Looking for scholar novel about the four arts go, painting, calligraphy, zither etc. Where the MC completes against other scholars. Perfer tags like politics, underestimated male lead, smart male lead, and clever male lead. Would like if it had 100+ chapters. Thanks!
Ive I've heard of it but hadn't set my heart on reading it because of the reviews. But it seems interesting so I'll read it
If you haven't read it, then Library of Heaven's Path is your pick, practically it has everything you asked for
Library of Heaven’s Path - MC had learn Painting & Calligraphy, and probably more in the future!!! Transcending the Nine Heavens - Chu Yang know how to play with Go and Zither
God's song , ain't the four arts but have a scholar ish feel to it (for me at least) and it's about music?
King Shura fits some of the requirements he is a scholar and has political battles but he is also a commander and knows some martial arts
I highly (and shamelessly) recommend The Grandmaster Strategist. The protagonist, Jiang Zhe, is an actual scholar who passes the imperial examinations as the zhuangyuan, as he tries to survive in a tumultuous time. Instead of cultivating martial arts or learning how to command troops into battle, Jiang Zhe uses his intelligence to scheme and plot his way to victory. Though he is not an expert in the four scholarly arts, the character isn't accomplished in any of them. There are several chapters that revolve around scholarly pursuits, including verifying the authenticity of a painting, zither playing, poetry gatherings, and playing weiqi.