Chapter 117: Old Lover

Fat Bird Kirk’s face suddenly changed. Blackbeard’s words had truly given him no face at all. No matter what, he was one of the thirteen Black Attendants of the Night Alliance. Although he did not have a stronghold like the Black Tiger Family or a vast military force like a standing army, his strength and influence were not something to be looked down upon easily.

The pure silver fork in his hand was crumpled like dough. A red flame emerged from Fat Bird Kirk’s palm, and the fork gradually melted. Droplets of molten silver dripped through his fingers, burning several fist-sized holes in the pure wool carpet at his feet.

Mantis Tang En laughed in a strange tone. Then, his attention was entirely focused on the tea and snacks in front of him. He picked up his teacup, took a sip, and stuffed pastries into his mouth, acting as if he were merely watching the show without taking sides.

Black Rose Madam Ross lazily leaned back, almost lying entirely on the sofa. Every curve of her beautiful body was full of seductive charm. She giggled softly, her laughter crisp and pleasant, making one’s heart tingle.

Blackbeard chuckled strangely, his hands resting on his knees as he spoke word by word, “Fat Pig, Arthur is my adopted son. This matter was approved back then by the joint meeting of the thirteen Black Attendants of the Night Alliance. I raised him and will let him take over his father’s territory.”

Clearing his throat lightly, Blackbeard sneered, “Since he is my adopted son, all his affairs are the internal matters of my Black Tiger Family. He hasn’t even taken over Red-Haired Ghost’s territory yet, and you couldn’t wait to jump out. Do you want to interfere in my Black Tiger’s turf?”

Fat Bird Kirk narrowed his eyes and said in a low voice, “Black Tiger, what you’re saying is not right.”

Blackbeard ignored Fat Bird Kirk’s words and continued speaking word by word, “A long time ago, there were people who tried to meddle in the affairs of our Black Tiger Family, trying to take a piece of meat from our turf. But all of them lost their heads! Fat Pig, you’d better think carefully about every word you say to me here!”

Fat Bird Kirk’s face became extremely stiff. He frowned and indeed followed Blackbeard’s advice, carefully weighing his next words.

Arthur smiled slightly. He stood up and bowed slightly to Blackbeard, saying, “Father, Uncle Kirk is just concerned…”

Blackbeard shot a sharp glance at Arthur. Intimidated by his gaze, Arthur instinctively took two steps back and almost fell to the ground. Blackbeard waved his hand casually and said, “You are my adopted son. What business is it of others to be concerned about you? For example, Ross, you are my old lover. If someone were to ask you what color underwear you are wearing today, what do you think I should do?”

Black Rose Madam Ross glanced around, giving Blackbeard a charming smile. She didn’t know where she pulled out a black rose the size of a child’s fist and said softly, “You old pervert, why talk about these things in front of the children? Heehee, who would dare to ask me such questions in front of you? Wouldn’t you chop off their heads and hang them at the port as a warning?”

Mantis Tang En, who had been eating and drinking heartily, was stunned for a moment. He quickly glanced at Blackbeard and Black Rose, then lowered his head and continued eating and drinking. His previously uncertain gaze had now become very clear. It was obvious that he had earlier considered interfering in the matter, but after Blackbeard revealed his relationship with Black Rose Ross, Mantis Tang En completely lost interest in getting involved.

Fat Bird Kirk’s expression also turned very unpleasant. He glared angrily at Arthur, then glanced somewhat helplessly at Black Rose Madam Ross, and finally looked at Blackbeard. After thinking for a while, Fat Bird Kirk forced a dry laugh and said, “Well then, Black Tiger, let me ask you directly. If your adopted son takes over Red-Haired Ghost’s territory, will my business be affected?”

Narrowing his eyes as he looked at Blackbeard, Fat Bird Kirk said in a deep voice, “In Red-Haired Ghost’s territory, fifty percent of the tobacco and liquor I smuggle pass through every year. Black Tiger, we’re all old friends—you can’t screw me over!”

Blackbeard stealthily glanced at Lin Qi, whose expression remained unchanged, and suddenly burst into a loud laugh, “As long as you don’t interfere in my affairs, why would I screw you over? I’ve already told Arthur that the day after tomorrow, he will take twenty armed ships to take over his father’s territory. From then on, everything that happens in the territory left by Red-Haired Ghost has nothing to do with me, Blackbeard!”

Spreading his hands, Blackbeard said firmly, “Have you all forgotten the decision we made collectively back then? Before Arthur takes over, no one is allowed to touch Red-Haired Ghost’s territory. After Arthur takes over, everything on that turf will be handled according to the rules. I will never break the rules.”

When he said that he would never break the rules, Blackbeard cast a cold glance at Fat Bird Kirk.

Fat Bird Kirk remained silent for a moment, then said sternly, “Black Tiger, it’s good that you still remember our collective decision. But I heard…”

His small eyes quickly glanced at Lin Qi, and Fat Bird Kirk looked at Arthur and said, “I heard that Arthur in your Black Tiger Family…”

Black Rose Madam Ross suddenly giggled sweetly and said softly, “How can you believe things you’ve only heard? Don’t you all know what kind of person Black Tiger is? Fat Pig, Arthur isn’t your adopted son—why trouble yourself with this? If it weren’t for Blackbeard, even I wouldn’t stand for it, oh?”

Ross gave Blackbeard a flirtatious glance, and Blackbeard slapped his thigh, roaring with laughter. After laughing for a bit, he glanced somewhat guiltily at Lin Qi and muttered something under his breath.

Lin Qi smiled and spoke up. He glanced at Ross and said with a smile, “Aunt Ross’s words are very reasonable. Some people should not meddle in our family’s affairs, otherwise it won’t be good for anyone, right? Well, Uncle Fat Pig, the fork in your hand is worth twenty Gold Coins, and the carpet you burned is worth three thousand Gold Coins. Could you please pay before you leave?”

Fat Bird Kirk chuckled a few times, struggled to stand up, and slowly pulled out a ten-thousand Gold Coin Gold Note from his sleeve, placing it on the coffee table in front of him. He nodded at Blackbeard and said somberly, “Well then, from now on, everything will be handled according to the rules.”

Blackbeard said expressionlessly, “Take care, I won’t see you out. Arthur, go see Fat Pig off. No matter what, he meant well toward you!”

Arthur bowed deeply to Blackbeard without a word, then followed Fat Bird Kirk out.

Not long after, Mantis Tang En also said his goodbyes and left, leaving only Black Rose Madam Ross behind.

The atmosphere in the reception room suddenly became extremely strange. Enzo and the others quietly left the room, leaving only Lin Qi and the other two.