https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-62-The-Temple-Deity-s-Promotion-and-the-Father-Daughter-Treasure/12983942/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-64-Wrathful-Crying-Hundred-Demons-Thunderbolt-Arrow-The-Ox-Demon-Returns/12983944/
Chapter 63: Thousand Buddha Carving Feast, The Chess Sage Observes the Game
Chapter 63: Thousand Buddha Carving Feast, The Chess Sage Observes the Game
Xixi's birthday had just passed, and the weather became increasingly frigid.
Winter plum trees stood tall in the cold, adorned with pure white snowflakes, while the bluestone pavement of the inner city's long street was piled high with thick snow, dazzlingly white.
Li Che saw off Xu You, who was leaving the city to eradicate evil, and returned to his small courtyard located in Clear Wind Lane.
Old Chen sat in a rattan chair, sipping aged wine under the eaves, gazing at the withered old tree in the courtyard, and staring blankly.
"Old Chen, what are you thinking about?" Li Che asked curiously, shaking off the snow from his oiled paper umbrella as he returned.
Old Chen's gaze refocused, and he shook his head, "When you get old, you tend to space out..."
"In a while, the Divine Sect will send people to Feilai City to select Divine Children... If Xixi stays safe during this period, she will most likely be chosen to enter the Divine Sect..."
"Old Chen, I... I'm afraid I won't be able to see Xixi for a long time."
Old Chen sighed, picked up the wine gourd, and took a few gulps.
Having spent a long time with the child, if they were truly to part ways for an extended period, Old Chen would genuinely feel a sense of loneliness and anxiety creeping in.
He worried that after his passing... he would never see the child again.
"Then why don't you come with us to the Divine Sect to accompany Xixi in her cultivation?" Li Che suggested softly.
Old Chen rolled his eyes at Li Che, as if looking at a fool, "Ah Che... you're still too young."
"When the Divine Sect recruits disciples, only family members are allowed to accompany them. How can I possibly have the qualifications to follow if Xixi is accepted into the sect?" Old Chen shook his head; after all, he was already in his fifties and knew some inside information about the Divine Sect.
Li Che couldn't help but smile lightly at these words, "Rest assured... Xixi won't abandon you."
"It's just going to the Divine Sect, no problem..."
Old Chen shook his head; how could the rules of such a colossal organization as the Divine Sect be easily changed for you?
Li Che and Old Chen chatted for a while longer, then planned to head to the Independent Workshop for cultivation.
However, before they could even step out the door, they heard voices from outside the courtyard.
Li Che looked up, and the wind and snow parted.
Two figures, draped in crane cloaks, walked through the soft snow and gently knocked on the wide-open courtyard gate.
"Is Master Li here?"
The visitors were none other than Xu He Li and Xu Beihu.
"Congratulations, Master Li, on your promotion to the 'Ten Capital' Woodcarving Master. It is a joyous occasion and a blessing for our Xu Family," Xu He Li said with a gentle smile, a divine sword sheathed at his waist.
His eyes held a mixture of surprise and intensity as he looked at Li Che.
Xu He Li truly hadn't expected that a commoner from the outer city, who had struggled and toiled, could become a Woodcarving Master.
"It's just luck," Li Che replied with a fist to his chest.
It was evident that the Xu Family didn't place as much importance on him as a Woodcarving Master as they might have, as the visitor was Xu He Li instead of the family head, Xu Nanming.
A Woodcarving Master didn't warrant the attention of the family head.
Old Chen, who was sitting in a daze, was startled upon hearing that Li Che had become a Woodcarving Master. He jumped up from his rattan chair, his jaw dropping in surprise.
What's going on? I taught Li Che woodcarving, how could he not know about this? Has he lost my trust? Old Chen stared at Li Che with uncertainty.
But being a seasoned veteran, he quickly calmed down and kept many thoughts to himself, refraining from asking questions.
Xu Beihu, standing next to Xu He Li, also had a complex expression, his shock at this moment not yet digested.
"The title of Woodcarving Master relies on true skill and craftsmanship, not just luck."
"Master Li, there's no need for modesty. I heard that Master Li carved a 'Three Immortals Riding Bulls Suspended Thought Sword Image' for your third brother yesterday? I wonder... could I request a divine carving from Master Li?"
Xu He Li bowed and said, "Five hundred gold leaves. I'll provide the design and the spiritual wood, but according to the rules of a Woodcarving Master, the Xu Family won't take a cut..."
Five hundred gold leaves for a single carving—truly a sky-high price.
But for divine cultivators, a divine carving can help reduce their arduous cultivation by a month's worth of effort, making it well worth the price.
To forge a divine foundation, one must seize every moment.
Li Che looked at Xu He Li in surprise and directly asked for a divine carving? The Xu Family's attitude and reaction upon learning that he had become a Woodcarving Master were indeed unexpected.
Chen Dabao, standing nearby, furrowed his brows.
Li Che thought carefully. The Chess Sage's Dao Fruit had significantly enhanced his reasoning and thinking abilities.
He quickly understood the reason.
"Senior Partner, I just became a Woodcarving Master. Carving that statue for Xu You took a lot of my energy, so I won't be taking any orders for now..." Li Che shook his head, declining the offer.
It wasn't that he didn't want to earn these five hundred gold leaves.
Instead, he planned to officially break through to the Pulse Penetrating Realm in the next few days, strengthening his foundation in qi and blood martial arts, and gaining more confidence.
Xu He Li's smile gradually faded, surprised that Li Che had refused, although his reason was reasonable.
But in his heart, he still felt a little uncomfortable.
"In that case, I'll trouble Master Li. He Li, I'll come back another day to request a statue..." He Li suppressed his emotions and bowed respectfully.
After Li Che returned the greeting, the Xu brothers turned and left.
Old Chen watched the two brothers' departing figures, his brows furrowed. "Ah Che, you should have taken this job."
"It seems that Feilai City is about to undergo a major change, which has made the Xu family's attitude towards woodcarving masters somewhat different. They're worried that after investing resources, you'll just pat your butt and leave..."
Li Che opened his oil-paper umbrella and smiled, "No problem."
"Old Chen... I now have the confidence to refuse jobs."
After saying this, he held the umbrella and stepped into the snow.
Chen Dabao stared at Li Che, feeling a bit dazed for a moment.
He couldn't help but compare the calm and confident young man before him to the nervous and timid figure from the Xu family's woodcarving shop in the outer city, seeking his help.
Could time bring about such a significant change in a person?
...
...
In the luxurious carriage, the water boiled.
Steam rose and filled the carriage.
Xu He Li sat expressionlessly, leaning back in a soft chair, watching the falling snow outside the window.
"It seems I misjudged... I never thought that the former country bumpkin would one day become a woodcarving master..."
"He's leaped through the dragon gate, a complete turnaround."
Xu Beihu poured a cup of tea for Xu He Li and said with a sigh, "This is talent... Being able to give birth to a high-quality divine child like Li Nuanxi, his own talent must be extraordinary."
"What a pity..." Xu Li shook his head.
Thinking of what Old Granddad had said to him, Xu He Li slightly lowered his eyes, a flash of murderous intent passing through them.
You carved a statue for the third young master for free, but you won't take the job even for five hundred gold leaves...
What a big face he has!
Taking advantage of a favor...
Xu He Li slowly closed his eyes and said to Xu Beihu, "Go to the city lord's mansion and find Zhao Xuan Hai. Tell him about Li Che becoming a woodcarving master. Isn't he always wanting Li Che to carve statues?"
"This way, you'll be fulfilling his wish."
Upon hearing this, Xu Beihu's hand pouring tea suddenly froze.
Scalding hot tea spilled out.
...
...
The sky gradually darkened, and snowflakes filled the sky.
Like goose feathers, the snowflakes fluttered down, enveloping the world with their chill.
On the main street, the number of pedestrians dwindled.
Although the inner city was more prosperous than the outer city, there were even fewer people, so when night fell, there were hardly any pedestrians to be seen.
Zhao Xuan Hai wore a bamboo hat, with one hand tucked into his chest, his tall and sturdy figure resembling a bear walking among men. However, despite the snow-covered ground, his footsteps left no traces.
"This Li Che... has become a woodcarving master, how interesting."
"He's truly a genius. The city lord will definitely like him. If the city lord's 'Thousand Buddha Carving Feast' can have a woodcarving master, it will surely succeed."
Most woodcarving masters have been tied to noble families for many years and are not easily moved.
A new woodcarving master who is not bound to any family is simply too valuable.
"The Xu family is decisive. Knowing they can't stop the city lord's 'Thousand Buddha Carving Feast', they directly chose to sell this new woodcarving master."
"No wonder they are from a merchant background, they are indeed cold-blooded and only pursue profits."
He looked towards the independent workshop in the alley and realized that the Xu family had directly revealed the location of the workshop to him.
"Li Che, Li Che..."
"You didn't want to drink with me when I invited you with silver, but now... you'll have to drink the punishment wine."
Zhao Xuan Hai took a step forward and pulled out an angry child mask from his chest, covering his face with it.
The wind and snow seemed to freeze in place, as if being burned and melted by flames.
...
...
Inside the independent workshop.
Li Che sat quietly, and the snowflakes danced and swayed.
But just as they were about to land on his hair, an invisible force twisted and tore them apart.
In front of him, Li Che had made a chessboard out of sandalwood, with intersecting lines, but there were no chess pieces on the board, leaving it empty.
He gently placed his palm on the closed chessboard.
In an instant.
Within his chest.
The Chess Sage's Dao Fruit trembled violently.
His spirit soared, and the lines of divine nature woven and condensed between heaven and earth formed an invisible chessboard.
Li Che slowly opened his eyes.
He saw...
At the alley entrance, Zhao Xuan Hai slowly took out an angry child mask and covered his face...
He watched him step by step towards the workshop in the alley.
Like a black chess piece on the chessboard.
Impatiently...
Walking towards death.
PS: Some bad news, I've made it onto the new book rankings, and it's more challenging now. The good news is that the number of followers in the background has exceeded 3,000, which gives me a little more hope. So, Li continues to ask for followers! Tomorrow is Monday, and I'm going to make a push for the top three rankings. Everyone, please support me! Li kneels in gratitude!
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
