Chapter 7

Looks like there's stock!

This ancient text…… perhaps it will be of great help to the 【Immortal Artisan】 Dao fruit!

Suppressing the tremor of the Dao fruit in his mind, Li Che took a deep breath; though his emotions surged, he did not go to investigate.

With the sound of the bronze gong being struck, everyone in Xu Ji Mu diao Pu put down what they were holding, and the atmosphere grew solemn.

The courtyard gate was opened, wind and snow poured in, and several figures rushed in.

The two leading figures wore fox-fur cloaks, bound caps on their heads, their eyes bright and spirited, exuding a strong aura; just looking at them seemed to seize one's soul.

Moreover, their qi and blood were vigorous; wind and snow did not cling to their bodies, and even having walked through the storm, not a single speck of snow touched them.

These two are the second and third managers of Xu Ji Mu diao Pu.

Usually, the Wai Cheng Xu Ji Mu diao Pu is overseen by the third manager Xu You; the great manager Xu Helie and the second manager Xu Beihu reside in the Nei Cheng, but today for the examination, the second manager Xu Beihu came in person.

Xu Ji Mu diao Pu in the Nei Cheng is by no means weak; it can even be called a formidable power, mainly because these three managers are all top-notch experts, their strength not lacking.

Entering Xu Ji Mu diao Pu, they removed their fox-fur cloaks and sat upright in the master's chairs, calmly scanning the apprentices gathered inside.

"The shop's woodcarving master examination is held once a year, each time recruiting three; after becoming a first‑grade woodcarving master, one receives a fixed wage of five taels per month, and after selling the finished carvings, the shop takes forty percent, the remainder belonging to oneself."

"Of course, after becoming a woodcarving master, each year's evaluation: for each additional blade mastered, the shop's share decreases by one tenth, and the monthly wage increases."

The third manager Xu You sat upright, his gaze sweeping over; his complexion was fair, his demeanor gentle.

In contrast, the second manager Xu Beihu lived up to his name: his aura was mighty, he sat ramrod straight, his waist thick and broad, his spine like a sturdy bamboo, his qi and blood rolling like a blazing furnace.

After the third manager finished speaking, the second manager also opened his mouth; his voice rang like a bronze bell, and as soon as he spoke, the hall seemed to be overcome by rolling waves.

"To become an official woodcarving master of the shop, one gains the qualification to practice martial arts and cultivate inner strength; if you wish to advance further and higher on the woodcarving path, inner strength is indispensable. Our Xu Ji Mu diao Pu has been passed down in Fēiléichéng for two hundred years; without some martial prowess, we could not guard this family business."

"Furthermore, choosing to participate in the examination is tantamount to tacitly agreeing to join our Xu Ji Mu diao Pu and become one of its people; should there be betrayal, do not blame us for being ruthless."

"I, Xu Beihu, despise traitors the most!"

The rough words echoed like a tiger's roar, shaking the hearts and minds of every apprentice.

Li Che also felt a chill in his heart.

"Now, those who wish to continue the examination, please come forward to register and collect the examination timber."

After the second manager Xu Beihu's stern warning, the third manager Xu You's gentle words sounded like a spring breeze.

The many apprentices hurriedly and orderly went forward, registered their names, and received the wood.

"Little Li, go on." Chen Lao laughed, took a sip of wine, narrowed his eyes, and said.

After Li Che clasped his fists in salute, he also went to register.

"Li Che?" The registering third manager Xu You saw that Li Che had indeed come to register, his eyebrows rose slightly, showing a hint of surprise.

A few days ago, Li Che came to see him, but he didn't think much of it; after all, every year there are some porters who envy the high earnings of woodcarving masters and seek a chance to take the examination, but most give up after trying to carve a few pieces.

It is still uncommon for someone like Li Che to actually come running to register for the examination.

Is it that he lacks self‑awareness, or… does he possess genuine talent?

"There have been precedents of porters becoming woodcarving masters; I hope you can give me some surprises—do your best." Xu You, being gentle, offered an encouraging word.

Li Che nodded, picked up a piece of timber, and then found a workstation to stand at.

When all the examinees had selected their timber, the third manager Xu You stood with his hands behind his back, scanned the crowd, and said lightly: "This examination's theme…… is the Four‑Armed Bodhisattva holding a child."

The words having been spoken.

The third manager lifted the red cloth wrapped around the woodcarving on the table, revealing the true form of the carving.

A statue of a Four‑Armed Bodhisattva embracing a child stood on the table; its four arms were extended in different poses: one hand formed a seal, one held a pure jade bottle, one grasped a ruyi scepter, and the last single arm cradled a laughing boy with his mouth open, his hair tied in an upward‑rushing braid.

"Hiss——"

The sound of drawing in cold breath came from the mouths of many apprentices.

This year's examination topic…… is unexpectedly this difficult!

Even the old masters watching the spectacle around them showed looks of astonishment.

In previous years it was merely an ordinary Bodhisattva statue, but this year they added an embracing child…… and also a requirement for four arms.

For each additional arm in a woodcarving, the grasp of the whole, control of error rate, and the test of craftsmanship all become considerably harder.

Difficult, difficult, difficult!

Chen Lao smacked his lips: "Little Li's luck is unmatched…… truly unlucky, this exam topic—you can't even muddle through."

Li Che stared at the Four‑Armed Bodhisattva statue, yet his heart eased slightly……

His luck is not bad!

It's a type he has handled before!

It's settled!

Chen Lao had previously carved and sold the "Nine Children Embracing Lotus" for one hundred fifty taels, which Li Che had already handled, thus Li Che learned child carving; furthermore, the Six‑Eyed Bodhisattva statue gave Li Che the technique for carving Bodhisattvas……

The only shortcoming is…… the four‑arms aspect.

But with his lv2 Dao Fruit of the Immortal Artisan, Li Che is confident he can carve it!

"The main thing is to put a bit more effort into the connotation."

Li Che began to ponder, making a plan for this examination.

He need not hide his clumsiness, but connotation—such a mysterious thing—can only be attributed to talent.

A porter, if he displays woodcarving skill not inferior to that of the shop's old masters…… would ultimately be hard to explain.

"The examination lasts four two-hour periods; when the time is up, all must stop carving—violators will have their qualification cancelled. Do you understand?"

The second manager Xu Beihu rose to his feet, issuing a warning full of pressure.

The many apprentices, including Li Che, all responded.

"The Wai Cheng Xu Ji Mu diao Pu woodcarving master examination, now begins!"

Xu Beihu waved his big hand, and a surge of mighty qi flooded Xu Ji Mu diao Pu.

Carving the "Four-armed Bodhisattva Holding Child" statue took four hours; the time was tight, not leisurely.

So, the apprentices dared not waste time; holding the wood, they began to measure and outline, starting to trace shapes with ink lines.

These timbers had been dried, saving some steps.

Li Che placed the timber on the workbench, reached out to touch it, sketched the outer and inner contours in his mind, and after a moment began to dip a wolf-hair brush in ink, drawing lines on the wood.

The workbench was equipped with axes, mallets, saws, files, and other tools for hewing the rough blank.

The rough blank actually summarizes the design concept with simple geometric forms; the overall notions of hierarchy, motion, proportion, center of gravity, etc., must all be embodied in the rough blank.

The rough blank is very important, and it is also the place that most tests one's talent.

After a moment, the apprentices who had finished tracing the lines began to tap and chisel with a clinging sound……

【Immortal Craftsman】 The Dao Fruit trembled; Li Che closed his eyes then opened them, and his entire demeanor seemed to undergo an earth-shaking change.

Old Chen stood nearby holding a wine gourd; at the instant Li Che picked up the carving knife, the moment his demeanor transformed, Old Chen froze, staring at Li Che as if looking at……his younger self.

"This kid… his bearing is quite well put together," Chen Dabao muttered.

However, as Li Che began to hew and outline the rough blank, Chen Dabao narrowed his eyes.

Scraps of wood shavings fluttered down; the sharp blade penetrated the wood, tearing apart the fibers' connections and tracing marks.

The coarse lines, however, had already sketched out the overall rough-blank image.

Time slipped away like sand between the fingers, trickling bit by bit amidst the rustling sounds.

Third Steward Xu You walked with his hands behind his back, unhurried, slowly passing each apprentice's workbench to check their progress and standards.

Suddenly.

Xu You halted his steps, glanced at Chen Dabao standing still like a statue, and was slightly taken aback.

Following Chen Dabao's gaze, he saw the brave laborer Li Che.

"You're so absorbed?"

Xu You's heart suddenly felt curious, able to draw the senior Four-blade Master Chen Dabao to stop and stare……

Could this laborer actually have some skill?

Xu You walked with his hands behind his back, slowly approaching, his eyelids lowered, his gaze falling upon Li Che's face, intent on carving, then shifted.

Landing upon the wood carving on the workbench……

(End of chapter)