Chapter 41: with translation of chapter title

"This scholar, you're being courteous; my family's spirit cat rescued you to do good for our family Ping'an, so you don't need to thank me!"

Liu Dongzhu gave a faint glance at Dai Zhishang; because of Wang Ruhai, she now harbors no goodwill toward any scholars, but she is quite pleased with Dai Zhishang's sense of repaying kindness, and said:

"You, drenched in river water, should go back early to rest and change into clean clothes, lest you catch a cold!"

Although.

She doesn't quite understand why Dai Zhishang's repayment would involve painting a picture, but in any case, it's a sincere gesture from him!

"Madam Wang, this won't do; your family's spirit cat saved my life. If I don't repay it, when I return and others find out, I'll be ridiculed!"

Dai Zhishang's expression straightened, he took down the book chest and asked Cheng Yong beside him, "Village Chief Cheng, could you please help move a table over!"

"Alright!"

Cheng Yong chuckled, saw Liu Dongzhu opening her mouth, knew what she wanted to say, and preemptively said, "Dongzhu, this is Dai Zhishang's sincere intention; please fulfill his wish."

He had never seen Dai Zhishang paint, but the man is a scholar after all, and this time he fell into the Clear Water River because he intended to paint a Clear Water River scene, and accidentally slipped into it.

It shows he is a professional!

Not to mention, he does hold a scholar's title; a painting from his hand may not be priceless, but it's at least worth something, perhaps even able to protect the household and keep Ping'an safe.

Anyone who has a scholar's lineage is usually blessed by Confucian saints, possessing a righteous aura that repels ghosts and spirits and wards off demons and evil.

Liu Dongzhu, with a complicated expression, said, "Then it's up to Dai Zhishang!"

"Madam Wang, you're joking; how can one say the word 'trouble' when repaying a life‑saving debt?"

Dai Zhishang said earnestly.

Soon, Cheng Yong brought out tables and chairs from the main hall; Dai Zhishang sat down, took brush, ink, paper, and inkstone from the book chest, and signaled Liu Dongzhu to hold Wang Ping'an in front of him before he began to paint.

Time passed unnoticed; Liu Dongzhu sat on the chair watching over Wang Ping'an, who was practicing the Purple Qi Scripture; Hei Mao Bu Tou lounged lazily at Liu Dongzhu's feet; Dai Zhishang painted with abandon, while Cheng Yong stood nearby, watching Dai Zhishang's work intently.

Seeing Liu Dongzhu, Wang Ping'an, and Hei Mao Bu Tou gradually take shape under Dai Zhishang's brush, Cheng Yong's face was filled with unmistakable surprise.

It's not that he's overly critical or inexperienced; it's just that Dai Zhishang's depictions of Liu Dongzhu, Wang Ping'an, and Hei Mao Bu Tou are strikingly lifelike.

More importantly, as the portrait formed, an indescribable sense of security arose.

After a long while, Dai Zhishang finished the final stroke—adding the finishing touch—when the Liu Dongzhu, Wang Ping'an, and Hei Mao Bu Tou on the paper seemed to come alive, exhaling a heavy puff of foul air, their foreheads drenched in sweat, and their previously pallid complexions turning an even more ghastly white.

Dai Zhishang startled, asking, "Scholar Dai, are you alright?"

"I'm fine; it's just that painting this consumed all my energy!"

Dai Zhishang looked at the completed portrait, his face full of unabashed delight.

He discovered that this portrait caused his painting skill to leap forward, breaking a long‑standing bottleneck.

This current painting is the best he has produced in many years.

He couldn't tell whether it was a revelation after confronting life and death, or the help from Liu Dongzhu, Wang Ping'an, and Hei Mao Bu Tou.

A good scenery greatly aids a painter's skill improvement.

Cheng Yong suggested, "Scholar Dai, how about resting at my place today and returning tomorrow?"

"Village Chief Cheng, I appreciate your kindness, but I must return to report Ping'an!" Dai Zhishang shook his head and said, "Madam Wang, look, are you satisfied with this painting? If not, I can repaint it."

Although.

If he were to repaint, he might not be able to produce a portrait better than this.

Liu Dongzhu took the portrait Dai Zhishang handed over, and seeing herself, her family's Ping'an, and Ping'an's spirit pet, she couldn't help but show a happy expression.

Perhaps.

When Ping'an grows up, he can take out this painting to reminisce.

Only.

Suddenly she recalled Wang Ruhai's past painting!

Liu Dongzhu's happy expression faded, and with a complicated look she said, "Scholar Dai, I'm very satisfied with this painting; thank you for giving me something I can, when I'm old, recall the time our family's Ping'an was just born!"

As Liu Dongzhu examined Dai Zhishang's portrait, Wang Ping'an awoke from his cultivation; whether due to his extraordinary talent or the system, while practicing the Purple Qi Scripture he can multitask, delegating.

He can do other things without fearing demonic deviation!

Wang Ping'an looked up at Dai Zhishang's portrait and was instantly startled; in his previous life he wasn't the type to indulge in pretentious arts, since he was still hustling for three meals a day, with no spare time for such pursuits.

You have arrived at this novel.

Has absolutely no sense for appreciating art!

However.

When Dai Zhishang first laid eyes on this painting, a thought immediately arose in his heart.

"The painting is really fucking good!"

Ding! You observed Dai Zhishang's painting of the 'Mother‑Child Pet Picture' created with righteous vital energy and brush, and your talent: a bit of righteous vital energy has effectively grown. Congratulations, you receive a reward Spirit Power+1 and acquire the skill: Painting 【Entry Level】!

A mechanical, cold voice rang in his mind, startling Wang Ping'an. Gaining the skill: Painting wasn't unexpected, but he never imagined receiving a Spirit Power+1 reward.

It seems to be the talent: a bit of righteous qi at work!

"Madam Wang, as long as you're satisfied!"

Dai Zhishang exhaled a heavy puff of foul air, his face full of smugness, and said, "Madam Wang, please have this painting framed and keep it safe. This painting will greatly help your household's protection of Ping'an."

This painting, besides being his strongest work to date, is created with righteous qi as brush and ink, containing abundant righteous qi that can effectively ward off demons and monsters.

Liu Dongzhu, with a complicated expression, said, "I will!"

She had learned framing before, from the village's scholar official, to properly preserve the paintings left by Wang Ruhai.

"Since that's the case, I won't bother Madam Wang any further!"

Dai Zhishang stood up, about to leave, and after only a few steps, his peripheral vision caught Hei Mao Bu Tou at Liu Dongzhu's feet; he gratefully said, "Divine Cat Hero, thank you for saving my life; I'll come back in a few days to thank you again!"

Ding! Your pet Black Cat Catch Head has received Dai Zhishang's heartfelt gratitude and gains a reward: Physique+1!

A mechanical, cold voice rang again in Wang Ping'an's mind.

Liu Dongzhu hurriedly said, "Scholar Dai, this painting is enough; no further thanks are needed."

Cheng Yong chimed in, saying: "Yes indeed, Scholar Dai!"

Dai Zhishang laughed, saying: "How could my life be compared to a mere painting?"

(End of chapter)