CLX Book 6 Chapter 14

Chapter 14 – Been There, Have Lived, Have Loved

Who knows where heaven is? _{Translated by foxs}

Who knows what kind of place heaven is?

Who knows the way to get to heaven?

No one.

But as long as your heart is peaceful and happy, there will also be heaven on earth, moreover, it is right before your eyes, right inside your heart.

Of course this was not heaven. People who harbor hatred in their hearts will never see heaven.

The old woman in black’s eyes were brimming with anger, she was so angry that her breathing began to become ragged.

Yet Zhang Jiejie’s expression became calmer, she continued slowly, “I am no longer pure and holy without dirt, also no longer the Holy Maiden, but I still have the right to choose who will be my successor, right?”

The old woman in black was silent, in the end she reluctantly nodded.

Zhang Jiejie said, “According to the scripture and compass and set square of our religion, only you, one person, have the authority to interpret it, right?”

The old woman in black said, “Yes.” _{foxswuxia.wordpress.com}

Zhang Jiejie said, “In that case, as long as my child is born, she is already the Holy Maiden of our religion, right?”

The old woman in black said, “Yes.”

Zhang Jiejie said, “Therefore, he will immediately become the Holy Father, right?”

The old woman in black said, “Yes.”

Zhang Jiejie said, “The Holy Father is equally divine and inviolable. No matter who kills him will meet heavenly punishment, and consigned to eternal damnation. This is also the rule recorded in our religion’s scriptures, right?”

The old woman in black said, “Yes.”

Zhang Jiejie let out a long, long breath, she smiled and said, “You see, am I not very familiar with these scriptures and rules?”

The old woman in black fixed her gaze at her, she spoke slowly, “Hence the reason you could find this loophole, using our own spear to attack our own shield[1].”

Zhang Jiejie heaved a sigh again, she said, “I originally did not want to do this, only too bad I really can’t find any other way.” _{Translated by foxs}

The old woman in black said coldly, “This method is indeed ingenious, but the first person to come up with this method is not you at all.”

Zhang Jiejie appeared to be a little surprised, she could not help asking, “If not me then who?”

The old woman in black said, “Me.”

The anger and hatred in her eyes became more intense, she continued word by word, “Precisely because I came up with this method that your father was able to leave.”

After a short pause, the old woman in black said, “At that time, our religion’s Holy Maiden was the Zhumei [younger sister of the same clan] who was a very close friend of mine, I requested her to choose you as her successor, precisely because your father wanted to leave.”

Zhang Jiejie could not help asking again, “Why did he want to leave?”

The old woman in black clenched her hands and said, “Because he felt that this place was like a prison, he wanted to go out to look for a better life.”

Zhang Jiejie said, “And you let him?” _{foxswuxia.wordpress.com}

The old woman in black gritted her teeth and said, “He also promised me that as long as he can survive outside, he would find a way to come back to pick me up.”

Zhang Jiejie said, “But he …”

The old woman in black hissed, “But he did not come back, he will never come back.”

Her face suddenly seemed to become indescribably hideous — only hatred can make a person’s face so terrifying .

After a long time, she continued in a hoarse voice, “All along I painstakingly waited for him, worried for him. I found out later that as soon as he went out he met a viper-like woman, so he forgot about me.”

Chu Liuxiang also could not help asking, “The woman you mentioned, was she Shi Guanyin?”

The old woman in black slowly nodded her head, she laughed coldly and said, “Although he abandoned me, later on he himself died at that woman’s hands.”

Zhang Jiejie said, “You did not go out to avenge him?” _{Translated by foxs}

The old woman in black said, “I could not go, and I did not want to go.”

Zhang Jiejie asked, “Why can’t you go?”

The old woman in black said, “Because once he went out, he already separated himself from this family; no matter what happened, it has nothing to do with this family. Even if he died on the way, we can’t go out to collect his body.”

Her voice was brimming with bitter resentment, hearing it, even Chu Liuxiang felt his hair stood on its end.

After a very long time, Zhang Jiejie mumbled, “In any case, he finally left.”

The old woman in black said, “So you want me to let Chu Liuxiang go too.”

Zhang Jiejie hung her head down and said, “I beg you.”

The old woman in black spoke sternly, “Could it be that you also want to pass your days like mine? Do you know how have I lived all these years?”

Zhang Jiejie did not dare to answer. _{foxswuxia.wordpress.com}

The old woman in black said, “Do you know how old I am now?”

She suddenly asked this question, no one else could answer it even more.

Only to see a very strange expression suddenly appeared on her face, maybe it was ridicule? Or heartache?

She continued slowly, word by word, “This year I am only forty-one years old.”

Chu Liuxiang’s hands suddenly became icy-cold.

He looked at her old and shriveled, full of wrinkles face, at her withered and thin, crooked body, at her head full of white hair …

He really could not believe that this wizened old woman was unexpectedly a woman who was only forty-one years old.

“How have I lived these years?”

You don’t need to ask her again.

No matter who saw her appearance, they could imagine how terrible the pain and desolation she had endured all these years.

Anger, jealousy, hatred, loneliness, no matter which one, any of these feelings can already torture a person to hover between life and death.

Zhang Jiejie hung her head down, tears seemed to have flowed down. _{Translated by foxs}

The old woman in black was silent for a long time before slowly said, “I don’t know why you let him go, but I know that after he leaves, one day you will regret it.”

Zhang Jiejie suddenly raised her head, she spoke loudly, “I won’t, definitely won’t.”

The old woman in black laughed coldly.

Zhang Jiejie looked at her, the expression on her face was resolute and clear, she said, “The reason I let him go, is not because he himself wants to go, but because I want to let him go.”

The old woman in black asked, “Why?”

Zhang Jiejie said, “Because I know that outside, there are a lot of people who need him, I also know that outside, he will be happier than in here.”

The old woman in black said, “But you yourself …”

Zhang Jiejie said, “If I keep him here, maybe I will be happier, but if I let him go, maybe there will be a thousand, ten thousand people who will be happy.”

Her eyes were shining with a kind of pure and holy, worthy of greatest admiration – light, she continued, “One person happy is not as good as one thousand or ten thousand people, don’t you think so?” _{foxswuxia.wordpress.com}

The old woman in black said, “But you … could it be that you never want to think about yourself?”

Zhang Jiejie said, “I did.”

The emotion in her eyes as deep as the ocean, she fixed her gaze at Chu Liuxiang, and said, “Only when he is happy that I will feel happy, otherwise, even if I can keep him by my side, I will also feel the same pain.”

“Love is sacrifice, not possession.”

Only those who can understand this truth can be regarded as real women.

Because this is the most gentle and soft, also the greatest – part of women. Precisely because there are this kind of women on earth that human beings can make continuous progress, can continue their existence forever.

Zhang Jiejie’s gaze became even more tender, she continued, “Besides, I already have his child, once he leaves, I will take good care of him [gender neutral] wholeheartedly, so I won’t feel lonely.”

The old woman in black’s fingertips trembled, she said, “Are you saying that I did not take a good care of you?”

Zhang Jiejie hung his head down and said, “You – you can do better, only it’s a pity …”

The old woman in black spoke sternly, “It’s a pity what?” _{Translated by foxs}

Zhang Jiejie sighed and said, “Only it’s a pity that the pain and hatred in your heart are too deep. If you really want me to be happy, you should let him go … He is not my father at all, he is another person, you — why do you have to hate him?”

The woman in black clenched her hands tightly, but her body was still trembling nonstop. After a long time, she suddenly said loudly, “Very well, you let him go.”

Zhang Jiejie was greatly delighted.

But as soon as she revealed a smiling expression, the old woman in black added, “It’s just that he can only take the road your father took before, there is absolutely no room for you to choose.”

Zhang Jiejie said, “Which road?”

The old woman in black said, “Stairway to Heaven.” [Note: literal translation is ‘Sky Ladder’, but I thought ‘Stairway to Heaven’ sounds cooler … :)]

‘Stairway to Heaven’, what was ‘Stairway to Heaven’?

Was it the road to heaven?

Hearing these two characters, Zhang Jiejie’s face became as pale as paper again, she blurted out, “Why must he take this road?” _{foxswuxia.wordpress.com}

The old woman in black said, “Because that is also the rule written down in the scripture, absolutely no one can violate it.”

Zhang Jiejie said, “But he …”

The old woman in black cut her off with stern voice, she said, “Don’t you know? People of this family, no matter who wants to leave this place forever, there is only one road to take; isn’t he already a member of this family now?”

Zhang Jiejie hung her head down, she spoke softly, “I know. He … he is.”

The old woman in black said, “Very well, you can go now. Tomorrow morning, I will personally see him off.”

The night was very quiet. Although starlight could not be seen, night scene could not be seen either, the night itself seemed to have some kind of mysterious, strange feeling, so that you could feel that she has come.

Chu Liuxiang was lying on his back, his eyes were closed — was he afraid that his tears would flow down? Zhang Jiejie was caressing his face gently, her fluid glance revealed how much tenderness? How much deep love? Would Chu Liuxiang be willing to look at her?

Zhang Jiejie finally heaved a deep sigh, she said, “Why don’t you look at me? Could it be that you don’t want to look at me a few more glances?”

The muscles at the corners of Chu Liuxiang’s mouth were twitching, after a very long time, he suddenly responded, “Yes.” _{Translated by foxs}

Zhang Jiejie asked, “Why?”

Chu Liuxiang said, “Because you practically do not want me to look at you more.”

Zhang Jiejie asked, “Who said that?”

Chu Liuxiang replied, “You yourself.”

Forcing a laughter, Zhang Jiejie said, “What did I say?”

Chu Liuxiang said with a cold laugh, “That’s right, you did not say anything, but let me ask you, why didn’t you tell your mother that you want to go with me?”

Zhang Jiejie hung down her head, she said, “Because I know that even I said it, it would be useless.”

Chu Liuxiang said loudly, “Why?”

Zhang Jiejie smiled sadly, “The next generation Holy Maiden is still in my belly, how can I leave?”

Chu Liuxiang said, “So … so you want me to go alone?”

Zhang Jiejie replied, “Yes.” _{foxswuxia.wordpress.com}

Chu Liuxiang suddenly sprang up, he said loudly, “Do you think I will be happy leaving alone? Do you think I will let you conceive my child and live the rest of your life in this kind of ghost place?”

Zhang Jiejie said, “You are wrong.”

Chu Liuxiang said, “Where am I wrong?”

Zhang Jiejie said, “A lot of places.”

She covered Chu Liuxiang’s mouth to prevent him from screaming again, and then spoke softly, “We are not going to live in this place for the rest of our lives. After a while, even if we want to stay, this place may no longer exist.”

Chu Liuxiang asked, “How come?”

Zhang Jiejie said, “Our ancestors lived in this kind of place only because they had experienced too many torments and blows, they already became cynical and eccentric. They knew that other people already could not bear to see them, they themselves also could not bear to see other people, therefore, they would rather be cut off from the rest of the world, and live in solitary throughout their lives.”

Chu Liuxiang was listening.

Zhang Jiejie said, “But the world is changing day by day, people’s way of thinking is also changing day by day. There is always a big gap between the way of thinking of the previous generation and the next generation.” _{Translated by foxs}

Chu Liuxiang was listening.

Zhang Jiejie said, “Now the people of the previous generation are dead and gone, the people of the next generation are still here, just because they have a certain fear of the outside world, afraid that when they go out, they cannot adapt to that kind of environment, that they cannot survive.”

This point, naturally Chu Liuxiang could not agree, he immediately said, “They are wrong. As long as one is willing to work hard, he will have a way to survive.”

Zhang Jiejie said, “Of course they are wrong, but this kind of mentality will gradually change over time, and when they figure it out, there will be absolutely no scripture and rules on earth that can constrain them, also there will be absolutely nothing that can keep them in this prison.”

She chuckled and continued, “When that day comes, won’t this place practically cease to exist?”

Chu Liuxiang said, “But when will that day come?”

Zhang Jiejie said, “Soon. I can guarantee that you can see this day as soon as you leave.”

Chu Liuxiang said, “You guarantee?” _{foxswuxia.wordpress.com}

Zhang Jiejie nodded and said, “Because I will exhaust my power to tell them that the outside world is not as cruel and terrifying as they imagined, I will make them understand that if one wants to live a happy life, one must have courage.”

Her eyes shone again, and she continued slowly, “This is not only my duty, but also my responsibility, because they are also my sisters and brothers.”

Chu Liuxiang said, “That’s why … you have to stay here.”

Zhang Jiejie spoke softly, “Everyone should live with purpose and meaning. Even if I can go out with you, I might not necessarily be happy, because I have not fulfilled my obligations and responsibilities to the best of my ability. My life will change to become completely worthless, completely meaningless.”

Chu Liuxiang said, “As far as I know, there are a lot of women who live for their husbands and children, and their lives are very meaningful.”

Zhang Jiejie smiled sadly and said, “I know, I envy them too, but it’s a pity that my life is not destined to be that kind of women, and I don’t have that kind of luck like theirs.”

Chu Liuxiang asked, “Why?”

Zhang Jiejie said, “This reason, could it be that you don’t understand? Really don’t understand?”

Chu Liuxiang had nothing to say. _{Translated by foxs}

Zhang Jiejie said, “Precisely because you and I are the same, you can’t forget your obligations and responsibilities that you ought to do to the best of your ability, hence the reason you must go, moreover, you cannot but go; even if you can force yourself to stay, you will gradually become a useless, even a dead – person.”

She was right. If someone lives in a place where he cannot display his abilities and talents at all, he would gradually sink into depression. Even if he could be considered still living, it would not be much different than death. Naturally Chu Liuxiang also understood this truth.

Zhang Jiejie gently caressed him, she spoke softly, “The one I like is you, not a dead person, so I never want you to change. Therefore, for me, you simply must go.”

Chu Liuxiang finally heaved a deep sigh, he said, “I did not realize it until now that since I came here, I never really understand you.”

Zhang Jiejie said, “On earth, there is actually no one person who can fully understand another person, whether husband and wife, brothers, or friends, it’s all the same. Besides, women are born not to be understood by others.”

Chu Liuxiang said, “But now I have confirmed one thing.”

Zhang Jiejie asked, “What is it?”

Chu Liuxiang fixed his gaze at her, his eyes unexpectedly carried reverence, he sighed deeply and said, “I’ve never seen a woman like you before, and I’m afraid I’ll never see one again in the future.” _{foxswuxia.wordpress.com}

Zhang Jiejie said, “But as you leave, you will forever think about me, right?”

Chu Liuxiang said, “Of course.”

Zhang Jiejie said, “That is enough.”

Her fluid glance became even more gentle and soft, she spoke softly, “When two hearts beat together for a long time, they will exist for eternity.”

Chu Liuxiang could not help holding her hand tightly, he said, “I hope you promise me one thing.”

Zhang Jiejie said, “Tell me.”

Chu Liuxiang said, “Please continue living, so that in the future I can still see you.”

Zhang Jiejie said, “I definitely will.”

Her voice was resolute and clear, but her person seemed to turn into a rush of spring water falling into Chu Liuxiang’s arms.

The night grew quieter, the panting of breath has subsided.

Zhang Jiejie raised her hands to lightly brush the messy hair on her forehead, she suddenly said, “I have to go.” _{Translated by foxs}

Chu Liuxiang said, “Go? Now?”

Zhang Jiejie nodded.

Chu Liuxiang asked, “Where are you going?”

Zhang Jiejie hesitated a bit, finally she made up her mind and said, “The people in this family, no matter who wants to leave, there is only one way to go.”

Chu Liuxiang said, “You mean — the Stairway to Heaven?”

Zhang Jiejie said, “That’s right. The Stairway to Heaven.”

Chu Liuxiang said, “What kind of road is exactly this Stairway to Heaven?”

Zhang Jiejie’s expression became very heavy, she spoke slowly, “That is perhaps the most terrifying road in the world. Those who have no courage definitely will not dare to take it. She wants you to take this road just to test you, whether you have this kind of courage.”

Chu Liuxiang said, “What kind of courage?”

Zhang Jiejie said, “The courage to make your own judgment, to decide your own life and death, and you own fate.”

Chu Liuxiang said, “That is indeed very difficult. People without courage definitely would not dare to make such judgment.” _{foxswuxia.wordpress.com}

“That’s right,” Zhang Jiejie said, “When one has his hot blood surging, his emotion is stirred, oftentimes he would cast aside all concerns, even would not hesitate to die, that is not difficult. But if he has to decide his own life and death, that is a completely different matter, therefore …”

She sighed, and then continued, “I know that some people, although they have made up their minds to leave this place, but upon reaching the Stairway to Heaven, they often changed their minds, they shrank back at the last moment, and would rather be looked down upon by others.”

Chu Liuxiang asked, “What exactly is on the Stairway to Heaven?”

Zhang Jiejie said, “There are two doors, one leads to the outside, which is the path to life.”

Chu Liuxiang said, “And the other door is the path to death?”

Zhang Jiejie’s face turned green, she said, “Not the path to death, practically there is no path at all — outside is a bottomless ten-thousand-fathoms cliff, as soon as you step out, you will be consigned to eternal damnation.”

She gasped for a breath, and then continued, “No one knows which door is the path to life, you can choose to open which door by yourself, but once the door is opened, you simply must take it.” _{Translated by foxs}

Chu Liuxiang’s face also turned a bit pale, smiling bitterly, he said, “Looks like not only one must have courage, but he must also have luck.”

Forcing a laughter, Zhang Jiejie said, “Originally, I did not want you to take this risk, but … this place is also a bottomless abyss. If you stay here, you will sink all the same, only you are sinking a bit slower, that’s all.”

Chu Liuxiang said, “I understand.”

Zhang Jiejie fixed her gaze at him, she said, “You are my husband and the person closest to me. Naturally I don’t want you to be a coward who shrinks back just before the battle, I don’t want anybody to look down on you even more, but I also don’t want to see you die, so …”

Chu Liuxiang said, “So now you want to find out for me which door leads to the path of life?”

Zhang Jiejie nodded and said, “The Stairway to Heaven is inside the holy altar, now there are still one or two sichen before dawn.”

Chu Liuxiang said, “But I would rather you stay here; keeping me company for one sichen more is also all right.”

Zhang Jiejie smiled sweetly, she spoke softly, “I also hope to keep you company here, but I hope to see you again in the future.” _{foxswuxia.wordpress.com}

She leaned down and kissed Chu Liuxiang’s face, her voice was even more gentle, she said, “I will be back really soon.”

That was the last sentence Chu Liuxiang heard her say — that sentence was exactly the same as the one she said when she left Chu Liuxiang last time.

“I will be back really soon.”

Why is it that when she wanted to leave Chu Liuxiang, she always insisted that she would be back really soon?

Zhang Jiejie never came back.

When Chu Liuxiang saw her again, she was already under the Stairway to Heaven.

Her countenance was pale, the tears on her face had not dried up yet.

Her eyes seemed to have thousands of words to say, but she could not even utter a single word.

When Chu Liuxiang wanted to rush over, she had already left — she was forced away by other people.

She seemed to have completely lost her strength to resist, but just before leaving,  she suddenly blinked at Chu Liuxiang. _{Translated by foxs}

Left eye.

Aren’t the eyes also one kind of tool that human beings use to communicate with each other?

Chu Liuxiang tried his best to control himself, he did not want to fly into rage and forget his manners in front of anyone.

But his heart was indeed full of anger, he could not help asking, “Why did you force her to leave?”

The old woman in black spoke coldly, “No one forces her to leave, just like no one forces you to leave.”

Chu Liuxiang said, “At least you ought to let us talk for a moment.”

The old woman in black said, “Since you are leaving, what else there is to talk about?”

Chu Liuxiang said, “But you …”

The old woman in black cut him off, she said, “But if you really have something to say, you can still stay now.”

Chu Liuxiang said, “Stay forever?” _{foxswuxia.wordpress.com}

The old woman in black said, “That’s right, stay forever.”

Chu Liuxiang let out a long, long breath, he said, “You know very well that I can’t stay.”

The old woman in black said, “Why not? If you are really good to her, why can’t you sacrifice yourself?”

Chu Liuxiang said, “Because she doesn’t want me to do this.”

The old woman in black said, “You think she really wants you to go?”

Chu Liuxiang replied, “You don’t think so?”

The old woman in black laughed coldly and said, “You really believe what women say?”

She laughed coldly again, and then continued, “I am her mother, and I am also a woman. Of course I know her better than you. She wants you to go simply because you have broken her heart — she wants you to go, just because she never wants to see you again.”

Chu Liuxiang nodded slowly, he said, “I already understand what you mean.”

The old woman in black said, “It’s good that you understand.” _{Translated by foxs}

Chu Liuxiang’s countenance calmed down instead, he spoke indifferently, “Not only you are hoping that she would hate me, but also hoping that I would hate her; you are hoping that our encounter [could also be translated as ‘bitter experience’] would the same as yours [plural].”

The old woman in black’s countenance changed. Naturally she knew that by ‘you’ [plural] he meant she and her husband; didn’t they harbor a grudge against each other because of this?

Chu Liuxiang’s voice became even calmer as well as more resolute, he said, “But I can assure you that your daughter’s encounter will never be the same as yours, because after I leave, I will live a good life for her sake, and she will equally live a good life for my sake. No matter what you think, we will not change.”

The old woman in black’s eyes flickered, she said, “You really believe what you said?”

Chu Liuxiang said, “Yes.”

The old woman in black suddenly laughed, she said, “If you really believe, why bother saying it out loud, why bother telling me?”

Her laughter was like a sharp needle, as if she wanted to pierce Chu Liuxiang’s heart.

The forty-zhang high Stairway to Heaven. When one was on the stairs, it was like one was in the sky. _{foxswuxia.wordpress.com}

The two doors were almost exactly identical, no one could see the difference. The difference between life and death. Chu Liuxiang was standing in front of the doors, unconsciously sweats had already flowed down.

He had experienced dangerous life or death situations many times, he had been closer to death than anyone else, sometimes he even nearly completely gave up all hope.

But he has never been as terrified as he was now. Because this time his life and death would be decided by himself, yet clearly he himself was completely without any confidence.

There is absolutely nothing on earth that is more terrifying than being forced to make a decision where you yourself don’t have any confidence. If you have not personally experienced it, you would definitely be unable to imagine how terrifying it is!

Left eye. It was the left eye.

Did Zhang Jiejie want to tell him that outside the door on the left was the path to life?

Chu Liuxiang almost walked towards the door on the left, but his pair of legs seemed to be held back by invisible chains.

“You think she really wants you to go?” _{Translated by foxs}

“She wants you to go simply because you have broken her heart, she does not wish to see you again.”

Chu Liuxiang could not help asking himself, “Did I break her heart? Shall I go or not?”

He never felt that he made any mistake, this place was originally a prison, someone like him, naturally could not stay here.

But he could not help asking himself.

“If I am really good to her, shall I sacrifice myself for her? Shall I stay for her?”

“Am I being too selfish, am I being too heartless?”

“If I were Zhang Jiejie, if I knew that Chu Liuxiang was going to leave me, wouldn’t I also be broken hearted?”

“If you really broke a woman’s heart, not only she would never want to see you again, she might even wish you to die.”

This logic, naturally Chu Liuxiang also understood.

“She intentionally winked at me, did she want me to step into the ten-thousand-fathoms abyss?” _{foxswuxia.wordpress.com}

Chu Liuxiang nearly could not help veering toward the door on the right. But Zhang Jiejie’s tender voice rang in his ears again, “The one I like is you, not a dead person, therefore, for me, you simply must go.”

“As long as you are happy, I will be happy too. Once you leave, I will live well for you.”

Remembering her tenderness, her deep love, he could not help feeling that doubting her would simply be some kind of a crime.

“I should trust her, she definitely will not deceive me.”

“But, she hinted by winking her left eye, what exactly was she trying to tell me?”

“Did she want to tell me that the door on the left is the path to life, or did she want to tell me that the door on the left must not be opened?”

All these questions could only be answered after the door is opened.

Which door should he open?

This decision was indeed too difficult, too painful. Chu Liuxiang only felt that the clothes on his body were already drenched in cold sweat.

The old woman in black was standing by his side, she looked coldly at his drenched clothes, suddenly she laughed coldly and said, “Do you have any regret now?”

Chu Liuxiang said, “Regretting what?” _{Translated by foxs}

The old woman in black said, “Regretting that you shouldn’t have come; no one forced you to come, no one forced you to leave either.”

Chu Liuxiang said, “Hence I definitely will not have any regret; no matter what the outcome, I will definitely not regret it, because I have already come.”

He has been here, he has lived, and he has loved.

He has done what he felt he should do, could it be that that is not enough?

The old woman in black’s eyes flickered, she said, “You seem to have finally figured it out.”

Chu Liuxiang nodded.

The old woman in black said, “In that case, what are you waiting for?”

Chu Liuxiang suddenly chuckled, he opened one of the doors – his hand suddenly became very steady again.

In that instant, he already returned to the former Chu Liuxiang. He took a long stride and stepped through the door —

But which door did he open? _{foxswuxia.wordpress.com}

No one knows.

But it doesn’t matter anymore, because he has been here, he has lived, and he has loved —

No matter who, anyone would say that it is enough.

(End of the entire book)

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[1] From Han Feizi [ancient Chinese text named for its attribution to the political philosopher Han Fei]: A man was selling weapons on the street. He boasted, “This is the sharpest spear in the world, it can pierce any shield.” Then he picked up a shield and said, “This is the strongest shield in the world. No spear can pierce through it.” At this time, an old man walked by and asked him, “If you attack your shield with your spear, what will happen?” The man was momentarily speechless.

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