This article features heavy story and character spoilers! 
|
The novel has taught me few things about life, even though it’s about two gay men finding each other after 800 years. One of those things are; Gods are garbage like humans.
They’re almost the same, both are inflicted on bad things like: gossip, corruption, bribery, framing and more we don’t know about. The worst part is Heavenly Officials assume they’re more pure than an average mortal. They act as if they weren’t born with a silver spoon (having the tools to ascend) or haven’t been mortal in the beginning of their existence. When Xie Lian stole for money, the Gods from the land acted like he’s corrupted from doing so.
My reaction was, « Sir, you have mortal worshippers, how could you not know they don’t have a choice?? What would you do, starve for righteousness or to live? Also, your main God whom you’re serving perhaps did the same thing without you knowing. »
That doesn’t mean mortals are any better either, they put too much faith in Heavenly Officials to do things for them. For example, if you pray to Shi Wudu for wealth, did you really think a bag of coins would drop onto your doorstep? Sometimes, if you give too much they would ask for more. Famous examples are Xie Lian’s downfall and Jun Wu’s when their Kingdom was in danger. Their citizens blamed them out of anger for failing them, even though they were destined to die.
Back to the main point of the article, what did this novel teach me? Don’t put too much faith in others, even if they are higher than you. Lower your expectations, don’t ask Gods for everything. Also, for the love of all things good, DON’T BE A HYPOCRITE!