Painter

The caravan continued onward. Qiao Jiaxin sat up straight in the carriage, but before long, the sun beating down on her began to make her uncomfortable. So she shifted slightly and secretly glanced over.

She found the young man quite amusing. Maybe the journey... would not be so boring anymore.

Then, on the other side of the carriage, the other two began talking.

At first, Liu Laodao had not paid much attention to the young man. But after exchanging a few polite words, he felt quite pleased.

He was a painter, and actually one who was doing fairly well—he had a small temple in Weicheng dedicated to the Wei River Dragon King. The incense offerings were not plentiful, but they could barely cover food and clothing. Occasionally, someone would come asking for a painting; if luck was good and he sold one for a few bits of silver, life became much more comfortable.

In his early years, he had had a master. It was said that his master had learned a little breathing and self-cultivation method from an azure-robed disciple stationed in Liucheng by the Dongxuan Sect—of course, the real Dongxuan Sect, one of the true seventy-two sects. Thus, his master had also called himself a disciple of the Dongxuan Sect.

Such things were quite common in the martial world, and cultivators and immortals did not care much about them. In truth, if one really got serious about it, eight or nine out of ten heterodox and lowly secular sects in the martial world used names of this sort. In any case, cultivators and immortals had no mind to argue over such matters—they were all busy pursuing Supreme Detachment and seeking immortality. Besides, there were only so many grand and imposing names to go around. What reason was there to forbid others from using them?

Thus, by Liu Laodao's time, he simply called himself the headmaster of the Dongxuan Sect. Naturally, his Dongxuan Sect referred only to that little temple. This lofty identity might not get him anywhere in Luo City, but once he left town, it could still bluff people into giving him a startled look.

But the people of the Hongfu Escort Agency were also from Luo City and had long known his true circumstances. So not one of them respected him as the dignified headmaster he was; whenever they were bored, they would needle him. Ahem, ahem... everyone loved beauty, and Liu Laodao loved beauty too. That was only natural.

Now that this young man had come over, he had become the only one willing to speak properly with him.

Thus, Liu Laodao formed an excellent impression of him. Even when putting on airs, he now carried a bit of the bearing of a reclusive master beyond the mortal world.

"...So, little friend, you too have some knowledge of the path of painting?"

"Just a little, just a little. You are the true senior master."

"Hehehehe... this poor Daoist is untalented, but I have inherited this art for thirty-six years and have gained some insights by now. In Luo City, those who have cultivated to the Artistic Realm probably number fewer than the fingers on one hand—and this poor Daoist is humbly one of them."

"Ah... that sounds very impressive. What is the Artistic Realm?"

"Hehe. Ordinary people paint, and painters paint too. Where lies the difference? It is because painters also cultivate the orthodox methods of the Mystic Sect. Cultivate the orthodox methods, gather spiritual energy, and reach the realm where one can use one's intent to stir the spiritual energy of heaven and earth—then one differs from ordinary mortals. That is the Artistic Realm."

Li Yunxin actually knew all this already. His parents had not told him much, but they had mentioned all five realms of "Profound Truth, Transform Void, Intent." It was difficult to imagine what they had once been thinking: teaching him methods to cultivate his body and refine his qi on one hand, yet fearing he would learn more on the other. Perhaps they had been torn at the time—whether or not to let their only son learn these things.

Just as people who learned martial arts could easily rely on their fists to solve problems and invite trouble, they had likely feared that if their son became too skilled, he would no longer be able to remain in the mountain village.

But though he did not know what level of cultivation they possessed, one thing was certain—no one would willingly let their own skill be buried and forgotten.

Perhaps it was amid such conflicting feelings that they had not yet decided exactly how much to let him know.

Unfortunately, he would probably never have another chance.

As Liu Laodao had said, the Artistic Realm allowed one to stir the spiritual energy of heaven and earth. It sounded wonderful, but as far as Li Yunxin knew... it was useless.

At least, for painters.

Painters at this realm could blend spiritual energy into their paintings—those paintings that cleared the mind and warded a house were made this way. They had some minor use, better than nothing. Perhaps masters of the Artistic Realm could do better—after all, there was a difference between "feeling somewhat comfortable after looking at it" and "feeling thoroughly refreshed after looking at it."

But judging from Liu Laodao's clothes... he probably did not belong among the masters.

Things improved somewhat upon reaching the Void Realm. At least one could fling out a painting and create some illusion to frighten people. The trick he had used to scare Constable Xing had been an ability of this realm.

At the Transformation Realm, it was no longer an illusion—it could truly summon something, though it would not last long.

The reason he had asked the old Daoist about this was that, after traveling these past days, he had realized that the painters of the secular world... seemed different from the painters his parents had spoken of.

Mm, they were a little weak.

Or rather, weak by more than just a little.

Sometimes, Li Yunxin even wondered whether his parents had been mistaken.

So he wanted to find out just how weak these people really were.

After listening to Liu Laodao ramble on reverently about the five realms—using "it is said" and "perhaps" for most of it, with no small number of errors—he realized that Red Pine Master had been right.

The Painting Dao had truly declined...

Luo City counted as a great city. There were five painters of the Artistic Realm. Even if Liu Laodao barely managed to occupy one of those places, there were still only five.

As for the Void Realm, Liu Laodao said that one could only see it in the imperial capital—and only high-ranking officials and nobles could see it.

As for the Transformation Realm, according to him—"Who knows whether such people even exist? Though painters are no longer ordinary secular people, perhaps some seniors, unwilling to lose face, borrowed the five realms of the Sword Sect's Dao Tradition, hoping that one day a master of that caliber might emerge among later generations. Sigh... shameful, shameful."

So the things Red Pine Master had told him, the things his parents had told him... were not known to everyone.

Perhaps there was more to the decline of the Painting Dao—otherwise, it should not have become like this, as though the history of the past had been wiped from the secular world.

But Liu Laodao thought Li Yunxin was someone "wholeheartedly devoted to the Dao." Seeing him listen so patiently to all this, he felt an even stronger appreciation for talent.

So he began probing indirectly. "Little friend, are you from Luo City? Where is your household?"

Li Yunxin put on an act and sighed. "It is a long story. Something happened to my household. I am alone now, with neither father nor mother."

Qiao Jiaxin was listening intently from the other side. Hearing this, she felt somewhat sad, but also faintly relieved.

Liu Laodao was delighted inside, but his expression did not change. "Oh? Then what are your plans for this journey to Luo City?"

Li Yunxin shook his head. "I'll take things as they come."

"Mm. My Dongxuan Sect temple is also a quiet place." Liu Laodao stroked his beard.

"Daoist, your cultivation is profound. It must naturally be a blessed land."

Qiao Jiaxin grew a little anxious over here. She felt that the handsome young man probably did not know what sort of place Liu Laodao's "Dongxuan Sect temple" really was, and might be deceived into going there.

Actually, there was plenty of room at home...

Her father was always saying they lacked enough hands and wanted to recruit people.

Liu Laodao was getting a little anxious too. This young man was clever and quick-witted, respectful in speech, and wholeheartedly devoted to the Dao—so why did he not understand what Liu Laodao was hinting at?

Qiao Jiaxin could not resist wanting to expose Liu Laodao. But Liu Laodao had long been on guard against that—he feared that while he was speaking with the young man, the escort agency people would mock him again.

Seeing Qiao Jiaxin looking ready to speak, he simply shouted, "Hey! Foolish child! Have you not yet awakened? Do you wish to seek the Dao?"

That shout startled both Qiao Jiaxin and Qiao Sifu, who was driving the carriage. After shouting, Liu Laodao became smug with satisfaction, feeling that the words he had bellowed out in a flash of inspiration...

Had far too much of a master's bearing!!

Li Yunxin seemed startled as well. But after a brief daze, delight appeared on his face. "Can I? Really?"

Then, sitting in the carriage, he raised his hands, lowered his head, and gave a deep bow. "Master above, accept this disciple's bow!"

Qiao Jiaxin and Qiao Sifu were dumbfounded. The old Daoist was delighted beyond measure. He stroked his beard and put on a pose for a while, then hurriedly grabbed Li Yunxin's hand—afraid that this disciple might change his mind.

This young man admired and respected him, spoke so pleasantly, and most importantly, he was handsome! Taking him out in the future would immediately make for quite a grand scene! At the very least, he could earn three more bits of silver!