Elder Zong emphasized that Confucianism, in both form and content, has undergone significant changes in later generations, even to the point of becoming unrecognizable. What he wants to talk about is its origin—the study of masters.

The focus of the study of masters is the foundation of its theories, which is the previously unsystematically summarized "method of human nature restoration."

"The method of human nature restoration" is merely a tool to analyze how we should view things and what basis we use to derive behavioral guidelines.

It implants a cultural gene: the moral principles recognized by the people of Eastern Country stem from self-reflection on human nature.

It can be combined with the background of each era, drawing more new thoughts from historical development, including the modern narrative theory of class.

Why do we need to resist class oppression? I don't want to be oppressed; humans should not oppress others. Even if it's difficult to eliminate oppression in reality, the immorality of class oppression can become a sort of social consensus.

It does not refer to a specific person against another specific person, but rather the systemic structure under which society operates.

The acceptance of class narrative theory by modern Eastern Country naturally stems from self-reflection on human nature, rather than some innate moral decree.

What would happen if we departed from this logical premise?

From a plain emotional perspective, class oppression is certainly wrong because it evidently violates the principle of fairness! But where does our understanding of fairness come from, and why is it so evident?

In such a situation, the so-called principle of fairness becomes an innate moral decree, self-evident and without needing explanation, almost akin to some sort of divine will.

Such divine will implies the existence of a priest-like deconstruction. For instance, one could argue that some forms of class oppression are fairer, most typically mirrored in the theory of free competition in capitalist societies.

That's why we see absurd arguments like "ten years of hard study cannot compare to three generations of effort," and derogatory terms like "small-town test-takers"…

This is the greatest flaw of early class narrative theory, and Eastern Country's traditional cultural gene can well make up for this missing link; it's a thinking mode embedded in the national subconscious.

It is not so grand, but humble to the dust.

The content in the Divine Thought Heart Seal also includes two other books. A religious mythology entitled "The Covenant" and a philosophical work "Critique of Judgment," mainly to help Lan Jiwan understand what the so-called innate moral decree is.

Essentially, it is a demand imposed on people without taking responsibility for people, which is another subconscious way of thinking.

Jiwan wrinkled her nose and said, "I didn't expect there would be homework! Brother, you brought me here today just to make me read these books?"

He Kao: "Not really, I just didn't know how to answer your question. Actually, what I wanted to ask was very simple, did the girl we encountered when we first arrived remind you of yourself?"

That was my main reason for bringing you here!"

Lan Jiwan hesitated for a moment, eventually lowered her head and replied, "Yes, I was about the same age as her at the time."

At that time, Lan Jiwan had just met Bitter Tea, it was the summer right after graduating from high school and before entering university.

But the two cannot be simply compared; Lan Jiwan's meeting with Bitter Tea was the start of a nightmare, while that girl found herself on the streets at that age, with her life nearing its end.

He Kao did not dwell on the difference, and turned the conversation with a change of tone: "How are your parents?"

Lan Jiwan managed to remain composed earlier, but now her voice trembled a bit: "They're doing quite well, they had a second child last year, who is now almost a year old."

Lan Jiwan's father works in a state-owned enterprise, and her mother works in a public institution. Both are middle-level managers, still far from retirement age at over forty; having a second, even third child complies with the latest national policy.

But to Lan Jiwan, it felt like they scrapped the old account to start a new one.

Lan Jiwan became a "cleaner" under Bitter Tea's command, and once she realized her predicament, she began to distance herself from her parents and friends, smoking and drinking, getting tattoos and going to bars…almost got expelled from university, but eventually managed to get her diploma.

From their anger and reprimands, to bitter pleas, to complete disappointment, her parents eventually cut off contact completely…In fact, even if they wanted to reconnect, they couldn't.

What could they do except pretend they never had this daughter!

He Kao's words hit precisely at the most vulnerable part of Lan Jiwan's heart.

Bitter Tea used to be her biggest nightmare, but Bitter Tea is dead now, even the whole Huiming Shi Family has been eradicated. Now, she is sheltered under the Hidden Moth Sect and need not fear anymore.

Yet this matter is the unspeakable regret buried deep within her heart, always choosing to evade it and never wanting to touch it.

He Kao gently said, "To seek benevolence and to obtain benevolence, is there still a complaint?"

Lan Jiwan: "It was my own choice, of course, I never resented them."

She tried to make her tone sound nonchalant, though her eyes couldn't help but redden, quietly turning away, small pearls sliding down her cheeks.

He Kao: "If there was never resentment, then why not go back and admit your mistake."

Lan Jiwan spoke with irrepressible grievance: "They gave up long ago, no matter what I do now, it doesn't matter to them anymore."

He Kao: "That's what they say, but do you believe it? They don't want to give up, they just felt powerless."

Lan Jiwan finally relented: "What should I do?"

He Kao quietly displayed a slight smile; he has heard of Lan Jiwan's tattoo and bar adventures, but he knows better than anyone else that she doesn't actually have real tattoos; she must have used temporary ones.

This shows she still held onto a shred of hope for redemption. If she truly didn't care, how would she know her parents already had a second child?

He Kao comforted her: "You're a smart person, you'll surely find a way, but I suggest you go with the flow. Don't force anyone to forgive, just let them know you have realized your past mistakes, have mended your ways, and are doing well now."

What mistake did Lan Jiwan make back then? From her perspective, she didn't make any; severing ties with her parents was to protect them! But from a different angle, her parents didn't know the real situation and never will.

Lan Jiwan sought benevolence and obtained it, she should not bear any resentment, just regret.

The rationale is clear, but is the reality really so?

Even though Lan Jiwan knows she shouldn't complain, there's still a knot deep within, she managed to cut off ties with her parents, but when they truly decided to act like they never had this daughter, she felt dissatisfied.

This subtle mindset is hard to articulate, but He Kao can sense it.

Today, coming to this place, seeing so many things, He Kao didn't articulate a word yet invisibly helped Jiwan to let go of her burdens.

The greatest hardship in Jiwan's life was meeting Bitter Tea, but aside from that?

Even without meeting He Kao, after Bitter Tea's disappearance and the fall of Huiming Shi Family, she could silently move on with the life she wished for.

She was never abused at home since childhood, her parents doted on her, and despite the tense relationship, they still supported her through university. Her parents even went to school to plead with the administration, securing her diploma and degree.

For her parents, isn't it the regret of their entire lives?

So now, if she wishes to return, all she would face is her parents' resentment and blame, and her unresolved dissatisfaction but never doubting that if she genuinely has turned over a new leaf, her parents would be willing to take her back?

Subconsciously, this is a given answer!

Then, comparing herself with the girl she met today, how fortunate is Jiwan? That girl didn't have parents like hers, nor a life like hers…

They say seeing is believing, some truths don't need He Kao to speak, even explaining more is futile, witnessing everything firsthand here, Jiwan naturally realized.

Zen speaks of sudden enlightenment, many people remain clueless, yet sudden enlightenment is akin to this, sometimes it's quite simple.

**