Chapter 677

Han Rui smiled. "That's right. I've only studied a few prose pieces and short fu poems. I've never specialized in painting, so it's not worth mentioning."

"I, on the other hand, think your painting skills have reached an extraordinary, near-sacred level." Chen Shancheng smiled. "If you don't believe me, take a look."

"Hm? At what?" Han Rui froze, utterly baffled. He leaned forward to look, then immediately went blank. Chen Shancheng had taken a copybook from his sleeve, spread it across his knees, laid out a sheet of xuan paper, dipped his brush in ink, and began to paint in sweeping strokes.

His brushwork was rich and intense, free and unrestrained, spreading across the paper like an ink-wash landscape. The tip of the brush was sharp, its strokes vigorous and powerful, as though traced with steel hooks and silver lines. It looked as if carved by Divine Skill—delicate, yet fluid.

Whether Han Rui admitted it or not, once Chen Shancheng had finished painting, he handed over the copybook and smiled. "Brother Han, what do you think of this painting?"

"It's beautiful." Han Rui spoke sincerely, full of genuine admiration. "It can practically be called a work of Divine Skill."

"You flatter me, Brother Han." Chen Shancheng said modestly. "I happened to find this painting in a bookshop once. It isn't worth much."

Han Rui examined it carefully and nodded lightly. "That's true. Although the brushwork is bold and powerful, it still seems somewhat immature."

"Oh." Chen Shancheng was mildly surprised, then understood. Han Rui was still young; reaching this level was already no easy feat. How could he have had the spare time to practice painting?

Han Rui said approvingly, "Brother Chen is fortunate to have found a suitable teacher. Given time, you will surely shine brilliantly."

"I'll take your