Chapter 1212: Obtaining the t.i.tle ‘Saint Artist Sun’, Due to an Absolute Masterpiece!
Translator: Lordbluefire
“It’s done!”
Sun Mo kept his brush. After that, he greeted, “Sect Lord Su, good evening to you!”
Upon hearing that the painting was finished, everyone immediately crowded forward. But because Su Taiqing was present, they didn’t dare to get too near.
“It’s done?”
Su Taiqing frowned. He glanced at the painting again before he shook his head and smiled. He then tapped Sun Mo with his finger as though he was saying that Sun Mo was really a rascal!
For other artists, if they invoked the Wondrous Blossom Realm, they would surely do their best to maximize the beauty of the painting so they could leave behind a work that lasted through the generations. But Sun Mo completely didn’t care.
What a waste!
The others didn’t have Su Taiqing’s appraising ability. Besides, they were completely immersed the moment they saw the Jinling Wind and Moon Painting.
This painting was completely exquisite everywhere one looked. Even the wild dog at the roadside exuded a sense of realism and charm. That ferocious aura of guarding its food seemingly leaped out from the painting.
In fact, even the mules that defecated while pa.s.sing through the small alleys looked exquisite. Their feces seemed to be piping hot.
Tea shops, liquor stores, banks, clothing stores, and even a great inst.i.tution made from green roof tiles and bricks—these buildings appeared row upon row and const.i.tuted the style of Jinling.
Not only so, but the demeanor of both the lower cla.s.s people and high officials was also displayed in the painting.
“Excellent, very excellent!”
The Qi Emperor praised loudly. He took two steps forward and lowered his head as though he wanted to press his face against the painting. It felt like if he didn’t do this, he wouldn’t be able to fully feel the charm exuded by this famous painting!
The tiny stores on the pathway, the street artists selling performances, the rich guests in inns enjoying wine…be it their expressions or their attires, they were extremely fine down, to the very detail.
Although the Qi Emperor had mingled with the people incognito quite a few times before, it was all done in the capital for the sake of his safety. Hence, he simply yearned too much for life in the outside world.
Right now, the itchy feeling of being unable to obtain something sprang up in his heart.
As the Qi Emperor admired the painting, he felt himself being pulled into it. He could see a middle-aged tyc.o.o.n dressed in luxurious drops. Why did he appear alone in a small alley?
The Qi Emperor suddenly felt interested and glanced in the direction the tyc.o.o.n was walking. After his eyes pa.s.sed a crossroads, he saw a small residence not far away.
Right now, the door to the residence was open and in there, a woman with a voluptuous figure was gazing outward.
“I…is she sneaking out to meet with a lover outside?”
The Qi Emperor glanced at that young married woman as many scenes suddenly appeared in his mind.
“Interesting! Interesting!”
The Qi Emperor revealed a child-like smile like he had discovered a great secret that no one knew about.
Could it be that Sun Mo had done this intentionally?
After having this thought, the Qi Emperor started to observe these characters in greater detail. After that, he discovered that each of them indeed had their own stories.
For example, another woman on the second floor was speaking and cupping her face with one hand while speaking with a young man in a cotton s.h.i.+rt below.
The young man touched his forehead and there was a wooden stick on the ground beside him. Clearly, this wooden stick that was propping the window up had fallen and hit him.
However, why did the expression of the woman seem a little wrong?
It felt like she was seducing him!
The Qi Emperor didn’t know that this was the first meeting between Pan Jinlian and Ximen Qing*.
The others admired the painting and gradually discovered some interesting parts.
“Quickly look at this woman. Her body is tied up in ropes and she looks like she was kidnapped. However, why is the way she was tied up so strange?”
Xiang Zhao was stunned.
He didn’t know that this thing was called bondage.
“Haha, you guys look over here quickly. There’s a scholar climbing over the walls. Clearly, he is going to secretly go and meet a young miss from a rich clan!”
“This part is very interesting. This man should be a thief. He’s currently acting as a peddler and searching for targets!”
“There’s also a fortune teller that steps on dogs.h.i.+t. There’s no need to ask, he’s clearly a swindler!”
Everyone had their own minor discoveries.
They suddenly discovered that each character in the painting had their own stories.
This was truly impressive!
“d.a.m.n, you guys quickly look over here!”
A prince pointed to a part of the painting as he screamed.
Everyone glanced in the direction where his finger pointed and discovered that there was an underground sewer. There was nothing at the entrance but a green dress with a black hand imprint on it.
This dress was small, only the size of a yellow bean. In a painting like this, this was something easily neglected by everyone. But after everyone saw it, they suddenly felt cold sweat running down their backs from shock.
This was because the material of this clothing wasn’t common, it came from a female. In addition to that handprint, everyone could easily deduce that the female must have been out shopping and knocked unconscious before a strong human trafficker pulled her into the underground sewer.
Things were over for that girl!
Everyone felt tightness in their chests. It was very unbearable.
“Great Teacher Sun, is this a case of a young girl being abducted?”
The queen asked in shock. Between her brows, there was a furrow that made it seem like she wanted to hear the answer but was afraid that she might not be able to endure the terrifying truth.
“For famous paintings, one has to gain their perspectives by themselves!”
Sun Mo smiled and didn’t make any explanations!
For a time, everyone was completely immersed in the painting. They would occasionally see some interesting places and discover some small secrets.
However, all men gradually didn’t care for these. They turned their attention to the women in the brothels that lined up on both sh.o.r.es of the Qinhuai River.
Weren’t these women painted too beautifully?
The Qi Emperor admired them for a while and lowered his voice as he silently tugged on Sun Mo’s sleeves. “Beloved Subject Sun, I wonder if you can paint a few characters for this emperor?”
“Paint who?”
Sun Mo didn’t mind. In any case, his painting techniques were at the grandmaster level. He could paint anything with ease.
“These few!”
The Qi Emperor chose over ten women and gave a secretive smile. “You should understand, don’t make them wear too much!”
“…”
Sun Mo was speechless. (I didn’t expect that an emperor of a nation like you would be into older-type females! It seems that you must lack motherly love severely!)
“Say…everyone, should we turn off the lights to admire this painting, so the artistic concept would be stronger?”
Grand Tutor Su finally regained his senses.
“Right, off the lights!”
The Qi Emperor instructed.
Famous paintings glowed with their own colors, so everyone could admire them in the darkness as well.
The officials immediately went to the oil lamps and snuffed them out. After that, a total of six staff from the department of internal affairs cautiously lifted the painting, causing the entire place to burst out in a huge clamor. However, the clamor was silenced immediately. The atmosphere became so quiet that it was scary.
Under the moonlight, the Jinling Wind and Moon Painting was perfectly portrayed. These characters seemed to come alive, and everyone could even hear the sounds of children playing, scholars studying, and women whispering and chatting with each other…
The entire painting was radiantly colored and appeared like an absolutely gorgeous pearl at night. Its brilliance illuminated everything and it seemingly had transcended the mortal world!
“Teacher Sun!”
When Su Taiqing spoke, the Qi Emperor interrupted him.
“No way. This painting belongs to me. I won’t give it to whoever!”
The Qi Emperor stared at Su Taiqing and decided to offend the Sect Lord for the sake of obtaining this painting. This was because something like this painting truly could be considered an heirloom-level treasure that could be pa.s.sed down through generations.
The location, scenes, and characters in this painting could be said to contain a profound meaning and possess an exceptionally immense collection value.
“…”
Su Taiqing was dumbstruck. After that, he smiled helplessly. “I was trying to say that it would be a regret if such a beautiful painting didn’t have a poem to accompany it!”
“True!”
The Qi Emperor nodded furiously. After that, he stared at Sun Mo. “Beloved Subject Sun, how about producing a poem too?”
Sun Mo knew that he couldn’t reject this. However, he was prepared.
“Lifting the brush, dipping it in the ink, gracefully drawing on the paper!”
“On top of the Phoenix Terrace, phoenixes used to roam. Now gone are phoenixes, a desolate lookout remains as the river continues to flow.”
“Flowers and verdure of the Wu Palace are now buried under isolated trails. The upper ranks and decorated officers of Jin are now mounds topped with growth.”
“The barely discernible Trident Peaks range beyond the blue skies. The river waters part into two waterways that around the Egret Islet roll. Floating clouds eventually conceal the sun.”
“Being so far away from Changan has me worried in the shadows.*”
A graceful flourish completed the thin gold body script. The Qi Emperor and everyone else immediately cheered. Being able to see this painting and the words being written was truly a fortunate event in their lives.
“Great Teacher Sun’s words are written very beautifully!”
The queen sighed ruefully and felt awed. (I really want him to write a famous poem on my body!)
If Sun Mo knew that the Qi Queen had such thoughts, he would absolutely not reject it. However, he wouldn’t be writing a poem but the word ‘正’ instead.
“What a pity, why is it Jinling and not Western Jing?”
Jiang Yuzhen, who didn’t speak from earlier up until now, sighed.
“Yes!”
The Qi Emperor also felt very regretful.
After tonight, the fame of this painting would surely spread through the Nine Provinces. At that time, Jinling’s popularity would surge to another level and might even become the number one famous city of the Nine Provinces, attracting countless rich merchants and travelers to visit. They might even decide to relocate there.
How much tax could the city earn from this?
“Your Highness, don’t ask for the impossible. After all, Teacher Sun has never lived in Western Jing before!”
Grand Tutor Su spoke a word of justice.
“Our teacher is too awesome!”
Xianyu Wei’s face was flushed as she tugged on Ying Baiwu’s arm excitedly.
“From tonight onward, our teacher will be known as a true Saint Artist, right?” Tantai Yutang’s eyeb.a.l.l.s spun. “We have to make this real!”
“Our teacher doesn’t care for such glory!”
Ying Baiwu’s lips twitched.
On the stage, Li Ziqi who had always remained silent glanced toward Zeng Gongnian and the other two.
“Artist Zeng, Artist Zou, and Artist w.a.n.g, what do you guys feel about these two famous paintings my teacher produced?”
Li Ziqi asked.
“A true masterpiece!” w.a.n.g Zan praised without hesitation. “I’m truly inferior to him!”
Zou Yin and Zeng Gongnian fell silent. Honestly speaking, they didn’t want to praise Sun Mo, but in such a setting, if they didn’t say anything, wouldn’t that make them seem narrow-minded and jealous of Sun Mo’s talent?
Besides, even a r.e.t.a.r.d knew that these paintings were extremely valuable treasures that would be handed down for generations.
“An heirloom-level masterpiece!” Zeng Gongnian praised as well.
“Mn!” Zou Yin nodded.
“What about the calligraphy skills of my teacher?” Li Ziqi asked again.
“His writing is relaxed and graceful yet revealing sharpness. It contains the aura of a proud hero with enough force to break jade and cut gold. It also has a certain charm to it. I heard that this style is known as the thin gold body?”
w.a.n.g Zan stroked his beard and had admiration in his eyes. “It isn’t too much to give Great Teacher Sun the t.i.tle: Great Calligrapher!”
Both Zeng Gongnian and Zou Yin nodded.
“What about the literary works produced by my teacher?”
Li Ziqi continued to ask. “Oh, I mean Journey to the West and A Dream of Red Mansions!”
“A good read!”
“When will the next half be published?”
“He actually cut off all updates and refused to continue writing, what a rascal!”
Everyone scolded.
Many of the rich were culture sn.o.bs, and they only supported a piece of art because of its popularity. They had no idea how to admire the charm of calligraphy and famous paintings, but they still knew how to understand good books. Hence, the praises from the high officials and n.o.bles were much more solid.
After all, these people were successful candidates in imperial examinations and had a high literacy level.
“In that case, is my teacher worthy of the t.i.tle: Dual-Sage in Calligraphy and Painting?”
Li Ziqi asked with a smile. (Since my teacher won’t vie for these things, I will do it for him.)
Everyone fell silent.
After all, this t.i.tle sounded too impressive and no one dared to speak recklessly.
Usually speaking, the t.i.tles of Calligraphy Sage and Saint Artist were bestowed upon the creator’s death, or their works possessed a high enough quality to suppress all other works in their same era.
Even the Qi Emperor didn’t dare to speak recklessly on this. Although his status was very high, he had no status or influence in the calligraphy or painting world.
It also meant that he was an outsider and his words had no weight.
“In terms of calligraphy, Teacher Sun’s gold thin body is at the grandmaster level. Moreover, this calligraphy style is something he invented, creating a whole new style. It isn’t too much to refer to him as a Calligraphy Sage!”
Su Taiqing spoke.
Everyone immediately lowered their heads and listened attentively.
This was the Sect Lord of Saint Gate. Based on status, reputation, level of literature, and standard of knowledge, it wouldn’t be too over the top to say that he was the number one in the great teacher world of the Nine Provinces.
His words were absolute authority!
“As for painting, everyone has seen it. Leaving aside the previous eight famous paintings he painted, just the one he created this morning can rank within the top three in the history of the Nine Provinces. What’s even rarer is that Sun Mo used this painting to conduct a lesson for all the princes, princesses, generals, high officers, and the emperor!”
“All of you, please remember this. The country you are governing doesn’t represent land or wealth. If you guys don’t love your citizens, you guys will be dethroned by them sooner or later!”
Bzz~
Priceless Advice activated and circulated through this entire area.
The high officials and the Qi Emperor hurriedly lowered their heads to indicate that they understood the teachings.
“Moreover, for this Jinling Wind and Moon Painting. Teacher Sun’s thinking is very profound, and the artistic concept within would open one’s eyes. When you gaze at each character, a story about them will somehow magically appear in your mind.”
Su Taiqing laughed. “Your Majesty, you have benefitted. If it wasn’t for the fact that a gentleman wouldn’t seize something someone loved, I would definitely fight for it!”
“Yeah, we won’t be able to see it in the future!”
Xiang Zhao sighed. “Teacher Sun, can you tell me what story this guy has? Why is he standing at the roof of a tall building?”
“His name is Ximen Chuixue*. He stands there because he is waiting for his fated enemy named Ye Gucheng*!”
Sun Mo shrugged.
Xiang Zhao’s eyes brightened. The moment he heard their names, he knew they were experts. Hence, he impatiently asked, “Can you speak more in detail?”
Sun Mo smiled and shook his head.
“So, Great Teacher Sun is truly worthy of the t.i.tle Dual-Sage in Calligraphy and Painting!”
Su Taiqing looked at Sun Mo. “Truly skilled in both fields!”
Why didn’t he speak about literary works?
Because in the eyes of Su Taiqing, [Journey to the West] and [A Dream of Red Mansions] might be cla.s.sics, but they weren’t enough to be considered heirloom-level treasures that would be pa.s.sed down throughout the generations.
Wow!
The gazes of everyone were now filled with envy as they stared at Sun Mo.
This was a praise from the Sect Lord of the Saint Gate!
Zeng Gongnian and Zou Yin were so jealous that they wanted to vomit blood. They had been painting for several decades but weren’t even Saint Artists.
But after thinking that the number of famous paintings produced by Sun Mo had reached 10 in number, they felt at ease.
Incomparable!
Li Ziqi’s wish had been realized, and she was grinning happily.
“Everyone, for something like admiring paintings, it can be done any time. Should we go and rest for now?”
Sun Mo felt somewhat tired now.
“Right, you should rest!”
The Qi Emperor nodded hurriedly. “Men, come and escort Beloved Subject Sun back to the royal palace for a good rest!”
[1] Poem’s translation taken from: Pan Jinlian and Ximen Qing are characters in a novel – Jin Pin Mei
[3] Ximen Chuixue and Ye Gucheng are characters in a martial novel – Tales of Lu Xiaofeng.