Chapter 52 5. The distinguished guest of the great pirate Barbossa
The Caribbean was a "hot land" during the Age of Discovery. The pursuit of profit, wealth and hegemony by all parties has made this fertile sea a place of competition for various forces.
Colonists, navies, pirates, natives, and even supernatural forces have all taken turns to appear in this sea area in the last afterglow of this world. This chaos has lasted for hundreds of years, and it is foreseeable that it will continue until this barbaric The era of mystery is finally over.
The course of time should be like this.
However, a sudden doomsday changed everything.
At the moment when the gentle land began to curse mankind, the cradle of the ocean once again opened its arms to the last survivors.
Like the last drama before the end of civilization, it may be ugly and hopeless, but it is absolutely wonderful.
Turtle Island is where the drama begins.
Barbossa, the former Pirate King of the Caspian Sea and now the legendary pirate running rampant in the Caribbean, is the first important character to appear.
Mason and Constantine stood on the dock after the fire raging last night. They and other islanders who came to watch the excitement, pirates and survivors looked at the burning sea in front of them.
The all-black Queen Anne's Revenge is sailing towards Turtle Island with a "crushing everything" attitude.
The ships blocking the port were hurriedly dodging, and under the racing current of thousands of sails, it was as if the entire sea had made way for this eerie black ship.
It is not a ship standing alone.
Barbossa apparently had his own fleet, with the Revenge as flagship followed by four smaller ships.
But they followed the leader with the same skull and crossbones flag, and the cannons and howling pirates that reflected the cold light in the sun seemed to claim the dominance of these madmen over the sea.
The crowd beside Mason included drunkards who cheered loudly, and pirates who cursed fiercely. The number was about evenly divided. It seemed that Barbossa's reputation here was pretty good.
I can’t say that it was highly anticipated, but it didn’t reach the point where it was despised by everyone.
"The ship was haunted by magic, dark magic, perhaps a voodoo spell that enhanced it."
Behind Mason, who was holding a telescope for inspection, Zha Kang, who was holding a pipe and holding a pipe, had his hands in his trouser pockets. His prodigal-like eyes were now slightly green, and he was using a magician's method to inspect this majestic battleship.
But at the same time he complained:
"This is not a ship at all, it is like a coffin floating on the sea, full of the smell of death. At least 300 people died tragically on it, and their souls were bound to become part of this coffin.
And the most amazing thing is that this sailing coffin is now 'out of control'. ”
"Out of control? Please elaborate."
Mason put down the telescope and looked back at Zha Kang. In the latter's surprised eyes, he took out a pack of unopened Silka cigarettes from his bag and handed it to him.
This move made the grumbling Constantine snort.
But he did not refuse Mason's kindness. After all, the pipe looked cool, but it was not as good as the Silka cigarettes that had become a part of his life.
"Phew, baby, my soul is back."
Zha Kang opened the cigarette and held one in his mouth. He tilted his head and asked Mason to light it for him with his burning fingers. When he took a deep breath and filtered out the pure smoke of tar through the filter, the black magician let out an exaggerated and exaggerated sound. Moans of pleasure.
Then, he slowly explained:
"I haven't heard this 'Barbossa' story, but I'm sure the new captain doesn't understand voodoo spells and he can't control the ship's dark magic to his advantage.
To put it simply, he and his pirates live on it, but they don't exactly own it. ”
"The former captain of the Queen Anne's Revenge, 'Blackbeard' Teach, was a voodoo believer."
Mason picked up Old K's voodoo doll and waved it in front of Zha Kang's eyes, explaining:
"This thing was made by Tiqi for Old K. I suspect that Old K's identity in this world is the crew of that ship, or even one of the leaders on the ship.
But this doll became useless after the death of old K. ”
"No, it expired when that Tikki died."
Zha Kang shook his head and corrected:
"Voodoo spells are very low-level in the magic circle. Those things are 'stitch monsters' based on shamanism, tribal witchcraft, human sacrifice and other backward things that have been eliminated.
Although it looks sinister and evil, it actually means more intimidation.
After the caster dies, most voodoo items created by him will immediately become ineffective unless another caster 'awakens' them again. ”
"Then let me ask you a question, John."
Mason touched the voodoo doll and whispered:
"If we go to that ship, can you mobilize the dark magic that no one controls?"
"I can, but why should I?"
Zha Kang threw the burned cigarette butt on the ground and stomped it hard. He stared at Mason and said:
"Look, Mason, we are incompatible with each other from our attitudes to our work habits. I want to help these people, but I don't care whether they live or die.
The question just now was just the first disagreement between the two of us. I think there will be many similar disagreements in the future. ”
"As long as we gain enough, all differences can disappear. Besides, isn't a pack of treasured cigarettes enough to make up for the rift between us?"
Mason squinted his eyes and said:
"You can play cards on the same card table with those hell demons who are bent on killing you, and talk and laugh with them. Why can't you forget the little unpleasantness we had just now?"
"You won't make a friend in hell if you don't play with the hellish creatures who have bad intentions for you."
Zha Kang curled his lips, waved his finger and shook it:
"But you are not a creature from hell, Mason, you are a human being, and you should hold yourself to a higher moral standard than the demons from hell. Let me tell the truth, you are very dissatisfied with Old K forcing you to join the Stars Association.
Me too.
You wanted to kill old K after joining the team, and I do the same now.
You placed a troublesome curse on me without my having any involvement. ”
This guy finally revealed what was deep inside his carefree appearance.
This is good.
Opening your heart is the first step to making friends.
Faced with his accusation, Mason blinked and asked:
"Then if I had asked you in advance, would you be willing to join my team with a peaceful smile? John."
"Of course I don't want to! I will give you a middle finger and then walk away, hiding in the darkness, laughing at your naivety and stupidity, and looking forward to seeing you tortured to death by that curse."
The black magician snorted, took out a second cigarette, brushed his messy hair, and said:
"But the matter has come to this, and there is nothing more to say. You have successfully turned your trouble into our trouble, and it is not as easy to solve it as you thought.
Mason, it's easy for me to pretend that our little annoyance never happened.
But forget about making friends or anything like that.
I don't have a single friend in my life.
All the people I call 'friends' are people I think have value. Of course Xiao Zha is not counted, that woman is a mystery"
"I understand what you mean. We cooperate to survive based on common interests. The identity of the team members is the boundary of our relationship."
Mason nodded.
Seeing the huge wall-like shadow of the Queen Anne's Revenge slowly approaching the shore, he straightened his gray trench coat, opened the first button of his shirt, and hung out the Cat School badge hanging around his neck.
He said:
"Come on, let's go meet Barbossa."
Zha Kang had no objection to this. He still held a cigarette in his mouth and put his hands in his pockets in a slutty manner. When the two of them walked out of the crowd, Mason suddenly whispered:
"I have a friend in London who I know but who doesn't know me yet."
"Then what?"
Zha Kang asked casually, and Mason shrugged and said:
"Nothing, let me tell you something. I have a friend in London. He is a taxi driver. His real name is Chas Chandler."
"Bang"
Zha Kang's hands clenched into fists in an instant. He bit the cigarette, blew out sparks from his nostrils, and said to Mason:
"Stay away from Chas! This is a matter between the two of us, don't involve him!"
"For a loner who claims he has no friends, your reaction is unimaginably violent."
Mason looked at the magician with angry eyes and explained:
"I don't mean to threaten you, I just want to give you an explanation. John, I know more about you than you think. I could have used Chas to coerce you into joining us from the beginning. I know this is Most useful.
But I didn't do that.
I kept this secret for you. ”
"Then I really want to 'thank' you."
Zha Kang watched Mason walking towards the Queen Anne's Revenge anchored at the pier amidst the crowd's gaze, and heard this young man who was becoming more and more mysterious in his eyes say:
"After this is over, we have to go to Hogwarts. There is an ancient magic called the 'Blood Pact'. All members of Team K must complete this magic.
I believe that being connected by blood will prevent us from having such disagreements that are not good for everyone.
As for your dissatisfaction, John, I will find a way to make up for it.
Give me some time. ”
"You! Don't come close! The great Captain Barbossa is about to disembark! He has no interest in talking to third-rate pirates, get away!"
When the two men walked onto the dock, the pirates of the Barbossa faction who jumped down from the gangway waved their swords and guns and shouted.
There were also a few tall and strong black men wearing only the simplest tribal war skirts and holding huge weapons. They walked out with stiff steps and stood in front of Mason and Zha Kang.
"Voodoo Corpse."
Looking at those black guys with pale eyes and stiff movements, Zha Kang put his hands in his pockets and said coldly:
"The most famous thing in Voodoo is the real living dead. These guys look very advanced, and your bullets may not be able to penetrate their voodoo-enhanced skin."
"But you can control them, right?"
Mason coughed, raised the voodoo doll in his hand, and said to Zha Kang:
"Stop being angry, John, I promise to get you something to make you happy. Come on, show them what you have.
Zha Kang snorted and took off the "magic tool" from the corner of his mouth.
With the flick of his fingers, the scattered soot turned into flying sparks, and the ferocious and gloomy voodoo corpses dropped their weapons, held their heads and let out a shrill scream that could never be uttered by a living person.
This movement startled the pirates under Barbossa's command.
Since occupying this legendary battleship, this is the first time they have seen such a strong reaction to the "secret weapon" Voodoo Corpse.
"Shameful Barbossa robbed Teach's ship and shamelessly took it for himself, just like a thief who took it without telling him! The old sea dog thought that no one could punish Teach after he died.
But he didn't know that Blackbeard had many friends! ”
Mason held up the voodoo doll and said coldly to the panicked pirates:
"Give you ten seconds, get out of here! You bastards! This is between me and Barbossa. Are you sure you want to get involved?"
The superstitious pirates were immediately stunned by the scene before them.
But before they could think about it, Zha Kang, who had already taken control of the Voodoo Corpse, lightly snapped his fingers.
Those roaring voodoo zombies regained their composure, picked up the heavy and ferocious weapons from the ground, but no longer aimed them at Mason, but turned around and swung them to knock down the unprepared pirates.
A few unlucky ones were even knocked directly into the sea water by the rusty anchor.
This surprising change made the islanders and pirates who were watching the excitement on the pier behind scream in unison. The onlookers immediately started bragging about the identities of these two "wizards" to their companions over low-quality rum.
This group of guys who are the best at bragging are making up all kinds of conjectures.
Soon word spread on the docks that "a close friend of Edward Teach, Blackbeard, had come to seek justice for the dead guy and recapture the Queen Anne's Revenge."
Everyone knows that something big will happen today, so no one will leave at this time.
The fun is right in front of you, don’t watch it in vain!
"Enough!"
Just as the voodoo corpses on the ship began to lose control one after another and chased the frightened pirates with stiff steps on the deck, the door to the captain's cabin, which had been closed, was kicked open.
An old guy wearing a gorgeous navy commander's uniform but with a black pirate three-cornered hat, a funny curly wig, and a lot of perfume trying to make himself a "noble and upper-class persona" pulled out his hair angrily. The weird sword at the waist.
He dragged his wooden legs and looked at the chaotic deck in front of him, and waved the sword in his hand fiercely.
The next moment, all the cables on the black ship started to move like living creatures given life. Those thick ropes were like poisonous snakes snaking forward on the deck and quickly dragging the legs of everyone on the ship. Suddenly lifted into the air.
In just a few seconds, the chaotic deck returned to calm as the old guy waved his sword.
Several guys who looked like pirate commanders ran over and told the big pirate Barbossa what happened on the dock.
The latter's face turned ugly the moment he heard the visitor calling himself "Blackbeard's close friend". But this cunning guy will not admit defeat, let alone give up his ship casually.
He thought gloomily for nearly half a minute, and then shouted to the losers beside him:
"What are you doing standing around? Put down the plank and welcome the distinguished guests on board! You guys, go get the best rum from the cellar and let the chef make something for lunch.
Right.
Go and release the musicians locked in the cabin, put them into good clothes and let them play!
Also, where is my most caring first mate? ”
"Well, Captain, you locked the first mate in the hold a few days ago because she poisoned you to kill you. She has been hungry for several days and is about to die.
It's a good thing you didn't allow the brothers to touch her, otherwise she would have finished playing by now. ”
One of the thugs whispered something, which embarrassed Barbossa who was older and had a bit of a bad memory, but the guy quickly kicked the thug and cursed:
"Then why don't you hurry up and release my first mate and let the maid change her into good clothes"
Barbossa showed a weird smile, and a few big gold teeth flashed out from under his messy golden beard. He put the black sword into the scabbard, flicked his fingers and said:
"Her father's friend is here, maybe she can help me entertain these 'distinguished guests'. By the way, haven't damn Jack and his Black Pearl shown up yet?
Where are the other pirate kings’ fleets?
Where are they? ”
On the other side, as a group of frightened pirates watched in awe, Mason, escorted by several mutinous voodoo corpses, strode onto the rickety ship's plank.
Constantine behind him looked around at the voodoo warship and whispered:
"I know a guy who's very powerful in New York. He'll do whatever it takes to get this ship. It's the ultimate voodoo thing."
"Patience, John."
Mason looked at the open captain's cabin in front of him and responded in a low voice:
"There will always be a chance." (End of Chapter)