Chapter 355: Seeing the subtle to know the prominent, discerning people's hearts and wisdom

Past events are like smoke, nothing more.

You slowly recounted all your experiences from three lifetimes to this monkey, clearly and honestly, without any deceit.

First, because it can tell whether you're lying; second, because you have no need to deceive it.

Sincerity is the invincible great weapon……

Evidently, your sincerity has taken effect!

The astonished monkey kept trying to see a hint of pretense in your eyes, but from beginning to end it only saw a clear pool of heart where the bottom is visible.

"You……did not lie."

The monkey murmured: "But……I am also not your disciple; your past and present lives belong only to you, not to me, nor to anyone else……"

"I know."

Your calm voice held no inflection: "So when you fled from me back then, I also did not force you to become my disciple……In essence, everything in this life is entirely new, with no connection whatsoever to my previous life……"

The monkey stared blankly: "Then why do you still want me to stay now?"

"Because of loneliness, and also because of worry."

You smiled.

"In this life I have already salvaged too many people, but only now do I realize that even if I could save countless more, I cannot save myself……"

"Even now I still bear the task of moving toward perfection, yet I have lost the courage to proceed to the next life……because I worry, because I fear, because I cannot see the way forward."

"The life and death of all beings I have already saved to the Pure Land depend on me alone—how could I dare to die? Without any ability to clear the game, rashly starting a new life would not only be a heartless abandonment of present beings, but also an irresponsibility toward future beings……"

Your heartfelt words completely overturned the monkey's bad impression of your evil heart, and it finally accepted you as a "wicked person" with good intentions.

"So you want me to live here with you, to coexist?"

The monkey asked curiously.

You nodded: "I am the protagonist of this life's reincarnation, and you are the protagonist of the dream world; I cannot die, nor can you, because our death is not just our own affair but also that of all beings."

"Isn't it for the sake of all beings in the world?"

"I don't think so."

What you said is indeed reasonable, but unexpectedly the monkey refused your proposal.

"If what you say is true, then everything in this world is a game awaiting clearance; no matter what, there must be a solution—it cannot possibly have no way at all!"

The monkey displayed the wisdom of a "Heaven's Chosen," and after carefully sorting through it, gradually reassembled the fragmented information you leaked, thereby forming its own view.

It pondered: "Since a solution exists, yet you insist on stalling this process at the present……that will only cause you never to clear the game."

Therefore, lying flat is not a good way to solve the problem.

"What we should do now is to dare to try!"

"Try?" You certainly understand this principle.

But you still shook your head: "I and Zhao Si have exhausted all methods, we've already verified……our limit is right here; the best we can achieve now is the utmost we can do, and going to the next life or the life after that would not yield anything better."

"No, I'm not talking about you……"

The monkey pointed at itself and said seriously: "I'm talking about me; the one who should try harder is me!"

"Since we are the only two protagonists in the world, and you have already done your utmost yet still cannot succeed, it is obvious that the problem lies with me."

"I should die a few more times, restart a few more times……if a perfect way to clear the game truly exists in the world, it could only manifest in this form!"

Its serious analysis plunged you into silence……

But your silence is not because you were shocked by its earth‑shattering words like Shi Potian's; in fact, you had already thought of this!

From the moment it first floated ashore earlier, you had already realized this: since only you and it remain in the world, and you have already pushed your operations to the limit, the problem must lie with it……the best thing to do is to slap this monkey to death!

You had even thought of this earlier; during the time from rescuing it to it waking up, you had harbored countless murderous intentions toward it, and under the influence of evil interference, your killing intent was extremely strong.

But in the end you never actually acted, because……

"Because I'm afraid……"

You lowered your head: "I certainly know I should use your life to seek a way to clear the game, but your life is also tied to the survival of all beings."

"If you die, heaven and earth will rewind to the moment of your birth……does that mean a crisis for the beings of the Pure Land?"

"No one knows."

You pointed at yourself again: "Moreover, the process of you rewinding time is no less than heaven and earth overturning; under such immense power, how could I, a mere True God, possibly survive?"

"If I die, wouldn't that just be another emptiness?"

The answer is clear: knowing it might be the key, what then? Do you dare to gamble? Can you afford to gamble?

You are no longer a carefree youth who bets on a whim; beneath your youthful appearance lies an old man on his last legs, and this old man knows exactly what his stake is!

Those are countless living human lives! Those are the innumerable lives you easily salvaged with your lofty ambitions! You ruthlessly decided for them to end their lives, and in the end, are you really going to casually discard those who were forced onto the pirate ship?

You are not a true evil god; you cannot do such a shameless thing.

In this life you may no longer be the former General Lin who held supreme authority, but you will forever be the General Lin who willingly shattered himself for the sake of all beings! Only the principle of you shattering yourself for beings exists, not the reverse; the fervent ideal still burns in your aging chest.

Although you have long since changed worlds, this thread of desolate autumn wind remains hard to come by even after a thousand years……

"So you still don't want to try to clear the game?"

The monkey, aware of all your worries, sighed and asked.

You said nothing.

"All right, I understand……"

The monkey sighed: "However, I still don't want to just stay here with you; I want to go ask that Patriarch Bodhi, to verify the truth of what you've said."

"Once I've finished verifying, coming back to find you won't be too late……"

Its answer made you feel pleased: "So you are willing to come back?"

"Hmm."

It nodded helplessly: "What else can I do? You carry the lives and futures of so many people; can I really force you to abandon them?"

【"Wait until I've verified it, then I'll come back to find you; we'll keep each other company, so we two precious lumps won't be so lonely as to think of seeking death."】

【"By the way, remember to teach me how to fish when the time comes; I'll learn from you and become a fisherman too—no heavenly restraints, no earthly bonds, truly carefree!"】

【The monkey chattered on and on, all about plans for after it returns: it wants to personally build a small cottage, then bring the monkeys and monkey grandchildren of Mount Huaguo over to live together, everyone will fish and farm together; although it won't be very lively, it will certainly be quite fun……】

【You're delighted by its future plans, and naturally you pat your chest and promise to fulfill its wishes!】

【"Let me see you off! I have the cloud‑riding technique; in an instant I can fly 108,000 li, and we'll reach Xiniu Hezhou in a moment!"】

【"No!"】

【The monkey waved its hand, refusing your kind offer to see it off, and said solemnly: "I haven't yet met Patriarch Bodhi, and I really don't know Their temperament; flying there would save time, but it might make Them think my heart isn't sincere, offending Them and causing Them to refuse me entry."】

【"Didn't you say the Spirit Terrace Square Inch and the Crescent‑Moon Three Stars represent my heart? Since it involves the heart, I'll still pay attention… Anyway, with the direction you gave me, I won't take many years to get there."】

【"Three years, at most three years and I'll be back!"】

【You thought about it: that's right, it's still worth paying some attention to.】

【"All right, then three years it is!"】

【And so a "three‑year agreement" was set……】

【Onward to the Fighting Emperor on horseback!】

【……】

By the seaside, sitting on the fishing boat that Lin Liu gave it, the monkey clasped its hands and smiled:

【"Thank you! In three years, let's not part without seeing each other!"】

【"No parting without meeting!"】

Lin Liu also returned the gesture, smiling and clasping its hands.

After the formal farewell, the monkey took up the oars and resolutely rowed out into the vast sea, gradually disappearing where sky meets water……

This scene made Lin Liu feel a sense of déjà vu: back in his first life, the monkey had also embarked on the quest for immortality thanks to his support, and now, in his third life, he unexpectedly finds himself replaying this very scene……

【"This too could be called a kind of fate……"】

Watching the monkey disappear into the distance, Lin Liu couldn't help but sigh, then turned and headed home.

【After seeing the monkey off, you returned home in high spirits and continued to tidy your fishing gear and catch.】

【Perhaps it's because you now have hope in your heart; those formerly dull chores feel light and easy now, and with a good mood you have energy for anything you do.】

【As for whether the monkey will come back, you have not the slightest doubt—after all, in your past life you already met Patriarch Bodhi, and Their word is irrevocable!】

【The monkey's only outcome in seeking Them will be to return empty‑handed after three years, after which it will stay here with you as a fisherman by the sea, living a life that's somehow flavorful……】

【And this so‑called "three‑year agreement" was actually doomed from the start.】

【And the monkey is even more laughable: it clearly has the divine ability to tell at a glance whether you're lying, yet it still insists on going in person to ask Patriarch Bodhi…… and, for fear of offending Them, it stubbornly rows alone all the way for three years just to show sincerity……】

【What an overly cautious monkey!】

【Thinking of this, you couldn't help but laugh……】

【Then, suddenly realizing something, your body jerked and the smile on your face froze.】

【No time to think further—you instantly dropped the fishing net in your hand and shot toward the deep sea in a panic!】

【But you came too late—there was no sign of the monkey on the sea, only an ownerless old fishing boat drifting aimlessly……】

【The three‑year agreement wasn't kept—not even three days were waited for… Seeing the small signs, knowing the heart, that monkey which can obviously read people's minds can of course also exploit and deceive them.】

【Clearly, you've been deceived……】

……

(End of chapter)