Employment, Learning to Paint, and the Carriage by the Road

He had only begun his cultivation enlightenment at eighteen; it could be said that his talent was terribly poor.

A top-tier Spirit Refinement Method like the "Sword Waterfall Diagram" was practically wasted on An Le. He might not even be able to cultivate as far as the third diagram.

However, Madam Hua had been wrong.

The moment she stepped out of Tianbo Tower, she sensed the restless breeze in the air. The youth sat upright in the main hall of the water pavilion, his eyes closed, his breathing long and tranquil.

With Madam Hua's Spirit Refinement cultivation, she naturally saw that An Le had completed Entering Stillness!

The First Realm of Spirit Refining: Entering Stillness...

An Le had mastered it so quickly?

How long had it been? From the time Madam Hua ascended Tianbo Tower and had a brief conversation with Old Madam until now, only three quarters of an hour had passed, yet the youth had completed Entering Stillness?

Such talent... was absolutely extraordinary!

Even when she herself had first entered stillness, it had taken her half an hour.

"This youth... has such talent in Spirit Refinement? A late-blooming great vessel?"

Madam Hua's eyes gleamed as a trace of curiosity and appreciation for talent rose within her.

"Unfortunately, he started too late. Had it been earlier... perhaps I could have placed my hopes on this youth, letting him contend for the top spot in the Palace Examination and win back my husband's 'Calm the Waves.'"

His Majesty had made Calm the Waves the prize for the Palace Examination. Naturally, this was a veiled revelation of his imperial intent to the entire court.

Calm the Waves had clearly been prepared for Lin Manor. Yet if Lin Manor wished to obtain it, it would be impossible for it to remain aloof and continue maintaining neutrality—unless... there emerged an equally neutral, peerless figure who could burst into dazzling brilliance at the Palace Examination.

But such a person... was harder to find than a needle in a haystack.

Madam Hua did not place her hopes on finding such a person. She had promised Old Madam that she would endure, but if she could not endure, then she would not. At worst... she would return to accompany her master and never again set foot in the mortal world for the rest of her life.

Madam Hua sighed lightly.

Entering Stillness in three quarters of an hour counted as exceptional talent on the path of Spirit Refinement. Passing the "Sword Waterfall Diagram" to An Le was not truly letting a pearl gather dust.

Of course, Entering Stillness was merely the beginning. The realms that followed—Embryonic Breathing, Transcending Worldliness, Primordial Spirit, and more—were difficult barriers at every step.

Madam Hua gathered her thoughts and returned to the main hall of the water pavilion.

An Le withdrew from Entering Stillness. He felt as though the world had become clearer, while some force within his body seemed eager to stir.

"That is spiritual power. Young Master An has only just entered stillness, so your spiritual power remains weak. In the future, diligently enter stillness and meditate each day, tempering your mind. Then you will be able to command spiritual power and employ wondrous methods."

Madam Hua spoke softly.

He had entered stillness?

Lin Qingyin and Lin Zhuifeng looked over in astonishment. They had only fed the fish for a short while, and An Le had already completed Entering Stillness?

With such talent, why had he been unable to complete cultivation enlightenment before?

"Young Master An, were you just playing around before? You entered stillness in three quarters of an hour, so why couldn't you complete enlightenment?" Lin Zhuifeng was blunt by nature as she looked strangely at An Le.

An Le was briefly at a loss for words. Then he said solemnly, "Girl Zhuifeng, who would treat cultivation enlightenment as a joke? Cultivation must begin early. The earlier one comes into contact with cultivation, the greater the benefits naturally are."

"Could I have deliberately started late? What would I gain from that?"

Lin Zhuifeng found that reasonable.

After all, no one would foolishly delay themselves. That meant this handsome painter truly possessed excellent talent in Spirit Refinement. Unfortunately, he had started far too late and lagged behind others by too much; his future achievements would be limited.

Lin Zhuifeng sighed as she looked at the youth's handsome face, feeling only pity. Fate truly toyed with people. How could someone so good-looking have such poor luck?

Lin Qingyin sensed it as well and felt somewhat regretful.

"It is all right. Young Master An earned his provincial degree at eighteen, so his talent in scholarship is even greater. In the future, you may enter the Imperial Court and worry for all under heaven. Your life will not be ordinary."

Lin Qingyin said gently.

An Le smiled at this and cupped his hands toward Lin Qingyin. "Thank you for your blessing, Ninth Girl."

Lin Qingyin covered her mouth and smiled, then nodded serenely in acknowledgment.

Zhuifeng and Ninth Sister could be said to stand at two extremes: one was carefree and forthright, the other quiet and graceful.

"Very well. Young Master An does indeed possess talent in Spirit Refinement. If you have any questions while contemplating the 'Sword Waterfall Diagram' in the future, you may come seek me out." Madam Hua had developed an appreciation for talent.

"This humble scholar thanks Madam Hua." An Le was immediately delighted.

Madam Hua's words made him understand that Old Madam's side likely approved of his painting as well and had agreed to let him remain at Lin Manor to paint for the young masters.

"Old Madam greatly appreciates your painting and has agreed to let you stay. Young Master An, let us discuss your payment. From now on, for every painting you make for the young masters, you will be paid ten Primordial Spirit Treasures. How does that sound?"

Madam Hua asked.

An Le's heart shook violently, and he nearly failed to keep his expression under control.

One Primordial Spirit Treasure could be exchanged for ten taels of gold, worth three hundred taels of silver!

In other words, a single painting was worth three thousand taels of silver?!

Lin Manor truly had money to burn!

"Each time you paint for the young masters, the quality cannot be much inferior to this piece. Let us put these unpleasant words upfront. Ten Primordial Spirit Treasures are not so easy to earn." Madam Hua said calmly.

An Le cupped his hands, his expression solemn. "An Le will certainly give his all. If the quality falls short of this trial painting, I will not take a single coin."

Madam Hua's expression softened. She instructed the maid beside her to bring over a money pouch. "First, ten Primordial Spirit Treasures as a deposit. Young Master An may come to Lin Manor to paint tomorrow."

An Le looked delighted as he accepted the pouch, hearing the crisp clinking of the treasures within.

"Thank you, Madam." An Le thanked her sincerely. He did not have much silver and even had to earn his room payment on the spot. These ten Primordial Spirit Treasures had resolved his immediate troubles.

Madam Hua sat in her chair, holding her tea as she took a light sip and nodded slightly. "Zhuifeng, see Young Master An out."

"Sure." Lin Zhuifeng grinned.

She then crossed the small white jade bridge with An Le, strolling along the Great Pond toward the manor gates.

Lin Qingyin stood quietly for a moment before suddenly looking at Madam Hua. "First Madam, Ninth Sister wishes to ask Young Master An to teach her this sketching method."

Madam Hua was startled. She glanced at Ninth Sister, then said affectionately, "If you wish to learn, then learn. Go ask Young Master An."

After giving a slight curtsy, Lin Qingyin also hurried after An Le and Lin Zhuifeng with quick little steps.

Tianbo Water Pavilion returned to silence.

Madam Hua slowly spread open the sketch scroll. Gazing at herself in the painting, sorrow climbed into her eyes in perfect accord with the woman in the picture.

"Husband, your blade... even if I must be crushed to pieces, I will do everything in my power to retrieve it."

"My husband's blade belongs in Tianbo Tower."

Outside Lin Manor.

An Le cupped his hands to bid Lin Zhuifeng farewell. Girl Zhuifeng had a fire poker tucked at her waist, and she waved her hand.

"Young Master An, there is no need for such ceremony. From now on, we are one of our own. Please bear with me. If there is anything you do not understand about the 'Five Animal Body Tempering Technique,' you may come ask me. I studied it for some time before as well."

Lin Zhuifeng laughed heartily.

A smile appeared on An Le's face. "Then I shall trouble Girl Zhuifeng often in the future. I hope you will not find me bothersome."

"No, no. You are handsome, so I will not find you bothersome." Lin Zhuifeng spoke very directly.

Was this the directness of someone who only cared about looks?

"Then An shall take his leave first."

An Le said this, then turned to leave.

However, a call came from behind him. "Young Master An, please wait."

An Le paused, then turned back in puzzlement to see Lin Qingyin jogging out.

"What does Ninth Girl need?" An Le asked curiously.

"Young Master An, Ninth Sister is very interested in your sketching method. May Ninth Sister ask you for guidance and learn this sketching method?"

Lin Qingyin asked.

An Le had thought it was something important. So she wanted to learn sketching. Naturally, that was no problem.

Sketching was originally the foundation of painting, so it would not be troublesome to teach.

A smile lingered in his eyes. "Since Ninth Girl wishes to learn, An will naturally teach you earnestly. Ninth Girl, Girl Zhuifeng, see you tomorrow."

With that, An Le turned and departed with easy grace.

"Young Master An just agreed?" Lin Qingyin stared at An Le's departing back, slightly dazed. She had not expected him to agree so readily.

"Ninth Sister, you want to learn painting—could it be that you are coveting Young Master An's beauty?"

Lin Zhuifeng grew interested as well. She looped her arm around Ninth Sister's slender arm and muttered softly. Before Ninth Sister, whose pretty face had flushed red from embarrassment, could erupt in anger, she quickly changed her tune.

"This sketching is rather interesting. It looks just like the real thing. Why not let me join in the fun tomorrow and learn alongside you?"

"Lin Zhuifeng! If you tease me again, I will tell Second Uncle, and you will suffer for it! As for learning to paint, you are only interested in martial arts. If you can persist for even an hour with poetry, calligraphy, and painting, that would already be impressive!"

The two girls pressed close, whispering back and forth as they laughed and returned to the manor.

Lin Manor stood deep along the long street, close to the imperial city. There were few pedestrians here, and those who passed by were all officials and people of status.

The Stone Tablet Jade Workshop before Lin Manor's gates was a symbol of Lin Manor's status. Passing officials had to dismount and proceed on foot, which meant fewer and fewer officials traveled past Lin Manor.

After leaving Lin Manor, An Le stepped onto the Bluestone Slab Road, his mood exceptionally good.

Madam Hua had lit a green lamp for him upon the Path of Cultivation and even gifted him the "Five Animal Body Tempering Technique" and the "Sword Waterfall Diagram." Such gains could be said to have surpassed all expectations.

Moreover, beyond that, he had earned the right to paint for Lin Manor's young masters. This was equivalent to gaining a relatively stable, high-paying job.

At the very least, during this period of preparing for the examinations in Lin'an Prefecture, he no longer needed to worry about money.

He could devote himself wholeheartedly to studying and cultivation.

An Le walked along with joy filling his heart, heading toward the bustling main street.

A luxurious carriage stood parked by the road. The fine horse pulling it had a glossy brown coat, a broad back, and extremely distinct lines of muscle. It was a precious steed.

An Le glanced at it, inwardly praising the horse's elegant beauty. Then his gaze suddenly shifted to the carriage compartment.

At the carriage window, carved with flowers and beasts, an elegant man held up the silk sunshade curtain with one hand and met An Le's eyes.

Meeting An Le's gaze, the man gave a gentle smile and released his hand. The curtain fell, cutting off their line of sight.

An Le withdrew his gaze and let out a breath, feeling boundless regret in his heart.

For in his eyes, the elegant man possessed at least twenty or thirty wisps of Time Qi. Though he could not compare with Madam Hua, he had more than both Girl Zhuifeng and Fairy Yun Rou.

Unfortunately, his ability to draw Time Qi had exhausted itself on Madam Hua. At present, it was so drained that there was not the slightest response. He would need to rest for a night before recovering; otherwise, An Le would certainly have plucked away a wisp!

With a sigh, An Le no longer lingered. His figure in blue gradually vanished at the end of the long street, merging into the growing crowd.

Inside the carriage.

The elegant man wore splendid embroidered robes and leaned lazily against the carriage wall. Before him stood a sandalwood table bearing two cups of hot tea.

"What a graceful young gentleman. That youth's gaze... was truly strange. Interesting." The man picked up a teacup and lightly swirled it, speaking as if in a murmur.

Then he stopped moving. His eyes slid toward the figure seated across from him as he spoke indifferently.

"Master Liu Qingyan, have some tea."