Chapter 37: The Heavy Artistic Conception

Jiang Qingyu walked forward a few steps.

Duan Rong narrowed his eyes to look, only to see this young master, in brocade robes and black boots, hair bound with fine jade, looking exceptionally handsome.

Upon seeing Jiang Qingyu's face, Duan Rong felt troubled in his heart. "You look so beautiful, how am I supposed to PS this?"

There was no more room for change in these facial features; to alter them recklessly would only be counterproductive...

"It seems I can only put effort into the Artistic Conception!"

Duan Rong pondered for a moment, and it seemed he finally had a plan in his heart.

"Young master, turn your face to the side!"

Jiang Qingyu turned his body with some impatience.

Duan Rong carefully scrutinized Jiang Qingyu's profile.

This first business deal must not be botched!

"Alright, turn back."

Jiang Qingyu turned back, drooping his eyelids with a hint of reproach.

"Does the young master use a sword?" Duan Rong saw a sword tied to Jiang Qingyu's waist, with a purple copper scabbard and a sword tassel like snow.

The sword tassel was made of high-quality cotton thread, capable of soaking up fresh blood!

"Why? Want to try?" Seeing his sword mentioned, Jiang Qingyu suddenly raised his eyes, his gaze provocative.

He had already seen Duan Rong's short-jacket attire, and wasn't that a blade hanging where the lantern was on the tree?

"I trouble the young master to perform a few routines; I shall use the young master's posture of holding the sword as my material." Duan Rong said with a light laugh.

Before Jiang Qingyu could speak, the Personal Attendant Jiang Rong carried the lantern, stepped forward, and said angrily: "You brat, painting a picture, first this, then that. If you can't do it, say so early. That would at least give you a quick end; don't waste time here."

"Sigh..." Jiang Qingyu waved his hand to stop Jiang Rong, turned his head to look at Duan Rong, and said: "I can perform the routines, but if you cannot paint well, I will not only smash your stall. I will also strip you naked and tie you to this tree."

Hearing this, Jiang Rong seemed to have already envisioned the wretched sight of Duan Rong tied to the tree naked, and immediately let out a happy chuckle.

Duan Rong sighed and shook his head inwardly, thinking: Young, wealthy, arrogant, and impetuous.

Jiang Qingyu drew his Long Sword, and the cold light was like water, flashing left and right.

Duan Rong was secretly startled.

Jiang Qingyu had begun practicing martial arts at twelve, and five years had passed since; his Phantom Cloud Sword Technique had also reached the Small Success Realm a month ago.

Whether it was the striking method of his Martial Technique or his Internal Breath Realm, neither was something the current Duan Rong could compare to.

Jiang Qingyu finished the routines, sheathed his sword, and stood sideways!

An idea suddenly struck Duan Rong; the youth dancing with a sword under the large locust tree before him reminded him of the Youth Dancing with Sword Painting he had bought from that thin scholar today.

In his heart, he gradually merged the scene before him with the Artistic Conception in the painting into one!

Duan Rong's mind was crystal clear as he wielded his brush and splashed ink without the slightest hesitation.

Almost in one go, he painted a Youth Dancing with Sword Painting!

Duan Rong looked at the work before him, smiled slightly, and said: "Young master, it is done!"

"Done?" Jiang Qingyu felt a wave of suspicion. "So fast?"

Duan Rong took the painting paper off the easel and handed it to Jiang Qingyu.

Jiang Qingyu took it and lowered his head to look by the lantern light.

This was a simple freehand ink wash painting, and the person dancing with a sword in the painting was none other than himself.

Only the background was not the large locust tree under the rising night, but strange rocks and bamboo shadows.

The strange rocks were craggy, and the bamboo shadows rustled...

Jiang Qingyu felt a profound Artistic Conception and a heavy, substantial artistic implication; he stared at the painting for a long time, and a feeling of being unable to put it down actually arose.

Duan Rong's painting was actually modeled after the Youth Dancing with Sword Painting by the thin scholar.

In his past life, he had once watched an interview with a famous painter.

The white-haired painter said a sentence that he had always remembered.

"What is called 'heavy and substantial'? If the position is painted correctly, it is called heavy and substantial!"

Although Duan Rong did not have the ability to reach such a realm of substance, he could borrow the idea, imitating the positional relationship between the strange rocks, bamboo shadows, and the youth in the thin scholar's Youth Dancing with Sword Painting.

If one followed the old painter's words, this substance was that substance.

Jiang Qingyu observed for a long time before raising his head, his gaze already filled with reverence and admiration, saying: "Brother, you are truly an extraordinary person!"

"This painting already has the faint style of a master; I did not expect to find it in these streets and alleys."

"I was rude just now, please forgive me, brother!"

Duan Rong smiled lightly and said: "Young master, no need to be polite; this is just a business deal."

"Indeed, the great hermit hides in the city; the marketplace is a place where crouching tigers and hidden dragons reside." Jiang Qingyu said: "Is brother a native of our Xiangu County? I wonder where you currently reside? Another day, this student would like to pay a personal visit."

"I am Duan Rong, a lifelong resident of Xiangu County. I am currently an Apprentice Escort at the Yuanshun Escort Agency. If the young master has any need for painting, just send someone to the Yuanshun Escort Agency to call for me, and that will suffice!"

"Yuanshun Escort Agency? Apprentice Escort?" Jiang Qingyu only then noticed the Escort Waist Token tied to Duan Rong's waist, which indeed bore the mark of the Yuanshun Escort Agency.

Duan Rong naturally heard the doubt in Jiang Qingyu's tone, so he smiled and said: "Just drifting in the jianghu, making a living, that is all."

Jiang Qingyu also smiled slightly, took out a banknote from his lapel, held it with both hands, and offered it respectfully to Duan Rong, saying: "A small token of respect for Master Painter Duan, I hope you will not decline!"

Although Duan Rong could see that Jiang Qingyu's action was sincere, he still waved his hand slightly and said: "The transaction is already complete. How can I accept the young master's money again?"

"If I did not know the value of this painting, that would be one thing. Since I recognize the value of this painting, how can I pretend not to know and take advantage for nothing? Master Painter Duan, you must accept it!"

Seeing that he could not refuse, Duan Rong had no choice but to accept it and said: "Many thanks for the young master's kindness!"

Only then did Jiang Qingyu cup his hands and take his leave!

Duan Rong watched Jiang Qingyu and his servant depart, then looked down at the denomination of the banknote in his hand. "One hundred taels?!"

Duan Rong laughed dumbly. "This young master is truly generous; this business of mine can be considered a successful start!"

Jiang Qingyu did not get back on his Qingzong Horse; the Huaying Pavilion was just across the street, and it would be reached after crossing this street.

He only held the painting, walking in front, while his Personal Attendant Jiang Rong led the horse behind.

"Jiang Rong, once I show this painting to Miss Lan Ying later, she will surely be delighted! She won't give me the cold shoulder anymore, and perhaps tonight, she might even sing a little tune for me..."

"Young Master should not be too optimistic. It is just a painting; Miss Lan Ying's temperament is not so easily pleased, is it?"

"Jiang Rong, you don't understand!" Jiang Qingyu wanted to say more, but suddenly realized that Jiang Rong had never studied painting or calligraphy, so saying more would be like playing the lute to a cow, so he sighed and said, "Just wait and see."

As the two spoke, they arrived at Huaying Pavilion, and Jiang Rong handed the Qingzong Horse to the brothel attendants at the entrance of Huaying Pavilion, who would naturally lead the horse to the Back Courtyard.

Jiang Rong followed Jiang Qingyu into Huaying Pavilion.

As soon as they entered the building, the scent of rouge and flowers rushed toward them.

Several courtesans welcoming guests at the entrance immediately surrounded Jiang Qingyu, pushing and clamoring...

Jiang Qingyu frowned deeply; Jiang Rong had always known his young master disliked these vulgar women, so he immediately blocked the courtesans, sent them away with a banknote each, and then led Jiang Qingyu through the main hall, heading straight for the second floor.

Duan Rong watched as the master and servant, Jiang Qingyu and his attendant, entered Huaying Pavilion, and about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, this Jiang Qingyu walked back out of Huaying Pavilion.

Beside Jiang Qingyu walked a woman; across the street, and it being night, Duan Rong could not see her face clearly, only that her figure was slender and her steps slow and steady, and by her side was a maidservant holding a pink, fringed floral umbrella, following her step by step.

Judging by the direction the three were walking, they were coming exactly toward him.

(End of chapter)