Merit-based card draws, quickly become a Heavenly Emperor

Fang Zheng listened silently to the side, secretly marveling at the situation.

According to the "Painting History Anecdotes" I drew last night, "The Elegant Gathering of Fragrance in the Cold" is the masterpiece of painter Li Yuanshan.

Because of the good deeds behind his creations, he is highly respected by the people of Yongqing County. He has transcended the realm of ordinary paintings and transformed into a rare treasure with a magical quality.

Unfortunately, things have changed, and three of the Five Friends of Winter are gone.

The past glory has vanished like a bubble, which is truly regrettable.

.......

After the weeping subsided, the old scholar and the old wine connoisseur joined forces to help Fang Zheng with Li Yuanshan's funeral arrangements.

After a flurry of activity, everything was handled smoothly and in an orderly manner.

Fang Zheng's demeanor and bearing were also observed by the two scholars, who secretly nodded in approval.

The scholar Chen Moxuan was quick-tempered and spoke his mind directly.

Before leaving, he patted his chest and said, "Fangzheng, please take care of Yuanshan's funeral arrangements."

As for the matter of seeking an official position, don't worry, I have some connections in the county, I'll definitely help you find out the details.

Du Kang, the old wine connoisseur, nodded and smiled, "Fangzheng, you are the top student in this county."

If nothing unexpected happens, he should be able to obtain a ninth-rank official position.

"At that time, I'll have to call you Lord Fang."

Fang Zheng bowed deeply and watched the two scholars turn and leave.

It was dusk, and the crowds gradually dispersed. Just as he was preparing to close the door and meditate, an uninvited guest arrived.

"Young Master Fang, we meet again!"

The newcomer was dressed in a mink coat, with a pointed mouth and monkey-like cheeks; he was none other than Steward Cao, whom I had seen the previous night.

Fang Zheng glanced at him, his heart filled with utter disgust for the Cao family.

Ultimately, Li Yuanshan's death was the result of the evil deeds of that wicked young master from the Cao family.

This score will have to be settled sooner or later.

He didn't bother with any more words and reached out to close the door.

Butler Cao stepped forward, bracing himself against the door, and said with a forced smile, "Young man, don't be so naive."

He pulled a silver note from his sleeve, held it between two fingers, and waved it in front of Fang Zheng.

"My master values ​​talent. Seeing that you are the top candidate in the imperial examination, he wants to promote you."

If you come with me to the Cao family today, you will enjoy endless wealth and glory in the future.

This hundred taels of silver is just the beginning. If you can win over my master, it won't be difficult to persuade the county magistrate to secure you a ninth-rank official position.

According to the prices in Yongqing County, one tael of silver could cover Fangzheng's needs for a month.

One hundred taels of silver is enough for a family to live on for several years. The Cao family is indeed very generous.

Fang Zheng glanced down at the silver note, then reached out and pinched one corner of it.

Butler Cao's eyes lit up, thinking he was interested.

"Smack."

Fang Zheng pushed the silver note, along with Steward Cao's hand, out together.

The force wasn't great, but it was steady, accurate, and ruthless. Butler Cao staggered back a few steps and fell on his backside down the steps.

The silver notes floated in the air and fell down, covering his face.

"you!"

Before he could finish speaking, Fang Zheng raised his hand and locked the door from the inside with a creak.

Gentlemen love fortune, in a proper way.

The Cao family's money is not so easy to take. If you get involved in this, you will be controlled by them in the future, let alone seek justice for Liu Qingyu.

Outside the door, Butler Cao scrambled to his feet, ripped the silver notes off his face, his expression turning ashen and his eyes flashing with malice.

He gritted his teeth, kicked the threshold hard, and turned to leave.

The system notification flashed briefly before Fang Zheng's eyes.

"Wealth and honor cannot corrupt him, power and force cannot subdue him; etiquette +1."

Fang Zheng ignored the hint, but the silver notes in Steward Cao's hand had given him a reminder.

Since ancient times, wealth, companions, methods, and environment have been the foundation of spiritual practice.

Although gold and silver are mundane items, they can be used to purchase spiritual materials to aid in cultivation.

According to Li Yuanshan's cultivation notes, in the ninth-grade visualization realm, if one can obtain spiritual materials such as [Bright Eye Dew] and [Tranquil Sandalwood Incense], one can prolong the visualization time and promote the growth of Yuan Power.

In a beautiful valley outside the city, there is a market that sells these low-grade spiritual materials.

However, Fang Zheng touched the few remaining pieces of silver in his sleeve and frowned slightly.

If you're short of money, you can't just sit around and eat your savings away.

His gaze fell on the paintbrush in the study, and a thought struck him.

Li Yuanshan helped the poor by selling his paintings during his lifetime, and his painting "Gathering of Elegant Scholars in the Cold" became famous throughout the city.

With the blessing of the "Master Painter" card, Fang Zheng's painting skills, while not worthy of being compared to Li Gong, have far surpassed those of ordinary painters.

Short of money? Just paint.

Lay out the paper, grind the ink, and pick up the brush.

Inspiration flowed like a spring; with a flick of the wrist, the pen fell to the ground.

The ink spread across the paper, and a red sun burst forth, gilding the mountains and rivers, and making the grass and trees shine.

Fang Zheng drew with increasing ease, his brushstrokes flowing like dragons and snakes, completing the work in one fell swoop.

In less than half an hour, he completed a painting titled "Rising Sun".

The painting depicts a fiery sunrise, its vibrant energy seemingly capable of dispelling the chill of the room.

Fang Zheng himself nodded in approval after seeing it; he was confident that the painting would be in high demand.

Now that the paintings are done, the next step is to find ways to sell them.

He carefully rolled up the scroll, planning to go see the scholar tomorrow. This learned man was surely knowledgeable and would have a solution.

……

Late at night, Fang Zheng was resting with his eyes closed when a sudden sense of alarm arose in his mind.

He also heard calls coming from his left palm; it was Liu Qingyu warning him.

He suddenly opened his eyes and saw a burly, dark figure scaling the wall and rushing into the study in the moonlight.

Burglary?

Fang Zheng was startled but remained calm. He activated his inner energy between his brows, and the ink-painted weapon diagram hanging at the doorway shone brightly, with a figure leaping out of the paper.

A body formed of solidified ink, holding a long sword, stood steadily in front of the window.

"Ink Splashes to Form Soldiers" combined with "Masterful Painting Skills"—these ink soldiers possess superb martial arts skills and are genuine ninth-rank combat power.

A dark figure crashed through the window, sending splinters of wood flying. He had thought he could easily capture a poor scholar, but instead, he was met with a black-tipped knife.

Without uttering a word, the soldier swung his sword and slashed. The bandit was shocked and hastily parried the attack.

His cultivation was higher, his punches were fierce, and his footwork was agile. He gained the upper hand after just a few moves.

But Mo Bing is not a living person; he is not afraid of pain or death, and he doesn't hesitate to exchange injury for injury or life for life.

The more the thief fought, the more alarmed he became, as his skills were effectively tied up.

He lost his temper, took a blow from Mo Bing's blade, and turned to pounce on Fang Zheng.

If we can win over this scholar, everything will be negotiable.

But he had only taken one step when he tripped and fell forward.

A red figure had somehow wrapped around his ankle; it was Liu Qingyu, whom Fang Zheng had released from the seal in his palm.

Caught off guard, Liu Qingyu tripped the thief, causing him to stumble.

Fang Zheng took the opportunity to splash the hot oil from the oil lamp onto the thief's face.

"what!"

Screams ripped through the night sky.

Oil got into the thief's eyes, and he was in so much pain that he covered his face with his hands and rolled around on the ground.

Without hesitation, Mo Bing slashed across his neck with his blade.

Blood splattered, the thief twitched twice, and then lay still.

The ink soldier was also blasted into pieces by the thief's dying punch, turning into ink that spilled all over the ground.

"He who kills will always be killed; righteousness +1."

Fang Zheng took a few deep breaths, secretly relieved.

Fortunately, he drew the "Ink Splash to Form Soldiers" card, which gave him the ability to create ink soldiers.

Furthermore, with the help of Liu Qingyu, who had learned the "Soul-Illuminating Candle Scripture," otherwise, being approached by a ninth-rank martial artist would have likely led to a dire outcome.

After confirming the thief's death, he began to search the body, finding only a portrait and a boxing manual on the burly man.

The boxing manual is called "Subduing Tiger and Reaching Heaven Fist." Although the name sounds imposing, the content is nothing more than a ninth-grade martial arts cultivation method that uses fists to temper the body.

The portrait depicted Fang Zheng himself.