The artist's robust brushwork vividly portrays the resilient pines along a craggy landscape. A towering mountain dominates the foreground, its majesty underscored by the subtle ink wash that depicts a series of distant peaks, infusing the scene with an air of grandeur and abundance.

Positioned in the lower right corner, a solitary monk engages in a chess game, observed by inquisitive monkeys. The powerful visual is imbued with a timeless serenity; imagined sounds—the gentle flow of water, the soft click of chess pieces—reverberate through the expansive space, eliciting a profound sense of tranquil emptiness. 

Navigating the serene terrains of Hou Xiantang's paintings, the audience finds itself transported beyond the mundane. Hou employs a distinct M-shaped brush stroke that lends an intriguing blend of vitality and enigma to the mountainous landscapes he presents as his ultimate "hidden paradise." This technique affords remarkable versatility, layering strokes to evoke towering, rugged mountains or employing a softer touch to suggest lush, dense forests.

Ink-wash painting, unlike oil, lacks the benefit of coverage and opacity. One single misplaced stroke has the power to disrupt the entire artistic pursuit. There is no such thing as white ink; all white spaces are deliberate omissions on the paper. This juxtaposition of reserved white spaces—depicting clouds, mist, ripples, and streams—demands a high level of proficiency with the brush and a heightened awareness of aesthetics.

- Signature: Hand-signed + personal seal at lower left corner