https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-6-Hobbies-Challenging-Professions-the-Tang-Mechanisms/12831056/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-8-The-Woodcarving-Prodigy-and-the-Divine-Inner-Qi/12831058/
Chapter 7: The Four-Armed Bodhisattva Embracing a Child
Chapter 7: The Four-Armed Bodhisattva Embracing a Child
It seems we have a find!
This ancient text... It might be of great help to the Dao Fruit of Immortal Craftsmanship! Suppressing the excitement within him, Li Che took a deep breath. Despite the surge of emotions, he refrained from investigating immediately.
As the gong sounded, everyone in the woodcarving shop put down their tools, and the atmosphere became tense.
The door to the courtyard opened, and the wind and snow rushed in, followed by several figures.
The two figures at the front wore fox fur capes and bound headbands, their eyes sharp and full of a commanding presence that seemed to captivate the soul at first glance.
Their vital energy was robust, and the wind and snow did not touch them, not even a single snowflake clung to their bodies as they walked through the storm.
These two were the second and third managers of the Xu Family Woodcarving Shop.
Normally, the third manager, Xu You, managed the outer city shop, while the first manager, Xu Heli, and the second manager, Xu Beihu, resided in the inner city. However, for today's assessment, the second manager, Xu Beihu, had come in person.
The Xu Family Woodcarving Shop was not weak in the inner city; it could even be called a powerful force. The three managers were all top-notch craftsmen, each with formidable strength.
Once inside the shop, they removed their fox fur capes and sat down in the grand chairs, their gazes calmly sweeping over the gathered apprentices.
"The woodcarving apprenticeship assessment is held once a year, and we admit three new apprentices each time. After becoming a master carver, you will receive a fixed monthly wage of five taels, and the shop will take 40% of the profits from your finished carvings, with the rest going to you."
"Of course, as a master carver, each additional year of service means a 10% reduction in the shop's share and an increase in your monthly wage."
Xu You, the third manager, sat composed, his gaze gentle and his demeanor mild.
In contrast, the second manager, Xu Beihu, lived up to his name with a commanding presence. He sat upright, broad-shouldered and sturdy, his vital energy rolling like a blazing furnace.
After Xu You finished speaking, Xu Beihu added his voice, deep and resonant, making the room feel as if a storm was brewing.
"Once you become a formal master carver in our shop, you will have the right to practice martial arts and cultivate inner strength. To advance further in the art of woodcarving, inner strength is essential. The Xu Family Woodcarving Shop has been in business for two hundred years in Feilei City, and without martial prowess, we could not have protected our legacy."
"Also, by choosing to participate in this assessment, you are agreeing to join the Xu Family Woodcarving Shop. If you betray us, do not blame us for our harsh actions."
"I, Xu Beihu, despise traitors the most!"
His rough voice echoed like a tiger's roar, shaking the hearts of every apprentice.
Li Che's heart also trembled.
"Now, those who wish to continue with the assessment, please come forward to register and collect your wood."
After the second manager's stern warning, the third manager's gentle words were like a breath of fresh air.
Many apprentices hurriedly lined up to register their names and collect their wood.
"Li, go ahead," Old Chen said with a smile, taking a sip of wine and squinting his eyes.
Li Che bowed and then joined the line to register.
"Li Che?" The third manager, Xu You, raised an eyebrow in surprise when he saw Li Che come forward to register.
A few days ago, Li Che had come to seek him out, but he hadn't taken it seriously. Every year, some laborers envied the high earnings of master carvers and sought to join the assessment, but most gave up after a few attempts at carving.
It was quite rare to see someone like Li Che actually come forward to register.
Was it a lack of self-awareness, or did he have genuine talent?
"Turning from a laborer to a master carver is not unheard of. I hope you can surprise me. Do your best," Xu You encouraged him, his tone gentle.
Li Che nodded, selected a piece of wood, and found a worktable to stand at.
Once everyone had chosen their wood, the third manager, Xu You, stood with his hands behind his back and surveyed the group.
"The subject of this woodcarving assessment... the Four-Armed Bodhisattva Embracing a Child."
With that, he lifted the red cloth covering the wooden sculpture on the table, revealing its true form.
A four-armed bodhisattva holding a child stood on the table, its arms outstretched in various poses. One hand formed a mudra, another held a jade bottle, another held a ruyi, a traditional Chinese decorative object, and the final arm cradled a child with a mischievous grin, his hair styled in a topknot.
“Hiss—”
The sound of intake of cold air echoed from the mouths of the many apprentices.
This year's exam... is actually this difficult?! Even the veteran teachers watching the spectacle showed signs of surprise.
In previous years, the exam only required a standard bodhisattva statue, but this year, it added a child in the arms of the bodhisattva and required four arms.
Each additional arm in a wooden sculpture increases the complexity, the likelihood of errors, and the difficulty of carving.
Difficult, difficult, difficult! Master Chen smacked his lips. "Li's luck is really something... He's really unlucky. With this exam, he can't just coast through it."
Li Che stared at the four-armed bodhisattva statue, and his heart felt a slight relief...
Not bad luck!
It's a type he's handled before!
He's got this!
Master Chen's earlier "Nine Children Embracing the Lotus," which earned him 150 taels, had already been studied by Li Che, teaching him how to carve children. Additionally, the Six-Eyed Bodhisattva statue provided Li Che with techniques for carving bodhisattvas.
The only drawback was... the four arms.
But with his Level 2 Dao Fruit of Master Craftsmanship, Li Che was confident he could carve it!
"The key is to focus on the essence."
Li Che pondered, planning his approach for this exam.
He didn't need to hide his skills, but the essence, that intangible quality, could only be attributed to talent.
If a laborer were to display carving skills on par with the veteran masters of the woodcarving shop... it would be difficult to explain.
"The exam time is four hours. When the time is up, everyone must stop carving. Violators will be disqualified. Is that clear?"
Second Manager Xu Beihu stood up, his voice carrying a commanding presence.
The apprentices, including Li Che, all responded.
"The outer city Xu's Woodcarving Master Exam begins now!"
Xu Beihu waved his hand, his voice resonating throughout the shop.
Carving a "Four-Armed Bodhisattva with Child" in four hours was a tight schedule, leaving no room for wasted time.
Thus, the apprentices wasted no time, picking up their wood and starting to sketch with ink lines.
The wood had already been dried, saving some steps.
Li Che placed the wood on the workbench, touched it, and mentally outlined the outer and inner contours. After a moment, he picked up a brush and ink, drawing the lines on the wood.
The workbench was equipped with various tools for rough carving, including axes, hammers, saws, and files.
Rough carving involves simplifying the concept into basic geometric shapes, capturing the layers, movement, proportions, and balance of the design.
Rough carving is crucial and the most challenging part, testing one's innate talent.
After a short while, the apprentices who had finished their lines began the rhythmic tapping and carving...
The Dao Fruit of Master Craftsmanship pulsed, and when Li Che opened his eyes, his entire demeanor seemed to transform dramatically.
Master Chen, holding a wine gourd, was taken aback when Li Che picked up his carving knife and his aura changed. He looked at Li Che as if he were seeing... his younger self.
"This kid... he's got the look down pretty well," Chen Dabao muttered.
However, as Li Che began carving and shaping the rough form, Chen Dabao squinted his eyes.
Wood chips and sawdust fell, and the sharp blade cut into the wood, severing the fibers and leaving precise marks.
The rough, rugged lines had already outlined the overall form of the rough carving.
Time passed like sand through the fingers, trickling away with the sound of the carving.
Third Manager Xu You strolled by, his pace unhurried, slowly passing by each apprentice's workbench to inspect their progress and skill.
Suddenly.
Xu You stopped, his gaze falling on the statue-like Chen Dabao, who was standing still, and he was slightly taken aback.
Following Chen Dabao's gaze, he saw the courageous laborer, Li Che.
"So engrossed?"
Xu You's curiosity was piqued. If a veteran four-knife master like Chen Dabao was so captivated...
Could this laborer really have something special?
Xu You strolled closer, hands behind his back, and his eyes lowered to the face of the focused Li Che, then shifted to the woodcarving on the workbench...
(End of Chapter)
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