Martial Saint through Reading

Chapter 64: Chapter 64: Upper Academy Senior, a Painting Prodigy?

”So, Mother actually knew long ago that I was using the excuse of wanting to study painting to win over this future official of the Great Qin Dynasty?” Chu Yu’s gaze flickered.

”Young Master, Madam only...”

Before he could finish his words, Chu Yu’s face darkened: ”I am her own son, not the third brother!”

The implication being, what kind of mother keeps watch on her own child’s actions?

”...” Wu Tian fell silent.

Just at that moment, Su Zhe and Su Qian walked out from the building.

”Young Master Chu, shall we go?”

”After you, Brother Su.” Chu Yu extended his right hand in a gesture of invitation, his expression instantly turning genial.

...

Painting Workshop, Gallery.

Scholar-like Chu Ming stood in front of a scroll. To his left and right stood the fierce-looking Ning Hao and the pageboy-like Liang Yuan.

”Young Master, this painting is the True Map of Mountains and Rivers by Mr. Tang Bai, the only one in all Baiyuan County.”

Many people were currently admiring the True Map of Mountains and Rivers. Liang Yuan did not dare call him ’Brother Chu’ any longer.

Chu Ming nodded slightly, his gaze steady as he fixed his eyes on the scroll.

With just a glance, he could see at once the difference between his own copied landscape and this authentic masterpiece.

What he had painted captured only the forms of the mountains, rivers, and trees—the so-called artistic conception was merely his own understanding, lacking the sense of vastness that comes from true immersion.

The reasons for this were twofold: his copy had been based on Liang Yuan’s replica, and his skills at the time of copying had been insufficient.

But now...

[Sword Gourd Spirit] activated, and every detail of the True Map of Mountains and Rivers was engraved in his mind.

On the panel, the previously stagnant [Calligraphy and Painting] progress once again soared.

[Calligraphy and Painting: Exquisite Brushwork]

[Progress: 37/100]

In other words, by simply observing one authentic painting, his progress jumped by ’27’ points.

”Young Master, what do you think?” Liang Yuan blinked, asking in a low voice.

Chu Ming nodded: ”I have gained some insight.”

Gained some insight?

Liang Yuan’s eyes flickered with disbelief.

Just by looking at the authentic piece for a while, he gained insight? Then what did his own months of study and copying amount to?

And what about the others here observing—many of whom were familiar faces—what of them?

The nearby onlookers, hearing the scholar Chu Ming’s words, could not hide the contempt in their expressions.

Just passively admiring the landscape painting—how much can one truly comprehend?

The essence lies in actually attempting a copy.

Everyone present was both observing and copying at the same time.

With so little time spent, he’d at most remember a few trees and then already dare claim insight?

If he truly understood something, why not attempt to copy it, lest inspiration be fleeting?

In such situations, there could only be one explanation: he saw nothing at all, did not wish to embarrass himself, claimed false insight, and then found an excuse to leave.

Once he had fully memorized the True Map of Mountains and Rivers, a peculiar look briefly crossed Chu Ming’s brow.

Under the senses of the [Sword Gourd Spirit], Chu Yu was drawing near the gallery.

Since she was here, he might as well wait.

His interest in Chu Yu was simple—he wanted to see if he could glean something about the Chu Family from her.

He glanced at the True Map of Mountains and Rivers, then shifted his gaze to the pageboy Liang Yuan: ”Let’s make our copies as well.”

We?

Liang Yuan caught the intent instantly. He retrieved two sets of brush, ink, and paper from his bundle and set them on an empty table.

”Young Master, all prepared.”

”Mm.”

Chu Ming sat at the table, lifted his brush, not even looking at the True Map of Mountains and Rivers, only watching the blank paper, occasionally touching down his brush.

A dab here, a stroke there, the previously blank paper took ages to manifest a single tree or oddly shaped stone; his copying proceeded at a snail’s pace.

Liang Yuan, on the other hand, carefully observed the painting every time before composing a stroke.

This was also how the others copied: each line, every mark rendered with full attention.

After a short moment, Chu Ming’s page still showed only scattered ink marks, while Liang Yuan’s page already hinted at a landscape forming.

The scholar’s skill at painting was actually inferior to the pageboy’s?

This strange sight quickly drew the attention of many.

Just then, a middle-aged man in a gray robe emerged from the depths of the gallery.

”Master Yuan is here.” The gazes previously locked on Chu Ming and Liang Yuan were instantly captured by the new arrival.

Yuan Zhong walked with his hands behind his back, expression indifferent, first approaching a young man who was copying the landscape painting.

The youth hurriedly put down his tools and rose to bow: ”Master Yuan.”

Yuan Zhong glanced at the copy and nodded gently, then looked to the next person.

The same sequence—a hurried bow, but this time, after checking the copy, Yuan Zhong offered no acknowledgment, continuing coldly to the next.

On Chu Ming’s side, pageboy Liang Yuan sidled up and whispered, ”That man is Yuan Zhong, a renowned painter and the director here.”

”The one he just nodded to is Yann Xuan, a painter of the Cyan Sun Pavilion who often comes here to copy the True Map of Mountains and Rivers.”

”Anyone called a painter here truly has expert skills.”

Chu Ming nodded slightly, but his attention was elsewhere. With the [Sword Gourd Spirit]’s perception, Chu Yu was at the gallery entrance.

At this precise moment, Yuan Zhong came to their table and, after one glance, seemed about to shake his head—yet suddenly his gaze sharpened.

Did Master Yuan almost shake his head?

The crowd caught the subtle change in Yuan Zhong’s gesture at once.

To the previous copies, he had either nodded or remained indifferent; this was the first time Yuan Zhong seemed about to shake his head.

How badly drawn was this scholar’s copy for Master Yuan to want to shake his head?

But as Yuan Zhong blocked the view, the others could not see what was on Chu Ming’s paper now.

Unlike the others, Yuan Zhong was now staring at Chu Ming with shock and suspicion—or more precisely, at the brush in Chu Ming’s hand.

Unlike the rest, who checked the painting with each stroke, the scholar before him only lowered his head, the brush dancing, from trees to boulders, from rocks to mountains and water.

One stroke fell; only when the ink ran dry would he pause, dip again, and lay down the next stroke.

Had he truly committed the whole painting to memory?

If ink sufficed, could he do it all in one continuous motion?

The more Yuan Zhong watched, the more astonished he became.

Just as he was about to wait for the scholar’s full copy, Chu Ming slowly set down his brush.

”Uncle Yuan.” A voice called from nearby.

Uncle Yuan?

Everyone turned towards the voice.

They saw four people walking down the gallery—the first, a youth in a white long robe, graceful in bearing, followed by a young lady, a youth in brocade, and a cold-faced middle-aged man.

Hearing the voice, Yuan Zhong also looked over and smiled: ”Su Zhe, when did you return?”

”Just today.” Su Zhe led Su Qian in a respectful bow.

Behind them, Chu Yu also bowed politely.

”Here to challenge that painting?” Yuan Zhong asked with a smile.

”Yes.” Su Zhe nodded.

At the same time, pageboy Liang Yuan and the fierce Ning Hao, seeing Su Zhe, both changed expression covertly.

This Upper Academy senior was actually here to challenge that painting.

They had recognized Su Zhe at first glance, but due to their disguises, Su Zhe of course would not recognize them.

Liang Yuan glanced at Su Zhe, then back at his own painting...

The brush felt awkward, the paper on the desk dazzling to look at.

Quietly, he rolled up his unfinished sheet, paused, then rolled up Chu Ming’s unfinished page as well.

This Su Zhe—he was a true painting genius. Liang Yuan had no wish to embarrass himself further.