Chapter 2811: The stand‑in was forcibly taken by the mountain bandit

Once Gu Fanghe's right arm injury had healed seventy or eighty percent and his muscles and bones could move freely, he no longer stayed confined all day in the warm pavilion.

Although Jin Chen still kept an eye on him not to over exert himself, handling the backlog of affairs in the stronghold and occasionally leading people on mountain patrols posed no major problem.

That afternoon, after Gu Fanghe had just finished discussing matters with several of the heads, he sat alone behind the spacious writing desk, rubbing the slightly cool Duan inkstone on the desk, his gaze sweeping over the sandalwood long box that stored portraits in the corner's multi‑treasure cabinet, when his heart suddenly stirred.

In his youth, although his father hoped he would join the military to serve the country, he also hired a tutor to teach him poetry, literature, calligraphy and painting, saying that a commander too needed to be versed in literary and artistic pursuits to clarify his mind and nature.

He had considerable talent in painting, but later the border wars flared, swords replaced brush and ink, and afterwards… the art of painting was buried in dust along with those past events he could not bear to recall.

Gu Fanghe rose, took down the brush, ink and pigments, intending to paint a portrait for Jin Chen.

As this idea arose, it made his heart itch; he could picture the young lord sitting or standing, frowning or smiling, his likeness falling onto the xuan paper.

It would surely be extremely beautiful.

Just then, Yan Qi came to report that down the mountain a convoy escorting precious medicinal materials had reached the most perilous stretch of the Black Mountain Cliff road and hesitated to proceed.

Lately, for unknown reasons, wild beasts in the mountains have been active frequently; a few days ago they even injured two hunters who had strayed in by mistake.

The convoy leader, having heard of Black Mountain Stronghold's rules, was willing to offer a generous reward, seeking only safe escort through that dangerous stretch.

Although Black Mountain Stronghold bears the name of banditry, within this South Continent territory it also has its own set of survival rules; collecting tolls from passersby to guarantee their safety is common practice.

Furthermore, Jin Chen had casually mentioned a few days earlier that, with the spring dryness, he wanted to find some lung‑moistening pear syrup candy.

Gu Fanghe pondered for a moment, then temporarily put the painting tools back into the box.

He personally selected more than ten capable men, also brought along Shi Meng, who knew the mountain's animal trails best, and went down the mountain.

That section of the Black Mountain Cliff road is perilous, with one side a bottomless cliff and the other a rugged stone‑strewn, densely wooded mountain wall.

Where the wind passes, one can hear distant beast roars.

The convoy members' faces were ashen; upon seeing Gu Fanghe's party, they felt as if they had seen a savior.

Gu Fanghe said no more, checked the payment, then ordered his men to guard the front and rear, while he and Shi Meng went ahead to scout the path.

The spring mist had not cleared, a white haze blanketing the mountain road, making things indistinct beyond a few steps.

Gu Fanghe rode ahead on horseback; though there were frights along the way, there was no real danger, and he safely escorted the convoy through the most perilous five‑ or six‑li mountain stretch, past the most dangerous cliff section; the mist cleared and warm spring sunlight poured down.

With the task done, Gu Fanghe took a detour into South Continent City.

In the city, spring was in full swing, willow catkins flying, street vendors hawking seasonal fresh novelties.

As he walked and looked, whenever he saw something novel and exquisite, he had people buy it—newly released cloud‑brocade fabric, taking a bolt of each attractive pattern.

In the jade shop, newly carved jade pendants, the South Continent's specialty cherry‑blossom pancakes, and plum cakes, all neatly wrapped in oil paper.

He bought a bit of almost everything, and noticing nearby stalls selling cricket jars, nine‑linked rings, Lu Ban locks and similar pastime toys, exquisitely crafted, he thought of Jin Chen sometimes idly playing with chess pieces and jade ware, so he also picked up a few of those on impulse.

On the way back, he passed a brush‑and‑ink shop.

Gu Fanghe selected two ingots of top‑grade pine‑soot ink that lay black as lacquer on paper, and a stack of the finest processed xuan paper.

By the time he returned to the stronghold, dusk had settled and the moon rose over the eastern hills.

Gu Fanghe inventoried his purchases, sending what belonged to the kitchen to the kitchen, what belonged to the storehouse to the storehouse, but personally carried the set of brush‑and‑ink and snacks to Jin Chen's courtyard.

Jin Chen was feeding fish by the pond in the courtyard; hearing footsteps, he tossed the last bit of fish food into the water, causing the fish to surge forward eagerly.

Jin Chen lifted his eyes and smiled, "You're back?"

"Mm." Gu Fanghe replied, "The city was lively today; I brought you some things."

Only then did Jin Chen turn his body, his gaze sweeping over the oil‑paper bundles on the table before landing on Gu Fanghe.

He was wearing today a facile‑movement uniform that accentuated his broad shoulders and long legs, with the right‑hand sleeve rolled up slightly.

"The injury's just better, and you went off to show off again." Jin Chen ate the pear syrup candy, sat down and asked, "Was that cliff very dangerous?"

"It's fine; after going there often, there's not much danger."

Gu Fanghe took a sip of tea, and the thought that had been weighed down by daytime chores rose again in his heart.

He set down his teacup, pondering how to begin, "Young master, today… I suddenly realized it's been a long time since I last touched brush and ink."

"Hm?" Jin Chen raised an eyebrow, gesturing for him to go on.

"I…" Gu Fanghe paused, feeling rather uncharacteristically uneasy, he tapped his fingers lightly on his knee, "I'd like to paint a small portrait for you, if you're willing."

Jin Chen's brow twitched as he recalled that fleeting glimpse in Gu Fanghe's study the other day, the portrait that had been put away.

He showed nothing on his face, only curling his lips into a smile, his eyes reflecting the moonlight and pond's glow, "Sure."

"I never imagined that the chief, who once served as a general commanding tens of thousands and taking enemy heads, would also be skilled in this refined art of painting."

"It's just that I dabbled a little in my youth," Gu Fanghe said, his tone fading, as if unwilling to elaborate further, "not all of it came from my father… anyway, I won't speak of it."

Jin Chen did not press further, but suddenly placed a kiss on Gu Fanghe's cheek.

Gu Fanghe's heart softened; he turned to look at Jin Chen, only to see him already seated back in his original spot, "If that's so, then go fetch the painting supplies—tonight's moonlight is splendid, don't let it go to waste."

"All right." Gu Fanghe agreed, feeling delighted, he stepped close and kissed Jin Chen's lips, then rose to instruct the little bandit waiting outside the courtyard to fetch the newly bought pine‑soot ink and processed xuan paper.

Gu Fanghe ground the ink while watching Jin Chen's relaxed silhouette seated on the stone by the pond, thinking silently to himself.

How could this be? Each time, he finds himself liking him more than before.

The moonlight shone clear, the pond water reflected the sky and lunar light, trembling slightly, blending Jin Chen's leaning figure into the rippling glitter.

Jin Chen simply sat casually, one hand propping his chin, the other loosely resting on his knee, turning his head to gaze at Gu Fanghe, his brows and eyes smiling, relaxed and content.

Gu Fanghe focused his spirit and steadied his breath; the brush tip touched the paper, his eyes holding only the moonlight, the water, and that person as gentle as spring water.