https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-6-Passion-Challenges-Profession-Tang-Family-s-Mechanisms/12983849/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-8-Woodcarving-Prodigy-Inner-Strength-and-Divinity/12983856/
Chapter 7: Four-Armed Bodhisattva Holding a Child Statue
Chapter 7: Four-Armed Bodhisattva Holding a Child Statue
Perhaps there's a treasure here!
This ancient book... might be of great help in cultivating the Celestial Craft and attaining the Dao Fruit!
Suppressing the excitement in his heart regarding the Dao Fruit, Li Che took a deep breath. His emotions were stirred, but he refrained from further exploration.
As the sound of a copper gong reverberated, everyone in the woodcarving shop put down their tools, and the atmosphere became solemn.
The courtyard gate opened, and a gust of wind and snow rushed in, followed by several figures rushing inside.
The two leaders, draped in fox fur and wearing headgear, had piercing eyes and an imposing aura, as if they could capture one's soul with a glance.
Their robust vitality kept the wind and snow from touching them, and even after walking through the storm, not a single snowflake clung to their bodies.
These two were the Second and Third Managers of Xuji Woodcarving Shop.
Usually, the Third Manager, Xu You, managed the outer city branch, while the First Manager, Xu Heli, and the Second Manager, Xu Beihu, resided in the inner city. Today, for the assessment, Xu Beihu had personally come.
The Xuji Woodcarving Shop was no weakling in the inner city and could even be considered a powerful force. This was largely due to the three managers, each of whom was an exceptional expert with considerable strength.
After entering the shop and removing their fur cloaks, the two managers sat in large armchairs, calmly scanning the apprentices gathered inside.
"The assessment for woodcarvers in the shop is held once a year. Each time, three are selected to become One-Knife Woodcarvers, earning a fixed monthly wage of five taels. After selling their finished woodcarvings, the shop takes forty percent of the profit, and the rest goes to the carver."
"Of course, once you become a woodcarver, there's an annual evaluation. For each level you advance, the shop's share decreases by ten percent, and your monthly wage increases."
The Third Manager, Xu You, sat upright, his gentle gaze sweeping over the crowd. He had fair skin and a mild temperament.
In contrast, the Second Manager, Xu Beihu, lived up to his name, exuding a formidable aura. He sat with a broad waist and thick arms, his back straight as a bamboo stalk, and his vitality surged like a blazing furnace.
After the Third Manager finished speaking, the Second Manager's voice boomed like a bell, causing the room to feel like it was filled with wind and waves.
"As an official woodcarver in our shop, you'll be eligible to practice martial arts and cultivate Inner Strength. To advance further in the art of woodcarving, Inner Strength is indispensable. Our Xuji Woodcarving Shop has been passed down in Thunderstrike City for two hundred years. Without some martial prowess, we wouldn't be able to protect our business."
"Additionally, choosing to participate in the assessment is equivalent to agreeing to join our Xuji Woodcarving Shop. If you betray us, expect no mercy from me."
"I, Xu Beihu, despise traitors the most!"
His coarse words reverberated like a tiger's roar, striking fear into the hearts of the apprentices.
Li Che's heart skipped a beat.
"Now, those who wish to continue the assessment, come forward to register and collect your assessment wood."
After the Second Manager's stern words, the Third Manager, Xu You, spoke with gentleness.
The apprentices hurried forward in an orderly manner, registering their names and collecting their wood.
"Go ahead, Li," Old Chen said with a smile, taking a sip of wine.
After a quick salute, Li Che also went to register.
"Li Che?" The Third Manager, Xu You, raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised to see Li Che genuinely registering for the assessment.
A few days ago, when Li Che had sought him out, he hadn't taken it seriously. Every year, some laborers, envious of the woodcarvers' high earnings, would ask to participate in the assessment, but most would give up after trying to carve a few times.
It was quite rare for someone like Li Che to actually register for the assessment.
Was he lacking self-awareness, or... did he have genuine talent?
"There have been precedents of laborers becoming woodcarvers, so I hope you'll surprise me. Give it your best shot," Xu You encouraged, known for his gentle nature.
Li Che nodded, selected a piece of wood, and found an empty workbench.
Once all the participants had chosen their wood, Xu You stood with his hands behind his back, scanning the crowd. "The topic for this woodcarving assessment is... the Four-Armed Bodhisattva Holding a Child Statue."
As his words fell, Xu You lifted the red cloth covering a wooden statue on the table, revealing its true form.
A statue of a four-armed bodhisattva holding a child stood on the table. The four arms were extended, each in a different pose. One hand formed a mudra, another held a jade bottle, a third held a ruyi, and the last arm cradled a boy with a toothy smile and a topknot.
"Hiss—"
The sound of gasps filled the air as the apprentices took in this year's exam question.
Could this year's test be so difficult?! Even the experienced masters surrounding them couldn't hide their astonishment.
In previous years, it was just a standard Bodhimanda Statue, but this year, there's an additional child being held, and it's a four-armed statue!
Each additional arm on a wooden sculpture increases the complexity of the overall composition, the precision required to avoid mistakes, and the carving skills needed. This year's test was undoubtedly challenging.
So difficult!
Master Chen smacked his lips, "Li's luck is something else... What bad luck! There's no way to wing it with this exam question."
Li Che stared at the Four-Armed Bodhisattva Holding Child Statue, feeling a slight relief in his heart...
What good luck!
He had experience with this type of statue!
It's in the bag!
The 'Nine Sons Embracing Lotus' statue, which earned Old Chen a handsome profit of 150 taels, had been touched by Li Che, allowing him to learn child sculpting. As for the Six-Eyed Bodhisattva Statue, it provided Li Che with valuable Bodhisattva carving techniques...
The only shortcoming was the four-armed aspect.
But as a level 2 Dao Fruit Celestial Craftsman, Li Che was confident in his ability to carve it! "Just focus on capturing the essence."
Li Che's determination grew as he planned for the upcoming assessment.
He didn't need to hide his skills, but capturing the essence, this mysterious aspect, relied on innate talent.
For a mere laborer to display carving skills rivaling the masters of the woodcarving shop, it would be hard to explain.
"The assessment will last four hours. When the time is up, stop immediately. Failure to comply will result in disqualification. Do you understand?"
Second Manager Xu Beihu stood up, his imposing presence issuing a warning.
The apprentices, including Li Che, all acknowledged.
"The assessment for the Outer City Xuji Woodcarving Master begins now!"
Xu Beihu waved his large hand, his powerful inner strength surging through the shop.
Carving the Four-Armed Bodhisattva Holding Child Statue within four hours was a tight schedule, leaving no room for relaxation.
Therefore, the apprentices dared not waste time. Holding the wood, they began sketching and outlining with ink lines.
The wood had been dried, skipping a few steps.
Li Che placed the wood on the workbench, reaching out to touch it. He visualized the outer and inner contours in his mind, then, after a moment, he dipped the wolf-hair brush in ink and began drawing lines on the wood.
On the workbench, tools like an axe, hammer, saw, rasp, and chisel were prepared for rough sculpting.
The rough sculpture was essentially a concise geometric abstraction of the design, capturing the overall concept of layers, movement, proportions, and more.
The rough sculpture was crucial and the most significant test of talent.
As the apprentices finished outlining, the sound of chisels against wood filled the air...
[Celestial Craft] Dao Fruit trembled, and Li Che closed and reopened his eyes, his entire demeanor seemingly transformed.
Old Chen, holding a wine gourd, was startled when Li Che picked up the chisel. In that instant, his demeanor changed, and he stared at Li Che, as if looking at... his younger self.
"This kid... has quite the refined demeanor." Chen Dabao muttered.
However, as Li Che began carving and shaping the rough sculpture, Chen Dabao narrowed his eyes.
Wood shavings fell, and the sharp blade penetrated the wood, severing the wood's fibers and creating clean cuts.
The coarse lines had already outlined the overall rough sculpture.
Time slipped away, moment by moment, amidst the rustling sounds.
Third Manager Xu You strolled with his hands behind his back, his pace neither hurried nor slow. He passed by each apprentice, inspecting their progress and skill.
Suddenly.
Xu You halted, glancing at the statue-like figure of Chen Dabao, momentarily stunned.
Following Chen Dabao's gaze, he saw the courageous laborer, Li Che, who had captured the attention of the experienced Four-Knife Master Carver.
Could this laborer truly possess some skill?
Xu You strolled with his hands behind his back, his eyelids lowered, and his gaze fell upon Li Che, deeply focused on his carving, then shifted.
It landed on the wooden sculpture on the workbench...
(End of Chapter)
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