Chapter 215: Lu Xun's Painting Appraisal Skills

Liu Ling had originally wanted to offer Elder Tian a reminder, but remembering how the elder had just interrupted him, and fearing that saying too much would displease him, he decided against it.

“Since neither of you has any issues, Tian Gang, go get that painting,” Elder Tian said, waving his hand.

“Yes!”

Shortly after, Tian Gang returned, carrying a slender box.

“This is a painting and calligraphy piece gifted to me by Master Liu. It’s truly perfect; every time I look at it, I can’t help but praise it. You’re fortunate today to witness a work of this caliber!” Elder Tian smiled as he took the painting out of the box.

“I truly hope to meet such a master of painting and calligraphy in my lifetime and witness their extraordinary skill firsthand.” Elder Tian caressed the scroll in his hands, his gaze filled with reverence.

Tea ceremony and painting and calligraphy share many similarities. For this reason, he held a deep affection for painting and calligraphy, and although he hadn’t reached master level, he had studied them extensively.

“Enough talk, I’ll show it to you now. Zhuang Xian, Zheng Fei, since you are also proficient in painting and calligraphy, feel free to offer some pointers.”

He carefully unrolled the scroll, and an ink painting immediately appeared before everyone’s eyes.

It depicted a grassland with a vigilant wild deer grazing, surrounded by wild flowers, giving the impression of vibrant mountain blossoms and a delightful aroma. Although it was just a two-dimensional painting, viewers felt as if the wild deer could emerge at any moment and rush towards them.

“Is this… a Fifth Realm painting and calligraphy?” With just one glance, Lu Xun’s pupils constricted, and his breathing quickened.

As someone from a prominent family of painters and calligraphers, he possessed extensive knowledge of the art and immediately recognized the painting’s exquisite qualities. It clearly surpassed the “Startling Glance” realm, reaching a more profound level. A painting and calligraphy piece of this caliber was rare even in the Tianxuan Kingdom, appearing perhaps once in a hundred years. For Elder Tian to possess one and allow them to appreciate it was an incredible privilege. Even a master of his father’s standing had never seen anything like it.

“Precisely, it’s a Fifth Realm painting and calligraphy. What a pity the artist didn’t leave their name or the title of the work; otherwise, I would surely visit them in person!” Elder Tian shook his head, full of emotion: “Alright, since we’re going to appreciate it, let’s begin. Observe this painting and then offer your comments. Whoever’s comments are the most accurate and closest to reality will win. Master San and I will serve as judges, so there should be no doubt about fairness. This time… Teacher Zhang, you go first.”

Last time, Lu Xun spoke first, so for fairness, it was Zhang Xuan’s turn to speak. After Elder Tian finished speaking, seeing no response, he couldn’t help but look at Zhang Xuan, who was nearby. He saw Zhang Xuan staring at the painting, dumbfounded and completely distracted.

Seeing his expression, Elder Tian frowned. Fifth Realm painting and calligraphy was exceedingly profound; some laypeople unfamiliar with the art could easily get lost in it, unable to distinguish between reality and the painting. Clearly, Teacher Zhang was one such person. How could someone who couldn’t even differentiate between a painting and reality understand art? It seemed that choosing a painting and calligraphy competition was the right decision; Teacher Zhang was likely no match for Lu Xun.

“Hmph, let’s see you show off now. With this level of understanding, you call yourself a master of painting and calligraphy? What a joke!” Tian Long, standing nearby, saw his discomposure and sneered. If the previous use of “original language” had made him suspicious, seeing the man’s current state immediately put his mind at ease. How could a true master of painting and calligraphy react this way to a Fifth Realm piece? He must have been too overwhelmed and lost himself.

“Teacher Zhang!” Elder Tian called.

“Hmm!” Zhang Xuan finally recovered, his expression peculiar. “No need, let Teacher Lu speak first. I… I’ll just listen!”

“Very well, I won’t hold back then. However, I hope you won’t make excuses if you lose later!” Seeing that the other party didn’t even have the courage to speak first, Lu Xun’s face was filled with disdain. This fellow must have found the painting too profound to appreciate, which is why he wanted me to go first, so he could simply imitate my comments later. However, that trick might have worked before, but now that I’m prepared, how could I let him succeed?

With a flick of his sleeve, Lu Xun walked to the center of the hall, a look of profound confidence on his face. “A Fifth Realm painting and calligraphy is a legacy left by a Grandmaster. I wouldn’t dare to comment too extensively. If I say anything incorrect later, I hope you all will correct me; consider it a friendly exchange!”

Standing before the painting, Lu Xun’s eyes gleamed with a master’s characteristic demeanor. “Appreciating a high-level painting like this requires moving from a general overview to specific details, from the shallow to the profound. Therefore, I’ll start by discussing the overall composition of this piece.” During the tea ceremony earlier, he had only mentioned the name and the tea’s grade, giving the other party an opportunity. This time, he was well-prepared and intended to say everything he knew. As long as I say everything, let’s see what you’ll say later! I’ll take the impressive path, leaving you no path to follow!

“Although the artist didn’t leave a name for this painting, its artistic conception is profound. With just one glance, one feels as if a vast grassland is unfolding before them. The wild deer graze leisurely, and the flowers compete to release their fragrance… I surmise that the Grandmaster, while painting, must have stood on a wide grassland, deeply moved by the magnificent tranquility before him, and in such a joyful state, he wielded his brush to create this immortal masterpiece.”

“If I were to give it a name, I think it should be called… ‘Brushing the Azure Sky’!” Lu Xun stated.

“‘Brushing the Azure Sky’? Excellent, what a grand and imposing name! It directly expresses the calligrapher’s ambition, an awe-inspiring aura that pierces the clouds!” Tian Long praised.

See that? This is a true master of painting and calligraphy, whose very first words capture the painting’s essence, allowing for endless imagination.

“After the name, let’s continue with the content and brushwork. It’s evident that this painting employs the ‘double-outline’ technique, first sketching the contours of objects, then depicting a macroscopic artistic conception, with flowers and the wild deer strategically placed as embellishments. Only this painting method could showcase such a vast layout and contain such powerful artistic depth!” Lu Xun’s eyes shone.

“Double-outline technique? Couldn’t it be the ‘Left-Right Wandering Dragon’ style?” Zhang Xuan couldn’t help but ask.

“Left-Right Wandering Dragon? Do you even know what that term means?” Before Lu Xun could reply, Tian Long burst out laughing. “‘Left-Right Wandering Dragon’ is a technique used by roadside artisans to save time, like printing. They paint the same piece every day, and only through long practice and perfect familiarity can they achieve it. You’re suggesting a Fifth Realm painting was made with such a technique? Haha, do you even understand painting and calligraphy?”

Not only was Tian Long’s face filled with contempt, but even Elder Tian glanced at Zhang Xuan and couldn’t help but shake his head. ‘Left-Right Wandering Dragon’ for a Fifth Realm painting? That’s like using Taizu Long Fist to unleash the power of the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms. Are you sure you’re here to appreciate art and not to make a mockery of it?

“You truly have a wild imagination!” Lu Xun sneered, the contempt in his eyes deepening. He curled his lip, ignoring the clueless man, and continued to examine the painting. “I just discussed the overall composition. Now, let’s talk about the details, which this Grandmaster rendered with astonishing lifelikeness. Look at these wild flowers; you can clearly see their veins. As for the wild deer, you can even discern the individual hairs on its body… From this perspective, this painting was certainly not created in a rush. Even for a Grandmaster, it must have taken at least two or three days to complete.”

“Only with such extensive and meticulous work can a painting’s details be perfectly showcased, full of charm, leaving no room for viewers to find fault or imperfections. One must admit that this master’s temperament and endurance are truly extraordinary!” Lu Xun’s eyes showed admiration. He walked around the painting once, then continued, “Finally, this painting possesses a profound and ancient artistic conception. Although the artist’s name isn’t left on it, based on my many years of experience in observing paintings, I can make an educated guess as to who it might be.”

“Oh? You can guess? Who is it?” Zhang Xuan, from the side, couldn’t help but speak again, the peculiar look in his eyes intensifying.

With his hands clasped behind his back, Lu Xun raised his head, displaying an air of condescending arrogance and immense confidence in his knowledge of painting and calligraphy. “In the surrounding ten kingdoms, over the past century, there have been only seven masters of painting and calligraphy capable of possessing such breadth of spirit and artistic charm. Among them, four have works rarely depicting such scenes. The remaining three, however, have precedents for similar works.”

“These three are Senior Jin Mantang from Beiwu Kingdom, Senior Wu Jiechao from Hanwu Kingdom, and Senior Yun Shaoqing from Shenfeng Kingdom.

“Senior Jin Mantang once left a masterpiece in Eighteen-Zhang Plain, depicting pine trees that were robust and powerful, embodying an ancient charm. This perfectly aligns with the wild deer and grassland scene, making him initially the most likely suspect. However, Senior Mantang passed away eighty years ago, and if he had truly left this painting, it would surely have been known much earlier, not just now. Therefore, it cannot be him.

“Senior Wu Jiechao excels at painting animals. It’s said he once painted a white goose lying on the ground, which prompted a real goose to approach, believing its companion was dead. The real goose then cried mournfully and died of sorrow. It’s likely only such skill could render this wild deer.

“However, he specializes only in animals, not plants or flowers. To depict both so exquisitely, it’s probably only Senior Yun Shaoqing among the masters near our Ten Kingdoms who could do it! Most crucially, among these three grandmasters, only Senior Yun is still alive.

“Therefore, I surmise this painting was created by him.”

After speaking, Lu Xun stood proudly, his demeanor distinguishing him from the rest.

“Good, good! An excellent analysis, incisive and penetrating!” Elder Tian applauded in admiration.

See that? That’s professionalism! Not only did he analyze the painting thoroughly and logically, but he even came very close to guessing the artist’s identity. He truly lives up to being Master Lu Chen’s son. With this level of insight and discernment alone, he is certain to win this challenge.

“Alright, Teacher Zhang, it’s your turn!” After offering his praise, Elder Tian looked at Zhang Xuan, who was nearby.

“My turn to speak? Are you sure you want me to speak?” Zhang Xuan looked over.

“Not really… I can’t quite think of any appreciative words right now… After thinking it over, I only have four words!” Zhang Xuan said.

“Four words?” Elder Tian and Lu Xun looked at him simultaneously.

“Yes!” Zhang Xuan scratched his head, a little embarrassed: “If I’m not mistaken… this painting was done by me!”