Da Shen was in tears, sobbing hard with his head buried between his legs, which he was hugging.
Ren stared at him as he got up. He walked over and gently patted him on the back.
"I understand how you feel. I truly do. But this isn't the right way. I'm sure Bai Shu wouldn't want to see you destroying the lives of other people to bring him back. You've been a righteous scholar all this while... I'm sure you're wise enough to let yourself see the truth. The people who are suffering for this don't deserve it. So please... set them free."
They remained like that for a while—Da Shen sobbing and Ren patting him. And when he was done crying, he sat up, and Ren sat back in his seat.
Da Shen was silent as he stared into thin air. "As expected of a god. You know everything... Yet all gods will tell you they can't help people like me. They'll say it's destined anyway."
Ren stared without saying anything.
