The flower boat of the courtesan Black Pearl, adorned with flags, cruised through the canals of Braavos.
The Secret City was crisscrossed by waterways, and canal boats were the main mode of transport, as horses were inconvenient here; travel by boat was the way.
Viserys saw various types of boats, including snake boats and flat-bottomed cargo ships.
Narrow, snake-shaped boats moved in and out of the tunnels. These boats were somewhat similar to those of the orphans of the Greenblood, shallow-drafted and light.
They had painted prows and high, upturned sterns, and were not rowed, but propelled by people standing at the stern with poles, wearing cloaks of gray, brown, and mossy dark green.
Large flat-bottomed barges transported goods, piled high with boxes and barrels, with twenty polemen on each side; there were also peculiar floating houses, hung with colored glass chandeliers, adorned with velvet curtains and brass figureheads.
Those snake boats and merchant ships all made way for the flower boat of the First Courtesan, Black Pearl.
The sailors gazed enviously at the Black Pearl's flower boat, but they also understood that such courtesans were reserved for the lords.
Only by selling an ocean-going merchant ship might one have a chance to get close to her.
For ordinary sailors, their meager wages could only afford the "sailor's wives" in the low-end docks.
Through the colored windows, Viserys also took the opportunity to see the full panorama of Braavos, the city on the water.
In the center of the water stood the city proper, with magnificent domes, towers, and bridges extending in all directions, appearing in shades of gray, gold, and red. This was the hundred islands of Braavos in the sea.
Above the distant canals and houses, a massive gray limestone pipeline was faintly visible, supported by three sturdy bridge arches, extending south into the mist—this was the Sweetwater Canal.
This was also a city of stone, a flat city, with very little wood.
The only protrusions were the architectural domes built by people using bricks, granite, bronze, and marble.
"There are no city walls here," Viserys commented on the city.
"Our Purple Fleet is our city wall. Nothing else is needed," the Black Pearl said with a hint of pride. "Mighty Braavos, unconquerable."
"What if the Sweetwater Canal and the Titan were blown up?" Viserys proposed a bold plan.
All this water came from the land; if Braavos's supply were cut off, it would be like pulling the rug out from under them.
"Are you a demon of power, Viserys?" The Black Pearl looked at Viserys, noticing a touch of evil and ruthlessness in his purple eyes.
"Not really, I'm just speaking from a logical standpoint of war, discussing the matter at hand," Viserys spread his hands.
"Your lemonade isn't bad, I'll have another glass."
"What you're saying is crazy, but you'd need dragons and fire. Don't forget there's a profession in this city whose killing techniques are exquisite. They won't kill a large group of people, but they'll precisely kill specific individuals," the Black Pearl warned, handing Viserys a glass of water.
"The House of Black and White, you know them?" Viserys asked.
The House of Black and White was indeed formidable, but Viserys's study of the Way of [Insight] was also a precaution.
"I know them, but don't ask too many questions, Viserys. This is the Secret City, everyone has secrets. I haven't asked you too much, and I hope you'll do the same," the Black Pearl did not deny the connection.
Viserys drank his lemonade, thinking about why the Black Pearl and the House of Black and White were familiar.
It might be a relationship of mutual favors, as the Black Pearl was a prominent courtesan after all.
And apprentices of the House of Black and White sometimes needed to experience life, like Arya who experienced being an oyster seller, a beggar, and an actress.
In such circumstances, the House of Black and White also knew people in various channels, providing study bases for apprentices.
The Black Pearl's part probably involved letting Faceless Men apprentices experience the daily life of the courtesan industry.
The flower boat passed the green copper dome of the Palace of Truth along the Grand Canal, then sailed past the tall square towers of the Temple of Praestos and the Temple of Antarion, before passing under the enormous gray arch of the Sweetwater Canal.
"Those tall square towers belong to the powerful families of Braavos," the Black Pearl introduced. "You should have heard of them. Only those who have produced multiple Sea Lords are called powerful families, old established houses. Those who occasionally produce one are only considered newcomers."
Viserys nodded. Braavos's power resources were also divided among several top families. From commerce, fishing, and banking to the navy and armories, their presence was felt.
From this perspective, Braavos's upper power structure seemed quite stable, unlike the Triarchy, where the competition for Archon was often a life-and-death struggle, with poisons and assassinations constantly emerging, all aimed at wiping out entire lines.
"Do these Sea Lord families have daughters?" Viserys asked.
"You're truly greedy. This current Sea Lord has no daughters," the Black Pearl laughed, shaking with mirth. "And even if he did, it wouldn't be your turn. Do you think the local young nobles aren't qualified? Don't go looking for death."
"I didn't mean anything else, just making friends," Viserys touched the shining silver at his waist.
Would he be a true second son if he didn't stir up some trouble?
Daemon was quite good at stirring up trouble.
On both sides of the Hero's Canal, there were also two rows of statues of past Sea Lords. The Sea Lords had solemn expressions, clad in bronze robes stained with specks of seabird droppings.
Some statues held books, some daggers, some hammers. One held aloft a golden star, another tilted a stone wine jug to let water continuously pour into the canal.
"If I do this, the Silver Traveler will be famous in Braavos. But you'll still have trouble," the Black Pearl said.
"Trouble always comes," Viserys said. "What kind of trouble, I wonder?"
"A young person who suddenly becomes famous, and an outsider without roots, you understand. Some people will hate you, some will covet your value."
Viserys looked at the Black Pearl, "They won't all be vying to be my agent, will they?"
"That's hard to say," there was a charming glint in the Black Pearl's eyes. "Every courtesan has her own backing, you should know that. So others can't easily interfere, but you? You're more like a nouveau riche."
Viserys nodded, "Nightingale and Moon Shadow should be the Moon Singers Temple, while I started from scratch."
"That's why I said you could follow me, with Black Pearl as your agent. I have some influence in the Secret City, and I can protect you."
"No, no. Let me show you my limits," Viserys said.
People fear fame like pigs fear being fattened; once he had value, he would inevitably be targeted.
The investors of smaller courtesans, the swordsmen and merchants who wanted to support him—these troubles would only increase with the Silver Traveler's sudden popularity.
Viserys's plan was to spend lavishly in Braavos, while simultaneously making money, accumulating a sum, and then running off to start his own venture.
He wouldn't be soft-hearted with these extra troubles that came knocking.
"Then good luck to you. What if those people can't get you and decide to ruin you? You can't always rely on Syrio. I wouldn't want my investment to fall through."
"My sword is also very sharp," Viserys snorted.
"You'll always have formidable opponents."
"If I can win, I fight; if I can't, I run," Viserys explained his strategy. This was the golden strategy.
"Alright, alright, this is your choice of independence."
"I really like these dragon bones. If there are new ones, I want them all," Viserys promised. "And Sea Lord crabs, Valyrian steel, I need those too."
He had acquired a good amount of dragon bones from "Nightingale" and "Black Pearl," enough to spend a lot of time.
"You're truly insatiable, are you a hungry dragon?" The Black Pearl looked at the shameless Viserys, laughing with youthful charm. This man was treating her like a wishing well.
"Dragon bones are very expensive, and the bigger problem is fakes; there's a whole bunch of scoundrels on the market using fish bones and bird bones to impersonate them. Valyrian steel is a family heirloom, priceless. As for Sea Lord crabs, such expensive ingredients, I don't think you need to be so extravagant."
"True dragons are very greedy, Miss Belleget. You may not know my talents, I am a first-rate gourmet, singer, and swordsman."
"Since you put it that way, I might just have to sample your craftsmanship. But you'd better prepare your money; everything you want is incredibly valuable."
"If you were to lend me money, what would be the maximum amount?" Viserys asked.
"My cash flow is more substantial than you imagine," the Black Pearl said. "But it's not money from a gold mine."
"I understand."
"Come find me when you need it. I won't give you too much at once, at most ten or twenty thousand gold coins. Anyway, you still have your works as collateral, and your rating isn't that high right now. The more valuable you become, the more I'll invest."
The Black Pearl's investment was also phased.
"How many people have you invested in exactly?" Viserys asked curiously.
"I observe and then invest. Some need money, some need opportunities. In any case, quite a few. Syrio, the female swordswoman, whom you're quite familiar with. They're all on my list," the Black Pearl looked at Viserys. "Now there's you too."
"I guarantee you'll see that I, Viserys Targaryen, am a worthwhile investment for you, Black Pearl," Viserys took the Black Pearl's hand.
"Then show me your worth," the Black Pearl withdrew her hand.
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