Chapter 179: Chapter 167: Words Manifesting a Painting Scroll, Calligraphy Dao Perfection

He then watched as the magnificent scenes depicted on the Yunsong Paper shifted one after the other.

Endless yellow sand swirled toward the horizon, and through the haze, the silhouette of the sun emerged.

Amidst wind and snow, the north wind buffeted a neat formation of wild geese.

And in the final scene, a man stood high atop a city wall emblazoned with the word "Jinling," gazing into the distance.

He wore a gray long robe, and his hair and beard were streaked with gray. His smile, however, was gentle yet tinged with a fiery passion, as if he were taking in the entire world with a single glance.

It was none other than Sun Fu—Sun Changming!

As he watched, Chen Yi was satisfied, yet also felt a wave of emotion.

He had originally planned to just write a couple of poems to fulfill the obligation, but at the last moment, he was moved by Sun Fu’s aspirations and chose this piece instead.

He looked up at Sun Fu, still lost in the calligraphy piece. Just as he was about to speak, a golden light flashed before his eyes:

[Text of Natural Perfection. Calligraphy: Cursive Script has broken through to Perfect Level. You have gained a glimpse into the meaning of the Perfection of the Calligraphy Dao.]

[Calligraphy Dao: Great Success. Progress +1000. Perfection Realm has been reached.]

Chen Yi froze, murmuring, "Calligraphy Dao at Perfection... Perfection... Another epiphany."

Perhaps hearing his voice, Sun Fu snapped out of his trance and looked at Chen Yi, his expression ecstatic.

But his first words weren’t to praise Chen Yi’s latest breakthrough in the Calligraphy Dao. Instead, he asked:

"Qing- Qingzhou, are you sure this calligraphy piece is for me?"

’It must be. It has to be for me.’

’The figure in the scene is me, after all.’

Hearing this, Chen Yi didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. He simply nodded. "Of course it’s for you."

He pointed to the beginning of the poem. "’A Farewell Gift for Duke Changming.’ It’s written right here, clear as day."

The moment the words left his mouth, Sun Fu had already snatched the calligraphy piece into his hands.

Laughing, he said, "I knew you wouldn’t go back on your word, Qingzhou," all while blowing the ink dry.

He looked like a man who had just acquired a priceless treasure and didn’t want anyone else to lay eyes on it.

Chen Yi knew the old man was ecstatic, so he retrieved a brocade box from the bookshelf behind him for storing the piece.

Once Sun Fu had admiringly closed the lid and was clutching the box to his chest, Chen Yi said teasingly,

"It seems I won’t need to write that second poem. You look quite satisfied with this one."

Unexpectedly, Sun Fu actually nodded and laughed heartily. "Indeed, you don’t. To have this one piece—with such fine words and finer calligraphy—is more than enough for me."

’Who in all the world would not know me?’

Even if he, Sun Fu, were to drop dead this very moment, his name would be recorded in the annals of history thanks to this poem.

How could he not be utterly content?

"Qingzhou, your Calligraphy Dao has already captured its true essence. The heart moves before the brush, and the technique flows with the wrist. Only when the artist and their art have aged as one can the true face of heaven and earth be seen."

"Given time, you will surely enter the Saint Realm and become a Calligraphy Saint of this era, as renowned as Zhao Tian and Wang Meng."

Chen Yi knew that Zhao Tian and Wang Meng were the only two "Calligraphy Saints" in the Great Wei Dynasty.

It was said that when they completed a piece, not only did the characters shimmer with a golden aura, but their Mental Realm could manifest an entire illusory world, as vivid as a painted scroll.

"You flatter me, senior. I am still a long way from reaching that Realm."

"I always speak the truth. This is no exaggeration. When they were your age, the Calligraphy Dao of those two was nowhere near yours."

Sun Fu was in high spirits from the happy occasion, and he seemed several years younger.

Beyond his delight over the poem itself, he felt even more resolute about his prior plans.

Never mind becoming Xiao Wuge’s teacher or guiding him to success. For the sake of not bringing shame upon this poem, he had to give it his all.

They chatted and laughed for a while longer.

Chen Yi tidied the desk, neatly arranging the brush, ink, paper, and inkstone, before sitting down with Sun Fu by the window to chat.

As they chatted, the conversation naturally turned to the Xiao Family’s current circumstances.

Having stayed with the Xiao Family these past few days, Sun Fu had a clear perspective on some matters. He had also spoken with the Old Marquis several times, so he was better informed.

Chen Yi, for his part, relied on intelligence from clandestine channels, so he too was well aware of the family’s situation.

However, there were many things he couldn’t elaborate on, lest Sun Fu assume he had some ulterior motive concerning the Xiao Family. It would only invite unnecessary trouble.

Sun Fu looked at the calm, composed, and inscrutable young man, knowing there was far more to him than met the eye. He couldn’t help but ask more bluntly:

"What are your plans for the future?"

"In what respect, senior?"

"Your personal plans. You can’t possibly intend to remain an Instructor at Guiyun Academy forever, can you?"

At that, Chen Yi met his gaze directly and replied with a frank smile:

"And why not?"

"Because with your talent and ability, it’s highly unlikely you’ll remain confined to that academy. Even the Xiao Family would find it difficult to hold on to you."

Seeing how blunt he was, Chen Yi guessed what was on his mind. He thought for a moment before asking:

"Are you worried I’ll act against the Xiao Family’s interests, or that I’ll abandon them?"

Sun Fu didn’t mince words. He nodded. "Both."

"The Xiao Family is currently beset by troubles both internal and external. If you were to lend your aid, some of these problems would be solved with ease."

"If you stand by and do nothing, it will be more difficult, but I believe Marquis Xiao and Jinghong can still resolve things."

"But if you were to work against the Xiao Family, then..."

Before he could finish, Chen Yi raised a hand to interrupt, his expression turning serious.

"I am already tied to the Xiao Family. To say we will ’live and die together’ might be a stretch, but ’the husband follows where the wife leads’ is an apt description."

Sun Fu stared, taken aback. Then, unsure whether to laugh or cry, he pointed at Chen Yi. "’The husband follows where the wife leads?’"

"Qingzhou, if you were to say such a thing in front of others, I imagine you’d be condemned by every scholar in the land."

But Chen Yi replied with self-assurance, "I’m a live-in son-in-law. I follow my wife and rely on her for support. What’s wrong with that?"

"You... you..."

Although Sun Fu found the phrase unorthodox, he understood Chen Yi’s meaning.

’Ultimately, it meant he was on the Xiao Family’s side.’

And that was enough.

Later, after they had all finished dinner.

Chen Yi found out what time Sun Fu was leaving the next day, then walked him out of Spring Lotus Garden, watching his brisk figure disappear into the lamplit night.

He couldn’t help but feel a little wistful.

’With such an elder to teach him by word and example, Xiao Wuge’s time in Jinling should be a little easier,’ he thought.

With that, Chen Yi called for Xiao Wuge to ask about the situation at Qingjing Residence.

"Liu Yu of the Liu Family?"

"The Old Marquis refused him."

"When Big Sis came back, she was smiling. She seemed really relieved."

After Xiao Wuge had recounted everything, his young face tensed.

"Brother-in-law, the Liu family are such bad people! They bullied Big Sis! I’ll never forgive them!"

Chen Yi gave a noncommittal nod. For matters like this, actions spoke louder than words.

He was somewhat relieved, but he couldn’t resist pinching Xiao Wuge’s cheek.

"I, your brother-in-law, only have a few little ’secrets,’ and you’ve gone and blabbed them all."

Xiao Wuge didn’t dare move, grinning painfully. "But I was just telling the truth!"

"You know Acupuncture, and you were the one who cured Big Sis."

Chen Yi let go of his cheek and said irritably, "It looks like I’ll have to suggest to Big Sis tomorrow morning that she add a few more lessons to your schedule."

"No, Brother-in-law..."

No?

It didn’t matter if he wanted them or not.

’This little brother-in-law of mine is practically a spy the Xiao Family planted on me.’

Chen Yi let out a few sinister chuckles, scaring Xiao Wuge into promising he’d never do it again. Only then did he let the boy go wash up and head to bed.

「Not long after.」

Chen Yi also washed up, changed into comfortable clothes, and sat quietly in his room, gazing out the window.

By now, the sky had grown completely dark.

At some point, dark clouds had gathered in the night sky, looking as if they were building toward another torrential downpour.

And so, the croaking of frogs within Spring Lotus Garden was incessant.

Loud, chaotic, and grating.

As Chen Yi listened and watched, his gaze drifted to the nearby Jiaxing Garden, his thoughts racing.

Figures and names surfaced in his mind, one after another.

The Jing State Liu Family.

The Hidden Guard.

Black Tooth, Bright Moon Building.

The Shu State Governor’s Office, Liu Hong, Yang Ye, Xiao Dongchen, and Chen Yunfan.

The Xiao Family, Xiao Jinghong, Xiao Wan’er, the Old Marquis...

It was as if a great net had been cast over them all, or a chessboard upon which they were merely pieces.

About an hour later, Chen Yi finally pulled back his gaze and let out a soft sigh.

"Still just a chess piece, in the end..."

He murmured softly.

Chen Yi rose and donned the black clothes he had prepared, strapping the five-section Long Spear to his left forearm.

Next came the Immortal Drunk and Qingfeng Drunk, as well as the case of Silver Needles.

Tonight, he was going with Liu Lang to meet Black Tooth and the others. Since he couldn’t reveal his Martial Arts, he would likely have to display more of his Medical Dao.

As for his identity...

Other than a representative from the Jing State Liu Family, there was no other choice!