Chapter 49: Chapter 49: Eating and Taking
Jiang Che thought for a moment and said:
"You are not a fish, so how can you know the joys of a fish?"
Shao Jianbo was taken aback by his words.
"’You are not a fish, so how can you know the joys of a fish...?’"
"’You are not a fish... so how can you know... the joys of a fish...’"
He mulled over the phrase. At first, he was a little confused, but the more he thought about it, the brighter his eyes became.
"Interesting... Interesting! HAHAHA, Jiang Che, you are very interesting!"
Shao Jianbo burst into laughter, as if he had suddenly come to a great realization.
Jiang Che felt a wave of embarrassment.
He had simply recalled a classic story from his past life and spouted the line without thinking. It held no deeper meaning for him.
Seeing Shao Jianbo’s reaction, Jiang Che had no idea what enlightenment he’d had, nor did he dare to ask.
’Whatever. As long as he’s happy, it doesn’t matter.’
Jiang Che shook his head silently.
"Alright, tell me. What business do you have with your Senior Brother?"
Shao Jianbo brushed the fish food off his hands and asked seriously.
Jiang Che then stated his purpose for coming.
"Calligraphy? You actually know Calligraphy?!"
Shao Jianbo was quite surprised. He sized Jiang Che up from head to toe.
He was becoming more and more interested in Jiang Che.
When he first heard from his sister that Jiang Che had saved her, he simply thought this junior brother of his had decent skills.
But after interacting with him today, he was discovering that Jiang Che was truly out of the ordinary.
If it were just a matter of being a good fighter or having a good Root Bone, Shao Jianbo wouldn’t really have paid him much mind.
There were too many people like that. Any random Honored Guest Elder in the mansion was far more formidable than the current Jiang Che.
But people who could truly capture his interest were few and far between.
"Come on, follow me!"
With a grand wave of his hand, Shao Jianbo led Jiang Che to an exquisitely decorated study.
Two large, chest-high, celadon vases stood at the entrance. Though their color was simple, they possessed an immense sense of style.
An unknown incense was burning in the study, releasing a faint, woody fragrance.
Jiang Che took a deep breath and instantly felt his mind clear and his entire body relax. He knew at once this incense was no Mortal Grade item.
Looking at the walls, he saw they were covered in all sorts of calligraphy and paintings. The brushwork was powerful and forceful, as if penetrating the very paper. These were no Mortal Grade items either.
"What do you think of these pieces?" Shao Jianbo asked, a hint of pride in his voice.
"One look and you can tell they’re the works of a master. Senior Brother Shao, you have excellent taste!" Jiang Che praised.
"This is actually my father’s study. These are all from his collection, and he treasures them! He usually doesn’t let anyone else in here at all." Though he said this, Shao Jianbo didn’t stop moving for a second.
"This... This isn’t a good idea, is it..." Jiang Che’s face twitched.
"It’s fine! The worst that can happen is I get a scolding, haha! Don’t you worry. If anything happens, your Senior Brother here will take the heat!"
Shao Jianbo said casually.
He looked left and right, then took down a scroll and brought it over to Jiang Che to show him.
"How about this piece? This is by Master Qin, who is renowned throughout the Capital City! It wasn’t easy for my father to get his hands on it!"
Jiang Che looked closely and saw that the calligraphy was bold and unrestrained, exuding a majestic aura. It was truly a masterpiece.
"Incredible work, incredible work! Do you have a brush and paper?"
The more Jiang Che looked, the more inspired he became. He felt an epiphany coming on and wanted to put brush to paper immediately.
"Yes!" Shao Jianbo’s eyes lit up. He also wanted to see his junior brother’s skill with a brush, so he immediately fetched paper and a brush and helped him grind the ink.
Jiang Che closed his eyes, replaying the strokes of the calligraphy in his mind.
Then, he entered the Heart Stream and began to write.
Shao Jianbo watched from the side, his eyes growing brighter and brighter.
He originally thought that for a Martial Artist like Jiang Che, even if his Calligraphy was good, it would only be at the level of a common tutor.
Of course, that in itself would have been quite impressive.
But he never expected that Jiang Che’s Calligraphy was already approaching the level of some famous masters!
Although there was still a gap between him and a top master like Master Qin, his skill was by no means weak!
Jiang Che finished in one fluid motion. Soon, a new piece of calligraphy was complete.
Suddenly, a line of small text flashed before his eyes.
[Calligraphy Skill Level +5]
’It increased by so much!’
Jiang Che was shocked. ’Viewing the works of a master really is the key!’
Shao Jianbo looked at the calligraphy sheet, clicking his tongue in amazement.
"Junior Brother Jiang, do you know that if you sold this piece, you could get at least fifty silver taels for it!"
"Fifty taels? Senior Brother Shao, you must be joking!" Jiang Che was skeptical.
"I’m not kidding. How about this? I’ll buy it from you for fifty taels right now. I could probably even turn a profit reselling it later," Shao Jianbo said with a laugh.
Seeing that he didn’t seem to be joking, Jiang Che was stunned.
Previously, his forgeries had only sold for five silver taels a piece.
His skill had improved since then, but how could the price have jumped so drastically?
’Could it be that the Shopkeeper of Miaoxin Studio swindled me before?’
But Miaoxin Studio was gone now, and its owner had likely disappeared. Even if he had been swindled, there was nothing he could do about it now.
Besides, the forgeries had earned him some much-needed silver when he was destitute. Thinking of it that way, he decided not to dwell on it.
’What concerns me more right now is how quickly my Skill Level is rising. If I could come here to write every day, I could probably reach Perfection very soon...’
’But this is Master Shao’s study, after all. I can’t just have Senior Brother sneak me in here every day...’
Jiang Che felt conflicted.
Coming once in a while was fine, but coming every day? That seemed like too much to ask.
Just then, Shao Jianbo suddenly said:
"Junior Brother Jiang, why don’t you come here to write every day!"
"Huh? But isn’t this your esteemed father’s study..." Jiang Che was overjoyed but still hesitant. It would be awkward if he came every day and got caught by Master Shao.
"It’s fine! If my dad knew your calligraphy was this good, he would definitely agree!" Shao Jianbo said with a smile.
"In that case, it would be rude to refuse!" Jiang Che no longer demurred. He truly needed this opportunity, so he accepted at once.
"But I have one small condition," Shao Jianbo said with a wink.
"Oh? Please, Senior Brother Shao, tell me!" Jiang Che said seriously. As long as the condition wasn’t too outrageous, he would agree.
"How about you sell all the calligraphy you produce to me? I’ll pay fifty silver taels for every piece!" Shao Jianbo grinned.
"This..."
Jiang Che had been wondering what kind of condition it would be, but he never expected Shao Jianbo would want to buy his work!
He instantly felt like he was taking too much advantage. Coming here to practice and then getting paid for it... it was a bit embarrassing.
"If Senior Brother Shao wants them, I can just give them to you. No need for money. The chance to study the art here is already worth more than I can say!" Jiang Che scratched his head.
"Junior Brother Jiang, what are you talking about!" Shao Jianbo shook his head. "Don’t you know? Your calligraphy is not much worse than those famous masters in the Capital City. If you were to sell these, they would be highly sought after. You might even get a hundred taels a piece! If anything, I’m the one taking advantage of you!"
"Well... alright then."
Jiang Che decided not to be coy about it anymore.
’At worst, after my Calligraphy reaches Perfection, I’ll just write some higher-quality pieces for him.’
After all, he was about to break through to Stone Skin and would need more items to replenish his Qi Blood. He really did need the money right now.
Besides, the Shao Mansion was truly wealthy.
He still remembered how Shao Shiliu hadn’t even blinked when buying a two-thousand-tael necklace on the day they caught the flower thief.
Dozens or even a hundred taels might seem like a huge amount to an ordinary person.
But for someone from one of the Five Great Noble Families, it might be the cost of a single meal.
"By the way, Senior Brother Shao, I’d like to buy some Martial Arts Secret Manuals. Specifically, Low-Tier Martial Arts that can be cultivated without needing Qi Blood... mainly for reference and inspiration. Do you know where I might be able to buy them?"
Jiang Che asked suddenly.
With the Heart Stream, it was clearly inefficient to practice only Calligraphy.
He couldn’t practice other things for the time being, so it would be best to learn a new Martial Art or some other skill.
In any case, his cultivation was fast. He could reach Perfection in anything sooner or later.
Stacking more Talent Skills was the most suitable cultivation method for him.
And since Senior Brother Shao was worldly and knowledgeable, Jiang Che felt he might know something.
"Martial Arts Secret Manuals? Those aren’t easy to buy. After all, they are the prized possessions of the various Martial Arts Halls. They rarely circulate outside."
Shao Jianbo suddenly seemed to think of something.
"But if you’re only looking for Low Tier ones, you might be able to find them. It’s just that..."
