Chapter 507: Painting Battle
“Grandmaster Miao, what do you think?”
Zheng Qingfang asked.
Miao Mu didn’t speak, and he seemed to be in deep thoughts. Actually, he was very unhappy. (Old Zheng, are you trying to be disgusting?)
The first two famous paintings could be casually evaluated by him. But now, the third painting was also a Sanzang Painting, and it could clearly be seen which one of them was superior.
Miao Mu knew that he was inferior to Gandalf. But if he had to personally say it, it would be a little face-smacking.
“Could it be that Grandmaster Miao has some unique opinion?”
Zheng Qingfang continued to ask.
“Good painting!”
Miao Mu spoke the two words dryly. After that, he quick-wittedly directed the point of attention to Sun Mo. “Didn’t Teacher Sun use the judgment of an artist to evaluate my Sanzang Painting earlier? How about this painting? What do you think?”
What could Sun Mo say?
He couldn’t possibly praise it, right?
What if the fact that he was Gandalf was exposed in the future? He would then have the title of a braggart. Hence, it was still better for him to be more humble.
“There’s a huge flaw in this painting. Gandalf’s mood was overly casual when he drew this!”
Sun Mo recalled the situation when he was drawing this painting and found a flaw.
“Teacher Sun, can you please respect Grandmaster Gandalf? How can you directly call his name?”
Li Zixing berated.
“Yeah, you are too disrespectful!”
Miao Mu sighed. “Although it’s said that scholars tend to disparage each other, there’s no need for you to display such behavior so obviously, right?”
Li Zixing wanted to laugh when he looked at Sun Mo. (Who told you to be so careless when you speak! I’ll let you wear a hat of contempt and arrogance toward a grandmaster first.)
Pu!
Zheng Qingfang couldn’t hold it in anymore and laughed out loud.
“Uncle Zheng, you...?”
Qi Mu`en was very surprised. He kept feeling that Zheng Qingfang was pulling a prank somehow.
“Stomachache!”
Zheng Qingfang explained.
“Teacher Sun, from the brush strokes, it does appear that Grandmaster Gandalf drew this painting quickly. However, this wasn’t because he was casual, rather, it’s a type of poetic intent. Only those who could reach such a carefree state could be referred to as grandmasters!”
Miao Mu guided.
Ding!
Favorable impression points from Miao Mu +50. Neutral (50/100).
“...”
Sun Mo was speechless. This could work as well?
“Teacher Sun, are there still any flaws within this painting?”
Zheng Qingfang asked teasingly.
“Hmm, maybe the concept? It lacks a little meaning!”
Sun Mo felt very unbearable, not daring to praise it. (Speaking of which, old man Zheng, what are you trying to do?)
“Teacher Sun, your words are incorrect. When I first looked at Grandmaster Miao’s painting, I kept feeling that something was lacking, but I didn’t know what it was. But after seeing this, I finally understood. Grandmaster Gandalf is the author of [Journey to the West], hence, the Reverend Sanzang he drew brings out the divine charm of the character even more perfectly!”
Qi Mu`en rebutted. It wasn’t that Miao Mu couldn’t make it. But rather, he had only read the first half of [Journey to the West]. His understanding of Reverend Sanzang wasn’t deep enough yet.
“Teacher Sun, you are not a professional. In the future, please do not casually evaluate the artworks of others, or you would only make a fool out of yourself!”
Miao Mu admonished.
The guests in the surrounding started to discuss, and negative feelings toward Sun Mo were generated in their hearts. They felt that all three paintings were very excellent and had no flaws to pick on.
Yet, Sun Mo kept acting fastidious, trying to nitpick.
Upon hearing the whispers, Lu Zhiruo grew unhappy.
“You are the one who is unworthy to discuss painting with my teacher!”
Lu Zhiruo was like a little puppy, protecting Sun Mo.
“I’m not worthy? In that case, does he dare to compete?”
Miao Mu mocked and immediately made a challenge.
(Prince Li said before that I should find a chance to diminish your sharpness. However, I didn’t expect that you would actually send yourself to my door. Since that’s the case, don’t blame me for being impolite.)
Naturally, Miao Mu also wanted to use this chance to display his drawing skills so as to expand his fame.
Even without waiting for Sun Mo to speak, Zheng Qingfang spoke first.
“Sure. Teacher Sun, your personal students are on the scene. There are so many great teachers here; you must not have stage fright, okay?”
Zheng Qingfang spoke seriously.
“Uncle Zheng, you...”
Sun Mo bitterly smiled. He understood. Zheng Qingfang wanted the painting he drew later.
“Haha, a painting battle? I love programs like this that add to the fun!”
Li Zixing laughed uproariously. “However, let’s make things clear first. Grandmaster Miao’s painting will belong to me!”
“Prince, you can’t say this!”
“Let us bid for it, the one who bids the highest shall win the painting!”
“Would another famous painting be born?”
The guests discussed with each other. They didn’t really mind a painting battle. In any case, Sun Mo would lose for sure. They wanted to see if Miao Mu could really produce a famous painting.
“Go, prepare some brushes, ink, and papers!”
After Zheng Qingfang finished instructing the servants, he made another announcement. “Later on, Teacher Sun’s painting will belong to me, Zheng Qinfang. No one is to snatch it from me!”
When Zheng Qingfang’s voice faded, the entire scene fell silent. All the guests stared at him in puzzlement. (Did you say the wrong name?)
Sun Mo’s painting?
Who would want it?
If they used it to wipe their asses, they might even find the paper being too hard.
Very soon, four large round tables were shifted over and placed two-by-two. After that, the paper, ink and brush were placed on them.
“There’s no topic. The two of you can freely express yourselves!”
Li Zixing took the initiative to speak.
Usually, for painting battles, a topic would be set at the start. However, to painters, there would surely be things they were proficient in, and things they weren’t very proficient in. If they encountered a topic they weren’t proficient in, they would be finished.
“Prince, why don’t you give a topic?”
Zheng Qingfang counter-asked.
Given Li Zixing’s ego, he wouldn’t be able to bear the embarrassment. Everyone here knew he had a good relationship with Miao Mu and he clearly knew his proficiencies well.
“Only through expressing themselves freely would a famous painting possibly be created!”
Li Zixing casually found an excuse. In any case, no matter what they drew, it was impossible for Sun Mo to win.
Qi Mu`en glanced at the sky. “How about we set an hour as the time limit?”
After all, this was the Deer Tail Banquet. They couldn’t allow the two of them to continue drawing without caring about the time, overwhelming the host as guests.
“Alright!”
Miao Mu flicked his sleeves, adopting the demeanor of a grandmaster as he walked toward the table. (What should I draw to display my drawing skills perfectly?)
As for his opponent Sun Mo?
(Please, in what aspect can he win against me?)
Miao Mu stood before the table and took up a brush, but he didn’t dip it in ink yet.
“Sun Mo, move quicker!’
Zheng Qingfang stood beside Sun Mo and reminded him in a low voice. “Artists like them would have a few categories they are the most proficient in so as to deal with situations like this.”
One could say that Miao Mu’s current look of contemplation was actually an act.
“Uncle Zheng!”
Sun Mo bitterly smiled.
Upon staring at Sun Mo’s expression, Zheng Qingfang felt some self-reproach. He explained in a low voice, “Sun Mo, you would most probably become a 3-star great teacher a year later. At that time, how would I have the guts to ask you for a famous painting. Hence, I can only use this chance and earn one more painting for you!”
Zheng Qingfang loved painting, and he also loved to read. But up until now, he didn’t urge Sun Mo to finish writing the second-half of the [Journey to the West] because he understood this was just a minor thing.
As a great teacher, Sun Mo had more important things to do.
Today, this opportunity just happened to coincide with the occasion. In any case, since Li Zixing wanted to use a famous artist to crush Sun Mo, Zheng Qingfang would beat him at his own game and give Sun Mo a chance to perform while also acquiring a famous painting in the passing.
“How can you be so sure that I will definitely be able to produce a famous painting?”
Sun Mo self-mockingly smiled.
“Don’t undervalue yourself. Miao Mu is 29 this year and he merely managed to produce one famous painting before. What about you? 20 years old and you’ve produced three famous paintings!”
Zheng Qingfang stretched out three fingers. From his point of view, Miao Mu was simply overestimating himself.
In order to prevent Sun Mo and Miao Mu from being disturbed, the spectators all stood over ten meters away and watched from afar.
Naturally, major characters like Zheng Qingfang and Li Zixing were exceptions.
“Let’s start. Prove to these people that you are not only the number one great teacher in Jinling, but you are the number one famous artist in Jinling as well!”
Zheng Qingfang passed the brush to Sun Mo.
Sun Mo took it. Honestly speaking, he wasn’t in the right state of mind to draw something. But when he turned his head and saw Li Ziqi and the other two looking at him with anticipation in their eyes, he suddenly felt that he mustn’t lose face for his students.
In their hearts, they believed that he was the most impressive teacher. In that case, he had to meet their expectations at all moments.
“Teacher, I’m cheering for you!”
The papaya girl waved her little fist.
“Haha!”
Sun Mo laughed. He lifted his hand and cast Encyclopedic Knowledge on himself. This was for him to discard aside all distracting thoughts.
“What should I draw?”
Sun Mo muttered irresolutely to himself. After that, he glanced at the surroundings, trying to find some inspiration.
These guests were clad in gorgeous clothes made from expensive materials. Any single piece of clothing they wore was comparable to the annual living expenses for a family of three.
On the table, sumptuous and luxurious foods were placed. Servants and maids were everywhere...
Sun Mo noticed the students that the great teachers brought along with them, in addition to some young people. All of them had envious looks on their faces.
That was true. The grade of this banquet was so high, who wouldn’t want to keep attending something like this?
Sun Mo dipped his brush in ink and began to paint.
“So fast?”
An Xinhui frowned. She was worried Sun Mo might be too hurried and hadn’t thought of the concept well enough.
“Eh, these few strokes seem impressive!”
Qi Mu`en and Li Zixing knew painting well, and when they saw Sun Mo’s strokes, they knew that this fellow wasn’t simple.
Gradually, a galloping horse appeared on the paper.
Young people all hungered for a better life, envying their peers who were descendants of wealthy clans. There was no mistake in this. If such envy could be changed into motivation, it would be even better.
Knowing what they wanted and fighting to achieve it.
Without a good family background, they couldn’t brag about their fathers. Being not handsome enough made them unable to attract fair, rich, and beautiful ladies. Even their luck seemed worse in comparison.
...
It was fine. As long as they still possessed their two hands, it was enough for them!
Gallop!
Gallop!
Galloping relentlessly!
Every time they worked hard, they would be a little nearer to their goals!
Sun Mo’s emotion was stirred completely. He not only wanted to encourage these youngsters, but he also thought about himself. In this life, he would strive unremittingly, pushing forward relentlessly!
Bzz~
Sun Mo’s brush glowed with light, starting to attract the spirit qi in the surroundings over.
“The movement of spirit qi in the area, is this the Wondrous Blossom State?”
Governor Fang exclaimed in shock and subconsciously glanced at Miao Mu.
The other spectators also looked over but soon discovered nothing seemed to be happening in Miao Mu’s surroundings. After that, they subconsciously turned their heads and saw Sun Mo’s painting glowing with light.
“What the hell?”
“Did I see things wrongly?”
“Why did Wondrous Blossom appear and it’s so fast?”
The guests were completely stunned. How long had it only been since the start of the painting battle? Sun Mo had already entered that state?
(Could it be that you are not a great teacher but a famous artist in recluse?)
“This...”
Li Zixing was dumbfounded.
“So this is the case!”
Qi Mu`en finally understood why Zheng Qingfang was laughing so mischievously. So, Grandmaster Gandalf was none other than Sun Mo!
At this moment, the Prince Consort Qi surveyed Sun Mo as he felt a myriad of emotions in his heart.
Excellent in both writing and painting. How impressive!
Ding!
Favorable impression points from Qi Mu`en +500. Friendly (500/1,000).
Zheng Qingfang heard the noise in the surroundings. He directly lifted his head, and his sharp and imposing gaze swept through the crowd. (All of you are to shut up for me. Whoever disturbs Sun Mo when he’s producing this famous painting, I will kill him!)
When his vision turned to Sun Mo again, Zheng Qingfang felt extremely comforted. His judgment wasn’t wrong!
Geniuses were simply so outstanding. They were people whom you couldn’t measure with logic!
“You...you...how are you so proficient?”
An Xinhui was shocked. When did her childhood sweetheart become a famous artist? Moreover, it seemed that he was already used to experiencing the Wondrous Blossom state.
[1] Author refers to Miao Mu as Teacher Miao and Grandmaster Miao interchangeably, grandmaster because of his drawing skills.