Painter Lu

"Painter Lu?"

The two loafers looked toward the man, clearly recognizing him.

The loafer in front frowned and snapped, "Blind fool, can't you see your lord is busy?"

The loafer behind him gave him a chilly look. "We lords haven't caused you any trouble. Have you decided we're too kindhearted?"

No one here was stupid. The two loafers were clearly blocking someone in the alley, yet this man still dared to approach. He had obviously come to meddle.

Painter Lu shook his head. "If you were robbing someone else, I wouldn't interfere. But not him."

The loafer in front pointed the short blade in his hand at Painter Lu. "Why not him?"

The loafer behind him barked in a low voice, "Quit wasting words on him. Get rid of him!"

At that, the loafer in front slashed his short blade toward Painter Lu's shoulder, intending either to scare him off or wound him and drive him away.

Painter Lu answered calmly, "Because I find this Young Master handsome, with sword-like brows and starry eyes. I wished to discuss painting a portrait of him with this gentleman."

The moment those words fell, not only were the two loafers dumbfounded, even Gu Zhao wore a baffled expression.

But regardless of what they thought, all three of them looked at Painter Lu's hand. He had merely extended his empty left hand and caught the wrist of the loafer in front, the one holding the stabbing knife.

"You hid yourself well. You're actually a martial artist?" The loafer behind him was startled.

But the loafer in front had no time to be startled. His wrist felt as though it had been clamped in a ring of raw iron. No matter how he struggled, it would not budge. Worse, that iron ring kept tightening, growing more and more painful, until his eyes turned red and sweat beaded across his brow.

"Ah!"

Clang! The short blade hit the ground.

Painter Lu finally released him. The loafer in front staggered backward, trembling as he drew his hand to his chest. Staring at the distinct, crimson handprint on his wrist, he had no idea whether it had already been crushed.

As though he had sensed something, he could not help looking up—and met Painter Lu's eyes directly. Without another word, the loafer in front darted past Gu Zhao and fled at full speed.

The loafer behind him was perceptive enough to know whom he could provoke and whom he could not. He likewise said nothing, greased the soles of his feet, and swiftly slipped away after the other man.

Painter Lu watched the two flee before turning to Gu Zhao and calmly nodding. "Greetings, Young Master."

Gu Zhao did not stop them. Feeling the pulse of the Five Thunder Token within his Sea of Consciousness, he cupped his hands in thanks. "Many thanks, Painter Lu."

Painter Lu had said Gu Zhao was handsome, but he himself was no less so. Beneath his fair skin, his veins could faintly be seen. He had a high nose, thin lips, and a pale cinnabar mole beneath the corner of his left eye. Overall, he looked somewhat scholarly and frail. No wonder the two loafers had not taken him seriously.

Painter Lu nodded. "You're welcome. Besides, I have selfish motives of my own."

Gu Zhao looked at the bamboo pole braced in Painter Lu's right hand. It was taller than a man, and from it hung an unfurled painting of a figure amid scenery. In the painting, a man in azure robes stood at the head of a bluestone bridge shrouded in misty rain, holding an umbrella. His bearing was graceful and unrestrained.

"An excellent painting!" Gu Zhao praised.

Painter Lu smiled faintly. "It was an excellent painting to begin with."

"You want to paint one of me as well?" Gu Zhao asked.

Painter Lu nodded. "Young Master possesses a lofty bearing and dazzling elegance. If I may take up my brush, it would be my honor."

Gu Zhao looked again at the portrait in Painter Lu's hand. Its mood was elegant, its figure lifelike. The painted man's eyes seemed to peer through layer upon layer of misty rain, gazing out at him with a faint sorrow.

"It should be my honor." Gu Zhao narrowed his eyes and could not help asking, "How much is this painting? Let me first see whether I can afford it."

Painter Lu shook his head with a laugh. "Once I finish the painting, I will naturally give it to Young Master."

Gu Zhao pointed at the painting in his hand. "Then what about the owner of this painting?"

Painter Lu answered a different question. "Once I finish one painting, I can naturally paint another."

Gu Zhao understood and asked another question. "Sir, are you a native of Xiu Yue County?"

Painter Lu shook his head, then nodded. Looking at Gu Zhao's long robe, he said, "I have lived here temporarily for two years. If Young Master wishes to inquire about a friend's residence, or visit the county school, I can lead the way for you."

Gu Zhao nodded. "That would be wonderful. Xiu Yue County really is quite large."

Painter Lu turned and led the way. "Though Xiu Yue County lies in the southeast of Changping Prefecture, it borders Yongzhou to the east, and Yazhou is not far to the south. It is where three prefectures meet, so naturally there are many people."

Gu Zhao followed him and casually asked, "Sir's skills are extraordinary. Are you a mage?"

Painter Lu did not slow his pace. "My cultivation is shallow. I can barely protect myself, so I cannot be considered a mage."

"Sir is so formidable. Have you seen any of those Demonic Beasts or ghosts?" Gu Zhao seemed like a curious child who had never seen the world.

"I haven't." The corner of Painter Lu's lips lifted as he shook his head. "You're overthinking it. How could there be so many Demonic Beasts and ghosts in the world? Most are merely rumors passed from mouth to mouth."

Gu Zhao neither agreed nor disagreed. He looked at the scrolls inside the bamboo basket on Painter Lu's back. "Are those all paintings?"

"Yes." Painter Lu nodded. "If Young Master wishes to see them, once I finish your painting, you may admire them to your heart's content."

"Sir's painting skills are superb. I am greatly looking forward to it." Gu Zhao did not move too close to Painter Lu and merely continued asking, "Are they all portraits?"

Painter Lu paused. "Not all. There are also landscapes of mountains and rivers."

Painter Lu did not live far away. Soon after leaving the alley, they turned into another one and quickly arrived at his residence.

It was a secluded little courtyard. It was not large, with only a front room and a side room: one bedroom and one studio. The stove and miscellaneous clutter were piled in the yard.

"Please, Young Master." Painter Lu opened the door to the side room and invited Gu Zhao inside.

Gu Zhao walked in slowly, looking around as he asked, "Is this where you paint, sir?"

"That's right." Painter Lu nodded and poured Gu Zhao a cup of water from a nearby table. "Things happened too suddenly just now. I have yet to ask how Young Master should be addressed."

The side room was not large. One white wall, one long table, two chairs, a slightly tilted easel, and a wooden rack holding watercolor brushes and ink—this was the entirety of the room's furnishings.

Gu Zhao set the water aside and casually gave a false name. "Zhang Hang."

Painter Lu did not mind. He merely had Gu Zhao sit by the table. "Brother Zhang, make yourself at home. I only need to see Brother Zhang's face."

After saying that, he sat opposite Gu Zhao, set up the easel, laid out a sheet of drawing paper, and prepared to begin.

"Just like this?" Gu Zhao asked.

"Just like this." Painter Lu nodded, looking at Gu Zhao with undisguised admiration. "Young Master is strikingly handsome and radiant in spirit. This painting will surely be a fine work."

Gu Zhao looked at Painter Lu, then at the surroundings. It was indeed much safer and quieter than the alley just now. He flexed his fingers. "Then let's do it this way."

Just then, someone knocked on the door. "Lu Sheng, when you've met a good friend, why not invite him over to my place for a sit?"