The fifth volume is finally finished. This is a very important volume for the whole book, so it ended up being about 100,000 words longer than expected. However, this was necessary; Otherwise, all the earlier setups would have been wasted. Not following through would have been irresponsible towards the novel. As previously mentioned, this means the sixth volume will be delayed and won't be released by the end of June or early July [TL Note: An estimated time window that he gave during an interview].
The volume title is "Demoness". Firstly, this volume focuses on the fight for "0-01". Secondly, it deals with the disaster of the Project Vortex. Thirdly, it explores themes of pain, twistedness, and despair, including emotional entanglements and the final declarations of feelings. Lastly, Lumian is forced to embark on the life of a “Demoness" [TL Note: Duration unspecified].
Just like in "Lord of the Mysteries" Book 1, where "choosing a pathway determines your friends and enemies," I now want to say that "choosing a pathway also determines the writing style." Writing the "Hunter" pathway and "City of Calamities" cannot be done in the same style as writing the "Seer" pathway and "Sefirah Castle". On one hand, the sense of mystery would significantly decrease [for old readers familiar with Book 1 plot/device], and on the other hand, due to the Law of Beyonder Characteristics Convergence, "Hunter" and "Demoness" are destined to encounter and entangle with each other, inevitably mixing in male-female relationships, pain, and twistedness.
I could avoid those aforementioned situations, but then what's the point of writing "Hunter" and "Demoness"? It would end up feeling the same as "Seer". Therefore, once the pathway and writing style are chosen, many things are determined.
Among the things that were determined by the Hunter/Demoness writing style are the idea that: The "Hunter" must transition to "Demoness" at least once, and the "Demoness" must transition to "Hunter" at least once. This was a predetermined story setting since LOTM Book 1, or in other words, from the beginning. This is evident in the condition of Cheek, and in why Cheek used Triss's power to disrupt the Leon Kingdom's Black Emperor ascension ceremony, a kingdom who was in cooperation with Cheek's faction. This is all tied to the plot/story around the special Mirror World and City of Calamities. As such, choosing this pathway for the MC means there will inevitably be a period in the "Demoness" state.
Returning to the opening quotes of volume 5, it has many layers of meaning. Firstly, Amon asking Lumian on Adam's behalf. Secondly, the hidden Adam asking Bernadette, asking the Tarot Club members, and asking all those involved in Project Vortex.
Thirdly and fourthly are outside the novel. Thirdly, this is asking the readers if they accept such choices, transitions, and developments. Fourthly, it is asking myself if I accept the consequences of writing all this.
I know well the overall setup of the book. Volume 1's numerous foreshadowing can only be fully resolved late in Volume 5. The actual main storyline of Volume 2 is the psychological therapies [conducted by Adam]. Volume 5's declaration during moments of despair, and the emotional entanglements with the "Demonesses", and Lumian's own transition to "Demoness". All of the above can either cause a poor reading experience, or requires readers to read the entire 5 volumes in one go to feel comfortable, or step on many readers' landmines [triggering people], resulting in criticism. Therefore, I'm asking myself if I accept such an ending.
If this were the time I wrote "Record of Extinction Destiny", or even earlier, my answer would likely be "The floating clouds [readers] do not cover the moon [me], in seeking The Dao, my heart is like iron even if I die." [TL Note: So Chunni lmao] Now, as I've grown older, I've become more gentle and no longer see myself as superior, viewing all opposing opinions as wrong. I no longer think I'm the Dao pursuer and I am always correct, while others are bad. After 13 years of writing career, having experienced a lot, I increasingly feel that it's just that everyone's life experiences are different, and what they can accept differs. The issue of who is right or wrong, who is higher or lower does not exist in the end.
So now my answer is, "I can foresee potential disagreements, I can imagine the criticisms that will inevitably come, but I still choose this writing style and this volume ending, regardless of whether it is good or bad."
Speaking of which, the previous phrase "The floating clouds do not cover the moon, in seeking The Dao, my heart is like iron even if I die" comes from my first novel "Record of Extinction Destiny". I always wanted to write a similar novel again, not in terms of subject or theme but in philosophical essence. However, now I increasingly feel that I may never write another "Record of Extinction Destiny" because what I wanted to express and all my inner thoughts were all written out in that novel. Over the years, I've been practicing and living out those thoughts, without any insights beyond that scope. Therefore, it's unlikely I'll write something that questions the inner self like during that novel again.
Returning to the topic of the volumes, I still want to say that I actually wrote volume 1 quite well. Many details are hidden, full of symbolic meanings, and ultimately all got a corresponding response in this volume 5.
Now, let's review the opening quotes of the previous four volumes:
The first volume's "A price is always exacted for what fate bestows," now you know its deepest meaning, right?
The second volume's "For you are dust, and to dust you shall return," now you know who said it, right?
The third volume's "Everyone is a hunter, and everyone is prey," you should have a deeper understanding now, right?
The fourth volume's "Oh Merciful Lord, I plead for thy forgiveness, for the sins I have committed," is thematically consistent with one of the hidden themes of the current volume 5.
When viewed together, I think it is quite interesting.
As for volume 2, although it has always been criticized, it is written using a brand new writing style afterall. Now I can finally conclude that its overall completion is okay. The plot/event arrangement of volume 2 is actually based on Lumian's psychological state, comfortable when he is well, oppressive when he is in pain, and cathartic when he explodes. The changes in the plot and style imply and symbolize Lumian's psychological state, and the different plots have different effects on Lumian's psychological problems. The hidden plot line of volume 2 has always been Adam's psychological treatment reports [revealed in volume 5].
In volume 5, I am quite satisfied with the emotional entanglement part, especially the first back and forth question and answer conversation between Jenna and Lumian. The surface dialogue, actual meaning, and the subtle brewing in the background all have a certain beauty. Unfortunately, as a web novel, not writing [relationships] clearly sometimes indeed poses a problem [TL Note: after consideration I think he meant being vague always teases the reader]. I, too, often skim through other novels quickly when reading, simply taking in bits and pieces to skip ahead. So later on, I decided to write a bit more straightforwardly [in terms of declaring feelings], but it does indeed fit Franca's character.
As for some dialogue lines that seem to affect character images, they are actually well thought out and pondered by me. I don't know if you have ever had emotionally charged exchanges with family and friends. Some words are completely unfiltered, some are regretted as soon as they are spoken, and some are instinctively exaggerated to express inner feelings. If one can still be so rational and clear-headed in such scenarios, knowing what to say and what not to say, then they wouldn't be "Demonesses" and "Hunters".
Overall, I am quite satisfied with volume 5, though it does have certain issues. Firstly, the hints beforehand were insufficient, lacking a mental buffer period. Secondly, there are problems with the plot performance of weaker characters [in terms of sequences] in grand scenes. Thirdly, there are too many characters overall, making it sometimes feel overwhelming to manage them all. This is the pain of writing sequels.
To explain this problem in more detail...ugh:fors_sweat: , my daughter right now just urged me to go out and play with her...so I guess I will stop here.
The next volume [6] is "Dreamweaver". Everyone knows whose dream it is [TL Note: If you don't :/ I am disappointed in you!]. The volume opening quote is not yet decided, as it does not fall within the framework of the previous five volumes' opening quotes.
As usual, I'll take a few days off to rest and outline the story. So, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday—meaning updates will resume next Monday [July 22, 2024].
Thank you, everyone, and thank you to Abraham's Notebook for the Silver Alliance reward, and a few others I can only thank in the next volume.
