Only at the Mahayana Stage Does the Reversal System Appear - Chapter 427

Chapter 425: When three people walk together, one of them must be my teacher

one of them must be my teacher. Confucianism has always pursued a nation of gentlemen where everyone is modest. Dong Zhongren has achieved self-cultivation and family harmony, and is currently in the stage of governing the country.

As for pacifying the world, it is a long way off.

Jiang Li had heard a long time ago that Dong Zhongren wanted to establish a nation of gentlemen, and it had always been in the experimental stage. Unexpectedly, it had successfully established a nation of gentlemen

without making any noise. It is probably to celebrate the birthday of Confucianism, but it has been kept secret until today.

…

The nation of gentlemen was established near Confucianism, so it was easy to find a place, before the birthday of Confucianism.

“Is this the nation of gentlemen? It’s quite lively.”

The atmosphere in the nation of gentlemen was lively, and they were preparing to celebrate the birthday of Confucianism in a few days.

Jiang Li and Bai Hongtu considered themselves gentlemen, so it was natural for them to enter the nation of gentlemen to broaden their horizons and learn from each other’s strengths and weaknesses.

“Speaking of which, the people of Dongzhong once built a prototype of a country of gentlemen, saying that everyone in that country was humble and respectful to each other. I didn’t believe it. I threw a handful of top-grade spirit stones on the side of the road, and sure enough, the people of that country started scrambling for them. I’ve never seen the people of Dongzhong get so angry.” Bai Hongtu shrugged, not believing in the existence of a country of gentlemen.

As he was speaking, someone dropped a storage ring on the ground and was picked up by another person.

The storage ring was worth a fortune, but the man didn’t harbor any desire to possess it. Instead, he called out to the owner, “Brother, your storage ring is gone.”

The owner took the ring and thanked him, “This storage ring is an heirloom from my family and holds immense significance. Please keep these spirit stones as a token of your gratitude.”

The man who found the ring waved his hands, “Brother, absolutely not! Returning property to its original owner is a matter of course. How can I expect a reward? If I receive a reward today, won’t someone come after me and ask for spirit stones in the future?”

The owner was ashamed, “Brother, you’re very thoughtful. I was inconsiderate.”

The two exchanged greetings, demonstrating humility.

Bai Hongtu was amused. This country of gentlemen truly possessed something special.

The two continued to observe, finding the buying and selling of things by the people here quite interesting.

“Shopkeeper, this agate is of good quality. I’d like to buy it. How many spirit stones are there?”

“Ten low-grade spirit stones.

” “Here, fifteen low-grade spirit stones.

” “No, no, no, that’s too much.”

“Take it. I like this agate. I think it’s worth fifteen low-grade spirit stones.”

“Then I’ll give you another agate.” The shopkeeper took out a piece of agate of similar quality, also worth ten low-grade spirit stones.

“That’s not necessary. A gentleman doesn’t accept rewards without merit. I’d be ashamed to accept such a gift.”

“Of course I want it. A gentleman should be rewarded. You and I are both gentlemen, so gifts are normal.”

“A gentleman’s friendship is as pure as water; gifts are not the basis of communication.”

“It’s just a small token of my appreciation.”

“You’re welcome, but I still can’t accept it.”

The two men balked at each other for a long time before finally closing the deal, leaving Jiang Li and Bai Hongtu dozing off.

“These guys don’t think it’s a hassle,” Bai Hongtu said with a pout. The business of exchanging money for goods was as sticky as candy, impossible to break.

“Or you’re a fake gentleman.” Jiang Li looked down on Bai Hongtu.

“Don’t you think this is troublesome?”

“I’m a fake gentleman too.”

Jiang Li also despised himself.

As the two were arguing, a monk, gently waving a paper fan, walked towards them. The fan had a landscape painting on the paper, embellished with poetry, and he was obviously a Confucian monk.

“You two look very unfamiliar. I think you are from outside. I see that you are upright and righteous. I wonder if you are interested in joining our Three Gentlemen’s Association?”

“Good judgment.” Bai Hongtu hadn’t heard anyone praise his integrity in a long time.

“Three Gentlemen’s Association?” Jiang Li didn’t care about the empty reputation and noticed the name of the organization.

“That’s right. You two may not have heard of us, but our Three Gentlemen’s Association is a well-known organization in the Gentlemen’s Country, spread throughout the country. The name comes from the saying, ‘When three people walk together, there must be one who can be my teacher. Choose the good and follow them, and change the bad.’ Countless gentlemen have chosen to join our association, including many Confucianists.”

Jiang Li asked with interest, “But there are only two of us. Can we join your association?”

“Of course we can. Three is just a figure. In fact, two people can also be four.”

“Is that so? I was thinking of using the One Qi Transformation into Three Pure Ones to make up the number if we’re not big enough.” Jiang Li almost used magic.

“Haha, you’re really a wonderful person.” The members of the Gentlemen’s Association thought Jiang Li was joking. The One Qi Transformation into Three Pure Ones is a secret of the Taoist sect and is extremely difficult to practice. Even a powerful person with a combined body can’t achieve it. How could this person in front of him be able to do it?

“May I know your names?”

“Tang Li, the Tang of 300 Tang Poems.”

“Bai Lantu, the Lantu of the grand blueprint.”

The two men confidently gave their pseudonyms, even explaining their origins.

The Confucian cultivator clasped his fists, “Brother Tang and Brother Bai.”

The Confucian cultivator led the two men to a Gentlemen’s Society base. “There’s a prerequisite for joining our Gentlemen’s Society.”

“The Confucian sages taught us to learn from the strengths of our peers and correct our weaknesses. Please look for each other’s strengths.”

Jiang Li and Bai Hongtu exchanged a glance, as if facing a formidable enemy.

They hadn’t expected the entrance exam to be so difficult.

“Can I mention your weaknesses?” Jiang Li rattled off a list of Bai Hongtu’s shortcomings without even thinking.

The Confucian cultivators admired him: “Strengths are easy to learn, but weaknesses are hard to correct. You two are truly gentlemen, making things difficult for yourselves. However, joining our Gentlemen’s Society doesn’t require such a difficult test.”

Bai Hongtu thought for a moment and said sincerely: “Tang Li is full of strengths.”

“I would like to hear more about him.”

“He is full of spiritual energy. Even the spiritual energy contained in a drop of sweat is enough to elevate a cultivator in the Foundation Establishment Stage to the Fusion Stage. Anyone who can eat a piece of his flesh will gain immortality.”

The Confucian cultivator looked at Jiang Li, unsure whether to address him as Brother Tang or Elder Tang.

Jiang Li also spoke sincerely, “Bai Lantu’s strength is that he corrects his mistakes. He used to grind his teeth and snore when he slept, but I gave him some advice and he changed.”

“How did he do it?” the Confucian cultivator was curious. If it was something that could be changed, then he’d learn.

“By not sleeping.”

“Nonsense!” Bai Hongtu was furious. This kid, Jiang Li, was simply slandering me. How could a person be so conscienceless?

“You were the one who first suggested eating a piece of my flesh would grant you immortality. A gentleman should reciprocate,” Jiang Li replied calmly.

Bai Hongtu countered, “Your strength is that you insist on being true to yourself. You never eat anything you don’t like.”

Jiang Li was not to be outdone: “Your strength is that you know how to adapt. You always find loopholes in any rule.”

“Your strength is that you know how to use people well. Every one of your subordinates is capable.”

“Your strength is that you are eloquent and never tell the truth.”

Without hesitation, the two pointed out each other’s strengths.

The Confucian cultivators felt that these two people were promising talents. This was just a minor disagreement, not a big deal.

“Congratulations to both of you for becoming members of the Three Gentlemen’s Club.” The Confucian cultivators applauded.

(End of this chapter)