Chapter 68: Thug Count: +1
Liang Zhi Che expressed admiration for Jiang Ce’s wonderful life experiences: “You really are a newborn calf.”
Jiang Ce modestly waved his hand: “Not that impressive.”
“Speaking of which, I see you absorbed all the mercury poison here. Is that really okay?”
Jiang Ce stroked the wall hole that had just been smashed open, somewhat uncertain: “It should be fine. I left some, which should be enough to poison anyone who might come in later.”
Liang Zhi Che was covered in black lines: “I mean you. Are you okay?”
“Oh, me? I feel fine. Look.”
Jiang Ce casually swung a palm, but he had not learned any offensive sorcery, so he directly unleashed Righteous Qi.
The palm print hit the ground and actually melted a large pit in the surface.
Then, he looked up with an innocent smile: “Bone-Melting Cotton Palm!”
Pure Righteous Qi should not have destructive power, but enhanced by mercury poison that also had no effect on living things, it produced a wondrous reaction, gaining extraordinary corrosiveness.
Liang Zhi Che did not realize the seriousness of the matter and treated it as Jiang Ce’s fortuitous encounter, clicking his tongue in wonder: “Your Righteous Qi with black fire is indeed different.”
“This is the result of mercury poison’s influence, though I’m not clear on the principle either.” Jiang Ce lied without batting an eye, pushing all the anomalies onto the mercury poison.
“I just tried it, but I can’t do it.” Liang Zhi Che was very envious but had no choice.
“This shows your realm is insufficient. This applies not only to you but also to your brother.”
“Oh? Is there some reasoning behind that?”
Jiang Ce pondered briefly, seeming somewhat hesitant, but after sighing, he still said:
“Fine. Seeing that we are fated, both gatekeepers, both having cultivated the Confucian Path, and both frequenting Tieba, I’ll give you a pointer or two.”
“This buff is a bit much.”
“You haven’t comprehended the essence of the Confucian Path at all. When you encounter difficulties, you can think about what the Sage of Literature would do.”
After saying this, Jiang Ce recalled some unpleasant memories, then shook his head, throwing all the strange thoughts out of his mind, and continued:
“The Sage of Literature traveled through the states back then, carving out a place for himself amid the Hundred Schools of Thought, not by self-righteous arrogance or cherishing his broom, but by tolerance!”
“Tolerance?” Liang Zhi Che was puzzled.
Jiang Ce knew he would be puzzled, because he himself was just bullshitting, but he still explained solemnly:
“Why is the Sage of Literature the Sage of Literature? Before discussing this, I want to first talk about where other Confucian Cultivators fall short compared to the Sage of Literature.
First is your brother, who committed the sin of arrogance. He is merely Eighth Rank with some reputation, showing disdainful smiles to newcomers. Such a cultivator is doomed not to go far, and indeed that’s the case. After gaining Xiao Zhi Men’s favor with his minor talent, he lost heart in cultivation, was slain by me, and ultimately faded into obscurity.
In contrast, the Sage of Literature was very humble. Zi Lu, who blocked the road and robbed, was not punished but became an important disciple. This is the Sage of Literature’s mercy to the world. The Sage of Literature was not incapable of fighting but deliberately refrained from using overly powerful strength so as not to let the world overlook the true essence of the Confucian Path.
Next is you, who committed the sin of greed. You reached Ninth Rank at seventeen right out of the gate, which was naturally due to the Sage of Literature’s approval. But in the end, you were blinded by Tieba, no longer taking the Sage of Literature’s ideals as your own, no longer heeding your dad’s teachings, even thinking yourself a genius, and saying to me blasphemous words like ‘I’m Ninth Rank at seventeen, what about you?’ Thus, the Sage of Literature sent down divine punishment, and your cultivation stalled, taking five years to promote one rank.
Finally, Wei, who committed the sin of wrath. Oh, can’t talk about this one.
Anyway, none of you have comprehended the true essence of the Confucian Path, which is tolerance, not rejecting all schools to revere only Confucianism. So when someone like me, a relatively special cultivator, appears, you naturally assume I’m a heretic.
Not only that, everything in the world has its reason for existing. Mercury poison is just resources misplaced, yet you gave it a very unfriendly definition, seeing mercury poison as evil. With this preconceived notion, of course you can’t truly tolerate its power.
But I can. I not only tolerated the Confucian Path, without any misplaced hatred toward it because of your brother, but also didn’t distance myself from you or disdain you because of him. Nor did I hold a grudge against mercury poison just because it nearly harmed me. That’s why I could cultivate Righteous Qi in a short time, integrate mercury poison into my power, and elevate myself.
Imagine, if the Sage of Literature lacked a heart of tolerance and resented the Hundred Schools, how could he have achieved his later accomplishments and ascended to sagehood?”
“Though what you said feels like I’ve heard it somewhere before, for some reason I feel there’s some reason in it.”
Liang Zhi Che thought thoughtfully:
“So, what truly imprisons me is not Tieba, but myself. It’s that I haven’t accepted the current me, and under ingrained notions, I’ve naturally denied myself?”
“Right, that’s the idea.” Jiang Ce nodded slowly, holding back his laughter: “Tieba to you is like mercury poison to me. First accept your own imperfections, then accept it. That way, you’ll discover that the Confucian Path is always in your heart, and Righteous Qi protects not us humans, but the Confucian Path in our hearts!”
“The sea accepts a hundred rivers; only with tolerance is there greatness!” Jiang Ce said leisurely: “Is this not the supreme realm of the Confucian Path?”
“I… I get it! As long as I accept my own weakness, I’m invincible!”
Liang Zhi Che murmured.
The next moment, Liang Zhi Che’s entire body burst with pure white light. The merit he had accumulated over the years manifested crazily, merging into his body. Phrases from the Four Books and Five Classics were written in the air by his Righteous Qi and added to him.
Amid Jiang Ce’s stunned expression, Liang Zhi Che stepped into Seventh Rank!
“Born from mud yet unstained, washed in clear ripples yet not demonic. Isn’t this describing me?”
Liang Zhi Che stared dazedly at his powerful hands, letting out a long breath. The pent-up frustration and inferiority accumulated over years vanished instantly. In excitement, he half-knelt to Jiang Ce in a disciple’s salute:
“Thanks to Big Brother’s pointers, otherwise I don’t know how many more years I’d waste. Truly, I failed to see the true face of Lushan Mountain only because I was in it.
I’ve always pursued pure Confucian Path, yet never thought the profoundest Confucian Path is to tolerate all things. I’ve read so many classics, yet can’t match Big Brother’s efforts of mere days. I’m truly ashamed!”
“Ah… um. No problem. As long as my words helped you.” Jiang Ce spoke through gritted teeth, sourness in his tone.
But he only saw Liang Zhi Che’s enlightenment to Seventh Rank and didn’t consider how much merit he had accumulated in the past, needing just an opportunity to soar. Moreover, Liang Zhi Che’s promotion had its limits; compared to Jiang Ce’s steady ascension through lack of merit, it was still several levels inferior.
Still, no matter what, Jiang Ce admitted Liang Zhi Che was indeed a genius. Even bullshit could enlighten him, at least much stronger than his brother.
For such a person to befriend him after receiving his great favor was indeed a good thing. Connections are never too many. Besides big shots, useful underlings who can help get things done are equally important.
And Liang Zhi Che’s next words made Jiang Ce even more pleased:
“From now on, you’re my Big Brother. Liang Zhi Zhou? Don’t know him.”
“Great, great! From now on, I’m Confucius, you’re Zi Lu. Together we’ll unite to take down the other heretics!”
Already starting to stockpile drafts. If nothing unexpected, it’ll go on shelves this week. Five or six updates should be no problem. Also, checked the backend today and surprisingly some readers tipped. So touching, but too many to thank chapter by chapter. Will do a unified thanks on shelves. Thanks everyone for the support!
