Chapter Ten: Starting Work, Learning to Paint, The Carriage by the Road

He began his cultivation enlightenment at eighteen, a rather poor talent by any measure. The Sword Cascade Diagram, a top-tier method for refining the spirit, was given to An Le—truly a waste, as it was doubtful he would even reach the third diagram. Yet, Lady Hua was mistaken.

No sooner had she left Tianbo Pavilion than she sensed the restless breeze in the air. The young man sat upright in the main hall of the waterside pavilion, eyes closed, his breath long and fine. With her own mastery of spirit refinement, Lady Hua could easily see that An Le had completed his state of meditation.

The first stage of spirit refinement: meditation...

An Le had mastered it so quickly?

It had only been so brief—a mere three quarters of an hour since Lady Hua ascended Tianbo Pavilion and exchanged a few words with the Grand Matron. The young man had already achieved meditation? Such a talent... was nothing short of extraordinary!

Even she herself had taken two quarters of an hour to enter meditation back then.

"This boy... his talent for refining the spirit is remarkable. Late bloomer, perhaps?"

Lady Hua’s gaze sparkled, curiosity and the love for talent stirring within her heart.

"Sadly, he started too late. If only he had begun sooner... perhaps there would be hope for him to contend for the top spot in the Hall Test, and win back my husband's 'Calming the Storm.'"

The emperor had made Calming the Storm the prize for the Hall Test, a subtle gesture to the court, revealing hidden imperial intentions. It was clear the prize was meant for the Lin residence, but for them to claim it, neutrality could no longer be maintained—unless... another neutral, yet dazzlingly brilliant figure emerged to shock the Hall Test.

But such a person was rare beyond imagining.

Lady Hua had no hope of finding such a one. She had promised the Grand Matron to endure, but if she could not, she would simply not endure—at worst, return to her master and never again set foot in the mortal world.

Lady Hua sighed softly.

To achieve meditation in three quarters of an hour was an outstanding talent in the path of spirit refinement; passing on the Sword Cascade Diagram to An Le was not a waste, after all. Of course, meditation was only the beginning. The stages that followed—Fetal Breath, Transcendence, Primordial Spirit—were each arduous hurdles.

Lady Hua calmed her thoughts and returned to the main hall.

An Le withdrew from meditation, feeling the world suddenly clearer, a restless energy stirring within him.

"That is the power of mind and spirit. Young master An, you have just entered meditation—your mind's strength is still weak. With daily diligence in meditation and contemplation, honing your spirit, you will one day master its power and wield extraordinary abilities," Lady Hua said gently.

Meditation achieved?

Lin Qingyin and Lin Zhuifeng looked on in surprise. They had only fed the fish for a short while, and An Le had already completed meditation? With such talent, why had he previously failed to begin cultivation?

"Young master An, were you just playing before? Three quarters to achieve meditation, why couldn't you start enlightenment?" Lin Zhuifeng blurted out, looking at An Le curiously.

An Le was momentarily at a loss, then replied earnestly, "Miss Zhuifeng, who would treat cultivation enlightenment as a joke? One must start early; the sooner you begin, the more you benefit."

"Why would I deliberately start late? What purpose would it serve?"

Lin Zhuifeng considered this and found it reasonable.

After all, no one would foolishly delay themselves. This meant that the handsome painter truly possessed extraordinary talent for spirit refinement, though he had started too late, lagging behind his peers, and his achievements would be limited.

Lin Zhuifeng sighed, gazing at the youth’s handsome face, feeling pity. Fate truly played tricks—such a beautiful person, yet luck seemed not to favor him.

Lin Qingyin too sensed this, feeling a touch of regret.

"It matters not. Young master An became a scholar at eighteen, gifted in learning. In the future, he could rise to the halls of governance and worry for the world. His life will not be mediocre," Lin Qingyin said softly.

An Le smiled at her words, clasping his hands in thanks. "Thank you for your blessing, Ninth Lady."

Lin Qingyin covered her mouth with a gentle smile, nodding serenely.

Zhuifeng and Ninth Lady were two extremes—one bold and forthright, the other gentle and refined.

"Very well. Young master An certainly has talent for refining the spirit. If you have questions while contemplating the Sword Cascade Diagram, seek me out," Lady Hua said, her heart warmed by his talent.

"My thanks, Lady Hua," An Le replied with joy.

Her words made him realize that the Grand Matron must have approved his painting, agreeing for him to remain in the Lin residence and paint for the young masters.

"The Grand Matron greatly admires your art and agrees you may stay. Young master An, let us discuss your payment. For each painting you create for the young masters, you will be paid ten yuanling coins. How does that sound?" Lady Hua inquired.

An Le was shocked, barely able to keep his composure.

A single yuanling coin could be exchanged for ten taels of gold, worth three hundred taels of silver!

That meant a single painting was worth three thousand taels of silver?!

The Lin residence was truly wealthy!

"Each painting for the young masters must not fall short of this one in quality. Let me be clear: ten yuanling coins are not easily earned," Lady Hua said coolly.

An Le clasped his hands solemnly. "I will do my utmost. If my work does not match this trial piece, I will accept not a single coin."

Lady Hua’s expression softened. She ordered her maid to bring a purse. "Here are ten yuanling coins as a deposit. You may come to the Lin residence tomorrow to paint."

An Le’s face brightened as he took the purse, savoring the crisp clink of coins within.

"My sincere thanks, Lady," he said earnestly. He had little money, barely enough for rent. These ten coins solved his immediate troubles.

Lady Hua sat sipping her tea, nodding slightly. "Zhuifeng, see young master An out."

"Alright," Lin Zhuifeng grinned.

She and An Le crossed the white jade bridge, strolling along the great pond, heading toward the gate.

Lin Qingyin stood quietly for a moment, then looked to Lady Hua. "Madam, Ninth Lady wishes to ask young master An to teach her sketching."

Lady Hua paused, glancing at Ninth Lady with indulgence. "If you wish to learn, then ask him."

Lin Qingyin bowed and hurried after An Le and Lin Zhuifeng.

The waterside pavilion returned to tranquility.

Lady Hua slowly unfurled the sketch scroll, gazing at her likeness, sadness rising in her eyes to match the woman in the painting.

"My husband's blade... Even if I am shattered to pieces, I will strive to reclaim it."

"His blade must return to Tianbo Pavilion."

...

...

Outside the Lin residence.

An Le clasped his hands in farewell to Lin Zhuifeng, who wore a fire iron at her waist and waved him off.

"No need for formality, young master An. From now on, we’re family. If you have questions about the Five Beasts Body Tempering Technique, come ask me—I studied it for a while myself," Lin Zhuifeng said heartily.

An Le smiled. "Then I shall trouble you in the future, and hope you won’t mind."

"Not at all! You’re handsome—I won’t mind," Lin Zhuifeng replied, blunt as ever.

Such directness—was this the way of those who value looks?

"Then I’ll take my leave," An Le said, turning to go.

But a voice called out behind him, "Young master An, wait!"

An Le paused, looking back in confusion, and saw Lin Qingyin running toward him.

"Ninth Lady, what is it?" An Le asked.

"Young master An, I am very interested in your sketching technique. May I ask you to teach me? May I learn to sketch from you?" Lin Qingyin inquired.

An Le had thought it might be something else, but she simply wished to learn sketching—naturally no problem. Sketching was the foundation of painting; teaching it would not be difficult.

His eyes smiled. "Since you wish to learn, I shall teach you seriously. Ninth Lady, Miss Zhuifeng, see you tomorrow."

With those words, An Le turned and departed with graceful ease.

"He agreed so quickly?" Lin Qingyin stared after him, slightly stunned, not expecting such an easy answer.

"Ninth Lady, do you want to learn painting just to admire young master An’s good looks?" Lin Zhuifeng teased, linking arms with her sister, whispering. Before Ninth Lady’s blush could turn to anger, she hastily changed the subject.

"This sketching is quite interesting—the drawings look real. Maybe I’ll join in tomorrow as well."

"Lin Zhuifeng! Keep teasing me and I’ll tell Second Uncle—you won’t like that! As for painting, you’re only interested in martial arts; if you last an hour with poetry or painting, I’ll be surprised."

The girls whispered and laughed together, returning to the residence.

...

...

The Lin residence was situated deep in the long street, close to the imperial city. Here, foot traffic was sparse; only people of status—officials—passed by.

The stone stele and jade arch at the gate signified the Lin residence’s status; officials passing by had to dismount and walk, so fewer and fewer would approach.

An Le left the residence, stepping onto the flagstone road, feeling quite pleased.

On his path of cultivation, Lady Hua had lit the lamp for him and gifted him two books—the Five Beasts Body Tempering Technique and the Sword Cascade Diagram. The gain was beyond expectation.

Moreover, he had won the qualification to paint for the Lin residence’s young masters—a stable, high-income job.

At least during his exam preparations in Lin’an, he need not worry about money.

He could devote himself to study and cultivation.

An Le walked joyfully toward the bustling street.

Beside the road stood a luxurious carriage. The horse was a fine steed—auburn and glossy, broad-backed, muscles sharply defined.

An Le admired the horse’s elegance, then his gaze fell upon the carriage.

At the carved window, a refined man rested his hand on a silk sunshade, meeting An Le’s eyes.

The man greeted his gaze with a gentle smile, released the curtain, and broke the line of sight.

An Le looked away and sighed, feeling immense regret.

For in his eyes, that refined man carried at least twenty or thirty strands of the energy of years. Though not equal to Lady Hua, it surpassed Miss Zhuifeng and Lady Yunrou.

Alas, he had exhausted his ability to draw upon the energy of years with Lady Hua; now his power was spent, and would need a night to recover. Otherwise, he would certainly have snatched a strand!

He sighed, no longer lingering, his silhouette in blue gradually fading at the end of the street, blending into the growing crowd.

Inside the carriage.

The refined man wore brocade robes, lounging lazily against the wall. Before him was a sandalwood table with two cups of hot tea.

"What a graceful youth—his gaze... so strange, so interesting." The man picked up a cup, swirling it gently, murmuring.

Then he paused, glancing at the figure opposite him, and spoke lightly.

"Liu Qingyan, Master Liu, have some tea."