Chapter 59
Note: Early chapter release, thanks to Sakuradahl's support on Ko-Fi
Above the display stand, there were dedicated small lights for illumination, so that buyers could see the details of the artwork more clearly.
The painting of the beauty quietly hung within the glass case. The buyers, who were sitting on the tiered seats in the front, were captivated by the beauty in the picture wearing a red dress and lying under a peach blossom tree, no matter what angle they observed from.
His long, messy black hair, wrists as delicate as frost, and eyes that appeared to be drunkenly seductive, every little detail was vividly portrayed. His fiery red dress was not worn neatly, revealing his prominent collarbones, and a small section of his pale, thin chest.
Upon careful inspection, his chest seemed to be gently heaving, as if a living person was lying there, sweetly asleep in front of everyone. His charming red lips were slightly parted, like Sleeping Beauty waiting for the prince to awaken her with a kiss.
The buyers present were old and young, male and female, with different personalities. Yet at that moment, all of them were spellbound, desiring to be the white knight who would awaken the other.
Su Yao's eyes were also intently focused on the painting. He could sense his adrenaline going into overdrive, his brain working at high speed, his heart pounding, and even his breath unknowingly becoming rapid.
All of this was because he had seen the painting in front of him and was desperately longing to possess the person within it.
The jade pendant on his chest was burning his skin, and the silver chain on his wrist glowed faintly. These two items he had worn since childhood barely allowed Su Yao's nearly destroyed rationality to cling to life. Just before he completely succumbed to madness, he pinched his thigh hard and silently recited the Heart Calming Mantra a hundred times, only then did he feel his mind clear up slightly.
Looking at the painting now, his heart still flutters with intense emotion. Yet, he can now observe it with relative rationality. Su Yao didn't dare to look at the glass tube again, fearful that he would fall deeply into it once more. He could only turn his head towards Uncle Zhang and the others.
Uncle Zhang's eyes were red, and large beads of sweat trickled down his forehead like a winding stream. Despite this, he managed to retain some sanity. He struggled to turn his head towards Su Yao, saying, "Indeed, it's not ordinary."
With his keen eyes, Su Yao spotted a faint light emerging from Uncle Zhang's collar. While regaining his composure, Uncle Zhang tightly held the jade pendant on his chest, expressing, "This was given to me by your grandfather. If it weren't warming up, I might have lost my senses by now."
As he said this, there was a sizable amount of regret and nostalgia in his eyes. "Even though this painting is somewhat peculiar, seemingly possessing a fatal attractiveness, I believe even without this, many people present would be willing to pay a high price for it."
After a moment of reflection, Su Yao felt that the other spoke with great insight.
However, the other spectators at the scene weren't as rational as the two of them. The rest of the people were madly cheering and jumping, their eyes red as they stared at the items on display. Director Jin's chubby face was covered with sweat, and his entire face was flushed.
Seeing Old Jin's condition, Zhang Jianjun knew something was wrong. Amidst the noisy cheers, he tried his best to wake his long-time friend, "Old Jin, wake up! Don't be impulsive!"
However, his words seemed to have fallen on deaf ears. Director Jin's eyes were tightly fixed on the painting on display, applauding and cheering with the other buyers.
As the emotions of the onlookers reached a peak, the auctioneer's facial expression remained unchanged. He tapped the hammer on the table in front of him, saying loudly, "Now, 'Portrait of Beauty' will officially be auctioned. The starting price is 10 million!"
"15 million!"
"20 million!"
"30 million!"
"..."
Each bid from the buyers was higher than the previous one, and the bids were decisive and aggressive, as if they were afraid that the beauty in the painting would fall into someone else's hands. There was a strong sense of ancient kings raging over the beauty. The chase and competition pushed the price higher and higher, with Su Yao listening in awe from below.
After numerous unsuccessful attempts to dissuade him, Director Jin ultimately acquired the painting at an unprecedented high price. The enormous amount made Su Yao doubtful, suspecting that after buying this painting, Director Jin would likely go bankrupt.
However, there was no sign of distress on Director Jin's face, instead, he showed an ecstatic expression as if fulfilling a long-cherished wish. The other buyers did not look relieved; instead, they stared at Director Jin resentfully.
Su Yao, who accompanied Uncle Zhang and Jin, wasn't happy for Director Jin. In fact, he felt a tinge of jealousy deep inside him.
Such a beautiful person, and Director Jin, a rotund and short man, seemed like a waste.
After the auctioneer briefly summarized the auction, he pressed a button, causing the glass tube on the display platform to descend. The reclining beauty gradually disappeared from view, drawing a pitying sigh from everyone present. It was as if their hearts were gripped by something, leaving a bittersweet feeling of helplessness.
Only excitement continued to grace Director Jin's face. He had already won the painting; it was alright for it to be out of sight for now, keeping others from coveting it.
When the final item was sold, the auction ended. Buyers, their assistants, and bodyguards alike formed a torrent as they surged towards the exit.
Since Su Yao and Uncle Zhang had come with Jin, they waited outside the auction house backstage for Jin to pay the purchase and pick up the painting.
Standing aside, Uncle Zhang was silent, his face filled with worry as if contemplating something. Su Yao understood his concerns, as he knew Uncle Zhang and Director Jin were close friends. With Director Jin having bought that painting, which may have potential problems, Uncle Zhang couldn't be at ease.
Su Yao thought for a moment and suggested, "If Uncle Zhang is really worried, why not ask a Taoist priest for help in suppressing the person in the painting?"
Director Jin had already shown his stubbornness. Since it was impossible for him to give up the painting, it might be easier to tackle the painting directly and convince Director Jin to let a Taoist priest perform a ritual on the painting.
Uncle Zhang pondered upon hearing this.
As the two spoke, Director Jin came out. He had brought a bodyguard, but he didn't ask him to carry the painting. Instead, he carried the safety box himself, cheerfully joining Uncle Zhang and Su Yao in the car, holding the safety box securely.
Once the car started, Uncle Zhang deliberated for a moment before tentatively saying, "Old Jin, though the beauty painting you bought is perfect, what if Su Yao takes a look and performs a Taoist ritual to make sure everything is alright?"
Su Yao didn't expect Uncle Zhang to mention him. He looked over in surprise, seeing Uncle Zhang giving him a serious look. Su Yao could only nod in agreement.
Although he had never really been a Taoist priest, he had learned all the theoretical knowledge from his grandfather back in the village.
Helping with a simple suppression should be within his capabilities.
However, Director Jin immediately objected vehemently, "What's there to look at? Didn't you both see it just now? Uncle Zhang, I'm telling you, everyone may love beauty, but this painting was bought by me at a high price. I won't let anyone touch it!"
Uncle Zhang had already anticipated Old Jin's reaction. He quickly put on a soothing smile and patiently persuaded, "Don't get excited, calm down! We didn't say there's anything wrong with your painting. We're just concerned about you. Look, that rich businessman from Yongdi, you know about that too. Although his death might not have anything to do with this painting, it's always better to be safe than sorry."
He continued, "You've spent a hefty price to buy this beautiful painting, of course, you want to enjoy it. But safety comes first, you need to be alive to enjoy it. Su Yao is just going to take a look as a safeguard. If you feel insecure, have your bodyguard stand by at the door and window. Even if you don't trust me, with our physique, Su Yao and I cannot escape anywhere.”
The beauty painting is locked in the safety box, temporarily out of sight. Director Jin, whose brain was running hot, cools down a bit. After some thought, he reluctantly agreed with what was being said — it only made sense. He had to be alive to enjoy his wealth. However, he still gave a warning, "Don't try anything funny!"
Uncle Zhang and Su Yao nodded in agreement.
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In Director Jin's car, they made their way to his villa. The villa was large, with decorations featuring a nouveau-riche aesthetic of gold that was quite dazzling.
Director Jin had one bodyguard stand at the window of his room downstairs, one followed them upstairs to guard the door, and another stayed in the room. They were not allowed to look at the painting and were to focus only on Su Yao and Uncle Zhang.
Seeing his old friend be so cautious, Uncle Zhang felt a certain indescribable discomfort. However, considering the circumstances surrounding the painting, he felt that Old Jin's precautions were somewhat justified. Since he couldn't dissuade Old Jin from buying the painting, he ought to consider his friend's safety.
Su Yao twirled his bracelet and touched the jade pendant in his collar. These were keepsakes from his grandfather and they were meant to keep his mind clear. However, through the auction experience just now, Su Yao found these were not enough. He pulled a thin Clear Heart charm from his suit pocket and put it on his chest to maximize his mental clarity.
Uncle Zhang's decision had been hasty, so Su Yao had brought nothing else. Director Jin ordered his staff to bring yellow paper, cinnabar, and a brush, as well as a variety of instruments they might need.
After analyzing the situation, Su Yao took the brush in hand and wrote several spells, one after another, in the cinnabar.
When everything was ready, Director Jin, with trembling hands, hung the scroll on the wall and slowly unrolled it.
The picture was still the familiar scene - a beauty lying under a peach tree, looking real and alive. Under the dim light, Su Yao could see a faint playful smile on the beauty's mouth in the painting.
That adrenaline-fueled, heart-pounding, head-rushing feeling returned. But this time, thanks to the warm jade pendant on his chest, the sparkling bracelet, and the empowering Clear Heart charm, Su Yao managed to hold onto his sanity.
He flicked his fingers and the charm drawn with cinnabar on yellow paper flew straight into the painting. In an instant, a chain appeared in the painting. This chain was connected to the peach tree at one end, and the beauty's ankle at the other end.
Su Yao noticed for the first time that the beauty in the painting was barefoot, his white feet blinding. Even those bare feet were exquisitely attractive. Rounded toes, graceful arch, slender ankle — against the harsh black chains, they presented a unique sense of forbidden allure.
After the chain was attached, there were no noticeable changes to the painting. But it seemed as if the peach tree had become more radiant. And if Su Yao wasn't mistaken, he thought the corners of the beauty's mouth seemed to droop a little, making him look quite wronged.
Su Yao couldn't bring himself to use the next charm in his hand.
Although the painting appeared nearly unchanged and the drooping mouth could be just his imagination, Su Yao simply couldn't do it.
He felt as if the beauty was very innocent, as if he was the one bullying him.
Director Jin, who was standing on the side, quickly stepped forward to stop him: "Enough! You've already locked him up! Don't torment him anymore!"
With the owner of the painting asking them to leave, Uncle Zhang and Su Yao couldn't do anything more. Moreover, their inner states had undergone subtle shifts, making it inappropriate to stay any longer. They had no choice but to retreat.
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Inside the painting.
Ever since a misty haze emerged from the blossoming peach tree last time, the fog had been waxing and waning, but never dissipated completely.
Mu Cai initially thought it was the legendary yang energy, but now he wasn't so sure, and could only continue to observe the tree from a distance.
As there was no day or night in the painting, Mu Cai had no idea how much time had passed. However, one day, the peach tree suddenly bore a small, red, plump peach.
The moment the peach ripened, it wriggled its tiny bum and broke away from the tree branch, hurrying into his waiting arms.
Mu Cai, who was leaning against the peach tree and daydreaming, was instantly brought back to his senses by the little peach.
Holding this pretty, little peach, he raised his head in confusion. The painting only had three scenes: a peach tree, a lake, and a pavilion. If he went any further, it would be like a poorly designed online game where no sceneries could pop up, only emptiness.
Living within the painting was quite tedious for Mu Cai. He had nothing to do, and all he could do every day was to lie under the peach tree, daydream, and sleep. He didn't expect that the peach tree would unexpectedly give him a pleasant surprise by dropping such a little peach.
Upon seeing Mu Cai's gaze, the peach tree swayed on its own, shaking its blooms gently, even though there was no wind.
Even though the tree clearly couldn't express emotions, Mu Cai thought it seemed quite pleased to see him.
A thought crossed Mu Cai's mind, and he decided to test his suspicions, "Is this peach especially for me?"
The peach tree swayed again in front of him.
It seems so.
Mu Cai gently stroked the peach in his hand. It was smooth and round. Raising it to his nose, he was met with a fragrant scent, slightly sweet.
Overwhelmed, he couldn't help but praise, "What a great peach! Thank you!"
The peach tree, seemingly excited, swayed back and forth, causing a shower of peach blossoms to fall, brushing against Mu Cai's face and carpeting the ground around him.
Mu Cai took a bite of the little peach in front of the peach tree. The juice was abundant, and the taste was incredibly delicious. A blissful expression appeared on his face, and he suddenly felt a warmth spreading throughout his body.
This peach seemed to be highly beneficial to his current ghostly state.
Mu Cai realized something was amiss and immediately tried to stop the peach tree from producing more peaches.
However, probably because of the reaction he had shown earlier, the peach tree didn't listen to him. From then on, the tree would produce a peach every once in a while, trying its best to hit him with it.
Left with no other option, Mu Cai decided not to eat the future peaches. Instead, he collected them all. It seemed that the peach tree in the painting had just gained its spiritual sentience and liked him very much, so it tried hard to bear peaches for him to eat. But at the same time, the little peach tree might have unintentionally done something not so good.
It would be best to save these peaches, as they might help the little peach tree avoid disaster in the future.
As Mu Cai thought about it and organized the plump, red little peaches, he was momentarily distracted. That's when a chain flew in from the sky and locked around his ankle.
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Ever since he left Lao Jin's house that day, Zhang Jianjun felt that something was off.
On that day, Lao Jin, who usually would see him off, didn't seem to care about his departure and continued to study the beauty painting in his room. Lao Jin's wife had divorced him, his children were studying abroad, and aside from the housekeeper, there was no one to take care of him.
Zhang Jianjun, unable to bear the thought of his longtime friend encountering an accident, would visit Lao Jin every few days. As he expected, after getting the painting, aside from allowing him to make up a reason to persuade him initially, Lao Jin absolutely refused to have a celestial master look at it afterward.
Su Yao wasn't confident in his own skills either and would often ask Uncle Zhang about Director Jin's situation. Each time, Uncle Zhang would respond with a bitter smile.
One day, while Su Yao was at Uncle Zhang's house, he suddenly received a call from him, "Yao, come quickly, something might've happened to your Uncle Jin!"
Without a word, Su Yao grabbed his talismans and tools and dashed towards the address he remembered to be Mr. Jin's house.
When he arrived at Jin's villa, the front door was unlocked. The first floor was empty, but there came heart-wrenching screams from the second floor.
Su Yao quickly went upstairs and found Jin's room. As he opened the door, he found Uncle Zhang tightly pinning Director Jin down. Director Jin, who was originally a rotund man, was now thin as a skeleton, shouting in a particular direction.
Turning to look, Su Yao saw a tall, long-legged man standing sideways in front of the painting. His eyes were closed, yet he seemed to see everything. One hand held a long sword, while the other was reaching directly into the painting.
This man moved swiftly, pulling a screaming doll-like figure directly from the painting.
The figure was chubby, with pink skin, chubby arms and legs, two leaves on its head, wearing a pink bib, and chomping at the man's hand, drawing blood almost instantly.
Unfazed, the man tightened his grip, poised to swing his sword in public, when a hand stopped him.
This hand was very white, with long slender fingers gently resting on the hand that the man was using to grip the long sword. Immediately after, there was a jingle of rings, and a red dress entered everyone's line of sight.
A pair of beautifully arched feet dragging a black chain stepped onto the ground, and the beauty from the painting walked out. His cold, soft body leaned against the man, his arm as cold as frost hung around his neck. The voice that came out was ethereal and pleasant, with a hint of indescribable seduction:
"Please spare him, kind sir."
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Author's note:
The heavenly master, who still doesn't have a name: Hehehe, my lovely wife voluntarily leans into my embrace (?﹃?)
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