"I told you before, a gentleman's virtue must not be tainted by alcohol, lust, wealth, or temper."
Elder Cao held a paintbrush, his wrist suspended in midair, seemingly exchanging glances with the images of all beings on the mural.
He did not rush to make the final stroke but instead spoke softly to Gu Weijing.
"The 'temper' here refers to bad habits. Naturally, it's best to avoid bad habits, but a painter must have a certain spirit within them as support."
"This spirit is the righteousness that desires to draw the sword and assist when witnessing injustice. It's the anger at seeing the country in ruins and the people displaced. It's the joy of achieving top honors and wedding celebrations, or it might be the bleakness felt when seeing withered vines, old trees, and a gaunt horse in the west wind..."
Elder Cao's voice was calm yet not serene.
There is a kind of spirit even in calmness.
"Good temperament can indeed make a good painter."