A carefree soldier king in the city

Chapter 518 The Way

Is this the legendary fairy scattering flowers?

Almost simultaneously, a sense of reverence arose from the depths of their hearts, and they held their breath, their heartbeats seemingly stopping at that moment.

However, the unexpected happened at the most unexpected time. Just as the four of them began to get used to the incomparably brilliant light and were shocked by this miraculous scene, suddenly, the incomparably brilliant light that filled the entire sky disappeared in an instant.

What a strange thing it was, going from bright daylight to pitch-black night in an instant, all the light vanishing in a flash, leaving only the enormous ancient palace towering majestically on this land, its invincible figure undisguised even in the darkness.

As darkness fell, the world fell silent once more, utterly still.

From the depths of the endless void, countless cries, sobs, and choked sobs suddenly resounded—

Listen, who is crying? The crying is so sorrowful.

Listen, who is sobbing? The sobbing and choking sounds are so desolate.

Look, whose tears are those, falling like rain?

Look, whose tears are flying, streaking across the sky like shooting stars?

For some inexplicable reason, all four of them shed tears at the same time. The women's talents were also revealed at this moment. He Yifei and Lin Xiaomin wept uncontrollably, leaning on Chao Bufan's shoulder and sobbing bitterly.

However, a few seconds later, the scene changed again. Countless people, men and women, young and old, were seen prostrating themselves on the ground in worship. Above them sat a kind-faced person with disheveled hair, whose features were obscured.

His right hand gently pressed against his left chest, and he murmured incantations, like chanting or reciting mantras.

A few seconds later, the image disappeared, and the sky brightened again.

Father Frodo said with great excitement, "That man just now was God, and he was spreading the gospel to his people."

Although he couldn't understand what God was saying to his people, he could see from their piety and reverence that God was diligently teaching them. Chao Bufan nodded and asked, "Father, can you understand what God is saying?"

Father Frodo said, “Of course I understand. God says that He loves all beings, that they should be free from discrimination and malice, that justice should endure forever, and that they should never bow to evil—”

After hearing this, Chao Bufan smiled.

Father Frodo asked, puzzled, "What are you laughing at, Bufan?"

Chao Bufan said with a smile, "I suddenly realized that God spreading the gospel and saving all living beings are the same thing."

“What do you mean?” Father Frodo asked.

"God is a god, and God says: I love all beings; while Buddha says: all beings are equal." This is the extraordinary way.

Father Frodo asked, puzzled, "Yes, is there anything wrong with that? Is there a contradiction?"

“There’s no mistake, no contradiction,” Chao Bufan shook his head and said, “God loves all beings, his love is boundless, so he watches us cry, watches us laugh, watches us struggle for a living, watches the plague and the virus sweep across the land, and then, he coldly observes this world, coldly observes our striving, without responding. Does he love? Perhaps it’s because God’s love is too great that he indifferently watches us live, watches us die, watches us suffer a fate worse than death, watches us become walking corpses, dead yet still alive. Does he love? But Buddha said that all beings are equal. So, he considers heaven and earth indifferent, he considers all things as worthless. He still looks down on this world from afar, looks down on our lives, unmoved, silent, expressionless. Perhaps in his heart he laughs, laughs at our striving, that we have nothing after death, laughs at our life’s struggle, that after death we are just a pile of bones, leaving behind only a pile of paper money for future generations.”

They were all too detached, and they were all too loving, so they watched the world without uttering a word, watching the countless people praying to him, praying for their blessings, and then, without a sound. What difference does it make if the heart doesn't believe? What difference does it make if the heart does believe? It's nothing more than striving for a better life, wanting more. He watched our insatiable greed, he watched us try to swallow an elephant, and still remained aloof and unmoved.

He loved so much, therefore he was ruthless.

“I agree with what Bu Fan said,” Lin Xiaomin said. “People pray to gods and Buddhas just to give themselves psychological comfort, just to give themselves an excuse, just to play a fearless game.”

"Praying to gods and Buddhas is just seeking psychological comfort; it's only worshipping oneself. So," Chao Bufan continued, "no matter what we do, they remain the same, indifferent. In my opinion, God is not omnipotent, and Buddha is not infinitely loving. Perhaps, isn't he also praying for himself, because there are things he cannot achieve? Father, am I right?"

Father Frodo gave a bitter smile, and then said, "Extraordinary, you are subverting God's ideas."

“I didn’t,” Chao Bufan said. “This isn’t about overturning God’s will; I’m just stating the facts. Of course, I don’t deny God’s grace towards humanity, nor do I deny the blessings God brings to mankind, just as I don’t deny that all beings are equal, because they only show the world their good side. Who knows what their bad side is? Humans have good and bad intentions, and so do God and Buddha. Therefore, the true God is actually ourselves. Just like you, Father, as an Orthodox priest. If a believer prays to you, saying, ‘Almighty Lord! I’m so poor, I can’t even afford to eat, can you grant me ten thousand taels of gold?’ It’s like people praying to gods and Buddhas. Everyone hopes to become rich overnight, but how many people actually become rich overnight? Did they get it from Buddha or God? And can you fulfill their wishes?”

Upon hearing this, Father Frodo was speechless for a moment, then smiled slightly and said, "I cannot satisfy them, but I can explain the principles to them."

“That settles it,” Chao Bufan said. “So, God is omnipotent and omnipotent, neither all-powerful nor all-powerful.”

Father Frodo smiled bitterly again and said, "Human beings are too selfish, which leads to intrigue, fighting, and conflict. God couldn't bear to see this, so he sent his youngest son, Jesus Christ, to earth to spread the gospel, to influence them with boundless love, and to impart positive energy to them. God cannot satisfy all of humanity's excessive desires, and even if he did, it would distort their hearts."