chapter 38 Divine Land Landscape Picture

"Oh my god, it actually transformed into another painting! Look at this, it's simply magical!" Bystanders nearby tiptoed and stretched their necks to get a glimpse of the traditional Chinese painting that Leo Zhang was holding. As Noah Jiang poured water over it, it magically transformed like ink wash, changing into a different painting. Collectors like Fred Lin and Jared Wang were all stunned. They couldn't believe their eyes. Such a transformation in the painting was simply unbelievable. "What on earth is happening? How can this painting change so magically upon contact with water?" Leo Zhang asked Noah Jiang in disbelief. "It's rare. I've never seen anything like this before." Fred Lin, standing next to them, was also taken aback. Staring at the transformed ink wash landscape painting, he noticed the signature. With wide eyes and trembling fingers, he pointed and exclaimed, "Is this the 'Divine Land Landscape Picture' by Taran Huang?" "What? Taran Huang's Divine Land Landscape Picture? That can't be possible!" "There were rumors that Taran Huang once painted the 'Divine Land Landscape Picture', but no one has ever seen it. How could such a legendary item appear here?" One of the traditional Chinese painting collectors exclaimed in shock, shaking his head in disbelief. "It might be true. Look at the landscapes in this painting. The strong black and white ink splash style, and the resilient brushwork, are unmistakably from Master Huang's peak period. Also, the signature reads 'By Taran Huang'. It's undoubtedly authentic." An elderly collector approached the painting and inspected it excitedly. "Yes, it's unmistakably Taran Huang's work. I never thought the legendary 'Divine Land Landscape Picture' truly existed, and we get to witness it in person! What a fortunate event!" The collectors present were visibly excited, almost wanting to snatch the painting from Leo Zhang's hands. "Does this mean it's real?" Leo Zhang was ecstatic, his hands trembling as he held the painting. Junko Ye might not understand art, but seeing everyone's reactions, she knew this painting must be very valuable. It was merely a Republic-era copy of a famous landscape painting, yet it transformed into the masterpiece 'Divine Land Landscape Picture' by Taran Huang. Especially Jared Wang, the owner of the art gallery, had to slap his plump face to snap out of his daze. He was immensely excited. Yet, realizing he had unknowingly gifted such a priceless painting, Jared Wang regretted and cried out, "This painting is mine! I never said I was giving it to you!" "Hey, hey, hey, Fatty Wang, you're in the wrong here. Everyone heard you forcefully give it away just now. It's too late to take it back." One of the collectors intervened. "Fatty Wang, you only have yourself to blame for this oversight." Other collectors around them chimed in with accusations. Everyone present understood the situation. Those who had previously dealt with Fatty Wang in the Antique City knew exactly his reputation. "That's right, you gave this painting to us. You can't take it back now." Leo Zhang, in his excitement, quickly stored the painting away. Jared Wang regretfully wailed at this moment, with everyone as witnesses, he could only retract his greedy hands. The painting was indeed an authentic piece by the master of traditional Chinese painting, Taran Huang, and was the rumoured Divine Land Landscape Picture, the value of which went without saying. "Kid, how did you discover the mystery in this painting?" An old collector curiously asked Noah Jiang. They had never seen such a miraculous scene in traditional Chinese painting. It was unheard of and unprecedented. "This should be the 'Dragon Forth Paper' from ZheJiang City!" Fred Lin frowned, suddenly thinking of something. "Dragon Forth Paper? Isn't that a type of paper that has only recently been made?" "Yes, and the paper produced by them now hasn't achieved such a miraculous effect, right?" Passers-by began to doubt. Noah Jiang smiled and said, "This Xuan paper manufacturing technique was once lost during the Republic of China era." Fred Lin nodded and said, "That's right. I once read about this Dragon Forth Paper in ancient records. This kind of paper poses a great challenge for the splash-ink technique. It's called 'traveling dragon' because the ink on the paper changes unpredictably, like a roaming dragon, difficult to control, and demands a lot from the painter. Due to Taran Huang's eye disease in his later years, which made him unable to see clearly, his late works, especially those using the splash-ink technique, can be said to have reached a peak state. Ordinary people looking at his later paintings often cannot understand their mysteries but feel a magical and mysterious sense." "Indeed, not everyone can understand the works of Master Huang in his later years. But why does this 'traveling dragon' Xuan paper change into another painting when it comes into contact with water?" An old collector, looking at the painting in Leo Zhang's hands, found it hard to understand. Fred Lin looked at Noah Jiang and continued with a smile, "The magic of this Dragon Forth Paper lies precisely here. The process of making this paper is extremely complicated, and secrets can be hidden within. For example, after finishing one painting, you can rinse it with water, and it will revert to another state, then you can create a second painting. If you want to see the first painting, rinse it with water again, and the first painting magically reappears." "My God, such a miraculous Paper exists?" The surrounding crowd exclaimed in amazement. Fred Lin nodded and laughed, "However, due to wars, the technology for producing this Xuan paper was lost, and those Xuan paper factories have not been able to revive this art. But it's truly unexpected, Noah, that you could see the mystery in this painting. It's really impressive, making us collectors feel ashamed." "Haha, good job, Noah, you've made me proud this time." Leo Zhang was excited, patting Noah Jiang on the shoulder. Noah Jiang shook his head and laughed, "I just got lucky, noticing something off with the paper. It's like a blind cat catching a dead rat." "It's not luck, it's your keen observation. You have potential," Lin said, admiring his friend's son-in-law. "Ah, this good-for-nothing just had a fluke. What capability can he have?" Junko Ye glanced at Noah Jiang disbelievingly, then asked Fred Lin, "Lin, how much is this painting worth?" Fred Lin smiled, and the surrounding collectors also laughed, saying, "Priceless!" Junko Ye asked, "Priceless, what does that mean?" "Ah, it means it's worth a fortune. Let's go, let's go back and study this painting in detail." Leo Zhang said as he put away the painting. He took Junko Ye by the arm and urged Fred Lin to leave quickly. Turning to Noah Jiang, he said, "Let's go, Noah. Let's go home together." "No need, Dad. I have to go back to the clinic. You go ahead," Noah shook his head, indicating he still had to return to his clinic. "Alright, come home early in the afternoon. We'll be on our way," Leo Zhang was excited. He looked around nervously, fearing that the painting he held might be snatched away by the envious onlookers. "Alright, be careful on your way back." Noah warned as he looked at Jared Wang, the owner of the painting gallery, and noticed his resentful gaze. "Understood," Leo nodded and quickly left with the painting. Fred Lin gave Noah a nod and smile, then followed Junko Ye. The three of them got into their car outside and hurriedly drove off. In the open public space, discovering the precious 'Divine Land Landscape Picture' by Taran Huang was a significant temptation. They feared that some might have ill intentions. Noah rode his electric scooter. Amidst the enthusiastic invitations and pulls from antique enthusiasts, he managed to leave the antique city and headed straight for Traditional Chinese Medicine Street. He no longer cared about what happened next. It was better to return to his clinic and focus on treating patients and selling herbal tea. In the painting gallery, Jared Wang held his phone in the backyard and urgently instructed Logan. "Find out the addresses of the Ye Family and Leo Zhang immediately. Yes, keep a close watch on him. That painting is worth a fortune. If we can get it back, we'll be rich!" Jared knew the invaluable worth of the 'Divine Land Landscape Picture' by Taran Huang. He couldn't let Leo Zhang and the others get it so easily. Therefore, no matter what, he had to retrieve that painting!