Ha, Karma! – Chapter 83

Shijie?

The atmosphere in the Chu family study was heavy.

Chu Zhaohua and Chu Zhaoqiu sat facing each other.

One was composed and serene; the other’s brow was tightly furrowed.

After a moment, the old woman’s kindly voice landed softly: “Zhaoqiu, tell Nainai, why do you want to attain godhood?”

Why?

Previously, Chu Zhaoqiu hadn’t known why she also wanted to attain godhood.

Perhaps it was for the expectations of her Master and family; perhaps because everyone else did, so she did too; perhaps she was born to pursue the long, slow Great Dao, to chase the world above the clouds, an innate duty.

Only later did she truly understand her own answer—

“To be able to help more people.

“For longevity.”

Gods are omnipotent, omnipresent.

The power of a god could shelter more humans, protecting them from harm.

She liked doing this; just as Fu Lianxue said, it made her happy. This was her form of great love.

And longevity—that was for Fu Lianxue.

Humans have but a short hundred years; even becoming a cultivator only grants just over three hundred. How could that compare to a Great Yao who could live for a thousand, even ten thousand years?

Once she died as a human, who knew where she would be reincarnated, let alone when she might meet Fu Lianxue again.

Searching was a tiring affair.

Unable to see the path ahead, not knowing if there was any hope.

They had already endured thousands of years of hardship. Since they had finally met, why must they continue to suffer this bitterness?

Suffering is not worthy of praise, not worthy of pursuit. When happiness is right before your eyes, naturally, you must grasp it firmly—longevity could make many problems easily resolved¹.

Without needing further explanation, Chu Zhaohua naturally understood who the latter reason, longevity, was for.

It might not be entirely for Fu Lianxue, but Fu Lianxue was certainly among the reasons.

Chu Zhaohua could see that her granddaughter was no longer the child from before who, when asked anything, would only say, “I should do this.”

She had resolved her inner conflicts, cleared the fog from the path ahead. Now her thoughts were clear; she knew better than anyone what she wanted, what she wanted to do.

It was just that what she wanted and thought… were now in conflict.

“But Zhaoqiu, you must know, for a human to rely on their own ability to achieve longevity, the only way is to attain the Dao and become a god.

“Entering the cycle of rebirth with memories intact is merely a false longevity. True longevity can only be realized by gods. That is why so many cultivators pursue it relentlessly².”

Of course, Chu Zhaoqiu knew.

She just couldn’t understand.

Demon Hunters believed gods were omnipresent, omnipotent. If that was the case, why would the gods allow her to face such a choice?

The common people of the world versus one person—why couldn’t she have both?

“But I don’t understand, Nainai,” Chu Zhaoqiu looked intently at the old woman before her, her brow furrowed tightly, repeating again, “I don’t understand why it has to be this way.”

If one has great love, why can’t one also have personal love?

In an era of peace, why still force people to make such a choice?

Why must she choose one or the other? Couldn’t she protect the common people together with the person she loved?

Chu Zhaohua saw through her thoughts and slowly said, “Zhaoqiu, are you thinking that since gods are omnipotent, why would they face this problem?

“Of course, gods do not face this problem, because this is a choice you must make before becoming a god. It is a human choice, unrelated to the gods.”

“You must sever your worldly seven emotions and six desires³, pass this trial, only then can you become a god in the heavens.”

Chu Zhaoqiu’s brow locked tightly.

From these words, it seemed her grandmother was telling her: Gods have no attachments.

So, she wanted her to break off ties with Fu Lianxue, to let go of the lover she had sought for a thousand years, to abandon worldly desires and become a high and mighty god.

“I can’t do it,” Chu Zhaoqiu replied without hesitation. “I won’t give up Lianxue.”

The love they had painstakingly sought for a thousand years, finally blossoming—on what grounds should she discard it just like that?

Why must one abandon the ability to love in order to become a god?

Why couldn’t she love one person and also love all living beings?

At this moment, she was still a human with selfish desires, not yet great enough to easily cast aside family, friends, and her lover.

“Why must there be such a difficult problem?” Her gaze fixed tightly on the old woman before her. “Then what if Lianxue is also willing to cultivate the Dao with me, also willing to strive with me to become a god?”

This question didn’t seem unresolvable.

If Fu Lianxue was also willing to cultivate and attain godhood with her, wouldn’t that mean they wouldn’t have to face separation?

However, Chu Zhaohua remained unmoved.

“Even she would have to choose between you and attaining godhood.”

Chu Zhaohua’s merciless voice slowly fell, still calm, still composed.

“There’s no need to rush. You will understand what I mean. Come tell me your answer then.”

Chu Zhaoqiu looked up.

The white-haired old woman had the face most familiar to her.

At this moment, the old woman sat by the window, bathed in light, her gentle face utterly calm, like a passionless, serene Buddha.

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9 PM.

On Tingfeng Cliff, the night wind rustled, carrying a hint of chill as it silently brushed against the people enjoying the view.

Today, the scenery seemed somewhat heavy in their eyes.

Fu Lianxue took off her mask and turned to look at her girlfriend beside her. “How does your grandmother know so much?

“First it’s choosing one or the other, then it’s gods needing to be unattached… she sounds so convincing. Could it be she once faced this choice too, but chose to stay?”

Chu Zhaoqiu shook her head. “I don’t know.”

She turned to meet her lover’s curious eyes. “I only know that ever since I was little, Nainai has always been incredibly formidable, omniscient.”

Fu Lianxue asked, “How formidable?”

Chu Zhaoqiu countered, “Do you know that the Demon Hunter prominent families used to hold competitions and rankings?”

Fu Lianxue said, “Oh, that. I remember. Those families loved fighting amongst themselves, vying for that top spot.”

Chu Zhaoqiu nodded, stating very calmly, “That competitive system was dismantled by my grandmother.”

Fu Lianxue: “?”

Chu Zhaoqiu: “Because no one else could beat her.”

The three Chu sisters had grown up hearing the legends of their grandmother, Chu Zhaohua.

Within the Demon Hunter profession, no one dared disrespect their grandmother.

It was said that when their grandmother was young, she had no rivals. Whether one-on-one or one-against-many, she never knew defeat. The Chu family name was thus established by her prowess.

Later, as she aged and her cultivation methods progressed daily, even fewer dared to challenge her.

Because the major families couldn’t defeat her, couldn’t seize the top rank, and also because Chu Zhaohua always said it was boring, showing a distinct lack of interest, it made others feel as if they were just playing house.

Gradually, everyone lost interest. Now, they just compare their demon-hunting skills, which could be considered putting their efforts toward the proper path.

When it came to vanquishing demons and exorcising devils, as long as Chu Zhaohua took action, no demon or devil could escape.

But she didn’t involve herself in every matter.

Her most frequent saying was: “Each has their own destiny and karma.”⁴

Each has their own destiny and karma, so when intervention isn’t warranted, one shouldn’t interfere.

Fu Lianxue listened, astonished. “…With skills like that, she should have attained godhood long ago, right?”

Chu Zhaoqiu smiled, then shook her head again.

She also believed her grandmother was the one most deserving of attaining the Dao and ascending, but she was still here, still beside them, watching her grow, guiding her forward, and then telling her today: You must choose one or the other.

Thinking of this, the sorrow in her eyes deepened.

Fu Lianxue rarely saw Chu Zhaoqiu looking troubled.

In her impression, almost nothing could stump Chu Zhaoqiu—except matters related to her.

Chu Zhaoqiu saw a hand reach over from the side, gently smoothing her brow.

“Don’t worry, there will always be a solution.”

She knew Zhaoqiu was kind-hearted, enjoyed exorcising demons and defending the righteous path, protecting others, and that attaining godhood had always been her pursuit.

She also knew Zhaoqiu wanted longevity to stay together with her forever.

She knew, she understood it all.

Fu Lianxue grasped Chu Zhaoqiu’s hand tightly, not letting go again. “It’s okay. Worst comes to worst, I’ll cultivate with you. I’ll work hard too, see if I can become an immortal⁵.”

All along, she had no desire to attain godhood.

She was content with her current life, needing no changes.

But if this was the only path to being with Chu Zhaoqiu, she wasn’t necessarily unwilling to try.

Becoming an immortal, that’s all. It wasn’t like she’d lose out, right?

Chu Zhaoqiu squeezed her hand back, her eyes worried. “But Nainai said, even if you were to cultivate and attain godhood, you would still face this problem.”

Fu Lianxue paused for a moment, then immediately retorted, “Why?!

“I’m cultivating through my own efforts! Just because I have someone in my heart, they won’t let me ascend to the heavens? That’s too unfair!”

Chu Zhaoqiu shook her head again, gently embracing her, burying her face in her shoulder. “I don’t know…”

She let out a long sigh, stayed buried for a moment, then composed herself, lifting her head to gaze into each other’s eyes. “It’s alright. When the time comes, we’ll know why. We can think about it then.”

She had waited thousands of years; she could wait a little longer.

Attaining godhood was important to her, but Fu Lianxue was more important. She wouldn’t casually give Fu Lianxue up.

Seeing her like this, Fu Lianxue’s heart ached too. She raised a hand to stroke her face, then leaned in to kiss her. “Okay, we’ll wait together.”

Just then, the sound of footsteps came from behind them.

“Someone’s coming!”

Fu Lianxue hastily put on her mask and sunglasses.

“Let’s go back.”

Chu Zhaoqiu softly agreed.

The two walked back hand-in-hand, brushing past the newcomer.

Both inadvertently glanced at the other person, and then both froze.

It was a woman.

Her long hair flowed, her features elegant and dignified, her eyes holding an ambiguous smile, appearing approachable.

There was a bright red cinnabar dot on her brow.

—She looked like an old acquaintance of theirs.

The two stared motionless at the woman’s back. Chu Zhaoqiu couldn’t help but blurt out, “Shijie?”

The woman turned upon hearing the sound, her face clearly that of Ji Hanyan⁶ from a thousand years ago!

She looked left, then right, then pointed at herself.

“Are you calling me?”

Fu Lianxue and Chu Zhaoqiu looked at each other in dismay.

She seemed to be seeing them for the first time, showing no reaction whatsoever to Chu Zhaoqiu’s face.

“Ji Hanyan,” Fu Lianxue suddenly called out, probing uncertainly, “is that you?”

But the other person merely smiled.

Her eyes curved, her expression gentle, exactly like Ji Hanyan when she smiled.

She said, “You, a Charm Demon, how would you know my name?”

It was her!

She could even see through Fu Lianxue’s Meiyao identity at a glance!

She truly was the Ji Hanyan who had attained godhood!

“Shijie, it’s me,” Chu Zhaoqiu gazed intently at her. “I’m Zhaoqiu.”

“Zhaoqiu?”

Ji Hanyan thought for a moment, then shook her head.

“Apologies, I don’t remember.”

Both of them froze again.

She seemed to have forgotten them completely.

Could it be… that after attaining godhood, one forgets all past events⁷?

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