AGM 0100 – Change in Attitude
Xue Yuan had actually already left the place. However, as she was strolling leisurely in the grounds of the Royal Academy, she discovered several people rushing towards the galley, and there were even rumors spreading that someone purposely came to create trouble, actually claiming that the mystical painting was his.
Panic rose in her heart, and she immediately rushed back to the gallery. There, she coincidentally heard the conversation between Qin Wentian and that Elder, as well as witnessed the arrival of those from the Sky Transport Network.
At this moment, she was standing in the crowd, her countenance incomparably pale.
Not only her, all the students from the Royal Academy that was in the Gallery Hall had expressions of disbelief and shock written on their faces, as they regarded the representative of the Sky Transport Network. The representative could only smile bitterly. He also had not thought that the fiasco today could actually be caused by a series of unfortunate coincidences.
“Tell me you are joking, right?” The Elder from the academy had a crestfallen face, as he continued defending. “This Divine Inscription painting, belongs to Xue Yuan, a student of my Royal Academy. I personally loaned this from her.”
“How could my Sky Transport Network be mistakened. This painting was our responsibility, and it was supposed to be a gift from Qin Wentian to Miss Mu Rou. However, Miss Mu Rou wasn’t there at her residence, and thus our employee checked to see if Xue Yuan was willing to help to pass it on to Miss Mu Rou. Xue Yuan did agreed, which was why we were assured to leave the painting in her hands.”
That representative bitterly smiled, causing the countenance of the crowd to freeze. If that was the case, didn’t this means that Qin Wentian’s words were actually true?
Was the painting truly a gift that he had prepared for Mu Rou?
A brilliant light flashed incessantly in Mu Rou’s beautiful eyes. Glancing over at Qin Wentian, she couldn’t believe that this fellow actually wanted to give her such a valuable gift? But in her heart, she was happy. After all, her birthday had been extremely lonely.
“Is Xue Yuan here?” That Elder swept his gaze across the crowd. Xue Yuan walked out with her head lowered, her countenance pale white. “Teacher, this painting was really something that I have accepted on behalf of Mu Rou, and I had planned to return it to her today.”
Seeing Xue Yuan admitting it in public, the last bit of suspicions in the hearts of the crowd was completely dispelled.
This Divine Inscription painting actually belonged to Qin Wentian.
Silence descended upon the Gallery Hall.
Mu Rou cast a glance at Xue Yuan, before revealing a disappointed expression on her face. No wonder Xue Yuan’s attitude towards her changed. To think that she was so shameless and actually took the painting Qin Wentian wanted to give her for her own sake.
“You say the Divine Imprints in this painting were inscribed by you? If that’s the case, why don’t you create another painting right now to prove that there’s no falsehood in your words?” The Elder from the Royal Academy decided to break the silence.
Qin Wentian twitched his brow, as he glanced at the elder.
“The Sky Transport Network personally came to be my witness, and Xue Yuan also admitted. But you still want to deny my claim to it? This is truly the first time I’ve seen a person like you.” A cold smile hung on Qin Wentian’s visage. “Why must I create another painting just to satisfy your curiosity? Am I very familiar with you?”
After hearing Qin Wentian’s words, the elder had no way to refute, no power to resist.
Those that were sarcastic earlier were currently keeping their mouths shut.
Earlier, the Royal Academy had been harshly humiliating Qin Wentian. But at this moment, the slap of reality resounded extremely loudly.
“I’m politely directing this question to the Elders of the Royal Academy. Can I please take my painting back now?” Qin Wentian calmly asked as he walked towards the direction of the painting.
Earlier, when he had merely approached the painting, not only was he blocked, they actually told him to stand at the back of the line.
But now, this painting obviously belonged to Qin Wentian!
Qin Wentian stood beside the Divine Inscription painting and rolled it up. And at this moment, a weaponsmith standing in the crowd smiled and asked, “Little brother, did you truly create this painting?”
“Oh, I have no idea.” Qin Wentian smiled. He also knew that he had underestimated the value of this painting.
Since even now there were people suspecting him, he didn’t bother to explain too much.
“Grandmaster Qin, my name is Yan Ye. If there’s an opportunity, perhaps we can get to know each other.”
“Haha, brother Qin, I’m a guest weaponsmith of the Divine Weapon Pavilion. You can call me Lu Feng. I’ve long admired the name of brother Qin, and I truly hope to get to know brother Qin this time around.”
At this moment, several figures appeared and politely introduced themselves to Qin Wentian.
“This inexperienced me doesn’t dare to name myself a grandmaster. Just calling me Wentian would do.”
“Being able to have an exchange with seniors is my luck and fortune.”
Qin Wentian smiled and agreed to the weaponsmiths surrounding him, appearing extremely humble. The status of these people were all extraordinary. There wasn’t anything disadvantages for him in making friends with these figures.
“Earlier, I didn’t dare to believe even after I’ve heard the rumours. To think that a youth of more than ten years could actually inscribe 3rd level Divine Inscriptions. Now that I’ve personally seen the painting, I can only say that there’s always a sky beyond a sky. No matter how talented one is, there’s always someone with more talent out there. I’ve truly grown old.” An elderly figure lamented, as he continued. “Talent is really something miraculous. I’m afraid that even if I spend all my life, I would still not be able to create something like that painting.
“Indeed, indeed. Haha, we really shouldn’t be too proud in the future. Wentian, was this painting really created by you?” A person inquired. Qin Wentian was currently surrounded by many others, and he couldn’t help but to smile bitterly in his heart.
Witnessing the events unfolding caused the people from the Royal Academy to all have extremely ugly expressions on their faces. Was still still the Royal Academy? Why did it seems as though this place had become Qin Wentian’s house. Not only that, a group of highly esteemed seniors were all asking for guidance and forging good relationship with Qin Wentian.
“The connections of expert weaponsmiths are indeed terrifying to behold.” Many people silently remarked in their hearts.
There was a saying in the Chu Country: You can offend anyone you want to, with the exception of expert weaponsmiths. There was a rumor that in the Royal Capital of Chu, there was once a leader of a sect that had humiliated an expert weaponsmith that had an extremely low level of cultivation. A few days later, a group of several Yuanfu experts surrounded the offending sect, annihilating everyone in the span of a single night.”
“Because of a series of fortunate circumstances, I luckily gained some insights and thus was able to create the painting.” Qin Wentian modestly smiled as he replied. The countenance of the crowd didn’t change, but they felt even more awe in their hearts. At this moment, there was no one who dared to doubt Qin Wentian anymore.
In the history of Chu Country, there was no record of anyone inscribing a Human-type Divine Imprint before. But to think that now, this miracle had actually been created by such a young genius.
“Little fellow, are you willing to sell this painting to me?”
At this moment, a voice abruptly drifted over. The crowd turned their gaze in the direction of the voice. This voice belonged to an old man who looked extremely ordinary. However, the moment the gazes of the crowd landed on him, the countenance of everyone changed. To think that this person was actually interested in the painting.
“Yes. If you are willing to sell, my Star River Association is willing to pay you an unimaginable price for it.” Murin also quickly interjected, causing Qin Wentian to look over to him.
Never would Murin have expected that the painting was actually inscribed by Qin Wentian. Ever since he had wanted to accept Qin Wentian as a disciple but was rejected, he had always harboured hatred in his heart. However, that youth’s speed of growth far surpassed his imaginations. If this continued, Qin Wentian would eventually have the power to threaten him.
Regarding that painting, it was something that Vice President Zuo had instructed him to obtain it at all costs. But what made Murin depressed was that Qin Wentian was actually the owner of this painting. Without a choice, he could only grit his teeth as he made his offer.
“You want it?” Qin Wentian cast Murin a glance.
Murin nodded his head. “As long as you are willing. No matter the price, we will accept.”
He believed, that the debt of hatred between him and Qin Wentian wouldn’t obstruct the exchange of mutual benefits.
“The price is one of your arms. Deal or no deal?” Qin Wentian calmly replied, causing the countenance of Murin to instantly turn icy.
Qin Wentian didn’t glance at him again. Qin Wentian would make sure that the arrogant Murin would pay the full price for his actions in the past. This day wouldn’t be too long in from now.
Currently, with his status and accomplishments in the world of weaponsmiths, he believed that he had already far surpassed Murin
Qin Wentian gazed at the figure beside Murin as he stated, “I once had a heart filled with sincerity, wanting to join the Star River Association as a guest. However, my sincere heart was betrayed by Murin. But of course, I believe that his actions had nothing to do with the Star River Association.”
Qin Wentian didn’t continue talking after that. But merely with that single sentence of his, Murin’s heart began to lurch wildly. What a ruthless Qin Wentian! One could infer many meanings just from a single sentence.
For example, if Murin was dealt with, there was still a possibly for Qin Wentian to form a relationship with the Star River Association.
If the Star River Association wanted to recruit Qin Wentian, Murin shouldn’t even dream about using the power of the Star River Association to deal with Qin Wentian. On the contrary, Murin still had to worry about the off chance that the Star River Association would forsake him for Qin Wentian.
After this, Qin Wentian glanced at the ordinary looking old man and smiled at him. “I’m sorry to have made senior wait for so long. As for this Divine Inscription painting, i’ve already given it to my friend, Mu Rou.”
“If I didn’t guess wrongly, this Divine Inscription painting could only be created because of a rare moment of epiphany. I don’t think that it would be easy if you wanted to attempt creating a similar painting again. And not only that, the value of the first painting would definitely be the highest. Are you sure you bear to gift it to someone else?”
The countenance of that old man had a smile that was not a smile plastered on it, as he looked towards Qin Wentian.
“Since it’s a gift to a friend, how can we equate it with money? This gift represents my sincerity. If it were not for some shameless people, it would already be in my friend’s possession.” Qin Wentian smiled and continued, “But of course, if my friend is willing to sell it to senior, I will have no objections.”
Following which, Qin Wentian turned and passed the painting to Mu Rou with a smile. “Although there was some delay, now that I’ve personally deliver my gift to your hands, I hope it can mitigate my carelessness from earlier.”
Mu Rou’s head was slightly lowered. As she raised her head, redness could be seen in her eyes, as she was evidently moved.
This painting had created such gigantic waves of commotion. It’s value was naturally clear to Mu Rou. In circumstances such as this, Qin Wentian was someone whom she had only met a few times. But despite of this, he still chose to send such a valuable gift for her birthday while her own family was so cold towards her in comparison.
How could she not be moved?
“Thank you.” Mu Rou didn’t reject it. A radiant smile appeared on her face. Filled with warmth, this friendship moved the hearts of the spectators.
“Why are you thanking me? Back then, you were also willing to be friends with me under those circumstances.” Qin Wentian laughed. He referred to the day at the banquet when everyone treated him with enmity. Under that intense pressure, Mu Rou stood up and announce to the whole world that Qin Wentian was a friend of hers.
On that day, Qin Wentian had already told himself that he would one day definitely repay the debt of gratitude!