Chapter 108: 108

“Frazer is the most experienced pirate on this island . I heard of his name even before I come to Nassau . Someone told me that he used to work alongside Henry Morgan to raid a Spanish settlement . After stealing all they could, they managed to loot a total of two million pounds in their last raid . After that, the rich bastard, Henry Morgan, was summoned by the queen, banished to jail the moment he returned to his country . As for Frazer, he left Jamaica and came to Nassau . He remained here to recruit potential pirates to join his creed . At his peak, he had 11 pirate ships, hundreds of cannons, and around 700 to 800 pirates under his command . ”

“What happened after that?”

“I have no idea . Rumor says he wanted to accept the queen’s pardon secretly . When his band knew about it, everything changed . He was stripped of his title as captain of 11 pirate ships, and all his crew was dismissed . Right now, that old bastard is no larger than an ordinary pirate,” said the muscular man with a grin on his face .

“But, you still owe him money . ”

“Alright! I have told you everything you need to know . It’s your turn to keep your end of the bargain, you…”

The muscular pirate suddenly stopped smiling and spat an expletive into Zhang Heng’s face .

“Last question . Where do I rent a house around here?”

After Zhang Heng’s question was answered, the ten silver pesos were placed on the table, and the deal was complete .

…

Right now, he was left with 58 silver pesos . Of course, getting a room at an inn was an option . However, the fact that he had to spend over a decade on this island had him thinking that it might be wiser to just look for a proper place to settle down .

The place he chose was a little further from the harbor but closer to the center of the island . The property in question was located near the farming plots, where its perks were serenity and a rental fee that was dirt cheap . Believe it or not, the entire house cost only 160 silver pesos, and it was 17 silver pesos for a two-year rent .

It was no better than a wooden cottage, with rotting wooden boards masking up a potential for collapse . Here in Nassau, places in such a state were everywhere . At a time where piracy was rampant in Nassau, Spain and France would send their military there to ensure things were in order .

Often, this led to large scale skirmishes with the pirates, eventually causing massive collateral involving lives and property left irreparable .

Unsurprisingly, the battle-rattled houses here were worthless .

After Zhang Heng paid the landlord, he proceeded to purchase some essentials for his new nest . The very next morning, he was already up before the sun rose, starting repairs and modifications to the wobbly structure . His long time alone on that island had taught him how to build a wooden framed house with a tiled roof . Armed with the experience, he should be more than capable of mending and fortifying the home .

The subtropical climate of The Bahamas had it at a steady all-year-round temperature of 23 to 24 degrees Celcius . Though it was now spring, it wasn’t as cold as expected . Taking off his shirt, he climbed to the roof, subsequently fixing every hole with a hammer and some nails .

A little girl from the house next to his house kept peeking from behind a palm tree . Zhang Heng spotted her and flashed a smile . Startled, the barefooted little girl instantly scooted back home .

Not too long after that, another familiar face appeared in Zhang Heng’s sights . It was Marvin . Although only separated for less than a day, he had undergone a tremendous change .

A sleeve had been torn out of his shirt, and he was left with one boot . His face wasn’t too awful, just a few cuts on his cheek, dark blood flowing down his lips . It was his body that told a different tale, the festering purple bruises smothering what used to be yellowish skin . He seemed to have been through some very harsh retribution .

“That… can I have something to eat? I’ve been starving since last night,” asked Marvin with a smile on his face, his bloody lips quivering as he spoke .

“Where are your 25 silver pesos?”

“They… they’re gone…”

Marvin had initially planned to hop onto one of the boats fleeing this place . Clearly, his plan had failed miserably, with him being beaten to a pulp and all his money robbed off him . He was so embarrassed that he chose to stay silent, refraining from begging for help . Left with no other options, he had to ask around about Zhang Heng’s whereabouts .

After living with Marvin for some time, Zhang Heng reaffirmed what a selfish prick, coward, and hypocrite he could be . As they parted again at the trade center, Zhang Heng decided that he would not care about Marvin from now on .

This quest had a different goal as compared to the previous ones that he completed . This time, he was asked to form his own force . Having no knowledge whatsoever about this force that he was supposed to build, at least he was sure of one thing . It would be impossible for him to do it alone .

He needed a team . Since the pirates here valued democracy more than anything, numbers meant everything on a pirate ship . Even a legendary pirate, the likes of Frazer, could lose his title after losing the support of his underlings .

In other words, even a useless prick like Marvin had the right to vote as well . He would most likely be rejected by everyone on the ship since he attempted to flee the island, so he was left with no option but to rely on Zhang Heng . Marvin might be despicable, but Zhang Heng was sure that he would come useful to him someday . Instead of exposing him, he decided to help him out .

“There is some cheese and bread on the table . Help yourself . ”

Though sounding impossible, Zhang Heng did indeed hope that Marvin would change for the better after this . Marvin only knew a few souls on this island . In other words, no one would help a stranger like him . Considering that he had betrayed Zhang Heng several times, he should have thanked his lucky stars that he didn’t get beaten and kicked out of the house . Zhang Heng’s willingness to share his food took Marvin by surprise .

As Marvin hungrily gobbled down his chow, the tremendous hardship he had to face so far flashed through his mind . Tears started to gush out of his red-rimmed eyes like no tomorrow .

“I’m really sorry! This is all my fault! I have wronged you! I promise you that I will change for the better . From today onward, my life belongs to you . I will never betray you again even if someone threatens to slit my throat open!” wept Marvin, who seemed to be deep in regret .

Did the little display of penance manage to move Zhang Heng’s heart?

For now, at least, he believed that Marvin must have been genuinely grateful to him . At the same time, he knew that this would last no more than two days . In two days, all the promises he uttered would be excreted from his body like feces . Indeed, he would eventually betray him again when his life was threatened . That was just who he was, from his mouth to his intestines .

Fortunately, Zhang Heng wasn’t bothered by it, having never relied on Marvin in the first place .

The moment the barrel was free from the ship, it no longer bounded their fate together .

“Enjoy the food, I’m heading out for a while,” said Zhang Heng while wiping his hands .

Marvin appeared terribly nervous when he heard Zhang Heng was heading out, seeming worried that the truth about what happened to him last night would be exposed .

“Don’t worry . This is not about you . ”