The sun shone on the eaves.
A ray of morning light gently pressed against one corner of the desk through the window lattice.
Holding the brush in one hand, Qi Xiu, his expression calm, dipped the tip in ink and outlined, creating characters that flowed like clouds and water onto the paper.
The characters were bold and full.
They carried a mysterious, ancient charm.
They were unlike any existing calligraphy style.
It was a "Suppress" Character.
The characters formed as one, and a strand of golden light suddenly lit up at the tip of Qi Xiu's finger, diving into the Character like a dragon frolicking with a phoenix.
CREAK—
As the golden light entered the Character, the paper holding the writing suddenly felt heavier.
Picking up the ink paper from the desk, Qi Xiu looked astonished.
So heavy. This paper must weigh over a tael.
With a thought, ink in the void surged.
[Calligraphy (First Realm): 0.2%]
[Culinary Arts: 7.6%]
After Calligraphy was upgraded to the First Realm, not only did his calligraphic skills undergo a qualitative improvement, but a vast amount of ancient knowledge also flooded his mind.
Cloud Script, the legendary script that contains the essence of heaven and earth, the ultimate truth of the Great Dao. This Innate Script, in the subtleties of existence, carries a special Divine Marvel. Entirely different from ordinary text.
Qi Xiu stared at the bold, dignified Cloud Script on the paper. It vaguely radiated an aura of authority and righteousness, and related knowledge automatically surfaced in his mind.
This "Suppress" Cloud Script. It means to guard and suppress. It can protect the mind and even... suppress Demons.
"In this world, I haven't heard any tales of Demons or strange spirits," Qi Xiu mumbled, biting the end of his brush as he squinted his eyes.
From the system's perspective, the Cloud Script should be the Talisman Scripts used by those who cultivate the Dao. But my Cloud Script is slightly different from the Talisman Scripts of the Daoist priests. There's no need for altars or rituals, no stepping in the Big Dipper or arranging protective formations. Instead, the power is bestowed with heartfelt intent and right thoughts, granting Divine Marvel. Different paths to the same destination; it should be considered the same sort of thing.
Maybe I should start another business, drawing Talisman Scripts for people to suppress evil spirits in their homes?
Looking at the "Suppress" Character on the table, Qi Xiu felt a stirring in his heart.
Business is difficult, and life is hard. Now that I've acquired a new skill, how can I monetize it? But who would believe in the power of my Cloud Script without any proof?
After racking his brain for a long time, to the point where his stomach protested with growls, Qi Xiu finally came back to his senses.
Having written characters all night, he was now both hungry and thirsty. The hunger made his head spin and his vision blur. He was barely able to stand steady.
He took out an egg steamed bun from the kitchen, which Qiao Xuan'er's mother had sent over yesterday, and warmed it up on the stove.
After the bun and egg settled in his stomach, warmth spread through Qi Xiu, and his sallow complexion improved somewhat.
This matter of Cloud Script isn't urgent. I'll wait until my progress in Calligraphy increases further. Then I can comprehend more Cloud Scripts, and perhaps some will have more noticeable effects.
Having lived alone in a strange world for over two years, Qi Xiu had grown from being impetuous to being much more stable and mature.
He washed his face with a basin of hot water.
Looking much more spirited, Qi Xiu fastened his cotton robe, gathered up his brush, ink, and inkstone—his meal-earning tools—wrapped up in his scarf, and left the house.
He had a stall outside Danqing Pavilion in the West Gate Street Market.
The end of the year was approaching. Many people were looking to have spring festival couplets and family letters written, making for good business. So even though he hadn't slept last night, he couldn't afford to catch up on sleep. He arrived early, waiting for customers to come.
It had snowed continuously for a day and night. West Gate Street Market was also dressed in a silver coat beneath the thick snow.
Trudging through the deep and shallow snow, Qi Xiu barely managed to reach his stall. Two large piles of snow nearly buried his stall entirely.
Looking at his unconcerned fellow stallholders, who acted as if this had nothing to do with them, Qi Xiu clenched his satchel, his cheeks puffing slightly.
If it weren't for this frail body of mine... I'd really like to pull out the wooden pole from under my stall and give these two utterly despicable bastards a thorough beatdown!
"Oh, Mr. Qi, you're early today," said Yu Sansuo, smiling insincerely as he greeted Qi Xiu with his hands tucked in his sleeves.
Colleagues were often competitors. They also set up stalls in front of Danqing Pavilion. Whichever business was doing better naturally became the thorn in the side of the others. But these stall-holders, all scholars with frail bodies, couldn't really resort to force. So, on a usual day, they could only resort to petty, underhanded tricks to disgust each other.
"Looking at Mr. Qi's complexion, you must not have slept well last night. Could it be that a lady invited you to spend a wonderful night together?" Liu Chunlai also joined in with a mocking laugh.
Qi Xiu, quietly setting down his satchel and grabbing a broom from the side, suppressed his anger and said blandly, "Thank you for your concern. Last night, I suddenly felt inspired about the art of calligraphy and gained quite a few insights. I wrote throughout the night, forgetting about the time."
"Wrote all night?"
Listening to Qi Xiu's answer, Yu Sansuo and Liu Chunlai exchanged a wary glance. Qi Xiu's calligraphic abilities were not much different from theirs. The business among the three of them was also fairly evenly split. If Qi Xiu's calligraphic skills had truly improved, then he would surely surpass the two of them. Perhaps he would even catch the eye of Danqing Pavilion behind them.
"The way of calligraphy lies in accumulation over time, proceeding in an orderly and gradual manner. Mr. Qi said he has gained many insights into his way of calligraphy. May we have the honor of witnessing your work?" Yu Sansuo, his face creased with a sly smile, said this to probe whether Qi Xiu's words were true or false.
Upon hearing Yu Sansuo's request to see his calligraphy skills, a sudden anger inexplicably rose within Qi Xiu. Even a worm will turn. Because he was young and had no family to rely on, he was often ganged up on by Yu and Liu.
If you want to see, then I, Qi Xiu, will satisfy your request.
Clearing the accumulated snow beside his stall, Qi Xiu took out his writing brush, ink, paper, and inkstone, poured out the ink, and prepared his brush. Holding the brush firmly, Qi Xiu focused and began to write.
As Qi Xiu moved his brush, Yu and Liu's expressions subtly changed. It's said that insiders look at the technique, while outsiders just enjoy the show. Both had been immersed in the art of calligraphy for over a decade and had some skill. The moment Qi Xiu started writing, they could tell that his posture and spirit were greatly different. Composed and nonchalant, casual and unrestrained. A stark contrast to his previous self.
This is bad; the kid wasn't lying.
Seeing that Qi Xiu's calligraphy had indeed achieved a breakthrough, Yu and Liu felt a thump in their hearts.
The writing brush danced on the paper, leaving behind smooth and forceful characters in the blank spaces. Each stroke displayed Qi Xiu's precise control over the structure of the characters and the beauty of the strokes. He effortlessly wrote two lines of seven characters each.
"The two of you, please don't hesitate to offer your critique."
Qi Xiu stepped aside to allow Yu and Liu to come closer to look.
On the slightly yellowed Bado Paper were fourteen characters, bold and vigorous as if written by dragons and snakes:
Long do I lament that human hearts are not like water,
So quick to stir up trouble out of nothing.
"You..." Upon seeing the two lines of poetry, the faces of Yu and Liu darkened. Qi Xiu was clearly making a veiled insult against the two of them. But beyond their initial anger, they realized that Qi Xiu's calligraphy skills had indeed undergone a dramatic change. Those fourteen characters seemed to flow continuously, the ink was rich and vibrant, as if it could penetrate the paper and reach directly into one's heart. The whole piece exuded an air of freedom and grandeur.
Unwittingly, Yu and Liu were drawn in, unable to take their eyes off the work for a long time.
"These characters are indeed well written. Did you write this?"
A soft voice of admiration came from behind, and Qi Xiu turned around. A man around thirty years old stood behind the three of them, dressed in deep blue silk robes and cloaked with fox fur, with a face like jade and a refined demeanor.
"Mr. Qian."
Qi Xiu bowed slightly. The man before him was the owner of Danqing Pavilion. One of Baoho County's four wealthy families, the third son of the Qian Family, Qian Yuzhe.
Descending the steps, Qian Yuzhe approached Qi Xiu's stall. Seeing the big boss had come, Yu Sansuo and Liu Chunlai hurriedly made way, sheepishly giving up their spot to Qian Yuzhe.
"Well written, with a fluid brushwork and a genuine classical charm. For someone so young to attain such accomplishment is truly remarkable."
After reviewing Qi Xiu's work, Qian Yuzhe was generous with his praise. He himself was an avid enthusiast of painting and calligraphy. In his eyes, Qi Xiu's characters already showed the signs of mastery, with an increasingly full spirit and a robust brushwork. Given time, he had the potential to become a master in his own right.
"Mr. Qian overpraises me."
Hearing Qian Yuzhe's compliments, Qi Xiu felt quite elated. He still relied on Danqing Pavilion for his livelihood, so attracting Qian Yuzhe's attention meant his future prospects seemed much brighter.
"With the year end near, my family's residence needs some couplets written for the doors. If you have time, you could come and try your hand. The fee for your service will be generous."
Hearing Qian Yuzhe's invitation to his residence, the eyes of Yu Sansuo and Liu Chunlai turned red with envy. The Qian Family was a well-known wealthy household in Baoho County. Even the smallest crumb from their table would suffice for several years of their sustenance. Furthermore, being invited to the Qian Residence meant that one had caught the eye of Qian Yuzhe, and there was a high chance of being recruited into Danqing Pavilion. There would be no need to set up a street stall and toil anymore.
This youngster's luck is too good!
Watching Qi Xiu with eyes full of envy, jealousy, and hatred, Yu and Liu looked at him as though they wanted to swallow him whole.
"If Mr. Qian invites me, how could I refuse?" Qi Xiu said with a smile as he bowed.
Great, this year might turn out to be a good one after all.
After nodding, Qian Yuzhe picked up the paper from the table and said, "I'll take this piece with me. Tomorrow at the Hour of Chen, wait here. I will send someone to escort you to my residence."
With a few words, Qian Yuzhe rolled up the paper and left with composure.
"Mr. Qi, congratulations! Having caught the eye of Mr. Qian, you're sure to be wealthy and prosperous in the future. Don't forget to take care of your colleagues when the time comes." Yu Sansuo shamelessly approached, his face all smiles. It was as if none of his mocking and ridicule from ten minutes before had happened.
"Yes, yes, after all, we've worked together for more than a year," added Liu Chunlai, chiming in on the side.
"Well spoken, indeed. Since my arrival here to make a living, the two of you have 'taken good care' of me, which I shall never forget. I will surely repay this kindness 'double-fold'," Qi Xiu replied, emphasizing the words 'taken good care' and 'double-fold,' as he smiled amiably, packed up his things, and turned to leave.
It's over...
Reflecting on Qi Xiu's recent smile, Yu and Liu exchanged glances, their expressions frozen.
Maybe it's time to consider a different profession.