Xie Xiaoxian walked up to Wang Yan, almost brimming with admiration on her face. She looked up at Wang Yan with a respectful expression, resembling a student facing a teacher.
Xie Xiaoxian's expression of reverence was not at all excessive.
Zhang Xu was a calligrapher of the Tang Dynasty, known for his bold personality and love of drinking, precisely one of the Eight Immortals of Wine of the Tang Dynasty. Zhang Xu's calligraphy was wild cursive, and he particularly loved to write after drinking, so his characters were even wilder, earning him the title of the Saint of Cursive, meaning the saint of cursive script. ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ NovᴇlFɪre.nᴇt
The "Four Ancient Poems" was one of Zhang Xu's representative works, Xie Xiaoxian's favorite calligraphy, usually hung in her office, **** for viewing.
Although many people visited Xie Xiaoxian's office, few could recognize the "Four Ancient Poems." Because the writing was too cursive, many didn't consider it to be writing at all.
In the entire school, only Principal Lang could recognize the "Four Ancient Poems." As such, even though Principal Lang was very old, Xie Xiaoxian had feelings for him.
However, although Principal Lang could recognize the "Four Ancient Poems," he didn't dare claim he could emulate it due to its wild and demented script, the kind that would make anyone dizzy if they tried to painstakingly replicate it stroke by stroke.
Upon hearing Wang Yan could write it, Xie Xiaoxian felt as if she'd found treasure.
She walked up to Wang Yan and, following his gaze to the "Four Ancient Poems" on the wall, listened as Wang Yan slowly recited: "East Ming nine-leaf canopy, North Lamp five-cloud cart. Drifting into reflections, appearing and disappearing in smoke and clouds. Spring streams flow down jade drops, green birds head towards golden blossom. Han Emperor sees walnuts, Qi Marquess asks about thorn flowers…"
What Wang Yan recited was precisely from the "Four Ancient Poems."
Hearing Wang Yan could recite it, Xie Xiaoxian was more convinced that Wang Yan could emulate the script. She stood in front of Wang Yan with excitement and quietly asked, "Wang Yan, can you emulate it in front of me?"
Wang Yan nodded and said, "Of course."
Hearing Wang Yan agree, Xie Xiaoxian almost jumped with joy. She quickly ran to the desk, swept the items aside, took out a piece of Xuan paper, spread it on the desk, set paperweights, and personally helped Wang Yan prepare the ink.
In no time, Xie Xiaoxian had prepared the ink, and stood quietly with hands folded by the desk, waiting silently for Wang Yan.
Wang Yan walked to the desk, raised his hand, picked up a brush, and soaked it in ink.
Just as he was about to begin, Xie Xiaoxian hurriedly said, "Wang… Wang Yan, don't you need to look at it while emulating? Should I take the script down from the wall?"
It turned out Wang Yan was standing facing away from the wall where the script was hung.
Wang Yan smiled and said, "No need."
As soon as he spoke, Wang Yan lowered the brush.
As soon as Wang Yan began, it was like a divine presence, the brush danced energetically, truly like a dragon and snake, free and unrestrained.
The "Four Ancient Poems" have 188 characters; Wang Yan barely paused, except to dip the brush in ink.
Initially, Xie Xiaoxian studied Wang Yan's brush stroke carefully, watching each bold character land on the paper.
But soon Xie Xiaoxian felt dizzy, completely unable to keep up with Wang Yan's speed.
Unable to do anything else, Xie Xiaoxian shifted her focus from the brush, to the arm, to Wang Yan's form.
She saw Wang Yan wielding the brush, obliviously, gracefully, like a deity.
For a moment, Xie Xiaoxian was dumbfounded, her eyes gazing at Wang Yan, filled with admiration.
Before Xie Xiaoxian realized it, Wang Yan raised his brush and smiled, saying, "Done." He turned to look at Xie Xiaoxian.
Caught in Wang Yan's gaze, Xie Xiaoxian finally snapped out of it, immediately realizing her earlier lapse, blushing, she hurriedly lowered her head to look at the script on the desk to hide her embarrassment.
However, as she lowered her head to see the characters on the desk, her eyes widened in shock.
Because she saw Wang Yan's rendition of the "Four Ancient Poems" was identical to the copy on her wall.
The copy on her wall was a printed replication, but Wang Yan's handwriting seemed identical to this replication, yet it was filled with vibrancy, far surpassing the replication.
Xie Xiaoxian had regarded the wall's replication as a treasure. Upon seeing Wang Yan's work, her replication seemed like mere rubbish.
Xie Xiaoxian stood there dumbly, staring at the inked characters, lost and dazed, as if entranced.
Until the daylight brightened, and a ray of sunlight fell on the desk, snapping Xie Xiaoxian out of what seemed like a dream, she breathed a sigh and turned to Wang Yan, saying, "Wang Yan, you…"
But when she turned, she realized Wang Yan had long left without her noticing.
Although the office was empty, her eyes seemed to still see Wang Yan standing at the desk, writing with carefree abandon.
Xie Xiaoxian suddenly felt weak all over and collapsed onto the ground. She held her racing heart, quietly said, "What kind of student possesses such charisma? It's not just Beiming Xue and Ouyang Feiting; even I can't resist."
At this time, Wang Yan had returned to the dormitory.
Ma Jun was in the dormitory, absorbing moonlight to increase his prowess. Upon seeing Wang Yan return so late, he hurriedly inquired about the day's events.
Wang Yan recounted Xiahou Que's matter in detail to Ma Jun but didn't mention the matter with Xie Xiaoxian.
Lying on the bed, Wang Yan couldn't sleep, thinking: these anomalies truly defy common sense, though Xie Xiaoxian is a teacher, she couldn't escape this oddity. When she first met me, she was full of hostility, but after I wrote a piece, she emitted the same aura as Xue'er and Feiting. What's going on? I really can't understand.
But after pondering this for a moment, another thought sparked in Wang Yan's mind.
Xue'er and Feiting often faced danger recently, several times nearly encountering fatal threats, even if I'm with them daily, there could be times when I lapse. If such moments are exploited, Xue'er and Feiting would stand little chance.
What could ensure their safety forever?
After this thought, Wang Yan's eyes lit up; the most secure method was to also awaken the Demon Pattern within Xue'er and Feiting.
Thinking of this solution, Wang Yan immediately felt relief, the weight in his heart lifted.
But how to help them awaken the Demon Pattern was another problem; they couldn't do what Ma Jun did by running constantly.
And the nature of their Demon Patterns? Wang Yan surprisingly felt anticipation.
He thought all night until dawn, when he slowly fell asleep.
Barely asleep for a moment, Wang Yan suddenly heard the dormitory door burst open, Ma Jun rushed in like the wind.
Wang Yan knew Ma Jun went for his morning run, but didn't expect him back so soon.
Ma Jun ran up to Wang Yan with a panicked expression and shouted, "Boss, something's wrong, Xue'er is in danger!"
(What might Beiming Xue and Ouyang Feiting's Demon Patterns be? Does anyone have any good ideas?)