Chapter 510: Golden Sentences from the Mouth
When the little maid heard this voice, her body involuntarily shivered.
Because she was adorable-looking on top of being intelligent and skilled in the four arts of zither, chess, calligraphy, and books, Governor Fang was very fond of her.
Every time Governor Fang mingled with the cognoscenti, he would bring her along.
Bringing a famed courtesan?
It was too vulgar. Governor Fang precisely wanted the feeling of a budding beauty like her beside him. However, no matter how much he doted on Yi Cui`e, once the famous painting was destroyed, he would definitely beat her to death.
“Calm down, I have to quickly calm down. Great Teacher Sun’s drawing skill is wondrous and amazing. Surely, there wouldn’t be any flaws!”
The little maid consoled herself.
Sun Mo turned his head. The person who had just arrived was tall but exceptionally skinny. He was casually clad in a white robe, and it was unknown how long it had been since he had washed the robes. Not only were there wrinkles, but there were even ink stains on them as well.
His hair was disheveled and was tied together with a flaxen rope behind his head. Truly, this person was slovenly in dress and manner.
“As expected of someone who does art!”
Sun Mo’s lisp twitched. He didn’t understand why the majority of those who did art would have such a style.
Zheng Qingfang’s group came over to welcome him and started to reminisce about old times.
Artists weren’t mainstream, but once an artist could become the number one in Jiangnan, things would be different.
Sun Mo used this break to activate Divine Sight as he peered at Wu Yezi.
67 years old, fifth level of the divine force realm!
He has been learning to draw since young, never resting be it in summer or winter.
Outstanding talent. If he spends his energy on cultivation, he would surely have high accomplishments and he could even become a great teacher. However, he loves drawing too much.
For drawing, he once chose to forsake love. Because he felt that the emotion of love would cause one to become a part of the mortal world and become burdened by family and responsibility, as well as life’s daily necessities.
“...”
At the start, Sun Mo had admired this painting fanatic a lot, but after seeing his info, he suddenly felt contempt. Sun Mo felt that love and life’s daily worries were also a type of experience and even a blessing.
Suddenly, Sun Mo understood why Wu Yezi could draw [Riches and Honor, Solitary Life Painting], and he also understood the deeper meaning of this painting.
This fellow treated everyone else as vulgar commoners.
Today was the Deer Tail Banquet. Although the invited guests were all extremely wealthy, not all of them were qualified to chat with Wu Yezi.
Only peak major characters like Li Zixing and Zheng Qingfang could stand beside Wu Yezi.
As for the others, they were insignificant.
“Grandmaster Wu, we are currently admiring your [Riches and Honor, Solitary Life Painting].
Fang Lun then issued an invitation. “Since Grandmaster is coincidentally here, how about explaining the concept in the painting to us?”
“There’s no need for that. Famous paintings are to be admired by people themselves. They should sense them with their own insights. If others introduced it to them, it would actually cause an adverse effect.”
Wu Yezi cleanly rejected.
This was his opinion, but the reason for his rejection was mostly because he was lazy and felt disdain. The people here were just a bunch of ordinary people. Were they qualified to listen to his explanation?
Wu Yezi faxed around and saw these people smiling and had amiable attitudes toward him. He was used to be respected like this. However, just when he wanted to find a place and sit down to drink tea, he suddenly saw a young man speaking to a teenage girl beside him. That young man basically treated him like the thin air.
Cough! Cough!
Wu Yezi coughed intentionally.
“Is Grandmaster sick?”
Fang Lun had a look of concern on his face. The others also immediately asked in concern.
“It’s just a common cold, there’s no need for concern!”
Wu Yezi saw that the young man merely lifted his head and took a glance at him before lowering his head. Even when their gazes met, the young man had no other expression.
“Che, this gaze seemed to be looking down on me?”
As an artist, Wu Yezi’s mind was very meticulous.
“Teacher Sun, your [Galloping Horses] isn’t bad but when compared to Grandmaster Wu’s [Riches and Honor, Solitary Life Painting], it is still inferior. So, don’t feel arrogant. Instead, you should sincerely put your heart into learning. Come, let me introduce you. This is Grandmaster Wu Yezi, the number one artist in Jiangnan!”
Ni Jingting spoke again for the sake of disgusting Sun Mo.
He could tell that a person like Sun Mo was full of pride. Naturally, he was overflowing with talent and had the capacity. If he forced him to admit defeat, there was an 80 to 90% chance he would be against Wu Yezi.
(Miao Mu can’t make it, but Wu Yezi surely can, right?)
(If you can win against Wu Yezi, I, Ni Jingting, will change my surname to ‘Sun’!)
Ni Jingting smiled and looked at Sun Mo. if Sun Mo paid respect and greeted Wu Yezi like a junior, the degree of fame he had garnered earlier would immediately be weakened by a bit.
Just think about it, Sun Mo who was so impressive still had to be respectful to Wu Yezi. Didn’t that mean that Grandmaster Wu was even more impressive?
It was like in a banquet, a third-rate film star appeared and drew the attention of everyone. But in the end, an Oscar Award winner arrived. Who would then care about the third-rate star? After the banquet, everyone would only be discussing the Oscar Award winner.
“This fellow is so disgusting!”
An Xinhui frowned. She wanted to help Sun Mo out of the predicament, but before she could speak, Wu Yezi already exclaimed in shock.
“Whose painting is this?”
Swish~
In the entire Linjiang Hall, no sound could be heard. The guests stared dumbfoundedly at Wu Yezi. This grandmaster was currently staring at the [Riches and Honor, Solitary Life Painting] and was extremely focused.
In the next instant, their gazes turned to Fang Lun. Their first thought was Fang Lun must have been swindled by a cheater. If this was Wu Yezi’s painting, why did he not recognize it?
“Grandmaster Wu, I...I got this painting personally from you?”
Fang Lun frowned.
“My painting?”
Wu Yezi frowned. He took a few steps forward and observed it again. “No, although it is very similar, this isn’t something drawn by me!”
After hearing this, Sun Mo sighed. He knew that there was no way he would be able to fool the original painter.
Miao Mu, who was not far away, started. After that, he had a look of shock on his face as he stared at Sun Mo. Indeed, this painting must have been drawn by Sun Mo.
No, more accurately, all those paintings from earlier must have been drawn by him.
Ordinary people might not be able to tell, but Miao Mu, who was a famous artist, could see certain drawing techniques that were present in all five famous paintings. Moreover, the techniques originated from the same person.
(Isn’t this a little too incredible? This Sun Mo actually managed to replicate Grandmaster Wu’s painting?)
Miao Mu was stunned. Was this something achievable by humans?
However, the truth was before his eyes, and he couldn’t not believe it! After that, his heart was filled with envy, and everything transformed into intense disappointment and self-inferiority.
As expected, geniuses could never be measured by logic.
Ding!
Favorable impression points from Miao Mu +1,000. Respect (1,100/10,000).
“Prince, I feel a little unwell. I will take my leave first!”
After Miao Mu spoke, he didn’t wait for Li Zixing’s reply. He picked up the pace and wanted to quickly leave the boat.
“Grandmaster Miao, there are doctors on the boat!”
Qi Mu`en spoke out, but Miao Mu waved his hands, indicating everyone not to bother with him.
Everyone no longer paid attention to Miao Mu because they were looking at Wu Yezi.
“Grandmaster Wu, is this a fake painting?”
Fang Lun asked. He started to suspect whether someone had swapped the original [Riches and Honor, Solitary Life Painting] away.
“Fake painting? Where would you find a fake painting at the Wondrous Blossom Realm?”
Wu Yezi smiled.
Everyone started. That’s true.
Zheng Qingfang was as expected of someone with a lot of experience. He directly shot a contemplative look at Li Feng and the little maid. Finally, his gaze landed on Sun Mo.
Wu Yezi looked at the famous painting before his eyes. “Although the layout of this painting is similar to my Riches and Honor, Solitary Life Painting, its concept has far surpassed mine!”
Si~
Upon hearing this, everyone took in a cold gasp of air. This was actually drawn by a famous artist that was more impressive than Grandmaster Wu Yezi?
“Before this, when I gave the painting to you, I actually felt unhappy because it wasn’t perfect enough. However, I wasn’t able to find the reason why. But now, I found it.”
Wu Yezi sighed ruefully.
As a painting lover, he would evaluate every painting purely from the aspect of artistry. There would absolutely not be any personal feelings in it.
“Grandmaster Wu, why do you say this?”
Qi Mu`en was curious.
“For my painting, if an ordinary person sees it, they wouldn’t feel anything because that painting depicts people of overly high statuses. Only people like Governor Fang and Premier Zheng would understand the concept. However, for this painting, even ordinary people would be influenced by the concept it exudes!”
Wu Yezi shook his head and smiled. “After looking at this painting, don’t you guys feel a sense of release? Its concept allows you to find your true self, ignoring the discussions of others.”
The guests whispered to each other. Honestly speaking, they were still in a daze.
“I wonder who the painter of this famous painting is?”
Wu Yezi was curious.
“Lowly slave, why are you not coming over yet? Quickly say the reason!”
Fang Lun glanced at the little maid and bellowed in a loud voice.
Putong!
Yui Cui`e directly knelt on the ground.
“I...I was the one who painted it!”
The little maid didn’t want to implicate Sun Mo, hence, she admitted to this.
“Lowly slave, do you think I’m dumb? If you could paint a famous painting, even beggars could become immortals. Men, come over and pummel her!”
Governor Fang roared in rage.
A muscular guard immediately rushed in, wanting to hit the little maid.
Yi Cui`e decided to bite her tongue off. She was worried that she might not be able to endure such a vicious beating and might expose Sun Mo in the end.
If she bit her tongue off, there was no fear for this to happen then.
It was a pity that the guard of Governor Fang was an elite. He instantly grabbed Yi Cui`e’s chin and forcefully stopped her.
“Sir, she wants to commit suicide by biting her tongue off!”
The guard reported.
“Wishing for death? How can things be so easy? Beat her!”
Governor Fang was badly angered because he had lost face. Just think about it. He had bragged for so long about his famous painting and in the end, the painting wasn’t even drawn by Wu Yezi. How awkward was the situation?
He would definitely not be able to escape the reputation of ‘pretending to know something yet doesn’t know anything’!
“Stop!”
Sun Mo shouted. With a flash, he appeared before the little maid and blocked the guard’s fist. “Governor, this painting was drawn by me. Because of urgent circumstances, I had no choice. I beg for your forgiveness!”
“Huh?”
All the guests were astounded. What show was this again?
“Teacher Sun, I know you are concerned for this maid, however, you cannot speak recklessly!”
Qi Mu`en persuaded. The matter today could be very significant. If Wu Yezi wanted to pursue things all the way to the end, Sun Mo could be pressed with the crime of ‘counterfeiting a famous painting of others.’
This stain would negatively influence his career in the future greatly.
“Speaking of which, the main culprit is Prince Li’s favored son. He forcefully snatched the famous painting that this little maid was holding and even schemed to destroy it.
“This little maid panicked and could only seek death. Luckily, my student saw it and stopped her. Hence, I decided to act and help them, producing this painting.”
After Sun Mo spoke, he looked at Wu Yezi and bowed to apologize. “I’m sorry, Grandmaster Wu!”
Wi Yezi didn’t speak, instead, he was surveying Sun Mo.
(My heavens, what a good drama!)
The guests were extremely excited. Actually, they believed Sun Mo. Everyone understood Li Feng’s personality.
Now that they thought of it, Li Feng had been the first to step out and shout that the painting was a fake earlier.
“Nonsense, it’s clear that the little maid was careless and damaged the painting herself!”
Li Feng disputed.
Sun Mo smiled.
“Father, my words are true. He’s trying to frame me!”
Li Feng forcefully tugged on Li Zixing’s arm.
“Shut up!”
Li Zixing scolded. (Do you take all of them as fools?)
Even if they didn’t say anything, he had to be impartial in this.
(There’s no problem if you want to do bad things, but if you are seen by others and you allow them to have some information that can be used against you, you are nothing but a fool.)
Naturally, he felt so awkward, but it wasn’t because his son was exposed. He had said that Sun Mo was inferior to Wu Yezi. And yet in the end, the paintings here were drawn by Sun Mo.
“Teacher Ni, your judgment is really so awesome!”
An Xinhui praised.
Ni Jingting’s face instantly turned red. If it wasn’t for the fact he had a mission, he really wanted to leave right now.
The gazes that the guests used to look at Ni Jingting with had changed to ones filled with contempt. They had heard that he was a 3-star great teacher and was even a private great teacher hired by Li Zixing with a high price. To think that he was so trash!
“What is your name?”
Wu Yezi asked.
“Sun Mo!”
Sun Mo introduced.
“Oh, so you are that One-Vote Sun who said the words ‘you are just a dog waiting for others in front of their door’!”
Although Wu Yezi was a painting fanatic, Sun Mo was just too famous. Whenever he attended gatherings, he would hear his friends speaking about Sun Mo’s deeds.
“...”
Sun Mo fell silent.
“I really want to know why are you guys not surprised?”
Wu Yezi curiously looked at Fang Lun.
“Because he has just produced a famous painting!”
Qi Mu`en explained. After that, he added another line in his heart. “In fact, he might be the one who drew the three paintings Premier Zheng showed us!”
“Oh? Is it possible for me to take a look?”
After Wu Yezi asked, he saw the galloping horses painting. He involuntarily complimented, “Beautiful. This painting exudes intense vitality, something that belonged to young people!”
After admiring it, Wu Yezi glanced at Sun Mo. “May I be so bold as to ask why are you using that gaze to look at me?”
“Grandmaster Wu, you are too bigoted. If you can’t love life, how can you love painting? How can you draw a famous painting that can influence the people of the world?”
Sun Mo’s words came from the bottom of his heart.
It wasn’t because he wanted to lecture Wu Yezi. Rather, it was to advise and persuade him. He hoped that Wu Yezi would be able to improve and move up one more level, reaching the step of a Saint Artist.
Bzz~
Priceless Advice was activated.
“...”
In the crowd, Gu Xiuxun was speechless. (Why do golden sentences* come out from your mouth every time? Besides, you are lecturing the number one famous artist of Jiangnan. Are you not a little too ‘lawless’?)
However, his words earlier ‘If you can’t love life, how can you love painting?’ was extremely well said!
Wu Yezi repeated the words and sank into contemplation.
Not only him, but everyone in Linjiang Hall was influenced by this great teacher halo.
Liu Mubai was dumbstruck. (Do you have to show off that much?)
“Haha, I understand now. So, my bottleneck is this. No wonder I haven’t improved for ten years. So... my heart is too lonesome and proud!”
Wu Yezi suddenly laughed uproariously. After muttering a few sentences to himself, he clasped his hands and bowed to Sun Mo. “Great Teacher Sun, many thanks for your guidance!”
Ding!
Favorable impression points from Wu Yezi +500. Friendly (500/1,000).
Hua~
The guests were all completely stunned. They had thought that Wu Yezi would pursue the matter of Sun Mo falsifying his painting. After all, the name inscription had the name ‘Wu Yezi’, so who could have expected that he would actually thank Sun Mo?
Who was Wu Yezi?
He was the number one famous artist in Jiangnan, yet he actually bowed to Sun Mo?
However, the most embarrassed people were undoubtedly Li Zixing and Ni Jingting. The two of them had kept shooting Sun Mo down to elevate Wu Yezi’s status.
“Ha, I’ve long since known that my teacher is the most impressive!”
Lu Zhiruo inclined her head and felt extremely honored.
“Grandmaster Wu, I don’t dare to accept your now!”
Sun Mo stepped aside with a flash.
“Congratulations to Governor Fang on obtaining a famous painting!”
Wu Yezi glanced at Governor Fang. After that, he clasped his hands and made a request. “Could you return my original painting?”
[1] Golden sentences in this context usually mean words of wisdom/good advice.