Si Nuo was startled by the three people who had collapsed behind him. Just then, Guan Xingchen walked over. “What… what happened here?”
Guan Xingchen looked at the panicked Si Nuo. “Don’t worry, I’ve already called for help.”
Si Nuo nodded, still feeling a lingering sense of fear. “That shouldn’t happen. My paintings are usually only effective for mental powers between A and S-level. The Highness, the Adjutant, and the two officers shouldn’t be in that range, right?”
“They are all S-level espers.”
S-level. If that were the case, normally, they shouldn’t have had such a strong reaction to his painting. But for now, he would have to wait for them to wake up to determine the cause. To avoid causing further trouble, Si Nuo moved the painting he had just finished into the apartment, facing it away from the crowd. The three who had fallen into a deep sleep were carried inside and placed on the sofa; the doctor who rushed over examined each of them and concluded that they were simply asleep and in no serious danger.
Watching the three still unconscious men, Guan Xingchen walked over and said, “Don’t worry, they will be fine. Lunch is ready, let’s go eat.”
Si Nuo had witnessed Zhuang Ning pass out after viewing his painting, so he thought he would be mentally prepared if it happened again. It turned out that being prepared didn’t make the situation any easier. He couldn’t help but wonder how long they would be asleep.
He followed Guan Xingchen to the dining room. As they sat down, Si Nuo couldn’t help but ask, “You’ve seen my painting earlier did you feel anything?”
Guan Xingchen paused for a moment before shaking his head. “I only felt that your painting was very beautiful. I didn’t feel anything special. My apologies.”
“You don’t need to apologize for that. It’s normal that you wouldn’t feel it, given how high your mental power level is.”
“You are already very impressive as it is.” Guan Xingchen helped the youth with some food.
Si Nuo felt embarrassed by the praise. “I never imagined my painting would have this kind of ability. I couldn’t quite believe it at first, but I am happy to be able to help people.”
The youth’s words were so sincere and humble that they softened Guan Xingchen’s heart.
“Since the doctor is here, let’s have them give you a thorough physical examination. Aside from your genetic disease, we should see if there are any other issues.”
Guan Xingchen had wanted his medical team to examine Si Nuo for a long time but hadn’t known how to bring it up. Today’s incident provided the perfect opportunity. Si Nuo was surprised by the arrangement and felt touched. “Will it be too much trouble?”
“It’s just a simple examination. It won’t be any trouble at all.”
“Thank you.”
A smile appeared in Guan Xingchen’s eyes. “Don’t mention it. Let’s eat.”
After the meal, Si Nuo went with the doctor for his examination, while the three who had been sleeping gradually began to stir. The adjutant was the first to sit up, his eyes filled with lingering bewilderment.
“Awake?”
Hearing Guan Xingchen’s voice, the adjutant instinctively snapped back to attention and looked up. “Your Highness!” He seemed to recall something. “I… I just fell asleep. I was watching Lord Si Nuo paint, and I felt his painting was beautiful. My mental sea felt as if it were bathing in warm sunlight peaceful and comfortable. At that moment, I felt like I was actually in the painting. Your Highness, that feeling was truly incredible. My mental sea has never been this calm!”
The other two also regained consciousness and shared similar experiences, their eyes still wide with lingering shock.
The adjutant carefully sensed his own mental sea again. “I feel like my mental power has grown slightly. What about you two?”
Prompted by this, the other two checked themselves and replied in surprise, “I think mine has grown too!”
“Me too!”
The three of them looked at Guan Xingchen in unison. Guan Xingchen listened patiently to their reports before saying, “So, the current situation is that even you, at the S-level, can feel the healing effect of his paintings?”
The adjutant hesitated. “I… I want to take another look at Lord Si Nuo’s painting.”
“W-we want to see it too!”
Guan Xingchen didn’t refuse and pointed toward the location of the painting. The three walked over together, but none dared to turn the painting around immediately. Instead, they flipped it slowly, and then…
The adjutant took a quick glance and then immediately averted his eyes, nodding. “Yes, the effect is there. I don’t dare look at it for too long; I feel like if I keep staring at it, I’ll fall asleep again!”
The other two did the same—glancing at it and then quickly looking away, caught between the desire to see it and the fear of doing so. After turning the painting back, the adjutant turned to Guan Xingchen. “Your Highness, Lord Si Nuo should be able to create S-level art now!”
His tone was full of excitement. If that were true, wouldn’t it be long before Si Nuo could create art that matched their Highness’s own level? Could they dare to hope?
Just as they were filled with hope, Si Nuo, having finished his examination, reappeared in the living room. The doctor handed the report to Guan Xingchen. “Your Highness, Lord Si Nuo’s condition is primarily caused by his genetic disease. Once that is improved, his health will recover significantly. He just needs proper care, and the damage will be compensated for over time.”
Guan Xingchen nodded and told the doctor, “Prepare the genetic medication for him.”
Hearing this, Si Nuo hurriedly said, “No need, I can buy the medication myself.”
He knew how expensive genetic medicine was. He didn’t want Guan Xingchen to spend money on him; he had no reason to take advantage of the man. Even if the cost was negligible to Guan Xingchen, the favor was too great.
Guan Xingchen wasn’t surprised by the refusal. “The medication isn’t a gift. It is because you possess the ability to heal mental instability, which is far too precious to the Empire. The Empire has a right to ensure your well-being. Si Nuo, we will need your cooperation for further research regarding your abilities.”
The adjutant stood by, listening to his master, and nodded. “Lord Si Nuo, we have just experienced your paintings. You can currently create S-level art. If you can one day create 3S-level art, then for our Highness…”
“Do not put pressure on him; just do what you can.” Guan Xingchen threw a warning glance at the adjutant.
Si Nuo looked at Guan Xingchen, recalling how he had collapsed there last time was that also a mental instability episode? Seeing him interrupt the adjutant, he realized he likely didn’t want him to know. Si Nuo, being tactful, didn’t press the matter. “Just tell me what you need me to do, and I will cooperate. But the genetic medicine is too expensive I can’t take it for free. I’ll paint for you. I may not be able to pay it back in a short time, but I…”
Seeing him like this, the men present couldn’t help but smile, moved by the youth’s sincerity and kindness.
The adjutant said, “Lord Si Nuo, please don’t underestimate yourself. A single painting of yours can resolve S-level mental instability. Once this news spreads, you won’t just have genetic medicine you can have anything you desire. Please don’t refuse; this is a perk you deserve. Isn’t that right, Your Highness?”
“Indeed. It is decided. Si Nuo, set a price for the painting you just finished and sell it to them.”
Guan Xingchen made the final decision. Before Si Nuo could respond, the three men nodded immediately. “Right, right! Name a price and sell it to us!”
“Be clear about who you’re selling it to!”
“Auction! We’ll auction it highest bidder takes all!”
Guan Xingchen: “Starting bid at 5 million, with 10,000 increments. Begin!”
Si Nuo: “…”
Hey! Did you even ask for my opinion?!