Chapter 127 Oppression on land

Chapter 127 Oppression on land
Mei Mei maintained her serene smile, though a knot of tension twisted deep in her stomach. One wrong word or slip in composure could spiral this encounter into catastrophe, not just for her but for the entire crew and the delicate web of alliances her organization had spun.

She drew a slow, steady breath, letting the salty sea air fill her lungs, and answered with calm authority.

"These men were thieves, Lady Safura," Mei Mei said evenly. "They attempted to steal from the Resonance Council's cargo. It was a coordinated effort with eight of them in total. Four came out to distract me upon docking, while the other four tried to sneak toward the rear holds. I caught them in the act and punished them accordingly by removing their tongues."

The mutilated sailors, still partially encased in ice from the neck down, erupted into desperate, silent protests. Their eyes widened in raw fear and shock at the lies. The one who had crawled forward earlier thrashed weakly, blood bubbling from the ragged stump where his tongue had been.

Garbled, wet choking sounds escaped their ruined mouths as they tried to form words. Instead, they only succeeded in coughing up fresh sprays of crimson that spattered the ground and worsened their agony. Their bodies convulsed, frozen limbs scraping uselessly against the wood.

Lady Safura stared down at the gruesome scene with open disgust, her lip curling. "Thieves," she spat. "They disgust me. Such vermin should all be executed on the spot. No mercy for those who betray the Council."

Mei Mei's charming smile returned, bright and disarming. Without hesitation, she turned to one of Safura's elite guards. "Your sword, if you please." The guard glanced at his lady for approval before handing it over. The blade felt heavy and cold in Mei Mei's grip, its edge gleaming under the harbor lanterns.

She approached the first sailor, the one who had dragged himself forward in a futile attempt to warn the newcomers. His eyes, brimming with tears, locked onto hers in pure animal terror. For a fleeting second, Mei Mei's hand hesitated, but only inwardly. Outwardly, she remained composed. The blade swung in a clean, decisive arc.

Blood sprayed in a fine mist, catching across her cheek like warm rain. The sailor's head lolled, and his body slumped lifelessly.

Screams erupted from the remaining sailors, muffled, gurgling howls of horror as they witnessed their comrade's fate. Mei Mei moved methodically, her expression serene, almost regretful, as if performing a necessary duty.

One by one, the blade rose and fell. The ground grew slick with blood, the metallic tang mixing with the salty breeze. By the time she reached the final sailor, the air was thick with the coppery stench of death. She paused, lowering the sword.

"This one," Mei Mei said sweetly, gesturing to the last survivor, who trembled violently, "I request we spare. Let him serve as a reminder and deterrent to anyone else foolish enough to steal from the Council's shipments."

Safura considered it for a moment, then nodded curtly. "Agreed. Let the wretch live with his failure."

The tension on deck eased slightly, though the underlying current of danger remained. Safura's sharp gaze shifted back to Mei Mei. "Now, what gifts has your organization brought for the Resonance Council? Speak plainly."

Mei Mei wiped a speck of blood from her face with delicate fingers, flashing another charming smile. "I do not know the exact contents myself, Lady Safura. But I bet they will be a delightful surprise, one that Grand Elder Rajab and the rest of the Grand Elders will truly love."

Hamisa, standing silently beside her counterpart, motioned sharply to the squad of elite guards. "Accompany the crew and oversee the loading of the cargo onto the desert camels. Ensure everything is handled with care."

The guards moved efficiently, their armored boots thudding against the deck as they joined Mei Mei's crew in the laborious task of transferring crates and bundles from the ship's holds. Mei Mei instinctively took a step forward, intending to follow and supervise personally.

But Safura raised a hand, her voice cutting through the night. "There is no need for you to go, Mei Mei. Wait here on the ship until your men return. I will personally pass the message that the cargo arrived from your organization."

Mei Mei's smile remained fixed, but inside, a frown creased her thoughts. Merit points. Recognition. If her name was not directly tied to the successful delivery, how could she accumulate the standing her work deserved? She had poured too much into this voyage to let credit slip away so easily.

Politely, she insisted, "As the leader of this expedition for the Devourer's Choir, I should accompany them. It would allow me to speak directly to the Grand Elders on our behalf and ensure the cargo reaches its destination completely intact."

Safura's expression darkened instantly. Offense flashed in her eyes like a gathering storm. "You are but a mere disciple," she snapped, her tone rude and laced with contempt. "How dare you disagree with what I, Lady Safura, am saying? Know your place."

In her mind, Safura's true calculations churned. She had no intention of letting Mei Mei witness the full transfer. The cargo, valuable gifts meant for the Resonance Council, would instead be diverted to Grand Elder Rajab's personal storage.

Only he and his inner circle would benefit. The other Grand Elders would remain unaware of the tribute from the Devourer's Choir, adding to Rajab’s wealth. More critically, news of Rajab's recent detention and impending trial for negligence and failure had to be suppressed at all costs. If Mei Mei followed and learned even a whisper of it, the information could spread like wildfire.

Safura stepped closer, her presence towering and intimidating. The elite guards nearby shifted subtly, hands resting on their weapons. The threat in her voice was unmistakable as she leaned in. "If you do not stay on your boat and wait as instructed, then you will remain here permanently."

The implication hung heavy in the air. Kill Mei Mei, slaughter her entire crew on the spot, and ensure the Devourer's Choir never even learned they had arrived safely. The harbor lights flickered across Safura's cold features, the bloodied deck a silent testament to how quickly mercy could turn to violence.

Mei Mei met Safura's gaze without flinching outwardly. For the first time, her emotions shone clearly on her face. She was angry and did not take kindly to threats.