I returned to Gao Lao Zhuang again.

But this time, it seemed like the villagers all recognized me.

Just as I set foot in the village, I heard someone shouting from behind:

"Mr. Gao, your pig son-in-law is here!"

"Go away!" Mr. Gao frowned and drove the person away. Then he looked me up and down, clearly dissatisfied. "So, you're Pig Bajie?"

Pig Bajie is the Dharma name I took when I became a monk. I'm still Tian Peng now.

However, I had no intention of correcting his mistake. I just nodded honestly and said, "Yes."

"Hmph!" Mr. Gao stomped his foot. "What are you doing here? Get lost quickly..."

"Father!"

A sweet voice came from the courtyard. Miss Gao, who had already grown into a young girl, grabbed hold of him.

"But you told me not to judge people by their appearance! He came all the way here, without even having a meal, and you want him to leave? Is there such a reason in the world?"

As she spoke, she pulled me into the house and said, "You really like to eat alfalfa, don't you? I've already prepared it for you!"

I was taken aback. "You know me?"

Miss Gao smiled and said, "Mr. Wu has written your stories into a book. As soon as I read it, I remembered everything. Not just me, everyone here knows..."

She put her hands on her waist and looked imposing. "You are the famous Marshal Tian Peng!"

I felt a bit embarrassed by her praise.

Mr. Gao grunted in dissatisfaction, "Just a pig, and a marshal..."

"Father!"

After Mr. Gao was driven away, Miss Gao served me a large pot of food and placed it in front of me, watching me eat.

"I have a lot of things I want to ask you," she said. "Is that Sun Wukong really a stone that jumped out? Without parents?"

"It's not accurate to say that." I thought for a moment. "He is the leftover spiritual stone from Nüwa's mending of the heavens. If you look at it that way, Nüwa should be considered his mother."

"You mean the Nüwa who created humans? Have you seen her in heaven?"

"No." I shook my head. "According to legend, there was a great war in the Heavenly Court ten thousand years ago, and Nüwa fell in that battle. At that time, I hadn't become an immortal yet, so I don't know the specifics."

"Ah? Can Nüwa die?" She was greatly surprised. "Aren't immortals supposed to be immortal?"

"Yes, they should be able to live forever, but they can still be killed, unless..."

The images of the three of them flashed in my mind, and I shuddered.

"Unless what?"

"It's nothing." I quickly changed the subject. "Do you have any wishes? Perhaps I can help you fulfill them."

Miss Gao frowned and thought for a while. "I don't have any wishes. I feel pretty good right now."

"You don't have anything you want to do?"

"I can't think of anything at the moment. What about you? Do you have any?"

"Me?" My mind went blank. Slaying demons? Promotion? Or..."

"In this thousand years, have you been happy?" she asked again.

I was suddenly at a loss for words.

The elders of my family considered me a rare talent in a thousand years. They exerted the full strength of our clan to send me to the immortal sect, urging me to focus on cultivation. After becoming an immortal, I started as a low-ranking celestial soldier and gradually climbed to the position of marshal through battles in the north and south.

My sect was proud of me, and the celestial officials respected me.

Before my father passed away, he held my hand and entrusted me, saying that the well-being of the entire family relied on me protecting the Heavenly Court.

I looked around the ancestral hall, and everyone's eyes were fixed on me with a mixture of awe and expectation.

As I sat there, surrounded by the villagers of Gao Lao Zhuang, I realized that I had been so focused on my responsibilities and duties that I had forgotten to consider my own happiness.

Was I truly happy in the past thousand years?

I couldn't give a definite answer. I had achieved many things, fought battles, and gained recognition, but deep down, I felt a sense of emptiness.

Miss Gao's question had struck a chord within me. It made me reflect on my purpose and the meaning of my existence.

I looked at her and smiled. "You know, Miss Gao, I think I've been so preoccupied with my duties and the expectations of others that I haven't really considered my own happiness. Perhaps it's time for me to take a step back and reflect on what truly brings me joy."

She nodded, understanding my words. "It's important to find happiness for yourself, Marshal Tian Peng. You've done so much for others; now it's time to focus on your own well-being."

Her words resonated with me. I realized that I needed to find a balance between fulfilling my responsibilities and pursuing personal happiness.

As the days passed, I spent more time with the villagers of Gao Lao Zhuang. They welcomed me with open arms, and I found solace in their simple and contented way of life.

I also reconnected with nature, spending time in the nearby mountains and rivers. The peaceful surroundings brought me a sense of tranquility that I hadn't experienced in a long time.

Slowly, I started to explore new interests and hobbies. I discovered a love for painting and spent hours capturing the beauty of the landscapes around me. It was a therapeutic and fulfilling activity that allowed me to express myself in a different way.

Gradually, I began to understand that true happiness doesn't solely come from external achievements or the expectations of others. It comes from within, from doing what brings joy to your heart and finding contentment in the present moment.

As I continued to embrace this newfound perspective, I found a renewed sense of purpose in my role as a marshal. I approached my responsibilities with a lighter heart, focusing on the greater good and the well-being of all beings.

Years passed, and Gao Lao Zhuang became a second home to me. I maintained a close bond with Miss Gao and the villagers, cherishing the simplicity and warmth they brought to my life.

And so, in the midst of their company, I discovered the true meaning of happiness.