Legend of the Painting God

“Paintings? What paintings!?” The sheer bewilderment on Du Chen’s face was so convincing, it led everyone to believe he truly knew nothing.

“Beibei has many paintings, but Papa bought them all! They weren’t stolen! You’re wrongly accusing Papa!” Little Beibei cried out indignantly.

Donna’s expression instantly darkened, her already grim face now threatening a storm. She pointed at Du Chen. “The evidence is ironclad; what more is there to investigate!? Thorog, Pontiff, my goddess demands you execute Francis at once! Recover the stolen goods!”

This Old Hag wasn’t entirely foolish. She knew that without the colossal shield of the Aqua Cloud Banner, Deboning’s terrifying power could obliterate them in a mere flick of the wrist. Hence, she sought the Pontiff and the Dragon Clan’s backing, to bolster her courage!

Du Chen feigned even greater panic. “Who can tell me why!? If I’m to be charged, at least let me know the reason!”

Bairu gave a light cough and addressed the burly man beside him. “Your Excellency Pieres, Francis is one of the Papal Curia’s own. For the sake of fairness, I, Bairu, shall say no more. Would you care to explain? Rest assured, if the accusations prove true, and a scoundrel has emerged from our Papal Curia, His Holiness will certainly not tolerate or shield Francis!”

Having spoken, he stepped back, yielding the central position to Pieres, the burly man with green hair.

Pieres nodded, his face stern as he addressed Du Chen. “Francis, the Aqua Envoys' Camp was robbed last night! Among the stolen items was a ‘Young Girl at Sunset’ painting! It is a genuine masterpiece by the Painting God. This morning, a genuine masterpiece by the Painting God, identical in content, appeared in your daughter’s possession! With such irrefutable evidence, it is difficult to prove your lack of involvement in last night’s theft. Please explain…”

“Hold on! By the Heavens, Pieres, don’t spout such nonsense!”

Mas was still somewhat tipsy, but the moment he heard Pieres accusing Du Chen of a crime, his entire body’s battle qi instantly surged. He expelled all the alcohol fumes, strode forward, and planted himself between Du Chen and Pieres!

He stood with hands on his hips, bellowing, “Last night, Francis and I drank all night! He never once left my sight! Stealing!? Hmph, stealing my foot!”

Haha, Boss Mas truly is a stand-up guy!

Du Chen shot him a “grateful” look.

Under Du Chen’s gaze, Mas’s spine stiffened further. He declared, “By the Heavens, what can one painting possibly prove!? I, Mas, may be a crude man, but even I know better than you lot! There are countless counterfeit masterpieces across the Three Continents; the one in my niece Belmonde’s possession could very well be a fake!”

“How could a genuine masterpiece by the Painting God be imitated!?” Donna retorted furiously. “If it were someone else’s painting, then perhaps it could be a fake. But the lost ‘Young Girl at Sunset’ is a genuine work by Smedley, the Painting God, from three hundred years ago! It’s not a question of whether someone *dares* to forge it, but that *no one* is capable of forging it!”

“Painting God? Genuine work!? I, Mas, don’t understand any of that! All I know is, I can testify that Francis never left the camp last night!” Mas huffed, “Trying to frame my brother!? You’re courting death!”

“Uh, Your Excellency Pieres, may I interject to explain about the Painting God to Mas?” Bairu waited for Pieres’s nod before chuckling, “Mas, you might not have paid attention to the Painting God’s name, but surely you know his other moniker, ‘Heavenly Canvas,’ don’t you?”

Mas was stunned. “You mean the ‘Heavenly Canvas’ who, three hundred years ago, played a trick on Charlemagne, the Foremost Battle God beneath the Starry Sky!?”

Bairu nodded.

“By the Heavens, it’s him!” Mas exclaimed. “I know, the Crystal Temple has records! When Charlemagne first entered Battle God Academy, the Heavenly Canvas played a nasty trick on him! Decades later, Charlemagne, who had become the greatest master in the world, went to settle scores with the Heavenly Canvas, but that old rascal drew him a painting. Charlemagne looked at it, then took the painting and simply left!”

“Indeed, that’s the Heavenly Canvas!” Bairu affirmed. “Though the Heavenly Canvas gained some renown among Battle Gods for his mysterious battle qi Secret Technique, what truly immortalized him was his unparalleled artistry…”

“It’s just painting, isn’t it!?” Mas scoffed, curling his lip. Immediately, countless gazes of astonishment, disdain, and scorn fell upon him!

Even Du Chen sighed faintly, lamenting that this Old One’s cultural literacy was truly lacking. Though he had only been reincarnated for two years and had never personally seen a genuine masterpiece by the Painting God, Du Chen knew that Smedley, the Painting God, was an artistic grandmaster on par with a Leonardo da Vinci in his previous life—perhaps even greater!

However, another matter deepened Du Chen’s confusion… He recalled the true origin of the painting in little Beibei’s hands! Who exactly was this Painting God?!

Bairu gave a wry smile. “Mas! Smedley passed away two hundred and sixty years ago. Yet, of all the oil paintings he created in his lifetime, only seven have been passed down through the generations. These seven paintings are collectively known as the Seven Masterpieces of the Painting God, and each is an invaluable treasure…”

Seeing Mas scoff disdainfully, he decided to offer an example: “Forty years ago, the Kunalun family of Arcania Continent suffered the loss of their kingdom. Their descendants took a genuine masterpiece by the Painting God, cherished by their ancestors, and auctioned it in Saint John City on the Aethelgard Continent. With the Gold Coins they acquired, they raised an army, hired a large number of High-level Battle Gods, successfully reclaimed their nation, and even had a substantial surplus… This is the origin of the Arcanian proverb, ‘One painting for a kingdom; possess a genuine Smedley, possess the world!’ Do you understand the value of a true Painting God’s masterpiece now?”

“By the Heavens!” Mas exclaimed, slapping his forehead in shock. “Selling one painting can buy an army sufficient to restore a kingdom!? This painting is too valuable, isn’t it!?”

Du Chen internally revised his assessment of Smedley. But his confusion only deepened. The painting in little Beibei’s hands was clearly… from the Painting God?! How could that be?!

Bairu continued, “One reason Smedley’s paintings hold such immense value is the profound artistic conception within them. For three hundred years, no one has been able to imitate them well enough to create a forgery indistinguishable from the original! To my knowledge, even the strongest painter alive today can only replicate about eighty to ninety percent. While the likeness is remarkable, there remains a gap in the artistic essence!”

*I wonder how much Aunt Sherine could imitate?* Du Chen was musing when he suddenly noticed that while Donna’s expression remained unchanged when Bairu mentioned the imitator, a peculiar flicker crossed the face of that ‘Fourth Sister’!

The expression flashed and vanished instantly!

Bairu returned to the main topic. “Do you understand now? The painting in Belmonde’s hands is undoubtedly a genuine masterpiece by the Painting God—I vouch for it with my own eyes. Therefore, it’s truly impossible to argue that Francis is unrelated to the theft! Your Excellency Pieres, I have made my statement. Please continue!”

From beginning to end, Bairu maintained an impartial and utterly objective demeanor!

Although Mas did not believe Du Chen was a thief, everyone present, including the Pontiff, was convinced that no one could imitate a genuine masterpiece by the Painting God, and that Du Chen must be connected to the theft. Thus, he could only grumble silently and say nothing more!

Pieres stated, “My Dragon Clan has not personally seen the painting in your daughter’s possession. Now, bring forth that painting; Elder Thorog wishes to examine it himself!”

Du Chen had little Beibei retrieve the painting that Bairu had seen from the two large bundles on Andy’s back. She handed it to Pieres, who then passed it to Thorog! Thorog inspected it, then declared in a deep voice, “Indeed, it is a genuine masterpiece by the Painting God! Francis, what more do you have to say now!? To steal from guests of my Dragon Clan at Water’s Embrace Lake—you are openly defying the myriad dragons of Mount Miglio!”

Pieres immediately thundered, “The evidence is conclusive! Guards, apprehend Francis!”

Bairu remained silent, but a sinister smile played in his heart. The Dragon Clan valued its prestige above all else; if he could link the Dragon Clan’s honor to the theft, then his plan would succeed. *‘Your Holiness,’* he mused, *‘Bairu has successfully incited the Dragon Clan to confront Francis. Now, simply await the appearance of Du Chen, the Divine!’*

Bairu retreated a few steps, then spoke aloud, “Francis, the evidence this time is undeniable. Although you are a member of the Holy Church, the Papal Curia will never shield a thief! Your Excellency Thorog, for the sake of fairness, my Holy Church will not intervene in this matter. However, you may only pursue Francis for the crime of theft; Andy must under no circumstances be implicated—Andy’s affairs shall be resolved after the Five-Battle Pact!”

With that, he surprisingly ordered his men to protect Andy!

Du Chen stroked his nose, quietly observing everyone’s reactions.

With the Dragon Clan’s assistance, Donna became haughty, shouting, “Sisters, move out!”

Roar! Dragons roared, and over a dozen great dragons swiftly formed a circle, subtly encircling Du Chen in the sky! Thorog also stood atop the golden great dragon’s head, his gaze coldly fixed on Deboning!

Deboning glanced at Du Chen, then focused on Thorog! A dark mist slowly began to rise from his body!

Andy looked left and right, but being “protected” by the Papal Curia’s men, he could do nothing!

Little Beibei, rarely this tense and serious, frantically surged her Spiritual Power to scout their opponents. Her Battle Soul exclaimed, “Papa, this isn’t good! We can’t beat them!”

Du Chen remained silent, watching.

Deboning was already locked onto by Thorog. Donna and three other Divine Envoys confidently charged forward, several great dragons coordinating with them. Their attacks were fierce, their aura overwhelming; it seemed they weren’t trying to capture Du Chen, but rather… to kill him!

Meanwhile, the Papal Curia’s men watched with cold indifference!

Closer and closer. Donna was the first to reach Du Chen…

But at that very moment, “Donna, you’ve utterly shamed your goddess Margaret!” Du Chen bellowed, his shout so sudden that Donna froze, her attack halting as she stood dumbfounded!

With his immediate safety secured, Du Chen pointed at Donna and the Dragon Clan, reprimanding them loudly. “You indiscriminately accuse, completely lacking artistic discernment! To use something you’ve clearly misjudged to falsely accuse and frame me, Francis—is this truly the way of your Dragon Clan and Water’s Embrace Lake!?”

Sweeping his gaze across the Dragon Clan’s forces, Du Chen stood with righteous indignation, declaring, “If that is truly the case, then today, I, along with His Holiness the Pontiff and thousands of fellow members of the Holy Church, bear witness to your ignorance, your shamelessness, and your incompetence!”

Thorog, his white hair fluttering from Du Chen’s dressing-down, roared furiously, “Francis, clarify yourself! What evidence do you possess to call us ignorant, shameless, and incompetent!? If you cannot explain, my Dragon Clan shall tear you limb from limb today!”

“Hmph, clarify myself!? You demand evidence? Fine, I shall clarify everything for you! I’ll give you the best evidence!”

Du Chen, his anger still simmering, shoved aside a Papal Curia warrior “protecting” Andy, snatching the two large bags from Andy’s back. “You accuse me of being a despicable and shameless thief, and your evidence is the so-called stolen goods—a genuine masterpiece by the Painting God—appearing in my adopted daughter’s hands… Bairu, you just said that no one could imitate the Seven Masterpieces of the Painting God, didn’t you!?”

The situation drastically shifting, Bairu pondered briefly before replying, “Battle Gods who don’t care for art might not know this, but in the art world, it is an undeniable truth that genuine masterpieces by the Painting God are inimitable!”

*Splat!* Du Chen pulled a scroll tube from a bag and threw it forcefully onto the ground. “See clearly what this is!? Elder Thorog, you just declared the painting in my adopted daughter’s hands to be a genuine masterpiece by the Painting God, so I presume your artistic discernment is quite ‘high,’ isn’t it!? Take a look, is this also a genuine masterpiece by the Painting God!”

Thorog descended from the golden great dragon’s head. Someone picked up the scroll from the ground and handed it to him. After a quick glance, Thorog exclaimed in surprise, “Another ‘Young Girl at Sunset’ painting!? No, wait, although it’s still the same little girl and the same beach, the painter’s angle is different… Yet, judging by the style and brushwork, it is undoubtedly a genuine masterpiece by the Painting God!? Could it be an unpublished work by the Painting God!?”

Du Chen sneered coldly, drew out another scroll tube, and tossed it to Thorog, mockingly saying, “Elder, take another look at this one! Hmph!”

“This… another ‘Young Girl at Sunset’? But the angle is different again, yet it still bears the Painting God’s signature and artistry!”

Taken aback by this unexpected turn, Donna, Bairu, Pieres, and the others all gathered around Thorog, staring at the three paintings in his hands!

Even the Pontiff paid close attention to this development!

Du Chen continued to select scroll tubes from the bags. “Here, let all of you see!”

Painting after painting appeared. Finally, a total of eighteen ‘Young Girl at Sunset’ paintings lay before everyone! But each one depicted a different angle: from behind, from the side, from above… but none from the front!

Judging by the scenery in the paintings, these eighteen works were clearly a single set, depicting a little girl in a red dress running on the beach, captured by the artist from different angles on the same evening!

Most importantly, no matter how the few artists present examined them, all eighteen paintings were… genuine masterpieces by the Painting God!

Du Chen, as if having suffered immense injustice, clenched his fists unwillingly and cried out in feigned fury, “Have you seen enough!? Do you all confirm these are genuine masterpieces by the Painting God!?”

Thorog nodded, Donna nodded, Bairu also nodded… All of them possessed high artistic discernment!

Especially Donna. Margaret favored artistic creations, and consequently, the Water's Embrace Divine Servants also possessed extremely sophisticated artistic cultivation. It was beyond doubt that a Water's Embrace Divine Servant was equivalent to an art appraiser!

Du Chen, wronged to the extreme, laughed instead. “Do you understand now? These eighteen paintings are a set, and they were completed just one year ago! It’s utterly impossible for them to be some several-hundred-year-old genuine masterpieces by the Painting God—if you don’t believe me, I can produce so much more evidence that you’ll be speechless! I can even bring the person who painted these works to create a new one for you on the spot, proving that they are absolutely *not* genuine masterpieces by any Painting God!”

Du Chen then produced a nineteenth painting, a frontal view, but he did not unroll it!

“Elder Thorog, Divine Envoy Donna! You two—one is the esteemed foremost Sacred Dragon, wielding the authority of the Dragon God, and the other is Margaret’s Divine Envoy—both of you Eminences. Yet you actually mistake a few random paintings for genuine masterpieces by the Painting God—that is ignorance! Furthermore, to use such ignorant judgment to accuse me, Francis, is shamelessness! To fail to catch a thief, then wildly point fingers and incessantly demand that I, an innocent man, confess, attempting to appease the wrath of Margaret, the goddess of Water’s Embrace, with a wrongful conviction extracted under duress—that is incompetence! Have I spoken falsely in calling you ignorant, shameless, and incompetent!? You accuse me of stealing from the Aqua Envoys’ Camp!? Hmph, is that truly the kind of person I, Francis, am!?”