https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-2-Dao-Fruit-of-Celestial-Craft-Six-Eyed-Bodhisattva/12983839/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-4-Celestial-Craft-Upgrade-Bad-News-Arrives/12983841/
Chapter 3: Nine Sons Embracing Lotus, the Art of Inner Strength
Chapter 3: Nine Sons Embracing Lotus, the Art of Inner Strength
Xuji Woodcarving Shop was one of the top woodcarving shops in the Outer City, often receiving orders from the Inner City, with an immense demand for various woodcarving needs.
Whether it was carving landscapes, Bodhimanda statues, Buddha statues, or even sculptures of deities Li Che had never heard of, the shop had it all.
For helpers like Li Che, moving lumber and finished statues was a fixed piece-rate job. The pay wasn't great, and the work was exhausting.
But becoming an official woodcarving master was a different story. Carving a single piece could earn at least ten taels of silver!
Li Che had even heard that Master Chen once carved a "Thousand-Armed Guanyin Holding Lotus" wood carving, spending nearly a month and earning a gold leaf, equivalent to one hundred taels!
That was a skill that could bring great wealth and honor to ordinary folks.
Li Che's heart stirred with ambition. In the past, he wouldn't have dared to dream of such a thing.
Woodcarving was an art that required training from a young age, testing both skill and artistic talent. Many of the apprentices at the woodcarving shop had started their training as young as five or six years old, sent by their families who paid a hefty price for their education.
Li Che had started working at the woodcarving shop at the age of thirteen, already past the ideal age for such training.
Although he once had the idea of self-teaching, he gave up after a few days.
How could he possibly compete with those who had dedicated their entire childhood to mastering this craft with just a few days of self-study? Moreover, woodcarving was one thing to observe and another to practice.
"I'll find an opportunity to try... Perhaps Celestial Craft Dao Fruit has granted me woodcarving talent?" Li Che couldn't help but feel a surge of anticipation.
A gust of cold wind brought him back to his senses, and he decided to bury his ambition for now and focus on his work.
Moving finished wood carvings was different from hauling lumber; it required extra caution to avoid any damage.
He wrapped the statues in cloth and secured them with hemp ropes to prevent friction during transport.
Carefully carrying the Six-Eyed Bodhisattva Statue, Li Che made his way to the inner room.
Entering Master Chen's workshop, he set down the statue, removed the cloth, and checked for any friction marks, feeling relieved when he found none.
"Master Chen, I've brought in the Bodhisattva statue. I'll go get the Huaquanliu wood now. You want a larger piece, right?" Li Che said, relaxing his shoulders with a smile.
Master Chen was already seated, sharpening his chisel with a whetstone.
"Yes, be quick about it. I need to carve a 'Nine Sons Embracing Lotus' statue this time, and the process is intricate. The Inner City is also rushing this order," Master Chen said, picking up his chisel and squinting at its sharp edge.
Li Che returned to the courtyard, where snow was falling heavily, and he was about to carry the piece of Huaquanliu wood he had chosen.
But as he touched the wood, Li Che felt Celestial Craft Dao Fruit give a slight jump, and an inexplicable feeling arose in his heart.
"This piece of Huaquanliu doesn't seem quite right for carving a 'Nine Sons Embracing Lotus' statue..." Li Che murmured softly.
Most woodcarving masters would personally select their lumber, but there were exceptions. Some masters, confident in their skills, would avoid the hassle of choosing wood in the harsh winter weather.
However, if a helper picked unsuitable wood...
It would be fine if the master had a good temper, but if not, they might deduct the moving fee.
In that case, not only would Li Che have to make extra trips, but he'd also lose money... A terrible deal.
Li Che abandoned that piece of Huaquanliu and began searching again, using his palms to feel the wood until Celestial Craft Dao Fruit guided him to one that felt just right.
Carrying this slightly heavier piece of Huaquanliu, he returned to Master Chen's workshop.
"Hmm? Good choice, Li! This wood is a perfect match!" Master Chen exclaimed with surprise. The wood almost perfectly matched the 'Nine Sons Embracing Lotus' design in his mind!
With just a few strokes of the chisel, the rough outline would be complete, saving him much time and effort.
Li Che smiled but said nothing.
After praising Li Che, Master Chen began preparing for the carving.
"Li, help me put this on the workbench. I heard you have a newborn daughter... I'll give you extra for this job." Master Chen stood up and smiled.
Li Che's eyes lit up at the mention of extra pay. He quickly agreed and, after tying the hemp rope, lifted the heavy Huaquanliu onto the metal workbench.
"The Inner City is really pushing for this. Lately, they've been demanding wood carvings of male and female children. It's probably related to the rumors about the Spirit Infant Master. The nobility in the Inner City always has such fancies..." Master Chen shook his head and muttered.
"They want it done in five days. My old bones might not handle this rush..."
"But the pay is good. Hey, Li, guess how much this client is offering?" Master Chen rubbed his hands, smiling as he walked to the Huaquanliu wood, now damp from the snow.
Wiping the sweat from his forehead, Li Che exhaled, "For a five-day delivery... It should be at least fifty taels, right?"
"The Nine Sons Embracing Lotus statue is not as challenging as the Thousand-Armed Guanyin, so Li Che made a conservative estimate."
"Fifty taels? Haha... That's too little, at least a whole gold leaf's worth!"
Master Chen let out a hearty laugh, then slapped the wood with his palm. His arm seemed to be tinged with a layer of crimson, and hot air surged from his palm, seeping into the wood, driving out the moisture within!
The scorching heat was overwhelming, and standing next to Master Chen felt like facing a boiling furnace. Li Che took a deep breath, amazed by the value of this wood carving, which turned out to be worth one hundred and fifty taels, and also envious of Master Chen's mystical skills!
These woodcarvers not only had craftsmanship but also possessed, as legends told... martial arts! Those who became woodcarvers all had control over their Inner Strength, which could be used to dry the wood, saving a lot of working hours.
Moreover, when Inner Strength was infused into the wood carvings, they would possess a certain artistic essence. This essence was the true skill that made the noble lords of the Inner City willingly pay up.
Master Chen glanced at Li Che, who was both shocked and envious, and said with a playful smile, "Want to learn?"
"Learning comes at a cost. Although you won't learn the superior Inner Strength techniques, you can learn some of the common Inner Strength methods that Xuji Woodcarving Shop has left in the Outer City."
"After decades of arduous cultivation, you can almost generate Inner Strength."
Li Che's heart stirred slightly. "Master Chen, I wonder how much the Inner Strength techniques cost?"
"The superior Inner Strength methods can't be bought with money. You can only learn them at Xuji Woodcarving Shop in the Inner City, and ordinary people can't learn them."
"The common Inner Strength methods in the Outer City can be bought, but the cheapest ones... still cost thirty taels. What? Are you really considering it, kid?" Master Chen said, half-smiling, as he used his Inner Strength to dry the wood.
"Your child has just been born. Save your money... Buying the Inner Strength techniques is one thing, learning them is another, and mastering them is yet another."
Master Chen shook his head and kindly advised him.
Seeing that Li Che was genuinely interested, Master Chen raised his eyebrows. "You're a thoughtful lad, but it's a pity you didn't try woodcarving when you were younger. If you want to buy an Inner Strength technique, come to me. I have one that you can learn for twenty taels."
Li Che didn't immediately agree but smiled and said he would consider it for a while.
Then he left Master Chen's workshop.
After that, Li Che got busy again, helping several other woodcarvers move wood and finished carvings. He also assisted the apprentices in the shop by carrying smaller pieces of wood, earning some wages.
The shop provided lunch, which was simple but still hot food, enough to fill half their stomachs and give them energy for work.
In the evening, after receiving thirty-five Dajing brass coins for the day's work, Li Che left, exhausted.
Wearing a conical hat and braving the snow, he bought some charcoal on the way home.
As he entered the crisscrossing alleys, the sky had already turned completely dark, but the dim yellow light from the oil lamp in his humble house made Li Che quicken his steps through the snow.
"Wife, I'm back!"
He opened and closed the door quickly to prevent the cold wind from blowing into the house, carrying the snow and taking away the warmth.
After adding some charcoal to the fire pit, Li Che tiptoed to the bed, where Xixi lay, her eyes wide open.
Seeing Li Che, Xixi giggled.
Li Che's heart melted, and he picked her up, gently rocking her.
Zhang Ya watched this scene with a gentle gaze as she brought out the dinner she had prepared for Li Che from the pot.
The steaming noodles exuded a mouth-watering aroma.
For a poor family, there was no concept of postpartum rest.
Not having to work in the fields and only preparing dinner was considered Zhang Ya's version of postpartum rest.
After the couple finished dinner, Li Che asked Zhang Ya to rest while he washed the dishes.
Then, he took a small piece of wood and a chisel and returned to the house.
Zhang Ya held Xixi, gently patting and soothing her, while curiously watching Li Che.
"What are you doing, husband?" she asked.
Li Che, under the dim light of the oil lamp, interlaced his fingers and stretched them, making a cracking sound. He smiled and said, "I recently learned a new skill at the woodcarving shop."
"Wife, watch closely!"
Hearing this, Zhang Ya couldn't help but laugh, "Husband, you've learned several skills over the years, but after a few days, you always say seriously that it's good to let go..."
Li Che's lips curved slightly upwards, "Wife, don't make fun of me. Have you heard the saying, 'Thirty Years East, Thirty Years West'?"
"I'm different now; I'm a father now!"
Zhang Ya pursed her lips, her eyes filled with a subtle smile.
What does being a father have to do with learning woodcarving?
Li Che smiled but didn't say anything further.
Closing his eyes slightly, his mind was flooded with carving techniques and skills for the Six-Eyed Bodhisattva statue, like squeezing water from a wet cotton...
When he opened his eyes, a faint glow seemed to flash in his gaze.
With a calm mind and steady hands, he firmly gripped the chisel and began to carve into the wood...
(End of Chapter)
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