The small boat cut through the water, guided by a silent rower who pretended not to listen. Lantern lights rippled across the surface as they entered.
Daniel sat opposite Jack, watching him with mild suspicion. "So," he asked, "you and this Sao Feng… friends?"
Jack shifted slightly. "We were," he admitted. "A solid professional understanding. Mutual respect. Shared interests."
"And then?"
"And then," Jack said with a sigh, "I may have made a minor miscalculation."
Daniel raised a brow. "Define minor."
Jack hesitated. "It involved two of his most trusted companions."
"Let me guess," Daniel said. "Women."
Jack gave him a wounded look. "Must you leap to conclusions so quickly?"
"Women," Daniel repeated.
Jack cleared his throat. "Lian and Park. Twins. Exceptionally charming. Equally perceptive. They found me… compelling."
"And you found them convenient."
"I prefer the term appreciative."
Daniel stared at him. "And after appreciating them?"
Jack adjusted his hat. "Circumstances required my departure."
"You left."
Jack offered a small nod.
Daniel exhaled slowly. "So you entangled yourself with the Pirate Lord of Singapore's most trusted subordinates, then disappeared without so much as a farewell."
Jack smiled faintly. "When one sails, one must keep moving."
"No wonder he's furious," Daniel said. Even an ordinary man would be furious if something like that happened to him—and this man was a pirate.
Jack followed Daniel's gaze and muttered under his breath, "Yes… and he holds grudges with admirable dedication."
The boat drifted to a stop beside one of Singapore's many bathhouses, its lanterns glowing softly behind carved wooden screens. Steam curled into the night air, disguising whatever truly went on inside.
Jack stepped onto the dock and froze.
"You know," he said slowly, eyeing the entrance, "I suddenly feel there may be a wiser approach. A diplomatic letter. A fruit basket. Possibly distance."
Daniel caught him by the collar before he could retreat. "You caused this. You're coming."
"I object to this level of enthusiasm," Jack protested as he was dragged forward.
Two armed guards stepped in front of the entrance, blades crossing to block their path.
"This house is private," one of them said flatly. "State your business."
This was no ordinary bathhouse. In Singapore, every bathhouse answered to one man — the Pirate Lord of the South China Sea.
And as Pirate Lord, he did not merely command ships. He commanded the city itself.
From these bathhouses flowed information, coin, allegiance, and fear. Merchants paid quietly. Smugglers reported politely. Dockmasters listened carefully. Every shipment that entered Singapore, every whispered deal made in its alleys, passed through hands loyal to Sao Feng.
Jack glanced at Daniel as if to say see? and straightened his coat.
"Yes, well, we were merely passing by—"
Daniel tightened his grip and pulled him forward half a step. "We've brought a gift," he said calmly. "For your lord. Captain Jack Sparrow."
The guards' expressions changed at once.
One of them leaned forward slightly. "Repeat that."
Daniel gave Jack a light shove so he stood fully visible under the lantern light. "Captain Jack Sparrow," he repeated. "In person."
Jack attempted a charming smile. "Good evening."
The guards exchanged a look. One of them disappeared inside without another word.
After a short wait, the guard returned and gestured for them to follow. They were led through narrow corridors heavy with steam and incense, past silent men armed with curved blades and colder expressions.
Pirates lined the passageways, their eyes settling on Jack with open hostility, as though measuring where to start if permission were given.
They entered the main chamber.
Sao Feng sat on a chair, calm and immovable, draped in dark silk.
Behind him stood two women.
Twins.
Lian and Park.
They were dressed elegantly, but their expressions were anything but welcoming. Their eyes locked onto Jack with unmistakable displeasure—no softness, no nostalgia, only sharpened memory.
Sao Feng's gaze lingered on Jack for a long moment before he spoke.
"Jack."
It was not a greeting.
Jack offered a small, careful smile. "My friend," he replied, as if meeting an old acquaintance in far more pleasant circumstances.
The twins did not smile back.
"You do know," Sao Feng said quietly, his voice calm in a way that made it far more dangerous, "that I have imagined your death many times since last we met."
Jack tilted his head slightly. "Imagined? Well, that's flattering in a deeply concerning sort of way."
Sao Feng's fingers tightened on the armrest. "The moment I saw you," he continued, "I considered having you killed."
"Now, now," Jack replied smoothly, spreading his hands, "let us not overlook history. We have shared profitable ventures. I did assist you with your… family complication. Helped you secure your title as Pirate Lord. That must count for something."
"It does," Sao Feng said coldly. "You have my respect for that."
His gaze sharpened.
"But after that, you betrayed my trust."
Behind him, Lian and Park stepped forward slightly. They did not speak, but their expressions were enough. Jack winced almost imperceptibly.
"Yes," Sao Feng continued, "you know exactly what you did."
Jack cleared his throat. "Would 'sorry' suffice? Delivered with sincerity. Perhaps accompanied by a small bow."
"No," Sao Feng replied flatly. "Your life would suffice."
He lifted a hand.
In one fluid motion, a blade flew toward Jack's throat.
Before it could strike, Daniel moved. His hand came up lazily and caught the blade between two fingers, stopping it a breath away from Jack's face.
The room shifted instantly. Several pirates reached for weapons.
Daniel glanced at the blade, then at Sao Feng, as if mildly inconvenienced.
"I understand the anger," Daniel said evenly. "Truly. This one does invite it." He nudged Jack lightly with the captured blade. "However, he is currently of use to me. Once I'm finished with him, you are welcome to discuss repayment."
Jack blinked. "Mate, you can't just auction me off like cargo."
Daniel gave him a flat look that clearly said, I absolutely can.
Sao Feng studied Daniel now, no longer amused. "And you are?"
"Someone who requires a map," Daniel replied calmly, lowering the blade and letting it drop to the floor. "The Mao Kun Map."
The name changed the air in the room.
Sao Feng leaned back slightly, interest replacing immediate violence. "That map is not for sale."
Daniel smiled faintly. "Good. I wasn't planning to buy."
*****
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