The Shadow of Great Britain

419: Chapter 238 Why Are Things Always So Bad for Eld (7K2) Part 4 419: Chapter 238 Why Are Things Always So Bad for Eld (7K2) Part 4 I stared into the profound, pitch-black sky, tightly clutching the cross on Charles’s chest, pressing the cross against my chest as I prayed to God.

In the midst of silence, I couldn’t sense anything.

Charles’s neck was uncomfortable from my pulling, he wanted to scold me; let him scold then.

The worldly noises could no longer hinder my steadfast beliefs.

Suddenly, I felt as if I had received an answer from God.

A light rain began to fall from the sky, thunder roared and dark clouds gathered.

Suddenly, a bolt of lightning streaked across the sky.

Even though my eyes were tightly shut, they were still illuminated by that brilliant light.

Immediately after, amid the storm, I heard Charles’s cry of astonishment; he shouted, “Look!

That is St.

Elmo’s fire!”

I opened my eyes sharply, and I will never forget, this might be the most dazzlingly beautiful scene I have ever witnessed in my life.

Attached to the mast of the Beagle, there was a net of lightning, a fire-like dazzling white-blue flash that blossomed slowly, unfolding.

Arthur, at that moment, I suddenly remembered the Eastern myth you once told me.

Could that possibly be The Buddha’s holy lotus?

I don’t want to hide it from you, Arthur, that night, I wept.

Who are you?

Where do you come from?

And where are you going?

Throughout this global voyage, I’ve been asked these three questions countless times.

Only at that time, I hadn’t understood the meaning of these questions.

But now, I’ve figured it out.

From this moment, I finally understood.

I am an Eastern monk.

I come from the great Tang of the East.

To the Western Heaven to obtain scriptures.

Amitabha, Arthur, now I must solemnly ask you, is this how monks are addressed?

By the way, it’s a secret that I quietly converted to Buddhism, and you mustn’t recklessly spread the word, it could cause trouble for me.

Lastly, let me ask you one last thing, that Eastern story you once told me, the protagonist is named Wukong, right?

Well, this Dharma name is not bad, I’ve temporarily borrowed it.

Finally, if you ever have the time, please help me find out if there’s any monk faction that allows marrying a wife.

Your friend, Beggar Walker, Royal Navy Lay Monk, the first monk in South America, Eld Wukong Carter.

Written on July 8, 1831, at the mouth of the La Plata River, Argentina.

Arthur savored the end of the letter for a good while before he finally managed to untangle Eld’s mental journey.

His eyes twitched uncontrollably, and despite his usually calm demeanor, even Arthur couldn’t help but mutter, “Why is Eld’s situation always such a mess?”

As for the Red Devil sitting beside them, he had been laughing so hard he couldn’t straighten his back, “If I don’t go to Hell, who will?

Eld has damn well found a shortcut to Hell!”

After hearing Eld’s letter, Great Dumas and the others were left silent by their uniquely minded friend.

Dickens asked, “So what?

Is he a Buddhist monk now?”

Arthur shook his head lightly, “Forget it, Charles, Eld’s understanding of monks is limited to knowing that they exist.

He doesn’t even know that being a monk entails shaving one’s head.”

“Does being bald make one a monk?” Great Dumas took a puff of his cigarette, “Then there are far too many monks in Britain.”

Disraeli emphasized, “Alexander, we have plenty of baldies here, but even the baldies have a bit of hair left!”

Great Dumas nodded slightly, “Then let me correct that, there are quite a few fake monks in Britain.”

Dickens looked at Eld’s letter, then asked, “So, can this letter be published?

Why do I feel like this letter has more explosive content than erotic literature?”

Arthur also felt that Eld’s letter was a bit too hot to handle.

He hesitated for a long time before he finally sighed, “Let’s just change the latter part then, altering the dolphin part a bit, adapting it into encountering Cannibals in the Amazon.

But the steadfast Royal Navy soldier Eld withstands the test of life and death, and after depression, witnessed the divine light of St.

Elmo sent down by God.

Under the witness of this miraculous lightning passed down among sailors, Eld seemed to see the soul of the Royal Navy, General Horatio Nelson, beckoning to him.

At last, Eld’s heart opened, and after weathering the vicissitudes, Eld Carter’s faith in God became ever more staunch.

We’ll end with ‘God bless Britain’ as a conclusion.”

Upon hearing this, Great Dumas couldn’t help but retort, “‘God bless America’ isn’t that the motto of the Americans?

Arthur, that’s practically plagiarism!”

But Disraeli clearly disagreed with Great Dumas’s view, he replied, “The Americans are made by Britain.

If God blesses America, then surely God blessed Britain first, Alexander, you need to understand the cause and effect.”

With that, Disraeli didn’t forget to give Arthur a thumbs up, nodding in approval, “This story sounds very politically correct.

If it spreads a bit more, who knows, upon Eld’s return, he might just be pushed into a church to serve as bishop.”

Great Dumas also waggled his eyebrows teasingly, “Should we also confer him a saintly title?”

“Indeed,” Arthur took a sip of tea to calm himself, “Wukong was at least the Fighting Buddha.

But regardless of whether it’s some saint or Buddha, at the end of the day, he’s still just a monkey.”

While they were talking, Dickens had already drafted an outline of the story on the paper before him.

He chewed on his pen and asked, “What do you guys think would be a good title for this story?”

Great Dumas pondered for a while, “How about ‘Conquering Dolphins’?”

Dickens shook his head holding a teacup, “But wasn’t Mr.

Carter conquered himself?

And considering his reputation, we must omit dolphins from the story.”

Disraeli pondered for a while, “How about ‘Crusaders of the Sea’?”

Dickens thought for a moment, “That’s not bad but it might be a bit hard to tie in with the main theme.”

As everyone hesitated undecided, Arthur sighed and said, “Let’s just call it ‘St.

George’s Flag Still Rises.’ St.

George’s Cross corresponds to the Royal Navy, the flag still rising represents Eld overcoming his depression.

Although, I suspect that guy never had depression; he’s just sick from boredom.

But anyhow, it’s for promotional purposes, Charles, just go ahead and write it that way.”

Dickens nodded slightly after hearing this.

He picked up his pen and inscribed the title at the top of the manuscript, then snapped his fingers, “Great!

I also think this title is good, then it’s settled.

The next issue of ‘British’, we’ll primarily feature ‘Beagle Voyage Diary’ and ‘St.

George’s Flag Still Rises’.”

Disraeli also clenched his fist to motivate everyone, “This is also a perfect opportunity to test just how far ‘British’ has come!

Guys, let’s put in more effort during the time of the Beagle’s voyage, to see if we can forge two new deities of the seas in Britain!”