https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-10-Crossbow-Salvo-A-Mechanical-Murder/12983860/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-12-The-Daughter-Turns-One-Dragon-Elephant-Vajra/12983872/
Chapter 11: The Strange Temple
Chapter 11: The Strange Temple
After purchasing a pound of seasoned beef and some old yellow wine, Li Che felt a slight heaviness in his heart.
It was his first time taking a life, and he was surprised by the lack of intense reaction. In this declining imperial court and chaotic world filled with strange occurrences, life was as cheap as grass.
The black-skinned warrior wasn't the midwife, Lei Chunlan, but since he had ill intentions towards Xixi, Li Che naturally wouldn't show mercy. He didn't want to kill in front of Old Chen, so he deliberately found an excuse to turn back.
After all, killing in front of Old Chen would leave a handle for him to grasp.
Old Chen hadn't killed either, right?
It was mainly because of the black-skinned warrior's last words before dying that left Li Che feeling like he had a bone stuck in his throat...
Could Xuji not suppress the Spirit Infants Sect either?! Li Che exhaled, walking down the long street on foot, passing by the official notice board. He paused and looked over.
He noticed that the wanted poster for Lei Chunlan had been torn down at some point, replaced by a notice for a thief.
"Lei Chunlan's wanted poster... Was she killed, or did someone from the Spirit Infants Sect intervene to suppress the wanted notice?"
Li Che's brows furrowed, and his face grew increasingly gloomy.
Killing the black-skinned warrior from the Spirit Infants Sect hadn't alleviated his worries much.
"Even after moving into the workshop compound, I can't relax..."
Braving the snowstorm, Li Che returned to the woodcarving shop, removed his conical hat and cloak, and felt the warmth wash over him. Xixi's babbling sounds filled the air.
Li Che's heart softened, and as he entered the workshop, he saw Old Chen holding Xixi, his face radiant with laughter as he played with her, his body swaying to a rhythm.
"Suck, suck, suck," Old Chen laughed. "Xixi, give Grandpa Chen a smile."
Xixi babbled and tugged at Old Chen's beard with her chubby little hands, causing his laughter to grow louder.
Some of the masters in the workshop stopped their work and gathered around, their faces filled with smiles.
It was rare for a child to visit the shop, and Xixi's playful nature delighted many of the masters.
"Ah Che, you're back? Go to the backyard, the second manager is waiting for you."
"Xixi is here, and I'm playing with Old Chen. Don't worry, I get along well with the little girl. Anyone who dares to touch her, I'll slap them so hard they'll die!" Old Chen glanced at Li Che and hurriedly spoke.
Li Che nodded, put down the beef and old yellow wine he was holding, and went to the workshop to say a few comforting words to his wife, Zhang Ya, before heading to the backyard.
...
...
The snowstorm intensified, and goose feathers filled the sky.
In the training ground, several figures were already present.
The woodcarver, Li Che, and his fellow recruit, Wang Xuan, were practicing skin-grinding under the instructions of the second manager, Xu Beihu.
Li Che hurried his steps and greeted the two managers, bowing respectfully. "Second Manager, Third Manager, Li Che is late."
The third manager, Xu You, sat under the eaves of a house beside the training ground, preparing winter plum tea. Upon seeing Li Che, Xu You nodded.
"Old Chen told us that there's a reason for your actions, and we understand," Xu You said gently, not blaming Li Che for his tardiness.
"Your daughter... Is she being targeted by the Spirit Infants Sect?"
"Once you've settled in the workshop compound, you can relax. Even though Xuji is in the outer city, the Spirit Infants Sect won't dare to cause trouble. You're safe within the Xuji shop."
"When your daughter grows up, she can come to the inner city's Xuji compound and train with the Xuji descendants, laying a solid foundation..."
Li Che paused upon hearing this. Was he being invited to train with the Xuji descendants in the inner city?
Is this a good thing or a bad thing?
Li Che didn't think much of it. After a brief salute, he entered the courtyard.
Xu Beihu patted Li Che's body, his eyebrows relaxing, "Your bones are decent, but you're a bit old. Still, it's not impossible to train. With hard work, there's hope for Bone Tempering in the future."
"Skin Polishing is also the initial method of Vital Energy stimulation."
"Vital Energy is generated within the body, from the inside out, and from the outside in, mutually reinforcing and stimulating. Use blood to polish the skin, and use Vital Energy to temper the muscles!"
Next, Xu Beihu began to teach Li Che the cultivation method of Skin Polishing.
Li Che listened with utmost seriousness, not daring to relax for a moment.
Today, he had killed someone, but it was with the help of Mechanical Tricks. If he could be as strong as Old Chen...
Hmm, if the mechanism could kill...
It's still more comfortable to kill with mechanisms.
...
...
The snow was swirling, and the cold was piercing.
But Li Che was drenched in sweat, his body emitting hot steam. Large beads of sweat kept rolling down his forehead.
After a day of hard training, Li Che felt his skin membrane burning hot. Although he hadn't yet entered the realm of Skin Polishing, he had grasped the cultivation method.
"I've taught you the Skin Polishing technique. From now on, you must diligently practice without slacking. Martial Way requires perseverance through cold and heat, and only through hard work can you reap gains and progress."
"After you've perfected Skin Polishing, I'll teach you the Sinew Opening Technique."
"However, perfecting Skin Polishing will take at least two years... Work hard. From now on, you'll polish your skin in the training ground in the mornings and carve in the workshop in the afternoons. Every six months, I'll test your Skin Polishing progress."
Xu Beihu spoke with a stern voice.
His tiger-like eyes exuded immense pressure as he scanned the three of them.
Li Che and the others immediately responded with a salute.
...
...
Returning from the training ground, the sky had already darkened.
Li Che's skin membrane was aching, but his mood was incredibly refreshed. Finally, he was formally practicing Martial Arts.
Old Chen held Xixi, strolling among the masters' workshops as if showing off, introducing Xixi to the masters.
Li Che could sense Old Chen's affection for Xixi.
He had heard that Old Chen was a lone man, without a wife or children... He had dedicated his life to Xuji Woodcarving Shop.
Unlike the other masters, who had harems and many children.
A single woodcarving master could support an entire family. Even without becoming grandmasters, their carvings were highly marketable, and making money was not difficult.
For instance, Old Chen had earned 150 taels just by carving a "Nine Sons Holding Lotus" statue.
"Finished training? Starting Skin Polishing now?" Old Chen, holding Xixi, approached Li Che with a smile.
Upon seeing Li Che, Xixi stretched out her arms for a hug.
"Oh dear, you heartless child, your Grandpa Chen has held you all day, and you're not even a bit reluctant to leave!" Old Chen, easily abandoned by Xixi, pouted like a mischievous child.
Li Che smiled and took Xixi from him. The full-moon-faced Xixi was chubbier, with fair skin, big bright eyes, and long eyelashes. Her blinking was like that of a sprite.
"Old Chen, there's something else... I'd like to ask of you."
Old Chen waved his hand while continuing to play with Xixi.
"I know what you want to say. You want me to watch over Xixi tonight, right? You can't put your heart at ease until we move to the workshop compound."
Old Chen laughed.
Li Che wasn't embarrassed. In this chaotic world, fearing death wasn't something to be embarrassed about.
Moreover, he did have such concerns.
"Don't worry, Xixi and I get along well. I'll definitely watch over her, and tomorrow, I'll take my little Xixi to see the courtyard." Old Chen took Xixi from Li Che's arms, "Alright, you've held her long enough. Come, Xixi, Grandpa Chen will hold you~"
Li Che couldn't help but laugh. When had he held her for so long? They had just exchanged hands.
Returning to the workshop, he saw his wife Zhang Ya had cleaned it thoroughly. His face lit up with a smile.
Wife and child, warm hearth... This was what he pursued. He only wished for his wife and daughter to grow up healthily...
So, Spirit Infant Sect, don't push him!
If they pushed him too far...
Today, he killed one person. In the future...
He wouldn't hesitate to slaughter the entire Spirit Infant Sect!
(End of Chapter)
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