If you don't give up, I'd like to be your adoptive father.

Chapter 30: Five Swordsmen

"Master Song, I recently adopted a new daughter and would like to ask the painting fairy to draw a picture of the shadow god."

Hu Chen knelt down and respectfully bowed nine times towards the altar. He did not beat around the bush or exchange pleasantries, but stated his purpose directly.

This was taught by his great-grandfather.

As the saying goes: nonsense.

Just listen to what ghosts and gods say, and don't take it too seriously.

If someone doesn't call you "good brother", you just reply "big brother", and you really think you have a close relationship with him.

As the saying goes: Money makes the world go round.

Ghosts and gods are not ordinary ghosts, and cannot be driven by money alone.

Under normal circumstances, money is needed to exorcise ghosts, and orders, such as talismans, are needed to control gods.

But Hu Chen did not want "God Song" to help him "grind the mill".

Thanks to his great-grandfather's connections, these three tables of tributes and a large brazier of gold ingots were enough to pay for a mere painting of the Shadow God.

So if you want to do something, just say it directly and don’t add unnecessary details.

"It's the Shadow God Picture again. Last time you painted it for your niece. She is now the beloved concubine of the King of Shu, right? This time it's your adopted daughter. To which noble person are you going to present it?"

"Master Song" spoke lazily, still sitting at the table drinking and eating.

He neither stopped Hu Chen from kneeling down, nor corrected his address, nor did he stand up to return the greeting.

Hu Chen hesitated for a moment, but decided to reveal some of the truth, saying: "I have made some minor contributions during the Thirty-Six Kingdoms Rebellion, and was fortunately accepted by Marquis Lieyang. I will soon go to Daqin to serve His Majesty the Emperor.

But I don’t have any connections in the Qin Dynasty, and my family’s meager wealth is not worthy of the attention of the nobles in the Qin Dynasty, so.”

"You are going to join the great country of China. Brother Huchen has a bright future. Congratulations! Congratulations!"

Having said that, there was not much shock or surprise in Master Song's tone, and it was obvious that he had heard about Hu Chen's affairs a long time ago.

"My dear brother and niece, since you have such great ambitions, I will certainly lend a helping hand."

The speed at which ghosts and gods eat is unmatched by mortals. In just a few words, most of the dishes and wine on the table were gone. Song the Great God left his seat, and his outline was vaguely visible in the darkness. He seemed to have even bowed to Hu Chen as a return gesture.

"Like last time, how about asking the Western painting saint Wu Daozi to help?"

"Wu Daozi is the Western painting saint after all. This time, I want to give the Shadow God Map to the noble of Daqin. China is a place where literary essence is gathered. Even the common people are well-informed. The noble is even more accustomed to seeing immortal poems and divine scrolls." Hu Chen said.

"You want to recruit a Chinese master?" Song Dashen said in a cold tone, "I am a lowly official, and I cannot invite a distinguished guest from the immortal cave."

Hu Chen bowed his head several times and said, "My newly adopted daughter is from the Xisha barbarians. She is a barbarian princess and will enter Xianyang with the captive tribute team. She is likely to be selected into the Xianyang Palace. By chance, she will be able to serve the emperor."

"My dear brother, you have such great ambition that you actually want to offer your daughter to the Emperor!"

Master Song's "ghost body" was shaking violently, and his tone was more of sarcasm and absurdity.

Hu Chen said calmly: "I am not a self-righteous fool."

——I have the confidence and I have faith!

Now Master Song was really confused and puzzled.

Hu Chen continued, "Song Ye, just help pass on a message. Whether the Chinese people come or not is up to me.

When my daughter's Shadow God Picture is sent to the Xianyang Palace, the Chinese master who drew the Shadow God Picture will be able to show his prowess in public again and become famous.

Of course, if we achieve anything in the future, my father and I will never forget Mr. Song’s kindness.”

"Well, inviting the Western painting master is one thing, and sending a message to the Chinese masters is also one thing. I will say a few good words for you, and I hope you can really achieve something."

God Song looked at Hu Chen deeply, and then transformed into a gust of cold wind as if he had come, picked up a few fallen leaves on the ground, and disappeared in the yard.

However, the negative energy around the yard did not decrease.

Hu Chen offered sacrifices to ghosts and gods mainly to invite the great god Song, but it also attracted many passing ghosts.

Hu Chen stood calmly in the yard with his hands behind his back, ignoring the shadowy darkness nearby.

I waited for about an incense stick's time - the incense in the incense burner burned out, so I refilled it.

"Whoohoo~~"

Just like before, a gust of cold wind blew up from the ground, and the hazy shadow of Master Song appeared again.

"My dear brother, you are lucky. On my way back, I happened to meet the young Hu Yanei. The young Hu Yanei is the most generous and righteous. After hearing about your story, he immediately returned to the mansion and took a name card from Judge Hu and gave it to me.

With the help of Judge Hu, I have persuaded Saint Zhang to help you draw a picture of the shadow god. "

Hu Chen first knelt down to thank him, then asked curiously: "Which Saint Zhang is it?"

Master Song said with a slightly proud tone, "Have you heard of the legend of the Chinese painting saint that 'If you don't add the eyes to a dragon, it will be like thunder'?

Two thousand years ago, a painter was painting a dragon while drunk at Qinglong Temple. In his drunken state, he accidentally added eyes to the flying dragon on the wall.

In an instant, lightning flashed and thunder roared, the sky was white, and finally a bolt of lightning broke the wall, and a dragon rode a cloud to the sky. This is the Saint Zhang we are talking about today. He is a true Saint of Painting, different from the "so-called Saints of Painting" in the West. "

"Ah, it's him!" Hu Chen was surprised and delighted, but also very confused, "Didn't Zhang Huasheng enter Taoism through painting and ascend to heaven to serve the Emperor of Heaven?"

Master Song disagreed and said, "It's just a rumor in the market, it can't be true. If you can really ascend to heaven just by painting, why do we still need to practice Taoism and cultivate Qi?

It can only be said that his calligraphy and painting are so excellent that it is easy to please the immortals, and it is easier for him to get into the immortal world than others.

But the fate of becoming an immortal does not mean ascending to become an immortal!

Having a chance to be an immortal is just the beginning of the immortal path. What you will achieve in the future depends on your character, understanding, immortal roots, and opportunities. "

Hu Chen didn't care whether Zhang Huasheng ascended to heaven or to the underworld, and asked hurriedly: "When will Saint Zhang arrive? What preparations should I make?"

Master Song said, "Just prepare the writing brush, ink, paper and inkstone, and keep everything else simple."

After a pause, he lowered his voice and added: "Saint Zhang's move this time was entirely to give face to Judge Hu. Saint Zhang himself has no interest in you and your daughter, and he doesn't bother to show off his saintliness in front of others and become famous again.

He has already gone down in history as a legendary figure, and does not need to rely on the Shadow God Picture to gain fame."

"I understand. When I return to Yingxiang Mansion, I will first report to Grandpa the noble character of Young Hu Yanei and Judge Hu. Then I will choose an auspicious day and invite the people of Shuiyun to hold the 33-day Luotian Grand Ceremony to thank Lord Song, Judge Hu and his son, Saint Zhang and other benefactors." Guan Huchen said sincerely.

——This kid is quite sensible and knows to put me, Old Song, first.

Master Song was satisfied, but he shook his head and said with a smile: "My dear brother, you must know that gifts should be sent to the heart.

The Luotian Grand Ceremony is of course a grand ceremony and the most sincere gift. No ghost or god would be dissatisfied.

But the protagonist who made this happen was Little Hu Yanei!"

Guan Huchen immediately bowed and said, "Please teach me, Master Song!"

Today was the first time he heard of the person called "Little Hu Yanei". Although Master Song did not give a detailed introduction, the mere phrase "the Yanei of Judge Hu" was enough to explain everything.

Hu Chen also didn't know Judge Hu, so he planned to go back and ask the City God for details.

Now, Mr. Song has clearly stated that "gifts must be to the liking of little Hu Yaxin", which is obviously a very clear requirement.

"My dear brother, you are very smart!" Song Dashen praised him and said with a smile, "Little Hu Yanei is generous and righteous, not fussy about trivial matters, and has the legacy of Chinese heroes, but he is not a rough man like someone else.

He pursued elegance and was a talented and romantic man who loved poetry and prose.

Especially... Alas, I am such a rough guy and I don’t know how to say it.

Just one thing, I often see the young Hu Yanei in a trance, sighing from time to time, repeating something like 'The red face is not as red as the old crow, but it still brings the shadow of Zhaoyang'. I don't understand, but you are from a noble family, you should understand, right?"

Guan Huchen didn't understand either. He had no idea what Mr. Song wanted to say or what little Hu Yanei wanted. He had never heard of "The rosy face is not as red as the old crow, yet it still brings the sun's shadow from Zhaoyang." He didn't want to burn a few volumes of poetry and songs for him, did he?

Guan Zhong, who was burning paper ingots nearby, had a vague realization and whispered a reminder: "Master, your red face is not as red as the old crow, but it still carries the shadow of the sun in Zhaoyang. It seems to be a poem by Miss Li Manman."

If Master Song was not a ghost, he would definitely give Guan Zhong an admiring look at this moment.

Hu Chen was not a stupid person. He had never heard of those two "incomprehensible" lines of poetry, but he not only knew them, but was very familiar with Li Manman.

Because she is one of the "Five Wonderful Swordsmen" and one of the "Eight Beauties of the West", and she is also the most famous prostitute in Western Shu - the Swordsman of Luodu Jiaosifang.

The so-called "Five Wonders" are poetry, sword, dance, sex and song, all of which are unparalleled in the world.

"Little Hu Yanei is indeed a romantic man, with vision and elegance, but he thinks too highly of me!" Guan Huchen smiled bitterly, "Although Miss Li Manman is a prostitute, she is also the adopted daughter of the Prince of Qinghe. She only dances with swords and does not sell her body. Even the reception of guests depends entirely on her own mood.

Mr. Song must have heard of the Prince of Qinghe.

Putting aside his identity and reputation, I am now the 'Da Shu Lu Ye Wei Iron Cavalry Battalion Cavalry Commander', and I am directly under the command of the Prince of Qinghe. "

What little Hu Yanei loves is not poetry, but the person who wrote those two lines of poetry.

Hu Chen also understood what he wanted to do.

But the Five Supreme Sword Ladies were not someone he could manipulate at will. If he could, he would have manipulated them himself long ago. How could little Hu Yanei get the upper hand?
Unless one day, his "great future" in Daqin is realized.

"My dear brother, don't be too modest. Aren't you going to enter the Qin Empire to serve the Emperor? A noble of the Qin Empire is not as good as the Prince of Qinghe?" said the great god Song.

Hu Chen's heart was moved, and he clasped his fists and said, "Little Hu Yanei is so kind and generous, how dare I not repay him? As long as there is any progress in my daughter's entry into Xianyang, I will definitely teach Miss Li Manman to sing and dance with swords for Little Hu Yanei!"

Get the benefits first. Promises, like the future, are full of uncertainty.

Master Song was not very satisfied.

He felt that Guan Huchen was completely delusional.

How could the daughter of a general from a small border country, and a barbarian at that, possibly catch the eye of a noble of the Great Qin and serve the Emperor? If it were really that easy, the Emperor's Xianyang Palace would have been packed with people, leaving almost no place to stand.

"My dear brother, even if you can't drink the snow mountain honey water for the time being, the cool well water can quench your thirst."

Hu Chen nodded repeatedly and said, "I understand. Luo Tian Da Jiao has its own arrangements. I guarantee that little Hu Yanei will be able to quench his thirst."

Only then was Master Song satisfied.

(End of this chapter)