The silence lasted a very, very long time.
Several minutes seemed to pass before the Dao Venerable finally said slowly, "I understand."
Chu Ge studied him with interest for a while, then asked, "Do you regret it at all?"
"I was just considering that question. My final answer is no."
"No regrets?"
"Mm..." The Dao Venerable smiled. "Following the path Father God paved might have promised a glorious future. Perhaps there would even have been a very good ending-perhaps the reverence for Daoism across the Two Worlds that I wanted? Unfortunately, that would not have been my own doing. In my foolishness, I blundered about and ended up drawing water with a bamboo basket, gaining nothing... but those were things I did myself."
Chu Ge nodded without saying anything.
The Dao Venerable suddenly burst out laughing. "What self was I seeking, after all? Haven't these ten thousand years of deeds already been my self?"
Chu Ge said, "From the sound of it, you don't want to discuss anything further?"
"Though I gained little from the struggle over the Four Symbols, I certainly played a part in attacking them from both sides. The two children beside Father God look at me as though they would devour me, their hatred reaching the heavens. I imagine Father God will avenge them. There is no reason to spare me, both displeasing his own children and leaving trouble for the future."
Chu Ge sighed. "It seems that, at the very end, you few truly understand better than anyone."
The Dao Venerable smiled. "I have defied you for ten thousand years and have nothing else to offer in repayment. Letting there be no mediocrities beneath Father God's pen can count as my final recompense."
Chu Ge said nothing and reached out to tap the screen.
The