Chapter 427: The Truth of the Land of Gentlemen
The two were naturally expelled from the Three Walk Together Gentlemen’s Society.
The reason given was that the Three Walk Together Gentlemen’s Society doesn’t accept pairs.
The Book Mountain Society also dared not take them in.
Inviting gods is easier than sending them away – one should never follow the Gentlemen’s Society’s example.
“As expected, whenever you two are together, all you do is cause trouble.” A faint voice sounded beside Jiang Li and Bai Hongtu’s ears.
Yu Yin appeared.
She had noticed the pair the moment they entered the Land of Gentlemen and had been observing them for quite some time.
Initially, Yu Yin worried these two might disrupt the Confucius Sage’s birthday celebrations.
Then she shook her head with a light laugh, realizing she was overthinking things.
These two would definitely cause trouble anyway – why bother worrying?
Out of conscience, Yu Yin decided she should keep an eye on them to prevent any outrageous behavior.
The Book Mountain Society and Three Walk Together Gentlemen’s Society served as perfect examples.
“It was all Bai Hongtu’s doing.” Jiang Li smoothly distanced himself from blame – a skill honed through years of causing trouble for the previous Human Sovereign.
Yu Yin shot Jiang Li a sidelong glance. “Do you think I’m as gullible as that simpleton Jingxin, believing whatever you say?”
“Jingxin is innocent, not stupid,” Jiang Li corrected.
“You’re not much smarter than her either,” Yu Yin retorted, convinced both men were equally dim-witted.
“Aren’t you supposed to be handling Tianyuan Dynasty affairs? Why come here so early?” Bai Hongtu asked. Knowing Yu Yin’s habits, she typically arrived just before ceremonies, rarely in advance.
Yu Yin sighed. “After hearing those shocking rumors about the Celestial Realm, I couldn’t focus on governance. Came here to clear my mind.”
“How enviable – you two never worry about such matters.”
“Master needn’t fear! Should the Celestial Realm dare approach, I’ll deal with them myself!” The Wishful Gourd at her waist swayed emphatically, asserting its presence.
The gourd wasn’t boasting. After gaining sentience, its combat power skyrocketed beyond ordinary Earthly Immortals. Jiang Li suspected it might even challenge Celestial Immortals.
And this was considering its creator had only been a Golden Immortal.
Artifacts like the Yin-Yang Heaven Seal and Brahma Tower – closely tied to the Dao Ancestor and Buddha – possessed even greater power, solidly matching Celestial Immortals. Only Jiang Li could reliably suppress them.
The Yin-Yang Heaven Seal’s dominance among artifacts stemmed not just from enlightening all spiritual treasures in the Nine Provinces, but also its astonishing origins.
The Great Scholar’s Manuscript, not crafted by the Confucius Sage itself, couldn’t compare in status.
Bai Hongtu shrugged. “Worrying’s pointless anyway. When the time comes, Jiang Li will handle it – defeating Earthly Immortals brings Celestial ones, defeating them summons Golden Immortals, until finally Buddha-level figures intervene.”
“Against such beings, we’d still only have Jiang Li.”
“You’re not wrong,” Yu Yin nodded. The gap between their current strength and the Celestial Realm’s peak was too vast – only Jiang Li could bridge it.
Jiang Li sighed. “Don’t make it sound so simple. Old Bai, you could at least improve the Nine Provinces Spirit Plant Array – that’s our ace in the hole.”
Bai Hongtu thumped his chest. “Already handled. We’ve long since unified our front.”
“Unified against me or the Celestial Realm?”
“Hard to say.”
“…”
Jiang Li hadn’t forgotten how Bai Hongtu added him to a group chat discussing how to rally the Nine Provinces against him.
Despite Bai Hongtu’s eccentricities, his competence was undeniable. With him overseeing it, the Spirit Plant Array would be flawless – the Nine Provinces Boundary Array proved that.
“Honestly, Dong Zhongren might be questionable, but he’s done well with this Land of Gentlemen,” Jiang Li praised. “Pity it can’t last.”
All three saw through Dong Zhongren’s methods – they’d discovered why everyone here behaved like perfect gentlemen.
Confucian disciples lurked everywhere, secretly evaluating people’s conduct and awarding points, with the Confucian Sect distributing rewards accordingly.
The Book Mountain and Gentlemen Societies housed overt Confucian disciples, while others operated covertly.
In other words, the Land of Gentlemen’s current state was bought with Confucian Sect spirit stones.
“Not entirely monetary motivation,” Yu Yin noted. “Many genuinely aspire to become gentlemen, proving Dong Zhongren’s teachings show results.”
She felt the Land’s refined atmosphere wasn’t purely performative – it contained genuine cultivation and Dong Zhongren’s sincere efforts.
Yu Yin was breathtakingly beautiful. Though she concealed her true appearance, her allure remained undeniable. Elsewhere, people would instinctively turn for second glances, but here such reactions were rare – a comfort to her.
She suspected Dong Zhongren showcased the Land as a performance for the Confucius Sage – the symbolism mattered more than the form.
Regardless of intent, the results were positive.
Bai Hongtu observed, “Dong Zhongren seeks a land where all possess noble virtue – morality rooted in hearts and material conditions. Without material sufficiency, demanding excessive virtue is meaningless.”
The trio held differing perspectives on the Land.
Jiang Li said, “The Land of Gentlemen is too ambitious – Dong Zhongren overreaches. The Great Zhou’s approach is better – using laws to govern cultivators and mortals alike. Virtue shouldn’t be compulsory.”
“Laws set the baseline, virtue the higher standard. Had Dong Zhongren first established legal foundations before elevating morality through them, results might improve.”
“You’re quite the legal enthusiast – is that your Great Zhou upbringing or natural disposition?” Bai Hongtu teased.
After consideration, Jiang Li asked seriously, “Have you heard of jurisprudence? I studied it for years.”
Exchanging glances, Bai Hongtu and Yu Yin admitted they hadn’t. The term sounded law-related, but while the Great Zhou had legislative, penal, and civil codes, jurisprudence was unfamiliar.
“Never mind then.” Jiang Li declined to elaborate.
“Go on, words won’t cost you,” Bai Hongtu pressed.
Yu Yin remained silent but her gaze betrayed curiosity.
“Allow me some privacy.”
As they bantered, they noticed someone explaining idioms’ meanings and origins roadside, with a familiar face attentively taking notes.
Meng Youyou, Joyous Sect Leader, sat rigidly upright, scribbling diligently.
Bai Hongtu peeked at her notebook – filled with illustrations of… intimate positions between men and women.
The Joyous Sect specialized in refined, diversified services. Some clients favored scholarly-type disciples, so the Sect sent members here to study.
Though Meng Youyou’s study direction differed considerably from typical disciples.
“‘Debating multiple scholars’… so the Land of Gentlemen enjoys this style. Noted.”
The trio quickened their pace.
They really didn’t want to know what “debating multiple scholars” entailed in Meng Youyou’s context.