A Healing-Themed Artist Was Matched With a Human Weapon - Chapter 3

Si Nuo had been trying to find a website for freelance commissions, but he had no leads. The original owner’s memories were a blank slate in this regard, and as a newcomer, Si Nuo lacked experience. He had spent the last two days browsing various sites but found nothing useful. He wondered if this was simply not a trend in the Interstellar Era. After all, most product illustrations could be generated in an instant by AI, making human artists seem redundant. In this world, you either became a famous master or a top-tier designer; otherwise, you were destined to starve.

Si Nuo didn’t want to starve. Since painting seemed like a dead end, he began looking for other ways to survive.

Zhang Yu pushed the door open. “Si Nuo, did you turn in your sketching assignment?”

Si Nuo nodded. “Yeah, I turned it in this morning.”

“What did you submit? That maple forest piece?”

“No, I did a still-life sketch. It’s uncolored.”

Zhang Yu paused. “When did you draw that?”

“Late last night, after you fell asleep. I couldn’t sleep, so I just got up to draw,” Si Nuo replied, not giving it much thought. “By the way, do you know of any part-time jobs?”

Zhang Yu’s family situation was slightly better than his, but still average, so he often worked part-time. He wasn’t surprised by the request, but he sighed. “You’re finally quitting that manual labor job? I’ve been telling you it’s too strenuous. Your body can’t handle it. But the restaurant where I work isn’t hiring, so I can’t really help you there.”

Zhang Yu suddenly snapped his fingers. “Oh! I heard someone in our school forum is commissioning a painting of a maple forest. You drew one, didn’t you? Why don’t you submit it? The bounty is 20,000! What if you get it?”

Si Nuo’s eyes lit up. “Where?”

“You didn’t know about our school’s own forum?”

Si Nuo: “…”

With Zhang Yu’s guidance, Si Nuo logged into the school portal. Sure enough, there was a pinned post in red. He had searched so many other sites, yet it never occurred to him to check the school’s own page.

“The requirements look simple. Paint a maple forest, and if they’re satisfied, you get 20,000,” Zhang Yu said excitedly. “Lots of people have submitted, apparently. If I could draw as well as you, I’d try it too.”

Si Nuo noted the post was two days old. “And no one has claimed the 20,000 yet?”

“If they had, the post would be gone. Since it’s still up, they aren’t satisfied,” Zhang Yu reasoned. “Try it! What if they like your style?”

Si Nuo agreed. As a seasoned freelancer, he knew that “simple requirements” were often the most difficult because clients usually only defined their needs through vague “feelings.”

“How do I send them the work? Just add this contact number?”

Zhang Yu, also a novice in this area, said, “Probably? Add them, send a photo, and if they like it, you can meet up. Worst case, you just waste some time.”

Si Nuo stared at the 20,000 bounty. If they didn’t like his current piece, he would just paint a custom one. He couldn’t let 20,000 slips through his fingers; that was three months of financial security.

He added the number, expecting a wait, but the request was accepted almost instantly. Before he could even introduce himself, the other party messaged: [Painting?]

Are they more anxious than me? Si Nuo wondered.

Si Nuo: [I saw your post on the school forum. I have a painting of a maple forest. Would you like me to send you a photo to see if it meets your requirements?]

Lu Cen (The Biggest): [Yes!]

Si Nuo sent the photo he had taken earlier, adding: [Please take a look. If it’s not what you’re looking for, I can customize one according to your preferences.]

Before he could hit send on that last sentence, the other side flooded him with messages:

Lu Cen (The Biggest): [!!!]

Lu Cen (The Biggest): [Master!!!!]

Lu Cen (The Biggest): [I’ve finally found you!]

Lu Cen (The Biggest): [Master, I want this painting! When are you free? I’m available anytime!!!]

Lu Cen (The Biggest): [Please, you must sell this to me! The price is negotiable!!]

Si Nuo: “…”

Zhang Yu, peering over his shoulder, asked, “Is this person going to try to scam you?”

Si Nuo was just as confused. [Have you seen my painting before?]

The reply came back quickly: [Yes. I saw it by accident the other day, and I was absolutely stunned. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it, so I had to post the bounty just to meet you again!]

Si Nuo: “…” Is this guy a nutcase?

Zhang Yu: “Sounds like a scam.”

Si Nuo: “What should I do?”

Zhang Yu slapped his shoulder. “It’s fine. I’ll go with you. I don’t believe two guys can’t handle one person.”

They agreed to meet at a café outside campus. When they arrived, Si Nuo was about to send a message, but a young man in an Imperial First Military Academy uniform approached him. “Excuse me, are you Master Si Nuo?”

“I’m Si Nuo. Just call me by my name I’m no master. Are you the one who posted the bounty?”

“Yes, yes! I’m Lu Cen. Waiter, two coffees, please!” Lu Cen excitedly led them to a table.

Si Nuo didn’t hesitate and handed over the scroll. “The painting is inside. Take a look. If you aren’t satisfied, I can still customize one.”

Lu Cen looked overjoyed. “You accept custom orders?”

Lu Cen opened the scroll with the reverence of someone handling a holy relic. Zhang Yu leaned toward Si Nuo, whispering, does this guy have a mental problem?

As Lu Cen unveiled the painting, the forest from his memory appeared. That same feeling of serenity flooded his mental sea. Snap. He quickly rolled it back up, afraid of losing his composure in public.

“Master, name your price.”

Si Nuo was taken aback. “The bounty was 20,000, wasn’t it?”

“That was just a placeholder. 20,000 is far too little for your work. Your painting is priceless. I only have 500,000 on me right now take it all! Please, give me the painting. If that’s not enough, I can…”

“No, no! 20,000 is enough. My painting isn’t worth that much,” Si Nuo stammered, stunned by the offer.

Lu Cen looked at him, genuinely shocked. “Master, don’t you realize what your art means to people with mental powers? If this were released to the public, there would be a bidding war. 20,000 is an insult. Take the 500,000!”

Si Nuo: “…”

Zhang Yu: “…” This guy definitely has a problem, but it’s a problem of having too much money!

Si Nuo, feeling a surge of nervous adrenaline, insisted, “100,000. That’s my final offer, or I won’t sell it.”

Lu Cen was moved by Si Nuo’s integrity. “If you insist on 100,000, I will pay that. But if you ever need anything, just say the word. And I’ll have my friends look at this painting they’re all wealthy, and next time, please, don’t charge so little!”

After explaining how the painting had actually helped stabilize his mental disorder, Lu Cen transferred the money and left.

On the walk back, Zhang Yu was in a daze. “Pinch me, Si Nuo. Is this a dream? 100,000 for one painting? You’re rich!”

Si Nuo smiled, relief washing over him. “It really does feel like a dream.”

That night, Si Nuo dreamt of the grand hall again. The man he feared was walking toward the throne, sword in hand, dripping with blood. The man looked back at Si Nuo, his eyes cold and murderous, like a vengeful ghost from hell.

Si Nuo woke up in a cold sweat, his body trembling, and he realized he had developed a fever.

“You’re burning up!” Zhang Yu cried out the next morning. “Did you catch a cold, or was it the hot pot?”

Si Nuo felt embarrassed to say it was from a nightmare. “I’m fine, just let me rest.”

“Like hell you are! You’re made of paper, not iron. Put your clothes on, we’re going to the infirmary.”

Si Nuo felt a wave of gratitude for his roommate. “Thanks, Zhang Yu. You’re a good friend.”

Zhang Yu laughed off the sentiment. “Don’t mention it. If you want to repay me, just teach me how to paint once you’re better. I just want to be better than that arrogant snob Ren Ju!”