I Can Devour Spirits-Chapter 37: Profound Mental Realm

Jiang Qingyu stepped forward a few paces.

Duan Rong gazed intently, noticing that this young gentleman wore embroidered clothes and black boots, his beautiful jade hairpin securing his hair. He was indeed strikingly handsome.

At the sight of Jiang Qingyu’s face, Duan Rong was troubled at heart. "You’re so handsome, how can I even begin to Photoshop you?"

There’s hardly any room to adjust those features; altering them haphazardly would backfire...

"Looks like I’ll have to work on the imagery instead!"

After a moment of reflection, Duan Rong seemed to finally have a plan in mind.

"Young master, turn your face to the side!"

Jiang Qingyu turned slightly, somewhat impatiently.

Duan Rong carefully observed Jiang Qingyu’s profile.

This first business transaction cannot afford to fail!

"Alright, turn back around now."

Jiang Qingyu turned back, his eyes drooping slightly in annoyance.

"Do you use a sword, young master?" Duan Rong noticed the sword at Jiang Qingyu’s waist, with a scabbard of purple-bronze and a tassel as white as snow.

The sword tassel was made of fine cotton, able to soak up fresh blood!

"What? Want to have a go?" Seeing his sword mentioned, Jiang Qingyu suddenly lifted his gaze, eyes filled with provocation.

He had already observed Duan Rong’s short attire, and the lantern hung on the tree, wasn’t there a knife?

"I’d gladly ask the young master to go through some sets of moves; I’ll use your sword-wielding stance as my material." Duan Rong said with a light smile.

Before Jiang Qingyu could speak, his servant Jiang Rong stepped forward, lantern in hand, angrily saying, "You brat, making a fuss about every little thing when drawing! If you can’t do it, just say so. We’ll give you a quick end; stop stalling!"

"Ah..." Jiang Qingyu waved to silence Jiang Rong, then turned to Duan Rong, saying, "I can go through the moves, but if you don’t draw well, I won’t just ruin your stall, I’ll strip you naked and tie you to this tree."

Jiang Rong, upon hearing, seemed already to envision Duan Rong embarrassingly tied bare to the tree, chuckling at the thought.

Duan Rong sighed, shaking his head secretly, thinking: young and wealthy, frivolous and impulsive.

Jiang Qingyu drew his long sword, its cold gleam like flowing water, flickering left and right.

Duan Rong was immediately secretly startled.

Jiang Qingyu started training in martial arts at age twelve, it’s been five years now, and his Illusion Cloud Sword Skill reached the Minor Success Realm just a month ago.

Neither his martial arts techniques nor his Inner Breath Realm could be matched by Duan Rong at this time.

After Jiang Qingyu finished his moves, he stood sideways, sword sheathed!

Suddenly, Duan Rong had an idea; the boy wielding his sword under the great locust tree reminded him of the Youth Warrior Painting he purchased from the lean scholar earlier today.

Gradually, he began to unite the scene before him with the imagery within the painting!

Duan Rong felt enlightened in his heart, and as he took brush and ink to canvas, the flow was seamless.

He almost effortlessly painted an image of a young man wielding a sword!

Looking at his work, Duan Rong smiled slightly and said, "Young master, finished!"

"Finished?" Jiang Qingyu felt a twinge of doubt. "So quickly?"

Duan Rong took the paper from the easel, handing it to Jiang Qingyu.

Jiang Qingyu took it, and in the lantern’s light, he lowered his gaze.

This was a simple, expressive ink painting; the person depicted wielding the sword was none other than him.

However, the background was not under this evening’s locust tree but amid peculiar rocks and bamboo shadows.

Rocks rugged, bamboo shadows swaying...

Jiang Qingyu felt a profound imagery and a heavy bearing, and staring at the painting for a long while, he unexpectedly developed an attachment to it.

Duan Rong’s painting was actually modeled after the lean scholar’s Youth Warrior Painting.

He had once come across an interview with a renowned painter.

The gray-haired painter said something that Duan Rong had always remembered.

"What is heaviness? When positioned correctly, it becomes heavy!"

Though Duan Rong lacked the ability to reach such heaviness, he could learn from it by mimicking the spatial relationship among rocks, bamboo shadows, and youth in the scholar’s Youth Warrior Painting.

By the old painter’s words, this heaviness equates to that heaviness.

After studying the painting for a long time, Jiang Qingyu looked up, admiration and respect already in his gaze, saying, "Brother, you are truly extraordinary!"

"This painting already holds the air of a master, unexpectedly acquired amidst these streets and alleys."

"I was rude earlier, I kindly ask for your forgiveness, brother!"

Duan Rong softly smiled and said, "No need for formality, young master, this is merely a business transaction."

"Indeed, great talents hide in the market; the marketplace is a hidden realm of crouching tigers and hidden dragons." Jiang Qingyu said, "Brother, are you a native of Xianggu County? May I ask where you currently reside? Someday I wish to visit in person."

"I, Duan Rong, have lived in Xianggu County for generations. Currently, at Yuan Shun Escort Agency, I am an Apprentice Escort Master. Should you need any paintings, merely send someone to Yuan Shun Escort Agency to call for me!"

"Yuan Shun Escort Agency? Apprentice Escort Master?" Jiang Qingyu just then noticed the badge hanging from Duan Rong’s waist, indeed imprinted with Yuan Shun Escort Agency’s mark.

Duan Rong naturally sensed Jiang Qingyu’s tone of doubt, then laughed and said, "In the vast Jianghu, only striving to make a living."

Jiang Qingyu also smiled slightly, took out a silver note from inside his sleeve, and respectfully offered it to Duan Rong, saying, "A little tribute to support Painter Duan, I hope you won’t decline!"

Duan Rong, although he saw Jiang Qingyu’s sincerity, still waved his hand slightly, saying, "The transaction is complete. How can I accept more silver from the young master?"

"If I didn’t know the painting’s value, that would be another matter. Now that I recognize its value, how can I feign ignorance and take advantage unfairly? Master Duan, please accept it!"

Finding refusal futile, Duan Rong had to accept, saying, "Thank you for your generosity, young master!"

Only then did Jiang Qingyu clasp his fists in farewell and leave!

Duan Rong watched Jiang Qingyu and his servant leave, then glanced down at the silver note’s denomination in his hand. "A hundred taels?!"

Duan Rong chuckled softly. "This young master truly is extravagant; this business of mine counts as a splendid start!"

Jiang Qingyu did not remount the Cyan-Maned Horse, as Huaying Building was just across the street, a short walk away.

Holding the painting only, he walked ahead, with his servant Jiang Rong leading the horse behind.

"Jiang Rong, once I show this painting to Miss Lan Ying, she’ll definitely be delighted! She won’t be moody with me, and perhaps tonight, she might even sing a little tune for me..."

"Master, don’t be overly optimistic. It’s just a painting, and Miss Lan Ying’s temperament isn’t so easily pleased."

"Jiang Rong, you don’t understand!" Jiang Qingyu wanted to say more but suddenly realized that Jiang Rong hadn’t studied painting or calligraphy, so he sighed and said, "You’ll see."

Talking as they went, they arrived at Huaying Building, where Jiang Rong handed the Cyan-Maned Horse over to the Turtle Slaves at the entrance, who would take the horse to the backyard.

Jiang Rong followed Jiang Qingyu into Huaying Building.

Upon entering, the scent of flowers and makeup greeted them.

Several entertainers near the entrance quickly surrounded Jiang Qingyu, jostling and chattering...

Jiang Qingyu frowned deeply; Jiang Rong knew well about the Young Master’s dislike of these vulgar displays. He promptly dismissed the entertainers, giving each a silver note, then led Jiang Qingyu through the hall directly to the second floor.

Duan Rong watched as Jiang Qingyu and his servant entered Huaying Building. About the time it takes to burn an incense stick later, Jiang Qingyu came out again.

Beside Jiang Qingyu walked a woman, whose features Duan Rong could not discern across the street and at night, but she appeared graceful and walked with steady steps. Beside her, a maid held a pink-bordered parasol, keeping pace.

Seeing their direction, they seemed to be coming toward him.