Chapter 7: I Pray to God!

Page (1/3)

The old director, such a wonderful person!
Many children who should have frozen or starved to death had their fates reversed because of her.
Numerous celebrities, when engaging in charitable work, mention her name as their role model.
She is a beacon of humanity! A mast of morality! A torch of compassion!
A living saint rarely seen in a century!
At this very moment, Zhou Quan’s heart is tormented.
In his eyes, this living saint deserved a peaceful old age, yet it was his complicity that allowed the evil god to kill her.
He is a sinner!
What weighs even heavier on him is that the evil god not only killed the old director but also the children in the orphanage.
The children were innocent!
The burden of guilt feels tangible, wrapping around Zhou Quan’s neck like an invisible noose, suffocating him.
Zhou Quan grits his teeth.
Wiping away his tears, he opens his computer browser and types in the keyword “charity.”
A webpage pops up.
[Charity and Public Welfare Network — National Fundraising Platform]
He clicks into the site.
He quickly registers an account, links his bank card, then opens a student aid project featured on the homepage.
[Help Them]
[These students come from impoverished mountainous areas, their families too poor to afford tuition and living expenses. Your selfless act will open the door to a new world for them.]
Below are photos of the students and the requested donation amounts.
Without hesitation—indeed, with urgency—he opens the photos of the students and feverishly clicks the donate button.
At this moment, he is not merely clicking a mouse; he is tearing at the invisible noose around his own neck.
[Bank card payment: 1,600 yuan]
[Your kindness is like a rainbow, lifting the dreams and futures of a poor student. We extend our sincere thanks and respect.]
Almost simultaneously...
Smack!
Zhou Quan feels a burning pain on his back. He grits his teeth, silent.
[Supporting impoverished students is meddling like a dog chasing mice.]
[Punishment: one “whip”]
He endures the whip, yet somehow, his heart feels a little lighter.
[Bank card payment: 800 yuan]
[Bank card payment: 2,500 yuan]
[Bank card payment: 1,000 yuan]
[Bank card payment: 6,000 yuan]
[Bank card payment: 300 yuan]
[...]

Page (2/3)

The fund transaction information keeps refreshing; hundreds of students nationwide receive anonymous aid.
In contrast, Zhou Quan endures over a hundred lashes!
He slumps onto the desk, expression numb.
The pain alleviates some of his guilt, but the remainder still weighs heavily on his spirit.
After a while, Zhou Quan props himself up on the desk and stands, walking over to the mirror.
He turns sideways and lifts his shirt.
Muscle lines are clear; his skin is flawless, showing no trace of whipping.
The evil god’s punishment is not merely physical pain. He can still move normally and continue being the evil god’s accomplice.
Zhou Quan gazes at his reflection, silent for a long time, unable to let go.
...
The old-fashioned lamp casts a warm amber glow, enveloping this aged confessional.
The atmosphere is utterly tranquil.
“Child, what do you wish to confess?”
The priest looks at the man before him, speaking gently, “It’s alright; you can tell me everything.”
Zhou Quan presses his lips together.
Even after donating to hundreds of students online, his heart still aches.
He had heard that confessing to a priest brings solace to the soul, so he came.
Before him now is the locally revered Father Charles.
Ten years ago, a murderer confessed to Father Charles, revealing his crimes.
Only recently was he arrested after the case was solved.
When entering prison, he praised Father Charles highly, thanking him for comforting his soul and keeping his secret.
“In the name of God,”
Father Charles continues, “no matter what sins you have committed, I will tell no one else, and merciful God will forgive you.”
“I...” Zhou Quan hesitates.
He indirectly caused the deaths of the orphanage’s old director and more than a dozen children.
The crime is grave, and the method bizarre.
Can he trust Father Charles?
What if Father Charles reveals his secret? Then he’s finished.
Not only himself but also his cursed parents and his sister, who suffers from narcolepsy, would suffer dire consequences.
Zhou Quan cannot bring himself to speak.
The burden on his shoulders is too heavy to risk any slip.
At this moment, Father Charles reaches out and gently pats Zhou Quan’s shoulder.
“It’s alright.”
Father Charles says kindly, “God is here. If you cannot say it out loud, you may confess in your heart. The merciful God will forgive you.”
Zhou Quan feels a slight relief in his heart.
Facing the cross, he confesses every sin in his heart, pleading for God’s forgiveness.

Page (3/3)

[Already under the protection of a deity, yet praying to other gods—disloyal and unfaithful, a traitor’s act.]
[Reward: one “Werewolf Identity Card”]
A reward for being a traitor?
Zhou Quan is momentarily stunned; he had prepared to endure whipping but did not expect a reward.
My talent...
[Werewolf Identity Card]
[On every full moon night, the holder of this card transforms into a werewolf, gaining comprehensive ability enhancements.]
[You may also choose to activate this card by destroying it, ignoring conditions to gain three minutes of transformation time (werewolf self-exposure, early entry into night).]
Zhou Quan steadies himself and does not immediately check the reward; instead, he continues his confession.
A few minutes later, he feels much lighter, as if a heavy stone has been removed from his chest.
“Thank you, Father,” Zhou Quan says gratefully.
Confession works; he will come often.
Father Charles smiles gently, “Child, God has already forgiven you; you must forgive yourself as well.”
“When you go home, if you still feel guilty for your wrongdoings, find ways to make amends. For every wrong, do two good deeds.”
Father Charles encourages him earnestly.
“Mm,” Zhou Quan nods.
He is a lackey of the evil god, deserving of death.
If one day he can cure his parents and sister, he is willing to endure the cruelest death.
Until then, he will strive to make amends.
Zhou Quan clenches his fists, silently vowing, For every bad deed, I’ll do two good deeds!
The old director founded an orphanage!
I will found an orphanage too!
She opened one!
I will open two!
I do not seek anyone’s forgiveness—only a conscience less burdened.
“Goodbye, Father.” Zhou Quan bids farewell to Father Charles.
Father Charles smiles, “Goodbye, child.”
Zhou Quan opens the confessional door and walks toward the church entrance, feeling much lighter than when he arrived.
At that moment, his phone rings.
He glances at the incoming number; his expression instantly turns grave.
The Gray Night Society!
He grips the phone tightly, brow furrowed.
They said he had three days, but only one day has passed. This call is...