Revelation of the Way of Heaven

Chapter 322 Past Illusions

"If that's what Sister Keyun is saying, then our fate is predetermined at birth. What's the meaning of our lives, or the meaning of our efforts? Why not just give up?" Guo Shiyi clearly couldn't accept Han Keyun's statement.

"No, you can't think like that. The reason why God sets a fixed destiny trajectory for each of us is not so that we can't have what we want, but so that we won't be afraid of losing it. Because what is destined to be yours will be yours, and what is not destined to be yours cannot be forced, so we have no need to regret or be anxious, or waste our energy on things that are impossible. Instead, we should concentrate all our energy on our mission," Han Keyun explained.

"A personal mission?" Guo Shiyi asked, puzzled. "Does everyone carry their own mission?"

Han Keyun explained, "Yes, because we are incomplete and imperfect, we are born with a mission to do what we want to do and love the people we truly love. These things will make us complete. Don't be afraid of losing anything, and don't be anxious. What we are meant to experience, we are destined to experience. Fear and anxiety are actually meaningless."

"But love can sometimes cause pain," Guo Shiyi said almost subconsciously.

Hearing her words, Qin Xiaochuan couldn't help but look at her. Perhaps he had always been a difficult choice for her. After all, choosing him meant bearing a lot of burdens, inevitable loss, and inevitable loneliness. Thinking of this, Qin Xiaochuan suddenly felt a little sad. He really didn't want her to bear these burdens, but he couldn't control his desire to get closer to her. Just as Han Keyun said, sometimes one's heart is simply beyond one's control.

"You're right. This pain is what binds our destiny and is the root cause of our inability to have free will. Because humans are inherently weak and naturally inclined to seek advantage and avoid harm, many people instinctively choose to escape when faced with this kind of pain. But we cannot escape our destiny. Because the incompleteness of our souls means that we will still be attracted to the people and things we truly love, and then make choices again until we make the right choice. Some people say that a person's life is a continuous cycle of reincarnation, and similar scenarios will constantly appear in life. This is the reason."

Han Keyun added, "Fate binds us with this kind of suffering, but if you think about it carefully, all that so-called suffering comes from your own heart, including your anxiety and your timidity. Anxiety breeds unease, and timidity breeds greed. Heaven sets our destiny so that you can let go of these anxieties and timidities and boldly complete your mission. When we dare to face these pains, it is equivalent to facing our weaknesses. When you overcome these weaknesses, you can gain true free will, break free from the shackles of fate, and achieve true liberation. This is the true meaning of 'My fate is in my own hands, not in the hands of heaven.'"

"I think I understand what you mean, Sister Keyun," Guo Shiyi said. "My master always told me that we should look inward for solutions, not outward. Only by changing ourselves can we change the world. I never really understood that, but after hearing what you said, I finally understand."

Han Keyun smiled and said, "You're right. The reason why most people can't overcome pain is that they always attribute it to external factors. So they subconsciously try to escape the source of pain, but they don't realize that they are caught in the web of fate and have nowhere to escape. True pain comes from within. Only by facing your true self and overcoming your inner demons can you achieve true liberation."

"But overcoming inner demons is not an easy thing," Guo Shiyi said with a wry smile. "Many times, I understand these principles, but when it comes to things, I still can't help but worry, I'm afraid of losing, afraid of giving everything and getting nothing in the end, and then I think a lot, and even can't sleep all night."

Upon hearing this, Qin Xiaochuan felt a pang of heartache and couldn't help but squeeze her hand, which was resting on the table. Guo Shiyi turned her head and gave him a sweet smile, indicating that she was alright.

Han Keyun said, "Overcoming inner demons is indeed not easy. Some battles occur on the surface, causing serious injury and bloodshed. Other battles occur in the shadows, without bloodshed, yet they can still make life worse than death, causing immense heartbreak. Moreover, such battles may last a lifetime. Therefore, throughout history, very few have been able to change their own destiny. Those who can completely overcome their inner demons are called enlightened. These people, in the end, are no longer affected by the changes of the Five Elements. Just like in Journey to the West, they are no longer within the Three Realms and have transcended the Five Elements."

These kinds of people are called enlightened beings.

After listening, Guo Shiyi pondered for a long time before saying, "Listening to Sister Keyun's words tonight, I feel enlightened. This is the first time I have such a profound understanding of cultivation. I grew up in Wudang Mountain and followed my master to cultivate since I was a child. I thought that meditation and entering samadhi was cultivation. Now I see that true cultivation is about constantly refining one's character. The real place of practice is actually our own heart."

Han Keyun smiled and said, "It's so great that I can help you. Actually, for you, cultivation has more advantages than for people who are in this world."

"Why?" Guo Shiyi asked.

"Because you are just observers, everything that happens in this world is more like a dream to you. You won't get caught up in your own attachments, so you won't easily develop inner demons."

"Now that you mention it, it's like we've really become immortals descended to earth to undergo tribulations," Guo Shiyi said with a grin. "But once we return to our own world, we still need to fight against all sorts of inner demons."

"Perhaps you could think about this: if this world is fake, then is the world you live in real? Why can't you also see yourself as an observer?" Han Keyun asked.

Guo Shiyi paused for a moment, then smiled bitterly and said, "Because we can detach ourselves from this world at any time, there is nothing to fear or anything to miss. But in our own real world, joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness are real and inescapable. Perhaps this is the difference between theory and reality."

"You're right. I understand a lot of the reasons, but I still can't avoid getting caught up in all sorts of emotions," Han Keyun said.

"But I think you're very brave, Keyun. The battle you just described that took place in the shadows made me feel like you're an invincible female warrior," Guo Shiyi said with sincere admiration.

Han Keyun smiled slightly and said, "Don't you know? You can be very knowledgeable when instructing others on some things, but when you actually face them yourself, you'll make a mess of things."

"Sister, you would never make a mess of things. You've always been a hero in other people's eyes. It's just that sometimes you think too much about others and don't care about your own safety, which always makes people worry," Han Kexin said from the side.

Han Keyun glanced at her, then tapped her bowl with her chopsticks and said, "What do you know, you little kid? There can't be any leftover rice in your bowl."

Seeing the interaction between the two, Guo Shiyi felt a warmth in her heart and sighed, "After listening to Sister Keyun's explanation, I understand why you will make that choice in the future."

"What choice did I make?" Han Keyun asked curiously.

Guo Shiyi realized she had spoken inappropriately. Although she was only here to experience this world, she felt it was best not to interfere with its operation. However, seeing Han Keyun's curious gaze, and considering her own confusion that she wanted to ask this wise older sister for advice, she finally couldn't help but ask, "Sister Keyun, if one day you fall in love with someone, knowing that there won't be a happy ending with them, would you still be with them?"

Upon hearing Guo Shiyi's question, Han Keyun looked somewhat disappointed. Perhaps she had already guessed that Guo Shiyi's question was related to her future fate, but she still thought about it seriously before saying, "I believe I will. If falling in love with him is my mission, then no matter what happens in the future, I will face my destiny head-on."

"Why should I be with that kind of person? People who make me sad should be kept as far away as possible. If I run into him, I will definitely chase him away and not allow him to make my sister sad." Han Kexin said confidently. She had just listened to her sister and finished all the leftover rice in her bowl. She was probably eating too fast and didn't even notice that there was a grain of rice on her face.

"You really like playing the adult; your face is covered in rice grains," Qin Xiaochuan teased her.

Han Kexin wiped the rice grains off her face and said with dissatisfaction, "Big brother, don't you know it's very impolite to laugh at a girl like that in front of everyone?"

"Hahaha." Everyone burst into laughter. Qin Xiaochuan knew, of course, that it was impolite to make fun of her, but since it was a rare opportunity to tease her, he naturally wouldn't let it go easily.