— I wouldn't dare guarantee it, so I want to look at the portrait again," replied Huang En Gui.
He took the paper and began examining the man's image from left to right. He didn't know where the Song family had obtained this image.
Finally, he replied: "It looks like him! 90% similar. Especially his swept-back hairstyle. It must be him."
After Shu Qing taught Niu You Dao how to style his hair, he too began to care for it. If circumstances allowed, he would wash and tidy his hair every day. However, it was a bit troublesome.
If short haircuts didn't attract so much attention, he would have long since cut his hair short.
— Did you identify him?" the steward asked excitedly.
Niu You Dao had killed several members of the Liuxiang Sect, and now they had become his sworn enemies. Especially since he had killed the son of the Song family's steward, Liu Zi You. The Liuxiang Sect had failed to protect Zi You. They were already ashamed before the Song family's steward, Liu Lu, who had consistently looked after them. And now, the Song family had personally spread their net. No matter what, they had to make good use of this opportunity.
To have stumbled upon Niu You Dao in Zhaixing City was truly joyous news. Now they could somehow distinguish themselves before their teachers and the sect. For this, the Song family could reward them handsomely.
Huang En Gui smiled bitterly and said:
— The person in the portrait might be different. Uncle, let me verify it precisely. Otherwise, I wouldn't dare guarantee it's definitely him!"
The steward seemed worried:
— Then why did you come back? What if he escapes now? What would we do then? Don't you want to claim the reward for him?"
Huang En Gui: "Uncle, don't rush. He's staying at the Yaoyue Inn and doesn't seem to be planning on leaving. That's why I came back, to identify him using the portrait."
— The Yaoyue Inn?" The steward stroked his beard and pondered:
— His staying at that inn already creates difficulties. He won't be easy to capture."
He thought for a moment, then, as if a solution had struck him, he slammed the counter and said:
— Go. Take another person and investigate his situation at the inn more carefully. Remember, don't startle him."
— Understood." Huang En Gui nodded. He turned and swiftly departed.
When Huang En Gui reached an alley, he called out to a fellow disciple. He explained the entire matter to him, and then they headed together for the Yaoyue Inn.
As soon as they approached the manager's counter, they placed down ten gold pieces. Huang En Gui smiled and said: "Manager, a room for us."
There were many influential people in the city, and though one couldn't know everyone, one would certainly see many. The manager immediately recognized them as disciples of the Liuxiang Sect, so he promptly warned them:
— You may stay, but you may not cause a disturbance. Otherwise, you know what consequences await you."
He simply knew that the Liuxiang Sect had its own shop in the city. So why would they come here and rent a room? It was quite strange.
Huang En Gui replied with a smile:
— Manager, don't jest. How could we dare to cause a disturbance here? It's simply that an important guest might be arriving. So we've come to make all the preparations."
— If that's the case, then fine." the counter manager replied in a cold tone. He registered them and tossed over a single room token.
The two men politely thanked him and then headed to their room...
In the room, Niu You Dao asked Black Peony to stay.
Yuan Fang didn't understand what Lord Dao intended to do. He only saw Niu You Dao begin to sharpen a piece of charcoal, much like a pencil.
The two didn't understand what was happening. They asked him, but he didn't answer. He only said that they would soon find out for themselves.
Once he had sharpened the charcoal well, Niu You Dao approached the window and looked out at the scenery. Then he placed a chair in front of the window and, turning, waved at Black Peony:
— Come here, sit down, sit down."
Black Peony approached, bewildered, and sat on the chair as he instructed.
Niu You Dao shook his head in dissatisfaction and, pointing a finger, said:
— Don't sit like that. More relaxed. Lean back, yes, stretch out your legs. Place your hand on your leg, lean your forearm on the back of the chair, prop your cheek with your hand... Not like that, more natural. Yes. There, just like that. Smile... excellent! Just like that! Now, don't move!" He turned around and stepped back.
Black Peony felt uncomfortable. She smiled bitterly and asked:
— Lord Dao, what exactly do you want to do?"
Niu You Dao: "Make money!"
— Make money?" Black Peony was surprised: "But how can one make money like this?"
— You'll understand later." Niu You Dao simply tossed her that remark.
He surveyed the surroundings, then placed a chair in front of Black Peony. Then Niu You Dao waved to Yuan Fang and said:
— Come here. Sit down!"
— Me too?" Yuan Fang was astonished.
— I said sit."
Yuan Fang reluctantly sat on the chair. However, he also began to imitate Black Peony. He crossed one leg over the other, propped his hands under his cheeks, and assumed a seductive pose.
— ... Niu You Dao was speechless.
— P-p-p-phahaha..." Black Peony, sitting opposite Yuan Fang, couldn't hold back and burst out laughing. She tried to control herself at first, but ultimately failed and began rocking, clutching her stomach, and laughing:
— No, no. I can't do this. It's hilariously deadly! Hahahaha..."
Niu You Dao didn't know what to say. He simply pushed Yuan Fang:
— Who told you to sit like that? Sit properly. Lower your head, hunch your back!"
As soon as he had Yuan Fang seated, Niu You Dao retrieved a board and placed it between Yuan Fang's back and the chair. Then he placed paper on the board and rested the board against Yuan Fang's shoulders. He also made him hold the board with his hands.
— Sit as you were before!" Niu You Dao told Black Peony seriously.
Black Peony composed herself and resumed her previous posture.
Niu You Dao held the charcoal pencil and, standing behind Yuan Fang, began to observe Black Peony. Then he lowered his hand to the paper and began to draw Black Peony's features.
Niu You Dao could draw the living and the dead equally well. After all, in his previous life, he had long since perfectly mastered the Four Treasures of the Study.
Feeling movement behind him, Yuan Fang turned his head, wanting to look.
Tap, tap! Niu You Dao tapped a few times and said:
— Sit still and don't move!"
Yuan Fang had no choice but to sit still. He could only move his eyes.
Niu You Dao drew. From time to time, he raised the charcoal pencil before him and measured Black Peony's proportions.
It wasn't long before a slyly smiling Black Peony vaguely began to appear on the paper.
Black Peony occasionally blinked, also wanting to see what Niu You Dao was doing there. Was he really drawing her? With charcoal? Is that how one draws?
When Niu You Dao was nearly finished, he picked up the board with the paper, held it in one hand, and said to Yuan Fang:
— Go! Call an attendant. Have him bring a jug of wine."
Yuan Fang straightened up and sighed, then headed outside. As he passed Niu You Dao, he couldn't resist glancing at the drawing. At that very moment, his jaw dropped: "Lord Dao, this... this..."
Niu You Dao calmly asked: "Does it resemble her?"
— Uh-huh, uh-huh, uh-huh!" Yuan Fang nodded like an idiot. Yuan Fang looked at Niu You Dao with reverence. A gleam now sparkled in his eyes. He now understood why Yuan Gang followed Niu You Dao so blindly. Niu You Dao was simply incredible.
Black Peony also fidgeted in her seat. She was very curious about what Niu You Dao had drawn.
— Didn't you hear what I told you?" Niu You Dao glared sideways at Yuan Fang.
— Uh-huh!" Yuan Fang quickly departed.
— Remember. Don't bring it yourself. Have the inn attendant bring it personally. Understood?" Niu You Dao said, standing with his back turned.
— Uh-huh. Understood. Yuan Fang left.
It wasn't long before Yuan Fang returned again. He immediately said:
— The attendant should be here soon."
After speaking, he approached Niu You Dao and watched him finish his work. From time to time, he nodded admiringly and kept clicking his tongue.
Black Peony grew more and more curious. She tried to somehow catch a glimpse of what had been drawn.
Knock, knock!
A knock sounded from outside, followed by the attendant's voice:
— Sir, your wine."
Niu You Dao: "Enter!"
The attendant entered. Unsure of what to do in the room, he placed the wine on the table.
— Sir, I've placed the wine on the table." Having said that, he was about to leave.
Niu You Dao spoke again:
— Wait, I'll be done soon. Please help me frame the painting later."
"A painting?" The attendant was surprised. He stepped forward and looked at what Niu You Dao was drawing.
He reacted just like Yuan Fang. Upon seeing the painting, his eyes nearly popped out. He looked at Black Peony, then at the painting. Then back at Black Peony again...
Niu You Dao quickly finished drawing and put his signature in the corner: "He who has seen the sea will not be surprised by a stream. He who has seen the clouds of Wushan Mountain will not acknowledge other clouds. Looking back, half the journey was in cultivation, and half in dominion. Year 523 of the Wu Calendar, late spring. A gift for Black Peony!"
— Alright, alright." Niu You Dao tossed the charcoal pencil to Yuan Fang and waved at Black Peony:
— Come here. See if it looks like you or not."
Black Peony had been waiting for this for a long time. She almost leaped from the chair. Then she looked at the painting and saw an astonishing portrait. Black Peony immediately cried out and covered her mouth with her hands. She had never seen anything like it before. Could a portrait be drawn so vividly and wonderfully with charcoal?
The painting showed a window with a vast sky and floating clouds, and in front of the window sat a beauty leaning back in a chair. She was smiling slyly, her cheek propped on her elbow. She looked alive. Even her gaze seemed real.
Black Peony slowly lowered her hands and asked, stunned:
— Is this me? Is this for me...?" she read the verse written below and the inscription stating "A gift for Black Peony!"
Niu You Dao handed the painting to the attendant and said:
— Go, have it properly mounted. And be careful! Don't ruin it!"
— Alright, alright. Don't worry, it will be done!" the attendant said excitedly. In his entire life, he had never seen such a stunning portrait. Nodding, and holding the portrait, he retreated backward, still gazing at Niu You Dao in astonishment.