Daqin Zhentiansi

Chapter 261 Can You Draw the Immortal Butterfly?
In Zhang Yuan’s mind, figures appeared in the ink-and-wash landscape.

These figures are clearly scenes from Zhu Xitang's memory that were replayed on his path of cultivation.

Zhang Yuan suppressed the opponent's spiritual power that rushed into his mind and extracted the memories from it.

This was his recent insight into spiritual practice, and the method he derived from it, he didn't expect it to be so useful.

This is not only the means of operating the soul in Confucianism and Taoism, but also the display of the supernatural powers of the soul in Buddhism.

The divine spirit and supernatural powers of Yuzhao Temple, combined with Confucian and Taoist methods, converge into a reproduction of the scene in the ink painting scroll.

This requires Zhang Yuan to be powerful and able to split into countless souls, and also requires the other party's soul to be tough enough and not collapse due to being lost.

In Zhang Yuan's opinion, this method is useless because there is no place to use it.

What cultivator with a powerful soul would let his mind go without any defense?

What I didn't expect was that Zhu Xitang on the opposite side would actually send his soul to the door so directly.

Zhang Yuan was not polite at this time. He used his soul to display a long scroll of ink and wash using the principles of calligraphy and painting, and then displayed all of Zhu Xitang's practices of calligraphy and painting.

Zhu Xitang did not lie. He did follow Wang Mengxi in practicing for three years when he traveled to the Five Kingdoms.

During these three years, Zhu Xitang's calligraphy and painting skills made rapid progress.

"With heaven and earth as the way, brush and ink merge into heaven and earth, follow the way of nature, and learn from nature."

"Xitang, do you know what nature is?"

“When grilling meat, add more cumin.”

Wang Mengxi was humorous and his brushwork was free and unrestrained. Zhu Xitang practiced with him and his understanding of Confucianism and Taoism became more solid.

Until one day, Wang Mengxi called Zhu Xitang over and asked him to leave.

"I'm dying."

Wang Mengxi's words stunned Zhu Xitang.

"Life and death, just take it easy. Death can sometimes be a relief." Wang Mengxi didn't care about these things at all and just waved his hand.

"When I die, it would be wonderful if I could turn into a butterfly..."

In the ink painting scroll, Wang Mengxi unfolds a scroll in his hand, on which an illusory butterfly shadow appears.

Immortal butterfly.

This is clearly the shattered scroll of the immortal butterfly.

As the scroll emerged, the figures in the ink painting and the scene began to become turbulent.

But Zhu Xitang's memory could not be condensed and his consciousness was struggling.

Zhang Yuan knew that this was his and his opponent's limit.

If he continues to suppress the opponent, his power of the Great Dao will be greatly depleted.

Zhu Xitang's soul has reached its limit and may collapse at any time.

Unless he wanted to shatter Zhu Xitang's soul right now, turning him into an idiot or even killing him directly, Zhang Yuan would have to let the other party's soul go.

Seeing the changes and fluctuations in the ink-and-wash scene, Zhang Yuan's soul moved, and the scene froze, then went back.

"Xitang, are you familiar with this painting?"

"When you see this unsigned painting one day, you'll know I'm back."

"Also, I'm afraid I'm the only one in the world who can draw this Immortal Butterfly scroll in my hand?"

"If you were to meet another person who could draw this picture, who would it be?"

"Om-"

With a loud bang, the ink scroll dissipated and Zhu Xitang's soul returned.

Zhu Xitang, who was originally sitting upright, trembled all over, and instantly broke out in sweat and gasped heavily.

Zhang Yuan sat in the same place, his face calm and his head slightly lowered.

He tampered with Zhu Xitang's spiritual memory.

This method is actually close to the devil.

It turns out that the methods of Confucianism, Taoism, Buddhism, and the soul are not much different from those of magic.

"Brother Zhu, what's wrong with you?"

Across from him, Sun Jia spoke in a low voice.

Zhu Xitang's face was filled with confusion as he looked up at Zhang Yuan across from him. He remembered wanting to spy on him with his spirit, but then he seemed to remember something and forgot to spy on Zhang Yuan.

Zhang Yuan seemed to sense it, looked up at Zhu Xitang, chuckled and nodded.

Zhang Yuan's eyes...

Zhu Xitang widened his eyes and almost stood up.

Why, why does this look resemble the way my teacher Wang Mengxi looked at me in my memory?
How come this look is exactly the same as in my memory?
The teacher said, wait until one day, when you see that picture——

Zhu Xitang turned his head and his eyes fell on the scroll that Sun Jia had just rolled up.

This scroll!
He reached out his hand tremblingly to unfold the scroll.

It's this painting.

Yes, as I recall, the teacher said that there was no signed Guanshan scroll.

He looked at the picture in his hand, then raised his head to glance at Zhang Yuan opposite him.

Zhu Xitang's eyes blurred.

"Brother Zhu, Brother Zhu..." Sun Jia exclaimed in surprise.

The others also looked at Zhu Xitang.

"Could you give me this painting?" Zhu Xitang took a deep breath and looked at Sun Jia. "I have two scrolls of paintings by Master Wang, both signed. I'd like to exchange them for this one."

Two scrolls by Wang Mengxi, in exchange for this unsigned one?
Sun Jia was stunned for a moment, pondered for a moment, and nodded.

This painting was originally intended to be given to Zhu Xitang.

Zhu Xitang had a very high status in Zhao State and had a great chance of becoming the Minister of Rites.

Moreover, Wei State is now the main target of Qin State's attack. Sun Jia came here with a mission to form an alliance with several other families.

Seeing Sun Jia nod, Zhu Xitang put away the scroll and looked up.

Zhang Yuan had already lowered his head at this time.

"Master Wang..." Zhu Xitang muttered to himself, "Immortal Butterfly, can you draw an Immortal Butterfly..."

"The Marquis of Zhenxi has arrived—"

A loud shout came from a distance, and the sound of military armor colliding could be heard.

A team of soldiers arrived outside the lobby, and then Ouyang Shu, wearing armor, strode in.

It was the first time Zhang Yuan met Ouyang Shucai.

The faces of the brothers Ouyang Xu and Ouyang Ming are somewhat similar to Ouyang Shucai, but their temperament is much worse.

Just the way he strode forward with a calm expression exuded intimidation.

After all, he is the Marquis of Zhenxi, who has held a high position for a long time and is in charge of hundreds of thousands of troops.

"It is an honor for me, Ouyang Shucai, to have all these distinguished guests come to Xichang City to witness the grand marriage ceremony of my Ouyang family."

When he reached the front of the lobby, Ouyang Shu turned around and smiled.

Ouyang Shucai glanced around, his gaze paused slightly on Zhang Yuan, then looked at Xiao Lou.

"Master Xiao, I met Ling Yue several times in the past and had a very pleasant conversation. When you return, Master Xiao, please remember to give my regards to Minister Sima on my behalf."

This is to position himself as being of the same generation as Sima Qingguang, the Minister of Personnel of the Qin Dynasty, which means he is one generation older than Xiao Lou.

There's nothing wrong with that.

Not to mention that Ouyang Shucai was a vassal lord in Northern Yan and was in charge of hundreds of thousands of troops. Just his master level alone qualified him to be a generation higher than Xiao Lou.

"The Marquis of Zhenxi and my father-in-law had a pleasant conversation?" Xiao Lou raised his head and looked at Ouyang Shucai. "Is it the time when they discussed the Zhenxi Army's surrender to the Qin Dynasty and the Ministry of Personnel's arrangement of the Marquis of Zhenxi's military rank and title?"

"The conditions offered by our Great Qin are not low. The Marquis of Zhenxi should actually be satisfied."

There was silence in the lobby.

Is there such a thing?
Is it possible to say this directly?

Sun Jia sat where he was, clenching his fists.

Zhou Jinzhong looked stunned.

Ouyang Xu frowned.

Ouyang Ming's face was full of surprise and panic.

(End of this chapter)