The knight in the big world of American TV series

Chapter 2342

Under normal circumstances, Eternity rarely descends upon the Altar of Eternity. After all, to him, he himself is the universe, and his so-called abode is irrelevant. Therefore, many people who come to the Altar of Eternity only face his illusory statue, yet he can hear their pleas.

Today, those who come to make wishes clearly satisfy Eternity.

Ger's life was full of drama; the first half of his life was a tragedy.

A tragedy similar to "To Live"!

The novel employs a unique "dual narrative" structure. It opens with "I," a collector of folk songs, encountering the elderly Fugui in the countryside. Fugui, a narrator weathered by life's hardships, recounts his tumultuous life spanning over half a century from a first-person perspective—from the extravagant and dissolute life of a spoiled young man to the hardship of his family's decline and becoming a tenant farmer; from the chaos and frantic struggle for survival during the civil war to the earth-shattering social changes after the founding of the People's Republic of China, including land reform, the People's Commune, the Great Leap Forward, and the Cultural Revolution; from the brief warmth of being surrounded by loved ones to the boundless loneliness of their tragic deaths.

Fugui's life was a continuous drama of suffering: his father died of anger; his mother passed away while he was being conscripted; his son, Youqing, died from excessive blood loss after being bled by an unscrupulous doctor while trying to save the county magistrate's wife; his daughter, Fengxia, died of postpartum hemorrhage in a rudimentary clinic; his wife, Jiazhen, succumbed to illness from overwork; his son-in-law, Erxi, was crushed to death by a cement slab at a construction site; and finally, even his only solace—his grandson, Kugen—died before his eyes from overeating beans. He buried all his loved ones with his own hands, leaving only his equally aged ox, also named "Fugui," as his sole companion. Yu Hua, with an extremely cold and ruthless style, presents scene after scene of death to the reader, constructing a suffocating history of family demise.

However, *To Live* is not merely a museum of suffering. The almost numb calmness that Fugui displays in his narration, and the image of him plowing with the old ox at dusk, contain an incredible resilience of life. Yu Hua once said, "To Live tells how people endure immense suffering… it tells of the breadth and richness of tears; it tells of the non-existence of despair; it tells of people living for the sake of living itself, not for anything beyond living." It is precisely this humble stance of "living" even after devastating blows that gives the novel a universal power that transcends specific historical time and space.

The core ideas of *To Live* are extremely profound, directly addressing the fundamental question of human existence: what is the meaning of life in the face of endless suffering and absurdity? Through the extreme example of Fugui, Yu Hua offers a poignant yet powerful answer: living itself is meaning, purpose, and the most primal and greatest power that life displays amidst ruins. The novel dismantles the grand meanings traditionally attribute to life (such as fame and fortune, procreation, and historical mission), stripping it away to its most authentic state—existence itself. Fugui's "living," relying on an old ox for survival after losing everything, is the simplest yet most sublime tribute to the resilience of life. This existentialist thinking transcends specific times and places, possessing universal value. At the same time, the novel profoundly reveals the absurdity of history and the uncontrollability of individual destiny.

Ge'er was similar... his life was even more miserable than Fugui's! At least Fugui was truly wealthy in the first half of his life!
What about Kogel?

From the time he can remember until now, he doesn't remember what it feels like to be full!
This is the first act of Geer's life... a tragedy!
Tragedy is more easily remembered for several reasons. First, it often touches the deepest emotions within people. It portrays the pain, setbacks, and misfortunes of life, evoking strong resonance in readers and giving them a deeper understanding of the complexity and unpredictability of life. Second, tragedy often challenges social norms and moral standards. By showcasing the struggles and conflicts of the protagonists in difficult circumstances, it prompts reflection on social norms and the nature of good and evil, leaving a profound impression on the reader's mind. Third, the characters in tragedies suffer many misfortunes, and the stark contrast between their struggles and failures creates a powerful emotional impact and dramatic effect that is unforgettable. Fourth, tragedy can evoke sympathy and pity. Readers empathize with the protagonists' experiences, leading to a more lasting memory of the work. Tragedy, with its profound emotional experience, thought-provoking insights, and strong artistic appeal, leaves a deeper and more lasting impression on readers. Comedy, on the other hand, brings a relaxed and joyful atmosphere, helping people release stress. Painful days always feel like an eternity, while happy days always seem to pass in the blink of an eye. Therefore, tragedies tend to have a more lasting impact, making them easier to remember...

But for Eternity, this was not unusual... He had seen far too many tragedies.

Every day, every hour, all sorts of life and death are happening in this universe!
Tragedy doesn't offer much novelty to eternity... much like many doctors who lack empathy for birth, aging, illness, and death... not because they lack feelings, but because they see it every day! If empathy came from every patient... then 99% of doctors would need to see a doctor... there's no way around it, they've just seen it all too often!
But then the next scene unfolded.

The second act of Ge's life - the male protagonist of a wish-fulfillment novel!

The concept of "爽文" (a genre of Chinese fantasy novels) and "爽剧" (dramas/TV series) is not new. The martial arts and romance novels we read as children, and the Hong Kong and Taiwanese dramas we watched, all contained many "爽分" (exhilarating moments). An ordinary protagonist unexpectedly receives guidance from a reclusive master, becoming a peerless martial arts expert, wielding fine wine and wielding the martial arts world, righting wrongs and settling scores with gusto—a thrilling and cathartic experience for the reader. "Martial arts crippled in the morning, martial arts leader in the afternoon," "Family property stolen today, huge inheritance tomorrow," "A lowly palace maid who was beaten and abused eventually becomes a favored concubine"... In the internet age, such formulaic plots are common in various "爽文." The trend of film and television adaptations has also reached into the realm of "爽" in literature, with fantasy, time-travel, and workplace themes being adapted into TV series, giving rise to a large number of "爽剧." The rise of short videos has brought new opportunities to "爽文化" (a culture of exhilarating entertainment). Mini-program short dramas, with their "climax right from the start," take the traditional "爽文" formula to its extreme, making a large number of viewers willingly pay for them. Despite their diverse themes and styles, "feel-good novels and dramas" share similar basic formulas, exhibiting highly formulaic and template-like content design. For example, the "feel-good moments" are clearly defined. These moments could be a domineering CEO falling in love with a Cinderella, a housewife's "rebirth" and transformation, or an ordinary person's successful "comeback." In short, they keep viewers wanting more after watching one episode or reading one chapter, unconsciously immersing themselves in the pleasure they create, feeling "satisfied," and unable to stop watching. Another example is their tight plots. The fast pace of these novels and dramas resonates with contemporary life, providing audiences with fragmented "electronic snacks." From suffering to revenge, from fantasy to fulfillment, from obscurity to success, the "great comeback" must be achieved within one or two chapters or episodes. Many short dramas even feature a dense array of "feel-good moments," with a small climax every three minutes and a dramatic reversal every five minutes.

Another example is the emotional fervor. "Feel-good" culture products often possess low material value but high emotional value. Many "feel-good" novels and dramas are relatively simple in production, with almost no foreshadowing or ambiguity, and some even have numerous typos and rough visuals. However, because the character design and plot development satisfy emotional needs, they attract a stable group of users.

In modern society, the fast pace of life is like a high-speed machine, engulfing everyone. In the workplace, competition is fierce, overtime and late nights are the norm, and the path to promotion is fraught with difficulty. In life, economic pressure and interpersonal problems arise one after another. People face numerous frustrations and setbacks in reality, their minds bearing a heavy burden, urgently needing an outlet to release stress. According to psychological research, when feelings of frustration and powerlessness accumulate in reality, people instinctively seek a form of "vicarious gratification." The emergence of "爽文" (a genre of Chinese fantasy novels known for their satisfying and often humorous elements) is like a timely rain. It constructs worlds full of fantasy and infinite possibilities, where protagonists can easily solve problems and reach the pinnacle of life through their wisdom, courage, or fortuitous encounters. Readers are immersed in these stories, as if temporarily escaping the mire of reality, placing themselves in the protagonist's shoes, experiencing the thrill of an unstoppable journey, and finding immense relief from the pressure and fatigue of reality. More importantly, "爽文" provides a "low-threshold catharsis." Those struggling in life find temporary solace in the protagonist's triumphant return, while office workers release stress through the "slapping the villains in the face" plot. As one netizen put it, "Reading a lighthearted novel is like performing a 'clearing surgery' on emotional knots."

The success of "cool" novels is inseparable from their efficient narrative pace.

From a psychological perspective, humans are born with a desire for success and achievement. Maslow's hierarchy of needs theory states that self-actualization is the highest level of human need. In real life, due to various limitations, most people's self-actualization needs are difficult to fully satisfy. "Refreshing" novels provide a virtual space for this fulfillment. The protagonists in these novels are usually from humble backgrounds, even suffering bullying, but they can achieve a dramatic transformation in a short time, gaining power, wealth, and glory. This story of an underdog's rise to power resonates deeply with readers, allowing them to see themselves reflected in the characters and gain a vicarious satisfaction, as if they too have achieved their dreams and compensated for regrets in real life.

Especially those fast-paced, exciting novels that are initially oppressive but then immediately turn the tables!
Just like many urban fantasy novels about dragon kings, one second his daughter is living in a doghouse, and the next second his 100,000 subordinates are crushing his enemies!
That's basically the routine... Eternal doesn't dislike this routine!

Eternal's taste is similar to ours...

Of course, the first thing to be clear is that all the satisfying dramas and novels we watch are fake! In fact, we already knew before we even clicked on them that they were fake, that they were acted out!
This is why many people feel so embarrassed watching these short dramas – it's because of this mindset that makes it impossible to empathize!
But the problem is that eternity is real!
Those things really happened right in front of him!

This storyline is so exciting, are you excited or not?

You must know that tragedy happens every moment in this universe!
There are also many, many protagonists who are overpowered like Long Aotian!
But a reversal like Ge'er's, where he was living a life of luxury in the early stages and then immediately became a powerful figure in the city, is extremely rare!
This probability is extremely small, even if we consider the entire universe as an example!
Of course, if that's all there is to it, Eternity might enjoy watching it, but that's about it!
As a long-time drama fan who has been binge-watching since the beginning of the universe, I can guarantee an everlasting reading volume!
If it were just a storyline like that, while exciting, it wouldn't make Yongheng happy!
At this point, it's time to focus on value and elevate it to a higher level!

Gehr's third act—Awakening!
After the War at the End of the Earth, Gale broke free from the influence of the Black Death Sword and Gnar, and began to confront his own heart. Revenge was not his ultimate goal!

He wanted to abandon his empty heart and bring his beloved daughter back alive!

Although it may seem like a small-scale event, what could be more exciting than a person truly facing their own inner self?
More importantly, just as Gale reached the final scene, a troublemaker appeared!

Thor.

This character is not a villain, nor is he the typical boss who appears at the end of the story. On the contrary, Thor is a good person in every sense of the word.

The clash between two people pursuing their own inner truths is far more profound than a simple battle between good and evil!
This struggle of humanity and the clash between ideals is far more meaningful than a simple binary opposition!

Regardless of the final outcome, the ending was absolutely brilliant!
If Thor wins, Geer's dream will be shattered.

So Ger's life is the most powerful irony!

If Ger wins, it will be a heartwarming happy ending!

This is so interesting!

Therefore, eternity must be viewed up close!
……

But Thor and Gale, the protagonists of this scene, are completely unaware of everything happening around them! Their eyes are only for each other!
Because they all knew that their victory or defeat might be decided in the next instant!
Thor and Gol's state of mind cannot actually last.

Ultimately, both of their powers come from external sources!
Gel is alright; this guy never had any power of his own from beginning to end. Without the Black Death Sword, he'd be nothing more than a roadside monster. But the Black Death Sword's status is too high; it's a divine artifact among divine artifacts. Honestly, it's hard to say what other divine artifact in this universe was created before the Black Death Sword. (Except for the Infinity Stones; those things weren't man-made at all. They were blasted out when the universe collapsed and exploded again; they were naturally formed.)

However, correspondingly, the Black Death Sword was about to give out.

Gol's indifferent exploitation deeply hurt Black Death Sword.

As for Thor, Zeus's power is indeed great, but that's about it. At least compared to the Black Death Sword!