Chapter 421: Red Moon
The Sea God Church stood tall on a white stone mountain backed by steep cliffs, imposing and solemn. A C-shaped spire crowned the rooftop, and from a distance, the roof seemed to merge perfectly with the round moon above it. Behind the church, waves crashed against the cliffs, lending the place an inexplicable sense of reverence.
When Zhou Ning followed red-haired Robinson and the others up the stone mountain, it was around six-thirty. The church's main doors were still open, but there were no worshippers going in or out.
Strangely enough, when they were about ten meters from the entrance, Zhou Ning saw the round moon in the sky suddenly turn blood-red.
He felt a surge of energy boiling inside him, and paused in surprise. In Apocalypse, there was a saying that when the moon turned red, it signified an extreme weather condition—but not of wind, snow, life, or darkness. Instead, it was a manifestation of supernatural forces.
Vaguely, a sense of unease rose in his chest. Something was bound to happen tonight.
Red-haired Robinson also looked up at the crimson moon, his expression turning grim. "Be careful. This reminds me of a local legend."
"Legend?" Zhou Ning looked at him questioningly.
Robinson gave a half-smile. "Just a legend, mind you. About seventy years ago, when Brian Motley, ancestor of Angus Motley, led his colonial troops to seize this island, the same red moon appeared in the sky. On this very mountain, a terrifying white giant wolf emerged out of nowhere, summoning hordes of werewolves that tore apart more than four hundred soldiers. Later, the Sea God Church's High Archpriest, the God's Chosen Eddin, personally intervened to seal the wolf—and built this church on the spot."
"They say that every time the red moon appears, the white wolf reawakens. Many have claimed to see it prowling along these mountain paths."
"Eddin? That name sounds familiar." Zhou Ning wasn't too concerned about the giant wolf—many powerful transcendent beings could easily kill four hundred soldiers. But the name Eddin caught his attention.
He raised an eyebrow, suddenly recalling a name he'd seen in the simulator.
After acquiring the "Knowledge" family creed, he rarely forgot anything—unless influenced by supernatural means.
Roughly 1,300 years ago, when the Pirate King crossed over to the War of the Gods world, he had once collaborated with a cardinal of the Sea God Church bearing that same name.
Could it be that this man had lived all the way from then until now?
The thought sent a chill down his spine. If Eddin really was still alive, then after thirteen centuries of accumulation, he would at least be an angel-level being by now.
Zhou Ning was silent for a few seconds, then removed his hat and followed Robinson and the others into the church.
As they entered, the murmuring sound of the tides within the tide-blue stone grew louder and clearer. Inside the dim, solemn interior, a statue of the Sea God stood tall behind the altar, radiating an almost sacred presence.
Zhou Ning could faintly feel his spiritual power sinking and constricting—a sign of mild suppression by divinity.
Even the two pirates, who had worn scowling, defiant looks earlier, unconsciously lowered their heads once inside, their expressions turning reverent. In the confessional hall on the right, a middle-aged priest dressed in a sea-blue robe sat praying quietly on a pew.
On both sides of the confessional stood several tall northerners in clerical robes—though they looked more like gang enforcers than clergy.
"Father Ronald, I've brought someone to claim a bounty," Robinson said humbly, bowing slightly as he handed over the white sack.
Father Ronald, accustomed to such grisly offerings, glanced inside the bag. After confirming the contents, his eyes lit up. "The Wind General, Gallagher? Well done. The Sea God shall bless you."
Then, his gaze shifted toward the two pirates. Rubbing the emblem in his hand, he said, "The Headwind's first mate, Hurricane Spike, and second mate, Sea Serpent Steinbeck—three kingdoms have offered a combined bounty of 12,000 Vecktas. Alive, that's an extra 3,000. Add in Gallagher's 70,000, and your total comes to 85,000 Vecktas."
"Isaac! Take them to collect their payment."
"Yes, Father Ronald!" A tall northerner named Isaac clenched his right fist and pressed it to his temple—the Sea God Church's signature salute—and replied solemnly.
For some reason, Zhou Ning noticed a strange expression flash across Robinson's face.
Isaac led Zhou Ning and the others into a side room of the church. From a long row of drawers arranged alphabetically, he retrieved the corresponding bounty checks and pushed them across the table. His tone was calm and low.
"These checks total 85,000 Vecktas. You can cash them at any national bank."
"Thank you."
Zhou Ning accepted the checks, a wave of satisfaction rising in his chest. With this money, combined with his recent gains, his savings finally exceeded 200,000 Vecktas—closer than ever to the 250,000 he needed for the First Emperor template.
After leaving the church and walking a fair distance, Robinson finally let out a long sigh. "I didn't expect Isaac to have joined the Sea God Church. He used to be a captain under the Night King Servis's fleet—an advanced-rank transcendent, brutal to the core. Hard to imagine he's been converted by the Church."
Converted? Zhou Ning wasn't so sure.
He recalled the extra 3,000 Vecktas reward for live captures, the subdued demeanor of Spike and Steinbeck in the church, and those two lines of "priests" who looked more like pirates. Putting his hat back on, Zhou Ning felt more certain than ever—the Sea God Church wasn't converting pirates; it was reprogramming them.
It seemed the Church of the Sea God was far more complex than what he had seen in his previous life.
By now, a light drizzle had begun to fall. Yet the crimson moon still hung vivid in the sky.
On their way down the mountain, they didn't encounter the legendary white wolf. Before long, they returned to the city—to the port.
Zhou Ning took out his pocket watch and snapped it open. The time was just a quarter to eight.
He turned to Robinson with a small smile. "I'm heading into the city. What about you?"
You've got to be kidding—are you planning to claim another bounty already?
Robinson's mouth twitched. "We'll head back to the ship. Be careful—Werewolf Mason and his crew aren't easy to handle."
Zhou Ning nodded. He knew he'd have to be cautious. In fact, he intended to observe for now.
He'd had a bad feeling since earlier. His plan was to first check out 121 Sea Law Street and assess the situation. If something major really did happen, he would intervene—but only after ensuring his own safety.
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