The Martial Artist Turned Movie Mogul-Chapter 725 - 724. This question is a bit difficult, huh?

"What do you mean, ’matching a master stroke for stroke’? Clearly, it’s by the same person!"

Professor Li, who had been silent up to now, suddenly spoke up, his eyes fixed on the painting, gleaming with an excited light.

As if to prove that what he said was no fabrication, he pointed to several places with excitement and began to explain:

"Look at how the brushstroke here is slightly upturned—doesn’t it feel familiar? Take another look at how the portrayal here adds a bit of a domineering charm. This level of skillful technique couldn’t have been achieved without at least a decade or two of practice!"

The phrase ’matching a master stroke for stroke’ here actually has two meanings.

The first meaning is that the "The Phoenix Comes" in front of us and the landscape painting seen last time both come from the same school of thought, which would mean that the person who made these two paintings might come from the same lineage or something similar.

The second meaning is that the two works are actually by the same person’s hand.

If it’s the former, that would suggest a possible master-disciple relationship between Tang Shu and the artist of "Giving and Taking"; but if it’s the latter, it would directly prove that Tang Shu is the artist "Giving and Taking" himself.

"Now, look at the artistic conception of this painting. The phoenix’s domineering presence is captured to its fullest, with outlines in every stroke—all of which are full of grandeur. And then look at the signature ’Giving and Taking’ at the end. I dare to assert it comes from the same person as the landscape painting."

The several onlookers, all highly prestigious figures in the calligraphy and painting world, took Professor Li’s words to heart and observed the painting more closely, indeed discovering some subtle similarities.

To say that these two paintings were done by different people, even from the same school, it would be impossible for them to share the exact same small habits, and yet here, this painting clearly shared several similar points with the one they had seen before.

No, not similar, but identical!

Back at Master Bai’s courtyard house when they were appraising it, they had studied that painting thoroughly!

It was a fresh memory!

The "The Phoenix Comes" in front of them, whether in its artistic conception or its traces of brushwork, exuded the same kind of exquisite mastery.

"Old Li is right, this is indeed ’Giving and Taking’s’ personal style of strokes, even the nuances in the finishing touches are the same."

"So, you mean...this was indeed painted by ’Giving and Taking’ himself?"

"I can hardly believe it. This painting turned out to be the work of a young girl; I thought the artist of that landscape painting would be around my age!"

Once everyone accepted the reality, they began to express their amazement.

"I’ve really had my eyes opened today. You just have to admire the youth of today!"

"I thought my own brat had a rare talent in calligraphy and painting, but I never expected that there really were mountains beyond mountains, people beyond people—"

"That’s right, in the future, we can’t let him act so arrogantly anymore!"

The onlookers marveled at this revelation, and the way they looked at Tang Shu wasn’t with scrutiny anymore but with more of an appreciative gaze.

Master Bai, recovering from the shock that "The Phoenix Comes" had brought him, heard his friends’ comments and laughed heartily and freely, feeling a surge of pride swell within him.

"I’ve been telling you guys all along, that young lady is awesome, but you stubborn old men just didn’t believe me. Now you’ve finally had your eyes opened, haven’t you?"

The crowd: "..."

Stubborn old men?

They’re talking about us?

Doesn’t he realize that he has been called by that name himself for decades?

Is it just because he found a promising student? Look at how happy he is; his tail is practically wagging up to the sky.

They were both annoyed and amused, unsure of how to retort, because such good fortune had not happened to them, and upon reflection, they found it quite frustrating.

Perhaps Master Bai’s complacent manner was too irritating for the eyes, so the crowd decided to let their gaze drift away from him, so as not to be bothered, and refocused on the painting.

Indeed, this is a truly fine painting, and the calligraphy is also excellent!

Hmm...?

"Ahem, Xiao Tang, was it?"

"Yes, hello Master Li."

"The level of your painting is truly high, even I feel ashamed in comparison, I really like it so much, why not..."

"No way!"

Professor Li hadn’t even finished his sentence when he was interrupted by Master Bai’s resolute two words.

"Old Li, don’t you dare compete with me!"

He followed up with another sentence, exuding dominance.

Tang Shu: "???"

Everyone: "???"

Bai Chenxi cursed inwardly to the heavens, could his Grandpa Bai really predict what Grandpa Li was about to say? Extraordinary abilities or what!

However, as he took in the astonished looks from everyone else on the scene, he couldn’t help but feel helpless and covered his forehead. His grandpa’s expression right now could perfectly be described as "utterly detestable."

Your image, your respected elder’s image, is it all gone now? Absolutely unbearable to look at!

Master Li, Master Xue, and others exchanged glances, with the corners of their mouths twitching.

He hadn’t even finished speaking. Was such a strong reaction necessary? And look at his age, such a temper wasn’t good.

"Master Bai, doesn’t your family already have one of those paintings?"

How could you shamelessly compete with us?

"What if I already have one? You were the one who talked the most when Xiao Tang entered a while ago, and you stirred up these old fellows to make a fuss along with you. How do you have the face to ask me for it?"

"Wait a minute, when did it become yours?"

And also, who stirred up whom? Can’t you see the tricks on your own face? He was clearly pushed forward by these people.

What’s with Old Bai’s mouth? How could it be so formidable, managing to twist white into black? How did he not know before that this old man had this special talent?

Master Bai huffed, full of righteousness, "The office is mine, the writing brush, ink stick, paper, and inkstone are all mine, how could the works not be mine then?"

"..."

It seems there’s a bit of logic there?

Even Tang Shu, the person involved, was almost persuaded by his bandit logic when suddenly a smiling face caught his gaze.

"Xiao Shu, tell me if what I’m saying isn’t right?"

Good heavens, just a moment ago it was Xiao Tang, and now it’s Xiao Shu?

Professor Li and the others were so disgusted they couldn’t stand it, briskly rubbing the goosebumps on their arms.

Tang Shu: "..."

This question is a bit difficult...

It’s beyond the syllabus.

Finally, unable to bear it any longer, Bai Chenxi lowered the hand that covered his face and pointed to the clock on the wall.

"Elders, there are only five minutes left before the semifinals start, shall we enter the venue?"

***

The headquarters of the Calligraphy and Painting Association occupies about five hundred square meters, a prominent size even in the costly East District of the Imperial Capital.

The exterior of the association is built in the style of a courtyard house from the Republic of China era, with characteristic red bricks and large roof tiles, and even the walls are painted red. If it looks somewhat spacious from the outside, in fact, both the outside and the inside are quite magnificent.

Such a courtyard-style has its advantages and, naturally, its disadvantages. The building is at most two stories high, which is normally enough for the association’s internal use, but as a competition venue, it can only accommodate a very limited number of people.