“I don't want to be bound by anyone, and no one can control me. I've heard so many wonderful stories and learned of so many fascinating places. I want to go see them for myself. I want to see all the flowers in Chang'an in a single day, just like the books say. I want to see the Western monks lose themselves in worldly thoughts, witness the Taoist priests of Daozhou in the Central Lands perform their supposedly heaven-reaching arts, and debate the Way with the sword cultivators of Xihezhou. I want to experience every flavor of life and see the loves and grievances of ordinary people. The world is so brilliant, and everywhere calls to my heart.”
“Wherever you go, where will you call home?”
“There are countless green mountains in this world. Why can't any of them be my home?”
“But this road is so lonely. Aren't you afraid that, when you reach the end, you'll have no companions or loved ones, and spend your whole life alone with no one to rely on?”
“Loneliness is fine, and so is poverty. Even with no companions to walk beside me, I'll go on alone. If freedom means having to be alone, then so be it. I'll walk alone my whole life. My heart will always be with me.”
This novel and its characters are entirely fictional. Any resemblance is purely coincidental. Do not imitate.
