Unintended Immortality

Chapter 163: The Incomparable Painting

“Leave this place?”

“Please, immortal master, assist me.”

“How far do you consider far enough?”

“The further, the better.”

“...” Song You revealed a smile.

Although his first encounter with Sir Dou a few days ago at the Grand Commander's residence hadn’t been friendly, he knew that Sir Dou was being coerced. As a Daoist, Song You naturally held no grudges against him.

Moreover, he felt a sense of connection with Sir Dou, understanding his exceptional painting skills and respecting the legacy of the Dou family ancestor. The ancestor of the Dou family was also renowned for his divine techniques, a talent that was indeed rare. Just like Master Kong from Yizhou back in the day, Song You certainly didn’t want such skills to be lost.

From Sir Dou’s account, he could glean one thing. The reason he had come here to seek Doctor Cai and believed that the physician would most likely help him, was not only because he knew Doctor Cai had a kind heart and was willing to save people, but also because of Doctor Cai’s exceptional medical skills.

Sir Dou believed that Doctor Cai was also a person of divine skills and would surely understand how rare such techniques were and how regrettable it would be for them to be lost. Thus, by revealing his identity and explaining that his life was in imminent danger, he thought Doctor Cai would likely offer his assistance.

This kind of thinking was hard to articulate. Yet, it was something that he could sense.

If a simple act could save a life and preserve a divine skill, why wouldn’t one want to do it?

Doctor Cai would be willing to, and so would the Daoist.

But alas, if Song You had the ability to travel a thousand li in a single day, he wouldn’t have to worry about not seeing the old Daoist in the temple for the last time.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

After a moment of contemplation, the Daoist finally spoke, “Sir Dou, your painting skills are already among the finest in the world. Given time, it’s not impossible for you to attain the level of your ancestor. I am naturally willing to assist you. However, I, myself, am still traveling the world step by step; I do not have the ability to wave my hand and send you a thousand li away.

“I do have some methods of illusion to change appearances, but I only have a superficial understanding of this skill. While I can barely use it on myself, applying it to you would probably only last for a day at most.”

The Daoist looked at Sir Dou helplessly. “How far can you get in a day’s time?”

“...” Upon hearing this, Sir Dou momentarily fell silent.

Yet, he did not show any signs of disappointment. Instead, he widened his eyes and remained still, as if rapidly calculating something in his mind.

After a moment, he finally regained his composure.

“Immortal master, you intend to travel the world?”

“Every generation of my temple’s heirs have been traveling the world, experiencing life.” Song You smiled at him. “It seems you have found a new method.”

“Do you know what kind of treasure I have at home?”

“I’ve only heard it is a painting.”

“...”

Without saying another word, Sir Dou took out his travel bag from his back.

Inside, there were two long boxes wrapped in oilcloth; one was shorter, likely containing the painting of two tigers fighting in the mountain, while the other was longer, about the length of a person.

He opened the longer box, and indeed, it contained a scroll.

As he untied the red string and slowly unfurled the scroll, a fantastical and beautiful depiction of a mountain village gradually revealed itself to the eyes of those present.

The heroine next to them cast a glance in that direction.

“Daoist, you’re indeed truly remarkable. You’re able to discern its spiritual resonance and profundity with just a glance. I am in admiration.”

“I don’t possess such extraordinary insight,” Song You replied honestly. “Several years ago, I encountered another master sculptor in Yizhou, whose skills were unparalleled. After gaining some insight and a touch of inspiration from the master, I acquired a bit of skill, particularly in this area.”

“Is that so...”

“May I ask, where is this painting depicting?”

“It is of the Dou family’s ancestral home in Yunzhou, Zhao Commandery.”

“I must visit there in my lifetime.”

“Regrettably, I have lived in seclusion in Angzhou with my father since childhood and have never returned to our ancestral home.”

A look of regret filled Sir Dou's face, but this wasn’t the time to dwell on such matters.

He shook his head and continued, “The world knows that the Dou family has passed down the art of painting since this ancestor, yet few know that we served as court painters a thousand years ago. It was only due to a foolish Emperor demanding unreasonable things that our ancestor chose to resign, returning home.

“Since then, no remarkable painter has emerged from the court, for those who truly pursue the art of painting often leave such environments.”

“Your ancestor was noble in character,” Song You replied casually, focusing intently on Sir Dou’s narration.

The little girl beside him stretched her neck, standing upright and staring unblinkingly at the painter.

Although Sir Dou feared that people from the jianghu might come looking for him, he also recognized this person’s skills and knew that his immediate priority was to persuade this Daoist. To convince someone like him, one must be patient.

Thus, he maintained his composure and spoke slowly, “Since leaving the court and being free from constraints, our ancestor devoted generations to mastering painting techniques, pursuing the mysteries of mountains and waters. He indeed made rapid progress, gradually developing the unique technique of the Dou family.

“To reach the pinnacle of painting beyond just skills, the choice of brush, ink, paper, and inkstone must also be taken to the utmost level. It is said that an ancestor once traveled the world, befriended immortals, and journeyed with them.

“He obtained the everlasting Chinese parasol trees that once sheltered the phoenix from the northern region of Yuzhou to make paper, producing a total of four sheets—truly exceptional paper, rich in spiritual resonance.

“That ancestor used one sheet for himself back then, and though the resulting painting was remarkable, he felt his skills were lacking. So, he passed down the remaining three sheets, advising his descendants not to use them lightly until they reached the peak of their craft.

“Later on, two more ancestors, believing their skills to be exceptional, used two sheets of this paper. However, like the earlier ancestor, they began with confidence. But upon completing their works, they found the mystical qualities of it exceeded their expectations, yet it was precisely this unexpected mystic that led them to regret their decision.

“Even one ancestor painted a masterpiece and then died, leading to even stricter warnings to future generations against the misuse of the Chinese parasol wood paper.

“It wasn’t until later that another ancestor, gifted with extraordinary talent, was said to create miraculous works on ordinary paper. By middle age, he had even brought figures to life in his paintings and made tigers come to life. He far surpassed all previous ancestors.”

“However, there was only one sheet of painting paper left, and he did not dare to use it recklessly. So, he packed his bag, left his hometown, and traveled across the world to witness countless mountains and waters. It is said that he waited for six months just to see an exquisite scenery.

“Yet, after seeing so many extraordinary sights, the more he saw, the less he knew how to put brush to paper. He increasingly struggled to find what he truly wanted to paint.

“When the ancestor returned home in disappointment, he was already in his twilight years. Amidst the turmoil of war, he had squandered half his life; the old dynasty had fallen, and the new dynasty had risen, yet he had found no resolution, and the paper remained blank.”

At this point, Sir Dou shook his head.

Song You seemed to already know the outcome.

As expected, Sir Dou emotionally, “That was a deep autumn in the sixth year of the new dynasty. Just as my ancestor returned to his hometown, he looked up and saw the very scenery depicted in this painting—peaceful and serene. He was instantly stunned, tears welling in his eyes.

“After a while, he took up his brush. Within half a day, he completed this painting, which moved the heavens and earth, astonishing both ghosts and gods.”

The Daoist felt a surge of emotions, finding it beyond words to describe.