The splendor of Great Tang

The Great Qin Empire boasted an unparalleled cavalry, and Qin Shi Huang, with his unparalleled tyranny, conquered the Six Nations and unified the world. As a result, since its establishment, the Great Qin Empire has been known for its fierce and martial spirit, with its two billion people all hoping to obtain Cultivation Method to become powerful.

However, the customs of the Great Tang Dynasty were quite different from those of the Great Qin Empire. Although there were brave and skilled warriors in the Great Tang Dynasty, perhaps because the Great Tang Dynasty was established earlier and had a stronger national power, and people were used to a peaceful life, the customs of the Great Tang Dynasty leaned towards Confucian thought. The customs of the people were mostly humble, polite, and lived in peace and contentment.

The differences in culture and mindset between prefectures are already significant, let alone between countries.

After arriving in the Great Tang Dynasty, the ferocious Zhuge Xiang Asura Warship landed. Looking at the landscape of the Great Tang Dynasty, Zhuge Xiang sighed to himself, "The Great Tang Dynasty is truly a good place for those who want to live a peaceful and tranquil life."

Walking casually through villages or Town, one could see young people dressed as scholars, and many children reciting classical texts with their heads bobbing and swaying. The sound of reading aloud could be heard everywhere. Moreover, one could often see literati competing in poetry, couplets, and calligraphy in various elegant gardens and Restaurant. This truly broadened Zhuge Xiang's horizons. Such things were very rare in the Great Qin Empire.

"We haven't had anything good to eat in a long time. This Restaurant looks nice, shall we rest here for a while?" Walking through a city called Yongling City, they arrived at a magnificent Restaurant. Zhuge Xiang spoke to Mo Lingna and Lu Yuling. He also wanted to try the cuisine of the Great Tang Dynasty and see how it differed from that of the Great Qin Empire.

"Okay. I'll do whatever my husband says," Mo Lingna nodded gently and obediently. She only acted this way in front of Zhuge Xiang; otherwise, her domineering and unrestrained figure wielding the Bull Demon Fist would be unforgettable.

"Hmm," Lu Yuling simply nodded indifferently in response to Zhuge Xiang's words. Since completing Ice Maiden's Memory, Lu Yuling's personality had undergone a significant change; in short, she had become colder.

Upon entering the Restaurant, Zhuge Xiang and his companions found it bustling with Restaurant. A closer look revealed that two scholars were engaged in a painting competition.

Seeing this, Zhuge Xiang found it novel. In the Great Qin Empire, sparring and fighting between two Cultivator was a common sight, like a daily occurrence. But this kind of contest between scholars and poets was something Zhuge Xiang had never seen before.

After the three of them sat down at a table by the window, they ordered several of the restaurant's famous dishes. Zhuge Xiang then watched with great interest the painting competition between the two literati.

A man, who appeared to be in his early twenties, with sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes, was dressed in brocade robes made of the finest silk. He wore Purple-Gold hair crown and had an elegant demeanor, like a refined gentleman in a turbid world, exuding an air of nobility.

The other one was dressed just as well, but was slightly shorter and thinner, and his demeanor was far inferior to the other's. His expression gave off a competitive vibe.

"Young Master Li, I have heard that you are exceptionally skilled in ink painting, and are considered a master. I have come today to learn from you," the short, thin man said to the elegant man, his face filled with resentment.

There is no first place in literature, but there is a second place in martial arts. He considered himself to have achieved great success in Calligraphy Painting, so he naturally found it difficult to tolerate others having a greater reputation than himself.

"Young Master Zhu, you're too kind. It's all thanks to everyone's kindness," Young Master Li said, maintaining his elegant demeanor and a warm smile, seemingly unaffected by the other party's provocation.

"I've heard that Young Master Li is even more skilled in landscapes, flowers, and plants. A few days ago, during a period of incessant rain, I happened to be by the lotus pond and witnessed a beautiful scene of lotus flowers in full bloom after the rain. Today, let's each create a painting of lotus flowers in the rain, and let everyone give their opinions." The short and thin Young Master Zhu was still unwilling to give up and was determined to have a competition.

"Since Young Master Zhu has so kindly invited me, I shall respectfully accept," Young Master Li said with a smile, seeing that the other party was determined to compete. Upon hearing Young Master Zhu's acceptance, a cheer erupted from the audience.

Judging from their appearance, these two are quite famous for their talent in Yongling City; otherwise, they wouldn't have attracted so much attention even before their competition began.

"Waiter, bring me pen and ink!" Seeing that Young Master Li had agreed, Young Master Young Master Zhu's face lit up with joy. With his shout, the Shop Assistant quickly prepared the pen, ink, paper, and inkstone and brought them over. Judging from his appearance, he was already very skilled at doing this. In Yongling City, every month, there were several scholars competing here.

"Then I'll make a fool of myself by showing my work online," said Young Master Zhu, picking up his pen without hesitation.

As they spoke, they quickly picked up their brushes and began to paint. In this contest, those who made the first move were all confident in themselves, because this allowed them to put heavy pressure on their opponents.

It must be said that although this Young Master Zhu is somewhat competitive, his painting skills are truly remarkable. In the short time it takes to drink Half a Tea Interval of tea, a lifelike painting of lotus flowers being battered by rain leaps onto the paper. The clear sky after the rain reflects on the lotus flowers, creating sparkling light, which is truly admirable.

"Excellent painting! Young Master Zhu's painting skills are indeed well-deserved."

"Raindrops patter on the lotus blossoms; Young Master Zhu truly possesses the perfect physique."

"The delicate beauty of the lotus blossoms leaps off the page; it is truly a rare and exquisite piece."

As soon as Young Master Zhu finished his painting of lotus flowers battered by rain, a roar of applause erupted from the crowd, and words of praise were lavishly bestowed upon him.

Young Master Zhu was clearly pleased, his eyes narrowing as he listened to the praise, though he uttered a few humble words.

"It is indeed a fine painting," Zhuge Xiang nodded as he looked at the painting that Young Master Zhu had just finished. Although he didn't know much about painting, Zhuge Xiang could still tell that the painting was very lifelike.

"Young Master Zhu, your reputation is truly well-deserved," however, Young Master Li only spoke up with a smile after the other had finished painting. As he spoke, he also picked up a brush, his warm smile unchanged, "Now that Brother Zhu is finished, it's my turn to make a fool of myself..."

"Iron strokes and silver hooks" is originally a descriptive phrase, but in the hands of this Young Master Li, even painting is done with such unrestrained freedom.

Young Master Li was originally a refined and gentle man, but when he painted, his unrestrained and free-spirited demeanor drew attention, as if he had become a completely different person...

Stroke after stroke, this Young Master Li painted as if he were scribbling randomly, wildly waving his brush. However, his seemingly unrestrained and haphazard scribbles were transformed in a short time into a beautiful picture of a pond full of lotus flowers. The beauty of this painting was in no way inferior to that of the other artist.

Putting down his paintbrush and looking at his work, Young Master Li nodded in satisfaction, clearly very pleased with his painting.

"The painting is indeed good, but the rain is only on the lotus flowers, it's just the lotus flowers." Seeing that Young Master Li had put down his brush but there was no trace of rain, Young Master Zhu asked with some confusion.

To be honest, it's hard to say which one is better based on the quality of the paintings themselves. So, to win, Young Master Zhu naturally seized on the fact that his opponent's painting was off-topic.

"Yes, wasn't it supposed to be rain on the lotus flowers? Why isn't there any rain?" Following Young Master Zhu's reminder, many onlookers in the Restaurant nodded and discussed among themselves.

In a drawing competition, no matter how good your drawing is, you still can't win if it contradicts the predetermined theme.

However, despite his rambling, Young Master Li remained calm and composed, saying confidently, "Please don't be hasty, everyone. My painting of lotus flowers battered by rain isn't meant to be viewed that way..."

As they spoke, Young Master Li picked up the drawing paper, examined it, and then went to Zhuge Xiang and the others' table. He held the drawing up in the sunlight streaming through the window.

"Young master, would you mind offering me a drink?" Young Master Young Master Li asked, glancing at the wine pot on Zhuge Xiang's table with an air of elegance.

"Whatever," Zhuge Xiang said, nodding, as he was naturally not a stingy person. He was also curious about the secret behind this guy's "Rain-soaked Lotus Flowers."

"Thank you," said the Young Master Li with great poise. He filled his glass with wine and gulped it down, but instead of drinking it, he spat it all out, spraying it all over the painting.

Puff...

He spat out a mouthful of wine, tiny droplets landing on the drawing paper. In an instant, the drawing, covered in wine droplets under the sunlight, was completely transformed...

The lotus flowers in the pond are so lifelike and exquisite, each one covered with dewdrops. Reflecting the sunlight, they glisten like tiny crystals. These vibrant water droplets, the vivid sunlight, and the lifelike lotus blossoms truly make one feel as if they are witnessing a pond full of springtime lotus flowers...

"Wow, so beautiful..." The entire Restaurant fell silent as people looked at the painting of lotus flowers battered by rain at the window. Then, someone finally couldn't help but murmur.

Boom...

As the voice faded, the entire Restaurant erupted in a roar, with countless exclamations of surprise, awe, and praise flooding in.

Raindrops on lotus flowers— Young Master Zhu's technique was already quite good, but Young Master Li was clearly superior. Moreover, in his painting, he was completely unrestrained by form, Heavenly Steed Soaring Across the Sky and boldly innovating, which was truly breathtaking.

"Young Master Li... indeed, his skills are superior..." There was no need for the audience to judge anymore. Young Master Zhu's face was extremely ugly, but he forced a smile and spoke.

"Brother Zhu, you're too kind. I only succeeded through some clever tricks," Young Master Li said with a faint smile after hearing the other party's words. After speaking, he turned to leave.

"Young Master Li, would you mind having a few drinks with me?" However, just as Young Master Li was about to turn and leave, Zhuge Xiang suddenly spoke up. (To be continued...)