Chapter 121: Zuo Hanyang"s ability
Eyebrows raising slightly, Huo Zaiyuan brings a sliver of his inner spiritual energy to the surface, injecting it into the talisman and watching as it reverts to its original neat triangle.
"Make sure it rests next to your skin. As soon as it grows cold, that means it has lost its effectiveness," Huo Zaiyuan says as he returns it to Zuo Hanyang.
"Uhuh, got it." Zuo Hanyang nods as he tucks his treasured object back under his uniform.
Watching the interaction between the two men, Xu Mingyi displays a winsome smile. "Older brother Yuan, you also know how to create talismans?"
"Somewhat. My interest lies more in the research side of it." Huo Zaiyuan answers mildly as he approaches the smiling Xu Mingyi.
"Ah…which Taoist temple were you affiliated with before? Or did you study under a master?"
"None to both."
"Tsk, Senior brother Xu, even if this brat understands the art of creating talismans, it will only be the basics. How can he ever compare with you?" A disciple speaks up, staring disdainfully at Huo Zaiyuan.
Hmph, who knows where this pretty boy came from, but he is interrupting their walk with Senior brother Xu.
"Older brother Zhu, you cannot say something like this. I feel that older brother Yuan is a formidable person." Xu Mingyi frowns lightly, speaking up for Huo Zaiyuan and reprimanding the other disciple.
However, the more Xu Mingyi stands up for Huo Zaiyuan, the more the other disciples become displeased. Zhang Hua"s hostility towards Huo Zaiyuan increases even further at his Senior brother"s words.
"Senior brother Xu, I think what older brother Zhu said is not wrong. Looking at this brat, it would be difficult for him to enter this ‘School of Taoism’."
Being confronted by a few unfriendly disciples looking to flatter Xu Mingyi, in Huo Zaiyuan"s eyes, this performance is nothing more than a farce.
For no cause or reason, he is being shot at while lying down. Just because of a few strangers rivalling for Xu Mingyi"s affections, they unexpectedly heap their dissatisfaction upon him…
In contrast to Huo Zaiyuan serene att.i.tude towards everything, Zuo Hanyang"s emotions are more volatile. Narrowing his eyes, a flicker of anger appears on his face as he mocks. "Hmph, a group of mere initial disciples of this school. Even your calligraphy resembles worms! What ability do you have to ridicule little Yuan?"
Hmph, is his eldest sister-in-law someone who can be bullied by this bunch of disgusting annoyances?!
"You - brat! Who are you talking about, huh?" The one called older brother Zhu is so furious that smoke and fire nearly spouts out of his seven orifices[1].
"Hn, whoever"s angry is the person I"m referring to." Zuo Hanyang scoffs and quirks an eyebrow at him, expression extremely nasty.
Looking at the arrogant expression on his face, Huo Zaiyuan can"t help but laugh.
Why does he feel that this particular expression Zuo Hanyang is currently wearing was learned from a specific someone?
"You - stinky brat! Come compete with me if you have the guts!" That older brother Zhu finally explodes, s.n.a.t.c.hing up a book about Taoist spells from one of the tables and flips to a random page. "We"ll use this! If you cannot draw, kneel down and call this elder "Grandfather"!"
"Come on, then. But remember, if you lose, you"ll have to kneel and call me "Grandfather" oh." Zuo Hanyang waves a hand grandly, before picking up a brush and a piece of yellow paper.
Seeing Zuo Hanyang"s relaxed att.i.tude, older brother Zhu"s face reddens even further in fury. Taking a brush handed over by another black-robed disciple, he deliberately stands the book upright on the table, not allowing Zuo Hanyang to look at the page. Evidently, he wants to make things as difficult for the other as possible.
Huo Zaiyuan takes notice of the adjutant"s confident visage that indicates he has a way to bypa.s.s this obstacle…he believes that someone who is able to become Long Zhanye"s trusted aide wouldn"t be a simple individual.
Staining the bristle with ink, the two compet.i.tors begin to draw. On one side, that older brother Zhu seems to be painting a picture, movements slow and careful. From time to time, he will peek out the corner of his eyes at Zuo Hanyang. On the other hand, Zuo Hanyang appears calm and collected, the brush in his hand flowing smoothly without hesitation, eyes firmly fixed on the paper before him.
Gaze shifting to Zuo Hanyang"s yellow paper, Huo Zaiyuan"s eyebrows rise, a smirk curling the corners of his lips.
Really can"t tell that he possesses such a skill…
"I"m done. Brat, how about you? So slow, is it because you can"t draw it ah?!" A while later, that older brother Zhu"s voice sounds as he throws the brush aside and stares arrogantly at Zuo Hanyang. Then he tosses the completed charm over.
The characters can be considered fairly good compared to the shaky, slanting letters on the paper in Huo Zaiyuan"s hand. But it is still far from adequate. The lines of the characters didn"t match up, and there are quite a few distinct breaks in every stroke.
Zuo Hanyang"s hand finally comes to a stop. Lifting his head, a glittery smile lights up his face as he leisurely places the brush back on the pen rack. Then with the same causal speed, he pushes his completed work forward for everyone to see.
Craning their necks to take a peek, every face displays unhidden shock. As for older brother Zhu, his complexion pales drastically the moment his eyes land on Zuo Hanyang"s piece of paper.
Each character is exquisitely drawn, strokes like moving clouds and flowing water. No breaks can be detected from beginning to the end. Even the final line is perfect. Placing it next to the example in the book, one can clearly see it is an identical copy with not the slightest mistake.
"Impossible! Absolutely impossible!" Older brother Zhu splutters, not daring to believe his eyes.
"How is it impossible? Do you think that on this earth, only you are capable of drawing runes?" Raising his chin, Zuo Hanyang scoffs condescendingly. "Come on, call "Grandfather", and apologise to little Yuan for your rude behaviour just now!"
~~~
When Long Zhanye returns during the night, he sees Huo Zaiyuan sitting cross-legged, meditating. Only when he steps into the bedroom does Huo Zaiyuan slowly open his eyes.
"You"re back. Have you finished your business?" Smiling gently at the person in the doorway, Huo Zaiyuan rises to his feet. "Have you eaten?"
"Not yet. Uncle Ming is having a meeting with the other sections chiefs of the safe zone, so I returned." Reaching out the moment Huo Zaiyuan comes within range, Long Zhanye pulls him into a hug and kisses his lips softly.
"Do you want to eat now? I"m also hungry," Huo Zaiyuan says as he holds Long Zhanye"s hand.
Dragging the other along to the dining table, he waves his left hand. Fragrant Kung Pao chicken, fried fish pieces, stir-fried noodles, boiled broccoli and bone stock soup appears on the table.
"You finished cooking earlier, but waited until I return to eat?" Long Zhanye"s heart feels warm and sweet as he glances at the various dishes.
"No, Qin Jun and Li Qing have already finished eating. This is the leftovers." Huo Zaiyuan replies, not looking at him. Instead, he busies himself with taking out two bowls of rice and two pairs of chopsticks before taking a seat.
"Beloved, it"s not good to lie." Long Zhanye really likes this awkward att.i.tude of his. Taking a bowl of rice, he settles down next to Huo Zaiyuan.
His beloved treats him so well. How can he bear to let Long Zhanye eat leftovers?
"Hurry up and eat." Huo Zaiyuan glares as he holds out a piece of fried fish to Long Zhanye.
Pleased, Long Zhanye takes a bite out of the fish. Fragrant and crisp, soft but not greasy, the sweet taste fills one"s mouth as it is chewed on.
"Where did you and little Zuo visit this afternoon?" He didn"t see Zuo Hanyang during his walk back to the house as he was called to attend the meeting by Ming Huiheng.
"We went to the ‘School of Taoism’."
"Oh? The one grandfather permitted the Elder Taoist priest to establish? How do you feel about it?"
"The apt.i.tude of those disciples are too poor. Their hearts are too tainted." Huo Zaiyuan shakes his head in disappointment.
"Ah…they are that inadequate?" Long Zhanye quirks an eyebrow. "But Uncle Ming said the disciples there have a pretty good apt.i.tude ah."
"Hmm… " Huo Zaiyuan raises his eyebrows, regarding Long Zhanye with a rare serious inquisitive light in his eyes. "Zhanye, does your left-hand man possess some kind of special ability?"
When Zuo Hanyang handed the talisman over to him, he didn"t sense anything strange. Not until the compet.i.tion with disciple Zhu. The script Zuo Hanyang produced astounded him a little and he did question the adjutant after if he knew how to create talismans too. The answer was a negative. To confirm the truth of that statement, Huo Zaiyuan sneakily tested Zuo Hanyang, only to discover the man indeed doesn"t possess a sliver of conscience over his inner spiritual power.
"That scoundrel ah. Yes ah. He has a photographic memory." Long Zhanye answers. "Why? Did that punk do something to upset you?"
"Nothing of that sort. No wonder all he needed was a glance," Huo Zaiyuan shakes his head, murmuring.
"Dd something happen?" Long Zhanye"s curiosity rose at Huo Zaiyuan"s speech and facial expression. And because he feels like little Yuan seems to have taken a liking to Zuo Hanyang.
"Mhm…" Huo Zaiyuan recounts everything that transpired in the afternoon at the ‘School of Taoism’.
Listening to the story, Long Zhanye chuckles lowly. "A mere page of characters is nothing difficult for him. When he was ten, he managed to replicate a famous painting exactly as it is after glimpsing it for a second."
"That"s remarkable."
"Naturally. Or else how would he have become my left-hand man? Even if he may occasionally be a little dim-witted and unreliable, when he focuses on a task, none can compare." Although Long Zhanye frequently likes to bully Zuo Hanyang, he is actually very satisfied with this adjutant.
"Why is it when I hear that compliment, it sounds as if you are praising yourself?" Huo Zaiyuan lifts an eyebrow as he finishes off his meal.
"Haha…you noticed." Long Zhanye brazenly admits, handing a bowl of soup to Huo Zaiyuan. While a small frown creases the youth"s brow when faced with the soup, he doesn"t argue and obediently drinks it down.
Chatting happily over dinner, Long Zhanye takes it upon himself to gather the bowls and cutleries, bring it over to the kitchen and clean them. In the meantime, Huo Zaiyuan enters his s.p.a.ce to mediate.
(Translator’s notes: Yeah, this author doesn’t really indulge in face-slapping.)
Footnotes:
[1] Seven orifices: 2 ears, 2 nostrils, 2 eyes, 1 mouth