[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-commanding-the-five-thunders-across-two-worlds":3,"chapter-commanding-the-five-thunders-across-two-worlds-commanding-the-five-thunders-across-two-worlds-chapter-39":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Commanding the Five Thunders Across Two Worlds",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2363167,4620,"Chapter 39","commanding-the-five-thunders-across-two-worlds-chapter-39",39,"\u003Cp>“Master Lu the painter?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two idlers turned to look at the man, clearly recognizing him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The front idler frowned and snapped, “Blind fool, don’t you see the master is busy?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The back idler’s gaze turned cold, “The masters haven’t troubled you—do you think they’re kind-hearted?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone was no fool; the two idlers were clearly blocking someone in the alley, and yet this man still dared approach—he must have intended to meddle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Lu shook his head, “If you’re robbing someone else, I won’t interfere—but not him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The front idler leveled his short knife at Master Lu, “Why not him?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The back idler hissed low, “Don’t waste time with him—get rid of him quickly!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At those words, the front idler swung his short knife toward Master Lu’s shoulder, aiming to scare him off or wound him enough to drive him away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Lu replied calmly, “Because I find this young master strikingly handsome, with brows like swords and eyes like stars—I wish to speak with him about painting his portrait.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing this, not only did the two idlers freeze in shock, but even Gu Zhao was left dumbfounded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But regardless of their thoughts, all three now stared at Master Lu’s hand—he had simply extended his empty left hand and caught the wrist of the idler’s knife-wielding arm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’ve hidden well—you’re a martial artist?” the back idler exclaimed in surprise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the front idler had no time for surprise; he felt his wrist clamped as if in iron, no matter how he struggled, it didn’t budge—and the grip tightened, grew fiercer, pain flaring until his eyes turned red and sweat broke on his brow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ahh!” A cry of agony rang out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Clang!” The short knife clattered to the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Lu finally released his grip; the front idler staggered backward, trembling as he pulled his hand to his chest, staring at the vivid, crimson handprint etched into his wrist—wondering if it had been crushed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if sensing something, he raised his head—and met Master Lu’s gaze directly. Without a word, the front idler leapt past Gu Zhao and bolted away in flight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The back idler was quick to read the situation—he knew who to fear and who not to provoke—and without hesitation, he too turned and fled, sprinting after the front idler.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Lu watched the two flee, then turned to Gu Zhao and gave a calm nod. “Greetings, young master.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Zhao made no move to stop them; instead, feeling the pulse of the Five Thunder Talisman in his spiritual sea, he bowed in thanks. “Thank you, Master Lu.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Lu had called Gu Zhao handsome—but he himself was no less striking: pale skin through which veins faintly showed, a high nose and thin lips, a light vermilion mole beneath his left eye, his overall demeanor delicate and scholarly—no wonder the two idlers had dismissed him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Lu nodded. “No need for thanks—I have my own motives.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Zhao looked at the bamboo pole in Master Lu’s right hand—it stood taller than a man, bearing an unfurled scroll of a figure and landscape: a man in blue robes stood beneath a mist-shrouded stone bridge, holding an umbrella, his posture ethereal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fine painting!” Gu Zhao praised.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Lu smiled faintly. “It was always a fine painting.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You want to paint me too?” Gu Zhao asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Lu nodded. “Young master, your bearing is noble, your presence radiant—if I may hold the brush, it would be my honor.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Zhao looked again at the portrait in Master Lu’s hand: the atmosphere elegant, the figure lifelike—the eyes of the painted man seemed to pierce through the mist, gazing out with quiet sorrow toward the viewer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It should be my honor,” Gu Zhao said, eyes narrowing. “How much for this painting? I’d like to know if I can afford it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Lu shook his head with a wry smile. “When I finish, I shall present the painting to you as a gift.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Zhao pointed to the painting in his hand. “Then who owns this one?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Lu answered evasively. “When I finish one, I can always paint another.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Zhao understood, and asked another question. “Are you a native of Xiuyue County?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Lu shook his head, then nodded. He glanced at Gu Zhao’s long robe. “I’ve stayed here two years—if you wish to find a friend’s residence or visit the county academy, I can guide you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Zhao nodded. “That’s excellent—Xiuyue County is quite large.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Lu turned to lead the way. “Though Xiuyue lies in the southeast of Changping Prefecture, it borders Yongzhou to the east and is not far from Yazhou to the south—it’s a crossroads of three provinces, so naturally, many people pass through.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Zhao followed, asking casually, “Your martial skill is impressive—are you a Daoist priest?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Lu kept walking. “My cultivation is shallow—barely enough for self-defense. I’m no Daoist priest.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“With such skill, have you ever seen spirits or demons?” Gu Zhao asked, sounding like an innocent child curious about the world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Never,” Master Lu said, lips curling slightly as he shook his head. “You imagine too much—most tales of spirits and demons are just rumors.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Zhao said nothing, his gaze shifting to the bamboo basket on Master Lu’s back. “Are all these scrolls paintings?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes,” Master Lu nodded. “If you wish to see them, after I finish painting, you may admire them at leisure.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your brushwork is superb—I look forward to it,” Gu Zhao said, keeping his distance as he asked, “Are all these portraits?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Lu paused. “No—some are landscapes and mountains.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Lu’s home was not far. After leaving the alley and turning down another, they soon arrived at his dwelling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a secluded small courtyard, modest in size: only two rooms—one facing front, one to the side—a bedroom, a painting studio, with a stove and clutter stacked in the yard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Young master, please,” Master Lu opened the side room’s door and gestured for Gu Zhao to enter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Zhao stepped inside slowly, glancing around as he asked, “Do you paint here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes,” Master Lu nodded, pouring water for Gu Zhao from a table beside him. “I didn’t even ask your name before—what should I call you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The side room was small: one white wall, one long table, two chairs, a slightly tilted painting board, and a wooden stand holding brushes, ink, and pigments—that was all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Zhao set the water aside and gave a false name. “Zhang Hang.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Lu didn’t care—he invited Gu Zhao to sit at the table. “Brother Zhang, make yourself at home—just let me see your face.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He sat across from Gu Zhao, set up the painting board, laid down a sheet of paper, and prepared to begin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Just like that?” Gu Zhao asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Just like that,” Master Lu nodded, gazing at Gu Zhao with admiration. “Young master, your grace and beauty will make this a masterpiece.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Zhao looked at Master Lu, then at the room—far safer and quieter than the alley—and flexed his fingers. “Then let’s begin.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, a knock came at the door. “Master Lu, if you’ve met a good friend, why not invite him to my place?”\u003C\u002Fp>",1199,"2026-06-21T06:19:08.116Z",1,"Qwen3.5 397B","e1fd3e3713210b99bd017459c328479cd91ed21690e31f1a780b93cc1da67eda","commanding-the-five-thunders-across-two-worlds-chapter-40","commanding-the-five-thunders-across-two-worlds-chapter-38",141,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fcommanding-the-five-thunders-across-two-worlds-cover.jpg"]