Nightfall

Picking Fish and Remains in the Sea of Snow

Ning Que had been extremely tense and anxious since the Light of Buddha shone upon the Lanke Temple. He only managed to relax and feel safe when the Headmaster appeared on the Wilderness. However, he had not expected that his teacher would lead him into a discussion on an enigmatic topic that was suppressive and made him uneasy.

He grew anxious once more. He had finally thought of a possibility that would turn the dark world bright again, but the answer his teacher gave was cold and seemed to be leading into an even more terrifying territory. He could not bear it anymore and broke down on the spot.

He jumped up and waved his arms, yelling angrily, “How can it be fake? The sun rises every day from the east and sets in the west. Summers in Chang’an are sweltering hot. How can it be fake!”

The Headmaster was shocked by his reaction and said, “We are only having a discussion, you don’t have to be so worked up.”

Ning Que was still riled up and he said, “How can I not be worked up? Forget about Haotian eating people. Now you want me to believe that the sun is fake. Then is this world fake as well? Don’t tell me that even though I’ve lived in this world for so many years, it’s just a dream! I won’t believe your ludicrous claims! How can it be fake? I’ve been taking care of her for so many years, has it all been for nothing?”

The Headmaster thought of how unfilial Ning Que was, for all he was concerned about was whether he had been wasting his time raising Sangsang when he was so worked up and was on the brink of a mental collapse. He said annoyedly, “The sun is fake, but that doesn’t mean that we are.”

Ning Que pointed at the faint sun hanging above the Wilderness. He said, “That can’t be fake! What is the sun? It’s Haotian Divine Light! Why can’t Haotian eat that instead of eating the Qi of Heaven and Earth?”

“Have you ever considered that the Haotian Divine Light the sun gives out is not Haotian’s food but the outward form of Haotian? It is just like how our outer form appears to be flesh. Are we going to eat human flesh?”

“Is there anything we won’t do if we are starving? Who are we to stop it if Haotian likes to eat itself?”

“The question is, it has other things to eat. So why does it have to eat itself?”

“Does it have exquisite tastes?”

“Even if Haotian could eat Divine Light, the Divine Light still comes from it. Could Haotian eat it forever? This is a simple calculation problem.”

“I have never said that the sun is Haotian. You said that. To me, the sun can produce heat and is the source of all nutrients. Why won’t Haotian eat it?”

The argument between the Headmaster and Ning Que grew fiercer and they spoke faster and faster. Their spit flew all over the meadow. Sangsang did not know how to appease them, so she only looked down, cleared the dishes and extinguished the bonfire.

“Can the sun continue to emit heat and light?”

“It should not be a problem for a few billion years.”

“Then how is it able to emit heat and light continuously?”

“This involves a more profound reasoning that I can’t explain to you within a short time.”

“Alright, alright. Even if what you said is reasonable, the sun can emit heat and light for billions of years. What happens after that?”

“You can consume a meal over billions of years. What’s there for Haotian to be dissatisfied with?”

“Then can you explain clearly why there is no sun during the Everlasting Night?”

Ning Que did not speak anymore because he recalled then, that this was Haotian’s world. He was not in the world that he had once been familiar with. That world had already slowly faded away in his memory.