Chapter 118: Lovers Who Are Also Allies

The parlor remained strangely silent. Lin Qi looked at Blackbeard, then at Madam Ross. He suddenly stood up. When Lin Qi rose, Blackbeard was so nervous he nearly crushed the teacup in his hand. Madam Ross’s eyebrows also twitched, and she instinctively sat up straight on the sofa.

Lin Qi ignored these two who had guilty hearts. He walked to the floor-to-ceiling window of the parlor, which happened to overlook the gate of the Ancestral Residence in the distance.

Fat Bird Kirk was boarding his carriage surrounded by guards, with Arthur attentively serving beside him. It was too far away for Lin Qi to see the movement of Arthur’s lips, so he could not use lip-reading to know what they were saying. But judging by Arthur’s humble attitude, it was clear that Fat Bird Kirk was likely the backer he had found.

“How foolish. If he has found this fat pig as a backer, why would he reveal it so early?” Lin Qi suddenly sighed softly.

Blackbeard grunted. He rubbed his big nose and said nothing.

Madam Ross giggled softly a few times. She stood up and slowly walked to stand behind Lin Qi. Squinting, she looked at the team of Fat Bird Kirk slowly driving away outside the distant gate and said with a low laugh, “It seems that little Arthur is also afraid. What do you think, Blackbeard?”

Blackbeard sneered a few times. He also stood up and stood shoulder to shoulder with Madam Ross behind Lin Qi. He said in a deep voice, “Yes, that kid is afraid. He has suffered so much at Lin Qi’s hands, and this time Lin Qi treated him like this again, giving him no face at all. He is worried about his own life.”

Lin Qi nodded thoughtfully and said, “So, he couldn’t wait to summon his backer?”

Madam Ross shook her head and said, “He didn’t summon him; they just happened to meet. This morning, the three of us entered Dun Er Ke together. Tang En and I had just completed a big deal outside and were planning to pass through Dun Er Ke to return to our own territories. As for the fat pig, he seemed to have just come from the Imperial Capital. In his line of business, without support from the nobles in the Imperial Capital, how could his goods move out?”

Lin Qi sighed softly and said, “Then Arthur is truly foolish. How could he use such a backer so casually?”

Blackbeard patted Lin Qi’s shoulder heavily and said in a deep voice, “You pushed him too hard. He is afraid, he is fearful. He is scared that he will be killed by you before he can take over Red-Haired Ghost’s territory. So he wants to find a backer to make me hesitate and not dare to really move against him.”

With a charming smile, Madam Ross sighed softly and said, “What a cute fool. If you really wanted to move against him, Blackbeard, what could the fat pig do anyway?”

Puffing out his chest and standing firmly with his legs apart, Blackbeard took out a cigar and put it in his mouth. Madam Ross laughed lightly, flicked her finger, and a black flame flashed at the tip, lighting the cigar for Blackbeard. Blackbeard took a deep breath and then blew out two thick streams of smoke from his nostrils. He sneered and said, “The fat pig is one thing, but that skinny stick, he just wants to take advantage of the situation!”

Lin Qi nodded thoughtfully. It was clear that although Fat Bird Kirk happened to be there by chance, he had intentionally come to support Arthur, aiming to ensure Arthur’s safe return to his father Red-Haired Ghost’s territory. But what about Mantis Tang En? Why did he come along?

When Lin Qi saw Tang En, he felt he was a jackal that specifically fed on carrion. He must have smelled an opportunity for profit and eagerly joined in. If Blackbeard hadn’t coincidentally revealed his relationship with Madam Ross, the two Black Attendants might have joined forces, and all the pressure would have fallen on the Black Tiger Family.

A big smuggler was one thing, but Mantis Tang En was the leader of bandits and kidnappers, a fierce outlaw who dared to kidnap a kingdom’s grand duchess. The force under his command was formidable. If the two joined forces, even the Black Tiger Family would not be able to handle it easily.

However, when the affair between Blackbeard and Madam Ross was exposed in public, Mantis Tang En wisely chose to retreat. And after declaring his support for Arthur, Fat Bird Kirk also wisely left the Black Tiger Family. Both sides had tested the waters a little, gaining some insights, but neither achieved a decisive advantage. It was a very delicate situation.

Perhaps the only one who gained the most was Blackbeard!

With a dark expression, Lin Qi turned to look at Blackbeard. He glanced at his father, then at the blushing Madam Ross, and suddenly said, “Very well, Aunt Ross, you will not marry my father, right?”

Madam Ross gave Lin Qi a charming glance and said with a soft laugh, “Being lovers is very good. If the two of us were to marry, others in the Night Alliance would become very uneasy. Hehe, your father and I are both lovers and allies. Little one, this is better for everyone, isn’t it?”

Lin Qi looked thoughtfully at Madam Ross, then beckoned to Blackbeard.

Blackbeard chuckled and obediently followed Lin Qi to a corner of the parlor. Lin Qi glanced at Madam Ross, who was standing by the floor-to-ceiling window, fanning herself and enjoying the snowy scenery. He lowered his voice and asked, “You haven’t given me a mixed-blood younger brother, have you?”

Blackbeard narrowed his eyes and said with a low laugh, “How could that happen? The lessons of our family ancestors are there; how could I make such a mistake? Well, to be honest, your father is a healthy man. I need women, right? Hmm, ordinary women would break after a few squeezes from your father. This woman is tough enough; she is the only one who can keep up with your father all night long and have fun. I am satisfied, she is satisfied—we are allies!”

Poking Lin Qi’s chest with his finger, Blackbeard said with a laugh, “‘Close’ allies, son. This woman has great skills. Forming an alliance with her benefits both of us. We both enjoy the fun and gain a firm ally. Moreover, we don’t interfere in each other’s affairs. It’s a great arrangement, don’t you think?”

“Arthur!” Lin Qi set aside the matter of Madam Ross. Just as Blackbeard said, he was a healthy man and should have his own life. Lin Qi felt that since he was not his mother, he had no right to meddle in Blackbeard’s private life. As long as he didn’t bring back a mixed-blood younger brother, Blackbeard could do whatever he wanted!

The only problem was Arthur!

“Hmm, the day after tomorrow, you will take people to the Imperial Capital, and he will take people to his dead father’s territory!” Blackbeard looked deeply at Lin Qi and said, “From then on, I am not responsible for his life or death. This was the decision made at the Night Alliance Attendants’ meeting back then!”

Lin Qi smiled. He bowed deeply to Madam Ross and said with a loud laugh, “Aunt Ross, you are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. My father is really lucky. I wish you both a happy day. I’ll take my leave now!”

With a loud laugh, Lin Qi picked up the Gold Note that Fat Bird Kirk had left behind and left the parlor with joyful steps.