Chapter 422 - Chapter 422: Chapter 422: Young Man, Are You Really That Good?

Chapter 422: Chapter 422: Young Man, Are You Really That Good?

Accompanied by the sound of firecrackers, under the hazy garden lanterns, today’s birthday star, Old Master Jin, made his grand appearance!

Upon seeing him, Huang Xiaolong noticed that Old Master Jin didn’t look like a hundred-year-old man at all. His hair and beard were entirely white, but his eyes were bright and full of spirit. Especially noteworthy was his face, which was surprisingly devoid of any wrinkles or age spots!

He seemed quite like an immortal versed in arts of Dao!

In Huang Xiaolong’s view, inside Old Master Jin’s body, there were 10 streams of True Qi circulating around the small and major meridians, nourishing his internal organs. He appeared to be a true ancient martial arts Grandmaster!

No wonder he had easily lived to a hundred without any signs of aging. It seemed like living another one or two decades wouldn’t be a problem.

Old Master Jin’s vibe was not intimidating at all, giving off a very kind and benevolent feeling. As soon as he appeared, he clasped his hands and bowed repeatedly to the guests, his voice booming. “Hahaha~~~ Today, I thank you all for gracing this old man’s birthday feast… Hahaha~ Thank you!”

The guests all broke out in laughter, conveying their sincerest birthday wishes to the birthday star.

Old Master Jin calmly seated himself on the Taishi Chair, his gaze sweeping over each guest.

When he spotted Ying Aoshan and Uncle Yun, the smile on his face broadened. “Oh, niece Aoshan, Old Yun, you both have come too? Hahaha~~~ You’re definitely adding glory to this old man’s face!”

“Old Master, you flatter us.” Ying Aoshan laughed. “Wishing Old Master a fortune as vast as the east sea, and a life as noble as the southern mountains.”

Then Old Master Jin turned his gaze to Huang Xiaolong and the Sun Family, wondering, “And who might these people be?”

Ying Aoshan quickly introduced them. “Old Master, these are the folks from the Sun Family of Binhai, and this is Mr. Huang. I took the liberty to invite them. They all hold you in very high regard, Old Master. You mustn’t blame Aoshan for making decisions on her own.”

“Hahaha~~~ Everyone is a guest. Everyone is a guest.” Old Master Jin laughed heartily. However, it was apparent that he didn’t regard Huang Xiaolong and the Sun Family highly.

On the contrary, individuals like Sun Hu felt flattered.

They thought to themselves, if they could establish even a trivial connection with the Jin Family, their formidable foes who’d vowed to annihilate the Sun Family would have to think twice and wouldn’t go too far.

Next was the part where the guests presented their birthday gifts to the birthday star.

Huang Xiaolong didn’t prepare a birthday gift himself. Sun Hu took care of everything.

Quite some thought went into the gift from the Sun Family. Their present was a wild thousand-year ginseng and numerous King Solomon’s-seal.

Of course, the other guests’ gifts weren’t inferior, either.

But considering Old Master Jin’s status and age, what kind of gift hadn’t he seen? What kind of treasure hadn’t he come across? You could say that this worldly-wise old man didn’t hold any mundane items in high regard.

Therefore, all the presents were taken away by his servants without him so much as sparing them a glance.

“Hahaha~~~ Thank you all for your efforts,” Old Master Jin greeted with a clasp of his hands and a laugh, then loudly went on. “As for me, what I love most in life is calligraphy, followed by traditional Chinese painting, and only then comes martial arts. Most of my disciples who’ve trained under me have been influenced to take an interest in calligraphy and painting.”

Upon hearing this, Huang Xiaolong couldn’t help but laugh inwardly… ‘Well, it seems that for Grandmasters of martial arts, quality things like music and art, poetry, songs, prose, and calligraphy, they all hold dear. Aoshan loves music, and Old Master Jin here fancies calligraphy and painting. They are indeed artsy~~~’

“As it is lively today, this old man has an idea…” Old Master Jin excitedly chimed in. “Today, let the disciples I’m most proud of, along with some of my descendants in the Jin Family, write me some characters on the spot! I will be the judge to see whose writing is the best. There will be a reward for the best! Hahaha~~~ What do you say?”

Apparently, Old Master Jin was obsessed with calligraphy. Perhaps the birthday gift he cherished the most was a beautifully written piece!

Everyone naturally agreed and cheered in unison.

Old Master Jin went on. “And everyone else shouldn’t just stand there idle, anyone who can write, come and join! Hahaha~~~ Whoever can write characters that I like will get a reward! A reward!”

As soon as he made this announcement, quite a few guests’ eyes lit up.

“Is he turning this into a mini calligraphy competition?” Huang Xiaolong looked at Sun Wei with a grin. “Sister Bai Hu, do you know calligraphy?”

“Ah~~ Little Long, writing with a brush pen? My grandpa used to teach me, but I’m not very good at it… I don’t dare to show off and embarrass myself.” Sun Wei stuck out her tongue.

At this point, numerous people from among the guests were eager to try. After all, Old Master Jin had spent his life loving and collecting calligraphy. If someone could write characters that delighted the old man, a reward would be given.

My goodness, do you imagine Old Master Jin would reward with just any ordinary thing? It would surely be something excellent!

Even Chen Zihuan was somewhat tempted. But, he shook his head and laughed bitterly. “Dad, my calligraphy is terrible.”

Very soon, following Old Master Jin’s orders, numerous servants carried out rows of desks, each furnished with rice paper, brushes, ink, inkstones, and other calligraphy supplies.

With an excited look on his face, Old Master Jin jovially announced. “Start writing! Come, come, begin!”

Immediately, Old Master Jin’s several disciples along with some Jin Family successors moved towards the desks, spread out the rice paper, and picked brushes from the brush holder.

Among the guests, some were decent at calligraphy and volunteered to step onto the stage.

At that moment, Chen Zihuan’s eyes swept towards Huang Xiaolong, a spark of playful mockery dancing in his eyes. He sneered, “Oh! Huang Xiaolong, didn’t you say you’re a master at both calligraphy and painting? How come you’re not up there writing? Stop hiding your talents! Hurry up and write something for Old Master Jin as a birthday gift.”

Having spoken, Chen Zihuan watched Huang Xiaolong with a gloating expression.

Clearly, he intended to embarrass Huang Xiaolong by making him get up and write.

Hearing this, Old Master Jin shifted his gaze towards Huang Xiaolong, “Young man, are you truly a master of both calligraphy and painting?”

“Huh?” Huang Xiaolong paused.

Chen Zihuan burst out laughing.

“Hahaha… Young man, I’m particularly fond of young people who have a talent for calligraphy and painting. Don’t hide your talents, come write something for this old man!” Old Master Jin clearly took a special interest in Huang Xiaolong.

He sure is obsessed with writing!

“Little Long… That guy is trying to trap you,” Sun Wei pointed out angrily.

Ying Aoshan and Uncle Yun exchanged glances, keeping their thoughts to themselves, seemingly curious about how Huang Xiaolong would handle the situation.

“Whoever writes best gets the prize, right?” Huang Xiaolong asked in return.

“Indeed.” Old Master Jin replied cheerfully.

“Oh… Then I won’t write. I’ll leave the chance to others,” Huang Xiaolong said with a dead serious expression. “Because once I write, others won’t stand a chance. Nobody can outclass me in writing.”

Upon hearing this…

“Hahahaha…”

The guests present in the garden couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

They seemed to consider Huang Xiaolong a joke.

My goodness, he hasn’t even started writing yet, and he’s so sure he’d take first place?

He’s leaving the chance to others?

Could he be any more shameless?

After all, the disciples and students taught by Old Master Jin were particularly skilled at calligraphy and painting. They were award-winning talents even at a national level.

Not even a top calligraphy master in the country would dare claim a sure victory over Old Master Jin’s disciples, students, and some gifted members of the Jin family.

Upon hearing Huang Xiaolong’s words, members of the Sun family felt their hearts drop.

If Huang Xiaolong was making careless remarks or bragging, he would offend Old Master Jin.

Meanwhile, those who were about to write immediately turned their heads towards Huang Xiaolong, their eyes filled with hostility.

“Young man, are you really that skilled?” Old Master Jin expressed his doubts. “That’s unacceptable, today, you must write something for this old man. It’s his birthday, you can’t just talk big and do nothing!”

“Huang Xiaolong, start writing!” Chen Zihuan laughed loudly. “Don’t talk about leaving the chance to others, haha… Are you scared to write? Is that why you’re coming up with such lame excuses? Hahaha… A master of calligraphy and painting… Are you making it up?”

Huang Xiaolong never claimed himself a master of both calligraphy and painting. Chen Zihuan was framing him.

“Oh, alright then, I’ll write,” Huang Xiaolong shrugged nonchalantly, then turned to Sun Wei. “Sister Bai Hu, I don’t care about prizes, but I’ll give you whatever I win. Maybe it might be something you need?”

His words made it sound like his victory was a sure thing!

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“Hahaha… Start writing! Start writing! Start writing! Start writing!”

The guests began to jeer at him.

Huang Xiaolong casually found an unclaimed desk, brushed his hand over the open sheet of rice paper, and proceeded to prepare himself.

“Good! Start writing now!” Old Master Jin declared excitedly. “Remember, take it seriously! This is a contest! Hahaha! It’s a contest with a prize!”

…