Swords emerge from the human world

Chapter 96: Irreconcilable Enemies, A Beauty Adds Fragrance
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In order to distinguish between high and low, profound and shallow, most things in the world need a reference standard.

The same applies to spiritual practice.

Chen Jin has always been in a state of seclusion, studying diligently.

Reading is like this, and practicing internal energy cultivation and swordsmanship is similar.

At this point, becoming the top scholar in the imperial examination represents a significant achievement in one's studies and the pursuit of official rank.

However, the achievements in cultivating internal energy and swordsmanship seem somewhat vague.

The main problem is the lack of real combat experience and the absence of battle records to support it.

Therefore, Chen Jin had long wanted to find some suitable opponents to test his own abilities.

Guo Ai and Zhang Lingyun are too weak and easily defeated; it's perfect for Plum Blossom Abbess to use them for practice.

With this reference, a horizontal comparison can reveal that one's own strength has already surpassed that of a grandmaster.

He became a Grandmaster?

One thing to note is that his sword duel with Master Plum Blossom was always just a friendly exchange, not a real life-or-death struggle.

When faced with a real battle where no means are spared, or a fight to the death, there are bound to be other variables.

More likely, Chen Jin killed Master Plum Blossom with a single sword strike.

The "Huang Ting Yang Wu Sword" is no ordinary sword technique. At its ultimate level, it can nurture a divine flying sword.

The swordplay has returned to its original simplicity.

From initially only grasping the form but not the essence, to handling it with ease and control, the progress throughout the process is clearly visible.

Without realizing it, you can transform into a master, and that feeling is truly satisfying and enjoyable.

But we must not be arrogant or complacent.

After all, for a cultivator, defeating a so-called master swordsman is nothing special.

Moreover, Chen Jin strongly suspected that Master Meihua's reputation was exaggerated.

Literary circles love to flatter each other, and martial artists have the same trend, often using terms like "Four Greats" or "Ten Greats" to inflate their own status.

Guo Ai was naturally the happiest that Chen Jin was able to stand shoulder to shoulder with his master without causing any discord.

The young woman thought that after this battle, Chen Jin would be famous throughout the martial arts world.

That's not right. She knew her master's temperament. He would feel ashamed if he couldn't win against a mere scholar. Why would he go around spreading it?

So today's events will mostly go unnoticed and fade into obscurity...

……

Maoxian County Government Office.

A grand banquet was held, with lanterns and decorations everywhere, creating a very festive atmosphere.

In order to expand their influence, prominent families not only need to expand their branches and cultivate their bloodline disciples, but also need to recruit various talents, bring them under their command, and accept them as advisors, retainers, and even higher-ranking retainers.

Many advisors and retainers come voluntarily, but those who are to be treated with respect must be invited with utmost sincerity.

It often takes three visits to a humble cottage and offering very good terms to persuade someone to come.

For example, the Zhao family spent a lot of effort to persuade Master Plum Blossom, finally making this sword master interested.

When the other party comes to Maoxian in person, it means that the matter is a done deal.

Moreover, Master Plum Blossom had just arrived and immediately went to cause trouble for Chen Jin, which was tantamount to venting anger on behalf of Magistrate Zhao.

It's double happiness.

A grand welcome party must be held to show respect.

Everything was ready, and all that was left was for Abbess Plum Blossom to return and begin the feast.

However, they waited and waited, from morning until noon, and then until afternoon.

Still no one came.

Magistrate Zhao had a bad feeling, sensing that Master Plum Blossom wouldn't be coming.

What happened in the end?

Old Ma asked in a low voice, "Sir, shall I go out of the city to take a look?"

Magistrate Zhao nodded, his face grim, and remained silent.

Old Ma didn't say anything more and went on his way.

They left quickly, returning late at night. The information they gathered was that Master Meihua had come up the desolate mountain to look for Chen Jin. However, later, Chen Jin and Guo Ai went down the mountain back to the village, while Master Meihua, along with her eldest disciple Zhang Lingyun, vanished without a trace.

"My lord, I suspect that the abbess was persuaded by Chen Jin with his silver tongue and her mind was shaken. After all, her most beloved disciple has long been on Chen Jin's side."

Upon hearing this, and gazing at the empty chairs and tables in the courtyard, Magistrate Zhao could no longer contain his anger. He smashed the cup in his hand to the ground and said hatefully, "Chen Jin, I will never let you get away with this!"

……

After dinner, everyone went about their own business, and after doing some daily chores, it was already night.

The lights were turned on in the east room.

Chen Jin hesitated for a moment, then got up and went to the side room. He saw the maid Xiaoyu standing guard outside the door and asked, "Miss Xiaoyu, where is your young lady?"

Xiaoyu quickly replied, "Miss is washing up inside. Does the young master need her for something?"

The term "washing up" is actually "taking a bath".

The room's soundproofing was rather poor. Guo Ai, who was soaking in the bathtub, panicked when she heard Chen Jin's voice and even had a bizarre thought: what if he broke in?

He then muttered a curse under his breath: "Young Master Chen Jin is a gentleman, how could he do such an absurd thing?"
She gently stroked her delicate body with her slender hands, noticing the glistening water droplets and her jade-like skin. As she thought of something, she inexplicably blushed.

Then they heard Chen Jinbin politely say from outside, "I have something to ask your young lady. We'll talk after she's finished washing. Sorry to bother you."

Footsteps sounded; it was time to leave. Guo Ai didn't bother soaking any longer. She got up, dried herself, and dressed. She wondered if she should draw her eyebrows, but quickly decided against it and walked out.

The maid Xiaoyu quickly reported this.

"Okay, I understand. Come with me to take a look."

"Yes."

Xiaoyu breathed a sigh of relief, she was really worried that her young mistress would run off to Chen Jin's room alone.

Although martial artists are said to be unconcerned with trivial matters, and although the two had already been exchanging glances, this was at night, not in broad daylight, so they had to be mindful of their behavior.

The two arrived at the room and found the door open, with Chen Jin waiting under the lamp.

Upon seeing his tall, upright figure and handsome features, Guo Ai's heart pounded: "Young Master Chen Jin, were you looking for me?"

Chen Jin looked her over and saw that the girl had just washed herself. Her long, ink-black hair was wet and draped over her shoulders, giving her a lazy and charming look. Her cheeks were fair with a rosy glow, and her eyebrows and eyes were like a painting. She was just like the saying, "natural beauty without artifice, like a lotus emerging from clear water."

He smiled and said, "Yes, please sit down."

Guo Ai sat down, not daring to look at Chen Jin for long, but her gaze was soon drawn to the ancient lamp placed on the table.

Kui Xing kicks the Dipper lamp!
Of course she knew about them and had seen many; she had several of them at home.

However, Chen Jin's cup, with its simple and unadorned shape, lustrous patina, and subtle luster, is very pleasing to the eye and has a calming effect.

Guo Ai was knowledgeable and knew that antiques with a clear lineage could develop a spiritual charm, such as ancient paintings and porcelain.

This lamp is clearly a family heirloom of Chen Jin.

Chen Jin cut to the chase and asked, "Miss Guo, you come from a prestigious family, so you must be well-versed in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting."

Guo Ai modestly replied, "I know a little bit about it."

Chen Jin smiled and said, "Perfect timing. I invited you here tonight because I wanted you to teach me how to paint."

"Painting?"

The girl was taken aback, unsure of what Chen Jin was up to.

On second thought, could he be deliberately making up an excuse so that I would keep him company and add fragrance to his life?
My heart immediately filled with joy.

Chen Jin explained, “Actually, I have loved painting since I was a child, but due to my family’s poverty and the need to focus on my studies to pass the imperial examinations, I had to give it up. Now that I have the means, I have suddenly become interested again and want to pick up the brush again and start learning from scratch.”

Guo Ai smiled and said, "Alright, feel free to ask me anything."

The two then began to discuss painting techniques, one asking questions and the other answering. After going through the process once, they began to grind ink and pick up their brushes, with Guo Ai teaching them step by step.

Xiaoyu, who was standing nearby, noticed that the two were sometimes too close, their heads almost touching, just like the "whispering sweet nothings" described in the storybooks, which seemed quite intimate; and sometimes, their hands were even clasped together...

He wanted to offer a reminder so that his young mistress would restrain herself. But the words stuck in his throat, and he swallowed them back down, not wanting to be the "bad guy" who "brings apart" the couple.

You should know that Chen Jin and Guo Ai's relationship was strongly encouraged by their elder Chen Shounian, and the two parties involved were in love. When did it become her place as a mere maid to interfere?

If Guo Ai marries into the family in the future, she will have to accompany her as a maidservant.

Moreover, Chen Jin has now achieved the highest rank in the imperial examination and has been recognized as a member of the family, making him a perfect match for their daughter. In addition, both he and his daughter are of excellent appearance and character, leaving them with virtually no faults.

The fact that he could come up with such an idea to create opportunities shows that he's not the kind of bookworm who only knows how to study.

However, the two women had no idea that Chen Jin genuinely wanted to learn painting.

He learned very quickly. Under Guo Ai's careful guidance, he mastered several basic painting techniques in just over an hour.

This is the benefit of having a powerful spirit.

Whether it's reading, spiritual practice, or calligraphy and painting, one can master all of them.

The first night's teaching session is complete.

Continue the next day.

Then came the third day...

Chen Yuan and his group had nothing to say about this matter.

The inheritance of literary tradition has never been limited to reading and writing articles; poetry, calligraphy, and painting are also extremely important components.

Previously, there were no conditions or means to achieve this, but now that one has obtained an official position, one can naturally become learned and refined.

On the fifth day, around noon.

Inside the room, Guo Ai held a scroll in her hands, lost in thought.

This is a portrait of a young girl with long, flowing hair, eyebrows like distant mountains, and bright eyes. The faint smile at the corner of her mouth is particularly expressive.

This is a painting of herself.

It was painted by Chen Jin, and he said it was a practice piece.

At the time, Guo Ai was a little shy and didn't quite agree to be a model, but in the end she couldn't resist Chen Jin's request and sat down.

I never expected Chen Jin to paint me so well, so beautifully.

How long has he been learning?
Is it due to past experience or exceptional talent?

Two lines of poetry are inscribed in the blank space at the upper right corner of the scroll: "Naturally beautiful without adornment, like a lotus emerging from clear water."

Guo Ai stared at him, completely mesmerized.

Chen Jin coughed lightly: "Miss Guo, is the painting not good? If not, I can paint it again until you are satisfied."

Guo Ai quickly replied, "It's very well drawn, very lifelike, I like it very much."

He paused, then said with a somewhat complicated tone, "You're ready to graduate."

Chen Jin couldn't help but laugh: "It's all because you taught me so well... As long as it looks realistic, that's good enough."

(End of this chapter)