Martial Saint through Reading

Chapter 62: Chapter 62: Calligraphy and Painting Advancement

”As for the other paintings, their skill is not lacking, and they too possess meaning and charm; yet, as their creators lack renown, they cannot be counted as authentic works.”

The worth of a painting lies partly in the artwork, but largely in the reputation of its painter.

For instance, a famed artist—even works created before fame, even practice copies—will, upon attaining fame, be sought after as authentic pieces.

Are these paintings’ skills, or their artistic realms, truly that high?

”If one day my own work could be displayed in this gallery...” Liang Yuan’s face showed longing.

Chu Ming strolled slowly along the gallery, his gaze sweeping over the scrolls on either side.

At the entrance, the paintings gave him a peculiar sense of awe, a flavor not found when viewing Liang Yuan’s scrolls.

Especially with the Sword Gourd Spirit activated, the handling of details in these scrolls far exceeded what Liang Yuan could produce, and surpassed Chu Ming’s own skills as well.

”Young master, let’s move deeper inside. The outer gallery’s paintings are nothing special; the genuine pieces are in the inner hall.”

Chu Ming’s steps remained slow, as if he meant to appreciate every painting before moving on; seeing this, Liang Yuan could only softly remind him.

Yet Chu Ming acted as if he hadn’t heard, his steps still unhurried, as if every scroll drew him in.

Indeed, this was the case.

On the system panel.

[Calligraphy and Painting: Entering the Hall and the Room]

[Progress: 22/100]

The ’22’ was from two more paintings he had copied recently.

Each time he viewed a scroll, the progress number would jump.

After finishing the first painting, the details, layout, and the entire scroll branded themselves in his mind, and the number leaped from ’22’ to ’35’, a gain of thirteen points.

The gains from observing the gallery’s calligraphy and painting far surpassed what he got from copying!

He moved on to the next: progress jumped from ’35’ to ’45’, another ten points.

The third painting, progress reached ’54’.

Fourth, fifth, and so on...

To calmly view and memorize a painting took about the time for a cup of tea.

That is to say, in the time it takes to brew tea, [Calligraphy and Painting] makes one jump in progress.

Ning Hao and Liang Yuan followed behind, a hint of a smile flickering in their hearts.

Though only a handful of paintings in the gallery are true works, the skill and spirit in the others may rival the authentic ones—only lacking the creator’s fame as endorsement.

When they first visited this gallery, they too were captivated by the array of diverse scrolls before them.

Yet, even when entranced, they hadn’t paused before every single painting as Junior Brother Chu did.

”Brother Chu, it’s fine to glance at these paintings—though they have merit, none can compare to Mr. Tang Bai’s True Map of Mountains and Rivers. We should hurry into the inner hall.” Liang Yuan reminded again.

But Chu Ming’s eyes locked onto a scroll before him.

On the painting, the sky was filled with lightning and thunder, torrents of rain; below, five creatures resembling oxen—but without horns, each with only one leg, strange in form.

Along the edge, a line of text: ”Like an ox, a pale body without horns, one foot, emerges and enters the water always with wind and rain.”

”Kui Oxen?!”

”Five Oxen Painting?”

At the instant Chu Ming saw the painting, he froze completely.

The skill might not be exceptional, but the composition struck him with immense surprise.

”Young master?” The fierce-looking Ning Hao, seeing Chu Ming lost before the scroll, spoke quietly:

”This piece is unsigned, the artist unknown. Its subject is imagined from a battlefield mount used often by the Barbarian Army, long fought by our Great Qin Dynasty.”

Chu Ming, hearing this, finally returned to his senses.

An imagined beast, then?

His eyes flickered; he recorded the painting’s details in his mind.

Meanwhile, his system panel changed.

[Calligraphy and Painting: Exquisite Brushwork]

[Progress: 10/100]

From viewing this ’Five Kui Oxen Painting’, progress leapt over thirty points, and his [Calligraphy and Painting] skill broke through anew.

”Brother Chu, the gallery’s paintings each have their own style; every piece is unique. Viewing one after another without pause, you won’t gain true insight. Worse, seeing too many with no distinction may hinder your own artistic progress.”

Liang Yuan paused, seeing no one nearby, leaned in to counsel quietly: ”Many of these paintings are worth studying, but beware of swallowing them all whole.”

”Brother Chu has talent in painting, but in interpretation and perception, you may not be as advanced as Senior Brother Ning and myself. Brother Chu, let’s go see Mr. Tang Bai’s True Map of Mountains and Rivers.”

Chu Ming’s gaze lingered on the next scroll.

Compared to the ’Five Kui Oxen Painting’, this one was also skillful but lacked that breathtaking surprise.

Moreover, after memorizing the entire scroll, his panel’s [Calligraphy and Painting] progress did not increase at all.

There are two possibilities: [Calligraphy and Painting] has advanced, so mere viewing no longer raises progress.

Or, this painting’s technique is too similar to one he recently viewed.

He looked at the next scroll, the technique differed; yet, his progress still didn’t move.

Chu Ming withdrew his gaze, realizing he could no longer advance progress simply by observing these scrolls.

”Let’s go.”

”Now that’s more like it.” Liang Yuan laughed. ”Seeing too many only clouds your understanding—too much viewing and you lose your original insight.”

”Yes, Senior Brother Liang is right.”

Chu Ming responded, continuing down the gallery.

But he still didn’t skip the paintings on either side, his gaze drifting over them from time to time.

If any painting stood out from those he’d seen, Chu Ming would still pause briefly to study it.

”Brother Chu, actually, there’s another peculiar painting inside. That painting, well...”

After taking a few steps, Liang Yuan suddenly spoke with a strange expression.

”What about that painting?” Chu Ming asked curiously.

”Brother Chu, you’ll understand once you see it for yourself.”

...

Painting Workshop, Rain Paint Tower.

”Miss Su, are these paintings newly acquired? May I take a look?”

The girl who earlier received Chu Ming was about to hang four paintings, when Chu Yu politely approached to ask.

”Young Master Chu, these are only copies, beneath your notice.”

The girl knew Chu Yu as a wealthy young man.

”As it happens, I’ve taken an interest in painting these days—was hoping to buy a few copies to learn from.” Chu Yu said calmly.

”Young Master Chu, you’re interested in painting?” Surprise flickered in her eyes, but her hands moved quickly, hanging all four copied paintings in order. ”Young Master Chu, please look.”

Chu Yu nodded gently, looking to the first scroll: ”A copy of Mr. Tang Bai’s True Map of Mountains and Rivers.”

”Heh, so Young Master Chu has really done some research.” The girl smiled softly.

”Naturally. How could I lie before Miss Su?” Chu Yu slowly raised his hand, pointing at the scroll. ”The person who copied this painting was that scholar who just left.”

”It wasn’t that scholar.” The girl shook her head.

”Oh? Then which of them was it?” Chu Yu’s tone floated lightly, as he gestured toward the few remaining inside admiring paintings.

Those dressed in fine robes, appearing of decent status, but when Chu Yu pointed them out, embarrassment flickered across their faces; they bowed to Chu Yu and retreated quietly.

It was apparent that these people all knew Chu Yu.

Chu Yu waved his hand, and Wu Tian along with several guards wisely withdrew to wait outside the tower.

”Well then, Miss Su, it’s just us two now.”

Su Qian’s brows knitted slightly, her voice low: ”Young Master Chu, if you’re not buying, please leave.”

”No, no, don’t misunderstand, Miss Su—I’m here to buy...” Chu Yu’s gaze returned to the four paintings hung on the wall.

”Are you sure this painting wasn’t just completed by that scholar who left?” He again returned to the same question.