"Father, what should we do?" Li Dong said.
"What the Zhao family is plotting, even I do not know now. As for Zhao Hui, she is not a concern. For the sake of the Li family, we can only wait and see. We owe that mother and son a lot. This time, we must protect them," the somewhat elderly voice in the stone chamber continued.
"I know what to do now," Li Dong said.
"Go then, and try to help them, the mother and son, as much as you can," the voice from the stone chamber said.
The next day, as dawn broke, Li Lin stopped his cultivation, opened his eyes, and exhaled a breath of turbid air from his Dantian Qi sea, with a layer of earthy yellow light retracting into his body.
A night's cultivation did not yield much progress for Li Lin, but he felt refreshed.
"It's time to visit Tianbao Gate," Li Lin thought to himself, recalling that he had racked up a debt of 8,600 gold coins at Tianbao Gate the day before, which he needed to settle.
After breakfast, Li Lin made an excuse to his mother and left for Tianbao Gate, remaining vigilant along the way.
"Young Master Li, you're here quite early today," greeted the two strong men at Tianbao Gate upon seeing Li Lin.
"Where is Wu, the steward?" Li Lin asked.
"Young Master Li, please follow me. The steward is on the second floor," said one of the strong men on the left, leading Li Lin upstairs.
This was Li Lin's first visit to the second floor of Tianbao Gate, as he usually just picked up some herbs from downstairs and left.
Observing the second floor, the decor was luxurious and spacious, even the flooring was made of a smooth, expensive material. Entering a small hall, the furnishings and decorations there surprised Li Lin even more.
The small hall was filled with valuable items, including paintings, antiques, and several long chairs that were obviously expensive.
"Young Master Li, please wait, the steward will be here shortly," said the leading man before leaving.
Li Lin looked around the hall, focusing on a wall painting that somewhat resembled landscape paintings from his previous life. This world had many elements similar to his previous life.
"Young Master Li has an interest in paintings? How about you give us your thoughts on this one?" Just then, Du Gu Binglan's voice entered the room, followed by three figures appearing: Du Gu Binglan, the maid Xiao Cui, and the steward.
"I dare not. My knowledge is shallow, and I wouldn't presume to speak arrogantly," Li Lin replied with a slight smile, having studied some modern paintings in his previous life but knowing little about this type of landscape painting.
"Young Master Li, please don't be modest. We would be honored to hear your insights," Du Gu Binglan said with a slight smile, seemingly insisting on Li Lin's opinion.
"This…" Li Lin hesitated, truly not understanding this genre of painting.
"What, does Young Master Li look down on me?" Du Gu Binglan's beautiful eyes focused on Li Lin, smiling slightly but with a serious demeanor, clearly expecting Li Lin to speak.
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"Since that's the case, I'll say a few words then. Miss Du Gu, please don't laugh at me," Li Lin said lightly, seeing Du Gu Binglan's gaze which seemed to leave no room for refusal. He could only say a few words, hoping not to make a complete fool of himself with his comments, as understanding one principle could lead to understanding all principles.
"Young Master Li, please enlighten us," Du Gu Binglan said, with the maid Xiao Cui also intently watching Li Lin, her eyes filled with anticipation.
Li Lin examined the wall painting before him, which depicted a young girl standing in front of a lotus pond, looking into the distance. After a moment, Li Lin spoke, "The technique of this painting is masterful, with unpredictable strokes that are truly unique. It's evident that the artist didn't sketch beforehand, making the work more spontaneous and direct, achieving such an effect through a direct confrontation with the canvas. In terms of form, it's absolutely a masterpiece."
Hearing Li Lin's words, the maid Xiao Cui smiled slightly, then with a puzzled expression, said, "Master Li speaks as if there's more to say."
Li Lin smiled lightly and said, "In terms of form, this painting is a masterpiece, but it has its flaws, which are regrettable."
"Oh? Young Master Li, please do share more," Du Gu Binglan was slightly taken aback, glancing at Xiao Cui beside her, then asked.
"The facial detailing of the female figure in this painting is too restrained, possessing form without spirit. The strokes used for the lotus pond are too sharp, lacking roundness and thickness, so the brushwork lacks vitality, with improper use of density. The composition seems a bit off, too light on the bottom and too heavy on the top, and the lines could be more delicate. It's clear that the artist was preoccupied with thoughts while painting. Given the expression of the girl in the painting, I believe the artist must be a woman," Li Lin said, "I'm just speaking off the cuff, please don't take offense, Miss Du Gu."
"Master Li has keen insight. It's been enlightening," the maid Xiao Cui said, her gaze filled with surprise as she looked at Li Lin.
"I've made a fool of myself," Li Lin said, noticing a few small signature stamps in the corner of the painting, which upon closer inspection, bore the name Du Gu Binglan.
"So, this painting was done by Miss Du Gu. I've spoken out of turn," Li Lin was surprised to learn that the painting was Du Gu Binglan's work, which was indeed unexpected.
"You're too modest, Young Master Li. Please, take a seat," Du Gu Binglan said, her expression also showing surprise.
"Young Master Li, you've come to Tianbao Gate so early, is there something you need?" everyone settled down, and the steward spoke.
"I've incurred a large debt to Tianbao Gate, naturally, I've come to repay it. However, I can't settle it all at once and will have to pay it back gradually," Li Lin said with a slight smile.
"A few thousand gold coins are nothing to worry about. Young Master Li, don't concern yourself," the steward said.
"But having this debt weighs on my mind," Li Lin laughed.
"If Young Master Li is willing, why not join Tianbao Gate?" Du Gu Binglan said with a slight smile.
"This…" Li Lin's expression subtly changed, then he laughed again, "Joining Tianbao Gate would only waste your resources. I wouldn't want to trouble Tianbao Gate."
"You jest, Young Master Li. If you ever wish to join, Tianbao Gate always welcomes you," Du Gu Binglan said.
"By the way, here are some Gantop Dan pills. Please record them, steward. I'm using these to repay the debt, and also, please prepare fifty sets of pill materials for me," Li Lin handed over a dozen Gantop Dan pills to the steward.
"No problem, Master Li. Please wait a moment," the steward glanced at the prescription Li Lin handed over and then left the hall.
"Young Master Li, did you refine these pills yourself?" Du Gu Binglan asked, watching Li Lin.
"Do I look like a practitioner?" Li Lin glanced at Du Gu Binglan. Today, Du Gu Binglan was wearing a long dress, her figure slender and exquisite, complemented by delicate features, truly a stunning beauty.
However, Li Lin's gaze involuntarily shifted to the maid Xiao Cui, whose beautiful features were carved on her jade-like face, her clear eyes seemingly able to see through everything, a petite and delicate nose, and lips thin as cherry petals, together forming an absolutely beautiful face. Only the red birthmark on her face was a source of sighs; such a woman would have been even more beautiful without it.
"Young Master Li is hard to read," Du Gu Binglan softly said.
"Young Master Li, your order is ready," a moment later, the steward returned with two bags of medicinal ingredients.
"Thank you. I'll take my leave now and come back later to repay more," Li Lin said, then stood up to leave.
"Take care, Young Master Li," the steward said.
"After Young Master Li leaves, what do you think?" Du Gu Binglan asked the steward.
"The news we received last night was that Li Lin killed a martial servant of the Zhao family and severely injured another warrior servant, shocking everyone," the steward said.