Martial Saint through Reading-Chapter 51: [Calligraphy and Painting] Progress Skyrockets

Chapter 51: Chapter 51: [Calligraphy and Painting] Progress Skyrockets

Yunqi Courtyard.

"Junior Brother Chu, look, this line should be drawn like this."

In the courtyard, Liang Yuan was earnestly teaching Chu Ming how to paint.

"The way you finish the stroke here isn’t quite right either, Junior Brother Chu. Watch closely—it’s only with this kind of finish that the picture will come out perfect."

"Thank you, Senior Brother, I’ll give it a try."

Chu Ming picked up his brush to attempt painting, from trees to landscapes, every stroke detailed and focused.

At the same time, on the panel, the progress bar for [Calligraphy and Painting] was rising rapidly.

That’s the effect of proper guidance—you quickly find the correct approach instead of wasting time wandering down the wrong path.

23...33...45...56...

After finishing two paintings, his [Calligraphy and Painting] progress reached ’56’, much faster than figuring it out himself.

"Senior Brother Ningx has been gone for a while," Liang Yuan glanced outside the courtyard, then turned to Chu Ming. "Junior Brother Chu, you actually dared to refuse Mr. Shen’s invitation? Senior Brother truly admires you."

Chu Ming kept painting, saying, "Senior Brother Ningx is clearly more gifted in poetry and literature than I am, so it’s only fitting that Mr. Shen give him guidance."

As for what Lord Shen really wanted, Chu Ming had a faint idea.

Complex Text, Simple Text... breaking with tradition...

Based on his knowledge of past history, breaking through the established barriers of literature was a great thing for posterity, but it wasn’t something one or two people could achieve alone.

Breaking with tradition always comes at the cost of passionate bodies and lives.

Rather than wasting time on unrealistic things that are likely to offend those in power, it’s better to be pragmatic.

Refining and optimizing Cultivation Technique, Condensing Qi and Blood, improving his strength, finishing "Poetry, Politics, and Military" earlier, grinding [Calligraphy and Painting] to a higher level...

If one day his abilities were strong enough, he might give it a try—but certainly not now.

"Heh, Junior Brother Chu, you really stumbled upon something lucky. Senior Brother Ningx spent a lot of effort trying to get guidance from Mr. Shen, but never once succeeded. Yet you helped Senior Brother fulfill his wish on your very first day here..."

"Eh, Senior Brother Ningx is back."

As Liang Yuan spoke, the courtyard door pushed open and Ning Hao walked in, looking a bit strange.

"What’s up, Senior Brother? You got guidance from Mr. Shen and still aren’t satisfied?" Liang Yuan nudged Ning Hao, then looked at Chu Ming. "How about we book a private room in the dining hall tonight, really celebrate Senior Brother achieving his dream?"

He meant: let Ning Hao treat them to dinner tonight, as thanks to Chu Ming.

However, as soon as he said that, whatever low spirits Ning Hao had vanished instantly. His head lifted, his expression both aggrieved and furious.

"Senior Brother Ningx, it can’t be that bad, can it? Did Mr. Shen teach you some parting-elegy verses or what?"

Chu Ming also set down his brush, puzzled as he looked at Ning Hao. What kind of elegy would stir this Senior Brother’s emotions so fiercely?

There might not be tears, but that look in his eyes...

"Junior Brother Liang, do you still have any silver taels?" But Ning Hao’s first words left Liang Yuan stunned. "You don’t?!"

Ning Hao shook his head.

"How could that be? Our grand Young Master from the Ningx Family, gets a double-digit sum of silver taels monthly, trying to fool a poor student like me who lives by copying calligraphy and painting?"

"Really gone." Ning Hao’s tone grew heavier.

"How’d it run out?"

"Spent it on food."

"You ate without inviting me? Wait, what did you eat? I remember you still had six or seven taels?"

"Mr. Shen’s meal."

"What do you mean? Mr. Shen actually made you pay for his meal?"

Ning Hao fell silent.

"No way. Mr. Shen really didn’t pay, and you covered it?"

"Mm." Ning Hao looked at Chu Ming.

"..." Chu Ming was dazed. That old gentleman was really like that?

Thank goodness I didn’t go.

"How much are you still short?" Liang Yuan asked tentatively.

"Seven taels total. I paid five, still short two."

"Seven taels!" Liang Yuan slapped both hands on the table and leaned forward, eyes wide in disbelief. "Did you eat mountain delicacies and rare beasts?"

"Pretty much."

"You ate it all by yourself?" Suddenly, Liang Yuan darted over to Ning Hao, flustered.

"No, couldn’t finish it."

"Good, good, good!" Liang Yuan grabbed Ning Hao with one hand, Chu Ming with the other. "Let’s run, maybe the dining hall hasn’t cleared the tables yet!"

"..."

...

At the entrance to the dining hall.

Liang Yuan stood there looking regretful; Ning Hao bitterly handed over two taels of silver.

"Senior Brother Ningx, seven taels of silver, you ate alone, and you still have the nerve to look heartbroken?"

Liang Yuan’s gaze followed the two taels, earned painstakingly by copying paintings.

Passing Junior Examinees all stared in amazement—eating alone cost seven taels of silver?

Ning Hao pulled Liang Yuan and Chu Ming to a quiet spot, "Junior Brother Liang, it was too crowded just now, not convenient to talk. The monthly salary from home will arrive next month—I’ll pay you back first thing."

"Next month?" Liang Yuan nearly laughed in exasperation. "There’s still twenty days left this month. Senior Brother, you plan to survive on just that meal?"

"..." Ning Hao’s face suddenly flushed. "Junior Brother Liang, could you lend me a bit more?"

"Not even a copper coin," Liang Yuan’s eyes glinted. "Unless Senior Brother is willing to compose poems to go with my paintings."

Compose poems?

Chu Ming looked over, curious.

Liang Yuan, seeing Chu Ming didn’t understand, turned and explained, "If a painting has only landscapes or scenes but no poetry, it’s just a painting. But if you add poetry, it becomes a calligraphy work, and is more valuable."

As he spoke, he leaned in beside Chu Ming, whispering, "Senior Brother Ningx comes from a great family, prides himself on his integrity, and considers turning poetry into money a blemish on poetry."

He spoke softly, seemingly for Chu Ming, but actually for Ning Hao to hear.

"I’ll do it!" Ning Hao hesitated for a moment, his eyes growing bright. "Let’s go back now and I’ll write. Tomorrow, we’ll take them to the painting workshop to sell!" 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

"Great!" Liang Yuan was elated.

...

Back at Yunqi Courtyard.

Under Liang Yuan’s guidance, Chu Ming finished two more paintings, grinding his [Calligraphy and Painting] skill up to ’87’.

"Junior Brother, we’ll stop here for today. Your talent in calligraphy and painting isn’t especially outstanding, but it’s better than Senior Brother Ningx."

"Trust me, if you keep this up, in half a year to a year you’ll be able to sell your paintings to the workshop."

"Alright, thank you, Senior Brother." Chu Ming packed away his brushes and ink, ready to return to his room.

Ning Hao paused, then began, "Junior Brother Chu, you may have passed Mr. Shen’s assessment today and are exempt from this month’s poetry evaluation, but..."

He hesitated.

Liang Yuan stepped forward. "What Senior Brother Ningx means is you just got lucky, saying exactly what Mr. Shen wanted to hear. You still need to solidify your foundation in poetry and literature, don’t slack off because of this."

Compared to Ning Hao’s steadiness, Liang Yuan’s nature was more forthright.

Ning Hao nodded. "Junior Brother Chu, if you have any questions, come ask me anytime."

"Thank you, Senior Brother Ningx, Senior Brother Liang." Chu Ming gave a slight bow.

Ning Hao stared at Chu Ming’s room, gaze lingering.

He was still pondering the meaning behind Mr. Shen’s words.

Mr. Shen refused to guide him, but invited this Junior Brother Chu to dine—was it just because of that one compliment about ’being a pioneer’?

What does Mr. Shen want to pioneer?

Overturning Complex Text, advocating Simple Text?

Liang Yuan unrolled the paintings on the table, set out brush and ink. "Senior Brother, enough staring, start composing!"

Ning Hao snapped back to himself and picked up the brush to write.

Composing for a painting isn’t just randomly adding any poem—it’s about creating poetry inspired by the scene, with resonance and meaning.

"By the way, Senior Brother, since you were alone with Mr. Shen for so long, did you ask him anything?"