Chapter Twenty-Six: Drawing the World with a Brush

Chapter Twenty-Six: Lin Huashu’s Brush Paints the World, Revealing True Feelings

The Lin Huashu in Li Hao's heart: though he appears young, his mind is mature, his demeanor neither arrogant nor impatient, and he treats others with warmth and ease. At such a tender age, he possesses such profound cultivation.

From Li Hao’s words and actions, the friends around him, and the level of his cultivation, Lin Huashu could already discern what kind of person Li Hao was. This alone revealed Lin Huashu’s extraordinary intelligence and insight. He too sincerely wished to befriend someone like Li Hao. Yet a heart such as Li Hao’s, blessed by the heavens, could not be won over by any vulgar or material means.

As he pondered how best to draw closer to Li Hao, Lin Huashu caught sight of Lu Zhengtian gifting Li Hao a movement technique manual, and in a flash, inspiration struck him.

He approached Li Hao, his face alight with a warm smile, making clear he bore no ill intent, and asked, “Your name is Li Hao, is it not?”

“Yes. May I ask what guidance you have for me, Brother Huashu?”

Li Hao did not know why Lin Huashu had suddenly sought him out.

“You called me brother?”

Lin Huashu pointed to his own nose in surprise, puzzled by Li Hao’s choice of address. He wondered if Li Hao was a junior from some great family in the Calligraphy Sage Palace.

“Forgive my forwardness. I am simply fond of the Calligraphy Sage Palace’s atmosphere of talent and learning. I hope one day to broaden my horizons there and acquire more knowledge. If I am fortunate enough to enter the Calligraphy Sage Palace in the future, calling you ‘brother’ would be natural. Even if I am not so lucky, it is still fitting to address you as brother, for after all, the twelve palaces of the Lujiashan Star Domain are all under the Sacred Healer Hall, sharing the same lineage. Among the disciples of the twelve palaces, respect for one’s elders is paramount. Thus, addressing you as brother is only proper.”

Li Hao’s explanation was not meant as flattery, but out of a belief that the disciples of the twelve palaces are like the branches of a single tree and should not stand on ceremony with one another. He explained his thoughts to Lin Huashu with calm and measured words.

“Li Hao, your words have opened my eyes and cleared the confusion in my heart. I am enlightened and deeply impressed.”

Lin Huashu felt no jealousy toward Li Hao’s broad-mindedness and vision. Instead, he found Li Hao’s words to be pearls of wisdom, benefiting him greatly. He suddenly sensed the hint of a breakthrough in his own cultivation, and though excitement surged within him, he forced it down in front of the crowd. At that moment, Li Hao’s image in Lin Huashu’s heart changed utterly—no longer just that extraordinary child favored by fate, but someone worthy of profound respect. Lin Huashu now wholeheartedly admired this youth whose thinking far surpassed the ordinary.

“There is no need for such praise, Brother Huashu. I merely spoke my mind.”

Lin Huashu’s humility made Li Hao feel that he was a friend worth making. Nor did Li Hao let the compliments go to his head; his expression remained calm and unruffled.

Though Lu Xuemei had often been amazed by Li Hao’s talent before, it had never been as striking as when he taught Lin Huashu, the foremost of the five young prodigies, a lesson. For Lu Zhengtian, who was meeting Li Hao for the first time, it was equally astonishing—not only was Li Hao’s cultivation talent unrivalled, but his thinking was broad and meticulous. That Li Hao could teach Lin Huashu a lesson surprised him even more, and he felt his friend growing ever more unfathomable.

Lu Xuemei and the others had never before met Lin Huashu, the leading prodigy among the five. They had only heard of the Calligraphy Sage Palace’s young master, famed for his brilliance. Seeing him today, first exchanging witty barbs with Lu Zhengtian, then conversing with Li Hao in a humble and amiable manner, free of any airs, their estimation of Lin Huashu rose further.

“Brother Li Hao, if you are willing, shall we be friends?”

This time, Lin Huashu set aside his playful, irreverent manner with Lu Zhengtian and addressed Li Hao with utmost sincerity.

Lu Zhengtian’s exaggerated look of disdain was comical, as if to say, “Don’t think you can get close to my friend to get to me; we’re not that familiar.”

“No.”

That single, simple refusal left the crowd in shock. Many could not fathom it—most would consider it an honor just to exchange a few words with Lin Huashu, the chief among the five prodigies, and yet here was Li Hao declining his overture.

Lu Zhengtian, seeing Lin Huashu rebuffed, was filled with a wave of satisfaction, sporting a look that said, “See? You’re still no match for me when it comes to my brother.”

“To call you friend would be too distant, Brother Huashu. Your talent is renowned far and wide; I have long wanted to pay you a visit, but the opportunity never arose. If you do not mind, let us become sworn brothers instead.”

Li Hao’s reply caught Lin Huashu off guard, and the mood of those around them shifted dramatically. Lu Zhengtian’s face darkened as he shot Li Hao a look, as if to say, “Really, brother? Always taking the outsider’s side?”

“Haha! Good! Brothers we shall be!”

Lin Huashu was overjoyed by Li Hao’s answer and wasted no time in delivering a triumphant jab at Lu Zhengtian, thoroughly defeating him. The satisfaction of outdoing his rival was written all over his face.

“Greetings, Brother Huashu.”

Li Hao bowed in greeting, just as he had when meeting Lu Zhengtian. Lin Huashu hurriedly bent to lift Li Hao by the shoulder.

“Brother Li Hao, please rise. While I delight in the written arts, I dislike these tedious ceremonies. My carefree nature is why I became friends with Lu Zhengtian.”

Though Lin Huashu disdained such formality, whether Li Hao chose to observe it was another matter. In the future it could be omitted, but not for the first meeting. Though Lin Huashu often sparred with Lu Zhengtian verbally, he sincerely cherished his friend, and now, with Li Hao as well, he could not help but be overjoyed.

After helping Li Hao up, Lin Huashu waved his right index finger vigorously in front of Lu Zhengtian as if to say, “You see? You’re no match for me. How does it feel to lose now?”

“Brother Li Hao, I have a few questions for you.”

Lin Huashu smiled meaningfully at Li Hao.

“Brother Huashu, please enlighten me. I will answer any question with complete honesty.”

Li Hao found Lin Huashu’s smile a bit peculiar but responded earnestly.

“Are we not brothers?”

“We are.”

“Am I the elder? Are you the younger?”

“Yes.”

“Should a younger brother not heed his elder’s advice?”

“Indeed.”

“Good.”

Lin Huashu’s string of odd questions left Li Hao puzzled—he had no idea what Lin Huashu was getting at, nor what he meant by “good.”

“Then as the elder, let me offer you some advice.”

Li Hao had no inkling what lesson Lin Huashu intended to impart, but he replied plainly, “Please instruct me, brother.”

Lin Huashu held his left hand flat before his chest, and from his palm appeared a small, ancient-looking booklet, similar in size to the manual Lu Zhengtian had given Li Hao. With a look of reminiscence, he presented it to Li Hao with both hands.

“This is a calligraphy cultivation manual my grandfather gave me. I hear you are fond of such arts. As your elder brother, I have nothing better to offer you as a token of our first meeting. Please accept this as my gift.”

“This…”

Li Hao had meant to protest, to say that the gift was too precious, that a gentleman does not take what is dear to another, especially something from his elder brother’s grandfather. But before he could finish, Lin Huashu cut him off.

“Have you forgotten your promise to your elder brother just now? If you go back on your word, that would not be the act of a gentleman. Besides, I have already memorized everything within. Though the manual is precious, it is but a thing. If you truly cannot accept it, then borrow it for three months. Memorize what you can during that time, and return it to me afterwards. How about that?”

Worried that Li Hao would reject his goodwill, Lin Huashu pre-empted his objection.

“Since you put it that way, I shall borrow it for three months, and return it to you afterwards.”

“Good.”

With Lin Huashu’s suggestion, all of Li Hao’s reservations were dispelled, and he accepted the manual.

All around, people watched these two young legends vying for Li Hao’s favor, not through force but with wit and charm, more like children playing than the prodigies they had imagined.

Each offered Li Hao a precious manual, treasures worth more than gold. Borrowing for three months was no different from gifting it outright, for prodigies such as these possessed photographic memories—three months was plenty for even an average cultivator to memorize the contents. But memorizing was one thing; understanding and truly mastering the teachings was quite another, dependent on talent and diligence.

The crowd had always imagined Lu Zhengtian as a cold and distant noble, and Lin Huashu as a genteel and refined youth. Yet the two before them were completely unlike their preconceptions.

What they had never anticipated was the mysterious Li Hao who stood before them now. They longed to peel back the layers of enigma and discover what made him so magnetic, that so many distinguished young talents gathered around him.

To have won the favor of both Lu Zhengtian and Lin Huashu, to have two princesses of otherworldly beauty by his side, and three of the youngest prodigies from the twelve great families of the Battle Palace as his followers—most incredible of all, this very day he had broken the legs of the Lin family’s young master, one of those same twelve families.

This youth of barely ten years defied all expectations. His words and actions were unpredictable, his aura tinged with something uncanny. In battle, he was ruthless and decisive, chilling to behold. In conversation, he smiled gently, displaying a courteous and refined demeanor that endeared him to all.

Many present had the same thought: if this boy could not be made a friend, he must never become an enemy.

Their group became the center of all attention—every man striking and elegant, and their companion of such beauty that she dazzled all who beheld her.

Thus, talking and laughing, they finally arrived at the registration office.