Chapter 210: Mockery

Xiao Dai, truly a masterful hand at painting, no wonder you've earned Madame Hu's favor!

Luo Liang offered a compliment, then handed the painting in his hand to Hu Meiniang.

At this moment, he had made up his mind to find an opportunity to obtain a painting of Hu Meiniang from Dai Zhi Shang—preferably, no, it must be an erotic painting.

He naturally did not wish to offend Dai Zhi Shang again!

Although he felt a twinge of jealousy that Dai Zhi Shang was qualified to accompany Hu Meiniang on an outing, it was slight; mostly he felt envy.

Who let Dai Zhi Shang have such talent, actually possessing such painting skill? He clearly knew that Madame Hu most favored those talented youths with a specialty.

Although Dai Zhi Shang is a wastrel, he at least came from a scholar's background, not entirely unlearned, and on top of that he possesses first-rate painting skill.

No wonder the rumors say this dog‑thing—cough, cough—this Xiao Dai frequents the flower‑street willow‑lane, allegedly spending little money and even having the top courtesan sweep the mat in anticipation.

Before.

They used to think it was because Dai Zhi Shang came from the Dai family, or that he was very capable in bed.

Now it seems……

Eight or nine times out of ten it's because of his painting skill!

Hu Meiniang flattered: 'With Dai Lang's talent, if given a little more time, he could become a grand master of the painting Dao—it's only a matter of time!'

She had been planning to publish an edition of erotic paintings, a serial featuring herself as the protagonist, and had already begun seeking artists—there were talented youth painters as well as veteran painters who had worked for years—but none of them satisfied her.

Until Dai Zhi Shang appeared, she happened to see a painting he had done, an erotic painting, which had leaked from a top courtesan in a brothel in the prefectural city.

It had been deliberately leaked to attract business.

The top courtesans in the brothel, in order to attract business, stand out among many competitors; their methods are myriad and varied.

Her idea initially came from a sudden flash of inspiration drawn from those courtesans' methods.

Although.

At that time she could not understand: Dai Zhi Shang had come to the prefectural city clearly to treat his infertility, yet his illness wasn't cured and he ran off to the brothel to play with the courtesans.

He was practically a lecherous demon!

Coincidentally.

She discovered that Dai Zhi Shang was quite handsome, and combined with his excellent painting skill, that is why this outing took place—to satisfy the need for material.

During it.

She also cured Dai Zhi Shang's illness!

"Meiniang, you overpraise me; I know my own limits—with just this bit of three‑legged‑cat ability, I can only amuse myself; becoming a grand master of painting for the ages is impossible!"

Although he said that, if you look closely you can still see a look of pride on Dai Zhi Shang's face.

The thing he is most proud of in his life is his painting ability.

Unfortunately.

Aside from the women of the flower‑street willow‑lane, hardly anyone ever praises him.

Since he focuses on erotic paintings, his ordinary portraits, though excellent, are worlds apart from his erotic works.

"Xiao Dai, you're still too modest……"

Luo Liang watched Dai Zhi Shang's proud expression; how could he fail to see what he was thinking? He was about to offer a few compliments to please Dai Zhi Shang, making it easier to obtain Hu Meiniang's portrait from him. However,

Before he could finish speaking, he noticed an abnormality in the surroundings—the spiritual qi wandering between heaven and earth felt an inexplicable attraction, swarming from all directions toward a certain place.

Luo Liang instinctively lowered his gaze and immediately noticed the Daoist Xuanqing, wrapped in spiritual qi, and exclaimed in astonishment, "Isn't this Daoist already dead?"

Now.

Xuanqing Daozhang had nowhere that could help him, so he saw no reason to continue calling Xuanqing Daozhang his senior brother.

He had merely cultivated in Ziyang Palace before; although he was a Ziyang Palace disciple, he lacked the qualifications to remain there, having entered a few years earlier, and now he is just a wild Daoist—what right does he have to be his senior brother?

Don't think that Xuanqing Daozhang, every ten years, has the qualification to send disciples into Ziyang Palace for cultivation.

But not only Xuanqing Daozhang—any cultivator who was once a Ziyang Palace disciple has this qualification, and he does as well.

This is not merely a benefit granted by Ziyang Palace disciples to former disciples; it is also one of Ziyang Palace's methods for recruiting talent from across the world.

It amounts to nothing!

"Dead, why did this Daoist die?"

Hu Meiniang blurted out, and as soon as she finished speaking she lifted her head, glanced teasingly at Luo Liang, and said, "You mean I killed him?"

"Madame Hu, you've misunderstood—I didn't mean that!"

This novel you have arrived at

Luo Liang's expression turned serious; Hu Meiniang's face showed no trace of anger, but he dared not be careless, for everyone knows Hu Meiniang's moods are unpredictable, and he hurried to explain:

"My meaning is, Madame Hu, you suddenly arrived at the Wang family; you might not know, this Daoist is especially concerned about the Wang family, worried that you might harm the Wang family, lose your reason, and collide with Madame Hu you."

Being scolded by Madame Hu you!

How could one know.

"This Daoist's ability is ordinary; even if Madame Hu you deliberately held back, you still beat him to death……"

Before Luo Liang could finish speaking, Hu Meiniang impatiently interrupted: 'Luo Liang, Immortal Official, as an official you sure know how to talk, but you're mistaken—he lying here is not my doing!'

Luo Liang instinctively wanted to ask, but before he could utter a word, Hu Meiniang cut in first: 'You said this Daoist is particularly concerned about this household—what is the reason?'

"Madame Hu, you might not know, this Daoist wants to take this family's newborn child as a disciple!"

Having said that, Luo Liang paused, seeming to have thought of something, his face full of mockery; seeing Hu Meiniang not speak but look at him curiously, he knew she might be concerned.

Why would Xuanqing Daozhang think of taking Wang Ping'an as a disciple!

Luo Liang sneered: 'This Daoist has no real ability, treating this newborn as a Primordial Sword Body, hoping the child will inherit his mantle!'

"Primordial Sword Body!"

Hu Meiniang exclaimed, her face burning with fervor, then suddenly noticed Luo Liang's sneer and said, 'Could it be that this child is not…?'

The Primordial Sword Body is a top‑grade precious physique; once it gets out, who knows what turmoil it could cause—she thought that even if she merely passed this news to some old monster Sword Cultivator, she would gain unimaginable benefits.

Not to mention.

She has seen countless men, yet she has never touched a Primordial Treasure Body; she truly wants to know what it feels like.

Although Wang Ping'an is still young, just born, a dozen or twenty years is merely a blink; her lifespan is long, she can afford to wait this time.

「What kind of Primordial Sword Body does this child have! 」

Luo Liang gave a cold snort, the mockery on his face intensifying, not only aimed at Xuanqing Daozhang but also at Luo Quan, he laughed and said:

「It's just that Great Sword Hero Dong Qing is capable, actually able to inject a strand of Sword Qi into an infant's body, faintly emitting some aura, which is why this Daoist mistakenly thought this child is a Primordial Sword Body! 」

(End of chapter)