Chapter 38 The Last Supper
How can we break free from this endless cycle?
Mi's question stumped Arakha.
To be honest, although he has been preaching among humans for decades, his purpose is actually very simple: to align himself with his innate divine realm and walk the path of a supreme god.
As far as his personality is concerned, Araha has no desire to be a saint or a wise man; he only wants to enjoy everything he can enjoy in the process of becoming powerful.
The question that Mi asked was one that was difficult to answer even on a philosophical or theological level.
Arha did not believe that by simply copying some Taoist teachings, adding some Buddhist teachings, and other miscellaneous philosophical elements based on the unique style of this world, he could truly answer this question.
However, he had promised Mi that he would answer his question, and he couldn't go back on his word.
Aroh then fell into deep thought.
The concept of "cycles" proposed by Mi is actually interpreted in many different ways. Some say it means "there is nothing new under the sun," some say it means "reincarnation," some say it means "returning to one's destiny," and others believe it to be a "periodic law," etc.
Aroh was not a wise man, but he had a wide range of interests, though they were all diverse and lacked depth.
He tried hard to recall the answers those people had given him.
This recollection was incredibly difficult, requiring a lot of thought, but in the end, Araha smiled.
As Arakha smiled, the divine realm he called "the place of enlightenment, the path to godhood, and the kingdom of preachers" shone even brighter.
This great brilliance did not increase his power or elevate his status.
However, his divine power increased like never before, reaching a critical point.
"Has the first divine blessing ended?"
Aroha had an epiphany, and this moment of reflection seemed to mark his "adulthood."
For the gods, regardless of whether they appear old or young, the true symbol of "adulthood" is the end of the first divine blessing.
That is a characteristic that gods naturally possess after their birth; their divine power continues to grow until they "come of age."
Aroh had no chance to fight the gods, nor did he know whether his divine power was greater or less than that of other gods.
However, he was not in a hurry. Once the "resurrection of Hades" was over, a divine war would surely await him.
Returning to the question posed by the young Mi, it ultimately boils down to the choices he faced when he decided to "preach" in this world.
Is the purpose of preaching to liberate individuals from the cycle of life and death, or to transform the world?
Transcending life and death and transforming the world may seem contradictory, but they are actually unified, both undoubtedly aimed at breaking the eternal cycle.
So Araha looked at Mi: "Do you want to break this cycle yourself, or do you want all living beings in the world to break this cycle?"
"What about myself? What about all living beings in the world?"
Mi looked at Arakha and continued to ask questions.
"If it's about yourself, whether you're a god or a human, then keep growing stronger. One day, you will transcend life and death, transcend the world, and transcend the cycle of life and death that you know."
"If it's all the gods in the world, then you should find a way to create a world where there is no cycle of repetition, and remain just as powerful."
Mi wanted to ask how such a world could be created, but Aroha waved his hand to interrupt him: "No need to ask anymore. This is just my idea. It's still a long way from that level."
In the age when gods roam the earth, at least for now, Arhat believes that gathering the power of the masses is of little use.
Whether it's transforming the current world or using supreme divine power to create a new world that satisfies him, Araha cannot do it.
Of the gods he knew, perhaps only the sun god Ra and Yawi could have done it.
As for Mi, whether he can do that, Araha is unsure.
"But if such a world were to appear, whether it be one of boundless joy or eternal suffering, would it necessarily be a good thing?"
Araha muttered to himself, offering no answer, nor being able to answer, and staggered down from the stone.
He could already smell the aroma of the food, and it was about time for him to have his "last gasp" and enjoy his "last supper."
Mi did not linger there, following Aroha's retreating figure, but remained lost in thought.
······
It was a sumptuous dinner, and to create an atmosphere, Amon set up many torches, illuminating the dining area brightly.
Dionysus took out his treasured wine, which he had kept for many years, determined to make sure everyone had enough to drink.
As for the food, it was prepared jointly by Mut and Hatshepsut.
When they were homeless, they didn't have the means to prepare good food. It was already a blessing if everyone could have enough to eat.
This time, almost all the ingredients that Sekhmet had obtained were served on the table.
Arakh sat in the main seat, with Sekhmet holding a child on his left and the former female pharaoh Hatshepsut on his right.
Starting with Hatshepsut, the Desperate One, Dionysus, Mi, and Ammon sat in a circle.
"It's a pity there wasn't a single artist; otherwise, they would have painted our 'Last Supper'."
Seeing this scene, Aroha suddenly uttered these words.
"Teacher, please rest assured, I will remember everything here. After tonight, I will go to learn to draw."
The desperate person immediately said that he would try his best.
Araha nodded approvingly at him: "Good. Once it is painted, you must find a way to pass it down to future generations and prevent it from being lost."
He sat at the table but never raised his glass, which puzzled everyone.
Finally, Amon said, "Teacher, it will get cold if we don't eat it soon."
Aroha gently shook his head: "No rush, there are two more people who will be joining our dinner."
There are two more people?
Hathor and Dionysus, being gods, could see beyond the manor with their divine eyes, but they only saw a weary old man leaning on a cane, hurrying towards them.
However, they did not notice the other person.
Soon, a voice came directly from outside: "Buta, you are about to die. As an old friend, I should come to see you off."
A handsome middle-aged man with a dark reddish complexion walked in, his eyes and the corners of his mouth exuding an air of nonchalance.
They came to see "Buda" off, but it was like they were joking.
"Who are you..."
Amon can be said to be one of the earliest followers of Aroha. He came to the manor when he was very young and has been there for decades.
He was certain that he had never seen his teacher or this middle-aged man with dark red skin interact with him in all these years.
The middle-aged man laughed heartily and pointed at Amon: "You are the explorer."
He then pointed to several other people and said in turn, "He is the Desperate One."
"This outsider is a passionate person."
"Another worshipper is coming soon. Buta, my old friend, what do you think I should call him?"