The Courage of the Mohists (continued)

The professor said irritably, "You brat, you're already a renowned expert, yet you still talk so carelessly. You've ruined the image of a strong person. You need to be more careful in the future. Your every move represents the face of the Mohist School. You may not think so, but others will. Don't act as recklessly as before."

"The Doctor is mistaken. If I am careful in my words and deeds from now on, always mindful of my conduct, and strictly abide by the rules, then others will associate me with the reputation of the Mohist School. If I continue to act recklessly as before, others will see me as an exception within the Mohist School, and will not believe that my every move represents the Mohist School. After all, I am just a member of the Mohist School, not Mohist School Grandmaster. I don't have the face to represent the Mohist School. Besides, the Mohist School has already gained the trust of the world and established its own image, and will not be affected by my individual actions."

The doctor paused for a moment, then realized that there was some truth to what he was saying. Not everyone in the Mohist School was like Yan Jinghong or Xing Daozhuang, who prioritized public interest. There were also one or two mavericks, such as Wu Xiu, who acted eccentrically. He simply adhered to the most basic principle of not killing innocent people indiscriminately. Therefore, having one more Si Ming would not make a difference, nor would having one less Si Ming make a difference.

"You should still be careful, because I heard that your master plans to recommend you to become Mohist. Once you become Mohist, you must hold yourself to even stricter standards."

Si Ming asked in bewilderment, "Am I not Mohist yet?"

"You can only be considered a disciple of the Mohist School now. Anyone can call themselves a disciple of the Mohist School, but to join, Mohist must pass a strict review and have a recommender. If a mistake is made, the recommender will also bear some responsibility."

"Is that so? I'm already Grandmaster Candidate, yet I don't even have the qualifications to call myself Mohist?"

"To become Grandmaster, one must indeed be Mohist, but there are no such restrictions for Grandmaster Candidates. Moral assessment is one of the Grandmaster Trials, and it also serves to verify whether you are qualified to become Mohist. Your actions in the Northern Continent prove that you possess the courage of a gentleman."

Many people believe that chivalry originated from the Mohist school. Therefore, when criticizing chivalrous knights for being ruthless and brave, many people in later generations also criticize the Mohist School, believing that the Mohist School fostered this trend. In fact, the Mohist School also looked down on chivalrous knights. For example, they divided bravery into three categories: bravery in fishing and hunting, bravery in the five punishments, and bravery of a gentleman.

Fighting tigers and leopards, wrestling bears barehanded, and slaying dragons—this is the courage of hunting and fishing, neither good nor bad, unless it's done to rid the people of a scourge.

If you stab someone for One Sword glance, or kill their entire family for a mere look, this is the courage to face the five punishments. Wandering knights fall into this category, Mohist School consider it foolish courage that invites punishment upon oneself.

To single-handedly defeat a powerful state and save a weak one is called the courage of a gentleman. For example, when Cao Mo met with the leader of the Qi state after the Battle of Changshao, he concealed a sharp blade on his body, kidnapped Duke Huan of Qi, and forced Duke Huan of Qi to retreat and stop attacking Lu. This is the kind of courage advocated by the Mohist School.

Upon hearing this, Si Ming laughed and said, "The courage of a gentleman is not something one can do all the time, but punishing the courage of those who use the five punishments is not difficult."

The professor said helplessly, "We should try diplomacy first, then resort to force."

The two men immediately exchanged a smile, referring to a story from the Mohist School.

In the days when order was not yet established in the Sea Continent, there was a peerless swordsman named Luo Huali, known as the Sword King. He was renowned for his bravery and always challenged and killed masters of swordsmanship. Mozi then visited him and advised him, saying that Luo Huali did not love bravery, but rather hated it. Otherwise, why would he kill brave warriors?

If this were said to a "warrior," the other party would naturally not listen. Moreover, Luo Huali did not agree with the idea of courage based on the Five Punishments and the courage of a gentleman. However, the Mohist School were good at arguing, and he could not win the argument. He could only pretend not to hear it and continue to do as he pleased, challenging the famous swordsmen.

When Mozi found that the other party was unyielding, he had no choice but to select one of his disciples and beat him with a wooden sword until he was bedridden for three months. From then on, Luo Huali had a profound awakening, agreed with the idea of the courage of a gentleman, and followed Mozi as Mohist.

In the Sea Continent, none of the founders of the various schools of thought were weaklings. Having martial prowess doesn't guarantee academic success, but lacking it certainly prevents one from achieving it. If someone can't win a theoretical argument against you, they'll try to eliminate you physically. Even on Earth, there's the story of Confucian School executing Kongzi Shaozheng Mao. Don't expect that in a world with extraordinary martial arts, people will be gentlemen who use words rather than fists.

The Mohist School were skilled in debate, not because they were just glib, but because they practiced the principles of universal love and non-aggression, and did not easily engage in combat. They diligently practiced debating for the sake of the other party—"We don't want to hurt you!"

After laughing, seeing that Si Ming understood, the doctor didn't try to persuade him any further. After all, the other party's status was different now, and some things were best left unsaid. He couldn't continue to act like an elder and lecture him as before, as that would only damage their relationship. Besides, the other party had his own master to take care of things, and there was no need for him to meddle.

Should I buy a formal dress for my class reunion?

Murong Qing suddenly realized that, apart from her school uniform, casual clothes, and training clothes, she didn't have a single formal outfit suitable for attending a banquet.

While cracking sunflower seeds, Yao Bilian said, "Absolutely. You have to show your charm to keep those scheming young women in check. Si Ming is handsome, skilled in martial arts, quick-witted, and smooth-talking. He's naturally very popular with girls. In high school, everyone was focused on studying and didn't think about anything else. But once they get to university, after comparing, many will definitely realize who the real talent is. Quite a few will start to have their eyes on him. You have to keep a close eye on him and not let any flies land on him."

Hongdou, oblivious to everything, said, "Why don't I buy a fly swatter and you take it to the class reunion?"

Murong Qing said helplessly, "Who would bring a fly swatter to a class reunion?"

Hongdou thought for a moment and said, "Then... why not get a tattoo? I've seen Little Shuying's subordinates often use tattoos to scare people. They just roll up their sleeves and show the tattoos on their arms, and the other person doesn't dare to say a word."

"Tattoos are a bad thing." Murong Qing, a long-time recipient of the "Three Good Student" award, frowned upon hearing this.

Although the Mohist School did not believe, like the Confucian School, that "our bodies, hair, and skin are given to us by our parents" and should not be easily damaged, the Mohist School valued practicality, and naturally did not advocate for something as meaningless as tattoos.

Yao Bilian said, "As long as you like it, that's all that matters. Tattoos don't mean anything; it's a personal hobby, there's no need to make a big deal out of it."

As he spoke, he rolled up his trouser leg, revealing his ankle. Sure enough, there was a string of tattoos on it, and they were in bird seal script, exuding a mysterious aura. They were intertwined together, with a green background, looking like a circle of thin vines, quite wild.

Hongdou said, "If you don't like tattoos, I can draw one for you, it's the kind of ink that can only be removed with a special liquid."

If it's something that can be erased, Murong Qing isn't so opposed. Looking at Yao Bilian's tattoo, which she found quite sexy, she murmured to herself, "I wonder if that guy likes it?"

What do you like?

As soon as you speak of Cao Cao, Cao Cao appears. Si Ming pushes open the door and enters. With his keen hearing, he naturally hears Murong Qing's voice.

Murong Qing blushed and said, "It has nothing to do with you."

Hongdou, completely lacking any concept of privacy as a young woman, immediately reported, "We were discussing tattoos."

"Then that concerns me. I can't let others take advantage of you," Si Ming said domineeringly.

Murong Qing did not refute. If it were really like Yao Bilian, where it was placed on the ankle or something similar, it would indeed be inappropriate for others to see it. A girl's feet are, after all, a private matter.

Hongdou asked Si Ming for his opinion, "I'm planning to get a tattoo. What design do you think would be good?"

"Get a tattoo? Why don't you use stickers?"

Si Ming disliked large tattoos, stubbornly believing they were a symbol of the underworld. However, he wasn't too opposed to small, inconspicuous tattoos, provided they were only shown to him.

"Then why don't you just draw Peppa Pig? It suits your style better."

Hongdou asked curiously, "What is Peppa Pig?"

Si Ming picked up a paintbrush and sketched it on the paper.

Yao Bilian stared at it for a while, then frowned and said, "Are you sure this isn't a hair dryer that has come to life?"

"If you don't understand the implications, that's fine," Si Ming actually thought it was pretty silly, "Why are you guys suddenly talking about tattoos?"

Yao Bilian said, "We're discussing how to prevent you from being seduced by other women."

Si Ming said speechlessly, "What's there to discuss? Murong Qing is now the youngest Spirit Transformation Grandmaster in the history of Su State. Once he reveals this identity, who would dare to compete with Spirit Transformation Grandmaster for a man?"