Chapter 1010: Chapter 503: Warehouse
Ebbtide Gang Base.
"Carrion Vulture" Gerry held a long-stemmed pipe in one hand, the professional’s robust physique ensuring his breaths were slow and lengthy, with twin streams of light white smoke jetting out of his nostrils in bundles, crashing against the floor underneath, surging and dissipating.
"How’s it been at Suo Yu Bay recently?"
His triangular eyes were shrouded in the deep shadows cast by high arching brows, his head slightly lowered, leaving his facial expression unclear, only his sinister voice reverberating inside the room.
As the leader of the Ebbtide Gang, now was a time ripe for expansion, he should be stationed at Suo Yu Bay, yet coincidentally the Sha Hua Fishmen were initiating deals, such contacts with such powerful mysterious races required utmost caution, a slight misstep could lead to disastrous consequences, Gerry couldn’t rest easy, deciding to lead the team away from the port personally.
Of course, should the negotiation succeed, the benefits Ebbtide Gang would reap would be unmatched.
Exaggerated amounts of Gold Coins and antiques were just part of it, while finely crafted weapons by the Sha Hua Fishmen, special mineral and plant materials from the ocean depths, and even the human battle skills collected by the Fishmen formed the rest.
As long as they could tap into this connection, Ebbtide Gang would, with the help of the Sha Hua Fishmen, transform from a low-level gang stuck in the alley corners of the Saltwater District to a large organization renowned throughout Suo Yu Bay in no time.
And all they needed to sacrifice were the lives of some lowly pigs, citizens less significant than ants.
Thirty years of life at sea had long eroded the humanity of this middle-aged professional; as long as he could gain stronger strength, more Gold Coins, and greater power, nothing else mattered.
But at the same time, as the hub of the Southern Islands, Suo Yu Bay remained vital for having a firm foothold in town.
So even at Wildberry Cliff, amidst crucial dealings with the Sha Hua Fishmen, Gerry still paid heed to the gang’s development in Suo Yu Bay.
"Most of the resources left by the Corner Shark Gang that could be acquired have been gathered, the piers are stabilizing, and the Governor Mansion guards responsible for relevant areas are pretty much settled."
Beside him, a gang member familiar with Suo Yu Bay’s developments responded.
"How about the Vengeance Blade? Any movements lately?"
Gerry suddenly mentioned a name that had appeared frequently within the gang recently.
Though a former adventurer for many years, since establishing his organization and transforming into "gang leader" and "Pirate Leader," his ties with traditional adventurer teams had gradually faded.
Typically, he wouldn’t interact with an elite team like Vengeance Blade.
He constantly sought to avoid it, subjecting every new member joining the gang to relatively stringent assessments, grooming considerable judgment skills with the help of seasoned members, knowing which targets were appropriate and who mustn’t be offended, allowing them to go out independently.
Yet despite all this, accidents were still unavoidable.
Take Hogan’s encounter as an example from recent days, he should have recognized every official member of the Vengeance Blade Squad; even if temporarily forgotten, he could judge through their attire and demeanor.
But he happened to run into someone who had joined the Vengeance Blade Squad as a "temporary member" not long ago, whose flamboyant actions in Suo Yu Bay’s large casinos had brought fame linked to the legendary half orc of many years past.
The extremely misleading appearance trapped even Hogan, arguably among the most cautious in the gang, causing him to offend the individual, as well as the "Haiya" and the Vengeance Blade Ship Group behind them.
On recalling the name "Haiya," a trace of seriousness unconsciously flickered on Gerry’s face.
In some sense, the Ebbtide Gang’s current development owed much to the other’s aid in dismantling the rival Corner Shark Gang.
Thus, Gerry was inclined to avoid offending them.
Luckily, neither Vengeance Blade nor "Haiya" Xia Nan seemed to care about minor figures like Hogan, so the Ebbtide Gang remained unaffected.
Taking precaution, he even dispatched personnel to lurk near the Vengeance Blade Blade docked at Wave-breaking Pier, observing the movements of this elite adventurer team for fear of retaliation.
The facts seemingly proved he’d overthought it.
Listening to the subordinate’s report, Gerry couldn’t help exhaling in relief, his tightly stretched nerves due to dealings with the Sha Hua Fishmen slightly easing.
His peripheral vision glanced at the pipe, recalling something, he waved at a mature-looking member beside him, saying:
"Almost forgot, I recall there are two boxes of tobacco from Shire Island amongst the batch, go fetch two packs for me."
"Hmm, and select two antique collectibles to send to the Fishmen over there, these Water Rats have peculiar tempers, need to build a good relationship for business."
"Yes, Boss!"
...
...
"Don’t kill me! Lord ’Haiya,’ please don’t kill me!"
Boots stained with the water spraying from an enemy’s neck.
Xia Nan carefully wiped the [Ash Fall] Straight Sword in his hand, gazing at the little gangster kneeling and crouching on the ground before him, body trembling and voice tearfully pleading.
A peculiar expression involuntarily appeared on his face.
