292: Chapter 145 Two Blossoms in Calligraphy and Painting_1 292: Chapter 145 Two Blossoms in Calligraphy and Painting_1 In his previous life, Cao Zhen often saw a scene where a seemingly wealthy person, in a suave gesture, would tear off a check and fling it at someone’s face saying, “Fill it out as you like.” He could never understand what was so “as you like” about it—you’d obviously write a series of nines and fill every single box.
He never had the chance to experience this in his previous life, but in this life, such an opportunity lay before him.
What does it mean when someone tells you to take whatever you like from his mountain?
It means you can take as much as you want, emptying the whole mountain if you so desire.
This was even better than filling in a string of nines!
“Since we all agree on what has been said, let’s go and take the items now,” Cao Zhen suggested, smiling, indicating for everyone to follow him to take things from the different peaks.
Just as he was about to leave, the Peak Master of Immortal Pen Peak, Song Xianbi, and the Peak Master of Wonderful Pen Peak, He Miaobi, came walking over.
“Peak Master Cao…” Song Xianbi greeted Cao Zhen with a smile and a clasped-hands salute, “In a few days, people will come to our Hundred Peaks Sect to discuss the Painting Way.
I was hoping Peak Master Cao could help us with this.”
Cao Zhen understood instantly, “You want me to write a piece of calligraphy that will make them utterly convinced, right?
Simple, but…” The discussions of calligraphy and painting were not like those of swordsmanship, where you could just talk; what good were your claims if your writing and painting weren’t equally impressive?
You had to speak through your works.
He Miaobi understood as soon as he heard the word “but” and quickly said, “Peak Master Cao, we understand. ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ꜰʀᴏᴍ novel[f]ire.net
Our two peaks follow the Dao of Calligraphy, which is especially important.
Our two peaks also have some medicinal herbs and materials for refining divine weapons, which aren’t that useful to us, but we’ve heard that Peak Master Cao is skilled at alchemy; maybe these materials will be useful to Four Treasures Peak.
Our Hundred Peaks Sect is all one family; Peak Master Cao, feel free to take anything you fancy from our peaks.”
Indeed, Cao Zhen had previously made plaques for both Wonderful Pen Peak and Immortal Pen Peak, but the calligraphy on those plaques was so terrifying that they were kept as treasures to protect their peaks.
How could such items be casually shown to others for appreciation or debates?
So after discussing it, the two of them decided to approach Cao Zhen, asking him to write another piece of calligraphy.
Around them, other Peak Masters heard and inwardly scorned the situation—those with Vermilion Bird Peak and Wonderful Pen Peak were shameless.
They sounded nice, talking about the unity of Hundred Peaks Sect and telling Cao Zhen to take whatever he liked!
Why didn’t these two Peak Masters tell their own peaks the same thing, that everyone could take whatever they wanted?
What about their claim that they are calligraphy-focused and the materials of no use to them?
All materials related to alchemy and refining divine weapons are useful to every cultivator!
They spoke courteously, but in reality, they were just unable to do it themselves.
They knew Cao Zhen was better at calligraphy, so they were asking for his help in exchange for a favor.
Not far away, Liang Juebi of Ultimate Pen Peak was taken aback and quickly stepped forward to say, “Peak Master Cao, all of us belong to Hundred Peaks Sect.
This time, could you also help our Ultimate Pen Peak?
Of course, just like them, our entire peak is open to you.
Peak Master Cao, feel free to choose anything you like when the time comes.”
He hadn’t interacted much with Cao Zhen, but knew that Cao Zhen was highly skilled in calligraphy.
Previously, at the Golden Core Club event at Vermilion Bird Peak, Peak Master Cao had completely overshadowed Shi Xiaolou from Four Extremes Sect, who was renowned for excelling in both calligraphy and painting.
He even led Shi Xiaolou, as well as Song Xianbi and He Miaobi, to have an enlightenment after witnessing his calligraphy.
Having given an enlightenment to those two Peak Masters, Cao Zhen’s calligraphy was undoubtedly superior to that of Song Xianbi and He Miaobi.
When people arrive, if Immortal Pen Peak and Wonderful Pen Peak present Cao Zhen’s calligraphy and overshadow the opposition, while Ultimate Pen Peak loses because they have nothing to show, wouldn’t that be humiliating?
Others would say that Ultimate Pen Peak couldn’t compare to Immortal Pen Peak or Wonderful Pen Peak.
Apart from the embarrassment, the next time disciples were to be recruited, they would surely favor Immortal Pen Peak and Wonderful Pen Peak first, making it difficult for Ultimate Pen Peak to attract disciples.
Therefore, to avoid losing face this time and for the future of Ultimate Pen Peak, it was also necessary for him to offer something for Cao Zhen to select from generously.
“Great, we’re all from Hundred Peaks Sect; everyone gets a share, everyone gets a share,” Cao Zhen was delighted—the more people who let him fill in 999, the better.
Next to him, Song Xianbi gave Liang Juebi a look and then leaned closer, whispering, “Peak Master Cao, when the time comes, please go easy on us.”
Cao Zhen immediately understood that they meant not to take too much when he went to choose.
“Don’t worry, we are all part of the Hundred Peaks Sect.
I’m not that kind of person,” Cao Zhen genuinely didn’t plan to strip their peaks bare; that would be too extreme.
Besides, the masters of Immortal Pen Peak and Wonderful Pen Peak had always supported him; he had to leave them a way out.
“Thank you, Peak Master Cao,” Song Xianbi said joyfully, hurriedly taking out brushes, ink, paper, and inkstone, grinding the ink himself without needing any assistance.
Cao Zhen, watching the three Peak Masters busily grinding ink, turned to a few others who were also known for the Dao of Calligraphy but leaned more towards the Painting Way, and asked, “Actually, I’m not only skilled in the Doctrine of Calligraphy, but I’m also proficient in painting.
Do you need me to create a piece for you?”