"What kind of world is that?" asked Gu Sui Han.
Shen Qingmang was fascinated. She thought of the education she had received, her homeland, and the ancestors who had sacrificed their own families for the happiness of hundreds of millions of people and achieved greater justice.
"That's a... very complex world. It lacks spiritual energy, yet boasts technology even more miraculous than spiritual energy. People rely not on the power of spirits and gods, but on their own ingenuity to transcend the limits of the human body, capable of reaching the moon and catching turtles in the oceans. Our world lacks sects, but it does have nations. Within the same universe, there are hundreds of nations, large and small. The country I live in has a long history and a splendid culture. It's the only civilization to have survived five thousand years and still exist."
"Five thousand years..." Gu Sui Han repeated.
Shen Qingmang glanced at him with a smile. "Don't think five thousand years is short. That's because the cultivators here live long lives, while we are mere mortals. A hundred years at most is a lifetime. There are no eternal families, no eternal royal power. Dynasties rise and fall like the ebb and flow of the tides."
"What about the dynasty in which Master lived?"
"We can't call it a dynasty anymore; we're a modern society." Shen Qingmang arched his brows. "We don't have a self-willed monarch, nor do we have a lofty divine authority. Everyone is a citizen of society, a master of the country, and everyone is equal. Orphaned children can be well cared for in welfare homes, and the destitute can receive subsidies, and even be taught how to fish. There may still be places where the sun doesn't reach, but everyone has a light in their hearts, and together, we will surely illuminate more and more darkness."
"No wonder Master has always been kind-hearted." Gu Sui Han said.
"But do you know what our country was like before our time?" She sat up on the couch and looked at him seriously.
Gu Suihan also sat up. "What does it look like?"
"We faced internal and external troubles. Greedy foreign nations opened our borders with guns and cannons, slaughtered and plundered our people, and occupied our territory, turning us into third-class citizens, or even slaves. Internally, we faced a decadent and declining feudal dynasty, short-sighted rulers, and cowardly bureaucrats. At that time, the crisis our country faced was even greater than that faced by the Taichu Sect."
Gu Suihan asked, "How did it change later? Was it God who brought punishment upon... Oh, there is no God."
"There are no gods." Shen Qingmang shook his head. "It was a group of heroes who, fearless of their own mortality, opened up a new world. Many of them were my age—I mean the old me, not the me whose lifespan has been extended here. They blazed a trail, step by step, exploring ways to bring new life to this land. Many sacrificed their lives in the process. Some died in the mountains, some on the execution grounds. Some died with children at home, some died without families. They were willing to sacrifice their lives to save the lives of others."
Gu Sui Han fell silent.
Shen Qingmang leaned in close, locking eyes. "I'm grateful to these ancestors. They planted trees, and future generations enjoy the shade. They paved the way for us with their blood. Do you know why only our civilization has survived to this day? Because the flame of our civilization has never been extinguished. Generation after generation has passed on the spirit of our forefathers. That is our national soul. Even if a person changes into many bodies, as long as the soul is immortal, they are immortal."
"But what you did was clearly burning your own soul." He said in a hoarse voice.
"No." She looked at him seriously. "I haven't burned out. I'm with you. Even if I don't return, my bones, my essence and blood have merged into the mountains and rivers. Every part of the Taichu Sect is nourished by my spiritual energy. As long as you live, I live. I've adopted a form of unconsciousness to continue accompanying you."
"Yet we can't touch you."
Shen Qingmang's eyes flickered. "Do you want to hear... the letter I once wanted to leave for you?"
Gu Sui Han's breathing became heavier, and he neither nodded nor shook his head.
She smiled. "I still remember some of the sentences. After all, I thought about them for a long time, carefully choosing each word and revising them over and over again. I've been trying to figure out how to comfort you, so that you can accept the fact that I'm leaving without feeling the loss of being abandoned."
"So... what did you say?"
"Although I can no longer speak to you, cannot look at you with my own eyes, cannot hug you, and cannot feel your breath, I have not disappeared from your life. The first spring breeze will smooth out the wrinkles between your brows for me. The clear lotus on the pond in summer is the joyful smile when I see you. The abundant fruits in autumn, if you pick them and taste them, they will taste like a kiss. The white snow in winter is me adding a new coat for you. Do not be sad about my departure. I have transformed into all things in the world, and all things in the world will love you for me."
Shen Qingmang's eyes were gentle, and Gu Suihan couldn't control himself. He reached out and hugged her tightly, buried his head in her neck, and said in a trembling voice: "Master..."
She gently stroked his smooth, dark hair. "I'm here. Judging by your reaction, I should have sent out this final version of the letter. It seems to have had an effect."
"It only works if you behave nicely in front of me now. Otherwise, I won't be coaxed by you." Gu Sui Han said sullenly.
"Okay, okay, my return was the most effective. I might have touched a heartless and unscrupulous author." Shen Qingmang smiled, "But I should also thank her. The predicament she put me in wasn't really a predicament. After all, as long as I put in the effort, I'll get something in return. I don't think I'm that great. Those who don't know if their sacrifice will bring hope, but still give it without hesitation, are the truly great people."
"I suddenly feel that... being able to make you impulsively forget your lofty ambitions for a while is something we can do."
Shen Qingmang put his arm around his waist. "My guilt is real, so I really want to comfort you."
"Then why didn't you just lie to me all along? Why are you telling me the truth now?" Gu Sui Han asked.
"Because... you don't like me treating you like a child." She said seriously.
"Um?"
"I'll continue to lie to you and deny my past self. Maybe you'll believe me, but lying is treating you like a child. People only choose to lie when they think a problem can't be solved normally. I want to treat you like an adult, so I have to be honest with you. I believe you can understand me."
Gu Suihan's expression was moved.
"Now, do you understand what I'm doing?"
"...I understand, but I still hope...if there's a next time, please let me face it with you. No matter what choice you make, let me bear it with you."
"good."
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