Port Royal Dungeon
The flickering torchlight cast wild shadows against the damp stone walls.
Facing the grinning pirate captain, Governor Weatherby Swann brushed the dust from his tattered noble coat with deliberate slowness, straightening his posture.
Even though he was a prisoner, his aristocratic bearing was undiminished.
The aura of diplomacy radiated from him like a seasoned chess master preparing for a delicate match.
Jack Sparrow clapped his hands dramatically.
"Cooperation, Mr. Governor!" Jack chirped with his usual roguish grin.
"And just what sort of cooperation are you proposing?" Weatherby asked mildly, raising an eyebrow.
Although he had no chains around his ankles, it was obvious who held the real power in this negotiation.
The man who had seen the descent of a true god did not fear mortal pirates.
Jack's expression turned slightly serious — a rare sight.
"You saw the miracle yourself. I may have tricked the gods once..." Jack said, scratching his head awkwardly.
"But! I've been forgiven. Given a new mission."
The Governor made a sound halfway between a hum and a chuckle.
"You want me to help you develop the Eternal God's faith," he said coolly.
"But you forget… England is ruled by bishops and priests. The churches are everywhere.
You alone cannot uproot centuries of doctrine."
Jack's grin returned.
"That's why I need you, old boy."
"You have the Queen's ear. You can push for change."
Weatherby Swann shook his head, pretending to sigh.
"Mr. Sparrow… you've overlooked a crucial detail," he said, voice full of sly amusement.
Jack tilted his head, confused.
The Governor leaned closer, dropping his voice:
"The Eternal God declared this island a place of pilgrimage."
Jack's eyes widened slightly.
Pilgrimage.
Holy land.
The most sacred of sacred sites — a beacon for all believers.
The Governor smiled faintly.
"In due time, the Queen herself will come here to offer prayers.
There's no need to force change."
"You simply need to be patient… and amplify your influence naturally."
Jack slapped his forehead.
"Bloody brilliant!"
Weatherby continued smoothly:
"Strengthen pirate forces slightly.
Cause setbacks for the Navy.
Grow your reputation.
Then, when the Navy suffers enough embarrassment, I — the Governor — will lobby for reform."
"And when the Queen herself is interested, when nobles begin to pilgrimage here…
The name of the Eternal God will spread across the world like wildfire."
Jack's eyes gleamed.
This man is dangerous, Jack thought with admiration.
Dangerous… and incredibly useful.
"Alright then, Governor," Jack said, bowing exaggeratedly.
"Let's rewrite history together."
Meanwhile, in the Wanjie Chat Group
The chat was unusually lively today.
[Chu Dashan]: "Another long day on the road. The stars accompany me again. 🌟"
[Spirit of the Demon Sword]: "(≧▽≦) Good poem, good poem!"
[Ninja Scientist]: "Bro, you still haven't made it home yet?"
[Chu Dashan]: "Nah. Just reached the train station. My ride's tomorrow morning.
Anyone got any new sacrifice videos uploaded? I'd love to witness a miracle before I sleep."
[Li Lao Er]: "You should ask that old liar, @Pirate King of the Caribbean. He recently made a big sacrifice, right?"
[Pirate King of the Caribbean]: "Oi! Who you calling a liar?! I've reformed! I'm clean! I'm pure!
No booze, no women, nothing but loyalty to the Eternal God!"
[Chu Dashan]: "👀 Damn... that's tough. No drinking I could maybe survive.
But no women for 300 years? That's hardcore punishment, bro."
[Pirate King of the Caribbean]: "😭 Cries in pirate You have no idea… it's hell.
Second Brother is officially retired for three centuries."
[Li Lao Er]: "Ahahahaha! No wonder you're suddenly acting so disciplined."
[Ninja Scientist]: "LMAO 666."
[Spirit of the Demon Sword]: "This is why lying is bad.
Don't deceive the gods, kids. 👻"
[For Peace]: "Women will only affect my sword! Stay strong, Pirate King!"
[Pirate King of the Caribbean]: "You lot can laugh all you want…
Meanwhile, the God casually granted another believer powers equal to mine."
The group fell eerily silent.
[Li Lao Er]: "Wait… WHAT?!"
[Ninja Scientist]: "Hold up… you mean there's competition now?!"
[For Peace]: "So the envoy position isn't permanent?!!"
[Spirit of the Demon Sword]: "Σ(っ°Д°;)っ I thought as long as you got noticed by the gods, you were set for life?!"
[Pirate King of the Caribbean]: "Think again.
The God favors the diligent.
Slack off, and poof, you're replaced."
A video notification popped up.
[Pirate King of the Caribbean] uploaded a video: [Blood Sacrifice Ceremony – Port Royal]
Within a minute, everyone in the chat downloaded it.
The video showed Jack's bloody sacrifice — the 3000 navy deaths, Elizabeth's ascension into the divine realm, and the thunderous descent of the Eternal God.
—
[Li Lao Er]: "💀 Gotta go! Gotta write the new faith propaganda!"
[Ninja Scientist]: "Me too, time to hustle."
[For Peace]: "+1, no time to waste."
[Spirit of the Demon Sword]: "I'm going to help Sister Hongkui promote too! 🏃♀️💨"
Cemetery of the Saints – Chu Dashan's World
Chu Dashan sat on a cracked boulder under the night sky, hugging his strange stone box tightly.
Above him, the stars blinked.
"Seems like… I can't open it yet," he muttered.
Inside the box were only three simple seeds.
Yet something about them pulsed with silent power.
Chu Dashan had a feeling.
The box — the seeds — were connected to some greater opportunity.
Something… world-shaking.
"Maybe the chance… is the seeds," he whispered.
"Maybe it's not time yet."
He scratched his head and smiled helplessly.
"Whatever. When I get home, first thing — build an altar."
He glanced at his battered wallet.
"...Maybe I can only afford a low-grade wooden altar."
Chu Dashan sighed.
Even so, he still felt hope.
The path is long.
The stars are lonely.
But faith… is eternal.