Ma Yun watched the two suited men leave, their car disappearing down the street before he finally closed the door. His heart was still pounding, and beads of sweat had formed on his forehead.
"Chenyang Group is no ordinary opponent," he muttered, walking back to his study. Opening the window, he let the cool breeze soothe his unease.
The brush lay silently on the desk, as if waiting for its master to make a decision.
"What can this thing bring me? And what will it take from me?" Ma Yun murmured. He knew that from the moment his grandfather entrusted him with the brush, his life had ceased to be ordinary.
Chenyang Group's Plans
In the high-rise offices of Chenyang Group, Zhao Liquan stood by a massive floor-to-ceiling window, gazing down at the city. In his hand was a detailed report documenting Ma Yun's family background, professional history, and the anomalies that had surfaced since the brush appeared.
"It seems he's activated the brush's power," Zhao Liquan said, a cold smirk playing on his lips. "But his awakening is only just beginning. He poses no threat to us yet."
A subordinate stood behind him, speaking cautiously. "Mr. Zhao, should we act now? The brush's power is extraordinary. If he fully masters it, it could jeopardize our plans."
Zhao Liquan shook his head. "Not yet. Instead of taking it by force, we'll make him realize he can't live without us."
The subordinate nodded slightly. "Understood. I'll assign someone to keep monitoring him."
Zhao Liquan turned, his eyes sharp as a blade. "Do not alert him unnecessarily. But if the situation demands it, bring back the brush—at any cost."
Ma Yun's Plan
That evening, after bringing his children home, Ma Yun excused himself, claiming he needed to work late, and retreated to his study. He pored over his family genealogy, searching for more information about the brush.
The text was ancient and cryptic, describing how his ancestor, Ma Liang, had used the mystical brush to aid villagers, drive off oppressors, and eventually disappeared into legend.
However, the final pages of the genealogy were torn out, leaving only faint traces, as though they concealed an important secret.
"Why are they so interested in the brush? How much does Chenyang Group know?" Ma Yun frowned, deep in thought.
He decided it was time to stop playing defense and take the initiative. Turning on his computer, he began searching for information about Chenyang Group. Yet, public records about the company were scarce, as if someone had deliberately obscured its true nature.
"They really aren't simple," Ma Yun muttered, shutting down the computer. Leaning back in his chair, his eyes fell on the brush resting on the desk.
"If I'm going to face them, I need to become stronger," he resolved, picking up the brush again. Silently reciting the mantra his ancestor had passed down, he attempted to awaken the brush's power once more.
With a steady hand, he drew a winding stream on a blank sheet of paper. The moment he completed the final stroke, the water in the stream began to flow, producing a gentle murmuring sound.
"It's alive!" Ma Yun gasped, equal parts astonished and exhilarated.
But his excitement was short-lived. The lights in the study began flickering, and a low rumbling sound echoed faintly through the air.
"Who's there?" Ma Yun snapped, instantly alert. He gripped the brush tightly, scanning the room with wary eyes.
From the corner of the room, a shadow emerged, slowly coalescing into the form of a man dressed in ancient robes. It was none other than Ma Liang.
"Don't be alarmed—it's me," Ma Liang said calmly, his voice deep and steady, imbued with quiet authority.
"Ancestor!" Ma Yun exclaimed, lowering his guard. "What is going on? Why are they after this brush?"
Ma Liang's gaze was profound. "The brush's power doesn't just create miracles; it can alter reality itself. For ordinary people, it's a gift of salvation. But in the hands of the ambitious, it's a weapon capable of destroying the world."
"Destroy the world?" Ma Yun was stunned. "What should I do? They're already targeting me."
Ma Liang nodded solemnly. "What they seek isn't just the brush—it's the power of inheritance that flows in your veins. Remember, this brush is bound to your bloodline. Only you can truly wield it. As long as you stay true to your heart, they won't succeed easily."
"But how can I protect it? I'm just an ordinary man," Ma Yun said with a bitter smile.
"No one is born strong," Ma Liang replied firmly. "Starting today, I will teach you how to use this brush properly. Remember, it is not a weapon but a force for creation. Only with a pure heart and unwavering faith can you truly master it."
A Subtle Threat
As the night deepened, Ma Yun followed Ma Liang's guidance, practicing with the brush tirelessly. With each stroke, his drawings grew more vivid, and some could even briefly maintain their "animated" state.
Unbeknownst to him, every practice session inadvertently triggered energy fluctuations from the brush, drawing Chenyang Group's attention.
In a black van parked at a distance, several of Chenyang Group's operatives monitored Ma Yun's home with specialized equipment.
"He's using the brush," one agent reported, eyes fixed on a screen.
"Contact headquarters," another said coolly. "Tell them to prepare for action."
The storm was brewing, and it was closing in.