Chapter Two: The Town

Sunlight shone upon the eaves.

A strand of morning sun slipped through the window lattice, gently settling on the corner of the writing desk.

With one hand holding the brush, Qi Xiu’s expression was calm and composed. The tip of his brush paused, then swept in a fluid stroke—his characters flowed like drifting clouds and running water, leaping vividly onto the paper.

The calligraphy was bold and full-bodied.

It carried a mysterious, ancient charm.

Unlike any existing style of calligraphy.

The character he wrote was “Guard.”

As the character came together in one seamless stroke, a golden light suddenly glimmered at Qi Xiu’s fingertip, darting into the character like a dragon frolicking with a phoenix.

Creak—

The golden glow entered the character, and the paper bearing the calligraphy suddenly grew heavier.

Qi Xiu picked up the inked sheet from the desk, momentarily stunned.

How heavy—this paper must weigh at least half a pound.

With a thought, ink traces stirred in the void.

Calligraphy (First Level): 0.2%

Culinary Arts: 7.6%

Since his calligraphy advanced to the first level, not only had his skill undergone a qualitative transformation, but his mind was also flooded with a wealth of ancient knowledge.

“Cloud Seal Script—a legendary, innate script said to contain the essence of heaven and earth, the ultimate truths of the Dao.

Such innate script possesses mysterious, divine powers, fundamentally different from ordinary writing.”

Gazing at the stout, dignified Cloud Seal character on the paper, Qi Xiu’s mind automatically recalled the related insights.

This “Guard” in Cloud Seal Script.

It meant to protect, to suppress.

According to the knowledge he now possessed,

It could guard the mind, and even… subdue demons.

“This world… I don’t recall hearing any tales of demons or supernatural monsters.” Qi Xiu bit the tip of his brush, squinting thoughtfully.

From what he understood, Cloud Seal Script was akin to the talismans used by Daoist practitioners.

Yet, his Cloud Seal Script differed somewhat from those talismans.

No need to set up altars, perform rituals, or step the celestial patterns.

Instead, it was empowered by upright intent, infused with divine potency.

Different paths, same destination—perhaps it was much the same in essence.

“Perhaps I should expand my business—offer talismans to ward homes?”

Qi Xiu’s heart stirred as he eyed the “Guard” character on the desk.

Business was hard; life was tough.

Now that he’d acquired a new skill, he pondered how best to monetize it.

“But who would trust the efficacy of my Cloud Seal Script just by my word alone?”

He mulled over the problem for a long while, until his stomach protested with a rumbling growl, pulling him back to reality.

After writing all night, he was parched and famished.

The hunger made him dizzy, his legs shaky.

He fetched the eggs and steamed buns sent yesterday by Qiao Xuan’er’s mother, warming them over the stove.

With the warmth of bun and egg settling in his stomach, Qi Xiu’s pallor improved.

“The matter of Cloud Seal Script can’t be rushed. Let my calligraphy progress further—perhaps I’ll unlock more Cloud Seal characters, and their effects will become more apparent.”

Living alone in a strange world for over two years, Qi Xiu’s once restless nature had grown steady and mature.

He drew a basin of hot water and washed his face.

Feeling more spirited, Qi Xiu buttoned his cotton robe, tidied his writing tools, wrapped a scarf around his neck, and stepped outside.

He kept a stall outside the Studio of Colors in the West Gate Market.

It was the end of the year.

Many came to commission spring couplets and family letters, and business was good.

So even after a sleepless night, he had no time to catch up on rest.

He hurried over early, awaiting customers.

Snow had fallen for a day and night.

---

West Gate Market was now clad in silver under a blanket of snow.

Qi Xiu trudged through the deep drifts, finally reaching his stall.

Two large heaps of snow nearly buried his entire booth.

He glanced at the other calligraphers nearby, aloof and unconcerned, and tightened his satchel, cheeks slightly puffed.

If only his body weren’t so frail—

He’d have liked to grab the stick beneath his stall and give those two shameless rascals a good thrashing!

“Well, Mr. Qi, you’re early today.” Yu Sansuo, hands tucked in his sleeves, greeted him with a sly, insincere smile.

Rivals in the trade.

All set up stalls before the Studio of Colors.

Whoever did better business became the thorn in the others’ side.

Yet all the calligraphers in this row were frail scholars.

No real brawls, only petty tricks and minor annoyances.

“Judging by your complexion, Mr. Qi, you must not have slept well last night. Perhaps you spent the night with some young lady?” Liu Chunlai chimed in, laughing from the other side.

Silently setting down his satchel, Qi Xiu retrieved a large broom from the side, suppressing his annoyance, and replied coolly:

“Thank you both for your concern. Last night, inspiration struck, and I gained many insights into the art of calligraphy.

I wrote through the night and lost track of time.”

“All night?”

Yu Sansuo and Liu Chunlai exchanged wary glances.

Qi Xiu’s calligraphy skill was on par with theirs; business was usually evenly split.

But if Qi Xiu had truly made a breakthrough, he’d overshadow them both.

He might even catch the attention of the Studio of Colors.

“The way of calligraphy lies in gradual accumulation. Mr. Qi claims to have gained many insights—would you mind demonstrating for us?”

Eager to gauge the truth, Yu Sansuo smiled slyly.

Hearing Yu Sansuo’s request to see his skill,

Qi Xiu felt a sudden surge of irritation. Even a clay figurine has some temper.

Because he was young and lacked family support, he was often bullied by these two.

Since they wanted to see, he would oblige them.

Clearing the snow from his stall, Qi Xiu set out his ink, brush, and paper, poured the ink, and readied his brush.

He gripped the brush and focused.

Hiss!

As Qi Xiu began, Yu Sansuo and Liu Chunlai’s expressions shifted.

Insiders saw the essence, outsiders watched the show.

They’d both spent over ten years honing their craft and possessed some skill.

With Qi Xiu’s stroke, they sensed a marked change in his bearing and aura.

Calm, unhurried, effortlessly graceful.

Completely unlike before.

Trouble—he wasn’t lying.

Watching Qi Xiu’s breakthrough, the two grew anxious.

The brush danced across the paper, leaving powerful and fluid characters.

Each stroke displayed his precise command of structure and line.

Two lines of seven-character verse flowed from his brush.

“Gentlemen, please critique as you see fit.”

Qi Xiu stepped aside, letting them examine his work.

On the slightly yellow Badu paper, fourteen bold characters leapt like dragons and snakes:

Long regret that the human heart is not like water,

Yet idle waves rise on flat ground.

“You—” Seeing the verses, the two looked sullen.

---

Qi Xiu was clearly rebuking them in veiled words.

Yet after their anger faded, they realized his calligraphy had indeed transformed.

Fourteen characters, yet the strokes flowed seamlessly, the ink rich and full of tension, as if piercing the paper and reaching straight into the soul.

The whole piece exuded a spirit of effortless grandeur.

Unconsciously, Yu Sansuo and Liu Chunlai were entranced, unable to look away.

“These characters are truly outstanding. Did you write this?” came a gentle voice behind him.

Qi Xiu turned to see a man in his thirties, wearing a deep blue silk robe and a fox fur cloak, his face refined, demeanor scholarly.

“Master Qian.”

Qi Xiu gave a slight bow.

This was the owner of the Studio of Colors, one of the four richest men in Baoxian County—the third son of the Qian family, Qian Yuze.

Descending the steps, Qian Yuze approached Qi Xiu’s stall.

Seeing the proprietor arrive, Yu Sansuo and Liu Chunlai quickly stepped aside, offering their places with awkward smiles.

“Very well done—your strokes are smooth and carry an ancient flavor.

Such skill at your young age is truly remarkable.”

Having examined Qi Xiu’s work, Qian Yuze did not hesitate to praise him.

He himself was fond of calligraphy and painting.

In his eyes, Qi Xiu’s writing had reached a level of mastery, its spirit filling out, the brushwork powerful.

Given time, he could surely become a renowned master.

“Master Qian overpraises me.”

Qi Xiu felt a lightness in his heart at the compliment.

He still relied on the Studio of Colors for his livelihood; if he could catch Qian Yuze’s eye, his future would be much easier.

“With the new year approaching, my household needs a few couplets and auspicious scrolls. If you have time, come and try. Your fee will be generous.”

Hearing Qian Yuze’s invitation, Yu Sansuo and Liu Chunlai’s eyes reddened.

The Qian family was one of Baoxian’s prominent houses.

Even a scrap from their table would be enough to live on for years.

To be invited into the Qian mansion meant gaining Qian Yuze’s favor, and likely a place in the Studio of Colors.

No more hardship hawking wares in the street.

This boy’s luck was extraordinary!

Their eyes brimmed with envy, jealousy, and resentment as they stared at Qi Xiu, as if wishing to devour him whole.

“Master Qian invites, how could I refuse?” Qi Xiu replied with a smile and a bow.

Well then—this year, he’d have a good New Year.

Qian Yuze nodded, picking up the inked sheet from the table:

“This piece, let me have it. Tomorrow at the hour of the dragon, wait here—I’ll send someone to escort you to my residence.”

With a few words, Qian Yuze rolled up the sheet and departed in stately fashion.

“Congratulations, Mr. Qi! With Master Qian’s favor, you’ll soon be wealthy—don’t forget to help your old colleagues!”

Yu Sansuo, all smiles, sidled up.

Gone was any trace of his sarcasm from ten minutes earlier.

“Yes, yes, we’ve worked together for over a year now,” Liu Chunlai chimed in.

“Of course, since I came here to make a living, you two have certainly ‘looked after’ me—I’ll never forget it.

This kindness, I’ll repay you doubly.”

Qi Xiu enunciated “looked after” and “doubly,” smiling kindly, then packed up and left.

It’s over…

Recalling Qi Xiu’s smile, Yu Sansuo and Liu Chunlai exchanged stiff glances.

Maybe it was time to find another line of work.

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