The Clock Pendulum had learned painting.
As a once Famous Courtesan, painting was one of her basic talents. Although most of her memories from her lifetime had been lost, her foundation in painting remained intact, just as the Songstress Flower still retained her singing ability.
The round and bright Clock Pendulum, pressing closely against Li Banfeng’s hand, guided him stroke by stroke on composition. Li Banfeng studied painting for an entire night and by dawn, he could at least draw a human figure.
From the basics of sketching, this painting had a sense of perspective and dimensionality. The bodily proportions were also largely in accordance with the standards of a normal person.
Li Banfeng gathered his thoughts and dropped a drop of blood on the picture. The blood quickly spread across the paper, and the paper rapidly folded and bent. A slender woman slowly walked out from the paper.
She was a bit short, not even one foot tall.
Li Banfeng stared at the woman for a moment, found a piece of cloth, and covered her face with it.
Although he had drawn her himself, he couldn’t bear to keep looking.
The Clock Pendulum consoled from the side, "The depiction of facial features isn’t something one can master overnight. Master is very talented. With further study, you will definitely be able to paint a stunning beauty."
"How long will I need to study?"
"I can’t remember exactly, but it should take two or three years."
"Two or three years?"
This meant that for two or three years, Li Banfeng simply wouldn’t be able to master the Fourth Layer Technique.
Seeing that Li Banfeng was somewhat annoyed, the Clock Pendulum dared not speak.
WHOOSH. The Phonograph let out a puff of steam, like a sigh. "Oh, sir, the Blood-Thirsty taught you the Western Painting Technique. It isn’t easy to learn. Two or three years isn’t long; you’re just too impatient."
"Even though it’s a bit ugly, let’s try with this for now." Li Banfeng took the One-Foot-Tall Girl outside, looking for a suitable opponent for her.
He chose a mimosa plant.
Similar to ordinary mimosa plants, this one also closed its leaves when startled. It only required a slightly greater force, enough to tear apart the skin and flesh of an ordinary person.
Li Banfeng instructed the One-Foot-Tall Girl, "Bring back that mimosa plant."
The One-Foot-Tall Girl stood still.
"The plant, that plant, bring the plant back here. Do you know what a plant is?"
Li Banfeng gesticulated and spoke for a long time, and only after considerable effort did the girl understand what Li Banfeng meant. She staggered towards the mimosa plant.
The Clock Pendulum explained, "Master, when you were painting her, you only gave her long hair without drawing ears."
"If the ears are covered by long hair, do I still need to draw them separately?"
"I don’t understand the rationale behind this either, but perhaps you should have drawn them."
"When I made the Mud People, I didn’t make ears either."
"I remember Master poking holes on both sides with a toothpick..."
RRRIP! While they were still talking, the One-Foot-Tall Girl had already been torn to shreds by the mimosa plant.
Li Banfeng collected the remains of the One-Foot-Tall Girl back into the Portable Residence. In no time, the remains turned into a pile of shredded paper with a few traces of blood.
This meant that the One-Foot-Tall Girl had completely lost all signs of life. The Delicate Lady Li Banfeng had spent all night creating had failed once again.
Seeing Li Banfeng’s dejected expression, the Phonograph consoled him, "Sir, the Fourth Layer Technique is indeed difficult to learn. To achieve this level overnight is already quite impressive."
Li Banfeng was far from satisfied. "If I were in the Outside Provinces, not to mention this kind of Paper People, even those made of plastic would be plentiful to buy!"
"What do you mean by ’made of plastic’?" His wife didn’t quite understand Li Banfeng’s implication. "Sir, if you want to buy one, that won’t do. The Delicate Lady must be made by hand. It’s the fundamental part of the Technique."
"I’m a Home Cultivation, yet I have to learn painting, and I have to model Mud People too. Doesn’t that make me a Craftsman Cultivation?"
The Phonograph chuckled. "A Home Cultivation doesn’t need to excel in everything, but must be competent in all things. You will understand in time, sir, as there’s still so much to learn."
This did fit the characteristics of a homebody, capable of a little bit of everything.
Li Banfeng took out paper and pen, continuing to learn to paint.
He only had one dip pen, which he had bought from Feng’s Grocery Store. After painting all night, the tip of the pen had split.
Since the dip pen was no longer usable, what else could he use?
Li Banfeng took the Judge’s Pen over.
"Don’t..." the Judge’s Pen managed to say. It was too lazy to accompany Li Banfeng in painting, but also too lazy to say more.
Li Banfeng was too lazy to listen to its ramblings, dipped it in ink, and started drawing directly.
The Judge’s Pen was a weapon. Its tip was extremely sharp. When it touched the paper, it would pierce right through.
The Phonograph advised, "Sir, take a break. This item isn’t useful either. Wait until you buy some good paper and pens, then continue studying."
Li Banfeng was dead set on it and ignored all advice. With the Judge’s Pen in hand, he controlled his strength, drawing the Delicate Lady stroke by stroke.
After a while, Li Banfeng was too lazy to draw any longer.
Not only was he too lazy to draw, but he also didn’t want to do anything at all.
HMPH! The Judge’s Pen gave a cold snort. Just one. That was its due. That time when Li Banfeng had used it to cross the Iron Thread River, he should have paid its due. But after all this time, the Judge’s Pen had been too lazy to ask for it. Now that Li Banfeng forced the Judge’s Pen to draw, it reclaimed its due.
For the next half day, no matter what Li Banfeng did, he would feel lazy.
...
Ma Wu sat on his plot of land, silently looking at the pocket watch in his hand.
In another half day, the land reclamation would end.
Xiao Genzi sat beside him, looking at the many scars covering Ma Wu.
It was said he had developed feelings for them, but the Centipede Mother and Daughter weren’t human, so they couldn’t have been too gentle with Ma Wu.
The first time Xiao Genzi encountered the Centipede Woman, he thought it was absurd. The second time he met the Centipede Daughter, Xiao Genzi understood something: Ma Wu was truly putting his life on the line.