942 Attachmen (2/2)

The most annoying thing for a man was to lose to his woman when playing cards or chess. Ning Que was already on his edge and could not help becoming more irritated upon her words.

”How could we, menial human beings, be a match against the almighty Haotian?”

That was Sangsang's most frequently used comment for human beings, but he said it with distinctive bitterness.

Sangsang remained emotionless and said, ”Human beings are indeed menial. But some are better than others. In terms of chess, Chen Pipi plays much better than you.”

It was even more hateful for a man when his woman said he was less competent than another man, even if that was his best buddy through thick and thin.

Ning Que got enraged and exclaimed, ”I can't get him all the way here from Linkang.”

Sangsang said, ”Then you should think of something else.”

On the following day, Ning Que escorted the top three chess players of Chaoyang City to their house.

Or rather, he kidnapped them.

Apart from enjoying tea, playing chess and watching operas, Ning Que and Sangsang sometimes also went strolling through Chaoyang City. They walked to the White Tower as well as around the lake. She was still used to putting her hands behind her back.

Dozens of days went by quietly.

They seemed to be searching for something in Chaoyang City, but actually they were looking for nothing. They did not ask where, why or how but only cared about their next meals. They were playing this very tacitly.

One night, Ning Que unpeeled a mangosteen and placed the white fruit next to Sangsang's face and asked, ”Don't you think it looks like an ass?”

Sangsang seldom had any emotions. But he was not reconciled to it.

It was no exception this time.

Sangsang looked at him quietly for a long while then asked, ”We are so too attached to this. Aren't we?”

Ning Que kept silent for a while. Then he gave the mangosteen to Sangsang and walked to the courtyard. He practiced his sword skills and fetched some water from the brook. After taking a shower he said, ”I'm going to bed.”

Sangsang sat by the table, stared at the tree outside the window and said nothing.

She used to be so eager to return to Haotian's Divine Kingdom. It was her mission. As long as she could kill Buddha and Ning Que, she would be able to head back.

But sne and Ning Que were each other's natal item. If Ning Que were to die, then she would die too. The one returning to the Divine Kingdom would be Haotian instead of Sangsang. She would no longer be her.

Yet she wanted to carry on as herself and to bear the name of Sangsang. What made her more irritated and anxious was that she even wanted to stay with him and continue their peaceful life here in this courtyard.

It was after all not a bad life here as they enjoyed the tasty vegetables, juicy meat and rice, drank tea, played chess and looked idly at the sky from time to time.

Therefore she did not want to worry about Buddha, the Academy, Taoism, the Divine Kingdom or the human world. As long as they could carry on with their life here, she would continue to be Sangsang and he would always be there for her.

Indeed, she was very attached to this.

Ning Que once asked this question when they were outside Chang'an City: How could I find the perfect way in which I would never let down the people in Chang'an or betray you? But he knew there would never be such a perfect way.

He was not afraid of death. He could have threatened Sangsang with suicide and forced her to enter Chang'an. Then the Academy would have gotten a hold of her with the help of the God Stunning Array. In that case, neither Buddhism nor Taoism could ever defeat them.

However, he could not do that to her.

Therefore he took her to their little courtyard in Chaoyang City and tried to stay away from the human world. He tried to walk away from the Academy, from searching for Buddha and from everything else.

Indeed, he was also very attached to it.

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They were so attached to the temporary happiness, even though it might only last for a day, or even an hour. Ning Que and Sangsang never touched that topic ever since.

They carried on with their ordinary life for another half a year in Chaoyang City. Nothing happened in the outside caught their attention.

When spring came, Chaoyang City became very lively. Stage operas were performed everywhere. One day after a performance, Ning Que and Sangsang bought half pound of pig head meat on their way home and made a very simple dinner.

When she was about to finish the few pieces of meat left in the bowl, Sangsang complained, ”The dishes were too simple today.”

Ning Que wondered, Who would make a feast every single day? He tried to drew away her attention and said, ”We'll make something good tomorrow. Did you enjoy the performance today?”

Sangsang showed no emotions. She stood up and walked toward the courtyard.

Ning Que was stunned. Then he put the chopsticks and bowls into the washing basin, cleaned his hands and rushed out to follow her.

She walked to the woods by the brook, and stared at the sky in silence with her hands behind her back.

Ning Que looked at the fist print on the tree. It had only been half a year. The print was already fading due to the newly grown bark. So did his mood. You have to leave after all, don't you?

Sangsang asked, ”Are we really together just because we're staying together?”

Ning Que knew what she meant. He said after a while of silence, ”We are together because we are meant to be together. It was not me trying to keep you in the human world.”

Sangsang kept quiet for a long while.

Ning Que said, ”You know what I am thinking about.”

Sangsang said, ”Yes. I know your thoughts. But it is still attachment.”

Ning Que looked at her side and said, ”Attachment is not a sin.”

Sangsang stared at the sky and said, ”It is.”

What was attachment? To love someone was attachment.

To love was to be attached.

A moment of romance in the human world was worthy of years in the Divine Kingdom.

But it was after all too short.

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