With the rise in his reputation, the 'Yang Xuan' master teacher that Zhang Xuan was impersonating had a lot of free time on his hands.
Three million gold coins. Even though there were quite a few wealthy people in Tianxuan City, there weren't many of them who could take out such a sum of money and give it to others without any qualms. If not for the fact that they were facing a problem that they couldn't solve, they wouldn't dare to disturb the peace of a master teacher.
After Guild Leader Ouyang and Apothecary Chen Xiao left, the courtyard fell silent once more.
After resting for an entire morning, Zhang Xuan removed his disguise and returned to the academy.
"Teacher, Huang Yu xiaojie is looking for you. She is waiting for you in the classroom..."
Before he could return to the classroom, Yuan Tao walked up to him.
"Why is she looking for me?"
Zhang Xuan was taken aback. Knowing that Yuan Tao wouldn't be able to answer his question, he decided not to probe further. Returning to the classroom, he saw Huang Yu xiaojie standing in the room. Her silence was reminiscent of a painting.
The reason why she was able to become a master teacher apprentice wasn't just because she was the daughter of the guild leader of the Teacher Guild. Her calm disposition naturally left others with a good impression of her.
As expected, when she stood in the room, Zheng Yang, Yuan Tao, and the others would shoot glances at her from time to time. Zhao Ya was so infuriated that she wanted to smash her head against the wall.
[I am in no way inferior to Wang Ying, alright? Why didn't I see him sneaking glances at us during lessons?
Damn it!
"Master Zhang!"
Ignoring the thoughts of these young ladies, upon seeing him, Huang Yu's eyes lit up and she hurried over.
"Huang xiaojie, is there anything you need from me?" Zhang Xuan was perplexed.
"Master Lu wants me to invite you over." Huang Yu clasped her fist.
"Could it be that he wants to bring me to the royal palace's book collection vault?" Zhang Xuan's eyes lit up.
Previously, Lu Chen had promised to bring him to the royal palace's book collection vault to search for Pixue realm secret manuals. However, as Emperor Shen Zhui wasn't in the capital, he dropped the matter. Now that he had sent Huang Yu over, there should be some progress in the matter.
"Er... No!" Huang Yu said awkwardly, "Master Lu wants to assess Bai Xun and me. He intends to have you as a judge."
"Judge?" Zhang Xuan was stunned.
Both Huang Yu and Bai Xun want Master Lu Chen's [Ink Daylily Painting]. The latter has given a rule that it will be given to the one who has a deeper understanding of painting. This is precisely the reason why the two of them came to look for Zhang Xuan a few days ago to seek his guidance on painting. However, how could Zhang Xuan possibly know anything about painting? Thus, he could only speak a few words casually. In the end, the two of them treated it as though they have obtained a treasure and studied it wholeheartedly. This should be the final examination.
"That's right. Master Lu knows that you have a deep understanding of painting, and he knows that you are able to give the most pertinent comments. Thus, he sent me here to invite you over …" Huang Yu said.
Zhang Xuan's eyebrows twitched.
He didn't even know what a brush was, and yet he was making such a critical judgment … Master Lu really thought highly of him.
However, since he had received benefits from the other party and hoped to use the other party to enter the kingdom's book collection vault, he naturally could not refuse.
In addition, Huang Yu had helped a lot in the matter of the Enlightenment Will Trial.
"Alright, as long as you don't think I'm talking nonsense. When do we start?"
Nodding his head, Zhang Xuan agreed.
"We agreed to start at noon, but you weren't around … However, we should be able to make it if we head over now." Huang Yu said.
"Noon?" Zhang Xuan was taken aback.
By the time he woke up, the sun was already high in the sky. After waiting for a long time, he finally walked out leisurely. It was already noon … Wasn't it a little too rushed to start the trial today?
"Un!" Huang Yu nodded her head.
"Alright then!" Seeing how determined the other party was to bring him along, Zhang Xuan knew that it was useless to reject her. Thus, he could only leave some instructions to his students and follow her out of the academy.
"I know that painting is difficult to learn, but the competition doesn't seem to be easy either!"
Along the way, Zhang Xuan couldn't help but ask.
He had never heard of a painting competition, so he didn't know the rules.
After all, he couldn't possibly ask her and Bai Xun to paint at the same time and compare them.
Huang Yu was from the Teacher Guild, and she was an apprentice master teacher as well. Even if she didn't specialize in painting, she was definitely skilled in it. As for Bai Xun … It was really hard for him to imagine a fellow who only knew how to compete.
"The examination was decided by Master Lu and Master Yuanyu. Bai Xun and I didn't know about it beforehand, so we aren't too sure about the details of the examination!" Huang Yu shook her head.
"Master Yuanyu?" Zhang Xuan looked at her doubtfully.
Wasn't this fellow a famous physician in Tianxuan Royal City? Why did he decide on the rules of painting?
"Not only is Master Yuanyu a master physician, he is also skilled in painting as well. Even Master Lu is full of praises for him. His [River Bird Painting], which draws the flow of the Clear River, is extremely lifelike. While painting on a boat, it actually attracted the attention of the birds, causing them to chirp incessantly.
Huang Yu's eyes glowed in admiration.
"He's that incredible?" Zhang Xuan was astonished.
He had heard of Master Yuanyu ever since he accepted Wang Ying as his disciple. All along, he thought that the other party was just a physician. He didn't expect that he would be so skilled in painting as well.
To be able to attract real birds to his painting, it was clear that he wasn't too far off from Master Lu Chen.
"Indeed. This time, not only did Master Lu invite you, he invited him as well. He said that it would only be fair if the three of them were to be the judges." Huang Yu said.
Zhang Xuan nodded his head.
Since there were two true master painters in the examination, he was just here to make up the numbers. All he had to do was to follow the crowd and there was no need for him to be so nervous.
In any case, he knew nothing about painting. The reason why he was able to subdue Master Lu previously was due to the Library of Heaven's Path. Later on, he would just speak less in case he gave himself away.
The two of them chatted as they walked. Soon, they arrived at Master Lu Chen's residence.
Before they could reach it, the butler, Uncle Cheng, walked up to them. "Master Zhang, Huang xiaojie, why are you only here now? Master Yuanyu said that he had to visit someone in the afternoon, and he couldn't wait any longer."
"I was the one who made Huang xiaojie wait for so long." Zhang Xuan said apologetically.
The other party had set a meeting at noon, but it was a pity that he hadn't been in the academy for the past few days, so it wasn't easy to find him.
"Please!" Hearing Zhang Xuan's words, Uncle Cheng didn't dare to say anything else. He beckoned the two of them forward.
Having his own residence, Zhang Xuan felt a different feeling when he returned here.
Even though it was simple and elegant, the details were exquisite. Compared to the rented residence, it paled in comparison. They weren't even on the same level.
Of course, if the rented residence was really renovated by a master teacher, it wouldn't look like that. After all, the residence of a merchant couldn't possibly be comparable to that of a master painter.
Following behind Uncle Cheng, they soon arrived at the guest hall. Lifting his gaze, he saw Master Lu Chen and an elder drinking tea opposite one another. The flamboyant Bai Xun was hiding by the side, looking around anxiously. Upon seeing the two of them, he was immediately overjoyed and stepped forward to welcome them.
"Master Zhang, you're here …"
Zhang Xuan nodded his head and looked at Master Yuanyu, whose name had shaken the entire capital.
He seemed to be in his sixties or seventies, and he had a snowy white beard. Even though he wasn't young, his eyes were brimming with vigor, giving off an energetic vibe. As expected of a physician, to possess such vigor despite his age, he lived up to his reputation.
"Little brother, you're here."
Master Lu Chen stood up with a smile.
"Master Lu Chen!" Zhang Xuan clasped his fist.
"Un, come, let me introduce you. This is Master Yuanyu, as well as my close friend, a master painter." Lu Chen smiled as he introduced the both of them. "Yuanyu, this is the little brother Zhang Xuan whom I have been talking about. Even though he is young, his mastery in painting is probably not beneath yours or mine."
"Master, you're too kind. I was just … casually speaking … casually learning." Zhang Xuan hurriedly replied.
The reason why he was able to decipher Master Lu's painting the previous time was because he had a powerful cheating device with him. If he were to really observe it for three years, he wouldn't be able to discern anything.
"There is no age in learning, only those who are more capable can become the teacher. To be able to see through Lu Chen's [Summer-Autumn Painting] and [Chixiong Howling to the Heavens] and point out the flaws in them, your eye of discernment is already commendable. There are fewer and fewer youngsters like you in the world."
Master Yuanyu spoke.
His voice was calm and clear, and it carried a faint warmth.
It seemed like he had heard about Zhang Xuan from Lu Chen. His dark eyes were filled with curiosity.
"You're too kind …" Zhang Xuan clasped his fist once more.
Only at this moment did he know the names of the two paintings.
If Lu Chen and Yuanyu were to know of his thoughts, they would definitely spurt blood.
When painters paint, they would leave behind their names, all kinds of calligraphy, and handwriting on their paintings. Even after the passing of time, their names would still remain in the annals of history.
Precisely because of this, when he looked at the two paintings, there was a name on them. It was just that the name was written in a unique handwriting favored by painters, and it was extremely illegible as well.
Even apprentice painters would be able to understand the handwriting, but he couldn't recognize it. In fact, he didn't even know that it was the name of the painting … To be a master at this level … To be shameless enough to admit it …
Of course, when he came into contact with the painting previously, the Library of Heaven's Path must have marked the name of the painting as well. Back then, he was only thinking of how to avoid being questioned, so he didn't notice it.
The few of them exchanged a few more pleasantries.
It must be said that this Master Yuanyu was rather easy to get along with. If it was anyone else, they would surely look down on Zhang Xuan upon seeing how young he was. However, not only did he not do so, he even looked at him with admiration.
"Alright, since everyone is here, let's begin!"
Master Lu Chen stroked his beard.
"Yes!"
Huang Yu and Bai Xun nodded their heads.
"There is only one copy of the Ink Daylily Canvas, and I can only give it to one of you. That's why I came up with this test. Firstly, I don't wish to give the painting to someone who doesn't understand painting. Secondly, I wish to temper you all, especially Bai Xun."
Master Lu Chen looked at the two of them and said calmly.
Given his identity, even though he cherished the Ink Daylily Canvas, he would definitely bestow it upon a junior's request. The reason why he came up with this test was to allow the two of them to come into contact with painting and learn from it.
He had devoted his entire life to painting, and he had even devoted all of his youth to it. Seeing that there was no one to inherit his legacy, he naturally felt anxious. Thus, when Huang Yu and Bai Xun came to request for him, he made use of this opportunity to set the rules so that they could learn from him. Perhaps, he might be able to impart painting to them in the future.
In his words, everyone was practicing martial arts, and there were fewer and fewer youngsters who were interested in painting. If he didn't do anything about it, this occupation might be lost forever.
At the same time, this also served to temper Bai Xun. That fellow had an impatient temper, and he preferred to settle matters with his fists. Learning more painting could help him temper his temperament. Otherwise, with such an impatient personality, how could he inherit the throne and fight for the royal family in the future?
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