Volume Two: Taking on a Task Chapter Twelve: A Moment of Self-Reflection

The story of the Novice Village has gradually faded into obscurity, perhaps because the initial encounter with the ghostly gates of the underworld left too deep a shadow upon everyone. Or perhaps, for some, it left behind memories that are rare and precious. Yet, in the end, it was merely a place of enlightenment hidden away from the world, tucked into the mountains amidst the bustling prosperity of the flourishing age.

The Chen Chen of the past has become a story of yesterday; a new Chen Chen now stands ready in the Novice Village. Just as he was at the moment of his inception, he was merely an illusion. It was only out of a desire to spare him from suffering, an intentional effort to keep him untarnished, that the subsequent chapters of his life unfolded. Life’s journey is often fraught with hardship—how many can truly navigate it? And how many, after witnessing such struggles, wish to offer their own meager strength to help the suffering find their way to a better state? Gentlemen often take pleasure in helping others achieve their goals, but when the petty and the base gain power, how should we respond?

In this leg of the journey, Chen Chen is truly just a character, much like one in a game, constantly accepting tasks, one after another. Yet, on this path of endless quests, how many hearts have wandered, how many spirits have soared, how many have been filled with high aspirations, and how many have found a sense of achievement and gain after completing their tasks? The clamor of the human world is beyond counting. One wonders if, somewhere along the way, there have been others like Chen Chen who obtained what they desired from their tasks, then withdrew at the right moment to gain greater freedom, accumulating the beauty that others dream of. Having once gazed upon the vast ocean, the lesser waters are hard to admire; one wonders how much freedom requires deep learning to support the coming and going.

Chen Chen ultimately chose to leave the Novice Village; he had to find something to do for himself. Whether for his own sake or to fulfill the expectations of the masses—at the moment when the masses wished for Chen Chen to find his own liberation—did he suddenly awaken to the truth? He realized that in the encounters of life, there was merely one phase where his path mirrored that of the "true" Chen Chen. We meet by chance in the midst of vanity, but when the time comes to draw the line, everyone must eventually return to their true selves—whether to wander, to struggle at every step, or to settle down and establish a life.

Bearing the weight of his own true life, Chen Chen is but a character; when unnecessary, he is nothing more than that. Perhaps in film or television, someone could play him well. In the world of games, there are avatars just like this Chen Chen, finding the pleasure they seek in the completion of task after task.

The road lies beneath our feet, and it also resides within the heart of every individual. When the moment of choice arrives, how many remain true to themselves, and how many have already succumbed? Chen Chen left the Novice Village at last, and this time, the departure was a true desire to break free from the bonds that tied him to that place. The Chen Chen of the village grew distant; he needed new things to do—a stable occupation, or perhaps a new mission, a new frontier.

Green mountains rise beyond green mountains, and the waters flow on, long and enduring. Life in this world demands respect, and the cycle of reincarnation turns and turns again. The vision returns once more to that moment when Chen Chen first descended upon the cultivation star. Such encounters have repeated for years on end. In this heaven and earth, who knows how many such scenes have played out? It is just that in a flourishing, bustling age, there is sometimes no room for such surveillance and orchestration.

It is said that we see him off on his journey, but we do not know if we have reached the wishes of the masses. Does anyone truly wish for the people they see to be healthy, to carry their blessings and their perspectives, and in the journey of survival, to live out their true selves—to live out the wishes of the people? As for those who would use Chen Chen to gain their own fame and fortune, some of these entities are destined to exit the stage.

In that chapter of portraying Chen Chen, there were many thoughts of freedom and ease. Yet few know that, intermingled in the smooth path of life—whether true or false—they have all helped pave a beautiful legend. Do not ask how many wishes the masses have; the people help one another as they walk through the world. If Heaven does not wish for life to be, it cannot be; yet billions of living beings give birth to billions more. We all have our own independent lives to lead, to live out our true selves. As for those fleeting thoughts, and those who wish to continue using the character of Chen Chen to obtain something—did they not each receive what they sought in those tasks of long ago?

On a deeper level, whether real or false, in the eyes of the masses, as long as it is beautiful, it is enough to acknowledge it. The real Chen Chen is not present, so it was truly just borrowing a name; once the work was done, each returned to their own life, choosing their own path. This matter is concluded, and one wonders if, back in those true, towering mountains, all is well.

Chen Chen no longer dwells on whether he is the "true" Chen Chen; that is a matter of respect for an independent life. He only knows that after a loss, a certain part of him needs to be appropriately replenished, to return to his true state of being. Much like certain independent life forms, he does not overly separate himself, nor does he overly step outside his own nature. The many combinations of life ultimately require them to manage themselves.

One wonders how many human hearts hope for the world to be a little smoother, for life to be a little more ordinary. Respect the independent life form; respect the way that life exists. Let it be appropriately complete, appropriately detached from the many realms, and do not stir unnecessary equilibrium. The heavens are filled with splendor, and so many beings possess a self. Without me, without him, unaware of the self; cast aside the true self to bestow it upon a false image.

The story of the Novice Village ends here. In the vanity of the secular world, if all is well, then a peaceful journey is enough. In a strange land, traveling alone—how many like him are there? Life and death are known only to oneself. Sometimes, all we can do is make a brief note: to remember that there is grand scenery amidst the vanity, and that within the grand scenery, there is much more.

Splendid scenes are everywhere, but how many truly understand the myriad states of human life? The great world remembers this day clearly: Chen Chen is, in the end, simply Chen Chen.