Chapter 185: Every Art Has Its Specialty

Two more days passed before Chu Anlou came to call again.

“Mister Xuanyuan.”

Chu Anlou greeted him cheerfully with cupped hands, as though nothing had happened between them. Yuan Gang watched coldly from the side, the muscles in his cheeks tightening.

Niu Youdao likewise smiled and returned the greeting. “What instructions does Innkeeper Chu have for me?”

It was as though nothing had happened on his side either.

“The Pavilion Master has returned. Mister, please come with me.”

Only then did Niu Youdao understand. So the Master of the Ice and Snow Pavilion had not been here before. He had been wondering why they insisted on keeping him here while neither letting him go nor seeing him.

“Good, good!”

Niu Youdao readily agreed.

“Please.”

Chu Anlou extended a hand and personally led him away. Niu Youdao did not bring many people with him. He took only Yuan Gang, saying Yuan Gang was his assistant. Chu Anlou had no objection. He knew nothing about painting and could hardly interfere.

Black Peony watched them leave and curled her lip, feeling faintly jealous. Back in Star-Plucking City, Master Dao had taken her along. Ever since Yuan Gang arrived, there seemed to be nothing left for her to do...

They left from the rear of the inn, walked for a while, then climbed the stone stairs beside the cliffside waterfall. A lush green world gradually appeared ahead.

The farther they went, the more luxuriant the greenery became, with splendid flowers hidden among the foliage. Pavilions, terraces, towers, and halls appeared one after another, all built from fine white jade, exquisite and magnificent. They were true jade halls and towers, like something from an immortal realm. Niu Youdao looked around with interest.

The place truly was unusual. It was called the Ice and Snow Pavilion, yet not a trace of ice or snow could be seen here. Along the way, he could not help praising it.

“What a fine place. In a world of ice and snow, this truly is a grotto-heaven and blessed land.”

“Heh-heh.”

Chu Anlou responded with a laugh. They eventually reached a waterside pavilion. Han Bing, Chief Steward of the Ice and Snow Pavilion, sat inside drinking tea. Before they entered, Chu Anlou quietly identified her for Niu Youdao and warned him not to be discourteous. Once inside, Chu Anlou bowed respectfully.

“Chief Steward, the man is here.”

Niu Youdao also saluted.

“Greetings, Chief Steward.”

Behind him, Yuan Gang stood there stiffly without moving, showing no intention of bowing.

Han Bing gave a soft “Oh,” set down her teacup, and looked Niu Youdao up and down.

“I hear you once painted a portrait of Sha Huanli in Star-Plucking City?”

Niu Youdao nodded. “That did happen.”

“I also hear your painting technique is rather distinctive. I would like to see it for myself later.”

“Chief Steward flatters me. It is only a little diversion, the sort of amusement that makes one neglect serious pursuits. It is hardly fit for a grand hall.”

Han Bing shook her head, clearly disagreeing.

“If it is good, then it is good. There is no need for modesty.”

Then she added, “I hear your paintings are not cheap. I asked Xiang Ming in Star-Plucking City. He said you charge one hundred thousand gold coins for a single painting. That is a heavenly price.”

Chu Anlou, standing nearby, was startled. One hundred thousand gold coins for one painting? What kind of painting could possibly be worth that much?

Niu Youdao said, “If Chief Steward has need of one, I will not take a single coin.”

“That is unnecessary.”

Han Bing waved a hand.

“If a market exists, there is a reason for it. Whatever the proper price is, that is what it should be. The Ice and Snow Pavilion will not interfere.”

“Chief Steward may not know this, but the reason I would take no money is because I have one condition.”

Chu Anlou’s gaze immediately turned cold. The meaning in his eyes was obvious.

You dare raise conditions here?

“Oh?”

Han Bing slowly lifted her teacup, used the lid to brush aside the floating leaves, and lowered her eyes as though unconcerned.

“What condition? Let me hear it.”

“Painting is something I do for my own amusement. I do not make my living from it, nor do I want people treating me as an artist for hire.”

Niu Youdao explained, “Otherwise, all manner of entanglements would come pouring in. There are far too many rich and powerful people beneath Heaven. If they all came asking for paintings, I could forget about cultivation entirely. I would never finish refusing them.”

“That was one reason I set such a high price in Star-Plucking City. The price itself was meant to make people retreat from the difficulty.”

“So I hope Chief Steward can keep this matter confidential. If word spreads, I fear I will never have peace again. If Chief Steward can agree to that, I will take no money.”

So that was all. Han Bing took a sip of tea and smiled.

“You are an interesting one. Others want money and cannot get enough of it, while you refuse to earn it.”

“But you do have a point. If Sha Huanli had not let the matter slip, we would never have found you. Once someone finds you, you may not be able to refuse. If things continue that way, sooner or later you will encounter someone troublesome and bring trouble upon yourself.”

“Fine. One matter is one matter. It is only right that I agree to this. I will also send word to Star-Plucking City and have them keep quiet. It would be unreasonable to make you put in the effort and then leave you with trouble afterward.”

“As for the price, whatever your price is, that is what I will pay. I will not take advantage of you.”

Niu Youdao cupped his hands.

“Many thanks for Chief Steward’s consideration.”

Han Bing raised a hand. A maid behind her brought out a thick stack of gold drafts and stepped forward to offer them to Niu Youdao with both hands. Chu Anlou glanced at the stack and froze.

That thick?

How much money was there?

Judging by the denominations, it was far more than one hundred thousand gold coins. Could it be ten times that amount?

“Chief Steward, this is...?”

Niu Youdao looked surprised as well. Han Bing rose.

“Paint ten different portraits of the Pavilion Master. Any problem?”

Niu Youdao looked at the sky, then turned back.

“Will they be portraits alone, or should they include backgrounds?”

Han Bing said, “The Pavilion Master said Sha Huanli’s portrait was beautiful. Did Sha Huanli’s have a background?”

“It did.”

“Then why ask? Is there some distinction between having a background and not having one?”

“Chief Steward, it is like this. A lone person on blank paper can look rather monotonous. Naturally, a suitable setting makes the subject more beautiful.”

Niu Youdao continued, “But when I painted City Master Sha, Chief Steward can ask Chief Steward Xiang about it. We walked all over Star-Plucking City and carefully selected the scenery specifically to complement her.”

“Once a background is added, the painting also takes much longer.”

“If the Pavilion Master likewise wants backgrounds, I cannot simply pick any tree, stone, or pillar and use it behind her. The setting needs to have some aesthetic harmony.”

“Between selecting the scenery and the additional time required to paint the backgrounds, finishing ten portraits in a single day is impossible. At the very least, I will need two days.”

“That makes some sense.”

Han Bing nodded thoughtfully, then suddenly asked, “Are you in a hurry?”

Niu Youdao shook his head.

“One day more or one day less makes little difference to me. It only means a little more exhaustion, a little more work, and a little more effort.”

Han Bing pointed toward the gold drafts in the maid’s hands.

“Then it is settled.”

“Since Chief Steward has shown such generosity, I can only obey.”

Niu Youdao cupped his hands in thanks and accepted the gold drafts without putting on false modesty. Chu Anlou could not help taking another look. His expression twitched slightly.

One million gold coins!

How many people could work themselves to death for an entire lifetime and never earn that much? How many experts could fight and kill for years and still fail to obtain such a sum?

This bastard was merely going to paint some pictures. One or two days of work, and he would earn a million gold coins. And he still had the nerve to talk about being tired and putting in effort. Was there any justice left beneath Heaven? Chu Anlou wanted to see exactly what kind of paintings could possibly be worth so much.

Seeing that Niu Youdao had agreed, Han Bing herself seemed rather expectant. The Pavilion Master had mentioned the paintings several times, and Han Bing wanted to see what was so special about them.

“Shall we begin now?”

Niu Youdao said, “Better to select the scenery first.”

“Today, I will inspect the possible settings, then narrow them down and choose the ten best backgrounds. Afterward I can think over the compositions and decide how each portrait should be painted. It would be unwise to rush the brush.”

“Mm.”

Han Bing nodded.

“Every art has its specialty. What you say makes sense.”

“I will also need a few painting supplies prepared.”

“Xiaorong.”

Han Bing pointed toward the maid who had just delivered the gold drafts.

“Whatever you need prepared, and wherever you need to go to choose scenery, you can ask her.”

“Good.”

Niu Youdao cupped his hands again.

“Chief Steward, there are also a few matters related to the paintings. Could I trouble you to speak privately?”

What sort of trick was this fellow trying now? Chu Anlou could not help glancing at him. Han Bing paused, then waved a hand.

“All of you withdraw.”

“Yes.”

Chu Anlou and the maid took their leave and stopped some distance outside the waterside pavilion.

“Speak,” Han Bing said.

“Chief Steward, what is the Pavilion Master’s temperament like?”

Han Bing immediately gave him a cold sidelong look. Niu Youdao hurriedly raised both hands.

“Chief Steward, do not misunderstand. Painting may look simple, but producing a good painting is actually rather particular.”

“To put it plainly, if I want the person being painted to be satisfied, I need to understand her preferences and know what sort of image she will like.”

“For example, does she prefer warmer imagery or colder imagery? Something simple or something elaborate?”

“Also, it would be best if I could see the Pavilion Master herself and observe her in person. Then I can judge what kind of scenery suits her.”

“A background is actually much like clothing on a woman. No matter how beautiful a garment is, that does not mean every woman will look good wearing it.”

As a woman herself, Han Bing found that final comparison deeply reasonable.

Even so, she still asked, “Did you do the same thing when painting Sha Huanli?”

Behind Niu Youdao, Yuan Gang muttered inwardly.

Was painting really this complicated?

“Chief Steward can ask Chief Steward Xiang.”

Niu Youdao answered, “Before I painted City Master Sha, she personally accompanied me while we went around selecting scenery. I spoke with her and spent quite a long time around her. When choosing the setting, I could compare it directly against City Master Sha herself.”

“This time I need to paint ten portraits. I worry that dragging the Pavilion Master around while I slowly fuss over every detail may make her unhappy.”

“Of course, if the Pavilion Master does not care about these things, then there is no need. You can simply treat it as though I never said anything.”

Han Bing fell silent for a moment.

“Later, I will arrange for you to see the Pavilion Master.”

“As for her temperament, she is cold on the outside but warm within. She prefers simplicity over complexity. Her nature is cool and aloof.”

Niu Youdao was not surprised in the slightest that she had answered or agreed. When women encountered this sort of thing—or faced a camera—their intelligence could not be expected to function normally. There was a reason he had asked to speak privately and deliberately moved Chu Anlou, a man, out of earshot.

“With Chief Steward putting it that way, I have a general idea now.”

Niu Youdao nodded. After that, there was temporarily nothing more for Chu Anlou to do. Han Bing led Niu Youdao and Yuan Gang into a shaded grove and had the two of them wait there.

She herself left the trees and entered a pavilion nearby, where she bowed to a white-robed woman seated inside and looking through something. The woman was Xue Luo’er, Master of the Ice and Snow Pavilion. She was extraordinarily beautiful. Compared with her, Sha Huanli was not merely a little inferior. The two women were on entirely different levels. Dignified. Noble. Coldly beautiful.

No matter what Han Bing said, not the slightest expression appeared on Xue Luo’er’s face. She was like ancient ice, difficult for anyone to approach. The moment Niu Youdao saw her, he believed Han Bing’s description. The Master of the Ice and Snow Pavilion was probably indeed cold on the outside and warm within. Otherwise, she could never have become friends with Sha Huanli and enjoyed herself in her company. Her coldness was only because she had not encountered the right people.

When Xue Luo’er rose and moved, her figure was tall and graceful, her bearing noble like a princess of ice and snow.

[End of Chapter 185]