Chapter 50: Treating as Equals

"Very simple!" Zhang Xuan, unaware of the thoughts and shock in everyone's minds, smiled lightly. "The Red Bear, a savage beast, though invincible in defense, has a streamlined body like a sharp sword, excelling in swift attacks, defeating opponents by speed rather than relying on strength and heaviness to crush the enemy! From this, one can deduce that its aura is sharp like a sword, not heavy like a great mountain! Drawing a savage beast but getting its very essence wrong—if that's not conjecture, what is?"

Master Lu Chen's body swayed.

The other wasn't wrong; he was too right!

Previously, he had always believed that the Red Bear, with its invincible defense, should be as heavy as a mountain. But reminded by the youth, he suddenly recalled that a book seemed to have introduced that this savage beast was extremely fast, killing enemies invisibly. Because of this, few had ever seen its true face!

In painting, the most taboo for a master is getting the essence wrong. If that was mistaken, even the most precious thing becomes garbage. He only said it wasn't wrong, without saying anything excessive, which was already very polite.

"Good, good!" With two consecutive praises, Master Lu Chen's face flushed with excitement.

If one painting could be luck or coincidence, then seeing through two in a row, hitting the nail on the head, he now knew that the youth before him, though young in appearance, was a true master of painting and calligraphy!

His skill was at least as high, if not higher!

Friends are easy to find, but a kindred spirit is rare. As an imperial tutor, in the art of painting and calligraphy, no one in the entire Tianxuan Kingdom could surpass him. Usually, when he explained to others, they would just go through the motions, praising him excessively, but no one truly understood, let alone pointed out flaws!

Because of this, he often felt disheartened, frequently opening his doors wide to encourage diligent younger generations, hoping to find a successor.

Now, meeting someone who could point out mistakes and errors was like finding a kindred spirit. How could he not be excited?

Not jumping up on the spot was a testament to his strong will and excellent restraint.

Seeing the master's excitement, Huang Yu and Bai Xun exchanged glances, no longer bickering as before, their eyes wide, nearly popping out.

They had known this master since childhood; he had always remained unruffled even when Mount Tai collapsed before him, caring about nothing. Last time, the king specially sent someone with the priceless [Polar Night Pearl], but he didn't even glance at it, letting a servant casually take it into the room!

The youth casually answered a question and got this reaction... Could what he said be true?

Thinking this, the two simultaneously looked at the youth not far away, but no matter how they looked, he seemed very ordinary, with no special features.

"Xiao Yu, why don't you quickly introduce this young gentleman to me?"

Just as they were puzzled, they heard Master Lu Chen's question.

"Introduce? He..." Asked, Huang Yu was startled, then realized she hadn't even asked his name. Her pretty face reddened, she couldn't help scratching her head, looking at Zhang Xuan: "Hey, by the way, what's your name..."

Hearing this, Bai Xun, sitting to the side, looked constipated.

Just now, he was jealous to death, thinking his goddess had been snatched away by someone else, itching to beat up the youth. Now he learned that Huang Yu didn't even know his name!

If he had known that, why would he have been angry!

But before his distress ended, he heard Master Lu Chen's angry voice: "What's with all this 'you' and 'I'? No manners at all! This young brother and I are on equal footing; from now on, you will address him as Master!"

"Equal footing?"

This time, not only Huang Yu and Bai Xun were stunned, but even the steward Cheng Bo on the side was taken aback, looking at Zhang Xuan as if he were a monster.

What status did Master Lu Chen hold?

The teacher of Emperor Shen Zhui, a true imperial tutor!

No one in the entire kingdom dared to treat him as an equal, because doing so would mean being an elder of the king!

A person of such status now wanted to treat a youth under twenty as an equal? Had they heard wrong?

"Didn't you hear me?"

Seeing the two in a daze, Lu Chen scolded again.

"Yes!" Bai Xun and Huang Yu quickly bowed: "Greetings, Master!"

"No need to be polite!" Unexpectedly, this Lu Chen was so courteous. Zhang Xuan shook his head helplessly: "I am Zhang Xuan. I just happened to understand your paintings by chance; I don't deserve the title of Master!"

"So it's Brother Zhang Xuan. You can't say that; rules are rules! You could point out my mistakes at a glance, showing deep research and extraordinary insight into painting and calligraphy. If you don't deserve the title, then I, as a master, would also be unworthy of the name!" Lu Chen said.

Zhang Xuan gave a dry laugh.

It was true that he pointed out mistakes, but not through his own skill; he used the cheat device, the Library of Heaven's Path.

Without it, not only would he not have seen the mistakes, he wouldn't even know what the paintings were about, completely baffled.

"Alright, don't refuse anymore. These juniors, you can scold them as you please in the future!"

Not knowing what Zhang Xuan was thinking, Master Lu Chen said casually.

"Juniors? Scold as we please?"

Bai Xun and Huang Yu were about to cry.

Damn, they were about the same age, and suddenly they became a generation younger... Bro, you're too fierce!

Ignoring the two who looked dejected, Master Lu Chen looked at him curiously: "Little brother, coming with Xiao Yu to my place shouldn't be just for a stroll. Is there something I can help with?"

"I heard that you have a vast collection of books here. I came to look for some martial arts techniques for the sixth level of the Martial Artist realm..."

Hearing him ask about his purpose, Zhang Xuan quickly said.

This was why he came; he couldn't miss the opportunity.

"I do have quite a few books here, but mostly on painting and calligraphy. There aren't many martial arts techniques. As for the sixth level, I only have a few, all in my study. Come, I'll take you to see them!"

Hearing his purpose, Master Lu Chen smiled and stroked his beard, standing up first.

"Master, your study..." Steward Cheng Bo couldn't help stepping forward.

The master's study housed many rare manuscripts from great masters, extremely precious, and never allowed outsiders. Last time, Emperor Shen Zhui came and was turned away at the door!

Once, a maid who didn't know the situation ran in to clean and was beaten to death!

Because of this, in the entire Lu Mansion, the study was the most forbidden zone, where no one dared to enter...

Now the master wanted to take a youth he just met inside, leaving him at a loss.

"I don't let others into my study for fear of contaminating it with worldly aura. Brother Zhang Xuan is of our kind, a master of painting and calligraphy. It is my honor to have him enter and offer guidance. What is there to stop?"

Master Lu Chen's face darkened.

"Yes!" Cheng Bo quickly stepped aside.

Though he knew nothing of painting and calligraphy, he now understood that what the youth said earlier must have been absolutely correct!

Otherwise, the master wouldn't have done a complete one-eighty and become so amiable.

"Let's go!"

Master Lu Chen led the way, with Zhang Xuan following. After a while, they arrived at a spacious room.

As expected of the master praised by Huang Yu, the study's collection was indeed vast. Bookshelves were filled with all kinds of books, at least hundreds of thousands. Entering it felt like stepping into a library.

Walking among the shelves, he glanced around and saw that, as the other had said, almost all were books on painting and calligraphy; there were hardly any on martial arts or secret manuals.

"The techniques are over here. There are only a few, left behind after I practiced them casually!"

Master Lu Chen introduced with a smile, leading Zhang Xuan toward a corner of the study.