Chapter 1013 The Inkstone
However, when they were about to make a move, Chen Shu appeared and stopped the demonic beasts.
Chen Shu had discovered the intruders the moment they started ascending the mountain.
Ever since the mountain villa was infiltrated by the Saint Moon Divine Venerable last time, Chen Shu had become extremely sensitive to any outside martial artists. As soon as the formation showed any fluctuation, he would personally investigate it to feel at ease.
Since Chen Shu had already discovered them, he hadn't stopped the person earlier because they had met before and knew each other.
The person who arrived was Xi Bai, whom Chen Yang and Bei Xuan had been discussing.
Xi Bai had always been known for his fiery temper. This dejected demeanor was something Chen Yang and Bei Xuan had never seen before.
As for the reason, the two of them could guess it themselves.
Xi Bai first congratulated Chen Yang. Upon seeing Bei Xuan's progress in strength, he also expressed his happiness for him.
"You just lost one treasure! Look at your expression!"
"You are Xi Bai, one of the Four Great War Gods. If others saw you like this, they would think something had happened to you!"
As soon as Bei Xuan finished speaking, he saw Xi Bai's sorrowful gaze turn towards him.
Xi Bai said with a hint of grievance, "Who told you it was just one treasure?"
"Most of the things on me were robbed."
Speaking of this, Bei Xuan's heart was filled with anger. "This matter is truly outrageous!"
"In the blink of an eye, I was robbed. I didn't even get a clear look at the other person's face before my belongings were taken!"
Hearing Xi Bai's words, Chen Yang's eyelids twitched inexplicably.
Why did that sound so familiar?
Bei Xuan frowned. "This incident has spread so widely. Haven't the Confucianists sent anyone to retrieve the items? At least to investigate who did this?"
Xi Bai, one of the Four Great War Gods, had his belongings robbed in broad daylight. If the person hadn't told him himself, he would have found it hard to believe.
"The Confucianists are somewhat lax. They told me to handle this myself. If I can get them back, great. If not, there's nothing I can do."
As Xi Bai said this, he looked at Chen Yang with a somewhat embarrassed expression. "I originally had a better gift for you, but now, all I have is this inkstone."
Given the relationship between Xi Bai and Chen Yang, he had intended to give the best treasure.
But now that everything was stolen, he couldn't produce it.
Although it wasn't Xi Bai's best possession, the moment the inkstone was presented, Chen Yang and Bei Xuan's eyes lit up.
Bei Xuan was practically drooling.
The best treasures of the Confucianists were naturally the brush, ink, paper, and inkstone.
Although the inkstone was ranked last, compared to the first three, obtaining a good inkstone required great fortune.
"This was a gift from a senior when I broke through to the peak of the Grandmaster realm. Although it's not a treasure, this inkstone can generate ink on its own, making it a rare gem."
As Xi Bai spoke, his gaze suddenly drifted to the paintings on the side.
In a single glance, he took in the entire scene depicted.
For a moment, Xi Bai felt as if he had participated in the battle within the painting.
Upon seeing the markings on it, his eyes widened in astonishment. "It's him!"
Chen Yang and Bei Xuan had just been discussing the owner of the painting, the eccentric Old Zhang. Xi Bai's reaction clearly indicated he knew something about it.
The gossip in the two men's hearts ignited immediately.
After all, any martial artist capable of creating such a painting was undoubtedly a top-tier expert.
Furthermore, the person was from the Confucian school, yet was not favored by the Confucianists or the Buddhist sect. The story behind it was bound to be intriguing.
Seeing the looks on Chen Yang and Bei Xuan's faces, Xi Bai immediately understood their intentions.
"Don't look at me like that. This Senior Zhang left the Confucian school before I was born. I never met him, only saw his paintings."
Chen Yang was not in a hurry. Instead, he poured them all some Immortality Wine.
The remarkable aspect of Immortality Wine was its effect on martial artists; even they couldn't easily dispel its potency.
After a few cups of the light wine, Xi Bai's face was already flushed red.
Xi Bai sat back on his chair, his expression somewhat unsteady. "Even within the Confucian school, Senior Zhang's paintings are considered top-notch."
"Although there's no particular painting technique, everything Senior Zhang created undoubtedly contains extremely potent essence and spirit. No one knows how he managed it."
As he spoke, Xi Bai moved his stool closer and lowered his voice. "Senior Zhang's paintings are considered contraband within the Confucian school. My teacher privately kept one, but he never displayed it openly, nor did he keep it in his room for his own appreciation."
"However, I've heard that quite a few people in the Confucian school possess Senior Zhang's paintings."
"Back then, Senior Zhang fought with the elders of the Seven Factions of the Confucian school. He even parted ways and left the Confucian school. But who would have thought that because of this, Senior Zhang's paintings would become highly sought-after works!"
Bei Xuan and Chen Yang exchanged glances, both seeing a hint of amusement in each other's eyes.
It seemed the Immortality Wine was having some effect!
However, as the three were chatting, Chen Xing, who had come to deliver the wine, suddenly caught Xi Bai's attention.
In that instant, the alcohol in Xi Bai's body seemed to have completely evaporated.
Xi Bai's eyes were fixed on Chen Xing. Chen Yang and Bei Xuan immediately felt an unusual aura erupt.
Bei Xuan was startled. "Whoa, what's going on? Xi Bai, how much did you drink?"
"This is Chen Yang's junior brother! Don't go acting crazy when you're drunk!"
As Bei Xuan spoke, he placed a hand on Xi Bai's shoulder.
If a martial artist at the peak Grandmaster realm were to go berserk, it would be something that ordinary people couldn't handle.
Although they had drunk together before, it had always been ordinary wine. The potency of such wine would be expelled by a martial artist's body within minutes.
Immortality Wine was different. Bei Xuan himself had drunk quite a bit and could clearly sense the alcohol in his system.
He figured Xi Bai must be experiencing the same.
Xi Bai also calmed down at this moment. This was Chen Yang's mountain villa, after all.
However, he said with some lingering unease, "Acting crazy? I only had a few drinks, I'm not that drunk!"
"I just feel that his aura is somewhat similar to the guy who robbed me back then!" Xi Bai's face suddenly turned sad as he said this.
Those treasures were the heritage of the Confucian school for centuries. Having lost so many at once, he felt too ashamed to return to the Confucian ancestral land.