Chapter 49

Zhao Xuanhai…

Li Che's hairs stood on end; he felt the surrounding wind and rain vanish, replaced by scorching heat. A huge angry-eyed Buddha statue loomed from the high sky, looking down!

But we need to keep same meaning, not add. Let's translate literally: "Zhao Xuanhai…… Li Che's body hair rose, he only felt that the surrounding wind and rain all disappeared, becoming scorching hot. A huge angry-eyed Buddha statue, from high above, looked down!"

We need to keep it concise but not add. Let's craft:

【2】 Li Che's hairs stood on end; he felt the wind and rain around him vanish, replaced by scorching heat. A huge angry-eyed Buddha statue loomed from the high sky, looking down!

Li Che's hairs stood on end; he only felt that the surrounding wind and rain all disappeared, becoming scorching hot. A huge angry-eyed Buddha statue, from high above, looked down.

Staring at it too long makes the mind waver and sweat soak the back.

After gazing at it for a long time, one's mind and spirit will be shaken, and sweat will drench the back.

He closed his eyes, deliberately cut his gaze, and when Li Che opened them again, he was much calmer.

Zhao Xuanhai, seated before the workshop, also rose—his burly frame like a bear, nearly two meters tall, with knotted beard and dense muscles.

Li Che set down what he held, clasped his fists and bowed: "Commoner Li Che, woodcarver of the Xu Ji Four Blades, greetings, Officer."

Zhao Xuanhai, cousin of Zhao Chuanxiong, one of the three great Divine Constables of Nei Cheng…

He is a Divine cultivator!

What is Zhao Xuanhai doing here? Could he be here to avenge Zhao Chuanxiong?

He ought to be looking for the Ox Demon—why bother me, Li Che?

Li Che felt a bit puzzled.

"Master Li, no need to be nervous; I've come mainly for two things…"

Zhao Xuanhai's burly frame radiated oppressive pressure; he spoke with hands behind his back, lightly.

The three great Divine Constables of Feilieicheng are each first-rate masters, immensely strong; Li Che naturally does not want to openly oppose them.

In the distance, hurried footsteps sounded.

Three figures walked in from outside.

Li Che glanced over, startled— the three managers of Xu Ji's Wai Cheng woodcarving shop had all gathered, a rare sight.

Head Manager Xu Heli, Second Manager Xu Beihu, and Third Manager Xu You.

The three sons of Xu Ji had all arrived together.

Even the elusive Head Manager Xu Heli, who rarely shows his face, appeared.

After years in Xu Ji's woodcarving shop, Li Che has seen Head Manager Xu Heli only a few times.

Since becoming a woodcarver, this is the first time I've seen him.

Xu Heli is handsome and upright, his eyes gleaming with flowing light; a jeweled sword with hanging tassels hangs at his waist. He appears restrained, but in an instant he can draw his divine sword, its edge flashing.

Divine cultivator!

Xu Heli is also a Divine cultivator.

Actually, Xu Beihu and Xu You are also Divine cultivators, but their divine cultivation is low and not manifested; unlike Xu Heli and Zhao Xuanhai, who simply standing there emanate divine nature continuously, moving hearts.

The first realm of Divine cultivation is nurturing nature; even among nurturing nature there are degrees.

Seeing the three managers together, Li Che's heart eased a little, knowing he should be safe.

"What mighty winds could blow the Divine Constable to our little shop?" Xu Heli lowered his lids slightly, smiling, and clasped his fists toward Zhao Xuanhai.

"Hahaha, I came to find Master Li for two things; first, I heard you're a genius woodcarver of Xu Ji, so I have a good job I'd like to ask you about." Zhao Xuanhai laughed.

"Young Master Xu seems not far from forging a Divine Foundation; among the three young masters of Feilieicheng, perhaps Young Master Xu Heli will take the lead." Zhao Xuanhai gazed at Xu Heli, narrowing his eyes.

"Forging a Divine Foundation is hard; what seems a trifle is actually immense—it's not that easy… Divine Constable, you overpraise."

Xu Heli's expression unchanged: "Master Li is not yet a woodcarver master; given your status as Divine Constable, you should seek a woodcarver master."

Zhao Xuanhai waved his hand: "This job doesn't need a woodcarver master; strictly speaking, this is a conscription…"

Conscription?

At these words, everyone was stunned.

Li Che's brow furrowed; conscription… that involves higher‑level figures.

"That's right—it's a verbal conscription from the City Lord, summoning skilled woodcarvers from the great clans' shops to jointly complete the job; pay is generous, totaling ten days of work and ten gold leaves."

Ten gold leaves?!

One thousand taels?!

Everyone's hearts jumped.

"I don't know… what is the job?" Xu You asked on Li Che's behalf.

Zhao Xuanhai glanced at the third Xu brother and said lightly: "The specifics can't be disclosed; basically it's just carving some woodworks for the City Lord—nothing too difficult, and it doesn't require the divine charm of a master woodcarver. But the City Lord needs a large quantity, and quality cannot be compromised, so we need skilled woodcarvers from the shops."

Xu Heli frowned at these words—had Zhao Xuanhai come just for this?

I had thought it was due to Zhao Chuanxiong's death; if not for Li Che being a talented woodcarver of the shop with a chance to become a master, Xu Heli wouldn't even have wanted to heed Xu You's request to come.

Upon hearing, Xu Heli involuntarily looked at Li Che: "Master Li, are you willing to take this job?"

Li Che clasped his fists sincerely: "Reply to Head Manager, I am unwilling."

Work for the City Lord?

Just hearing it, it's no good job!

The lure of one thousand taels is strong, but for Li Che, who just struck it rich, he can still resist.

Unwilling?

Xu Heli was stunned, not expecting Li Che to so bluntly refuse a one‑thousand‑tael job, especially one for the City Lord's office.

Zhao Xuanhai was also speechless; at other shops, the woodcarvers who heard they were to carve for the City Lord were all eager—after all, it could gain favor with the City Lord's mansion and leave a debt of gratitude.

Yet no one expected Li Che's attitude to be completely different from others.

"Master Li, this is the City Lord's conscription—the pay is extremely generous!" Zhao Xuanhai frowned.

"Divine Constable, you also said it's just the City Lord's verbal conscription, which can be refused; since Master Li is unwilling to take this job, let the shop's other craftsmen go—I, Xu Ji, have made up the numbers."

Xu Heli said.

Zhao Xuanhai stared deeply at Li Che; rumor has it that this genius woodcarver of Xu Ji is steady, fears death, timid and cowardly—now it seems…

Si Mubai's assessment is quite fair.

Forget it, since Li Shifu is unwilling, then let it be.

After Zhao Xuanhai's words fell, he suddenly raised his arm and vanished from the spot like lightning, abrupt as wind and thunder rampaging.

He appeared beside Li Che, his fingers like hooks, and fiercely pinched Li Che's right shoulder.

In Zhao Xuanhai's eyes, a divine power like fire seemed to ignite, resembling a Buddha with flying hair, head thrown back in a furious roar.

A stream of divine power flowed along Zhao Xuanhai's palm into Li Che's body, swiftly circling once.

The change happened too fast!

Xu He li's gaze narrowed; the sword with hanging tassels at his waist let out a sword hum and burst from its sheath, its light crisscrossing densely throughout the workshop.

"Hahaha! The Xu family's 【Xuan Si Liu Sword】 truly lives up to its reputation, extraordinarily sharp!"

As Xu He li drew his sword, Zhao Xuanhai, like a startled swan, instantly loosened his grip on Li Che's shoulder and retreated to his original spot.

Xu He li gripped his long sword, eyes flashing like lightning: "Divine Constable Zhao... what is the meaning of this?"

Zhao Xuanhai laughed: "I've heard Li Shifu is a martial arts prodigy; after only two years of training, he has already entered Bone Tempering—naturally I'm curious and want to test it."

Immediately, Zhao Xuanhai waved his hand: "Since Li Shifu refuses this job, my side will take the lead first—what a pity... Li Shifu's skill is superb, yet he spurns even freely offered wealth and honor."

"My side bids farewell."

Having said that, Zhao Xuanhai turned and walked toward the outside of the woodcarving shop.

He donned a bamboo hat, didn't hold up an umbrella, and straightaway plunged into the wind and rain.

And the moment Zhao Xuanhai stepped out of Xu Ji Mu diao Pu, his brows furrowed tightly.

"Not him?"

"Some heterodox martial arts can inwardly restrain qi and blood, conceal one's skills, and erupt when needed; Niu Mo's repeated attacks are all related to this Li Che."

"Sun Changbiao, Lei Chunlan, and the disappointing cousin Zhao Chuanxiong... all have set their sights on Li Che's spirit-child daughter."

"I originally thought this Li Che was pretending to be a pig to eat the tiger, but now it seems..."

"Is this Li Che really a pig?"

Zhao Xuanhai's burly frame, like a bear, stood in the wind and rain, letting the rain strike his body, outlining a hazy water mist; he turned his head and glanced at Xu Ji Mu diao Pu.

"Niu Mo... could it actually be related to Xu Ji?"

"Hah... not important."

Zhao Xuanhai gave a light smile and continued strides into the rain.

However, after just two steps, his brows involuntarily furrowed.

"Strange... just circling once inside Li Che's body, why is the divine power consumption so great?"

"It feels like something took a big bite out of it."

……

……

Inside Xu Ji Mu diao Pu.

Having just refused Zhao Xuanhai, Li Che returned to his own workshop.

Feeling the scorching heat within his arm, like an angry serpent writhing, the furious divine power...

He rubbed his fingers, and the corner of his mouth couldn't help but curl up slightly.

"Divine Constable, it smells so good."

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(End of chapter)