One week later.

Secret Port was utterly deserted.

All the smuggling ships and pirate vessels had already set sail.

Only the Fumark Vengeance remained, along with a few half-derelict empty ships left behind to avoid drawing attention.

The massive sea erosion cliff’s giant cavern, the rolling black waves shimmering on the water’s surface, and the cold, man-carved marks on the cliff walls reflected the light of the waves.

Secret Port, originally an unofficial harbor with no legal paperwork, had now become a wild port—a mooring place without any management. The Count had completely withdrawn from this matter.

According to the East Coast Maritime Department, this ship now bore the dual charges of illegal entry and illegal mooring. The navy had the right to kill first and question later.

The damp and cold East Coast monsoon chilled to the bone.

The Black Sails’ deck was densely packed with desperate outlaws from all over, their voices loud and coarse, faces twisted with cruelty and cold-bloodedness. Since the breach was made, it was just as well to absorb the previously organized gangs.

It was very quick to find people through the informant. The expected number had been met—one hundred sixty people—plus another twenty from Claude’s side, totaling over one hundred eighty.

On the deck, various races carried curved swords and axes, wore leather armor, and had flintlocks. There were Yisu from the Southern Continent, half-orcs fleeing from the northern territories, tiger men and leopard men from the Aesnor Province under the empire’s rule, almost making up half the crew.

Along with the pirate remnants hunted down by the navy and gathered from all around.

Second mate Ox, sail master Ren, and quartermaster Wolman stood out even among this rough group.

Tied to the mast with hemp ropes were three hooded figures in patched leather armor—scouts from the Thieves’ Guild. They had already uncovered the connection between the Black Sails’ first mate and the traitor Sven.

Fen had once done business with the Thieves’ Guild while working for the Arcane Industry Committee, carrying out assassinations against other committee members. Naturally, the thief responsible for these dealings was Sven.

Sven fled to the East Coast and now, with all other connections ruled out, the only option left was to seek refuge with Fen.

Four thieves sneaked onto the ship last night and triggered Fen’s curse thread, getting caught in the act.

One thief was extremely skilled and escaped. The Black Sails were now fully targeted by the Thieves’ Guild—no surrender, no peace from now on.

“One of our comrades has already gone back to report. Diaz won’t let you off. Hand over Sven and the goods, and you might get off this time. If you make enemies with the Thieves’ Guild, nowhere to hide will save you.”

The leader of the thieves said coldly, confident to the point of arrogance. Though tied up with hemp ropes, no one on the Western Continent doubted Diaz’s fearsome reputation. The saying went that during the day in the Arlan Kingdom, the Emperor ruled, but at night, Diaz was in command.

Li Site and his group were silent for a brief moment.

Ren and Wolman couldn’t hold back and burst into wild laughter, their wide, bloodthirsty grins terrifying.

“You’ve never been around the East Coast, huh? Look at these guys—anyone scared of you? You just made us all laugh.”

Li Site grabbed the thief’s hair and whispered coldly in his ear, “Pathetic little players. You don’t even know what Sven really stole.”

Li Site released the thief’s hair.

“If you board a pirate ship, then you’re a thief—Black Sails’ thief. Anyone killed, tied up, or ambushed on the road brings shame on me. How are we supposed to survive here after that?”

Li Site stubbed out his cigarette.

An Ivy League exchange student studying Applied Optics, but career path: pirate captain.

Bang!

Li Site reversed the Frost Cuckoo’s Bloodsong and drove it straight through the thief’s skull. Blood splattered several droplets on his face. His eyelids didn’t even twitch as he stared into the thief’s eyes until the gaze gradually lost focus and dimmed completely.

The other two tied thieves couldn’t sit still anymore.

Sven was a straightforward man—two quick cuts to the throat. These two thieves couldn’t even scream;

their throats bubbled with blood.

“You lot, dump them in the sea. Let the fish gut them.”

Li Site ordered some ruffian sailors to loosen the ropes and swiftly toss the bodies into the sea.

“You, come here.”

Li Site beckoned to the tattooed big man and told him to bring out all the wood elf fruit wine and high-grade tobacco, everything the Count had sent as gifts from the warehouse, and distribute it all to the brothers—leave nothing behind.

The tattooed big man did not disappoint. The ship’s supplies were fully prepared, matching the order perfectly. The new recruits were all experienced pirate remnants. Managing the sails, coordinating, and handling the crew were all no problem. They could set sail anytime.

These remaining luxury goods were originally meant for celebration the day before the fight, but that time never came.

It wasn’t even the tenth day yet.

Problems had already surfaced. The Count’s one thousand gold dragons had all been delivered, including the next three days’ share in advance.

This was a major operation.

Far more complicated and thorny than Li Site’s worst expectations.

There was someone on the ship responsible for buying newspapers in the city every day and gathering intelligence. Yesterday, a group of military police arrived from Arlan. The so-called military police were soldiers managing soldiers, carrying the highest officer’s order from the Arlan Military Police Guard, arriving at Linden City’s great port.

The Beima Principality’s current state was that of a vassal state under the Arlan Empire—like a principality. Although treaties forbade Arlan troops from garrisoning, they couldn’t control the military police. Officially, this was a special organization maintaining imperial authority, not part of the regular army.

The entire great port was thoroughly searched, and a complete embargo was imposed for a week. All ships were forbidden from sailing.

The Linden City admiral did not get this position through connections. Now that the domestic warlord nobles were all mobilizing troops for a showdown, a complete embargo was simply absurd.

Thousands of ships entered and exited the port every day, generating trade tax revenue that bled the entire principality. Cutting off the port for a week would be catastrophic. There was no need to consult the East Coast governor. Refusing was a matter of self-preservation.

The two factions were still bickering.

Li Site understood that the embargo was impossible, but a thorough carpet search was inevitable. The people to be received hadn’t arrived yet, but Arlan’s hand was already stretching out. It was far more severe than the Count had hinted.

Even though those military police were Arlan people unfamiliar with the local area, a little money and inquiries would reveal the nearby Secret Port. It was only a matter of time before they found the Black Sails.

But for now, there was no problem. As long as the “black household” they were searching for wasn’t on the ship and had no relation to the Black Sails, the Arlan people wouldn’t dare interfere. Killing pirates responsible for suppression on someone else’s turf was just wasting time.

As long as Caroso Gloria didn’t come, the Black Sails would be fine.

Inside the navigation room.

All eleven core members gathered, the atmosphere tense and deadly serious.

Li Site had already formulated the strategy.

“Receiving people is easy;

sending them out to sea is difficult. The hardest part is keeping the route from Secret Port to Lavender Town completely open. The Arlan military is already patrolling around Linden City and will most likely attack. We must ensure all pursuers on this route are wiped out.

Wolman, Micah, Haywood, you three stay on the ship. If any outsiders dare come to Secret Port, kill first, ask later.”

Li Site judged.

“You say so.”

Wolman knew his size made him unsuitable for reception work—too conspicuous.

Micah and Haywood nodded as well. Micah’s combat strength was relatively low compared to others;

his skills lay elsewhere. Haywood was a standard tool.

“Ren, you run faster than horses. Stay outside Linden City with Archer and ten men. It’s over an hour’s journey from Linden City to Secret Port. Report any movement immediately. On the day we receive the people, kill the small fry on sight. For the big fish, delay as long as possible.”

Li Site ordered.

“Major operation! Launch!”

Ren was about to say something, but Li Site stopped him.

“Ox and Morrison are the main force. Take all the capable fighters and ensure the route is clear. Fen has secret arts and can project spirit forms for three-line support. I’ll take the swiftest Sven and Shadi to Lavender Town to receive the people. No need to wait for the agreed day—now is the time. Plans can’t keep up with changes.”

After Li Site finished, everyone expressed agreement.

Everything was settled. As for the Thieves’ Guild members, although they were a lasting threat, they would set sail in the next few days. They couldn’t reach Heaven’s Port, the most famous pirate haven in the world. The rest would be dealt with later.

Inside the captain’s quarters.

Before departure, Li Site still had things to do.

He lit two candles. One thousand two hundred gold dragons were still not enough. The ten core members were all ambitious. Who would want to linger in East Coast’s Heaven’s Port? It had been years;

it was time to transform. If he didn’t take this job, he couldn’t command respect, and besides, he had to take it himself.

“Second master, although I’m in another world and don’t know if you can protect me, I won’t waste words. If I survive and prosper, I’ll find all the… alumni from this broken place. Back home on Earth, I’ll definitely offer a big incense at the Guan Di Temple.”

Two candles, three incense sticks.

But there was no incense here on the East Coast.

Li Site lit three cigarettes sent by the Count, letting the Great Saint Guan Di try the foreign goods from the Misty Mountains.

Everything was ready. Time to depart.