無名在海域獨自漂泊了兩年。經歷了無數艱辛，他終於駛向了世界的盡頭，抵達學海。刺眼的陽光從海面反射過來，無名不禁眯起眼睛，抬手擋住那份灼熱。學海遼闊無邊，卻如一潭死水般，寂靜無波。要知道，要在無垠的大海中找到全知，就如同鐵樹開花，簡直是痴心妄想。偏偏無名卻是個死心眼。他把所有積蓄都花光，登上了那艘無法回頭的飛船，唯一的目標便是向全知索取智慧，成為無所不知的學者。
也許這就是命運的安排。當陽光漸漸退去，無名放下手時，眼前竟突然出現了一座空中樓閣。抬頭望去，隱約可見樓頂上探出的一抹黑影。無名心中一喜，無暇顧及形象，急忙將飛船停泊在樓閣的一側，迅速攀爬而上。果然，他在樓頂找到了全知。此時，全知正手持芭蕉葉，倚窗乘涼。微風輕輕吹動著全知的髮絲，那迷人的神色讓無名臉頰微紅，心跳加速。慌亂中，他急忙走上前，開口詢問：
「全知的神明。多年來，我始終如一，始終不渝地在世界的邊緣努力駛向學海，只為了成為人上人。今朝終於有幸找到您，我誠心請求您指引我，點破我的知識盲點，賜予我源源不絕的學識。」
全知卻依舊目不轉睛地凝視著遠方海天一色的風景，似乎對無名的話語毫不在意。無名感到一陣不快，心中升起疑問，忍不住問道：
「我虛心前來受教，為何身為神明的您卻如此自視清高，無視我的請求？難道神明就可以如此輕視並踐踏凡人的心意嗎？」
全知慢條斯理地搧動著芭蕉葉子，語氣中帶著絲不屑：「區區一介凡夫草民，怎麼會有優越感？自己既無過人之處，又不曾付出努力追求想要的東西，反倒是一味向我索取，將所有責任與救贖都推給名義上的神明，這哪裡像是求助，分明就是勒索。你又憑什麼指望我回應？」
全知的話語極為尖刻，將祂的神聖形象瞬間顛覆。無名的心情瞬間被戳穿，不禁停下了那份虛無的幻想。他臉色漲紅，強壓著羞愧，依舊硬著頭皮繼續開口：「人往高處爬，這本就是我們的本性，渴望更多、更好的難道不應該有野心嗎？」
「別這樣，你這種精英人士真讓人感到噁心。智慧在現今社會上根本無法給予人類生存的能力；聰明的人無法在成人的社會裡扎根，擁有智慧的人在資本的世界裏也只能淪為被有錢人剝削的對象。
也不要說我通俗，我是神明。通俗的世界就應該用通俗的方式切入。我在學海中不斷反思自己存在的意義，反問自己究竟能給予世界甚麼。我曾想過造福人類，但看透了，我不過是被這個世界遺棄、可有可無的神明罷了。努力始終無法抵擋日月的更替；新神的崛起加速了舊神的沒落。資本取代了我，甚至掌控著生命、死亡與回憶的布。你們對知識早已失去了欲望和需求，我又何必為你們感到煩惱？
世界顯然就是不公的。自古以來，許多人被規律疼惜，但更多的存在卻是不被眷顧的。不要怕。來，讓我這個無所不知的神明來告訴你所謂的真諦。你渴望的智慧，並不能為你帶來世界。努力不會有回報。相反，你應該做個混蛋，終日無所事事，啃老也好，躺平也好，反正就是要折磨自己的身體，爭取在五十歲之前把自己的陽壽耗盡。趁早歸零，既能解決人口老化的問題，也不必再煩惱如何度過餘生。」
「荒謬，這根本就在浪費人生。我還是想找到途徑，成為世界的頂尖人士。」
「這輩子就不要妄想了。倒不如趁早為自己積德祈福，祈求下輩子能投胎轉世為權貴的子女吧。金錢萬能。你的世界將不再有疾病，也不必為理想煩憂。聽從神明的話，用金錢堆砌一個不被絕望污染的未來吧！這樣的世界，至少智慧能成為你飯後的娛樂。」
***
Anon drifted alone in the vast ocean for two years. After countless hardships, he finally arrived at the Sea of Knowledge. The glaring sunlight reflected off its eerily still waters; forcing him to shield his eyes. Seeking Omniscience in this boundless expanse was as improbable as a barren tree blooming—a futile fantasy. Yet stubborn as ever, Anon boarded the spaceship of no return, determined to demand wisdom from Omniscience.
Perhaps it was destined. As the sun receded, an ethereal tower appeared before Anon. Looking up, he caught a faint glimpse of a shadowy figure atop the structure. He hastily moored his spaceship by the tower’s side and climbed up. Sure enough, he found Omniscience by the windows, fanning themselves with a plantain leaf. Gentle breeze stirred their hair, an enchanting demeanor that left Anon blushing. Flustered, he stepped forward and anxiously asked:
“O Divine Omniscience, I have persevered, tirelessly navigating toward the Sea of Knowledge, all in pursuit of transcending the ordinary. I humbly beseech you to guide me, to illuminate and to grand me an unending wellspring of wisdom.”
Seemingly indifferent, Omniscience continued to gaze intently at the horizon. enjoy their scenery. A flicker of frustration stirred within Anon, he asked:
“I came humbly seeking your guidance. Yet you, a god, remain aloof and ignore my plea. Does divinity grant you the right to trample upon the mortals?”
Omniscient slowly fanned himself, a hint of disdain in their tone. “A mere mortal like you, so full of entitlement… You’ve made no real effort to attain what you desire yet heap your demands on me, placing all responsibilities and salvation on a so-called deity. What makes you think I owe you a response?”
Omniscient’s words were harsh and full of irony, puncturing Anon’s pride in an instant. His face flushed with shame, but he suppressed his anger and continued, “It is human nature to strive for greater heights. Should I not have the right to seek better?”
“Oh come on. You so-called elites are so disgusting. Humans no longer rely on wisdom to survive. There is no space for the intelligent to root in society and they are nothing more than exploited victims of the wealthiest in this capitalist world.
I’m not vulgar – I am god. An ordinary world should be left mundane. I constantly reflected and questioned what I could truly offer the word. But what am I but a dispensable god? Efforts can never withstand the passage of time; the rise of the new gods hastens the fall of the old. Capital has replaced me, even controlling life, death, and the Memory Cloth. Humans have lost their desire and need for knowledge – why should I trouble myself over you?
The world is unfair but worry not. Let the omniscient reveal the so-called truth. The wisdom you crave will not give you the world. Efforts will not be rewarded. Instead, you should be a bastard. Mess around. Torture your body and maybe end your life before fifty. Reset the world. One stone kills two birds: Solve the aging population problem and free yourself from worrying about the rest of your life now.”
“Ridiculous, this is such a waste of life. I will want to find a way to become the elite of the world.”
“Stop those pipedreams. You better start praying that you can reincarnate as a noble-born. Money is omnipotent; your world will be free from disease and worry. Listen to your god: use fortune to build an empire that is untouched by despair! At least wisdom can become your after-dinner entertainment.”
Chapter of New Myth (2023)
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