Dark Sea Throne

Jiang Chuan and Pyke slowly approached the casino. A line of people crouched outside with their hands over their heads, like they'd been caught in an anti-prostitution raid back on Earth. Jiang Chuan tossed Jones's head to the ground and said, "Bring out whoever's highest-ranking here."

A man in his thirties stood up. "My name is Will. I manage the Iron Anchor Gang's finances."

Jiang Chuan smiled. "You're the one I'm looking for. Give me a detailed account of the Iron Anchor Gang's assets. If anything's even slightly off, you'll lose your head."

Pyke waved the harpoon in his hand as he sized Will up. Will was terrified out of his wits. The man before him, brandishing a harpoon, was a ruthless killer in Bilgewater. If he said you'd lose your head, he'd never settle for just stabbing you in the shoulder!

Will spoke cautiously. "The Iron Anchor Gang has eighty thousand Gold Coins, and about five hundred guns. Everyone except those who are out or resting is here."

Jiang Chuan nodded. "Laurie, take some men and move all the supplies. Leave three hundred behind to guard the place. This casino belongs to us now!"

Laurie excitedly turned to his men. "What are you standing around for? The President's given his orders! Leave three hundred to keep watch, and the rest of you, come with me!"

Jiang Chuan found a barrel to sit on and addressed the others. "We can't let our guard down yet. They're sure to send people. If anyone nods off and fails to spot them, they can go keep Nautilus company in the depths."

Everyone who'd taken part in this operation had survived Jiang Chuan's last assault on Bloodfang Island. They'd seen how Nautilus treated him. Nautilus was like a machine, obeying Jiang Chuan's orders absolutely, without the slightest resistance!

Jiang Chuan watched Laurie and the others carry out box after box of Gold Coins, unable to suppress his delight. Turns out robbery really was the best way to get rich!

After Laurie and his men had moved everything out, he reported to Jiang Chuan. "President, we didn't count the Gold Coins carefully. There are three hundred Mauser Guns, four hundred flintlocks, and seven boxes of ammunition. We've also sorted out some odds and ends we didn't recognize. We even found two cannons!"

Jiang Chuan swept his hand through the air and laughed. "We've won a great victory tonight! Everyone gets one Gold Coin as a reward!" The men praised Jiang Chuan's wisdom at the news.

In truth, Jiang Chuan's group had taken advantage of the Iron Anchor Gang's plans. The gang intended to attack Bloodfang Island tomorrow, so many of its members had gone out to unwind tonight. That left only a few regulars at the casino. On an ordinary night, the two sides would have fought for a long time before either could claim victory. Jiang Chuan thought he'd still win, but it would be a costly victory—not nearly as easy as this one!

Jiang Chuan stood up. "Brothers, tonight we took advantage of the Iron Anchor Gang's plans. They'll definitely come for revenge in the second half of the night. Let's put in a little extra effort and wipe those bastards out for good!"

"The President's right. We're already here, and I haven't even gotten warmed up yet."

"If they show up, I'll give them a taste of my marksmanship!"

"Sure, with those bad eyes of yours?"

Jiang Chuan said, "Everyone, switch to the same weapon—the Mauser Gun. From now on, this gun is your livelihood. Our goal isn't just some little Iron Anchor Gang. We've got plenty more battles ahead, and the guns in your hands will be with you for the rest of your lives!"

Laurie asked, "Then what's our goal, President?"

Jiang Chuan smiled. "Our goal is the Sea of Stars!"

Laurie looked bewildered. "President, what's the Sea of Stars? Are we going to become pirates?"

Jiang Chuan replied calmly, "It's just a figure of speech. I'll make our name resound throughout Bilgewater."

Laurie scratched his head. "President, I don't think we even have a name yet."

Jiang Chuan said, his face darkening, "Our name is the Dark Sea Throne!"

Laurie and the others looked at one another. Laurie said, "President, isn't that name a little too bold?"

Jiang Chuan smacked the back of Laurie's head. "Have some ambition! If you're too timid even to pick a name, how are we supposed to conquer Bilgewater? Stay alert. The enemy could show up any minute!"

Jiang Chuan stopped horsing around with Laurie and the others and took Donahue to the rooftop. "The most important thing for a sniper is to secure the high ground. From up there, you can observe the enemy more effectively."

Jiang Chuan took out the Hextech Rifle and handed it to Donahue. "Use this from now on. Later, I'll develop a proper sniper rifle for you."

Donahue took the Hextech Rifle. "President, I can't use such a precious weapon yet."

Jiang Chuan smiled. "I told you to take it, so take it. Don't worry about it. You and Kelly are all trusted members of my inner circle."

Donahue ran a hand over the rifle. "President, I won't let you down!"

Jiang Chuan patted him on the shoulder. "We're family. You don't need to say that. Get familiar with the rifle. I'm going to check on the other areas."

Jiang Chuan made a round of inspections, then returned to the casino to wait quietly.

Sure enough, at three o'clock, Laurie came in and said, "President, they're here."

Jiang Chuan asked calmly, "How many?"

Laurie replied, "About six or seven hundred."

Jiang Chuan smiled. "When they're in range, everyone open fire. Show them no mercy."

Before long, gunshots rang out without pause. Laurie came in and said, "President, the enemy's all dead. We have fifty wounded, but no one was killed."

Jiang Chuan said calmly, "Good. Search the bodies, then throw them into the sea."

Jiang Chuan got up and left the casino. Bodies covered the ground beyond the defensive line, and Laurie and his men were busy at work. Jiang Chuan went over to the wounded and told them, "Take them to Old Jack's Clinic."

Jiang Chuan said to Laurie, "Once you've finished cleaning up, take all the money and guns to the island."

After giving his orders, Jiang Chuan accompanied the wounded to Old Jack's Clinic. Old Jack settled them in and began treating them, while Jiang Chuan helped him.

As Old Jack worked, he said, "Roland, I heard you went to Demacia?"

Jiang Chuan nodded. "Yeah. I spent six months on the ship."

Old Jack said, "You've taken over the Bloodfang Gang. What are you planning to do now?"

Jiang Chuan shrugged. "I plan to establish an organization called the Dark Sea Throne. I want to unify Bilgewater."

Old Jack frowned. "Unify Bilgewater? You really want to do that?"

Jiang Chuan smiled. "It's not impossible."

Old Jack said wearily, "It would be a good thing if you could unify Bilgewater."

Jiang Chuan looked at Old Jack. "Move your clinic to the island. You can't let your medical skills die out like this. You could teach the children."

Old Jack wiped the sweat from his brow and smiled. "All right. Living on the island sounds good."

Treating fifty wounded was no easy task. By the time they'd finished, it was already the next morning. Jiang Chuan made breakfast, and after eating with Old Jack, he let the old man get some rest.

Jiang Chuan went to Novia's little tavern and chatted with her. Looking at Novia, he smiled. "How's it going? Has Jenny been any trouble?"

Novia smiled. "She's a quick learner. I'm starting to wonder what you're training her for."

Jiang Chuan poured himself a glass of water, took a sip, and smiled. "You'll have to figure that out for yourself."

Novia rolled her eyes at him. "I heard you take a few children and your men through physical training every day, and you're teaching those kids to read, too. Last night, one of them took part in the operation to wipe out the Iron Anchor Gang. She's a very good sniper. Are you trying to build a trusted inner circle?"

Jiang Chuan smiled. "Something like that. It's getting late, so I have to go. I've still got a ton of things to do. I've consolidated the Bloodfang Gang's resources and renamed it the Dark Sea Throne. I want to put up an advertisement in your tavern."

Novia smiled. "The Dark Sea Throne? That's a good name. What kind of advertisement do you want to put up?"

Jiang Chuan smiled faintly. "Assassinations. Anyone in Bilgewater who can be found can be killed. I'll leave the details to you. We'll split the earnings fifty-fifty."