Chapter 141
Chapter 141
Old Master Xu laughed proudly, “This is the famous painting ‘The Elegy of the Broken Formation in the Western Regions.’”
The old Taoist repeatedly praised the woman depicted in the painting. Her attire was a quintessential Western Regions style: snow-white, long legs, red silk, adorned in gold and silver that barely concealed her modesty, revealing all of a woman’s most enchanting features.
Moreover, her dance was both seductive and powerful, her figure smooth and full, captivating anyone who gazed upon her.
“Would you all like to see the woman in the painting?” the black-robed Taoist said mysteriously.
The crowd immediately perked up, especially the men.
But soon, disbelief clouded their faces.
“Have you found the original model for the woman in the painting?”
“That’s impossible. This painting isn’t a modern work.”
The black-robed Taoist chuckled, “Of course not the model. What I mean is to have the woman in the painting step out from the canvas.”
“Are you joking?”
“How could the woman in a painting possibly come out of it?”
“You’re probably just a charlatan.”
No one believed him.
The black-robed Taoist smiled and asked Old Master Xu, “Old Master Xu, would you be willing to take the painting down and lend it to this old Taoist for a moment?”
Old Master Xu gave a subtle nod to his servant.
The servant took down the painting and handed it over to the black-robed Taoist.
The Taoist accepted the painting, sat cross-legged on the ground, fingers weaving intricate hand seals, mumbling incantations.
The crowd whispered among themselves, pointing and speculating.
Suddenly, a swirl of yellow sand filled the air, as if they were transported to the ancient western borderlands.
Everyone was startled and immediately became alert.
Tang Shihan nearly had her eyes blinded by the yellow sand and frowned, retreating slightly.
Ye Fengyun stepped in front of her, his expression grave as he stared at the black-robed Taoist.
Amid the swirling sand, a faint, graceful figure emerged before them.
She wore no shoes; her pure white, delicate feet lightly touched the ground. Thin as cicada wings, the silk fluttered with the wind. Her smooth, alabaster skin was revealed as she danced, enchanting the onlookers.
“Wow!!”
“That’s really the woman from the painting!”
“She’s alive! She’s really alive!”
Everyone was stunned.
The woman passed before each man, smiling seductively, lightly brushing their cheeks. The men grinned foolishly, intoxicated.
Tang Shihan stared in shock at the dancing beauty and asked, “Is this real?”
Ye Fengyun said, “Just a sleight of hand.”
For the old Taoist to use such a trick openly in front of everyone was clearly to conceal his true intentions.
The black-robed Taoist noticed Ye Fengyun and, seeing he was unarmed, manipulated the dancing beauty to approach him.
“Handsome sir, would you care to dance with me?” the alluring beauty cooed.
Ye Fengyun smiled, “Sorry, I’m already married.”
Holding his tea, he gently flicked a drop of water with his finger. The beauty screamed sharply and vanished into yellow sand.
The old Taoist frowned, realizing he had met a worthy opponent. Thinking, “If this young man wants to duel, then I shall oblige.”
“You’re quite skilled, young man,” the Taoist said with a half-smile. He pulled out a scroll from his bosom. With a flick of his arm, the scroll unfurled, revealing countless bats fluttering across its surface.
He formed a hand seal, and the bats on the scroll began to move.
Ye Fengyun shielded Tang Shihan behind him, seated at the tea table before him. Facing the onslaught of bats, he showed no anxiety; instead, he calmly poured himself a cup of tea.