Chapter 206: No repetition in the future

"Huh?"

Tian Long, who had been respectful, froze at the sight, as if struck on the head with a club.

What did he call him? Master?

Who was Master Yuanyu? A true master of medicine, a licensed physician, on par with his grandfather, Elder Tian. He was respected wherever he went; even Emperor Shen Zhui treated him with courtesy.

Even a genius like Tian Long, a renowned figure among the younger generation, had to speak to Master Yuanyu carefully, daring not to raise his voice for fear of offending him. Yet, such a person... was now respectfully running up to this guy, who was even younger than himself, and calling him... Master?

His attitude was like seeing an idol.

What the hell was going on?

The most crucial thing was that just as he said this guy had no right to be called a master, Master Yuanyu ran over. This was a complete slap in the face...

Tian Long felt his face contort, and his lips burned.

However, what drove him crazy wasn't over yet. He had thought that given Master Yuanyu's high status and the fact he had specially come over, this kid would be honored and smug. Instead, he saw him frown and say, "Didn't we just meet a few days ago?"

Frown? What the hell are you frowning about?!

Tian Long's mouth twitched.

The other person was an elder; saying "long time no see" was just a polite formality. This guy, however, exposed it right to his face... Can they even have a proper conversation?

He thought Master Yuanyu would get angry, but instead, he saw him slap his forehead in sudden realization: "Yes, yes! It's mainly because I hung your master's painting in my room and observe it daily. The more I look, the more I feel the skill gap is too great, so I forgot we just met a few days ago."

"What's there to observe in a painting? If you really want to learn, I can teach you!" Zhang Xuan nodded.

"Great, I'd be so grateful..." Master Yuanyu's beard bristled with excitement.

*Thump!* Tian Long staggered, feeling as if struck by lightning.

Yuanyu... are you still a master? Why do you look like a primary school student right now?

Learn from this kid? Learn what on earth? Does he have the qualifications?

"He..." Unable to hold back, he looked at Bai Xun.

"Teacher Zhang is a true master of painting and calligraphy; even Master Lu Chen admires him greatly. If he isn't worthy of the title 'Master,' then who is?" Bai Xun looked at him disdainfully, full of pride.

Let you show off! Now you're speechless!

Look at how arrogant you were just now, saying "ignorant of heaven and earth." It's you who is ignorant of heaven and earth!

"Master of painting and calligraphy?" Only then did Tian Long remember that Master Yuanyu was not only skilled in medicine but also excellent in painting and calligraphy.

He just couldn't understand what level this infamous academy teacher, who wasn't even twenty, had reached to be so highly praised by a true master of painting and calligraphy like Yuanyu.

Although painting and calligraphy were not as popular as tea ceremony, they were still one of the genuine "nine-stream professions," and it was difficult to achieve mastery.

"Perhaps he copied some works of seniors and gained a little fame. 'Master' is just a complimentary title. Otherwise, at this age, even if he started learning painting at birth, it's impossible to reach a master's level..."

Tea ceremony and painting/calligraphy were similar; he knew their difficulty.

He had been learning tea ceremony since he was seven, and now, after eighteen years, he had only reached the second realm of tea ceremony, 'Returning to Simplicity.'

If categorized by alchemist levels, it was equivalent to a peak senior alchemist apprentice, still a considerable distance from becoming a licensed alchemist.

The other party was even younger than him; how could he truly reach the master level?

'Master' was a title for a licensed professional.

Just like a licensed alchemist could be called an Alchemist Master, a licensed calligrapher/painter, or someone who could create paintings of the fourth realm, could also be called that.

A kid under twenty creating fourth-realm paintings and calligraphy? That's like saying he can brew fourth-realm tea. What a joke!

Unaware that Tian Long on the side didn't believe him, Zhang Xuan saw Master Yuanyu approaching him, attracting many gazes, and waved his hand: "You go ahead and be busy. If you really want to learn, just find me when you have time!"

He came here to meet the Three Masters and inquire about the black qi in his body. He didn't want to stand out too much. After all, it's good to be low-key!

If this guy kept following him, how could he be low-key?

It simply didn't align with his personal qualities and requirements!

"Yes, then I'll go over there first and find Master Zhang to learn when I have time." Master Yuanyu also knew that his presence was too eye-catching and staying here would certainly cause unnecessary trouble, so he cupped his fist and left.

The skilled is a teacher. Although the other party was young, he could create fifth-realm paintings. Just this alone made him worthy of respect and learning.

Only focused on being shocked and angry, Tian Long hadn't clearly heard their conversation. Now, looking at Teacher Zhang Xuan again, he felt no admiration, only more anger.

His affection for Huang Yu was no secret, which was why he had always been at loggerheads with Bai Xun.

Knowing Huang Yu would come to his grandfather's birthday, he had specially learned a set of tea brewing techniques to show off. He hadn't even had a chance before this guy slapped his face, and it hurt so much. Not losing his temper and resorting to violence already showed great self-control.

"Even if he's not a true master, for Master Yuanyu to personally come and greet him, he must be someone important..."

Although angry, he hadn't lost his composure. Just as he was thinking of how to make this guy embarrass himself and reclaim some pride, his eyes darted, and an idea popped into his head.

"Oh, right, they also came today. Someone just reported it to me. I was so focused on waiting for Xiao Yu that I didn't get a chance to go over. Letting them meet will definitely be interesting..."

Thinking this, he stepped forward: "Teacher Zhang, I'm truly sorry. I didn't know you excelled in painting and calligraphy. I apologize for any offense and hope you can forgive me!"

He said he was sorry, but his face showed no apology at all.

For such a two-faced, insincere person, Zhang Xuan couldn't be bothered to argue. He simply waved his hand: "Consider it settled this time. Don't let it happen again!"

"You..." Seeing that he had spoken politely, yet the other party responded with a lecturing tone, like a teacher scolding a student, Tian Long again felt a suffocating pressure in his chest, almost exploding.

Can we even have a proper conversation?!

I heard that those skilled in painting and calligraphy are all gentle, refined, and speak with depth and cultivation. How can this guy just infuriate people with a single sentence...?

Is he really a master of painting and calligraphy?

His fists clenched, almost bursting, but the angrier he got, the less he showed it. A cold glint flashed in his eyes, but a faint smile appeared on his face: "Yes, I'll be careful next time. We don't know when Master Liu and the others will arrive. I think we should go upstairs to wait. As long as they come, we'll definitely see them!"

Anyone familiar with him seeing this expression would definitely know that someone was about to have bad luck.

"This..." Huang Yu hesitated, looking at the young man beside her.

Although she was a master teacher's apprentice, and highly respected, Zhang Xuan was on equal terms with Master Lu Chen, so she wouldn't presume to decide on her own.

Zhang Xuan nodded.

Just now, Master Yuanyu's visit had attracted a lot of attention. For him, waiting upstairs was the same; anyway, the day's time was already delayed, so there was no need to rush.

"Alright!" Seeing his agreement, Huang Yu assented.

Seeing this scene, Tian Long became even more furious.

He didn't know the relationship between Zhang Xuan and Huang Yu. Seeing their demeanor, he thought they were exchanging glances and were sweethearts...

Intense jealousy made his face twitch, on the verge of exploding.

The second floor of the main hall was where guests were entertained. They could drink tea or sit by the window to enjoy the scenery. From here, one could overlook the entire manor, which resembled a giant, delightful garden.

The four walked up the stairs.

The second floor was filled with elegant seating areas, and many people were already seated, brewing tea, drinking water, and chatting merrily.

Almost everyone attending Elder Tian's birthday banquet was a famous figure from Tianxuan Kingdom, of no low status, and each had a dedicated maidservant attending them.

These maidservants also seemed to have received special training; they were all familiar with the tea ceremony, brewing tea fluidly, which gave off a unique aesthetic appeal.

"This way..." Tian Long led the way, looking around as he walked, seemingly searching for someone. Suddenly, his eyes lit up, and he stopped.

"Brother Lu, Brother Wang, you're here and didn't even greet me. I didn't know you were here..."

Looking in the direction he spoke, they saw two people sitting not far away.

It was precisely the star teachers of Hongtian Academy, Lu Xun and Wang Chao.

They were also attending Elder Tian's birthday banquet today.

"Tian Long, are you doing this on purpose?" Seeing this guy lead them here, Huang Yu knew his intention, and her face darkened.

Everyone knew Teacher Zhang Xuan was going to compete with Teacher Lu Xun; the two were like fire and water. Bringing them face to face was clearly ill-intentioned.

"Xiao Yu, what are you saying? Didn't I just see Brother Lu and Brother Wang? Since we all know each other, why don't we sit together for tea and you can try my skill?"

Tian Long smirked, secretly glancing at Zhang Xuan.

Kid, weren't you arrogant just now?

"Don't let it happen again," my foot!

Now Teacher Lu Xun is here, still calling yourself master, or an expert... Let's see how you're going to keep up that act!

Lu Xun and Wang Chao obviously didn't expect to meet Zhang Xuan here. Wang Chao frowned, looking at Tian Long: "Brother Tian, didn't Elder Tian's birthday banquet check invitations? How can just anyone get in?"

Hearing this, Tian Long was so excited he almost jumped up.

He had long heard that Wang Chao was impulsive, but he didn't expect him to be so effective.

He was still worrying about how to instigate a conflict, but this guy immediately started it.

His heart blossomed with joy, but his face deliberately showed a difficult expression: "Invitations were definitely checked. Assistant Teacher Huang Yu and Young Prince Bai were personally invited by me. As for this... Teacher Zhang, although I didn't invite him, since he's their guest, I can't say much..."

"Guest? A low-level teacher can also be called a guest?"

Wang Chao sneered.

Zhang Xuan was just a low-level teacher at the academy; he hadn't even made it to senior, let alone star teacher. In terms of status, he was indeed not qualified to attend Elder Tian's birthday banquet.

"Alright, Wang Chao!" Lu Xun waved his hand, interrupting his friend's sarcasm. He glanced at Zhang Xuan, his expression calm: "My apologies, Teacher Zhang. Wang Chao is always blunt and lacks refinement in his speech. However... this really isn't where you should be. Please leave quickly. Don't let Miss Huang Yu get reprimanded because of you, and don't let Hongtian Academy lose its reputation!"