Chapter 458: Large-Scale Brainwashing Scene

"You've firmly decided to pursue the high-path route, right?"

Chen Guanlou confirmed no one was eavesdropping before he asked Zhao Mingqiao about private matters.

Zhao Mingqiao, disregarding manners, downed a cup of tea in one gulp and wiped his mouth with his sleeve.

He said solemnly: "How do you pursue the low-path route? Aside from rebellion, I can't think of another way. Can you? Since the low-path route is ruled out, the only option left for us is the high-path route."

"Do you know that pursuing the high-path route is essentially making a pact with tigers?"

"I know," Zhao Mingqiao raised his head proudly, his spirit ablaze. "I've analyzed the pros and cons countless times. I've foreseen every problem, every suppression, even every possible slaughter. But so what? Does difficulty mean we shouldn't act? If not us, then who? Who else can this world rely on?"

"Can we rely on Guo Dachun? Or the Prince of Chu? Or those nobles and powerful clans? No one can be relied upon—only ourselves, only us. Our strength is small, but it grows every day. Half a year ago, I could never have raised this much silver for a share. Today, I've brought not just money, but my conviction and confidence."

It was a deeply compelling speech.

Chen Guanlou thought that if he hadn't awakened his past-life wisdom, encountering Zhao Mingqiao like this, he would have been utterly swayed, willing to follow him to the death.

But he had awakened his past-life wisdom; having lived two lives, serving as beast of burden, he had long seen through the essence of how society operated.

He took a small sip of tea—his heart had hardened into iron. No matter how grand the promises, no matter how beautiful the illusions, even if gold and silver lay before him, he wouldn't be fooled, wouldn't join this crowd.

Of course, that meant if they succeeded, he wouldn't share in the fruits of victory.

He couldn't convince himself to join such a group, couldn't support them—only occasionally lend quiet backing. But that didn't stop him from admiring these fanatics; those with conviction were truly remarkable.

He admired Zhao Mingqiao—sincerely, deeply.

In his eyes, Yu Zhaoan and Xie Changling fell short of Zhao Mingqiao.

The first two were too shrewd and worldly, just like himself. Only the latter carried a pure heart, fueled by ideals and conviction—truly remarkable.

He lifted his teacup. "I toast you with tea. I hope one day to see you succeed."

"That day will come—not long now," Zhao Mingqiao said with confidence. "I must go to the Heavenly Prison to encourage the students, to give them hope. I ask for your permission."

Chen Guanlou nodded and agreed. He summoned two jailers to escort Zhao Mingqiao into the Heavenly Prison to do ideological work.

Qian Fugui crept up quietly. "Sir, are you troubled?"

"Has all the money been accounted for?"

"Report, Sir—all funds have been recorded. Here is the ledger. The figures have been verified—no errors or omissions."

Chen Guanlou flipped through the ledger casually—he trusted Qian Fugui's accounting skills.

"Are you worried about Zhao Mingqiao?"

"Which eye do you see me worrying about him?" Chen Guanlou rolled his eyes.

Qian Fugui chuckled awkwardly. "When Master Zhao was imprisoned before, I had several dealings with him—I know he's a man beyond ordinary understanding, with extraordinary vision. This time's imprisoned radical seems much like Master Zhao—likely the same kind of man. I never imagined there'd be so many like Master Zhao in the capital."

"There are indeed many."

Like a pyramid scheme, recruiting loyal members—within a short time, they'd built a sizable organization. Clearly, many agreed with Zhao Mingqiao's views; even more were dissatisfied with reality.

All hoped to change this rotten system. If they could contribute even a little in the process, these fanatical scholars would unquestionably see themselves as the chosen ones.

He could easily picture how Zhao Mingqiao would inspire the imprisoned radicals—turning imprisonment into a path of enlightenment, emerging reborn, ascending to a new realm of life.

Chen Guanlou couldn't help but smile faintly.

Had he been wrong about the reform direction of the Heavenly Prison's A- and B-Cells? How had it become a place of enlightenment and realm advancement? If this spread, he'd never be able to explain it.

"Sir, aren't you worried Master Zhao will cause bigger trouble and drag you into it?"

"I fear nothing!" Chen Guanlou was blunt. "With my reputation and the Hou Fu backing me, who the hell would bother me? Who'd dare drag me into that gang of fanatics? They're asking for death!"

I won't say much else, but if the Hou Fu wants to crush a few petty officials, it's child's play. Only Jiang Tu, protected by the Emperor, escaped unscathed. Look at his underlings—how many are still alive? Those men held official posts! Dead is dead—did anyone ever pursue justice?"

Qian Fugui understood—he grasped Chen Guanlou's stance.

With backing, he had no fear of trouble.

To others, Zhao Mingqiao was a hot potato; to Chen Guanlou, he was no different—cash on delivery, fair to all.

Having a powerful, well-connected superior was a blessing. Even his inner circle rode the wave—ruling the Heavenly Prison like lords. Who could have imagined that just a few years ago, they were insignificant jailers, kicked around by anyone?

Now, everyone calls him Master Qian.

Qian Fugui was Chen Guanlou's steward—managing his money, not the prison's accountant.

Zhao Mingqiao was a gifted speaker—he chattered for nearly two hours inside the prison without feeling hungry. The radicals were fired up, howling with enthusiasm, treating imprisonment as spiritual cultivation, a journey of enlightenment, finding no hardship at all. Even those who'd initially despaired at the conditions now changed their minds.

This prison? Must be served well.

Enlightenment!

Cultivation!

Realm advancement!

Life transcendence!

Chen Guanlou glanced over—couldn't bear to look. A full-scale brainwashing cult scene.

He couldn't bring himself to expose it.

After all, they were young men with conviction—let them dwell in their dreams, let them soar.

He once again realized deeply: he was just an ordinary man, vulgar beyond redemption, seeing only silver and gold. Beyond gold and silver, he recognized no kin.

His spiritual realm was far too low—but he remained as ever: lying flat, doing nothing.

There's merit in being ordinary!

Ordinary life is the true meaning of existence.

When Zhao Mingqiao stepped out of the prison, parched and hoarse, Chen Guanlou gave him a thumbs-up. "You really can talk. No wonder those radicals see you as their life mentor."

"What mentor? I'm just a flag-bearer—ensuring no one strays off the path."