wrong!
Could it be that in the old Pope's eyes, the secret he possesses is related to the plan to seize the sea? Or perhaps, their levels are similar or even equal?
"I've heard about the Sea Conquest Project, but it should only involve some business matters. I'm just an artist, so I don't know much about business."
Lin Rui tried to speak in a calm tone.
However, his words did not move the old pope in the slightest. His calm gaze remained fixed on Lin Rui: "The plan to seize the sea is not a business. The definition of seizing the sea is not to take over the overseas market in your eyes. This sea is the spiritual sea, the sea of consciousness, or you could say the mind."
After a pause, the old pope's tone became serious: "Memory."
"memory?"
Lin Rui was somewhat bewildered.
He had always believed that the so-called "sea-seizing plan" was China's counterattack against overseas markets.
Even Chen Bin and Li Donglai thought so!
But now the old man in front of him is telling him that this is just their wishful thinking!
If it weren't for the fact that the old man in front of him was the former Pope of the Holy See, Lin Rui would definitely have thought he was crazy!
"We have lost a part of our memories."
The old pope said solemnly, "At the same time, we are also losing an instinct."
"What instinct?"
A deep sense of doubt surfaced in Lin Rui's eyes.
Instinct?!
What instinct?
Isn't he perfectly fine?
The old pope did not answer, but instead reached out and lifted a curtain next to his chair.
It was a cage.
Inside the cage, a black cat was toying with a mouse. The mouse was covered in bruises from the cat's play, but the cat seemed to be enjoying the process of toying with the mouse, and was reluctant to give it a good end.
Lin Rui didn't understand; it's only natural for a cat to catch a mouse!
etc!
wrong!
"Child, do you finally understand?"
The old pope's tone held a hint of relief: "What we've lost is precisely this kind of instinct, do you understand?"
do you understand? !
This is not a senior's instruction to a junior, nor is it a question between people; rather, it is a bewildered inquiry!
It's like this feeling—Lin Rui understands it, but the old Pope of the Vatican doesn't!
Murderous intent!
"Is this instinct for loss important?"
Lin Rui asked in as calm a tone as possible, "People living in harmony, without violence, without killing, and without war, where everyone can..."
"But one day, humans will also feel pity for livestock, and the end result will be a severe food shortage, famine, and even the disruption of the balance of the entire ecosystem. As the number of livestock and even wild animals continues to increase, various diseases and disasters will occur frequently, and when that day comes, even more people will die."
The old man looked at Lin Rui and said, "Life deserves reverence, but that doesn't mean fear."
When did you discover it?
Lin Rui asked a question he had been holding back for a long time. He believed that since the old pope had discovered it, he was not the only one.
“Some of your works, such as music, novels, or movies, actually convey values that are contrary to the world.”
After a pause, the old man continued, "At least in your attitude towards life, you had reverence, but not fear."
What should I do?
Lin Rui gave the old pope a deep look.
Frankly speaking, it's very difficult for ordinary people to think about, or even discover, this problem.
A native person, from the moment he is born until his death, will always believe that no matter how much he hates or despises someone, he will never kill him!
This is like the stuff in a septic tank – it's filthy, and even if you starve to death, you would never dig it out to eat!
This has become a fixed mindset. Killing is indeed undesirable, but if we really lose everything, over time, perhaps in a few hundred years, the population of this planet may be reduced to a terrifying level!
Imagine a day when butchers can't bring themselves to cut livestock, and humans can't bear to cook fresh meat—it's terrifying to even think about!
Lin Rui suddenly remembered that two hundred years ago, there were still some war-related events recorded in history, but by then, the content related to war had become very rare. Conflicts between countries gradually began to be resolved through peace talks and cultural means.
Over the past two hundred years, human-to-human killing has almost disappeared. So, in another two hundred years, will human-to-animal killing also...?
"You can do it your own way."
"After all, I don't understand that feeling."
The old man sighed deeply.
Lin Rui could roughly guess what the old man was thinking; he simply wanted him to awaken the instincts that the world was gradually losing through movies, music, or literature.
"From now on, you don't need to have any worries. The Vatican will support all your decisions."
The old man's expression darkened as he said this: "What the previous pope couldn't do, perhaps I can."
Seeing the doubt on Lin Rui's face, the old man calmly said, "The Heavenly King Council that you have now joined was originally established by the previous Pope. At that time, he also thought of using spiritual transmission to awaken the instincts that humanity was gradually losing. But the previous Pope forgot that those he placed his hopes on did not actually understand what it means to revere life or what it means to fear life."
At this moment, in Lin Rui's view, awe and fear, though only one word apart, are worlds apart.
Because the former signifies prosperity, while the latter represents destruction.
"The true purpose of the Heavenly King Council is..."
Lin Rui seemed to suddenly understand something.
The old man instantly saw through Lin Rui's thoughts and smiled, a rare occurrence for him: "It seems you still have reservations about the Heavenly King Council. Actually, Phillips is my student. He runs the Heavenly King Council to fulfill the last wish of the previous Pope."
…
The old pope shared many thoughts with Lin Rui, and several hours passed before they left the back garden.
Before parting, Lin Rui promised the old pope that he would send him a book soon. The old pope understood Lin Rui's intentions and looked pleased.
Only after boarding the private jet did Lin Rui look thoughtfully at Chen Bin and ask, "Brother Chen, what are your views on life?"
Chen Bin glanced at Lin Rui with slight doubt, but still said, "The meaning of life lies in living it fully; its value surpasses everything else..."
"I'm not discussing the meaning of life with you."
Lin Rui tried his best to organize his thoughts, but seeing Chen Bin's somewhat bewildered look, he simply waved his hand and said, "Never mind, I'm tired. I'll go back to my room and rest."
Even a brilliant mind like Chen Bin can be bewildered when it comes to understanding life. Lin Rui has realized that the world is not as wonderful as he thought.
Or rather, people in this world are flawed.
Yes, according to Buddhist teachings, these people still possess the seven emotions and six desires, but they are incomplete because they are degenerating and may even be about to lose something.
"What a headache! I never imagined that just going abroad would lead to something so important for all of humanity."
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