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“Body in the abyss, heart in paradise.”
― 墨香铜臭, Heaven Official's Blessing: Tian Guan Ci Fu (Novel) Vol. 1

“Only since meeting you have I rediscovered how simple it is to be happy”
― Mò Xiāng Tóng Xiù, Heaven Official's Blessing: Tian Guan Ci Fu (Novel) Vol. 4

“Chiron had said once that nations were the most foolish of mortal inventions. “No man is worth more than another, wherever he is from.”

“But what if he is your friend?” Achilles had asked him, feet kicked up on the wall of the rose-quartz cave. “Or your brother? Should you treat him the same as a stranger?”

“You ask a question that philosophers argue over,” Chiron had said. “He is worth more to you, perhaps. But the stranger is someone else’s friend and brother. So which life is more important?”

We had been silent. We were fourteen, and these things were too hard for us. Now that we are twenty-seven, they still feel too hard.

He is half of my soul, as the poets say. He will be dead soon, and his honor is all that will remain. It is his child, his dearest self. Should I reproach him for it? I have saved Briseis. I cannot save them all.

I know, now, how I would answer Chiron. I would say: there is no answer. Whichever you choose, you are wrong.”
― Madeline Miller, The Song of Achilles

“The state preceptor stared hard at him. “I’ve seen your future, and it’s pitch black.” Xie Lian looked him straight in the eyes. “You must be mistaken. I only like to wear white.”
― Mò Xiāng Tóng Xiù, Heaven Official's Blessing: Tian Guan Ci Fu (Novel) Vol. 3