After several cries of satisfaction, Xiao Yuzhi seemed to regain some strength. He forced himself upright, only then noticing a door plank on the floor of the room, with an old man lying on it.
Despite the keen senses of a Xiantian martial artist, he had detected no third person's presence. At such close range, he should practically have been able to hear breathing and a heartbeat. Clearly, the man on the floor had already passed away.
"This is..."
Though he had never seen the old man before, Xiao Yuzhi felt something unusual as he looked at him, as though there were some connection between them.
The old Temple Keeper lowered his gaze to the old man lying on the door plank and answered with a sigh.
"This is Mr. Shao Zhen, the Strange Master Painter!"
The Strange Master Painter-the man whom Great Yong's men of letters reverently called the Painting Sage of their dynasty!
Though Xiao Yuzhi was a martial man, he had served as an official in the Capital City for decades. How could he not know Shao Zhen's name? He stared blankly at the floor, momentarily stunned.
"Mr. Shao Zhen? How... how did he..."
There had long been rumors that the Painting Sage was no longer alive, but now it appeared that he had only just passed away.
The old Temple Keeper shook his head.
"The old gentleman died without regrets. He made another breakthrough before his death and created the Demon-Subduing Divine Dao Painting together with Daoist Priest Yan... Chief Constable Xiao, you know that painting, don't you?"
At these words, scenes flashed through Xiao Yuzhi's mind. He seemed even to see himself in the Divine Dao painting, and a vague understanding dawned in his heart.
So that was it...
"Whooo..."
A cool breeze swept into