293 A Couple (2/2)

As soon as he said that, everyone stared at him in disgust. They saw in him a vile, loathsome insect, nothing more than an annoying housefly.

Xiao Luo totally ignored him as if he did not exist, then he picked up the brush, and begun dipping it in ink.

The brush felt strange and unfamiliar in Xiao Luo's hand as he assumed an awkward posture when dipping the brush in ink, and it amused Xiao Qiudong no end. Trained calligraphists such as Qiao Quanren, were particular about every aspect of the art. It was all about the elegance and grace with which one held the brush, that gave a distinguished bearing to the calligrapher. A mere glance at how Xiao Luo held it was enough to tell any onlooker that he was a novice.

Old man Xiao Quanren was observing him by the side and couldn't help grimacing as doubt formed in his thoughts. ”I guess Xiao Luo is only forcing himself!”

Xiao Dizhang was also concerned and asked, ”Xiao Luo, are you really up to this?”

”I'll try my best.”

Xiao Luo closed his eyes as he contemplated what to write, and at the same time, he expended 500 points in exchange for calligraphy skills. Suddenly, the brush in his hand felt natural to him, like it became a part of his body, and many characters and phrases flashed in his mind.

He wasn't doing this to get back at Xiao Qiudong at all. On the contrary, he just wanted to ensure the Seekong altar's traditions could carry on, and in that way, contribute something back to the community.

Xiao Luo put brush to paper and wrote the first character: ”Zu.”

”Hmm, is that the 'semi-cursive script?' That isn't the typical 'semi-cursive script,' perhaps its 'standard script?' But it still looks different from the conventional 'standard script,'” Xiao Quanren muttered to himself, as his eyes lit up. These were evidently no ordinary characters.

Xiao Qiudong, who earlier had a smug look on his face, suddenly froze with an expression of disbelief. ”This brat can actually write in calligraphy?”

Ji Siying appeared a little anxious, feeling the need to add another entry into her little diary again.

Xiao Luo was fully absorbed with the task as the brush in his hand slithered around like a serpent. His novice's demeanor was replaced by a dignified bearing of a calligraphy master. He wrote the entire couplet in clean and elegant strokes without the slightest pause.

The first line: ”The virtue of our ancestors endures in the splendor of the sun and moon.”

The second line: ”The merits of our clan sparkle across the land and rivers.”

He laid down his brush and admired his work, while the villagers around him were enchanted with what they saw. They didn't know what calligraphy truly meant, but they felt a profound sense of awe at its beauty and majesty.

Xiao Quanren glanced at Xiao Luo, and his old, wizen eyes were filled with admiration. He was overjoyed and said, ”A very well written couplet—the sun, the moon, the land, and the rivers; how majestic it is. And the style of your writing, smooth as the flowing water, yet full of vigor and grace. To be so skillful in the arts at such a young age… not bad, not bad at all, hahaha.”

Xiao Quanren was not only the village shaman but also an accomplished scholar, so naturally, his comments carried with it some authority.

”You're without a doubt, a university graduate, Xiao Luo! Impressive work!”

”Brilliant calligraphy!”

”Son, you need to be admitted to the same university as Uncle Xiao Luo when you grow up. Do you hear me?”

Everyone was full of praise for Xiao Luo. His excellent effort earned him praise from the Wise One, and such a commendation literally elevated him the status of a demi-god among the villagers.

Xiao Qiudong was looking a sorry sight, with his plan gone awry and the entire crowd turning against him. He didn't know what went wrong this year, he was outdone by Xiao Luo at every turn. How he missed the last several years when he was the one that outclassed Xiao Luo entirely.

”Wise One, can this couplet be attached to the altar?” Xiao Dizhang asked.

Xiao Quanren gazed at the couplet like someone admiring a precious relic, and the appreciative smile on his face said it all. ”If this couplet does not meet our expectations, then the couplets that I had written in the past will be even less qualified.”

...