My experience of grinding in another world

Chapter 11 Wanted
Chen Mu suddenly understood.

The insights gained while grinding for proficiency do not come from nowhere; they are all knowledge that already exists in the world today.

The gray wall was like a huge database, and Chen Mu continuously acquired information from it as his proficiency increased.

It might even contain knowledge from a previous life.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to develop his skills in 3D realistic painting.

It's pretty amazing to think about.

……

At the entrance of the county government office, Chen Mu followed Constable Lu inside.

An old man with a bruised and swollen face walked towards us.

"Painter Yan," Constable Lu greeted with a cupped hand.

The old man's eyes were swollen shut, his chin held high, and he gave an arrogant "hmm" before strutting out of the government office.

"Painter Yan? He was beaten up?" Chen Mu exclaimed in surprise, then filled with indignation, "The world is going to the dogs! How could they treat such an old man so brutally! That's too cruel!"

Officer Lu gave Chen Mu a strange look.

He always felt that something was off about the scholar's expression.

The county government office had six clerks, whose offices were located in the rooms on both sides outside the main hall.

Officer Lu led Chen Mu into one of the rooms.

The writing brush, ink, paper, and inkstone are all ready.

There were also five or six finished portraits hanging on the wall.

The county government also found other painters.

Inside the room, a pharmacy apprentice described the thief's physical characteristics to him. The apprentice was the only one who had seen the thief's face.

As the other party explained, the image of the thief quickly formed in Chen Mu's mind.

He was about to start writing when he suddenly looked up at the portrait hanging on the wall.

One of them was remarkably lifelike, bearing a six or seven-tenths resemblance to the image in his mind.

Chen Mu recognized the brushstrokes and was certain that it was painted by Master Yan.

As expected of an experienced painter, relying on his years of experience in painting portraits, he was able to draw a six- or seven-tenths likeness of the pharmacist apprentice with just a few words.

If I didn't have some kind of cheat code, I really wouldn't be able to beat him.

But if I draw the thief's image realistically, wouldn't I outshine the master painter Yan?
This is a veteran artist with many years of experience and a highly respected position. Wouldn't it be incredibly shameful to be surpassed by someone like myself, a mere junior?

No, no.

After someone has already been beaten so badly, it's inappropriate to further damage their industry standing!
With a flourish of his brush, Chen Mu created a half-length portrait that looked like a photograph.

It's three-dimensional and lifelike; apart from not looking quite right, it's perfect.

After comparing the portrait with that of painter Yan, Chen Mu nodded in satisfaction and leisurely left the county government office.

……

Three days later, Chen Mu went to Zheng Tu's place to buy meat.

I passed by a restaurant.

I saw a wanted poster on the door.

The figure in the painting has an ordinary appearance, but his eyes are cold and frightening. He is the real culprit in the Wang family massacre.

Chen Mu recognized that this was the work of painter Yan; his own portrait had indeed been rejected.

Chen Muxin nodded with satisfaction.

Someone capable of committing a massacre of an entire family must be exceptionally ruthless.

Being wanted by someone who has drawn their portrait might lead to retaliation against the artist.

Alas, the senior painter Yan truly bore the weight of everything.

Therefore, we must respect our elders.

Chen Mu was very proud of his deliberate act of hiding his abilities and yielding to others in the government office.

May the old painter live a long and peaceful life.

……

clang!
boom!
With a crisp sound, the copper coin hanging in mid-air suddenly disappeared.

Immediately following was a dull thud, like a firecracker exploding in the ground.

A small crater was immediately blown open in the adobe wall.

Chen Mu stepped forward and pried out the copper coin that was stuck deep in the mud wall.

Chen Mu breathed a sigh of relief after glancing at the slightly deformed copper coin.

"We can't use copper coins anymore; if they get damaged, we'll lose money."

Ever since he could hit the wooden basin with perfect accuracy from ten meters away, he began to gradually reduce the size of his target.

It has now shrunk to the size of a single copper coin.

He looked up at the pitted and uneven wall. Those pits were all made by him using flying stones.

Adjust the gray wall.

Writing: 1043/10000/Second order;

Drawing: 157/10000/Second order;

Throw: 9632/10000/Tier 1;
As the throwing level approaches the second tier, the Flying Locust Stone gradually undergoes a qualitative change.

Not only is it unerring within ten meters, but its power is also increasing.

The stone could bounce a copper coin and still have enough power to blast a hole in the wall.

Although the walls are made of adobe and are relatively soft, their power should not be underestimated.

"If this hit someone, they would definitely be torn to shreds."

Finally, I have some means to protect myself.

"It's just a bit expensive."

He burned a lot of calories through his relentless training day and night.

He spent almost all of his savings on meat.

As a result, he was about to run out of money, but he also developed a muscular physique.

He still looks like a thin, scholarly man.

Once you take off your clothes, you can see the obvious muscle definition on your body.

He felt he could knock out the person in front of him with one punch.

"I need to find a way to make money, otherwise I'll run out of money." Chen Mu frowned and pondered.

He had wanted to save money to learn martial arts, but he never expected that just practicing the Flying Locust Stone would empty his savings.

Unfortunately, the painter Yan had found himself two strong and robust followers.

Otherwise, I'd have to give him another big gift no matter what.

……

Two days later, Chen Mu sat at a square table, carefully counting the copper coins in the pottery jar.

He was considering whether to try his luck at the West Market.

Miaohuafang was backed by a powerful force, but it only monopolized the calligraphy and painting business in the East Market.

The West Market is not yet within the other party's sphere of influence.

I can't let my hard-earned second-order drawing skills go to waste.

As for whether he would be suppressed again, Chen Mu had considered it.

But we were so poor we could barely afford to eat, so we had to give it a try.

I've heard that the entertainment districts in the West Market are even more upscale, with songstresses who are all highly skilled and incredibly beautiful.

Chen Mu went back into the house and took out the painting "Xiaoqian" again.

When Chen Mu finally had some money recently, he even had it framed.

"With this painting as our trademark, we don't need to worry about those courtesans not recognizing its value."

Full of confidence, Chen Mu carried "Xiaoqian" straight to the West Market.

Following the same old routine, I found an elegant restaurant and rented tables and chairs for a stall at the entrance.

Once you open Xiaoqian's paintings, you can start waiting for business to come to you.

The three-dimensional realistic painting method was so unique that in no time, the table was surrounded by people.

"Young master, my master wishes to commission your portrait. I wonder when..."

"I have time now." Chen Mu looked happily at the beautiful maid in front of him.

The owner of the pretty maid must also be a pretty young lady.

My second-order drawing skills finally have a chance to be put to good use!

Chen Mu immediately packed his things and followed the pretty maid.

After a series of twists and turns, the two arrived at a large, secluded courtyard.

Why does this feel so familiar?
Suppressing his doubts, Chen Mu followed the beautiful maid into the mansion.

Pass through the corridors and pavilions to enter the tranquil backyard garden.

A sense of déjà vu, becoming increasingly familiar, is coming over me.

Chen Mu suddenly had a bad feeling.

Turning past a rockery, he saw a sprightly old man with a white beard smiling at him.

"Young Master Chen, my portrait is meant to be admired by future generations, so remember to paint me as handsome as possible." The old man grinned, revealing his three remaining large teeth.

Chen Mu: “…”

Am I having a grudge against funeral portraits?!

(End of this chapter)