The night sky was such a welcome sight, appearing like magic. Stars lighted the sky like snow-flakes in the night. One of the stars at the far-right line glowed dazzlingly, then it slid down, scattering a charm that was hard to put into words. Zhu Su kept on looking at it. The sheen of the night sky was seemingly bewitching him to sit still and be reluctant to leave this place.
Also, letting Gao Qing's words continue echoing in his mind.
"... Have you ever wanted to publish a medical book with your own name as the author?..."
"... Think about it deeply. If you really have a great passion for Yi, don't be half-hearted. Exerting all your mind and your every effort to master it..."
This was the first time he heard that idea. No one had ever given him the idea heretofore. A prince wrote a book? Moreover, a medical book? He only knew that the great achievement of the emperors, princes, or other royalty was, that they were able to govern the country well, improve the people's standard of living, or strengthen military forces. At best, they achieved great talent in calligraphy, poetry, painting, or music. Or like his father who wrote a book about Daoism. But, a medical book? That was only done by the experts, and they were also usually appointed by the authorities. Like when he appointed Li Heng to compile Xiu Zhen Fang, that was often done by the authorities, like the emperors of Song Dynasties had often done before. But if the ruler himself wrote his own medical work... it was really a new stuff for Zhu Su.
"... Since it is our own ideas, then we must complete it by ourselves till the end."
Again, the star on the right shone, glided down, and spread its luster. Not only the idea jolted him, it also made his mind get turbulent. Excitement, enthusiasm, great pleasure, all exploded in his mind, but on the other hand, a sense of worry, overthinking, doubtful about this and that appeared at the same time. Who was usually successful in writing a book were the scholars who had great support from the authorities, both materially and morally. And he? Now he was obliged to work to fend for his life, it even did not give satisfying results. Very few patients visited Gao Qing's hut, at most was no more than three people came in one day. There was even a moment when no patient came. The conclusion was clear, he had no material support. They also lived a very simple life, their time had been spent on doing household activities. Getting up early, drawing water, going to the backyard and taking the plants to eat, turning on the stove to cook, then cleaning the hut. Next, examining the patients, discussing Xuanxue and Wushu Xuanxue, after that they were usually too tired, just lying down and he would immediately sleep tight. Only this time was different, since his drowsiness lost by the immense passion and it then pushed him to sit still, kept looking at the night sky.
And remember, his current status was an escapee. An anonymous, abandoned person in a foreign country and he did not even master the native language of the country. Even if he succeeded in completing any work, it was only for himself, at most the others who read it only his son, Hu Nayin, and Gao Qing.
Hoping for moral support? He would only get pessimism instead.
Zhu Su took a deep breath, "If only this advice was given to me when I still became Zhou Wang, I would have exerted all my efforts, because I was sure that I would be able to make it happen. Why do I meet Gao Qing right now? And the moment he tells me, is when I become an escapee?"
This idea sounded like a mockery in his ear. Because the reason why it came to him was just to prove that it could not be realized.
The night breeze rustled, caressing the nape of his neck and making him shiver instantly. Zhu Su felt as if he was very small compared to the splendor of the whole world, as well as to the vast sky above him. He felt like a speck of dust, did not matter at all. The purplish-black night sky was still concealing mystery that could never be revealed, forever. The secrets of human, the secrets of the universe... all of it, would never be revealed.
Nature is so powerful. It is so mysterious... so magnificent... any human being, will not be able to conquer it no matter how hard they try and how eager they want to. Instead, it is Nature who writes the destiny of humankind.
No... you are wrong. Human destiny is not written by Heaven, instead, it is humans themselves who write their own lives.
Zhu Su blinked. He looked up. The sound just appeared that way, without shape, without form, only a sound which shot as fast as lighting into his ear.
"But... how can I reach my dream when it is very difficult to even fend for my living?" Though he knew no one existed there, yet he was lured to respond to it.
Do you know? That the greatest strength of a man rises when he reaches the lowest point?
"So... do you mean?!..."
The way for you has opened. It is up to you, whether you want to continue, or not. You are born with a head, two eyes, two ears, one mouth, two legs, and two hands. The tools you can use to realize your mission in life have been complete. Alright, that's all you need to reach your goals. The others are not important. Although Fate is very important, still, something is more important than that. That is, willpower.
"Willpower..."
Zhu Su's hands squeezed into a fist. He got to his feet. His eyes, which were once full of doubtful, now glowed in enthusiasm. He pressed his lips, thus said with great determination.
"I will try what Mr. Gao has suggested. To create my own work!"