80 Museum of the Hundred Arts (1/2)
”What did you say?” Old Mo frowned upon hearing this. He revealed a bit of hostility against Yuan Gu, ”You dared to register my Young Master without his permission? What audacity!”
”I have no choice either! Young Master is only the one I knew and no one could be better!” Yuan Gu reasoned.
”You—!” Old Mo was already fuming in anger when Jin Rou suddenly joined in, ”Let Yuan Gu speak his side first.”
Old Mo acknowledged this and did not dare to talk again. However, his eyes were throwing knives towards Yuan Gu.
Yuan Gu then hurriedly said, ”Young Master, I know that registering you to enter the competition without your permission is unpleasant. But I really had no other choice.”
”The Painting Guild requested that there should also be a representative of the Gu Empire since the competition is a grand event that seldom happened. Supposedly, my empire was not planning on involving in this stuff since I do not have prior connection with my empire's Painting Guild.”
”But it changed at the last minute, the guildmaster himself requested it. Knowing that the guildmaster has some good ties with my father, Emperor Gu, I could not possibly turn down such a request. I found myself in a very difficult situation so I just accepted it and registered you.”
”Don't worry, Young Master. As long as you participate, that would be enough even you do not win.”
Hearing all of this, Jin Rou smiled and said, ”But I do not know how to paint at all. I will just shame you that way. Why don't you send a message to your empire and asked for someone to join the competition in your stead?”
”As what I said, I really did not have any good connection with the Gu Empire's Painting Guild. In fact, they are also here to participate, but not in the name of the Gu Empire, but for their Painting Guild itself.” Yuan Gu shook his head, ”And those people only wanted to earn glory and take some debts from the Tyy Empire's Painting Guild.”
”Debts?” Jin Rou was puzzled.
”Yes. All these years, the Tyy Empire always reign as the victor of the Painting Competition. Never did the Guu Empire's Painting Guild win against them. So they had some debts to collect against the Tyy Empire and I'm sure they prepared enough to assure their victory.”
”Although there were some Painting Guilds around the world who join this competition, mostly, the two competitors in the final battle would be from the Tyy and Gu.” Yuan Gu explained.
”Even though they only joined to obtain glory, your empire should also be riding its flag. No matter what, they will represent your empire since they were located in the Gu Empire. Right?” Jin Rou said.
”Hais..” Yuan Gu took a deep breath, ”This matter is really complicated. The guildmaster wanted me to have someone represent the entire Gu Family to represent my empire. But knowing that we don't have any talented painters, there was still a no way except you, Young Master. Don't worry, as long as you participate, I will double the price I was supposed to pay, how about that?”
”Looks like you are really in a pinch.” Jin Rou chuckled, ”But I really don't know how to paint. But at the very least, I can try.”
”Then it's settled!” Yuan Gu's expression shifted and immediately filled with joy, ”Thank you, Young Master! Do not worry. As long as you can represent me and the Gu Family, that would be enough! No need to win the painting competition since I only wanted to give the guildmaster some face.”
”Humph.” Old Mo was displeased that his young master was taken as a mere representative and said, ”You better pay up or else I will take your dog life.”