Part 26: Betrayal and Loyalty to oneself

Ren Zu was tormented by his fear, in deep agony; he consulted Self Gu. Self Gu answered: “Then let me eat it.” Ren Zu waved his hand: “No, no. I want nothing more than to avoid fear. If you eat it, this fear will stay with me for life. This is too risky.” Ren Zu asked Cognition Gu. Cognition Gu said: “Oh, human, you want to conquer fear; you need to have courage.” Ren Zu was troubled: “I used to have Courage Gu as my companion; it is the friend of Faith Gu. But because I encountered the Hairy Man leader, due to Failure Gu, it left me.” Cognition Gu said: “I'll teach you a method, hide Fear Gu deep within your heart. Move forward after that, and Courage Gu will come to you. Courageous people are not fearless; they are just hiding fear deep within their hearts.” Ren Zu was more troubled now: “Oh Gu, what are you thinking? Precisely because of fear, I cannot advance, thus I need courage. But you are telling me that to obtain courage, I need to move forward first.” While they were talking, a Gu Worm flew over. “Is it Courage Gu?” Ren Zu was overjoyed before feeling disappointment.

Because this Immortal Gu was not Courage Gu; it was Love Gu. Sometimes, love comes to you on its own. Love Gu said: “Oh human, I can smell hope and fear from you, as love, they are my food.” Ren Zu was overjoyed: “You can take fear away, but hope is mine; I cannot give it to you.” Love Gu refused: “Only hope and fear can nourish me together; that is how I survive. Oh human, then I can only stay by your side.” Ren Zu did not have any good feelings towards Love Gu; he was not very willing, but Love Gu said, “Don’t chase me away; with me around, you can summon Courage Gu.” Indeed, after Ren Zu called out, Courage Gu flew to his side a while later. “Ah, this is the aura of love. Oh, and fear too.” Courage Gu landed in Ren Zu’s heart with much satisfaction. It was actually good friends with Fear Gu; the two were playing as they flew around Ren Zu’s heart. Fear and courage are often within one’s grasp. Ren Zu had courage; his fear dissipated by a huge amount; he could move on again. “Oh Ren Zu, I want to thank you; you are the reason why I broke free from fear.” Before Ren Zu left, the Beastman came to him. “I have two Gu here, one is loyalty, one is betrayal. Choose one; this will be my token of gratitude towards you.” The Beastman said, taking out two Gu Worms, holding one in each hand. Ren Zu did not know which to choose. Love Gu said: “Choose loyalty; you already have fear.” Cognition Gu said instead: “Go choose betrayal; you already have Courage.” Ren Zu was troubled; he asked the Beastman: “Can I take a look at them first?” The Beastman said: “Of course.” Ren Zu thus obtained both Loyalty Gu and Betrayal Gu, but to think that after he took them, Loyalty Gu turned into Betrayal Gu, and Betrayal Gu turned into Loyalty Gu. Ren Zu was puzzled. The Beastman explained: “Loyalty to others is betrayal to oneself; betraying others is loyalty to yourself.” Self Gu spoke at this time: “Oh human, choose betrayal. Since you are walking on your own road, you will need to betray others, and even betray yourself.”

Ren Zu made up his mind; he chose Betrayal Gu. The Beastman kept Loyalty Gu; before leaving, he told Ren Zu: “Oh Ren Zu, you have betrayal now; you cannot go to a place called ‘Care’. At that place, betrayal will harm you, but if you do not ‘care,’ then betrayal cannot harm you at all.” Ren Zu nodded: “Thank you, Beastman; I will remember your advice.”