Chapter 4: The Reclusive Master Always Possesses an Air of Distinction

“Miss Mu, what’s wrong?” Seeing Mu Wanqing sitting there with a look of shock on her face, Chen Changsheng couldn’t help but ask curiously.

To be so startled just by eating a fish—this beauty truly was adorable.

Mu Wanqing finally snapped out of her daze, hurriedly and respectfully cupped her hands to Chen Changsheng. “Thank you, Young Master Chen, for treating me to this fish. It’s the most delicious fish I’ve ever tasted in my life.”

“It’s just a grilled fish, no need to be so formal.” Chen Changsheng smiled.

He was confident in his skills with grilled fish; it tasted good, but surely it didn’t warrant such reverence—she was being too polite.

Still, immortals never eat ordinary food. To suddenly taste his cooking and react so dramatically was understandable.

“Yes, reclusive experts always carry themselves with dignity. If I act too reserved, it might displease him,” Mu Wanqing thought, recalling how Chen Changsheng claimed to be a ‘mortal.’ She secretly took a deep breath, striving to relax.

Her gaze wandered and she noticed, hanging at the center of the main hall, a calligraphy scroll:

Sword!

The character for sword was bold and vigorous, the brushwork powerful, full of spirit—it was as if someone were dancing with a sword.

“What a wonderful character!” Mu Wanqing exclaimed softly, admiring, “I never expected Young Master Chen to have such mastery in calligraphy.”

“Miss Mu flatters me. I wrote it casually. To be honest, this character for sword is actually a source of pain in my heart,” Chen Changsheng looked at the character, forcing a smile.

“How so?” Mu Wanqing’s curiosity was piqued, her delicate brows furrowing as she asked.

It was rare to have a guest, especially a beautiful one, so Chen Changsheng spoke openly, sighing lightly. “The way of the sword is the path of cultivation, yet I have sought this path in vain. That’s why I wrote this character and hung it here in the main hall. I look at it every day—it’s a bit like quenching thirst by imagining plums.”

To seek the path of cultivation yet fail? Mu Wanqing was confused—wasn’t he clearly a terrifying recluse? How could he fail to find the path?

Then it dawned on her: It wasn’t that he failed to find the path, but rather, he had achieved the highest state and returned to simplicity, wishing only to live as a mortal.

Such dignity—such extraordinary presence!

Mu Wanqing’s imagination ran wild; she had fully transformed into Chen Changsheng’s devoted admirer, stars twinkling in her eyes, her face radiating nothing but worship.

She looked once more at the sword character and now felt a sword intent emanating from it.

Within that character lay the essence of the sword path!

Sensing the sword intent wafting out, Mu Wanqing nearly cried out in shock, her heart pounding feverishly.

To casually write a character, and imbue it with the sword’s way!

Amazed, she stared at the character and felt as if it moved. It was no longer just a character, but a figure dancing with a sword, the sword’s trajectory merging with the natural order, united with heaven and earth.

A mighty sword intent surged like an ocean, striking Mu Wanqing’s soul, threatening to shatter it in an instant.

“Ah!” Mu Wanqing cried out, feeling intense pain in her soul, quickly looking away, not daring to gaze again.

“Miss Mu, what’s the matter?” Chen Changsheng stared at her in astonishment.

Mu Wanqing’s face was pale, shaken, gasping deeply, feeling as if she’d barely escaped death. “This character—it’s too, too—”

“Too what?” Chen Changsheng blinked.

Mu Wanqing gaped in astonishment and suddenly remembered that such a lofty expert wished only to be a mortal. She quickly swallowed the word ‘frightening’ that almost escaped her lips.

“Too, too marvelous!” Mu Wanqing praised her own quick wit and hurriedly said, “Yes, it’s simply too marvelous!”

She exhaled deeply and sighed, “Young Master Chen, your sword character is truly exquisite, imbued with the way of nature, harmonizing with heaven and earth. Your calligraphy has reached the pinnacle!”

Is it really that exaggerated? Girl, your flattery is a bit much!

Chen Changsheng glanced at the sword character and chuckled inwardly. While his calligraphy was recognized by the system, claims about it containing the way of nature and merging with heaven and earth were pure nonsense.

Still, Mu Wanqing’s enthusiastic praise brought him a measure of delight. He walked over, took down the sword character, rolled it up, and handed it to her. “Miss Mu, to tell you the truth, you’re the first guest I’ve had here. Since you like this piece, I’ll give it to you as a gift for our meeting.”

“You—you’re giving it—to me?” Mu Wanqing’s breathing quickened, her face flushed, she stumbled over her words, staring at the scroll as if her eyes would pop out.

“Miss Mu, no need to be so dramatic—it’s just a character I wrote casually,” Chen Changsheng smiled and shook his head, thinking to himself that this beauty was probably tasting grilled fish for the first time, and perhaps receiving her first gift as well.

So pitiable—such beauty, yet so little pampering!

“Well, since you insist, I’ll accept it without further ado.” Mu Wanqing reached out with a lightning-fast motion, snatching the scroll from Chen Changsheng’s hands as if afraid someone else might take it first.

Her heart brimmed with joy, her legs felt as if she were walking on clouds. This was surely a priceless masterpiece, and now it was hers.

Wow—her little heart couldn’t take it!

Seeing Mu Wanqing so eager, Chen Changsheng was taken aback, then smiled indifferently. The girl’s reaction was understandable—her first ever gift.

Mu Wanqing carefully stowed the scroll away, sat down again, then remembered something and asked softly, “By the way, Young Master Chen, may I ask for another piece of calligraphy?”

“Another piece?” Chen Changsheng looked at her in surprise. “What would Miss Mu like?”

Mu Wanqing swallowed. “In three days, it will be the birthday of our Sect Master of Tianyun Sect. I’d like to present him with a character for ‘longevity’ as a birthday gift.”

The writing of a reclusive master was exceedingly precious, every stroke a rare treasure. She dared not ask for more, but requesting a single character took all the courage she could muster.

“A character for ‘longevity’? That’s a small matter.” Chen Changsheng nodded and instructed, “Die’er, fetch me brush, ink, and paper. Use red paper—it’s a festive occasion.”

“Yes, Father,” Chen Die’er responded crisply and soon returned with the materials.

Chen Changsheng picked up the brush, dipped it in ink.

Brush strokes flowed like dragons and phoenixes.

A large ‘longevity’ character completed in one breath.

Mu Wanqing looked at the character—it resembled an elder with a cane, holding a tray of immortality peaches, as if coming to offer birthday wishes. She exclaimed, “Marvelous! Young Master Chen’s calligraphy is truly peerless, perfectly natural, harmonizing with the way of heaven and earth!”

Again? Girl, your flattery needs some refinement!

Chen Changsheng laughed to himself. Once the ink dried, he rolled up the character and handed it to Mu Wanqing.

Mu Wanqing carefully put it away, thanked him repeatedly, and then took her leave.