Chapter 430: The Effect Was Excellent

During these days traveling through the Land of Gentlemen, what struck Jiang Li most was its rigidity. 

People lived according to prescribed ways, with every word and action following the Confucius Sage’s teachings, leaving little room for freedom. 

It was like carriages traveling on official roads – while these roads appeared broad and interconnected, the carriages could only move along them, far less free than pedestrians. 

Pedestrians could wander into roadside forests, mountain streams, or open fields, enjoying much greater freedom than carriages. 

Jiang Li didn’t know if this was the Land of Gentlemen as envisioned by the Confucius Sage, but it certainly wasn’t what he had imagined. 

The Land of Gentlemen had too many rules – even buying something required prolonged polite refusals, and people’s words and actions followed strict norms. Deviating from these norms meant one couldn’t be considered a gentleman. 

All three of them found this excessively troublesome. 

Visiting for a few days was tolerable, but staying for months or years would be unbearably dull.

The upcoming appearance of Dong Zhongren matched the overall atmosphere of the Land of Gentlemen. 

Dong Zhongren appeared dressed more solemnly, seriously, and properly than usual. 

He was naturally a serious person, particular and rigid about his attire – even all the Ministers of Rites from various imperial courts combined couldn’t match Dong Zhongren’s knowledge. 

Just as many nations had the unwritten rule that Ministers of Justice must study at the Great Zhou Imperial Academy, Ministers of Rites also needed to spend time studying under the Confucian Sect. 

Dong Zhongren proceeded according to the millennia-old rules of the Confucius Sage’s birthday celebration, methodically and orderly. 

First came praises for the Confucius Sage’s birth – described as a coincidental convergence of cosmic chances, an inevitability among accidents, a fortunate event for all living beings across realms. 

Then came recollections of the legendary deeds of the Confucius Sage, demonstrating his greatness. 

Of course, Dong Zhongren omitted the legend about the Confucius Sage seeking enlightenment from the Dao Ancestor. 

Next was the explanation of the relationship between Dong Zhongshu, the founding patriarch of the Confucian Sect, and the Confucius Sage – though separated by several generations, Dong Zhongren tried hard to associate Dong Zhongshu’s status with the Confucius Sage. 

Jiang Li couldn’t help but admire Dong Zhongren’s imagination. 

Originally, Jiang Li thought Ji Zhi’s opening speech at the martial arts tournament was boring enough, but here was something even more tedious. 

Thinking about it, this made sense – Ji Zhi’s speech had been prepared by the Ministry of Rites, whose officials all had Confucian Sect training. With this connection, dullness was inevitable. 

After the lengthy reminiscences came carefully prepared performances – poetry recitals, plays, and such. 

Were the performances good? Yes. Did they reflect the cultural heritage of the Nine Provinces? Absolutely. 

But they still felt incredibly uninteresting. 

If Bai Hongtu went down there to perform some stand-up comedy…

Jiang Li suddenly realized his train of thought was problematic. 

Glaring at Bai Hongtu, Jiang Li blamed the fool’s influence for this mental corruption. 

Bai Hongtu looked utterly innocent, completely unaware why Jiang Li was staring at him with those big round eyes. 

“Jingxin, you’re here too?” Jiang Li suddenly noticed Holy Maiden Jingxin, with only Bai Hongtu separating them. 

Jingxin responded with a mosquito-like whisper: “I’m representing the Red Dust Pure Land.” 

Summoning courage, she started a conversation: “Jiang Li, what do you think of the Confucian Sect’s performances?” 

“Quite boring,” Jiang Li answered. Considering this was Confucian territory where even whispers could be heard by Unity Stage cultivators, he used sound transmission to ensure only Jingxin could hear. 

“I think so too. Even the plain life at Red Dust Pure Land has books for company – reading is better than watching these performances.” 

Initially, Jingxin had been somewhat angry about being sent by her master, who must have known how dull the Confucian performances were. 

But seeing Jiang Li made the trip worthwhile. 

“What books have you been reading recently?” Jiang Li found this curious, as he didn’t recall Jingxin being bookish. 

In his memory, she either played games, cultivated, or stayed in her room for hours upon hearing of his arrival at Red Dust Pure Land – rarely seen reading. 

Jingxin hesitated, embarrassed to admit she’d been reading her own novel: “Books… about the Mahayana Stage.” 

Assuming she meant cultivation notes he’d written, Jiang Li joked: “Why not just say you’re reading books about me?” 

With his permission granted, Jingxin smiled happily: “Yes, books about you.” 

Speaking of her novel “Overbearing Great Ascension Cultivator Falls For Me,” Jingxin felt indescribable emotions. 

Originally worried about poor writing, she’d anonymously printed copies for all Red Dust Pure Land disciples to test reactions. 

The effect was excellent – after reading, everyone fell for Jiang Li. 

“Why did I create rivals for myself?” Jingxin almost wished she could find Ji Zhi to send herself back in time. 

She’d secretly approached Su Wei about brewing regret medicine. 

Su Wei gave her a strange look, saying there was no regret medicine, only its counterpart – forget-regret medicine that made one forget regrettable actions. 

Of course, Jingxin didn’t take it. 

“This person looks unfamiliar,” Jiang Li noticed a stranger sitting nearby at their table, only at Nascent Soul Stage despite his age. 

The stranger respectfully replied: “Greetings, Human Sovereign. I am the ruler of the Land of Gentlemen.” 

Jiang Li understood – this being the Land of Gentlemen, its ruler naturally occupied the main seat. 

Bai Hongtu asked: “With your modest cultivation, how did you become ruler?” 

“Greetings, Sect Master Bai. The Land of Gentlemen values virtue over strength. Though I fall far short of the Confucius Sage’s standards for a gentleman, everyone insisted I take the position.” 

“You look familiar – Dong Zhongren’s junior brother?” Yu Yin recognized the ruler. 

“Greetings, Empress. Indeed, Dong Zhongren is my senior brother.” 

Bai Hongtu was surprised – given the ruler’s ordinary talent, how had he become Dong Zhongren’s junior brother? 

As if reading his thoughts, the ruler explained: “Our master selects disciples by character, not talent. I was fortunate to gain his approval.” 

“With your Confucian Sect status, obtaining cultivation resources should be easy,” Jiang Li remarked. 

The ruler replied shamefacedly: “With my mediocre talent, how could I waste the precious resources my senior brothers and sisters worked so hard to accumulate?” 

“You’re just creating trouble for yourself and others,” interjected the Great Scholar’s Manuscript. “With only Nascent Soul Stage lifespan of a few hundred years, do you want Dong Zhongren heartbroken when you die?” 

The Manuscript always spoke bluntly. 

“Of all Confucian Sect members, you’re the most rigid – even Dong Zhongren isn’t this stubborn.” 

“Greetings, Great Scholar’s Manuscript.” The ruler bowed respectfully. 

“Here we go again with your tedious etiquette. Is this really necessary?” 

“Proper decorum requires it.” 

“Hopeless case. Do as you please.” The Manuscript gave up on him.