In fact, normally, this part should have another thirty or forty chapters, like this: Xiao Ke eliminates interference step by step, resists sabotage, and manipulates the fate of the Utopian puppets until the ritual is ready and he is promoted naturally. In this process, other people's stories can be expanded to make the whole more full.
I thought so at first, but later I felt that such a development was an insult to the villains' intelligence. Zaratul couldn't just sit there and wait to die, and Adam and Amon couldn't just wait for Klein to be promoted, or use repeated low-intensity tests to interfere, like they were playing a game.
Their necessary choice was to create an opportunity to unleash all their strength, or to deal with Klein directly, or to have Verdu perform a ritual to release Mr. Door when Klein was unable to stop him.
Once this opportunity arises, it will inevitably develop in a violent and crackling manner. There will be no relaxation. The contradiction will erupt completely, and everyone will do their best to achieve their own goals, pushing the tide to a high point.
This is why the pace of the last part of the seventh part suddenly becomes faster. This is the inevitable development after Adam joins the matter. This is the choice that the opposing party will make as long as they have intelligence. It is impossible for Klein to prepare in an orderly and slow manner.
That makes sense.
Let’s talk about the name of this film, “The Hanged Man”.
Its main meaning comes from the interpretation of Tarot cards, and I give it the two most obvious meanings:
First, take the initiative to sacrifice yourself or pay a price;
Second, when you are in trouble, don’t struggle in vain, but look at the problem from a different perspective, examine yourself calmly, think about the future, and patiently wait for something to happen.
Regarding the first point, since the seventh film, those who have made sacrifices include Roselle, Mr. "Gate", the ancient sun god in the background of the story, etc. Those who decided to give up important things and paid the price include Alger, as well as the implied and only indirectly revealed Little K, the "real creator" and Adam.
Xiao Ke finally inherited Tianzun's legacy in a sense. This was not only because he used the separation properties of the "curtain" to complete himself, but also because he made a deal with the "God of Lamp".
If the true Creator and Adam want to merge, one or even both of them must give up some of their ego, especially when Amon does not hand over the first blasphemous stone tablet.
Therefore, the cross and the "Hanged Man" in the last scene are hinting at this matter.
No matter how disdainful, indifferent, and ruthless Adam was in other aspects, He did not escape from this matter. Since He could not gain absolute advantage, He would rather sacrifice something.
This point also corresponds to the preface. All things have divinity. Divinity both looks down on all living beings and transcends human nature. It has both good and bad aspects.
As for the second meaning of "The Hanged Man", it is implied in the events of Part 7. The most obvious one is Xiao Ke's performance when he was suddenly attacked and in desperate situation. Of course, this is not the most important. The most important thing is the content of "I": changing the perspective, living as an "I", looking at problems, and thinking about the future, Xiao Ke's divinity rises, but his humanity remains.
In addition to these two points, there are also Alger's dilemma and decision, Audrey's game with the Psychological Alchemist Society, etc.
Well, I actually considered letting Alger sacrifice himself in this volume, and adding Fors, all centered around Mr. "Door"'s line, but later I realized that I had added a Western Continent line to Alger... What happened... So, I could only settle for the second best and let him completely give up his past and his status. As for Fors, she was too salty, so salty that I didn't know how to push her to take risks...
As for other summaries of the seventh part, I wrote them in the March summary a few days ago, so I won’t go into details. I can only say that I am very satisfied with the slower pace, different perspectives, and different narrative techniques in the first part, and the intense ending of the latter part is the result of the collision of the characters. They have their own thoughts, their own choices, and their own destinies. As a writer, I cannot say that this is the best, but I have to respect it.
When a story develops to this stage and the fates of the characters are intertwined and merged into a torrent, it means the end is coming.
Two additional points. First, Mr. "Men". The sacrifice of Mr. "Men" was foreshadowed for a long time, so in the end it was presented with only a few simple actions and a few words, without any additional sensationalism or unnecessary cumbersome descriptions. I think this is good. Thousands of words are revealed in that choice.
The second is Zaratul. To be honest, I originally hoped for a big battle. There must be a big battle at the end of the volume. But after Xiao Ke used the djinn to complete the promotion, his strength and status have been reversed, and there was also Rosel's backstab. I really can't think of how Zaratul can turn the tables and fight. If Zaratul could still create a miracle in such a situation in Utopia, then after the first hasty escape, he lost the secret doll and lost the initiative. I don't think it's necessary to force a new word to express his sorrow.
Of course, I have always disliked adding flashbacks to villains before they die, which resulted in Zaratul, who has always been secretive and mysterious in his actions, not having enough stories and his character image has not been fleshed out. This is a pity.
This is also the problem I have always wanted to solve. The BOSS is always set too strong, which leads to not having many opportunities to appear. As a result, when He is allowed to appear at the end, there is a lack of coherence and emotional accumulation, making it difficult to create the desired impact and explosion.
I hope Amon can bring me an opportunity to solve this problem.
Well, that’s the summary for the seventh part. Now I can say that this is the one with the highest subscription. The last few orders were around 65,000, and usually it can be maintained at around 59,000, and the lowest is just under 57,000. It’s not surprising that the average subscription has been increasing since the book of Weird Secret was published. It’s very rare that the subscription increases for every part. For me, it’s also the first time.
Well, the name of the eighth part is easy to guess, “The Fool”. It starts with “The Joker” and ends with “The Fool”.
As usual, I will take a break for three and a half days, half a day today plus Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. I will resume updating on Thursday, April 9 at 12:30 noon. Well, I have thought of the ending scene before I started writing, but I still need to think about how to develop it, as well as the battle of wits and courage with Amon.
Finally, since I've opened a single chapter, I'll ask for a monthly ticket~
Also, I recommend a book called "My Cell Prison", which is also in the style of mysticism and Cthulhu (just look at the author's name, the fat guy in yellow):
Reborn as a cell, carrying the power of the prison code, he came to a parallel world where the ancients have awakened.
Steam civilization, horror space, the old king of eternal night, and demons outside the city.
The door of destiny has been opened-the Crusade, Library, Control, Machinery, and Mysticism will serve as a new growth system for human development.
The hymn of mankind is the hymn of courage! The brave knights galloped in the world ruled by the ancient king to take back the freedom that belongs to mankind.