119: A painting that brought a beauty to tears

Compared to the young man, who was an amateur, Xiao Rou was a true expert.

She had been obsessed with painting since she was a child.

So much so that, even though she was born into a martial arts family, her cultivation was mediocre.

At this moment, she stood in the center of the shop.

Her gaze was drawn to the various paintings.

Although the colors of these paintings were simple, the brushstrokes were fluid and dynamic.

Her eyes gradually widened, and her mouth slightly agape, as if she was stunned by the scenes in the paintings.

She involuntarily took a few steps forward, wanting to admire the details of these paintings more closely.

Her fingers trembled slightly, as if she wanted to touch the brushstrokes on the canvas, but dared not easily desecrate this work of art.

Her gaze lingered on the paintings, not missing a single detail from the individual elements to the overall composition.

As time passed, she became completely immersed in the painting, forgetting everything around her.

She felt as if she was in the world of the painting, experiencing the emotions and thoughts of the painter.

This shock made her heart race, and her breathing became rapid.

When she finally came back to her senses, she found herself in tears.

This painting brought her not just a visual impact, but also a spiritual resonance and profound emotion.

She knew that from then on, she would be obsessed with this peerless masterpiece, unable to extricate herself.

The young man, seeing his beloved wife in such a state, tenderly stepped forward and embraced her delicate body.

He gently wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes and softly said, "Xiao Rou, what's wrong?"

Xiao Rou gently broke free from the young man's embrace and softly said, "I'm fine, I'm just crying tears of joy."

"I never thought I'd see such a divine work in my lifetime. Is this truly a painting that a human could create?"

Lin Mu was taken aback by her words, "Why does that sound a bit like an insult? Am I not human?"

Xiao Rou seemed to realize she had misspoken, and he apologized to Lin Mu with a bow.

"Shopkeeper, please don't mind. This humble girl spoke out of turn."

Lin Mu chuckled softly, not answering.

Xiao Rou then asked, "Shopkeeper, from which famous artist are these paintings?"

After Xiao Rou finished speaking, she looked at Lin Mu with an expectant expression.

Lin Mu laughed heartily upon hearing this, saying, "These paintings are not from a famous artist; they are merely something I casually created."

When Xiao Rou heard Lin Mu say this, the expression on her face froze.

Then she said with some displeasure, "Shopkeeper, if you don't want to reveal the master's information, you don't have to be so perfunctory with me."

"This humble girl also has some accomplishments in painting, and the person who can create these divine works..."

"...must have personally experienced it, completely immersing themselves in the painting."

"Without years of accumulation, plus peerless talent, such a divine work could absolutely not be created."

At this point, Xiao Rou looked Lin Mu up and down with a suspicious expression.

Then he added, "Shopkeeper, you are only around twenty years old."

"Even if you started traveling from the womb, you absolutely couldn't have such experience."

Although the young man also didn't believe these paintings were by Lin Mu, he couldn't let Lin Mu be embarrassed.

He subtly tugged on Xiao Rou's sleeve from behind, then whispered, "My dear, we're here to buy paintings."

"Not for you to tear down other people's reputations."

Although Xiao Rou was still somewhat indignant upon hearing this, she didn't continue speaking.

She let out a soft huff and stood aside, continuing to admire a landscape painting.

Seeing this, the young man hurried over to Lin Mu.

He cupped his hands slightly and said, "Shopkeeper, please don't mind. My wife gets a bit excited whenever painting is involved."

"We can understand if the shopkeeper is unwilling to reveal the master's name."

"After all, masters prefer peace and quiet and don't like to be disturbed."

Lin Mu, upon hearing this, supported his forehead with one hand.

Then he said seriously, "I am not speaking idly; these paintings are indeed from my own hand."

The young man's expression froze, then he deliberately flattered, "Yes, yes, the shopkeeper is young and accomplished, I admire you."

Lin Mu looked at the young man with a fake smile.

He knew that the young man definitely didn't believe him and was just humoring him on the surface.

Seeing this, Lin Mu didn't want to explain further.

Meanwhile, Xiao Rou, who had been standing by, suddenly walked over.

With a mocking expression, she said, "Shopkeeper, since you say they are your work, do you dare to paint one on the spot?"

The young man had just managed to soothe Lin Mu, and seeing Xiao Rou causing trouble again...

He wished he could go up and give her a good beating.

But that was only in his mind; if he really dared to do that...

He probably wouldn't have a place to live in Hancheng City anymore.

Just as he was about to speak, he heard Lin Mu say calmly.

"I can. What would you like me to paint, Miss?"

The young man's expression froze, and he couldn't help but inwardly complain, "No... you're actually serious."

Xiao Rou had said it casually, but seeing Lin Mu's serious expression...

She pondered for a moment and then said, "How about you paint me?"

Lin Mu looked Xiao Rou up and down, then said, "Very well, Miss, please wait a moment."

After Lin Mu finished speaking, he walked alone to the table.

He ground the ink, picked up the brush, and then began to paint on the paper.

From beginning to end, Lin Mu did not look up at Xiao Rou.

When Xiao Rou first saw Lin Mu's movements, her eyes lit up.

She could tell that Lin Mu's movements were very skilled.

Perhaps what he said was not idle boasting.

But when Lin Mu actually started painting, she couldn't help but frown.

Even someone with the best memory couldn't perfectly paint a person's likeness with just one glance.

Thinking of this, her steps involuntarily moved a few steps forward.

Just then, Lin Mu's painting was nearing completion.

Xiao Rou also walked up to Lin Mu's desk.

She fixed her gaze upon it, and with just one look, she stood frozen in place.

The young man, seeing Xiao Rou's expression, couldn't help but jog over as well.

When he saw the beautiful figure in the painting, he couldn't help but open his mouth in astonishment.

His gaze constantly shifted between the portrait and Xiao Rou.

For a moment, he couldn't distinguish which one was the real Xiao Rou.

The person in the portrait couldn't just be described as resembling Xiao Rou.

It was simply identical.

Even the mocking expression she had directed at Lin Mu was vividly captured on the paper.

The young man carefully held up the portrait, saying with delight on his face, "It's like her, absolutely too much like her!"

At this moment, Xiao Rou also recovered from her shock.

Suddenly, without any warning, she knelt on both knees before Lin Mu.

She didn't know when, but her face was once again covered in tears.

"Please, Master, forgive this humble girl's earlier impudence. This humble girl earnestly requests to become your disciple. Please grant my wish, Master."

After Xiao Rou finished speaking, she bowed forward with both hands, performing a disciple's 禮 to Lin Mu.

Lin Mu hadn't expected this woman to be so devoted to painting.

Earlier, she had spoken disrespectfully to him, and now that she knew the truth, she knelt before him without hesitation.

Although he appreciated Xiao Rou's true nature, Lin Mu had no intention of taking on a disciple.

He stepped forward and helped Xiao Rou up, saying softly, "I have no intention of taking on disciples. Besides, I have nothing to teach you."

Lin Mu's words were not meant to be perfunctory towards Xiao Rou.

All the paintings he created came from his primordial power.

It was a supreme realm, one that she, a mortal, could not comprehend.

Xiao Rou, unwilling to give up, still wanted to say something.

Lin Mu reached out and interrupted her, then said, "This painting, I'll give it to you."

After an internal struggle, Xiao Rou gently wiped away her tears and then took the portrait from the young man's hand.

She gently caressed the portrait, her eyes filled with regret.