Plot summary

This film tells a little-known legendary story about Wu Daozi, the greatest painter of the Tang Dynasty in China, in his later years. In pursuit of fame and fortune, young painter Tang Anzhou (played by Xu Ning) searches for a generation of painter Wu Daozi (played by Wu Ma) on behalf of the emperor Tang Xuanzong. Passing through a small town, Tang Anzhou was showing off his painting skills in an inn when he was bumped into by a crazy old man who was catching chickens. The old man with gray hair accidentally sprayed wine on Tang Anzhou's paintings after being drunk. At first, Tang Anzhou felt humiliated, but Later, I found that drinking wine added to the painting, which added a bit of charm. Later, Tang Anzhou visited the old beggar several times, and this crazy old beggar was also the painting saint Wu Daozi.

Tang Anzhou tried every means to invite Wu Daozi to come out of the mountain, but Wu Daozi was not moved by fame and fortune. He was willing to be a village man in the mountains, painting every day, and ended up living at ease, even though the emperor once praised him for his "very great work". There is an edict not to paint" gold medal, but this highest honor is just a shackles for him. In the end, Wu Daozi broke off his right arm, causing Tang Anzhou to give up. Wu Daozi used his unique behavior and thoughts to help Tang Anzhou, who was pursuing fame and fortune, finally understand what to hold on to and what to let go.