Dao Heart Collapse-Monkey Dies? Returning from a Fleeting Dream, Bai Shan Observes Monkey

"Senior Brother, is what you said true? That woodcutter who used to chop trees—the tall one with a scar on his face—how did he die?"

Monkey learned the news from a Daoist who had always helped him.

He felt as though the sky had fallen.

All this time, he had believed the woodcutter had gone on to live a happy life.

His whole family had moved into town. Huzi had become a butcher who slaughtered pigs, ate meat at every meal, and earned quite a bit of money each year.

But who would have thought...

Things were nothing like he had imagined?

"Alas, the woodcutter died more than fifty years ago."

The Daoist handed Monkey a banana and sighed. "He worked hard chopping firewood in the mountains, but one day, he encountered a tiger there. By the time we went looking for him, only scraps of clothing remained."

"His wife remarried and took the child with her."

"After all these years, who knows how they have fared? But I imagine it has not been easy."

"There is war everywhere outside. Those at the top fight for power, demons outside want to come harm and eat people, cultivators at every Daoist temple raise demons to bolster themselves, corrupt officials run rampant, and the common people suffer beyond endurance."

"In short, those who do not go out are somewhat better off. Living honestly in the mountains is still better than going outside..."

The Daoist shook his head with a sigh.

It made Monkey feel as though the sky had fallen.

He was dazed, nearly unable to remain standing.

All along, he had thought the woodcutter had attained the happiness he sought, that his whole family had lived peacefully and happily as they wished.

Huzi had also become an outstanding butcher. Since he