The Possibilities of the Heart

"According to the geographical records, this area was still an endless grassland more than nine hundred years ago. Years back, I read an account written by a friend of mine, An Investigation of Tuck Desert. One chapter mentioned that beyond the desert, there was once a group of herdsmen. In the legends passed down by word of mouth among them, their ancestors had been guided by the gods, burdened with a great mission, and followed the river of stars away from the divine realm."

"As for what that great mission was, there are many theories. Some say the gods foresaw Ragnarok; others say the gods saw humanity's desires and thus exiled mankind. Clearly, all that was fabricated by later religions. In ancient Sumer's age of gods, none of this existed yet."

"Truthfully, gods are mostly just a name borrowed to fulfill human desires."

"On this point, every ethnicity and every civilization, despite having no contact with one another, arrived at a startlingly unified conclusion."

"When needed, they put gods on pedestals. When no longer needed, they cast them aside like worn-out shoes."

In the end, Professor Jetev broke the silence. He looked at the dim sky, where stars flickered faintly. The moon at the horizon was pale—dark moon, countless stars.

"Indeed."

Zhao Cheng picked up the thread.

"Since ancient times, when primitive people turned the mighty forces of nature into totems and worshipped them, it was never because they believed in gods, but because they were afraid—afraid of that overwhelming power. Thus they made themselves believers, seeking something for their hearts to cling to."

"Even in modern times, humans remain exceedingly practical. Only now, they no longer worship gods out of fear, but in hopes of gaining benefits from gods and Buddhas—still seeking a certain comfort for the soul."

"Modern