Chapter 809: Chapter 271: Recruitment and Harmony (Happy Mother’s Day!)

In the prison, the old Confucian from the Ink Pool took an iron brand.

The front half of the iron brand was in a coal furnace, heated till it glowed red, and the very tip was carved with a character.

Upon closer look, Ning Zhuo found it was the character “Ren” (Benevolence).

The old Confucian from the Ink Pool, holding this “Ren” character brand, walked up to the Silent Ghost General.

The Silent Ghost General was bound, unable to move, only gazing calmly at the old Confucian from the Ink Pool.

Without a single hesitation, the old Confucian pressed the iron brand directly onto the forehead of the Silent Ghost General, right between his brows.

Chizzz…

The glowing red iron brand seared a trail of black smoke into the Ghost General’s forehead.

In an instant, the air was filled with the stench of burning flesh.

The old Confucian pressed the brand firmly for five full breaths before slowly pulling it back and placing it back into the coal furnace.

The Silent Ghost General’s head dropped weakly, and his breathing turned coarse.

Seeing Ning Zhuo’s slight surprise, Wen Ruanyu timely explained: “Our Confucian cultivation consists of the Five Constants: Benevolence, Righteousness, Propriety, Wisdom, and Trust.”

“Benevolence is love for others, the foundation of Confucianism.”

“If you wish to erect yourself, help others to stand; if you wish to reach your goals, help others reach theirs.”

“A benevolent person has a kind heart, virtues as stable as mountains. They can bestow kindness, offer forgiveness, cultivate goodness as their foundation, and treat others with a sincere heart…”

Ning Zhuo listened intently.

Whether it was the old Confucian Zheng Shoumo or the True Inheritance Wen Ruanyu, both were Confucian Cultivators.

Being unfamiliar with Confucian cultivation, Ning Zhuo naturally perked up his ears, eager to learn upon hearing the expert’s explanations.

Seeing the Silent Ghost General focusing solely on breathing heavily, the old Confucian took another iron brand from the coal furnace.

This time, the brand was different, featuring the character for “Yi” (Righteousness).

Whoosh.

Zheng Shoumo pressed the brand against the Silent Ghost General’s left shoulder, again filling the air with the smell of burning.

The intense pain made the Silent Ghost General throw his head back, staring at the ceiling, but his expression remained indifferent, his gaze ever calm.

Seeing this display, the old Confucian mused: “Good, your eyes reflect well; I hope your Heart Qi Strength remains the same.”

Ning Zhuo: …

Wen Ruanyu explained again: “Righteousness is appropriateness and the thread of the Righteous Path.”

“A gentleman values righteousness above all, establishing himself by following the path.”

“Righteousness does not lie in power, but in the heart. Even when faced with difficulties, one must adhere to integrity, unwavering in original aspirations…”

“Righteousness means acting according to public principles, unaffected by personal gain; with righteous qi, the mind is unmoved by distractions.”

Ning Zhuo secretly committed these teachings to memory.

The old Confucian set aside the “Yi” character brand and took out a third brand, featuring the character for “Li” (Propriety).

He applied the same method, branding the character “Li” onto the Silent Ghost General’s left shoulder. The Silent Ghost General sealed his lips tightly, biting his teeth,

remaining silent despite the pain.

The old Confucian looked him over, complimenting him sincerely: “You’re indeed a tough man!”

Wen Ruanyu explained once more to Ning Zhuo: “Propriety is respect, the standard for people’s behavior.”

“It is also said: Propriety is the principle, the order of heaven and earth, the nation’s great matter.”

“Furthermore: Propriety is respect for people and the method for treating objects. Following propriety like the wind, holding awe in the heart, behaving with dignity, nothing falls out of place…”

Wen Ruanyu seemed most deeply versed in this area.

He even added some personal insights: “Etiquette is not hypocrisy, but the unity of inner respect and outward behavior, adhering to heavenly principles and human paths, knowing when to advance or retreat, understanding the weight of matters, discerning right from wrong…”

Ning Zhuo gained much, promptly cupping his hands in thanks.

He recalled seeing Wen Ruanyu in battle near the Netherworld Flood Dragon River, where his mastery in propriety was indeed profound, making many Water Ghosts and Yin Soldiers lay down their weapons and engage in etiquette, allowing themselves to be at the mercy of others.

“Benevolence, Righteousness, Propriety, Wisdom, Trust… With Benevolence, Righteousness, and Propriety already done, only Wisdom and Trust remain.”

Ning Zhuo discerned the pattern and had long noticed that the coal furnace contained many iron brands, but the foremost ones were buried deep in the furnace, concealing their specific characters.

The old Confucian inserted the brand back but did not immediately take out the fourth one.

He turned to Wen Ruanyu, saying: “Lord Wen, this enemy general is indeed the toughest man I’ve ever encountered. I branded three characters in a row, yet he didn’t even flinch or utter a sound. I’m afraid the next two characters won’t pry open his mouth either.”

“Ashamed.”

“I bragged excessively earlier, and now I’m embarrassed.”

“It’s my short-sightedness underestimating the heroic figures of the world.”

Wen Ruanyu frowned: “What should we do then?”

The old Confucian replied: “I have another method, I can use this person’s toughness to extract more information.”

A moment later, the Green-Faced Ghost General, Bone-Club Ghost General, Peanut Ghost General, and Tusk Ghost General were all brought into the cell.

The old Confucian said: “Your leader is truly a tough man. Even with three characters, he remained silent.”

“Watch carefully, I hope you all can maintain such toughness!”

As he spoke, the old Confucian took out the “Zhi” (Wisdom) character brand and fiercely branded the Silent Ghost General’s thigh.

The Silent Ghost General’s body trembled in agony, yet he still did not utter a sound.

Upon seeing this, the four other Ghost Generals’ faces changed drastically, some struggled desperately, letting out muffled cries, but remained bound and unable to break free.

Wen Ruanyu introduced again to Ning Zhuo, but this time, he used Divine Sense Transmission: “Wisdom is the ability to act on knowledge, the enlightened wisdom.”

“Those who know are not as good as those who love, and those who love are not as good as those who delight in knowledge…”

“The wise are clear-sighted, recognizing the changes in circumstances, perceiving subtle signs and interpreting the greater picture, considering things thoroughly, making clear decisions…”

Ning Zhuo nodded silently, joyful in his heart: “I’ve learned, I’ve learned.”

The old Confucian couldn’t help but give a thumbs-up to the Silent Ghost General: “Good, you are the toughest prisoner I’ve seen in my life.”

“I’ve never seen anyone withstand five characters in a row, I hope you can break this record.”

Whoosh.

The next moment, the “Xin” (Trust) character brand was also pressed onto the right thigh of the Silent Ghost General, branding the character “Xin” there.