Holding desire within one's heart, especially desire of such an unrealistic kind, was an extremely painful thing. Whether it was desire for wealth, for power, or for something else-all were fetters around one's body. The deeper one sank, the tighter these bonds would dig into one's flesh. Chang Geng grasped the principle behind this all too well, and thus had never dared allow his desires to run wild. Unfortunately, no matter how thoroughly his rational mind understood, it was no use. And either way, it was too late.