Chapter 161: Book and Painting Assessment

With his increasing renown, Zhang Xuan, in his disguise as the esteemed Master Yang Xuan, found himself surprisingly idle.

Three million gold coins—even in Tianxuan City, where many were wealthy, not many could produce such a sum all at once and give it away without a second thought. Such individuals, unless faced with truly insurmountable problems, would certainly not dare disturb the tranquility of a renowned master.

After President Ouyang and Alchemist Chen Xiao departed, the courtyard fell silent once more.

After resting for the entire morning with no further visitors, Zhang Xuan shed his disguise and returned to the academy.

"Teacher, Miss Huang Yu is looking for you; she's waiting in the classroom..."Before he even reached the classroom, Yuan Tao came to meet him.

"What does she want with me?"Zhang Xuan paused, knowing Yuan Tao wouldn't have the answer, so he didn't ask further. He returned to the classroom and indeed saw Miss Huang Yu standing in the room, as quiet and graceful as a painting.

She had become a master teacher apprentice not solely because she was the daughter of the Teacher Guild President; her serene and composed demeanor naturally endeared her to people.

Sure enough, as she stood in the room, Zheng Yang, Yuan Tao, and the others occasionally glanced her way. Zhao Ya was so exasperated she felt like tearing her hair out.

*Aren't Wang Ying and I just as good? Why don't they ever secretly look at us during class?**How infuriating!*

"Master Zhang!"Ignoring the thoughts of these young girls, Huang Yu's eyes lit up when she saw him return, and she quickly walked over.

"Miss Huang, do you need something from me?" Zhang Xuan asked, puzzled.

"Master Lu wants me to invite you over," Huang Yu said, cupping her fists.

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

Previously, Lu Chen had promised to take him to the Royal Palace's Library to find cultivation techniques for the Aperture Opening realm, but it had been postponed because Emperor Shen Zhui was not in the capital. Now that he had specifically sent Huang Yu to find him, things must have progressed.

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

"A judge?" Zhang Xuan was startled.

Both Huang Yu and Bai Xun wanted Master Lu Chen's Ink Pavilion Painting. Master Lu had set the condition that it would go to whoever had a deeper understanding of calligraphy and painting. That was why they had approached Zhang Xuan a few days earlier, hoping for his guidance. Since he knew nothing about calligraphy and painting, he had merely spouted some random remarks, yet the two had cherished them as invaluable treasures and diligently studied. 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 give the most impartial judgment. That's why he asked me to invite you and emphasized that you must come," Huang Yu explained.

Zhang Xuan's eyebrows twitched.

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

However, having received benefits from them and still hoping to use their connection to enter the Royal Library, it was naturally hard to refuse.

Furthermore, Huang Yu herself was asking, and she had provided significant help during the Heart of Learning trial.

"Alright, as long as you don't mind my nonsensical comments. When does it start?"Nodding, Zhang Xuan agreed.

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

"Noon?" Zhang Xuan was startled.

He had woken up late that morning and waited for a long time before finally ambling out. It was already nearly noon... A test today, and right now? Isn't that a bit too rushed!

"Yes!" Huang Yu nodded.

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

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

He had never heard of a calligraphy and painting competition and didn't know the rules.They couldn't possibly ask Huang Yu and Bai Xun to paint at the same time 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 calligraphy and painting, she would surely be very skilled. As for Bai Xun... that fellow who only knew how to fight, Zhang Xuan truly couldn't imagine him holding a brush and painting.

"The assessment was set by Master Lu and Master Yuan Yu. Bai Xun and I didn't know about it beforehand, so we're not entirely sure how it will be conducted either!" Huang Yu shook her head.

"Master Yuan Yu?" Zhang Xuan looked over, puzzled.

Isn't that man a famous physician in Tianxuan Royal City? What business does he have setting rules for calligraphy and painting?

"Master Yuan Yu is not only a master of medicine but also highly accomplished in calligraphy and painting. Even Master Lu praises him endlessly. He once painted a 'River Birds' scroll, depicting the clear river flowing vividly, and while painting on a boat, he actually attracted real birds that chirped endlessly – it's quite a legendary tale."

Huang Yu's eyes sparkled with admiration.

"That amazing?" Zhang Xuan gasped.

He had heard of Master Yuan Yu since he took Wang Ying as his student, always believing him to be merely a physician. He never dreamed that he would also be so proficient in calligraphy and painting.

The ability to attract real birds with a painting clearly demonstrated his skill; even if he wasn't quite on par with Master Lu Chen, he must be very close.

"Yes, Master Lu not only invited you this time but also him, saying that only with three judges could the assessment be fair," Huang Yu said.

Zhang Xuan nodded.

Since two true masters of calligraphy and painting would be present, he would merely be there to make up the numbers. He could just follow their lead and wouldn't need to be so nervous.

After all, he knew nothing about calligraphy and painting. Last time he had managed to impress Master Lu, it was thanks to the Library. Later, he could just speak less to avoid giving himself away.

The two chatted as they walked, and it wasn't long before they arrived at Master Lu Chen's residence again.

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

"I was out for a while, which made Miss Huang wait for so long," Zhang Xuan said, feeling a little embarrassed.

The other party had set the time for noon, but unfortunately, he hadn't been in the academy for the past few days and was hard to find, which caused the delay.

"Please!" Hearing this, Steward Chen didn't dare say more and gestured for the two to proceed.

Having his own courtyard now, returning here gave him a different feeling.

Although simple and elegant, its decorations were exquisitely detailed. Compared to the mansion he had rented, this place was far superior, not even in the same league.

Of course, if the rented mansion had truly been decorated by a master teacher, it wouldn't have looked like that. A merchant's residence naturally couldn't compare to that of a calligraphy and painting master.

Following Steward Chen, they soon arrived at the reception hall. Looking up, Zhang Xuan saw Master Lu Chen and an elder sitting opposite each other, drinking tea. The usually flamboyant Bai Xun was hiding to one side, anxiously looking around. As soon as he saw the two, he immediately brightened with joy and rushed forward to greet them.

"Master Zhang, you've arrived..."

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 advanced in years, his eyes were bright and piercing, giving off an aura of boundless energy. As expected of a physician, to possess such vitality at his age. Truly, his great reputation was well-deserved.

"Young brother, you're here."

Master Lu Chen stood up, smiling.

"Master Lu Chen!" Zhang Xuan cupped his fists.

"Yes, come, let me introduce you. This is Master Yuan Yu, my close friend and a grandmaster of calligraphy and painting," Master Lu Chen said with a smile, introducing them. "Yuan Yu, this is young brother Zhang Xuan, whom I spoke to you about. Although he's young, his accomplishments in calligraphy and painting are probably no less than ours."

"Master, you flatter me. I just... casually... learned a few things," Zhang Xuan quickly said.

The last time he had discerned the issues with Master Lu's paintings, it was thanks to the powerful cheat device he possessed. If he had to genuinely observe them, he wouldn't figure anything out even in three years.

"Learning knows no age; the skilled are teachers. Your ability to discern the 'Summer and Autumn Scroll' and 'Red Lion Roaring to the Sky' by Lu Chen and point out their flaws demonstrates excellent perception. Such young people are becoming increasingly rare."

Master Yuan Yu spoke.His voice was calm and clear, giving off a gentle warmth.

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

"You give me too much credit..." Zhang Xuan cupped his fists again.

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

If Lu Chen and Yuan Yu knew what he was thinking, they would surely spit blood on the spot.

Calligraphy and painting masters would always leave their names, various inscriptions, and signatures on their works. Even as time passes, their names would live on for eternity, resounding through future generations.

That was why, when he looked at those two paintings, they did have names on them, but they were written in a special, often cursive script favored by calligraphers and painters, which he simply hadn't recognized.

He didn't recognize a script that even a calligraphy and painting apprentice could understand, and he didn't even know they were the names of the paintings... And he was considered a master at this level... He really had the nerve to admit it...

The few of them 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 someone as young as Zhang Xuan, they would inevitably show disdain, but he not only didn't, he even showed appreciation.

"Alright, now that everyone's here, let's begin!"

Master Lu Chen stroked his beard.

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

"There's only one Ink Pavilion Painting, and it can only go to one of you. That's why I arranged this assessment. Firstly, I don't want to give a famous painting to someone who doesn't understand calligraphy and painting. Secondly, I also want to temper you both and help you overcome your arrogance and impatience, especially you, Bai Xun."

Master Lu Chen looked at the two of them and said calmly.

Given his status, although he cherished the Ink Pavilion Painting, he would certainly have bestowed it if his juniors had simply asked. The reason for setting up the assessment was to encourage them to engage more with calligraphy and painting and to study diligently.

He had devoted his life to calligraphy and painting, pouring his entire youth into it. Seeing no one to inherit his legacy, he was naturally a bit anxious. When Huang Yu and Bai Xun came to him with their requests, he took the opportunity to set rules, hoping they would study hard and perhaps eventually carry on the tradition of calligraphy and painting.

In his words, with everyone practicing martial arts, fewer and fewer young people enjoyed calligraphy and painting. If no action were taken, he feared this art form would be lost forever.

This approach also served to temper Bai Xun, who had an impatient temperament and preferred to solve problems with his fists. Learning calligraphy and painting would cultivate his character and make him more stable. Otherwise, with such an impetuous personality, how could he possibly inherit the throne and lead campaigns for the royal family in the future?