Rendezvous

Translator: Cinder Translations

...

A gust of autumn wind swept into his collar, sending a chill down Tao Te's spine. He tightly wrapped his coat collar and cursed under his breath, "Damn this cursed weather."

The "Eel" pirate gang had just looted a village, taking plenty of pigs, sheep, and fine wine. Abiding by their principle of seizing the moment, they naturally indulged in revelry, celebrating for several days with a continuous "victory feast."

However, amidst the savory barbecue and rich wine enjoyed by all, poor Tao Te was dispatched by the vice-captain to Frand Port for a rendezvous with the gang's informant.

He arrived at the doorstep of the only brothel in Frand Port, adopting the mannerisms of a familiar customer as he leisurely strolled in.

"Hey~~ Long time no see, guest."

Soon, a group of heavily made-up women surrounded him. Though he had visited before, Tao Te didn't expect them to remember him; these women greeted everyone the same way.

Although a few of the girls caught his eye, business came first. Tao Te found a seat and loudly proclaimed, "I'm here for business. Fetch your boss!"

The women teased, "Guest, you don't know what business we do here? Just 'talk' with us directly."

Tao Te shook his head, "I'm here to discuss a major transaction that requires your boss's approval."

"What kind of secretive deal is this?"

Tao Te patted the box he carried with him and smirked, "Heh heh, a shipment just arrived from the south that can make a man lively in bed. With it, your customers won't want to leave."

The women burst into laughter without blushing.

At that moment, someone who knew Tao Te approached and said, "So it's Mr. Tao Te. Please follow me. The boss said when you arrived, I should take you directly to him."

Tao Te followed the woman to a luxurious room where he found the brothel's beaten-up owner.

Tao Te was surprised, "Boss Clement, what happened to you?"

Clement replied mournfully, "Oh, don't mention it. I paid a bit less tax recently, and the tax officials instigated some soldiers to come cause trouble. They didn't distinguish and beat me up. Ouch~~"

Speaking moved his facial muscles, causing pain in his swollen areas, and Clement winced again.

Tao Te couldn't help but gloat, "You've got some nerve, daring to shortchange Lord Grayman?"

Clement grumbled, "Whose side are you on?"

Quickly, Tao Te reassured him, "I'm definitely on your side, brother. These aristocratic bastards won't bat an eye if you're in trouble normally, but if you owe them even a cent, getting beaten up is just the beginning."

The brothel owner's face expressed deep empathy, his small eyes gleaming with resentment. "I just can't swallow this! Those vampires, all for a few words..."

"Brother, trust me!" Tao Te patted Clement on the shoulder. "Soon, we'll make your lordship, Earl Grayman, regret his actions."

"Oh?" The fat boss became interested. "You're going to avenge me?"

Tao Te silently scoffed, "Dream on, who do you think you are!"

He replied, "Well, sort of. But it's not just about revenge for you! Recently, Grayman has been causing trouble specifically for those of us making a living on the sea. Both he and us have scores to settle. So, higher-ups are planning a big move."

Then he spat disdainfully, "The shark was strangled to death, and his vendetta against his father's killer has been avenged. Continuing to harass us bystanders, what's that about? Nobles and us have an unwritten rule in the Northwest Bay. Those who don't follow the rules need to be taught a lesson."

The brothel owner felt a wave of contempt in his heart, "Blow as hard as you like. Who doesn't know that you've been pinned down and beaten by Alden's navy recently, only daring to raid places where the navy can't reach."

Clement had spent some time as a pirate in his youth and had known the Eel, but they were both inconspicuous small fry back then. After accumulating some money, Clement left the pirate gang, traveled around for a while, and eventually started a business in Frand Port. Although his current "business" wasn't particularly honorable, at least he had escaped the wandering and bloodthirsty life.

It was shortly after Alden's navy was established that the Eel sent someone to find him, demanding his assistance. If he refused, they would expose his past as a pirate.

Everyone knew that Lord Paul Grayman, the current lord, hated pirates the most. Clement didn't dare to gamble that his lordship would be lenient, especially since the Eel only asked him to pass on messages. He thought carefully and figured that as long as he was cautious, he should be fine, so he agreed.

Unexpectedly, despite his utmost caution, he was caught. The navy and the lord's men came knocking and gave him a thorough beating. They didn't execute him because they needed him to cooperate as a double agent.

It wasn't a matter of whether he could keep the secret anymore. If he didn't agree, his head might be relocated immediately. Naturally, Clement cooperated in order to save his life.

Listening to Tao Te's bragging, the brothel owner showed a face of shared resentment.

"Tao Te, as long as you can make Grayman regret it, I'll do anything. So, what brings you here this time? Brother, I'll do my best."

"Heh heh, Boss Clement, what I need you to do is the same as before—keep a close eye on the Blue Stripe Dogs' movements. Just make sure to pass on the information promptly from now on, especially when their troops leave for other places."

Clement hesitated slightly, "I also want to pass on the information promptly, but I don't see how I can do that."

Tao Te smiled faintly, "That's why I'm here!"

He opened the box he carried with him, revealing not aphrodisiacs or anything similar, but a hidden bird. The bird inside the box remained silent and calm, unstartled by Clement's presence.

Clement recognized this bird called a Fish Hawk. It was rare in the northwest and difficult to tame. Captured individuals often starved themselves rather than eat or drink, yet here the Eel pirate gang kept such a creature.

Tao Te said, "From now on, use this Fish Hawk to pass on any information. Feed it well a few times, and once it's used to you, it will remember this place. It can find us and fly back here."

Clement stared at the Fish Hawk and said, "That's remarkably convenient."

Tao Te instructed him, "If the navy leaves Frand Port, it would be best to ascertain their numbers. This is crucial for us."

"Don't worry, leave it to me."

Clement readily agreed, then asked, "Can you tell me what big move you're planning?"

Tao Te shook his head, "I don't know the specifics, but it's all about making the Blue Stripe Dogs look bad. I'll just do as instructed by my superiors."

To avoid suspicion, Clement refrained from pressing further. He wanted to pet the Fish Hawk but immediately withdrew his hand. "Will this flat-feathered beast peck people?"

"Go ahead and pet it boldly. Once tamed, it's quite docile."

Tao Te grabbed the Fish Hawk and handed it to Clement.

Since it was a rare animal that was difficult for humans to tame, Clement played with it with great interest.

Finally, he smiled at Tao Te and said, "Brother, it's been a long journey for you. Would you like to stay and play here for a while before leaving?"

Tao Te was delighted, "Then I won't be polite!"

(End of the Chapter)