Sarah silently watched the man before her without saying a word. Perhaps he really was someone she could trust—or perhaps her subconscious was telling her that he could be trusted.
Jiang Chuan looked at the calm Sarah and said, "I'll still do what I promised: help you get your revenge. I'll build an empire in Bilgewater, and I'll need someone to help me manage it."
Sarah said in shock, "Unifying Bilgewater won't be easy. Even Gangplank couldn't achieve that, and this place is full of countless thugs and scoundrels. Bringing it all under one banner will be incredibly difficult."
Jiang Chuan smiled. "As far as I know, Bilgewater's four biggest powers are Gangplank, the Crows, Old Blow, and Hark. You already have a plan for the strongest of them, Gangplank. I'll take care of Hark. He'll have his hands full in a couple of days."
Sarah looked at the confident Jiang Chuan, confused. "Do you have some brilliant plan? Hark is as cruel and cunning as the fat rats at the Slaughter Docks."
Jiang Chuan smiled. "I remember you once said that if you cut off a sea serpent's head, another would grow back. But if you tamed it, its lair would become warm and welcoming."
"That's true."
Jiang Chuan gathered up the plates and stood. "But if you chop the sea serpent to pieces and feed it to the fish, its lair will be even more welcoming."
Sarah watched Jiang Chuan with curiosity and smiled. "And how are you going to chop it up? A huge sea serpent won't be easy to cut apart. First, you'll need a sharp knife."
Jiang Chuan smiled. "My knife is sharp enough to chop up three sea serpents. But enough about that. What are we doing today?"
Sarah took the wide-brimmed hat from the nearby coat rack and put it on. "Today, we're going to see an old friend—or two."
Jiang Chuan smiled. "Let me guess. Twisted Fate? He's certainly an old friend. Or Graves? And what about that little boy?"
The bounty hunter's familiar smile vanished. The icy light in her eyes made Jiang Chuan's skin prickle. Sarah said, "How do you know about them? I never let you in on the plan."
Jiang Chuan looked at the beautiful bounty hunter and said coldly, "Don't try to deceive me. I'm not like Twisted Fate, willing to risk my life for a few coins. I know your plan inside and out. For now, you need to wait patiently. There's no need to put your plan into action so soon. Starting a riot on your own will leave this city with wounds that can never be healed. I need a perfect city, not one in constant turmoil. You have to suppress your desire for revenge. Tell Raven the plan is postponed."
Sarah drew her pistol and stared at Jiang Chuan in fear. "How do you know all this? Who are you, really?"
Jiang Chuan glanced at the pistol. "I already told you. I'm a Summoner. You need to wait until I'm ready before putting your plan into action. It won't be long. The Dark Sea Throne is about to make waves in Bilgewater. You need to wait. I won't interfere with your plan—but, strictly speaking, your plan is a complete mess. Gangplank won't die, and the ensuing chaos will be far worse than you imagine! We have to deal with two of these three first: Hark, the Crows, and Old Blow. Otherwise, even if Gangplank dies, we still won't get Bilgewater!"
Sarah set the pistol on the table. Her beautiful eyes brimmed with helplessness as she looked at Jiang Chuan. "What do you need me to do?"
Jiang Chuan said quietly, "Take the Syren to Bloodfang Island. We need a sturdy ironclad, not a pile of rotten wood! My men have already started moving. You can get a warship even larger than the Dreadway. Getting revenge doesn't mean simply killing Gangplank."
Sarah led Jiang Chuan to the docks, where a large ship was moored. A cloaked figure stepped off the ship and said, "Everything's nearly ready. We can start the plan at any time."
Sarah waved a hand. "The plan is canceled. Take the Syren to Bloodfang Island."
Raven stared at her in disbelief. "Captain, we've waited so long for this day. Why are we canceling the plan?"
Sarah said impatiently, "I'm the captain. We do what I say!"
Raven looked as if he wanted to say something, but when he saw Sarah's resolute expression, he replied, "Yes, Captain!"
Sarah turned and glared at Jiang Chuan. "I hope your decision is the right one!"
Jiang Chuan looked at the ship before them. "Your Syren will become an indestructible ironclad. Our target isn't Gangplank now—it's Bilgewater. We'll bring all of Bilgewater under our control. A peaceful Bilgewater will always be worth more than one in chaos!"
Sarah looked at Jiang Chuan. "I've put my ship in your hands. Don't mess this up."
Jiang Chuan watched the ship weigh anchor. "You can trust me. Our goal is the Sea of Stars."
Sarah rolled her eyes at the chuuni Jiang Chuan and boarded the Syren.
Instead of returning to Bloodfang Island with Sarah, Jiang Chuan went to Novia's tavern. Novia smiled when she saw him. "I heard you went to be a bounty hunter's lackey?"
Jiang Chuan waved a hand and smiled. "I had to do some fieldwork to carry out the plan. How are things on Hark's end?"
Novia tidied up the tables. "I don't understand why you're targeting Hark. His forces are nowhere near as strong as Gangplank's."
Jiang Chuan said coldly, "He'll be one of the first to step forward and try to carve up Bilgewater after Gangplank dies. I have to take him out before I even think about Gangplank. Right now, Gangplank is keeping them in check. Once he's dead, they'll come charging like a pack of starving dogs, ready to eat your flesh and drink your blood!"
Novia smiled. "The tavern in Rat Town is up and running. I don't understand why you wanted to open a shop in that foul-smelling place."
Jiang Chuan nodded. "Thanks for all your hard work over there. The net is almost woven; now we're just waiting for the right moment to cast it. Any news from the Black Rose?"
Novia shook her head. "No. It's as if the organization has forgotten all about me. But I know I'm not the only one they sent to Bilgewater."
Jiang Chuan smiled. "That's for the best. You get back to work. I've got things to do. This net has to be flawless. I've been going to Rat Town every day. When this is all over, I'll have to get myself some new clothes."
Novia went back to her work. Jiang Chuan walked out of the tavern and looked up at the scorching sun. "How many big fish will this net catch?"
The air over Bilgewater seemed to reek of chaos, and the waves grew more and more violent...
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