Chapter 100: Chapter 92: Glimpsing the Path Again, the Mighty Painter Is Made

As Zheng Xiu stared, deep in thought, at the massive hole in the snow clouds above the Imperial Palace, Jiang Gaoyi arrived with a meal.

He recounted everything that had happened during the morning court session.

In the presence of Marquis Zheng, Jiang Gaoyi had long since shed his initial inhibitions. He finally understood now: Zheng Xiu’s proposal wasn’t just for his own benefit. The Marquis had even considered how to help him resolve his current predicament!

Ever since the Great Emperor announced that a Crown Prince would be appointed on the third day of the third month, Jiang Gaoyi had lost count of the banquet invitations he’d received, the gifts left at his doorstep, and the court officials who had come to call on him.

Even if they didn’t state their intentions plainly, Jiang Gaoyi could read the deeper meaning behind all these banquets, gifts, and visits.

What they all wanted to say, in essence, was:

"The three Princes are now locked in open and secret conflict. As the Minister of the Ministry of Justice, a man of high station and great authority, you must eventually choose a side."

"You, Jiang Gaoyi, Minister of the Ministry of Justice, are an outsider official. Your foundation is weak, your words carry little weight, and you have no one to rely on. You’d best not be foolish."

"You need to understand that so-and-so is the best candidate for Crown Prince. He will be your chance to soar to new heights, your greatest patron."

Some secretly made grand promises: "Once you choose so-and-so, the position of Chancellor—second only to one and above all others—will be within your grasp."

Daring to make a promise that outrageous showed just how desperate these visitors were.

Some even approached his wife with threats:

"Madam Jiang, oh, Madam Jiang. You wouldn’t want anything to happen to Lord Jiang’s official post, now would you?"

And so.

For some time now, Jiang Gaoyi had dared not walk the streets at night, let alone sleep with an open window, fearing that one night he might go to sleep and never wake up again.

Remain neutral?

Heh, that was the biggest joke of all.

At the foot of the Emperor’s throne, serving as an official In the Court, who wasn’t caught in circumstances beyond their control?

Everyone is forced to choose a side out of necessity. What gives you, Jiang Gaoyi, the right to stay neutral?

Everyone understood this logic. Jiang Gaoyi understood it too.

But what Jiang Gaoyi knew with even greater clarity was that once he chose to align with one of the Princes, what awaited him was nothing short of an endless Hell!

But at court today, as Jiang Gaoyi’s mind churned with the anxieties of the past few days, he suddenly thought of Marquis Zheng. It was a moment of profound revelation, a sudden enlightenment.

’That’s right, I have to take a side!’

’But I don’t necessarily have to side with one of the three Princes!’

By daring to petition for Zheng Xiu’s special pardon during morning court, Jiang Gaoyi was unequivocally telling everyone that he, Jiang Gaoyi, wasn’t siding with anyone—he was siding with Marquis Zheng! ’If the Marquis is neutral, I’m neutral. If the Marquis chooses a side, then I, Jiang Gaoyi, will choose that same side!’ Jiang Gaoyi admitted that his bold petition had been a gamble.

But the Emperor’s final attitude and the way events had unfolded in the throne room made Jiang Gaoyi realize he had won his bet!

"Heh."

Zheng Xiu chuckled softly.

Jiang Gaoyi kept his eyes fixed on Zheng Xiu’s face when he suddenly froze. For some reason, he could vaguely see words written on the Marquis’s face: "As expected."

"As expected."

As if he had seen a ghost, Jiang Gaoyi stared at the Marquis’s face and rubbed his eyes vigorously.

The harder he rubbed, the more certain he was that words were appearing on the Marquis’s face.

And there—the word "Attitude" now appeared on his face.

’I’m seeing things!’

Unaware of the ghostly marvels unfolding in Jiang Gaoyi’s mind, Zheng Xiu remained seated calmly in his Grandmaster’s Chair. He smiled and said, "In truth, whether I am stuck in prison or able to leave isn’t that important to most people. What matters is simply a matter of attitude. They’re waiting for me to show my attitude. It’s like a game of Go; playing a stone on the Tianyuan isn’t just about giving a handicap or showing off. There’s also the deeper, probing intent hidden within."

"Certain people want to use this to see if I will act, if I *want* to act, and *how* I will act."

"And what I’m after isn’t necessarily just a special pardon."

"What I want is just to see Old Wei’s attitude."

"I don’t know why he’s so impatient, suddenly announcing in the throne room that the Crown Prince will be named on the third day of the third month. If he were a muddle-headed fool, that would be one thing, but Old Wei is the Monarch of Daqian. How could he not realize that announcing this would force his three sons to determine a victor amongst themselves within these short three months?"

Jiang Gaoyi then saw the words "life and death" on the Marquis’s face. His eyes bulged, turning bloodshot.

"A matter of... life and death?"

"How could he not realize it? Whether in the light or in the shadows, my Zheng Clan is the most powerful card in their struggle for succession! Who wouldn’t want the support of the Zheng Family? The struggle for power, for position, for the world—it all comes down to a single word: money! If this were still the chaotic era of twenty years ago, it wouldn’t matter. But the realm is at peace now. Even the struggle between his sons must abide by the rules of the game Old Wei has established."

"Old Wei’s meaning is clear. ’Regarding Marquis Zhonglie,’ he’s saying, ’you can figure it out yourselves! But don’t use brute force!’"

"The Princes can compete, but they absolutely cannot throw court affairs into chaos, throw the realm into chaos. They absolutely cannot bring this struggle out into the open, under the light of day."

"They can only fight in the shadows, not in the open."

"He clearly wants to throw his three Princes into a Beast Fighting Cage and let them fight to a conclusion. Then, finally, at the ancestral worship ceremony on the third day of the third month, he will announce to the world who he, Venerable Wei Yang, has chosen."

The three questions from the dying Emperor in the previous run were still vivid in his mind.

At that time, the Emperor had clearly been worried about the fate and future of the Daqian Kingdom.

’But in this run, why has Old Wei had such a sudden change of heart? Why is he so hastily forcing his three adult Princes to determine a winner in such a short time?’

Questions aside, a weight lifted from Zheng Xiu’s heart, and he felt a sense of relief.

’Now that I know Old Wei’s intentions, I have a better footing.’

Zheng Xiu’s voice trailed off. He finished speaking and suddenly noticed Jiang Gaoyi’s strange expression. "I say, Lord Jiang, what’s with that look? If I didn’t know you better, I might think you were coveting my handsome face. Is there something written on it?"

Jiang Gaoyi had rubbed his eyes so much that little clumps of gunk were forming in the corners.

Hearing Zheng Xiu’s words, Jiang Gaoyi’s face fell. "Mar-Marquis," he said with a grimace, "I... I think there’s something wrong with my eyes! It seems I’ve contracted some kind of eye disease!"

「An hour later.」

Jiang Gaoyi departed, overjoyed.

Atop Heaven-Gazing Prison, only a thoroughly frustrated Tycoon Zheng remained.

’It makes no sense,’ he thought. ’That Old Jiang... the same Old Jiang who was completely unsuited for the politics of the court and could only ever be a local official... he just... glimpsed a Path?’

’And it’s a Path related to officialdom, of all things?’

’This makes no sense at all!’

Jiang Gaoyi had become the Minister of the Ministry of Justice for two reasons. First, his predecessor had died a sudden, mysterious death, leaving the position vacant. Second, it seemed to be because Zheng Xiu himself had casually recommended him to Old Wei. In the eyes of many, Jiang Gaoyi was like a Son of Destiny in the world of officialdom, a true winner in life. His promotion had far too much luck involved.

Even Zheng Xiu felt that Jiang Gaoyi’s promotion to Minister of the Ministry of Justice—the top dog of the Ministry—was ninety percent luck and ten percent him.

The memory of that simpleton’s face, earnestly declaring, "I, Jiang Gaoyi, and corrupt merchants are mortal enemies," was still fresh in his mind.

"It makes no sense!" Zheng Xiu looked back at the thousand eggs on the table, and the sight of them only soured his mood further.

He’d been working his fingers to the bone, painstakingly practicing drawing eggs every single day, yet he couldn’t even find the entrance.

And yet Jiang Gaoyi has a single moment of enlightenment and glimpses the [Official] Path. His Initial Path Miracle Technique is the ability to see "words" on people’s faces, a sort of Mind Reading Skill.

’Could it be...’ 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Suddenly, Zheng Xiu recalled his own experience of relentlessly fleecing Feng Bei to grind for experience, and an absurd thought surfaced.

’Have I... become Old Jiang’s experience pack?’

’I have fleeced the sheep a thousand times, but today, I, the sheep, have been fleeced of my golden wool by Lord Jiang?’

’Don’t tell me these ’Paths’ are contagious? The closer you are to a Miracle Master, the easier it is to glimpse a Path?’

As these thoughts sprouted one after another, Zheng Xiu was struck by a flash of inspiration. He yelled out to Scarface Liu, "Sixth Brother! Sixth Brother! Trouble you for a fresh sheet of rice paper!"

Zheng Xiu felt he had been going down the wrong road.

’A Path is a Path,’ he mused. ’Take the right one, and it’s a wide, sunlit avenue. Take the wrong one, and it’s a dark, narrow alley. The opening is too tight; it’s impossible to get through.’

’I can’t get through! I just can’t get through!’

Scarface Liu quickly delivered the rice paper, shooting a curious glance as he did.

In the past, Master Zheng rarely painted more than he had to, as if he were just completing an assignment. Today was different.

But he didn’t dwell on it. Shaking his head, he sauntered out. He’d recently come into a good bit of silver and decided he’d go live it up tonight.

An illusory figure materialized behind him, casting its Projection. Zheng Xiu’s form seemed to elongate, his features and aura taking on the quality of a dragon or a phoenix.

Zheng Xiu held the brush, remaining poised for a full hour.

He was perfectly still.

He was searching for inspiration.

As night fell, snow began to fall over the city once more.

The lanterns were lit, casting a festive glow on the bustling streets.

A lonely figure gradually took shape in Zheng Xiu’s mind.

The image of Feng Bei sitting before a bonfire in the heavy snow, boredly tossing kindling into the flames, surfaced in his thoughts.

Zheng Xiu smiled faintly. He dipped his brush, moistening the dry tip with ink, and gently lowered it to the paper.

In one fluid motion.

Zheng Xiu held up the scroll and was somewhat surprised himself. There on the paper, a four-heads-tall, cartoonish Feng Bei sat in the snow, pouting like a wronged little bride. The image leaped from the page, so vivid and lifelike it was uncanny.

In that instant.

[You longed for it day and night. Your masterful brushwork has created a painting with poetry in its strokes.]

[Through the painting, you have achieved enlightenment and comprehended the Danqing Painting Skill.]

[Danqing Painting Skill has improved, reaching the realm of some accomplishment.]

PLOP!

Zheng Xiu’s vision went black. He felt himself sinking through the waters of a pitch-black lake.

The familiar sensation filled Zheng Xiu with an inexplicable joy.

Zheng Xiu’s feet touched "ground," and he saw a peculiar road constructed entirely of ink and brushstrokes stretching out before him.

At the end of the road, a closed door was faintly visible.

The door’s color was slightly different from that of the [Prisoner] Path. Beyond it, one could vaguely glimpse green waters and blue mountains, white clouds and ancient pines.

Two large, distorted words rushed toward Zheng Xiu’s face.

—[Painter]!

Zheng Xiu charged toward the door.

Halfway there, his body began to float upward. He opened his eyes and was back in his cell.

Stunned, Zheng Xiu stared at the little figure of Feng Bei in the painting. Her pouting expression made him want to plant a kiss right on her.

Treasure Queen! Oh, my Treasure Queen!

"I did it! I, the Mighty Painter, have finally done it!"

From atop Heaven-Gazing Prison, the triumphant laughter of the Mighty Painter echoed into the night.