Chapter 36: Refusing the Master

  The student interest club competition of Yenching University has started, but so far, Chu Zifeng has not shown up, and his figure cannot be found in the entire school.

  In the calligraphy and painting area, Principal Duan and Principal Jiang accompanied three elderly people to this place, with several teachers and instructors following behind them.

  "Mr. Guo, Mr. Li, Mr. Wang, all these are paintings by our students at Yanda University. You three are the most qualified masters in our country to comment on calligraphy and painting. Can you give some guidance to our students?"

  Principal Duan beamed with a smile, today at Yanjing University, apart from these three elderly men, there were also many bosses of large corporations and companies, as well as reporters from various media outlets. However, Principal Duan had assigned other school leaders to accompany those bosses and journalists to observe the students' talents, while he himself stuck closely by the side of the three elderly men, because these three elderly men, as Principal Duan said, were the most qualified experts in China to comment on calligraphy and painting, that is to say, masters.

  The white-haired old man Guo nodded in satisfaction, dressed in a Tang suit, he carefully examined each painting and calligraphy, the ruddy smile on his face made him look more energetic with age.

  "Not bad, not bad. I originally thought that young people nowadays would have forgotten about our country's national treasures, but it turns out that many of you still appreciate landscape paintings, this really makes me feel relieved!"

  Landscape painting is China's national essence and also a national art, it is also the longest inherited art. In the eyes of the older generation, if landscape painting is neglected by young people today with the passage of time, it would be a huge loss for China. Unexpectedly, coming to Yenching University today, he can see so many good paintings, and he is naturally delighted.

  Principal Duan would not compare his strengths to others' weaknesses, after all, the three elderly men in front of him were all prominent figures, whether in the education sector or in social status, they were like Mount Tai and the North Star, and they could tell what was true or false as soon as they heard it.

  "In fact, our country's education is not only about innovation, but also must keep the good things left to us by our ancestors, all of which are the most precious wealth that cannot be replaced."

  Guo nodded and said to the other two old men beside him: "Old Wang, Old Li, which painting do you think is the best here?"

  Guo Lao had just finished speaking when he, along with Li Lao and Wang Lao, stopped in front of a Buddha painting. The three pairs of eyes, weathered from the trials of life, stared intently at the painting, causing Principal Duan and others behind them to wonder what was wrong with them.

  "Mr. Guo, what's going on here..."

  Guo Lao immediately stretched out one hand, meaning to ask Principal Duan not to speak yet!

  "Old Wang, Old Li, what do you think of this painting?"

  Mr. Guo meant to ask Mr. Wang and Mr. Li to comment on the Buddha painting first, but Mr. Wang and Mr. Li were both in a daze, and it took them a while to react!

  "Inconceivable! This is simply inconceivable! Such a compassionate smile, such a heart-calming scene, it's just too inconceivable!"

  Wang Lao just finished speaking, and Li Lao continued: "Just looking at the artistic conception of the painting can make one neglect the painter's skill, this is the highest state!"

  Mr. Guo turned around and asked Principal Duan: "Principal Duan, who painted this painting?"

  Principal Duan took a look at the name in the lower right corner of the painting and replied, "It's by Xiao Jing, a student from our school's class of 2004, majoring in fine arts."

  "Xiao Jing? Isn't she Xiao Lao's granddaughter, Little Jing?" asked Guo Lao.

  "Yes, it's indeed Minister Xiao's granddaughter."

  "Get Xiaojing over here right away, we have some questions for her."

  The three elders looked at each other, each with their own thoughts. But Principal Duan thought that the three elders had taken a liking to this painting. If this painting could get the approval of these three masters, plus the fact that the author was Xiao Jing, and then through the promotion by the reporters, it seemed that China would set off another wave of landscape painting!

  Three minutes later, Xiao Jing arrived at Principal Duan's side. First, she greeted Principal Duan and others, then listened to Old Guo say: "Xiao Jing has grown up so much, I think the last time I saw you, you were still in junior high school?"

  Seeing Mr. Guo, Xiao Jing also recognized him at the first time and was very excited: "Grandpa Guo, Grandpa Wang, Grandpa Li, hello! I didn't expect that you three masters still remember little Jing!"

  "Haha, Xiao's daughter is indeed extraordinary. Since your grandfather, I believe you will become a new star in the education circle of our country."

  "Grandpa Guo is being too kind, Xiaojing is still a student and doesn't dare compare herself to my grandfather, there are many areas where she needs guidance from the three grandfathers."

  "Pointing out?" Old Wang smiled and said: "Little Jing, with your current painting style, we three old men can't point it out to you."

  "Mr. Wang, what do you think of Xiaojing's painting?"

  "Okay, okay, okay."

  Three good words came out, and Xiao Jing's face revealed a brilliant smile. He hadn't misjudged his master after all. In just a short month, he could get these three great masters to say three good words about him. Looking at the vast China, apart from that genius "Gu Feng" four years ago, he was probably the only one who could achieve this. However, if compared to Chu Zi Feng, that "Gu Feng", Xiao Jing humbly admitted that he still couldn't reach his level.

  "Grandpa Wang is overpraising, this painting was just a sudden inspiration that Xiaojing happened to paint."

  "Coincidence?"

  Guo Lao smiled and asked: "Little Jing, when you were painting this Buddha statue, what were you thinking in your heart?"

  Xiao Jing said without reservation: "Thinking of Buddha's compassion."

  "What is it that you're drawing?"

  Mr. Li's question made Principal Duan and the others feel like they were in a fog. Isn't this Buddha right here in the painting? Why are you still asking what the painting is, what kind of nonsense is this!

  Ke Xiao Jing didn't find Li Lao's question strange because Chu Zi Feng had told her at the time that what was painted wasn't a Buddha image, but rather...

  "Grandpa Li, Xiaojing was painting a Buddha's heart at that time."

  The three old men looked at each other again, and Mr. Guo asked: "Xiao Jing, Grandpa Guo will ask you again, how did you feel the Buddha's heart?"

  "Uh...... I don't know what to say, at that time, Xiaojing just felt that everything around her was a Buddha's heart, such as a gust of wind, a drop of water, a flower... and drew it like this!"

  After hearing Xiao Jing's words, the three old men burst out laughing at the same time.

  Guo said: "Old Wang, Old Li, you won't want to compete with me for this student, will you?"

  "Lao Guo, this is something we discovered at the same time, and Xiao Jing is also Xiao Lao's granddaughter. I've known Xiao Lao since childhood, so his granddaughter should naturally come to me as her master."

  "No, no, no, this shouldn't be a matter of personal relationship. With Xiao Jing's talent, it wouldn't be right for just one person to take her as an apprentice. I think, instead, why don't the three of us take her on as our disciple together? That way, she can combine the strengths of our three families and benefit more in her future development."

  San Lao's words made Xiao Jing break out in a cold sweat, but Principal Duan and the others were overjoyed.

  For decades, tens of thousands of people have wanted to become disciples of these three masters, but they all had the same rule: not accepting any disciples. Unexpectedly, today they want to accept Xiao Jing as their disciple at the same time. If this news is spread through all the media present here, then the reputation of Yanjing University will be ruined overnight.

  "Xiao Jing, what are you still dazing about? Hurry up and pay respects to your master!"

  At this time, all the reporters around noticed the situation on Xiao Jing's side and also heard Guo Lao Sanren's words about accepting apprentices. For a while, all the reporters didn't care about other students anymore, and they all ran to Xiao Jing's side.

  "Mr. Guo, you three have never accepted disciples before, why did you all accept the same student today?" the reporter asked.

  Mr. Guo said, "Friends from the media industry, there is one thing I must make clear. The three of us are not unwilling to accept apprentices, but rather we have not met anyone with sufficient painting talent before. Now, we unexpectedly found one at Yanjing University, and her talent is absolutely no less than ours when we first started out. If we don't take her in as an apprentice at the same time, I'm afraid that after a few years, it will be a waste of such great talent!"

  "Then may I ask, Master Guo, since the three of you are accepting the same disciple at the same time, will you be teaching her simultaneously? And in the future, won't her achievements surpass those of the three of you?"

  "Haha, this question is well asked, but I believe that in this world, there shouldn't be anyone who dares to boast about such a grand promise. After all, the master can only lead you into the door, and it's up to the individual to learn the skills. Whether Xiaojing will surpass us three in the future depends on her own efforts."

  Another reporter asked Xiao Jing: "This classmate, now the three Guo Lao want to accept you as their closed-door disciple at the same time. What do you think?"

  Facing such a good thing, no matter who it is, will be happy to say nothing. Coupled with Xiao Jing being only 20 years old, facing so many reporters and three master-level calligraphers and painters, in everyone's eyes, she was excited besides being excited.

  Outside the crowd, Wu Xiaoai and others have also run over to watch the excitement. Qingqing said: "If I had known this earlier, I would have learned to paint too! I heard that these three are all masters. If you can worship under one of them, your future will be boundless, not to mention worshipping three at the same time."

  Wu Xiaoai laughed and said, "Qingqing, you've got to be kidding! With your little artistic talent, you think you can switch to painting? I don't even think you can draw a decent egg. Instead of that, why not think about how to get in good with the Network Five Absolutes? If you can get one of them as your mentor, your future won't be any worse than Xiao Jing's."

  Everyone's eyes were on Xiao Jing, but what Xiao Jing said was beyond everyone's expectation.

  "Thank you for your kindness, three grandfathers. Xiao Jing is deeply grateful... However, Xiao Jing cannot become a disciple of the three grandfathers."

  At this point, Principal Duan and a few others almost shouted out loud!

  Guo Lao San and the others also exchanged a glance, thinking that someone would try to persuade them to join their sect, but Xiao Jing directly refused. How could Guo Lao San and the others not be surprised by this?

  "Xiao Jing, you must think carefully about this, it's a rare opportunity." Old Wang said.

  Principal Duan said in a low and urgent tone, "Xiao Jing, what are you doing? The three masters want to take you as their disciple, it's something everyone dreams of, how can you refuse?"

  Xiao Jing smiled and said: "Principal Duan, but I already have a master!"

  Another astonishing remark. Not to take the three Guos as masters is because they already have other masters. Is there anyone else in China who can compare with the three old men in terms of calligraphy and painting?

  "Oh? Xiao Jing, you said you already have a master?" asked Lao Li.

  "Yes, Xiaojing apprenticed with a master a month ago. This Buddha painting was also taught by him to Xiaojing. Otherwise, with Xiaojing's current skills, it would be impossible for her to create such an atmospheric painting!"

  Guo Lao asked: "Xiao Jing, what did you say? One month? You mean to say that you only studied for one month and drew this painting?"

  "Yes, Xiaojing doesn't dare deceive three grandfathers."

  "Then who is your master? Can't you ask him to come out and introduce us? Someone who can teach a disciple like you in just one month must be a hidden world expert!"

  Recluse?

  Xiao Jing almost laughed out loud!

  "Grandfather Guo, because I promised my master that I wouldn't reveal his identity, so all I can say is sorry."

  "Alas! Old Guo, Old Wan, it seems we don't have that good fortune!"

  Guo Lao smiled wryly and said, "We descendants of the Yan and Huang Emperors attach great importance to respecting teachers and valuing morality. Since Xiao Jing already has a master, we can't force her! It's just a pity that we won't have the chance to meet Xiao Jing's master and ask some questions about painting!"

  Xiao Jing said: "Three grandfathers, if in the future my master agrees, Xiao Jing will definitely introduce you to him, but for now, Xiao Jing can only say sorry!"

  "Alright, alright! We can only wait for Xiaojing's future achievements. With such a reclusive master, he will surely teach an apprentice who surpasses us. Xiaojing, you should follow that great person and learn well, maybe one day we'll even come to ask for your guidance."

  Xiao Jing just wanted to say something polite, facing three masters of the painting world, she didn't dare to be arrogant.

  Just at this moment, fighting sounds came from the other side!

  Bang...

  *gulp*...

  "Everyone look, the Martial Arts Club and Judo Club are having a showdown..."

  Principal Duan and the others were still regretting that Xiao Jing hadn't joined the Guo family, when another student fight broke out!

  "What's going on? Today is just a friendly martial arts competition, not the Wulin Conference! Are the students from the Martial Arts Club and Judo Club trying to tarnish the reputation of Yanda University?"

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