more these exhausted pirates?

Those penetrating sounds recklessly resonated, moving at such high speeds and rotating in midair were these arrows. Its tip carried a cyan phosphorescent. Looking at the long standard body, these iron arrows were fletched using wood. It was made with a ratio of 3 iron to 1 nickel, a standard England manufactured weapon. All around the castle walls were several small indistinct holes which were hard to notice during the daytime. Those arrows were all shot from there, leaving deep holes that looked like carved out eyeballs as it stared viciously.

The pirates standing in the hallway were like wheat being harvested, falling down in successions. In such a matter of life and death, nobody dared to conceal their strength. Naturally the people surrounding Scarface Harry were stronger by a length.

Especially Pirate Sigma who previously argued with Sheyan, he demonstrated an astonishing strength. At the first sign of attack he already instantly drew out his blade, a light blue glow covering the blade, slicing around with thundering power he chopped three incoming arrows into half. Following that he used his empty left hand to fish out this musket, and repelled two arrows heading for Scarface Harry.

However his outstanding performance attracted the attention of their hidden enemies!

As the light blue smoke had not dissipated from the musket, the decorative engravings on the wall suddenly flashed out. At this point, Sheyan sensed an even bigger danger, the hair on his body immediately stood up. He immediately took cover behind a sheltering object. Simultaneously, from a hole on the stone wall, a incomparably blinding ray suddenly exploded out!

Chapter 96: Desperation

The ray emerged without sound nor warning, but following it in the air sounded out a shrilling, whistling as an oval object sped with great trajectory. Its target was obviously Pirate Sigma, and even the dust was blasted into holes in the air. Sigma tried to deflect it with his blade but to no avail as a huge hole formed on his throat by that ray.

Through the empty hole where the merciless throat splitting ray came from, Sheyan managed to catch a glimpse of the scenery behind it before another batch of arrow was loaded in.

��

Since it already taken a life, this throat splitting projectile was not satisfied but even surged with greater intent. Away from Sigma’s fuming but lifeless eyes and while the blood was still gushing out of his throat, it penetrated the chest of the pirate behind Sigma with great velocity. The impact lifted that guy up as he crashed against the stone wall behind him. The bloodied corpses slowly slided down, leaving a sorrowful splash of ocher on this old castle wall.

Probably due to the searing headache, Scarface Harry’s reaction was relatively delayed. Furthermore his tall and sturdy body had a greater surface for the arrows to land on. However, these arrows were fatal to the other pirates, but to Scarface harry, he had a maximum HP of 1300 points. He was a monster with at least 15 points of defence, even when the arrows pierced him, it was only able to inflict serious damage but not fatal ones. His entire body was covered with 5-6 arrows, the arrows penetrated about a foot into his body, as the feathered tails of the arrow projected a sickening and sorrowful sight.

Suddenly Scarface Harry snapped out of his dream, gasping he lifted his head. The blood gushing out of Sigma’s throat had just nice splashed onto the face of this bald headed brute.

Warm blood……

Bone-chilling blood!

Why is there so much blood, that damned headache is not letting me go……

Why is this face so familiar?

Wait, damn it, there is a huge hole in Sigma’s throat?

Another old mate fell in front of him, yet another old mate fell in front of him!

In this moment, Scarface Harry’s eyes flushed with a sinister red. His bulging muscles suddenly burst through his linen clothing, ripping it into shreds. Even a length of the arrows that were lodged in his body was forcefully pressed out. Sheyan who was witnessing this in the safety of his cover could feel the hair of his arms standing. In a flash, he felt that Scarface Harry seemed to have transformed into a massive black hole, sucking in all the air that was around him!

Sheyan’s pupils contracted, he could already sensed something: Half an hour ago he had missed such an exciting fight, but now the main actor Mr Harry will perform the sequel and satisfy his entertainment craving! Although his would definitely come at a huge price!

Scarface Harry inhaled deeply. This action caused the green serpent like veins on his neck and head to bulged up, his bloodshot eyes even protruded out by nearly 2 cm! Following his breathing motion, firstly the mouth then the throat frighteningly swelled up. It was like a basketball was forcefully shoved down his mouth! This sort of horrifying sight led Sheyan to unconsciously think of a toad like creature. The swelled area rapidly deflated in Scarface Harry’s body, as it travelled to his right hand causing it to expand abnormally.

Scarface Harry then massively raised this right first and smashed against the floor in front of him!

Concurrently, the arrows lodged within him were forced out as it scattered to the floor with blood and flesh still stuck to it.

Only the faint silverish glow remained on his body.

At the moment when the fist came in contact with the floor, his massive right arm could be clearly seen to return back to its original state. On the floor in front of him, was a strange protrusion of earth, as it rapidly surged towards the distant shadows! It looked like that was the air that Harry had taken in deeply, swirling in his body for a while before unleashing with such monstrosity into the ground!

‘Muscle explosion!’

The entire castle once again shook violently. It could be clearly felt that its foundations were even trembling. Consecutively, watery blood spurted out from the right arrow holes of the right wall, splashing on the floor as if teasing them. Within it, bits of flesh could be differentiated out. Obviously, the few enemies hidden in the secret room had been pressured to death by the massive fist.

At the same time, Scarface Harry’s entire body emitted a strange sound. It sounded like a soaked blanket being twisted so hard that it thoroughly ripped apart. He then collapsed face first with a boom, as though a mountain was crumbling. The fallen Scarface Harry was still convulsing on the floor, lumps of purple surfaced on his body. If Sheyan was an experienced physician, he would easily make the following diagnosis:

Sickness: Severe muscle laceration of the entire body.

Reason: Fatigue leading to reduction in muscle elasticity.

Even though Scarface Harry demonstrated again his immense strength and eliminated the enemies hidden in the secret room, the pirates had already suffered a catastrophe. Earlier, there were only a bit more than 20 survivors, but after the barrage of savage shootings, their total strength was halved once again. The remainder were all heavily wounded, what was worth mentioning was that Pirate Charlie had also charged forward to assist Scarface Harry but he fortunately received an arrow to his arm only. It was probably because his strength was too average and nobody took special notice of him.

Faced with such a situation, the only perfectly fine Sheyan did not jump out and jeered at them saying that they should have listened to his advice. He humbly crawled out of his safety zone, and started to treat the injured people. Also he arranged the appearance of those the fallen ones.

Undoubtedly, after completing these task, although he did not say anything, he managed to receive the allegiance of 7-8 of the surviving pirates, this was probably linked to Harry’s silence as well. Although the gap between them and the castle gates was only a mere tens of metre away, but everyone gazed upon the entrance with fear. That was until Sheyan initiatively carried a chest and walked towards the entrance.

“It should be safe now.” Sheyan used a resolute tone. “Earlier on those scums that was killed should be the last line of defence for the castle. If they can still produce a few more, then none of you should be alive by now.”

Under Sheyan’s lead, the rest of the pirates carried the remaining five chest filled with treasures and fled from the place. Scarface Harry was supported by two people, wobbling as they left Tortuga castle. Although he looked at Sheyan with a complicated look, he ultimately sighed and followed him. After they left for about 10 minutes, another group of pirates fanatically charged into the castle to plunder it. If Sheyan and company were delayed, there would definitely be a bitter conflict between the two parties.

At this time, the events at the sea was also a mess, the blazing battle flames illuminated the night sky. Because of the affluent nature in Tortuga port, it instigated a civil war between the plundering pirates. Maybe some pirates had their loots stolen, or maybe they could not decide how to split their stuffs as it stirred up a huge internal chaos between them. Panting and at the brink of exhaustion, the pirate group painstakingly arrived at their rendezvous point. To their despair they discovered that the middle of port was engulfed in a huge blaze. They realized that their barge (small boats) had been used by some out of controlled pirates as instruments to vent their frustrations. And regarding the three pirates that were left behind as messengers as well as to protect the boats, not one of them was left alive.

Heaven never bars one’s way (chinese idiom – never give up hope). Relying on their familiarity of this place, the group of pirates went to a nearby area in the port to search, and to their surprise, they found a small size sailboat anchored over there. On board were 10 over old and sickly looking pirates, they looked to be waiting for their fellow comrades. The pirates were on the Bell and Mug were all specially selected elite hooligans, although they were all injured, but they had already regained some of their senses. Under the leadership of their core member Sheyan, they thoroughly decimated the pirates on the sailboat, and successfully seized control of this 15 metre long lone sailboat.

Although Sheyan and company were temporarily safe, however, there was an imminent problem. The current surviving pirates were adequate to operate this sailboat, but they were not enough to protect themselves in battle. Once they meet an enemy ship on sea, then they would be like sitting ducks waiting to die. Looking upon the the pot porridge (complete mess) at sea, although they knew that the Bel and Mug was currently 10 over miles to the west, nobody dared to suggest sailing there in a straight line.

Some suggested sending people ahead to notify Ammand to receive them, but once they asked for volunteers everyone remained mouth-tight. Everyone knew the consequences of running across this chaotic Tortuga port while being injured.

After a series of discussions, Sheyan suggested taking a roundabout route along the north side of the island. The consequence of this was that their returning journey would be extended to over half an hour, but their safety would be guaranteed at least 80%. After the calamity at the castle entrance, very few sounded out in objection against Sheyan’s suggestion as they swiftly came to a consensus.

Chapter 97: Instigation

Sheyan was the only one with light injuries, thus he took the lead in patrolling the entire ship before allocating his men to the different areas. Next, he directed several guys to support Harry down to the ship’s hold. Although the ship’s hold had only one pathetic candle, and the candle was burning with a small dim flame; it was enough. Furthermore, Sheyan himself lit the candle.

To Scarface Harry who suffered heavy lacerations in addition to his headache, the small flame offered him some comfort as he lay on the bed and rested. However, after lying down, he ordered the men to shift the most valuable chest beside him, and he rested his thick right leg on it. It was obvious he had not much faith in the people around him, he even locked the door in the end.

The boat followed the coastline silently as it blended into the sea waves. In this era, such night time travel was relatively dangerous, if they were not careful they may collide into any reef that was close to the shore, causing the entire boat to capsize. Sheyan stood at the tip of the boat, he silently gazed into the surrounding darkness. The pirates beside him gazed upon him with deep reverence, after what had happened earlier, nobody else dared to neglect even half a word from Sheyan. Because those guys that previously went against him had ultimately met their fate.

Suddenly, Sheyan spun his head around, sweeping his gaze across the surrounding pirates. His gaze carried a penetrating look, as the pirates who looked at him could feel a faint sharpness against their skin. It was like the tip of a sharp blade lightly pricking at their skin.

“I just saw that his boat has another small life boat, I’ve decided to leave.”

Sheyan suddenly spoke. His voice was not loud, but it carried a unquestionable determination. “I wish everyone the best of luck.”

The pirates were stunned momentarily, only shocked Charlie reacted aggressively.

“Why?! Master, we are already safe! That damned castle is already 6 miles away, just another 15 more minutes and we can return to the Bell and Mug. Captain Ammand has always been a rewarding person, what awaits us are cheers, rewards, rum and roasted golden chicken! Why do you have this thought of leaving?”

Sheyan coldly replied:

“Charlie, no matter how loud you shout Harry wouldn’t be able to hear you. The door of the Ship’s hold is pretty soundproof in addition to the crashing of the waves. When we ascend the Bell and Mug, what awaits us would be cheers, but following that would be daggers, bullets and a shroud (To cover a corpse).”

He observed the audience, seeing that the pirates had an unbelieving look on their face, some even look like they wanted to argue back. But Sheyan took a step forward and shook his head smiling bitterly.

“I know you guys don’t trust my judgement, but that’s fine, this is not the first time it has happen.”

Sheyan’s words were filled with an intense psychological motive. Once the words came out, the group of pirates instantly flashbacked to the torrent of arrows, that catastrophic event at the castle entrance. They couldn’t help feeling a chill some even unknowingly felt their bandaged wounds. Cracks surfaced on their originally resolute confidence. Only Charlie shook his head and said.

“No way, no way! Captain is not that kind of person.”

Sheyan bitterly smiled on with disdain:

“Mr Charlie, I want to ask you a question.”

Charlier was a little shocked and replied.

“Master what do you want to say?”

Sheyan gently replied.

“What is your ultimate aim for being a pirate?”

Charlie was a bit hesitant, pondering for a moment before answering.

“Of course it’s stealing more money.”

Sheyan’s lips leaked out a cold grin:

“After stealing so much money, then what? Drink, gambling? Then next?”

“Then…….” Charlie hesitated and replied. “Probably find a woman to marry.”

“Good,” Sheyan extended out his finger.

“You’ve hit the crux of the matter. Ultimately you wish to find a woman to marry and continue your bloodline. And if you remain as a pirate, your future wife will follow you as a pirate, then what about your sons and daughters? Do you wish for them to be a pirate that could anytime be killed out at sea? Do you wish for your children to be like you, everyday drinking rum getting dead drunk and spending every last penny in the gambling bars? Or a thief that lives riskily or even a prostitute that rides on a thousand men? Tell me, is this the life you want? Speak up and tell me! Mr Charlie!”

Faced with Sheyan’s interrogation, Charlie was stunned rooted to the ground. The surrounding pirates all had a daze look on their face. Sheyan contemptuously snorted.

“Let me tell you the ultimate goal hidden in our hearts. Every pirate wishes to earn enough money and walk away from this crude profession. Marrying a good wife and live a blissful and comfortable life, feasting on wine and steak every weekend. Even this bunch of fools here wishes for such a life, wouldn’t Ammand himself? Or do you think that he is contented being a despicable pirate captain the rest of his life?”

The pirates stared blankly, their eyes slowly forming a shocked expression. They could already somewhat guess what Sheyan was going to say.

“Now! Right now! If we drag these huge jaw dropping chests of gold that even the devils would be jealous of into the hands of the Great Son of the Black Sea, then the criteria would be met. He would have enough riches to buy his freedom and nobility from that old whore, the Queen of Britain. Even with the remaining riches he would still be able to afford a small castle and land! Under such a dream… everyone! Please use your fking brain to think! Do you think he would rather have people continue calling him the great pirate captain Ammand, or the respected Lord Ammand? Why would he want to share the wealth with you? Under such circumstances, your only surviving value is being the delicious food for the Caribbean sharks! Looking at your foolish and miserable faces, I really wish to stomp on it with the sole of my feet! Don’t fking look at me with that innocent expression, such a simple logic yet you still need me to waste my saliva and precious time!”

After Sheyan reached the end of his sentence, his voice already transformed into a gnashing and resentful tone! He once again sweeped these ashen faced pirates with his eyes, sighing and hanging down his eyes he continued.

“Who dares to stop me?”

Deathly silence, only the raging waves were clear to the ears. Sheyan shrugged his shoulders.

“Very well, then I’ll take my leave.”

After saying he immediately went to untie the ropes holding the lifeboat. Suddenly, A pirate named Watt stood out with an anxious voice.

“Boss! If you leave then what about us?”

Sheyan grumpily replied:

“If I can guess correctly, Harry should be Ammand’s designated housekeeper when he becomes a lord. If you can get into Harry’s good books like Mr Charlie, giving up on your riches, then there is a half a chance of living.”

Charlie’s face turned pale and ashen as he listened to Sheyan’s words but he dared not refute him. Furthermore Watt had a certain prestige amongst the remaining pirates, looking around at his fellow pirates, he suddenly lowered his tone and sneakily whispered.

“Boss! Why don’t we get rid of Harry that brat? Then this huge chunk of treasures will be ours!”

Sheyan laughed out as he surveyed the surroundings.

“Do you have the balls?”

Watt ferociously smacked against his chest saying:

“Scarface Harry was previously hailed as a viking lion, but now he is old and has only half a life left! Finishing him off would certainly not be a hard thing.”

Sheyan inclined his eyes and looked at them in disdain:

“Really? You must understand, talking behind someone’s back is one thing, doing it is another! If I agree to you all, it may not benefit me, and it may even give rise to a huge risk. We may even have to stand in front of Scarface Harry with our blades and muskets, and he will definitely know that it was me who told you all these. Then this rough and explosive viking beast will surely go insane and slaughter me! He will use every ounce of explosive strength left in him and unleash it all on me! If until then you guys are still soft and flexible, oh shit, nothing else could be more exciting than that.”

Watt’s face changed, it formed a firm smile.

“Crew head don’t say it like this, everyone here are smart young men. Such a situation will not happen.”

Sheyan coldly replied:

“I don’t believe…….”

His tone dragged for a long while, but had no hesitation concealed within it. However, it became more grim.

“Unless, everyone can give a thrust to the Carter lying on the lower deck.”

Besides Sheyan’s servant Charlie, Carter is the only other member of Harry’s circle. His right lung and thigh had been pierced during the horrifying rain of arrows and suffered heavy injuries. Thus, he could only lie down on the lower deck to avoid the rain and struggled on at death’s door. Once these pirates stained their hands with his blood, then undoubtedly it would mean that they could no longer aid Harry. Furthermore Watt was an extremely cruel person, knowing that this was the only method to persuade Sheyan to stay, he immediately shot a look at the two comrades that were on good terms with him. They covered Carter’s mouth and without hesitation impaled him with their blades!

With Watt leading the way, his other two comrades subsequently followed. Following that these three tainted fellows glared at the other remaining pirates viciously. It was obvious if anyone showed a hint of hesitation, then the 3 brutes would immediately pounce forward at him with their dyed red, shimmering blades.

Chapter 98: Dissension

Within the pitch-black hold of the boat, an aroma spiralled from the lone burning candle.

The thick walls adds-up to the great soundproofing. This was probably because the original owner placed several thick pieces of flannel between the wooden partitions. Even the raging waves sounded gentle to the ears.

Scarface Harry lied down in the captain’s cabin, although the candle extinguished unknowingly, he had no intentions of lighting it again. To someone who was constantly tortured by this massive headache, this peaceful darkness offered him a little comfort. His temples were pulsing with tremendous pain, if he used his thumb to press on it, the pain would be lessen. However, by doing this, this arm muscles will ache in violent protest.

“If it was ten years ago, how would I have looked so pathetic! Luckily, we are about to return to the Bell and Mug soon.”

Scarface harry caressed the silver sword in his hands, even in the darkness this sword was brimming with brilliance of silver glow! This was the personal weapon Ammand had loaned him previously.

At this moment, the door suddenly swung open! A black figure entered along with the fresh sea breeze as he hastily rushed in, bringing with him a thick panting. His panting was not due to exhaustion but carried an indescribable panic and urgency.

“Mister, Mr Harry! A mutiny has occurred on the boat, they’ve killed Carter! They wanted me to change your bandage to a poisonous one. The entire boat has turned against us, the only thing in their mind now is to kill you and split the plentiful treasure.”

Scarface Harry’s eyes instantly opened widely. Although his body was brimming with pain, at this moment, all the killing intent had returned to this massively strong viking. He jumped up nimbly and asked with a pressured voice.

“How many of them, Charlie?”

The person sneaking in was actually Sheyan’s slave, Charlie. His voice was shaking as he replied.

“S…..Six of them. The poisonous bandage will only activate after a minute. When that time comes they will immediately charge in!”

Scarface Harry bit his lips hardly, his expression flashing with ferocity. His voice was squeezed out between his gritting teeth.

“Very good, very good!”

Unsure whether he was saying Charlie did a good job, or directed to the traitorous Sheyan and company. Scarface Harry impatiently paced around in the hold, flaring his nose his asked.

“Have you drank? Have you?”

At this point, there was no questioning that alcohol would numb the incredible pain, and arouse the adrenaline. In order to brace his courage and sell out his master and the other pirates, Charlie definitely had drank some alcohol. He listened to Scarface Harry’s questioning and aggressively nodded his head.

“Yes yes yes, before I came I drank a little. There is still a full pouch here.”

Scarface harry reached out his hand and pulled out the wine pouch at Charlie’s waist. Raising his head and using one hand to support, a stream of deep yellow alcohol liquid shot into this mouth. His throat squirmed, and within seconds the entire wine pouch was drained clean. His eyes were intensified with a sorrowful bloodshot. Under the stimulation of the alcohol, Scarface Harry exhaled a huge breath. He looked extremely comfortable, but after a few seconds his serene expression changed into a sinister one. He roared out like a surrounded beast that had stepped into a trap, right in the face he grabbed onto Charlie, frenziedly shouting out:

“You dared to betray me, poisoning the rum!”

The averaged sized Charlie being grabbed on my this massive viking Harry, was like a fowl trembling uncontrollably and waiting to be slaughtered. Charlie’s face had a complicated expression, mournful crying out.

“I didn’t, I didn’t!! They really said to use the poisonous bandage!”

“PaPaPa.” Sounds of clapping echoed in from outside the room. A group of guys streamed down from the stairs in one line. Leading the way was the fully equipped Sheyan, behind him was a group of vile and ruthless looking pirates. They look like a bunch of greedy and crafty looking wolves. Sheyan glanced at Charlie, his face formed a mysterious slight smile.

“Well done, my servant.”

Charlie was momentarily stunned, and Scarface Harry eyes felt like they were cracking. He was having a dizzy spell, and he felt that there was not one part in his body that wasn’t pain. He exerted strength and suddenly roared out and snapped the neck of Charlie! Then he flung him aside, as he landed against the wall with a crash. Sliding to the floor like a couch, there was no longer any movements. Only two tears of blood were gradually rolling down from the dead Charlie’s eyes, no one knew if it was tears or blood!

Sheyan received a notification, “Your servant, pirate Charlie, has died,” from the nightmare imprint. However, he never placed this close to his heart. In his scheming, Charlie was like joke that had no strength nor loyalty. Currently, managing to bring out the best outcome from this joke was enough, regarding his in head, he was totally not a bothered within his plans. Sheyan and the pirates glanced at Charlie’s corpse and started laughing out loud in unison. Their laughter further agitated the already going insane Scarface Harry. An extremely negative sensation was gradually surging within his heart, he roared out:

“F**king morons, what are you laughing at?”

Sheyan stared at him with a sympathetic look, softly saying:

“Congratulations on killing the only loyal person you have on this boat.”

After hearing his phrase, his bloodshot eyes bulged out, as he stammered a few step backs, shouting:

“Impossible! Impossible, he obviously poisoned me with the rum!”

Sheyan shrugged his shoulders, laughing out with contempt.

“Actually, Charlie’s loyalty was obviously written all over his face. We merely set up a little trick in letting him believe that a harmless bandage carried poison, but actually in his wine and food, we had already secretly poisoned it. This logic is so simple if he really intended to harm you, why did he wait for you to finish drinking and not escape?”

“If he really intended to harm you, why did he wait for you to finish drinking and not escape?”

“If he really intended to harm you, why did he wait for you to finish drinking and not escape?”

“If he really intended to harm you, why did he wait for you to finish drinking and not escape?”

Sheyan’s last sentence was like a sharp dagger, mercilessly stabbing repeatedly against Scarface Harry’s heart. He couldn’t help but turn his head and glance. Seeing the blood tears flowing from Charlie’s face who had suffered such an unjustifiable death; he felt an absolute resentment bursting through his heart. There was nowhere to flow, it was as though it was about to force his entire body to erupt! He frenziedly howled. Only one notion remained in his mind, that was to slay them all! Kill everything that was living in front of him. Even if it cost his own life, even if it cost him the entire world!

Sheyan’s pupils contracted, the unknown variable had once again surfaced in his plans! The nightmare imprint warned him in a flash.

“Scarface Harry’s agitation has exceeded his mental limits! Ancient viking blood aroused!”

“Scarface Harry has sunk into a fanatical state! He will not feel any pain, or external negative effects. He will completely rely on his primitive instincts to engage in battle, damage receive from enemies increased by 200, damage inflicted to enemies increased by 250!”

Scarface Harry howled out like a wild beast, his fist headed directly for Sheyan’s head! This punch was filled with strength and weight, leaving one a feeling of a heavy 50 ton pickup truck colliding straight on. When Sheyan just entered this world, he won over Scarface Harry in an arm wrestling match. Hence, in his heart, he was confident and stretched out both fists to block. However upon impact, he could feel an immeasurable strength from the opposition, oppressing him with such a force that even breathing was difficult. Sheyan was blown away as his legs left the floor and he crashed out of the door as the broken wood fragments scattered around. The sound was so tremendous that even the rest sprawled to the floor. When he stood up, blood was already leaking out of the corner of his mouth.

“Damned….” Sheyan in this moment understood the reason why his strength was easily suppressed. First should be his title, and second his equipment!

Currently they were battling on sea, Sheyan’s title “Pirate ringleader” could enable his personal strength + 2 and physique +2. Therefore regarding this chief officer Harry, he definitely possessed a stronger title, giving him more added bonuses. Previously he was just sparring casually with arm wrestling back in the bar. Such a normal and leisure activity, even with many outsiders around, he would never utilize his full equipment. This reason was akin to the no.1 killer in the present world, never walking around with huge assassination tools.

Although upon exchanging blows, Sheyan held absolute disadvantage and was even beaten to such a sorry state, Sheyan had already made preparations earlier on. Scarface Harry was like a raging lion stepping out of the door in pursue of his prey but he suddenly felt a blaze in front of him. Someone was throwing several torches at him. He furiously swiped away the torches, but a massive strength suddenly collided against him with great ferocity. His entire body stumbled backwards, and he suddenly felt a weird ice-cold yet scorching feeling from his chest to his back. Following that, a searing pain that enveloped his entire body like a spinning web.

At this point, the stunned Harry lowered his head, and saw a deep object lodged into his chest. It seemed to be the tail of an arrow, but it was vibrating greatly as the arrowhead emerged from the back with flesh and blood attached to it. The night sky reflected a certain sorrowful look onto the crimson arrowhead.

This arrow was already set up on the boat, it was released with a crossbow used in naval battles! Such a crossbow could even penetrate the thick and heavy ship boards, it was obviously able to inflict damage onto Scarface Harry. Sheyan and the rest had already aimed the crossbow towards the doorway of the ship’s hold. It was to leave Scarface Harry with a fierce memory!

Chapter 99: Break, break, break, explode!

An abrupt severe attack, a complicated feeling swept across Scarface Harry’s entire body. This feeling included pain, deceived, rage, insanity, ruthlessness……

His eyes turned scarlet! It seemed like the blood within him had all gone to his head. This sort of impetuous unrestraint killing intent had wiped out all rationality he had in him! With a fuming roar, he actually used his hand to pull out the arrow from his chest. He was completely oblivious to the huge chunk of meat that was pulled out along with it as he completely threw it aside.

At the same time, Watt who was standing at the edge of the boat suddenly paused, both his hands clawing at the air aimlessly, his eyes popping out. Looking closely, there was actually a semi broken arrow stuck deeply into his throat. It had not penetrated fully, but the skin at the back of his neck had a slight protrusion! Looking carefully, the tail of the arrow had already snapped off, it was actually the arrow that was pulled out from the heavily injured Scarface Harry. Watt swept the entire field with his dying eyes, his throat producing a choking sound as he heavily slumped against the edge, rolling over. A small splash rippled the pitch-black ocean, and finally vanished.

Everyone present did not believe that in such a situation, Scarface Harry was still able to counterattack. In one move, he actually slayed the core Pirate Watt! Looking at this bald viking with his twin scarlet red eyes, an entire body drenched in blood and the insane reckless charging, he was like a fierce lion that refused to respond to death’s call no matter how injured he was! This final resolution of might alone was able to cause the remaining pirates to shudder in fear. But at this moment, Sheyan heavily took a deep breath, spreading out his arms outrageously and charged forward!

“Dong!” the hull of the boat inclined to the left by at least 30 degrees, the surface of the sea bubbled up a violent ripple. Scarface harry crazily raised both fist and heavily pounded down, but was actually ingeniously dodged by Sheyan. The suffering victim was the thick side of the boat, as a big hole emerged with wooden planks piercing out in all directions. Sheyan lifted his left fist, under the dim illumination of the flames, a shiny metallic glow flickered! He seized this opportunity, lowering his body and dealt a punch towards the bottom of Harry’s ribs. A distinct depression formed at that area, a few bones had probably shattered. But this huge brute ignored it and, with one smack of his hand, he flung Sheyan 5-6 metres away.

Sheyan’s eyes blazed with a fiery rage, rolling to the side and picking himself back up. Half kneeling, blood trickled down from the corner of his mouth. His facial muscles were twitching from the pain, turning around to stare at the remaining pirates, he callously howled at them.

“We’ve done till here, you guys still refuse to act? Don’t tell me you want to die here?”

After yelling he charged forward again with great determination! Sheyan’s refusal to resign to fate and charging on, instantly aroused the untamed brutality of the remaining pirate’s hearts. They also howled and charged forward! As Sheyan charged in, Scarface Harry threw out consecutive heavy punches but Sheyan successfully dodged by lowering his body. He bent his left elbow and mightily swung it against the side of Harry’s right knee. Scarface Harry released a shrilling and raging roar, as he surrendered to gravity and knelt to the floor with an earth-shattering impact.

After hearing a loud thump, Harry’s massive body swayed. His right knee had been crushed by the side, as his entire body lost balance and fell to the floor. This was when the other pirates saw their opportunity, they fanatically surged forward like a pack of famished wolves devouring a weakened lion. Scarface Harry knew that the situation was dire, he frantically waved his fist but his fist would occasionally miss a beat. As the ship’s board was rapidly disintegrating, Sheyan evaded two punches but did not manage to escape the third punch. Under the feverish howling of Scarface Harry, he was smashed heavily in the chest. Dark spots appeared in his eyes as a fountain of blood spurted out like an arrow, it was like his organs were also being vomited out.

Every punch contained an immense strength, Sheyan received one blow straight up and was blown 5-6 metres away, rolling a few times before trying to force himself up. With his wobbly hands he tried to push himself back up but again collapsed to the ground and once again spat out a mouthful of blood! Before he begun this battle, Sheyan was already not in his optimal condition. This was the aftermath of previous escaping events, hence, after one thunderous punch from Harry, his life points dropped into the danger zone of below 10%. If he continued moving, then he would undoubtedly die faster.

Fortunately those pirates did not waste Sheyan’s efforts as they succeeded in charging forward and struck a few blows. In such a chaotic battle, no amount of tactics were needed, it was basically who was able to strike harder, fiercer and endure more! Fresh blood sprayed out onto every corner, the sounds of metallic blade colliding against the human bone were clear, in addition to the raging curses and yellings! Although the remaining pirates were individually injured beforehand, they were all battle veterans and were not inferior in any aspect when fighting for their lives!

Suddenly, the sky erupted with a terribly mournful howl. Covered in dust and blood, Scarface Harry suddenly leapt forward, shaking off the few pirates that were over him. He punched against the thick main mast beside him. The innocent main mast gave out a cracking wail as it snapped at the part the fist landed. Scarface Harry lifted up the thick and long broken mast, sweeping it around him horizontally as it smashed against the few pirates.

The pirates were blown away like a bunch of bowling pins, even their cries had not yet been issued as they spasmed and died. The majority of their bones had shattered as they landed into the sea with a splash!

After this one attack, Scarface Harry’s chest and back was drenched in a reddish black patch. One of his eyes was stabbed blind! But the feeling he gave to one was that of an indomitable ruthless beast – not retreating one step! Fighting over fleeing! Only death without life!

In a split second, the merciless Scarface Harry swung the broken mast, blowing away a pirate at the side that was trying to sneakily take shot with his musket. This pirate groaned out miserably, as his stout and strong 100 kg body was blown away like it was a feather! Just like a golf ball he flew out and crashed against the tough edge of the boat. His entire body hung there with a split belly and intestines spilling out, rocking against the sorrowful breeze. The surrounding pirates were dumbfounded, they even forgot how to cry and their minds were a blank of white.

Scarface Harry suddenly twisted round, his lone eye blurred by the blood stared at a pirate standing 3 metres away with a sabre. This pirate held on to it with his violently trembling hands, the blade repeatedly clashed with the scabbard releasing a crisp clanking sound. Looking at the demonic looking brute staring at him, he cried out and tossed the sabre away trying to escape. However, Harry’s bleeding one eye viciously flickered, his even tendencies at full fledged as he threw his fist forward like a javelin, striking hard at the back of the pirate. The pirate flew forwards by 5 metre, as a piercing shrill and rubbing sound ensued. His blood and flesh splattered around his perimeter and splinters of bloodied armour scattered around, forming a tragic pathway!

A deadly silence filled the atmosphere.

Only Scarface Harry’s heavy panting was distinct. The silver radiated from his periphery, beneath him was a puddle of blood, some belonging to his enemy and some his.

Naturally, the winner of such an intense conflict, was this male who was forced into this desperation!

Strictly speaking, Scarface Harry had a serious head injury, he could only display 70% of his strength, and that was his first shackle. Within the desperate struggle in Tortuga castle, he consecutively used two muscle explosion to blast open the treasury. His power had already reach his limits, and that was his second shackle.

Furthermore, after the sneak attack at the Tortuga caste entrance, to defend himself, he forced himself to once again use the muscle explosion even though he was injured himself. This caused his muscles to tear all over his body, and was undoubtedly his third shackle!

After Sheyan lit that candle within the ship’s hold, it was actually mixed with the venomous wax similar to the message in the bottle. After igniting, when a person breathes the smoke in he will unknowingly drop his attack chance by 50%. If not with Sheyan’s low agility, how was he able to successfully dodge Scarface Harry’s heavy and explosive punches? That was the fourth shackle binding Scarface Harry’s body!

The fifth shackle was of course the poisonous rum that was delivered by pirate Charlie. Although the wine was not very effective against Scarface Harry who had an outrageous physique of 30 points, it still obstructed his regenerative abilities.

The sixth shackle was the terrifying crossbow set up to aim at the hold’s door. Without questions, this one strike had inflicted heavy damage to this lion like viking!

And yet, when the battle was coming to an end, the one who was having the last laugh was actually this madman Scarface Harry! He was like a wild ox that refused to stop charging, even after suffering heavy wounds, he was only contented to die while fighting! Sheyan carefully calculated 6 phases of shackles were completely negated by this lunatic!

But at this very moment, Scarface Harry felt something was wrong. Because he observed in the eyes of the remaining 3 pirates, even though it contained an extreme dread, there was somewhat a flicker of hope amidst this hopeless situation. Where did their hope come from? Scarface Harry suddenly felt a cold rush against this neck, unable to resist, he immediately glance backwards, through his fuzzy and bloodied vision, he saw a shadow gently getting up like a spectre amidst the chaotic mess of broken planks. His movements were agile and vigorous, as if he was completely uninjured. His black figure seemed to be in perfect condition, and he was undoubtedly Scarface Harry’s biggest fear.

Seaman Yan from the mysterious east!

Scarface Harry gazed at Sheyan as if witnessing a ghost. There was an unexplainable aura coming out of Sheyan. This sort of aura gave of a fragrance like that of a blooming orchid, and had traces of blood smell within it. The two smells perfectly blended together, giving a heart troubled but spirit relax feeling. Sheyan did not merely place these 6 shackles to trap Harry but also to secure himself some sort of insurance. That ‘not yet purified black blood orchid element’ that he received from Cazider in the previous world, finally had a stage in his critical moment to demonstrate its usefulness!

“Strike me down, and you win.” Sheyan calmly issued. His entire body faded out into the darkness like a mountain range enveloped by dark clouds. This feeling left one with a wide uncertainty, how high was the mountain or how deep is the ocean.

Scarface Harry’s glare was as piercing as before, his faint silver glow was already common. He couldn’t help but gaze back at the direction of the port. From here he could faintly make up the sails of the Bell and Mug. But when he opened his mouth, fresh blood gushed out drowning out his tone. However, what he wanted to express was as clear as a swinging hatchet.

“Even if you won, Ammand would never let you off. The Bell and Mug will still sail gloriously within the Caribbean sea! Even in my death, I will drag you to hell with me!”

At this point, the unyielding fighting spirit surged within Scarface Harry like he was about to execute a heroic victory, and pounced forward! This was a confidence that if he was not utterly wrecked, he would never fall!

This was a man who refused to shy away from his destiny!

Sheyan’s eyes flashed with reverence and regret. Gently breathing he raised his fist and said.

“Time……is running out. I’m very sorry Mr Harry, I’m going to destroy something you guard so dearly to your heart.”

Not even a few seconds after he finished speaking, a sudden pillar of flame soared out unfathomably from the Bell and Mug. Followed by an explosion! An insanely violent explosion! At this moment, both Sheyan and Scarface Harry’s face reflected with a bright reddish orange, and a striking heat apart from the blood. When the explosion started, he gave of a gradual feeling of a flower blossoming, and one could even hear clearly the mast of the Bell and Mug slowly collapsing in the blazing inferno, the gigantic wooden planks of the ship’s deck slowly integrating into fragments. But after a few seconds, everything advanced into a blur. Finally it transformed into an earth-shattering explosion that engulfed the entire area including the sea around it!

This, was Sheyan’s ultimate trump card!