-242- Black beard

Noxian Calendar, July 14, 985 N.C.

The afternoon sun shone brightly as a figure flew low over the azure Serpent Isles, along a rarely traveled route. Wearing a sun hat common among Shuriman travelers, he skimmed just meters above the sea surface. While the route was notorious for pirates, any prudent merchant would avoid the Serpent Isles altogether.

The place was not only infested with pirates but also rumored to be haunted!

Flying along this route during the day, Linwin had little to worry about attracting attention.

For most, the journey from Zaun to Bilgewater would take at least three or four days, but for Linwin, it was only a matter of half a day.

Before departing in the morning, Linwin had a phone call with Twisted, who instructed him to head to the mid-level islands of Bilgewater and simply mention Graves' name at any tavern.

This answer left Linwin bemused.

It seems Graves was now quite famous in Bilgewater.

Linwin's intention in sending Graves to Bilgewater was to have him lead the security team for the Bilgewater scholars working on the island. However, to Linwin's surprise, Graves, with his strong-willed nature, not only completed Linwin's task but also went beyond his orders, leading an invasion of Bilgewater.

In a matter of months, the once-orderly Bilgewater had changed hands, with Plank being repelled by the combined efforts of Graves, Twisted, and the bounty hunter Sarah Fortune. GangPlank, the Pirate King, was now missing, and his forces had been rapidly disbanded.

Bilgewater was now a land of many powers, with Graves at the forefront, followed by Sarah, the former bounty hunter who, with Twisted's help, had become a beautiful female captain, leading the second faction in Bilgewater.

Flying close to the sea surface until the water turned from azure to a faintly putrid odor, Linwin knew he was nearing Bilgewater.

Numerous eerie buoys appeared on the sea surface, connected to simple wooden signs or intricately carved silver plaques, some bearing strange names.

Frowning, Linwin, familiar with the story, knew exactly what lay beneath these buoys.

Bilgewater did not bury its dead but sent them out to sea. So, where Linwin had arrived was Bilgewater's graveyard area. However, looking at the silver plaques missing a corner, Linwin shook his head.

Even the dead aren't spared their valuables.

Bilgewater folks truly are rustic.

Looking ahead, Linwin squinted and spotted two men wearing strange attire, donned in thick waterproof jumpsuits. They seemed to be Bilgewater's graveyard workers?

As they solemnly lowered a body wrapped in cloth into the water, Linwin confirmed his location.

Excitement flickered across Linwin's face.

It was his first time setting foot on Bilgewater.

---

"Hey, when will that stinking brat Linwin arrive?"

Black Swan Tavern, Graves leaned on his hand, his meticulously groomed beard fluttering as he expressed some disdain, asking Twisted, who was currently hugging two Bilgewater girls in front of him.

Graves didn't care much for the allure of beauty, but Twisted did. In reality, Graves didn't understand what was so appealing about these foul-smelling women. The women on Bilgewater emitted a stronger odor than he did himself. Did Twisted not find it uncomfortable to embrace them?

As far as Graves was concerned, the women of Piltover had a certain charm. Unfortunately, they didn't fancy Graves, the scruffy pauper. They were delicate and fragrant, unlike the women here. Always armed with knives and guns, foul-mouthed, and emitting a foul stench, even their hair was matted.

Bathing in Bilgewater was a hassle; there were no delicate beauties here.

Oh, but perhaps that wasn't entirely accurate?

Suddenly, Graves rolled his eyes. There were indeed beauties here, especially one who appeared like a delicate rose but had more cunning than Twisted. Despite her delicate appearance and physique, she managed to establish her power in Bilgewater. That indicated she had more than just looks and figure; she had ability.

Graves grumbled, sneered, and frowned alternately, leaving Twisted, sitting opposite him, helpless.

Twisted shrugged, accustomed to his good friend's whimsical behavior. In the past six months, Graves had returned to his childhood home, transformed into a figure of prominence in Bilgewater, above all.

While some might not recognize Graves' name on the island, everyone knew Blackbeard. 

"I hope you'll say the same when he arrives," Twisted said, releasing his embrace and motioning subtly, prompting the two Bilgewater women beside him to leave the room.

Graves asked, "Say what?"

"That he's a stinking brat," Twisted said with a smile.

"What's wrong with that? What's wrong with calling him a stinking brat to his face?" Graves snorted. "I even shot him once!"

"So, you're saying you and Linwin are even?" Twisted raised an eyebrow.

Graves was taken aback.

He was shameless, but not to that extent. Even though Linwin was a formidable individual, Graves was well aware of who had bestowed his current power upon him.

He wasn't as foolish as he appeared; he simply didn't like to use his brain.

But on the surface, Graves remained unyielding. After downing a gulp of his drink, he declared loudly, "Calling him a stinking brat? I'll do it to his face! Wait and see if I do."

Twisted remarked, "Seems like you're feeling a bit itchy again."

"Hmph!"

"By the way, Jack, that pretty girl? Where is she?" Graves looked around.

Jack was sitting in a corner, sipping his drink. Hearing Graves' question, Jack replied, "She's in her domain."

"That girl drove off Plank and has the audacity to propose becoming the new ruler of Bilgewater, even trying to bribe the three of us." Graves grumbled as he slammed down his glass, feeling refreshed.

"The conditions she offered were quite good, but unfortunately," Twisted chuckled, "compared to the Twin Cities, her verbal offers aren't convincing."

"Hmph, I don't care about her conditions or not." Graves poured himself another drink, then declared loudly, "I won't betray Linwin, he's the first person to trust me." With that, Graves looked at Twisted, who immediately turned his head away, too lazy to look at Graves.

Covering his ears with his hands, Twisted, familiar with Graves, could guess what he was going to say. It was probably something about brotherhood and how Twisted was a rotten person. 

Speaking of which, Twisted glanced at the old-fashioned clock hanging on the wall, shaped like an octopus spreading all its tentacles.

Linwin should be here by now, shouldn't he?