Chương 124: The First Portrait of Beauty
Heartbeats thumped as if thundered by heavenly lightning. A pair of unmoving blazing eyes stuck on the rigid wall. As if the natural sunlight produced by Sun-Moon Gleaming Glass paled, Shen felt his surrounding vision colorless and bland for a moment.
All his excitement and disappointment vanished as he stared at the portrait fixedly.
Eyebrows that seemed as if they were painted, and brilliant eyes that were dark and captivating. She was tall and slender, and the curves of her body were soft and fine. She was dressed in plain clothes, yet her elegance was stunning.
She was another lady whose beauty could evenly match Yu Ruyan's.
A Portrait of Beauty!
The very first Portrait of Beauty!
Shen found his heart beating furiously! To think the portrait of beauty which should be inside the swamp was here of all places! If it wasn't because of the Sun-Moon Gleaming Glass, he would've failed to notice it!
Shen's hand moved before he realized, and they stroked the painting so intimately as if to feel every part of the painting.
The refined aura this lady exuded, as well as her grace, was a little similar to Yiye Jiange's. Her beauty was not icy cold, but instead, something between forcefulness and coldness, her beauty was illusionary as if mist!
She was completely unknown to Shen. Who was this beautiful lady? This wasn't the portrait of Wenren Wushuang or Yiye Jiange, neither was it Yu Ruyan's. Out of the twelve beauties, Shen was already familiar with the three. He will find her anyway... if he didn't end up dying, that is.
"Fufu, I can feel the call of my destiny."
And he started muttering some cheesy lines that even gave some chuunibyou' run for their face.
His gaze finally moved away from the painting. There was something written at the top, "One of the twelve portraits of beauty!"
Shen carefully took off the painting from the rigid wall. Then he turned the painting and as he expected, there were words written at the back too.
Shen carefully took a look at those few rows of words. The handwriting showed that they had come from the same person who had written the words in front!
There were a total of twelve of such portraits and was completed by the Art Maestro, Jiang Di after he had ventured into the world of the nine continents for three hundred years and had seen all the beauties in the world. Each of these paintings was completed after Jiang Di had met the most outstanding beauties and fused them in the paintings!
The words were written in bold and vigorous strokes, with a man's strength but yet a lady's elegance. Shen couldn't remember whether this Jiang Di was male or female but for one to pursue beauty for life, he undoubtedly had to be a male. As for his appearance in the story, he failed to recall any.
Shen wanted to take another look at the portrait but quickly shook off his idea. Tomorrow he would have enough time to appreciate the beauty of this portrait.
Along with the golden pouch, he stored the painting carefully inside the Immortal Realm. The active hours of the Realm of Immortal have been already used up, so he could only store them inside the realm.
Shen gave the cave another careful look. Just as he was about to leave, he realized something crucial. The portrait should be drowning somewhere in the swamp and not be in this cave.
There were only two viable options here. First, either this was a different portrait, or somehow, this cave broke apart and the Portrait of Beauty ended up inside the swamp. But Shen didn't take long before rejecting the first idea completely.
The Art Maestro, Jiang Di, only drew Twelve Portraits of Beauty and Qing Shui never found two portraits in a single place. Leaving the only option of this cave collapsing. But that sounded almost impossible, the wall was extremely rigid and the floor stable.
Brows creased and eyes closed, he touched the rigid floor. His senses spread as far as possible. Before long he encountered a shallow region, rich with Qi.
"Right, the Earth Vein!"
The Sun-Moon Gleaming Glass grew above Earth or Dragon Vein. This place only had an Earth Vein but it was half-dried. Shen remembered what the turtle said. The effect of sunlight started appearing a year ago. So the gleaming glass would be at least two-three years older. If that was the case, the Earth Vein would be dried in another two-three years. And if the Earth Vein dried, the gleaming glass would suck the essence from the surroundings, which could possibly cause the collapse of this cave!
Earth Vein's also gave birth of rare herbs and stored extremely huge amount of qi. Shen was distracted before but things gained from the Earth Vein won't be small either. Even if everyone cultivated here, the gains were no joke. But that would mean sacrificing the Sun-Moon Gleaming Glass.
Shen went through inner struggle but in the end, decided to let it be. He currently had no reason to push his cultivation. He had the confidence to settle Huan Jing and even the Joyous Sect. It might be hard to take the whole sect, but if he broke through another two-three small realms, then he had the absolute confidence to do so.
Besides, he refused to believe that something that could even suck mighty Dragon Veins dry was useless. The gains from the Sun-Moon Gleaming Glass might possibly be a game-changer, considering it grew inside the Immortal Realm, that is.
This was a gamble, but if he considered that he couldn't find the Earth Vein without the Sun-Moon Gleaming Glass, he almost lost nothing.
In other words, he had to acquire the Spirited Jade Water within another two-three years. No, if he wanted to find whatever possible inside the Earth Vein, he had to return here before two years.
"Two years, hmm... Was there any Spirited Jade Water nearby? No, its normally useless, so was it mentioned in the whole story?" Shen immediately started thinking, but Spirited Jade Water shouldn't be hard to find. And if it was, he could make himself since he had the Absolute Jade Immortal Realm
"But I have to make sure it stays here without getting into the hands of some lucky bastard."
And Shen took out two bottles of pills. One contained 100 Spirited Concentrating Pills and the other had his last Incomplete Revitalizing Pellet. He wrote their effects on a sheet before leaving them beside the Sun-Moon Gleaming Glass.
He stopped to think for a bit. Just the pills looked a bit lacking. He then used his fingers and left a sharp message on the ground.
Satisfied with his handiwork, he returned to Yu Villa with triumphant steps.
The Yu Villa looked rather desolate. Before it had a lively atmosphere. Though, it was only Lingshuang and Mingyue Gelou giving life to this villa. It was filled with happiness. Whenever either of them was missing, the villa felt uncomfortable.
Shen walked around the villa. Even though they bought the villa a long time ago. The time they lived here was short. Other than occasionally returning, he refused to live here. Because he didn't want to meet the girls too early. If one was young, it was still possible to see them as a young man but if they were too young, even imagining them as partners would be difficult. That's why he didn't settle in the city before he at least looked like a young man.
At that time, other than Yu Ruyan, there wasn't anyone whom he didn't dare to flirt with. No, maybe there were some grannies whom he avoided. Overall, this was a place filled with innocent memories for him.
With his strength progressing, he found it hard to return to that nonchalant mentality. Now, the seed of ambition already planted in his heart. With his strength, his desire and ambitions will only grow. He had nothing against desire and ambitions, he felt they were necessary for him to grow. But somewhere inside him, he was afraid his ambition will change him negatively. Just like the apocalypse did in his last life.
"Shen, when did you get back?" At that time, a gentle tone forced him out of his thoughts.
Shen scratched his cheek while apologetically smiling, "Sorry, even though I promised..."
"Mm-hm, it's alright. Nobody expected to get attacked in the middle of the night." Mingyue Gelou said that but her eyes averted Shen's gaze.
The dark surroundings didn't hinder him from noticing the flicker of grudge and blame in her eyes. Shen was surprised. No matter how someone wronged her, she would never express her dissatisfaction but now he could see a hint of blame in her eyes.
Shen shouted inwardly.
A caring, yet strict personality. Rather than having Mingyue Gelou as a maid, he knew her potential as a general was far greater.
But if she was a maid, she would only remain as a tamed Tiger. Which was why he tried so hard to bring a change in her personality. Rather than a tamed Dragon, a free Tiger was much more useful. Although the change was still faint, she started to think herself more than just a maid. That was enough for Shen who almost gave up on Mingyue Gelou's change.
While his thought spun, his feet didn't stop either.
Grabbing her hand, he kissed on her palm. "No, since I broke my promise, I have to make up for it, right?"
Mingyue Gelou couldn't stop herself from blushing and she almost nodded but shook hurriedly. And as if Shen didn't notice her nodding, he continued, "I'm glad if you think that way. I still have so many preparations to do!"
Mingyue Gelou felt at a loss. Wasn't he supposed to insist on making up to her? Why the sudden change... but the water has already been spoilt, she couldn't take back her words.
But rather than leaving, Shen took her on his arms and princess carried him. Mingyue Gelou couldn't understand what happened but before long she realized they were at the rooftop.
Shen sat on a chair and Mingyue Gelou naturally fell on his lap.
Till now Shen didn't utter a word and Mingyue Gelou could only stare at Shen blankly.
"Do you remember how we met?"
Finally, Shen broke the silence. He hadn't met Mingyue Gelou's gaze but turned to the bright starry sky. The night sky of this world was extremely beautiful. However, he particularly didn't feel it was beautiful. But only during two occasions, did he found them beautiful. One of them being now.
"Mm," Mingyue Gelou didn't know why he suddenly asked that, but she could never forget that day. Three years ago... or was it already four, the day they met for the first time. She leaned on his arms and stared at the sky he did. "Mm, it's beautiful," she said.
"Haha, now you can take care of them yourself."
"Mn,"
"Though, I wouldn't be able to meet you if you could take care of them."
"Nn,"
"You were so afraid back then, haha..."
"...Whose fault is that? Anyone would shrink back being stared like that, hmph."
Even though she was unwilling and wanted silently feel his heartbeat, Mingyue Gelou still couldn't stop herself from bickering with Shen.
And time passed at the speed of shooting star.
...
Four Years Ago
It was the time Shen thought he grew enough. Both in strength and height. His strength barely grew after reaching the Peak of Houtian Realm. His height and temperament might not be mature but women wouldn't think of him as a kid anymore. A young man, would be their minimum assessment.
"It's time!" Shen's eyes glittered.
This return to Hundred Miles City wouldn't be like the others before. This time, they would settle there and he would finally get his hand on those beauties.
Haha, how long did I wait for this day?
It wouldn't be wrong to say, everything he did after coming to this world was only for conquering beauties and Hundred Miles City was only just one step.
Just not being able to contract the Violet Jade of Immortal Realm was something completely out of his plan. No matter how many times he thought, if it wasn't for this reason, he wouldn't have come to Greencloud Continent before turning 15.
It wasn't that he hadn't thought of 'giving away' the Immortal Jade Pendant to Qing Shui but whatever, he would only think of that if he failed to contract by the time he reached Martial King Realm.
A cool jade-like hand ruffled his hair, "What's with your rude smirk. What are you thinking?"
"Fufu, of course–Ouch!" A rough knock on his head caused him to bite his tongue. "What was tat for?!"
Of course, Yu Ruyan was decently familiar with his antics. From his tone, she was sure he would spout bullshit again. Why bother listening then?
"Hehe, brother got smacked again." Lingshuang cutely laughed.
"Shuang'er, whose ally are you? Mine or her?"
"Eh," Lingshuang visibly panicked. She loved her brother but she didn't love her sister any less, if not more! "I... I am everyone's ally!" She shouted and hid under the blanket.
"Pfft," Yu Ruyan chuckled mesmerizingly, "You failed."
Shen gazed at her amused and happy face and said contently, "Nope, I won."
For Yu Ruyan, it didn't take a second to understand what he meant. As it was not the first time. But she couldn't react when a 12 years old boy flirted with her. She had no idea how to. She only turned and shook her head.
"...t me go! My parents never loaned from anyone. They lived frugally even with their good income. How could they take such a big loan?"
"You think your lies mean anything? Pay up or follow us while we are being good. This daddy's young master won't treat you shabbily. Just a small favor from young master and you can live a life you wouldn't dare dream in your life."
As the carriage moved slowly the voices got louder. The sharp ears of Shen twitched as he heard the movement of destiny. Basically, a plot.
"Shen, no!" As if already familiar with his movement Yu Ruyan rejected his notion without even batting her eyes.
"C'mon. There's no danger and I can take of them myself."
"Yeah, I guess you fought with the same thought yesterday? How dare you fight with a fourth stage Xiantian without even breakthrough?"
"Ugh... That was out of the calculation. Didn't think someone like that would just pop-up." Shen scratched the back of his head. Shrugging, he jumped out of the carriage.
Yesterday he had to fight for Su Rou, a girl he got to know recently. They met half a year ago and the girl kept chasing after him from then on. She was beautiful and all but Shen wasn't interested.
With beauty like Yu Ruyan by his side, just normal beauty wasn't enough for Shen to get interested in someone. However, she was persistent and he got to know her over the months. She was a girl who loved and chased after him even though he couldn't break through to Xiantian for a long time. She didn't have the mature temperament of Yu Ruyan but she had her unique charms.
A lively girl who reminded him of his college life.
And yesterday, Shen kissed for the first time after crossing over to this world. However, that damn guy had to interfere their quality time. Of course, Shen beat him to a pulp but his brother from Heavenly Palace just happened to pass by and took revenge. Shen could hardly match the guy. If Ruyan hadn't interfered from the shadows, he would have to fight to the death.
Since Shen planned to return. He bade farewell with a promise to meet her two-three years later.
Obviously, one should learn when to stop but he simply did not! And why did Shen always insist on placing his nose where it didn't belong? Naturally to trigger some encounter or plot.
By the time Shen reached the incident, he found a broken house. There were some mortals hidden in corners. They dare not reveal themselves, let alone protesting.
"They never took any debt..."
Shen carefully looked at the girl, more specifically, the lady. She was wearing coarse clothing. Despite this, it had no way to hide her radiance. Her face was untouched by makeup of any kind, and yet, that did nothing to mar her beauty. Endowed with a pair of phoenix eyes, as well as rounded breasts, sharp shoulders, and an elegant neck. Looking carefully, she seemed to be in her early twenties.
Sadly, she had no cultivation whatsoever. No wonder she was being picked on. And not long after her parents left this world at that. This was clearly a scheme. Probably, her parents had some small backing and now that they are gone, the local gangs got into the play.
This much Shen could infer from hearing their 'conversation' and a glance. Beauty without strength was a type of curse in this world. Especially in big cities like Greencloud City. If it was a village, there would at least be people to uphold justice among them. But here, only strength mattered. Strength was a form of Justice in this world.
He slowly stepped towards the group. He didn't hide, not like there was anything to hide. Yet, nobody noticed his presence. When he reached the person at the back, who looked like the leader, with a knock from his sword hilt, the guy's body went limp.
Thump!
The fat body made the expected sound and all eyes focused on the source.
"Who are you?!"
"What did you do to our boss? Do you know who we are?"
Sharp questions flew at him like a series of bombs.
"Scram if you wanna live," Shen remarked, as he waved his sword casually.
The lackeys face burned with shame. Their Peak Houtian Realm boss was taken care of this mortal somehow and he even dared to curse them face to face. This was probably their first time to see such an arrogant mortal.
"Commoner, leave your life for me!" the frontmost guy couldn't take the shame and threw a punch at Shen.
"Tsk tsk, do you have dogshit eyes? How does this young master look like a commoner?"
Shen continued waving his sword nonchalantly. When the punch reached him, the flat surface of the sword connected and it produced a crunching sound.
"AHHHHH!"
"My hand, my hand!"
The guy quickly backed away, writhing in pain the whole time. The others quickly realized their blunder. They couldn't fight against that guy but they couldn't back away either. This girl was selected by their boss for rising in his position in the sect. Backing away equaled their death.
"Don't think you won! Our boss, Hou Zing, is an outer disciple of the Sword Tower Sect. If you move away we will forget anything happened here."
"Monkey? Aiya, what am I gonna do? I'm soo~ afraid of monkey but I dunno what will happen if you still dare to show your face in front of me."
"You! Just stay here!"
Although their tone carried a threat, their feet moved fast and along with the fallen leader, they escaped fast.
Shen glanced at the girl. She had a look of worship in her eyes. Like finding an oasis in the plain desert. She was beautiful and all but Shen had to maintain a certain amount of face when Yu Ruyan was watching.
He then glanced at the house. It was completely broken and uninhabitable. Either way, she couldn't live in this city anymore.
He turned back while feeling his heart bleeding. He could play the knight in shining armor but... he waved and advised, "You should leave the city before they come again. The faster you leave the better."
"Ah, please, wait a moment. I am Gelou... Mingyue Gelou. Please tell me your name."
Shen who already returned half-way towards the carriage stopped on his track. His eyes flashed with profound light as some keywords highlighted inside his mind.
Greencloud Capital
Sword Tower Sect
Mingyue Gelou
This...
He reappeared before the girl, Mingyue Gelou, and grabbed both of her palms. He sent his qi through her body, only to realize, he had no way to send qi out of his body yet.
The girl tried to take a step back in surprise but her hands were firmly grabbed in place. Shen's eyes had a strange glow that made her feel vulnerable as if she was a piece of juicy meat in front of a hungry wolf.
Before she could feel fear, she felt naked without any cloth and a strange urge to hide her body.
"Ah!"
With her hands tied, she could only crouch down. Try her best to squeeze her breasts and body in a single place.
Shen looked at her weirdly but being a bit calm, he coughed, "Shen. I am called Shen."
"Anyway, you don't seem to have any close relative. Do you need any help?"
Mingyue Gelou couldn't understand the reason behind her incomprehensible action. She had no idea what to do now. Even then she knew better than to accept a stranger's help. On top of that, when he looked dangerous and suspicious too.
As if Shen could already see through her worries, what he said next eased some of her apprehension. "Anyway, I don't think I can help you. You see the carriage there? There's someone who can help you. Don't worry, she won't bring any harm to you. You might want to do it faster before she goes away."
Mingyue Gelou nodded.
Shen returned to the carriage and Yu Ruyan asked, "Help her more? How do you want me to help her?"
"Why not bring her with us?"
"Huh?"
"It's a waste for someone with such a physique and talent to die without cultivating."
Yu Ruyan mused. Since there was no hurry, she didn't mind seeing what Shen had to show. Still, she further confirmed, "You want me to take her as a disciple? Forget it, what do you want me to do?"
"Hmm... not sure. You can do anything. You can take her as a disciple, or I can train her too?" Shen replied, awkward and unsure?
Yu Ruyan smirked, "Sure, kid."
"Don't call me a kid!"
Yu Ruyan departed from the carriage. Lingshuang peeked as the girl stopped before Yu Ruyan.
Her eyes met Yu Ruyan and the former felt dazed. Even when Yu Ruyan wore a veil she couldn't help but feel dreamy. Her head lowered as if it was natural.
"Your name?" She asked.
"Ah... Mingyue Gelou."
"Let me see your hand."
While Mingyue Gelou wondered why she still lifted her hands.
Yu Ruyan took her hand and sent her qi in her body and surprise flashed her eyes, "Naturally born with all meridian channels connected!"
She also felt a bit regretful at the same time. If she could start cultivating from a young age with a sect or clan behind her back, she would've without a doubt be no worse than her.
If someone said everyone was born equal, they would be the greatest fool!
Shen didn't say wrong. It would be a shame for her to die without utilizing her physique and talent.
"You have a great talent for cultivation and a body with all meridian channels connected. Do you want to follow me?" Yu Ruyan offered with a smile.
"Eh?"
SUY NGHĨ CỦA NGƯỜI SÁNG TẠO 
BoredDreamer
BoredDreamer Try guessing who’s the person of the painting? No cheating.
Hou Zing sounds similar to what Monkey spells in Chinese.
I’ll write some side-chapters which will be about Shen’s three years spent in the Hundred Miles City. Later they will be placed accordingly.
From now on I will have some time. Which might be enough for two to three chapters weekly. For every two AST chappies, there will be one LLS chappy.
For those who have no idea about my second Fanfiction, its Legend of Legendary Summons.
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