This is the first story I read where Mr Ren gets exactly what he was waiting for, what he went to the river for, and I love it! I think it is also great how this slowly transforms into what he actually needs, how by tasting the fruits of his desires accomplished he learns of the true meaning (and toll) of being victorius against one's "enemies".
Thanks for a great tale of atonement!
Thank you, @amirani. As I explained before, I saw (imagined) the end before I wrote it. But I think reading yours helped to clarify my thoughts and also gave me the confidence to go forward. Yours was the first, and I see it as sort of the seed from which so many of the others sprang. Laurels to you.