Chapter 633 - 633: Saluting the Master

The people in the outer circle grew increasingly curious, desperate to know just what character Zhao Yuan had written.

Unfortunately, they couldn't squeeze their way in and could only see the heads of the people in front of them. It made them lament all over again. 'Why didn't I just run a little faster to get a good spot?'

Zhao Yuan deactivated his Thought Borrowing Technique. He turned to look at the dumbstruck crowd and smiled faintly. "So? Do you believe me now? That the previous piece was my work? Do you believe now that, despite my age, I can produce fine calligraphy?"

Hearing his words, the crowd snapped out of their shock, and a wave of shame washed over them.

After all, every single one of them had doubted Zhao Yuan just moments before.

For a moment, everyone just looked at each other. Not a single person spoke, and the atmosphere became rather awkward.

The sole exception was Lin Liangzhe. He wasn't the least bit awkward. In fact, he was incredibly smug.

After glancing around at the others, Lin Liangzhe chuckled and said, "Well? You old fogeys shocked speechless, are you? Haha, to think you've all been practicing calligraphy for decades, yet not a single one of you can compare to Zhao Yuan!"

His tone was the very definition of smug and boastful.

But no one could find the words to refute him. When it came to calligraphy, they truly couldn't compare to Zhao Yuan.

'This kid is a monster!'

'It's one thing to master all five major scripts—Standard, Seal, Running, Cursive, and Clerical—but he's actually reached the peak of perfection in every single one! Did you start practicing in the womb or something? But even if you did, it's impossible to be this much of a freak!'

The same thought surfaced in everyone's mind: 'Compared to Zhao Yuan, I feel like a complete moron!'

However, while they admired Zhao Yuan, they were getting quite annoyed with Lin Liangzhe's tone. Someone immediately shot back, "Old Lin, you're right, we can't compare to Zhao Yuan. But you're nowhere near his level either, so I really don't get what you're so smug about!"

Lin Liangzhe didn't get angry at all. He just grinned and said, "What am I smug about? Heh heh, I'm smug because this kid, Zhao Yuan, is my future grandson-in-law! With such an outstanding grandson-in-law, shouldn't I be proud? I'm not just proud, I'm gloating! That'll teach you old fogeys a lesson for doubting him, for suspecting him!"

At his words, everyone was rendered speechless. In their minds, they all cursed Lin Liangzhe for being so shameless.

But complaints were just complaints. In truth, many of them envied Lin Liangzhe and lamented the fact that they didn't have such an outstanding grandson-in-law or son-in-law themselves. 'If I did,' they thought, 'I'd be even more smug than him. I'd be over the moon!'

Seeing that he had left them speechless, Lin Liangzhe's smile vanished. His expression turned serious as he demanded, "Aren't you all going to apologize for doubting him earlier?"

Yan Heyun was the first to respond. With a solemn expression, he said, "Old Lin is right. We absolutely should apologize. And not just apologize, but also express our gratitude. Thank you, Zhao Yuan... no, I should address you as Master Zhao! Thank you, Master Zhao, for showing us such exquisite calligraphy. And thank you even more for passing on your wisdom, for embedding the mysteries and essence of calligraphy into this character for us to study and comprehend!"

With that, he gave Zhao Yuan a deep bow.

A flicker of surprise appeared in Lin Liangzhe's eyes. Yan Heyun was bowing to Zhao Yuan as a disciple would to a master.

But after a moment's thought, it made perfect sense.

Forget all the other characters Zhao Yuan had written; this final character, 'Dao', was simply divine! Any calligrapher who had reached a certain level of mastery could study it and grasp the deepest mysteries and essence of the art, allowing their own skills to improve by leaps and bounds.

From that perspective alone, this single character made Zhao Yuan more than qualified to be the teacher of everyone present.

That was exactly what the people in the inner circle were thinking. And so, following Yan Heyun's lead, they all performed the disciple's bow, bowing deeply to Zhao Yuan and saying in unison, "Thank you for your guidance, Master Zhao!"

Their collective action not only startled Zhao Yuan but also left the people in the outer circle completely dumbfounded.

These people in the outer circle still hadn't seen the 'Dao' character Zhao Yuan had written, so they couldn't understand why Yan Heyun and the others were bowing to him as disciples, respectfully addressing him as their master.

"What's gotten into Old Yan and the others?"

"I don't get it. Why are they suddenly bowing to Zhao Yuan like he's their master? This is just absurd."

"Zhao Yuan's calligraphy is brilliant, stunning even. He's clearly reached the pinnacle in multiple scripts. Calling him a Grandmaster wouldn't be an issue. But bowing and calling him master? Isn't that a bit much?"

The people in the outer circle were murmuring amongst themselves, but when Yan Heyun and the others bowed, one man caught a glimpse of the 'Dao' character on the desk.

The man felt his mind BUZZ. The answers to countless calligraphy techniques he had never been able to grasp before seemed to be laid bare within that single character. It would take time to study and explore them to truly reap the rewards, but they were there.

Even so, the revelation left him so shocked and excited that he couldn't help but cry out, "Everyone, look at that character!"

Hearing his cry, the people in the outer circle stopped their chatter and fixed their eyes on the 'Dao' character on the desk.

After one look, they were stunned. They now understood why Yan Heyun and the others had bowed to Zhao Yuan as disciples. And so, they followed suit, bowing deeply in a show of respect.

It was a good thing their own disciples hadn't managed to get into the room. If they had seen this, they probably would have had a heart attack from the shock.

While this group's skills might not have been at the absolute apex of the calligraphy world, they were solidly in the upper ranks. More importantly, they had spent years building their reputations and status. Yet here they were, this whole group, bowing and addressing a young man barely out of his teens as their master.

The scene was truly staggering.

Zhao Yuan wanted to make a modest gesture, but Lin Liangzhe stopped him. "Don't move. You deserve this bow, and you must accept it. Otherwise, these old fogeys won't be able to rest easy."

Hearing this, Zhao Yuan could only accept their collective bow with a wry smile.

Once everyone had finished, Zhao Yuan clasped his hands together in a salute. "I have finished writing. Now, if you'll excuse me." With that, he quickly followed Xue Wanyun and Lin Xue into the kitchen.

Yan Heyun and the others had been hoping to ask Zhao Yuan for more guidance on calligraphy, but they never expected him to pull a "kitchen escape."

Realizing he was a guest at his girlfriend's home, they felt it would be improper to keep pestering him about calligraphy and prevent him from going to butter up his future mother-in-law.

Resigned, they gave up on the idea of seeking his instruction and turned their attention back to the 'Dao' character, becoming lost in their study of it.