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Chapter 214: Grandfather and Granddaughter's Photo Under the Sun
🕑 Added 2024-09-19 06:22:16 +0000 UTCRiley had always harbored concerns in his heart. Even though his father was a fifth-level magus, the northern stretch of the Darkwing Eagle branch connected to the White Rat and Thunder Bear branches, leaving the possibility of even stronger magical beasts wandering into their territory.
Although this hadn't happened yet, the mere possibility meant the risk would continue to accumulate. If such a threat ever manifested, it would be a tremendous shock to the entire territory.
When he saw his father defeat the fifth-tier Shadow Tiger, he couldn't help but wonder, "What if a sixth-tier magical beast comes next?"
But now, his worries were gone. Knowing that his father had reached the pinnacle of intermediate magus power, stepping into a whole new level of strength, he couldn't help but feel a sense of relief.
Even in the Thunder Bear branch, high-tier magical beasts were rare. The chances of one wandering into the Darkwing Eagle branch were slim to none. And with his father’s strength, a sixth-tier beast would be no match.
Riley sincerely congratulated him, “Congratulations, Father, on reaching the pinnacle of magus power! The threshold to Grand Magus must be within your grasp!”
Rhett’s lips curled into a smile as he replied, “Riley, I just broke through, so it’s best to keep this a secret.”
Riley’s eyes brightened. “I understand, Father.”
Rhett glanced back at the canvas and sighed, “This painting is truly remarkable. If only it had come sooner... The cover for the first volume of Coiling Dragon has already been finalized by the Doton Trading Company. But I promise, the subsequent volumes will feature this artwork.”
Riley’s heart stirred, “In that case, I’ll take some time to refine this piece and perfect it further.”
The father and son clinked glasses of red wine.
Then, as Riley set down his glass, he hesitated and asked, “Father, if Coiling Dragon becomes a hit, it will bring in a substantial amount of income. How do you plan to handle this wealth?”
Rhett pondered for a moment, understanding that Riley was subtly asking for guidance on the next steps for the territory.
“Since Felix joined us, our reserves of magical plants have been dwindling. We should focus on short-term procurement of mature magical plants and long-term acquisition of mid-grade and higher seeds,” Rhett said slowly.
His territory's alchemy department was beginning to take shape. Aside from the experienced hands of Henk and Felix, who could steadily produce a batch of alchemical potions each month, Tylus was working hard to catch up, and two new apprentices were also making steady progress.
With more people involved in alchemy and the faster pace of production, the magical plant fields could no longer meet the year-round demand, making additional purchases necessary.
Riley nodded. “Understood. After I finish my painting lessons with White Hat, I’ll meet with Chairman Carlton to discuss it.”
Rhett chuckled, “Keep up the good work! Let’s bring more artistic flair to our family.”
Nighttime. The full moon hung high in the sky.
The lumberyard was quiet, the workers long asleep. Piles of triangular wood stacks dotted the ground, and the tools were neatly arranged in the corners.
Riley stood at the edge of Darkhawk Lumberyard.
In front of him, White Hat was silently observing two snoring beastmen.
Hoo... Hoo...
Their rough snores echoed throughout the lumberyard. There was no need for guard dogs; the terrifying snoring alone could scare off petty thieves.
“Your painting training begins now. Your first task is to sketch these two sleeping beastmen.”
White Hat’s calm voice floated over.
Riley’s expression shifted slightly, and after a moment of thought, he took out his drawing board, pencil case, and palette, preparing to begin. He summoned a bit of water to moisten his palette, ready to start painting.
Once everything was in place, White Hat added, “Before you begin, I want to ask you a question.”
Riley looked up, meeting White Hat’s gaze.
“What do you think... painting is?” White Hat's eyes became more serious.
Under White Hat’s intense gaze, Riley thought deeply for a few minutes before replying earnestly, “To me, painting has always been a way to capture the world’s beauty, a vivid expression of what I saw when I was lonely and isolated.”
White Hat nodded slightly, seemingly approving of the answer. “Then let’s begin...”
Riley steadied his breathing, focusing on the two beastmen. He carefully observed every detail, then began to skillfully apply watercolors to the canvas, outlining shapes, filling in colors, and refining details.
An hour later, two sleeping beastmen were vividly depicted on the canvas. The minotaur’s bronze horns gleamed darkly under the night sky, and the boar-headed man’s belly swelled like a pink hill. Each detail was meticulously captured.
Riley looked over every inch of the canvas with confidence, then turned it to show White Hat.
In the night, the drawing was clearly visible to White Hat, who remained calm, his expression unchanged.
“Master White Hat, where could I improve on this painting? I’d appreciate your guidance,” Riley humbly asked.
“Hmm, it’s clear you haven’t had formal training, so reaching this level on your own is impressive,” White Hat said slowly. “At a glance, the resemblance is decent, but in terms of color blending, line work, and layering, there’s room for improvement. These fundamentals are the foundation upon which we add our own personal style. Without mastering them, it’s impossible to achieve the deeper levels of painting.”
“Deeper levels of painting? Adding personal style?” Riley listened intently. It was the first time he had heard this concept.
“Exactly.” White Hat smiled. “When I asked you what painting meant to you, you mentioned it was something you did out of loneliness. But painting, as an art form, reflects the painter’s subjective influence. Objects are objective, but the way we perceive their beauty or characteristics is subjective. The image of an object in our minds can vary greatly from its actual appearance.”
Riley nodded thoughtfully.
“So, when your fundamentals are strong enough, you can start adding your own ‘personality’ to your work?”
White Hat chuckled. “That depends on your dedication. Fundamentals are necessary but not the key to success.”
Riley stroked his chin, agreeing. “I’ll work hard to reach that level!”
“Heh, you have talent and dedication. I believe you can do it.” White Hat smiled and set the canvas aside. “Let’s try again, keeping in mind what you just learned...”
Half a month later.
Spring turned to summer, and the air carried a hint of heat.
Under the clear sky, Rhett strolled through the estate’s gardens, cradling a swaddled infant in his arms.
This was his fifth grandchild, Tuck’s second daughter.
The newborn was still delicate, a faint mist hovering above her to shield her from the sun.
Rhett called up the system panel.
[Head of Family: Rhett Green]
[Second Generation Members: Tuck Green, Riley Green, Tylus Green]
[Third Generation Members: Dick Green, Kares Green, Kazena Green, Abel Green, Tracy Green]
[Text Simulation]
[Real Simulation]
[Destiny Points: 173]
A new name had appeared at the end of the third generation.
This baby, born just a week ago, had been named Tracy, as Vanessa insisted.
Holding his granddaughter Tracy in his left arm, Rhett swung his right arm naturally as he strolled, deliberately wearing a gentle smile.
The bright sunlight bathed his face, giving him a somewhat holy and benevolent look.
It was almost like posing for a portrait.
In fact, it was nearly that. On the other side of the lawn, his second son Riley was calmly painting on a canvas, quickly sketching the scene before him.
A grand figure, with his usual stern demeanor softened, cradling an infant in his arms, walking on the green lawn, bathed in sunlight. Behind them was a bed of flowers, and beyond that, the towering Darkrock Fortress.
“Are you done yet, Riley?” Rhett asked, his posture unchanged, his voice drifting forward.
He had held this pose for two hours now.
Of course, it was his own request. He wanted this "grandfather-granddaughter portrait" to be perfect.
“Almost there, just a little more. About another half hour,” Riley reassured him as he switched to a red watercolor brush, adding touches to the flowers on the lawn.
Rhett, meanwhile, was already thinking about another portrait—a family portrait. Since he couldn’t paint it himself, he could ask White Hat to help.
Yes, that sounded like a good idea.
“Good news! Good news!”
A loud, excited shout came from the cobblestone path.
Tuck came running in from the manor gates, in a rush, spotting Rhett and making a sharp turn toward him.
He was moving fast, covering the several hundred meters in just a few seconds.
Rhett frowned and stopped his eldest son in his tracks. “Tuck, don’t move. Whatever it is, tell me later.”
“Okay, Father!” Tuck skidded to a halt, rubbing the back of his head with one hand while holding a beautifully bound book in the other. The cover featured a forest scene with the bold title Coiling Dragon emblazoned on it.
Realizing Riley was painting his father, Tuck patiently waited, occasionally glancing at Coiling Dragon with a look of admiration.
Half an hour passed.
“All done, Father. You can move now,” Riley announced, setting down his brush in the holder, satisfied with his work. Since studying with White Hat, he hadn’t yet mastered the “personal touch” in his art, but his fundamentals had significantly improved under the master’s guidance.
Finally free to move, Rhett began pacing back and forth on the lawn.
At this moment, Tuck eagerly approached, holding the book out, “Father...”
“Wait!” Rhett waved him off without looking, turning his attention to Riley with a hint of anticipation. “Riley, let me see how the portrait turned out.”
Tuck: ...
Riley smiled and handed the canvas to his father. “I did my best, putting in everything I had. This is the best I can do right now, so please forgive any shortcomings.”
“Haha, not bad at all!” Rhett laughed heartily, clearly pleased as he admired the canvas. “Oh, I can almost see myself and Tracy standing together. It’s a beautiful scene, Riley. Your skills are remarkable!”
“Oh, I still have a lot to learn,” Riley said modestly.
“No, no, no. To me, this painting is full of love and dedication. I’m very satisfied,” Rhett said with a dismissive wave. Then, as if suddenly remembering Tuck, he added, “Tuck, I have a task for you. Go hang this in the center of the castle’s first-floor hall, at eye level. I want to see it every day.”
“Huh? But Father, I have something important to tell you,” Tuck complained.
“Whatever it is, can wait. Go on, get it done,” Rhett said, giving Tuck a light push on the shoulder.
Tuck looked a bit resentful.
“Ahem,” Riley interjected, “Father, the watercolor needs to be exposed to the air for a while so the colors can set.”
“Oh? Is that so...” Rhett paused, feigning realization. He then gently patted Tuck’s shoulder, smiling. “Right, what was it you wanted to tell me?”
Tuck blinked, momentarily at a loss, wondering if he was really his father’s biological son.
Grumbling, he said, “Father, your Coiling Dragon is a hit in Darkhawk City. I came here just to tell you the good news! You wouldn’t believe it, but when I was patrolling the city, I overheard many people discussing the plot of Coiling Dragon. Then I rushed to Doton Trading Company and saw that the line stretched like a dragon! It was an incredible sight!”
Tuck’s eyes shone with excitement, and the more he spoke, the more animated he became, quickly forgetting his earlier frustrations as he beamed with pride at his father.
“Hmph, so that’s what this is about...” Rhett nodded, not particularly surprised.
“Father, did you already know?” Tuck asked.
Riley chimed in, “Usually, before a novel is released, it goes through a trial reading phase, and the feedback determines the first release’s impact. Father must have prepared for this in advance and anticipated today’s outcome.”
Good son, you’ve come up with an excellent explanation... Rhett thought, casting Riley a grateful glance, pretending to be wise. “Exactly...”
Tuck and Riley looked at their father with renewed admiration.
Outside Darkhawk City.
“Make it quick, McCoff. I still have patrol duty,” Vicky said, looking at him.
Today, Vicky wore a fiery red mage’s robe, accentuating her voluptuous figure, her long legs slender and straight. Although she wasn’t young, she exuded the charm of a mature woman.
“I won’t take up much of your time, Vicky. I wanted to thank you for the drink last time, so I brought you a little gift.” McCoff smiled warmly and pulled out a beautifully bound book from his robe.
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