"No," Lan Wangji says with a flicker of amusement. He retrieves his inkstone and a fresh ink stick; he lays them out in front of him. "A small amount of water is sufficient." From the little pitcher he's brought up, he pours water into the well of his inkstone, just enough to partially coat its flat surface. That done, he demonstrates picking up the ink stick and grinding it in precise circular motions through the water. "The weight of your hand is enough. No more force is required." Indeed, the water begins to turn black with the ink almost at once.