Chen Mu suddenly had a bit of an understanding.
The insights gained from brushing up proficiency weren't unfounded; all of them were knowledge already existing in the world.
The gray wall was like a huge database, from which Chen Mu continuously acquired information as his proficiency increased.
Perhaps it even contained knowledge from the world of his previous life.
Otherwise, he couldn't have mastered the technique of three-dimensional realistic painting.
Thinking about it was quite magical.
…
At the entrance of the County Government Office, Chen Mu followed Head Constable Lu inside.
An old man with a bruised and swollen face walked towards them.
"Master Painter Yan," Head Constable Lu greeted with cupped hands.
The old man's eyes were swollen to slits, and he held his chin up high with arrogance, grunting in acknowledgment as he walked out of the office with a swagger.
"Master Painter Yan? He got beaten up?" Chen Mu asked in shock, immediately followed by indignation, "The world is truly degenerating, to strike such a heavy blow on an old man! That's far too cruel!"
Head Constable Lu looked at Chen Mu strangely.
He always felt there was something off about the scholar's expression.
The County Government Office had six clerks, with their work spaces located in the rooms on either side of the main hall.
Head Constable Lu led Chen Mu into one of these rooms.
Ink, brushes, paper, and inkstone were all prepared.
There were also five or six completed portraits hanging on the wall.
The County Government had hired other painters, as well.
In the room, there was also a Pharmacist's apprentice who described the thief's physical features to him; he was the only one who had seen the thief face to face.
As the apprentice described, the image of the thief quickly took shape in Chen Mu's mind.
Just as he was about to start painting, he suddenly looked up at the portraits hanging on the wall.
One of them was so lifelike and resembled the image in his mind by about sixty or seventy percent.
Chen Mu recognized the brushwork and confirmed it was painted by Master Painter Yan.
Indeed, as an experienced painter, relying on many years of experience in painting portraits, he was able to capture a sixty to seventy percent likeness with just a few words from the Pharmacist's apprentice.
If it weren't for his own "cheat" at hand, he really couldn't beat him.
But if I were to paint the thief exactly as he looked, wouldn't I outshine Master Painter Yan?
After all, he was a well-respected, veteran painter. It would be quite embarrassing for him to be surpassed by a junior like me.
No, no, that wouldn't do.
The man was already so tragically beaten, to then strike at his professional status—such an act would be most improper!
Chen Mu brandished his brush with flair, and a half-body portrait that looked almost like a photograph appeared on the paper.
Three-dimensional and lifelike, as if it were a real person; aside from the lack of resemblance, there were no flaws.
After comparing it with Master Painter Yan's portrait, Chen Mu nodded in satisfaction and leisurely left the County Government Office.
…
Three days later, Chen Mu went to Zheng Tu to buy meat.
He passed by a tavern.
He saw a wanted poster attached to the door.
The person in the drawing looked ordinary, but his eyes were chillingly cold; it was indeed the true culprit behind the Wang family massacre.
Chen Mu recognized it as Master Painter Yan's handiwork; the portrait he had drawn was unsurprisingly overlooked.
Chen Mu nodded in relief.
Someone capable of committing such a heinous massacre certainly wasn't ordinarily ruthless.
Being depicted in a wanted poster might invite revenge on the painter.
Alas, Master Painter Yan, as a respected senior, had taken it all upon himself.
That's why one must always respect their elders.
Chen Mu was very proud of his own choice to feign modesty and yield at the County Government Office.
He wished the old painter a peaceful life.
…
Clang!
Boom!
With a crisp sound, the Copper Coin suspended in mid-air vanished abruptly.
Immediately after, a muffled explosion sounded, like firecrackers buried in the earth.
The clay wall promptly burst open with a small crater.
Chen Mu stepped forward and pried the Copper Coin that had embedded itself in the wall.
Looking at the slightly deformed Copper Coin, Chen Mu let out a sigh of relief.
"I can't use Copper Coins anymore; it would be a loss if they get damaged," he said.
Ever since he could hit a wooden basin from ten meters away with a hundred percent accuracy, he had started to gradually reduce the size of his target.
```
Now it had shrunk to a single copper coin.
He looked up at the pockmarked wall.
All those holes were made by him using the Flying Locust Stone.
He pulled up the gray wall.
Writing: 1043/10000/Second Rank;
Drawing: 157/10000/Second Rank;
Throwing: 9632/10000/First Rank;
As his throwing level drew increasingly close to Second Rank, the Flying Locust Stone gradually underwent a qualitative change.
Not to mention that he could hit his target within ten meters one hundred percent of the time, but the power also grew stronger and stronger.
The stone could bounce a copper coin, and still have enough force to blast a hole in the wall.
Even though the wall was made of adobe and relatively soft, the power was still not to be underestimated.
"If this hits a person, it's bound to tear flesh and break skin."
At last, he had some means of self-defense.
"It's just a bit expensive."
With his round-the-clock relentless practice, a great amount of energy was consumed.
HIs own meager savings were almost all spent on buying meat.
The result was that his money was nearly drained, but he had also developed a body of muscle.
From the outside, he still looked like a frail scholar.
But taking off his clothes, one could see the clear muscle definition on his body.
He felt he could knock down his former self with one punch.
"Need to think of a way to make money, otherwise I'll just be idly watching my resources dwindle away," Chen Mu frowned in thought.
He had once thought of saving money to learn martial arts, but he didn't expect that just practicing the Flying Locust Stone would empty his coffers.
It's a pity that Master Yan hired two strong followers for himself.
Otherwise, he would have given him another big gift, whatever it took.
...
Two days later, Chen Mu sat in front of a square table, carefully counting the copper coins in the pottery jar.
He was considering whether to try his luck in the West Market.
The backing of Miao Huafang was powerful, but it only monopolized the painting and calligraphy business in the East Market.
The West Market was still outside the range of their influence.
He shouldn't waste the Second Rank drawing ability he had worked so hard to achieve.
As for the possibility of being suppressed again, Chen Mu had considered it.
But being so poor he was almost unable to eat, he had to give it a try.
It was said that the entertainment venues in the West Market were even more upscale, and the Singers there were all of exceptional talent and indescribably beautiful.
Chen Mu went back to his room and took out the painting "Xiao Qian" again.
When he had some money before, Chen Mu had even had it framed.
"With this painting as the sign, I'm not afraid those Singers won't recognize its value."
Full of confidence, Chen Mu carried "Xiao Qian" and headed straight for the West Market.
He followed the old routine, found an elegant tavern, and rented a table and chairs outside the entrance to set up his stall.
He opened up the painting "Xiao Qian" and started to wait for customers.
The three-dimensional and realistic painting technique was so unusual that in no time, the table was surrounded by people.
"Young master, my mistress would like to invite you to draw a portrait. I wonder when..."
"I have time right now," Chen Mu said happily, looking at the beautiful maid before him.
If the beautiful maid's mistress is also a beautiful young lady...
His own Second Rank drawing ability finally had a chance to shine!
Chen Mu immediately packed up and followed the beautiful maid.
After many twists and turns, the two arrived in front of a large courtyard house.
Why did it feel so familiar?
Suppressing his doubts, Chen Mu followed the beautiful maid into the mansion.
Through the corridors and pavilions, they entered the quiet and secluded backyard garden.
The sense of déjà vu grew.
Chen Mu suddenly felt an uneasy sensation in his heart.
As they rounded a rockery, he saw an old man with a white beard and a spirited demeanor smiling at him.
"Young Master Chen, my portrait is meant to be admired by my descendants, remember to make me look handsome," the old man grinned, revealing his only three remaining big teeth.
Chen Mu: "..."
Am I at odds with the ancients now?!
```