Chapter 39: Painter Lu

"Painter Lu?"

The two idlers looked at that man, clearly recognizing him.

The front idler frowned and scolded, "Blind thing, can't you see the Young Master is busy?"

The rear idler's eyes were cold, "The Young Masters haven't caused you trouble; do you think we are kind-hearted?"

No one was stupid; the two idlers were obviously blocking someone in the alley, yet this man still dared to approach, so he must be preparing to meddle.

Painter Lu shook his head and said, "If you intend to rob others, I won't interfere, but him, you cannot."

The front idler pointed the short knife in his hand at Painter Lu, "Why can't we touch him?"

The rear idler then hissed, "Stop wasting words with him; hurry up and get rid of him!"

Hearing this, the front idler slashed the short knife toward Painter Lu's shoulder, intending to scare him off or wound him to drive him away.

Painter Lu replied calmly, "Because I find this Young Master handsome, with eyebrows like swords and eyes like stars, and I wish to discuss with this Mr. painting a portrait for him."

Upon hearing this, not to mention the two idlers, even Gu Zhao looked utterly bewildered.

But regardless of what they thought in their hearts, all three now looked at Painter Lu's hand, for he merely extended his empty left hand lightly and seized the front idler's wrist as he thrust the knife.

"You hid your depth well; you are actually a martial artist?" the rear idler exclaimed in surprise.

But the front idler had no time to be surprised; at this moment, he felt only as if his wrist were clamped by raw iron; no matter how he struggled, it remained immovable, and this iron clamp tightened more and more, becoming more and more painful, making his eyes turn red and sweat bead on his forehead.

"Ah!" A cry of agony rose.

"Ding!" The short knife hit the ground.

Painter Lu finally released his grip; the front idler stumbled backward, trembling as he drew his hand back to his chest, looking at the clear and red Hand Seal on his wrist, unsure whether his wrist had already been crushed.

As if sensing something, he couldn't help but look up, and just happened to meet Painter Lu's gaze; the front idler said not another word, bypassed Gu Zhao, and fled at full speed.

The rear idler was also very perceptive, knowing who could be provoked and who could not, so he likewise wasted no words, immediately turned tail, and followed the front idler, fleeing at high speed.

Painter Lu watched the two escape before turning to look at Gu Zhao, nodding calmly, "I greet the Young Master."

Gu Zhao did not stop them either, but while feeling the pulse of the Five Thunder Talisman in his sea of consciousness, he clasped his hands in thanks, "Thank you, Painter Lu."

Painter Lu said Gu Zhao was handsome, but in truth, he himself was no less so; beneath his pale skin, veins could be faintly seen; he had a high nose and thin lips, and a faint cinnabar mole under his left eye; overall, he appeared somewhat frail, no wonder the two idlers had not taken him seriously.

Painter Lu nodded, "You are welcome; moreover, I have my own private motives."

Gu Zhao looked at the bamboo pole Painter Lu leaned on with his right hand; this pole was over a man's height, with a rolled-out figure-and-landscape painting hanging on it; the figure in the painting wore a single green robe, stood at the head of a misty, rain-shrouded stone bridge, holding an umbrella upright, with an elegant and ethereal bearing.

"A fine painting!" Gu Zhao exclaimed in admiration.

Painter Lu smiled slightly, "It is indeed a fine painting."

"You wish to paint one for me as well?" Gu Zhao asked.

Painter Lu nodded, "The Young Master possesses a majestic bearing and a radiant presence; if I can take up the brush, it would be my honor."

Gu Zhao looked again at the figure portrait in Painter Lu's hand; the artistic conception was elegant, the figure lifelike, and the eyes of the person in the painting seemed to pierce through layers of mist and rain, looking out at himself beyond the canvas with a hint of sorrow.

"It should be my honor," Gu Zhao said, narrowing his eyes, and couldn't help but ask, "How much is this painting? Let me first ask if I can afford it."

Painter Lu shook his head and laughed, "Once I finish painting, I will naturally present the painting to the Young Master as a gift."

Gu Zhao pointed to the painting in his hand, "Then what of the owner of this painting?"

Painter Lu answered evasively, "Once I finish one painting, I can naturally paint another."

Gu Zhao understood and asked another question, "Is Mr. a local of Xiuyue County?"

Painter Lu shook his head and then nodded, looking at Gu Zhao's long robe, "I have stayed here for two years; if the Young Master wishes to inquire about a friend's residence or visit the county school, I can guide you."

Gu Zhao nodded, "That is excellent; let alone that Xiuyue County is quite large."

Painter Lu turned to lead the way, "Although Xiuyue County is located in the southeast of Changping Prefecture, it borders Yongzhou to the east, and the distance to Yazhou to the south is not far; it is a place where three provinces converge, so naturally, there are many people."

Gu Zhao followed and asked casually, "Mr., your martial skills are extraordinary; are you a mage?"

Painter Lu did not stop walking, "My cultivation is shallow; I can barely protect myself; I cannot be counted as a mage."

"Mr. is so powerful; have you seen those demons and ghosts?" Gu Zhao acted like a curious child who had never seen the world.

"I have not seen them," Painter Lu curved his lips, shook his head, and said, "You are overthinking; where on earth are there so many demons and ghosts? In truth, most are merely rumors passed from error to error."

Gu Zhao remained noncommittal and looked at the scrolls inside the bamboo basket on Painter Lu's back, "Are these all paintings?"

"Yes," Painter Lu nodded, "If the Young Master wishes to see them, after I finish painting, the Young Master may admire them to your heart's content."

"Mr.'s painting skills are superb; I look forward to it greatly," Gu Zhao said, not standing too close to Painter Lu, and continued asking, "Are these all figure portraits?"

Painter Lu paused in his steps, "Not all; there are also landscapes of mountains and rivers."

Painter Lu did not live far; after walking out of the alley for a short while and turning into another alley, they soon arrived at Painter Lu's residence.

This was a secluded small courtyard; the courtyard was not large, with only two rooms on the front and side: one bedroom and one studio; the stove and miscellaneous items were all piled in the yard.

"Young Master, please," Painter Lu opened the side room door and invited Gu Zhao inside.

Gu Zhao walked in slowly, looking around as he asked, "Is this where Mr. paints?"

"Indeed," Painter Lu nodded, went to the table nearby, and poured a cup of water for Gu Zhao, "The situation just now was sudden; I have not yet asked how the Young Master is addressed."

This side room was not large; a white wall, a long table, two chairs, a slightly tilted easel, and a wooden rack holding watercolors, brushes, and ink constituted all the furnishings of this room.

Gu Zhao set the water aside and casually gave a false name, "Zhang Hang."

Painter Lu did not mind, simply inviting Gu Zhao to sit by the table, "Brother Zhang, feel free to be at ease; I only need to see Brother Zhang's face."

After saying this, he sat opposite Gu Zhao, set up the easel, laid down a sheet of painting paper, and then prepared to begin painting.

"Just like that?" Gu Zhao asked.

"Just like that," Painter Lu nodded, looking at Gu Zhao with full admiration, "The Young Master is handsome and radiant; this painting will surely be a masterpiece."

Gu Zhao looked at Painter Lu, then at the surroundings here; indeed, it was much safer and quieter than the alley just now, so he flexed the fingers of both hands, "Then let it be so."

Just then, a knocking sound came at the door, "Mr. Lu, meeting a good friend, why not invite him to sit at my place?"