"Really?!" Xiao Mei's eyes sparkled with astonishment.

Wei Zixuan, on the other hand, watched Chen Zheng with a curious gaze.

A look of deep shock crossed Xiao Yi's face. He said excitedly, "Chen Zheng, you know calligraphy too?"

Xiao Yi was floored. As he had said before, a person's handwriting was a mirror to their soul. He had been repressed for far too long. Today, having finally obtained the Mingpai Palm Seal, the passion in his heart was instantly unleashed, and he had poured all of that emotion into his calligraphy.

"I know a little," Chen Zheng replied with a smiling nod.

That was an understatement. He possessed top-tier calligraphy skills and was so familiar with the characters it was as if they had been hammered and tempered a thousand times over. What did it mean to be peerless? It meant to be unmatched in this world!

"Excellent! I had no idea you were a fellow practitioner! Come, Chen Zheng, why don't you write something?" Xiao Yi, his own passion stirred, immediately made way for him.

"Oh? There's no need. I wouldn't want to embarrass myself in front of a master," Chen Zheng said, shaking his head helplessly.

"Nonsense! It's rare to meet a kindred spirit. I'm far too familiar with all the other calligraphers around here. Come on, wield your brush! Don't worry, I can even offer you some pointers!" Xiao Yi invited warmly.

Xiao Mei's eyes glittered with curiosity as she stared at Chen Zheng.

Wei Zixuan then teased playfully, "Go on, Chen Zheng, give it a try. I seem to recall your handwriting looking like chicken scratch. Have you been practicing in secret?"

"Ugh, alright then…"

Chen Zheng sighed internally. He just wanted to hide his talents, but it seemed impossible.

He gently picked up the writing brush, moved Xiao Yi's work aside, and revealed a second sheet of Xuan paper.

"Hmm?" Xiao Yi was taken aback.

As the saying goes, the amateur sees the show, but the expert sees the skill.

Chen Zheng's handling of the brush was like a clear stream, immediately capturing Xiao Yi's attention. He was certain Chen Zheng was no ordinary man and couldn't help but feel a surge of anticipation.

Then, Chen Zheng dipped the brush in ink. His strokes flowed across the paper like a roaming dragon. In a mere instant, the character for "sword" materialized, so sharp it seemed to emit a burst of Sword Qi that shot toward the heavens.

When he finished his stroke, Xiao Yi exclaimed in awe, "Marvelous! Truly marvelous!"

His shout startled everyone present.

"Your brushstrokes are magnificent, full of vigor and power. I am no match for you." Xiao Yi stared at Chen Zheng, a sense of shame washing over him. He had just offered to give Chen Zheng pointers, but now his own work looked like garbage in comparison.

"Chen Zheng, your touch is divine! Your characters dance on the paper like a beautiful poem. If this masterpiece were shown at the Calligraphy Association, I believe your brilliance would illuminate the entire world of calligraphy!" Xiao Yi said excitedly.

"Is it really that good?" Xiao Mei asked, still doubtful.

Wei Zixuan nodded in agreement. Neither of them understood calligraphy, but they could tell Chen Zheng's writing was far more captivating.

"You two simply cannot appreciate its profound beauty!" Xiao Yi shook his head gently and said no more.

"Uncle, you flatter me," Chen Zheng responded humbly.

"Chen Zheng, may I have this piece? I want to take it to the Association and show those stubborn old masters what true young talent looks like!" Xiao Yi requested earnestly.

"If Uncle likes it, please, take it," Chen Zheng said with a casual smile.

"Thank you!" Xiao Yi carefully put the paper away, clutching it as if it were a priceless treasure.

"Oh, Chen Zheng, I feel so ashamed. I should be the one thanking you, yet you're the one who lost out," Liu Ya said as she stepped forward, her face filled with apology.

"Auntie, please don't blame yourself," Wei Zixuan quickly comforted her.

The group sat together, chatting and laughing while they savored the fragrant tea. It wasn't until nightfall that Chen Zheng and Wei Zixuan reluctantly left. During their visit, Xiao Yi had cornered Chen Zheng to discuss calligraphy insights. If Liu Ya hadn't reminded him of the time, he might have kept Chen Zheng there talking late into the night.

When they got home, Wei Zixuan couldn't help but chuckle at Chen Zheng's helpless expression.

「The next day arrived in the blink of an eye.」

Chen Zheng didn't return to the Xiao Family mansion. Instead, he spent the day strolling around with Wei Zixuan, buying a few things they liked. He also carefully selected some unique, thoughtful gifts for his own family.

As dusk settled and the sunset's afterglow painted the sky, Wei Zixuan's phone vibrated. It was a call from Xiao Yi.

His voice was urgent. He said there was a critically important matter he needed to discuss with Chen Zheng in person. So, the two of them once again drove through the bustling city to Xiao Yi's home.

Xiao Yi's expression was grim, as if he were suffocating under some invisible pressure.

"Uncle, what's wrong? Why are you so troubled?" Wei Zixuan asked gently.

"It's nothing," Xiao Yi sighed softly. "Chen Zheng, come with me to the Calligraphy Association!"

"May I ask why?" Chen Zheng inquired, confused.

"TSK!" Xiao Yi snapped. "Those stubborn old fools at the Association! They're questioning whether someone in their twenties could produce work of such a high caliber. They don't believe me!"

"Uncle, maybe we should just let it go. Let them say what they want," Chen Zheng said helplessly. He was already regretting having shown off his calligraphy skills to Xiao Yi.

He couldn't refuse, but he couldn't get angry either. This was Wei Zixuan's uncle, after all, and she was very close to his family.

"Let it go? How can we just drop it? Those arrogant old fools are unbearable! You have to go and prove them wrong!" Xiao Yi said resolutely.

[Ding! Congratulations, Host, for successfully triggering a choice mission!]

[Option One: Agree to Xiao Yi's request and demonstrate your calligraphy. Reward: Random Grandmaster ability upgrade.]

[Option Two: Refuse Xiao Yi's request. Reward: An unyielding spirit.]

Ah, this damned temptation! I choose Option One!

Chen Zheng made his decision instantly. He looked at Xiao Yi, his voice firm with determination. "Alright, Uncle! I'll go with you."

"Then let's go!" Xiao Yi said, filled with anticipation. He turned to his niece. "Zixuan, you rest here. We'll be back soon."

With that, he led Chen Zheng out the door.

Watching them leave, Wei Zixuan couldn't help but sigh. Besides calligraphy, is there anything else in the world that could make Uncle this obsessed?

"Zixuan, come over here. Don't worry about those two!" Liu Ya's voice broke her from her thoughts.

Wei Zixuan turned and went back inside the villa.

Half an hour later, Xiao Yi led Chen Zheng into the Calligraphy Association. Night had already fallen, but the building was brilliantly lit. The light illuminated the various works of calligraphy and paintings on the walls, making them appear even more vivid and lively.

"Xiao Yi, you're here," an elderly man said, greeting them as they arrived.

"Grandmaster Lin, this is Chen Zheng. He's the one who wrote that character," Xiao Yi explained.

Lin Hechun was a titan in the world of calligraphy. He gave Chen Zheng a dismissive glance before saying, "Xiao Yi, you didn't just grab some random kid off the street to save face, did you?"

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