Walking through the fog-enveloped forest, a deep and blurry scene unfolded before them, but the bearded Captain Barlow and the small-built Birch moved at a considerable pace.
It’s normal for Birch to walk fast, after all, he occasionally comes here to meet Little Jump. Barlow’s speed was also swift, even surpassing Birch, which clearly showed that Barlow was very familiar with dock No.1.
Judging from the familiarity, even Birch felt somewhat inadequate: "Captain, you seem more familiar with this place than me. Surely you haven’t given up, have you?"
Barlow didn’t turn his head and continued to stride quickly through the forest: "Give up on what?"
"On seizing dock No.1."
Barlow paused for a second, then continued to walk ahead unperturbed: "Dock No.1 has the best location, backed by a fertile plain, yet those pirates have no idea about planting, it’s simply a waste of resources."
"So, Captain really still has it in mind. No wonder you’re so familiar with this place, you must have come often."
"Hmph." Barlow snorted, releasing a puff of turbid air, yet did not deny it.
He actually doesn’t want to ponder it, but as long as the mist persists, leaving the island is a distant hope. Since long-term survival on this tormenting ghost island is necessary, naturally hoping for a better living place.
However... Renko, it can’t be helped, Renko.
"If the day really comes to seize dock No.1, we must be careful not to get Little Jump trapped."
"I am naturally aware of that. However..." Barlow paused: "When that day arrives, I reckon Little Jump would already be captured by us. After all, capturing Little Jump is something Renko is not so obsessed with."
Little Jump is a doctor, and Little Jump did not come aboard the Broken Blood voluntarily, given Renko’s knightly principles, capturing Little Jump may still be possible.
"Enough said, be silent, ahead is their aft. There are usually people on guard, if they hear us, we will have no choice but to escape."
The two carefully traversed the fog-enveloped forest, walking only a few meters, and saw a bright light in the mist, behind which a huge arched outline was faintly visible; there was dock No.1.
Treading carefully for a few more steps, Barlow whispered to Birch: "There’s usually someone guarding the aft door, you wait here behind this tree, I’ll go check who it is."
Birch nodded and leaned against the dark big tree, silently waiting.
Before long, Barlow quietly returned with a touch of joy in his eyes: "Today, it’s Half-ear on duty. Moreover, luck is on our side, Scarface is guarding with Half-ear."
Scarface and Half-ear? Who are they, and why does the captain seem so familiar?
"Scarface is a pervert, often sneaking off to the pigsty after a short guard. Half-ear guards diligently, but he’s extremely suspicious. Previously, I exploited this flaw to trick him, and this time, it shouldn’t be a problem."
Birch silently watched Barlow’s confident demeanor. He really wanted to ask, Captain, just how many times have you secretly come to dock No.1, even giving the guards nicknames and knowing their personalities well?
Since Barlow seemed so certain, Birch did not question him, at worst they’d be discovered and forced to flee... He was confident in escaping.
Under Barlow’s leadership, they hid behind a large rock near the aft.
From there, they could see, not far from the door, indeed two people stood; one with a scarred face, lazily sitting on the threshold, staring blankly at the illuminated torch above; the other had a notch on his right ear, likely Half-ear, though he leaned against the wall, his eyes continuously scanned all sides, occasionally tilting an ear to listen, remaining highly alert.
They waited behind the rock for half an hour, and sure enough, Scarface, as Barlow predicted, couldn’t sit still. Occasionally tapping his crotch with his hand, his gaze kept drifting towards the back of the door.
A few minutes later, Scarface stood up, said a few words to Half-ear, and headed through the door; his direction clearly indicated he’s heading to the pigsty.
Now only Half-ear was left, his vigilance heightened, previously only scanning with his eyes, now he continuously turned his head to observe all directions.
"He’s keeping such a close watch, how can we get in?" Birch whispered gently.
"Don’t worry, I have a plan. Because of Scarface’s recent departure, Half-ear is currently on high alert, but it won’t last long. Wait a few minutes until Half-ear slightly lowers his guard, then I’ll act."
"Act? Are you planning to knock him out, won’t that cause any trouble?"
"No need to knock him out, just watch me."
Listening to Barlow’s assured and confident manner, Birch believed him.
Ten minutes later, Barlow began his move, silently shifting in the opposite direction, doing something unknown in the depths of the dense forest.
After a while, Birch heard a familiar sound.
"Rustle, rustle, rustle—"
Birch suddenly looked up; wasn’t this the secret code for his meeting with Little Flea?
"Three long, two short, three rapid... No, it’s not a rapid sound; it should be a short, subtle sound. This isn’t the meeting’s signal."
While Birch was pondering, he saw Half Ear at the distant gate, a gleam of joy flashing across his face, muttering, "It’s that sound again, here it is, it must be the spy’s code. I want to see who the spy is, once I catch the spy and tell Master Man, then I can... hehe..."
Saying this, Half Ear swiftly dashed into the dark forest.
Shortly after Half Ear’s silhouette vanished, Baro emerged from the mist and stood at the gate, waving towards the direction of the large stone.
Although Birch didn’t want to go in, he was already halfway there, and he didn’t want to give up now; he gritted his teeth and rushed out.
"What’s taking you so long? That fool won’t be back anytime soon; we have enough time to make a round trip to the pigsty." Baro said, turning first to enter the hatch.
After Birch caught up, he found that Baro was very familiar with the dock’s interior, almost like it was his own home.
Evidently, Baro must have entered here more than once.
Birch followed Baro, asking suspiciously, "Earlier, I seemed to hear the code sound for my meeting with Little Flea, and then Half Ear just left. Captain, what’s going on?"
Baro straightforwardly replied, "I was imitating that."
"Ah?"
As Baro walked and explained, Birch gradually uncovered the reason.
Actually, Birch and Little Flea met too frequently, periodically causing insect-like code sounds, which, although not attracting wide attention, caught the notice of the highly suspicious Half Ear.
Suspicious people think a lot. He had always vaguely suspected that there were internal spies communicating with the outside, using insect sounds as a code. But this was just speculation without evidence, and he couldn’t stir up any trouble, so he’s longed to catch this "imaginary" spy.