The Calming Talisman had been a key focus of study last semester. Everyone in class knew its drawing method by heart. It had also appeared on the final exam, and almost no one had ever lost points on it.
Zheng Qing did not know why Teacher Zhang had called on him to answer such a question.
But that did not stop him from answering it.
"There are two key points when drawing a Calming Talisman. First, when entering the second step, the brush tip should be lifted in from the upper right. Second, for the horizontal stroke that finishes the sixth step, it must go from upper right to lower left. You may leave flying white, but you must not connect the strokes completely, lest the qi be sealed shut."
"Also, if you lift the brush too early during the third step, it will be easy to block the Qi Eye when making the final stroke..."
Zheng Qing stood up and spoke eloquently. In just a few moments, he listed the key points, difficulties, and common mistakes of the Calming Talisman one by one, explaining them clearly and logically.
Teacher Zhang nodded in satisfaction.
"Very good, an excellent answer." As she spoke, the teacher took out the score board and made a mark on it. "A reward of ten points. Does anyone object?"
An uproar broke out below, followed by a wave of laughter.
The uproar came because the teacher's earlier question had been far too simple, completely undeserving of ten credits, and everyone was surprised by the number of points she had awarded. The laughter came because the students saw Teacher Zhang's encouraging gesture toward Zheng Qing.
Everyone immediately understood that this was the teacher's silent encouragement for Zheng Qing.
Zheng Qing's experience during the Saturday night patrol at