Chapter 160: Painting and Calligraphy Assessment

With his increasing renown, Zhang Xuan's disguised persona as Master Teacher Yang Xuan actually became quite idle. Three million gold coins—even with many wealthy individuals in Tianxuan Royal City, those who could casually hand over such a sum and give it away without a second thought were few and far between. Such people would certainly not disturb a Master Teacher's tranquility unless they genuinely faced an insurmountable problem.

After President Ouyang and Alchemist Chen Xiao left, the courtyard became quiet once more.

After resting for a morning and realizing no one else was coming, Zhang Xuan once again shed his disguise and returned to the academy.

"Teacher, Miss Huang Yu is looking for you. She's waiting in the classroom..." Yuan Tao greeted him before he even reached the classroom.

"What does she want with me?" Zhang Xuan was momentarily surprised. Knowing Yuan Tao couldn't answer, he didn't ask further. Upon returning to the classroom, he indeed saw Miss Huang Yu standing in the room, as tranquil as a painting.

Her ability to become a Master Teacher apprentice wasn't solely because she was the daughter of the Teacher Guild president; her calm and serene demeanor naturally evoked goodwill.

Indeed, as she stood in the room, Zheng Yang, Yuan Tao, and others couldn't help but glance at her now and then. This made Zhao Ya so furious she wanted to bang her head against the wall.

"Aren't Wang Ying and I just as good?" she fumed. "Why don't they secretly look at us during class?"

How annoying!

Ignoring the thoughts of these young girls, Huang Yu's eyes lit up upon seeing him return, and she quickly walked over.

"Master Zhang!"

"Miss Huang, is there something you need me for?" Zhang Xuan asked, puzzled.

"Master Lu asked me to invite you over," Huang Yu said, bowing with cupped hands.

"Is he going to take me to the Royal Library?" Zhang Xuan's eyes lit up.

Previously, Master Lu Chen had promised to take him to the Royal Library to find cultivation manuals for the Aperture Opening realm, but the plan was put on hold because Emperor Shen Zhui was not in the capital. Now that Master Lu had specifically sent Huang Yu to find him, there must have been some progress.

"Uh... no!" Huang Yu looked a bit embarrassed. "Master Lu wants to assess me and Bai Xun, and he intends for you to be a judge."

"A judge?" Zhang Xuan was stunned.

Both Huang Yu and Bai Xun wanted Master Lu Chen's Ink Pavilion Painting. Master Lu had set a condition that whoever had a deeper understanding of calligraphy and painting would receive it. Because of this, the two had come to Zhang Xuan a few days ago, hoping he could give them pointers on calligraphy and painting. Zhang Xuan, however, knew nothing about calligraphy and painting, so he had simply spouted some random remarks. Yet, the two had treated his words as treasure and diligently studied them. Now, it seemed, it was time for the final assessment.

"Yes, Master Lu knows you have a profound understanding of calligraphy and painting and can provide the most impartial judgment," Huang Yu explained. "That's why he asked me to invite you and ensure you come..."

Zhang Xuan's eyebrows twitched.

He didn't even know what a paintbrush was, let alone give an impartial judgment... Master Lu truly thought highly of him.

However, having received benefits from them and still hoping to use their connections to enter the Royal Library, it wouldn't be good to refuse.

Furthermore, Huang Yu had personally asked, and she had helped him greatly during the "interrogation of learning will" incident.

"Alright, as long as you don't mind my rambling," Zhang Xuan said. "When does it start?"

He nodded, and Zhang Xuan agreed.

"It was originally scheduled for noon, but you weren't around..." Huang Yu said. "However, if we go now, we should still make it."

"Noon?" Zhang Xuan was taken aback.

He had woken up well past sunrise and waited for a long time before finally heading out leisurely. It was already almost noon... A test today, starting right now, seemed a bit too rushed!

"Yes!" Huang Yu nodded.

"Alright!" Seeing that she was determined to take him, Zhang Xuan knew refusal was useless. He quickly gave his students some instructions and followed her out of the academy.

"I know calligraphy and painting are difficult to learn, and a competition probably isn't easy either, is it?" Zhang Xuan couldn't help but ask on the way.

He had never heard of a calligraphy and painting competition, nor did he know the rules.

They couldn't possibly have her and Bai Xun paint simultaneously and then compare their works, could they?

Huang Yu came from the Teacher Guild and was a Master Teacher apprentice; even if she hadn't specifically studied it, she would surely be highly skilled. As for Bai Xun... that fellow who only knew how to fight, Zhang Xuan genuinely struggled to imagine him holding a brush and painting.

"The assessment was decided by Master Lu and Master Yuan Yu," Huang Yu said, shaking her head. "Bai Xun and I weren't informed beforehand, so we're not entirely sure how the assessment will be conducted."

"Master Yuan Yu?" Zhang Xuan looked at her, puzzled.

Wasn't that person a famous healer in Tianxuan Royal City? What did he have to do with setting rules for calligraphy and painting?

"Master Yuan Yu isn't just a master of medicine; he also has significant achievements in calligraphy and painting," Huang Yu explained. "Even Master Lu speaks highly of him. One of his paintings, 'River Birds,' depicted a clear river flowing so vividly that when he painted from a boat, real birds were drawn to it, singing continuously. It became a legend."

Huang Yu's eyes sparkled with admiration.

"That amazing?" Zhang Xuan clicked his tongue in surprise.

Ever since he took Wang Ying as a student, he had heard of Master Yuan Yu. He had always thought he was merely a physician and never dreamed that he would be so skilled in calligraphy and painting as well.

To be able to attract real birds with a painting was proof enough of his skill. Even if he wasn't as good as Master Lu Chen, he must be quite close.

"Yes, Master Lu not only invited you this time but also him," Huang Yu said. "He said that having three judges would ensure fairness."

Zhang Xuan nodded.

Since two true calligraphy and painting masters would be present, he would just be making up the numbers. He could just go with the flow when the time came and wouldn't need to be so nervous.

Anyway, he knew absolutely nothing about calligraphy and painting. His impressive display before Master Lu last time was due to the library's power. Later, he'd just have to speak less to avoid revealing his true lack of skill.

The two walked and talked. Before long, they arrived at Master Lu Chen's residence again.

Before they even reached the entrance, the butler, Cheng Bo, came to greet them. "Master Zhang, Miss Huang, what took you so long?" he asked. "Master Yuan Yu said he has someone else to visit this afternoon and is getting a bit impatient."

"I had gone out for a bit and made Miss Huang wait for a long time," Zhang Xuan said, feeling a bit embarrassed.

They had set the time for noon, but unfortunately, Zhang Xuan hadn't been at the academy these past few days, making him difficult to find. That's what caused the delay.

"Please, come in!" Hearing him say this, Cheng Bo didn't dare say more and ushered the two forward.

Now that he had his own courtyard, returning here again, he had a different feeling.

Although simple and elegant, its details were exquisitely decorated. Compared to the residence he rented, this one was vastly superior, not even on the same level.

Of course, if the rented residence had truly been decorated by a Master Teacher, it wouldn't look like that. A place where a merchant lived naturally couldn't compare to one owned by a calligraphy and painting master.

Following behind Cheng Bo, they soon arrived at the reception hall. Looking up, Zhang Xuan indeed saw Master Lu Chen and an elder sitting opposite each other, drinking tea. The boisterous Bai Xun was hiding to one side, anxiously looking around. The moment he saw the two, he immediately beamed with joy and rushed over to greet them.

"Master Zhang, you're here..."

Zhang Xuan nodded and looked at Master Yuan Yu, renowned throughout the royal city.

He appeared to be in his sixties or seventies, with a snow-white beard. Though quite old, his eyes were remarkably bright and piercing, giving off an energetic aura. He was indeed worthy of being a physician; to possess such spirit at his age truly showed that his reputation was well-earned.

"Young brother, you've arrived," Master Lu Chen said, smiling as he stood up.

"Master Lu Chen!" Zhang Xuan bowed with cupped hands.

"Yes, come, let me introduce you," Master Lu Chen said, smiling as he introduced them. "This is Master Yuan Yu, a dear friend of mine and a grand master of calligraphy and painting. Yuan Yu, this is young brother Zhang Xuan, whom I mentioned to you. Although he's young, his achievements in calligraphy and painting are probably no less than ours."

"Master, you flatter me," Zhang Xuan quickly said. "I merely... casually... learned a little."

The last time he discerned the issues with Master Lu's paintings was thanks to his powerful "cheat device." If he were truly made to observe them, he wouldn't figure anything out even in three years.

"In learning, there is no senior or junior; the capable are teachers," Master Yuan Yu said. "Your ability to discern Master Lu Chen's 'Summer Autumn Painting' and 'Scarlet Bear Roar to the Sky' and point out their flaws shows excellent discernment. Such young people are becoming increasingly rare." His voice was calm and clear, giving off a gentle warmth.

It seemed he had heard from Master Lu Chen about Zhang Xuan; his dark eyes looked over, filled with curiosity.

"You're too kind..." Zhang Xuan bowed with cupped hands again.

Only at this moment did he realize the names of those two paintings from last time.

If Master Lu Chen and Master Yuan Yu knew his thoughts, they would surely spit blood on the spot.

When calligraphers and painters create works, they always leave their names and various inscriptions and signatures on them. Even as time passes, their fame can endure for ages and resound through later generations.

Precisely because of this, when he looked at those two paintings, they did have names on them. It was just that they were written in a special, favored, and very cursive font of calligraphers and painters, so he hadn't recognized them.

He didn't even recognize fonts that calligraphy and painting apprentices could understand, nor did he even know they were painting titles... And he was still called a master with this level of skill... He really had the nerve to admit it...

The group exchanged a few more polite remarks.

It had to be said that Master Yuan Yu was quite easy to get along with. If it were anyone else seeing Zhang Xuan so young, they would certainly feel contempt, but not only did he not, he also showed appreciation.

"Alright, since everyone is here, let's begin!" Master Lu Chen said, stroking his beard.

"Yes!" Huang Yu and Bai Xun nodded simultaneously.

"There's only one Ink Pavilion Painting, and it can only be given to one of you. That's why I set up this assessment," Master Lu Chen explained. "Firstly, I don't want to give a famous painting to someone who doesn't understand calligraphy and painting. Secondly, I want to properly temper you both and help you overcome arrogance and impatience, especially Bai Xun."

Given his status, although he cherished the Ink Pavilion Painting greatly, if a junior had simply asked, he would certainly have bestowed it upon them. The reason he set up an assessment was also to encourage them to interact more with and learn more about calligraphy and painting.

He had devoted his entire life to calligraphy and painting, even sacrificing his youth for it. Seeing no successors, he was naturally anxious. When Huang Yu and Bai Xun came to request, he took the opportunity to set rules so they would study diligently. Perhaps then, the art of calligraphy and painting could be passed on.

In his words, everyone was practicing martial arts, and fewer and fewer young people liked calligraphy and painting. If nothing was done, this profession might be lost forever.

Doing this also served to temper Bai Xun. That fellow had a hot temper and liked to solve problems with his fists. Learning more about calligraphy and painting could cultivate his character and make him more steady-tempered. Otherwise, with such an impetuous personality, how could he inherit the throne and fight for the royal family in the future?