Chapter 105: 105

Zhang Heng slowly lowered his gun .

“Wise move . ”

Next, the old pirate turned around and looked at Marvin .

“Well, I don’t mind standing here for a little chat with you guys . What excuse are you going to come up with if someone passes by?”

Paralyzed by fear, Marvin lost the ability to think logically . So, he turned to look at Zhang Heng . Seeing Zhang Heng nodding, he moved aside and allowed the old pirate to enter the room .

“Thank you so much . To ensure the smoothness of our conversation, I would first like to inform you that the person in the barrel is not my friend . To be honest, I personally disliked what he did when he was still alive . But then again, we are all here to become pirates and not make friends . It’s impossible for us to like everyone on the ship, right?” the old pirate said while taking his hat off .

“How did you find us out?” asked Zhang Heng .

“I have noticed that you usually stayed calm in most circumstances . You are still young, but it looks like you have been through much hardship . In my entire life, I have only encountered two people who can stay this calm in any kind of situation . One of them is you, and the other is…”

The old pirate paused suddenly, having no intention to elaborate .

“Your friend right here is not as calm as you . When you were sick, it was nice of him to take care of you and all, but things started getting weird when he visited you seven to eight times a day . I also noticed that he is on edge all the time . I always ask myself: what could make a cook, a man who has no other task but to prepare food, be so skittish . Could it be tomorrow’s menu?”

Suddenly, Marvin’s face turned pale, looking to be on the verge of breaking down . He stumbled to the ground on his knees and started to tremble .

“Don’t believe him! I have nothing to do with this! He was the one who forced me to be part of it . The truth is… I have never laid my fingers on Victor . He inflicted the wound on Victor’s back, not me!”

The old pirate was taken aback by what Marvin told him . He then saw Zhang Heng just standing there, staring at Marvin without the slightest expression on his face .

Marvin grabbed the old pirate’s pants and started to wail like a child . After a while, he realized that something wasn’t right and lifted up his head in an awkward manner .

“Don’t worry . Do you think I would have come here alone if I wanted to avenge Victor?” asked the old pirate while patting Marvin’s back .

“What do you want then?”

Zhang Heng was disgusted by Marvin’s awful acting . So, he attempted to steer the conversation back to the supposed topic .

“It’s simple . I just need some of your kindness and a few small favors . As you can see, I’m getting really old . I don’t plan to come back again when we reach land later . It’s time for me to settle down and prepare for retirement . That is why I need someone to help me retrieve some money that someone owes me . ”

“That’s it?”

“I dislike taking advantage of others . The person that you just killed is someone I really hate . So, yes . It is that simple . ”

“You should have many acquaintances on this ship, right? Why didn’t you ask for their help instead?”

“You need to understand that things have a nick of getting really complicated when money is involved . However, new guys like you are different . If you dare take my money, I have all the ways to make you spit it out . Besides, I like the fact that you can shoot really well . I think this will be a fine deal between us . ”

“Seems like you leave me no choice . ”

“You are smart, and I like talking to smart guys like you . Please understand that I have to protect myself in this deal as well . Anyway, I can see that you need help getting rid of the body . You can actually hand over the problem to me . I can help you dispose of it . ”

“What do you mean by that?”

“I know what your concerns are . We will arrive in Nassau tomorrow, and when we set foot on land, there will be people tasked to manage all the ship’s items . That includes the food and raw ingredients in the galley . Your secret will be exposed if you don’t deal with your problem tonight . Unless… you know a person who knows the person tasked to manage the stuff on board . That person will inform the men to leave the galley alone . He will also look for an opportunity to dispose of the body . There are only a few on this ship who can pull off such tricks . You guys are in luck . That person happens to be standing right in front of you . ”

“After you get your hands on the body, you will turn around and bite us from our backs, right?”

“Just like what I said, I’m planning on retirement . This will be a one-off deal . When all is done, I will be staying out of your life for good . I think you should place your trust in a harmless old man like me than some other stranger . ”

“For example?”

“Like our friend, Goodwin . Isn’t he friendly and nice? He has had a sad past, but he still manages to put on a smile every day . Positive vibes have a way of spreading around the ship, and somehow, he appears right when you need someone to encourage you . I don’t like to add fuel to the fire, but I did hear some rumors about him . The friendly cannoneer, Goodwin, wants to replace Orff as the new helmsman .

So far, he has managed to recruit a group of followers . If this matter makes it to the voting session, you will be required to cast your votes as well . There are three other survivors from this merchant ship as well . They will most likely vote for Goodwin .

That would mean he would get another four voters to side with him . And all he needs to do is tell you nice stuff that goes down well with you . I think he got himself a damn good deal . ”

“Why are you telling me all this?”

This time, Zhang Heng was surprised by what he heard .

“Before the deal is done, it’s my responsibility to ensure your safety on this ship . Let me give you a piece of advice . Do not get involved in this matter . Our captain is capable of many things . Hence, a large number thinks that Orff’s existence is a useless one, and he has done nothing good enough to impress anyone for the past few years . Frankly, that couldn’t be further from the truth . Orff is a wise man, one that would fulfill all his responsibilities if put under a good captain . Anyone who looks down on him will pay the price ultimately . ”

“Who the hell are you?” asked Marvin .

“That’s no secret . Right now, I’m just an old man that is getting ready to retire . But, before all this…”

The old pirate put on his broken hat before he finished his sentence .

Looking up, he continued with gleaming eyes,

“I was the captain of the Sea Lion . That ship over there, she originally belonged to me . ”