This Japanese Monogatari Isn't Lame
Chapter 559 - 355! Happiness Equals Pain? (8000 Words Goal Achieved)_2

Chapter 559: Chapter 355! Happiness Equals Pain? (8000 Words Goal Achieved)_2

"I don’t know if you’re free after work, but I’d like to talk to you about the Happiness Truth Sect."

Hetian Wu blinked in astonishment, not understanding, "How did you come to know about the Happiness Truth Sect..."

Before she could finish her sentence, Beichuan Si had already taken over, "I heard some of the doctrines of the Happiness Truth Sect from Miss Magong, and that piqued my interest. I wanted to ask about the specifics."

"Is that so..." Hetian Wu rubbed her chin, thought for a moment, then nodded smilingly, "Of course, that’s possible. I’m completely free after work, and if you intend to learn about the doctrines of the Happy Truth Divine Sect, then I will spare no effort to clear up your doubts."

Having said this, Hetian Wu’s tone unconsciously mixed in a touch of reverence, a hint of fanaticism:

"After all... pursuing happiness is something everyone does."

She exchanged some more chit-chat with Magong Tong and Beichuan Si, then happily headed off to her workstation.

"Then, Mr. Beidao... you can wait for me in the staff lounge for a while. I’ve already spoken with the supermarket owner; he won’t trouble you," Magong Tong bowed to Beichuan Si.

With some time left before the shift ended, Beichuan Si had no choice but to kill time in the employees’ lounge.

About an hour later, Hetian Wu returned to the lounge with Magong Tong; during which time, Beichuan Si could overhear Hetian Wu analyzing and clarifying the doctrines of the Happiness Truth Sect for Magong Tong.

Magong Tong had a bitter smile on her face, simply responding without agreeing outright.

Magong Tong took a seat next to Beichuan Si, while Hetian Wu sat across from both of them:

"Sorry to have kept you waiting, Mr. North Island," Hetian Wu said with a smile as she sat down. "The store was a bit busy today, causing the shifts to run late."

It seemed that, no matter how nervous she was, Magong Tong hadn’t forgotten about the false name.

Beichuan Si felt a bit more at ease.

Using the pseudonym ’Beidao Temple’ was a shackle imposed on his true identity.

Even if the investigation into the Happiness Truth Sect became exposed, the most they could trace would be this ’Beidao’ pseudonym.

After all, unlike facing vengeful spirits, this time Beichuan Si was up against a group of cunning and intelligent people. He didn’t want to drag Beichuan Huili and others living peaceful lives into this due to his investigation.

As for the pseudonym and identity... Beichuan Si had already called Gangye Yoshiko overnight to arrange everything, and the necessary documents were all obtainable.

Hetian Wu glanced at Beichuan Si, then at Magong Tong, "I’ve heard about Mr. North Island from Miss Magong; you wanted to learn about our Church of Truth and Happiness, right?"

"That’s right." Beichuan Si nodded, his voice steady, "Miss Magong doesn’t have that much interest in the Church of Truth and Happiness, but I became curious to learn more after hearing her mention it in the conversation."

"I see," nodded Hetian Wu.

Hetian Wu was actually already aware of Magong Tong’s lack of interest in the Happiness Truth Sect, as her previous invitations had been politely declined. She wasn’t blind.

But if she couldn’t win over Magong Tong, winning over her close friend shouldn’t be a problem.

Even if Magong Tong harbored caution toward her, her guard wouldn’t be as strong against Mr. North Island, right?

Hetian Wu thought to herself, her smile becoming even more radiant, "Well then, let’s get back to the main topic."

She took a deep breath and slowly began, "May I ask, Mr. North Island, do you have any religious beliefs?"

Any religious beliefs...?

Beichuan Si pondered briefly.

He was the object of worship for tens of thousands of followers of the Beichuan Divine Society, so why discuss belief?

However, Beichuan Si couldn’t possibly respond in that manner here.

The image he needed to cultivate was...

Beichuan Si thought as he began to speak, "I am an atheist. I don’t believe in the existence of Spiritual Bodies or anything such as supernatural, psychic phenomena in this world."

He spoke with utmost seriousness, as if it were all true.

Seeing Beichuan Si like this, Hetian Wu also smiled heartily:

"In fact, before the miracle occurred, I was a firm atheist—there were no Spiritual Bodies in this world, no supernatural powers, no supernatural things. We were supposed to believe in science... that is the axiom governing the operations of everything."

But—

Hetian Wu’s tone shifted: "What I am talking about is not gods or Spiritual Bodies... Those ethereal things. The faith I speak of—"

She lowered her voice, which could not conceal her own enthusiasm and obsession: "is happiness."

"Pursuing happiness is what everyone wants to do."

Hetian Wu spread her palms, looking at the neatly divided lines on them, she continued: "The perfect partner, a healthy body, exceptional talent, money... These are the happiness that people pursue, and the Happiness Truth Sect is a church that seeks the ultimate happiness!"

The zeal in her voice escalated, almost unable to contain her distorted tone.

She asked Beichuan Si: "Mr. Beidao, what do you think happiness comes from? And do you know how to generate happiness?"

This question made Beichuan Si frown, but he answered simply: "Happiness comes from desires; without desire, there is no happiness. And as for how to obtain the feeling of happiness... As soon as a desire is satisfied, the feeling of happiness naturally arises."

Yes, the premise of happiness lies in human desires. Without things to long for, without things desired, it is impossible to obtain happiness.

"That’s right!" Hetian Wu looked at Beichuan Si with appreciation: "When desires can’t be satisfied, we experience pain, but in the moment the desires are satisfied, we feel even happier because of the previous suffering!"

The so-called ’sweetness comes after hardship’ referred to exactly this. Thinking about the painful times in the past and seeing one’s current happiness, a sense of happiness naturally springs forth in the heart.

Hetian Wu grasped Beichuan Si’s palm: "Mr. Beidao understands, doesn’t he? Happiness comes with pain; suffering makes us happier! Therefore, in the pursuit of happiness, we must suffer! To give us the deepest pain and then the sweet happiness..."

Beichuan Si could feel it.

As the other person spoke these words, their body even trembled with pleasure.

"Pain is happiness, happiness is pain; one must necessarily go through pain before happiness."

Hetian Wu released Beichuan Si’s hand.

Seeing her comfortable demeanor, Beichuan Si didn’t bother to disillusion her.

Equating happiness with pain was unquestionably fallacious.

If you were to say that happiness and pain are opposing yet dependent on one another, Beichuan Si could agree with that.

But to interpret it entirely as happiness was nothing more than forcing a point.

"Sorry, I got a little carried away, Mr. Beidao." Hetian Wu coughed twice, her eyes sparkling: "In any case, this is the happiness theory of our Happiness Truth Sect. Mr. Beidao, you must believe me; the pain you feel now is only temporary. Join the Happiness Truth Sect, and we will let you experience the ultimate happiness this world has to offer."

Beichuan Si pondered for a moment, then prodded the other party: "Is it only by joining the Happiness Truth Sect that one can experience the ultimate happiness? What’s the connection? Rather... how can one bestow upon me this ethereal thing called happiness?"

Indeed, happiness was initially intangible; could joining that church suddenly provide what Beichuan Si desired?

That was undoubtedly unrealistic.

The desires of people are incessant; wanting to endlessly experience the spiritual pleasure known as ’happiness’ is fundamentally unrealistic.

"Well..." Hetian Wu’s gaze flickered with hesitation.

Clearly, she was undecided whether she should tell Beichuan Si about their Church of Truth and Happiness’ way of pursuing happiness.

Seeing this, Beichuan Si seized the opportunity:

"If Miss Hetian can provide a concrete reason, it wouldn’t be impossible for me to join the Happiness Truth Sect."

This time... Hetian Wu seemed somewhat persuaded.